Cerebrovascular diseases extra
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Cerebrovasc Dis Extra · Jan 2017
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyVolume and Characteristics of Intracerebral Hemorrhage with Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Comparison with Warfarin .
Patients undergoing anticoagulation therapy often experience intracerebral hemorrhages (ICHs), and warfarin in particular is known to increase hematoma expansion in ICHs, which results in a poor outcome. Recent studies reported that, in comparison with warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) cause fewer ICHs with better functional outcome. However, since it is still unknown whether DOACs are associated with a smaller hematoma volume of ICHs, we aimed to compare the volume, hematoma expansion, and outcomes associated with ICHs treated with DOACs and warfarin. ⋯ Based on the results of the present study, in terms of the risks associated with ICHs, the use of DOACs appears to be safer than warfarin for anticoagulation therapy. Further studies are required to validate these findings. .
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Cerebrovasc Dis Extra · Jan 2017
Outcomes of Endovascular Thrombectomy with and without Thrombolysis for Acute Large Artery Ischaemic Stroke at a Tertiary Stroke Centre.
Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) improves the functional outcome when added to best medical therapy, including alteplase, in patients with acute ischaemic stroke secondary to large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the anterior circulation. However, the evidence for EVT in alteplase-ineligible patients is less compelling. It is also uncertain whether alteplase is necessary in patients with successful recanalization by EVT, as the treatment effect of EVT may be so powerful that bridging alteplase may not add to efficacy and may compromise safety by increasing bleeding risks. We aimed to survey the proportion of patients suitable for EVT who are alteplase-ineligible and to compare the safety and effectiveness of standard care of acute large artery ischaemic stroke by EVT plus thrombolysis with that of EVT alone in a tertiary hospital clinical stroke service. ⋯ Our study highlights the relatively large proportion of patients suitable for EVT who have a contraindication to alteplase and raises the hypothesis that adding alteplase to successful EVT may not be necessary to optimize functional outcome. The results are consistent with observational data from other endovascular centres and support a randomised controlled trial of EVT versus EVT with bridging alteplase.
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Cerebrovasc Dis Extra · Jan 2017
Brain Natriuretic Peptide Is a Powerful Predictor of Outcome in Stroke Patients with Atrial Fibrillation .
Since stroke patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) have poor outcomes in general, the prediction of outcomes following discharge is of utmost concern for these patients. We previously reported that brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were significantly higher in NVAF patients with larger infarcts, higher modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, and higher CHADS2 score. In the present study, we evaluated an array of variables, including BNP, in order to determine significant predictors for functional outcome in patients with NVAF after acute ischemic stroke (AIS). ⋯ Apart from NIHSS score, BNP was a very useful predictor for long-term outcomes of patients with NVAF after AIS. .
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Cerebrovasc Dis Extra · Jan 2017
High Risk of Seizures and Epilepsy after Decompressive Hemicraniectomy for Malignant Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke .
Decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) is a life-saving procedure for treatment of large malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) strokes. Post-stroke epilepsy is an additional burden for these patients, but its incidence and the risk factors for its development have been poorly investigated. ⋯ The incidence of seizures and epilepsy after malignant MCA infarcts submitted to DHC might be very high. Seizure might occur precociously in patients who are not submitted to anticonvulsant prophylaxis. The large stroke volume and the large cortical ischemic area seem to be the main risk factors for seizure or epilepsy development in this subtype of stroke. .