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AimStroke is the leading cause of disability and death in China. Ischaemic stroke accounts for about 60%–80% of all strokes. It is of considerable significance to carry out multidimensional management of ischaemic cerebrovascular diseases. This evidence-based guideline aims to provide the latest detailed and comprehensive recommendations on the diagnosis, treatment and secondary prevention of ischaemic cerebrovascular diseases.MethodsWe had performed comprehensive searches of MEDLINE (via PubMed) (before 30 June 2019), and integrated the relevant information into charts and distributed to the writing group. Writing group members discussed and determined the recommendations through teleconference. We used the level of evidence grading algorithm of Chinese Stroke Association to grade each recommendation. The draft was reviewed by the Guideline Writing Committee of Chinese Stroke Association Stroke and finalised. This guideline is fully updated every 3 years.ResultsThis evidence-based guideline is based on the treatment, care and prevention of ischaemic cerebrovascular diseases, which emphasises on pathogenesis evaluation, intravenous thrombolysis, endovascular therapy, antiplatelet therapy, prevention and treatment of complications, and risk factor management.ConclusionsThis updated guideline presents a framework for the management of ischaemic cerebrovascular diseases. Timely first-aid measures, professional care in the acute stage, and proactive secondary prevention will be helpful to patients.

BackgroundCerebral venous disorder may have a harmful effect on ischaemic stroke; however, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. Although Dl-3-n-butylphthalide is a multitarget agent for antiischaemic stroke, its neuroprotective role in brain ischaemia accompanied by brain venous disturbance remains unclear. In this study, we induced cerebral venous disturbance by the occlusion of bilateral external jugular veins (EJVs) to explore the potential mechanism of the adverse effects of cerebrovenous disorders in cerebral infarction and explore the protective effect of Dl-3-n-butylphthalide on cerebral infarction accompanied through cerebral venous disturbance.MethodsCerebral venous disturbance was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats through the permanent occlusion of bilateral EJVs, and cerebral ischaemic stroke was induced through the permanent occlusion of the right cortical branches of the middle cerebral artery. 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, MRI, Evans blue extravasation and behavioural test were performed to evaluate infarction volume, cerebral blood flow (CBF), blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity and neurological function. Immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis were performed to detect loss of neuron, endothelial cells, pericytes and tight junctions.ResultsBilateral EJVs occlusion did not cause cerebral infarction; however, it increased the infarction volume compared with the simple middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) group, accompanied by severe neuron loss, worse neurological function, lower CBF, increased EJVs pressure, exacerbated Evans blue extravasation and brain oedema, as well as attenuated angiogenesis. Dl-3-n-butylphthalide displayed a neuroprotective effect in rats with MCAO accompanied by EJVs occlusion by reducing neuron loss, accelerating CBF restoration, promoting angiogenesis and relieving BBB damage.ConclusionBilateral EJVs occlusion did not significantly affect normal rats but aggravated brain damage in the case of ischaemic stroke. Dl-3-n-butylphthalide treatment plays a neuroprotective role in rats with MCAO accompanied by EJVs occlusion, mainly due to the promotion of CBF restoration and BBB protection.

Collateral circulation plays a vital role in sustaining blood flow to the ischaemic areas in acute, subacute or chronic phases after an ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Good collateral circulation has shown protective effects towards a favourable functional outcome and a lower risk of recurrence in stroke attributed to different aetiologies or undergoing medical or endovascular treatment. Over the past decade, the importance of collateral circulation has attracted more attention and is becoming a hot spot for research. However, the diversity in imaging methods and criteria to evaluate collateral circulation has hindered comparisons of findings from different cohorts and further studies in exploring the clinical relevance of collateral circulation and possible methods to enhance collateral flow. The statement is aimed to update currently available evidence and provide evidence-based recommendations regarding grading methods for collateral circulation, its significance in patients with stroke and methods under investigation to improve collateral flow.