Telemedicine for the acute management of stroke in Burgundy, France: an evaluation of effectiveness and safety

Background In the context of the development of telemedicine in France to address low thrombolysis rates and limited stroke infrastructures, a star-shaped telestroke network was implemented in Burgundy (1.6 million inhabitants). We evaluated the safety and effectiveness of this network for thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke patients. Methods One hundred and thirty-two consecutive patients who received intravenous thrombolysis during a telemedicine procedure (2012–2014) and 222 consecutive patients who were treated at the stroke center of Dijon University Hospital, France (2011–2012) were included. Main outcomes were the modified Rankin scale (mRS) score and case fatality at 3 months. Com…

Prise en charge de l’infarctus cérébral à la phase initiale

Ischemic stroke accounts for 80% of overall stroke, and is one of the leading causes of death, disability and dementia in worldwide. Management of patients with acute ischemic stroke dramatically improved over time with the implementation of intensive care stroke units, the development of acute recanalization strategies, the optimization of the management of post-stroke complications, and the prevention of early stroke recurrence. The objective of this article is to provide a general overview of the current management of patients with acute ischemic stroke aiming at improving post-stroke outcome.

Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment: High Prevalence and Determining Factors in a Cohort of Mild Stroke

BACKGROUND Because of the aging population and a rise in the number of stroke survivors, the prevalence of post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is increasing. OBJECTIVE To identify the factors associated with 3-month PSCI. METHODS All consecutive stroke patients without pre-stroke dementia, mild cognitive disorders, or severe aphasia hospitalized in the Neurology Department of Dijon, University Hospital, France (November 2010 - February 2012) were included in this prospective cohort study. Demographics, vascular risk factors, and stroke data were collected. A first cognitive evaluation was performed during the hospitalization using the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) and the Montreal Cogni…

High efficiency and clinical relevance of exome sequencing in the daily practice of neurogenetics

ObjectiveTo assess the efficiency and relevance of clinical exome sequencing (cES) as a first-tier or second-tier test for the diagnosis of progressive neurological disorders in the daily practice of Neurology and Genetic Departments.MethodsSixty-seven probands with various progressive neurological disorders (cerebellar ataxias, neuromuscular disorders, spastic paraplegias, movement disorders and individuals with complex phenotypes labelled ‘other’) were recruited over a 4-year period regardless of their age, gender, familial history and clinical framework. Individuals could have had prior genetic tests as long as it was not cES. cES was performed in a proband-only (60/67) or trio (7/67) st…

Les accidents vasculaires cérébraux : ce qui a changé au début du xxie siècle

Resume Introduction Les accidents vasculaires cerebraux (AVC) faisaient partie, il y a 20 ans, des pathologies medicales mobilisant peu de ressources techniques et humaines car atteignant les sujets âges et ne disposant pas de therapeutiques efficaces. Cette pathologie etait alors grevee d’une mortalite precoce elevee au-dela de 25 %. C’etait l’epoque de l’attitude contemplative face a un AVC. Le developpement de l’epidemiologie de populations des AVC a permis de demontrer qu’ils n’etaient pas l’apanage du sujet âge et que 25 % d’entre eux survenaient avant 60 ans et en periode d’activite professionnelle. L’arrivee de la fibrinolyse et la mise en place des unites neurovasculaires ont transf…

Les accidents vasculaires cérébraux du sujet âgé : ce que nous a appris l’épidémiologie du sujet jeune

Stroke in the elderly has more major differences compared to young people: it is the first complication of atherothrombosis disease associated with the following risk factors: hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, tobacco consumption and sleep apnea syndrome; AVC is the first consequence of atrial fibrillation; from a clinical point of view, seizure at the onset of the stroke is more frequent; prognosis is characterized by a high risk of dementia (20%); primary and secondary prevention is very efficacious even in very old patients, not only on the risk of stroke, but also on the risk of dementia; time trends at Dijon show a slight decrease of incidence rates of stroke only over 85 y…

Stroke care organization overcomes the deleterious ‘weekend effect’ on 1-month stroke mortality: a population-based study

Background and purpose Suffering a stroke during the weekend is associated with a poorer prognosis. The impact of implementing a dedicated stroke care network in Dijon, France, in 2003 on 30-day mortality in strokes/transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) occurring during weekends/bank holidays was evaluated. Methods All cases of stroke and TIA from 1985 to 2010 were identified from a population-based registry, using multiple overlapping sources of information. Demographics and clinical data were recorded. Cox regression models were used to evaluate associations between day of onset (weekdays versus weekends/bank holidays) and 30-day all-cause mortality. Data were stratified according to time per…

Diagnostic Procedures in Ischaemic Stroke Patients with Dementia. A Population-Based Study

Background Dementia is a frequent condition in stroke patients. Aims To investigate the effect of dementia on access to diagnostic procedures in ischaemic stroke patients. Methods All cases of ischaemic stroke from 2006 to 2010 were identified from the population-based Stroke Registry of Dijon, France. Patients' characteristics were recorded, as was the use of brain computed tomography scans, brain magnetic resonance imaging, electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and Doppler ultrasonography of the cervical arteries. Dementia was diagnosed according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV criteria. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations between d…

014: Underuse of recommended secondary preventive therapies in current routine clinical practice

Aims Recommendations on the use of antithrombotic agents, antihypertensive drugs and statin for secondary prevention of coronary artery (CAD), ischemic cerebrovacular (CVD), and peripheral arterial (PAD) diseases are now well established. However, there may be a gap between clinical practice and evidence-based guidelines. We aimed to investigate the premorbid use of secondary prevention medications in patients with recurrent cardiovascular events. Methods and results We prospectively recorded all patients with CVD and CAD in Dijon, France from 2006 to 2010. Data about medical history and prior use of treatments were collected. Mutivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of th…

Incidence of Acute Ischemic Stroke With Visible Arterial Occlusion

Background and Purpose: Because of several methodological limitations, previous studies focusing on the prevalence of large vessel occlusion in ischemic stroke (IS) patients provided conflicting results. We evaluated the incidence of IS with a visible arterial occlusion using a comprehensive population-based registry. Methods: Patients with acute IS were prospectively identified among residents of Dijon, France, using a population-based registry (2013–2017). All arterial imaging exams were reviewed to assess arterial occlusion. Annual incidence rates of IS (first-ever and recurrent events) and IS with a visible occlusion were calculated. Results: One thousand sixty cases of IS were recorde…

Trends in the incidence of ischaemic stroke in young adults between 1985 and 2011: the Dijon Stroke Registry

Recent data have suggested that stroke incidence in young people may be rising. In this population-based study, we aimed to determine whether the incidence of stroke in people aged55 years old had changed over the last three decades.All cases of first-ever stroke (ischaemic stroke, spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage, and undetermined stroke) occurring in Dijon, France, from 1985 to 2011 were prospectively collected from a population-based registry. Incidence rates were calculated and temporal trends were analysed by age groups and stroke subtypes using a Poisson regression to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRR). Risk factors and premorbid treatments were analysed.Over the 27-year study …

Les accidents vasculaires cérébraux du nouveau-né et de l’enfant

The clinical presentation, risk factors, causes, vital or functional prognosis, and acute management options for stroke occurring in neonates and children are specific, differing from those observed in young adults. Compared with the adult population, less is known about the epidemiology of stroke in the under-18 population where the disease could become more frequent because of advances in both neonatal resuscitation techniques for cerebral disorders and neuroimaging techniques enabling the diagnosis of small lesions. Clinical features are often delayed, especially in neonates, and unlike epilepsy or dystonia of the affected limb, which are frequent complications, aphasia is rather rare. T…

Increasing early ambulation disability in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage survivors

ObjectiveTo evaluate temporal trends in early ambulatory status in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).MethodsAll patients with ICH between 1985 and 2011 were prospectively registered in a population-based registry in Dijon, France, and included in the study. Outcomes of ICH survivors were assessed at discharge from their stay in an acute care ward with the use of a 4-grade ambulation scale. Time trends in ambulation disability and place of discharge were analyzed in 3 periods (1985–1993, 1994–2002, and 2003–2011). Multivariable ordinal and logistic regression models were applied.ResultsFive hundred thirty-one patients with ICH were registered, of whom 200 (37.7%) died …

Secondary prevention in patients with vascular disease. A population based study on the underuse of recommended medications.

Objectives To investigate the premorbid use of secondary prevention medications in patients with recurrent vascular events. Design Prospective, observational, population based study. Setting The Dijon Stroke Registry and the registry of myocardial infarction of Dijon and Cote d9Or, France. Patients All patients with cerebral ischaemia (ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attacks) or coronary artery disease (CAD) and a history of vascular disease (cerebral ischaemia, CAD or peripheral arterial disease (PAD)) in Dijon, France from 2006 to 2010. Main outcome measures Data on medical history and prior use of treatments were collected. Mutivariate analyses were performed to identify predicto…

One-year survival of demented stroke patients: data from the Dijon Stroke Registry, France (1985-2008)

Background and purpose:  Dementia is a frequent condition after stroke that may affect the prognosis of patients. Our aim was to determine whether post-stroke dementia was a predictor of 1-year case-fatality and to evaluate factors that could influence survival in demented stroke patients. Methods:  From 1985 to 2008, all first-ever strokes were recorded in the population-based stroke registry of Dijon, France (150 000 inhabitants). Dementia was diagnosed during the first month following stroke, according to DSM-III and DSM-IV criteria. Survival was evaluated at 1 year and multivariate analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards to identify independent predictive factors. Results…

Efficiency of telemedicine for acute stroke: a cost-effectiveness analysis from a French pilot study

AbstractObjectivesTelestroke is an effective way to improve care and health outcomes for stroke patients. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of a French telestroke network.MethodsA decision analysis model was built using population-based data. We compared short-term clinical outcomes and costs for the management of acute ischemic stroke patients before and after the implementation of a telestroke network from the point of view of the national health insurance system. Three effectiveness endpoints were used: hospital death, death at 3 months, and severe disability 3 months after stroke (assessed with the modified Rankin scale). Most clinical and economic parameters were estimated fr…

Superficial Siderosis of the Central Nervous System associated with Hemophilia A: A case report

Abstract Superficial Siderosis of the Central Nervous System (SSCNS) is a condition secondary to the deposition of hemosiderin within the subpial layers of central nervous system leading to its progressive degeneration, clinically responsible for hearing impairment, cerebellar ataxia and pyramidal syndrome. Here we report the case of a 61-year-old man with medical history of congenital hemophilia A presenting with typical clinical features of SSCNS associated with extensive hypo-intensity on fast 2D gradient-echo-weighted sequences, along the spinal cord, posterior fossa's structures and cerebral cortex. Interestingly, although his disorder was revealed by a lumbar spinal stenosis, presurgi…

Underuse of recommended secondary preventive therapies in current routine clinical practice

Association Between Fatigue and Cognitive Impairment at 6 Months in Patients With Ischemic Stroke Treated With Acute Revascularization Therapy.

Background: Fatigue is a frequent symptom after stroke. We aimed to determine the association between fatigue and cognitive performance in patients with ischemic stroke who received acute revascularization therapy (IV thrombolysis and/or mechanical thrombectomy).Methods: Seventy patients were prospectively included in the stroke unit of the University Hospital of Dijon, France. A follow-up was performed at 6 months with clinical examination, fatigue assessment by the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. Patients with fatigue (FSS score >4) were compared with patients without fatigue. Neuropsychological factors associated with fatigue at 6 month…

Acute cerebrovascular manifestation of Takayasu arteritis

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Comparative epidemiology of stroke and acute myocardial infarction: the Dijon Vascular Project (DIVA)

Despite a common pathophysiological mechanism (ie, atherosclerosis) and similar vascular risk factors, few reliable studies have compared the epidemiology of stroke and acute myocardial infarction (AMI).All first ever cases of stroke and AMI in Dijon, France (151 846 inhabitants) from 2001 to 2006 were prospectively recorded. The 30 day case fatality rates (CFRs) and vascular risk factors were assessed in both groups.Over the 6 years, 1660 events (1020 strokes and 640 AMI) were recorded. Crude incidence of stroke was higher than that of AMI (112 vs 70.2/100 000/year; p0.001). With regard to sex, the relative incidence of stroke compared with AMI was 0.88 (95% CI 0.60 to 1.29; p = 0.51) in w…

Une neuroprotection possible précédant l’infarctus cérébral : l’Accident Ischémique Transitoire (AIT)

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D predicts severity and prognosis in stroke patients

Background and purpose We aimed to evaluate the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and both clinical severity at admission and outcome at discharge in stroke patients. Methods From February 2010 to December 2010, consecutive stroke patients admitted to the Department of Neurology of Dijon, France, were identified. Clinical information was collected. Serum concentration of 25(OH)D was measured at baseline. Stroke severity was assessed at admission using the NIHSS score. Functional impairment was evaluated at discharge using the modified Rankin scale (m-Rankin). Multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression models. Results Of the 386 recorded patients, s…

Temporal trends in the premorbid use of preventive treatments in patients with acute ischemic cerebrovascular events and a history of vascular disease: The Dijon Stroke Registry (1985–2010)

Although secondary prevention in patients with arterial vascular diseases has improved, a gap between recommendations and clinical practice may exist.We aimed to evaluate temporal trends in the premorbid use of preventive treatments in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular events (ICVE) and prior vascular disease.Patients with acute ICVE (ischemic stroke/TIA) were identified through the population-based stroke registry of Dijon, France (1985-2010). Only those with history of arterial vascular disease were included and were classified into four groups: patients with previous coronary artery disease only (CAD), previous peripheral artery disease only (PAD), previous ICVE only, and patients w…

Prestroke antiplatelet therapy and early prognosis in stroke patients: the Dijon Stroke Registry

Background and purpose Previous antiplatelet therapy (APT) in cardiovascular prevention is common in patients with first-ever stroke. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of APT on early outcome in stroke patients. Methods All first-ever strokes from 1985 to 2011 were identified from the population-based Stroke Registry of Dijon, France. Demographic features, risk factors, prestroke treatments and clinical information were recorded. Multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between pre-admission APT and both severe handicap at discharge, and mortality at 1 month and 1 year. Results Among the 4275 patients, 870 (20.4%) were previously treated with APT. Severe han…

Prevalence and prognostic value of headache on early mortality in acute stroke: The Dijon Stroke Registry

Objective To evaluate the prevalence of headache at onset and its association with 1-month mortality in stroke patients. Methods All patients with stroke in Dijon, France (2006–2011), were prospectively identified using a population-based registry. Cox regression models were used to evaluate the association between headache and 30-day all-cause mortality. Results Among 1411 stroke patients, data about headache were obtained for 1391 (98.6%) of whom 1185 had an ischemic stroke (IS), 201 had an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and five had a stroke of undetermined etiology. Headache was found in 253 (18.2%) patients and was more frequent in those with ICH than in those with IS (46.3% vs 13.5%, …

The Impact of World and European Football Cups on Stroke in the Population of Dijon, France: A Longitudinal Study from 1986 to 2006

Background: Acute stress may trigger vascular events. We aimed to investigate whether important football competitions involving the French football team increased the occurrence of stroke. Methods: We retrospectively retrieved data of fatal and nonfatal stroke during 4 World Football Cups (1986, 1998, 2002, and 2006) and 4 European Championships (1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004), based on data from the population-based Stroke Registry of Dijon, France. One period of exposure was analyzed: the period of competition extended to 15 days before and after the competitions. The number of strokes was compared between exposed and unexposed corresponding periods of preceding and following years using Poi…

Temporal trends in early case-fatality rates in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

Objective:To assess whether temporal trends in very early (within 48 hours) case-fatality rates may differ from those occurring between 48 hours and 30 days in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).Methods:All cases of ICH that occurred in Dijon, France (151,000 inhabitants), were prospectively collected between 1985 and 2011, using a population-based registry. Time trends in 30-day case fatality were analyzed in 3 periods: 1985–1993, 1994–2002, and 2003–2011. Cox regression models were used to evaluate associations between time periods and case fatality within 48 hours and between 48 hours and 30 days, after adjustments for demographics, risk factors, severity, and ICH l…

Factors associated with early recurrence at the first evaluation of patients with transient ischemic attack.

Abstract We aimed to identify factors easily collected at admission in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) that were associated with early recurrence, so as to guide clinicians’ decision-making about hospitalization in routine practice. From September 2011 to January 2013, all TIA patients who were referred to the University Hospital of Dijon, France, were identified. Vascular risk factors and clinical information were collected. The etiology of the TIA was defined according to the results of complementary examinations performed at admission as follows: large artery atherosclerosis (LAA-TIA) TIA, TIA due to atrial fibrillation (AF-TIA), other causes, and undetermined TIA. Logistic…