Pattern Of Infarction Research Articles

Differential electrocardiographic changes related to the culprit coronary artery in patients with acute myocardial infarction and left bundle branch block

Abstract Background The electrocardiographic (ECG) recognition of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with concurrent left bundle branch block (LBBB) is hampered by background changes in QRS complex duration and ST segment, potential directly caused by LBBB. Currently available ECG algorithms were constructed to suspect the presence of AMI but they not take into a count the culprit coronary artery and this fact could explain their low sensitivity. Objectives To analyze the influence of the culprit coronary artery on the ECG changes and on the diagnostic yielding of ECG algorithms in patients with acute myocardial infarction and LBBB. Methods We analyzed the index ECG of 240 patients with acute chest pain and LBBB referred to emergent coronary angiography. Patients were classified in 3 groups according their coronary anatomy: a) acute coronary occlusion (n=48); b) critical non occlusive lesion (n=45); and c) absence of coronary lesions (n=76). In all ECGs we measured the ST-segment shifts and QRS duration and compared the pattern of changes in relation to the culprit coronary artery. Results Location of the culprit coronary artery induced differential ECG patterns: a) mean ST segment elevation ≥3mm in leads V2-V3 in patients with LAD occlusion (n=27); b) absence of ST segment depression in leads V5-V6 in LCX occlusion (n=11); and c) mean ST segment elevation ≥1.5 mm in leads III-aVF and attenuation of the ST elevation in leads V1-V2 (mean <1mm) in cases of RCA occlusion (n=10). Patients with critical non occlusive lesions (n=45) did not show particular ECG changes. QRS complex duration was longer in patients with LCX occlusion. Sensitivity of the Sgarbossa score was around 50%, sensitivity of the Smith score was >70% in all coronary groups and sensitivity of Barcelona score was really good for LCX and RCA occlusion. The combination of the three algorithms increased the sensitivity in all groups (>74%) but more markedly in patients with LCX occlusion (90.9%) and RCA occlusion (90%). All the ECG algorithms lose sensitivity for the critical non occlusive lesions group. Conclusions Patients with acute myocardial infarction and LBBB present distinct patterns of QRS and ST segment changes and different diagnostic yielding of ECG algorithms in relation to the location of the occluded coronary artery. Data suggest that ECG prediction of the culprit coronary artery in patients with AMI and LBBB might be possible using artificial intelligence systems in larger series of patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Risk factors, infarct patterns and outcome differ between anterior and posterior circulation strokes attributed to intracranial large artery atherosclerotic steno-occlusive disease

BackgroundIntracranial large artery atherosclerotic steno-occlusive disease (ICLAS) is the leading cause of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The differences between anterior circulation stroke (ACS) and posterior circulation stroke (PCS) based on the TOAST classification have been well studied. However, data on the differences between ACS and PCS related to ICLAS are scarce, particularly from Saudi Arabia (SA). This study aimed to investigate the differences in demographics and clinico-radiological characteristics between patients with ACS and PCS attributed to ICLAS. MethodsThis retrospective study included data for patients with ICLAS-related AIS grouped into two phenotypes as ACS and PCS. Demographics and clinico-radiological characteristics were compared between defined phenotypes using the chi-square test. The difference in the distribution of risk factors and radiological variables was ascertained by estimating the odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI). ResultsData pertaining to 147 patients were included. Anterior circulation was involved in 66 % of patients. Territorial infarct pattern (68.7 %) was the most prevalent infarct pattern and artery to artery embolization (49 %) was the most prevalent mechanism for AIS. Watershed infarct pattern due to hemodynamic impairment was more prevalent in ACS than PCS (P = 0.0011). Diabetes mellitus (P = 0.02) and perforator infarct pattern (P = 0.001) were more prevalent in PCS than ACS. Baseline NIHSS, stroke severity and discharge status were statistically different between two phenotypes. Patients with infarction in posterior circulation have better functional outcome than those having in anterior circulation. ConclusionAIS attributed to ICLAS differs between ACS and PCS. Observed differences in risk factors’ distribution, infarct pattern, underlying mechanism and outcome between two phenotypes carry important therapeutic and prognostic implications.

Clinical Outcomes in Basal Ganglia Strokes Treated With Mechanical Thrombectomy

Background Basal ganglia infarcts are thought to carry worse clinical outcomes compared with other infarct patterns. We aimed to investigate whether pretreatment topographic infarct patterns including complete basal ganglia involvement versus other infarct patterns help predict mechanical thrombectomy outcomes. Methods This was a review of a prospectively collected database of consecutive mechanical thrombectomy patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion strokes between January 2014 and November 2018. Patients were categorized into the following 2 groups: (1) total basal ganglia (TBG) strokes defined as infarcts affecting both the caudate and lentiform nuclei regardless of cortical involvement and (2) other infarct patterns. Infarct location was assessed on preprocedure noncontrast computed tomography using an automated software (e‐ASPECTS). Baseline characteristics and outcome measures were compared. Results A total of 1011 patients were analyzed of which 234 (23.12%) had TBG strokes. Patients with TBG strokes were younger ( P =0.01); had higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) ( P =0.006), lower e‐ASPECTS ( P <0.001), and lower systolic blood pressure ( P =0.024); and had diabetes less often ( P =0.01). Baseline characteristics were otherwise comparable between groups. Involvement of the caudate or lentiform nucleus alone was observed in 237 (30.5%) and 21 (2.7%) patients, respectively, in the other infarct patterns group. No internal capsule involvement was detected in either group. There were no differences in terms of 90‐day functional outcomes whether dichotomized (modified Rankin Scale score≤2: TBG=44.6% versus other=50.1%; P =0.14) or looking at the entire spectrum of the scale (shift analysis; P =0.74). However, TBG strokes had significantly higher rates of any parenchymal hematomas (15.4% versus 8.2%; P =0.001), an association that held true in multivariable analysis (adjusted odds ratio, 2.57 [95% CI, 1.41–4.62]; P =0.002). Conclusions Despite increased rates of hemorrhagic transformation, ganglionic infarcts carry similar functional outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy compared with other stroke patterns.

Leveraging Clinical Digitized Data to Understand Temporal Characteristics and Outcomes of Acute Myocardial Infarctions at a Tertiary Care Medical Centre in Pakistan from 1988-2018 - Methods and Results.

Background and Objective:Few data exist on trends in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patterns spanning recent epidemiological shifts in low middle-income countries (LMICs). To understand temporal disease patterns of AMI characteristics and outcomes between 1988–2018, we used digitized legacy clinical data at a large tertiary care centre in Pakistan.Methods:We reviewed digital health information capture systems maintained across the Aga Khan University Hospital and obtained structured elements to create a master dataset. We included index admissions of patients >18 years that were discharged between January 1, 1988, and December 31, 2018, with a primary discharge diagnosis of AMI (using ICD-9 diagnoses). The outcome evaluated was in-hospital mortality.Clinical characteristics derived from the electronic database were validated against chart review in a random sample of cases (k 0.53–1.00).Results:The final population consisted of 14,601 patients of which 30.6% (n = 4,470) were female, 52.4% (n = 7,651) had ST elevation MI and 47.6% (n = 6,950) had non-ST elevation MI. The median (IQR) age at presentation was 61 (52–70) years. Overall unadjusted in-hospital mortality was 10.3%. Across the time period, increasing trends were noted for the following characteristics: age, proportion of women, prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, proportion with NSTEMI (all ptrend < 0.001). In-hospital mortality rates declined significantly between 1988–1997 and 2008–2018 (13.8% to 9.2%, p < 0.001).Conclusions:The patterns of AMI have changed over the last three decades with a concomitant decline in in-hospital mortality at a tertiary care centre in Pakistan. Clinical digitized data presents a unique opportunity for gaining insights into disease patterns in LMICs.

Influence of Intermittent Fasting During Ramadan on Circadian Variation of Symptom-Onset and Prehospital Time Delay in Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Ramadan interferes with circadian rhythms mainly by disturbing the routine patterns of feeding and smoking. The objective of this study was to investigate the circadian pattern of ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) during the month of Ramadan. We studied consecutive STEMI patients 1 month before and after Ramadan (non-Ramadan group-NRG) and during Ramadan (Ramadan group-RG). The RG group was also divided into two groups, based on whether they chose to fast: fasting (FG) and non-fasting group (NFG). The time of STEMI onset was compared. A total of 742 consecutive STEMI patients were classified into 4 groups by 6h intervals according to time-of-day at symptom onset. No consistent circadian variation in the onset of STEMI was observed both between the RG (P = .938) and NRG (P = .766) or between the FG (P = .232) and NFG (P = .523). When analyzed for subgroups of the study sample, neither smoking nor diabetes showed circadian rhythm. There was a trend towards a delay from symptom onset to hospital presentation, particularly at evening hours in the RG compared with the control group. In conclusion, there was no significant difference in STEMI onset time, but the time from symptom onset to hospital admission was significantly delayed during Ramadan.

Contributions of event rates, pre-hospital deaths, and deaths following hospitalisation to variations in myocardial infarction mortality in 326 districts in England: a spatial analysis of linked hospitalisation and mortality data

Myocardial infarction mortality varies substantially within high-income countries. There is limited guidance on what interventions-including primary and secondary prevention, or improvement of care pathways and quality-can reduce myocardial infarction mortality. Our aim was to understand the contributions of incidence (event rate), pre-hospital deaths, and hospital case fatality to the variations in myocardial infarction mortality within England. We used linked data from national databases on hospitalisations and deaths with acute myocardial infarction (ICD-10 codes I21 and I22) as a primary hospital diagnosis or underlying cause of death, from Jan 1, 2015, to Dec 31, 2018. We used geographical identifiers to estimate myocardial infarction event rate (number of events per 100 000 population), death rate (number of deaths per 100 000 population), total case fatality (proportion of events that resulted in death), pre-hospital fatality (proportion of events that resulted in pre-hospital death), and hospital case fatality (proportion of admissions due to myocardial infarction that resulted in death within 28 days of admission) for men and women aged 45 years and older across 326 districts in England. Data were analysed in a Bayesian spatial model that accounted for similarities and differences in spatial patterns of fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction. Age-standardised rates were calculated by weighting age-specific rates by the corresponding national share of the appropriate denominator for each measure. From 2015 to 2018, national age-standardised death rates were 63 per 100 000 population in women and 126 per 100 000 in men, and event rates were 233 per 100 000 in women and 512 per 100 000 in men. After age-standardisation, 15·0% of events in women and 16·9% in men resulted in death before hospitalisation, and hospital case fatality was 10·8% in women and 10·6% in men. Across districts, the 99th-to-1st percentile ratio of age-standardised myocardial infarction death rates was 2·63 (95% credible interval 2·45-2·83) in women and 2·56 (2·37-2·76) in men, with death rates highest in parts of northern England. The main contributor to this variation was myocardial infarction event rate, with a 99th-to-1st percentile ratio of 2·55 (2·39-2·72) in women and 2·17 (2·08-2·27) in men across districts. Pre-hospital fatality was greater than hospital case fatality in every district. Pre-hospital fatality had a 99th-to-1st percentile ratio of 1·60 (1·50-1·70) in women and 1·75 (1·66-1·86) in men across districts, and made a greater contribution to variation in total case fatality than did hospital case fatality (99th-to-1st percentile ratio 1·39 [1·29-1·49] and 1·49 [1·39-1·60]). The contribution of case fatality to variation in deaths across districts was largest in women aged 55-64 and 65-74 years and in men aged 55-64, 65-74, and 75-84 years. Pre-hospital fatality was slightly higher in men than in women in most districts and age groups, whereas hospital case fatality was higher in women in virtually all districts at ages up to and including 65-74 years. Most of the variation in myocardial infarction mortality in England is due to variation in myocardial infarction event rate, with a smaller role for case fatality. Most variation in case fatality occurs before rather than after hospital admission. Reducing subnational variations in myocardial infarction mortality requires interventions that reduce event rate and pre-hospital deaths. Wellcome Trust, British Heart Foundation, Medical Research Council (UK Research and Innovation), and National Institute for Health Research (UK).

Carotid Sources of Stroke.

The ancient Greeks used the term karotides for the great arteries in the neck, compression of which could plunge the victim into karoun: deep sleep or stupor. The artery name aside, studies of the patterns of brain infarction and their clinical severity have been an unbroken chain of growing sophistication in the past 150 years. Two main patterns emerged: perfusion failure with high-convexity infarction from hemodynamically important ipsilateral carotid stenosis or embolism from nonstenosing carotid plaque.

Clinical Manifestation and Radiologic Patterns of Spontaneous Cervicocephalic Dissection According to the Anatomic Location: A Single-Center Analysis in Korean Patients.

PurposeSpontaneous cervicocephalic dissection (SCAD) is an important cause of stroke and shows various lesion locations and clinical features. The purpose of this study was to analyze the location of SCAD and its clinical and radiologic patterns in Korean patients.Materials and MethodsPatients with SCAD who were evaluated between 2013 and 2018 at a tertiary center in Korea were reviewed. We classified and compared the morphological (aneurysm or steno-occlusion) and presenting (hemorrhage or infarction) patterns according to the lesion locations (anterior circulation [AC] vs. posterior circulation [PC]; intradural [ID] vs. extradural [ED]).ResultsA total of 166 patients were included in this study. The SCAD most commonly occurred in the PC-ID location (65.1%), followed by AC-ID (13.3%), AC-ED (13.3%), and PC-ED (8.4%). Aneurysm and steno-occlusion patterns were observed in 66.9% and 57.8% of the cases, respectively. The aneurysm pattern was significantly more common in the PC-ID location (78.7%) than in other locations. As for the presenting pattern, cerebral infarction was the most common pattern (39.8%), and intracranial hemorrhage was observed only in the ID location (7.2%).ConclusionIn Korean patients, PC-ID, especially ID vertebral artery, was the most common location of SCAD, and most cases were accompanied by an aneurysm. It also suggested that these location trends differ by population or ethnicity.

Impact of Neuroimaging Patterns for the Detection of Atrial Fibrillation by Implantable Loop Recorders in Patients With Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source.

ObjectivesAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a well-known etiology of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS), although the optimal detection strategy of AF was not been fully evaluated yet. We assessed AF detection rate by implantable loop recorder (ILR) in patients with ESUS and compared the clinical characteristics and neuroimaging patterns between the patients with AF and AF-free patients.MethodsWe reviewed clinical characteristics and neuroimaging patterns of consecutive patients with who were admitted to our comprehensive stroke center for ESUS and underwent ILR insertion between August 1, 2019, and January 31, 202. The inclusion criteria were (1) 18 years of age or older; (2) classified as having cryptogenic stroke extracted from the group with undetermined stroke according to ESUS International Working Group; and (3) underwent ILR insertion during or after admission due to index ischemic events. Ischemic stroke pattern was classified as (1) tiny-scattered infarction, (2) whole-territorial infarction, (3) lobar infarction and (4) multiple-territorial infarction. Interrogations of data retrieved from the ILR were performed by cardiologists in every month after the implantation.ResultsIn this study, 41 ESUS patients who received an ILR implantation were enrolled (mean age, 64 years; male sex, 65.9%). The rate of AF detection at 6 months was 34% (14 patients), and the mean time from ILR insertion to AF detection was 52.5 days [interquartile range (IQR), 45.0–69.5]. The median initial NIH stroke scale scores were significantly greater in patients with AF than those without AF (6.5 vs. 3.0, p = 0.019). Whole-territorial infarction pattern was significantly more frequent in patients with AF than in those without AF (64.3% vs.11.1%, p = 0.002).ConclusionsHigher covert AF detection rates within the ESUS patients were most often associated with higher NIHSS and whole-territorial infarction patterns on brain imaging.

Acute percheron infarction: a precision learning

BackgroundSo far, the diagnosis of acute artery of percheron (AOP) infarction is uncommon. In this study, patients with acute AOP infarction were studied to explore the relationship of imaging findings, clinical manifestations and prognosis of acute AOP infarction.MaterialsA total of 23 patients with acute AOP infarction in our institution from 2014 to 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. All cases were evaluated by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The modified Rankin scale (MRS), blood examination, electrocardiogram and transthoracic echocardiography were used for detailed clinical and prognostic evaluation. All standard risk factors for these patients were recorded. The MRS scores were performed 90 days after discharge.ResultsFour different types of acute AOP infarction were identified: (a) bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction (BPTI, 52%); (b) bilateral paramedian thalamic with rostral midbrain infarction (BPTRMI, 30%), (c) bilateral paramedian and anterior thalamic infarction (BPATI, 13%), and (d) bilateral paramedian thalamic with red nuclei infarction (BPTRNI, 4%). These patients had consciousness disorder, memory dysfunctions, vertical gaze paresis and mesencephalothalamic syndrome. The 65% of patients with BPTI and BPATI experienced relatively good functional recovery and could carry out daily life activities (MRS score ≤ 2). However, patients with BPTRMI may have an unfavorable outcome.ConclusionsAlthough the clinical features are variable, DWI or ADC map can improve the diagnosis of acute AOP infarction patterns. Acute AOP occlusion requires immediate diagnosis and treatment to obtain more favorable outcome and avoid additional unnecessary procedures.

Relationship between D-dimer levels and infarct pattern in acute ischemic stroke patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation

Background: Cerebral embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is mainly caused by thrombus formation in the left atrial appendage. D-dimer is known to reflect the thrombogenic activity of the left atrium in NVAF patients. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between D-dimer levels and infarct pattern in ischemic stroke patients with NVAF. Methods: We enrolled 255 patients who developed cardioembolic stroke caused by NVAF and presented to the hospital within 7 days. We divided the infarct pattern into two groups: single lesions (SL) and multiple lesions (ML). The infarct pattern was also classified into two groups: ischemic lesions involving a single vascular territory (ST) and multiple vascular territories (MT). We analyzed the relationship between the infarct pattern and D-dimer levels. Results: Of the 255 patients, 79 (31.0%) and 176 (69.0%) were in the SL and ML groups, respectively. In addition, 207 (81.2%) and 48 (18.8%) patients were classified into the ST and MT groups, respectively. Compared with the SL group, a higher D-dimer level was observed in the ML group (p=0.006). Similarly, the MT group had higher D-dimer levels than the ST group (p=0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that elevated D-dimer levels were significantly and independently associated with the presence of multiple ischemic lesions (p=0.021) and the involvement of multiple vascular territories (p=0.020). Conclusions: This study showed that elevated D-dimer levels were independently associated with multiple ischemic lesions involving multiple vascular territories in ischemic stroke patients with NVAF.

ST Segment Elevation

Abstract As the earliest indirect sign of an acute coronary occlusion arriving against non-operative collateral heart vessels, the unabating ST segment elevation accounts for the acute coronary syndrome asking for mandatory and immediate reperfusion therapy. The geography of the ST segment elevations usually enables one to identify the culprit artery and to guess its likely occlusion site, as pivotal pieces of the necessary vital risk forecasting, along with somehow expected occurring arrhythmias. Aside from the classical ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) pattern, a handful of distinctive non-ST elevation appearances of the acute coronary occlusion also need imperative reperfusion therapy, thus qualifying themselves as STEMI equivalents. The early forthcoming of ST elevation during an acute transmural ischaemic episode, as well as the wide availability of the electrocardiogram, make it an invaluable diagnostic tool. Yet many confounding factors are able to limit the diagnostic sensibility of ST elevation (as for example its customary absence in the conventional leads in some cases of circumflex artery occlusion, or the casual mutual cancellation of the transmural ST vectors from opposite ventricular walls), the accuracy of the electrocardiographic localisation of the occlusion site (due to coronary anatomic variants, concomitant new or old coronary lesions elsewhere, previous coronary artery bypass grafts), as well as its specificity for transmural ischaemia (by virtue of a well-known manifold of non-ischaemic causes). While the STEMI patient must be offered undelayed reperfusion therapy, the non-ischaemic ST elevation one should be kept away from the haemorrhagic risk of a useless invasive procedure.

Association of stroke lesion shape with newly detected atrial fibrillation - Results from the MonDAFIS study.

Paroxysmal Atrial fibrillation (AF) is often clinically silent and may be missed by the usual diagnostic workup after ischemic stroke. We aimed to determine whether shape characteristics of ischemic stroke lesions can be used to predict AF in stroke patients without known AF at baseline. Lesion shape quantification on brain MRI was performed in selected patients from the intervention arm of the Impact of standardized MONitoring for Detection of Atrial Fibrillation in Ischemic Stroke (MonDAFIS) study, which included patients with ischemic stroke or TIA without prior AF. Multiple morphologic parameters were calculated based on lesion segmentation in acute brain MRI data. Multivariate logistic models were used to test the association of lesion morphology, clinical parameters, and AF. A stepwise elimination regression was conducted to identify the most important variables. A total of 755 patients were included. Patients with AF detected within 2 years after stroke (n = 86) had a larger overall oriented bounding box (OBB) volume (p = 0.003) and a higher number of brain lesion components (p = 0.008) than patients without AF. In the multivariate model, OBB volume (OR 1.72, 95%CI 1.29–2.35, p < 0.001), age (OR 2.13, 95%CI 1.52–3.06, p < 0.001), and female sex (OR 2.45, 95%CI 1.41–4.31, p = 0.002) were independently associated with detected AF. Ischemic lesions in patients with detected AF after stroke presented with a more dispersed infarct pattern and a higher number of lesion components. Together with clinical characteristics, these lesion shape characteristics may help in guiding prolonged cardiac monitoring after stroke.

Mechanisms of Stroke in Patients with Fetal Posterior Cerebral Artery

ObjectivesThe fetal-type posterior cerebral artery (FTP) is a normal variation of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA), occurring in 3–36% of general population. The effects of the FTP in stroke mechanisms remain debatable. We aimed to investigate the differences in stroke mechanisms and lesion locations between patients with and without FTP. MethodsA total of 394 patients with PCA territory stroke were divided into those with PCA ischemic stroke associated with ipsilateral FTP and those without. The baseline characteristics, vascular risk factors, infarct pattern, stroke location, stroke etiology, and the diameter of P1 in patients without FTP or posterior communicating artery (PcoA) in patients with FTP were investigated. ResultsAmong the 394 patients, 52 (13.2%) PCA stroke patients with ipsilateral FTP were enrolled. Patients with FTP, in comparison with those without, had a higher frequency of deep infarct pattern (69.2% vs. 47.1%, P=0.012), small vessel occlusion (51.9% vs. 28.9%, P=0.009), ventrolateral thalamic involvement (65.4% vs. 49.1%, P=0.042), and a lower frequency of cardiac embolism (9.6% vs. 24.0%, P=0.009). The diameter of P1 in patients without FTP was larger than that of PcoA in patients with FTP (2.1 ± 0.3 mm vs. 1.6 ± 0.2 mm, P <0.001). ConclusionsThe stroke mechanisms, infarct pattern, and the location of the stroke were different between patients with and without FTP. PCA stroke patients with FTP more often had small vessel occlusion and ventrolateral thalamic involvement. These results are probably associated with difference in the hemodynamic status according to the presence of FTP.

Infarct Patterns in Patients With Symptomatic Carotid Webs

Background Carotid webs (CaWs) may explain embolic strokes particularly in young patients with cerebral embolism of otherwise undetermined cause. We aim to describe the radiological patterns of infarction in patients with symptomatic CaWs. Methods Retrospective analysis of a symptomatic CaW database (September 2014–July 2019) from 2 comprehensive stroke centers. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were reviewed independently by 2 blinded raters. Patterns of acute infarction included territorial (involving ≥2 arterial subdivisions), cortical (affecting 1 arterial subdivision), 1or multiple small cortical infarcts, borderzone infarcts (cortical or internal), striatocapsular lacunes (&lt;1.5 cm in size), or ≥1 deep vascular territory (involving subcortical contiguous deep structures). Different concomitant patterns could coexist. Prior strokes and leukoaraiosis severity (modified Fazekas scale) were evaluated. Results Forty symptomatic patients with CaW who had infarction were identified. The median age of patients was 49 years (interquartile range, 41–57 years), 22% were women, and 78% were of Black race. The median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale was 13 (interquartile range, 4–17), noncontrast Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score was 8 (interquartile range, 7–8), and 13 (33%) patients received intravenous alteplase. Thirty‐four (85%) individuals presented with large vessel occlusion strokes (9% intracranial internal carotid artery, 62% middle cerebral artery M1 segment, 29% M2 segment). Sixty‐three percent of patients had right hemispheric strokes and 85% large vessel occlusion. Most patients (98%) had cortical infarcts: 30% were territorial, 38% affected 1 subdivision, and 63% had ≥1 small cortical infarct. Ten percent of the patients had infarcts involving borderzone areas. Fifteen percent of patients had striatocapsular lacunes, all of which had a concomitant cortical infarction. Five percent of patients had imaging evidence of previous strokes (all cortical and within the CaW vascular territory) and 20% had leukoaraiosis (18% grade 1 and 2% grade 2). Conclusion Acute cerebral infarction attributed to CaW were all compatible with an embolic mechanism. CaW should be considered in the workup of patients with cryptogenic strokes as a potential source of embolism.

Coexistent cerebral small vessel disease and multiple infarctions predict recurrent stroke

Background and purposeTo investigate the association of different status of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and infarction number with recurrence after acute minor stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA).MethodsThis study was a post hoc analysis of the Clopidogrel in High-risk Patients with Acute Nondisabling Cerebrovascular Events (CHANCE) trial, and includes 886 patients with acute minor stroke and TIA. The status of CSVD and infarction number was recorded for each individual. Infarction number were classified as multiple acute infarctions (MAIs≥2), single acute infarction (SAI =1), and non-acute infarction (NAI =0). The CSVD burden were grouped into non-CSVD (0 score) and CSVD (1–4 score). The primary outcome was a recurrent stroke at the 1-year follow-up. The secondary outcomes were recurrent ischaemic stroke, composite vascular event (CVE), and TIA. We analyzed the relationships between different status of CSVD burden and infarction pattern with the risk of outcomes using multivariable Cox regression models.ResultsAmong all 886 patients included in present analysis, recurrent stroke was occurred in 93 (10.5%) patients during 1-year follow-up. After adjusted for all potential covariates, compared with patients with non-CSVD and NAI, patients with CSVD and MAIs were associated with approximately 9.5-fold increased risk of recurrent stroke at 1 year (HR 9.560, 95% CI 1.273–71.787, p=0.028). Similar results observed in ischaemic stroke and CVE.ConclusionThe status of CSVD and infarction number predicted recurrent stroke in patients with acute minor stroke and TIA, especially for those with coexistent CSVD and MAIs.

Horse, Donkey, Or Zebra: Delayed Diagnosis Of Giant Cell Myocarditis

<h3>Introduction</h3> Giant cell myocarditis (GCM) classically presents in a dramatic fashion. Initial manifestations may include fulminant heart failure, refractory ventricular arrhythmias, and high degree AV block. Treatment includes aggressive immunosuppression, but even with proper treatment, the risk of progression to end stage heart failure is high. Although the clinical scenario can strongly suggest GCM, endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) remains the gold diagnostic standard. <h3>Case Report</h3> A 70-year-old female with hypertension and hyperlipidemia presented to the hospital with syncope. She was found to have new systolic heart failure with a left ejection fraction of 32%. She had a new first degree AV block with intermittent 2:1 AV block. Cardiac MRI showed multiple areas of delayed enhancement thought to be consistent with RCA territory infarct pattern versus infiltrative cardiomyopathy, specifically, sarcoidosis. Subsequent coronary angiogram demonstrated mild, non-obstructive coronary artery disease. EMB at this time showed focal histiocytic infiltrate with scattered eosinophils. No granulomas or giant cells were identified. Given the clinical picture and EMB findings, presentation was felt to be most consistent with cardiac sarcoidosis, although other inflammatory etiologies remained in the differential. Prednisone and neurohormonal blockade were started. Given her intermittent AV block, a CRT-D device was implanted. The remainder of the patient's index admission was uneventful and she had NYHA Class II symptoms on discharge. However, the patient quickly returned to the emergency department after 17 appropriate ICD discharges in the setting of VT storm. She quickly deteriorated requiring emergent peripheral VA-ECMO cannulation. A second EMB was obtained at this time which showed profound inflammation as well as giant cells (Figure 1). She was treated for giant cell myocarditis with aggressive immunosuppression but had worsening end-organ dysfunction and continued to deteriorate clinically. Ultimately, the decision was made to transition to comfort measures and the patient expired. <h3>Discussion</h3> Both GCM and cardiac sarcoidosis can present with new onset heart failure, refractory ventricular arrhythmias, and life-threatening conduction abnormalities. Endomyocardial biopsy is critical to establish the diagnosis, yet the yield is not 100%. Given the exceedingly high mortality without proper treatment, repeat EMB may be necessary to establish the diagnosis of GCM.

Structural changes of brain vessels in cardiosurgery patients with postoperative stroke

Hypoxic-ischemic lesions of the brain of cardiac surgery patients as a leading factor in stroke have been studied. The importance of prolonged thrombosis, embolism, which exacerbate the general degenerative changes in the central nervous system is recognized.&#x0D; The aim of the research – to study the morphological changes of the vessels of the brain of cardiac surgery patients with postoperative stroke on the background of hypoxic-ischemic complications.&#x0D; Materials and methods. Pieces of cerebral vessels were subjected to microscopic examination. Histological sections were stained according to Van Gieson.&#x0D; Results and their discussion. The study of the structure of the vessels of the brain of persons who were in the group intact to neurological pathology control, showed the presence of anatomical and functional changes that are fully consistent with the sex-age norms of postnatal human ontogenesis.&#x0D; The drugs of the clinical observation group contained signs of pathological changes characteristic of hypoxic-ischemic disorders. It is obvious that their appearance and intensification contributed to the development of ischemic stroke. Structural and functional changes mainly concerned the vascular walls, their layers, paravasal spaces, the blood system as a liquid phase, in fact. Endothelial layer with signs of desquamation. Endothelial cells are characterized by signs of hyperchromia of the nuclei, the shift of the latter in the direction of one of the poles of the cells, the appearance of heterochromatin. Contacts between cells are weakened, defects are visible in the surface layer. Perovascular edema, which is formed in the case of increased permeability, leads to a certain isolation of individual vessels from the surrounding tissues, followed by the development of hypoxia. Defects of the wall layers lead to the activation of the migratory properties of platelets, encourage the appearance of megakaryocytes, erythrocyte thrombi, which are in close contact with the endothelial layer of blood vessels. On histological specimens, brick-red blood clots abundantly cover the damaged inner layer of vascular walls, sometimes completely filling their openings. Over time, defects in the layers of the walls are accompanied by thrombosis, inflammation, edema.&#x0D; Conclusions. Hypoxic-ischemic brain lesions in cardiac surgery patients play a leading role in stroke. Priority is given to hypoxia, which contributes to ischemia, trophic disorders, atrophy, necrosis, necrobiotic changes. The latter are the organic basis of pathogenetic patterns of focal cerebral infarction (with progressive destruction of brain cells, its vessels, the development of prolonged thrombosis, embolism, increased general degenerative changes in the central nervous system)

Infarction Patterns and Recurrent Adverse Cerebrovascular Events in Moyamoya Disease.

For moyamoya disease (MMD) patients who suffered an acute ischemic attack, the infarction patterns on DWI and its association with recurrent adverse cerebrovascular events (ACEs) after bypass surgery remain unknown. 327 patients who suffered an acute ischemic attack and received following revascularization surgery were retrospectively reviewed and were divided into three patterns according to the lesion number and distribution on DWI that obtained within 7 days of onset: no acute infarction (NAI), single acute infarction (SAI), and multiple acute infarctions (MAIs). We used Cox proportional hazard models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for associations of infarction patterns and the risk of recurrent ACEs and strokes. Over a median follow-up of 41 months (IQR 26-60), there were 61 ACEs and 27 strokes. Compared to the NAI cohort, patients with SAI (HR, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.41-6.05; p = 0.004) and MAIs (HR, 4.44; 95% CI, 2.10-9.41; p < 0.001) were associated with higher risk of ACEs recurrences. In analysis adjusted for age and surgery modalities, the corresponding HR was 2.90 (95% CI: 1.41-5.98) for SAI and 4.10 (95% CI: 1.95-8.63) for MAIs, and this effect remained persistent on further adjustment for several potential confounders. Similar but less precise association was found in separate analysis that only takes into account stroke recurrences. Thus, different infarction patterns on DWI imply different risks of recurrent ACEs, and more attention should be paid to prevent ACEs in MMD patients with MAIs.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of acute ischemic stroke in patients with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis of global data

Objective. There is increased concern regarding acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of this study was to depict the manifestations and outcomes of COVID-19-associated AIS. Methods. We systematically searched for eligible studies describing AIS in patients with COVID-19 using PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science up to November 29, 2021. We complied with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and used the Newcastle&amp;ndash;Ottawa Scale to assess data quality. The data were pooled using fixed- and random-effects models. Results. Thirty-eight eligible studies involving 76,894 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with AIS patients who did not have COVID-19, patients with COVID-19 were more likely to have anterior circulation stroke (odds ratio [OR]: 2.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03 &amp;ndash; 5.10; I2: 37%), particularly involving the internal carotid artery (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.19 &amp;ndash; 2.88; I2: 0); more severe neurological deficit (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS]) (weighted mean difference [WMD]: 3.21, 95% CI: 2.13 &amp;ndash; 4.29; I2: 64%); higher proportion of cryptogenic stroke (OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.24 &amp;ndash; 2.70; I2: 62%), large vessel occlusion (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.10 &amp;ndash; 2.57; I2: 75%), and multi-territory involvement (OR: 2.64, 95% CI: 1.62 &amp;ndash; 4.29; I2: 0%); higher C-reactive protein levels (WMD: 55.90, 95% CI: 33.32 &amp;ndash; 78.49; I2: 67%), and D-dimer levels (standardized mean difference: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.52 &amp;ndash; 1.10; I2: 59%). The proportion of poor outcomes were higher among patients with COVID-19, including increased risk of in-hospital death (OR: 3.70, 95% CI: 2.73 &amp;ndash; 5.02; I2: 64%) and lower possibility of favorable discharge (OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.39 &amp;ndash; 0.61; I2: 0). However, COVID-19 did not increase the risk of hemorrhagic transformation (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 0.91 &amp;ndash; 1.98; I2: 39%) and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 0.81 &amp;ndash; 2.62; I2: 0). Conclusion. AIS patients with COVID-19 seem to display a pattern of large vessel occlusion and multi-territory infarcts. These patients have high inflammatory marker levels and increased D-dimer levels, which implies that thrombosis and/or thromboembolism might be the underlying mechanism. These patients tend to have worse prognosis regardless of whether they receive reperfusion treatment.