Cerebral Ischemic Events Research Articles

Comparison of adhesive single-lead cardiac ECG patch device with Holter monitoring for detecting atrial fibrillation after an acute cerebral ischemic event: An interim analysis

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Ministry of Health Malaysia Background Stroke secondary to atrial fibrillation (AF) is common and often associated with higher risk of stroke recurrence. Detection of AF is challenging due to brief unpredictable episodes of AF runs, especially in patients whose admission electrocardiogram (ECG) demonstrates a sinus rhythm. Probability of AF detection may be higher with early initiation of prolonged ECG monitoring. Purpose To compare diagnostic yield of 7-day cardiac ECG patch versus 24-hour Holter monitoring for detecting AF≥30 seconds; to identify predictors of AF in stroke patients; to determine if 7-day cardiac ECG patch results in a change in clinical practice. Methods In this investigator-initiated prospective study with pairwise comparison of 24-hour Holter and 7-day cardiac ECG patch monitoring, 150 patients who were admitted to a tertiary referral centre with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) within 1 week, without known AF, and had sinus rhythm in the admission 12-lead ECG were enrolled. Each patient underwent simultaneous 24-hour Holter and 7-day cardiac ECG patch monitoring. Routine transthoracic echocardiography was performed on each patient to assess cardiac function and exclude intracardiac thrombus. Results There were 102 (68.0%) male patients. 12 (8.0%) patients had underlying history of coronary artery disease; 26 (17.3%) had recurrent stroke or TIA. On admission, median NIH Stroke scale was 4; 18 (12.0%) patients had thrombolysis with alteplase. On transthoracic echocardiography, none had intracardiac thrombus. Both Holter and cardiac ECG patch monitoring were initiated simultaneously at median 2 days after index stroke event. Of 150 patients, 17 (11.3%) detected AF ≥30 seconds. Of these 17 patients, 7 (4.7%) had AF detected within the first 24 hours on both Holter and cardiac ECG patch; 10 (6.7%) were detected after 24 hours on cardiac ECG patch only. Number needed to screen to detect one AF was 6. Compliance to 7-day cardiac ECG patch monitoring was 81.3%. There was no significant difference in age among patients with and without AF. Although left atrium (LA) was not found to be dilated in patients with AF, LA volume index was significantly higher (28.3±15.9 vs 21.8±8.5, p=0.018) and LA emptying fraction (LAEF) was significantly lower (38.0%±30.2 vs 52.6%±16.7, p=0.007). The prolonged 7-day cardiac ECG monitoring patch resulted in 1.5-fold increase in prescription of anticoagulation therapy. Conclusions A 7-day cardiac ECG patch monitoring detected more patients with AF ≥30 seconds than 24-hour Holter monitoring and resulted in increase in prescription of anticoagulation therapy. Higher LA volume index and lower LA emptying fraction were predictors of AF in patients with a recent stroke.

Role of plaque inflammation in symptomatic carotid stenosis.

Prior studies have shown that plaque inflammation on FDG-PET and the symptomatic carotid atheroma inflammation lumen-stenosis (SCAIL) score were associated with recurrent ischemic events, but the findings have thus far not been widely validated. Therefore, we aimed to validate the findings of prior studies. A single-center prospective cohort study that recruited patients with (1) recent TIA or ischemic stroke within the past 30 days, (2) ipsilateral carotid artery stenosis of ≥50%, and (3) were not considered for early carotid revascularization. The (1) maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the symptomatic carotid plaque, (2) the SCAIL score, and (3) stenosis severity of the symptomatic carotid artery were measured for all patients. The outcomes were (1) a 90-day ipsilateral ischemic stroke and (2) a 90-day ipsilateral symptomatic TIA or major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE). Among the 131 patients included in the study, the commonest cardiovascular risk factor was hypertension (95 patients, 72.5%), followed by diabetes mellitus (77 patients, 58.8%) and being a current smoker (64 patients, 48.9%). The median (IQR) duration between the index cerebral ischemic event and recruitment to the study was 1 (0, 2.5) days. The median (IQR) duration between the index cerebral ischemic event and FDG-PET was 5 (4, 7) days. A total of 14 (10.7%) patients had a 90-day stroke, and 41 (31.3%) patients had a 90-day TIA or MACE. On comparison of the predictive performances of the SCAIL score and SUVmax, SUVmax was found to be superior to the SCAIL score for predicting both 90-day ipsilateral ischemic stroke (AUC: SCAIL = 0.79, SUVmax = 0.92; p < 0.001; 95% CI = 0.072, 0.229) and 90-day TIA or MACE (AUC: SCAIL = 0.76, SUVmax = 0.84; p = 0.009; 95% CI = 0.020, 0.143). Plaque inflammation as quantified on FDG-PET may serve as a reliable biomarker for risk stratification among patients with ECAD and recent TIA or ischemic stroke. Future studies should evaluate whether patients with significant plaque inflammation as quantified on FDG-PET benefit from carotid revascularization and/or anti-inflammatory therapy.

Risk of Bleeding Complications With Different Peri-Operative Antithrombotic Regimens During Carotid Endarterectomy: a National Registry Analysis

Antithrombotic therapy is one of the cornerstones of the prevention of (recurrent) ocular or cerebral ischaemic events in patients with carotid artery stenosis. Randomised controlled trials on antithrombotic therapy for patients with minor ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA) have recommended dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in the three weeks following the index event. However, these trials excluded patients undergoing carotid revascularisation. To date, the optimal antithrombotic therapy during the peri-operative period of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) remains unclear.

1026 MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION AND STROKE IN A YOUNG PATIENT AFFECTED BY LES: KEY ROLE OF AN INTEGRATED IMAGING APPROACH

Abstract A male patient, 33 years old, smoker, with a 20-year history of SLE, consulted the ER for right hand fatigue. He didn't assume his medications constantly. Computed Tomography showed a fronto-parieto-occipital cerebral infarction, and the angio-CT showed a plaque in left internal carotid artery. The patient was admitted to the Stroke Unit for minor ischemic stroke. The ECG showed pathological Q waves in the anterior leads from V1 to V4 revealing a likely previous silent myocardial infarction. The echocardiogram demonstrated moderate left ventricular dysfunction with 40% EF and segmental wall motion abnormalities, namely ipoakinesia of anterior wall and apex. This findings were confirmed by cardiac MRI highliting subendocardial LGE in these areas suggesting an ischemic genesis. Due to the hemorrhagic risk related to recent cerebral ischemic event, coronary angiography was postponed a month later. The coronary angiography revealed a significant stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending artery (iFR &amp;lt; 0.65). Qualitative assessment of the lesion with IVUS showed a “mixed” plaque. The lesion was treated with PCI and the implant of two overlapped DES and the patient underwent dual antiplatelet therapy. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder with heterogeneous presentation, characterised by alternating periods of flares and remission, and irreversible organ damage. The skin, joints, heart, kidneys, central nervous system and haematologic system are some of the most affected organs. Although recent data suggest that mortality decreased in patients with SLE over the last 30 years, mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD), usually defined as a combination of coronary, cerebrovascular and/or peripheral arterial disease, has remained high. Stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) are major CVD events that are potentially life-threatening. Lupus specific cardiovascular risk factors are believed to contribute to the high risk for MI, such as renal involvement, that has been associated with increased subclinical atherosclerosis and ischaemic heart disease, and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), defined by venous, arterial or small vessel thrombosis and/or obstetric complications together with persistent positivity for antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Though several risk factors have been suggested, the exact mechanisms behind the high MI incidence in SLE remain essentially unknown. MIs in SLE are in most cases associated with coronary atherosclerosis. Subclinical atherosclerosis has been reported in many case–control studies, but a direct causal relationship between coronary artery disease (CAD) and MI in SLE has not yet been well documented. The pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases in SLE is not fully understood. The inflammatory nature of SLE is believed to be an important factor in accelerating atherosclerosis. Systemic inflammation may lead to an abnormal lipid profile with elevated triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Additionally, promotes endothelial dysfunction and vascular injury. Our case showed the key role of an integrated imaging approach with echocardiography and cardiac MRI to confirm diagnosis of past myocardial infarction in a very young man affected by LES. IVUS played a great role to characterize the nature of the lesion, confirming the association between coronary atherosclerosis and MIs in SLE.

Carotid Endarterectomy for Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis: Differences in Patient Profile in a Low-Middle-Income Country

Introduction: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is the standard treatment for patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis. Data from low- and middle-income countries are sparse on CEA and its outcomes. We aimed to describe the profile of our patients and factors associated with periprocedural cerebral ischemic events in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis who underwent CEA in our institute. Methods: Retrospective review of patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis (50–99%) who underwent CEA between January 2011 and December 2021 was done. Clinical and imaging parameters and their influence on periprocedural cerebral ischemic events were analyzed. Results: Of the 319 patients (77% males) with a mean age of 64 years (SD±8.6), 207 (65%) presented only after a stroke. Majority (85%) had high-grade stenosis (≥70%) of the symptomatic carotid. The mean time to CEA was 50 days (SD±36); however, only 26 patients (8.2%) underwent surgery within 2 weeks. Minor strokes and TIA occurred in 2.2%, while major strokes and death occurred in 4.1% patients. None of the clinical or imaging parameters predicted the periprocedural cerebral ischemic events. The presence of co-existing significant (≥50%) tandem intracranial atherosclerosis (n = 77, 24%) or contralateral occlusion (n = 24, 7.5%) did not influence the periprocedural stroke risk. Conclusion: There is a delay in patients undergoing CEA for symptomatic carotid stenosis. Majority have high-grade stenosis and present late only after a stroke reflecting a lack of awareness. CEA can be performed safely even in patients with significant intracranial tandem stenosis and contralateral carotid occlusion.

Cryptogenic ischemic cerebral vascular disease with patent foramen ovale: analysis of the long-term efficacy of treatments and prognostic factors

Objective: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of treatments on cryptogenic ischemic cerebral vascular disease (CICVD) with patent foramen ovale (PFO) and analyze prognostic factors, so as to provide the references for the treatment and secondary prevention of PFO related cerebral vascular disease. Methods: Consecutive patients with CICVD and PFO related right-to-left shunting confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography or transcranial doppler bubble test, who admitted to the Department of Neurology in Xuanwu Hospital from May 1, 2012 to December 31 2021 were enrolled. All the patients underwent hypercoagulability screening, and the degree of hypercoagulability was evaluated by a scoring scale. Each PFO was classified as either high-risk or low-risk according to its anatomic features. Patients were divided into the drug treatment group (including antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapies) and transcatheter PFO closure group. After follow-up, the recurrence of cerebral ischemic events were compared between the two groups by Kaplan-Meier method, the prognostic factors were analyzed by multifactorial Cox's regression model. Results: A total of 117 patients were recruited, 10 patients were lost to follow-up, and 107 patients were included in the final analysis, consisting of 66 males and 41 females, with age ranging from 14 to 67 years and the follow-up period of 1 229 (45, 3 508) d. The recurrence rate of cerebral ischemic events was 6% (4/66) and 7% (3/41) for the drug treatment group (66 cases) and closure group (41 cases), respectively, and residual shunting was detected in all patients with recurrent events in the closure group. Cumulative hazard curve indicated that there was no significant difference of recurrence risk of cerebral ischemic events between the two groups (cumulative recurrence rate: 17.9% in the closure group vs 7.1% in the drug treatment group, χ2=0.368, P=0.544), and the insignificance persisted even in subgroup analysis of CICVD patients with either high-risk (χ2=0.685, P=0.408) or low-risk PFO (χ2=0.072, P=0.789). Cox's regression model indicated that hypercoagulability related factor score was an independent predictor of recurrent cerebral ischemic events (HR=2.079, 95%CI 1.069-4.045, P=0.031) after adjusting for high-risk PFO, PFO closure and other confounding factors. Moreover, a rising trend of cumulative recurrence rate was observed as the score got higher (P=0.046). Conclusions: For CICVD patients with either high-risk or low-risk PFO, the significant value of drug treatment as the first-line therapy for PFO related CICVD should not be ignored, which awaits further discussion. The abnormality of hypercoagulability related factors might increase the recurrent risk of cerebral ischemic events, which calls for more attention and should be screened and treated with corresponding medication.

ERECTOR SPINAE PLANE BLOCK FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE MITRAL VALVE SURGERY HAS NO IMPACT ON POSTOPERATIVE OUTCOMES: A DOUBLE-BLIND, PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL

<h3>Objective</h3> Compared to traditional sternotomy, minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) using video-assisted thoracoscopy has been shown to result in an increased incidence of moderate to severe acute postoperative pain.1 The Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block, a novel fascial plane block, may be an useful and safe option for postoperative analgesia in MIMVS.2 As randomized trials in this field are sparse, we hypothesized that an intermittent ESP block with ropivacaine 0.5% (intervention group) compared to normal saline 0.9% (control group) is effective in reducing postoperative pain after MIVMS.3 <h3>Design & Methods</h3> PPThis single center, double-blind, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was approved by the local Ethics Committee (S62638 June 4th 2019, EudraCT 2019-001125-27). The trial was supported by the EACTA Research Grant 2020. Primary endpoint was postoperative 24h morphine consumption. Based on pilot data and to have an 80% power to show a 25% reduction in 24h morphine consumption in the intervention-group compared to the control-group, 64 patients had to be randomized (1:1 ratio). A pre-planned sample size recalculation was performed after inclusion of 32 patients. Multiple secondary endpoints were evaluated up to 30-days postoperatively including postoperative pain scores, midaxillary sensory block, rescue treatments for pain and hospital length of stay.3 <h3>Results</h3> Sample size recalculation revealed the need to recruit 4 additional patients in each group. 72 patients were randomized between July 2nd 2019 and November 4th 2021. Regarding our primary outcome, 2 patients in the intervention-group could not be assessed due to reintubation and ischemic cerebral event. In the control-group, we observed 2 epileptic seizures requiring unblinding of the randomization to start appropriate treatment. There were no differences in baseline or procedural characteristics. The median (IQR) 24h morphine consumption was not different between the intervention- and control-group: 41mg [30;55] vs 37mg [29;50], p=0.70, respectively (Table 1). Mean numerical rating scale values for pain showed no significant differences between groups (Figure 1). The number of morphine boli requested each hour by the patient, sensory block, rescue treatments for pain and hospital length of stay were comparable (Figure 2 & Table 1). <h3>Conclusion</h3> In the current placebo-controlled trial following MIMVS, we were unable to demonstrate any benefit from the addition of an intermittent ESP-block to a standard multimodal analgesia regimen.

Abstract 9226: Stroke in Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Background: The bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) exhibits abnormal geometry and transvalvular flow and is susceptible to calcification with subsequent cardioembolic stroke from calcific embolic material. However, the description of embolic ischemic strokes in patients with BAV is limited to case reports. Methods: Consecutive patients from 1975-2015 with BAV (n=5401) at our institution were retrospectively identified. Patients with ischemic stroke before aortic valve replacement (AVR) were analyzed, and the stroke was characterized. Patients were grouped according to stroke etiology: calcific embolism from a BAV (BAV stroke); large artery atherosclerotic or lacunar stroke (LA stroke); and non-BAV, non-large artery embolic stroke (nLA stroke). Results: There were 83/5401 (1.5%) patients with ischemic stroke. Mean age was 54 ± 12 years and 28% were female. Stroke etiology was BAV stroke in 26/83 (31%), LA stroke in 23/83 (28%), nLA stroke in 30/83 (36%), and other in 4/83 (5%). Stroke was embolic in 72/83 (87%), as shown in Figure 1. CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score was not different in patients with BAV stroke (1.4 ± 1.2) versus nLA stroke (1.8 ± 1.2, p=0.188) but was higher in LA stroke (2.3 ± 1.2, p=0.005 vs. BAV stroke). Recurrent stroke occurred in 41% overall (50% BAV stroke vs. 30% LA stroke vs. 47% nLA stroke, both p=NS vs. BAV stroke). BAV stroke was more commonly located in the retinal circulation (39% BAV stroke vs. 13% LA stroke [p=0.044] vs. 0% nLA stroke [p=0.002]). Patients with BAV and LA stroke were more likely to have moderate-to-severe aortic stenosis and undergo AVR sooner after stroke compared to patients with nLA stroke. Conclusions: Stroke is an important complication in patients with BAV. The most common type of stroke in BAV is embolic. Greater than one-third of embolic stroke resulted from embolism from a calcific aortic valve. Patients with BAV stroke commonly have a history of recurrent cerebral ischemic events, severe valvular disease, and proceed to AVR soon after stroke.

Ischemic Stroke in a Young Man Bodybuilder

Ischemic stroke among young people is an infrequent and rare entity. Despite the existence of a long list of etiologies, the progressive imposition of an ideal body image in society represents another cause of ischemic stroke. To this end, bodybuilding practices have been imposed on a large part of the adolescent sector with intense exercise routines accompanied by supplementation with anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). Abusers typically use up to 15 times the recommended medical doses of anabolic steroids. Nowadays, AAS are being used worldwide by millions of men, including those with no athletic ambitions, wishing to increase and improve their physical strength and appearance. AAS increase the risk of ischemic cerebral events through the interaction of certain variables whose common denominator is blood hypercoagulability. Consequently, in the presence of signs and symptoms of a stroke in a young person, the consumption of anabolic substances should be considered as a possible etiology.

Risk of Stroke and Major Bleeding With Vitamin K Antagonist Use After Mitral Valve Repair

BackgroundGuidelines are discordant on the use of a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) after mitral valve repair (MVr) to reduce the risk of cerebral embolic events. We performed an observational study among patients who underwent a MVr, without perioperative atrial fibrillation, to determine the risk of cerebral ischemic and major bleeding events with or without VKA. MethodsFrom 2004 to 2016, we included patients who underwent MVr, using a national administrative claims database. Those with preoperative atrial fibrillation and anticoagulant use were excluded. Patients were stratified based on the presence of a VKA. Inverse probability weighting with a Cox proportional hazard model was used. ResultsAfter MVr, 754 patients were discharged on VKA and 1462 on no-VKA. We found no difference in the cumulative incidence for embolic stroke at 180 days (VKA: 2.21% vs no-VKA: 1.50%; hazard ratio, 1.35; P = .38). However, VKA patients had a significantly increased risk for any-cause major bleeding events at 180 days (VKA: 8.58% vs no-VKA: 4.21%; hazard ratio, 2.09; P < .001). VKA patients also had increased need for a pericardiocentesis/pericardial window at 30 days after discharge (VKA: 1.13% vs no-VKA: 0.37%; hazard ratio, 3.88; P = .025). ConclusionsOur study suggests that VKA after MVr does not reduce the risk of cerebral embolic events but is associated with an increased risk of major bleeding events.

Modifiable risk factors for occurrence of ipsilateral ischemic events after carotid endarterectomy beyond perioperative period

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of several modifiable variables on the occurrence of stroke after the initial perioperative period for patients who had undergone carotid endarterectomy (CEA). MethodsThe primary outcome for the present study was the development of an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in the cerebral hemisphere ipsilateral to CEA after the initial hospitalization. All CEAs in the VQI between January 2003 and May 2022 were queried. We identified 171,816 CEAs in the database. The exclusion criteria for the study were the lack of follow-up data for >30 days, concomitant coronary artery bypass surgery, concomitant proximal or distal carotid intervention at CEA, other arterial interventions at CEA, and stroke or TIA during the initial hospital admission, leaving 126,290 patients for analysis. We used the χ2 test for statistical analysis of the outcome of ipsilateral ischemic stroke or TIA after the initial CEA hospital admission to determine the relevant variables. Age was evaluated as an ordinal variable using the Student t test. Variables with P ≤ .05 on univariable analysis were included in the multivariable Cox regression time-to-event analysis for the primary outcome. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed of the most significant variables on Cox regression as a visual aid. ResultsThe following variables achieved significance on Cox regression for an association with development of ipsilateral hemispheric ischemic events after the index CEA hospital admission: lack of patch placement at CEA site (hazard ratio [HR], 18.24; P < .0001), lack of antiplatelet therapy at long-term follow-up (LTFU; HR, 9.75; P < .0001), lack of statin therapy at LTFU (HR, 3.18; P < .001), lack of statin therapy at hospital discharge (HR, 1.25; P = .015), anticoagulation at LTFU (HR, 1.53; P < .001), development of >70% recurrent stenosis (HR, 2.15; P < .001), and shunt use at surgery (HR, 1.20; P = .007). Patients with patch placement at surgery and patients with confirmed antiplatelet therapy at LTFU had had 99.8% and 99.6% freedom from an ischemic event ipsilateral to the side of the CEA at LTFU, respectively. This finding is in contrast to the 5.7% and 4.7% positivity for ischemic events for those without patch placement at surgery and those not receiving antiplatelet therapy at LTFU, respectively (P < .0001 for both). ConclusionsPerformance of patch angioplasty arterial closure was remarkably protective against ipsilateral cerebral ischemic events at LTFU after CEA. Discharging and maintaining patients with antiplatelet and statin medication after CEA significantly reduces the incidence of future ipsilateral ischemic events. Thus, a significant opportunity exists for enhanced outcomes with improved implementation of these measures.

Increased serum concentrations of Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor in patients and rats with ischemic stroke

ObjectivesAlthough Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) shows protection in multiple cells, the role of circulating MANF in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and transient ischemic attack (TIA) remains unclear. Here, we aimed to explore the value of circulating MANF levels in cerebral ischemic events. Materials and methodsUsing a rat cerebral ischemic model, MANF expression in ischemic brains and serum was detected. 50 AIS patients, 56 TIA patients and 48 controls were enrolled, and MANF mRNA, inflammatory cytokines and MANF concentrations in serum and different blood cell types were detected. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) were used to evaluate stroke severity. Cerebrovascular recurrence within 90 d was documented during TIA follow-up. ResultsMANF expression increased at 2h, peaking at 24h and decreased to baseline at 7d in rat ischemic brains and serum. Serum MANF concentrations increased at 24h and 7d in AIS patients compared to controls and were correlated with NIHSS score, ASPECTS and inflammatory cytokines. MANF protein was present in blood cells, while MANF mRNA levels did not differ between AIS patients and controls. MANF levels revealed a good value to diagnose TIA with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.949 (95% CI: 0.9093-0.9892). MANF levels were lower in TIA patients with recurrence compared to non-recurrence patients. The AUC for MANF to predict a re-event was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.6746-0.9282). ConclusionsSerum MANF levels correlate with neuroprotection, stroke severity, inflammation, and TIA recurrence.

Bowel ischaemia in COVID-19 infection: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionCOVID-19 disease was declared as a pandemic by WHO since March 2020 and can have a myriad of clinical presentations affecting various organ systems. Patients with COVID-19 are known to...

Editor's Choice – Risk of Bleeding Complications With Different Peri-Operative Antithrombotic Regimens During Carotid Endarterectomy: a National Registry Analysis

Antithrombotic therapy is one of the cornerstones of the prevention of (recurrent) ocular or cerebral ischaemic events in patients with carotid artery stenosis. Randomised controlled trials on antithrombotic therapy for patients with minor ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA) have recommended dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in the three weeks following the index event. However, these trials excluded patients undergoing carotid revascularisation. To date, the optimal antithrombotic therapy during the peri-operative period of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) remains unclear. Symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with carotid artery stenosis undergoing primary CEA from the Dutch Audit for Carotid Interventions registry between June 2013 and December 2020 were eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome was defined as post-operative cervical bleeding needing re-intervention or intracranial haemorrhage during the first 30 days following CEA. The secondary outcomes were ischaemic stroke or TIA or all cause mortality during the first 30 days following CEA. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regressions analyses were applied, with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) as the reference value. A total of 12 317 patients were included. In the peri-operative phase, 31.0% of patients were treated with ASA, 32.4% with clopidogrel, 11.1% with ASA plus clopidogrel, 10.4% with ASA plus dipyridamole, 10.3% with vitamin K antagonist, and 4.8% with direct acting oral anticoagulants therapy. After multiple logistic regression analysis, no association was seen with the primary outcome in ASA plus clopidogrel (odds ratio [OR] 0.81; confidence interval [CI] 0.58 - 1.13; p= .23), and ASA plus dipyridamole (OR 0.69; CI 0.47 - 1.00; p= .059). Both the DAPT therapies were not associated with the secondary outcome. The effectiveness and safety of DAPT did not differ from single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) in patients undergoing CEA and further evaluation is needed in prospective studies. Considering additional data from the literature and guideline recommendations, DAPT should be started immediately after stroke until 30 days after CEA followed by SAPT, due to a possible reduction in the risk of recurrence.

Analysis of Haematological Parameters in Cerebrovascular Accidents: a Retrospective Study in Tertiary Care Centre

Aim: To analyse hematological parameters in Cerebrovascular disease&#x0D; Study design :A retrospective study&#x0D; Place of Study: The study was carried out in Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Tamil Nadu, India.&#x0D; Methodology: This is a retrospective study conducted in Saveetha medical college and hospital during the period of December 2020 and May 2021. The study includes 260 cases, of which 130 CVA patients and 130 control group was taken. Haematological parameters were obtained using Sysmex Automated Analyzer XN-1000.&#x0D; Statistical analysis was done by SPSS software version 23, with descriptive and independent t test. The level of significance was taken as p value&lt;0.05&#x0D; Results: CVA are due to two main causes, ischaemic (63.84%) and haemorrhagic infarct (36.15%) The age ranges from 47-69 among stroke subjects. The mean age of control(38.80±12.40years) and CVA group(58.177±11.78years). Both ischaemic and haemorrhagic infarcts are more common among male. On haematological parameters study, analysis showed platelet was increased in CVA than control group. RBC, PCV, MCV, MCHC, TC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, eosinophil, basophil are significant. Haemoglobin, MCH, RDW and monocyte revealed no significance.&#x0D; Conclusion: In this study, haematological parameters of ischemic CVA patients were greatly altered. The presence of persistently altered status of haematological parameters cerebral ischemic event indicate that these parameters can be considered a simple inflammatory indicator during the development of ischemic damage.

Genetic variation in ADAMTS13 are related to vWF levels, atrial fibrillation and cerebral ischemic events

Background and Aims : ADAMTS13 is a metalloprotease cleaving ultra-large von Willebrand Factor (vWF) multimers into less active fragments. ADAMTS13 and vWF have both been related to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ADAMTS13 gene have been described. We aimed to investigate the influence of ADAMTS13 genetic variants on levels of ADAMTS13 and vWF, the SNPs’ frequencies in subgroups of CVD and further any associations with clinical outcome after 2 years follow-up.

The mechanism and application prospects of the brain-gut axis in ischemic stroke and its complications

<p indent="0mm">Stroke is a major health concern and the leading cause of death and disability in China. Preventing stroke and its complications and improving the outcome of stroke are crucial clinical issues in neurology. The gut microbiota may directly or indirectly affect brain function and host behavior through immune, endocrine, and neuronal pathways. Recent research reveals that pre-stroke diseases, acute cerebral ischemic events, and post-stroke complications are all causally related to gut microbiota dysbiosis. In this review, we discuss the etiological role of gut microbiota in risk factors for stroke, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension and atherosclerosis. We describe the recently discovered causal relationship between the brain-gut axis and acute ischemic stroke. We also summarize research progress regarding the gut microbiota and its metabolites as they relate to the main complications of stroke, including post-stroke depression, cognitive impairment, infection and sleep disorders. Novel therapies such as probiotic interventions have the potential to improve the outcome of stroke risk factors, events and complications, but further basic and clinical studies are required to explore their mechanism and application value. The brain and gut interact through various mechanisms in several stroke-related diseases, in which the gut microbiota and its metabolites may play important roles. Exploring the mechanism of the brain-gut axis is significant in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of stroke and its complications.

Enlarged Pericarotid Lymph Nodes Suggest Recent Ischemic Symptoms in Patients with Carotid Atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease closely associated with immunological activity. Lymph nodes (LNs) are essential secondary lymphoid organs, in which complex immune responses occur. Enlarged LNs are commonly observed around inflamed tissues or tumors; however, their role in atherosclerosis is not well understood. We hypothesized that enlarged pericarotid LNs would be present in symptomatic patients with carotid atherosclerosis. Therefore, we recorded the size of LNs around the carotid artery during surgery in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for carotid atherosclerotic stenosis. Patients were stratified by enlarged LNs, defined as a diameter ≥ 10mm in the transverse diameters. Demographic and clinical data of participants were measured and analyzed. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Sirius red, DAB-enhanced Perls’ Prussian blue, alizarin red, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining were performed for composition identification of plaques or LNs. Symptomatic patients were defined as those presenting with an ipsilateral cerebral ischemic event. Compared with patients with non-enlarged LNs, patients with enlarged LNs were more likely to be symptomatic (22/32, 68.8% versus 9/40, 22.5%, P < 0.001) and use calcium channel blocker drugs (17/32, 53.1% versus 10/40, 25%, P=0.014). In addition, they showed lower body mass index (mean ± SD: 24.00 ± 2.66 versus 25.34 ± 2.56 kg/m2, P=0.034), lower weight (median [interquartile range]: 64 [60.00-76.00] versus 72.5 [65.00-77.50] Kg, P = 0.046) and higher diastolic blood pressure (mean ± SD: 78.94 ± 9.30 versus 73.93 ± 8.84 mmHg, P = 0.022). The plague from patients with enlarged LNs exhibited a lower relative percentage of fibrous tissue (29.49 ± 10.73% versus 34.62 ± 10.33%, P = 0.041). The enlarged LNs remained oval-shaped by visual inspection. Compared to non-enlarged LNs, the predominant changes in enlarged LNs were atrophic lymphatic sinuses and dilated LNs parenchyma. Enlarged LNs contained more germinal centers and lymphocytes. In conclusion, symptomatic patients with carotid atherosclerosis have enlarged pericarotid LNs. The current study supports the conclusion that enlarged LNs with an activated and enhanced adaptive immune response may indicate plaque instability. Pericarotid LNs will be a promising marker of plaque stability and may be a potential therapeutic target in patients with carotid atherosclerosis.

Dynamics of the Alterations of Cognitive Functions in Patients with Past Interventions on the Carotid System

INTRODUCTION: Among the European population of 715 million people, 1.4 million cases of strokes are recorded annually. Of them, approximately 87% are ischemic strokes, and approximately 20% were accounted for by atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries. To prevent an ischemic cerebral event associated with atherosclerosis of brachiocephalic arteries, different surgical techniques have been developed including carotid endarterectomy (CEAE) and carotid artery stenting (CAS). CEAE and CAS reliably reduce the risk of recurrent stroke associated with atherothrombosis, but with this, the level of alterations of cognitive functions and the restoration of cerebral functional deficit have not been widely studied. At present, no randomized studies and meta-analyses have met all the standards of conducting research concerning alterations in cognitive functions in patients with past interventions on carotid arteries. Some medical centers have performed such interventions, but data are not unambiguous: some authors describe the improvement of cognitive functions, whereas others do not note any differences or even see signs of impairment.&#x0D; CONCLUSION: This literature review highlights an issue concerning the assessment of the alteration of postoperative cognitive deficit in patients with past CEAE or CAS. Comparisons in the context of cognitive cerebral functions in the postoperative period of endarterectomy or stenting and assessment of neurological status in patients with or without a history of acute cerebrovascular accident, different variants of anesthesia, and CEAE techniques are considered.

Cerebral Ischemic Events Ipsilateral to Carotid Artery Stenosis. The Carotid Asymptomatic Stenosis (CARAS) Observational Study: First Year Preliminary Results

To report the characteristics of the prospective observational cohort study "Carotid Asymptomatic Stenosis (CARAS)", including patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis under medical treatment and their first year of follow-up, in order to estimate the risk of cerebral ischemic events. This is a prospective observational cohort study of CARAS>60% (Nascet criteria) patients, identified in a single duplex-ultrasonography (DUS) vascular laboratory (trail registration N: NCT04825080). Patient's enrollment started in January 2019 and ended in March 2020 with the follow-up conclusion scheduled in December 2025. The aimed sample size was calculated at 300 patients for a 5-year follow-up. The primary outcome were the incidence of ipsilateral neurologic ischemic events (stokes and transient ischemic attacks [TIA]), plaque progression rate, and survival. The follow-up was scheduled at six-month intervals for clinical visit and annually for DUS examination. a total of 307 patients completed the first follow-up year. The mean age was 81±4 years, 55% were male. Contralateral stenosis >60% was present in 90 (29%) patients. Antiplatelet therapy and statins adherence was 80% and 88%, respectively. During the first year, 3 ispilateral strokes (1%) and 4 TIAs (1.3%) occurred, for a total of 2.3% ipsilateral ischemic events. During the first year, 43 (14%) plaques had a stenosis progression, which was correlated with the occurrence of neurological events (9.3% vs. 1.1%, P=.001, OR: 8.9; 95%CI: 1.9-41); 6 deaths (2%) occurred in the same period. the preliminary one-year results of this prospective study suggest that the overall rate of any ipsilateral ischemic event, and specifically ipsilateral strokes, correlates with plaque progression.