Search

Objective: Non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke (IS) and a powerful predictor of mortality. This study investigates early and long-term outcome among patients with IS secondary to NVAF and identify the main factors associated with poor outcome, recurrence, and death., Methods: We analyzed the data from our consecutive NVAF acute IS database, over a period of 23 years. The endpoints were bad outcome (Modified Rankin Score ≥3), recurrence, and mortality at discharge, after 6 months, 12 months, and final follow-up. Multivariate Cox and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to estimate the probability of death., Results: 129 consecutive acute IS patients were included (77 [59.7%] females, mean age 70.2 ± 10.1 years). Discharge, 6 and 12 months bad outcome was 62%, 63%, and 61%, respectively. After a median follow-up of 17 months (IQR 6-54.5), 35.6% patients had bad outcome, 21.7% had recurrence and 36.4% died. The recurrence and death annual rates were 19.1% and 6.32%. The absence of oral anticoagulation (OAC) and NIHSS score > 12 were the strongest predictors of mortality., Conclusions: IS secondary to NVAF has a high rate of stroke recurrence and mortality in our population, with the absence of OAC and major stroke as the main risk factors.

Introduction: The incidence of recurrent carotid stenosis after carotid endarterectomy varies from 1% to 37% with only 0-8% symptomatic restenosis. Safety of short-term (30 days) dual-antiplatelet therapy has not been established in this type of procedure., Aims: To investigate the safety of dual antiplatelet therapy after carotid endarterectomy to prevent restenosis., Methods: We retrospectively identified all the patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy (symptomatic or asymptomatic) treated at our center between July 2010 and July 2013 according to local protocols. All patients received a dose of 100 mg of aspirin daily immediately after carotid endarterectomy, with subsequent 100 mg of aspirin daily for the rest of the study period, and some patients received 75 mg of Clopidogrel for 30 days starting immediately after surgical procedure (dual therapy group), assigned according to medical criteria. Duplex carotid ultrasound and clinical assessments were performed at 30 days and 1 year after the procedure., Results: A total of 44 patients (71.2 ± 7.9 years old; 77.2% symptomatic) were analyzed; 35 of them with dual therapy (79.54%). At 30 days, two patients from the mono-therapy group developed restenosis (22.2%), compared to none in dual therapy group ( p =0.04). At one year follow-up, only one patient from the dual group showed restenosis ( p =0.10). No deaths, major bleeding or new strokes were reported in both groups., Conclusions: Short-term dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel after carotid endarterectomy might be associated with a lower incidence of restenosis. This observation must be validated in a prospective trial.

Background: Endovascular embolization of ruptured intracranial aneurysms provides an adequate treatment and long-term results with less morbidity and mortality (M&M) compared with surgical treatment. Since the last decade more and more ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms (IA) undergo endovascular embolization in the United States. We present our experience of the initial one year periprocedural M&M at Paul L. Foster School of Medicine (PLFSM), Texas Tech Health Science Center (TTUHSC) in El Paso, Texas., Methods: Demographics, technical aspects of the endovascular procedure and clinical assessment, including several commonly used scales to assess the severity in case of subarachnoid hemorrhage were collected. Perioperative complications were classified as minor and major. All data is prospectively collected in a local database. Only endovascular treated aneurysms were included in the study., Results: During the first year of opening of the interventional neurology program at our school of medicine (March 2011 and March 2012), a total 45 ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms were treated with endovascular embolization. Two thirds of the patients (n = 27) presented with a ruptured IA. Within those with a ruptured aneurysm, the most median Hunt and Hess grade was 3. By large the vast majority of treated IA were in the anterior circulation and more than half measured 7-12 mm. Only three unruptured IA were <7 mm (average 5.5 mm). Complications occurred in seven patients (15%), four of them were minor without any clinical sequelae. The remaining three included; intracranial dissection and aneurysmal rupture resulting in both hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke and death in only one patient., Conclusion: The first year experience of interventional neurology services at Paul L. Foster School of Medicine in El Paso, Texas demonstrates successful treatments with comparable national rates of morbidity and mortality., Abbreviations: ACAAnterior cerebral arteryAcommAnterior communicating arteryESNEndovascular surgical neuroradiologyH&HHunt and Hess scaleIAIntracranial aneurysmICAInternal carotid arteryMCAMiddle cerebral arteryM&MMorbidity and mortalitySAHSubarachnoid hemorrhagePcommPosterior communicating arteryPLFSMPaul L. Foster School of MedicineTTUHSCTexas Tech University Health Science CenterVAVertebral artery.

Background: Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome was first described by Call, Fleming, and colleagues. Clinically this entity presents acutely, with severe waxing and waning headaches ("thunderclap"), and occasional fluctuating neurological signs., Case Presentation: We present four subsequent cases of patients with severe thunderclap headache and brain tomography with evidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage. The brain angiogram showed no aneurysm but intracranial vasculopathy consistent with multiple areas of stenosis and dilatation (angiographic beading) in different territories., Conclusion: Neurologists should be aware of Call Fleming syndrome presenting with severe headache and associated convexity subarachnoid hemorrhage. After other diagnoses are excluded, patients can be reassured about favorable prognosis with symptomatic management., Abbreviations: RCVSReversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromeCTComputed tomographySAHSubarachnoid hemorrhageMRMagnetic resonanceCTAComputed tomography angiographyMRAMagnetic resonance angiography.