Re-evaluation of arterial dissection as a possible major cause of lateral medullary infarction in a single-center study from South Korea.

Limited sensitivity of conventional MRI and the invasiveness of TFCA have restricted the diagnosis of arterial dissection in lateral medullary infarction (LMI), leading to its underestimation and obscuring its clinical significance. However, high-resolution vessel wall MRI (HR-VWMRI) now allows more accessible and accurate diagnosis of dissection, prompting reevaluation of its prevalence. This single-center retrospective study included the LMI patients, among whom a subset underwent advanced imaging as HR-VWMRI or TFCA to confirm definite arterial dissection, and identified clinical factors associated with dissection.

National Trends of Vascular Risk Factor Control Among Stroke Survivors in Korea: From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010 to 2021.

Background: To prevent stroke recurrence in stroke survivors, effective management of vascular risk factors (VRFs), including hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and smoking, is essential. This study aimed to assess the VRF control status and trends among stroke survivors in Korea.

Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 1,261 stroke survivors aged ≥ 19 years (mean age: 65.

Temporal Trends in Public Stroke Awareness in Korea, 2009 to 2023.

Background: No large-scale survey on public stroke awareness has been conducted in Korea since 2009. This study assessed temporal trends in awareness of stroke warning signs (WSs) and risk factors (RFs) from 2009 to 2023. We hypothesized that stroke awareness remains inadequate and that changes in information sources have influenced the depth of knowledge.

Procedure Time of Endovascular Thrombectomy as Performance Measure of Acute Stroke Treatment.

Purpose: Procedure time (PT), defined as the time between groin access and vessel recanalization, is a recently recognized predictor of outcomes after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, the factors affecting PT and its potential value as a performance measure of AIS treatment remain unexplored.

Materials And Methods: Using the Korean Stroke Registry, we compared patients who underwent EVT for AIS from 2018 to 2022 based on 60 minutes PT.

Characteristics of High-Performance Low-Volume Hospitals in Acute Stroke Care.

Background: High patient volumes are associated with better stroke management and outcomes. However, in sparsely populated regions, patients with stroke frequently rely on low-volume hospitals for acute care. This study evaluates the performance of high-performing hospitals among low-volume hospitals and identifies factors contributing to their high performance despite treating fewer stroke cases.

Secondary prevention with antiplatelet medications in patients with antiphospholipid antibody-related stroke.

Clinical guidelines recommend warfarin for patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and ischemic stroke; however, robust evidence is lacking. We investigated the clinical benefits of different categories of antithrombotic medications in ischemic stroke patients positive for antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) in real-world practice. We reviewed data from patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack who tested positive for aPLs.

Pathophysiological link between carotid atherosclerosis and cerebral white matter lesions.

Carotid atherosclerosis is associated with white matter hyperintensity (WMH), potentially resulting in cognitive and gait problems. We assessed the relationship between carotid atherosclerosis patterns and regional WMH, offering insights into possible mechanisms. We reviewed 1,058 consecutive healthy individuals in a health check-up program, who chose both optional carotid doppler ultrasonography and brain magnetic resonance imaging.

Age-Related Variations in Patterns of Patent Foramen Ovale-Stroke versus Other Cryptogenic Stroke.

Introduction: Patent foramen ovale (PFO)-stroke, a form of cryptogenic stroke, has certain identifying clinical and imaging features. However, data describing this stroke type remain inconsistent. This study examined the potential variations in PFO-stroke features, depending on age.

Regional disparities in prehospital delay of acute ischemic stroke: The Korean Stroke Registry.

Background: Late hospital arrival keeps patients with stroke from receiving recanalization therapy and is associated with poor outcomes. This study used a nationwide acute stroke registry to investigate the trends and regional disparities in prehospital delay and analyze the significant factors associated with late arrivals.

Methods: Patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack between January 2012 and December 2021 were included.

Global hyperperfusion after successful endovascular thrombectomy is linked to worse outcome in acute ischemic stroke.

Patients with stroke may develop hyperperfusion after a successful endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). However, the relationship between post-EVT hyperperfusion and clinical outcomes remains unclear and requires further clarification. We reviewed consecutive patients with anterior circulation occlusion who were successfully recanalized with EVT.

Blood urea nitrogen to albumin ratio is associated with cerebral small vessel diseases.

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) to albumin ratio (BAR) is a comprehensive parameter that reflects renal, inflammatory, nutritional, and endothelial functions. BAR has been shown to be associated with various cancers, pneumonia, sepsis, and pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases; however, few studies have been conducted on its association with cerebrovascular diseases. In this study, we evaluated the association between BAR and cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) in health check-up participants.

Monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio is associated with cerebral small vessel diseases.

Background: Inflammation is a major pathological mechanism underlying cerebrovascular disease. Recently, a new inflammatory marker based on the ratio between monocyte count and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol has been proposed. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between monocyte-to-HDL cholesterol ratio (MHR) and cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) lesions in health check-up participants.

Association of high-estimated glomerular filtration rate with the severity of ischemic stroke during non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants therapy: a nationwide cohort study.

Aim: While the relationship between impaired kidney function and non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) is well established, there is limited research exploring the association between an elevated estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the efficacy of NOACs, especially concerning the outcomes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This study aimed to examine the association between higher-than-normal eGFR and the severity of AIS during the use of NOACs using a nationwide multicenter stroke registry in Korea.

Material And Methods: This study utilized data from the Korean Stroke Registry (KSR) database, examining information from 2,379 patients with AIS, who had atrial fibrillation (AF) and a history of utilizing NOACs prior to hospitalization due to incident stroke occurring between 2016 and 2021.

Characteristics and Clinical Implication of White Matter Lesions in Patients With Adult Moyamoya Disease.

Background And Objectives: White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are reportedly increased in moyamoya disease (MMD); however, their clinical importance is not well-established owing to their pathophysiologic heterogeneity by distribution. This study aimed to evaluate the burden and pattern of WMHs and its clinical implications in the MMD trajectory.

Methods: Adult patients with MMD without significant structural lesions were 1:1 propensity score-matched with healthy controls for sex and vascular risk factors.

Targeted Metabolomic Biomarkers for Stroke Subtyping.

Background And Purpose: Ischemic stroke is a heterogeneous disease with various etiologies. The current subtyping process is complicated, time-consuming, and costly. Metabolite-based biomarkers have the potential to improve classification and deliver optimal treatments.

Association of Body Shape Index with Cerebral Small Vessel Disease.

Introduction: A body shape index (ABSI) is an anthropometric index designed to reflect the influence of visceral fat. ABSI has been previously associated with various atherosclerosis, metabolic diseases, and cardiovascular diseases; however, relatively few studies have been conducted on cerebrovascular disease. In this study, we evaluated the association between ABSI and cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) in health check-up participants.

Serum C3 complement levels predict prognosis and monitor disease activity in Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Objective: Biomarkers are needed to predict prognosis and disease activity in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The complement system is a key player in the pathogenesis of GBS. This study aimed to assess the potential utility of serum complement proteins as novel biomarkers in GBS.

Annual exposure to PM is related to cerebral small vessel disease in general adult population.

Ambient air pollution is one of the most important global health issues. Although several studies have been reported the associations between air pollution and brain function or structure, impact of the air pollution on cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) have rarely been explored in Asian adult population. We evaluated the association between exposure to air pollutants and cSVD in Korean asymptomatic adults.

Systemic immune-inflammation index is associated with white matter hyperintensity volume.

Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) is a novel inflammatory marker based on the composition ratio of blood cell counts. In this study, we evaluated the association between the SII and cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) in health check-up participants. We evaluated participants from our health check-up registry between 2006 and 2013.

Clinical Differences Between Stroke and Stroke Mimics in Code Stroke Patients.

Background: The code stroke system is designed to identify stroke patients who may benefit from reperfusion therapy. It is essential for emergency physicians to rapidly distinguish true strokes from stroke mimics to activate code stroke. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and neurological characteristics that can be used to differentiate between stroke and stroke mimics in the emergency department (ED).