Prognosis Of Ischemic Stroke Patients Research Articles

Mixed Lineage Leukemia 1 Promoted Neuron Apoptosis in Ischemic Penumbra via Regulating ASK-1/TNF-α Complex.

Neuron apoptosis in ischemic penumbra was proved to be involved in ischemic stroke (IS) development and contributed to the poor prognosis of IS. Recent studies showed that aberrant trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3) level was associated with cell apoptosis. This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanism of neuron apoptosis in ischemic penumbra via histone methyltransferase (HMT) mixed lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1) mediated epigenetic pathway. Mouse IS model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Mouse primary cortical mixed cells were cultured and treated with oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) to simulate IS process. The expressions of apoptosis signal regulating kinase-1 (ASK-1), pASK-1, cleaved caspase-3, ASK-1/serine–threonine kinase receptor-associated protein (STRAP)/14-3-3 complex, ASK-1/tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) complex, and MLL1 in mouse brain tissue and mouse primary cortical mixed cells were analyzed. The function of MLL1 was investigated using small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting MLL1 and vector overexpressing MLL1. In vivo inhibition of MLL1 was conducted to explore its value as a therapeutic target. The prognostic value of MLL1 was investigated in IS patients. Results showed that the expressions of ASK-1, pASK-1, cleaved caspase-3, ASK-1/TNF-α complex, and MLL1 increased significantly in ischemic penumbra compared to brain tissue from the control group (P < 0.05). MCAO and OGD significantly upregulated the H3K4me3 level in ASK-1 promoter region and promoted the recruitment of MLL1 to this region (P < 0.05). siMLL1 significantly reversed the proapoptosis effects of OGD in primary cortical mixed cells, while MLL1 overexpression induced apoptosis of cells (P < 0.05). In vivo inhibition of MLL1 significantly reduced the infarct volume and the neurological score of MCAO mice (P < 0.05). Serum MLL1 level had a positive association with that in ischemic core and penumbra in mouse model and was positively correlated with the infarct volume and neurological score (P < 0.05). Besides, serum MLL1 level was also significantly correlated with the severity of IS (P < 0.05), and high serum MLL1 level indicated poor prognosis of IS patients (P < 0.05). These results revealed that MLL1 contributed to neuron cell apoptosis in ischemic penumbra after IS onset by promoting the formation of ASK-1/TNF-α complex, and its serum level was associated with poor prognosis of IS.

Effect of renal function on association between uric acid and prognosis in acute ischemic stroke patients with elevated systolic blood pressure

ABSTRACT Background and aims The prognostic value of uric acid in ischemic stroke remains controversial, and it is unclear whether renal function status modifies the prognostic value of uric acid in ischemic stroke patients. Methods A total of 3284 acute ischemic stroke patients from the China Antihypertensive Trial in Acute Ischemic Stroke (CATIS) with creatinine and uric acid measurements were included in this analysis. The primary outcome was a composite of death and major disability (modified Rankin Scale score ≥3) at 1 year after stroke. Results The prognostic value of uric acid in ischemic stroke was appreciably modified by patients’ renal function status (p for interaction <0.05). After multivariate adjustment, higher uric acid level was significantly associated with a better prognosis in patients with normal renal function (odds ratio, 0.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.45–0.83), but not in those with abnormal renal function (odds ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.48–1.55), when two extreme quartiles were compared. Linear association between uric acid and primary outcome was observed among patients with normal renal function (p for linearity = 0.023). Conclusion The present study suggests that high serum uric acid concentration is associated with better prognosis in ischemic stroke patients with normal renal function, but not in those with abnormal renal function. The establishment of causality between increased uric acid levels and better stroke prognosis needs more suitably designed randomized clinical trials.

The effects of changes in platelet-to-neutrophil ratios 24 hours after intravenous thrombolysis on prognosis in acute ischemic stroke patients

ObjectiveTo investigate the prognostic value of Platelet-to-Neutrophil ratio on admission (PNR on admission) and 24 h after intravenous thrombolysis (24 h PNR) in acute ischemic stroke patients (AIS) patients. Patients and MethodsOne hundred fifty-one ischemic stroke patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis were retrospectively recruited in this study. Complete blood count evaluations for PNR were conducted on admission and 24 h after the treatment of thrombolysis. The poor outcome at 3months was defined as the modified Rankin Scale of 3–6. ResultsIn multivariate logistic regression, PNR on admission (odds ratio [OR] = 0.967, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 0.939-0.996; P = 0.028), and 24 h PNR(OR = 0.933, 95 %CI = 0.895-0.972; P = 0.004) were all independent indicators for the 3-month poor prognosis in ischemic stroke patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis. The area under the curve of PNR on admission to predict poor functional outcomes at 3 months was 0.645 (95 %CI = 0.558–0.732; P < 0.001), and the best predictive PNR on admission value was 41.35. After the treatment of thrombolysis, the area under the curve of 24 h PNR to predict poor functional outcomes at 3 months was 0.796 (95 %CI = 0.722–0.858; P < 0.001), and the best predictive 24 h PNR value was 31.03. ConclusionsBoth the PNR on admission and 24 h PNR were independently associated with poor functional outcomes. Compared with the PNR on admission, 24 h PNR may serve as a more reliable marker for a poor prognosis in ischemic stroke patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis.

Abstract WP78: Intracranial Calcification is Predictive for Hemorrhage Transformation and Prognosis After Intravenous Thrombolysis

Introduction: Hemorrhage transformation is the major complication of intravenous thrombolysis, which can deteriorate the prognosis of ischemic stroke patients. Calcification is widely used as an imaging indicator of atherosclerotic burden and cerebrovascular function. The relationship between intracranial calcification and hemorrhage transformation has not been fully explained. Here, we aimed to identify and quantify calcification in the main cerebral vessels to investigate the correlations between quantitative calcification parameters, hemorrhage transformation, and prognosis. Methods: Acute noncardiogenic ischemic stroke patients with anterior circulation who received intravenous thrombolysis therapy in the First Hospital of Jilin University from July 2015 to June 2017 were retrospectively consecutively included. All the patients included underwent a baseline CT before intravenous thrombolysis and a follow-up CT at 24 hours. A third-party software, ITK-SNAP, was used for segmentation and measurement of the calcification volume. A vascular non-bone component with a CT value &gt;130 HU was judged to be calcified. The criterion for poor prognosis was an mRS score &gt; 2 at 3 months. Results: A total of 146 patients were included, among which 128 patients were identified to have calcification. Twenty-one patients developed hemorrhage transformation. The risk of hemorrhage transformation in the extreme group of calcification volume on the lesion side was 10.018 times that of the none to mild groups (OR=10.018, 95% CI: 1.030-97.396). Sixty-one patients had poor prognosis. The risk of poor prognosis increased by 54.7% for each additional calcified vessel (OR=1.547, 95% CI: 1.038-2.305). Conclusions: High calcification volume burden on the lesion side is associated with hemorrhage transformation after intravenous thrombolysis. The higher the number of calcified vessels, the greater is the risk of poor prognosis.

Eicosapentaenoic-to-Arachidonic Acid Ratio Predicts Mortality and Recurrent Vascular Events in Ischemic Stroke Patients.

Aims: The ratio of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to arachidonic acid (AA) is related to major adverse events and death in cardiovascular diseases. The association between long-term prognosis of ischemic stroke and EPA/AA ratio has not been clarified.Methods: Acute ischemic stroke patients who had undergone blood examinations for polyunsaturated fatty acids were enrolled. Major cardiovascular events, including recurrence of ischemic stroke, occurrence of cardiovascular and peripheral artery diseases and hemorrhagic stroke, and death, were analyzed, retrospectively. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to explore factors, including clinical characteristics, laboratory data including EPA/AA ratio, and treatments associated with major cardiovascular events and death.Results: A total of 269 patients (mean age, 70 ± 13 years; 179 men) were enrolled. During follow-up (mean, 2.3 ± 1.0 years), 64 patients exhibited major cardiovascular events and death (annualized rate, 10.5% per person-year). Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that EPA/AA ratio (hazard ratio, 0.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.07–0.99; p = 0.048) and statin therapy (hazard ratio, 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.25–0.73; p = 0.002) correlated inversely with major cardiovascular events and death. In the Kaplan–Meier analysis, cumulative event-free rates were significantly lower among patients with EPA/AA ratio < 0.33 and patients without statin therapy (p = 0.006).Conclusions: Low EPA/AA ratio at baseline and treatment without statins could predict mortality, recurrent ischemic stroke, cardiovascular and peripheral artery diseases, and hemorrhagic stroke among patients with acute ischemic stroke. The combination of baseline EPA/AA ratio and statin therapy could be critical in predicting the long-term prognosis of ischemic stroke patients.

Impact of the Total Number of Carotid Plaques on the Outcome of Ischemic Stroke Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) shares several risk factors with atherosclerosis. We investigated the association between total carotid plaque number (TPN) and long-term prognosis in ischemic stroke patients with AF. Methods: A total of 392 ischemic stroke patients with AF who underwent carotid ultrasonography were enrolled. TPN was assessed using B-mode ultrasound. The patients were categorized into two groups according to best cutoff values for TPN (TPN ≤ 4 vs. TPN ≥ 5). The long-term risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and mortality according to TPN was investigated using a Cox hazard model. Results: After a mean follow-up of 2.42 years, 113 patients (28.8%) had developed MACE and 88 patients (22.4%) had died. MACE occurred more frequently in the TPN ≥ 5 group than in the TPN ≤ 4 group (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–2.21; p < 0.05). Moreover, the TPN ≥ 5 group showed an increased risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted HR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.40–5.17; p < 0.05). TPN along with maximal plaque thickness and intima media thickness showed improved prognostic utility when added to the variables of the CHAD2DS2-VASc score. Conclusion: TPN can predict the long-term outcome of ischemic stroke patients with AF. Adding TPN to the CHAD2DS2-VASc score increases the predictability of outcome after stroke.

Effects of emergency medical service on prognosis of ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis

To investigate the effect of emergency medical service (EMS) on the prognosis of ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis. Clinical data of 2123 ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis in 70 hospitals in Zhejiang province were retrospectively analyzed. There were 808 patients sent to the hospital by ambulance (EMS group) and 1315 patients by other transportations (non-EMS group). Good outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤ 2 at 3-month. The onset to needle time (ONT), onset to door time (ODT), door to needle time (DNT) and outcome were compared between EMS group and non-EMS group. Binary logistic regression was used to explore the influencing factors for the outcome at 3-month. Compared with the non-EMS group, patients in the EMS group were older, with higher baseline National Institute of Health Sroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and had a higher proportion of atrial fibrillation (all P<0.05), but there were no significant differences in ONT, ODT and DNT between two groups (all P>0.05). Binary logistic regression showed that EMS was not independently associated with good outcome (OR=0.856, 95%CI:0.664-1.103, P>0.05). EMS had not improve the outcome of patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis in Zhejiang province.

Effect of different working time on the prognosis of ischemic stroke patients undergoing intravenous thrombolysis

To investigate the effect of working time on the prognosis of patients with ischemic stroke undergoing intravenous thrombolysis. Clinical data of 3050 patients with ischemic stroke received intravenous thrombolysis from 71 hospitals in Zhejiang Province during June 2017 and September 2018 were retrospective analyzed. Whole day of Saturday and Sunday were defined as weekend; whole day of Monday to Friday were defined as weekdays; Monday to Friday 8:00-17:00 were defined as daytime of weekdays; Monday to Friday 17:01-07:59 on next day were defined as nights of weekdays; unconventional working time were defined as weekend and nights of weekdays. Good outcome was defined as mRS 0-2 at 3 months. Univariate analyses of baseline and prognostic variables in group of weekend and weekdays, nights of weekdays and daytime of weekdays, unconventional working time and daytime of weekdays were performed. Binary logistic regression was used to investigate whether weekend, nights of weekdays and unconventional working time were independent predicting factors of outcome after intravenous thrombolysis, respectively. There was no difference in 7-day mortality, 3-month mortality and good outcome at 3-month between weekend group and weekdays group, nights of weekdays group and daytime of weekdays group, unconventional working time group and daytime of weekdays group (all P>0.05). Binary logistic regression results showed that weekends, nights of weekdays and unconventional working time were not independent predicting factors for outcome after intravenous thrombolysis (all P>0.05). The working time has not affected the outcomes of patients with ischemic stroke undergoing intravenous thrombolysis in studied hospitals of Zhejiang province.

Microalbuminuria in patients with acute ischemic stroke

ABSTRACTObjective: Microalbuminuria could be detected in patients with acute stroke. However, the association between microalbuminuria and the severity of ischemic stroke has not been systematically investigated. This study aimed to systematically explore the prevalence of microalbuminuria in ischemic stroke patients, and the association of microalbuminuria with the severity of ischemic stroke, as well as the prognostic value of microalbuminuria in cerebral infarction patients.Methods: 160 ischemic stroke patients and 54 controls were enrolled and clinical characteristics were recorded. Severity of stroke was assessed by NIHSS score at admission, and outcome was measured using mRS score. The concentration of urinary microalbumin was collected for each participant. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between microalbuminuria and the severity of ischemic stroke, and logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the prognostic value of microalbuminuria in ischemic stroke patients.Results: The incidence of microalbuminuria in ischemic stroke patients was 36.88%. The concentration of urinary microalbumin increased with the increasing of cerebral infarction size, and was independently correlated with NIHSS score at admission and mRS score at 3 months after onset. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, microalbuminuria was one of the independent risk factors for poor prognosis of cerebral infarction patients.Conclusions: MAU was found in approximately one-third of patients with acute ischemic stroke. It was correlated with the severity of cerebral infarction at admission and clinical outcomes at 3 months after onset and could be used as a potential indicator of poor prognosis in ischemic stroke patients.

TiRNAs as a novel biomarker for cell damage assessment in in vitro ischemia-reperfusion model in rat neuronal PC12 cells

The disruption of appropriate cellular stress responses is implicated in the pathogenesis of different neurological disorders including ischemic injury. Early diagnosis and treatment are often associated with better prognosis in ischemic stroke patients. Thus, there is an urgent need to improve the speed and accuracy of stroke diagnosis by developing highly sensitive stroke biomarkers. We recently reported that transfer RNA (tRNA) was involved in cell stress response pathways. Under cell stress conditions, mature tRNA is cleaved by a specific ribonuclease, angiogenin, generating tRNA-derived stress-induced RNA (tiRNA). To study tiRNA generation in an in vitro model of ischemic-reperfusion injury, we used the rat neuronal cell line, PC12, in combination with analysis of SYBR staining and immuno-northern blotting using anti-1-methyladenosine antibody, which detects 1-methyladenosine (m1A) modification of tRNA. We demonstrated that oxygen-glucose deprivation induced tRNA cleavage and tiRNA generation. Time course analysis showed a dramatic up-regulation of tiRNA generation by oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) which started a few minutes after reperfusion. Minocycline, a neuroprotective antibiotic, treatment protected PC12 cells against OGD-reperfusion cell damage resulting in a marked down-regulation of the generated tiRNA. Our findings show that cleavage of tRNA and tiRNA generation in rat neuronal PC12 cells occurs with reperfusion injury and the detection of tiRNA could be used as a potential cell damage marker and treatment effect indicator for this type of injury.

Prognosis of ischemic stroke patients with or without collateralization after carotid stenosis

The objective of this study was to see the association of the prognosis of ischemic stroke patients with or without collateralization after carotid stenosis. This study was conducted on 36 patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke who were going through digital subtraction angiography from March 2017 to March 2018. Collateralization status after unilateral or bilateral stenosis was evaluated. Modified ranking scale (mRS) score was measured on the first day of the stroke and after three months. The disability of ischemic stroke patients was compared between patients who developed collateralization and who had not. Among them, 61.6% developed collateralization. Among the patients who developed collateralization after three months, 90.9% patients had mRS scale of ≤2 and who not developed collateralization, 85.7% patients had mRS scale of ≤2. In both the groups, the p value was &lt;0.05. It can be concluded that carotid stenosed patients who suffered from ischemic stroke, most of the patients disability improved to some extents whether collateralization developed or not among the major vessels.

Prognostic Value of White Blood Cell in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients.

It is unclear whether white blood cell on admission has a prognosis value on ischemic stroke and whether its function is affected by other inflammation factors. We hypothesized that elevated white blood cell is associated with stroke severity and 3-month mortality after acute ischemic stroke. A total of 3891 acute ischemic stroke subjects from the China Antihypertensive Trial in Acute Ischemic Stroke (CATIS) were included in this analysis. Participants were divided into four groups according to quartiles of white blood cell on admission (cutoff points for the quintiles: 5.60×109/L,6.83×109/L,8.50×109/L). The primary outcome was a combination of death and major disability (modified Rankin Scale score ≥3) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes were major disability, death, and vascular events, respectively. After adjustment for major conventional risk factors, elevated white blood cell on admission was associated with poor primary and secondary outcomes after acute ischemic stroke. Compared with the lowest quartile, the ORs (95% CIs) for the highest quartile were 1.79 (1.37-2.91) and 1.62 (1.21-3.55) for primary outcome in model 1 and model 2. In addition, there was a linear association between white blood cell and primary outcome at 3-months (P for linear trend = 0.001). This analysis indicated that elevated white blood cell on admission is associated with 3-months poor prognosis in ischemic stroke patients independently of other inflammation factors. The results emphasize the need for further research on the application of anti-inflammatory therapy.

Correction to: 2018 Guidelines for the Early Management of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Guideline for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

Correction to: 2018 Guidelines for the Early Management of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Guideline for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

Resolvin D2 protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a critical factor leading to a poor prognosis for ischemic stroke patients. ω-3 fatty acid supplements taken as part of a daily diet have been shown to improve the prognosis of patients with ischemic stroke. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential effects of resolvin D2 (RvD2), a derivative of ω-3 fatty acids, and its possible advantage on cerebral I/R injury in rats. Cerebral I/R caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R) was established in Sprague-Dawley rats. First, in rats fed a regular diet, the MCAO/R stimulus led to a significant decrease in endogenous production of RvD2. Exogenous supply of RvD2 via intraperitoneal injection reversed MCAO/R-induced brain injury, including infarction, inflammatory response, brain edema, and neurological dysfunction. Meanwhile, RvD2 reversed the MCAO/R-induced decrease in the protein level of GPR18, which has been identified as a receptor for RvD2, especially in neurons and brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVECs). Furthermore, RvD2 exerted rescue effects on MCAO/R-induced neuron and BMVEC death. Moreover, GPR18 antagonist O-1918 could block the rescue effects of RvD2, possibly at least partially though the GPR18-ERK1/2-NOS signaling pathway. Finally, compared with ω-3 fatty acid supplements, RvD2 treatment had a better rescue effect on cerebral infarction, which may be due to the MCAO/R-induced decrease in 5-lipoxygense phosphorylation and subsequent RvD2 generation. In conclusion, compared with ω-3 fatty acids, RvD2 may be an optimal alternative and complementary treatment for ischemic stroke patients with recanalization treatment.

Importance of Reperfusion Status after Intra-Arterial Thrombectomy for Prediction of Outcome in Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Stroke

Background: Reperfusion status after intra-arterial thrombectomy (IAT) is a critical predictor of functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke. However, most prognostic models have not included a detailed assessment of reperfusion status after IAT. Objective: The aim of this work was to assess the association between successful reperfusion and clinical outcome. Methods: Clinical, radiological, and procedural variables of patients treated with IAT were extracted from our prospective stroke registry. The association with functional outcome using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) after 3 months was assessed using multivariable logistic regression. An extension of the modified TICI score, eTICI, was used to classify reperfusion status. The prognostic value of reperfusion status after IAT in addition to age, stroke severity, imaging characteristics, treatment with intravenous thrombolysis, and time from symptom onset to the end of IAT was assessed with logistic regression and summarized with receiver operating characteristic curves. Results: In total, 119 patients were included (mean age 66 years). In multivariable analysis, age >80 years (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.2–39.8), NIHSS at presentation >15 (OR 7.3, 95% CI 2.3–23.5), and incomplete reperfusion status (eTICI score <2C; OR 10.3, 95% CI 3.5–30.6) were the strongest predictors of a poor outcome (mRS 3–6). Adding reperfusion status to the model improved the prognostic accuracy (AUC 0.88, 95% CI 0.91–0.94). Our results indicate a large difference between using an eTICI cutoff of ≥2C versus ≥2B: a cutoff ≥2C improved the predictive value for a good clinical outcome (2C: positive predictive value, PPV, 0.78; 2B: PPV 0.32). Conclusion: Our results promote using reperfusion status for assessing prognosis in ischemic stroke patients treated with IAT. A model using eTICI ≥2C had greater PPV than eTICI ≥2B and could improve prognostic accuracy.

Differential impact of white matter hyperintensities on long-term outcomes in ischemic stroke patients with large artery atherosclerosis

BackgroundThe presence of white matter hyperintensity (WMH) is related to poor long-term outcomes in stroke patients. However, the long-term outcome is unknown in patients with both large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) and WMH.MethodsWe investigated the impact of WMH on long-term outcome in patients with LAA. Consecutive patients in a prospective stroke registry were included. Patients were followed for a median of 7.7 years (interquartile range, 5.6–9.7). The degree of WMH was assessed by Fazekas grade on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images. Total WMH burden was calculated by summation of Fazekas scores in periventricular and deep white matter. Severe WMH was defined as total burden score ≥ 3.ResultsAmong 2529 patients, 639 patients (25.3%) were classified with the LAA subtype. After applying exclusion criteria, the data from 538 patients were analyzed. The mean patient age was 65.7 ± 10.3 years. Severe WMHs were found in 243 patients (45.2%). During follow-up, 200 patients (37.2%) died. Cox regression analysis showed that LAA patients with severe WMH had a 1.50-fold (95% CI, 1.12–2.00, p = 0.007) higher death rate compared to those without. In the older age group (≥65 years), Cox regression revealed that patients with severe WMH had a 1.75-fold (95% CI, 1.15–2.65, p = 0.008) higher 5-year death rate, whereas the younger age group did not have this association.ConclusionThe degree of WMH might be a surrogate marker for long-term outcome in patients with LAA. Atherosclerotic burdens in both small and large arteries might impact long-term prognosis in ischemic stroke patients.

Prognostic value of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating carotid atherosclerotic plaque in patients with ischemic stroke.

Background:Ischemic stroke (IS) is a devastating occurrence affecting millions worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) in assessing carotid atherosclerotic plaque in IS patients.Methods:Between January 2013 and March 2015, 338 IS patients were recruited for the investigative purposes of the study. All participants of the study underwent an HRMRI inspection procedure after being admitted into the hospital. During this study, we systematically analyzed and measured various types of fibrous caps, lipid compositions, and plaque lipid ratios. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed for predicting prognosis of IS patients. A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was employed to determine the accuracy of the IS prognosis.Results:The percentage of type I fibrous caps exhibited significant decrease, while the percentage of type III fibrous caps, lipid compositions, and lipid ratios all displayed increase. The results of the univariate analysis indicated that age, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, treatment regimens, fibrous cap type, plaque type, lipid composition, and lipid ratio shared a correlation in regards to the poor prognosis of IS patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the prognosis of IS patients was not necessarily dependent on fibrous cap type, plaque type, or age. ROC curves revealed that the HRMRI possessed a strong predicative ability in relation to the identification of the prognosis of IS patients through factors such as type of plaque and fibrous caps determination.Conclusion:Our study conclusively intimated the promise of HRMRI as an evaluative tool for the determination of carotid atherosclerotic plaques in patients with IS.

Elevated neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and ischemic stroke risk in generally healthy adults.

Elevated neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been reported as a marker for chronic inflammation, associated with poor prognosis in ischemic stroke patients, but there has been no study that investigated its association with ischemic stroke risk. This study was conducted to investigate elevated NLR as an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke incidence. Our retrospective cohort study included 24,708 generally healthy subjects aged 30–75 who received self-referred health screening at Seoul National University Hospital. Data on ischemic stroke incidence was retrieved from national medical claims registry. Median follow-up time was 5.9 years (interquartile range 4.2 years). Adjusted for major cardiovascular risk factors, compared to subjects with NLR<1.5, subjects with 2.5≤NLR<3.0, 3.0≤NLR<3.5, and NLR≥3.5 had elevated risk for ischemic stroke incidence with aHR (95% CI) of 1.76 (1.09–2.84), 2.21 (1.21–4.04), and 2.96 (1.57–5.58), respectively. NLR showed significant improvement in discrimination for ischemic stroke incidence compared to traditional cardiovascular risk factors (C-index 0.748 vs. 0.739, P = 0.025). There was significant net improvement in reclassification in Framingham risk for ischemic stroke incidence after addition of NLR, with IDI 0.0035 (P<0.0001), and NRI 6.02% (P = 0.0015). This reclassification for ischemic stroke incidence by NLR was markedly pronounced among subjects with atrial fibrillation with CHA2DS2-VASc<2 (NRI 42.41%, P = 0.056). Our study suggests elevated NLR to be an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke incidence in generally healthy adults. Future studies are needed to validate our results and further assess how subjects with elevated NLR should be managed within current guidelines.

Predictors of intensive care unit admission and mortality in patients with ischemic stroke: investigating the effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation program

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality among stroke patients and the effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation program on stroke patients.MethodsThis prospective study enrolled 181 acute ischemic stroke patients aged between 40 and 90 years. Demographical characteristics, laboratory tests, diffusion-weighed magnetic resonance imaging (DWI-MRI) time, nutritional status, vascular risk factors, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and modified Rankin scale (MRS) scores were recorded for all patients. One-hundred patients participated in the pulmonary rehabilitation program, 81 of whom served as a control group.ResultsStatistically, one- and three-month mortality was associated with NIHSS and MRS scores at admission and three months (p<0.001; r=0.440, r=0.432, r=0.339 and r=0.410, respectively). One and three months mortality- ICU admission had a statistically significant relationship with parenteral nutrition (p<0.001; r=0.346, r=0.300, respectively; r=0.294 and r=0.294, respectively). Similarly, there was also a statistically significant relationship between pneumonia onset and one- and three-month mortality- ICU admission (p<0.05; r=0.217, r=0.127, r=0.185 and r=0.185, respectively). A regression analysis showed that parenteral nutrition (odds ratio [OR] =13.434, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.148–157.265, p=0.038) was a significant predictor of ICU admission. The relationship between pulmonary physiotherapy (PPT) and ICU admission- pneumonia onset at the end of three months was statistically significant (p=0.04 and p=0.043, respectively).ConclusionThis study showed that PPT improved the prognosis of ischemic stroke patients. We believe that a pulmonary rehabilitation program, in addition to general stroke rehabilitation programs, can play a critical role in improving survival and functional outcomes.Trial registrationNCT03195907. Trial registration date: 21.06.2017 ‘Retrospectively registered’.

Low thrombin generation predicts poor prognosis in ischemic stroke patients after thrombolysis.

Thrombolysis by intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is an effective therapy in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Thrombin generation test (TGT) is a global hemostasis test providing information about the speed and amount of generated thrombin in plasma. Here we aimed to find out whether results of this test before the initiation of thrombolysis might predict outcomes. Study population included 120 consecutive AIS patients, all within 4.5 hours of their symptom onset, who underwent thrombolysis by rt-PA. Blood samples were collected from all patients upon admission and TGT was performed using platelet poor plasma. Clinical data of patients including the NIHSS were registered at admission, day 1 and 7 after therapy. The ASPECT score was assessed using CT images taken before and 24 hours after thrombolysis. Long-term functional outcome was defined 3 months after the event by the modified Rankin Scale. Endogenous Thrombin Potential (ETP) and Peak Thrombin were significantly lower in patients with cardioembolic IS. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) was found in 6 patients and was significantly associated with low ETP and Peak Thrombin levels. A multiple logistic regression model revealed that an ETP result in the lower quartile is an independent predictor of mortality within the first two weeks (OR: 6.03; 95%CI: 1.2–30.16, p<0.05) and three months after the event (OR: 5.28; 95%CI: 1.27–21.86, p<0.05). Low levels of ETP and Peak Thrombin parameters increase the risk of therapy associated SICH. A low ETP result is an independent predictor of short- and long-term mortality following thrombolysis.