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.

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 correlation between the distnioution of cerebral atherosclerotic stenosis and early neurologic deterioration (END) in patients with acute large artery atherosclerotic stroke.Methods Patients with acute large artery atherosclerotic stroke admitted to the Department of Neurology,the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from March 2017 to May 2018 were enrolled retrospectively.END was defined as the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score increased by 2 from the baseline within 72 h of admission,or the NIHSS consciousness level score increased by 1,or the NIHSS motor score increased by 1,or having any new neurological deficit.According to whether the patients had END or not,they were divided into END group and non-END group.According to cerebral artery stenosis (stenosis degree ＞ 50％) identified by head and neck CT angiography,magnetic resonance angiography or digital subtraction angiography,they were divided into single artery stenosis group and multiple artery stenosis group.Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent risk factors for END.Results A total of 371 patients were enrolled in the study,of which 92 (24.8％) had END.In the single artery stenosis group,the incidence of END varies with the distribution of vessel stenosis:anterior cerebral artery (2.3％),middle cerebral artery (54.4％),posterior cerebral artery (9.1％),basilar artery (4.5％),intracranial internal carotid artery (11.4％),intracranial vertebral artery (6.8％),extracranial internal carotid artery (6.8％),and extracranial vertebral artery (4.5％).The incidence of middle cerebral artery stenosis was significantly higher in the END group than that in the non-END group (54.5％ vs.21.2％;x2=17.615,P ＜ 0.001).In the multiple artery stenosis group,the incidence of END was the highest in patients with only intracranial stenosis (66.7％),followed by patients with intracranial and extracranial stenosis (29.2％),and patients with only extracranial stenosis (4.2％).The incidence of only intracranial multi-artery stenosis was significantly higher in the END group than that in the non-END group (66.7％ vs.47.6％;x2 =5.262,P =0.022).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that middle cerebral artery stenosis (odds ratio,1.805,95％ confidence interval 1.217-2.676;P=0.003) was an independent risk factor for END.Conclusions END was associated with the distribution of cerebral atherosclerotic stenosis in patients with acute large artery atherosclerotic stroke.The middle cerebral artery stenosis was an independent risk factor for END.

Objective To investigate the risk factors of early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with cerebral infarction induced by symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis.Methods One hundred and eighty-nine cerebral infarction patients with symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis were collected. According to National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores at 72 h of admission minus baseline NIHSS scores, these patients were divided into END group (n=51,≥2) and non-END group (n=138, <2). Clinical data and laboratory results were retrospectively collected. Univariate Logistic regressionwas used to analyze the differences of above data between the two groups, and multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of END in patients with cerebral infarction induced by symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis.Results There were significant differences between the END group and the non- END group in age ([69.1±10.6] yearsvs.[65.8±10.4] years), baseline NIHSS scores (10.6±4.6vs. 5.1±4.1), intracranial artery stenosis site (anterior circulation, 82.4％％vs. 66.7％), intracranial artery stenosis degree (occlusion, 66.7％vs.44.2％), cholesterol level ([6.7± 1.0] mmol/Lvs. [4.8±0.8] mmol/L) and lymphocyte count ([2.3±2.2]×109/Lvs.[1.5±0.6]×109/L,P< 0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR=2.411, 95％C1: 1.102-5.273,P= 0.028), intracranial artery occlusion (OR=122, 95％CI: 3.635-4102,P=0.007) and baseline NIHSS scores (OR=2.464, 95％CI: 1.189-5.105,P=0.015) were risk factors for END.Conclusion Patients with symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis induced cerebral infarction, especially those with old age, intracranial artery occlusion or low baseline NIHSS scores, need more attention to avoid END.

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.

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 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.