Takashi Shimoyama

Stroke patients with cerebral microbleeds on MRI scans have arteriolosclerosis as well as systemic atherosclerosis.

Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are recognized as a manifestation of arteriolosclerosis in cerebral small vessels. However, little is known regarding whether stroke patients with CMBs often have systemic atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to elucidate this issue using the cardio–ankle vascular index (CAVI), a new index of systemic atherosclerosis, in acute ischemic stroke patients. We prospectively studied 105 patients (71 males, median age=70.0 years) with acute ischemic stroke. All of the patients were examined using T2*-weighted gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look for and assess the CMBs and using fluid-attenuated inversion recovery to evaluate white matter hyperintensity (WMH). We assigned the patients into CMB and non-CMB groups and compared the clinical characteristics of these groups. The factors associated with CMBs were investigated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. T2*-weighted gradient echo MRI revealed CMBs in 47 patients (44.8%) and no CMBs in 58 patients (55.2%). The CAVI was significantly higher in the CMBs group (10.5 vs. 8.6, P<0.001). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, CAVI per one point increase (odds ratio (OR), 1.50; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.12–2.00; P=0.006), advanced WMH (OR, 4.78; 95% CI, 1.55–14.74; P=0.006) and impaired kidney function (OR, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.16–9.81; P=0.031) were independent factors associated with the presence of CMBs. A high CAVI was independently associated with CMBs in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Our results indicated that ischemic stroke patients with CMBs may have cerebral arteriolosclerosis as well as systemic atherosclerosis.

Low free triiodothyronine predicts poor functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the association of admission serum thyroid hormone concentration with clinical characteristics and functional outcomes in patients after acute ischemic stroke. METHODS We retrospectively enrolled 398 consecutive patients admitted to our stroke center between July 2010 and April 2012. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4) were evaluated upon admission. Neurological severity was evaluated using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) upon admission and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) upon discharge. Poor outcome was defined as a mRS score of 3-5 or death (mRS score 6). Separate analyses were conducted according to outcome and quartile serum FT3 concentration. RESULTS In total, 164 patients (41.2%) demonstrated a poor outcome. Age, male gender, blood glucose level, arterial fibrillation, dyslipidemia, smoking, NIHSS score, cardioembolic stroke type, and periventricular hyperintensities, but not FT4 or TSH, were significantly associated with poor functional outcome. Furthermore, poor functional outcome was independently associated with low FT3 (<2.29pg/mL). In comparisons between FT3 quartiles (Q1 [≤2.11pg/mL], Q2 [2.12-2.45pg/mL], Q3 [2.46-2.77pg/mL], Q4 [≥2.78pg/mL]), patients with poor outcomes were more frequent in Q1 than in Q4 after multivariate adjustment. Death was more frequent in Q1 than in Q4 after adjustment for risk factors and comorbidities, but this difference was non-significant after additional adjustment for age and NIHSS score. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that a lower FT3 value upon admission may predict a poor functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Further large-scale prospective studies are required to clarify the role of thyroid hormone in the acute phase of ischemic stroke.

Immune-mediated myositis in Crohn's disease

We report a patient with uncontrolled Crohns disease who presented with progressive weakness of proximal muscles and a marked elevation of serum creatine kinase. Muscle biopsy from the left deltoid exhibited myositic changes with inflammatory infiltrates in the perimysium, endomysium, and perivascular locations. Most were stained as CD68‐positive macrophages, whereas some were CD4‐ and CD8‐positive T lymphocytes. Due to uncontrolled bowel inflammation, several fistulae were found in the descending colon, and partial colectomy was performed. An examination of the resected colon exhibited inflammation of the bowel structure surrounded mainly by CD68‐positive macrophages. The histopathological findings of the descending colon were analogous to those of the muscle. After an increased dose of mesalazine and partial colectomy, her muscle symptoms improved. These findings suggest that the myositis in Crohns disease is immune‐mediated and that treatment of bowel inflammation should be emphasized as opposed to steroid or other immunosuppressive therapy.

Maintenance Hemodialysis Independently Increases the Risk of Early Death after Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background: It is unknown whether the clinical features and outcomes of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients who undergo maintenance hemodialysis (HD) at the time of ICH are similar to those of general ICH patients. Methods: We retrospectively examined the medical records of ICH patients admitted to the Stroke Center of Kawasaki Medical School Hospital within 7 days of ICH onset between April 2004 and June 2011. Patients were classed as HD or non-HD, and clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups. ICH volume was measured on admission CT and follow-up CT scan (<24 h after admission). Hematoma enlargement was defined as a hematoma that increased by more than 33% of its initial volume. Early death was defined as all-cause death within 14 days of ICH onset. The factors associated with early death were determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Five hundred and seven patients (320 males; 69.0 years old, interquartile range 59.0-79.0) were enrolled in the study. Thirty-six (7.2%) were receiving maintenance HD at the time of ICH and formed the HD group, and the remaining 471 patients formed the non-HD group. Use of antithrombotic agents prior to ICH was more common in the HD group than in the non-HD group (41.7 vs. 21.9%; p = 0.012). Brainstem (30.6 vs. 11.3%; p = 0.003) and lobar (19.4 vs. 6.6%; p = 0.013) hematoma locations were more common in the HD group than in the non-HD group. Enlargement of ICH volume was more common in the HD group than in the non-HD group (25.8 vs. 10.2%; p = 0.015). Early death was more common in the HD group than in the non-HD group (33.3 vs. 9.3%; p < 0.001). On the multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex and renal dysfunction, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score >20 [odds ratio (OR) 27.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 9.69-77.44; p < 0.001], ICH volume >30 ml (OR 9.53, 95% CI 3.82-23.77; p < 0.001), HD (OR 6.42, 95% CI 1.39-29.76; p = 0.017), the use of antithrombotic agents (OR 3.04, 95% CI 1.22-7.56; p = 0.017) and glucose >150 mg/dl (OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.01-6.26; p = 0.047) were independent factors associated with early death. Conclusion: Maintenance HD is independently associated with early death in ICH patients.

Post Stroke Dysglycemia and Acute Infarct Volume Growth: A Study Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring.

Background: The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of glucose profiles after stroke, which was assessed by a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device. Methods: Acute ischemic stroke patients within 24 h of onset were prospectively studied. CGM was performed for 72 h after admission. CGM parameters were evaluated as follows: (1) mean glucose level, (2) area under the curve (AUC) for glucose level >140 mg/dl and (3) SD of the glucose level. Infarct volume was measured at admission and 24 and 72 h after admission using diffusion-weighted imaging. CGM data and infarct volume growth were compared at 24 and 72 h. Results: Seventy-eight patients were enrolled in the present study. Spearmans rank correlation coefficients showed that both the mean glucose level (r = 0.433, p < 0.001 for 24 h; r = 0.308, p = 0.006 for 72 h) and AUC >140 mg/dl (r = 0.417, p < 0.001 for 24 h; r = 0.277, p = 0.014 for 72 h) were significantly correlated with acute infarct volume growth. The SD of the glucose level was associated with infarct volume growth at 24 h (r = 0.303, p = 0.007), but not 72 h (r = 0.195, p = 0.088). Conclusion: Post-stroke hyperglycemia was associated with infarct volume growth during the acute phase of ischemic stroke.

Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio is associated with white matter lesions severity in first-ever stroke patients

BACKGROUND The presence of white matter lesions (WML) is an indicator of small vessel disease; however, the underlying pathological mechanisms are still unclear. We aimed to investigate the association of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) with WML severity in first-ever stroke patients. METHODS We retrospectively enrolled 284 consecutive patients (177 male; median age 72years) admitted to our stroke center between May 2010 and January 2012. eGFR and UACR measurements were performed on admission. WML severity was assessed using the Fazekas classification. Severe WML was defined as a Fazekas grade of 2 or higher. The impact of eGFR and UACR on severe WML was evaluated using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Age (P<0.0001), sex (P=0.0094), eGFR (P=0.0173), UACR (P=0.0001), hypertension (P=0.0436), and brain natriuretic peptide (P=0.0354) were significantly associated with severe WML. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, high UACR (≥39.6mg/g creatinine, P=0.039), but not low eGFR (≤74ml/min/1.73m2, P=0.3672), was independently associated with severe WML. Comparisons between the UACR levels showed that severe WML was more frequent in the UACR ≥300mg/g creatinine group than in the UACR <30.0mg/g creatinine group after multivariate adjustment (OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.04-5.00; P=0.039). However, there was no significant association between eGFR and severe WML. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that high UACR, but not eGFR, is independently associated with severe WML.

Low Free Triiodothyronine Predicts 3-Month Poor Outcome After Acute Stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The association between thyroid hormone levels and long-term clinical outcome in patients with acute stroke has not yet been thoroughly studied. The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that thyroid hormone levels are associated with 3-month functional outcome and mortality after acute stroke. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 702 consecutive patients with acute stroke (251 women; median age, 73 years) who were admitted to our department. General blood tests, including thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4), were performed on admission. Neurological severity was evaluated using National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores on admission and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at 3 months after stroke onset. Poor outcome was defined as an mRS score of 3-5 or death. The impact of thyroid function on 3-month outcome was evaluated using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Poor functional outcome was observed in 295 patients (42.0%). Age (P < .0001), female sex (P < .0001), admission NIHSS score (P < .0001), smoking (P = .0026), arterial fibrillation (P = .0002), preadmission mRS (P < .0001), estimated glomerular filtration rate (P = .0307), and ischemic heart disease (P = .0285) were significantly associated with poor functional outcome, but no relationship between FT4, TSH, and poor functional outcome was found. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low FT3 values (<2.00 pg/mL) were independently associated with poor functional outcome (odds ratio [OR], 3.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.60-6.24) and mortality (OR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.33-4.91) at 3 months after stroke onset. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that a low FT3 value upon admission is associated with a poor 3-month functional outcome and mortality in patients with acute stroke.

Low Free Triiodothyronine at Admission Predicts Poststroke Infection

BACKGROUND Poststroke infection (PSI) is common and is usually associated with a severe prognosis. We investigated the association between PSI and thyroid hormones, which are critical to immune regulation, in patients with acute stroke. METHODS We retrospectively enrolled 520 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke (326 men; age, 71.9 ± 13.2 years) admitted to our department between September 2014 and June 2016. The impact of serum thyroid hormone levels measured at admission (thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH], free triiodothyronine [FT3], and free thyroxine [FT4]) on the PSI was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS We diagnosed 107 patients (20.6%; pneumonia, 65; urinary tract infection, 19; others, 23) with PSIs. While age (P <.001), body mass index (P = .0012), preadmission modified Rankin scale score (P = .0001), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admission (P <.001), admission FT3 level (P <.001), atrial fibrillation (P <.001), and ischemic heart disease (P = .0451) were significantly associated with PSI, we found no relationship among TSH levels, FT4 levels, and PSI occurrence. After multivariate adjustment, patients with PSIs were more frequently in the Q1 quartile (≤2.25 pg/mL) than in the Q2 (2.26-2.55 pg/mL; P = .0251), Q3 (2.56-2.89 pg/mL; P = .0007), or Q4 (≥2.90 pg/mL; P = .0010) quartiles of FT3 levels. Moreover, low FT3 levels (<2.29 pg/mL) were independently associated with PSI occurrence (P = .0013). CONCLUSIONS Low FT3 levels at admission are independently associated with PSI occurrence.

A case of cerebral embolism with a large thrombus in the left atrium, and a recurrence of thrombus in the left atrium after the maze procedure

A 67-year-old woman developed weakness of the entire left side of the body and disturbance of consciousness, and was admitted to our hospital. She had atrial fibrillation (AF) on arrival at the hospital. Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed high intensity area in the right basal ganglia, and magnetic resonance angiography showed occlusion of the right internal carotid artery (ICA). Thrombolytic therapy with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) was administered 225 minutes after onset, and endovascular procedure also performed. After endovascular therapy, the patient had successful recanalization of the right ICA. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) showed a mass in the left atrium. Cardiac surgery for the excision of a left atrial mass and the maze procedure for atrial fibrillation were performed on the 29th hospital day. The mass was pathologically confirmed as thrombus. Follow up TEE after cardiac surgery revealed recurrence of thrombus at the both origin of pulmonary vein in the left atrium. Finally, the thrombus was disappeared at 6-month after onset with taking warfarin. She had no stroke events during the clinical course.

The relationship between stroke severity and prior direct oral anticoagulant therapy in patients with acute ischaemic stroke and non-valvular atrial fibrillation

Anticoagulant treatment with a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) has been reported to reduce stroke severity when patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) suffer acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). Direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) therapy also has the potential to reduce the initial severity of AIS. However, the effect of DOAC therapy on the severity of AIS is not well known. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of DOACs on initial stroke severity in patients with AIS and non‐valvular AF.