The aim of this 4-year observational study is to analyze the outcomes of stroke patients treated with direct mechanical thrombectomy (dMT) compared to bridging therapy (BT) (intravenous thrombolysis [IVT] + BT) based on 3-month outcomes, in real clinical practice in the "Stroke Belt" of Southern Europe. In total, 300 patients were included (41.3% dMT and 58.6% BT). The frequency of direct referral to the stroke center was similar in the dMT and BT group, whereas the time from onset to groin was longer in the BT group (median 210 [IQR 160–303] vs. 399 [IQR 225–675], p = 0.001). Successful recanalization (TICI 2b-3) and hemorrhagic transformation were similar in both groups. The BT group more frequently showed excellent outcomes at 3 months (32.4% vs. 15.4%, p = 0.004). Multivariate analysis showed that BT was independently associated with excellent outcomes (OR 2.7. 95% CI,1.2–5.9, p = 0.02) and lower mortality (OR 0.36. 95% CI 0.16–0.82, p = 015). Conclusions: Compared with dMT, BT was associated with excellent functional outcomes and lower 3-month mortality in this real-world clinical practice study conducted in a region belonging to the “Stroke Belt” of Southern Europe. Given the disparity of results on the benefit of BT in the current evidence, it is of vital importance to analyze the convenience of its use in each health area.

Previous studies have shown the relationship between N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) with stroke mortality and functional outcome after an acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Knowledge of its association with systemic and neurological in-hospital complications is scarce. Our objective is to analyze this. We performed an observational, retrospective study that included consecutive AIS patients during a 1-year period (2020). A multivariate analysis was performed to identify if NT-proBNP levels were independently associated with in-hospital complications. 308 patients were included, of whom 96 (31.1%) developed systemic and 62 (20.12%) neurological in-hospital complications. Patients with any complication (39.3%) showed higher NT-proBNP levels than those without (median (IQR): 864 (2556) vs. 142 (623) pg/dL, p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) pointed to 326 pg/dL of NT-proBNP as the optimal cutoff level for developing in-hospital systemic complications (63.6% sensitivity and 64.7% specificity for any complication; 66.7% and 62.7% for systemic; and 62.9% and 57.7% for neurological complications). Multivariate analyses showed that NT-proBNP > 326 pg/dL was associated with systemic complications (OR 2.336, 95% CI: 1.259–4.335), adjusted for confounders. This did not reach statistical significance for neurological complications. NT-proBNP could be a predictor of in-hospital systemic complications in AIS patients. Further studies are needed.

Background and aims: Although the distinction between vascular parkinsonism (VP) and idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (IPD) is widely described, it is not uncommon to find parkinsonisms with overlapping clinical and neuroimaging features even in response to levodopa treatment. In addition, several treatments have been described as possible adjuvants in VP. This study aims to update and analyze the different treatments and their efficacy in VP. Methods: A literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science for studies published in the last 15 years until April 2022. A systematic review was performed. No meta-analysis was performed as no new studies on response to levodopa in VP were found since the last systematic review and meta-analysis in 2017, and insufficient studies on other treatments were located to conduct it in another treatment subgroup. Results: Databases and other sources yielded 59 publications after eliminating duplicates, and a total of 12 original studies were finally included in the systematic review. The treatments evaluated included levodopa, vitamin D, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and intracerebral transcatheter laser photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT). The response to levodopa was lower in patients with VP with respect to IPD. Despite this, there has been described a subgroup of patients with good response, it being possible to identify them by means of neuroimaging techniques and the olfactory identification test. Other therapies showed encouraging results in studies with some risk of bias. Conclusions: The response of VP to different therapeutic strategies is modest. However, there is evidence that a subgroup of patients can be identified as more responsive to L-dopa based on clinical and neuroimaging criteria. This subgroup should be treated with L-dopa at appropriate doses. New therapies such as vitamin D, rTMS and PBMT warrant further studies to demonstrate their efficacy.