Explore the vast range of titles available.

•The EVT has been proved superior in acute stroke due to large vessel occlusion.•No RCTs exist comparing IVT + EVT and EVT alone.•Present nonrandomized studies suggest more favorable outcome with combined IVT + EVT.•Safety of combined IVT + EVT is also supported by the meta-analyses.•Contraindications for tPA leave the stage for EVT alone. The superiority of endovascular treatment (EVT) in acute stroke due to large vessel occlusion has been proven in recent randomized trials. Yet, there are no randomized trials which have tested the additive effect of standard treatment with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) as pretreatment to EVT over EVT treatment alone. So far, the EVT treatment groups of RCTs most often had pretreatment with IVT. The current guidelines on acute stroke treatment rely on meta-analyses and systematic analyses from RCTs and observational studies on pretreatment with IVT + EVT. Clinicians also apply their clinical experience and local “in-house” protocols. We performed literature search on randomized controlled trials, systematic and meta-analyses and observational studies on recanalization therapies including intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular treatment or thrombectomy in acute stroke. Here we present a review and an opinion on the current choice of treatment modalities.

Background: Treating hyperglycemia in acute ischemic stroke may be beneficial, but knowledge on its prognostic value and optimal target glucose levels is scarce. We investigated the dynamics of glucose levels and the association of hyperglycemia with outcomes on admission and within 48 h after thrombolysis. Methods: We included 851 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis in the Helsinki University Central Hospital during 1998–2008. Outcome measures were unfavorable 3- month outcome (3–6 on the modified Rankin Scale), death, and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) according to NINDS criteria. Hyperglycemia was defined as a blood glucose level of ≧8.0 mmol/l. Four groups were identified based on (a) admission and (b) peak glucose levels 48 h after thrombolysis: (1) persistent normoglycemia (baseline plus 48-hour normoglycemia), (2) baseline hyperglycemia (48-hour normoglycemia), (3) 48-hour hyperglycemia (baseline normoglycemia), and (4) persistent hyperglycemia (baseline plus 48-hour hyperglycemia). Results: 480 (56.4%) of our patients (median age 70 years; onset-to-needle time 199 min; National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 9), had persistent normoglycemia, 59 (6.9%) had baseline hyperglycemia, 175 (20.6%) had 48-hour hyperglycemia, while persistent hyperglycemia appeared in 137 (16.1%) patients. Persistent and 48-hour hyperglycemia independently predicted unfavorable outcome [odds ratio (OR) = 2.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.41–3.86, and OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.30–3.38, respectively], death (OR = 6.63, 95% CI = 3.25–13.54, and OR = 3.13, 95% CI = 1.56–6.27, respectively), and sICH (OR = 3.02, 95% CI = 1.68–5.43, and OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.04–3.43, respectively), whereas baseline hyperglycemia did not. Conclusions: Hyperglycemia (≧8.0 mmol/l) during 48 h after intravenous thrombolysis of ischemic stroke is strongly associated with unfavorable outcome, sICH, and death.

Objectives Quality of life (QoL) after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is poorly known. This study investigated factors affecting QoL and depression after spontaneous ICH. Materials and Methods This prospective study included patients admitted to Helsinki University Hospital between May 2014 and December 2016. Health‐related QoL (HRQoL) at 3 months after ICH was measured using the European Quality of Life Scale (EQ‐5D‐5L), and the 15D scale. Logistic regression analyses were used to test factors affecting HRQoL. EQ‐5D‐5L anxiety/depression dimension was used to analyze factors associated with anxiety/depression. Results Of 277 patients, 220 were alive, and sent QoL questionnaire. The questionnaire was returned by 124 patients. Nonreturners had more severe strokes with admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) 7.8 (IQR 3.0–14.8) versus 5.0 (IQR 2.3–11.0); p = 0.018, and worse outcome assessed as modified Rankin Scale 3–5 at 3 months 59.4% versus 44.4% (p = 0.030). Predictors for lower HRQoL by both scales were higher NIHSS with OR 1.28 (95% CI 1.13–1.46) for EQ‐5D‐5L, and OR 1.28 (1.15–1.44) for 15D, older age (OR 1.10 [1.03–1.16], and OR 1.09 [1.03–1.15]), and chronic heart failure (OR 18.12 [1.73–189.27], and OR 12.84 [1.31–126.32]), respectively. Feeling sad/depressed for more than 2 weeks during the year prior to ICH was predictor for lower EQ‐5D‐5L (OR 10.64 [2.39–47.28]), and history of ICH for lower 15D utility indexes (OR 11.85 [1.01–138.90]). Prior feelings of sadness/depression were associated with depression/anxiety at 3 months after ICH with OR 3.62 (1.14–11.45). Conclusions In this cohort of ICH patients with milder deficits, HRQoL was affected by stroke severity, comorbidities and age. Feelings of depression before ICH had stronger influence on reporting depression/anxiety after ICH than stroke severity‐related and outcome parameters. Thus, simple questions on patient's premorbid feelings of sadness/depression could be used to identify patients at risk of depression after ICH for focusing follow‐up and treatment. This study investigated factors affecting quality of life and depression after spontaneous ICH. Health‐related quality of life was affected by stroke severity, comorbidities, and age. Feelings of depression before ICH had stronger influence on reporting depression/anxiety after ICH than stroke severity‐related and outcome parameters.

Background Radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) is a treatment used to relieve symptoms of cranial nerve disorders. The current study is the first to describe the results of hemifacial spasm (HFS) patients with a history of repeated RFT in the second-largest consecutive single-center patient series with long-term follow-up. Method This retrospective study was conducted in the largest hospital district in Finland (Helsinki and Uusimaa). Consecutive HFS patients who had an RFT to treat HFS in the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa between 2009-2020 were included. Results Eighteen patients with 53 RFTs were identified from the medical records. 11 (61 %) patients had repeated RFTs, and the mean number of RFTs per patient was 3.33 (3.29 SD). The mean follow-up was 5.54 years (7.5 SD). 12 (67 %) patients had had microvascular decompression (MVD) before RFT. Patients were satisfied with the results after 87 % of RFTs. Relief of the twitching of the face lasted 11.27 months (11.94 SD). All patients had postoperatively transient facial paresis. Postoperative paresis lasted a mean of 6.47 months (6.80 SD). The depth of paresis was postoperatively typically moderate (36.54 %, House Brackmann III). 23.08 % had mild paresis (House-Brackmann II), 23.08 % had moderately severe dysfunction (House-Brackmann IV), 9.62 % had severe dysfunction, and 7.69 % had total paralysis of the facial muscles (House-Brackmann VI). Duration of relief in the face twitching (p 0.002) and temperature at the final coagulation point (p 0.004) were statistically significant predictors of satisfaction with the RFT results. Conclusions RFT can be used to treat recurrences of HFS repeatedly. It provides symptom relief for around 11 months, lasting four times longer than with botulinum toxin injections. Patients are satisfied, although an RFT produces transient, sometimes even severe, facial paresis.

BackgroundThe 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.MethodsAltogether, 540 patients aged 18–49 years (median age 41; 47.2% women) with a recent CIS and 540 sex-matched and age-matched stroke-free controls were included. Heavy alcohol consumption was defined as >7 (women) and >14 (men) units per week or at least an average of two times per month ≥5 (women) and ≥7 (men) units per instance (binge drinking). A conditional logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, education, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, current smoking, obesity, diet and physical inactivity was used to assess the independent association between alcohol consumption and CIS.ResultsPatients were twice as more often heavy alcohol users compared with controls (13.7% vs 6.7%, p<0.001), were more likely to have hypertension and they were more often current smokers, overweight and physically inactive. In the entire study population, heavy alcohol consumption was independently associated with CIS (adjusted OR 2.11; 95% CI 1.22 to 3.63). In sex-specific analysis, heavy alcohol consumption was associated with CIS in men (2.72; 95% CI 1.25 to 5.92), but not in women (1.56; 95% CI 0.71 to 3.41). When exploring the association with binge drinking alone, a significant association was shown in the entire cohort (2.43; 95% CI 1.31 to 4.53) and in men (3.36; 95% CI 1.44 to 7.84), but not in women.ConclusionsHeavy alcohol consumption, particularly binge drinking, appears to be an independent risk factor in young men with CIS.

Apoptotic cell death contributes to neuronal loss in the penumbral region of brain infarction. Activated caspase-3 (ACA-3) cleaves proteins including poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) important in DNA repair, thus promoting apoptosis. Overactivation of PARP-1 depletes NAD + and ATP, resulting in necrosis. These cell death phenomena have been investigated mostly in experimental animals. We studied an autopsy cohort of 13 fatal ischemic stroke cases (symptoms 15 h to 18 days) and 2 controls by immunohistochemical techniques. The number of PARP-1 immunoreactive neurons was highest in the periinfarct area. Nuclear PARP-1 correlated with increasing neuronal necrosis ( P  = 0.013). Cytoplasmic PARP-1 correlated with TUNEL in periinfarct and core areas ( P  = 0.01). Cytoplasmic cleaved PARP-1 was inversely correlated with increasing necrotic damage ( P  = 0.001). PAR-polymers were detected in neurons confirming enzymatic activity of PARP-1. Cytoplasmic ACA-3 correlated with death receptor Fas ( r s  = 0.48; P  = 0.005). In conclusion, the confirmation of the same pathways of cell death than previously described in experimental animal models encourages neuroprotective treatments acting on these mediators also in human stroke.

Abstract Background Familial aggregation of stroke is well-documented, yet few studies have examined associations between stroke subtypes—particularly early-onset cryptogenic ischaemic stroke (eCIS)—and broader family history (FH) of cardiovascular disease. Such associations may provide insights into underlying etiologic mechanisms. Methods In this multicentre case–control study, we included eCIS patients aged 18–49 years and matched stroke-free controls. We analysed the association between FH of stroke, venous thromboembolism (VTE), coronary artery disease (CAD), aneurysms and eCIS using multivariable logistic regression, with a subgroup analysis stratifying patients by high-risk patent foramen ovale (HR-PFO). Results We enrolled 508 eCIS patients (182 [36%] with HR-PFO) and 520 controls. Compared with controls, patients more frequently reported FH of stroke among first-degree relatives (FDR) (20% vs. 14%, P = .01) and grandparents (47% vs. 39%, P = .01), FH of early-onset stroke among FDR (5% vs. 2%, P = .01) and FH of early-onset VTE among FDR (5% vs. 2%, P = .003). In adjusted analyses, eCIS was associated with FH of stroke among FDR (OR 1.50; 95% CI, 1.04–2.16) and grandparents (1.50; 1.12–1.99), with FH of early-onset stroke among FDR (2.36; 1.11–5.04); and with FH of early-onset VTE among FDR (3.45; 1.47–8.13). eCIS was also associated with FH of VTE among FDR (1.80, 1.09–2.98) in the presence of HR-PFO. FH of CAD or aneurysms was not associated with eCIS. Conclusion FH of stroke and VTE, particularly early-onset events and in the presence of HR-PFO, are associated with eCIS. These findings support familial predisposition and highlight prothrombotic mechanisms in eCIS. Clinical trial registration www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01934725 Graphical Abstract Graphical Abstract

Background: A part of ischemic stroke patients score 0 on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) within 24 h following thrombolysis. Their clinical characteristics and long-term outcome are poorly studied. We report a single-center assessment of such patients. Methods: The cohort comprises 874 consecutive patients from the Helsinki Stroke Thrombolysis Registry, out of whom 113 scored 0 on 24-hour NIHSS. We analyzed their baseline demographic, clinical and radiological characteristics and 3-month outcome (modified Rankin Scale, mRS). Associations between the study parameters were tested by multivariate analysis. Results: Patients with a 24-hour NIHSS score = 0 (n = 113) were younger than the rest of the population (n = 761; median: 65.6 vs. 71.5 years; p < 0.001), their NIHSS score on admission was lower (median: 5 vs. 10; p < 0.001), as was their glucose level (median: 6.2 vs. 6.7 mmol/l; p = 0.02). The onset-to-treatment time was similar in both groups (median: 120 vs. 115 min; p = 0.89). Patients with a 24-hour NIHSS score = 0 more often achieved an excellent outcome (mRS scores: 0–1; 81 vs. 31%; p < 0.001) and had lower mortality (1.8 vs. 11.8%; p < 0.01). One third of these patients had a brain infarction visible on 24-hour imaging. Lower baseline NIHSS score and younger age were independently associated with 24-hour NIHSS score = 0, which, in turn, was independently associated with excellent 3-month outcome. Conclusions: Patients with an NIHSS score = 0 at 24 h following thrombolysis are younger, have milder symptoms and have a lower glucose level on admission. They achieve more often excellent outcome and lower mortality. Still, 8% of them required help in daily activities or were dead at 3 months (mRS scores: 3–6).

Background: We examined the hypothesis that endothelial denudation in advanced carotid plaques (CPs) occurs by increased apoptosis of endothelial cells (ECs) using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as markers of cellular proliferation and apoptosis in advanced symptomatic CPs (SCPs) and asymptomatic CPs (ACPs). Methods: 93 consecutive patients underwent carotid endarterectomy. Five additional specimens were studied by SEM. We performed TUNEL assays, and immunostaining against Fas receptor (FasR), Fas ligand (FasL), activated caspase 3 (ACA3) and Ki-67. Results: SEM revealed morphological changes consistent with EC detachment. Surprisingly, ACA3 positivity was more pronounced on the endothelium of ACPs (4.6 ± 0.7% of total EC count) than on SCPs (3.3 ± 0.7%, p = 0.049), and was found to correlate positively with nuclear Ki-67 expression (r s = 0.275, p = 0.040). FasL expression was significantly increased on the endothelium of SCPs compared with ACPs (66.4 ± 4.4 vs. 53.9 ± 4.5%, p = 0.047). Conclusions: Absence of increased positivity of apoptotic markers dismisses apoptosis as a dominant mechanism underlying endothelial detachment of SCPs. Rather, increased ACA3 with co-expression of Ki-67 in ACPs might suggest that renewal of endothelium by active cell turnover may contribute to clinically silent evolution of plaques with preserved EC integrity. These observations may assist in designing novel therapies to prevent endothelial decay and symptom generation in advanced carotid artery disease.

Background Association of physiological recovery with nutrition has scarcely been studied. We investigated whether physiological recovery during sleep relates to eating habits, i.e., eating behaviour and diet quality. Methods Cross-sectional baseline analysis of psychologically distressed adults with overweight ( N  = 252) participating in a lifestyle intervention study in three Finnish cities. Recovery measures were based on sleep-time heart rate variability (HRV) measured for 3 consecutive nights. Measures derived from HRV were 1) RMSSD (Root Mean Square of the Successive Differences) indicating the parasympathetic activation of the autonomic nervous system and 2) Stress Balance (SB) indicating the temporal ratio of recovery to stress. Eating behaviour was measured with questionnaires (Intuitive Eating Scale, Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, Health and Taste Attitude Scales, ecSatter Inventory™). Diet quality was quantified using questionnaires (Index of Diet Quality, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption) and 48-h dietary recall. Results Participants with best RMSSD reported less intuitive eating ( p  = 0.019) and less eating for physical rather than emotional reasons ( p  = 0.010) compared to those with poorest RMSSD; participants with good SB reported less unconditional permission to eat ( p  = 0.008), higher fibre intake ( p  = 0.028), higher diet quality ( p  = 0.001), and lower alcohol consumption ( p  < 0.001) compared to those with poor SB, although effect sizes were small. In subgroup analyses among participants who reported working regular daytime hours ( n  = 216), only the associations of SB with diet quality and alcohol consumption remained significant. Conclusions Better nocturnal recovery showed associations with better diet quality, lower alcohol consumption and possibly lower intuitive eating. In future lifestyle interventions and clinical practice, it is important to acknowledge sleep-time recovery as one possible factor linked with eating habits. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01738256 , Registered 17 August 2012.