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Effect of Cerebral Ischemic Strokes in Different Cerebral Artery Regions on Left Ventricular Function
Li-Juan Zheng1, Xin Lin2, Yun-Jing Xue3
1Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, The School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
Insights
Cerebral ischemic stroke negatively impacts left ventricular diastolic function, particularly with middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarcts. Echocardiography is crucial for evaluating cardiac function post-stroke to guide treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Cerebral ischemic stroke is linked to left ventricular dysfunction.
- The specific impact of lesions in different cerebral artery regions on left ventricular function remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between ischemic stroke in different cerebral artery regions and left ventricular dysfunction using echocardiography.
- To compare left ventricular function in patients with middle cerebral artery (MCA), posterior cerebral artery (PCA), basilar artery (BA) strokes, and a control group.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 418 patients, divided into MCA, PCA, BA stroke groups, and a no-ischemic stroke group.
- Collected demographic, hematologic, and ECG data.
- Performed echocardiographic assessments to evaluate left ventricular function.
Main Results:
- Ischemic stroke patients showed higher hs-CRP levels and more ECG ST-T changes than controls.
- MCA stroke patients had elevated homocysteine levels compared to PCA and BA groups.
- Left ventricular diastolic function was impaired, with lower early mitral inflow velocity and annular early diastolic velocity in the MCA group compared to the BA group.
Conclusions:
- Ischemic strokes adversely affect left ventricular diastolic function, especially with MCA infarcts.
- Echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular function is essential for stroke patients to optimize therapeutic strategies.
Objectives:
The relationship between cerebral ischemic stroke and left ventricular function evaluated by echocardiography has been emphasized. Whether lesions in different cerebral artery regions would result in left ventricular dysfunction remains uncertain.
Methods:
Patients were divided into middle cerebral artery (MCA) (n = 79), posterior cerebral artery (PCA) (n = 64), basilar artery (BA) regions (n = 66), and no-ischemic stroke group (n = 209). We retrospectively collected demographic characteristics, hematologic parameters, and ECG results, and a comparison of echocardiographic parameters was performed to determine the relationship between ischemic stroke and left ventricular function.
Results:
A total of 418 patients were included. Demographic characteristics did not significantly differ between the ischemic stroke and non-ischemic stroke groups, except for a history of drinking (p < 0.001). Homocysteine levels in the MCA group were higher than those in the PCA and BA groups (p < 0.05). The highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level was higher in the ischemic stroke group than in the non-ischemic stroke one (p = 0.001). A higher incidence of ST-T changes in the ECG and lower levels of potassium and magnesium in the ischemic stroke group were found. Significant differences in diastolic function between groups were noted, and the early mitral inflow velocity, annular early diastolic velocity, and ratio between the mitral annular early diastolic velocity and mitral annulus atrial inflow velocity in the MCA group were lower than those in the BA group (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Ischemic strokes exhibited a negative effect on left ventricular diastolic function by echocardiography, especially in MCA region infarcts. These results are of great importance for neurologists as they highlight the need for left ventricular function evaluation after stroke to regulate therapy strategies in time.
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