Gait characteristics in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a review on the effects of CSF tap test and shunt surgery.

Background: Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a progressive disease characterized by disproportionate ventricular enlargement at brain imaging with gait disturbance and an increased risk of falling. Gait assessment is a key feature in the diagnosis of iNPH and characterization of post-surgical outcomes.

Research Question: How do gait parameters change 24 h after CSF tap test (CSFTT) and after ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery?

Methods: The PRISMA guidelines were used to perform the systematic review.

MRI of cerebral oedema in ischaemic stroke and its current use in routine clinical practice.

Currently, with the knowledge of the role of collateral circulation in the development of cerebral ischaemia, traditional therapeutic windows are being prolonged, with time not being the only criterion. Instead, a more personalised approach is applied to select additional patients who might benefit from active treatment. This review briefly describes the current knowledge of the pathophysiology of the development of early ischaemic changes, the capabilities of MRI to depict such changes, and the basics of the routinely used imaging techniques broadly available for the assessment of individual phases of cerebral ischaemia, and summarises the possible clinical use of routine MR imaging, including patient selection for active treatment and assessment of the outcome on the basis of imaging.

Correlation between retinal oxygen saturation and the haemodynamic parameters of the ophthalmic artery in healthy subjects.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to obtain the values of oxygen saturation in retinal vessels and ophthalmic blood flow parameters in a healthy Caucasian population and assess whether the oximetry parameters are affected by the flow rate or the vascular resistance.

Methods: The spectrophotometric retinal oximetry and colour Doppler imaging (CDI) of retinal vessels were successfully performed with 52 healthy subjects (average age 29.7 ± 5.

Socioeconomic status and lifestyle in young ischaemic stroke patients: a possible relationship to stroke recovery and risk of recurrent event.

Objectives: Socioeconomic status (SES) and lifestyle have impact on recovery after ischaemic stroke (IS) and on risk of recurrent ischaemic stroke (RIS) in elderly patients. With regard to currently available limited data on young people, we aimed to assess SES and parameters of lifestyle and evaluate their relationship to stroke recovery and risk of RIS in young patients.

Methods: We analysed consecutive young IS patients < 50 years enrolled in the prospective HISTORY (Heart and Ischaemic STrOke Relationship studY) study registered on ClinicalTrials.

Elasticity of neck muscles in cervicogenic headache.

Aim: To compare the elasticity of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles in patients with cervicogenic headache and in healthy volunteers.

Methods: The medical history of 23 patients with cervicogenic headache was taken with a focus on pain characteristics. Elasticity of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles was measured by using shear wave elastography.

Brain Imaging Findings and Response to Intravenous Thrombolysis in Posterior Circulation Stroke.

Introduction: Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is a standard treatment for both anterior circulation ischaemic stroke (ACIS) and posterior circulation ischaemic stroke (PCIS). Our aim was to evaluate the predictors for a good clinical outcome and intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) in patients undergoing posterior circulation IVT based on the initially performed CT or MR imaging.

Methods: The study cohort consisted of 1643 consecutive patients with acute ischaemic stroke (1440 ACIS, 203 PCIS cases) who underwent IVT.

Arterial Hypertension and Risk of Recurrent Event in Young Ischemic Stroke Patients.

Introduction: In young patients, the cause of ischemic stroke (IS) remains often cryptogenic despite presence of traditional vascular risk factors (VRFs). Since arterial hypertension (AH) is considered the most important one, we aimed to evaluate the impact of AH and blood pressure (BP) levels after discharge on risk of recurrent IS (RIS) in young patients.

Methods: The study set consisted of acute IS patients < 50 years of age enrolled in the prospective Heart and Ischemic STrOke Relationship studY registered on ClinicalTrials.

Young cryptogenic ischemic stroke: A descriptive analysis of clinical and laboratory characteristics, outcomes and stroke recurrence.

Background And Purpose: Ischemic strokes (IS) occur also in young adults and despite an extensive work-up the cause of IS remains very often cryptogenic. Thus, effectiveness of secondary prevention may be unclear. We aimed to analyze a relationship among vascular risk factors (VRF), clinical and laboratory parameters, outcomes and recurrent IS (RIS) in young cryptogenic IS (CIS) patients.

Risk of recurrent ischemic stroke in young cryptogenic patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source.

Introduction: Elderly cryptogenic ischemic stroke (IS) patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) have a high risk of recurrent IS (RIS) compared to other stroke subtypes. In young ESUS patients, different sources of embolism may be a cause and the risk of RIS remains not enough established. The aim was to assess and compare risk of RIS between ESUS and non ESUS patients <50 years.

Changes in oxygen saturation and the retinal nerve fibre layer in patients with optic neuritis associated with multiple sclerosis in a 6-month follow-up.

Purpose: Optic neuritis (ON) is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the optic nerve, which can be the first manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS). The main goal was to assess changes in the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) and in retinal oxygen saturation [arterial (AS), venous (VS) and arterio-venous (A-V) difference] in the affected and unaffected eye.

Methods: Fifty patients with ON due to MS within 3 months of onset of symptoms were enrolled (17 males, mean age 35.

Low Levels of Glycemia within the First 48 Hours after Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke May be Associated with Better Clinical Outcome.

Introduction: Many different factors may have an impact on clinical outcome after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We aimed to investigate levels of serum glycemia (GLY) within the first 48 hours after MT.

Subjects And Methods: Consecutive AIS patients were enrolled in the retrospective bi-center study.

Intravenous Thrombolysis in Posterior Circulation Stroke.

Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is a standard treatment for both anterior circulation ischemic stroke (ACIS) and posterior circulation ischemic stroke (PCIS). PCIS is a clinical syndrome associated with ischemia-related changes in the territory of the posterior circulation arteries. Embolism is the most common stroke mechanism in posterior circulation.

Impact of blood pressure levels within first 24 hours after mechanical thrombectomy on clinical outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients.

Introduction: Despite early management and technical success of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), not all patients reach a good clinical outcome. Different factors may have an impact and we aimed to evaluate blood pressure (BP) levels in the first 24 hours after MT.

Methods: Consecutive AIS patients treated with MT were enrolled in the retrospective bi-center study.

Early manifestation of spasticity after first stroke in the territory of the internal carotid artery: A prospective multicenter study.

Aims: The main aim of this study was to provide an estimate of the incidence and prevalence of spasticity following stroke in the internal carotid artery territory for Regional Stroke Centers in the Czech Republic. A secondary goal was to identify predictors for the development of spasticity.

Methods: In a prospective cohort study, 256 consecutive patients with clinical signs of central paresis due to a first-ever stroke were examined in the acute stage.

Mechanical Thrombectomy in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke on Anticoagulation Therapy.

Introduction/purpose: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke (IS) can be performed also in patients on anticoagulation therapy (AT); however, sufficient and reliable data about safety and efficacy of MT are still missing. Thus, we aimed to compare these parameters between patients treated on AT and without AT.

Materials And Methods: All consecutive IS patients treated with MT using stent retrievers were included in the retrospective analysis.

Predictors for Intracranial Hemorrhage Following Intravenous Thrombolysis in Posterior Circulation Stroke.

Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is a standard treatment for anterior (ACS) and posterior circulation stroke (PCS). However, due to the low occurrence of PCS and of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in PCS, the knowledge about ICH predictors following IVT in PCS is sparse. Our aim was to identify predictors for ICH following IVT in PCS.

Posterior vs. anterior circulation infarction: demography, outcomes, and frequency of hemorrhage after thrombolysis.

Background: Intravenous thrombolysis is considered to be the standard specific reperfusion therapy in acute ischemic stroke in both anterior and posterior cerebral circulation.

Aims: Our aim was to evaluate the 90-day outcome and rate of intracranial hemorrhage after recombinant tissue plasminogen activator administration in posterior circulation stroke and to compare the intracranial hemorrhage risk for posterior circulation stroke and anterior circulation stroke.

Methods: The set consisted of 877 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients (777 anterior circulation stroke; 100 posterior circulation stroke) who underwent intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in a standard dose of 0·9 mg/kg.

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in young cryptogenic ischemic stroke: A 3-week ECG Holter monitoring study.

Background: Atrial fibrillation is known very frequent cause of ischemic stroke. Undetected paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is thus often considered a possible cause of cryptogenic ischemic stroke (CIS). The aim of this prospective study was to detect PAF using ECG Holter monitoring and determinate whether prolongation of the Holter monitoring to 3 weeks would increase the detection rates of PAF in young CIS patients ≤ 50 years.

Atrial fibrillation in young ischemic stroke patients: an underestimated cause?

Background: Undetected atrial fibrillation (AF) is often suspected as the possible cause in patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke (IS), especially in elderly population. In young IS patients, the prevalence of AF, particularly paroxysmal form, remains still not enough established. Our aim was to assess the presence of AF in young patients using a long-term electrocardiography (ECG) Holter monitoring.

Troponin T: Correlation with location and volume of acute brain infarction.

Background: The troponin T (cTnT) is frequently elevated in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. However, the relationship, if any, between the cTnT level and brain infarction remains to be established. The aim was to investigate the possible correlation between the location and volume of brain infarction and the cardiac cTnT serum level in AIS patients.

Outcome predictors in acute basilar artery occlusion.

Objective: to identify predictors of good outcome in acute basilar artery occlusion (Bao). Background: acute ischemic stroke (aiS) caused by Bao is often associated with a severe and persistent neurological deficit and a high mortality rate.

Methods: the set consisted of 70 consecutive aiS patients (51 males; mean age 64.

Management of acute basilar artery occlusion: should any treatment strategy prevail?

Background: Acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is relatively infrequent form of acute ischemic stroke associated with severe and persisting neurological deficit and high mortality rate (to 86%). Early recanalization is essential for good clinical outcome but the most effective treatment approach remains unestablished. Several treatment strategies are currently available but their safety and efficacy have only been tested in retrospective/prospective case series.

Troponin T in acute ischemic stroke.

Multiple interactions are considered to occur among the various forms of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the serum level profile of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) to evaluate factors associated with increased serum levels of cTnT. Patients with AIS enrolled in this prospective observational study were admitted to the hospital <12 hours after stroke onset.