Attack Interval Is the Key to the Likely Pathogenesis of Multiple Transient Ischemic Attacks

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the attack interval of multiple transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) is correlated with the underlying pathogenesis of ischemia. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Patients with multiple TIAs, defined as 2 or more motor deficits within 7 days, were studied. The attack interval between the last 2 episodes was classified into 3 groups: 2 episodes within an hour (Hour group), over hours within a day (Day group), and over days within a week (Week group). Patients with a lacunar syndrome, no cortical lesions, and no embolic sources were recognized as having a small vessel disease (SVD) etiology for their multiple events. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Of 312 TIA patients admitted over a 9-year period, 50 (37 males, 13 females, mean 67.6 years) had multiple TIAs. Twelve patients were classified as being within the Hour group, 23 within the Day group, and 15 within the Week group. Lacunar syndromes were observed in 30 (75%, 35%, and 67%), embolic sources were detected in 28 (25%, 65%, and 67%), and a high signal lesion on diffusion-weighted imaging was depicted in 30 (75%, 48%, and 67%) patients (18 cortical, 11 subcortical, and one cerebellar). Patients in the Hour group had a significantly higher prevalence of SVD etiology (75%) than those in the Day and Week groups (30%, <i>p</i> = 0.0165; 27%, <i>p</i> = 0.0213, respectively). Four patients had a subsequent stroke within 7 days. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Attack intervals of multiple TIAs may be correlated with the underlying pathogenesis of ischemia. Two motor deficits within an hour are more likely to suggest a SVD etiology.

Improving Clinical Detection of Acute Lacunar Stroke

Background and Purpose— We aim to identify factors associated with imaging-confirmed lacunar strokes and improve their rapid clinical identification early after symptom onset using data from the IST-3 (Third International Stroke Trial). Methods— We selected patients likely to have lacunar infarcts as those presenting with: Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project lacunar syndrome; a random sample with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score <7; and recent lacunar infarct identified on imaging by IST-3 central blinded expert panel. An independent reviewer rated brain scans of this sample and classified visible infarcts according to type, size, and location. We investigated factors associated with presence of lacunar infarct on a 24 to 48 hour follow-up scan using multivariable logistic regression and calculated sensitivity and specificity of Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project alone and in combination with NIHSS score <7. Results— We included 568 patients (330 lacunar syndrome; 147 with NIHSS score <7; 91 with lacunar infarct on baseline imaging, numbers exclude overlaps between groups), mean (±SD) age, 73.2 (±13.6) years, 316 (56%) males, and median NIHSS score 5 (IQR, 4–8). On 24 to 48 hour scan, 138 (24%) patients had lacunar infarcts, 176 (31%) other infarct subtypes, 254 (45%) no visible infarct. Higher baseline systolic blood pressure (odds ratio, 1.01 [95% CI, 1.01–1.02]) and preexisting lacunes (odds ratio, 2.29 [95% CI, 1.47–3.57) were associated with recent lacunar infarcts. Sensitivity and specificity of lacunar syndrome was modest (58% and 45%, respectively), but adding NIHSS score <7 increased specificity (99%), positive and negative predictive values (97% and 87%, respectively). Conclusions— In patients presenting within 6 hours of stroke onset, adding NIHSS score <7 to Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project lacunar syndrome classification may increase specificity for identifying lacunar stroke early after stroke onset. Our findings may help selection of patients for clinical trials of lacunar stroke and should be validated externally. Registration— URL: http://www.controlled-trials.com/ ; Unique identifier: ISRCTN25765518.

Personalising secondary prevention: different treatments for different strokes

Stroke is a syndrome caused by many different disease mechanisms rather than being a single disease. It is important to identify the underlying mechanism accurately in individual patients in order to choose the best treatment approach. This article provides practical tips to diagnose the underlying subtype of stroke, and in particular discusses non-lacunar pathologies that can present with a clinical lacunar syndrome. It also reviews the recent advances in recurrent stroke prevention, including using more intensive antiplatelet regimens in the acute phase, and the concept that undetected cardiac arrhythmias may be important in apparently cryptogenic stroke.

Abstract TP63: Lacunarization After Endovascular Treatment: a Surrogate Marker of Good Functional Outcome

Introduction: Multiple randomized trials have demonstrated that endovascular treatment (EVT) in selected stroke patients is associated with good clinical outcome (90 days mRankin 0-2: 44-60%). However the percentage of good functional outcome could be improved if we consider patients without cortical clinical impairment with presentation of classical lacunar syndrome despite non-lacunar radiological infarct. Methods: Consecutive patients with ischemic stroke who received endovascular reperfusion were retrospectively analyzed between May 2010 and April 2015. On admission NCCT (non-contrast CT) and CTASI (CT Angiography Source Image) were performed in stroke patients according to our hospital guidelines. We independently applied the ASPECT score in all baselines NCCT, CTASI and follow-up NCCT 24H, and magnetic resonance (MR) during hospitalization. Five pure clinical lacunar syndromes (CLS) were recorded within 24h exam after EVT in our stroke unit and 90 days follow-up Results: We review 428 thrombectomies of patients with acute ischemic stroke. Ninety-five percent of occlusions were located in middle cerebral artery or terminal internal carotid, (49% women, mean age 65+/-13 years; NIHSS at admission: 17; baseline mRS 0-1:96%). Successful recanalization (TICI 2b-3) was achieved in 81%. At 3 months good functional outcome (mRS 0-2) was seen in 51% and death occurred in 13%. CLS were indentified in 42% patients within 24h after EVT. This clinical syndromes were associated to ASPECT score in 24 NCCT and CTASI in patients with recanalization 2b-3 (p:0.003), but only 4% had a defined radiological lacunar stroke on MR. CLS turned out to be one of independence predictors of good outcomes (Rankin 0-2 at 90d) after adjustment for ages, sex and baseline NIHSS scores (OR 1.85; CI:1.4-3.1; p:0.001). Also CLS were still present in 34% of patients with Rankin>2 at 90d (Rankin 3:26%; Rankin 4:7%) Conclusions: These results suggest that a neurological exam 24h after EVT with identification of pure lacunar syndrome can predict favorable functional outcome at 90days. This group of patients presents radiological findings with an unusual location and size with regard to CLS. We suggest to consider patients with CLS as good outcome after EVT regardless 90d mRankin>2.