Our study suggests that posterior circulation stroke is associated with a lower risk of intracranial hemorrhage than anterior circulation stroke is.

Background: Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is a standard treatment for both anterior circulation ischemic stroke (ACIS) and posterior circulation ischemic stroke (PCIS). PCIS is a clinical syndrome associated with ischemia-related changes in the territory of the posterior circulation arteries. Embolism is the most common stroke mechanism in posterior circulation. PCIS represents 12–19% of all IVT-treated strokes. Methods and Results: We searched the PubMed database for assessments of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and clinical outcome in PCIS patients treated with IVT. ICH occurs in 0–6.9% of posterior ischemic stroke depending on the definition of symptomatic ICH, and any ICH in 17–23.4% of posterior ischemic stroke. For patients with PCIS, 38–49% have a favorable outcome (mRS 0–1) after IVT. Better clinical outcomes occur more often in patients with PCIS than in those with ACIS. The mortality rate among PCIS patients treated with IVT ranges from 9 to 19%; it does not differ significantly between PCIS and ACIS. Conclusions: Up to date, no data about PCIS and IVT are available from RTCs. Based on limited results from retrospective clinical studies and case series, IVT is safer for use in PCIS than in ACIS. Patients with brainstem ischemia, vertebral artery occlusion, and absence of basilar or posterior cerebral artery occlusion could be considered for treatment with IVT even in borderline cases. Time to IVT in PCIS seems to be a less crucial factor than in ACIS. IVT for PCIS may be beneficial even after 4.5 h from symptom onset.

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IntroductionDespite early management and technical success of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), not all patients reach a good clinical outcome. Different factors may have an impact and we aimed to evaluate blood pressure (BP) levels in the first 24 hours after MT.MethodsConsecutive AIS patients treated with MT were enrolled in the retrospective bi-center study. Neurological deficit was assessed with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and functional outcome after 3 months with modified Rankin scale (mRS) with a score 0–2 for good outcome. The presence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) was assessed according to the SITS–MOST criteria.ResultsOf 703 treated patients, completed BP levels were collected in 690 patients (350 males, mean age 71±13 years) with median of admission NIHSS 17 points. Patients with mRS 0–2 had a lower median of systolic BP (SBP) compared with those with poor outcome (131 vs 140 mm Hg, P<0.0001). The rate of SICH did not differ between the patients with a median of SBP <140 mm Hg and ≥140 mm Hg. (5.1% vs 5.1%, P=0.980). Multivariate regression analysis with adjustment for potential confounders showed a median of distolic BP (P=0.024, OR: 0.977, 95% CI: 0.957 to 0.997) as a predictor of good functional outcome after MT, and a median of maximal SBP (P=0.038; OR: 0.990, 95% CI: 0.981 to 0.999) in the patients with achieved recanalization.ConclusionLowering of BP within the first 24 hours after MT may have a positive impact on clinical outcome in treated patients.

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MT seems to be safe also in patients on AT. Poor outcome may be related to higher admission NIHSS, higher rate of SICH and presence of atrial fibrillation.

Background. Acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is relatively infrequent form of acute ischemic stroke associated with severe and persisting neurological deficit and high mortality rate (to 86%). Early recanalization is essential for good clinical outcome but the most effective treatment approach remains unestablished. Several treatment strategies are currently available but their safety and efficacy have only been tested in retrospective/prospective case series. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are lacking. Methods and Results. We searched the PubMed database for assessments of recanalization rate and clinical outcome in BAO patients treated with various treatment methods. The results show that antithrombotics are least effective while specific reperfusion therapies including intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and various types of intra-arterial therapy (IAT) are more so. Less than half of BAO patients reach independent outcome following IVT with a recanalization rate 52 -78%. Even though IAT recanalizes BAO more frequently (in up to 100%), the higher recanalization rate is not necessarily associated with better outcome. Conclusions. Good clinical outcome is strongly dependent on recanalization time. Thus, the concept of bridging therapy, combining widely available IVT with IAT, was introduced and is usually considered a rescue strategy in nonresponders to IV alteplase. A trend to better outcome in patients treated with bridging therapy in some studies, has to be confirmed by large RCTs.

Background and purpose The main aim of the study was to document the occurrence and evolution of post‐stroke spasticity (PSS). The secondary goal was to identify predictors for increases and decreases in PSS rates during 12 months of subsequent follow‐up. Methods In a longitudinal, multicenter, prospective cohort study, assessments were done at 7 days (V1), 6 months (V2), and 12 months (V3) after stroke onset. A total of 307 consecutive patients from four comprehensive stroke centers with the first‐ever stroke of carotid origin and the presence of motor deficit at day 7 were included. The demographic data, baseline characteristics, Barthel index, degree and pattern of paresis and muscle tone were evaluated and recorded. Spasticity was assessed using the modified Ashworth scale. Results Spasticity was present in 45.0% of patients at V1, in 49.5% at V2, and in 43.2% at V3. A significant number of patients experienced changes in spasticity between visits: increased/new occurrence of spasticity in 32.5% (V1 and V2) and in 13.6% (V2 and V3) of patients; decreased occurrence/disappearance of spasticity in 18.5% (V1 and V2) and in 18.3% (V2 and V3) of patients. The number of patients with severe spasticity increased throughout the year, from 2.6% to 13.0% (V2) and 12.5% (V3). Conclusions Spasticity developed in almost half of the included patients. The degree of spasticity often changed over time, in both directions. The rate of severe spasticity increased during the first year, with the maximum at 6 months following stroke onset.