Evaluation of non-stenotic carotid atherosclerotic plaques with combined FDG-PET imaging and CT angiography in patients with ischemic stroke of unknown origin.

Objectives: Non-stenotic plaques are an underestimated cause of ischemic stroke. Imaging aspects of high-risk carotid plaques can be identified on CT angiography (CTA) and 18F-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging. We evaluated in patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke the usefulness of FDG-PET-CTA.

Prevalence and Outcome of Potential Candidates for Left Atrial Appendage Closure After Stroke With Atrial Fibrillation: WATCH-AF Registry.

Background And Purpose: As a result of contraindications (eg, frailty, cognitive impairment, comorbidities) or patient refusal, many patients with stroke and atrial fibrillation cannot be discharged on oral anticoagulant. Among them, the proportion of potential candidates for left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) and their 12-month outcome is not well known.

Methods: The prospective WATCH-AF registry (Warfarin Aspirin Ten-A Inhibitors and Cerebral Infarction and Hemorrhage and Atrial Fibrillation) enrolled consecutive patients admitted within 72 hours of an acute stroke associated with atrial fibrillation in 2 stroke centers.

Twelve-month outcome in patients with stroke and atrial fibrillation not suitable to oral anticoagulant strategy: the WATCH-AF registry.

Aims: Long-term oral anticoagulant (LTOAC) reduces ischaemic stroke recurrences. Because of bleeding history, frailty, cognitive impairment, comorbidities or patient refusal, many cannot be discharged from stroke unit on LTOAC. Proportion and outcome of these patients is not well known.

A Comparison of Two LDL Cholesterol Targets after Ischemic Stroke.

Background: The use of intensive lipid-lowering therapy by means of statin medications is recommended after transient ischemic attack (TIA) and ischemic stroke of atherosclerotic origin. The target level for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol to reduce cardiovascular events after stroke has not been well studied.

Methods: In this parallel-group trial conducted in France and South Korea, we randomly assigned patients with ischemic stroke in the previous 3 months or a TIA within the previous 15 days to a target LDL cholesterol level of less than 70 mg per deciliter (1.