BOLD fMRI signal in stroke patients and its importance for prognosis in the subacute disease period - Preliminary report.

Unlabelled: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) allows for the assessment of neuronal activity through the blood-level-dependent signal. The purpose of study was to evaluate the pattern of brain activity in fMRI in patients with ischemic stroke and to assess the potential relationship between the activity pattern and the neurological/functional status.

Methods: The fMRI was performed in patients up to 4th day of stroke.

The importance of atrial fibrillation and selected echocardiographic parameters for the effectiveness and safety of thrombolytic therapy in patients with stroke.

Background: The efficacy and safety of thrombolytic therapy in stroke depend on multiple factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of atrial fibrillation the prognosis in terms of the functional status in patients with stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis. An additional aim was also to assess the potential significance of reduced ejection fraction (EF) and enlarged left atrium (LA) of the heart for the prognosis in patients with stroke who underwent thrombolytic therapy.

Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis in a patient with extensive disease small-cell lung cancer.

Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (PLE) is a rare disorder infrequently accompanying malignancy, coexisting in ~50% of the cases with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). The pathomechanism of PLE is considered to be immune-mediated, with production of specific anti-Hu antibodies and activation of T-cells directed against onconeural antigens present on both tumor cells and neurons. We herein report the case of a 50-year-old male patient who, prior to being diagnosed with SCLC, presented with typical symptoms of PLE (seizures, subacute cognitive dysfunction with severe memory impairment, anxiety and hallucinations).

Efficacy and safety of mitoxantrone use in primary and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis - study site experience based on the therapy of 104 patients.

Unlabelled: Mitoxantrone (MX) is used in patients with primary and secondary progressive as well as relapsing-remitting type of multiple sclerosis (PPMS, SPMS, RRMS). The objective of our project was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MX use in patients with PPMS and SPMS.

Methods: The retrospective study included 104 patients (mean age 54.

Low Concentration of BDNF in the Acute Phase of Ischemic Stroke as a Factor in Poor Prognosis in Terms of Functional Status of Patients.

BACKGROUND According to recent studies, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) probably plays a role in development of cerebral ischemia and can be significant for the prognosis of improved mobility after stroke. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the blood concentration of BDNF during the 1st day of first-ever ischemic stroke and find a potential association between BDNF concentration and the neurological status in the acute period, as well as between BDNF and the functional status in the sub-acute phase of stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS The prospective study involved 87 patients aged 39-99 years (42 women, 45 men) with first-in-life complete ischemic stroke.

Rivaroxaban in secondary cardiogenic stroke prevention: two-year single-centre experience based on follow-up of 209 patients.

Background: The main goal of treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation is to counteract the effects of embolisation, considering the relatively high risk of cerebral embolic events.

Aim: An assessment of the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban in secondary stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

Methods: The study concerned 209 NVAF patients (male/female: 117/92; mean age 65.

Complex interventional treatment in a patient with atrial fibrillation and stroke caused by large carotid artery thrombus: a case report.

Background: The treatment option for acute ischaemic stroke depends on the duration of symptoms, the dynamics of neurological condition changes, the aetiology, type of stroke, as well as the results of angiographic and neuroimaging tests.

Case Presentation: A 60-year-old male patient presented with progressive left hemisphere stroke caused by extensive cardiogenic embolism of the common carotid artery and a thrombus closing the internal carotid artery from its ostium to the level of its intracranial division. The complex revascularisation therapy involving surgical embolectomy of the common carotid artery, thrombectomy of the internal carotid artery and intra-arterial thrombolysis has led to the improvement of arterial patency and has countered the progression of acute cerebral ischaemia.

The impact of anemia on the course and short-term prognosis in patients with first ever ischemic stroke.

Background: Anemia is the risk factor for cerebrovascular events. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of anemia among patients with first-ever stroke and its impact on neurological state in the acute phase of the disease and the degree of disability in short-term follow-up.

Patients And Methods: The prospective study included 107 patients aged 72.

The significance of troponin elevation for the clinical course and outcome of first-ever ischaemic stroke.

Background: An increase in the troponin I (TnI) level is a marker of myocardial damage in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and other conditions. According to the latest reports, an increase in the concentration of TnI in the acute phase of stroke relates to 1-34% of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of elevated TnI concentration in patients with acute first-ever stroke and to examine its significance for the prediction of post-stroke disability degree and death within 30 days of stroke.

Acute neurological symptoms of Moschcowitz disease - case report.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP, Moschcowitz disease) is characterized by thrombotic microangiopathy leading to microvascular occlusion and ischemic dysfunction of various organs including the brain. In the course of the rare disease most patients develop neurological symptoms of varying severity and characteristics. The case presented is that of a 34-year-old female patient with profound thrombocytopenia, anemia and rapidly progressive neurological deterioration into coma with normal result of brain imaging.

Evaluation of influence of chronic kidney disease and sodium disturbances on clinical course of acute and sub-acute stage first-ever ischemic stroke.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disturbance encountered in the neurological and neurosurgical intensive care units, and can exacerbate existing neurological deficits. The objective of this study was to observe the influences of chronic kidney disease and sodium disturbances on the clinical course of acute and sub-acute stages of first-ever ischemic stroke.

Cerebral microembolism in patients with segmental left ventricular wall motion abnormalities.

Background And Purpose: The significance of segmental heart wall motion abnormalities for stroke is unknown. The aims of the study included (1) comparison of the frequency and type of embolic signals in the middle cerebral artery in patients with segmental left ventricular wall hypokinesis due to coronary heart disease with and without stroke, and (2) determination of the relationship between inflammatory parameters, fibrinogen level, dyslipidemia and microembolic signals in the middle cerebral artery in patients with segmental heart hypokinesis.

Material And Methods: The study included 68 patients with segmental heart hypokinesis (33 without stroke [group I] and 35 with stroke [group II]), as well as 37 healthy volunteers and a reference group of 30 patients.