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Neurologia I Neurochirurgia Polska 2014Although strokes have been documented since about 3 millennia, they remain today as one of the leading causes of mortality, as well as of subsequent serious long-term... (Review)
Review
Although strokes have been documented since about 3 millennia, they remain today as one of the leading causes of mortality, as well as of subsequent serious long-term physical and mental morbidity, among patients in many different countries all over the world. Greece presents an increase in mortality rates according to World Health Organization, and this fact underlines the need for early diagnosis and treatment, as well as, the need to implement effective prevention strategies for strokes. This review makes an effort to describe the current status of stroke epidemiological features, as well as to present the risk factors prevalent in Greece. The incidence rate is 261-319/100,000 based on the recent population based registry. Stroke appears to be more prevalent in men than in women, and the mean age of stroke onset in Greece is at 70 years of age. Hypertension, atrial fibrillation, dyslipidaemia and diabetes mellitus are the major risk factors of stroke in the Greek population, while smoking is the most commonly documented modifiable risk factor in young adults with ischemic stroke. Similar to other parts of the world, ischemic stroke is the most common stroke type. The 28-day case fatality rate for men and women was 26.5%. The mean in-hospital cost per stroke patient was 3624.9 € and the mean rehabilitation cost of outpatients with stroke was 5553.3 €, while the cost proportion of hemorrhagic stroke is higher when compared to ischemic stroke. Stroke is a devastating condition with recognized challenges in identifying effective prevention programs. In Greece, limited data exists regarding the epidemiology of strokes. As a result, the need to conduct new studies and researches across the country is well documented.
Topics: Greece; Humans; Incidence; Risk Factors; Stroke
PubMed: 25482257
DOI: 10.1016/j.pjnns.2014.11.001 -
International Journal of Epidemiology Jun 2023Whether changes in stroke mortality are affected by age distribution and birth cohorts, and if the decline in stroke mortality exhibits heterogeneity by stroke type,...
BACKGROUND
Whether changes in stroke mortality are affected by age distribution and birth cohorts, and if the decline in stroke mortality exhibits heterogeneity by stroke type, remains uncertain.
METHODS
We undertook a sequential time series analysis to examine stroke mortality trends in the USA among people aged 18-84 years between 1975 and 2019 (n = 4 332 220). Trends were examined for overall stroke and by ischaemic and haemorrhagic subtypes. Mortality data were extracted from the US death files, and age-sex population data were extracted from US census. Age-standardized stroke mortality rates and incidence rate ratio (IRR) with 95% confidence interval [CI] were derived from Poisson regression models.
RESULTS
Age-standardized stroke mortality declined for females from 87.5 in 1975 to 30.9 per 100 000 in 2019 (IRR 0.27, 95% CI 0.26, 0.27; average annual decline -2.78%, 95% CI -2.79, -2.78). Among males, age-standardized mortality rate declined from 112.1 in 1975 to 38.7 per 100 000 in 2019 (RR 0.26, 95% CI 0.26, 0.27; average annual decline -2.80%, 95% CI -2.81, -2.79). Stroke mortality increased sharply with advancing age. Decline in stroke mortality was steeper for ischaemic than haemorrhagic strokes.
CONCLUSIONS
Stroke mortality rates have substantially declined, more so for ischaemic than haemorrhagic strokes.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Hemorrhagic Stroke; Stroke; Censuses; Age Distribution; Incidence; Mortality
PubMed: 36343092
DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyac210 -
Journal of the Neurological Sciences Jan 2014Our aim was to assess the incidence and the special characteristics of stroke, as a severe complication of patients diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia (ET).
BACKGROUND
Our aim was to assess the incidence and the special characteristics of stroke, as a severe complication of patients diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia (ET).
METHODS
A retrospective analysis was carried out on 102 patients with ET enrolled and analyzed from the period between 1999 and 2012. Patients with one or more strokes were selected. The characteristics of stroke events, the medication, and the median platelet counts were revised.
RESULTS
One or more stroke events were revealed in 11 cases (4 males and 7 females) with a median age of 67 years [range: 45-82 years]. The median platelet count at hematological diagnosis was 658×10(9)/L [range: 514-1157×10(9)/L], while during the time of stroke it was 450×10(9)/L [range: 320-885×10(9)/L]. The median follow-up of the patients with stroke was 60 months [range: 19-127 months]. At the time of the stroke, almost all the patients (8/11 cases, 73%) were already on anti-platelet therapy, alone or in combination with cytoreductive therapy (e.g. hydroxyurea). Brain imaging modalities in most cases demonstrated periventricular and/or subcortical and/or basal ganglia lacunes or confluent chronic white matter ischemic lesions in all cerebral arterial regions. Most patients (9/11; 82%) presented at least two serious conventional vascular risk factors, which may have influenced both the clinical course and the morphologic alterations. No correlation was found between the platelet count and the occurrence of stroke.
CONCLUSION
Our findings lead us to suppose that ET may be regarded as a risk factor for stroke (mainly of ischemic, small-vessel type), and the early diagnosis and the personalized management of the patient's global vascular risk in the treatment of ET may promote the prevention of further cerebrovascular events.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Registries; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Stroke; Thrombocythemia, Essential
PubMed: 24183283
DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2013.10.016 -
Seizure Dec 2023Seizures occurring at the immediate onset of a stroke, abbreviated "seizures at onset" (SaO), pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for physicians. In this study,...
PURPOSE
Seizures occurring at the immediate onset of a stroke, abbreviated "seizures at onset" (SaO), pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for physicians. In this study, we report on the current clinical practice in managing stroke patients with SaO from a large tertiary stroke center in Germany.
METHODS
We selected all patients with SaO and acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke admitted to the Department of Neurology at the University Hospital of Cologne between 2019 and 01-01 and 2020-12-31. SaO patients were then compared to patients with acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke without SaO from the local stroke registry. Further, we compared SaO patients who received intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and/or mechanical thrombectomy with matched controls.
RESULTS
Overall, 54 out of 2312 stroke patients (2.3 %) in the examined period presented with SaO. The most prevalent SaO semiology was focal to bilateral tonic-clonic (42.6 %). SaO was associated with hemorrhagic strokes and higher in-hospital mortality in all stroke patients. The rate of acute stroke therapy was not influenced by the occurrence of SaO. In patients that received acute stroke therapy, patients with SaO had higher scores on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at admission, and longer door-to-needle times for the administration of rt-PA, while none of the examined outcome parameters revealed a difference between patients with and without SaO after adjusting for potential confounders.
CONCLUSION
Data show that SaO is rare in stroke patients but associated with more extensive strokes.
Topics: Humans; Fibrinolytic Agents; Case-Control Studies; Hemorrhagic Stroke; Brain Ischemia; Treatment Outcome; Stroke; Seizures
PubMed: 37948903
DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.10.013 -
BMC Neurology Mar 2024Hypertriglyceridemia (HT) may increase the risk of stroke. Limited studies have shown that stroke severity and infarction size are smaller in patients with HT. We...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Hypertriglyceridemia (HT) may increase the risk of stroke. Limited studies have shown that stroke severity and infarction size are smaller in patients with HT. We explored the relationship between triglyceride levels and stroke risk factors, severity and outcome in a large prospective database.
DESIGN
Prospective Cross-sectional study.
SETTING
We retrospectively interrogated the Qatar Stroke Database in all patients admitted between 2014-2022 with acute ischemic stroke and evaluated the relationship between triglyceride, diabetes, stroke severity (measured on NIHSS), stroke type (TOAST classification) and the short- (mRS at 90 days) and long-term outcomes (MACE at 1 year) in patients with HT.
PARTICIPANTS
Six thousand five hundred fifty-eight patients ≥20 years were included in this study RESULTS: Six thousand five hundred fifty-eight patients with ischemic stroke [mean age 54.6 ± 12. 9; male 82.1%) were included. Triglyceride levels upon admission were low-normal (≤1.1 mmol/L) in 2019 patients, high-normal (1.2-1.7 mmol/L) in 2142 patients, borderline-high (1.8-2.2 mmol/L) in 1072 patients and high (≥2.3 mmol/L) in 1325 patients. Higher triglyceride levels were associated with stroke and increased likelihood of having diabetes, obesity, active smoking, and small vessel/lacunar stroke type. An inverse relationship was noted whereby higher triglyceride levels were associated with lower stroke severity and reduced likelihood of poorer outcome (mRS 3-6) at discharge and 90 days. Long-term MACE events were less frequent in patients with higher triglyceride levels. After adjusting age, gender, diabetes, prior stroke, CAD, and obesity, multivariate analysis showed that hypertension and triglyceride levels were higher in mild ischemic strokes patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Increasing triglycerides are associated with higher risk of small vessel disease and requires further prospective cohort studies for confirmation.
Topics: Humans; Male; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Ischemic Stroke; Cross-Sectional Studies; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Prognosis; Stroke; Diabetes Mellitus; Obesity; Triglycerides
PubMed: 38443844
DOI: 10.1186/s12883-024-03572-9 -
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery Apr 2024This study sought to analyze the details of strokes after acute type A dissection repair (ATAD) using a right axillary artery (RAX) first approach.
BACKGROUND
This study sought to analyze the details of strokes after acute type A dissection repair (ATAD) using a right axillary artery (RAX) first approach.
METHODS
A total of 356 consecutive ATAD repairs from 2005 to 2022 were analyzed on the basis of arterial cannulation site. Strokes were evaluated by head computed tomography.
RESULTS
The rate of RAX cannulation was 82.6% (n = 294), with a 38.2% rate of antegrade cerebral perfusion use, both of which had increased over the years. The non-RAX group had more cardiogenic shock (RAX, 16.3% vs non-RAX, 37.1%; P < .001), cerebral malperfusion (8.8% vs 25.8%, respectively; P < .001), and innominate artery dissection (45.9% vs 69.2%, respectively; P = .007). Eight patients died before undergoing a full neurologic assessment. The overall stroke rate was 8.4% (n = 30), and it was lower in the RAX group (5.1% vs 24.2%; P < .001). All strokes were ischemic, with concomitant hemorrhagic strokes occurring in 6 patients. Strokes diagnosed immediately after surgery (perioperative stroke) accounted for 70% (n = 21 of 30) of cases. Strokes predominantly affected the right anterior circulation (right anterior, 80% vs left anterior, 46.7% vs left posterior, 26.7%; P = .013), independent of arterial cannulation site. The proposed mechanism of perioperative strokes was not uniform (embolism, 33.3%; hypoperfusion, 42.8%; embolism and hypoperfusion, 14.3%; lacunar infarct, 10%), whereas most postoperative strokes were embolic (77.8%). The mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 20.6 ± 9.9, and the modified Rankin score at discharge was 4.1±2.2.
CONCLUSIONS
Most strokes in ATAD occurred perioperatively from various mechanisms predominantly affecting the right anterior circulation irrespective of the arterial cannulation site. This complication is most likely the result of unstable hemodynamics and dissection of the innominate artery (IA) or its downstream vessels.
Topics: Humans; Catheterization; Aortic Dissection; Axilla; Stroke; Axillary Artery; Embolism; Treatment Outcome; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 38081500
DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2023.11.028 -
Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing :...There are 2 classification of strokes: ischemic, if caused by an arterial occlusion from a clot or obstruction by atherosclerosis, and hemorrhagic, if caused by the...
BACKGROUND
There are 2 classification of strokes: ischemic, if caused by an arterial occlusion from a clot or obstruction by atherosclerosis, and hemorrhagic, if caused by the rupture of a vessel and subsequent bleeding. Each type of stroke is influenced by platelet counts and platelet function. The intention of this article is to discuss the role of the platelet in the pathophysiology of acute stroke processes. This serves as a prelude to discussing these processes as disrupted with thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts). Platelets initiate clot formation and obstruct blood flow through the creation of a platelet plug. They also extend the penumbra in ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Thrombocytopenia can be a causal factor in an ischemic stroke, a risk factor for hemorrhagic stroke, and a risk factor for hemorrhagic stroke conversion.
METHODS
The aims of this study were to review 1 case study that illustrates the pivotal role of the platelet in strokes and to review the aspect that was impacted by autoimmune thrombocytopenia.
DISCUSSION
Thrombocytopenia is a hematologic disorder not often included in stroke care discussions. Thrombocytopenia sets up strokes to occur and, paradoxically, may also set the patient up for bleeding complications in the brain or groin.
CONCLUSION
Acknowledging the impact of both platelet and thrombocytopenia on stroke causation, stroke interventions, and outcomes is a pivotal aspect of comprehensive stroke care. Platelet function processes are impactful in each point of the continuum of stroke care, prevention, intervention, and discharge.
Topics: Anemia; Hemorrhagic Stroke; Hemostasis; Humans; Stroke; Thrombocytopenia
PubMed: 33792271
DOI: 10.1097/DCC.0000000000000471 -
BMC Neurology Jan 2022To determine the prevalence and to characterize the different types of strokes in children with cancer at the Children's Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL), in addition to...
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and to characterize the different types of strokes in children with cancer at the Children's Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL), in addition to assess the factors and clinical findings leading to stroke in children.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and brain images (MRIs and CTs) of children admitted to the CCCL and diagnosed with cancer between years 2008 and 2017. Brain images were reviewed for the strokes' onset, size, location, possible origin, its recurrence and type: intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), acute arterial ischemic stroke, and cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) with and without venous infarct. Medical charts of the patients were reviewed for age, sex, their type of cancer, the treatment protocol they followed, and abnormal findings on their laboratory studies and neurological exams.
RESULTS
Out of the 905 charts reviewed, twenty-seven children with variable types of cancer had strokes, with a prevalence of 2.9%. Their median age at cancer diagnosis was 9.4 (4.8-13.7) years and the median age at stroke onset was 10.6 (6.7-15.5) years. The median time between the cancer diagnosis and the stroke episode was 6 months. CSVT cases were the most common (60%) followed by acute arterial ischemic (22%) and hemorrhagic strokes (18%), with CSVT being the latest to occur. We observed that the different types of strokes were related to some types of cancer. Of the children that had acute arterial ischemic stroke in this cohort, 83% had brain tumors, of the children who had CSVT, 87.5% had leukemia, and of the children who had hemorrhagic stroke, 40% had leukemia. Neurological abnormalities were more prevalent in acute arterial ischemic stroke (80%). Patients with CSVT recovered better than those with other types of strokes. Strokes recurred in 60% of ischemic strokes. L-Asparaginase was significantly associated with CSVT.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of strokes was 2.9% in children with cancer. We were able to identify factors related to the types of the stroke that occurred in children including the type and location of the cancer the type of treatment received, and stroke recurrence.
Topics: Brain Ischemia; Child; Humans; Intracranial Hemorrhages; Neoplasms; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Stroke
PubMed: 35042459
DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-02556-x -
BMC Public Health Dec 2023There is inconsistent evidence on the association of moderate alcohol consumption and stroke risk in the general population and is not well studied among U.S. Veterans....
BACKGROUND
There is inconsistent evidence on the association of moderate alcohol consumption and stroke risk in the general population and is not well studied among U.S. Veterans. Furthermore, it is unclear whether primarily drinking beer, wine, or liquor is associated with a difference in stroke risk.
METHODS
The study included 185,323 Million Veteran Program participants who self-reported alcohol consumption on the Lifestyle Survey. Moderate consumption was defined as 1-2 drinks/day and beverage preference of beer, wine or liquor was defined if ≥ 50% of total drinks consumed were from a single type of beverage. Strokes were defined using ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes from the participants' electronic health record.
RESULTS
The mean (sd) age of the sample was 64 (13) years and 11% were women. We observed 4,339 (94% ischemic; 6% hemorrhagic) strokes over a median follow-up of 5.2 years. In Cox models adjusted for age, sex, race, education, income, body mass index, smoking, exercise, diet, cholesterol, prevalent diabetes, prevalent hypertension, lipid-lowering medication, antihypertensive medication, and diabetes medication, moderate alcohol consumption (1-2 drinks/day) was associated with a 22% lower risk of total stroke compared with never drinking [Hazards ratio (HR) 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.78 (0.67, 0.92)]. When stratifying by stroke type, we observed a similar protective association with moderate consumption and ischemic stroke [HR (95% CI): 0.76 (0.65, 0.90)], but a non-statistically significant higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke [HR (95% CI): 1.29 (0.64, 2.61)]. We did not observe a difference in ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke risk among those who preferred beer, liquor or wine vs. no beverage preference. When stratifying by prior number of hospital visits (≤ 15, 16-33, 34-64, ≥ 65) as a proxy for health status, we observed attenuation of the protective association with greater number of visits [HR (95% CI): 0.87 (0.63, 1.19) for ≥ 65 visits vs. 0.80 (0.59, 1.08) for ≤ 15 visits].
CONCLUSIONS
We observed a lower risk of ischemic stroke, but not hemorrhagic stroke with moderate alcohol consumption and did not observe substantial differences in risk by beverage preference among a sample of U.S. Veterans. Healthy user bias of moderate alcohol consumption may be driving some of the observed protective association.
Topics: Humans; Female; Middle Aged; Male; Alcohol Drinking; Veterans; Risk Factors; Hemorrhagic Stroke; Alcoholic Beverages; Stroke; Surveys and Questionnaires; Diabetes Mellitus; Ischemic Stroke
PubMed: 38087273
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17377-x -
Headache Mar 2019Although headaches attributed to ischemic strokes and transient ischemic attack occur frequently, they are often overlooked and underdiagnosed as manifestations of... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Although headaches attributed to ischemic strokes and transient ischemic attack occur frequently, they are often overlooked and underdiagnosed as manifestations of cerebrovascular disease.
METHOD
This is a narrative review.
RESULTS
The prevalence of headache attributed to ischemic stroke varies between 7.4% and 34% of cases and of headache attributed to transient ischemic attack, from 26% to 36%. Headache attributed to ischemic stroke is more frequent in younger patients, in migraineurs, in those who have suffered a larger stroke, a posterior circulation infarction, or a cortical infarction, and is less frequent in lacunar infarctions. The most common pattern of headache attributed to ischemic stroke is a mild to moderate bilateral pain, not associated with nausea, vomiting, photophobia, or phonophobia. This headache usually has a concomitant onset with focal neurologic deficit and improves over time. The few studies that have assessed the value of headache for a prognosis of ischemic strokes have demonstrated conflicting results. There are no clinical trials on pain management or prophylactic treatment of persistent headache attributed to ischemic stroke.
CONCLUSION
Headache attributed to ischemic stroke is frequent and usually has a tension-type headache pattern. Its frequency varies according to the stroke's etiology. Further studies are required on pain management, prophylactic treatment, and characteristics of this headache.
Topics: Brain Ischemia; Headache; Humans; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Observational Studies as Topic; Stroke
PubMed: 30667047
DOI: 10.1111/head.13478