Journal of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases : the official journal of National Stroke Association
-
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis · Nov 2013
Relationship between diffusion tensor fractional anisotropy and motor outcome in patients with hemiparesis after corona radiata infarct.
This study examined the relationship between fractional anisotropy (FA) values of magnetic resonance-diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and motor outcome (1 month after onset) in 15 patients with hemiparesis after ischemic stroke of corona radiata lesions. DTI data were obtained on days 14-18. FA values within the cerebral peduncle were analyzed using a computer-automated method. ⋯ Analysis revealed statistically significant relationships between rFA and upper extremity functions (correlation coefficient=.679 for shoulder/elbow/forearm and .706 for wrist/hand). Although slightly less evident, the relationship between rFA and lower extremity function was also statistically significant (correlation coefficient=.641). FA values within the cerebral peduncle are moderately associated with the outcome of both upper and lower extremity functions, suggesting that DTI may be applicable for outcome prediction in stroke patients with corona radiata infarct.
-
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis · Nov 2013
Multicenter StudyInterobserver reproducibility of signal intensity ratio on magnetic resonance angiography for hemodynamic impact of intracranial atherosclerosis.
Changes of signal intensities (SIs) across intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) may reflect hemodynamic impact of the lesion. We evaluated the interobserver reproducibility of an index termed signal intensity ratio (SIR), developed in a previous study to represent the changes of SIs across ICAS on MRA. ⋯ SIR was demonstrated to be highly reproducible between observers in the present study. Future studies are warranted to further explore the role of this index in comprehensive evaluation and risk stratification of symptomatic ICAS.
-
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis · Nov 2013
A proposal for the classification of etiologies of neurologic deterioration after acute ischemic stroke.
Neurologic deterioration (ND) occurs in one third of patients with ischemic stroke and contributes to morbidity and mortality in these patients. Etiologies of ND and clinical outcome according to ND etiology are incompletely understood. ⋯ In the present study, the authors identified probable etiologies of ND after ischemic stroke. Delineating the cause of ND could play an important role in the management of the patient and help set expectations for prognosis after ND has occurred. Prospective studies are needed to validate these proposed definitions of ND.
-
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis · Nov 2013
The emergence of endovascular treatment-only centers for treatment of intracranial aneurysms in the United States.
Because of the availability of new technology, the spectrum of endovascular treatment for intracranial aneurysms has expanded widely. Some centers have started offering only endovascular treatment to patients with intracranial aneurysms (endovascular treatment-only centers [ETOCs]). Our objective was to identify the proportion and outcome of patients treated at ETOCs in the United States. ⋯ The recent emergence of ETOCs and provision of treatment with comparable outcomes and shorter length of stay at these hospitals may change the pattern of intracranial aneurysm treatment in the United States.
-
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis · Nov 2013
Risk factors for poor outcome and mortality at 3 months after the ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.
It has been shown that patients with atrial fibrillation have a poor prognosis in the early recovery phase after ischemic stroke (IS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA). The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with poor outcome, including mortality, 3 months after the onset of IS in patients with atrial fibrillation. ⋯ Age, gender, and NIHSS score were independently associated with poor outcome for IS or TIA patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in the early recovery stage.