Search

Background and purpose A transient ischemic attack (TIA) can occur without self‐awareness of symptoms. We aimed to investigate characteristics of patients with a tissue‐based diagnosis of TIA but having no self‐awareness of their symptoms and whose symptoms were witnessed by bystanders. Methods We used data from the multicenter registry of 1414 patients with a clinical diagnosis of TIA. For patients without evidence of ischemic lesions on imaging, clinical characteristics were compared between patients with and without self‐awareness of their TIA symptoms. Results Among 896 patients (559 men, median age of 70 years), 59 (6.6%) were unaware of their TIA symptoms, but had those symptoms witnessed by bystanders. Patients without self‐awareness of symptoms were older and more frequently female, and more likely to have previous history of stroke, premorbid disability, and atrial fibrillation, but less likely to have dyslipidemia than those with self‐awareness. Patients without self‐awareness of symptoms arrive at hospitals earlier than those with self‐awareness (P, Graphical Table of Contents Among 896 patients (559 men, median age of 70 years) with diagnosis of a tissue‐based transient ischemic attack (TIA), 59 (6.6%) were unaware of their symptoms but had their symptoms witnessed by bystanders. The cumulative incidence rate of occurrence of ischemic stroke after 1 year from TIA was higher in patients without self‐awareness than those with self‐awareness (16.3% vs. 6.9%, log‐rank; P = 0.010).

Background Recent prospective registration studies of transient ischemic attack in Western countries demonstrated that large artery atherosclerosis is the highest risk etiology for early stroke recurrence under urgent evaluation and treatment. On the other hand, some limited transient ischemic attack studies from East Asian countries showed transient ischemic attack patients due to small vessel occlusion were at a higher early stroke risk. Aims We aimed to assess the risk for early stroke in small vessel occlusion-transient ischemic attack patients in a Japanese large transient ischemic attack registry. Methods We analyzed the data of a prospective Japanese transient ischemic attack registry including 1320 transient ischemic attack patients within seven days after onset. Small vessel occlusion-transient ischemic attack was defined as the presence of lacunar transient ischemic attack syndrome, without other etiologies. The outcome measure was recurrent stroke within 30 days after transient ischemic attack. The predictors of 30-day recurrent stroke were estimated using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results The study population had a mean age of 69 ± 12 years and 470 were women. Recurrent stroke was observed in 61 patients (4.6%), and the highest rate was observed with small vessel occlusion-transient ischemic attack (7.8%), followed by large artery atherosclerosis (5.4%). In multivariate analysis, recurrent stroke was independently associated with small vessel occlusion-transient ischemic attack (hazard ratio (HR): 2.01, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19–3.35), higher systolic blood pressure (HR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.08–1.28), and presentation within 3 h after onset (HR: 2.21, 95% CI: 1.27–4.04). Furthermore, small vessel occlusion-transient ischemic attack with acute small deep infarct on diffusion-weighted imaging was a stronger predictor of recurrent stroke (HR: 4.87, 95% CI: 2.09–10.0). Conclusion Small vessel occlusion-transient ischemic attack, especially with acute small deep infarct, had a higher early stroke risk compared with other etiologies in Japanese transient ischemic attack patients who received early management.

A 48-year-old man with rapid onset of fever elevation developed acute myelitis over a period of a week. MRI of the spinal cord revealed a longitudinal T2-hyperintense intraspinal lesion extending from C6 to Th8 level. Clinical symptoms and findings resolved with immunotherapy. In serological analysis, no antibodies related to various collagen diseases, anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody and anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody were detected. Anti-lactosylceramide (LacCer) antibodies were detected in the acute phase of serum and cerebrospinal fluid, with titers showing decrements in the recovery phase. The present case supports the notion that acute myelitis can occur as an anti-neutral glycolipid antibody-related disorder. Anti-neutral glycolipid antibodies should be examined in future pertinent cases of myelitis.

Background and Purpose— Patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) occasionally show nonfocal symptoms, such as unconsciousness, amnesia, and unsteadiness. The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics and prognosis of patients with TIA with nonfocal symptoms, using data from the PROMISE-TIA (Prospective Multicenter Registry to Identify Subsequent Cardiovascular Events After Transient Ischemic Attack). Methods— Patients with TIA within 7 days of onset were consecutively enrolled in the Japanese nationwide registry. Factors associated with nonfocal symptoms and 1-year risks of ischemic stroke and coronary artery diseases were assessed in multivariate-adjusted models. Results— We studied 1362 patients with TIA (879 men; mean age, 69±12 years), including 219 (16%) with nonfocal symptoms. Patients with TIA with nonfocal symptoms were more likely to show acute ischemic lesions in the posterior circulation on diffusion-weighted imaging (multivariate-adjusted odds ratio, 3.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.57–5.82) and arterial stenosis or occlusion in the posterior circulation on vascular examination (odds ratio, 1.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.19–3.09) than those without nonfocal symptoms. Although 1-year risk of ischemic stroke did not differ significantly between groups (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.42–1.37), risk of coronary artery disease was higher in patients with TIA with nonfocal symptoms (hazard ratio, 3.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.14–9.03). Conclusions— Both acute ischemic lesions and arterial stenosis and occlusion in the posterior circulation were more frequently observed in patients with TIA with nonfocal symptoms.

Objective The purpose of this study was to identify the predictors of subsequent ischemic stroke events in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) attributable to intracranial arterial occlusive lesions. Methods The study population included 82 patients (55 men; mean age, 69.3±12.1 years) with TIA caused by intracranial arterial occlusive lesions who were admitted to our stroke care unit within 48 h of the onset of a TIA between April 2008 and November 2015. TIA was diagnosed if focal neurological symptoms ascribable to a vascular etiology lasted less than 24 h, irrespective of the presence of ischemic insults on imaging. The primary endpoint was an ischemic stroke event within 90 days of the onset of a TIA. Results The 90-day risk of ischemic stroke after the onset of a TIA was 14.6% [95% confidence interval (CI): 8.6-23.9%]. Cox proportional hazards multivariate analyses revealed that diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) positivity [hazard ratio (HR), 8.73; 95%CI, 2.20-41.59; p=0.002], prior ischemic stroke (HR, 4.03; 95%CI, 1.07-15.99; p=0.040), and a high serum level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) on admission (HR, 1.15; 95%CI, 1.05-1.26; p=0.002, for every +10 U/L) were significant independent predictors of ischemic stroke within 90 days after the onset of a TIA. Conclusion Our results suggested that patients with a TIA attributable to intracranial artery disease who showed DWI lesions, prior ischemic stroke, or high serum levels of ALP on admission were at high risk of subsequent ischemic stroke events.

11C-Pittsburgh compound-B (11C-PIB) positron emission tomography (PET) is used to visualize and quantify amyloid deposition in the brain cortex in pathological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Intense 11C-PIB retention is also observed in the white matter (WM) of both healthy individuals and AD patients. However, the clinical implications of this retention in brain WM have not been clarified. We investigated the relationship between the extent of white matter lesions (WMLs) and the binding potential of 11C-PIB (BPND) in the WM in patients with hypertensive small vessel disease. We further examined the relationship between the extent of WMLs and BPND in WML and in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM). Twenty-one hypertensive vasculopathy patients, without AD and major cerebral arterial stenosis and/or occlusion, were enrolled (9 women, 68 ± 7 years). Regions of WML and NAWM were extracted using magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery of magnetic resonance images. Volumes of interest (VOIs) were set in the cortex-subcortex, basal ganglia, and centrum semiovale (CS). BPND in the cortex-subcortex, basal ganglia, CS, WML, and NAWM were estimated on 11C-PIB PET using Logan graphical analysis with cerebellar regions as references. The relationships between WML volume and BPND in each region were examined by linear regression analysis. BPND was higher in the CS and basal ganglia than in the cortex-subcortex regions. WML volume had a significant inverse correlation with BPND in the CS (Slope = −0.0042, R 2 = 0.44, P

BACKGROUND Time and resource limitations prevent cognitive assessment in acute-to-subacute settings, even in comprehensive stroke centers. OBJECTIVE To assess cognitive function in acute stroke patients undergoing routine clinical, laboratory, and radiological investigations, with a view to improving post-stroke care and treatment. METHODS Sixty-nine patients (72.6±11.1 years; 65% male) were prospectively enrolled within 14 days of acute ischemic stroke. Patients with altered consciousness, aphasia, or dysarthria were excluded. Clinical features including modified Rankin and NIH stroke scales, and vascular risk factors were assessed, as well as neuroimaging parameters by semi-quantitative evaluation of medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTLA) using MRA source images, FLAIR images for white matter changes (Fazekas scores), and T2∗ images for cerebral microbleeds. Neuropsychological screening was conducted using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the influence of variables on MoCA total and subscale scores. RESULTS Lower MoCA scores of 22 or less were associated with MTLA [OR (95% CI), 5.3 (1.0-27.5); p = 0.045], education years [OR (95% CI), 0.71 (0.55-0.91); p = 0.007], and modified Rankin scale at discharge [OR (95% CI), 2.4 (1.3-4.5); p = 0.007]. The delayed recall MoCA score was correlated with MTLA (r = - 0.452, p

A 16-year-old healthy male experienced gastrointestinal symptoms and 9 days later developed fever, headache, numbness of the left hand, and disturbance of consciousness with rapid deterioration to a comatose state. These clinical symptoms resolved after treatment with steroid pulse, plasma exchange, and intravenous immunoglobulin. Along with the recovery, ophthalmoplegia and ataxia were observed. These symptoms and the detection of a high titer of serum anti-GQ1b immunoglobulin G autoantibodies led to the diagnosis of Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis (BBE). Brain 123I-IMP SPECT indicated hypoperfusion of the brainstem and bilateral cerebellar cortex during the acute phase, which increased during the recovery phase. This finding is indicative of reversible dysfunction in the cerebellar cortex and brainstem in the acute phase of BBE.

Background and Purpose- Patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) occasionally show nonfocal symptoms, such as unconsciousness, amnesia, and unsteadiness. The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics and prognosis of patients with TIA with nonfocal symptoms, using data from the PROMISE-TIA (Prospective Multicenter Registry to Identify Subsequent Cardiovascular Events After Transient Ischemic Attack). Methods- Patients with TIA within 7 days of onset were consecutively enrolled in the Japanese nationwide registry. Factors associated with nonfocal symptoms and 1-year risks of ischemic stroke and coronary artery diseases were assessed in multivariate-adjusted models. Results- We studied 1362 patients with TIA (879 men; mean age, 69±12 years), including 219 (16%) with nonfocal symptoms. Patients with TIA with nonfocal symptoms were more likely to show acute ischemic lesions in the posterior circulation on diffusion-weighted imaging (multivariate-adjusted odds ratio, 3.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.57-5.82) and arterial stenosis or occlusion in the posterior circulation on vascular examination (odds ratio, 1.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-3.09) than those without nonfocal symptoms. Although 1-year risk of ischemic stroke did not differ significantly between groups (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.42-1.37), risk of coronary artery disease was higher in patients with TIA with nonfocal symptoms (hazard ratio, 3.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-9.03). Conclusions- Both acute ischemic lesions and arterial stenosis and occlusion in the posterior circulation were more frequently observed in patients with TIA with nonfocal symptoms.

Background/Aims: The aims of this study were to determine the differences in clinical characteristics and the risk of ischemic stroke between patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) attributable to extracranial carotid and intracranial artery occlusive lesions. Methods: Among 445 patients admitted to our stroke care unit within 48 h of TIA onset between April 2008 and December 2013, 85 patients (63 men, mean age 69.4 years) with large artery occlusive lesions relevant to symptoms were included in this study. The primary endpoints were ischemic stroke at 2 and 90 days after TIA onset. Results: Twenty-eight patients had carotid artery occlusive lesions (extracranial group), and 57 patients had intracranial artery occlusive lesions (intracranial group). Patients in the intracranial group were significantly younger, had lower levels of fibrinogen, and were less likely to have occlusion when compared with those in the extracranial group. Eleven patients in the extracranial group and none in the intracranial group underwent revascularization procedures within 90 days of TIA onset. The 2-day risk (14.2 vs. 0%, p = 0.044) and the 90-day risk (17.1 vs. 0%, p = 0.020) of ischemic stroke after TIA onset were significantly higher in the intracranial group than in the extracranial group. Conclusions: Among our patients with TIA caused by large artery disease, patients with intracranial artery occlusive lesions were more frequent and were at higher risk of early ischemic stroke than those with extracranial carotid artery occlusive lesions. These data highlight the importance of prompt assessment of intracranial artery lesions in patients with TIA.

Background Patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) without large-artery disease (LAD) or atrial fibrillation (AF) on admission may be at higher risk of stroke than previously thought. The aim of this study was to investigate early stroke risk and its predictors in such patients. Methods We studied 410 TIA patients admitted to our institute within 48 hours of onset. Urgent etiological workup revealed that 210 patients had neither symptomatic LAD nor AF. The outcome measure was the stroke occurrence within 7 days after admission. Results Stroke occurred within 7 days in 15 patients, 7.1% of patients without LAD or AF and 6.5% of those with LAD or AF, showing no statistical difference between the 2 groups. Twelve of the 15 patients were diagnosed with small-vessel disease as the stroke etiology. In multivariable regression analysis, motor lacunar symptoms (odds ratio [OR], 5.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-41.1), high systolic blood pressure on admission of 183 mm Hg or greater (OR, 15.3; 95% CI, 3.8-80.2), and positive diffusion-weighted imaging findings (OR, 6.1; 95% CI, 1.6-28.1) were independent predictors for the stroke occurrence within 7 days in patients without LAD or AF. Conclusions TIA patients should be cautiously managed, even when neither LAD nor AF are identified by urgent workup. Clinical findings as motor lacunar symptom or high admission blood pressure, besides diffusion-weighted imaging findings, may be helpful to predict early stroke in such patients.

Introduction: Early stroke risk in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) due to small vessel occlusion (SVO) is underestimated. We assessed whether TIA patients due to SVO are at a higher early stroke risk, using the data of a prospective, multicenter, observational registration study in Japan (PROMISE-TIA registry). Methods: The study subjects were 1,320 TIA patients (470 women, 69±12 years, median ABCD2 score 5) within 7 days of onset. The primary outcome was recurrent stroke within 30 days after TIA. SVO-TIA was defined as having lacunar TIA syndrome without cardiac source of embolism or large artery stenosis, as the exact determination of TIA due to SVO is difficult. Lacunar TIA syndrome was defined as unilateral weakness or sensory disturbance of at least two of three body parts (face, arm, and leg) in the absence of cortical dysfunction. Predictors for 30-day recurrent stroke were estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Recurrent stroke within 30 days after TIA was observed in 61 patients (4.6%). In multivariable analysis, SVO-TIA (hazard ratio, 1.87; 95%CI, 1.11-3.11), higher systolic blood pressure at presentation (hazard ratio, 1.18 (per 10mmHg increase); 95%CI, 1.08-1.28) and presentation within 3 hours after onset (hazard ratio, 2.25; 95%CI, 1.30-4.10) were independently associated with recurrent stroke. Furthermore, SVO-TIA with an evidence of subcortical or brainstem infarcts on diffusion weighted imaging (definite TIA due to SVO) was a stronger predictor for recurrent stroke (hazard ratio, 3.63; 95%CI, 1.59-7.23). The presence of cardiac source of embolism and symptomatic large artery steno-occlusion were not significant predictors. Conclusions: The data from a Japanese large TIA registry suggested that patients with TIA due to SVO were at a higher risk of early recurrent stroke.

A transient visual symptom (TVS) is a clinical manifestation of transient ischemic attack (TIA). The aim of this study was to investigate differences in clinical characteristics among subtypes of TVS using multicenter TIA registry data.Patients with TIA visiting within 7 days of onset were prospectively enrolled from 57 hospitals between June 2011 and December 2013. Clinical characteristics were compared between patients with 3 major subtypes of TVS (transient monocular blindness [TMB], homonymous lateral hemianopia [HLH], and diplopia).Of 1365 patients, 106 (7.8%) had TVS, including 40 TMB (38%), 34 HLH (32%), 17 diplopia (16%), and 15 others/unknown (14%). Ninety-one patients with 1 of the 3 major subtypes of TVS were included. Symptoms persisted on arrival in 12 (13%) patients. Isolated TVS was significantly more common in TMB than in HLH and diplopia (88%, 62%, and 0%, respectively; P .001). Duration of symptoms was shorter in patients with TMB than those with HLH (P = .004). The ABCDTVS was an uncommon symptom in our TIA multicenter cohort. Some differences in clinical characteristics were found among subtypes of TVS.

A 46-year-old woman without cardiovascular risk factors who was taking oral prednisolone for Sjogren syndrome presented with repeated episodes of transient left hemiparesis and left-sided sensory disturbance over a 2-year period despite preventive therapy with antiplatelets and anticoagulants. Infarcts were always identified in the right middle cerebral artery territory on brain magnetic resonance imaging (Figure 1) without any sign of cerebrovascular stenosis or emboligenic sources. She was referred and admitted to our hospital 2 years after the initial onset. Carotid magnetic resonance angiography showed that the origin of the right internal carotid artery (ICA) bent inward (Figure 2A). However, follow-up magnetic resonance angiography the next day revealed that the origin of the right ICA bent outward, as commonly seen (Figure 2B). On carotid ultrasonography, …

Background: We conducted a survey by questionnaire to identify the essential components of stroke centers in Japan and compared our results with the European Expert Survey. Methods: In 2007, a questionnaire was mailed to the directors of 740 facilities certified by the Japan Stroke Society to ask their opinion on the essential components of comprehensive stroke centers (CSC), primary stroke centers (PSC) and any hospital ward (AHW) admitting acute stroke patients. The directors were asked to provide 1 of the following 6 possible answers regarding 112 components: ‘irrelevant'; ‘useful but not necessary'; ‘desirable'; ‘important but not absolutely necessary'; ‘absolutely necessary', or ‘question unclear or ambiguous'. The components considered ‘absolutely necessary' by more than 75% of the respondents were compared between our survey and the European Expert Survey. In addition, we compared the rates of neurosurgeons and neurologists who answered ‘absolutely necessary' with regard to each component. Results: Responses were obtained from 428 directors (57.8% response rate). Among these respondents, 298 (69.6%) were neurosurgeons. There was no component considered ‘absolutely necessary' for AHW by more than 75% of the respondents, and this was similar to the results of the European Expert Survey. The following components were considered ‘absolutely necessary' for PSC in our survey: brain CT scanning 24 h a day, 7 days a week (24/7); automated monitoring of the ECG, pulse oximetry, blood pressure and breathing, and respiratory support. In both our survey and the European Expert Survey, the essential components for CSC were as follows: physiotherapist; brain CT scanning 24/7; monitoring of the ECG, pulse oximetry and blood pressure; carotid surgery; angioplasty and stenting, and intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator protocols. The components multidisciplinary stroke team, stroke-trained nurse, ultrasonography, collaboration with an outside rehabilitation center, stroke pathway and clinical research were deemed essential only in the European Expert Survey. However, MRI 24/7, MR angiography 24/7, conventional angiography 24/7, respiratory support as well as most neuroendovascular and neurosurgical treatments were considered necessary for CSC by more than 75% of the respondents in our survey. Analyzing the responses from only neurologists reduced the differences between our survey and the European Expert Survey. Conclusions: The present study indicated the essential components expected for stroke centers in Japan. Our survey demonstrated that more emphasis was likely to be placed on installations than on a dedicated stroke team and the use of stroke care maps. In addition, the results of this study may reflect some characteristics of the stroke care environment in Japan, such as the predominance of neurosurgeons and widespread use of MRI.

Background There is little information about intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) and extracranial atherosclerotic disease (ECAD) in patients with acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the prevalence of and the factors that correlate with ICAD and ECAD in patients with ICH. Methods A total of 274 patients with acute spontaneous ICH were enrolled. ICAD and ECAD (moderate to severe stenosis or occlusion) were mainly assessed by intracranial magnetic resonance angiography and carotid duplex sonography, respectively. Results Fifty-one patients (19%) had ICAD or ECAD; 32 had ICAD, and 21 had ECAD. On multivariable analyses, age (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.06–2.28 for every 10years), monocyte count (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.02–1.87 for every 100/mm 3 ), hemoglobin A1c (OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.08–5.15 for every 1%), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.08–1.42 for every 10mg/dL) were independently associated with ICAD. Age (OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.20–4.38 for 10years) and dyslipidemia (OR, 3.95; 95% CI, 1.01–15.97) were independently associated with ECAD. Conclusions ICAD and ECAD were detected in approximately one-fifth of patients with spontaneous ICH. Age and dyslipidemia (or lipid profile) were associated with both ICAD and ECAD. Monocyte count and hemoglobin A1c were associated with ICAD.

We herein report two autopsy cases of severe cardioembolic stroke with oscillating thrombi in the bilateral extracranial internal carotid arteries (ICAs) demonstrated on carotid ultrasonography performed on admission. An autopsy study of case 1 conducted on the third hospital day revealed no thrombi, while that of case 2 conducted on the 42nd hospital day revealed red thrombi in the extracranial ICAs. Our postmortem studies confirm that oscillating thrombi may be seen in the region of blood stasis caused by occlusion of the distal portion of the ICA, thus reflecting a pre-state of thrombus formation.

Twenty-one hypertensive vasculopathy patients, without AD and major cerebral arterial stenosis and/or occlusion, were enrolled (9 women, 68 ± 7 years). Regions of WML and NAWM were extracted using magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery of magnetic resonance images. Volumes of interest (VOIs) were set in the cortex-subcortex, basal ganglia, and centrum semiovale (CS). BPBP

The aim of this study was to determine whether pulse wave velocity (PWV), a marker of vascular endothelial impairment and arteriosclerosis, predicts future ischemic stroke in patients who developed acute lacunar infarction. Patients with a first-ever ischemic stroke due to acute lacunar infarction were enrolled in this study. An oscillometric device (Form PWV/ABI; Omron Colin, Tokyo, Japan) was used to measure brachial-ankle PWV 1 week after stroke onset. Patients were followed for at least 5 years. The main end point of the study was recurrent ischemic stroke. Event-free survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier plots and log-rank tests. The risk of recurrent ischemic stroke was estimated using the Cox proportional-hazards model. Of the 156 patients (61% male, mean age: 69.2±11.3 years) assessed in this study, 29 developed recurrent ischemic stroke. The median brachial-ankle PWV value was 20.4 m s

Background Symptoms of transient ischemic attack (TIA) persist on arrival and subsequently resolve in some patients admitted to hospitals early after onset. Differences in clinical characteristics between patients with acute TIA whose symptoms do and do not persist on arrival remain unclear. Methods We retrospectively extracted data of consecutive TIA patients with an onset-to-door time (ODT) of 24 hours or less and without a history of stroke from a multicenter TIA database. Clinical characteristics were compared between patients with and without persisting symptoms on arrival. Results Two hundred sixty-six patients (158 men, 68.0 ± 12.9 years) were included. Of the total number of patients, 105 (39.5%) had persisting symptoms with a mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 2.4 (median, 1.0). Patients with persisting symptoms were more likely to have sensory disorder, ambulance-transported admission, long-duration TIA (≥60 minutes), and shorter ODT than those without. Multivariate analysis showed that sensory disorder (odds ratio [OR] 2.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35-4.77), ambulance-transported admission (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.00-3.28), and long-duration TIA (OR 3.96, 95% CI 2.12-7.71) were positively associated and that an ODT of more than 12 hours (OR .18, 95% CI .04-.63) was inversely associated with the presence ofpersisting symptoms. Patients with persisting symptoms were more likely to be examined by a stroke physician at first (69% versus 57%, P = .049) and then hospitalized in a stroke unit (59% versus 43%, P = .010). Conclusion Clinical manifestations and management after admission might differ between patients with acute TIA whose symptoms do and do not persist on arrival.

We evaluated whether carotid duplex ultrasonography (US) can help predict the safety and efficacy of treating hyperacute stroke with intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (alteplase) therapy. Consecutive patients with stroke were assigned to the carotid artery occlusion (CO) group or the other (non-CO) group according to US findings before or immediately after receiving IV alteplase. Effectiveness and safety outcomes included early neurologic improvement, defined as a reduction in a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of ≥4 points within the initial 24 hours after stroke onset; completely independent routine activity, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of ≤1 at day 90 after stroke onset; symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) occurring within 36 hours after stroke onset; and any ICH. We enrolled 127 patients (27 in the CO group and 100 in the non-CO group) with a median baseline NIHSS score of 13 (range, 4-30). The CO group had a higher baseline NIHSS score (median, 18 vs 12; P=.005). After multivariate adjustment, the CO group was inversely associated with early improvement (odds ratio [OR]=0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.09-0.72) and independence at day 90 (OR=0.23; 95% CI=0.05-0.73) and positively associated with any ICH (OR=3.11; 95% CI=1.23-8.48). Our findings indicate that CO identified by US in the emergency clinical setting is an independent predictor of unfavorable outcome and ICH following IV alteplase therapy.

We describe herein the case of a 71-year-old man with the cardiac variant of Fabry disease presenting with cardioembolic stroke. Stroke is one of the most well-known manifestations of Fabry disease, and lacunar stroke is a widely recognized etiology. However, little is known about stroke in patients with the cardiac variant of Fabry disease. The cardiac variant of Fabry disease should be considered as a potential cardiac source of embolic stroke.

An 89-year-old woman was admitted to our stroke care unit because of transient ischemic attack caused by cardioembolic occlusion of the right internal carotid artery. She developed recurrent ischemic stroke shortly after hospitalization. She was very quickly treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator, because she had been just hospitalized, and had a favorable outcome. Earlier thrombolysis to patients with ischemic stroke is associated with better outcomes. Hospitalization in a stroke care unit is useful for close observation of patients with transient ischemic attack, and allows timely administration of tissue plasminogen activator.

Background: Atheromatous plaques of the aortic arch that extend to the origin of its branches may cause stroke. The frequency and clinical implications of plaque at the origin of the left subclavian artery (LSCA) in patients with recent ischemic stroke were investigated. Methods: We studied 347 consecutive patients (223 men, 69 ± 12 years) who developed symptomatic ischemic stroke and underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Results: The origin of the LSCA was identified in 303 of 347 patients (87.3%). Plaque ≧1.0 mm was detected in 108 of the 303 patients (35.6%), ranging between 1.0 and 6.1 mm (median, 2.5 mm). Patients having thicker plaque (≧2.5 mm) were older (p = 0.012) and more commonly took antiplatelets prior to stroke (p = 0.038) than patients with no plaque and those with thinner plaque (Conclusions: Atheromatous plaque at the origin of the LSCA was present in approximately one third of patients with a recent ischemic stroke. High IMT at the aortic arch was independently related to the presence of thick plaque at the LSCA origin. The present study does not support the concept that plaque at the LSCA origin may be associated with posterior circulation infarction.

Objective: To elucidate the frequency and clinical profiles of patients with medial medullary infarction (MMI) identified by diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI). Methods: We assessed the frequency, radiological findings, etiology and clinical features of MMI detected by DWI from our single-center registry of acute ischemic patients. Results: Thirty patients (1.5% of 2,014 with ischemic stroke) had MMI, including isolated unilateral MMI in 26 patients. Lesions were located by DWI in the rostral medulla of 25 patients (83%). Culprit infarcts that were undetectable by DWI in 6 (38%) of 16 patients who were assessed within 24 h after onset were later confirmed as MMI. The major etiological mechanism was small artery occlusion (SAO; 19 patients) and the median initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 4 (interquartile range: 3–4.75). The most frequent symptom was contralateral hemiparesis (27 patients). None of the patients fulfilled the classical Dejerine Triad. Twenty-two patients (73%) had a modified Rankin Scale score of ≤2 at 3 months. A patient developed transient ischemic attack within 3 months; none developed recurrent stroke. Conclusions: Rostral medullary infarction with mild neurological deficits resulting from SAO is relatively frequent. Because emergency DWI within 24 h could not detect MMI in one third of the patients, this type of infarction could be misdiagnosed as capsular/pontine lacunae or other neurological disorders.

Background: Intracranial arterial lesions are important causes of ischemic stroke, particularly in the Asian population. Of the intracranial lesions, the etiology of isolated anterior cerebral artery (ACA) territory infarction is not fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to determine the etiological and clinical characteristics of patients with isolated ACA territory infarction, especially those with ACA dissection. Methods: Of 3,115 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke, 42 patients (1.3%, 30 men, 38–88 years old) having an isolated ACA territory infarction were studied. Infarcts were principally verified by diffusion-weighted MRI, and vascular lesions were identified by MRA, CTA, or digital subtraction angiography. Three-dimensional rotational angiography was performed if needed. Results: Eighteen patients (43%) were diagnosed as having ACA dissection. The stroke subtypes of the other 24 patients included cardioembolism for 6 patients and large-artery atherosclerosis for 8. Patients with dissection were younger (p < 0.001) and heavier (p = 0.026), less commonly had heart disease (p = 0.002) and previous stroke (p = 0.002), and had lower initial systolic blood pressure (p = 0.029) and lower levels of D-dimer (p = 0.041) than patients without dissection. Stroke onset more commonly followed physical exertion (p = 0.013) and headache (p = 0.041) in patients with dissection than in patients without dissection. At hospital discharge, the modified Rankin scale score was lower in patients with dissection than in patients without dissection (p = 0.005). Conclusions: Arterial dissection was the most common vascular lesion underlying an isolated ACA territory infarction in our Japanese cohort. Patients with ACA dissection had unique baseline characteristics and unique conditions at stroke onset.

We had an opportunity to visit the Kerckhoff Klinik, a representative cardiovascular hospital with high-quality health care, the Kopfklinik of Heidelberg University, a representative acute stroke hospital in Germany, and the Kliniken Schmieder, a rehabilitation hospital. As a result, we obtained useful information concerning the healthcare system, acute stroke care system, inter-hospital cooperation, and evaluation system for the quality of medical care in Germany.

Since October, 2005 when intravenous thrombolysis with rt-PA (IV-rtPA) for hyperacute stroke was approved, acute stroke care system (ASCS) has been under remodeling in Japan. We conducted a nation-wide survey to reveal the status of 5,398 acute hospitals in 2006. In this study, we investigated the differences in ASCS by population density. The replies of the questionnaires in terms of ASCS were divided into three groups based on the population density; highest tertile (H), middle tertile (M) and lowest tertile (L) groups. The answers of hospitals attending stroke patients were compared among the three groups. 1,586 hospitals (29.4%) responded. The upper and lower tertile thresholds were 2,050 and 461 people/km2, respectively. 65% of H group, 75% of M group and 76% of L group attended acute stroke patients (p=0.0001). 47%, 43%, and 50% had direct telephone line with the emergency services, respectively (ns). The early admission rate, within 3 hours of onset, over 20% of all was seen in 23%, 23% and 26%, respectively (ns). Stroke expertise physicians were available on a 24/7 basis in 56%, 63% and 45%, respectively (p

背景および目的：脳卒中では緊密な連携の重要性が強調されている．脳卒中地域医療における急性期病院の実態を明らかにする． 方法：急性期病院2,185施設に対しアンケート調査を行った． 結果：有効回答46%で，うち52%が脳卒中患者を診療していた．多くが，地域医療圏は二次医療圏（45%）であるとし，その中心的役割は急性期病院（69%）と回答した．他の急性期病院，回復期リハ病棟，一般診療所，維持期施設事業所，周辺地域全体，自治体との連携が良好は75%，75%，74%，69%，73%，34%であった．医療（介護）情報を既に共有しているのは20%（14%）で，共有する予定51%（51%），共有する予定なし25%（30%）であった．医療保険と介護保険のシステムでは十分なリハビリを提供しにくいとの回答が67%に達した． 結論：脳卒中連携において中心的役割を担う急性期病院でも，地域での情報共有は未だ十分ではなかった．

脳卒中医療・介護施設の緊密な連携と情報共有の重要性が強調されている．一般診療所（診療所，3,709施設）に対して，施設の概要，脳卒中地域連携，介護保険，適当な評価尺度に関するアンケート調査を行った．有効回答21%で，うち58%が脳卒中を診療していた．1カ月に平均622人（脳卒中患者81人）診療し，うち要介護者平均81人（脳卒中患者32人）であった．脳卒中患者が必要なリハビリを「十分に受けている」と回答したのは5%であった．多くが地域医療圏を「二次医療圏」（34%）や「市町村」（29%），その中心的役割を「急性期病院」（86%）と回答した．他の医療・介護施設事業所や自治体との連携が良好との回答は必ずしも多くなかった．医療（介護）情報を「既に共有」，「共有予定」，「共有予定なし」は各々11（10）%，27（26）%，57（60）%であった．医療・介護保険のシステムの問題では「十分なリハビリを提供しにくい」（60%）が最多であった．第三者が診療所を評価するのに適当な評価尺度は「急性期病院との連携」（68%）が最多であった．本調査により，一般診療所の現状が明らかとなった．

背景及び目的：脳卒中では緊密な連携の重要性が強調されている．回復期病棟の実態を明らかにする． 方法：回復期病棟347施設に対しアンケート調査を行った． 結果：有効回答50%で，うち95%が脳卒中患者を診療していた．受け入れ制限理由として人工呼吸器と透析が多く，受け入れ待機1週間以内は47%，平均在院日数は88日，自宅退院率は61%であった．他の回復期病棟や自治体との連携は良好とはいえなかった．医療（介護）情報を「既に共有」，「共有予定」，「共有予定なし」と回答したものは13（13）%，56（55）%，25（28）%であった．医療・介護保険システムでは「十分なリハビリを提供しにくい」との回答が84%に達した．第三者による回復期病棟評価尺度として「リハビリ機能」を挙げるものが最多であった（86%）． 結論：脳卒中連携において重要な役割が期待されている回復期病棟の有する諸問題がかなり明らかとなった．

脳卒中医療・介護施設の緊密な連携と情報共有の重要性が強調されている．通所および訪問介護4,166施設・事業所に対して，施設の概要，脳卒中地域連携，介護保険，適当な評価尺度に関するアンケート調査を行った．有効回答22%で，うち80%が脳卒中患者に介護サービスを提供していた．利用者は1カ月平均112人（脳卒中患者26人）で，受け入れ制限理由は「特になし」（47%）が最多であった．81%がリハビリを提供していたが，脳卒中後遺症のある利用者がリハビリを「十分に受けている」と回答したのは10%であった．多くが地域医療圏を「市町村」（43%）と回答し，その中心的役割を「回復期病棟」（38%）に求めていた．他の医療介護施設事業所や自治体との連携が良好との回答は多くはなかった．医療（介護）情報を「既に共有」，「共有予定」，「共有予定なし」は各々9（10）%，15（17）%，62（59）%であった．医療保険と介護保険によるシステムの問題点をあげる割合が高く，なかでも「十分なリハビリを提供しにくい」（60%）が最多であった．第三者が通所および訪問介護施設事業所を評価するのに適当な評価尺度では「介護支援専門員との連携」（44%）が最多であった．本調査により，通所および訪問介護施設・事業所の現状が明らかとなった．

脳卒中医療・介護施設の緊密な連携と情報共有の重要性が強調されている．維持期入院入所771施設に対して，施設の概要，脳卒中地域連携，介護保険，適当な評価尺度に関するアンケート調査を行った．有効回答24%で，うち82%が脳卒中診療や介護に従事していた．平均106床（脳卒中患者37床）であった．22%で待機期間が半年以上であった．脳卒中患者が在宅で生活できない主な理由は「独居」73%，「高齢者のみの世帯」76%，「その他の介護力不足」77%で，自宅に戻っていたのは平均10%であった．「十分なリハビリ機能を維持」は15%で，脳卒中患者にリハビリを「十分に提供できている」のは9%であった．多くが地域医療圏は「市町村」（38%），その中心的役割は急性期病院（42%）と回答した．他の医療介護施設事業所や自治体との連携が良好との回答は多くなかった．医療（介護）情報を「既に共有」，「共有予定」，「共有予定なし」は各々8（8）%，17（19）%，64（61）%であった．医療保険と介護保険によるシステムの問題点をあげる割合が高かった．第三者が維持期入院入所施設を評価するのに適当な評価尺度は「リハビリ機能」（47%）が最多であった．本調査により，維持期入院入所施設の現状が明らかとなった．

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in clinical characteristics and the risk of ischemic stroke between patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) attributable to extracranial carotid and intracranial artery occlusive lesions. Methods: Among 445 patients admitted to our stroke care unit within 48 hours of TIA onset between April 2008 and December 2013, 85 patients (63 men, 69.4 years) with large artery occlusive lesions relevant to symptoms were included in this study. The primary endpoints were ischemic stroke at 2 days and 90 days after TIA onset. Results: Twenty-eight patients had carotid artery occlusive lesions (extracranial group), and 57 patients had intracranial artery occlusive lesions (intracranial group). Patients in the intracranial group were significantly younger, had lower levels of fibrinogen, and were less likely to have occlusion when compared to those in the extracranial group. Eleven patients in the extracranial group and no patient in the intracranial group underwent revascularization procedures within 90 days of TIA onset. The 2-day risk (14.2% vs. 0%, p = 0.044) and 90-day risk (17.1% vs. 0%, p = 0.020) of ischemic stroke after TIA onset were significantly higher in the intracranial group than in the extracranial group. Conclusions: Patients with intracranial artery occlusive lesions were more frequent and were at higher risk of early ischemic stroke than those with extracranial carotid artery occlusive lesions among our patients with TIA caused by large artery disease. These data highlight the importance of prompt assessment of intracranial artery lesions in patients with TIA.

The significance of the stroke unit (SU) in Japan, where the medical system differs from those in Europe and the USA, remains unclear. We conducted a prospective multicenter study to clarify this issue. The study subjects consisted of 7614 consecutive patients with completed stroke, excluding subarachnoid hemorrhage, who were admitted to 117 hospitals in Japan within 72 hours of stroke onset from December 2004 to December 2005. We divided the hospitals into those with and those without an SU, and investigated whether or not the treatment in the SU could improve the patients' clinical outcome. In our preliminary analysis using data for the initial 4268 patients, logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the only significant and independent predictor of case fatality at 28 days and 3 months after onset was the NIHSS score on admission. Treatment in the SU, however, was significantly associated with a favorable outcome (mRS, 0-2) at 3 months after stroke onset as well as age, male gender, the pre-stroke mRS score, and the NIHSS score on admission. Assessments of swallowing functions and the application of an early rehabilitation program within the initial week were more frequently given in acute stroke patients at hospitals with an SU than at those without an SU. The present results indicate that the treatment in an SU may also improve the clinical outcome of patients at 3 months after stroke onset in Japan.

Background and Purpose— The aim of this study was to elucidate the factors associated with the time from symptom onset to arrival at a stroke center (onset-to-door time [ODT]) in patients with classically defined transient ischemic attack using data from a multicenter, retrospective study. Methods— The subjects were patients with transient ischemic attack admitted to 13 stroke centers in Japan within 7 days of onset between 2008 and 2009. A total of 464 patients registered (292 men, 68.5±13.2 years old), and 421 of them (268 men, 68.8±13.1 years old) were included in the analyses. ODT was classified into the following 5 categories: 24 hours. Results— There were 233 patients (55.3%) who visited a stroke center within 3 hours of symptom onset. Multiple ordinal logistic regression analysis revealed that motor weakness, speech disturbance, and duration of symptoms >10 minutes were independently associated with a short ODT. Furthermore, a history of transient ischemic attack and hypertension and a referral from another medical facility were independently associated with a long ODT. Patients with a higher ABCD 2 score were likely to arrive at a stroke center more quickly. Conclusions— We identified several factors that were positively and negatively associated with the ODT in patients with transient ischemic attack.

Background: Platelet hyper-aggregability is an important risk factor for leukoaraiosis. In this study we investigated whether aggravation of leukoaraiosis can be controlled by means of long-term correction of platelet hyper-aggregability.Methods:Twenty-one patients with leukoaraiosis and uncorrected platelet hyper-aggregability were compared with 21 controls matched for age, grade of leukoaraiosis and observation period whose platelet hyper-aggregability was corrected. Platelet aggregability was estimated by an optical analytical method with a nine-stage display using two different concentrations each of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and collagen (the double ADP method).Results:The mean observation period between two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for both groups was 4.1 years. In the non-corrected group, moderate to severe aggravation of leukoaraiosis was observed in a large number of patients. In the corrected group, only a small number of patients showed generally mild aggravation of leukoaraiosis. The number of patients showing aggravation of periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) was 7 in 21 in the non-corrected group versus 1 in 21 (p=0.022) in the corrected group, and for aggravation of deep white-matter hyperintensity, these values were 9 in 21 versus 4 in 21, respectively. Thus, the difference was more significant if the degree of aggravation was taken into account.Conclusion:The progress of leukoaraiosis is greatly inhibited by long-term correction of platelet hyper-aggregability.

The aim of this study was to identify relevant risk factors for occlusive lesions of the intracranial arteries in stroke-free population. The subjects of this study were 425 patients without a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack and without any abnormality on a neurological examination who consecutively visited a neurology clinic between January 1994 and June 2001 requesting medical evaluation for possible cerebrovascular diseases. Subjects included 245 men and 180 women ranging in age from 33 to 89 years (mean+/-SD=64.0+/-10.0 years). We performed cervical and intracranial magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in all subjects. Using a validated rating scheme of MRA for occlusive lesions, we evaluated the degree of stenoses in the extracranial portion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the intracranial arteries including the intracranial portion of the ICA, middle cerebral artery (MCA) stem, intracranial portion of the vertebral artery (VA), and basilar artery (BA). More than 25% stenoses were regarded as significant lesions in this study. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that significant and independent predictors for extracranial ICA lesions were age, hyperlipidemia, and ischemic heart disease (IHD), those for intracranial ICA lesions were age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and IHD, those for MCA lesions were age and hypertension, those for intracranial VA lesions were hyperlipidemia and IHD, and those for BA lesions were hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The present study suggested that atherosclerosis of the intracranial VA was related to hyperlipidemia and IHD as was the case for the extracranial carotid artery, whilst atherosclerosis of other sites of intracranial arteries was associated with hypertension and diabetes mellitus in stroke-free Japanese.