| 1. |
- Aarnio, Karoliina, et al.
(author)
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Etiologic subtypes of first and recurrent ischemic stroke in young patients using A-S-C-O and TOAST classification criteria: A retrospective follow-up study
- 2024
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In: EUROPEAN STROKE JOURNAL. - 2396-9873 .- 2396-9881.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Scarce data exist on the etiology of recurrent ischemic strokes (ISs) among young adults. We analyzed the etiology of first-ever and recurrent events and the differences between them.Patients and methods: Patients aged 15-49 years with a first-ever IS in 1994-2007 were included in the Helsinki Young Stroke Registry. In this retrospective cohort study, data on recurrent ISs were identified from Care Register for Health Care until the end of 2017 and Causes of Death Register and from patient records until the end of 2020. All first-ever and recurrent ISs were classified using Atherosclerosis-Small vessel disease-Cardioembolism-Other Cause (A-S-C-O) and Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classifications.Results: A total of 970 patients were included (median age at index IS 46 years, interquartile range 43-48, 33% women), of which 155 (16.0%) patients had recurrent IS, with 8 (5.2%) fatal cases and 5 (3.2%) unverifiable cases. The median follow-up was 17.4 (IQR 13.9-21.7) years. Median time from the index event to the first recurrent event was 4.5 (interquartile range [IQR] 1.6-10.2) years. Recurrence was more often due to definite cardioembolism (10.7% vs 18.0%, p = 0.013), while the proportion of other definite A-S-C-O subgroups remained the same. With TOAST classification, the proportion of true cryptogenic ISs decreased (16.7% vs 6.7%, p = 0.003), while those with incomplete evaluation increased (9.3% vs 19.3%, p = 0.015). Other TOAST phenotypes remained the same.Conclusion: The proportion of definite cardioembolism increased at recurrence using the A-S-C-O classification and the number of cryptogenic ISs decreased using the TOAST classification, while cases with incomplete evaluation increased. Most etiologies remained the same.
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| 2. |
- Cancelloni, Virginia, et al.
(author)
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Reperfusion therapies in patients with acute ischaemic stroke and atrial fibrillation: data on safety and effectiveness from a multi-centre cohort study
- 2024
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In: NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES. - 1590-1874 .- 1590-3478.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and/or endovascular therapy (EVT) are currently considered best practices in acute stroke patients. Data regarding the efficacy and safety of reperfusion therapies in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are conflicting as regards haemorrhagic transformation, mortality, and functional outcome. This study sought to investigate for any differences, in terms of safety and effectiveness, between AF patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) treated and untreated with reperfusion therapies.Methods Data from two multicenter cohort studies (RAF and RAF-NOACs) on consecutive patients with AF and AIS were analyzed to compare patients treated and not treated with reperfusion therapies (IVT and/or EVT). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors for outcome events: 90-day good functional outcome and mortality. A propensity score matching (PSM) analysis compared treated and untreated patients.Results Overall, 441 (25.4%) were included in the reperfusion-treated group and 1,295 (74.6%) in the untreated group. The multivariable model suggested that reperfusion therapies were significantly associated with good functional outcome. Rates of mortality and disability were higher in patients not treated, especially in the case of higher NIHSS scores. In the PSM comparison, 173/250 patients (69.2%) who had received reperfusion therapies had good functional outcome at 90 days, compared to 146/250 (58.4%) untreated patients (p = 0.009, OR: 1.60, 95% CI:1.11-2.31).Conclusions Patients with AF and AIS treated with reperfusion therapies had a significantly higher rate of good functional outcome and lower rates of mortality compared to those patients with AF and AIS who had undergone conservative treatment.
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| 3. |
- Eltoft, Agnethe, et al.
(author)
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Statistical analysis plan for the randomized controlled trial Tenecteplase in Wake-up Ischaemic Stroke Trial (TWIST)
- 2022
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In: Trials. - : Springer Nature. - 1745-6215. ; 23:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Patients with wake-up ischemic stroke are frequently excluded from thrombolytic treatment due to unknown symptom onset time and limited availability of advanced imaging modalities. The Tenecteplase in Wake-up lschaemic Stroke Trial (TWIST) is a randomized controlled trial of intravenous tenecteplase 0.25 mg/kg and standard care versus standard care alone (no thrombolysis) in patients who wake up with acute ischemic stroke and can be treated within 4.5 h of wakening based on non-contrast CT findings. Objective: To publish the detailed statistical analysis plan for TWIST prior to unblinding. Methods: The TWIST statistical analysis plan is consistent with the Consolidating Standard of Reporting Trials (CON-SORT) statement and provides clear and open reporting. Discussion: Publication of the statistical analysis plan serves to reduce potential trial reporting bias and clearly outlines the pre-specified analyses.
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| 4. |
- Ilinca, Andreea, et al.
(author)
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MAP3K6 Mutations in a Neurovascular Disease Causing Stroke, Cognitive Impairment, and Tremor
- 2021
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In: Neurology: Genetics. - 2376-7839. ; 7:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To describe a possible novel genetic mechanism for cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) and stroke.Methods: We studied a Swedish kindred with ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage, tremor, dysautonomia, and mild cognitive decline. Members were examined clinically, radiologically, and by histopathology. Genetic workup included whole-exome sequencing (WES) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and intrafamilial cosegregation analyses.Results: Fifteen family members were examined clinically. Twelve affected individuals had white matter hyperintensities and 1 or more of (1) stroke episodes, (2) clinically silent lacunar ischemic lesions, and (3) cognitive dysfunction. All affected individuals had tremor and/or atactic gait disturbance. Mild symmetric basal ganglia calcifications were seen in 3 affected members. Postmortem examination of 1 affected member showed pathologic alterations in both small and large arteries the brain. Skin biopsies of 3 affected members showed extracellular amorphous deposits within the subepidermal zone, which may represent degenerated arterioles. WES or WGS did not reveal any potentially disease-causing variants in known genes for cSVDs or idiopathic basal ganglia calcification, but identified 1 heterozygous variant, NM_004672.4 MAP3K6 c.322G>A p.(Asp108Asn), that cosegregated with the disease in this large family. MAP3K6 has known functions in angiogenesis and affects vascular endothelial growth factor expression, which may be implicated in cerebrovascular disease.Conclusions: Our data strongly suggest the MAP3K6 variant to be causative for this novel disease phenotype, but the absence of functional data and the present lack of additional families with this disease and MAP3K6 mutations still limit the formal evidence for the variant's pathogenicity.
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| 5. |
- Ilinca, Andreea, et al.
(author)
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Updated Stroke Gene Panels : Rapid evolution of knowledge on monogenic causes of stroke
- 2023
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In: European Journal of Human Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1476-5438 .- 1018-4813. ; 31:2, s. 239-242
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This article updates our previous Stroke Gene Panels (SGP) from 2017. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man and PubMed were searched. We divided detected genes into two SGP groups, SGP1: genes reported in at least one person with stroke and associated with one or more clinical subgroups: large artery atherosclerotic, large artery non-atherosclerotic (tortuosity, dolichoectasia, aneurysm, non-atherosclerotic dissection or occlusion), cerebral small vessel diseases, cardio-embolic (arrhythmia, heart defect, cardiomyopathy), coagulation dysfunctions (venous thrombosis, arterial thrombosis, bleeding tendency), intracerebral hemorrhage, vascular malformations (cavernoma, arteriovenous malformations) and metabolism disorders; and SGP2: genes related to diseases that may predispose to stroke. We identified 168 SGP1 genes, 70 of these were validated for clinical practice. We also detected 72 SGP2 genes. Nine genes were removed because of conflicting evidence. The number of genes increased from 168 to 240 during 4.5-years, reflecting a dynamic evolution and the need for regular updates for research and clinical use.
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| 6. |
- Ilinca, Andreea, et al.
(author)
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Whole-Exome Sequencing in 22 Young Ischemic Stroke Patients With Familial Clustering of Stroke
- 2020
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In: Stroke. - 1524-4628. ; 51:4, s. 1056-1063
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Backgrounds and Purpose- Although new methods for genetic analyses are rapidly evolving, there are currently knowledge gaps in how to detect Mendelian forms of stroke. Methods- We performed whole-exome sequencing in 22 probands, under 56 years at their first ischemic stroke episode, from multi-incident stroke families. With the use of a comprehensive stroke-gene panel, we searched for variants in stroke-related genes. The probands' clinical stroke subtype was related to clinical characteristics previously associated with pathogenic variants in these genes. Relatives were genotyped in 7 families to evaluate stroke-gene variants of unknown significance. In 2 larger families with embolic stroke of unknown source, whole-exome sequencing was performed in additional members to examine the possibility of identifying new stroke genes. Results- Six of 22 probands carried pathogenic or possibly pathogenic variants in genes reported to be associated with their stroke subtype. A known pathogenic variant in NOTCH3 and a possibly pathogenic variant in ACAD9 gene were identified. A novel JAK2:c.3188G>A (p.Arg1063His) mutation was seen in a proband with embolic stroke of undetermined source and prothrombotic status. However, penetrance in the family was incomplete. COL4A2:c.3368A>G (p.Glu1123Gly) was detected in 2 probands but did not cosegregate with the disease in their families. Whole-exome sequencing in multiple members of 2 pedigrees with embolic stroke of undetermined source revealed possibly pathogenic variants in genes not previously associated with stroke, GPR142:c.148C>G (p.Leu50Val), and PTPRN2:c.2416A>G (p.Ile806Val); LRRC1 c.808A>G (p.Ile270Val), SLC7A10c.1294dupG (p.Val432fs), IKBKB: c.1070C>T (p.Ala357Val), and OXGR1 c.392G>A (p.Arg131His), respectively. Conclusions- Screening with whole-exome sequencing using a comprehensive stroke-gene panel may identify rare monogenic forms of stroke, but careful evaluation of clinical characteristics and potential pathogenicity of novel variants remain important. In our study, the majority of individuals with familial aggregation of stroke lacked any identified genetic causes.
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| 7. |
- Jacob, Mina A, et al.
(author)
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Global Differences in Risk Factors, Etiology, and Outcome of Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults: A Worldwide Meta-analysis: The GOAL-Initiative.
- 2022
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In: Neurology. - 1526-632X. ; 98:6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is a worldwide increase in the incidence of stroke in young adults, with major regional and ethnic differences. Advancing knowledge of ethnic and regional variation in causes and outcomes will be beneficial in implementation of regional healthcare services. To study the global distribution of risk factors, causes and 3-month mortality of young ischemic stroke patients, by performing a patient data meta-analysis form different cohorts worldwide.We did a pooled analysis of individual patient data from cohort studies which included consecutive ischemic stroke patients aged 18-50 years. We studied differences in prevalence of risk factors and causes between different ethnic and racial groups, geographic regions and countries with different income levels. We investigated differences in 3-month mortality by mixed-effects multivariable logistic regression.We included 17,663 patients from 32 cohorts in 29 countries. Hypertension and diabetes were most prevalent in Blacks (hypertension, 52.1%; diabetes, 20.7%) and Asians (hypertension 46.1%, diabetes, 20.9%). Large vessel atherosclerosis and small vessel disease were more often cause of stroke in high-income countries (HICs; both p<0.001), whereas ''other determined stroke'' and ''undetermined stroke'' were higher in low and middle-income countries (LMICs; both p<0.001). Patients in LMICs were younger, had less vascular risk factors, and despite this, more often died within 3 months than those from HICs (OR 2.49; 95% CI 1.42-4.36).The ethnoracial and regional differences in risk factors and causes of stroke at young age provide an understanding of ethnic and racial, and regional differences in incidence of ischemic stroke. Our results also visualize the dissimilarities in outcome after stroke in young adults that exist between LMICs and HICs, which should serve as call to action to improve healthcare facilities in LMICs.
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| 8. |
- Korsholm, Kasper, et al.
(author)
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Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion versus Novel Oral Anticoagulation for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation: Rationale and Design of the Multicenter Randomized Occlusion-AF Trial.
- 2021
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In: American heart journal. - : Elsevier BV. - 1097-6744 .- 0002-8703. ; 243, s. 28-38
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasing globally, which is a major clinical and public health concern due to the five-fold increased risk of stroke. Oral anticoagulation with novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) is the current primary option for stroke prevention in patients with AF, although it increases the risk of major bleeding. Patients with prior ischemic cerebrovascular events are at particularly high risk of both recurrent ischemic events and major bleeding. Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) provides an alternative option for stroke prevention in high-risk patients, however, with currently limited evidence. Thus, randomized trials comparing LAAO to NOACs are needed.The Occlusion-AF trial is designed to assess whether LAAO is non-inferior to NOAC therapy for reduction of the combined endpoint of stroke, systemic embolism, major bleeding (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium ≥ 3) and all-cause mortality in patients with AF and a recent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).Investigator-initiated multicenter, multinational, randomized open-label non-inferiority trial with blinded outcome evaluation (PROBE design). Patients with documented AF, and an ischemic stroke or TIA within 6 months will be eligible for enrollment. Major exclusion criteria are modified Rankin Scale > 3 at enrollment, glomerular filtration rate < 15 ml/min, and life-expectancy less than 2 years. A total of 750 patients will be randomized 1:1 to receive either a NOAC or LAAO using the Amplatzer Amulet (Abbott, MN, USA) or Watchman FLX (Boston Scientific, MN, USA) with subsequent life-long aspirin 75 mg daily. Follow-up will be based on in-office and telephone follow-up in combination with long-term follow-up (10 years) through national hospital discharge registries in the individual Nordic countries. The primary outcome will be a composite endpoint of stroke, systemic embolism, major bleeding (BARC ≥ 3) and all-cause mortality at 2-year follow-up.The Occlusion-AF trial is designed to compare LAAO to NOAC therapy for secondary stroke prevention in AF patients with a high risk of recurrent thromboembolic events, i.e. with previous ischemic stroke or TIA, and otherwise eligible for anticoagulation. The results are expected to contribute significantly to the understanding of the effects of LAAO compared to the standard contemporary pharmacological treatment in these patients.
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| 9. |
- Krzywicka, Katarzyna, et al.
(author)
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Decompressive surgery in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis due to vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia.
- 2023
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In: European journal of neurology. - : Wiley. - 1468-1331 .- 1351-5101. ; 30:5, s. 1335-1345
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis due to vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (CVST-VITT) is an adverse drug reaction occurring after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination. CVST-VITT patients often present with large intracerebral haemorrhages and a high proportion undergoes decompressive surgery. Clinical characteristics, therapeutic management and outcomes of CVST-VITT patients who underwent decompressive surgery are described and predictors of in-hospital mortality in these patients are explored.Data from an ongoing international registry of patients who developed CVST within 28days of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, reported between 29 March 2021 and 10 May 2022, were used. Definite, probable and possible VITT cases, as defined by Pavord et al. (N Engl J Med 2021; 385: 1680-1689), were included.Decompressive surgery was performed in 34/128 (27%) patients with CVST-VITT. In-hospital mortality was 22/34 (65%) in the surgical and 27/94 (29%) in the non-surgical group (p<0.001). In all surgical cases, the cause of death was brain herniation. The highest mortality rates were found amongst patients with preoperative coma (17/18, 94% vs. 4/14, 29% in the non-comatose; p<0.001) and bilaterally absent pupillary reflexes (7/7, 100% vs. 6/9, 67% with unilaterally reactive pupil, and 4/11, 36% with bilaterally reactive pupils; p=0.023). Postoperative imaging revealed worsening of index haemorrhagic lesion in 19 (70%) patients and new haemorrhagic lesions in 16 (59%) patients. At a median follow-up of 6months, 8/10 of surgical CVST-VITT who survived admission were functionally independent.Almost two-thirds of surgical CVST-VITT patients died during hospital admission. Preoperative coma and bilateral absence of pupillary responses were associated with higher mortality rates. Survivors often achieved functional independence.
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| 10. |
- Mishra, A., et al.
(author)
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Stroke genetics informs drug discovery and risk prediction across ancestries
- 2022
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In: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 611, s. 115-123
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Previous genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of stroke - the second leading cause of death worldwide - were conducted predominantly in populations of European ancestry(1,2). Here, in cross-ancestry GWAS meta-analyses of 110,182 patients who have had a stroke (five ancestries, 33% non-European) and 1,503,898 control individuals, we identify association signals for stroke and its subtypes at 89 (61 new) independent loci: 60 in primary inverse-variance-weighted analyses and 29 in secondary meta-regression and multitrait analyses. On the basis of internal cross-ancestry validation and an independent follow-up in 89,084 additional cases of stroke (30% non-European) and 1,013,843 control individuals, 87% of the primary stroke risk loci and 60% of the secondary stroke risk loci were replicated (P < 0.05). Effect sizes were highly correlated across ancestries. Cross-ancestry fine-mapping, in silico mutagenesis analysis(3), and transcriptome-wide and proteome-wide association analyses revealed putative causal genes (such as SH3PXD2A and FURIN) and variants (such as at GRK5 and NOS3). Using a three-pronged approach(4), we provide genetic evidence for putative drug effects, highlighting F11, KLKB1, PROC, GP1BA, LAMC2 and VCAM1 as possible targets, with drugs already under investigation for stroke for F11 and PROC. A polygenic score integrating cross-ancestry and ancestry-specific stroke GWASs with vascular-risk factor GWASs (integrative polygenic scores) strongly predicted ischaemic stroke in populations of European, East Asian and African ancestry(5). Stroke genetic risk scores were predictive of ischaemic stroke independent of clinical risk factors in 52,600 clinical-trial participants with cardiometabolic disease. Our results provide insights to inform biology, reveal potential drug targets and derive genetic risk prediction tools across ancestries.
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