In 2014, the new concept of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) was first proposed by cryptogenic stroke/ESUS International Working Group. In the past 5 years, related clinical researches of ESUS have been deepened, and the results of many large clinical studies have been published. However, the guiding significance of this new concept to clinical practice is still controversial. By reviewing the background, diagnostic criteria, assessment, common emboli sources, anticoagulant therapy research advances and related limitations of ESUS, and analyzing the possible causes of negative anticoagulant therapy results, we explored the clinical value of this new classification.
Cryptogenic stroke (CS) accounts for 25% of ischemic stroke. The etiology of undetermined stroke is unclear leading to untargeted secondary prevention, high recurrence rate, so the clinical burden of cryptogenic stroke is substantial. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging can identify more occult cardiac embolism that cannot be identified by standard cardiac assessment based on its excellent spatial resolution and contrast, three-dimensional imaging capacity and ability to depict soft tissues, to accelerate the initiation of optimal secondary prevention and improve the prognosis of patients. This review summarizes the application of CMR in the field of CS in recent years. Based on the latest evidence of diagnosis and management strategies, this paper proposes a cardiac diagnostic examination plan for CS patients, thereby improving the secondary prevention strategy of CS patients and improving their quality of life.
A realizaton project of electrical stimulator aimed at motor dysfunction of stroke is proposed in this paper. Based on neurophysiological biofeedback, this system, using an ARM9 S3C2440 as the core processor, integrates collection and display of surface electromyography (sEMG) signal, as well as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) into one system. By embedding Linux system, the project is able to use Qt/Embedded as a graphical interface design tool to accomplish the design of stroke rehabilitation apparatus. Experiments showed that this system worked well.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the timing of the long-term antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) therapy in patients with stroke related seizures. MethodsWe enrolled 90 Patients with post-stroke seizures who diagnosed in neurology and epilepsy specialist clinic of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital and followed up for at least 12 months from September 2014 to August 2016. The patients were divided into early-onset seizure group (occurring within 2 weeks of stroke) and late-onset seizure group (occurring after 2 weeks of stroke).The two groups were subdivided into treated and untreated group after the first seizure. ResultsThe patients were followed up for 12~96m (median 20m). 31 patients in ES group, 19 of which in treated group and 12 of which in untreated group. 59 patients in LS group, 36 of which in treated group and 23 of cases in untreated group. The recurrence rate of second seizures occurred in each group and the comparison between the subgroups in the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th mouth of follow-up as follows. 1 LS group compared with the group of ES, the recurrence rate of second seizures was high (25.81%~38.71% vs. 49.15%~69.49%), and there was statistical difference (P < 0.05). 2 The recurrence rate of ES in untreated group was lower than that in untreated LS group (16.77% 33.33% vs. 56.52% 73.91%), but only in 3m and 12m the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). 3 There was on statistically significant different in ES treated group compared to untreated group, LS treated group compared to untreated group, ES treated group compared to LS treated group (P > 0.05). Both in group of ES and LS, The ratio of seizure recurred patients at different time points during follow-up period was highest at the time of 3m, 3 6m followed, within six months respectively as high as 91.67% and 76.59%. ConclusionOnly one early-onset seizure after stroke can be suspended long-term AEDs treatment, once it recurred that indicates the need for treatment. However, the recurrence rate of late-onset seizure was higher than that of early-onset seizure and it should be given long term AEDs treatment after the first seizure.
ObjectiveTo summarize the efficacy of clips and staplers for left atrial appendage in the thoracoscopic treatment of atrial fibrillation. Methods The clinical data of patients with atrial fibrillation treated in Xinhua Hospital from 2015 to 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received Mei's minimally invasive surgery for atrial fibrillation. Among them, patients were recruited in a clip group by clipping the left atrial appendage. The other patients were recruited in a stapler group to resect the left atrial appendage by stapler. Follow-up was conducted by outpatient clinic and telephone. Postoperative heart rhythm was recorded by the patient's symptoms, electrocardiogram and 24 h holter. Cranial magnetic resonance, cardiac CT and echocardiography were performed at least once during follow-up. Results There were 30 patients in the clip group, including 20 males and 10 females, with an average age of 65.7±7.1 years. There were 30 patients in the stapler group, including 20 males and 10 females with an average age of 66.8±5.4 years. All patients successfully received the procedure, with no conversion to thoracotomy or perioperative death. Sinus rhythm was maintained at discharge in 56 (93.3%) patients. Till June 2020, 59 patients were followed up for 42-66 (54.1±7.3) months and 1 patient in the clip group was lost. The residual length of the left atrial appendage was 3.9±1.8 mm in the clip group and 3.9±2.8 mm in the stapler group, and there was no statistical difference between the two groups (P=0.910). Kaplan-Meier curve indicated that there was no statistical difference in the maintenance of sinus rhythm between the two groups (P=0.757). During the follow-up period, all patients had no cerebrovascular adverse events such as stroke or embolism. Conclusion Clipping and resection of the left atrial appendage in thoracoscopic atrial fibrillation surgery are both safe and effective methods, which effectively prevent stroke. The atrial appendage clip makes the minimally invasive surgical intervention of the left atrial appendage safer and more convenient.
Objective To observe the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy combined with conventional rehabilitation in the treatment of hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP). Methods HSP patients admitted to Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University between January and October 2022 were selected. The enrolled patients were randomized into a control group and an experimental group in a 1∶1 ratio using SPSS 26.0 statistical software. The control group was given conventional rehabilitation training, and the experimental group was given extracorporeal shock wave treatment on this basis. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. Primary outcome measure was Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain. Secondary outcome measures were passive range of motion (PROM) of the shoulder joint, Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), and the activities of daily living were assessed by Modified Barthel Index (MBI). Results A total of 39 patients were included. Among them, there were 19 cases in the experimental group and 20 cases in the control group. Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in VAS, FMA-UE, MBI scores, and the PROM of flexion, extension, abduction, external rotation and internal rotation between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in MBI score and the PROM of extension, abduction, external rotation, internal rotation between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, intra group comparisons showed that the VAS, FMA-UE, MBI scores, and the PROM of flexion, extension, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation of the two groups were better than before treatment (P<0.001). After treatment, inter group comparison showed that the the VAS score in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group (t=5.291, P<0.05), while the FMA-UE score and the PROM of flexion in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group (t=−4.008, 3.164, P<0.05). Conclusion Extracorporeal shock wave therapy can significantly reduce the pain degree of patients with HSP and improve upper limb function and activities of daily living.
Diabetes mellitus patients have the characteristics of higher morbidity of ischemic stroke, severe symptoms, more recurrent stroke and higher mortality. Current studies have shown that stroke patients with or without diabetes mellitus have different pathophysiological mechanisms during stroke progress. Accordingly, treatment that is beneficial to non-diabetes mellitus patients may not be beneficial to diabetes mellitus stroke patients. This article reviews the current research status of pathophysiological mechanism of diabetes mellitus complicated with ischemic stroke, and provides reference for the relevant research of drug intervention in diabetes mellitus patients complicated with stroke.
Objective To evaluate the risk factors for cognitive impairment and their interactions in acute ischemic stroke (IS) patients. Methods IS patients admitted to the Department of Neurology, the People’s Hospital of Mianyang between January 2019 and January 2022 were selected. Patients were divided into a cognitive impairment group and a cognitive normal group. The demographic characteristics and clinical data of the subjects were collected, and the traditional risk factors for cognitive impairment were determined by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The multifactor dimensionality reduction test was used to detect the possible interactions between risk factors. Results A total of 255 patients were included. Among them, 88 cases (34.5%) in the cognitive impairment group and 167 cases (65.5%) in the cognitive normal group. The results of factor logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for covariates, big and medium infarction volume, severe IS, moderate to severe carotid artery stenosis as well as high hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were associated with post-IS cognitive impairment (P<0.05). The cognitive impairment increased by 22.632 times [odds ratio=22.632, 95% confidence interval (5.980, 85.652), P<0.001] in patients with big and medium infarction volume, severe IS and high hs-CRP. Conclusions The cognitive impairment is common in acute IS. Patients with big and medium infarction volume, non-mild stroke, carotid artery stenosis, high hs-CRP, and non-right sided infarction are prone to cognitive impairment, and there are complex interactions among these risk factors.
This article investigates the role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its downstream signaling targets in mediating cellular processes such as autophagy, apoptosis, and inflammation, offering insights into how acupuncture may treat common central nervous system (CNS) diseases, including ischemic stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson disease, and Alzheimer disease. AMPK and its downstream effectors are pivotal in the signaling pathways that underlie the pathophysiology of CNS diseases. These pathways are implicated in a variety of cellular responses that contribute to the progression of neurological disorders. During CNS injury, AMPK can be activated through phosphorylation, triggering the regulation of downstream molecules and exerting protective effects on neuronal function. Acupuncture has been shown to promote neuroprotection and enhance recovery in CNS diseases through multiple mechanisms, one of which involves the activation of AMPK-related signaling pathways. Nevertheless, numerous unresolved challenges remain in this research field.
Objective To explore the awareness of thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke in inpatients with a history of stroke and with a high risk of stroke. Methods From January to August 2012, using self-designed questionnaire, trained neurologists conducted the face to face investigation in 500 inpatients with a high risk of stroke, including those with a history of stroke in Department of Neurology in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. Results A total of 467 valid questionnaires were recovered. Only 16.1% (75/467) patients were aware of thrombolytic therapy for acute stroke, of whom 50.7% (38/75) knew the time window of thrombolytic therapy. Awareness of thrombolytic therapy was higher in patients aged 56-70 years, with a higher level of education and income, and in those who knew at least 3 stroke warning signs and those with a history of stroke. While awareness of the time window of thrombolytic therapy was higher in those unmarried or widowed and with a history of stroke. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that awareness of thrombolytic therapy was independently associated with age, education level, knowledge of stroke warning signs and a history of stroke; awareness of the time window was associated with marital status and a history of stroke (P<0.05). Conclusions Inpatients with a history of stroke and with a high risk of stroke in the Department of Neurology have poor awareness of thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke. It is necessary to improve the level of patients’ knowledge about thrombolytic therapy for acute stroke by health education.