BACKGROUND After stroke, the thrombolytic effect of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) in the intravascular space is beneficial, whereas its extravascular effect on ischemic neurons is deleterious. We tested the hypothesis that neuroserpin, a natural inhibitor of tPA, reduces tPA-induced neuronal toxicity and increases its therapeutic window for treatment of embolic stroke. METHODS AND R...

Previous studies have shown that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) protect the brain against ischemic injury by upregulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Here, we tested the hypothesis that statins provide additional beneficial effects by also upregulating endogenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and enhancing clot lysis in a mouse ...

Cryptogenic embolic stroke (embolic strokes of undetermined source, ESUS) is an intermediate diagnosis in patients with unknown etiology and implies the absence large sources cardioembolism significant extra- intracranial stenoses probably pathogenesis cerebral infarction. In previous parts article, we discussed issues secondary prevention ESUS underlying potential aortoaortic embolism, paradox...

Hemorrhagic infarction subsequent to ischemic brain damage, even if small, slight, or marbled, can be detected by CT. The mechanisms that give rise to this transformation in humans are not well elucidated. Previous reports indicate that hemorrhagic infarction is most common in embolic stroke and large infarcts, and can worsen the clinical state of ischemic patients. We examined 36 patients with...

Stroke is the leading cause of disability in developed countries and the third cause of mortality. Up to 15-30% of ischemic strokes are caused by cardiac sources of emboli being associated with poor prognosis and high index of fatal recurrence. In order to establish an adequate preventive strategy it is crucial to identify the cause of the embolism. After a complete diagnostic workup up to 30% ...

Thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) in ischemic stroke is limited by the increased risk of hemorrhage transformation due to blood-brain barrier breakdown. We determined the interaction of 17beta-estradiol (E2) and rtPA on activation of plasminogen system and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. Ovariectomize...

Background: Patients with ischemic stroke and underlying Atrial Fibrillation (AF) have a high risk of recurrent embolic events. New Oral Anticoagulant (NOAC) is highly effective and reduces the risk of recurrence in AF-associated Ischemic Stroke (AFAIS). Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prescription pattern of NOAC and its determinant factors in patients with non-valvular AFAIS. ...

background: embolus is one of the causes of ischemic stroke that can be due to cardiac sources such as valvular heart diseases and atrial fibrillation and atheroma of the aorta. transesophageal echocardiography (tee) is superior in identifying potential cardiac sources of emboli. due to insufficient data on tee findings in ischemic stroke in iran, the present study was done to evaluate tee in d...

BACKGROUND The prevalence of microembolic signals (MES) during the acute phase of ischemic stroke and its influence on outcome is not well studied. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of MES, the different factors that are associated with the presence of MES and the association between MES and outcomes in stroke patients investigated within 6 hours after the onset of ischemic s...

Introduction: In the clinic, patients with higher cerebral blood vessel density appear to make better progress and survive longer than patients with lower vascular density (1, 2). The elevated CBF, caused by high density of functional blood vessels post angiogenesis in ischemic boundary area after stroke, improves regional cerebral tissue microenvironment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can n...