Association of Left Atrial Stiffness With Risk of Cryptogenic Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults.

Background: Incidence of cryptogenic ischemic stroke (CIS) in young adults is increasing. Early left atrial (LA) myopathy might be 1 of the underlying mechanisms, but this has only been scarcely explored.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the association between increased LA stiffness and CIS in young adults.

Association between heavy alcohol consumption and cryptogenic ischaemic stroke in young adults: a case-control study.

Background: The underlying risk factors for young-onset cryptogenic ischaemic stroke (CIS) remain unclear. This multicentre study aimed to explore the association between heavy alcohol consumption and CIS with subgroup analyses stratified by sex and age.

Methods: Altogether, 540 patients aged 18-49 years (median age 41; 47.

Factors associated with progression of arterial stiffness in ischemic stroke survivors: the Norwegian Stroke in the Young Study.

Background: Progressive arterial stiffening may increase the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events in ischemic stroke survivors. Information about factors associated with progressive arterial stiffening during the follow-up of young patients with ischemic stroke is lacking.

Methods: Arterial stiffness by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) and ambulatory 24-hour blood pressure (24hBP) were assessed in 81 women and 190 men ≤60 years of age included in the Norwegian Stroke in the Young (NOR-SYS) study 3 months and 5.

Comparison of diffusion weighted imaging b0 with T2*-weighted gradient echo or susceptibility weighted imaging for intracranial hemorrhage detection after reperfusion therapy for ischemic stroke.

Purpose: Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) b0 may be able to substitute T2*-weighted gradient echo (GRE) or susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) in case of comparable detection of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), thereby reducing MRI examination time. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of DWI b0 compared to T2*GRE or SWI for detection of ICH after reperfusion therapy for ischemic stroke.

Methods: We pooled 300 follow-up MRI scans acquired within 1 week after reperfusion therapy.

Interobserver Agreement on Intracranial Hemorrhage on Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Ischemic Stroke.

Background: The Heidelberg Bleeding Classification, developed for computed tomography, is also frequently used to classify intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) on magnetic resonance imaging. Additionally, the presence of any ICH is frequently used as (safety) outcome measure in clinical stroke trials that evaluate acute interventions. We assessed the interobserver agreement on the presence of any ICH and the type of ICH according to the Heidelberg Bleeding Classification on magnetic resonance imaging in patients treated with reperfusion therapy.

Comparison Between First-Ever Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults in 1988-1997 and 2008-2017.

Aim: To compare incidence of first-ever acute cerebral infarction, etiology and traditional risk factors in young adults 15-49 years in 1988-1997 and 2008-2017 in Hordaland County, Norway.

Methods: Case-finding of young adults with acute cerebral infarction in 1988-1997 was done retrospectively by computer research from hospital registries in Hordaland County. Young adults with acute cerebral infarction living in the Bergen region in 2008-2017 were prospectively included in a database at Haukeland University Hospital.

Vascular risk factors and staging of atherosclerosis in patients and controls: The Norwegian Stroke in the Young Study.

Objectives: We studied the prevalence of vascular risk factors (RFs) among 385 ischaemic stroke patients ⩽60 years and 260 controls, and their association with atherosclerosis in seven vascular areas.

Methods: History of cardiovascular events (CVE), hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), dyslipidaemia, pack-years of smoking (PYS), alcohol, and physical inactivity were noted. Blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), lipid profile, epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), visceral abdominal adipose tissue (VAT), and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue were measured.

Prevalence of atherosclerosis and association with 5-year outcome: The Norwegian Stroke in the Young Study.

Objectives: We studied the prevalence of atherosclerosis among ischaemic stroke patients ≤60 years and controls at the time of the index stroke, and its association with occurrence of new cardiovascular events (CVEs) and mortality at a 5-year follow-up.

Methods: Prevalent atherosclerosis was assessed for 385 patients and 260 controls in seven vascular areas by electrocardiogram (ECG), ankle-arm index (AAI) and measurement of right and left carotid and femoral intima-media thickness (cIMT and fIMT) and abdominal aorta plaques (AAP). Clinical end-points were any new CVE (stroke, angina, myocardial infarction or peripheral arterial disease) or death from any cause at 5-year follow-up.

Global Differences in Risk Factors, Etiology, and Outcome of Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults-A Worldwide Meta-analysis: The GOAL Initiative.

Background And Objectives: There is a worldwide increase in the incidence of stroke in young adults, with major regional and ethnic differences. Advancing knowledge of ethnic and regional variation in causes and outcomes will be beneficial in implementation of regional health care services. We studied the global distribution of risk factors, causes, and 3-month mortality of young patients with ischemic stroke, by performing a patient data meta-analysis from different cohorts worldwide.

Sex differences in the Norwegian Tenecteplase Trial (NOR-TEST).

Background And Purpose: Sex differences in acute ischemic stroke is of increasing interest in the era of precision medicine. We aimed to explore sex disparities in baseline characteristics, management and outcomes in patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis included in the Norwegian Tenecteplase trial (NOR-TEST).

Methods: NOR-TEST was an open-label, randomized, blinded endpoint trial, performed from 2012 to 2016, comparing treatment with tenecteplase to treatment with alteplase within 4.

The impact of age and 24-h blood pressure on arterial health in acute ischemic stroke patients: The Norwegian stroke in the young study.

The impact of age and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (ABPM) on arterial stiffness and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in ischemic stroke patients younger than 60 years of age is poorly explored. A total of 385 acute ischemic stroke patients (aged 49.6±9.

The Course of Carotid Plaque Vulnerability Assessed by Advanced Neurosonology.

Carotid artery atherosclerosis is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke. This risk is related to plaque vulnerability and is characterized by plaque morphology, intraplaque neovascularization, and cerebral microembolization. Advanced neurosonology can identify vulnerable plaques and aid in preventing subsequent stroke.

Clinical manifestation of acute cerebral infarcts in multiple arterial territories.

Objectives: We aimed to assess frequencies and radiological aspects of single- and multiterritory clinical manifestation among patients with acute cerebral infarcts in multiple arterial territories (MACI).

Materials & Methods: We retrospectively reviewed admission records and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of patients with MACI admitted to our stroke unit between 2006 and 2017. MACI was defined as acute cerebral ischemic lesions in at least two out of three arterial cerebral territories, that is, the left anterior, right anterior and the bilateral posterior territory.

Association between Migraine and Cryptogenic Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults.

Objective: To assess the association between migraine and cryptogenic ischemic stroke (CIS) in young adults, with subgroup analyses stratified by sex and presence of patent foramen ovale (PFO).

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 347 consecutive patients aged 18 to 49 years with a recent CIS and 347 age- and sex-matched (±5 years) stroke-free controls. Any migraine and migraine with (MA) and migraine without aura (MO) were identified by a screener, which we validated against a headache neurologist.

The association of the metabolic syndrome with target organ damage: focus on the heart, brain, and central arteries.

Introduction: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an adverse metabolic state composed of obesity, hyperglycemia/pre-diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. It substantially increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality, and has a huge impact on public health.

Area Covered: The present review gives an update on the definition and prevalence of MetS, and its impact on cardiac structure and function as well as on the brain and central arteries.

Tenecteplase versus alteplase after acute ischemic stroke at high age.

Background: Stroke prevalence is increasing with age. Alteplase is the only agent approved for thrombolytic treatment for patients with ischemic stroke, including patients ≥80 years. In the present study, the aim was to compare efficacy and safety of tenecteplase and alteplase in patients ≥80 years.

Young ischaemic stroke incidence and demographic characteristics - The Norwegian stroke in the young study - A three-generation research program.

Introduction: Norwegian Stroke in the Young Study (NOR-SYS) is a three-generation research program of young ischaemic stroke. In this study, we assessed ischaemic stroke incidence, education and work status among young stroke patients. Furthermore, we evaluated the participation of family members for future validated information on hereditary cardiovascular events.

Global Outcome Assessment Life-long after stroke in young adults initiative-the GOAL initiative: study protocol and rationale of a multicentre retrospective individual patient data meta-analysis.

Introduction: Worldwide, 2 million patients aged 18-50 years suffer a stroke each year, and this number is increasing. Knowledge about global distribution of risk factors and aetiologies, and information about prognosis and optimal secondary prevention in young stroke patients are limited. This limits evidence-based treatment and hampers the provision of appropriate information regarding the causes of stroke, risk factors and prognosis of young stroke patients.

Association of increased arterial stiffness with diastolic dysfunction in ischemic stroke patients: the Norwegian Stroke in the Young Study.

Background: Young and middle-aged ischemic stroke survivors have a high prevalence of hypertension, increased arterial stiffness and abnormal left ventricular (LV) geometry, which all are associated with the presence of LV diastolic dysfunction. However, the prevalence and covariates of diastolic dysfunction in these patients have not been reported.

Objectives: To explore diastolic dysfunction in ischemic stroke patients aged 15-60 years included in the Norwegian Stroke in the Young Study.

Short-Term Outcome and In-Hospital Complications After Acute Cerebral Infarcts in Multiple Arterial Territories.

Background and Purpose- Patients with acute cerebral infarcts in multiple arterial territories (MACI) represent a substantial portion of the stroke population. There are no data on short-term outcome and in-hospital complications in patients with MACI. We compared patients with MACI with patients having acute cerebral infarct(s) in a single arterial territory.

Is atopic sensitization associated with indicators of early vascular ageing in adolescents?

Background: Chronic systemic inflammation accelerates early vascular ageing. Atopic sensitization and allergic diseases may involve increased inflammatory activity. This study aimed to assess whether atopic sensitization and allergic diseases were associated with altered vascular biomarkers in Norwegian adolescents.

Searching for Explanations for Cryptogenic Stroke in the Young: Revealing the Etiology, Triggers, and Outcome (SECRETO): echocardiography performance protocol.

Background: The incidence of ischemic stroke in young patients is increasing and associated with unfavorable prognosis due to high risk of recurrent cardiovascular events. In many young patients the cause of stroke remains unknown, referred to as cryptogenic stroke. Neuroimaging frequently suggests a proximal source of embolism in these strokes.

Five-year readmission and mortality differ by ischemic stroke subtype.

Background: Ischemic stroke subtype may influence the risk of readmission and mortality after ischemic stroke (IS) and transient ischemic attack (TIA) due to differences in comorbidity, risk factors, and stroke severity. We aimed to study the five-year incidence and risk of all-cause readmission, cause-specific readmission and mortality after IS or TIA by stroke subtype.

Methods: The medical records of 1453 patients admitted with IS or TIA to the stroke unit at Haukeland University Hospital, Norway, between 2007 and 2012 were reviewed for identification of unplanned readmissions within five years after discharge.