Risk Of Ipsilateral Stroke Research Articles

Sex-associated differences in the modulation of vascular risk in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis.

In this study, we aimed to identify determinants of the different sex-related stroke risk in subjects with asymptomatic internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. In all, 492 women (44.4%) and 617 men (55.6%), with unilateral ⩾ 60% asymptomatic ICA stenosis, were prospectively evaluated with a median follow-up of 37 months (interquartile range, 26 to 43). Vascular risk profile, plaque characteristics, stenosis progression, and common carotid artery intima-media thickness were investigated. Outcome measure was the occurrence of ischemic stroke ipsilateral to ICA stenosis. Myocardial infarction, contralateral stroke and transient ischemic attack were considered as competing events. The incidence rate of ipsilateral stroke over the entire follow-up period was 0.16%: 0.09% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.05 to 0.15) in women and 0.22% (95% CI 0.17 to 0.29) in men (log-rank test, P<0.001). Stenosis progression significantly influenced the risk of ipsilateral stroke in both men (subhazard ratio, SHR, 8.99) and women (SHR 4.89). Stenosis degree (71% to 90%, SHR 2.35; 91% to 99%, SHR 3.38) and irregular plaque surface (SHR 2.32) were relevant risk factors for ipsilateral stroke only in men. Our findings suggest that characteristics of the stenosis and plaque exert a different effect in modulating vascular risk in the two sexes. Understanding sex differences in cardiovascular disease could help to target sex-specific future therapies.

Symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease: correlations between plaque composition and ipsilateral stroke risk.

For symptomatic patients with carotid artery stenosis, the risk benefit for surgical intervention may vary among patient groups. Various modalities of plaque imaging have been promoted as potential tools for additional risk stratification, particularly in patients with moderate stenosis. However, it remains uncertain to what extent carotid plaque components predict risk of future ipsilateral ischemic stroke. In 2 large atherosclerotic carotid plaque biobank studies, we related histological characteristics of 1640 carotid plaques with a validated risk model for the prediction of individual 1- and 5-year stroke risk. No significant heterogeneity between the studies was found. Predicted 5-year stroke risk (top versus bottom quartile) was related to plaque thrombus (odds ratio, 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.89; P=0.02), fibrous content (0.65; 0.49-0.87; P=0.004), macrophage infiltration (1.41; 1.05-1.90; P=0.02), high microvessel density (1.49; 1.05-2.11; P=0.03), and overall plaque instability (1.40; 1.05-1.87; P=0.02). This association was not observed for cap thickness, calcification, intraplaque hemorrhage, or lymphocyte infiltration. Plaques removed within 30 days of most recent symptomatic event were most strongly correlated with predicted stroke risk. Features of the vulnerable carotid plaque, including plaque thrombus, low fibrous content, macrophage infiltration, and microvessel density, correlate with predicted stroke risk. This study provides a basis for plaque imaging studies focused on stroke risk stratification.

Prediction of recurrent stroke with ABCD2 and ABCD3 scores in patients with symptomatic 50-99% carotid stenosis.

BackgroundAlthough it is preferable that all patients with a recent Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) undergo acute carotid imaging, there are centers with limited access to such acute examinations. It is controversial whether ABCD2 or ABCD3 scores can be used to triage patients to acute or delayed carotid imaging. It would be acceptable that some patients with a symptomatic carotid stenosis are detected with a slight delay as long as those who will suffer an early recurrent stroke are detected within 24 hours. The aim of this study is to analyze the ability of ABCD2 and ABCD3 scores to predict ipsilateral ischemic stroke among patients with symptomatic 50-99% carotid stenosis.MethodsIn this secondary analysis of the ANSYSCAP-study, we included 230 consecutive patients with symptomatic 50-99% carotid stenosis. We analyzed the risk of recurrent ipsilateral ischemic stroke before carotid endarterectomy based on each parameter of the ABCD2 and ABCD3 scores separately, and for total ABCD2 and ABCD3 scores. We used Kaplan-Meier analysis.ResultsNone of the parameters in the ABCD2 or ABCD3 scores could alone predict all 12 of the ipsilateral ischemic strokes that occurred within 2 days of the presenting event, but clinical presentation tended to be a statistically significant risk factor for recurrent ipsilateral ischemic stroke (p = 0.06, log rank test). An ABCD2 score ≥2 and an ABCD3 score ≥4 could predict all 12 of these strokes as well as all 25 ipsilateral ischemic strokes that occurred within 14 days. To use ABCD3 score seems preferable over the ABCD2 score because a higher proportion of low risk patients were identified (17% of the patients had an ABCD3 score <4 while only 6% had an ABCD2 < 2).ConclusionsAlthough it is preferable that carotid imaging be performed within 24 hours, our data support that an ABCD3 score ≥4 might be used for triaging patients to acute carotid imaging in clinical settings with limited access to carotid imaging. However, our findings should be validated in a larger cohort study.

Plaque echolucency and stroke risk in asymptomatic carotid stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Ultrasonographic plaque echolucency has been studied as a stroke risk marker in carotid atherosclerotic disease. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the association between ultrasound-determined carotid plaque echolucency and future ipsilateral stroke risk. We searched the medical literature for studies evaluating the association between carotid plaque echolucency and future stroke in asymptomatic patients. We included prospective observational studies with stroke outcome ascertainment after baseline carotid plaque echolucency assessment. We performed a meta-analysis and assessed study heterogeneity and publication bias. We also performed subgroup analyses limited to patients with stenosis ≥50%, studies in which plaque echolucency was determined via subjective visual interpretation, studies with a relatively lower risk of bias, and studies published after the year 2000. We analyzed data from 7 studies on 7557 subjects with a mean follow-up of 37.2 months. We found a significant positive relationship between predominantly echolucent (compared with predominantly echogenic) plaques and the risk of future ipsilateral stroke across all stenosis severities (0% to 99%; relative risk, 2.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.58-3.39; P<0.001) and in subjects with ≥50% stenosis (relative risk, 2.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.47-4.63; P=0.001). A statistically significant increased relative risk for future stroke was preserved in all additional subgroup analyses. No statistically significant heterogeneity or publication bias was present in any of the meta-analyses. The presence of ultrasound-determined carotid plaque echolucency provides predictive information in asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis beyond luminal stenosis. However, the magnitude of the increased risk is not sufficient on its own to iden tify patients likely to benefit from surgical revascularization.

Symptomatic carotid near-occlusion with full collapse might cause a very high risk of stroke.

The risk of early stroke recurrence amongst patients with symptomatic carotid near-occlusion with and without full collapse is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the 90-day risk of recurrent ipsilateral ischaemic stroke in patients with symptomatic carotid near-occlusion both with and without full collapse. This study was a secondary analysis of the Additional Neurological SYmptoms before Surgery of the Carotid Arteries: a Prospective study (ANSYSCAP). We prospectively analysed 230 consecutive patients with symptomatic 50-99% carotid stenosis or near-occlusion. Based on the combination of several imaging modalities, 205 (89%) patients were classified as having 50-99% carotid stenosis, and 10 (4%) and 15 (7%) as having near-occlusion with and without full collapse, respectively. The 90-day risk of recurrent ipsilateral ischaemic stroke was compared between these three groups. Only events that occurred before carotid endarterectomy were analysed. The 90-day risk of recurrent stroke was 18% [95% confidence interval (CI) 12-25%; n=29] for patients with 50-99% carotid stenosis, 0% for patients with near-occlusion without full collapse and 43% (95% CI 25-89%; n=4) for patients with near-occlusion with full collapse (P=0.035, log-rank test). The increased risk of recurrent ipsilateral ischaemic stroke for patients with symptomatic near-occlusion with full collapse remained significant after multivariable adjustment for age, sex and type of presenting event. Patients with symptomatic carotid near-occlusion with full collapse might have a very high risk of stroke recurrence. Carotid endarterectomy could be considered for these patients.

Misery perfusion, blood pressure control, and 5-year stroke risk in symptomatic major cerebral artery disease.

The benefit of strict blood pressure (BP) control in high-risk patients with symptomatic major cerebral artery disease and misery perfusion (MP) is controversial. Our purposes were (1) to determine whether MP is a predictor of a 5-year risk of subsequent stroke and (2) to investigate the relationships among BP during follow-up, MP, and the stroke risk. We studied 130 nondisabled patients with symptomatic major cerebral artery disease. Baseline hemodynamic measurements were obtained from (15)O-gas positron emission tomography, and patients received medical treatment and they were followed for 5 years or until stroke recurrence or death. During 5 years, strokes occurred in 6 of 16 patients with MP and in 15 of 114 without MP (log-rank test; P<0.01). There were 4 (25%) ipsilateral ischemic strokes in patients with MP and 4 in those without MP (P<0.001). The risk of ipsilateral ischemic stroke declined markedly after 2 years, and there was only 1 ipsilateral ischemic stroke in a patient without MP. Normal systolic BP (<130 mm Hg) was associated with an increased risk of ipsilateral ischemic strokes in patients with impaired perfusion (including MP), whereas systolic BP outside the 130 to 149 mm Hg range was associated with an increased risk of all strokes in patients without MP. Patients with MP showed a high-5-year stroke recurrence, but a large part of the 5-year stroke risk disappeared after 2 years. Aggressive BP control may be hazardous in patients with impaired perfusion, including MP.

Atorvastatin Treatment and Carotid Plaque Morphology in First-ever Atherosclerotic Transient Ischemic Attack/Stroke: A Case–Control Study

A relationship between echolucency of carotid plaques and the consequent risk of ipsilateral ischemic stroke has been observed. An aggressive lipid-lowering therapy may increase the echogenicity of carotid plaque in patients with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The aim of this study is to prospectively evaluate the long-term effect of high-dose atorvastatin on carotid plaque morphology in patients with first-ever transient ischemic attack or stroke. All patients with symptomatic first ischemic atherosclerotic cerebrovascular event occurred within the previous 10 days were enrolled. Carotid Doppler ultrasound of the neck vessels with 7-11 MHz probe for the definition of the atherosclerotic carotid framework was performed. The analysis of the gray-scale median (GSM) of each plate was carried out with image processing software. A total of 240 symptomatic plaques were included and divided into 3 groups: 80 in group A (atorvastatin 80 mg), 80 in group B (atorvastatin 40 mg), and 80 to group C (no atorvastatin). GSM score increases significantly more extensive in group A than in group B (+48.65 vs. +39.46, P < .02) and group C (+48.65 vs. 19.3, P = .0002). An inverse association between reduction of low-density lipoprotein and the increase in the GSM score (r = -.456, P = .007) has been observed. Moreover, the reduction of high-sensitive C-reactive protein correlates inversely with the increase of the GSM (r = -.398, P = .021). Dose-dependent effect of atorvastatin on symptomatic carotid plaque morphology may suggest a specific role of this drug in the atherosclerotic stroke prevention.

Cerebrovascular reactivity predicts stroke in high-grade carotid artery disease.

To assess the usefulness of transcranial Doppler CO2 reactivity (CO2R) for prediction of ipsilateral ischemic stroke in carotid artery stenosis and occlusion with a meta-analysis of prospective studies based on individual patient data. We searched Medline, Biosis Previews, Science Citation Index, The Cochrane Library, and EMBASE for studies in which patients with severe carotid artery stenosis or occlusion underwent Doppler CO2R testing (inhalation of CO2 or breath-holding) and were prospectively followed for ipsilateral ischemic stroke. Individual data from 754 patients from 9 studies were included. We used percentage cerebral blood flow velocity increase (pCi) during hypercapnia as the primary CO2R measure, and defined impaired reactivity as pCi <20% increase. In a multiple regression model, impaired CO2R was independently associated with an increased risk of ipsilateral ischemic stroke (hazard ratio [HR] 3.69; confidence interval [CI] 2.01, 6.77; p < 0.0001). Risk prediction was similar for recently symptomatic vs asymptomatic patients. Using continuous values of pCi, a significant association between decreasing pCi and increasing risk of ipsilateral stroke was found: HR of 1.64 (95% CI 1.33, 2.02; p < 0.0001) per 10% decrease in pCi. For patients with asymptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis only (n = 330), a comparable stroke risk prediction was found: increasing HR 1.95 (95% CI 1.26, 3.04; p = 0.003) per 10% decrease in pCi. This analysis supports the usefulness of CO2R in risk prediction for patients with severe carotid artery stenosis or occlusion, both in recently symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Further studies should evaluate whether treatment strategies in asymptomatic patients based on CO2R could improve patient outcomes.

Long-Term Follow-Up Study of Endarterectomy Versus Angioplasty in Patients With Symptomatic Severe Carotid Stenosis Trial

We aimed at comparing the long-term benefit-risk balance of carotid stenting versus endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis. Long-term follow-up study of patients included in Endarterectomy Versus Angioplasty in Patients With Symptomatic Severe Carotid Stenosis (EVA-3S), a randomized, controlled trial of carotid stenting versus endarterectomy in 527 patients with recently symptomatic severe carotid stenosis, conducted in 30 centers in France. The main end point was a composite of any ipsilateral stroke after randomization or any procedural stroke or death. During a median follow-up of 7.1 years (interquartile range, 5.1-8.8 years; maximum 12.4 years), the primary end point occurred in 30 patients in the stenting group compared with 18 patients in the endarterectomy group. Cumulative probabilities of this outcome were 11.0% (95% confidence interval, 7.9-15.2) versus 6.3% (4.0-9.8) in the endarterectomy group at the 5-year follow-up (hazard ratio, 1.85; 1.00-3.40; P=0.04) and 11.5% (8.2-15.9) versus 7.6% (4.9-11.8; hazard ratio, 1.70; 0.95-3.06; P=0.07) at the 10-year follow-up. No difference was observed between treatment groups in the rates of ipsilateral stroke beyond the procedural period, severe carotid restenosis (≥70%) or occlusion, death, myocardial infarction, and revascularization procedures. The long-term benefit-risk balance of carotid stenting versus endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis favored endarterectomy, a difference driven by a lower risk of procedural stroke after endarterectomy. Both techniques were associated with low and similar long-term risks of recurrent ipsilateral stroke beyond the procedural period. http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00190398.

Carotid revascularization: risks and benefits.

Despite a decline during the recent decades in stroke-related death, the incidence of stroke has remained unchanged or slightly increased, and extracranial carotid artery stenosis is implicated in 20%–30% of all strokes. Medical therapy and risk factor modification are first-line therapies for all patients with carotid occlusive disease. Evidence for the treatment of patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis greater than 70% with either carotid artery stenting (CAS) or carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is compelling, and several trials have demonstrated a benefit to carotid revascularization in the symptomatic patient population. Asymptomatic carotid stenosis is more controversial, with the largest trials only demonstrating a 1% per year risk stroke reduction with CEA. Although there are sufficient data to advocate for aggressive medical therapy as the primary mode of treatment for asymptomatic carotid stenosis, there are also data to suggest that certain patient populations will benefit from a stroke risk reduction with carotid revascularization. In the United States, consensus and practice guidelines dictate that CEA is reasonable in patients with high-grade asymptomatic stenosis, a reasonable life expectancy, and perioperative risk of less than 3%. Regarding CAS versus CEA, the best-available evidence demonstrates no difference between the two procedures in early perioperative stroke, myocardial infarction, or death, and no difference in 4-year ipsilateral stroke risk. However, because of the higher perioperative risks of stroke in patients undergoing CAS, particularly in symptomatic, female, or elderly patients, it is difficult to recommend CAS over CEA except in populations with prohibitive cardiac risk, previous carotid surgery, or prior neck radiation. Current treatment paradigms are based on identifying the magnitude of perioperative risk in patient subsets and on using predictive factors to stratify patients with high-risk asymptomatic stenosis.

Routine or selective carotid artery shunting for carotid endarterectomy (and different methods of monitoring in selective shunting).

Temporary interruption of cerebral blood flow during carotid endarterectomy can be avoided by using a shunt across the clamped section of the carotid artery. This may improve outcome. This is an update of a Cochrane review originally published in 1996 and previously updated in 2009. To assess the effect of routine versus selective or no shunting during carotid endarterectomy, and to assess the best method for selecting people for shunting. We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched August 2013), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library, 2013, Issue 8), MEDLINE (1966 to August 2013), EMBASE (1980 to August 2013) and Index to Scientific and Technical Proceedings (1980 to August 2013). We handsearched journals and conference proceedings, checked reference lists, and contacted experts in the field. Randomised and quasi-randomised trials of routine shunting compared with no shunting or selective shunting, and trials that compared different shunting policies in people undergoing carotid endarterectomy. Three review authors independently performed the searches and applied the inclusion criteria. For this update, we identified two new relevant randomised controlled trials. We included six trials involving 1270 participants in the review: three trials involving 686 participants compared routine shunting with no shunting, one trial involving 200 participants compared routine shunting with selective shunting, one trial involving 253 participants compared selective shunting with and without near-infrared refractory spectroscopy monitoring, and the other trial involving 131 participants compared shunting with a combination of electroencephalographic and carotid pressure measurement with shunting by carotid pressure measurement alone. In general, reporting of methodology in the included studies was poor. For most studies, the blinding of outcome assessors and the report of prespecified outcomes were unclear. For routine versus no shunting, there was no significant difference in the rate of all stroke, ipsilateral stroke or death up to 30 days after surgery, although data were limited. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of postoperative neurological deficit between selective shunting with and without near-infrared refractory spectroscopy monitoring, However, this analysis was inadequately powered to reliably detect the effect. There was no significant difference between the risk of ipsilateral stroke in participants selected for shunting with the combination of electroencephalographic and carotid pressure assessment compared with pressure assessment alone, although again the data were limited. This review concluded that the data available were too limited to either support or refute the use of routine or selective shunting in carotid endarterectomy. Large scale randomised trials of routine shunting versus selective shunting are required. No method of monitoring in selective shunting has been shown to produce better outcomes.

Quel futur pour la prise en charge des sténoses carotides ?

Surgery remains the first choice intervention in patients with severe symptomatic carotid stenosis. Stenting is associated with a higher periprocedural risk of stroke compared with surgery. This excess risk of stroke with stenting mainly concerns patients older than 70years, whereas the risk seems to be similar in patients younger than 70years. After the procedural period, both surgery and stenting appear to be as effective to prevent stroke. Studies are ongoing to identify patients who benefit most from carotid surgery or stenting. In patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis, the risk of first ipsilateral stroke on medical treatment alone is currently lower (less than 1% per year) than it was at the time of randomized clinical trials, which showed a modest benefit of carotid surgery over medical treatment alone. Randomized trials are ongoing to re-assess the benefit of carotid revascularization in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis. Pending results of these trials, carotid revascularization should remain a case by case decision, taking into account the individual risk of ispilateral stroke, the risk of revascularization, the predicted life expectancy, and patient's preferences.

Long-term outcomes in adult patients with ischemic-type moyamoya disease involving posterior circulation.

The object of this study was to compare the long-term outcomes in adult patients with moyamoya disease (MMD) with posterior circulation involvement (PCi) treated through surgical revascularization with those in adult patients without PCi. The records of 32 consecutive adult patients with ischemic-type MMD who were treated with revascularization were reviewed. Twelve of these patients (38 %) had PCi at initial onset. Clinical characteristics of the patients with PCi were compared to those without PCi. Neurological outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) in the preoperative and postoperative follow-up periods. A five-year Kaplan-Meier stroke risk was calculated. The frequency of presenting with infarction was significantly higher among patients with PCi than among those without PCi (p = 0.006). mRS scores in the preoperative period were significantly higher in patients with PCi than in patients without PCi (p = 0.0004). There were no significant differences in mRS scores between the preoperative and postoperative follow-up period in patients with PCi (p = 0.3), nor were there any between the preoperative and postoperative follow-up periods in patients without PCi (p = 0.2). The five-year Kaplan-Meier risk of surgical morbidity and ipsilateral stroke was 14.3 % in surgically treated hemispheres with PCi versus 14.9 % in surgically treated hemispheres without PCi (p = 0.96). PCi at initial onset was significantly correlated with poor outcome. Revascularization for the middle cerebral artery territory in patients with PCi was effective at preventing recurrent ischemic stroke.

Evaluation of Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting for Radiation-Induced Carotid Stenosis

We aimed to evaluate the procedural safety, clinical, and angiographic outcome of carotid angioplasty and stenting for high-grade (≥70%) radiation-induced carotid stenosis (RIS) using atherosclerotic stenosis (AS) as a control. In this 6-year prospective nonrandomized study, we compared the carotid angioplasty and stenting outcome of 65 consecutive patients (84 vessels) with RIS with that of a control group of 129 consecutive patients (150 vessels) with AS. Study end points were 30-day periprocedural stroke or death, ipsilateral ischemic stroke, technical success, procedural characteristics, instent restenosis (ISR; ≥50%) and symptomatic ISR. The median follow-up was 47.3 months (95% confidence interval, 26.9-61.6). Imaging assessment was available in 74 vessels (RIS) and 120 vessels (AS) in 2 years. Comparing RIS group with AS group, the rates of periprocedural stroke or death were 1.5% (1/65) versus 1.6% (2/129; P=1); ipsilateral ischemic stroke rates were 4.6% (3/65) versus 4.7% (6/129; P=1); the annual risks of ipsilateral ischemic stroke were 1.2% (3 patient/254.7 patient year) versus 1.2% (6 patient/494.2 patient year; P=0.89); technical success rates were both 100%. Stenting of common carotid artery and the use of multiple stents was more common in the RIS group (P=0 in both cases); ISR rates were 25.7% (19/74) versus 4.2% (5/120; P<0.001); symptomatic ISR rates were 6.8% (5/74) versus 0.8% (1/120; P=0.031). The safety, effectiveness, and technical difficulty of carotid angioplasty and stenting for RIS are comparable with that for AS although it is associated with a higher rate of ISR. This trial was not registered as enrollment started in 2006.

Lower stroke risk with lower blood pressure in hemodynamic cerebral ischemia

To determine whether strict blood pressure (BP) control is the best medical management for patients with symptomatic carotid artery occlusion and hemodynamic cerebral ischemia. In this prospective observational cohort study, we analyzed data from 91 participants in the nonsurgical group of the Carotid Occlusion Surgery Study (COSS) who had recent symptomatic internal carotid artery occlusion and hemodynamic cerebral ischemia manifested by ipsilateral increased oxygen extraction fraction. The target BP goal in COSS was ≤130/85 mm Hg. We compared the occurrence of ipsilateral ischemic stroke during follow-up in the 41 participants with mean BP ≤130/85 mm Hg to the remaining 50 with higher BP. Of 16 total ipsilateral ischemic strokes that occurred during follow-up, 3 occurred in the 41 participants with mean follow-up BP of ≤130/85 mm Hg, compared to 13 in the remaining 50 participants with mean follow-up BP >130/85 mm Hg (hazard ratio 3.742, 95% confidence interval 1.065-13.152, log-rank p = 0.027). BPs ≤130/85 mm Hg were associated with lower subsequent stroke risk in these patients. This study provides Class III evidence that control of hypertension ≤130/85 mm Hg is associated with a reduced risk of subsequent ipsilateral ischemic stroke in patients with recently symptomatic carotid occlusion and hemodynamic cerebral ischemia (increased oxygen extraction fraction).

Recurrent stroke risk is high after a single cerebrovascular event in patients with symptomatic 50-99% carotid stenosis: a cohort study

BackgroundRecurrent TIAs are thought to signal a high stroke risk. The aim of this study is to examine if repeated ischemic events increase the risk of recurrent ipsilateral stroke among patients with symptomatic 50-99% carotid stenosis.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of the ANSYSCAP study, where we analyzed recurrent ipsilateral ischemic stroke before carotid endarterectomy in 230 consecutive patients with symptomatic 50-99% carotid stenosis. Here, we further analyzed the patients according to if they were clinically stable, unstable or highly unstable – respectively defined as having 0, 1 or ≥2 additional ipsilateral events within 7 days before and/or after the ischemic cerebrovascular event for which the patient sought health care (the presenting event).ResultsOf the 230 included patients, 155 (67%) were clinically stable, 47 (20%) were clinically unstable and 28 (12%) were clinically highly unstable. Eighteen patients suffered a stroke within 7 days; of these patients, 12 (67%) were clinically stable. The risk of recurrent ipsilateral ischemic stroke within 7 days was equally high for clinically stable (8%), unstable (9%) and highly unstable (7%) patients. Fourteen patients had 3–11 additional ipsilateral events; of these patients, only one suffered a recurrent ipsilateral ischemic stroke.ConclusionsThe seemingly clinical stable symptomatic 50-99% carotid stenosis patients without additional ipsilateral events have a high risk of recurrent stroke. Patients without additional events should undergo preoperative evaluation and carotid endarterectomy in the same expedient manner as patients with additional events.

Abstract 162: Ipsilateral Ischemic Stroke in Japanese Patients With Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis on Recent Medical Treatment

Purpose: Owing to improvements of recent medical treatment, whether carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is beneficial for patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis still remains controversial. This study was designed to clarify the risk of ipsilateral ischemic stroke in Japanese patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis. Method: We studied the risk of TIA, ischemic stroke, coronary artery disease and death in 105 patients (mean age 76.2 years; woman 16) with asymptomatic carotid stenosis of 50% or more recruited consecutively from Jan 2009 and given recent medical treatment. Patients with any previous symptoms of ipsilatral TIA or stroke were excluded. Results: During a mean follow up of 2.74 years, there were 7 TIAs (one ipsilateral, 6 other territory) and 9 ischemic strokes (3 ipsilateral, 6 other territory). Two patients underwent subsequent CEA or carotid artery stenting, 7 had coronary artery disease, and 4 died during the follow-up period. The average annual event rate of ipsilateral ischemic stroke was 0.64% (95% CI, 0.08 to 4.72). Conclusion: The risk of ipsilateral ischemic stroke on recent medial treatment was very low. Benefit from CEA might be small, and selection of patients for CEA should include an assessment of coronary artery disease and life expectancy.

You May Delay, but Time Will Not!

See related article, p 801. In this issue of Stroke , Marnane et al1 reports that 12/44 patients (27%) with 50% to 99% stenoses had recurrent, ipsilateral strokes within 28 days of symptom onset, with 17% occurring <48 hours, 33% <7 days, and 58% <14 days of the index event. A 27% stroke risk at 28 days contrasts markedly with the 21% risk of ipsilateral stroke at 5 years reported in a meta-analysis of medically treated patients with 50% to 99% stenoses in the European Carotid Surgery Trial (ECST), the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET), and the Veteran’s Affairs (VA) Study.2 In the study of Marnane et al,1 recurrent stroke was associated with histological features of plaque instability. After multivariate analysis; the only independent predictor was heavy macrophage inflammation, and this is consistent with evidence that inflammation diminishes after symptom onset after plaque stabilization,3 and that heavy macrophage infiltration is associated with higher rates of spontaneous embolization.4 Marnane et al1 concluded that their findings might influence imaging technologies for identifying patients at highest risk of early, recurrent stroke and for monitoring the effectiveness of medical treatments. Studies like Marnane’s invariably attract differing interpretations. The realist will argue that although the results seem to support investment in technologies for imaging macrophage inflammation (eg, positron emission tomography-computed tomography), history suggests that small, hypothesis-generating studies frequently publish highly positive associations (exemplified by their high hazard ratios and wide confidence intervals), but then rarely complete the dual hurdles of external validation and translation into clinical practice. Therefore, realists will acknowledge the advance in …

Asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis: time to rethink our therapeutic options?

Asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis is a well-recognized risk factor for ischemic stroke, and its prevalence increases with age. In the late 1980s and in the 1990s, well-designed randomized trials established a definite advantage for carotid endarterectomy in reducing the risk of ipsilateral stroke when compared with medical therapy alone. However, medical treatment of cardiovascular disease has improved significantly over the past 2 decades, and this has, in turn, resulted in a decline of the stroke risk in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis treated medically. This improvement in medical therapy casts doubts on the effectiveness of large-scale invasive treatment in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. Several studies have been conducted to identify possible subgroups of patients with asymptomatic stenosis who are at higher risk of stroke in order to maximize the potential benefits of invasive treatment. Ongoing large-scale trials comparing best current medical therapy to available invasive treatments, such as carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting, are likely to shed some light on this debated topic in the near future. In this review, the authors summarize the current controversy surrounding the ideal management of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis.

Predictors and clinical significance of progression or regression of asymptomatic carotid stenosis

To determine baseline clinical and ultrasonographic plaque factors predictive of progression or regression of asymptomatic carotid stenosis and the predictive value of changes in stenosis severity on risk of first ipsilateral cerebral or retinal ischemic events (including stroke). A total of 1121 patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis of 50% to 99% in relation to the bulb diameter (European Carotid Surgery Trial [ECST] method) underwent six monthly clinical assessments and carotid duplexes for up to 8 years (mean follow-up, 4 years). Progression or regression was considered present if there was a change of at least one grade higher or lower, respectively, persisting for at least two consecutive examinations. Regression occurred in 43 (3.8%), no change in 856 (76.4%), and progression in 222 (19.8%) patients. Younger age, high grades of stenosis, absence of discrete white areas in the plaque, and taking lipid lowering therapy were independent baseline predictors of increased incidence of regression. High serum creatinine, male gender, not taking lipid lowering therapy, low grades of stenosis, and increased plaque area were independent baseline predictors of progression. One hundred and thirty first ipsilateral cerebral or retinal ischemic events, including 59 strokes, occurred. Forty (67.8%) of the strokes occurred in patients whose stenosis was unchanged, 19 (32.2%) in those with progression, and zero in those with regression. For the entire cohort, the 8-year cumulative ipsilateral cerebral ischemic stroke rate was zero in patients with regression, 9% if the stenosis was unchanged, and 16% if there was progression (average annual stroke rates of 0%, 1.1%, and 2.0%, respectively; log-rank, P = .05; relative risk in patients with progression, 1.92; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-3.25). For patients with baseline stenosis 70% to 99% in relation to the distal internal carotid (North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial [NASCET] method), in the absence of progression (n = 349), the 8-year cumulative ipsilateral cerebral ischemic stroke rate was 12%. In the presence of progression (n = 77), it was 21% (average annual stroke rates of 1.5% and 2.6%, respectively; log-rank, P = .34). Only nine (30%) of the 30 strokes occurred in the progression group. Progressive asymptomatic carotid stenosis identified a subgroup with about twice the risk of ipsilateral stroke compared with those without progression. However, the clinical value of screening for progression simply for selecting patients for carotid procedures is limited because of the low frequency of progression and its relatively low associated stroke rate. The cost effectiveness of screening for change in stenosis severity to better direct current optimal medical treatment needs testing.