An exploration of lifestyle beliefs and lifestyle behaviour following stroke: findings from a focus group study of patients and family members

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Stroke is a major cause of disability and family disruption and carries a high risk of recurrence. Lifestyle factors that increase the risk of recurrence include smoking, unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol consumption and physical inactivity. Guidelines recommend that secondary prevention interventions, which include the active provision of lifestyle information, should be initiated in hospital, and continued by community-based healthcare professionals (HCPs) following discharge. However, stroke patients report receiving little/no lifestyle information.</p> <p>There is a limited evidence-base to guide the development and delivery of effective secondary prevention lifestyle interventions in the stroke field. This study, which was underpinned by the Theory of Planned Behaviour, sought to explore the beliefs and perceptions of patients and family members regarding the provision of lifestyle information following stroke. We also explored the influence of beliefs and attitudes on behaviour. We believe that an understanding of these issues is required to inform the content and delivery of effective secondary prevention lifestyle interventions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used purposive sampling to recruit participants through voluntary sector organizations (29 patients, including 7 with aphasia; 20 family members). Using focus group methods, data were collected in four regions of Scotland (8 group discussions) and were analysed thematically.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Although many participants initially reported receiving no lifestyle information, further exploration revealed that most had received written information. However, it was often provided when people were not receptive, there was no verbal reinforcement, and family members were rarely involved, even when the patient had aphasia. Participants believed that information and advice regarding healthy lifestyle behaviour was often confusing and contradictory and that this influenced their behavioural intentions. Family members and peers exerted both positive and negative influences on behavioural patterns. The influence of HCPs was rarely mentioned. Participants' sense of control over lifestyle issues was influenced by the effects of stroke (e.g. depression, reduced mobility) and access to appropriate resources.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>For secondary prevention interventions to be effective, HCPs must understand psychological processes and influences, and use appropriate behaviour change theories to inform their content and delivery. Primary care professionals have a key role to play in the delivery of lifestyle interventions.</p

Surgical or endovascular revascularization in patients with critical limb ischemia: influence of diabetes mellitus on clinical outcome

ObjectiveThe optimal revascularization strategy in diabetic patients with chronic critical limb ischemia (CLI) is unclear. This study assessed the efficacy of tailored endovascular-first vs surgical-first revascularization stratified for the presence of diabetes.MethodsThis prospective cohort study, with 1-year follow up, was conducted in a tertiary referral center in a consecutive series of 383 patients (45.7% had diabetes) presenting 426 limbs with chronic CLI. Interventions were endovascular (PTA cohort, 207 limbs) or surgical (SURG cohort, 85 limbs) revascularization. Conservatively treated patients without revascularization (NON REVASC cohort, 108 limbs) were used as a reference. The main outcome measures were sustained clinical success, defined as survival without major amputation or repeated target extremity revascularization (TER), and a categoric upward shift in clinical symptoms according to the Rutherford classification.ResultsSustained clinical success of revascularization was significantly better in nondiabetic patients (hazard ratio [HR], 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29 to 0.72; P = .001 [SURG cohort]; HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.78; P = .002 [PTA cohort]) compared with diabetic patients (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.44 to 1.43, P = .45 [SURG cohort]; HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.55 to 1.27, P = .40 [PTA cohort]). Repeated TER significantly improved clinical success, which became equivalent between diabetic and nondiabetic patients (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.7 to 1.4). In multivariate analysis, treatment success was not influenced by mode of initial revascularization, neither in diabetic nor in nondiabetic patients. Cumulative 1-year mortality was 30.4%, with a trend of increased mortality in patients with diabetes (HR, 1.45; 95% CI, 0.98 to 2.17; P = .064). Limb salvage rates were similar in treatment cohorts, also if stratified for diabetes (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.62 to 1.75).ConclusionDiabetic patients with chronic CLI benefit from early revascularization. To achieve this benefit, multiple revascularization procedures may be required, and close surveillance is therefore mandatory. Choice of initial revascularization modality seems not to influence clinical success

Differences in demographic characteristics and risk factors in patients with spontaneous vertebral artery dissections with and without ischemic events

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Spontaneous vertebral artery dissection (sVADs) mainly cause cerebral ischemia, with or without associated local symptoms and signs (headache, neck pain, or cervical radiculopathy), or with local symptoms and signs only. METHODS: We compared the presenting characteristics of consecutive patients with single sVADs and ischemic events and those with local symptoms and signs only. RESULTS: Of the 186 patients with first-ever unilateral sVAD, 165 (89%) presented with cerebral ischemia, and 21 (11%) presented with local symptoms and signs only. Patients with sVAD and ischemia were more often male (63% vs 29%; P=0.002), older (mean+/-SD age, 43.6+/-9.9 vs 38.6+/-9.0 years; P=0.027), and smokers (14% vs 3%; P=0.010), but less often, they had a history of migraine without aura (17% vs 38%; P=0.025) than did patients without ischemia. The multivariate analysis confirmed independent associations between male sex (P=0.024), increasing age (0.027), and smoking (P=0.012) and sVADs causing cerebral ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that men, older patients, and smokers with sVADs may be at increased risk for ischemic events

Triple and quadruple spontaneous cervical artery dissection: presenting characteristics and long-term outcome

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous cervicocephalic artery dissection (sCAD) of more than two cervical arteries is rare. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Vascular and potential sCAD risk factors, triggering events, clinical and neuroimaging findings, and outcome of patients with multiple sCAD were studied. Patients were drawn from prospective hospital-based sCAD registries. RESULTS: Of 740 consecutive patients with sCAD, 11 (1.5%) had three, and one had four (0.1%) sCAD. Eight of these 12 patients were women. One patient had additional dissections of the celiac trunk and hepatic artery. Vascular risk factors included hypertension (n = 1), hypercholesterolaemia (n = 6), current smoking (n = 5) and migraine (n = 6). No patient had a family history of sCAD, fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) or connective tissue disease. SCAD was preceded by a minor trauma in five and infection in four patients. Clinical manifestations included ischaemic stroke (n = 8), transient ischaemic attack (n = 3), headache (n = 9), neck pain (n = 4), Horner syndrome (n = 5), pulsatile tinnitus (n = 2) and dysgeusia (n = 1). Brain MRI revealed ischaemic infarcts that affected one vessel territory in seven and two territories in two patients. The 3-month outcome was favourable (modified Rankin scale score 0-1) in 10 patients (83%). No new recurrent stroke or sCAD occurred during a mean follow-up of 50 (SD 29) months. CONCLUSION: Multiple sCAD occurred preferentially in women and caused clinical symptoms and signs mainly in one vascular territory. In none of the patients was FMD or any other underlying arteriopathy apparent. The majority of multiple sCAD was preceded by a minor trauma or infection. Clinical outcome was favourable in most patients, and long-term prognosis benign. The data suggest that transient vasculopathy may be a major mechanism for multiple sCAD

Endovascular therapy in 201 patients with acute symptomatic occlusion of the internal carotid artery

Background and purpose Endovascular therapy is used increasingly for treatment of acute symptomatic internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion, although randomized trials are lacking. Predictors of outcome are therefore of special interest. Methods From 1992 to 2010 we treated 201 patients with acute ICA occlusion with intra-arterial pharmacological thrombolysis (32), endovascular mechanical therapy (78) or a combination of both (91). All data were assessed prospectively. Results There were 76/38% patients with tandem occlusions [ICA plus middle (MCA) or anterior cerebral arteries (ACA)], 18/9% without concomitant occlusions of major intracranial arteries (ICA plus branch occlusion) and 107/53% with functional ICA-T occlusions (ICA plus MCA and ACA). Median baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 17. Good recanalization (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 2–3) was achieved in (157/201) 78% patients and good reperfusion (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2–3) in (151/182) 83%. Better recanalization rates were obtained with mechanical approaches, with/without thrombolytics (78/91 = 86% and 64/78 = 82%) compared with pharmacological thrombolysis only (15/32 = 47%; P < 0.001). Twelve patients (6%) suffered symptomatic intracranial haemorrhages. The 3-month outcome was favourable [modified Rankin score (mRS) 0–2] in 54/28% patients and moderate (mRS 0–3) in 90/46%; 60/31% patients died. Only 17/16% patients with functional ICA-T occlusions had favourable outcomes compared with 32/44% with tandem occlusions and 5/31% with ICA plus cerebral branch occlusions (P = 0.001). In multivariate analysis age [odds ratio (OR) = 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.93–0.98], NIHSS on admission (OR = 0.9, 95% CI = 0.83–0.98) and functional ICA-T occlusion (OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.16–0.77) were non-modifiable predictors, and vessel recanalization was the only modifiable predictor of outcome (OR = 9.30, 95% CI = 2.03–42.63). Conclusions The outcome of acute symptomatic ICA occlusion is poor. However, recanalization is associated with better outcome, and recanalization rates with mechanical techniques were superior to merely pharmacological recanalization attempts

Symptomatic and asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis: 3 years' prospective study.

Intracranial stenoses can cause TIA/ischaemic stroke. The purpose of this study was to assess vascular risk factors, clinical and imaging findings and outcome in Caucasians with intracranial stenosis under best prevention management. In this prospective observational study (from 05/2012, to last follow-up 06/2017) we compared vascular risk factors, imaging findings and long-term outcome in Swiss patients with symptomatic versus asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses on best prevention management. 62 patients were included [35.5% women, median age 68.3 years], 33 (53.2%) with symptomatic intracranial stenoses. Vascular risk factors (p = 0.635) and frequency of anterior circulation stenoses (66.7% vs. 55.2%; p = 0.354) did not differ between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, but CT/MR-perfusion deficits in the territory of the stenosis (81.8% vs. 51.7%; p = 0.011) were more common in symptomatic patients. Outcome in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients at last follow-up was similar (mRS 0-1:66.7% vs. 75%; &lt;sub&gt;adj&lt;/sub&gt; p = 0.937, mRS &lt;sub&gt;adj&lt;/sub&gt; p-shift = 0.354, survival:100% vs. 96.4%; &lt;sub&gt;adj&lt;/sub&gt; p = 0.979). However, during 59,417 patient follow-up days, symptomatic patients experienced more cerebrovascular events (ischaemic stroke or TIA) [37.5% vs. 7.1%; &lt;sub&gt;adj&lt;/sub&gt; HR 7.58; &lt;sub&gt;adj&lt;/sub&gt; p = 0.012], mainly in the territory of the stenosis [31.3% vs. 3.6%; &lt;sub&gt;adj&lt;/sub&gt; HR 12.69; &lt;sub&gt;adj&lt;/sub&gt; p = 0.019], more vascular events (i.e. ischaemic stroke/TIA/TNA and acute coronary/peripheral vascular events) [62.5% vs. 14.3%; &lt;sub&gt;adj&lt;/sub&gt; HR 6.37; &lt;sub&gt;adj&lt;/sub&gt; p = 0.001]) and more multiple vascular events (p-trend = 0.006; ≥ 2:37.5% vs. 10.7%; &lt;sub&gt;adj&lt;/sub&gt; OR 5.37; &lt;sub&gt;adj&lt;/sub&gt; p = 0.022) than asymptomatic patients. Despite best prevention management, one in three patients with a symptomatic intracranial stenosis suffered a cerebrovascular event, three in five a vascular event and two in five ≥ 2 vascular events. There is an unmet need for more rigorous and effective preventive strategies in patients with symptomatic intracranial stenoses

Risk of very early recurrent cerebrovascular events in symptomatic carotid artery stenosis

OBJECT The risk of recurrence of cerebrovascular events within the first 72 hours of admission in patients hospitalized with symptomatic carotid artery (CA) stenoses and the risks and benefits of emergency CA intervention within the first hours after the onset of symptoms are not well known. Therefore, the authors aimed to assess (1) the ipsilateral recurrence rate within 72 hours of admission, in the period from 72 hours to 7 days, and after 7 days in patients presenting with nondisabling stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or amaurosis fugax (AF), and with an ipsilateral symptomatic CA stenosis of 50% or more, and (2) the risk of stroke in CA interventions within 48 hours of admission versus the risk in interventions performed after 48 hours. METHODS Ninety-four patients were included in this study. These patients were admitted to hospital within 48 hours of a nondisabling stroke, TIA, or AF resulting from a symptomatic CA stenosis of 50% or more. The patients underwent carotid endarterectomy (85 patients) or CA stenting (9 patients). At baseline, the cardiovascular risk factors of the patients, the degree of symptomatic CA stenosis, and the type of secondary preventive treatment were assessed. The in-hospital recurrence rate of stroke, TIA, or AF ipsilateral to the symptomatic CA stenosis was determined for the first 72 hours after admission, from 72 hours to 7 days, and after 7 days. Procedure-related cerebrovascular events were also recorded. RESULTS The median time from symptom onset to CA intervention was 5 days (interquartile range 3.00-9.25 days). Twenty-one patients (22.3%) underwent CA intervention within 48 hours after being admitted. Overall, 15 recurrent cerebrovascular events were observed in 12 patients (12.8%) in the period between admission and CA intervention: 3 strokes (2 strokes in progress and 1 stroke) (3.2%), 5 TIAs (5.3%), and 1 AF (1.1%) occurred within the first 72 hours (total 9.6%) of admission; 1 TIA (1.1%) occurred between 72 hours and 7 days, and 5 TIAs (5.3%) occurred after more than 7 days. The corresponding actuarial cerebrovascular recurrence rates were 11.4% (within 72 hours of admission), 2.4% (between 72 hours and 7 days), and 7.9% (after 7 days). Among baseline characteristics, no predictive factors for cerebrovascular recurrence were identified. Procedure-related cerebrovascular events occurred at a rate of 4.3% (3 strokes and 1 TIA), and procedures performed within the first 48 hours and procedures performed after 48 hours had a similar frequency of these events (4.5% vs. 4.1%, respectively; p = 0.896). CONCLUSIONS The in-hospital recurrence of cerebrovascular events was quite low, but all recurrent strokes occurred within 72 hours. The risk of stroke associated with a CA intervention performed within the first 48 hours was not increased compared with that for later interventions. This raises the question of the optimal timing of CA intervention in symptomatic CA stenosis. To answer this question, more data are needed, preferably from large randomized trials