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Biomedical subjects

Konstantinos Spengos

Publications and source records attributed to Konstantinos Spengos.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma in an untreated hypertensive patient.

An insufficiently treated hypertensive woman developed severe neck pain, followed by a partial Brown-Sequard syndrome, due to a spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma compressing the cervical spinal cord at the levels C4-C7. We discuss the diagnostic difficulties in the acute setting and underline the importance of a careful and detailed neurological evaluation in all patients with any kind of acute neurological deficit. Application of modern imaging techniques in such selected acute cases is helpful in order to establish a diagnosis and initiate therapy. Although rare, clinicians should keep spinal epidural hematoma in mind and consider it as a highly uncommon, yet possible, complication of untreated hypertension.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Efficacy of anticoagulation for secondary stroke prevention in older people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: a prospective case series study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Despite large randomised trials that demonstrated the efficacy of oral anticoagulants in the primary and secondary prevention of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF), anticoagulation therapy remains largely under-used in older patients, who are at risk of first ever or recurrent stroke. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of anticoagulation therapy on long-term prognosis in the oldest old stroke patients with AF after adjusting for baseline risk factors. METHODS: We evaluated prospectively a consecutive series of 207 older people (>75 years) with AF and first ever ischaemic stroke. During the follow-up period (mean 88.4 months, range 3-120), the study population was under either oral anticoagulants (n = 72) or aspirin (n = 135). Death and recurrent vascular events (stroke and systemic embolism) were documented. Statistical analyses were performed by means of the Kaplan-Meier product limit method and the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The cumulative 10 year mortality and recurrence rate were 92.5% (95% CI 85.7-99.3) and 66.1% (95% CI 43.1-89.1), respectively. Cox regression analysis revealed increasing age, functional dependency at hospital discharge and antiplatelet versus anticoagulation therapy as independent determinants of mortality. Antiplatelet versus anticoagulation therapy was the sole determinant of vascular recurrence. Anticoagulation was associated with decreased risk of death (hazards ratio (HR) 0.47, 95% CI 0.31-0.72, P = 0.001)) and recurrent thromboembolism (HR 0.31, 95% CI 0.16-0.62, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the benefits of anticoagulation for secondary stroke prevention in AF patients extend to the oldest old. Prospective randomised clinical trials are needed to verify the potential benefit of anticoagulation in such patients.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2005

Stroke etiology is associated with symptom onset during sleep.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Almost every fifth stroke occurs during sleep. Data about characteristics and etiology of stroke during sleep are conflicting. We investigated the association of the activity at stroke onset (onset during night sleep vs. onset while awake) with stroke subtypes of different etiology. METHODS: A total of 1448 patients with first-ever stroke with known time of symptom presentation were prospectively evaluated. Statistical comparisons were performed between patients with stroke during sleep and stroke while awake in terms of demographic features, known risk factors, vascular comorbidities, and stroke subtypes. Multiple variable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictor variables (including stroke risk factors and stroke subtypes) for stroke during sleep. RESULTS: Stroke during sleep was documented in 264 cases (18.2%). In subjects with stroke during sleep, lacunar infarction was the most prevalent stroke subtype (39%), while in patients with stroke while awake, small-vessel disease was the underlying mechanism significantly (P < .001) less often (13.8%). In contrast, patients with stroke while awake suffered significantly (P < .001) more frequently from intracerebral hemorrhage (18.2%) and cardioembolic stroke (34.9%) when compared with subjects with stroke during sleep (6.4% and 18.9%, respectively). The multiple variable logistic regression model identified the following factors as independent predictors of stroke during sleep: atrial fibrillation (odds ratio: 0.346, 95% confidence interval: 0.237-0.505, P < .001) and intracerebral hemorrhage versus ischemic stroke (odds ratio: 0.238, 95% confidence interval: 0.138-0.410, P < .001). Lacunar infarction was the only ischemic stroke subgroup that was positively associated with stroke during sleep (odds ratio: 2.568, 95% confidence interval: 1.447-4.560, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: There are significant differences between stroke during sleep and stroke while awake concerning vascular risk profile and stroke etiologic subtypes.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2005

Association of blunted nocturnal blood pressure dip with intracerebral hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVES: Nondipping pattern of nocturnal blood pressure is associated with silent ischemic cerebrovascular lesions and lacunar infarctions. In this case-control study, we aimed to evaluate the association of diurnal blood pressure variation with the occurrence of intracerebral hemorrhage. METHODS: Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed at 21-28 days after ictus in 78 first-ever unselective consecutive patients with intracerebral hemorrhage and in 80 age-adjusted and sex-adjusted controls who were referred to the hypertension center of our institution. The degree of nocturnal blood pressure dip was calculated as [(mean daytime values-mean night-time values)/mean daytime values]x100. Nondippers were defined as patients who exhibited a <10% nocturnal dip in systolic blood pressure. Logistic regression models were constructed to assess the association of nondipping status with intracerebral hemorrhage after adjusting for potential confounders (cardiovascular risk factors, office and ambulatory blood pressure levels). RESULTS: Prevalence of nondipping was significantly greater among cases than among controls (74.4% vs. 43.8%, P<0.001). Nondipping status was independently (P=0.033) associated with intracerebral hemorrhage (OR: 2.326, 95% CI: 1.068-5.050) in a multiple variable logistic regression model that adjusted for baseline characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, office and ambulatory blood pressure variables. The magnitude of the nocturnal systolic blood pressure dipping was inversely related to the risk of intracerebral bleeding; the odds ratio for intracerebral hemorrhage associated with every 1% decrease in nocturnal systolic blood pressure dip was 1.143 (95% CI: 1.058-1.235, P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Given the previous reports that nondipping contributes to the risk of cerebral infarction, our results indicate that blunted nocturnal blood pressure dip may be also associated with the occurrence of intracerebral hemorrhage.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Pulse pressure in acute stroke is an independent predictor of long-term mortality.

The management of blood pressure (BP) during the acute phase of stroke remains a matter of debate. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a possible association between long-term mortality and BP values in acute stroke by means of BP monitoring. We studied a consecutive series of 198 first-ever acute stroke patients. BP monitoring was initiated in all subjects within 24 h of ictus. One year after stroke onset, 34 (17.7%) patients had died. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed only age, level of consciousness on admission, lacunar stroke and 24-hour pulse pressure (24-hour PP) as significant outcome predictors. The hazards ratio for 1-year mortality associated with every 10 mm Hg increase in 24 h PP was 1.39 (95% CI: 1.04-1.86, p = 0.028). The present results demonstrate that increasing 24-hour PP levels in patients with acute stroke are independently associated with higher long-term mortality. This may have implications in acute stroke BP management and warrants further investigation.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Common carotid artery intima-media thickness in patients with brain infarction and intracerebral haemorrhage.

An increase in the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (CCA-IMT) is generally considered as an early marker of atherosclerosis and has been associated with a higher risk of stroke and myocardial infarction. There is no evidence of an association between the IMT and cerebral bleeding. We investigated cross-sectionally the diagnostic ability of vascular risk factors, including CCA-IMT, to distinguish between brain infarction (BI) and intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). Patients suffering from BI (n = 126) had significantly (p < 0.05) higher CCA-IMT when compared to the ICH population (n = 30). The multinomial logistic regression procedure selected CCA-IMT as an independent factor able to discriminate between BI and ICH. The risk of BI versus ICH increased continuously with increasing CCA-IMT. After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors the odds ratio for BI per 0.1 mm CCA-IMT increase was 1.29 (95% CI: 1.03-1.61). The present results demonstrate the possible predictive power of non-invasive measurement of the CCA-IMT with respect to BI versus ICH and deserve further investigation.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Anticoagulation influences long-term outcome in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and severe ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist regarding long-term prognosis in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) who have survived a severe, disabling stroke. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess long-term prognosis and its determinants in a prospective case series of stroke survivors with AF and moderate to severe handicap. METHODS: From a consecutive series of AF patients with first-ever ischemic stroke, we evaluated prospectively those with moderate to severe disability (grade 4-5 on the modified Rankin Scale) who were treated during a 5-year follow-up period with either warfarin or aspirin. Death and recurrent vascular events were documented. RESULTS: Out of a pool of 438 AF patients, 191 were prospectively assessed. During a mean follow-up of 50.4 months, the cumulative 5-year mortality was 76.7% (95% CI, 69.0-84.3) and the 5-year recurrence rate was 33.7% (95% CI, 23.3-44.1). Cox regression analysis revealed that increasing age, increasing handicap, and aspirin versus warfarin were independent predictors of mortality. Prior transient ischemic attack and aspirin versus warfarin were predictors of vascular recurrence. Anticoagulation was associated with a decreased risk of death (hazard ratio [HR], 0.44; 95% CI, 0.27-0.70; P < 0.001) and recurrent thromboembolism (HR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.17-0.77; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that chronic anticoagulation therapy may be effective in lengthening survival and preventing recurrent thromboembolism in AF patients who have suffered a severely disabling ischemic stroke.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2004

Progressive stroke due to essential thrombocythemia.

We report a case of progressive stroke, due to an intracranial thrombosis, leading to a high-grade stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA). Essential thrombocythemia (ET) was identified as the cause of thrombosis. Effective anticoagulation in the acute phase of cerebral ischemia prevented further thrombus organization and total vessel obstruction. After clinical improvement and normalization of platelet counts under hydroxyurea, anticoagulation was stopped and antiplatelet agents were subsequently administered.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Blood pressure course in acute ischaemic stroke in relation to stroke subtype.

OBJECTIVES: Blood pressure (BP) management in acute stroke remains a matter of little consensus. Data on BP changes during the first hours of ictus are lacking. We aimed to evaluate the early spontaneous time course of BP in different ischaemic stroke (IS) subtypes. METHODS: Twenty-four h BP monitoring was performed in 200 first-ever hyper-acute IS patients. The recording was initiated and terminated at 3 h and 27 h of ictus respectively. All IS patients were classified on admission into the following subgroups of different etiology: large artery atherosclerotic stroke (LAA), cardio-embolic stroke (CE), lacunar stroke (LAC) and infarct of undetermined cause (IUC). Statistical comparisons between stroke subgroups were performed using one-way ANOVA and linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the influence of different factors in BP course. RESULTS: Although there were no significant differences in 24 h systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BP values between IS subgroups, a distinctly different SBP course was observed. The SBP dropped sharply in the LAA and LAC subgroups, while a more gradual decrease was monitored in the CE subgroup. Throughout the BP-recording, a SBP decrease of 10.1% (95% CI: 8.6-11.5) and 10.4% (95% CI: 9.0-11.8) was documented in patients with LAA and LAC respectively, while a milder drop was recorded in CE (3.7%, 95% CI: 2.4-5.0) and IUC (5.5%, 95% CI: 4.1-6.8). Increasing stroke severity (p<0.001) and brain oedema (p=0.013) was independently associated with a milder spontaneous SBP reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous SBP course varies in acute ischaemic stroke subtypes of different etiology. This may have implications in the optimal management of post-stroke hypertension.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

Association between 24-h blood pressure monitoring variables and brain oedema in patients with hyperacute stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of blood pressure (BP) values on oedema formation following hyperacute stroke. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING AND PATIENTS: Acute stroke-unit in University hospital. A total of 240 consecutive first-ever ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke patients were recruited within 3 h of ictus. METHODS Casual and 24-h BP values were measured. Known stroke risk factors and clinical findings on admission were documented. Patients were imaged with computed tomography (CT) scan within 24 h from stroke onset and 5 days later in order to determine the presence of brain oedema. Patients who received antihypertensive medication during the BP monitoring were excluded. RESULTS: The main outcome measure was brain oedema formation, which was present in 78 (32.5%) patients. The 24-h systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean BP values, 24-h pulse pressure and heart rate values were significantly higher in patients with brain oedema than in the reference group (stroke patients without brain swelling). On multiple variable analysis, containing clinical, demographic and BP monitoring variables, 24-h SBP remained significantly (P = 0.019) associated with brain oedema. The odds ratio for oedema formation associated with each 10-mmHg increase in 24 h SBP was 1.25 (95% confidence intervals: 1.04-1.51). During the first 27 h after onset SBP course showed a spontaneous decline in the reference group, which was not documented in patients with brain oedema. CONCLUSION: Elevated 24-h SBP values in the acute stroke period are associated with subsequent brain oedema formation.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Two-peak temporal distribution of stroke onset in Greek patients. a hospital-based study.

A circadian distribution with a single peak of stroke onset in the morning hours has been described in various countries. Analysis of the temporal pattern of symptom onset in a series of 1253 Greek first-ever stroke patients revealed a circadian distribution with two incidence peaks between 08.00 and 10.00 h, and between 16.00 and 18.00 h. Considering the different etiopathogenic types of stroke, the same two-peak time pattern was evaluated in all stroke subgroups with the only exception of lacunar stroke, which seems to predominantly occur during night and sleep. A secondary stroke onset peak in the late afternoon has not been previously described in such detail. A relation between the second, however lower, frequency peak and the traditional Greek habit of afternoon sleep (siesta) could be assumed and deserves further investigation.

Adult↗