Increased blood pressure variability and the risk of probable dementia or mild cognitive impairment: A post hoc analysis of the SPRINT MIND trial

Background Increased systolic blood pressure variability (BPV) is associated with stroke, cardiovascular disease, and dementia and mild cognitive impairment. However, prior studies assessing the relationship between BPV and dementia or mild cognitive impairment had infrequent measurement of blood pressure or suboptimal blood pressure control. Methods and Results We performed a post hoc analysis of the SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial) MIND (Memory and Cognition in Decreased Hypertension) trial. The primary outcome was probable dementia during follow-up. We defined our exposure period, during which blood pressures were collected, as the first 600 days of the trial, and outcomes were ascertained during the subsequent follow-up. BPV was measured as tertiles of systolic blood pressure standard deviation. We fit Cox proportional hazards models to our outcome. We included 8379 patients. The mean follow-up was 3.2±1.4 years, during which 316 (3.8%) patients developed dementia. The mean number of blood pressure measurements was 7.8, and in the tertiles of BPV, the SD was 6.3±1.6, 10.3±1.1, and 16.3±3.6 mm Hg, respectively. The rate of dementia was 2.4%, 3.6%, and 5.4% by ascending tertile, respectively

Delayed Diagnosis in Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: Associated Factors and Clinical Outcomes.

Background Identifying factors associated with delayed diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) can inform future strategies for early detection. Methods and Results We conducted a retrospective cohort study including all participants from ACTION-CVT (Anticoagulation in the Treatment of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis) study who had dates of neurologic symptom onset and CVT diagnosis available. Delayed diagnosis was defined as CVT diagnosis occurring in the fourth (final) quartile of days from symptom onset. The primary study outcome was modified Rankin Scale score of ≤1 at 90 days; secondary outcomes included partial/complete CVT recanalization on last available imaging and modified Rankin Scale score of ≤2. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent variables associated with delayed diagnosis and to assess the association of delayed diagnosis and outcomes. A total of 935 patients were included in our study. Median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 4 days (interquartile range, 1-10 days). Delayed CVT diagnosis (time to diagnosis >10 days) occurred in 212 patients (23%). Isolated headache (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.36 [95% CI, 1.50-3.73]; P10 days after symptom onset. Delayed CVT diagnosis was associated with the symptom of isolated headache and was not associated with adverse clinical outcomes

Imaging markers of stroke risk in asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis

Carotid stenosis is a major cause of ischemic stroke. While symptomatic carotid stenosis requires prompt revascularization, there is significant debate about the management of asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS), especially in light of recent advances in medical therapy. As a result, there is an even greater need for reliable predictors of stroke risk in asymptomatic patients. Besides clinical factors and stenosis grade, plaque morphology and cerebral hemodynamics may be suitable prognostic tools. High-risk features, using Doppler and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suggest that subpopulations at sufficiently high risk (10% annually) can be identified and in whom revascularization would be most beneficial. In this review, imaging tools to aid in stroke risk stratification in patients with ACS are discussed

Recent advances in the management of acute ischemic stroke [version 1; referees: 2 approved]

In recent years, several landmark trials have transformed acute ischemic stroke care. The most dramatic results from the field of acute endovascular intervention demonstrate unequivocal benefit for a select group of patients with moderate to severe deficits presenting within 7 hours from onset and with occlusions of proximal arteries in the anterior circulation. In addition, technological advances and workflow efficiencies have facilitated more rapid delivery of acute stroke interventions. This review provides an overview of recent advances in the management of acute ischemic stroke

Current diagnosis and management of symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (IAD) is likely the most common cause of stroke world-wide, and is associated with a very high risk of recurrence. It results in cerebral ischemia due to a variety of mechanisms, including artery-to-artery embolism, hemodynamic failure and occlusion of penetrating arteries. New imaging modalities focused on physiological consequences of IAD have become available and recent treatment trials have been completed. RECENT FINDINGS: We review the traditional imaging modalities, emphasizing the advantages and limitations of each method, and discuss novel physiological approaches that interrogate physiological process to indicate specific mechanisms of ischemia. These allow deeper understanding of the pathophysiological processes that underlie IAD-related ischemia. The key findings of recent therapeutic trails are reviewed, including the landmark randomized studies showing advantage of antiplatelet agents and risk factor modification, and a significant risk of complications with endovascular approaches. SUMMARY: Current evidence argues for aggressive medical management and suggests caution with interventional treatments. We propose that mechanistic information will further refine the risk assessment of patients with IAD to offer targeted therapy