As a direct vascular recanalization method, safety and efficacy of mechanical embolectomy in acute ischemic stroke have been controversial. This article reviews the safety and efficacy of mechanical embolectomy in acute ischemic stroke via summarizing the development process of mechanical devices and the latest clinical trial results of mechanical embolectomy.

Objective To investigate the impact of carotid atherosclerotic plaque on short-term outcomes of cardioembolic stroke due to non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).Methods A total of 288 patients with acute cerebral embolism due to NVAF were recruited in this study.All patients underwent carotid ultrasonography screening to estimate carotid intima-medium thickness (IMT) and atherosclerotic plaque.The short-term outcomes were assessed.The correlation between carotid atherosclerotic plaque and short-term outcomes of cardioembolic stroke due to NVAF were determined by partial correlation analysis.Results Among the 288 patients,carotid atherosclerosis occurred in 202 cases (70.1％) of the patients,poor outcomes in 113 cases (39.1％),worsening neurological function in 43 cases(14.9％),and stroke recurrence in 24 cases(8.3％).Carotid atherosclerosis plaque was positively associated with neurological worsening (r =0.247,P =0.000) and poor outcomes (r=0.139,P=0.018).The use of aspirin was negatively correlated with both neurological worsening (r=-0.235,P=0.000) and recurrence of stroke (r=-0.177,P=0.003).The use of statin was negatively correlated with recurrence of stroke (r =-0.223,P =0.000),neurological worsening (r=-0.147,P=0.013) and poor outcomes (r=-0.286,P=0.000).Conclusions Carotid atherosclerotic plaque is an independent predictive factor for poor short-term outcomes of cardioembolic stroke due to NVAF,and the aggressive management for carotid plaque can improve the poor short-term outcomes.

Objective To evaluate the effect of vertebral artery kinking on cerebral hemodynamics. Methods The patients with vertebral artery kinking on digital subtraction angiograph (DSA) were selected from 223 patients with vertebral-basilar artery transient ischemic attack, then the changes of vertebral artery hemodynamics were evaluated using transcranial color Doppler (TCD). Results There were 84 patients with vertebral artery kinking among 223 patients with vertebral-basilar artery transient ischemic attack. Patients with vertebral artery kinking were older and had more vascular risk factors than patients without vertebral artery kinking. Compared with the control group, patients showed decreased blood flow rate such as peak velocity (Vp) and mean velocity (Vm), increased pulsatility index (PI) and resistant index (RI) in vertebral artery kinking group. Conclusions Vertebral artery kinking is common abnormal artery among patients with vertebral-basilar artery transient ischemic attack, it leads to hemodynamic changes. Age and vascular risk factors are potential causes of vertebral artery kinking.

Objective To observe the effects of sleep deprivation(SD)on learning and memory and phos-phorylated cyclic AMP responsive element binding protein(pCREB) expression in hippocampus of mice,and to explore the mechanism of cognitive change after SD. Methods Twenty female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into sleep deprivation group(SD, n = 10) and normal cage control group (CC,n = 10). Touch method was used to establish the sleep deprivation model. 30 days after SD,all the animals were subjected for Morris Water Maze (MWM) to test mean escape latency and percentage of time spent in the target quadrant. pCREB level in hippocampus was tested with Western blot. Results The mean escape latency in SD group in the second and third day of MWM was (29.31 ±4.93) s and (25.33 ±5.06)s, respectively, and was longer than that in CC group ((26.05 ±5.96)s and (19.35 ±7. 85)s,respectively). Mice in SD group spent less time in the target quadrant than that in CC group((23.61 ±9.86)% and (37.46 ±7. 51)%,.respectively, P<0.05). Results of Western blot for pCREB revealed that the pCREB level in hippocampus in sleep deprivation group was significantly lower than that in control group(0.71 ±0.03 and 0.82 ±0.06, respectively, P<0.01) . Conclusion The impairment of spatial learning and memory ability in sleep deprivation animals may be associated with the reduction of pCREB in hippocampus.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of intra-arterial thrombolysis with stenting for acute cerebral infarction. Methods Using a prospective case-control design, 24 patients with acute cerebral infarction who remained angiostegnosis ( ＞ 50%) after intra-arterial thrombolysis were randomly divided into stent treatment group and drug treatment group. They were treated with stenting + drug treatment and conventional drug treatment. The rates of vascular complete revascularization and residual stenosis, and the modified Rankin scale scores at 3 months in both groups were evaluated. Results The rate of complete revascularization in the stent treatment group was significantly higher than that in the drug treatment group (54. 5% vs.0%,χ2 =6.382, P ＜0. 001), and the rate of residual stenosis was significantly lower than that in the drug treatment group ([4.5 ±5.2]% vs. [82. 5 ±10. 5]%, t =7.464, P＜0.001). The rate of favorable clinical outcome in the stent treatment group was significantly higher than that in the drug treatment group (100% vs. 76. 9%,χ2 = 14. 263, P = 0.038). Conclusion The efficacy of intra-arterial thrombolysis with stenting in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction is superior to that in the drug treatment group, and it is safer.

Objective To observe the dynamic changes of serum inflammatory factors after vertebral artery stenting and to investigate its clinical significance. Methods A total of 48 patients treated with vertebral artery stenting were included, and 48 patients only received cerebral angiography were used as a control group. The levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and tumor-necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected before procedure (angiography), at 24 h, 48 h, 3 d, and 1 and 3 weeks after procedure (angiography). Results The serum levels of hs-CRP (4. 85 ± 0. 53 mg/L vs. 2. 57 ±0. 36 mg/L,P＜0. 05), TNF-α (2.42 ±0. 34 μg/L vs. 1. 08 ±0. 37 μg/L,P ＜0. 05) and sICAM-1 (449.43 ± 47. 16 μg/L vs. 269. 15 ± 37. 46 μg/L, P ＜ 0. 05) at 24 hours after procedure in the stenting group were significantly elevated compared with those before procedure. The Hs-CRP level (6.24 ± 0.59 mg/L) reached the peak at 48 hours after procedure. At week 3 (2. 51 ±0.29 mg/L), it returned to the level before procedure (2. 57 ±0. 36 mg/L); TNF-α level reached the peak at day 3 (2.30 ± 0.25 μg/L), and it remained higher level at week 3 (1. 89 ±0. 13 μg/L); the sICAM-1 level continued to rise at week 3 (296. 95 ± 59. 72 μg/L). The serum hs-CRP, TNF-α and sICAM-1 levels at 24 hours after procedure in the stenting group were significantly higher than those (3. 25 ±0.40 mg/L、J. 18 ±0. 19 μg/L and 336. 57 ± 50. 18μg/L) in the control group (all P＜0.05). Conclusions The serum hs-CRP, TNF-α, sICAM-1 levels were significantly elevated after vertebral artery stenting. It was suggested that the stenting caused a longer duration of inflammatory response.

Objective To investigate the effects of hypomagnesemia on the initial amount of hematoma and patient's condition at hospitalization in elderly patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).The 90 consecutive hospitalized patients with primary ICH were chosen for prospective cohort study in the Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University from February 2017 to May 2018.Methods Demographic and baseline data of patients were collected,and CT scan,serum magnesium concentration and other laboratory examinations after hospital admission were tested.Ninety patients were divided into two groups:hypomagnesemia group(serum magnesium ＜ 0.75 mmol/L,n =38) and normo-magnesemia group(0.75-1.25 mmol/L,n =52).The impact of serum magnesium level on the patient's initial volume of hematoma and critical condition at admission were analyzed.Results The median value of random blood glucose (7.29 mmol/L vs.6.44 mmol/L)and fibrinogen degradation products(3.43 mg/L vs.1.98 mg/L)were higher in the patients with hypomagnesemia than in the normal magnesium group.The median volume of initial volume of hematoma at admission was larger in patients with hypomagnesemia than in the normal magnesium group (20 cm3 vs.10 cm3).The median value of Glasgow coma scale at admission was lower in patients with hypomagnesemia than in the normal magnesium group(12.5 scores vs.14.0 scores).And their difference was statistically significant(U =-2.663,-2.951,-5.000 and-2.821 respectively,P =0.008,0.003,0.000 and 0.005).The correlation analysis showed that the initial volume of hematoma in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage was negatively correlated with the serum magnesium concentration at admission (r =-0.528,P =0.001).Conclusions Patients with hypomagnesemia has a larger hematoma volume and more serious disease condition.There is a significantly negative correlation between serum magnesium and hematoma volume of ICH.The serum magnesium level may become a predictor of ICH in the future.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of peripheral blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) in patients with acute stroke.Methods Consecutive patients with acute stroke were enrolled.Their clinical data were collected.The peripheral blood white blood cells,neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were detected within 24 h after admission,and the NLR was calculated.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent correlation between NLR and SAP.The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive value of NLR for SAP.Results A total of 126 patients with acute stroke were enrolled,including 45 females (35.7％) and 81 males (64.3％).Their mean age was 64.8 years.Fifty-two patients (41.3％) had intracerebral hemorrhage,and 74 (58.7％) had ischemic stroke.Thirty-nine patients (31.0％) occurred SAP,and 87 (69.0％) did not occur SAP.Univariate analysis showed that age,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores,fasting glucose,total white blood cell count,neutrophil count,NLR,and proportions of patients with hyperlipidemia,ischemic heart disease,atrial fibrillation,smoking,dysphagia,using acid suppressing drugs and indwelling gastric tube in the SAP group were significantly higher than those in the non-SAP group (all P ＜0.05),and the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level and lymphocyte count in the SAP group were significantly lower than those in the non-SAP group (all P ＜ 0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NLR (odds ratio 2.079,95％ confidence interval 1.174-3.194;P =0.001) was an independent risk factor for SAP after adjustment for confounding factors.ROC curve analysis showed that when the NLR cutoff value was 6.765,the sensitivity of predicting SAP was 64.1％,the specificity was 73.6％,and the area under ROC curve was 0.721 (95％ confidence interval 0.630-0.813).Conclusions The elevated NLR in peripheral blood within 24 h after admission may has a certain predictive value for SAP in patients with acute stroke.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of baseline peripheral blood neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score combined with collateral circulation Tan score for the outcome of intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusive stroke.Methods:Patients with acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusive stroke received alteplase intravenous thrombolysis in the Departmet of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2019 to May 2021 were enrolled retrospectively. The modified Rankin Scale score was used to evaluate the outcomes at 90 d after thrombolysis. 0-2 was defined as good outcome and 3-6 were defined as poor outcome. The demographics, clinical data and imaging data between the good outcome group and the poor outcome group were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent influencing factors of the outcome of thrombolysis, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive value of NLR, NIHSS score, Tan score and their combination on the outcome of intravenous thrombolysis. Results:A total of 118 patients with acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusive stroke were enrolled during the study. Their age was 67.73±11.91 years, and there were 71 males (60.2%). Fifty-eight patients (49.2%) were in the good outcome group and 60 (50.8%) were in the poor outcome group. Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in NLR, collateral circulation Tan score and baseline NIHSS score between the good outcome group and the poor outcome group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NLR (odds ratio [ OR] 1.299, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.005-1.679; P=0.046), baseline NIHSS score ( OR 1.150, 95% CI 1.037-1.275; P=0.008), collateral circulation Tan score ( OR 0.298, 95% CI 0.160-0.556; P<0.001) were independently associated with the outcomes. ROC curve analysis showed that the areas under the curve of NLR, baseline NIHSS score, Tan score and their combination for predicting poor outcome were 0.640, 0.752, 0.823 and 0.870, respectively. Conclusions:Peripheral blood NLR before thrombolysis, baseline NIHSS score and collateral circulation Tan score could predict the outcomes after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusive stroke, and the combination of the three had a higher predictive value.

Objective:To investigate the effects of white matter hyperintensity (WMH) of different lesion areas and severities on early neurological deterioration (END) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients after intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) thrombolysis.Methods:Three hundred and seventy-three AIS patients, admitted to our hospital from April 2019 to July 2021, were chosen in our study. These patients were treated with intravenous rt-PA thrombolysis within 4.5 h of onset. According to the presence or absence of END, these patients were divided into END group ( n=89) and non-END group ( n=284). Fazekas scale was used to assess the periventricular WMH (PVWMH) and subcortical WMH (SCWMH): none-mild PVWMH/SCWMH was defined at 0-1 score and moderate to severe PVWMH/SCWMH was defined at 2-3 scores; the sum scores of the two sites were calculated, and none-mild WMH was defined at 0-2 scores and moderate-severe WMH was defined at 3-6 scores. Univariate analysis was used to compare the baseline data of the two groups, and multivariate Logistic regression was used to determine the correlations of END with WMH lesion areas and severities. Results:Univariate analysis showed that there was significant difference between the END group and non-END group in age, baseline blood glucose, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification, hemorrhagic transformation after thrombolysis, and PVWMH, SCWMH, and WMH scores ( P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic analysis showed that only baseline NIHSS scores ( OR=1.064, 95%CI: 1.019-1.111, P=0.005), hemorrhagic transformation after thrombolysis ( OR=3.931, 95%CI: 2.007-7.701, P=0.000), moderate-severe WMH ( OR=4.736, 95%CI: 2.737-8.195, P=0.000), and moderate-severe SCWMH ( OR=5.557, 95%CI: 3.156-9.783, P=0.000) were independently related to the occurrence of END. Conclusion:Patients with moderate-severe SCWMH, moderate-severe WMH, or high NIHSS scores after thrombolysis trend to have END.