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Transcranial Doppler evaluation of middle cerebral artery stenosis.

Symptomatic stenoses of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) are not uncommon, although Corston observed the occurrence of stroke in 24% of patients with MCA stenoses during a 6-year follow-up study. We tried to use transcranial Doppler (TCD) sonography for the detection and evaluation of MCA stenoses. Intra-arterial angiography demonstrated 16 MCA stenoses of more than 30% diameter reduction in 15 patients (14 atheromatous stenoses, 2 dysplasias). Severe associated lesions were present in 2 cases (more than 75% internal carotid artery stenosis). These 15 patients with MCA stenosis were examined with TCD in a blind study. A Doppler signal from the MCA was obtained through the temporal bone and was recognized on the result of common carotid artery compression test. We ascertained MCA stenosis when TCD demonstrated 1) segmental flow acceleration with peak systolic frequency of more than 3 KHz with or without high energy low frequency direct or reverse components; or 2) segmental increase in systolic peak frequency of more than 20%. Using these criteria, we confirmed through TCD the presence of MCA stenosis in nine out of 12 cases with diameter reduction of at least 50%, and one among four cases with less than 50% diameter reduction. Although our results are consistent with Aaslid and von Reutern's figures, methodological problems and diagnostic criteria have to be improved. Nevertheless, TCD seems to be a useful tool for the detection of stenosis with at least 50% diameter reduction, where it proved to offer a 75% sensitivity. Further studies are necessary to improve sensitivity and specificity.

Adult↗

Incidence and risk factors of atherosclerotic cardiovascular accidents in predialysis chronic renal failure patients: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Accelerated atherosclerosis resulting in an abnormally high incidence of coronary and cerebrovascular occlusive accidents has been repeatedly reported in dialysis patients, but incidence and risk factors of such complications in chronic renal failure (CRF) predialysis patients are debated. METHODS: We prospectively assessed the incidence of first myocardial and cerebral infarction episodes in a cohort of 147 CRF patients (99 male) followed from January 1985 to December 1994. Relevant clinical and laboratory risk factors for atherogenesis were determined at yearly intervals. They included blood pressure, smoking, blood lipids, fibrinogen, and homocysteine which were compared in patients with (CVA+) or without (CVA-) occurrence of cardiovascular (CV) atherosclerotic accidents. RESULTS: Incidence of CV accidents was nearly three times higher in CRF patients than in the French general population in both genders. In particular, incidence of myocardial infarction in male patients aged 45-55, 55-65 and > 65 years was 7.6, 18.2, and 27.8/1000 patient-years, respectively, compared to 3.4, 8.9, and 10.4/1000 subject-years in the general population. Although age and degree of renal failure at onset of CV events or at end of follow-up did not differ between CVA+ and CVA- groups, cigarette smoking (24.5 [SD 24.3] vs 8.2 [14.7] pack-years, P < 0.0001) and systolic blood pressure (159 [19] vs 148 [19] mmHg, P < 0.001) were markedly higher in CVA+ patients. Similarly, mean plasma HDL-cholesterol was lower, whereas LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, apoB, Lp(a), fibrinogen, and homocysteine levels all were significantly higher in CVA+ than in CVA- patients. Multivariate Cox analysis identified cigarette smoking, systolic pressure, HDL cholesterol, and fibrinogen as independent risk factors for developing CV accidents. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of atherosclerotic CV complications is abnormally high in predialysis CRF patients, suggesting that the uraemic state per se is associated with atherogenesis. As several of the identified clinical and metabolic risk factors for such accidents are potentially remediable by specific therapeutic interventions, prophylactic measures should be initiated long before start of renal replacement therapy.

Aged↗

Different patterns of silent cerebral infarct in patients with coronary artery disease or hypertension.

The aim of the present study was to clarify the differences in the progression and the characteristics of silent cerebral infarcts (SCI) between patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertensive patients. Silent cerebral infarcts, a powerful prognostic indicator for stroke, are frequently found in patients with CAD and in hypertensives. However, the differences in the characteristics of SCI and related risk factors between CAD and hypertensive patients have not been thoroughly investigated. We evaluated the number of SCI and their distribution using brain magnetic resonance imaging (T1- and T2-weighted images) in 107 patients with CAD (validated by coronary angiography) and 101 hypertensive patients without history of clinical stroke. The prevalence of multiple SCI (three or more infarcts per person) in patients with CAD and with hypertension was significantly higher than in hypertensives without CAD (46% v 21%; P = .001), whereas that of patients with CAD without hypertension was intermediate (31%). The patients with multi- (two- or three-vessel) vessel diseases (VD) had a significantly higher prevalence of multiple SCI than the hypertensives and the no-stenosis or 1-VD group (68.1% in the 3-VD group, 52.0% in the 2-VD group, 26.8% in the 1-VD group, and 21.0% in the no-stenosis group). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that in the CAD group, the number of involved coronary arteries was an independent determinant of SCI (P < .005), whereas in the hypertensive group, age was an independent determinant of SCI (P < .005). When we investigated the distribution of SCI, in the CAD group, SCI in the deep perforator territory (the basal ganglia and the thalamus) were independently associated with the number of involved coronary arteries (P < .005), whereas SCI in the white matter were independently associated with age only (P < .005). In conclusion, SCI were more advanced in the patients with multivessel CAD than in the hypertensive patients, and were more common in patients with CAD and hypertension than in those without hypertension. Coronary atherosclerosis was independently and specifically associated with SCI located in the deep perferator territory but not of SCI located in the white matter. The CAD-atherosclerosis and hypertension may be independently involved in the pathologic process of SCI.

Arteriosclerosis↗

Schimke immunoosseous dysplasia complicated by moyamoya phenomenon.

Schimke immunoosseous dysplasia (SID) is an autosomal recessive spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia that was first described by Schimke et al. [1971: Lancet 2:1088-1089]. It is associated with premature arteriosclerosis and cerebral ischemia; however, the cerebral vascular abnormalities causing ischemia have not been described [Spranger et al., 1991: J Pediatr 119:64-72; Ehrich et al., 1995: Clin Nephrol 43:89-95]. Based on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and magnetic resonance venography (MRV), we now report on 2 girls with SID who have cerebral ischemia associated with moyamoya phenomenon. In addition, one patient also has an absent or occluded left transverse sinus and diffuse aortic narrowing. This is the first characterization of the cerebral vascular abnormality found in SID and raises the possibility that cerebral moyamoya may represent another major manifestation of the underlying genetic defect in SID.

Brain Ischemia↗

[Controlled hypotension].

Induced hypotension is defined as a reduction in mean arterial blood pressure to 50-60 mm Hg in normotensive subjects. The aim of induced hypotension is to decrease intraoperative blood loss, decrease the need for blood transfusions and improve operating conditions. Most studies indicate that induced hypotension can decrease intraoperative blood loss by 50% in many surgical procedures; however, some studies report that blood loss is not significantly reduced. Current methods of induced hypotension are based on the use of rapid and short-acting vasodilators as primary agents (nitroprusside, nitroglycerine, urapidil), supplemented by volatile anesthetics (isoflurane) and/or beta-blockers (esmolol) to improve effect, reduce dosage and prevent side effects (reflex tachycardia, tachyphylaxis, rebound hypertension). Proper positioning of the patient and controlled ventilation aid in reducing blood loss. Major risks of induced hypotension are a reduction in blood flow (i.e. ischaemia) of vital organs (brain, myocardium) and elevation of intracranial pressure in neurosurgical patients. Thus, major contraindications of induced hypotension are severe coronary artery disease, hypertension combined with arteriosclerosis of cerebral vessels and increased intracranial pressure in patients with cerebral disease. Complications are rare in otherwise healthy patients, but may be higher in elderly patients and those with underlying organ dysfunction. Therefore, careful assessment and selection of patients, together with consideration of the potential complications, appropriate choice of drugs and invasive beat-by-beat monitoring, are essential for the safe practice of induced hypotension.

Anesthesia↗

A study of periventricular hyperintensity. I. Normal brain aging.

Fifty-two patients with cerebrovascular risk factors without neurological abnormalities were examined by magnetic resonance imaging and were evaluated for their periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) on T2-weighted images. We assumed that PVH was not a mere focal finding of the brain but a kind of marker for condition related to arteriosclerosis and cerebral ischemia, and we tried to devise a model screening test, using common parameters available in most ordinary hospitals, to predict PVH. Multiple regression analysis was performed by setting up the PVH% (the volume percentage of PVH to cranial cavity) as a dependent variable and twenty-seven variables associated with general medical examination and brain atrophy as explanatory variables. We found that arteriosclerotic changes in the body as well as brain atrophy were significantly correlated with PVH, and that PVH could be predicted with a high contribution ratio of 0.70. It is clinically important to examine the elderly with our screening test to predict PVH in order to detect the early stages of ischemia.

Journal Article↗

Efficacy of stent angioplasty for symptomatic stenoses of the proximal vertebral artery.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of stent angioplasty in the treatment of symptomatic arteriosclerotic stenoses of the proximal vertebral artery (VA). METHODS: Thirty-eight symptomatic stenoses of the vertebral origin were treated with flexible balloon-expandable coronary stents. Angiographic and clinical follow-up examinations were obtained in 26 patients at a mean of 11 months. RESULTS: The immediate post-procedural angiographic results showed no residual stenosis in 33 vessels and mild residual stenoses in five vessels. Periprocedurally, there were two asymptomatic technical complications and one TIA. During follow-up re-stenosis could be detected in 10 cases (36%), and vessel occlusions in two patients. Two stents were broken. One of the restenosis caused a TIA within the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Flexible balloon-expandable coronary stents proved to be save and effective in preventing vertebrobasilar stroke but were incapable to preserve the proximal vertebral artery lumen. For the VA origine an adequate stent, self-expanding, bioresorbable, or drug-eluting has to be found.

Adult↗

Aortic atherosclerosis and perioperative stroke in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass: role of intra-operative transesophageal echocardiography.

Intra-operative transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 126 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Significant protruding atheromas (grade IV and V; Katz et al., 1992) were present in 12 patients (9.5%). Protruding atheromas had significantly higher incidence in patients above 60 years in age. Preoperative assessment with chest roentgenography and angiography, as well as intra-operative assessment by surgical palpation proved to be insensitive in detecting aortic atheromas. Out of four patients with grade V atheromas, two (50%) developed right hemiplegia postoperatively. For the rest, patients with grade V atheromas and eight patients with grade IV atheromas, surgical technique was modified and that helped in preventing occurrence of perioperative stroke.

Adult↗

Surgical reconstruction of the extracranial vertebral artery: management and outcome.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the risk and outcome of reconstruction of the extracranial vertebral artery (ECVA). METHOD: The study was conducted as a retrospective review of 369 consecutive ECVA reconstructions. RESULTS: The clinical presentations consisted of hemispheric symptoms alone in 4% of the cases, hemispheric and vertebrobasilar symptoms in 30%, and vertebrobasilar symptoms alone in 60%. The cause of the lesion was atherosclerosis (n = 300), extrinsic compression (n = 42), dissection (n = 7), radiation arteritis (n = 5), intimal hyperplasia (n = 3), fibromuscular dysplasia (n = 2), previous surgical ligation (n = 3), aneurysm (n = 2), and other (n = 5). All the patients underwent preoperative arteriography. There were 252 proximal ECVA reconstructions (218 transpositions, 42 bypass grafting procedures, and two other) and 117 distal ECVA reconstructions (85 bypass grafting procedures, 25 transpositions, and seven other). In 83 patients, the ECVA operation was performed concomitant with a carotid or supraaortic trunk reconstruction. This series was analyzed in two separate sets: before 1991 (n = 215), when changes in indications and management were occurring; and after 1991 (n = 154), when we acquired a dedicated anesthesia team and digital arteriography in the operating room and established uniform protocols for the management of ECVA disease. The stroke, death, and stroke/death rates for the period before 1991 were, respectively, 4. 1%, 3.2% and 5.1%. The stroke, death, and stroke/death rates for the period after 1991 were, respectively, 1.9%, 0.6% and 1.9%. The patency rate at 5 years was 80%. The survival rate at 5 years was 70%. Most of the deaths during the follow-up period were caused by cardiac disease. Among the survivors, the protection rate from stroke was 97%. CONCLUSION: The changes in operative selection and management have improved the results of ECVA reconstruction. The data reported for ECVA reconstruction in patients who underwent operation since 1991 reflect the outcome of ECVA reconstruction today. In our experience, a reconstruction of the ECVA is less risky than a carotid reconstruction.

Angiography↗