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International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2020Stroke is the second leading cause of death and a major contributor to disability worldwide. The prevalence of stroke is highest in developing countries, with ischemic... (Review)
Review
Stroke is the second leading cause of death and a major contributor to disability worldwide. The prevalence of stroke is highest in developing countries, with ischemic stroke being the most common type. Considerable progress has been made in our understanding of the pathophysiology of stroke and the underlying mechanisms leading to ischemic insult. Stroke therapy primarily focuses on restoring blood flow to the brain and treating stroke-induced neurological damage. Lack of success in recent clinical trials has led to significant refinement of animal models, focus-driven study design and use of new technologies in stroke research. Simultaneously, despite progress in stroke management, post-stroke care exerts a substantial impact on families, the healthcare system and the economy. Improvements in pre-clinical and clinical care are likely to underpin successful stroke treatment, recovery, rehabilitation and prevention. In this review, we focus on the pathophysiology of stroke, major advances in the identification of therapeutic targets and recent trends in stroke research.
Topics: Animals; Fibrinolytic Agents; Humans; Neuroprotective Agents; Risk Factors; Stem Cell Transplantation; Stroke; Stroke Rehabilitation
PubMed: 33076218
DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207609 -
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience :... Nov 2021Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of disability and one of the leading causes of death. Ischemic stroke mimics (SMs) can account for a noteble number of diagnosed... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of disability and one of the leading causes of death. Ischemic stroke mimics (SMs) can account for a noteble number of diagnosed acute strokes and even can be thrombolyzed.
METHODS
The aim of our comprehensive review was to summarize the findings of different studies focusing on the prevalence, type, risk factors, presenting symptoms, and outcome of SMs in stroke/thrombolysis situations.
RESULTS
Overall, 61 studies were selected with 62.664 participants. Ischemic stroke mimic rate was 24.8% (15044/60703). Most common types included peripheral vestibular dysfunction in 23.2%, toxic/metabolic in 13.2%, seizure in 13%, functional disorder in 9.7% and migraine in 7.76%. Ischemic stroke mimic have less vascular risk factors, younger age, female predominance, lower (nearly normal) blood pressure, no or less severe symptoms compared to ischemic stroke patients (p < 0.05 in all cases). 61.7% of ischemic stroke patients were thrombolysed vs. 26.3% among SMs (p < 0.001). (p < 0.001). Overall intracranial hemorrhage was reported in 9.4% of stroke vs. 0.7% in SM patients (p < 0.001). Death occurred in 11.3% of stroke vs 1.9% of SM patients (p < 0.001). Excellent outcome was (mRS 0-1) was reported in 41.8% ischemic stroke patients vs. 68.9% SMs (p < 0.001). Apart from HINTS manouvre or Hoover sign there is no specific method in the identification of mimics. MRI DWI or perfusion imaging have a role in the setup of differential diagnosis, but merit further investigation.
CONCLUSION
Our article is among the first complex reviews focusing on ischemic stroke mimics. Although it underscores the safety of thrombolysis in this situation, but also draws attention to the need of patient evaluation by physicians experienced in the diagnosis of both ischemic stroke and SMs, especially in vertigo, headache, seizure and conversional disorders.
Topics: Brain Ischemia; Female; Fibrinolytic Agents; Humans; Ischemic Stroke; Stroke; Thrombolytic Therapy; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34656244
DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2021.09.025 -
Handbook of Clinical Neurology 2021Hemorrhagic stroke comprises about 20% of all strokes, with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) being the most common type. Frequency of ICH is increased where hypertension... (Review)
Review
Hemorrhagic stroke comprises about 20% of all strokes, with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) being the most common type. Frequency of ICH is increased where hypertension is untreated. ICH in particularly has a disproportionately high risk of early mortality and long-term disability. Until recently, there has been a paucity of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to provide evidence for the efficacy of various commonly considered interventions in ICH, including acute blood pressure management, coagulopathy reversal, and surgical hematoma evacuation. Evidence-based guidelines do exist for ICH and these form the basis for a framework of care. Current approaches emphasize control of extremely high blood pressure in the acute phase, rapid reversal of vitamin K antagonists, and surgical evacuation of cerebellar hemorrhage. Lingering questions, many of which are the topic of ongoing clinical research, include optimizing individual blood pressure targets, reversal strategies for newer anticoagulant medications, and the role of minimally invasive surgery. Risk stratification models exist, which derive from findings on clinical exam and neuroimaging, but care should be taken to avoid a self-fulfilling prophecy of poor outcome from limiting treatment due to a presumed poor prognosis. Cerebral venous thrombosis is an additional subtype of hemorrhagic stroke that has a unique set of causes, natural history, and treatment and is discussed as well.
Topics: Anticoagulants; Blood Coagulation Disorders; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Hemorrhagic Stroke; Humans; Stroke
PubMed: 33272397
DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-444-64034-5.00019-5 -
The Lancet. Neurology Feb 2015Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) was developed to overcome upper limb impairments after stroke and is the most investigated intervention for the rehabilitation... (Review)
Review
Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) was developed to overcome upper limb impairments after stroke and is the most investigated intervention for the rehabilitation of patients. Original CIMT includes constraining of the non-paretic arm and task-oriented training. Modified versions also apply constraining of the non-paretic arm, but not as intensive as original CIMT. Behavioural strategies are mostly absent for both modified and original CIMT. With forced use therapy, only constraining of the non-paretic arm is applied. The original and modified types of CIMT have beneficial effects on motor function, arm-hand activities, and self-reported arm-hand functioning in daily life, immediately after treatment and at long-term follow-up, whereas there is no evidence for the efficacy of constraint alone (as used in forced use therapy). The type of CIMT, timing, or intensity of practice do not seem to affect patient outcomes. Although the underlying mechanisms that drive modified and original CIMT are still poorly understood, findings from kinematic studies suggest that improvements are mainly based on adaptations through learning to optimise the use of intact end-effectors in patients with some voluntary motor control of wrist and finger extensors after stroke.
Topics: Exercise Therapy; Humans; Physical Therapy Modalities; Recovery of Function; Stroke
PubMed: 25772900
DOI: 10.1016/S1474-4422(14)70160-7 -
Seminars in Neurology Feb 2019Stroke remains one of the leading determinants of death and severe disability worldwide. It is a medical emergency with a narrow window for recognition and... (Review)
Review
Stroke remains one of the leading determinants of death and severe disability worldwide. It is a medical emergency with a narrow window for recognition and administration of outcome-modifying treatment in the emergency department. Ischemic stroke accounts for the majority of cerebrovascular events and revascularization therapies such as intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy are the mainstays of treatment in carefully selected patients. Intracerebral hemorrhage is less common but remains the deadliest type of stroke. Blood pressure reduction and hemostatic treatment in case of coagulopathy are the cornerstones of acute intracerebral hemorrhage treatment. Admission to dedicated stroke units is associated with improved outcome in patients suffering from acute stroke.
Topics: Disease Management; Humans; Stroke
PubMed: 30743293
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1676992 -
Revue Neurologique 2016Stroke may be associated with different types of movement disorders, such as hyperkinetic syndromes (hemichorea-hemiballism, unilateral asterixis, limb-shaking,... (Review)
Review
Stroke may be associated with different types of movement disorders, such as hyperkinetic syndromes (hemichorea-hemiballism, unilateral asterixis, limb-shaking, dystonia, tremor, myoclonus) and hypokinetic syndromes (especially vascular parkinsonism). However, movement disorders are rare and transient in acute stroke and, as a permanent consequence, are more often delayed. While ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes can happen at any level of the frontal-subcortical motor system, they can be explained most of the time by a dysfunction in the basal ganglia motor circuit. However, only brain MRI allows the involved structure(s) to be precisely located, and each syndrome is specific to the type of lesion. Treatment is above all symptomatic. Only limb-shaking syndrome requires urgent surgical treatment because of the low-perfusion hemodynamic state. The functional prognosis depends on the type of movement disorder.
Topics: Chorea; Dyskinesias; Dystonia; Humans; Movement Disorders; Myoclonus; Parkinson Disease, Secondary; Prognosis; Stroke
PubMed: 27476417
DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2016.07.006 -
Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.) Oct 2021Nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the second most common type of stroke. This article summarizes the basic pathophysiology, classification, and management... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the second most common type of stroke. This article summarizes the basic pathophysiology, classification, and management of ICH and discusses the available evidence on therapy for hematoma, hematoma expansion, and perihematomal edema.
RECENT FINDINGS
Current available data on potential therapeutic options for ICH are promising, although none of the trials have shown improvement in mortality rate. The literature available on reversal of anticoagulation and antiplatelet agents after an ICH and resumption of these medications is also increasing.
SUMMARY
ICH continues to have high morbidity and mortality. Advances in therapeutic options to target secondary brain injury from the hematoma, hematoma expansion, and perihematomal edema are increasing. Data on reversal therapy for anticoagulant-associated or antiplatelet-associated ICH and resumption of these medications are evolving.
Topics: Anticoagulants; Anticoagulation Reversal; Brain Edema; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Hematoma; Humans; Stroke
PubMed: 34618759
DOI: 10.1212/CON.0000000000001018 -
Circulation Feb 2017China bears the biggest stroke burden in the world. However, little is known about the current prevalence, incidence, and mortality of stroke at the national level, and...
BACKGROUND
China bears the biggest stroke burden in the world. However, little is known about the current prevalence, incidence, and mortality of stroke at the national level, and the trend in the past 30 years.
METHODS
In 2013, a nationally representative door-to-door survey was conducted in 155 urban and rural centers in 31 provinces in China, totaling 480 687 adults aged ≥20 years. All stroke survivors were considered as prevalent stroke cases at the prevalent time (August 31, 2013). First-ever strokes that occurred during 1 year preceding the survey point-prevalent time were considered as incident cases. According to computed tomography/MRI/autopsy findings, strokes were categorized into ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and stroke of undetermined type.
RESULTS
Of 480 687 participants, 7672 were diagnosed with a prevalent stroke (1596.0/100 000 people) and 1643 with incident strokes (345.1/100 000 person-years). The age-standardized prevalence, incidence, and mortality rates were 1114.8/100 000 people, 246.8 and 114.8/100 000 person-years, respectively. Pathological type of stroke was documented by computed tomography/MRI brain scanning in 90% of prevalent and 83% of incident stroke cases. Among incident and prevalent strokes, ischemic stroke constituted 69.6% and 77.8%, intracerebral hemorrhage 23.8% and 15.8%, subarachnoid hemorrhage 4.4% and 4.4%, and undetermined type 2.1% and 2.0%, respectively. Age-specific stroke prevalence in men aged ≥40 years was significantly greater than the prevalence in women (<0.001). The most prevalent risk factors among stroke survivors were hypertension (88%), smoking (48%), and alcohol use (44%). Stroke prevalence estimates in 2013 were statistically greater than those reported in China 3 decades ago, especially among rural residents (=0.017). The highest annual incidence and mortality of stroke was in Northeast (365 and 159/100 000 person-years), then Central areas (326 and 154/100 000 person-years), and the lowest incidence was in Southwest China (154/100 000 person-years), and the lowest mortality was in South China (65/100 000 person-years) (<0.002).
CONCLUSIONS
Stroke burden in China has increased over the past 30 years, and remains particularly high in rural areas. There is a north-to-south gradient in stroke in China, with the greatest stroke burden observed in the northern and central regions.
Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Brain; China; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Rural Population; Sex Factors; Stroke; Surveys and Questionnaires; Survival Rate; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Urban Population; Young Adult
PubMed: 28052979
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.116.025250 -
Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular... Aug 2019Sneddon syndrome (SS) is an episodic or chronic, slowly progressive disorder and characterized by generalized livedo racemosa (patchy, violaceous, skin discoloration)... (Review)
Review
Sneddon syndrome (SS) is an episodic or chronic, slowly progressive disorder and characterized by generalized livedo racemosa (patchy, violaceous, skin discoloration) and recurrent cerebrovascular events. The histopathology of skin and brain is remarkable for a noninflammatory thrombotic vasculopathy involving medium- and small-sized dermal and cerebral arteries, respectively. Approximately 80% of the SS patients are women with a median age of diagnosis at 40 years. However, the onset of the disease during childhood have been reported. Etiopathogenesis of SS is unknown with 2 primary mechanisms proposed - autoimmune/inflammatory versus thrombophilia. SS is primarily classified as antiphospholipid positive or negative type. Neurological manifestations usually occur in 3 phases: (1) prodromal symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and vertigo, (2) recurrent strokes, and (3) early onset dementia. Livedo racemosa precedes the onset of recurrent strokes by more than 10 years, but in many instances, the significance of the skin lesion is recognized only after the appearance of the stroke. The involvement of the heart valves, systolic labile hypertension, and retinal changes are also commonly associated with this syndrome. Treatment of SS is primarily based on anecdotal reports. Antiplatelet and antithrombotic agents are used for secondary stroke prophylaxis, and a recent study showed a relatively lower stroke recurrence rate with the universal use of antiplatelet/antithrombotic agents. Routine use of anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive therapies is controversial. Neuropsychiatric prognosis of SS is relatively poor with predominant deficits in the concentration, attention, visual perception, and visuospatial skills.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Cerebral Arteries; Fibrinolytic Agents; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Livedo Reticularis; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Recurrence; Risk Factors; Skin; Sneddon Syndrome; Stroke; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31160219
DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2019.05.013 -
Stroke Aug 2020With recent advances in secondary prevention management, stroke recurrence rates may have changed substantially. We aim to estimate risks and trends of stroke recurrence...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
With recent advances in secondary prevention management, stroke recurrence rates may have changed substantially. We aim to estimate risks and trends of stroke recurrence over the past 2 decades in a population-based cohort of patients with stroke.
METHODS
Patients with a first-ever stroke between 1995 and 2018 in South London, United Kingdom (n=6052) were collected and analyzed. Rates of recurrent stroke with 95% CIs were stratified by 5-year period of index stroke and etiologic TOAST (Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment) subtype. Cumulative incidences were estimated and multivariate Cox models applied to examine associations of recurrence and recurrence-free survival.
RESULTS
The rate of stroke recurrence at 5 years reduced from 18% (95% CI, 15%-21%) in those who had their stroke in 1995 to 1999 to 12% (10%-15%) in 2000 to 2005, and no improvement since. Recurrence-free survival has improved (35%, 1995-1999; 67%, 2010-2015). Risk of recurrence or death is lowest for small-vessel occlusion strokes and other ischemic causes (36% and 27% at 5 years, respectively). For cardioembolic and hemorrhagic index strokes around half of first recurrences are of the same type (54% and 51%, respectively). Over the whole study period a 54% increased risk of recurrence was observed among those who had atrial fibrillation before the index stroke (hazard ratio, 1.54 [1.09-2.17]).
CONCLUSIONS
The rate of recurrence reduced until mid-2000s but has not changed over the last decade. The majority of cardioembolic or hemorrhagic strokes that have a recurrence are stroke of the same type indicating that the implementation of effective preventive strategies is still suboptimal in these stroke subtypes.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cohort Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; London; Male; Middle Aged; Population Surveillance; Recurrence; Registries; Risk Factors; Secondary Prevention; Stroke
PubMed: 32646337
DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.028992