Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation
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Comparative Study
Structural fragility and inflammatory response of ruptured cerebral aneurysms. A comparative study between ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms.
Despite technical advances in endovascular and microsurgical treatment, patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage still have a high mortality and morbidity rate. To improve the treatment results in patients with aneurysms, we must better understand the pathophysiology of cerebral aneurysms and the mechanisms leading to their rupture. Therefore, we studied the pathological differences between unruptured and ruptured aneurysms. ⋯ We conclude that the pathophysiology of unruptured, asymptomatic and ruptured aneurysms is different. The wall of ruptured aneurysms was found to be fragile, possibly because macrophage infiltration into the aneurysmal wall resulted in loss of smooth muscle cells and in degradation of matrix proteins.
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The role of type of treatment on cerebral vasospasm occurrence after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has not been studied. Through multivariate analysis we determined the independent prognostic factors of the occurrence of symptomatic vasospasm following aneurysmal SAH in a study cohort of 244 patients undergoing either surgical or endovascular treatment. The prognostic factors of sequelae after aneurysmal SAH were studied as well. ⋯ Age <50 years, good neurological grade, and hyperglycemia were all associated with an increased risk of cerebral vasospasm whereas treatment was not. This provides a basis for future clinical prospective randomized trials comparing both treatments.
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Stroke has been shown to alter autonomic function. The purpose of this study was to show the differential effects of stroke localization on autonomic function parameters assessed by heart rate variability (HRV). ⋯ We conclude that stroke in the region of insula (especially the right) leads to decreased HRV and to increased incidence of sudden death.
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Both early reperfusion and decompressive craniectomy have proved beneficial in the treatment of large space-occupying "malignant" hemispheric stroke. The aim of this study was to directly compare the benefit of reperfusion with that of craniectomy and to study the effects of combined treatment in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia. ⋯ Early reperfusion and craniectomy were shown to be effective in decreasing infarction volume by improving cerebral perfusion. Reperfusion remains the best therapy in malignant hemispheric stroke. Combined treatment yields no additional benefit compared with single treatment, probably because of early blood-brain barrier breakdown.