Characteristics and outcomes of patients with multiple cervical artery dissection

Stroke. 2014 Jan;45(1):37-41. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.113.001654. Epub 2013 Dec 10.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Little is known about factors contributing to multiple rather than single cervical artery dissections (CeAD) and their associated prognosis.

Methods: We compared the baseline characteristics and short-term outcome of patients with multiple to single CeAD included in the multicenter Cervical Artery Dissection and Ischemic Stroke Patients (CADISP) study.

Results: Among the 983 patients with CeAD, 149 (15.2%) presented with multiple CeAD. Multiple CeADs were more often associated with cervical pain at admission (odds ratio [OR], 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-2.30), a remote history of head or neck surgery (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.16-3.00), a recent infection (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.12-2.61), and cervical manipulation (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.26-3.95). On imaging, cervical fibromuscular dysplasia (OR, 3.97; 95% CI, 2.04-7.74) and the presence of a pseudoaneurysm (OR, 2.91; 95% CI, 1.86-4.57) were more often seen in patients with multiple CeAD. The presence of multiple rather than single CeAD had no effect on functional 3-month outcome (modified Rankin Scale score, ≥3; 12% in multiple CeAD versus 11.9% in single CeAD; OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.60-2.41).

Conclusions: In the largest published series of patients with CeAD, we highlighted significant differences between multiple and single artery involvement. Features suggestive of an underlying vasculopathy (fibromuscular dysplasia) and environmental triggers (recent infection, cervical manipulation, and a remote history of head or neck surgery) were preferentially associated with multiple CeAD.

Keywords: outcome assessement; risk factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Brain Ischemia / pathology
  • Brain Ischemia / therapy
  • Carotid Artery, Internal, Dissection / pathology*
  • Carotid Artery, Internal, Dissection / therapy
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / epidemiology
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Manipulation, Spinal / adverse effects
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Neck / surgery
  • Neck Pain / etiology
  • Odds Ratio
  • Prospective Studies
  • Registries
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Stroke / pathology
  • Stroke / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vertebral Artery Dissection / pathology*
  • Vertebral Artery Dissection / therapy*