Looking For Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors and Therapeutic Aspects in Cervical Artery Dissections
Looking For Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors and Therapeutic Aspects in Cervical Artery Dissections
The main purpose of this study is to look for genetic and environmental risk factors of
 cervical artery dissections, a major cause of ischemic stroke in young adults, in a large
 multicenter case-control trial
Background: Cervical artery dissections (CAD) are a major cause of ischemic stroke,
 longstanding disability, and occasionally death in young adults. Several lines of evidence
 suggest genetic predisposition for CAD. Previous genetic studies were, however, inconclusive
 mainly due to insufficient numbers of patients. Our hypothesis is that CAD is a
 multifactorial disease caused by yet largely unidentified genetic variants and environmental
 factors, which may interact.

 Aim: Our main aim is to look for genetic and environmental risk factors and gene-environment
 interactions potentially underlying CAD. In addition, therapeutic aspects are addressed in
 the setting of a multicenter registry.

 Methods: We organized a multinational European network, CADISP (Cervical Artery Dissection
 and Ischemic Stroke Patients) which targets at increasing our knowledge on the
 pathophysiological mechanisms of this disease in a large, representative patient population.
 Within this network, we are aiming to perform a de novo genetic association analysis using
 both a genome-wide and a candidate gene approach. For this purpose, 1130 patients with CAD,
 1130 patients with non-CAD ischemic stroke, and 1890 healthy controls are being recruited,
 and detailed clinical, laboratory, diagnostic, therapeutic and outcome data are being
 collected from all participating patients. We are expecting to reach the above numbers of
 subjects by the end of 2008. Analyses of the CADISP database might clarify a number of
 debated issues, including risk factors, stroke preventive treatment, and outcome predictors
 of CAD.

 We present the strategy of a collaborative project searching for genetic risk factors of
 cervical artery dissections. We hope that the CADISP network will provide detailed and novel
 data on risk factors and treatment aspects of CAD.
GROUP1:

 Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Typical radiological aspect of dissection* in a cervical artery (carotid and/or
 vertebral);* Mural hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, long tapering stenosis, intimal flap,
 double lumen, or occlusion > 2 cm above the carotid bifurcation revealing a pseudo
 aneurysm or a long tapering stenosis after recanalisation

 -  Written informed consent

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Purely intracranial dissection

 -  Dissection occurring after an endovascular procedure

 -  Known mendelian genetic disorder that can explain the dissection (e.g. vascular
 Ehlers-Danlos syndrome)

 GROUP2:

 Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Recent ischemic stroke

 -  No signs of CAD on extracranial duplex sonography and angiography (digital subtraction
 or magnetic resonance or CT), performed < 7 days after the stroke

 -  Written informed consent

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Possible cerebral ischemia but normal cerebral imaging

 -  CAD cannot be ruled out (e.g.persistent arterial occlusion without mural hematoma)

 -  Endovascular or surgical procedure on the coronary, cervical or cerebral arteries
 during the 48 hours preceding the cerebral infarction

 -  Cardiopathies with a very high embolic risk (Mechanical prosthetic valves, mitral
 stenosis with atrial fibrillation, intracardiac tumor, infectious endocarditis,
 myocardial infarction<4 months)

 -  Arterial vasospasm following a subarachnoid haemorrhage

 -  Auto-immune disease possibly responsible for the cerebral infarction

 -  Known monogenic disease responsible for the cerebral infarction

 GROUP3:

 Inclusion criteria:

 -  Individuals from the general population without history of stroke, dissections in any
 artery, transient ischemic attack, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease

 -  Written informed consent