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Review Article | DOI: https://doi.org/10.31579/2690-4861/140
*Corresponding Author: Mohammed H Habib, Department of Cardiology and Cardiac Catheterization, Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza, Palestine.
Citation: M Habib. (2021) Cardio-Cerebral Infarction Syndrome: An Overview. International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews. 8(1); DOI: 10.31579/2690-4861/140
Copyright: © 2021 Mohammed Habib, This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Received: 26 May 2021 | Accepted: 30 July 2021 | Published: 05 August 2021
Keywords: cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome (ccis); diagnosis; pathophysiology and treatment
Acute ischemic stroke and coronary artery disease are the major causes of death in Palestine and in the world. The prevalence of coronary artery disease has been reported in one fifth of stroke patients. Although high incidence rate of acute myocardial infarction after recent ischemic stroke and the high risk of acute ischemic stroke after recent myocardial infarction has been reported in several clinical or observational studies. So that acute or recent problem in the heart or brain that could result in an acute infarction of the other. In this review we describe the definition and new classification of the cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome with 3 subtypes that reflect the definition, pathophysiology and treatment options.
The incidence of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) after recent myocardial infarction (MI) during the hospital stay ranges from 0.7% to 2.2%. [1-3] AIS occurred more frequently in the first days after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but incidence progressively decreased over time. [3-5] Brandi Witt et al, suggested that during hospitalization for MI 11.1 the AIS occurred per 1000 MI compared with 12.2 at one month and 21.4 at one year.The most positive predictors of ischemic stroke after MI included: older age, hypertension, diabetes, history of previous stroke, history of anterior location MI, previous MI, atrial fibrillation and heart failure [6].
The incidence of AMI after recent ischemic stroke was relatively low and unexpectedly highest during the first year after recent stroke. The 5-year cumulative incidence of AMI was 2.0%. The annual risk was highest in the first year after the index event 1.1%. Coronary heart disease was the most substantial risk factor for AMI after ischemic stroke and conferred an approximate 5‐fold greater risk. [7]
Both AIS and AMI are medical emergency conditions, which require rapid diagnosis and treatment. The incidence of AMI patients who diagnosed acute ischemic stroke about 0.009%. [8] In this article we divided cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome into 3 types according to AIS or AMI although diagnostic criteria, pathophysiology and treatment options according to recent clinical trials, metanalysis or case series.
Identify the definition and etiologies of cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome.
Describe the pathological findings in a patient with each subtype of cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome.
Outline the treatment and management options available for patients with each subtype of cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome.
Definition of cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome:
Cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome can generally be defined as Primary disorders (infarction or its complications) of 1 of these 2 organs (Heart or Brain) often result in secondary infarction/injury to the other or to both organs. (figure1).
PCI: percutaneous coronary intervention, CABG: coronary artery bypass graft surgery,
LV: left ventricle, EF: ejection fraction
Types of Cardio-Cerebral Infarction Syndrome: The Al-Shifa Hospital Classification of Cardio-Cerebral Infarction Syndrome divided into 3 types (figure 2)
Type I: concurrent cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome: acute myocardial infarction (< 12>Type IA: Cardiac causes, Type IB: Brain Causes, Type IC: Non-cardiac and non- brain causes)
Type 2: Acute ischemic stroke (<4> after recent myocardial infarction (myocardial infarction in the previous 3 months but more than 12 hours)
Type 3: Acute myocardial infarction (< 12> after recent ischemic stroke (ischemic stroke in the previous 3 months but more than 4.5 hours)
The recent ischemic stroke: ischemic stroke in the previous 3 months but more than 4.5 hours
The recent myocardial infarction: myocardial infarction in the previous 3 months but more than 12 hours.
Type I: concurrent cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome:
Definition: concurrent cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome can be diagnosed by the presence of synchronous acute onset of focal neurological deficit without intracranial hemorrhage and typical chest pain with evidence of elevation of cardiac enzymes and electrocardiogram changes to confirm myocardial infarction.
Diagnosis: concurrent AIS (a sudden onset of focal neurological deficit caused by an acute vascular narrowing causes) and AMI (acute elevation cardiac enzyme plus ischemic electrocardiogram and/or symptoms)
Pathophysiology: the pathophysiology of type I cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome can be divided into three categories:
(1) Cardiac causes or Type 1A (table 1): There are several cardiac causes that lead to concurrent acute stroke with acute myocardial infarction. The most of these is atrial fibrillation can be causes common source of both brain and coronary artery embolism [9]. Acute aortic dissection (type I) with dissection flap extending to coronary arteries and subclavian trunk or common carotid arteries origin had been confirmed to cause concurrent acute myocardial infarction and acute ischemic stroke [10]. In addition, vasospasm due to electrical injury have been reported as an uncommon cause of type I cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome [11].
Pre-existing left ventricular thrombus due to impaired left ventricular ejection fraction or prosthetic valve thrombosis due to low INR ratio can also lead to Type I cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome [12]. Also thrombus formation in the right ventricle in acute right ventricular infarction sitting with right ventricular dysfunction in combination with patent foramen ovale can lead to embolize thrombus for cerebral and coronary territories. Severe hypotension or cardiogenic shock following AMI can also lead to concurrent stroke and myocardial infarction [13].
(2) Brain causes or Type 1B:
Brain causes might be an alternative pathophysiology of concurrent cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome. It has been shown that the insular cortex plays a critical role in central autonomic system regulation [14]. Patients with AIS in the parietoinsular region were found to have higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation [15]. An abnormal electrocardiogram, including ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), was found to be related to ischemic stroke in the insular cortex [16]. In addition to electrocardiographic changes, elevated serum cardiac troponin was shown to be associated with acute ischemic stroke in right inferior parietal lobule [17]. hyperactivation of cardiac sympathetic from an insular cortex lesion can provoke elevation of cardiac enzyme [18]. Results from human studies the right-side stimulation of insular cortex resulted in a predominant sympathetic activation, whereas the left-side stimulation resulted in a predominant parasympathetic effect [18].
(3)Non cardiac and non-brain causes or Type 1C:
Recent studies suggested that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection can be increased the risk of both AIS and AMI. However, the evidence base is limited mainly to case reports and 2 cohort studies. The evidence that COVID-19 may increase the risk of acute ischemic cardiovascular events. The underlying mechanisms may cytokine-mediated hypercoagubility and plaque destabilization [19]. Severe hypotension can be causes concurrent infarction in brain and myocardial infarction.
According to the 2018 scientific statement guideline from the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA), For patients presenting with synchronous AIS and AMI, treatment with IV alteplase (IV- rtPA) at the dose appropriate for acute ischemic stroke, followed by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and stenting if indicated, is reasonable. [20], but no specific recommendation in this guideline for patient with contraindication for thrombolytic in ST Elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.
According to new trial [21]. In patients with AIS and concurrent MI, type of MI (STEMI or Non-STEMI) and the time elapsed between the 2 events should be taken in consideration while deciding to deliver IV–rtPA. The concurrent AIS and STEMI within 7 days was increased cardiac complication while recent or concurrent NSTEMI were not associated with cardiac complications.
We recommended treatment options for type I cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome (Figure 4):
If patients with STEMI within 12 hours concurrent with AIS within 4.5 hours and no contraindicated for thrombolytic treatment and hemodynamic stable we recommended IV alteplase at the dose appropriate for cerebral ischemia then pharmaco-invasive PCI.
In patients with non-STEMI and hemodynamic stable, we recommended IV alteplase and early invasive PCI within 12 hours and if the stroke related to large vessel occlusion (middle cerebral artery or intracranial internal carotid artery) mechanical thrombectomy within 6 hours is recommended.
If patients with contraindication for thrombolytic treatment and/or hemodynamic instability we recommended primary PCI for STEMI patients and early invasive strategy for non-STEMI patients. And if the ischemic stroke related to large vessel occlusion mechanical thrombectomy is recommended.
PCI: percutaneous coronary intervention, STEMI: ST elevation myocardial infarction, Non-STEMI: non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. ECG: electrocardiogram
Type 2: acute ischemic stroke after recent myocardial infarction
Definition: Acute ischemic stroke in patients with history of recent myocardial infarction in the previous 3 months but more than 12 hours
Diagnosis: AIS (a sudden onset of focal neurological deficit caused by an cerebral vascular narrowing cause) and recent history of MI (acute elevation cardiac enzyme plus ischemic electrocardiogram changes and/or symptoms)in the previous 3 months but not in first 12 hours from MI.
Pathophysiology (table 2):
Left ventricular mural thrombus (LVMT) due to impaired left ventricle ejection fraction (EF) <35>
The circulatory inflammatory cytokines may be initiated a cascade of events in the cerebral circulation. This phenomenon may contribute to plaque rupture and subsequent thrombus formation in the cerebral circulation [24].
Revascularization with early PCI has become the standard of care for patients with acute myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) were associated with increased stroke risk. Similarly, analysis of the OASIS [25] registry found that patients with higher rates of invasive cardiac procedures (CABG and PCI) suffered from increased risk of ischemic stroke at 6 months (p = 0.004).
Atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter after myocardial infarction increased risk of ischemic stroke and occurs in up to 20% of patients and can cause increased in-hospital and long-term mortality [26].
Treatment:
According to the 2018 guideline of scientific statement from the American Heart
Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA), [20]
For patients presenting with AIS and a history of recent MI in the past 3 months, treating the ischemic stroke with IV alteplase is reasonable if the recent MI was non-STEMI.(Class IIa)
For patients presenting with AIS and a history of recent MI in the past 3 months, treating the ischemic stroke with IV alteplase is reasonable if the recent MI was a STEMI involving the right or inferior myocardium. (Class IIa)
For patients presenting with AIS and a history of recent MI in the past 3 months, treating the ischemic stroke with IV alteplase may reasonable if the recent MI was a STEMI involving the left anterior myocardium. (Class IIb)
The main concerns about giving rt-PA to patients with AIS and history of recent MI are (Beyond the bleeding):
1. Thrombolysis-induced myocardial hemorrhage predisposing to myocardial wall rupture
2. Possible ventricular thrombus that could be embolize because of thrombolysis.
3-Post-myocardial infarction pericarditis that may become hemopericardium
The safety of IV rt-PA for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treatment after recent myocardial infarction (MI) is still controversial. In recent Retrospective review article of 102 AIS patients admitted for AIS with history of recent MI in the previous 3 months. Patients according to treated with standard IV rt-PA dose for AIS were divided into 2 groups: treated or not treated. Four patients with STEMI patients in the week preceding ischemic stroke (8.5%) and IV rt-PA treated died from confirmed cardiac rupture/ tamponade. This complication occurred in 1 (1.8%) patients in the nontreated group (P=0.178), and no non-STEMI patients receiving IV rt-PA had cardiac complications [21].
The new recommendation according to 2021 guidelines of European Stroke Organization (ESO) on intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke suggested that [27]:
Contraindication of rt-PA For patients with acute ischemic stroke of < 4> 6 h) ST elevation myocardial infarction during the last seven days.
Insufficient evidence to make a recommendation for patients with acute ischemic stroke of < 4>
IV rt-PA for patients with acute ischemic stroke of < 4>
The recent retrospective trial among 40 396 AIS patients with age ≥ 65 years, the patients treated with rt-PA were 241 patients (0.6%) had recent MI in the past 3 months, of which 19.5% (41 patients) were ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction. Patients with recent MI had more severe stroke than those without. Among older patients receiving rt-PA for AIS, a recent history of MI in the past 3 months was associated with higher in-hospital mortality compared with no history of MI in ischemic stroke patients treated with rt-PA. This association was more prominent in patients with STEMI than those with NSTEMI. This association was not significant, if the time frame from the onset of MI to the indexed AIS was > 3 months [28].
Despite the increasing risk of mortality, further studies are necessary to determine whether the benefit of rt-PA outweighs its risk among AIS patients with a recent history of MI in last 3 months.
Thus, we recommended the treatment of type II cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome (figure 5):
Intravenous rt-PA for patients with acute ischemic stroke of < 4>
No intravenous rt-PA for patients with acute ischemic stroke of < 4>
For patients with acute ischemic stroke of < 4>
Anticoagulation with novel oral anticoagulation (such as Rivaroxaban) and clopidogrel is recommended in patients with AIS related to cardioembolic causes (left ventricle thrombus and/or atrial fibrillation) and must be at least 3 months then aspirin lifelong for left ventricle thrombus and 3 months rivaroxaban and clopidogrel then rivaroxaban lifelong for atrial fibrillation [29].
Type 3: acute myocardial infarction after recent ischemic stroke:
Definition: AMI in patients with history of AIS in the previous 3 months but not in first 4.5 hours.
Diagnosis: AMI (acute elevation of cardiac enzyme plus ischemic electrocardiogram changes and/or symptoms) and history of AIS (a sudden onset of focal neurological deficit caused by cerebral vascular narrowing) in the previous 3 months.
In general, the risk of acute myocardial infarction after ischemic stroke was low. But the most patients with stroke die of heart disease and one in three patients with ischemic stroke without cardiac history have more than 50% coronary stenosis and about 3% are at risk of developing myocardial infarction within a year of their stroke. So that patients with stroke need to be screened for silent heart disease and appropriate and aggressive management of total cardiovascular risk factors is required. Notably, patients with history of coronary heart disease showed a 5-fold risk of acute myocardial infarction after stroke onset, and those with cardio-embolism subtype had a higher risk than other subtypes [7]. Also, poststroke cardiac arrhythmias could be another possible cause of AMI after AIS (table 3).
Treatment (figure 6):
1-Revascularization: the use of thrombolytics is contraindicated and primary PCI for STEMI and early invasive PCI strategy for non-STEMI patient is recommended.
Recommendations of antithrombotic therapy in cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome:
The cardioembolic causes treatment must be included novel oral anticoagulation (NOAC) and prefer (Rivaroxaban) or oral anticoagulation OAC (warfarin) and dual or single antiplatelet according to 2020 non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome guideline of European Society of Cardiology (29) and to prevention of bleeding in patients with Atrial Fibrillation undergoing PCI trial [30]. In single antiplatelet with (novel) oral anticoagulation (N) OAC preference for a clopidogrel over aspirin and prefer NOAC over OAC for the default strategy and in all other scenarios if no contraindications (Prosthetic valve or moderate to severe mitral stenosis). Algorithm for antithrombotic therapy and dosage listed of the following (figure 7):
Triple therapy for one week and must be included: Aspirin (75-100 mg) + Clopidogrel (75 mg) + (N) OAC (Rivaroxaban 2.5 mg twice or warfarin: INR 2-3 and TTR > 70%). If patient high risk of thrombosis the duration of triple therapy increase from one week to one month.
Dual therapy preferred included clopidogrel 75 mg daily and (N)OAC and duration 12 months to one year:
AF: (Clopidogrel (75 mg) + (N) OAC (Rivaroxaban 15 mg OD (GFR <60> 70%)
LVMT: first 3 months: (Clopidogrel (75 mg) + OAC (Rivaroxaban 15 mg OD (GFR <60> 70%). After 3 months: Aspirin (75-100 mg) + Clopidogrel (75 mg).
If patient high risk of bleeding the duration of dual therapy can be reduce from one year to 6 months.
After one year for lifelong single antiplatelet or (N)OAC:
AF: Rivaroxaban or warfarin (Rivaroxaban 20 mg OD (GFR <60> 70%), LVT: aspirin 100 mg tab once daily. If patient high risk of bleeding start only single antiplatelet or (N) OAC at 6 months for life long.
Initiation of anticoagulation (N) OAC after ischemic stroke:
Patients with a small stroke with National Institutes of health scale score (NIHSS) < 8> 8 initiate of anticoagulation in AF patients between 1 and 12 days after an ischemic stroke, depending on stroke severity.
In patient with NIHSS 8-15 anticoagulation initiate 6 days after an ischemic stroke, and if NIHSS > 16 initiate of anticoagulation must be >12 days after ischemic stroke. We suggest repeat brain imaging to determine the optimal initiation of anticoagulation in patients with a large stroke at risk for hemorrhagic transformation. NOACs seem to convey slightly better outcomes, mainly driven by fewer intracranial hemorrhages and hemorrhagic stroke (figure 8).
NIHSS: National Institutes of health scale score, CT: Computed Tomography (N) OAC: (New) oral anticoagulation
Recommendations of Lipid-lowering drugs after Cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome (32-35)
High intensity statins are recommended in all MI and/or AIS patients. The aim of treatment is to reduce LDL-C by > 50% from baseline and to achieve LDL-C <1>
If the target LDL-C is not achieved after 4-6 weeks with the maximally tolerated high intensity statin dose, we recommended combination of statin with ezetimibe.
If the target LDL-C is not achieved after 4-6 weeks despite maximally tolerated high intensity statin therapy and ezetimibe, we recommended the addition of a PCSK9 inhibitor to statin and ezetimibe.
Recommendations of (antihypertensive/anti-ischemic/anti failure drugs) after Cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or Angiotensin receptor blocker (ARBs) are recommended in patients with heart failure with reduced LVEF (<40>
Beta-blockers are recommended in patients with prior MI, long-term oral treatment with a beta-blocker should be considered in order to reduce all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity and in patients with systolic LV dysfunction or heart failure with reduced LVEF (<40>
Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRAs) are recommended in patients with heart failure with reduced LVEF <40>
Recommendations of Proton pump inhibitors in patients with Cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome: [44]
In patients with dual antiplatelet and higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding:
History of gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcer,
Corticosteroid use,
Oral anti-coagulant therapy,
Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or two or more of
Old age more than 65 years.
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease.
History of Helicobacter pylori infection.
Dyspepsia.
In type 1 cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome: For patients presenting with concurrent AIS and acute MI, treatment with IV alteplase at the dose appropriate for cerebral ischemia, followed by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and stenting if indicated. But if patient contraindicated to thrombolytic treatment and/or hemodynamic instability we recommended primary PCI for STEMI patients and early invasive strategy for non-STEMI patients. And if the stroke related to large vessel occlusion mechanical thrombectomy is recommended.
In type II cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome: For patients with acute ischemic stroke of < 4>
In type III cardio-cerebral infarction syndrome: the use of thrombolytics is contraindicated and primary PCI for STEMI and early invasive PCI strategy for non-STEMI patient is recommended.
No conflit of interest
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