INTRODUCTION: We investigated the burden of microembolic signals (MES) in patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) and atrial fibrillation (AF), assessing their impact on functional outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multicentre international prospective cohort study involved patients with AIS and either a known or newly diagnosed anticoagulant-naïve AF. All centres utilised the same transcranial Doppler machine for 1-h monitoring with bilateral 2 MHz probes within 24 h of symptom onset. Recordings underwent MES analysis by a blinded central reader. The primary objectives were to ascertain the MES proportion and its association with functional outcomes assessed by the modified Rankin scale (mRS) score at 90 days. RESULTS: Between September 2019 and May 2021, we enrolled 61 patients, with a median age of 78 years (interquartile range 73-83) and a median stroke severity score of 11 (interquartile range 4-18). MES were observed in 14 patients (23%), predominantly unilateral (12/14, 86%), with a median rate of 6 counts/hour (interquartile range 4-18). MES occurrence was higher post-thrombectomy and among those with elevated brain natriuretic peptide levels (p < 0.05). A worse mRS score of 3-6 was more frequent in patients with MES, occurring in 11/14 (79%), compared to those without MES, 20/47 (43%), with an adjusted odds ratio of 5.04 (95% CI, 1.15-39.4), p = 0.04. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly a quarter of patients with AIS and AF exhibited silent microembolization after the index event. Detecting MES within 24 h post-stroke (using transcranial Doppler) could signify a marker of poor functional outcomes. Subsequent trials will assess if very early antithrombotic treatment might enhance outcomes in this highly selective group of cardioembolic stroke patients. (Clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT06018090).
- MeSH
- fibrilace síní * komplikace MeSH
- intrakraniální embolie diagnostické zobrazování MeSH
- ischemická cévní mozková příhoda * diagnostické zobrazování terapie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- prospektivní studie MeSH
- senioři nad 80 let MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- trombektomie MeSH
- ultrasonografie dopplerovská transkraniální * metody MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři nad 80 let MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- multicentrická studie MeSH
Currently, with the knowledge of the role of collateral circulation in the development of cerebral ischaemia, traditional therapeutic windows are being prolonged, with time not being the only criterion. Instead, a more personalised approach is applied to select additional patients who might benefit from active treatment. This review briefly describes the current knowledge of the pathophysiology of the development of early ischaemic changes, the capabilities of MRI to depict such changes, and the basics of the routinely used imaging techniques broadly available for the assessment of individual phases of cerebral ischaemia, and summarises the possible clinical use of routine MR imaging, including patient selection for active treatment and assessment of the outcome on the basis of imaging.
- MeSH
- cerebrální infarkt MeSH
- cévní mozková příhoda * diagnostické zobrazování terapie MeSH
- difuzní magnetická rezonance metody MeSH
- edém mozku * MeSH
- ischemická cévní mozková příhoda * MeSH
- ischemie mozku * diagnostické zobrazování terapie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- magnetická rezonanční tomografie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
BACKGROUND: Strokes after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) prophylaxis are generally less severe than those after warfarin prophylaxis-thought to be secondary to more hemorrhagic strokes with warfarin. Hemorrhagic strokes are similarly infrequent with direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) prophylaxis, so the primary subtype after either LAAC or DOAC prophylaxis is ischemic stroke (IS). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the severity of IS using the modified Rankin Scale in atrial fibrillation patients receiving prophylaxis with DOACs vs LAAC. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of consecutive patients undergoing LAAC at 8 centers who developed an IS (ISLAAC) compared with contemporaneous consecutive patients who developed IS during treatment with DOACs (ISDOAC). The primary outcome was disabling/fatal stroke (modified Rankin Scale 3-5) at discharge and 3 months later. RESULTS: Compared with ISDOAC patients (n = 322), ISLAAC patients (n = 125) were older (age 77.2 ± 13.4 years vs 73.1 ± 11.9 years; P = 0.002), with higher HAS-BLED scores (3.0 vs 2.0; P = 0.004) and more frequent prior bleeding events (54.4% vs 23.6%; P < 0.001), but similar CHA2DS2-VASc scores (5.0 vs 5.0; P = 0.28). Strokes were less frequently disabling/fatal with ISLAAC than ISDOAC at both hospital discharge (38.3% vs 70.3%; P < 0.001) and 3 months later (33.3% vs 56.2%; P < 0.001). Differences in stroke severity persisted after propensity score matching. By multivariate regression analysis, ISLAAC was independently associated with fewer disabling/fatal strokes at discharge (OR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.13-0.39; P < 0.001) and 3 months (OR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.12-0.50; P < 0.001), and fewer deaths at 3 months (OR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.12-0.64; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation are less often disabling or fatal with LAAC than DOAC prophylaxis.
- MeSH
- antikoagulancia škodlivé účinky MeSH
- cévní mozková příhoda * epidemiologie etiologie prevence a kontrola MeSH
- fibrilace síní * komplikace farmakoterapie chirurgie MeSH
- hemoragická cévní mozková příhoda * chemicky indukované komplikace farmakoterapie MeSH
- ischemická cévní mozková příhoda * chemicky indukované komplikace farmakoterapie MeSH
- krvácení chemicky indukované MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- retrospektivní studie MeSH
- senioři nad 80 let MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- uzávěr ouška levé síně MeSH
- výsledek terapie MeSH
- warfarin škodlivé účinky MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- senioři nad 80 let MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: Subclinical atrial fibrillation is short-lasting and asymptomatic and can usually be detected only by long-term continuous monitoring with pacemakers or defibrillators. Subclinical atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of stroke by a factor of 2.5; however, treatment with oral anticoagulation is of uncertain benefit. METHODS: We conducted a trial involving patients with subclinical atrial fibrillation lasting 6 minutes to 24 hours. Patients were randomly assigned in a double-blind, double-dummy design to receive apixaban at a dose of 5 mg twice daily (2.5 mg twice daily when indicated) or aspirin at a dose of 81 mg daily. The trial medication was discontinued and anticoagulation started if subclinical atrial fibrillation lasting more than 24 hours or clinical atrial fibrillation developed. The primary efficacy outcome, stroke or systemic embolism, was assessed in the intention-to-treat population (all the patients who had undergone randomization); the primary safety outcome, major bleeding, was assessed in the on-treatment population (all the patients who had undergone randomization and received at least one dose of the assigned trial drug, with follow-up censored 5 days after permanent discontinuation of trial medication for any reason). RESULTS: We included 4012 patients with a mean (±SD) age of 76.8±7.6 years and a mean CHA2DS2-VASc score of 3.9±1.1 (scores range from 0 to 9, with higher scores indicating a higher risk of stroke); 36.1% of the patients were women. After a mean follow-up of 3.5±1.8 years, stroke or systemic embolism occurred in 55 patients in the apixaban group (0.78% per patient-year) and in 86 patients in the aspirin group (1.24% per patient-year) (hazard ratio, 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45 to 0.88; P = 0.007). In the on-treatment population, the rate of major bleeding was 1.71% per patient-year in the apixaban group and 0.94% per patient-year in the aspirin group (hazard ratio, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.26 to 2.57; P = 0.001). Fatal bleeding occurred in 5 patients in the apixaban group and 8 patients in the aspirin group. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with subclinical atrial fibrillation, apixaban resulted in a lower risk of stroke or systemic embolism than aspirin but a higher risk of major bleeding. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and others; ARTESIA ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01938248.).
- MeSH
- antikoagulancia * škodlivé účinky terapeutické užití MeSH
- Aspirin * škodlivé účinky terapeutické užití MeSH
- cévní mozková příhoda * etiologie prevence a kontrola MeSH
- dvojitá slepá metoda MeSH
- embolie * etiologie prevence a kontrola MeSH
- fibrilace síní * komplikace diagnóza MeSH
- inhibitory faktoru Xa škodlivé účinky terapeutické užití MeSH
- krvácení chemicky indukované MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- pyridony škodlivé účinky MeSH
- senioři nad 80 let MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- výsledek terapie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři nad 80 let MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH
- srovnávací studie MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Kanada MeSH
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Registry of Stroke Care Quality (RES-Q) is a worldwide quality improvement data platform that captures performance and quality measures, enabling standardized comparisons of hospital care. The aim of this study was to determine if, and how, RES-Q data are used to influence stroke quality improvement and identify the support and educational needs of clinicians using RES-Q data to improve stroke care. METHODS: A cross-sectional self-administered online survey was administered (October 2021-February 2022). Participants were RES-Q hospital local coordinators responsible for stroke data collection. Descriptive statistics are presented. RESULTS: Surveys were sent to 1463 hospitals in 74 countries; responses were received from 358 hospitals in 55 countries (response rate 25%). RES-Q data were used "always" or "often" to: develop quality improvement initiatives (n = 213, 60%); track stroke care quality over time (n = 207, 58%); improve local practice (n = 191, 53%); and benchmark against evidence-based policies, procedures and/or guidelines to identify practice gaps (n = 179, 50%). Formal training in the use of RES-Q tools and data were the most frequent support needs identified by respondents (n = 165, 46%). Over half "strongly agreed" or "agreed" that to support clinical practice change, education is needed on: (i) using data to identify evidence-practice gaps (n = 259, 72%) and change clinical practice (n = 263, 74%), and (ii) quality improvement science and methods (n = 255, 71%). CONCLUSION: RES-Q data are used for monitoring stroke care performance. However, to facilitate their optimal use, effective quality improvement methods are needed. Educating staff in quality improvement science may develop competency and improve use of data in practice.
RATIONALE: Oxygen is essential for cellular energy metabolism. Neurons are particularly vulnerable to hypoxia. Increasing oxygen supply shortly after stroke onset could preserve the ischemic penumbra until revascularization occurs. AIMS: PROOF investigates the use of normobaric oxygen (NBO) therapy within 6 h of symptom onset/notice for brain-protective bridging until endovascular revascularization of acute intracranial anterior-circulation occlusion. METHODS AND DESIGN: Randomized (1:1), standard treatment-controlled, open-label, blinded endpoint, multicenter adaptive phase IIb trial. STUDY OUTCOMES: Primary outcome is ischemic core growth (mL) from baseline to 24 h (intention-to-treat analysis). Secondary efficacy outcomes include change in NIHSS from baseline to 24 h, mRS at 90 days, cognitive and emotional function, and quality of life. Safety outcomes include mortality, intracranial hemorrhage, and respiratory failure. Exploratory analyses of imaging and blood biomarkers will be conducted. SAMPLE SIZE: Using an adaptive design with interim analysis at 80 patients per arm, up to 456 participants (228 per arm) would be needed for 80% power (one-sided alpha 0.05) to detect a mean reduction of ischemic core growth by 6.68 mL, assuming 21.4 mL standard deviation. DISCUSSION: By enrolling endovascular thrombectomy candidates in an early time window, the trial replicates insights from preclinical studies in which NBO showed beneficial effects, namely early initiation of near 100% inspired oxygen during short temporary ischemia. Primary outcome assessment at 24 h on follow-up imaging reduces variability due to withdrawal of care and early clinical confounders such as delayed extubation and aspiration pneumonia. TRIAL REGISTRATIONS: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03500939; EudraCT: 2017-001355-31.
- MeSH
- endovaskulární výkony * metody MeSH
- ischemická cévní mozková příhoda * komplikace diagnóza MeSH
- ischemie mozku * komplikace MeSH
- klinické zkoušky, fáze II jako téma MeSH
- kvalita života MeSH
- kyslík terapeutické užití MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- multicentrické studie jako téma MeSH
- trombektomie metody MeSH
- výsledek terapie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- protokol klinické studie MeSH
Pacienti s ischemickou CMP čelí zvýšenému riziku výskytu celé řady kardiovaskulárních komplikací. Ty se mohou projevit například jako akutní myokardiální postižení, akutní koronární syndrom, dysfunkce levé komory (včetně syndromu Takotsubo). Dále se objevují závažné arytmie nebo náhlá srdeční smrt. Vedle těchto klinicky manifestních komplikací se u části pacientů vyskytnou oligosymptomatické abnormity jako například elevace specifických biomarkerů nebo změny na EKG. Tyto komplikace jsou spojeny s těžším neurologickým postižením a vyšší mortalitou pacientů s akutní CMP. Diagnostika a léčba kardiálních komplikací u pacientů s CMP má svá specifika a odvíjí se zejména od typu CMP. Patofyziologie těchto komplikací zůstává částečně nejasná. Podle nového konceptu tzv. stroke-heart syndromu se na vzniku časných kardiálních komplikací u pacientů s CMP mimo tradičních rizikových faktorů podílejí také další mechanizmy, jako je autonomní dysregulace nebo systémová zánětlivá odpověď, ke kterým dochází následkem CMP. Přes narůstající zájem o tuto problematiku a nové poznatky v její patofyziologii specifické léčebné postupy tohoto tzv. stroke-heart syndromu zatím chybí. V běžné klinické praxi je při včasné diagnostice a léčbě kardiálních komplikací u pacientů s akutní CMP zásadní úloha neurologa.
Patients with ischemic stroke face an increased risk of a broad range of cardiovascular complications. These may manifest as acute myocardial injury, acute coronary syndrome, left ventricular dysfunction (including Takotsubo syndrome). Furthermore, severe arrhythmias or sudden cardiac death may also occur. In addition to these clinically manifested complications, oligosymptomatic abnormalities such as elevation of specific biomarkers or ECG changes occur in some patients. These complications are associated with more severe neurological disability and higher mortality in patients with acute stroke. The diagnosis and treatment of cardiac complications in patients with stroke has its own specificities and depends mainly on the type of stroke. The pathophysiology of these complications remains partly unclear. According to the new concept of the stroke heart syndrome, it appears that, in addition to the traditional vascular risk factors, other underlying mechanisms, such as autonomic dysregulation or systemic inflammatory response arising as a consequence of brain tissue damage during stroke are involved in the development of early cardiac complications. Despite growing interest in this issue and new insights into its pathophysiology, specific therapies for this so-called stroke-heart syndrome are still lacking. In routine clinical practice, the role of the neurologist in the early diagnosis and treatment of cardiac complications in patients after acute stroke is crucial.
- MeSH
- akutní koronární syndrom diagnóza komplikace MeSH
- cévní mozková příhoda * diagnóza komplikace MeSH
- dysfunkce levé srdeční komory komplikace MeSH
- kardiovaskulární abnormality klasifikace MeSH
- kardiovaskulární nemoci * etiologie patofyziologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- srdeční arytmie komplikace MeSH
- troponin analýza MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
Úvod: Porucha funkce horní končetiny u pacientů po CMP významně ovlivňuje provádění běžných denních činností (activities of daily living; ADL). Většina ADL je bimanuální, zatímco mnoho konvenčních ergoterapeutických technik je založeno na unimanuálním přístupu. Cílem studie je porovnat dlouhodobé účinky bimanuální a unimanuální roboticky asistované terapie na funkci horní končetiny u pacientů po CMP. Metoda: Pacienti po CMP (n = 40) byli náhodně rozděleni do dvou skupin: roboticky asistovaná bimanuální terapie (BRAT, n = 20) a roboticky asistovaná unimanuální terapie (URAT, n = 20). Terapie trvala 3 týdny a probíhala 5 dní v týdnu, 30 min denně pro obě skupiny. Výsledky intervence byly hodnoceny pomocí Upper Extremity Motor Activity Log (UE MAL) a Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) v časech T0, T1 a T2 (jednoměsíční sledování). K posouzení svalové síly byl použit Motricity Index (MI). Výsledky: BRAT statisticky významně zlepšila funkci horní končetiny v kategorii 7-Hand motion (v T2) a 8-Advantage hand motion (v T1 a T2) dle MAS. Závěr: BRAT má pozitivní vliv na jemnou motoriku a funkci horní končetiny po dokončení terapie a dokonce i po jednoměsíčním sledování. Použití BRAT v kombinaci s konvenční terapií může být účinné při obnově funkce horní končetiny u pacientů po cévní mozkové příhodě se středně těžkou až těžkou hemiparézou.
Introduction: An upper limb functional disability in stroke patients significantly affects activities of daily living (ADL). Most ADL are bimanual, whereas many conventional occupational therapy techniques are based on a unimanual approach. The aim of the study focuses on comparing long--term effects of bimanual and unimanual robot-assisted therapies for upper limb function in stroke patients. Methods: Stroke patients (N = 40) were randomly divided into two groups: robot-assisted bimanual therapy (BRAT, N = 20) and unimanual therapy (URAT, N = 20). Sessions lasted for three weeks running five days a week and 30 min per day for both groups. Outcome measures were the Upper Extremity Motor Activity Log (UE MAL) and the Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) at times T0, T1, and T2 (one month follow-up). Additionally, the Motricity Index (MI) was used to assess force control. Results: BRAT statistically significantly improved upper limb function in category 7-Hand motion (at T2) and 8-Advantage hand motion (at T1 and T2) in MAS. Conclusions: BRAT has a positive effect on fine motor and upper limb function after completion and even after the monthly follow-up. The use of BRAT in combination with conventional therapy appears to be effective in restoring upper limb function in stroke patients with moderate to severe hemiparesis.
- Klíčová slova
- senzorická rukavice, bilaterální roboticky asistovaná terapie,
- MeSH
- cévní mozková příhoda * komplikace MeSH
- činnosti denního života MeSH
- exoskeleton klasifikace MeSH
- horní končetina inervace patofyziologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- paréza etiologie rehabilitace MeSH
- rehabilitace po cévní mozkové příhodě * klasifikace metody přístrojové vybavení MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH
- MeSH
- cévní mozková příhoda MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- neurologie * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- biografie MeSH
- oslavné články MeSH
Intravenous thrombolysis with a recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is the first-line treatment of acute ischemic stroke. However, successful recanalization is relatively low and the underlying processes are not completely understood. The goal was to provide insights into clinically important factors potentially limiting rt-PA efficacy such as clot size, rt-PA concentration, clot age and also rt-PA in combination with heparin anticoagulant. We established a static in vitro thrombolytic model based on red blood cell (RBC) dominant clots prepared using spontaneous clotting from the blood of healthy donors. Thrombolysis was determined by clot mass loss and by RBC release. The rt-PA became increasingly less efficient for clots larger than 50 μl at a clinically relevant concentration of 1.3 mg/l. A tenfold decrease or increase in concentration induced only a 2-fold decrease or increase in clot degradation. Clot age did not affect rt-PA-induced thrombolysis but 2-hours-old clots were degraded more readily due to higher activity of spontaneous thrombolysis, as compared to 5-hours-old clots. Finally, heparin (50 and 100 IU/ml) did not influence the rt-PA-induced thrombolysis. Our study provided in vitro evidence for a clot size threshold: clots larger than 50 μl are hard to degrade by rt-PA. Increasing rt-PA concentration provided limited thrombolytic efficacy improvement, whereas heparin addition had no effect. However, the higher susceptibility of younger clots to thrombolysis may prompt a shortened time from the onset of stroke to rt-PA treatment.
- MeSH
- cévní mozková příhoda farmakoterapie MeSH
- erytrocyty účinky léků metabolismus MeSH
- fibrinolytika terapeutické užití MeSH
- hemokoagulace účinky léků MeSH
- heparin * terapeutické užití MeSH
- ischemická cévní mozková příhoda * farmakoterapie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- rekombinantní proteiny * terapeutické užití MeSH
- tkáňový aktivátor plazminogenu * terapeutické užití MeSH
- trombolytická terapie * metody MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH