CT-Visible Convexity Subarachnoid Hemorrhage is Associated With Cortical Superficial Siderosis and Predicts Recurrent ICH

Subarachnoid hemorrhage and finger-like projection predict recurrence in patients with lobar intracerebral hemorrhage

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with a high risk of recurrence, particularly in elderly patients, where cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is often the primary cause. Diagnostic markers of CAA-related ICH, including subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and finger-like projection (FLP), have recently been developed. Here, we aimed to explore the associations between SAH, FLP and the risk of ICH recurrence in lobar ICH patients.

METHODS

We analyzed data from consecutive lobar ICH patients using the method of cohort study. We divided them into 4 groups on the basis of the presence or absence of SAH and FLP on CT imaging. The Cox regression model and competing risk model were used to analyze the associations of SAH and FLP with the risk of ICH recurrence at 1 year.

RESULTS

In total, 353 patients with lobar ICH (median age 74 [62, 81] years, 57.2% male) were included in our study. During follow-up, recurrence occurred in 34 patients (10.6%), and 90 patients (28.1%) died. The competing risk model revealed that patients in the SAH + FLP- (HR 2.88, 95% CI 1.12-7.44, p = 0.03) and SAH + FLP + (HR 8.38, 95% CI 3.40-20.66, p < 0.001) groups had higher risks of ICH recurrence within 1 year than did those in the SAH-FLP- group.

CONCLUSION

SAH is an important predictor of ICH recurrence, and this predictive ability is further enhanced when FLP is present. These findings suggest that SAH, especially with FLP, can be a valuable tool for assessing prognosis in lobar ICH patients.

Clinical, Imaging Characteristics and Outcome of Intracerebral Hemorrhage Caused by Structural Vascular Lesions

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical, imaging, and outcome characteristics of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) caused by structural vascular lesions.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data from a prospective observational cohort study of patients with spontaneous ICH admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between May 2016 and April 2021. Good outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale score of 0-3 at 3 months. The clinical and imaging characteristics were compared between primary ICH and ICH caused by structural vascular lesions. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to test the associations of etiology with clinical outcome.

RESULTS

All patients enrolled in this study were Asian. Compared with patients with primary ICH, those with structural vascular lesions were younger (48 vs. 62 years, P < 0.001), had a lower incidence of hypertension (26.4% vs. 81.7%, P < 0.001) and diabetes (7.4% vs. 16.2%, P = 0.003), and had mostly lobar hemorrhages (49.1% vs. 22.8%). ICH from structural vascular lesions had smaller baseline hematoma volume (8.4 ml vs. 13.8 ml, P = 0.010), had lower mortality rate at 30 days and 3 months (5.8% vs. 12.0%, P = 0.020; 6.7% vs. 14.8%, P = 0.007), and are associated with better functional outcome at 3 months (88% vs.70.3%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with primary ICH, ICH due to vascular lesions has smaller hematoma volume and less severe neurological deficit at presentation and better functional outcomes.

An Online Dynamic Radiomics-Clinical Nomogram to Predict Recurrence in Patients with Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

Radiomics can reflect the heterogeneity within the focus. We aim to explore whether radiomics can predict recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage (RICH) and develop an online dynamic nomogram to predict it.

METHODS

This retrospective study collected the clinical and radiomics features of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage seen in our hospital from October 2013 to October 2016. We used the minimum redundancy maximum relevancy and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator methods to screen radiomics features and calculate the Rad-score. We use the univariate and multivariate analyses to screen clinical predictors. Optimal clinical features and Rad-score were used to construct different logistics regression models called the clinical model, radiomics model, and combined-logistic regression model. DeLong testing was performed to compare performance among different models. The model with the best predictive performance was used to construct an online dynamic nomogram.

RESULTS

Overall, 304 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage were enrolled in this study. Fourteen radiomics features were selected to calculate the Rad-score. The patients with RICH had a significantly higher Rad-score than those without (0.5 vs. -0.8; P< 0.001). The predictive performance of the combined-logistic regression model with Rad-score was better than that of the clinical model for both the training (area under the receiver operating curve, 0.81 vs. 0.71; P = 0.02) and testing (area under the receiver operating curve, 0.65 vs. 0.58; P = 0.04) cohorts statistically.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiomics features were determined related to RICH. Adding Rad-score into conventional clinical models significantly improves the prediction efficiency. We developed an online dynamic nomogram to accurately and conveniently evaluate RICH.

Risk factors for recurrent cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related intracerebral hemorrhage

Background

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is the most common cause of lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in the elderly, and its multifocal and recurrent nature leads to high rates of disability and mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to summarize the evidence regarding the recurrence rate and risk factors for CAA-related ICH (CAA-ICH).

Methods

We performed a systematic literature search of all English studies published in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and CINAHL from inception to June 10, 2023. Studies reporting CAA-ICH recurrence rates and risk factors for CAA-ICH recurrence were included. We calculated pooled odds ratios (ORs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random/fixed-effects model based on the I2 assessment of heterogeneity between studies. Publication bias was assessed using Egger's test.

Results

Thirty studies were included in the final analysis. Meta-analysis showed that the recurrence rate of CAA-ICH was 23% (95% CI: 18-28%, I2 = 96.7%). The risk factors significantly associated with CAA-ICH recurrence were: previous ICH (OR = 2.03; 95% CI: 1.50-2.75; I2 = 36.8%; N = 8), baseline ICH volume (OR = 1.01; 95% CI: 1-1.02; I2 = 0%; N = 4), subarachnoid hemorrhage (cSAH) (OR = 3.05; 95% CI: 1.86-4.99; I2 = 0%; N = 3), the presence of cortical superficial siderosis (cSS) (OR = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.46-2.83; I2 = 0%; N = 5), disseminated cSS (OR = 3.21; 95% CI: 2.25-4.58; I2 = 16.0%; N = 6), and centrum semiovale-perivascular spaces (CSO-PVS) severity (OR = 1.67; 95% CI: 1.14-2.45; I2 = 0%; N = 4).

Conclusion

CAA-ICH has a high recurrence rate. cSAH, cSS (especially if disseminated), and CSO-PVS were significant markers for recurrent CAA-ICH. The onset of ICH in patients with CAA is usually repeated several times, and recurrence is partly related to the index ICH volume. Identifying clinical and neuroimaging predictors of CAA-ICH recurrence is of great significance for evaluating outcomes and improving the prognosis of patients with CAA-ICH.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=400240, identifier [CRD42023400240].

Stroke Risk and Antithrombotic Treatment During Follow-up of Patients With Ischemic Stroke and Cortical Superficial Siderosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

In patients with ischemic stroke (IS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and cortical superficial siderosis (cSS), there are few data regarding the risk of future cerebrovascular events and also about the benefits and safety of antithrombotic drugs for secondary prevention. We investigated the associations of cSS and stroke risk in patients with recent IS or TIA.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the Microbleeds International Collaborative Network (MICON) database. We selected patients with IS or TIA from cohorts who had MRI-assessed cSS, available data on antithrombotic treatments, recurrent cerebrovascular events (intracranial hemorrhage [ICrH], IS, or any stroke [ICrH or IS]), and mortality. We calculated incidence rates (IRs) and performed univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

Of 12,669 patients (mean age 70.4 ± 12.3 years, 57.3% men), cSS was detected in 273 (2.2%) patients. During a mean follow-up of 24 ± 17 months, IS was more frequent than ICrH in both cSS (IR 57.1 vs 14.6 per 1,000 patient-years) and non-cSS (33.7 vs 6.3 per 1,000 patient-years) groups. Compared with the non-cSS group, cSS was associated with any stroke on multivariable analysis {IR 83 vs 42 per 1,000 patient-years, adjusted hazard ratio [HR] for cSS 1.62 (95% CI: 1.14-2.28; p = 0.006)}. This association was not significant in subgroups of patients treated with antiplatelet drugs (n = 6,554) or with anticoagulants (n = 4,044). Patients with cSS who were treated with both antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulants (n = 1,569) had a higher incidence of ICrH (IR 107.5 vs 4.9 per 1,000 patient-years, adjusted HR 13.26; 95% CI: 2.90-60.63; p = 0.001) and of any stroke (IR 198.8 vs 34.7 per 1,000 patient-years, adjusted HR 5.03; 95% CI: 2.03-12.44; p < 0.001) compared with the non-cSS group.

DISCUSSION

Patients with IS or TIA with cSS are at increased risk of stroke (ICrH or IS) during follow-up; the risk of IS exceeds that of ICrH for patients receiving antiplatelet or anticoagulant treatment alone, but the risk of ICrH exceeds that of IS in patients receiving both treatments. The findings suggest that either antiplatelet or anticoagulant treatment alone should not be avoided in patients with cSS, but combined antithrombotic therapy might be hazardous. Our findings need to be confirmed by randomized clinical trials.

Secondary prevention after intracerebral haemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) has high mortality in the acute phase and poor functional outcome in the majority of survivors. ICH recurrence is a major determinant of long-term prognosis and is the most feared complication of antithrombotic treatment. On the other hand, ICH patients are at high risk of future ischaemic vascular events.

METHODS

This narrative review provides a critical analysis of the current knowledge on the topic. We performed a Pubmed search with the following terms 'intracerebral haemorrhage', 'stroke', 'outcome', 'secondary prevention', 'anticoagulation' and 'atrial fibrillation', including only English written studies with no time restrictions.

RESULTS

Blood pressure management is the cornerstone of secondary ICH prevention, regardless of ICH location or underlying cerebral small vessel disease. Resumption of antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy is often challenging, with limited evidence from randomized trials. Clinical and imaging predictors can inform the stratification of ICH recurrence risk and might identify patients at very high probability of future haemorrhagic events. This narrative review provides a summary of the main diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies available for secondary prevention in ICH survivors.

CONCLUSION

Appropriate recognition and treatment of modifiable risk factors for ICH recurrence might improve outcomes in ICH survivors. Ongoing randomized trials might provide novel insights and improve long-term management.

CT-Visible Convexity Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Predicts Early Recurrence of Lobar Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose

Convexity subarachnoid hemorrhage (cSAH) may predict an increased recurrence risk in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)-related intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) survivors. We aimed to investigate whether cSAH detected on CT was related to early recurrence in patients with ICH related to CAA.

Methods

We analyzed data from consecutive lobar ICH patients diagnosed as probable or possible CAA according to the Boston criteria using the method of cohort study. Demographic and clinical data, ICH recurrence at discharge and within 90 days were collected. The association between cSAH detected on CT and early recurrent ICH was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

A total of 197 cases (74 [66–80] years) were included. cSAH was observed on the baseline CT of 91 patients (46.2%). A total of 5.1% (10/197) and 9.5% (17/179) of patients experienced ICH recurrence within 2 weeks and 90 days, respectively. The presence of cSAH was related to recurrence within 2 weeks (OR = 5.705, 95%CI 1.070–30.412, P = 0.041) after adjusting for hypertension, previous symptomatic ICH and anticoagulant use. The presence of cSAH was related to recurrence within 90 days (OR 5.473, 95%CI 1.425–21.028, P = 0.013) after adjusting for hypertension, previous symptomatic ICH and intraventricular hemorrhage. The similar results were obtained in other models using different methods to select adjusting variables.

Conclusion

In patients with lobar ICH related to CAA, 5.1% and 9.5% of them experienced ICH recurrence within 2 weeks and 90 days, respectively. CT-visible cSAH was detected in 46.2% of patients and indicates an increased risk for early recurrent ICH.

Cerebral small vessel disease and vascular cognitive impairment: from diagnosis to management

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We present recent developments in the field of small vessel disease (SVD)-related vascular cognitive impairment, including pathological mechanisms, updated diagnostic criteria, cognitive profile, neuroimaging markers and risk factors. We further address available management and therapeutic strategies.

RECENT FINDINGS

Vascular and neurodegenerative pathologies often co-occur and share similar risk factors. The updated consensus criteria aim to standardize vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) diagnosis, relying strongly on cognitive profile and MRI findings. Aggressive blood pressure control and multidomain lifestyle interventions are associated with decreased risk of cognitive impairment, but disease-modifying treatments are still lacking. Recent research has led to a better understanding of mechanisms leading to SVD-related cognitive decline, such as blood-brain barrier dysfunction, reduced cerebrovascular reactivity and impaired perivascular clearance.

SUMMARY

SVD is the leading cause of VCI and is associated with substantial morbidity. Tackling cardiovascular risk factors is currently the most effective approach to prevent cognitive decline in the elderly. Advanced imaging techniques provide tools for early diagnosis and may play an important role as surrogate markers for cognitive endpoints in clinical trials. Designing and testing disease-modifying interventions for VCI remains a key priority in healthcare.