First-ever Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Research Articles

Serum levels of irisin predict short-term outcomes in ischemic stroke

ObjectiveIrisin is a 112-amino acid peptide found in rat and human skeletal muscle after exercise. Previous studies had suggested that higher circulating irisin levels were associated with an increased risk of vascular atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we determined irisin levels in serum, and investigated their associations with functional outcomes in a 3-month follow-up study in Chinese patients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke (AIS). MethodsFrom September 2015 to December 2016, consecutive first-ever AIS patients admitted to the Department of Emergency of our hospital were identified. Serum irisin levels were measured at admission. Functional impairment was evaluated at discharge using the modified Rankin scale. The levels of irisin were expressed as median and interquartile ranges [IQR]. ResultsThe irisin level was obtained in 324 patients (97.6%) with a median value of 291.2 ng/ml (IQR: 214.1–404.2 ng/ml). There were significantly negative correlations between levels of irisin and NHISS (r = −0.272; P < 0.001) and BMI (r = −0.193; P = 0.003). A poor functional outcome was found in 99 patients (30.6%; 95%CI: 25.5–35.6%). The poor functional outcome distribution across the irisin quartiles ranged between 51.9% (first quartile: Q1) to 12.4% (fourth quartile: Q4). In a multivariate model using the Q1 of irisin vs. Q2-4 together with the clinical variables, the marker displayed prognostic information and increased risk of poor outcomes by 94% (OR for Q1, 1.94 [95% CI, 1.19–3.42]; P = 0.018) and mortality 66% (OR for Q1, 1.66 [95% CI, 1.11–3.07]; P = 0.009). In addition, a model containing known risk factors plus irisin compared with a model containing known risk factors without irisin showed a greater discriminatory ability to predict poor outcomes (P = 0.01) and mortality (P = 0.02). ConclusionsA low serum irisin level is a predictor of poor early functional outcome in ischemic stroke patients. The underlying mechanisms of these associations remain to be investigated.

The relation between insulin-like growth factor 1 levels and risk of depression in ischemic stroke.

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether lower serum levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in the acute phase of ischemic stroke are associated with higher risk of post-stroke depression (PSD) over a 1-year period. The subjects were first-ever acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients who were hospitalized from July 1, 2014 to August 31, 2015. The study also included 120 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls from the same geographical area. Fasting blood samples were collected within 24hours of admission for IGF-I measurement. Neurological and neuropsychological evaluations were conducted at a 1-year follow-up. Two-hundred twenty-five patients were observed for a 1-year follow-up, and 74 of these patients (32.9%, 95%CI: 26.8%-39.0%) were diagnosed with PSD. The depression distribution across the IGF-1 quartiles ranged between 61.4% (first quartile) and 8.9% (fourth quartile). In a multivariate model using the first quartiles of the IGF-1 versus quartiles 2 through 4, together with the significant clinical variables, the marker displayed prognostic information, and the odds ratio (OR) for first quartile was 3.35 [95% CI, 1.88-6.79; P=0.001]. The data showed that low serum IGF-1 levels at admission are associated with a high risk of developing PSD, suggesting that these alterations might be involved in the pathophysiology of depression symptoms in stroke patients.

Prognostic Utility of Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 4 in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Acute Ischemic Stroke.

The role of fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) in atherosclerosis has been investigated. The aim of this study was to verify the hypothesis that higher levels of serum fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) could be a prognostic factor in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and acute ischemic stroke (AIS). From September 2015 to August 2016, consecutive first-ever AIS patients combined with T2DM were included in this study. FABP4, NIH stroke scale (NIHSS), and conventional risk factors were evaluated to determine their value to predict functional outcomes within 3months. Multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression models. We measured FABP4 in 329 patients. The median age of patients included in this study was 63 (IQR, 56-72)years and 45.9% were women. FABP4 serum levels were obtained at a median of 8.5h (IQR, 4.0-14.0h) after the stroke onset with a median value of 21.4ng/ml (IQR, 15.6-28.2ng/ml). In multivariable models, FABP4 remained an independent stroke severity predictor with an adjusted OR of 1.05 (95% CI, 1.02-1.09). In multivariate models comparing the third (odd ratio (OR), 2.25; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.59-3.54) and fourth quartiles (OR, 3.75; 95% CI, 2.48-5.03) against the first quartile of the FABP4, levels of FABP4 were associated with poor functional outcome. At 3months, 38 patients (11.6%; 95%CI, 8.1-15.0%) had died. The mortality distribution across the FABP4 quartiles ranged between 3.7% (first quartile) and 20.7% (fourth quartile). Elevation of FABP4 is associated with an increased risk of death and poor functional outcome events in patients with type 2 diabetes and acute ischemic stroke and is independent of other established clinical risk predictors and biomarkers.

Effect of Hypokalemia on Functional Outcome at 3 Months Post-Stroke Among First-Ever Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients.

BackgroundHypokalemia has been confirmed to be a predictor of adverse cardiovascular and renal outcomes. There is a paucity of studies focusing on the potential connection between the serum K+ level and the outcome after acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This study investigated whether hypokalemia in the acute stroke stage contributes to worse functional outcome in AIS patients.Material/MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients with first-ever AIS admitted between June 2015 and March 2016. Patients were divided into 2 groups: hypokalemia (K+ <3.5 mmol/L) and normokalemia (3.5 mmol/L ≤K+ ≤5.5 mmol/L). Primary outcome measure was poor outcome at 3 months (modified Rankin scale >2). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between hypokalemia and poor outcome. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the optimal cutoff point of serum K+ level for predicting poor outcome.ResultsThe percent of patients with poor outcome at 3 months was higher in the hypokalemic group (62.9%) than in the normokalemic group (45.5%). Hypokalemic patients tended to have lower fasting glucose at admission, lower Glasgow coma scale score, and longer time from symptom onset to treatment compared with normokalemic patients. Hypokalemia was associated with poor outcome at 3 months after adjusting for potential confounders (odds ratio=2.42, 95% confidence interval=1.21–4.86, P=0.013). ROC analysis showed that the optimal threshold for serum K+ level was 3.7 mmol/L.ConclusionsHypokalemia at the initial admission is associated with poor prognosis at 3 months in first-ever AIS patients.

Attitudes to Stem Cell Therapy Among Ischemic Stroke Survivors in the Lund Stroke Recovery Study.

Preclinical studies suggest that stem cell therapy (SCT) may improve poststroke recovery, and clinical trials investigating safety are ongoing. However, knowledge about patients' attitudes to SCT in stroke is limited. We evaluated the knowledge and attitudes to this therapeutic approach as well as possible factors influencing this among stroke patients potentially suitable for SCT. Consecutive first-ever acute ischemic stroke patients aged 20-75 years with NIH stroke scale scores 1-18 were included. Exclusion criteria were severe comorbidities or infratentorial stroke. Clinical follow-up after 3-5 years assessed severity of residual stroke symptoms, cognitive function, functional status, patient-reported outcome, and comorbidity, and after receiving standardized information, the participants also completed an eight-item questionnaire on knowledge and attitudes about SCT. The relationships between clinical variables and positive attitude to SCT were assessed with logistic regression analyses. Of 108 patients included at baseline, 84 participated at follow-up and completed the questionnaire. In total, 12% had prior knowledge of SCT. When informed, 63% were positive toward it and 36% reported willingness to participate in SCT trials. Only 5%-8% expressed ethical considerations regarding different stem cell sources. Positive attitudes to SCT were associated with male gender (OR: 3.74; 95% CI: 1.45-9.61; P < 0.01) and better patient-reported outcome (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.00-1.04; P < 0.05). In conclusion, stroke patients had limited prior knowledge of SCT, yet attitudes were positive among the majority after receiving standardized and neutral information. Gender and degree of stroke recovery may influence attitudes to SCT, indicating a need for targeted information to improve knowledge about SCT.

Serum levels of homocysteine at admission are associated with post-stroke depression in acute ischemic stroke.

The primary purpose of this study was to assess the serum levels of homocysteine (HCY) at admission to the presence of post-stroke depression (PSD). From September 2014 to December 2015, first-ever acute ischemic stroke patients within the first 24h after stroke onset were consecutively recruited and followed-up for 3months. Based on the symptoms, diagnoses of depression were made in accordance with DSM-IV criteria for depression. By the time of 3month after stroke, 238 had finished the follow-up and included in our study. Totally, 65 out of the 238 patients were diagnosed as depression (27.3%; 95% CI 19.6-35.4%). The results showed significantly higher HCY levels in patients with depression [21.4 (IQR 16.5-23.4) mmol/L vs. 14.1 (IQR 11.2-18.5) mmol/L, P<0.0001) at admission than patients without depression. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, HCY was an independent predictor of PSD with an adjusted OR of 1.07 (95% CI 1.01-1.22; P=0.013). Based on the ROC curve, the optimal cut-off value of serum HCY levels as an indicator for prediction of PSD was projected to be 16.5mmol/L, which yielded a sensitivity of 82.5% and a specificity of 63.6%, with the area under the curve at 0.745 (95% CI 0.672-0.818; P<0.0001). An increased risk of PSD was associated with serum HCY levels ≥16.5mmol/L (adjusted OR 6.13, 95% CI 3.32-14.16; P<0.001) after adjusting for above-recorded confounders. Elevated serum levels of HCY at admission were associated with depression 3-month after stroke, suggesting that these alterations might participate in the pathophysiology of depression symptoms in stroke patients.

Low Serum Levels of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Are Associated with Stroke Recurrence and Poor Functional Outcomes in Patients with Ischemic Stroke.

To evaluate the association between serum 25(OH) D levels and functional outcome and stroke recurrence events in a 6-month follow-up study in a cohort of patients with an acute ischemic stroke (AIS). From March 2014 to August 2015, consecutive first-ever AIS patients admitted to the Department of Emergency of our hospital were identified. Serum 25(OH) D levels were measured at admission. Functional outcome was evaluated at 6-month using the modified Rankin scale (m-Rankin). We used logistic regression models to assess the relationship between 25(OH) levels and risk of recurrent stroke or functional outcome. We recorded 277 stroke patients. There were significantly negative correlation between levels of 25(OH) D and NHISS (P<0.001), and the infarct volume (P< 0.001). Thirty-one patients (11.9%) had a stroke recurrence, while 82 patients (29.6) were with poor functional outcomes. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, serum 25(OH) D level was an independent marker of poor functional outcome and stroke recurrence [odds ratio (OR) 2.55 (1.38-3.96) and 3.03(1.65-4.12), respectively, P<0.001 for both, adjusted for NHISS, other predictors and vascular risk factors] in patients with AIS. Our results demonstrate that low 25(OH) D levels are associated with stroke recurrence and support the hypothesis that 25(OH) D may serve as a biomarker of poor functional outcome after stroke.

Low Serum Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Were Associated with Poor Short-Term Functional Outcome and Mortality in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been highlighted as being a key regulator of rehabilitation-induced recovery after stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between serum levels of BDNF and functional outcome and mortality events in a 3-month follow-up study in a cohort of patients with an acute ischemic stroke (AIS). From January 2015 to December 2015, consecutive first-ever AIS patients admitted to the Department of Emergency of our hospital were identified. Serum BDNF levels were measured at admission. Functional outcome was evaluated at 3months using the modified Rankin scale (m-Rankin). We used logistic regression models to assess the relationship between BDNF levels and functional outcome or mortality. In this study, 204 patients were included. Patients with poor outcomes and non-survivors had significantly lower BDNF levels on admission (P<0.0001 all). Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for common risk factors showed that BDNF levels in the lowest interquartile (≤1st 9.2ng/ml) was an independent predictor of functional outcome (odds ratios [OR]=3.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.43-8.12) and mortality (OR=4.04; 95% CI, 2.07-9.14). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of BDNF was 0.77 (95% CI, 0.70-0.84) for functional outcome and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.71-0.86) for mortality. The findings indicated that low serum levels of BDNF at admission were significantly associated with poor short-term functional outcome and mortality, suggesting that BDNF may serve as a biomarker of poor function outcome after stroke.

The Role of Left Atrial Volume Index in Patients with a First-ever Acute Ischemic Stroke

Although an enlarged left atrium has recently emerged as a marker of adverse outcomes in various diseases, its discriminatory value and prognostic role in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) are not well studied. We studied whether left atrial volume index (LAVI) predicts mortality and discriminates stroke subtypes after AIS. We prospectively followed 310 consecutive first-ever AIS patients aged 50 years or older who were admitted to the hospital within 24 hours of the onset of stroke symptoms. The type of AIS was classified according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification. All of the patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography within the first 24 hours. LAVI was measured with the biplane area-length method and categorized as 28 mL/m2 or lower (normal), 28.1-32 mL/m2, 32.1-36 mL/m2, and >36 mL/m2. The patients were followed for 1 year or until death, whichever came first. The LAVI of the cardioembolic group was significantly higher than that of the noncardioembolic group (32.4 ± 4.0 versus 29.7 ± 3.4 mL/m2, respectively; P < .001). The optimal cutoff value, sensitivity, and specificity of LAVI to distinguish cardioembolic stroke from noncardioembolic stroke were 30 mL/m2, 81%, and 64%, respectively. Mortality in each LAVI category was 4%, 7.8%, 25.9%, and 70.9%, respectively (P = .026). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that there was a stepwise increase in risk of mortality with each increment of LAVI category. The LAVI can distinguish cardioembolic stroke from noncardioembolic stroke and provides an independent information over clinical and other echocardiographic variables for predicting mortality in patients with first-ever AIS.

Elevated Serum Levels of Neopterin at Admission Predicts Depression After Acute Ischemic Stroke: a 6-Month Follow-Up Study.

Inflammation and cell-mediated immune activation are attributed to the pathogenesis and pathophysiology in depression. Our aim was to test the possible association between serum levels of neopterin and the development of post-stroke depression (PSD) in Chinese patients. The subjects were first-ever acute ischemic stroke patients who were hospitalized at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University during the period from December 2012 to December 2013. Clinical information and stroke severity were collected at admission. Neurological and neuropsychological evaluations were conducted at the 6-month follow-up. Serum neopterin levels were measured using fluorometry and a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression models. During the study period, 226 patients were included and finished the 6-month follow-up. Sixty-nine patients (30.5%) were diagnosed as having major depression at 6months. Patients with major depression showed higher levels of serum neopterin (21.6[IQR, 18.9-25.7]nmol/L vs. 14.6[IQR, 12.2-18.4]nmol/L, P < 0.0001) at admission. In multivariate analyses, serum neopterin was an independent predictor of PSD at 6months [odds ratio (OR): 1.952 (95% CI, 1.358-2.805), P < 0.0001]. With an AUC of 0.850 (95% CI, 0.797-0.902), neopterin showed a significantly greater discriminatory ability as compared with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, age, body mass index, and National Institutes of Health and Stroke Scale score. Neopterin is a novel, independent predictor of the development of depression 6months after stroke. This indicated that the elevated neopterin levels may play a significant role in the pathology of depression and that the pathways leading to inflammation and cell-mediated immune activation warrant further exploration.

Serum Levels of High-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein at Admission Are More Strongly Associated with Poststroke Depression in Acute Ischemic Stroke than Homocysteine Levels.

Inflammatory processes have fundamental roles in depression. The primary purpose of this study was to assess the serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) and homocysteine (HCY) at admission to the presence of poststroke depression (PSD). From December 2012 to December 2013, first-ever acute ischemic stroke patients who were admitted to the hospital within the first 24 h after stroke onset were consecutively recruited and followed up for 6 months. Serum levels of Hs-CRP and HCY were tested at admission. Based on the symptoms, diagnoses of depression were made in accordance with DSM-IV criteria for depression at 6 months after stroke. Ninety-five patients (42.0%) showed depression (major + minor) at 6 months after admission, and in 69 patients (30.5%), this depression was classified as major. In the 69 patients with major depression, our results showed significantly higher Hs-CRP and HCY levels at admission than patients without major depression. After adjusting all other possible covariates, Hs-CRP and HCY still were independent predicators of PSD with adjusted OR of 1.332 (95% CI, 1.230-1.452; P < 0.001) and 1.138 (95% CI, 1.072-1.274; P < 0.001), respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values of Hs-CRP and HCY were 0.765 (95% CI, 0.701-0.9825) and 0.684 (95% CI, 0.610-0.757) for PSD, respectively. The prognostic accuracy of combined model (HCY and Hs-CRP) was higher compared to those biomarkers alone and other markers. Elevated serum levels of Hs-CRP and HCY at admission were found to be associated with depression 6 months after stroke, suggesting that these alterations might participate in the pathophysiology of depression symptoms in stroke patients.

EARLY PREDICTION OF ACUTE ISCHEMIC STROKE OUTCOME BY USING ALBERTA STROKE PROGRAM EARLY CT SCORE (ASPECTS)

Background and Purpose: The Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) scale semiquantitatively assesses extent and location of ischemic changes within the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory using a 10-point grading system. ASPECTS measured at baseline using noncontrast computed tomography (CT) scan. The aim of this study was to assess early prediction of clinical outcome after acute ischemic stroke by ASPECTS scale. Methods: The study based on convenience sample which included 82 first-ever acute ischemic stroke patients, admitted to Hue Central Hospital within 72 hours of stroke onset, from October 2013 to October 2014. Ischemic territory changes were defined as parenchymal CT hypoattenuation. We assessed all baseline CT scans, dichotomized ASPECTS at ≤ 7 and &gt;7, defined good outcome (0 to 2) and poor outcome (3 to 6) as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at discharge. Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed to define the independent predictors for stroke outcome. Results: Mean age was 68.35 ± 13.93 years, proportion of male (51.2%) and female (48.8%) are approximately the same. ASPECTS score &gt; 7 in 57 patients and ≤ 7 in 25 patients. Mean ASPECTS was 7.51 ± 2.25. Mean mRS at discharge was 2.28 ± 1.33. Good outcome (mRS ≤ 2) and poor outcome (mRS &gt; 2) at discharge were 63.4% and 36.6% respectively. There is a negative correlation between ASPECTS and mRS (r = -0.86, p &lt; 0.001). In the univariate analysis, atrial fibrillation, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at admisison, ASPECT score and infarct volume were significantly associated with stroke outcome. All of aforementioned variables underwent multivariate analysis, but none of them was proven to be an independent predictor of early outcome. Conclusion: In patients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke, ASPECT score which bases on conventional computed tomography scan is not independent predictor for clinical outcome at discharge. Key words: ischemic stroke, ASPECTS, outcome

N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide levels as a predictor of functional outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke.

The prognostic value of the N-amino terminal fragment of the prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is uncertain. We sought to determine whether NT-proBNP levels were associated with functional outcomes after AIS. From August 2012 to October 2013, consecutive first-ever AIS patients admitted to the Department of Emergency of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, China, were included in this study. Plasma NT-proBNP levels were measured from admission. Outcomes were measured as 90-day modified Rankin Scale score ('good outcome'=0-2 vs. 'poor'). Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess associations between NT-proBNP levels and outcomes. Predictive performance of NT-proBNP as compared with the clinical model was assessed by comparing receiver-operating characteristic curves. During this study period, 217 consecutive patients with AIS were included and completed 90 days of follow-up. There was a strong positive correlation between the plasma level of NT-proBNP and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (r=0.415, P=0.000). Plasma levels of NT-proBNP in patients with an unfavorable outcome were significantly higher than those in patients with a favorable outcome [3432 (interquartile range, 1100-54991) vs. 978 (interquartile range, 123-1705) pg/ml; P=0.000]. In multivariate analyses, after adjusting for all other significant outcome predictors, the NT-proBNP level that remained can be seen as an independent unfavorable outcome predictor, with an adjusted odds ratios of 4.14 (95% confidence interval, 2.72-7.99; P=0.000). Our results show that plasma NT-proBNP levels were significantly elevated in patients with an unfavorable outcome and might be of clinical importance as a supplementary tool for the assessment of functional outcomes in patients with AIS.

Ischemic stroke in prediabetic patients.

To describe the clinical characteristics of first-ever ischemic stroke (IS) patients with prediabetes, and to compare them with diabetes mellitus (DM) and non-DM patient characteristics. Retrospective analysis of a prospective series of first-ever acute IS patients. Patients were classified as non-DM (HbA1c during admission <5.7% and no previous evidence of 2 or more fasting glucose >126 mg/dL), prediabetes (HbA1c from 5.7 to 6.4%), and DM (previous DM diagnosis or HbA1c ≥6.5% independently of current blood glucose). Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared between the three groups, along with outcome data [early neurological deterioration (END), 3-month poor outcome, 3-month mortality, outcome after rtPA treatment]. No demographic differences were observed. Prediabetic patients had more arterial hypertension (p = 0.006) and higher waist circumference (p < 0.0001) than non-DM patients, and DM patients had more hypercholesterolemia (p < 0.0001), body mass index (p = 0.017), and coronary artery disease (p = 0.005) than prediabetics. There were differences in TOAST subtype distribution (p < 0.0001). There were no differences in rtPA treatment success rate between groups. Multivariate analysis adjusted by age and stroke severity showed that DM but not prediabetes is an independent factor associated with END and 3-month poor outcome. Prediabetic patients with IS exhibit an "intermediate" vascular risk factor profile between that of non-DM and DM patients. In contrast to DM patients, IS prognosis in patients with prediabetes is similar to non-DM patients.

Ischemic stroke associated with immune thrombocytopenia: lesion patterns and characteristics.

Although the patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) have a very low platelet count, which usually causes hemorrhagic complications, they occasionally experience ischemic stroke. However, the mechanism underlying ITP-related ischemic stroke (ITP-IS) has not been fully clarified. We aim to elucidate the ITP-IS mechanism by analyzing the ischemic lesion patterns and clinical characteristics. We assessed consecutive first-ever acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with ITP admitted to Seoul National University Hospital between October 2002 and October 2011. The stroke lesion pattern and clinical characteristics of ITP-IS patients were analyzed. Of the 2,185 patients with first-ever AIS, seven patients (4 women) with ITP-IS were identified. Of these seven patients, 3 (43 %) who were classified as undetermined stroke etiology indicated an embolic stroke pattern, and had no remarkable atherosclerotic risk factors, no steno-occlusive lesions in their relevant artery, and no cardioembolic etiologies or conditions causing secondary ITP. Moreover, compared with the patients without ITP, the patients with ITP were younger and had lower platelet counts. Thus, we noted that ITP is a rare cause of ischemic stroke, which primarily occurs due to the development of a thromboembolism in the brain. We believe that this paradoxical mechanism of ITP-associated thrombus formation requires further investigation.

Plasma levels of glutamate during stroke is associated with development of post-stroke depression.

Depression is a frequent mood disorder that affects around 33% of stroke patient. Our aim was to test the possible association between plasma glutamate and the development of post-stroke depression (PSD) in Chinese patients. The subjects were first-ever acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients who were hospitalized during the period from November 2011 to September 2013. Clinical information and stroke severity was collected at admission. Neurological and neuropsychological evaluations were conducted at the 3-month follow-up. Plasma glutamate levels were analyzed at baseline using liquid chromatography followed by tandem mass spectrometry. Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and blood markers were also tested. Multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression models. During the study period, 209 patients were included in the analysis. Seventy patients (33.5%) were diagnosed as having major depression at 3 month. Patients with major depression showed higher levels of plasma glutamate [299 (235-353) vs. 157 (108-206) μM, P<0.0001] and lower GOT [14 (11-20) vs. 21 (15-32)U/L, P<0.0001] at admission. In multivariate analyses, plasma glutamate and GOT were independent predictors of PSD at 3 months [odds ratio (OR): 1.03 (1.02-1.04), P<0.0001; 0.84 (0.75-0.97), P=0.003]. Plasma levels of glutamate >205 μM were independently associated with PSD (OR, 21.3; 95% CI, 8.28-67.36, P<0.0001), after adjustment for possible variables. The present study demonstrates a strong relationship between plasma glutamate and GOT levels at admission and the development of PSD within 3 months. Further studies are necessary to confirm this association, which may open the way to the proposal of new therapeutic options.

Prognostic Value of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D in Patients with Stroke

We aimed to evaluate the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) D] levels and both clinical severity at admission and outcome at discharge in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). From June 2012 to October 2013, consecutive first-ever AIS patients admitted to the Department of Emergency of The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, China were identified. Clinical information was collected. Serum 25(OH) D levels were measured at baseline. Stroke severity was assessed at admission using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score. Functional outcome was evaluated at discharge using the modified Rankin scale (m-Rankin). Multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression models. During the study period, 326 patients were diagnosed as AIS and were included in the analysis. Serum 25(OH) D levels reduced with increasing severity of stroke as defined by the NIHSS score. There was a negative correlation between levels of 25(OH) D and the NIHSS (r=-0.389, P=0.000). In multivariate analyses, serum 25(OH) D level was an independent prognostic marker of discharge favorable functional outcome and survival [odds ratio 3.96 (2.85-7.87) and 3.36 (2.12-7.08), respectively, P=0.000 for both, adjusted for NHISS, other predictors and vascular risk factors] in patients with AIS. Serum 25(OH) D levels are a predictor of both severity at admission and favorable functional outcome in patients with AIS. Additional research is needed on vitamin D supplementation to improve the outcome of post-stroke patients.

Glycated Hemoglobin Independently Predicts Stroke Recurrence within One Year after Acute First-Ever Non-Cardioembolic Strokes Onset in A Chinese Cohort Study

ObjectiveHyperglycemia is related to stroke. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) can reflect pre-stroke glycaemia status. However, the information on the direct association between HbA1c and recurrence after non-cardioembolic acute ischemic strokes is rare and there is no consistent conclusion.MethodsThe ACROSS-China database comprised of 2186 consecutive first-ever acute ischemic stroke patients with baseline HbA1c values. After excluding patients who died from non-stroke recurrence and patients lost to follow up, 1817 and 1540 were eligible for 3-month and 1-year analyses, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression was performed to evaluate the associations between HbA1c and 3-month and 1-year stroke recurrence.ResultsThe HbA1c values at admission were divided into 4 levels by quartiles: Q1 (<5.5%); Q2 (5.5 to <6.1%); Q3 (6.1% to <7.2%); and Q4 (≥7.2%). The cumulative recurrence rates were 8.3% and 11.0% for 3 months and 1 year, respectively. In multivariate analyses, when compared with Q1, the adjusted hazard ratios (AHRs) were 2.83 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28-6.26) in Q3 and 3.71(95% CI 1.68-8.21) in Q4 for 3-month stroke recurrence; 3.30 (95% CI 1.31-8.34) in Q3 and 3.35 (95% CI 1.36-8.21) in Q4 for 1-year stroke recurrence. Adding fasting plasma glucose in the multivariate analyses did not modify the association: AHRs were 2.75 (95% CI 1.24-6.11) in Q3 and 3.67 (95% CI 1.59-8.53) in Q4 for 3-month analysis; AHRs were 3.08 (95% CI 1.10-8.64) in Q3 and 3.31(95% CI 1.35-8.14) in Q4 for 1-year analysis.ConclusionsA higher “normal” HbA1c level reflecting pre-stroke glycaemia status independently predicts stroke recurrence within one year after non-cardioembolic acute ischemic stroke onset. HbA1c is recommended as a routine test in acute ischemic stroke patients.

A novel prognostic marker in acute ischemic stroke: small pericardial effusion

The study aimed to evaluate the prognostic importance of small pericardial effusion (SPE) found on echocardiography in a cohort of patients hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke. We prospectively followed a series of 408 consecutive first-ever acute ischemic stroke patients aged ≥50 years who were admitted to the hospital within 24 h of the onset of stroke symptoms. All of the patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography within the first 48 h. Exclusion criteria were cardiothoracic surgery or acute myocardial infarction within the previous 6 months, a moderate or greater pericardial effusion (>1 cm if circumferential), and inadequate visualization of the pericardial space. The patients were followed for 1 year or until death, whichever came first. SPE was noted in 64 (15.7 %) of the patients. Mortality at 1 year was greater for patients with a small effusion (n = 21, 32.8 %) compared to those without an effusion (n = 40, 11.6 %, p < 0.001). After adjustment for age, demographics, medical history, and other echocardiographic findings, SPE remained associated with higher mortality (OR 2.515; 95 % CI 1.188-5.477; p = 0.008). This study is the first to demonstrate that the presence of SPE is associated with increased mortality in patients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke.

Admission Leukocytosis in Acute Cerebral Ischemia: Influence on Early Outcome

Leukocytes are the first cells that arrive in the stroke region(s), and they increase in peripheral blood. The contribution or leukocytes in the early acute phase of cerebral ischemia has not yet been investigated. In consecutive first-ever acute ischemic stroke patients whose symptoms had started <12 hours earlier, we aimed to establish whether admission leukocyte count affects the short-term neurologic outcome, and whether there are differences between the various clinical syndromes of stroke. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was assessed at admission (NIHSS(0)) and after 72 hours (NIHSS(72)). Modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores were evaluated at discharge. The Spearman rank correlation was used for the correlation between leukocytes and outcome measures. Eight hundred and eleven patients were included (median age 77 years [range 68-82]; 418 [53%] were male; the median NIHSS(0) score was 7 [range 4-12], the median NIHSS(72) score was 6 [range 3-12], and the median mRS score was 2 [range 2-4]). The median leukocyte count at admission was 8100/mm(3) (range 6500-10300). Higher leukocyte levels predicted a worst clinical presentation and a poor functional outcome (NIHSS(0)P < .001; NIHSS(72)P < .001; mRS P < .001). The correlation between leukocyte count and outcome measures remained significant after multivariate analysis (NIHSS(0)P < .001; NIHSS(72)P < .001; mRS P < .008). Focusing on clinical syndromes, a higher leukocyte count predicted severe NIHSS(0) and NIHSS(72) scores in patients with total anterior cerebral stroke (P = .001), partial anterior cerebral stroke (P = .004), or posterior cerebral stroke (P = .026). An elevated leukocyte count in the acute phase of cerebral ischemia is a significant independent predictor of poor initial stroke severity, poor clinical outcome after 72 hours, and discharge disability. The involved underlying mechanism is still to determined.