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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The experience gained during the first COVID-19 wave could have mitigated the negative impact on stroke care in the following waves. Our aims were to analyze the characteristics and outcomes of patients with stroke admitted during the second COVID-19 wave and to evaluate the differences in the stroke care provision compared with the first wave. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter cohort study included consecutive stroke patients admitted to any of the seven hospitals with stroke units (SUs) and endovascular treatment facilities in the Madrid Health Region. The characteristics of the stroke patients with or without a COVID-19 diagnosis were compared and the organizational changes in stroke care between the first wave (25 February to 25 April 2020) and second wave (21 July to 21 November 2020) were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 550 and 1191 stroke patients were admitted during the first and second COVID-19 waves, respectively, with an average daily admission rate of nine patients in both waves. During the second wave, there was a decrease in stroke severity (median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale 5 vs. 6; p = 0.000), in-hospital strokes (3% vs. 8.1%) and in-hospital mortality (9.9% vs. 15.9%). Furthermore, fewer patients experienced concurrent COVID-19 (6.8% vs. 19.1%), and they presented milder COVID-19 and less severe strokes. Fewer hospitals reported a reduction in the number of SU beds or deployment of SU personnel to COVID-19 dedicated wards during the second wave. CONCLUSIONS: During the second COVID-19 wave, fewer stroke patients were diagnosed with COVID-19, and they had less stroke severity and milder COVID-19.

Variability in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity between individuals is partly due to genetic factors. Here, we identify 4 genomic loci with suggestive associations for SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and 19 for COVID-19 disease severity. Four of these 23 loci likely have an ethnicity-specific component. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) signals in 11 loci colocalize with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) associated with the expression of 20 genes in 62 tissues/cell types (range: 1:43 tissues/gene), including lung, brain, heart, muscle, and skin as well as the digestive system and immune system. We perform genetic fine mapping to compute 99% credible SNP sets, which identify 10 GWAS loci that have eight or fewer SNPs in the credible set, including three loci with one single likely causal SNP. Our study suggests that the diverse symptoms and disease severity of COVID-19 observed between individuals is associated with variants across the genome, affecting gene expression levels in a wide variety of tissue types., Graphical abstract, D’Antonio et al. characterize associations between GWAS signals for COVID-19 disease and eQTLs in 69 human tissues to identify causal variants and their underlying molecular mechanisms. They show that diverse symptoms and disease severity of COVID-19 are associated with variants affecting gene expression in a wide variety of tissues.

Background and Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has added challenges to providing quality acute stroke care due to the reallocation of stroke resources to COVID-19. Case series suggest that patients with COVID-19 have more severe strokes; however, no large series have compared stroke outcomes with contemporary non–COVID-19 patients. Purpose was to analyze the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in stroke care and to evaluate stroke outcomes according to the diagnosis of COVID-19. Methods: Retrospective multicenter cohort study including consecutive acute stroke patients admitted to 7 stroke centers from February 25 to April 25, 2020 (first 2 months of the COVID-19 outbreak in Madrid). The quality of stroke care was measured by the number of admissions, recanalization treatments, and time metrics. The primary outcome was death or dependence at discharge. Results: A total of 550 acute stroke patients were admitted. A significant reduction in the number of admissions and secondary interhospital transfers was found. COVID-19 was confirmed in 105 (19.1%) patients, and a further 19 patients were managed as suspected COVID-19 (3.5%). No differences were found in the rates of reperfusion therapies in ischemic strokes (45.5% non–COVID-19, 35.7% confirmed COVID-19, and 40% suspected COVID-19; P =0.265). However, the COVID-19 group had longer median door-to-puncture time (110 versus 80 minutes), which was associated with the performance of chest computed tomography. Multivariate analysis confirmed poorer outcomes for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 (adjusted odds ratios, 2.05 [95% CI, 1.12–3.76] and 3.56 [95% CI, 1.15–11.05], respectively). Conclusions: This study confirms that patients with COVID-19 have more severe strokes and poorer outcomes despite similar acute management. A well-established stroke care network helps to diminish the impact of such an outbreak in stroke care, reducing secondary transfers and allowing maintenance of reperfusion therapies, with a minor impact on door-to-puncture times, which were longer in patients who underwent chest computed tomography.

Background: The use of the cardiovascular polypill, a fixed-dose combination treatment, is conceived to improve adherence. However, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) may overestimate it. Studies focusing on cerebrovascular disease and real-life efficacy compared with conventional treatment are lacking. Methods: This is a retrospective, hospital-based cohort study of acute ischaemic stroke patients who were prescribed a polypill (aspirin 100 mg, atorvastatin 20/40 mg, ramipril 2.5/5/10 mg) versus conventional treatment (aspirin 100 mg and other blood pressure/lipid-lowering agents) in secondary prevention (2017–2018). Clinical records were reviewed 90 days after discharge for stroke recurrence, vascular risk factor control, and safety. Adherence was assessed using the adapted Morisky-Green scale. Results: A total of 104 patients were included (61% male; mean age 69.7 ± 13.9 years); 54 were treated with the polypill and 50 with conventional treatment. No baseline differences in clinical or demographic variables were detected. No recurrences were registered in the polypill group, compared to 1 recurrence in the conventional treatment group. A significant reduction of systolic blood pressure (SBP) was achieved in the polypill group (12.1 mm Hg) compared to the conventional treatment group (6.8 mm Hg) (p = 0.002). No significant differences were detected regarding the goal of LDL cholesterol ≤70 mg/dL (41 vs. 44%). The adverse events were mild and their frequency was similar in the two groups (9 vs. 2%, ns). Adherence was similarly good in the two groups (93 vs. 88%, ns). Polypill group adherence was similar to that reported in a previous meta-analysis of RCTs (93 vs. 84%, ns). Conclusion: In our experience, the cardiovascular polypill achieved a higher reduction in SBP levels and was well tolerated. Adherence was similar to that found in the previous literature, which is remarkable given the real-life setting of our study.

Objective To identify factors associated with poor anticoagulation control with vitamin K antagonists (VKA) among outpatients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) attended in Neurology and Internal Medicine in Spain. Methods Cross-sectional and multicenter study, from the ALADIN database, of outpatients with NVAF treated with VKA and attended in Internal Medicine and Neurology in Spain. Rates of anticoagulation control were determined with the direct and Rosendaal methods, considering data from the 6 months before the inclusion. Results Out of 1337 patients included in the ALADIN study, 750 were taking VKA, and complete information about INR values in the last 6 months was available in 383 patients. Mean scores of Charlson Index, CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED were 1.94 ± 1.54; 3.10 ± 1.26; 4.63 ± 1.54, and 2.20 ± 0.90, respectively. 46.2% and 47.0% of patients had an adequate anticoagulation control according to the direct and Rosendaal methods, respectively. Inadequate anticoagulation control according to the direct method was associated with diabetes (OR: 2.511; 95% CI: 1.144–5.659), prior labile INR (OR: 35.371; 95% CI: 15.058–83.083) and the determination of >6 INR controls in the last 6 months (OR: 4.747; 95% CI: 2.094–10.759), and according to the Rosendaal method, with prior labile INR (p Conclusions Despite the high thromboembolic risk, only a little more than a half of patients were well controlled. Factors associated with poor anticoagulation control were diabetes, labile INR, >6 INR controls and HAS-BLED.

Resumen Objetivo Identificar los factores asociados con el mal control de la anticoagulacion con antagonistas de la vitamina K (AVK) en pacientes con fibrilacion auricular no valvular (FANV) atendidos en consultas de Neurologia y Medicina Interna de Espana. Metodos Estudio transversal, multicentrico, anidado en el estudio ALADIN, de sujetos con FANV, tratados con AVK, atendidos en consultas de Medicina Interna o Neurologia de Espana. El grado de control de la anticoagulacion se estudio mediante el metodo directo y el de Rosendaal, considerando los 6 meses previos a la inclusion. Resultados De los 1.337 pacientes incluidos en ALADIN, 750 estaban tratados con AVK, con informacion completa sobre el INR de los ultimos 6 meses en 383 pacientes. Las puntuaciones medias del indice de Charlson, CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc y HAS-BLED fueron 1,94 ± 1,54; 3,10 ± 1,26; 4,63 ± 1,54 y 2,20 ± 0,90, respectivamente. El 46,2% y el 47,0% de los pacientes presentaban un control adecuado de la anticoagulacion por los metodos directo y Rosendaal, respectivamente. El control inadecuado de la anticoagulacion se asocio por el metodo directo con diabetes (OR: 2,511; IC 95%: 1,144-5,659), antecedentes de INR inestable (OR: 35,371; IC 95%: 15,058-83,083) y la realizacion de > 6 controles en los ultimos 6 meses (OR: 4,747; IC 95%: 2,094-10,759), y por el metodo de Rosendaal, con los antecedentes de INR inestable (p Conclusiones Pese al alto riesgo tromboembolico, solo estaban bien controlados algo mas de la mitad. Los factores asociados al mal control de la anticoagulacion fueron la diabetes, INR inestable, > 6 controles de INR y el HAS-BLED.

Substantia nigra hyperechogenicity (SN+) detected by transcranial ultrasound (TUS) is useful for Parkinson’s disease (PD) diagnosis. Approximately 15% false negative results of unknown significance are reported. However, most TUS studies are transversal, and diagnosis of PD may change during follow-up. Analysis of our prospective registry of TUS in clinical practice, selecting patients with sufficient bone window, to whom TUS was performed because of suspected PD, and a minimum of 3-year follow-up. Subjects were classified regarding SN echogenicity (SN+/SN−). 172 patients (122 SN+, 50 SN−), mean age 71 years (25–90), were included. At the end of follow-up, PD diagnosis was retained by 91% SN+ vs. 54% SN− subjects (p

Introduction. Patients treated with vitamin K antagonists (VKA) are at increased risk of intracranial haemorrhage (ICH). The purpose of our study was to determine the quality of previous anticoagulation control in patients with VKA-associated ICH. Materials and Methods. We prospectively assessed every consecutive patient admitted to our stroke unit with VKA-associated ICH between 2013 and 2016. Demographic, clinical, and radiological variables, as well as consecutive international normalized ratios (INR) during 7 previous months, were extracted. Time in therapeutic range (TTR), time over range (TOR), time below range (TBR), and percentage of INR within range (PINRR) were calculated. Results and Discussion. The study population comprised 53 patients. Mean age was 79 years; 42% were women. Forty-eight patients had atrial fibrillation (AF) and 5 mechanical prosthetic valves. Therapeutic or infratherapeutic INR on arrival was detected in 64.4% of patients (95% CI 2.7 to 3.2). TTR was 67.8% (95% CI: 60.2 to 75.6 %) and PINRR was 75% (95% CI: 49.9-100). TOR was 17.2% (95% CI: 10.4 to 23.9% ) and TBR was 17% (95% CI: 10.6 to 23.9%). Conclusion. VKA-associated ICH happens usually in the context of good chronic anticoagulation control. Newer risk assessment methods are required.

We investigated whether pre-treatment with statins is associated with surrogate markers of amyloid and hypertensive angiopathies in patients who need to start long-term oral anticoagulation therapy. A prospective multicenter study of patients naive for oral anticoagulants, who had an acute cardioembolic stroke. MRI was performed at admission to evaluate microbleeds, leukoaraiosis and superficial siderosis. We collected data on the specific statin compound, the dose and the statin intensity. We performed bivariate analyses and a logistic regression to investigate variables associated with microbleeds. We studied 470 patients (age 77.5 +/- 6.4 years, 43.7% were men), and 193 (41.1%) of them received prior treatment with a statin. Microbleeds were detected in 140 (29.8%), leukoaraiosis in 388 (82.5%) and superficial siderosis in 20 (4.3%) patients. The presence of microbleeds, leukoaraiosis or superficial siderosis was not related to pretreatment with statins. Microbleeds were more frequent in patients with prior intracerebral hemorrhage (OR 9.7, 95% CI 1.06-90.9) and in those pre-treated antiplatelets (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.09-2.53). Prior treatment with statins was not associated with markers of bleeding-prone cerebral angiopathies in patients with cardioembolic stroke. Therefore, previous statin treatment should not influence the decision to initiate or withhold oral anticoagulation if these neuroimaging markers are detected., This study was funded by the Spanish Ministery of Health - Instituto Carlos III, Redes Tematicas de Investigacion Cooperativa (INVICTUS PLUS RD16/0019/0010) and Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias FI12/00296. The study also received funding from FEDER (Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional). The study was done with the aid of the Stroke Project, Cerebrovascular Diseases Group of the Spanish Neurological Society.

Introduction: Statin therapy might be associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke, which has been attributed to low LDL-cholesterol levels and antithrombotic effects. Hypothesis: Previous statin therapy is associated with surrogate markers of amyloid and hypertensive angiopathies in patients with cardioembolic stroke who need to start long-term oral anticoagulation (OA). Methods: A prospective multicenter study of patients included in the HERO study (Intracerebral Hemorrhage due to Oral Anticoagulants: Prediction of the Risk by Magnetic Resonance). Patients were naïve for OA and had an acute cardioembolic ischemic stroke (TIA or infarct). A MR examination was performed during admission to evaluate: 1) Microbleeds (-MB-, number, distribution, burden); 2) Leukoaraiosis (-LK- presence and degree); 3) Superficial siderosis (-SS-, presence). We collected data on the specific statin, the dose and the statin intensity (low, medium or high according to accepted classifications). We also recorded demographic data and traditional vascular risk factors. Results: We studied 470 patients (age 77.5±6.4 years, 43.7% were men). A total of 193 (41.1%) patients received prior treatment with any statin, of whom 43.5% received simvastatin and 41.3% atorvastatin. Statin intensity was low in 14.5%, medium in 61.1%, high in 16.5% and unknown in 10.8%. LK was detected in 82.5% and was severe in 19.8%. SS was detected in 20 (4.3%) patients. MBs were detected in 140 (29.8%) patients and the distribution was lobar in 55%, deep in 30% and both in 15%. Of the MB group 74 (53%) had 1 MB, 66 (47%) had >1 MB, and 11.4% had >5 MBs. The presence of MB, LK or SS was not related to the pre-treatment with statin. The statin intensity was not related to the presence of SS, the presence/degree of LK, and the presence/distribution/burden of MBs. MBs were detected with increased frequency in hypertensive patients (p=0.09). LK presence and degree were increased in patients with MB (p=0.012) and SS (p=0.041). Conclusion: In conclusion, prior treatment with statins is not associated with surrogate markers of bleeding-prone cerebral angiopathies in patients with cardioembolic stroke. Therefore previous statin treatment should not influence the decision to start long-term oral anticoagulation.

Objective: To report the clinical features of 20 newly diagnosed patients with GABAB receptor (GABABR) antibodies and determine the frequency of associated tumors and concurrent neuronal autoantibodies. Methods: Clinical data were retrospectively obtained and evaluated. Serum and CSF samples were examined for additional antibodies using methods previously reported. Results: Seventeen patients presented with seizures, memory loss, and confusion, compatible with limbic encephalitis (LE), one patient presented with ataxia, one patient presented with status epilepticus, and one patient presented with opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS). Nineteen (95%) patients eventually developed LE during the course of the disease. Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) was identified in 10 (50%) patients, all with LE. Treatment and outcome was available from 19 patients: 15 showed complete (n = 7) or partial (n = 8) neurologic improvement after steroids, IV immunoglobulins, or plasma exchange and oncologic treatment when indicated; 1 patient died of tumor progression shortly after the first cycle of immunotherapy, and 3 were not treated. Five patients with SCLC had additional onconeuronal antibodies (Ri, amphiphysin, or SOX1), and 2 without tumor had GAD65 and NMDAR antibodies, respectively. GABABR antibodies were not detected in serum of 116 patients with SCLC without neurologic symptoms. Conclusion: Our study confirms GABABR as an autoantigen of paraneoplastic and nonparaneoplastic LE and expands the phenotype of GABABR antibodies to ataxia, OMS, and status epilepticus. The long-term prognosis is dictated by the presence of a tumor. Recognition of syndromes associated with GABABR antibodies is important because they usually respond to treatment.

Background and purposeThe benefits of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in basilar artery occlusions (BAO) have not been explored in recent clinical trials. We compared outcomes and procedural complications of MT in BAO with anterior circulation occlusions.MethodsData from the Madrid Stroke Network multicenter prospective registry were analyzed, including baseline characteristics, procedure times, procedural complications, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and mortality at 3 months.ResultsOf 479 patients treated with MT, 52 (11%) had BAO. The onset to reperfusion time lapse was longer in patients with BAO (median (IQR) 385 min (320–540) vs 315 min (240–415), pConclusionsMT is more laborious and shows more procedural complications in BAO than in anterior circulation strokes. The likelihood of futile recanalization is higher in BAO and is associated with greater age and longer procedure duration. A refinement of endovascular procedures for BAO might help optimize the results.

A stroke is a time-dependent medical emergency. Swiftness in its recognition and in the care received by the patients plays a key role in the prognosis.To analyse the medical intervention times, to evaluate possible areas where improvements can be made and to examine the allocation of resources in the centres.The study was based on a prospective register of patients with suspected stroke and stroke code activation treated in eight experienced Spanish stroke units. Onset-to-door, door-to-computed tomography (CT), door-to-needle, CT-to-needle and onset-to-needle times were collected. Information about the means of transport used to get to the hospital, the type of stroke and reperfusion therapies was also collected. With regard to the structural resources of the centres, data were gathered about the nurse-to-patient ratio, bed monitoring, availability of multimodal CT and magnetic resonance, and doing information or training courses.Altogether 197 patients were included, of whom 181 (151 infarctions and 30 brain haemorrhages) were valid. The medians (p25-p75) in minutes were: onset-to-door, 104 (70-188); door-to-CT, 27 (19-41); CT-to-needle, 30 (21-43); door-to-needle, 64 (49-83); and onset-to-needle, 156 (129-202). Reperfusion therapies were applied in 68 patients (45% of the cerebral infarctions), of which 81% were intravenous thrombolyses; 7%, endovascular treatments; and 12%, a combination of the two. The resources available in the centres were in accordance with those recommended by the clinical guidelines. There was a low percentage of patients who were studied by means of magnetic resonance.The percentage of patients treated with thrombolysis was very high and although the times of the in-hospital circuits were good, there is still room for further improvement.Atencion urgente al ictus en hospitales con unidad de ictus. Proyecto Quick.Introduccion. El ictus es una emergencia medica dependiente del tiempo. La rapidez en su reconocimiento y en la atencion que reciben los pacientes es clave en el pronostico. Objetivos. Analizar los tiempos de actuacion medica, evaluar posibles areas de mejora y estudiar la dotacion de recursos de los centros. Pacientes y metodos. Registro prospectivo de pacientes atendidos en ocho unidades de ictus experimentadas españolas con sospecha de ictus y activacion del codigo ictus. Se recogieron los tiempos inicio-puerta, puerta-tomografia computarizada (TC), puerta-aguja, TC-aguja e inicio-aguja. Tambien se recogieron el metodo de trasporte al hospital, el tipo de ictus y las terapias de reperfusion. En cuanto a la dotacion estructural de los centros, se recogieron la ratio de enfermeria, la monitorizacion de camas, la disponibilidad de TC multimodal y resonancia magnetica, y la realizacion de cursos de informacion o formacion. Resultados. Se incluyeron 197 pacientes, de los cuales fueron validos 181 (151 infartos y 30 hemorragias cerebrales). Las medianas (p25-p75) en minutos fueron: inicio-puerta, 104 (70-188); puerta-TC, 27 (19-41); TC-aguja, 30 (21-43); puerta-aguja, 64 (49-83); e inicio-aguja, 156 (129-202). Se aplicaron terapias de reperfusion en 68 pacientes (el 45% de los infartos cerebrales), de los cuales el 81% fueron trombolisis intravenosas; el 7%, tratamientos endovasculares; y el 12%, una combinacion de ambos. Los recursos de los centros estuvieron de acuerdo con lo recomendado por las guias clinicas. Hubo un bajo porcentaje de pacientes estudiados con resonancia magnetica. Conclusion. El porcentaje de pacientes tratados con trombolisis fue muy elevado y los tiempos de los circuitos intrahospitalarios, aunque buenos, tienen margen de mejora.

Introduction Response to drug withdrawal in patients with suspected drug-induced parkinsonism (DIP) is of prognostic and therapeutic importance, but cannot be predicted solely on clinical information. The aim of this study was to validate SN hyperechogenicity (SN+) assessed by transcranial sonography as a predictor of response to drug withdrawal in this group of patients. Methods Patients were diagnosed according to previously published criteria and prospectively included in the study. All patients were followed until complete recovery of parkinsonian symptoms or at least for 6 months after discontinuation of the offending drug and then diagnosed as DIP or parkinsonism following neuroleptic exposure (PFNE). Transcranial sonography (TCS) findings were compared with the clinical diagnosis. Results Sixty patients comprised the group for the final analysis. Sixteen patients were classified as PFNE and 44 as DIP. The area of SN echogenicity was significantly increased in the PFNE group (0.23 cm2; standard deviation [SD]: 0.04), compared to the DIP group (0.14 cm2; SD, 0.05; one-way analysis of variance; P < 0.001). Normal SN was significantly associated with complete recovery after withdrawal of the parkinsonism-inducing drug (P < 0.0005). Accuracy of SN+ to distinguish PFNE from DIP was: sensitivity 81.2%; specificity 84.1%; positive predictive value 47.4%; and negative predictive value 96.2%. Conclusions We believe that SN+ assessed with TCS is a valid prognostic marker in the setting of suspected DIP. It is a nonexpensive, feasible technique that can be implemented for proper counseling and guidance of treatment decisions.

Atrial fibrillation is the most frequent arrhythmia seen in clinical practice and is one of the most important risk factors for suffering a stroke. Strokes associated to atrial fibrillation are more severe, present higher mortality and disability rates, and there is a greater risk of recurrence. Consequently, both primary and secondary prevention of stroke associated to atrial fibrillation by means of suitable antithrombotic treatment is clearly essential in order to lower this risk. Chronic oral anticoagulants are the cornerstone of antithrombotic treatment in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, especially in those who have already had a stroke. Vitamin K antagonists have traditionally been used for this purpose. Yet, these drugs have several important disadvantages (narrow therapeutic window, unpredictable response, numerous interactions with drugs and foods, as well as starting and finishing their action slowly), which limit their use in clinical practice. The new oral anticoagulants not only overcome these disadvantages but also have proved to be at least as effective as warfarin in the prevention of strokes and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Additionally, they have been shown to have a better safety profile, especially with an important drop in the risk of intracranial haemorrhage, regardless of the antecedents of stroke or transient ischaemic attack, which makes them first-choice drugs in the treatment of these patients.Manejo actual del tratamiento antitrombotico en pacientes con fibrilacion auricular no valvular y antecedentes de ictus o ataque isquemico transitorio.La fibrilacion auricular es la arritmia mas frecuente en la practica clinica y es uno de los factores de riesgo mas importantes para padecer un ictus. Los ictus asociados a la fibrilacion auricular son mas graves, presentan una mayor mortalidad y discapacidad, y el riesgo de recurrencias es mayor. En consecuencia, la prevencion, tanto primaria como secundaria, del ictus asociado a la fibrilacion auricular mediante el adecuado tratamiento antitrombotico es claramente esencial y crucial para disminuir este riesgo. La anticoagulacion oral cronica supone la piedra angular del tratamiento antitrombotico en el paciente con fibrilacion auricular no valvular, especialmente en el paciente que ya ha tenido un ictus. Para este fin, tradicionalmente se han empleado los antagonistas de la vitamina K. Sin embargo, estos farmacos poseen importantes desventajas (estrecha ventana terapeutica, respuesta impredecible, numerosas interacciones con farmacos y alimentos, asi como un comienzo y final de accion lentos) que limitan su uso en la practica clinica. Los nuevos anticoagulantes orales no solo superan estas desventajas, sino que, ademas, han demostrado ser, al menos, tan eficaces como la warfarina en la prevencion de ictus y embolia sistemica en los pacientes con fibrilacion auricular no valvular, y poseer un mejor perfil de seguridad, en particular con una importante disminucion del riesgo de hemorragia intracraneal, independientemente de los antecedentes de ictus o ataque isquemico transitorio, lo que hace que sean farmacos de primera linea en el tratamiento de estos pacientes.

First described by Liebow [1, 2], lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LG) is an infrequent B-cell multisystemic proliferation related to Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) [3]. The lungs are the principal location, but the central nervous system (CNS) may also be affected [4]. Primary cerebral LG is rare [5]. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients, four cases have been reported, only once related to an immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) [6–9]. Histological findings are essential for diagnosis [10]. We report here a case of primary CNS LG after starting HAART. A 44-year-old woman with a colorectal adenocarcinoma treated with surgery and chemotherapy was admitted to our hospital because of Pneumocystis Jirovecii pneumonia and diagnosed with HIV infection. CD4? count was five cells/ ll and HIV viral load 5.17log. HAART was initiated with efavirenz 600 mg, emtricitabine 200 mg and tenofovir 300 mg daily. She progressively developed confusion, disorientation, memory loss and mild aphasia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a diffuse, periventricular leukoencephalopathy with multiple hypointense nonenhancing areas in T1-weighted sequences. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contained proteins of 1.12 g/l, 3 cells/mm and normal glucose (51 mg/dl). CSF polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for herpes viruses and polyomaviruses, serology for toxoplasma and syphilis, CSF and urine PCR and culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis were negative. A total body tomography did not reveal other lesions. One month later she developed a right arm paresis and her aphasia worsened, presenting difficulties in understanding verbal commands and in repeating short sentences, a nomination deficit and frequent paraphasias. MRI showed leukoencephalopathy progression with a left frontal mass lesion (Fig. 1). CSF examination yielded two cells/mm, glucose of 45 mg/dl, and proteins of 2 g/l. CSF PCR for herpes viruses, polyomaviruses and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, rapid plasma reagin, cryptococcal antigen, and cytology

We report the case of a healthy 12-year-old girl with an acute ischemic stroke successfully treated with mechanical thrombectomy. The child was referred to our hospital 6 hours after sudden onset of severe headache and left hemiparesis. Cerebral angiography findings were consistent with right distal internal carotid artery occlusion in addition to ipsilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion. Subsequent mechanical thrombectomy with Solitaire AB device resulted in complete vessel recanalization. The patient experienced progressive neurologic improvement with good clinical recovery at the 3-month follow-up. To our knowledge, only 3 cases of primary mechanical thrombectomy in children have been previously reported in the literature. Safety and efficacy data for endovascular therapies in pediatric acute ischemic stroke are lacking. We propose mechanical thrombectomy as an option in children with significant neurologic deficits and proven arterial occlusion, especially when the therapeutic window for intravenous thrombolysis has been exceeded.

Descompressive craniectomy (DC) for treatment of malignant infarction of the middle cerebral artery (MIMCA) reduces mortality and increases the probability of favourable outcome.To present the experience in daily practice after implantation of a clinical protocol of DC.Prospective register of patients with MIMCA treated with DC. Age, stroke severity -National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score-, basal characteristics, delay until DC, mortality, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at three and twelve months and questionnaire of satisfaction are recorded.From February 2008 to December 2010, 15 patients were treated. Mean age: 60 years (range: 35-69); basal NIHSS, median (p25/p75): 17 (15.5/21), NIHSS before craniectomy: 20 (18/23.5). DC was performed within 48 hours in 8 patients (53.3%). 5 subjects (33.3%) died during in-hospital stay. Mortality was 25% among those treated within 48 hours and 42.9% among those treated later and 37.5% among patients= 60 years vs 28.6% in older patients. All survivors scored= 4 in the mRS at three months and expressed satisfaction with surgery despite sequelae. Rate of favourable outcome (mRS= 3) was higher among patients under 60 (63%) and among those treated before 48 h (50%).DC is safe in clinical practice and reduces mortality after MIMCA, especially if it is performed within 48 hours from stroke onset. Benefit appears to be greater in younger patients, but older people may benefit also. The decision to perform DC should be made on an individual basis.

Objectives Neurological problems are reported to be common in air travellers. The authors aimed to study neurological problems which might be associated with air traffic in a systematic way. Methods The authors analysed a prospective registry of all the patients referred from Madrid-Barajas International Airport to the emergency department of their tertiary university hospital (Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal), for whom a neurological consultation was required, during a period of 21 months. Results 77 patients with a history of air travel presented with neurological problems and were included in the analysis. Fifty-nine (76.6%) were male, and the mean age was 45.9 (range 8–89, SD 17.5). Onset of symptoms was after landing in 44 subjects (58.7%), during the flight in 31 (41.3%), and unknown in two (5.1%). Thirty-nine (50.9%) had seizures, 18 (23.4%) had a stroke, and 20 (26%) other diagnosis. Sixty-one per cent of the patients with seizures had no previous history of epilepsy. Seizures on presentation were significantly associated with the use of drugs (p=0.0008), and most of the cases with known epilepsy admitted non-adherence to treatment. Three ‘body packers’ were admitted with seizures secondary to intra-abdominal cocaine pack rupture. Of eight ischaemic strokes, five had high-grade carotid stenosis, and one case had economy-class stroke syndrome. Six patients with stroke were eligible and treated with intravenous thrombolysis. Conclusion In our series of neurological problems among air travellers, drug-induced seizures and ischaemic strokes due to large-artery atherosclerosis were the commonest observed diagnoses.

Introduccion. El ictus es una emergencia medica dependiente del tiempo. La rapidez en su reconocimiento y en la atencion que reciben los pacientes es clave en el pronostico. Objetivos. Analizar los tiempos de actuacion medica, evaluar posibles areas de mejora y estudiar la dotacion de recursos de los centros. Pacientes y metodos. Registro prospectivo de pacientes atendidos en ocho unidades de ictus experimentadas espanolas con sospecha de ictus y activacion del codigo ictus. Se recogieron los tiempos inicio-puerta, puerta-tomografia computarizada (TC), puerta-aguja, TC-aguja e inicio-aguja. Tambien se recogieron el metodo de trasporte al hospital, el tipo de ictus y las terapias de reperfusion. En cuanto a la dotacion estructural de los centros, se recogieron la ratio de enfermeria, la monitorizacion de camas, la disponibilidad de TC multimodal y resonancia magnetica, y la realizacion de cursos de informacion o formacion. Resultados. Se incluyeron 197 pacientes, de los cuales fueron validos 181 (151 infartos y 30 hemorragias cerebrales). Las medianas (p25-p75) en minutos fueron: inicio-puerta, 104 (70-188); puerta-TC, 27 (19-41); TC-aguja, 30 (21-43); puerta-aguja, 64 (49-83); e inicio-aguja, 156 (129-202). Se aplicaron terapias de reperfusion en 68 pacientes (el 45% de los infartos cerebrales), de los cuales el 81% fueron trombolisis intravenosas; el 7%, tratamientos endovasculares; y el 12%, una combinacion de ambos. Los recursos de los centros estuvieron de acuerdo con lo recomendado por las guias clinicas. Hubo un bajo porcentaje de pacientes estudiados con resonancia magnetica. Conclusion. El porcentaje de pacientes tratados con trombolisis fue muy elevado y los tiempos de los circuitos intrahospitalarios, aunque buenos, tienen margen de mejora.