The correlation between intracranial arterial calcification and the outcome of reperfusion therapy.

Objective: Intracranial arterial calcification (IAC) is a risk factor of ischemic stroke. However, the relationship between IAC patterns and clinical outcome of ischemic stroke remains controversial. We aimed to investigate the correlation between IAC patterns and the effects of reperfusion therapy among acute stroke patients.

Cerebral Augmentation Effect Induced by External Counterpulsation Is Not Related to Impaired Dynamic Cerebral Autoregulation in Ischemic Stroke.

Background And Purpose: Dynamic cerebral autoregulation is impaired after ischemic stroke. External counterpulsation (ECP) augments the cerebral blood flow of patients with ischemic stroke by elevation of blood pressure (BP). We aimed to investigate if cerebral augmentation effects during ECP were associated with impaired dynamic cerebral autoregulation in patients after acute ischemic stroke.

Intracranial Arterial Calcification and Intracranial Atherosclerosis: Close but Different.

Background And Purpose: Intracranial arterial calcification (IAC) may be present in the intimal or medial arterial layer. This study aimed to elucidate the link between the calcification and atherosclerotic disease in the intracranial vasculature.

Methods: Consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke were included.

Understanding the Clinical Implications of Intracranial Arterial Calcification Using Brain CT and Vessel Wall Imaging.

Intracranial arterial calcification (IAC) has been the focus of much attention by clinicians and researchers as an indicator of intracranial atherosclerosis, but correlations of IAC patterns (intimal or medial) with the presence of atherosclerotic plaques and plaque stability are still a matter of debate. Our study aimed to assess the associations of IAC patterns identified on computed tomography (CT) with the presence of plaque detected on vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging and plaque stability. Patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack and intracranial artery stenosis were recruited.

Dabigatran or Aspirin in East Asian Patients With Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source: RE-SPECT ESUS Subgroup Analysis.

Background And Purpose: We assessed the outcomes of dabigatran versus aspirin in a prespecified subgroup analysis of East Asian patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source in the RE-SPECT ESUS trial (Randomized, Double-Blind, Evaluation in Secondary Stroke Prevention Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of the Oral Thrombin Inhibitor Dabigatran Etexilate Versus Acetylsalicylic Acid in Patients With Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source).

Methods: Patients with a recent embolic stroke of undetermined source were randomized to dabigatran (150 or 110 mg BID) or aspirin (100 mg QD). The primary efficacy outcome was recurrent stroke; the primary safety outcome was major bleeding.

Intracranial Arterial Calcification Relates to Long-Term Risk of Recurrent Stroke and Post-stroke Mortality.

Intracranial arterial calcification (IAC) is highly prevalent in ischemic stroke patients. However, data on the association of IAC with stroke recurrence and mortality remains limited. We examined the effect of IAC on the long-term recurrence of stroke and the risk of post-stroke mortality.

Beat-to-beat blood pressure variability and heart rate variability in relation to autonomic dysregulation in patients with acute mild-moderate ischemic stroke.

Autonomic dysregulation is common in post-stroke patients. We aimed to correlate beat-to-beat blood pressure variability (BPV) and heart rate variability (HRV) with Ewing's test classification. We enrolled patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Postmortem Study Exploring Distribution and Patterns of Intracranial Artery Calcification.

Background and Purpose- Intracranial artery calcification detected by computed tomography is associated with ischemic stroke as an indicator of intracranial atherosclerosis. However, little is known about its histopathology. This study aimed to explore the intracranial calcification patterns and their associations with atherosclerotic plaques.

Validity and reliability of two alternate versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Hong Kong version) for screening of Mild Neurocognitive Disorder.

Objective: Repeated testing using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) increases risks for practice effects which may bias measurements of cognitive change. The objective of this study is to develop two alternate versions of the MoCA (Hong Kong version; HK-MoCA) and to investigate the validity and reliability of the alternate versions in patients with DSM-5 Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (Mild NCD) and cognitively healthy controls.

Methods: Concurrent validity and inter-scale agreement were examined by Pearson correlation of the total scores between the original and alternate versions and the Bland-Altman Method.

The potential synergism by combining external counterpulsation with intermittent theta burst stimulation in post-stroke motor function recovery.

Upper limb weakness and incoordination is a common disability following ischemic stroke. Previous studies have showed that the single application of external counterpulsation (ECP) and intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) can effectively enhance the cortical motor excitability and facilitate recovery. However, it remains uncertain if sequential application of these therapies would further augment the recovery.

External Counterpulsation Reduces Beat-to-Beat Blood Pressure Variability When Augmenting Blood Pressure and Cerebral Blood Flow in Ischemic Stroke.

Background And Purpose: External counterpulsation (ECP) is a noninvasive method used to enhance cerebral perfusion by elevating the blood pressure in ischemic stroke. However, the response of the beat-to-beat blood pressure variability (BPV) in ischemic stroke patients during ECP remains unknown.

Methods: We enrolled recent ischemic stroke patients and healthy controls.

Combined external counterpulsation and endovascular stenting treatment for symptomatic vertebrobasilar artery stenosis: two case reports.

Symptomatic vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) stenosis has a poor prognosis. Intravascular stents provide a new therapeutic approach, but the long-term outcome of stenting compared with medical outcome is controversial. External counterpulsation (ECP) is a noninvasive method to improve perfusion of vital organs.

Validity and reliability of the neuropsychiatric inventory questionnaire version in patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack having cognitive impairment.

This study examined the validity and reliability of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire version (NPI-Q), a proxy-reported format of the interview-based NPI, in assessing neuropsychiatric symptoms in 173 patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) having cognitive impairment. The NPI-Q was validated against the NPI as a gold standard. Informants took approximately 7 minutes to complete the NPI-Q.

Case report: a 70-year-old man with undiagnosed factor VII deficiency presented with acute ischemic stroke.

Factor VII deficiency is an uncommon coagulation disorder that patient usually presents with bleeding diathesis, but thrombotic event has been reported. We report a case of unusual clinical presentation in a patient with undiagnosed factor VII deficiency who presented with acute ischemic stroke.

Predictors of good functional outcome in counterpulsation-treated recent ischaemic stroke patients.

Objectives: External counterpulsation (ECP) is a non-invasive method being investigated for ischaemic stroke. We aimed to explore predictors of good functional outcome for ECP-treated ischaemic stroke patients who completed a minimum of 10 sessions.

Methods: We analysed our ECP registry of ischaemic stroke patients with cerebral large artery stenosis who underwent ECP therapy at the Prince of Wales Hospital from 2004 to 2010.

Learning curve of Wingspan stenting for intracranial atherosclerosis: single-center experience of 95 consecutive patients.

Background: Symptomatic brain hemorrhage was a significant cause of periprocedural stroke or death following stenting in the Stenting and Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis trial, which called into question the safety of Wingspan stenting for intracranial atherosclerosis. This study analyzed the role of a learning curve in the safety and outcome of Wingspan stenting from the experience of 95 consecutive patients at a single center.

Methods: In this prospective study the endpoints were major stroke or death (modified Rankin Scale score >3) within 30 days, other neurological complications, technical procedural problems, technical success in completion of angioplasty and stenting and recurrent ischemic stroke in the corresponding vascular territory after 30 days.

Angioplasty and stenting of intracranial atherosclerosis with the Wingspan system: 1-year clinical and radiological outcome in a single Asian center.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the 1-year clinical and angiographic outcome of angioplasty and stenting of intracranial atherosclerosis using Wingspan and Gateway system.

Methods: In this prospective study, patients with symptomatic lesions were treated and followed clinically and angiographically by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for 1 year. The two primary endpoints were recurrent ipsilateral ischemic stroke and in-stent restenosis (ISR) at 1 year.

Multiple atherosclerosis-related biomarkers associated with short- and long-term mortality after stroke.

Objectives: We investigated the relationships of biomarkers of various pathophysiologic pathways including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), lipocalin-2 (LCN2), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP9) with mortality in stroke patients.

Design And Methods: hs-CRP, LCN2 and MPO concentrations in 92 patients were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. MMP9 mRNA concentrations were determined using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

Angioplasty and stenting for intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis with nitinol stent: factors affecting technical success and patient safety.

Background: Angioplasty and stenting using nitinol stents is a recognized treatment option for intracranial atherosclerosis.

Objective: To identify procedure-related factors that may affect patient safety and technical outcome.

Methods: In this prospective study of 57 consecutive patients, the primary end points were intraprocedural technical problems, periprocedure morbidity, and complications.

Symptomatic ostial vertebral artery stenosis: treatment with drug-eluting stents--clinical and angiographic results at 1-year follow-up.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary results of using paclitaxel-eluting stents for angioplasty and to treat symptomatic atherosclerotic ostial vertebral artery (VA) stenosis.

Materials And Methods: Institutional review board approval and written informed consent were obtained for this prospective study. Nine men and one woman (average age, 65.

The clinical course of multiple sclerosis patients in Hong Kong.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a low prevalence in Hong Kong.

Objective: To reassess MS prevalence in Hong Kong and to examine associated risk factors for relapsing-remitting type MS patients to reach Kurtzke's Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS) of 6.0, i.

Hyperacute extensive middle cerebral artery territory infarcts. Role of computed tomography in predicting outcome.

Objective: To assess the prognostic value of computed tomography (CT) in hyperacute middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarcts.

Methods: The CT features, total CT score, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score were correlated with the 30-day mortality in 16 patients with a hyperacute MCA infarct.

Results: Admission NIHSS scores were significantly lower in the survival group (P = 0.