缺血性脑血管病患者脑微出血相关因素及其对抗血小板单药治疗的影响分析

目的 研究缺血性脑血管病患者脑微出血（CMB）危险因素及其对抗血小板单药治疗的影响。方法 选取2018年1月至2018年6月该院神经内科接受抗血小板单药治疗的急性缺血性脑血管病患者300例为样本，入院后采集基本资料并完善相关检查，根据梯度回波T2^*加权成像（GRE-T2^*WI）检查结果将患者分为CMB组（176例）和非CMB组（124例），均给予抗血小板聚集治疗，比较两组临床资料及治疗1年内再发梗死、脑出血和病死率，分析影响CMB发病的危险因素以及CMB对抗血小板单药治疗的影响。结果 高龄、高血压、肥胖、脑卒中病史、ACI和脑白质疏松为CMB发生的危险因素（P<0.05）。CMB组和非CMB组抗血小板单药治疗期间脑出血率分别为14.20%和6.45%，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。轻度组、中度组和重度组脑出血率分别为9.18%、10.64%和35.48%，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。不同部位CMB患者抗血小板单药治疗期间再发脑梗死、脑出血及病死率比较，差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 高龄、高血压、肥胖、脑卒中病史、ACI及脑白质疏松为缺血性脑血管疾病合并CMB的危险因素。CMB可导致抗血小板单药治疗期间脑出血风险增加，重度CMB者更甚。     

脑微出血与急性缺血性卒中的临床关系分析

目的探讨急性缺血性卒中(AIS)患者脑微出血(CMBs)的危险因素,并进一步探讨CMBs与脑卒中病灶面积和部位的相关性。方法收集2014-1-2015-12在作者医院神经内科住院的AIS患者226例,据是否存在CMBs分为CMBs组(111例)和无CMBs组(115例)。收集研究对象临床资料,采用头颅MRI对其CMBs、脑白质病变(WML)、陈旧腔隙性脑梗死(LI)、AIS病灶面积和部位进行评价,并采用Logistic回归、t检验、χ~2检验等分析影响AIS患者发生CMBs的危险因素。结果多因素Logistic回归分析显示年龄(OR=1.063,95%CI:1.025~1.104,P0.01)、高血压史(OR=3.488,95%CI:1.113~10.927,P0.05)、WML(OR=1.282,95%CI:1.155~1.423,P0.01)及陈旧LI(OR=5.815,95%CI:1.539~21.973,P0.01)是AIS合并CMBs的独立危险因素;CMBs分级与WML分级(r=0.354,P0.01)、陈旧LI分级(r=0.394,P0.01)均呈正相关;不同脑卒中病灶面积患者间CMBs检出率比较有统计学差异(χ~2=7.878,P0.05),其中新发LI患者更易检出CMBs(χ~2=6.084,P=0.0090.017),且CMBs越严重,这种差异越明显(z=-2.832,P=0.0050.017)。结论年龄、高血压史、WML及陈旧LI是AIS合并CMBs的独立危险因素,且CMBs严重程度随WML、陈旧LI的严重程度增加而增高。AIS患者CMBs检出率与梗死灶面积有关,在新发LI中更易被发现。     

Cerebral Microbleeds and Chronic Kidney Disease in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are associated with the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage in stroke patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We investigated the association between CMBs and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with acute ischemic stroke and AF. Methods: We retrospectively examined consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke and AF who underwent brain gradient-echo T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. The number and distribution (lobar, deep or infratentorial, and mixed) of CMBs were assessed. Kidney function was assessed according to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which was calculated using a modified version of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. Results: Of the 357 included patients, 105 (29.4%) had CMBs. CKD (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m²) was found in 131 (36.7%) patients. Patients with CKD showed a higher prevalence of any form of CMB (41.2% versus 22.6%, P < .001), deep or infratentorial CMBs (19.9% versus 9.3%, P < .01), and mixed CMBs (14.5% versus 5.3%, P < .01) than those without CKD. After adjusting for age and other confounding factors, CKD was found to be independently associated with the presence of any form of CMB (odds ratio 1.89, P = .02) and mixed CMBs (odds ratio 3.10, P < .01). Moreover, moderate to severe CKD (eGFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m²) was independently associated with the presence of multiple CMBs (odds ratio 2.31, P = .04). Conclusions: CMBs and CKD are common in acute ischemic stroke patients with AF, and CKD may be a risk factor for CMBs. Further longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate whether maintaining kidney function can prevent the development of CMBs.     

Effectiveness of Nonvitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants and Warfarin for Preventing Further Cerebral Microbleeds in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation and At Least One Microbleed: CMB-NOW Multisite Pilot Trial

BackgroundNonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are considered superior, or at least noninferior, to warfarin in preventing stroke or systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Here, we recruited acute ischemic stroke patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and at least one cerebral microbleed (CMB), and evaluated the proportion of patients who had an increased number of CMBs (%) after receiving anticoagulant therapy with NOACs or with warfarin for 12 months.MethodsThis was a multicenter, prospective, observational cohort study at 20 centers, conducted between 2015 and 2017, in which we recruited 85 patients with at least one CMB detected by 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (T2*WI) at baseline, who received NOACs or warfarin for at least 12 months. We compared the proportions of patients with increased numbers of CMBs in the NOACs and warfarin treatment groups.ResultsThe proportions of patients with increased numbers of CMBs at month 12 of treatment were 28.6% and 66.7% in the NOACs and warfarin groups, respectively. The new CMBs showed no specific regional localization in either group. In the NOACs and warfarin groups, physicians prescribed lower-than-standard dosing in 13.3% and 50% of the cases, respectively. The administration of reduced doses at physicians’ discretion did not appear to alter the incidence of new CMBs.DiscussionThis is the first evidence to suggest efficacy of NOACs for preventing further CMBs in patients with at least one CMB, although no statistical evaluation was carried out.     

The risk factors and pattern of cerebral microbleeds in Parkinson's disease

Background and purpose: Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in Parkinson's disease (PD) have been reported recently and concerned increasingly. Our aim was to investigate the risk factors and pattern of CMBs in patients with PD, as well as the influence of risk factors on the pattern of CMBs. Methods: We retrospectively collected medical and imaging data of 247 patients who underwent brain susceptibility-weighted imaging. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the risk factors of CMBs. The frequency and amount of CMBs in different locations between patients with and without risk factors were analyzed. Results: Of the 247 patients with PD, 39 (15.79%) had CMBs, 27 (69.23%) had lobar CMBs, 20 (51.28%) had deep CMBs and 17 (43.59%) had infratentorial CMBs. A history of cerebral ischemic events was independently associated with the presence of CMBs (odds ratio (OR) 4.485 [95% CI 2.150–9.356]; p = 0.000), especially with lobar and deep CMBs. Hypertension and Hoehn and Yahr score were also associated with the presence of deep CMBs. Only white matter hyperintensities were independently associated with the presence of infratentorial CMBs. Compared to patients without risk factors, the frequency of deep CMBs was greater in those with a history of cerebral ischemic events (p = 0.013), while the amount of deep CMBs was higher in those with hypertension (p = 0.035). Conclusion: CMBs in PD seem to present a lobe-dominant pattern. A history of cerebral ischemic events and hypertension may be two strong risk factors which preferentially influences the pattern of deep CMBs in PD.     

Prevalence and risk factors for cerebral microbleeds in elderly Chinese patients with arteriosclerotic cardiovascular diseases: A single-center study

ObjectivesPeople with arteriosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) frequently use antithrombotic agents and statins. The objective of the study was to explore the prevalence and risk factors of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in elderly (≥ 65 years old) Chinese people with ASCVD.Materials and methodsWe prospectively included 755 eligible participants with complete MRI data, and CMBs were discerned on the SWI sequence. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze risk factors associated with CMBs.ResultsThe average age was 74.9 ± 9.5 years, and the prevalence of CMBs was 37.9% (286/755). Of those with CMBs, 65.0% (186/286) had strictly lobar CMBs, 35.0% (100/286) had deep or infratentorial CMBs with or without lobar CMBs. We divided CMBs into two groups according to their locations, lobar CMBs group (strictly lobar CMBs) and deep CMBs group (with or without lobar CMBs). Age per 10 years (odds ratio (OR) 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17–1.72, p < 0.001), statin use (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.05–2.26, p = 0.03), and lacunes (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.09–2.68, p = 0.02) were associated with any CMBs. Age per 10 years (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.10–1.63, p < 0.001), statin use (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.12–2.50, p = 0.01), and white matter hyperintensities (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.17–2.51, p < 0.01) were associated with lobar CMBs. Only lacunes were associated with deep CMBs (OR 3.29, 95% CI 1.85–5.87, p < 0.001).ConclusionsIn elderly people with risk factors of ASCVD, antithrombotic drug use was not associated with any CMBs, lobar CMBs, or deep CMBs. Statin use was correlated with lobar CMBs but not deep CMBs.     

脑白质病变认知障碍的危险因素研究

目的研究缺血性脑白质病变患者认知功能障碍的发病率及相关危险因素。方法收集75例脑白质病变(white matter lesions,WML)患者的人口学资料和血管危险因素,并进行认知功能评定,将病例分为认知障碍组和对照组,2组对比研究,探讨WML患者认知障碍的可能危险因素。结果 75例患者中44例(58.7%)出现了不同程度的认知功能障碍。Logistic回归分析显示WML患者发生认知功能障碍与高血压(OR 4.050,95%CI 1.309～12.526)、糖尿病(OR 3.820,95%CI 1.103～13.231)和年龄(OR 1.133,95%CI 1.023～1.255)有关。结论较高比例WML患者可出现认知功能障碍,高血压、糖尿病和老龄与认知功能障碍的发生关系密切。     

Moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea is associated with cerebral small vessel disease

BackgroundCerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is associated with increased risk of cerebral infarction and hemorrhage. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is known to increase the risk of cerebrovascular disease. This study aimed to investigate the association between cerebral SVD and severity of OSA.MethodsA total of 170 patients were included from the patient registry at the present Sleep Center; these patients underwent both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and polysomnography (PSG) for suspected OSA. The presence and burden of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), asymptomatic lacunar infarctions (ALIs), cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), and perivascular spaces (PVSs) were determined by MRI, and their relationships with the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), as determined by PSG, were investigated.ResultsAmong the 170 patients, 25 (14.7%) had high-grade WMHs, 21 (12.4%) had ALIs, 21 (12.4%) had CMBs, and 34 (20.0%) had high-grade PVSs. In the multivariable analysis, after adjusting for factors including age, sex, and other variables for which p <0.1 in univariable analysis (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, previous stroke, minimal SaO₂ and arousal index), moderate-to-severe OSA was associated with high-grade WMHs (odds ratio [OR] 4.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14–19.47), CMBs (OR 3.47; 95% CI 0.89–15.18), or high-grade PVSs (OR 3.64; 95% CI 1.02–13.01), but not with ALIs. The total SVD score was independently associated with increased AHI (p = 0.017), particularly in patients with moderate-to-severe OSA (β [standard error] = 0.448 (0.204), p = 0.030].ConclusionModerate-to-severe OSA is positively associated with multiple indicators of cerebral SVD, including WMHs, CMBs, and PVSs.     

缺血性脑卒中合并脑微出血的危险因素

目的研究缺血性脑卒中患者脑微出血的临床、影像学及血清生物学的危险因素,以及不同部位微出血与危险因素之间的关系。方法回顾性分析纳入153例缺血性脑卒中患者,应用磁敏感成像(susceptibility weighted imaging,SWI)技术检测脑微出血,计数并记录其部位。颅脑MRI的脑白质病变的严重程度采用Fazekas评分进行评估。应用Logistic回归分析法研究缺血性脑卒中合并脑微出血的危险因素,并研究危险因素与不同部位脑微出血数量的关系。结果 59例(38.6%)患者存在CMBs。皮层-皮层下CMBs出现率为34.0%,深部CMBs为24.8%,幕下CMBs为27.5%。多因素Logistic回归显示,男性、高血压病及中重度深部脑白质病变是伴有CMBs的有显著统计学意义的相关因素(P0.05)。校正年龄及性别后,偏相关分析显示,高血压病仅与深部CMBs的数量仍然显著相关(r=0.174,P=0.032)。中重度深部脑白质病变与皮层-皮层下CMBs及深部CMBs数量存在显著相关(r=0.285,P0.001,r=0.258,P=0.001)。结论男性、高血压病及中重度深部白质病变为脑微出血的危险因素;高血压病主要与与脑深部微出血的数量相关,而中重度深部脑白质病变与脑皮层-皮层下及深部微出血数量相关。     

脑微出血对非腔隙性梗死抗栓治疗后早期出血转化的预测价值的初步研究

【摘要】 目的 评估脑微出血（cerebral microbleed,CMB）对采用抗栓治疗的非腔隙性梗死患者早期脑出血转化的预测价值。 方法 本研究为前瞻性研究,入选2011年6月～2012年10月广东省人民医院神经科发病后24 h内住院的心源性脑栓塞及大动脉粥样硬化性梗死患者。根据临床情况对所有患者予以抗血小板或抗凝治疗。采用颅脑磁共振成像（magnetic resonance imaging,MRI）检测CMB数目及分布情况,用颅脑计算机断层扫描（computed tomography,CT）判断发病后1周内出血转化（hemorrhagic transformation,HT）情况。根据有无HT将患者分为有HT组和无HT组,比较两组间一般临床资料、病因、美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表（National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale,NIHSS）评分及CMB是否存在,并采用多因素逐步Logistic回归模型分析HT的独立危险因素。 结果 167例患者中18例发生HT（11%）,57例检出CMB（34%）,CMB检出率在是否合并HT的患者之间差异无显著性（分别为22%和36%,P＞0.05）。抗血小板治疗患者是否存在CMB,早期HT差异无显著性（分别为12%和9%,P＞0.05）;抗凝治疗患者差异无显著性（分别为17%和12%,P＞0.05）。Logistic回归分析显NIHSS（≥8）和心源性脑栓塞与HT有关,其比值比（odds ratio,OR）值分别为3.65［95%可信区间（confidence interval,CI）1.47～8.26］和5.82（95%CI 1.89～15.38）;高血压、大动脉粥样硬化以及CMB并不增加HT风险,其OR和95%CI值分别为1.05（0.97～1.12）,2.31（0.91～3.45）以及0.35（0.09～1.41）。 结论 CMB对非腔隙性脑梗死患者抗栓治疗后早期HT缺乏预测价值,疾病严重程度以及病因类型有助于估计HT风险。     

Factors affecting self-reported bleeding acceptance in acute ischemic stroke survivors on various types of antithrombotic therapy

ObjectivesPrior ischemic cerebrovascular event and younger age have been shown to increase bleeding acceptance among anticoagulated outpatients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We sought to determine factors affecting bleeding acceptance in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) survivors on various types of antithrombotic therapy.Materials and MethodsWe enrolled 173 consecutive patients hospitalized for AIS (aged 68.2±11.7 years, 54.9% male), including 54 (31.2%) with AF, who had favorable functional outcome. On discharge, the Bleeding ratio, defined as the declared maximum number of major bleedings that a patient is willing to accept to prevent one major stroke, was evaluated. We assessed the predicted bleeding risk in non-cardioembolic and cardioembolic stroke survivors using S₂TOP-BLEED and HAS-BLED scores, respectively.ResultsPatients with the low Bleeding ratio, defined as 5 (median) or less accepted bleeds (n=92; 53.2%), were older and more likely to receive thrombolysis and/or thrombectomy, with no impact of previous stroke. Prior major bleed (odds ratio [OR] 4.67; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92-23.72), AF with use of oral anticoagulants (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.12-4.93), reperfusion treatment (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.02-3.76), and hospitalization ≤10 days (OR 4.56; 95% CI 1.50-13.87) were associated with the low Bleeding Ratio. Prior use of anticoagulants or aspirin as well as HAS-BLED and S₂TOP-BLEED scores did not affect the bleeding acceptance.ConclusionsLower bleeding acceptance declared on discharge by AIS survivors is determined by prior bleeding, anticoagulation in AF, reperfusion treatment, and duration of hospitalization, which might affect medication adherence. The results might help optimize post-discharge management and educational efforts in patients on antithrombotic therapy.     

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of cortical superficial siderosis in patients with acute stroke

Cortical superficial siderosis (cSS) is a pathologic and radiologic diagnosis of hemosiderin deposition in subpial brain layers. However, cSS has not been fully studied in patients with acute stroke. Here, we investigated the prevalence of cSS in patients with acute stroke and analyzed the relationship between cSS and different clinical and neuroimaging characteristics. From September 2014 through June 2016, consecutive patients with acute stroke who were admitted to our department were retrospectively investigated. We analyzed the prevalence of cSS and the associations between cSS and risk factors, the topographic distribution of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), and the severity of white matter lesions (WMLs). In total, 739 patients (589 patients with ischemic stroke/transient ischemic stroke [IS/TIA] and 150 with intracerebral hemorrhage [ICH]; mean age, 71.4 years) were enrolled. We identified cSS in six (1.0%) patients with IS/TIA and seven (4.7%) patients with ICH. The presence of cSS was associated with ICH (P < 0.0001), WMLs (P = 0.0105), and lobar and non-lobar CMBs (both P < 0.0001); no associations between cSS and age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, IS subtype classification, or antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy were found. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, high numbers of lobar CMBs (≥ 2; odds ratio, 11.03; 95% confidence interval, 2.03–205.40; P = 0.0029) were independently associated with cSS. Furthermore, cSS was often located near lobar CMBs. Our results suggest that cSS is prevalent in ICH and is independently associated with lobar CMBs; however, no associations between cSS and other risk factors or comorbidities were observed.     

The impact of cerebral microbleeds on intracerebral hemorrhage and poor functional outcome of acute ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

It is still controversial whether pre-existing cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) increase the risks of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and poor functional outcome (PFO) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the impact of CMBs on ICH and PFO of AIS patients with IVT. We searched PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science from inception to August 3, 2016, with language restriction in English. We included studies that reported the relationship between CMBs and ICH or PFO after thrombolysis. Two retrospective and nine prospective studies met inclusion criteria (total 2702 patients). The overall prevalence of CMBs on pre-IVT MRI scans was 24.0%. Pre-existing CMBs on MRI scans were not significantly associated with a higher risk of early sICH (OR 1.74; 95% CI 0.91–3.33; I ² = 44.5%). Subgroup analyses did not substantially influence these associations. The presence of CMBs was associated with the increased risk of 3-month PFO (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.08–2.31; I ² = 54.2%), PH (OR 2.14; 95% CI 1.34–3.42; I ² = 11.0%) and any ICH (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.04–1.95; I ² = 0.0%), respectively. This meta-analysis showed that CMBs presence was not significantly associated with the increased risk of early sICH after IVT. However, the results also demonstrated that CMBs presence increased the risks of 3-month PFO, PH and any ICH after IVT. Due to a small number of included studies and methodological limitations, the results of this meta-analysis should be interpreted cautiously. CMBs presence should not be a contraindication to IVT for AIS patients based on the existing evidence.     

急性缺血性卒中患者脑微出血相关因素分析

【摘要】
目的 探讨急性缺血性卒中患者合并脑微出血（cerebral microbleeds,CMB）的情况及其相关因素。
方法 本研究采用单中心、前瞻性研究方法,连续收集2011年1月～2012年6月于北京市第六医院神经内科住院的急性缺血性卒中患者302例,根据有无CMB将患者分为有CMB组（83例）和无CMB组（219例）,比较两组间一般临床资料、生化指标及影像学特点是否存在差异,并采用多因素逐步Logistic回归模型分析CMB发生的独立危险因素。
结果 302例患者中,合并有CMB者83例（27.5%）,其中年龄（t=3.67,P<0.001）、高血压（χ2=4.76,P=0.03）、卒中史（χ2=5.46,P=0.02）、纤维蛋白原（t=2.33,P=0.02）、腔隙性脑梗死数目（Z=-5.04,P<0.001）以及脑白质疏松程度评分（Z=-7.88,P<0.001）两组间比较差异具有显著性。Logistic回归分析显示,纤维蛋白原［比值比（odds ratio,OR）1.469,95%可信区间（confidence interval,CI）1.366～1.602;P=0.037］、腔隙性脑梗死数目（OR 1.636,95%CI 1.200～2.231;P=0.002）以及脑白质疏松程度评分（OR 1.700,95%CI 1.502～1.980;P<0.001）是急性缺血性卒中患者CMB发生的独立危险因素。
结论 CMB的发生与纤维蛋白原含量、腔隙性脑梗死数目以及脑白质疏松程度相关。     

Off-label-dosing of non-vitamin K-dependent oral antagonists in AF patients before and after stroke: results of the prospective multicenter Berlin Atrial Fibrillation Registry

Aims

We aimed to analyze prevalence and predictors of NOAC off-label under-dosing in AF patients before and after the index stroke.

Methods

The post hoc analysis included 1080 patients of the investigator-initiated, multicenter prospective Berlin Atrial Fibrillation Registry, designed to analyze medical stroke prevention in AF patients after acute ischemic stroke.

Results

At stroke onset, an off-label daily dose was prescribed in 61 (25.5%) of 239 NOAC patients with known AF and CHA₂DS₂-VASc score ≥ 1, of which 52 (21.8%) patients were under-dosed. Under-dosing was associated with age ≥ 80 years in patients on rivaroxaban [OR 2.90, 95% CI 1.05–7.9, P = 0.04; n = 29] or apixaban [OR 3.24, 95% CI 1.04–10.1, P = 0.04; n = 22]. At hospital discharge after the index stroke, NOAC off-label dose on admission was continued in 30 (49.2%) of 61 patients. Overall, 79 (13.7%) of 708 patients prescribed a NOAC at hospital discharge received an off-label dose, of whom 75 (10.6%) patients were under-dosed. Rivaroxaban under-dosing at discharge was associated with age ≥ 80 years [OR 3.49, 95% CI 1.24–9.84, P = 0.02; n = 19]; apixaban under-dosing with body weight ≤ 60 kg [OR 0.06, 95% CI 0.01–0.47, P < 0.01; n = 56], CHA₂DS₂-VASc score [OR per point 1.47, 95% CI 1.08–2.00, P = 0.01], and HAS-BLED score [OR per point 1.91, 95% CI 1.28–2.84, P < 0.01].

Conclusion

At stroke onset, off-label dosing was present in one out of four, and under-dosing in one out of five NOAC patients. Under-dosing of rivaroxaban or apixaban was related to old age. In-hospital treatment after stroke reduced off-label NOAC dosing, but one out of ten NOAC patients was under-dosed at discharge.

Clinical trial registration

NCT02306824.

     

Prevalence and vascular risk factors of basal ganglia calcifications in patients at risk for cerebrovascular disease

Background and purposeRisk factors for and meaning of basal ganglia calcifications outside Fahr syndrome are poorly understood. We aimed to assess the prevalence of basal ganglia calcifications and the association with vascular risk factors.Materials and methods1133 patients suspected of acute ischemic stroke from the Dutch acute stroke (DUST) study who underwent thin-slice unenhanced brain CT were analyzed. Basal ganglia calcifications were scored bilaterally as absent, mild (dot), moderate (multiple dots or single artery) and severe (confluent). Uni- and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine possible risk factors (age, gender, history of stroke, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, body mass index (BMI), renal function and family history of cardiovascular disease under 60 years) for presence of basal ganglia calcifications and ordinal regression analysis for severity of basal ganglia calcifications.ResultsMean age was 67.4 years (SD: 13.8), 56.8% were male. 337 (29.7%) patients had basal ganglia calcifications, of which 196 (58%) were mild, 103 (31%) moderate, 38 (11%) severe. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, age (OR: 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.03, P < 0.01) and BMI (OR: 0.95, 95% CI 0.91–0.98, p 0.01) were significantly associated with the presence of basal ganglia calcifications. Ordinal regression analysis gave comparable results. Age (OR: 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.03, P < 0.01) and BMI (OR: 0.95, 95% CI 0.92–0.99, P 0.01) were significantly associated with severity of basal ganglia calcifications.ConclusionsIn this study with patients suspected of acute ischemic stroke, basal ganglia calcifications were common and significantly associated with older age and lower BMI.     

Combined Assessment of Elevated Plasma Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 and Plaque Enhancement Improved Accuracy in the Risk of Acute Ischemic Stroke in Patients with Intracranial Artery Stenosis

PurposeWe evaluated the relationship between plasma lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A₂ (Lp-PLA₂) concentration and plaque characteristics in patients with intracranial artery stenosis and their clinical relevance in acute ischemic stroke.MethodsEighty-seven patients with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (66 males, 21 females) were retrospectively enrolled. Plasma Lp-PLA₂ concentration was measured, and vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (VW-MRI) was used to determine intracranial vascular stenosis and plaque characteristics, including plaque enhancement, surface morphology, and T₁ hyperintensity. Binary logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between Lp-PLA₂ concentration and plaque characteristics of intracranial artery after adjusting for demographic and confounding factors and to assess their diagnostic efficacy for the risk of acute ischemic stroke.ResultsAfter adjustment for demographic, medication and related lipid factors, Lp-PLA₂ elevation was associated with plaque enhancement (odds ratio [OR]=12.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.51–64.82, P=0.002) and surface irregularity (OR=2.9, 95% CI 1.06–7.98, P=0.038). Both Lp-PLA₂ elevation (OR=8.8, 95% CI 1.64–47.72, P=0.011) and plaque enhancement (OR=34.3, 95% CI 5.88–200.4, P=0.001) were associated with acute ischemic stroke. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve for Lp-PLA₂ concentration and plaque enhancement combined in the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke was 0.884, significantly higher than that for Lp-PLA₂ concentration (0.724) and plaque enhancement (0.794) alone.ConclusionElevated Lp-PLA₂ is associated with plaque enhancement and plaque surface irregularity. Combined assessment of Lp-PLA₂ concentration and plaque enhancement is of greater diagnostic value for the risk of acute ischemic stroke in patients with intracranial artery stenosis.     

急性缺血性卒中患者血尿酸水平与脑白质病变的相关性研究

目的 探讨急性缺血性卒中患者血尿酸水平与脑白质病变（white matter lesions,WMLs）的相关性。 方法 连续入选2011年1月～2012年12月发病48 h内的首发缺血性卒中患者进行横断面研究,按 照Ylikoski评分将患者分为两组：重度WMLs组、无或轻度WMLs组。比较两组患者血糖、甘油三酯 （triglyceride,TG）、总胆固醇（total cholesterol,TC）、低密度脂蛋白-胆固醇（low density lipoproteincholesterol, LDL-C）、高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇（high density lipoprotein-cholesterol,HDL-C）及血尿酸水 平,并行Logistic回归分析重度WMLs危险因素。 结果 共入选急性缺血性卒中患者321例,其中重度WMLs组159例,无或轻度WMLs组162例。重度 WMLs组患者年龄（P＜0.001）、糖尿病发生率（P =0.011）、血糖（P＜0.001）、血尿酸水平（P＜0.001）、 高尿酸血症发生率（P =0.002）均高于无或轻度WMLs组（P均＜0.05）,两组性别、高血压发生率、收 缩压、舒张压、心房颤动发生率、血TG、TC、LDL-C、HDL-C水平、吸烟史比例无显著差异。校正年 龄、性别、血压、伴发高血压、糖尿病、心房颤动、血糖、血脂及吸烟史后,年龄［比值比（odds ratio, OR）1.062,95%可信区间（confidence interval,CI）1.0008～1.119,P =0.023］、血尿酸水平（OR 1.531, 95%CI 1.186～1.975,P =0.001）和高尿酸血症（OR 1.131,95%CI 1.047～1.222,P =0.002）是急性缺血 性卒中患者发生重度WMLs的独立危险因素。 结论 血尿酸水平和高尿酸血症是急性缺血性卒中患者伴发重度WMLs的独立危险因素     

Prevalence and Predictors of Stroke in Patients with Crohn's Disease: A Nationwide Study

ObjectivesMounting evidence points to the microbiome as a susceptibility factor for neurological disorders. Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) are at higher ischemic stroke (IS) risk, but no large scale epidemiologic studies have identified risk factors for stroke in this population.Materials and MethodsWe analyzed the 2017 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) dataset to identify patients with a discharge diagnosis of Crohn's disease using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code K50.X. We identified patients with a primary/secondary discharge diagnosis of IS using ICD-10-CM code I63.X. We compared sociodemographic and clinical variables between stroke and non-stroke patients with CD. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify factors associated with IS.ResultsOf 30,212 patients with CD, 369 (1.2 %) had a discharge diagnosis of IS. Older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.03 [95% CI, 1.02–1.04], top quartile income (OR, 1.58 [95% CI, 1.10–2.30]), and hospitalization in a South Atlantic (OR, 1.82 [95% CI, 1.11-3.14]), East South Central (OR, 2.30 [95% CI, 1.28-4.25]), or West South Central hospital (OR, 2.40 [95% CI, 1.39-4.28]) were independently associated with IS. Clinical variables independently associated with IS in patients with CD included: atrial fibrillation (OR, 1.66 [95% CI, 1.15-2.33]), atherosclerosis (OR, 2.41 [95% CI, 1.32-4.10]), hyperlipidemia (OR, 1.69 [95% CI, 1.33-2.15]), hypertension (OR, 1.53 [95% CI, 1.18-1.98]) and valvular disease (OR, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.01-2.48).ConclusionA subset of traditional stroke risk factors are associated with IS in patients with CD. CD patients with these conditions could be targeted for vascular risk reduction and surveillance.