Atilla Özcan Özdemir

Higher Insulin Resistance Level is Associated with Worse Clinical Response in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Treated with Intravenous Thrombolysis.

Insulin resistance is linked to atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases and stroke. We investigated whether there is a relationship between insulin resistance and clinical findings and outcomes of acute ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis. In our study, 180 acute ischemic stroke non-diabetic patients treated with intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (iv rt-PA) were evaluated for insulin resistance assessed by homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The threshold for HOMA-IR was determined as 2.7. Patients were grouped as HOMA-IR > 2.7 and HOMA-IR ≤ 2.7. Clinical features at baseline, 24th hour, and 3rd month were examined. Computed tomography (CT) findings for hemorrhagic transformation were also assessed. Patients with HOMA-IR > 2.7 had significantly higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores at 24th hour (p = 0.005) and higher modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at 3rd month (p = 0.011). Logistic regression analysis displayed that the presence of HOMA-IR > 2.7 increases the likelihood of poor outcome 2.93 times (confidence interval [CI] 1.001–1.079) (p = 0.003). There was no statistically significant difference between baseline clinical features, hemorrhagic transformation (p = 1.000), and mortality (p = 0.350) rates. Insulin resistance at higher levels seems to be associated with poor clinical courses and outcomes in patients who received iv rt-PA.

Cardiovascular involvement in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

Aim Pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome, diagnosed by ocular examination, is a common disorder of the extracellular matrix. Previous studies have demonstrated accumulation of PEX material in the walls of blood vessels and myocardium. We aimed to investigate whether PEX is associated with cardiovascular involvement using carotid ultrasound measurements and myocardial tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). Methods Thirty-six PEX patients and 34 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls who had no PEX material were included. Fasting blood samples were taken and the following data were obtained from all cases: myocardial TDI measurements, the mean carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), total carotid plaque area and number. Results There were no significant differences between the groups regarding clinical and biochemical data. The peak systolic TDI velocities at the septal (septal S) and lateral annuli (lateral S), and the isovolumic contraction velocity at the lateral annulus [lateral isovolumic contraction velocity (IVC)] were significantly lower in patients with PEX, than in controls (P = 0.001, <0.001 and 0.016, respectively) whereas IMT, total carotid plaque area and number were significantly higher (P = 0.002, 0.035 and 0.033, respectively). In a logistic regression analysis including age, septal S, lateral S, lateral IVC, IMT, total carotid plaque area and number, septal S, lateral S and IMT were significantly associated with PEX, (P = 0.035, 0.011 and 0.035, respectively). Conclusion Peak systolic TDI velocities were significantly lower and IMT was significantly increased in patients with PEX. However, PEX was weakly associated with carotid plaque measurements.

The effect of metabolic syndrome and obesity on outcomes of acute ischemic stroke patients treated with systemic thrombolysis

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke; while central obesity has controversial effects on ischemic stroke. We investigated effects of MetS and obesity on clinical courses and outcomes of patients treated with intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (iv rt-PA). 319 patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis were included to our study. Metabolic syndrome was determined if ≥3 of following criteria are present: elevated waist circumference; elevated triglycerides; reduced high density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C); elevated blood pressure; elevated fasting glucose. Obesity was defined as BMI≥30. Clinical features at baseline, 24th hour and 3rd month were examined. Computed tomography (CT) findings for ASPECT scores and hemorrhagic transformation were analyzed. 182 patients were MetS+; they were older (p=0.035), had similar ASPECT scores (p=0.477) and NIHSS scores (p=0.167) at admission; had significantly higher NIHSS scores at 24th hour (p<0.001) and worse outcome at 3rd month (p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that either MetS, obesity or age were not independent predictors of poor outcome. Obese patients (n:72) had slight but significantly lower NIHSS scores at admission (p=0.049) compared to non-obese patients; meanwhile there was no significant difference between NIHSS scores at 24th hour (p=0.736) and 3rd month mRS scores (p=0.145). Hemorrhagic transformation and mortality rates were not affected with MetS or obesity. MetS is not an independent factor on clinical outcome but its presence may have a relationship with poor outcome; but obesity was not found to have any significant role on clinical course and outcome of patients treated with iv rt-PA.

Efficiency of Intravenous Thrombolytic Therapy in Isolated Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusions: A Computed Tomography Angiography Study

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of two groups of patients with acute ischemic stroke who were treated with intravenous recombinant tissueplasminogen activator (IV rt-PA); those with isolated middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion and those without any large vessel occlusion. Materials and Methods: Data of patients treated with IV rt-PA within 4.5 hours of symptom onset between March 2015 and January 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups; those with isolated MCA occlusion and those with no large vessel occlusion. Large vessel occlusion was detected with contrast-enhanced computed tomography angiography performed before IV rt-PA. Additionally, demographic and clinical data of the patients were analyzed. The clinical outcomes of the patients were determined using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months after treatment. Results: A total of 69 patients were included in the study. Isolated MCA occlusion was observed in 28 (40.6%) patients. The rate of very good outcome (mRS 0-1) was 46.4%, whereas the rate of poor outcome (mRS 3-6) was 42.9% in the group with isolated MCA occlusion. Moreover, in the other group, the rate of very good outcome and poor outcome were 65.9% and 26.8%, respectively. Conclusion: In acute ischemic stroke with isolated MCA occlusion, due to the favorable outcomes of the patients, IV rt-PA continues to be the best treatment option in cases where endovascular treatment options cannot be performed and it should be applied by physicians in appropriate cases without delay.

Early hyperbaric oxygen therapy for cerebral air embolism during atrial fibrillation ablation

Cerebral air embolism is a potentially life‐threatening complication of left‐sided ablation procedures. We present a 51‐year‐old woman with cerebral air embolism during atrial fibrillation cryoballoon ablation. Taking a deep breath while removing the dilatator was the most likely mechanism in our case. The patient was successfully treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy at early stage and was discharged without any neurological sequelae.

Renal Dysfunction Is an Independent Risk Factor for Poor Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Treated with Intravenous Thrombolysis: A New Cutoff Value

Objective. This study was set to assess the effect of renal dysfunction on outcome of stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). Methods. This multicenter research involved 403 patients from January 2009 to March 2015. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) control group with GFR ≥ 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 and (2) low GFR group with GFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2. Outcome measurements were poor outcome (mRS 3–6) and mortality at 3 months and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) within the first 24–36 hours. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed, and odds ratios (ORs) were determined at 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results. Univariate analyses determined that every decrease of GFR by 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 significantly increased the risk of poor outcome (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.09–1.30, p < 0.001) and mortality (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.06–1.32, p = 0.002). In multivariate regression, adjusted for all variables with p value < 0.1, low GFR (GFR < 45 versus GFR equal to or more than 45) was associated with poor outcome (OR adjusted 2.15, 95% CI 1.01–4.56, p = 0.045). Conclusion. In IVT for acute stroke, renal dysfunction with GFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 before treatment determined increased odds for poor outcome compared to GFR of more than 45 mL/min/1.73 m2.