PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Didier Leys

Publications and source records attributed to Didier Leys.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Predictors of outcome in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis and intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although intracerebral hemorrhages are frequent in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis, and lead to worse outcome, predictors of outcome in cerebral venous thrombosis patients with intracerebral hemorrhages have never been evaluated in adequately powered studies. METHODS: This study was conducted as a part of the International Study on Cerebral Vein and Dural Sinus Thrombosis. We evaluated predictors of outcome in cerebral venous thrombosis patients who had an "early intracerebral hemorrhage," ie, intracerebral hemorrhages already present at time of diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis by a logistic regression analysis, with a modified Rankin scale 3 to 6 at month 6 as dependent variable. The same analysis was performed with "delayed intracerebral hemorrhages," ie, intracerebral hemorrhages that occurred after the diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis, as dependent variable. RESULTS: Of 624 patients recruited in International Study on Cerebral Vein and Dural Sinus Thrombosis, 245 (39%) had an early intracerebral hemorrhage: at month 6, 51 (21%) of them had a modified Rankin Scale 3 to 6. Independent predictors of having modified Rankin scale 3 to 6 at month 6 were older age (adjusted odds ratio for 1-year increase in age, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.08); male gender (adjusted odds ratio, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.29 to 8.16); having a deep cerebral venous system thrombosis (adjusted odds ratio, 5.43; 95% CI, 1.67 to 17.61) or a right lateral sinus thrombosis (adjusted odds ratio, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.03 to 6.40); and having a motor deficit (adjusted odds ratio, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.21 to 7.10). Of the 36 patients who had a delayed intracerebral hemorrhage, those who had a modified Rankin scale 3 to 6 at month 6 were less likely to have received heparin at the acute stage, and more likely to have had early intracerebral hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with early intracerebral hemorrhage, those who were older, men, had a thrombosis of the deep cerebral venous system or of the right lateral sinus, and a motor deficit were at higher risk for death or dependency at month 6. This subgroup of patients with predictors of poor outcome can be the target for new therapeutic strategies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Prognostic value of hyperintense vessel signals on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences in acute cerebral ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences may reveal hyperintense vessel signals (HVS) at the acute stage of cerebral ischemia. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that HVS are associated with a worse outcome. METHODS: We included 30 consecutive patients admitted within 12 h after onset of hemispheric cerebral ischemia. The outcome was assessed with the modified Rankin Scale at month 1. RESULTS: Proximal HVS were present in 9 patients and distal HVS in 16. All patients with proximal occlusions on time-of-flight sequences had distal HVS on FLAIR. Patients with poor outcome at month 1 (modified Rankin Scale 3-6) more frequently had had HVS on MRI (12/13 vs. 4/17; p< 0.001). CONCLUSION: Distal HVS found on FLAIR sequences within 12 h of acute cerebral ischemia are associated with a worse 1-month outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Endarterectomy versus stenting in patients with symptomatic severe carotid stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Carotid stenting is less invasive than endarterectomy, but it is unclear whether it is as safe in patients with symptomatic carotid-artery stenosis. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, randomized, noninferiority trial to compare stenting with endarterectomy in patients with a symptomatic carotid stenosis of at least 60%. The primary end point was the incidence of any stroke or death within 30 days after treatment. RESULTS: The trial was stopped prematurely after the inclusion of 527 patients for reasons of both safety and futility. The 30-day incidence of any stroke or death was 3.9% after endarterectomy (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0 to 7.2) and 9.6% after stenting (95% CI, 6.4 to 14.0); the relative risk of any stroke or death after stenting as compared with endarterectomy was 2.5 (95% CI, 1.2 to 5.1). The 30-day incidence of disabling stroke or death was 1.5% after endarterectomy (95% CI, 0.5 to 4.2) and 3.4% after stenting (95% CI, 1.7 to 6.7); the relative risk was 2.2 (95% CI, 0.7 to 7.2). At 6 months, the incidence of any stroke or death was 6.1% after endarterectomy and 11.7% after stenting (P=0.02). There were more major local complications after stenting and more systemic complications (mainly pulmonary) after endarterectomy, but the differences were not significant. Cranial-nerve injury was more common after endarterectomy than after stenting. CONCLUSIONS: In this study of patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis of 60% or more, the rates of death and stroke at 1 and 6 months were lower with endarterectomy than with stenting. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00190398 [ClinicalTrials.gov].).

Aged↗
PubMed2006

[Prevention of vascular events after transient ischemic attack or cerebral infarct].

After a first cerebral ischemic event, secondary prevention should be started as soon as possible, especially in transient ischemic attacks where the risk of recurrence is the highest, especially during the first week, needing a diagnostic workup in a short period of time, secondary prevention measures depending on the presumed cause of the event. Secondary prevention of vascular events after transient ischemic attack or cerebral infarct consists of 3 types of strategies: 1. treatment of risk factors for stroke, especially high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking cessation; 2. aspirin (50 to 325 mg), or clopidogrel, or association aspirine-dipyridamole in high-risk subjects, or warfarin in patients with high-risk cardiopathies; and 3. carotid surgery in patients selected by clinical and imaging criteria. Other strategies are currently partly under evaluation: statins in normocholesterolemic ischemic stroke patients without coronary event, angioplasty with stenting. Audits of practice are necessary to determine whether patients are actually treated according to scientific evidence. This is a crucial issue if we want the results of trials to be translated in the true life, and really improve health at the community level.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗
PubMed2006

Antithrombotic agents' use in patients with atrial fibrillation and acute cerebral ischemia.

BACKGROUND: although trials suggest a benefit of aspirin, and not of anticoagulation (AC), in the acute stage of cerebral ischemia associated with atrial fibrillation (AF), many neurologists still use heparin. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate how antithrombotic agents were used at the acute stage of cerebral ischemia in AF patients after the publication of trials and guidelines. METHODS: we reviewed the charts of all patients with AF who were admitted between 1996 and 2002 as primary care patients, within 48 hours after onset of an ischemic stroke (IS) or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). We recorded the first antithrombotic treatment prescribed at admission. RESULTS: in 763 consecutive patients (42% men; median age 79 years), the use of AC on admission decreased over time from 70% to 22% (p<0.001), while antiplatelet agents increased from 27% to 78% (p<0.001). Patients who received AC were more likely to be younger, to have a Barthel index >60, no hemorrhagic changes, and to have been admitted in 1996 or 1997. Results were similar between patients with IS and TIAs and in patients who were not under AC before. In patients who were under oral AC before, AC use at admission did not decline over time (p=0.366). CONCLUSION: there was a clear decrease in AC use during the study period, except in patients who were already under AC before, and in TIA patients.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2006

Insular infarcts and electrocardiographic changes at admission: results of the PRognostic of Insular CErebral infarctS Study (PRINCESS).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Previous studies showed that insular strokes are associated with electrocardiographic (ECG) changes. However, they did not take into account the 1(st) ECG recorded at admission, but continuous ECG recorded up to 72 hours after onset. Whether these changes are the consequence of the infarct, or are associated with a cardiac source of cerebral ischemia, remains unsettled. If ECG changes are the consequence of insular infarcts, they should not have developed by the time of admission. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that ECG changes in patients with insular infarcts are not present at admission. METHODS: We recruited consecutive patients admitted within 48 hours (median 3 hours) after the onset of symptoms of acute hemispheric cerebral ischemia. We compared ECG variables between patients with and without insular infarcts, and with left and right insular infarcts. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 208 patients (94 men; median age: 69 years). Seventy patients had a recent insular infarct (right in 33). ECG variables did not significantly differ between patients with and without insular infarcts, and with left and right insular infarcts. These results were not explained by a lack of statistical power (1-beta >/= 0.90). CONCLUSION: The lack of statistical link between insular infarcts and ECG changes at admission, suggests that ECG changes are not associated with the cause of insular infarcts, but are their consequence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Influence of dementia on antithrombotic therapy prescribed before stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Oral anticoagulation (OAC) decreases the risk of stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), but remains underused in practice. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that prestroke dementia influenced the nonprescription of OAC before stroke. METHODS: This is an ancillary study of Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation Ensemble II, an observational study conducted in patients with a previously known NVAF, consecutively admitted for an acute stroke to French and Italian centers. Prestroke dementia was evaluated by the clinical physician and validated by an Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly score of >or=104 in patients with a reliable informant. RESULTS: Of 204 patients, 24 patients met criteria for prestroke dementia according to GP's opinion. The only variables independently associated with OAC before stroke were follow-up by a cardiologist (adjusted OR: 3.33; 95% CI: 1.47-7.53) and a younger age of patients (adjusted OR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.89-0.99). Variables independently associated with any antithrombotic drug therapy before stroke were follow-up by a general practitioner (adjusted OR: 2.78; 95% CI: 1.09-7.11), and by a cardiologist (adjusted OR: 3.15; 95% CI: 1.48-6.69). CONCLUSION: In daily practice, the under-prescription of OAC in patients with NVAF mainly depends on co-morbidity and on characteristics of the physician, not on prestroke dementia.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2006

Secondary prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation: factors influencing the prescription of oral anticoagulation at discharge.

BACKGROUND: Oral anticoagulation (OAC) is the only treatment that has shown a significant benefit to reduce the risk of recurrence in patients with ischemic stroke and nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). However, OAC is still underused, even at discharge from neurological centers. The objective of this study was to identify the reasons underlying the prescription of OAC at discharge after an ischemic stroke in patients with NVAF. METHODS: We investigated the reasons why ischemic stroke patients with NVAF were not treated with OAC at discharge from 40 centers located in 5 European countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, and Portugal). RESULTS: Of 320 ischemic stroke survivors at discharge, 186 (58.1%) received OAC, while 260 (81.3%) patients were theoretically eligible according to guidelines and the absence of contraindications. There were significant differences between countries and the logistic regression analysis found being already under OAC before stroke, having no leukoaraiosis, having no potential contraindication, being younger than 75 years, being married and suffering from angina pectoris as independent predictors of being discharged under OAC. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that besides patient-related factors, the prescription of OAC is also significantly influenced by the social environment and national practices.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2006

Relationship between outcome and baseline blood pressure and other haemodynamic measures in acute ischaemic stroke: data from the TAIST trial.

BACKGROUND: A poor outcome after stroke is associated independently with high blood pressure during the acute phase; however, relationships with other haemodynamic measures [heart rate (HR), pulse pressure (PP), rate-pressure product (RPP)] remain less clear. METHODS: The Tinzaparin in Acute Ischaemic Stroke Trial is a randomised, controlled trial assessing the safety and efficacy of tinzaparin versus aspirin in 1484 patients with acute ischaemic stroke. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and HR measurements taken immediately prior to randomization were averaged, and the mid-blood pressure (MBP), PP, mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse pressure index, and RPP were calculated. The relationship between these haemodynamic measures and functional outcome (death or dependency, modified Rankin Scale > 2) and early recurrent stroke, were studied with adjustment for baseline prognostic factors and treatment group. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) refer to a change in haemodynamic measure by 10 points. RESULTS: A poor functional outcome was associated with SBP (adjusted OR; 1.11; 95% CI, 1.03-1.21), HR (adjusted OR; 1.15; 95% CI, 1.00-1.31), MBP (adjusted OR; 1.15, 95% CI, 1.03-1.29), PP (adjusted OR; 1.14; 95% CI, 1.02-1.26), MAP (adjusted OR; 1.15; 95% CI, 1.02-1.31) and RPP (adjusted OR; 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.02). Early recurrent stroke was associated with SBP, DBP, MBP and MAP. CONCLUSIONS: A poor outcome is independently associated with elevations in blood pressure, HR and their derived haemodynamic variables, including PP and the RPP. Agents that modify these measures may improve functional outcome after stroke.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences for the assessment of acute stroke: inter observer and inter technique reproducibility.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (DWI), and three-dimensional (3D) time-of-flight (TOF) MR angiography (MRA), are highly sensitive for the early detection of stroke and arterial occlusion. However, only a few studies have evaluated the sensitivity of conventional MR sequences that are usually included in the imaging protocol. The aim of this study was to evaluate interobserver and intertechnique reproducibility of Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) sequences for the diagnosis of early brain ischemia and arterial occlusion. METHODS: Over a 30-month period, brain MR examinations were performed in 34 patients within 12 hours after stroke onset. Imaging protocol included FLAIR sequences, DWI and 3D TOF MRA. Ten observers including radiologists and neurologists, performed separately a visual interpretation of FLAIR images for the detection of brain ischemia and arterial occlusion seen as an arterial high signal. DWI and 3D TOF MRA were used as reference and interpreted independently by two senior radiologists. Interobserver agreement was assessed for image quality, detectability and conspicuity of lesions whereas intertechnique agreement was only judged for lesion detectability. RESULTS: On FLAIR sequences, interobserver agreement for the detection of brain ischemia and arterial occlusion was excellent (kappa = 0.81 and 0.87 respectively). The concordance between FLAIR and DWI sequences for the detection of brain ischemia and between FLAIR and 3D TOF MRA for the detection of arterial occlusion were judged as excellent for all observers (kappa = 0.91 and 0.89 respectively). CONCLUSION: Although DWI is the most sensitive technique with which to detect acute stroke, FLAIR imaging may also be useful to demonstrate both acute ischemia and arterial occlusion with an excellent interobserver reproducibility.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Intracranial arterial dolichoectasia and small-vessel disease in stroke patients.

Two studies found that stroke patients with intracranial arterial dolichoectasia (IADE) had lacunar infarction more often than the control subjects. The relation between IADE and other manifestations of small-vessel disease (multilacunar state, leukoaraiosis, and état criblé) was not investigated. The magnetic resonance images of 510 patients with brain infarction in the Etude du Profil Genetique de l'Infarctus Cerebral (GENIC) study were evaluated for the diagnosis of multilacunar infarction (>1 lacunar infarct), leukoaraiosis (assessed in periventricular and subcortical regions according to Scheltens and colleagues' scale, with severe leukoaraiosis defined as a score > 8), état criblé (using a semiquantitative score ranging from 0-8, with severe EC > 4), and IADE (using the consensus method). By comparison with stroke patients without IADE (n = 447), IADE(+) stroke patients (n = 63) had significantly more frequent multilacunar state (51 vs 33%), severe leukoaraiosis (34 vs 19%), and severe état criblé (32 vs 12%). After adjustment for potential confounding factors, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for the presence of IADE were 2.05 (1.08-3.87) for multilacunar state, 2.40 (1.11-5.20) for severe leukoaraiosis, and 3.60 (1.43-9.08) for severe état criblé. The factors significantly associated with état criblé were older age and a familial history of stroke. IADE in stroke patients was independently associated with parenchymal manifestations of small-vessel disease. These conditions may have in common underlying pathophysiological processes.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Secondary prevention after ischemic stroke. Evolution over time in practice.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: An optimal management of vascular risk factors, associated with antithrombotic drugs and carotid surgery when appropriate, reduces the risk of a new vascular event after stroke. Although secondary prevention is not optimal in many patients in practice, the question of whether there is an improvement over time remains unanswered. The aim of our study was to test the hypothesis that secondary prevention measures after cerebral ischemia improve over time. METHOD: We included 123 consecutive patients in 1994, and 125 consecutive patients in 2002, who were admitted to a neurological department for any reason and had had an episode of cerebral ischemia less than 6 years earlier. We compared the groups for the management of arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus and smoking. We recorded the values of blood pressure, biological parameters, and presence of antithrombotic therapy, lipid-lowering and anti-hypertensive drugs. Whether patients were properly treated or not, was determined by a comparison between their current treatment and guidelines available when recruited. RESULTS: Prevention was not optimal in 96 of 123 (78%) patients in 1994, and in 77 of 125 (62 %) in 2002. Vascular risk factors were better identified and managed in 2002 than in 1994, especially for hypercholesterolemia. Antithrombotic therapies, statins and antihypertensive drugs, except calcium channel blockers, were more often used in 2002. The proportion of patients in whom arterial hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were identified was higher in 2002, but the proportion of patients identified as diabetics remained stable. However, the proportion of patients with blood pressure >140/90 mmHg, glycemia >or = 126 mg/dl, total cholesterol level > or = 240 mg/dl, or being current smokers, were significantly lower in 2002 than in 1994. CONCLUSION: Although most of patients with previous cerebral ischemia did not receive an optimal management of their risk factors in 2002, there was an improvement over an 8-year period.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Poststroke dementia.

Dementia is one of the major causes of dependency after stroke. The prevalence of poststroke dementia (PSD)-defined as any dementia occurring after stroke-is likely to increase in the future. In community-based studies, the prevalence of PSD in stroke survivors is about 30% and the incidence of new onset dementia after stroke increases from 7% after 1 year 48% after 25 years. Having a stroke doubles the risk of dementia. Patient-related variables associated with an increased risk of PSD are increasing age, low education level, dependency before stroke, prestroke cognitive decline without dementia, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, epileptic seizures, sepsis, cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, silent cerebral infarcts, global and medial-temporal-lobe atrophy, and white-matter changes. Stroke-related variables associated with an increased risk of PSD are stroke severity, cause, location, and recurrence. PSD might be the result of vascular lesions, Alzheimer pathology, white-matter changes, or combinations of these. The cause of PSD differs among studies in relation to the mean age of patients, ethnicity, criteria used, and time after stroke. In developed countries, the proportion of patients with presumed Alzheimer's disease among those with PSD is between 19% and 61%. Patients with PSD have high mortality rates and are likely to be functionally impaired. These patients should be treated according to the current guidelines for stroke prevention.

Dementia↗
PubMed2005

Intracranial aneurysms treated with Guglielmi detachable coils: usefulness of 6-month imaging follow-up with contrast-enhanced MR angiography.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to assess the utility of contrast-enhanced MR angiography at 6 months after endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms with Guglielmi detachable coils. METHODS: Contrast-enhanced MR angiography was performed in 47 patients at 6 and 12 months after endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms (48 aneurysms). Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was used as reference and was performed at 12 months after the treatment in all patients. MR angiographs were analyzed independently by two senior radiologists. DSA and MR angiography findings were assigned into one of three categories: complete obliteration, residual neck, or residual aneurysm. RESULTS: All examinations were assessable. Interobserver agreement was judged as very good for contrast-enhanced MR angiography (kappa=0.96), with one discrepancy between examiners. Comparison between MR angiography at 6 months and DSA at 12 months showed an excellent agreement between techniques (kappa=0.93). Two cases of complete occlusion at DSA were misclassified as a residual neck at 6-month MR angiography. All aneurysm recanalizations at DSA already were detected on MR angiography at 6 months. The size of aneurysm recanalization did not increase between both MR angiographs performed at 6 and 12 months. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced MR angiography after selective embolization of intracranial aneurysm seems to predict properly early aneurysm recanalizations.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Indications for revascularisation of a carotid stenosis].

TO PREVENT ISCHEMIC STROKE: Three types of measures should be taken: correction of the vascular risk factors, administration of antithrombotic agents and carotid revascularisation in patients selected on the basis of clinical and imaging criteria. CAROTID REVASCULARISATION MEASURES: The optimal indications are carotid surgery for severe symptomatic stenosis, while the benefits are marginal in severe asymptomatic stenosis and in moderate symptomatic stenosis. INDICATIONS FOR PERCUTANEOUS ANGIOPLASTY WITH PLACING OF AN ENDOPROSTHESIS: Angioplasty with endoprosthesis, a possible alternative to surgery, must be restricted to symptomatic stenosis either in randomised studies or in severe stenosis in patients in whom surgery is technically contraindicated.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗
PubMed2004

Management of atherothrombosis with clopidogrel in high-risk patients with recent transient ischaemic attack or ischaemic stroke (MATCH): study design and baseline data.

BACKGROUND: The CAPRIE study showed the superiority of clopidogrel over acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) for reducing the combined risk of major atherothrombotic events in patients with recent myocardial infarction (MI), recent ischaemic stroke (IS) or established peripheral arterial disease. The benefit of clopidogrel over ASA is amplified in high-risk patients. Proof of concept for the benefit of clopidogrel in addition to ASA in patients with coronary manifestations of atherothrombosis was provided by the CURE trial. METHODS: MATCH is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that compares clopidogrel and ASA versus clopidogrel alone in high-risk patients with recently symptomatic cerebrovascular disease. Eligible patients have experienced a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or IS within the last 3 months and have evidence of at least 1 additional risk factor within the last 3 years (prior IS, MI, stable or unstable angina pectoris, diabetes or symptomatic peripheral arterial disease). Patients were randomized to receive ASA 75 mg once daily or placebo, with both groups receiving clopidogrel 75 mg once daily as part of standard therapy. The primary end point is the composite of IS, MI, vascular death and rehospitalization for an acute ischaemic event. The duration of treatment and follow-up is 18 months for each patient. RESULTS: Enrollment was completed in April 2002, with 7,599 patients randomized to receive the study medication. The mean age at randomization was 66 years, and the qualifying event was IS in 78.9% of patients and TIA in 21.1%. The baseline features of the study cohort indicate a population that is at a high risk for atherothrombotic recurrence. CONCLUSION: MATCH is a major ongoing trial that will provide important data on the benefit of clopidogrel and ASA compared with clopidogrel alone for reduction of vascular ischaemic events in patients with recent TIA or IS who are at high risk of atherothrombotic event recurrence.

Arteriosclerosis↗