Association between blood-brain barrier permeability and changes in pulse wave velocity following a recent small subcortical infarct.

Cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) is associated with increased blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. We sought to evaluate whether arterial stiffness might be associated with BBB permeability in patients with cSVD. We assessed BBB permeability using Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in 29 patients that had suffered a recent small subcortical infarct (RSSI).

Relationship of arterial stiffness and baseline vascular burden with new lacunes and microbleeds: A longitudinal cohort study.

Introduction: Arterial stiffness may have a significant impact on the development of cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD).

Patients And Methods: We obtained pulse wave velocity (24-h PWV) by means of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in patients with a recent small subcortical infarct (RSSI). Patients with known cardiac or arterial embolic sources were excluded.

The role of specialist nurses in detecting spasticity and related symptoms in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Spasticity is a frequent symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS), which may negatively influence daily living activities (ADL).

Objectives: To (1) explore the feasibility to conduct a structured interview by specialist nurses about limitations in ADL; (2) determine the percentage of people with MS (PwMS) with limitations in ADL related to spasticity; (3) to assess the knowledge about spasticity and describe its clinical features.

Design: Observational, cross-sectional, multicentre study in 16 MS units of Catalonia (Spain).

NT-proBNP, cerebral small vessel disease and cardiac function in patients with a recent lacunar infarct.

NT-proBNP is produced from both atria and ventricles and it is increased in patients with cardiac disease. NT-proBNP is also associated with cerebral small vessel disease(cSVD) but there are no studies that had carried out a systematic evaluation of cardiac function in this specific setting. We conducted a prospective observational study in 100 patients within 30 days after a recent lacunar infarct by means of brain MRI, 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, transthoracic echocardiography, and plasmatic NT-proBNP.

Biomarkers levels and brachial and central blood pressure during the subacute phase of lacunar stroke and other ischemic stroke subtypes.

We aimed to evaluate brachial and central blood pressure (BP) estimates and biomarker levels in lacunar ischemic stroke (IS) and other IS subtypes (nonlacunar stroke). We studied 70 functionally independent subjects consecutively admitted to our institution after a first episode of IS. Subjects with previous heart failure were excluded.