Frontiers in neurology
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Frontiers in neurology · Jan 2021
Associations Between White Matter Hyperintensity Burden, Cerebral Blood Flow and Transit Time in Small Vessel Disease: An Updated Meta-Analysis.
Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is a major contributor to stroke and dementia, characterized by white matter hyperintensities (WMH) on neuroimaging. WMH are associated with reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF) cross-sectionally, though longitudinal associations remain unclear. We updated a 2016 systematic review, identifying 30 new studies, 27 cross-sectional (n = 2,956) and 3 longitudinal (n = 440). ⋯ We found that CBF was lower in WMH than in normal-appearing white matter in an additional meta-analysis (5 cross-sectional studies; n = 295; SMD: -1.51, 95% CI: -1.94, -1.07). These findings highlight that relationships between resting CBF and WMH are complex. Further longitudinal studies analyzing regional CBF and subsequent WMH change are required to determine the role of CBF in SVD progression.
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Frontiers in neurology · Jan 2021
Comparison of Risk Factors, Safety, and Efficacy Outcomes of Mechanical Thrombectomy in Posterior vs. Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion.
Background and Purpose: It is believed that stroke occurring due to posterior circulation large vessel occlusion (PCLVO) and that occurring due to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (ACLVO) differ in terms of their pathophysiology and the outcome of their acute management in relation to endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Limited sample size and few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with respect to PCLVO make the safety and efficacy of MT, which has been confirmed in ACLVO, difficult to assess in the posterior circulation. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis to study to which extent MT in PCLVO differs from ACLVO. ⋯ Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicates that MT in PCLVO may be comparably efficient in obtaining successful recanalization and 90 day favorable functional outcome just as in ACLVO. Less sICH in MT-treated PCLVO patients might be the result of the lower IVT rate in this group. Higher baseline NIHSS and longer onset-to-IVT and onset-to-groin puncture times may have contributed to a higher 90 day mortality in PCLVO patients.
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Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability in the United States. Though advances in interventions have improved patient survival after stroke, prognostication of long-term functional outcomes remains challenging, thereby complicating discussions of treatment goals. Stroke patients who require intensive care unit care often do not have the capacity themselves to participate in decision making processes, a fact that further complicates potential end-of-life care discussions after the immediate post-stroke period. ⋯ While decision aids have the potential to better frame these conversations within intensive care units, aids specific to goals-of-care decisions for stroke patients are currently lacking. This mini review highlights the difficulties in decision-making for critically ill ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage patients, beginning with limitations in current validated clinical scales and clinician subjectivity in prognostication. We outline processes for identifying patient preferences when possible and make recommendations for collaborating closely with surrogate decision-makers on end-of-life care decisions.
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Frontiers in neurology · Jan 2021
Factors Influencing Recanalization After Mechanical Thrombectomy With First-Pass Effect for Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Background: First-pass effect (FPE) is increasingly recognized as a predictor of good outcome in large vessel occlusion (LVO). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to elucidate the factors influencing recanalization after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) with FPE in treating acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods: Main databases were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies reporting influencing factors of MT with FPE in AIS. ⋯ At the same time, age, female gender, duration of intervention, general anesthesia, use of BGC, and occlusion of ICA were associated with complete reperfusion with FPE, but M2 occlusion and DM were not. Conclusion: Age, gender, occlusion site, anesthesia type, and use of BGC were influencing factors for both successful and complete recanalization after first-pass thrombectomy. Further studies with more comprehensive observations indexes are need in the future.
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Frontiers in neurology · Jan 2020
Island Sign Predicts Hematoma Expansion and Poor Outcome After Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Background: Early hematoma expansion (HE) occurs in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) within the first few hours from ICH onset. Hematoma expansion has been considered as an independent predictor of poor clinical outcome and mortality after ICH. Island sign (IS) on the non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) appears to increase the rate of detection of HE. ⋯ Second, four studies were included in the meta-analysis, and the pooled result showed that IS had a significantly positive relationship with poor outcome (OR = 3.83, 95% CI = 2.51-5.85, P < 0.001). Conclusions: This meta-analysis showed that NCCT IS is of great importance and value for evaluation of HE and poor outcome in patients with ICH. Future studies should focus on developing consensus guidelines, and more studies with large sample size and longitudinal design are needed to validate the conclusions.