Recurrent Stroke Due to Metastatic Pulmonary Tumor Emboli as an Important Clinical Entity

Predictors of Survival in Patients With Ischemic Stroke and Active Cancer: A Prospective, Multicenter, Observational Study

Background Limited data exist on the prognostic factors for patients with ischemic stroke and active cancer. Methods and Results We conducted a prospective, multicenter, observational study in Japan, including patients with acute ischemic stroke and active cancer, to investigate the prognostic factors. We followed up the patients for 1 year after stroke onset. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to cryptogenic stroke and known causes (small-vessel occlusion, large-artery atherosclerosis, cardioembolism, and other determined cause), and survival was compared. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for mortality were calculated using Cox regression models. We identified 135 eligible patients (39% women; median age, 75 years). Of these patients, 51% had distant metastasis. A total of 65 (48%) and 70 (52%) patients had cryptogenic stroke and known causes, respectively. Patients with cryptogenic stroke had significantly shorter survival than those with known causes (HR [95% CI], 3.11 [1.82-5.32]). The multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that distant metastasis, plasma D-dimer levels, venous thromboembolism (either deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) complications at stroke onset were independent predictors of mortality after adjusting for potential confounders. Cryptogenic stroke was associated with prognosis in univariable analysis but was not significant in multivariable analysis. The plasma D-dimer levels stratified the prognosis of patients with ischemic stroke and active cancer. Conclusions The prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke and active cancer varied considerably depending on stroke mechanism, distant metastasis, and coagulation abnormalities. The present study confirmed that coagulation abnormalities were crucial in determining the prognosis of such patients.

Multiple cerebral infarction linked to underlying cancer: a review of Trousseau syndrome-related cerebral infarction

Trousseau syndrome is a cancer-associated hypercoagulative state leading to venous or arterial thromboembolic events. Cerebral infarction is the most common result of arterial embolism and the pathogenesis is complicated, mainly associated with hypercoagulation and non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis. On magnetic resonance imaging, multiple lesions are dispersed in more than two territories of the brain, often simultaneously involving the bilateral anterior and posterior circulation. Elevated plasma levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen degradation products may be seen in these patients. There are high rates of short-term recurrence of stroke and sudden death, highlighting the need for early recognition and appropriate treatment of Trousseau syndrome-associated cerebral infarction.

[Autopsy case of cerebral embolism with lung cancer and atrial fibrillation in which the left atrium may have become an incubator for a tumor embolus]

An 82-year-old man with advanced lung cancer who had declined aggressive therapy was transferred to our hospital due to sudden-onset consciousness disturbance, global aphasia, and right hemiplegia. An electrocardiogram showed atrial fibrillation, and brain MRI and MRA revealed acute ischemic lesions of the left hemisphere and occlusion of the left internal carotid artery (ICA), respectively. We diagnosed acute ischemic stroke due to left ICA occlusion and performed endovascular thrombectomy, which resulted in complete recanalization of the left ICA after retrieval of the culprit embolus. Pathological examination of the retrieved thrombus revealed the presence of tumor tissue, as well as fibrin or red blood cells. Treatment was continued after admission, but the patient died of respiratory failure on day 40 of hospitalization. Autopsy revealed invasion of the tumor in the pulmonary vein, but not in the wall of the left atrium where thrombi were present. However, pathological examination of these thrombi in the left atrium revealed tumor tissue, along with fibrin or red blood cells. These findings suggest that the wall of the left atrium, in which lung cancer had not invaded, may be an incubator of a mixed embolus containing tumor tissue and thrombi in a case of cerebral embolism associated with both lung cancer and atrial fibrillation.

Antithrombotic Therapy Strategy for Cancer-Associated Ischemic Stroke: A Case Series of 26 Patients

BACKGROUND

The risk of complications from thromboembolism is increased for patients with malignancy. Cancer-associated stroke is also a serious issue with regard to the management of patients with cancer because stroke incidence often causes disabilities that affect daily life and cancer treatment strategy.

METHODS

Between March 2011 and September 2017, 328 patients with acute ischemic stroke were registered to our hospital.

RESULTS

Of these patients, 26 (7.9%) had a cancer-associated stroke diagnosis, namely, Trousseau syndrome. After ischemic stroke onset, malignancy treatment was changed to palliative treatment for 11 patients. Eighteen patients died 1 year after ischemic stroke onset, and 15 of these patients underwent cancer treatment according to the best supportive care policy. Of those who died, 8 underwent anticoagulation therapy. We described the clinical courses of 3 cases among 26 cases with Trousseau syndrome. Two cases took direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) due to cancer-associated venous thromboembolism before stroke onset, and there has been no stroke recurrence with subcutaneous unfractionated heparin. In the third case, when cancer activity was suppressed, we changed DOACs from subcutaneous unfractionated heparin and continued DOACs without thromboembolic events.

CONCLUSIONS

There is insufficient evidence regarding cases for which DOACs would be suitable for the prevention of thromboembolism and regarding its long-term efficacy and safety in patients with cancer. As it stands, heparin treatment, which has multifaceted antithrombotic actions, may be suitable for cancer-associated stroke prevention.