Journal of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases : the official journal of National Stroke Association
-
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis · Jun 2017
Biomarkers of Atrial Cardiopathy and Atrial Fibrillation Detection on Mobile Outpatient Continuous Telemetry After Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source.
Biomarkers of atrial dysfunction or "cardiopathy" are associated with embolic stroke risk. However, it is unclear if this risk is mediated by undiagnosed paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or flutter (AF). We aim to determine whether atrial cardiopathy biomarkers predict AF on continuous heart-rhythm monitoring after embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). ⋯ Atrial biomarkers were weakly associated with AF after ESUS. This suggests that previously reported associations between these markers and stroke may reflect independent cardiac pathways leading to stroke. Prospective studies are needed to investigate these mechanisms.
-
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis · Jun 2017
Case ReportsAcute Stroke Despite Dabigatran Anticoagulation Treated with Idarucizumab and Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator.
Dabigatran is a direct thrombin inhibitor used to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. For patients who present with an acute stroke despite dabigatran therapy, clinical data on the use of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) is limited. There is an anticipated increased risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) when using IV-tPA in patients on dabigatran therapy. ⋯ The patient was discharged with an NIHSS of 1. Telephone follow-up 2 months later indicated that he was at his prestroke baseline, except for a complaint of worsened short-term memory. Idarucizumab reversal of dabigatran may reduce the risk of sICH and should be considered for acute stroke patients arriving in the IV-tPA time window.
-
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis · Jun 2017
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyThe Association Between Leukoaraiosis and Poor Outcome in Intracerebral Hemorrhage Is Not Mediated by Hematoma Growth.
The significance of white matter lesions (WMLs) in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains unclear. We investigated the effects of WML on initial hematoma volume, hematoma growth, intraventricular extension, and clinical outcome in patients with spontaneous ICH. ⋯ WMLs were not associated with initial hematoma volume, hematoma growth, or intraventricular extension. WMLs were associated with poor outcome independently.
-
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis · Jun 2017
Genetic and Non-Genetic Factors Affecting the Quality of Anticoagulation Control and Vascular Events in Atrial Fibrillation.
Warfarin has a narrow therapeutic window. We hypothesized that genetic factors related to warfarin metabolism (CYP2C9) and activity (VKORC1) would show stronger associations than modifiable factors with the quality of anticoagulation control and risks for thromboembolism and hemorrhage. ⋯ Both genetic factor (VKORC1 genotype) and clinical efforts (anticoagulation service) influenced the quality of anticoagulation control. However, clinical events were more strongly associated with patient characteristics and clinical efforts than with genetic factors.
-
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis · Jun 2017
Ischemic Stroke Mortality Is More Strongly Associated with Anemia on Admission Than with Underweight Status.
Underweight patients have recently been reported as a group with a high risk of poststroke death. Anemia also increases mortality rates in stroke patients. However, the causal associations between body weight and anemia resulting in stroke-related death remain unclear. We examined the association of weight status and hemoglobin levels with 3-month mortality after ischemic stroke. ⋯ Anemia on admission was associated with stroke mortality independent of underweight status.