Latest news with #ShadiYaghi
Arab Times
06-07-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Researchers sound alarm over rare but rising stroke cause
NEW YORK, July 6: While most strokes are commonly linked to clots from the heart or fatty deposits in the carotid arteries, a new study highlights a lesser-known but rapidly increasing cause — cervical artery dissection. According to researchers, hospitalizations related to this type of stroke have surged by 400% between 2005 and 2019. Dr. Shadi Yaghi, a vascular neurologist at Brown University, led a team that analyzed over 125,000 patient records to better understand this alarming trend. Cervical artery dissection occurs when the inner lining of an artery in the neck tears, allowing blood to enter the layers of the artery wall. This can create a flap that slows blood flow or causes a clot, potentially leading to an ischemic stroke. This condition is responsible for up to 25% of strokes in adults under 50, making it a significant risk for younger individuals. Often triggered by physical trauma such as car accidents, sports injuries, or even minor movements like reaching into a car's backseat, these dissections can occur with little warning. Advancements in ultrasound and MRI technology have improved detection of these injuries, revealing subtle signs that older equipment may have missed. This improved imaging is partly responsible for the increase in reported cases. Recognizing the symptoms Key warning signs include a sudden one-sided headache or neck pain, sometimes accompanied by a drooping eyelid. Some patients report hearing a pulsing sound in one ear, signaling turbulent blood flow. Physicians also check for Horner's syndrome—a combination of a drooping eyelid and constricted pupil. Emergency rooms increasingly rely on computed tomography angiography, a scan that uses dye to quickly map blood flow, now considered a primary diagnostic tool in young stroke cases. The incidence of cervical artery dissection climbed from 11 to 46 cases per million over 15 years—an average annual increase of 10%. Hispanic and Black patients saw the steepest increases, nearly double those observed among white patients, suggesting disparities in trauma exposure and access to care. Lower costs and improved access to scanning technology have enabled smaller hospitals to conduct vascular imaging, leading to more diagnoses. 'The impact of non-fatal strokes includes long-term disability and reduced quality of life,' said Dr. Yaghi, emphasizing the importance of early detection. Interestingly, the largest increases were seen in people over 65, indicating that both age-related vascular changes and broader use of imaging may be uncovering previously undiagnosed cases. Risk factors and prevention Sports injuries, such as wrestling throws, surfing wipeouts, and extreme neck movements in yoga, have all been linked to dissections. A notable case involved a 34-year-old woman who suffered a fatal stroke after chiropractic neck manipulation. Those with connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, as well as individuals with high blood pressure or migraines with aura, are at higher risk. Vertebral artery tears are particularly concerning, nearly doubling stroke risk within 90 days even in cases that initially appear mild. Treatment and gaps in care Standard treatment involves antiplatelet therapy, such as aspirin, for 3 to 6 months. Anticoagulants are reserved for more severe cases or those affecting arteries near the brainstem. Follow-up imaging is typically performed within a week to ensure proper blood flow. The American Heart Association supports the use of intravenous clot-busting drugs within the standard treatment window. Endovascular stenting is used in cases where symptoms recur despite medication, with success rates exceeding 90%. Telehealth services have improved access to follow-up care in rural areas, potentially addressing racial disparities in stroke outcomes. Steps to reduce risk Simple preventive measures include wearing a seatbelt, adjusting headrests to eye level, and avoiding twisting the neck while lifting heavy items. Strength training should resume gradually after proper healing, using light weights and steady breathing. Persistent one-sided headaches or neck pain after minor injuries should prompt medical evaluation, especially if accompanied by vision changes or slurred speech. Ongoing research is exploring the use of direct oral anticoagulants, ultrasound markers to detect weak arteries early, and genetic studies to identify risk factors in connective tissue biology.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Stroke risk from neck artery tears reported to be growing
Strokes caused by an artery tear are landing five times as many Americans in the hospital these days, a new study says. Cervical artery dissection involves a small tear in the inner lining of an artery in the neck that supplies blood to the brain. Blood can clot at the site of the tear. If the clot breaks loose, it can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. Hospitalizations for this sort of stroke have increased nearly fivefold during the past 15 years, according to findings published Wednesday in the journal Neurology. "Cervical artery dissection is an important cause of stroke, especially in people under 50, so it is crucial to detect it right away," senior researcher Dr. Shadi Yaghi, a vascular neurologist at Brown University in Providence, R.I., said in a news release. "Strokes that are not fatal can lead to long-term disability, poor mental health and reduced quality of life," he said. "Our research found a dramatic increase in the number of hospitalizations for cervical artery dissection, with rates rising steadily year over year." These sort of tears in the cervical artery are most often caused by a motor vehicle crash or other accident that causes neck strain, researchers said. However, activities as simple as heavy lifting has been known to cause a cervical artery tear in some people. For the study, researchers analyzed 15 years of U.S. health data to identify more than 125,000 people hospitalized for cervical artery dissection. Patients had an average age of 51, and just over half suffered a stroke from their artery tear, results show. The number of artery tears increased about 10% a year on average, rising from 11 cases per million people in 2005 to 46 cases per million in 2019, results show. Men and women were equally at risk for suffering an artery tear, but there were differences between races. Cervical artery dissections increased by 16% a year on average among Hispanic people, compared to 13% for Black people, 12% for Asian people and 8% for white people. Seniors also have become more prone to these tears, with an average annual increase of 12% among people 65 and older compared to 8% for people under 65, researchers said. "Possible reasons for this nearly five-fold increase over 15 years include greater awareness of cervical artery dissection by health care professionals, better access to imaging to help identify it and an overall increase in this condition for which a cause has yet to be determined," Yaghi said. "Given the rising incidence of cervical artery dissection, our study underscores the importance of finding prevention strategies as well as new treatments to reduce the risk of stroke," he added. More information The Cleveland Clinic has more on cervical artery dissection. SOURCE: American Academy of Neurology, news release, April 2, 2025 copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
