Cerebrovascular Disease Patients Research Articles

The Spectrum of Acute Cerebrovascular Disease in Patients with COVID-19.

(1) Background: COVID-19 infection is responsible for the ongoing pandemic and acute cerebrovascular disease (CVD) has been observed in COVID-19 patients. (2) Methods: We conducted a retrospective, observational study of hospitalized adult patients admitted to our hospital with SARS-CoV-2 and acute cerebrovascular disease. All clinical data were reviewed including epidemiology, clinical features, laboratory data, neuroradiological findings, hospital management and course from 32 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 management with acute cerebrovascular disease. (3) Results: Acute CVD with COVID-19 was associated with higher NIH stroke scale on discharge compared to non-COVID-19 CVDs. Seizures complicated the hospital course in 16% of COVID-19 patients with CVD. The majority of the acute CVDs were ischemic (81%) in nature followed by hemorrhagic (22%). Acute CVD with COVID-19 resulted in average hospital stays greater than twice that of the control group (13 days in COVID-19, 5 days in control). Acute CVD with COVID-19 patients had worse clinical outcomes with 31% patient deaths and 6% discharged to hospice. In the control group, 6% of patients died. (4) Conclusions: Acute CVD associated with COVID-19 tends to be more complicated with unique and adverse clinical phenotype, longer hospital admissions, and worse clinical outcomes.

Тривожно-когнітивні розлади у пацієнтів з метаболічним синдромом: клініко-нейровізуалізаційна діагностика, лікування

Мета дослідження: вивчити когнітивний, психоемоційний стан та нейровізуалізаційні показники головного мозку в пацієнтів середнього віку з хронічними формами цереброваскулярних захворювань на фоні метаболічного синдрому; вивчити клінічну ефективність, безпечність, вплив на когнітивні показники, тривогу вітчизняного препарату Вітаксон® у пацієнтів з хронічними формами цереброваскулярних захворювань на фоні метаболічного синдрому. Матеріали і методи. У відкритому контрольованому дослідженні взяли участь 60 пацієнтів віком від 42 до 61 року (Ме = 52 [Q1 = 54; Q3 = 60]) з метаболічним синдромом. Пацієнтам основної групи (n = 30) до базисної терапії додавався препарат Вітаксон®. У контрольній групі (n = 30) пацієнти отримували лише базисну терапію. Критерієм включення в дослідження була наявність тривожно-когнітивних розладів у пацієнтів з дисциркуляторною енцефалопатією І–ІІ ст. на фоні метаболічного синдрому. Проводили клініко-лабораторне обстеження та нейропсихологічне тестування за шкалами: МоСА; Спілбергера; Бека; таблицями Шульте. За допомогою методу волюметрії на МРТ-сканері Toshiba Vantage Titan 1,5 оцінено стан головного мозку в 41 пацієнта. Проводили кореляційний аналіз показників об’єму кори й білої речовини скроневої й лобної часток та когнітивно-тривожних порушень в пацієнтів з метаболічним синдромом та без нього. Результати. Після 24-денного курсу лікування відбулось покращення когнітивних функцій за шкалою МоСА в обох групах (в основній групі — на 1,5 бали; у контрольній — на 0,5 балів), у групі, у якій пацієнти приймали Вітаксон®, відмінності були вірогідними (р < 0,05). Показники реактивної тривожності за шкалою Спілбергера покращились в основній групі (42,4 ± 3,4 бала до лікування та 24,6 ± 2,8 бала на 24-ту добу), у контрольній відповідні показники суттєво не відрізнялись (41,2 ± 3,2 бала та 39,1 ± 2,1 бала відповідно). Аналіз результатів тестування за таблицями Шульте показав вірогідне зменшення показників виконання завдань після лікування в групі, що приймала Вітаксон® (р < 0,05). Показники депресії за шкалою HADS після лікування покращились в обох групах, але ступеня статистичної вірогідності не було досягнуто. Аналіз волюметричних досліджень показав погіршення когнітивних функцій за шкалою МоСА при зменшенні об’єму кори в лобній і скроневій частках. Визначався кореляційний зв’язок між показниками об’єму кори лобної і скроневої часток і результатами когнітивних функцій за шкалою МоСА. Індекс кореляції r = 0,49 для показників скроневої частки та r = 0,43 — для лобних часток. Модулі коефіцієнтів кореляції були середньої сили. Висновки. У пацієнтів з МС визначалось зменшення об’ємів сірої речовини в скроневих і лобних частках, що корелювало з когнітивним дефіцитом за шкалою МоСА. Ці дані свідчать більшою мірою про змішаний характер когнітивних порушень — судинно-дегенеративний. Проведення волюметричного дослідження в поєднанні з нейропсихологічним дозволяє на стадії помірних когнітивних порушень прогнозувати подальший розвиток захворювання. Наявність позитивного нейротропного ефекту на когнітивно-тривожні прояви та відсутність значимих побічних явищ у препарату Вітаксон® дозволяють рекомендувати його для лікування хронічних форм цереброваскулярних захворювань у пацієнтів з метаболічним синдромом.

Characteristics of cerebrovascular disease in patients with economic difficulty

Characteristics of cerebrovascular disease in patients with economic difficulty

Predictors and risk-adjusted outcomes of new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation in repeat surgical and valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Aim: New-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation/flutter (POAF/AFL) complications have not been well studied for repeat aortic valve replacements (r-AVR); this study identified risk factors predisposing to POAF/AFL and POAF/AFL’s effect upon risk-adjusted outcomes. Methods: Using New York State’s Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System records (2005-2018), multivariable forward selection models identified risks predictive of POAF/AFL. To identify POAF/AFL’s impact upon risk-adjusted mortality/morbidity (MM) and 30-day readmission (READMIT), forward selection logistic regression models applied Firth bias correction to address data sparsity. Results: Of the 242 r-AVR patients, 147 underwent repeat surgical aortic valve replacements (r-SAVR) and 95 underwent valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacements (ViV-TAVR); 39.46% of r-SAVR and 43.16% of ViV-TAVR patients had POAF/AFL. R-SAVR patients with POAF/AFL were older (69.7 ± 11.1 vs. 56.7 ± 13.2 years, P < 0.01) compared to R-SAVR patients without POAF/AFL. Multivariable models identified an enhanced POAF/AFL risk for elderly (OR: 1.05, 95%CI: 1.03-1.07, P < 0.01) and cerebral vascular disease (OR: 2.18, 95%CI: 1.05-4.55, P = 0.04) patients. Bivariately, POAF/AFL was associated with READMIT, but not MM. Correspondingly, multivariable models found POAF/AFL increased READMIT (OR: 3.12, 95%CI: 1.46-6.65, P < 0.01), but not MM. However, black race (OR: 4.97, 95%CI: 1.61-15.37, P < 0.01) and Elixhauser score (OR: 1.05, 95%CI: 1.02-1.08, P < 0.01) increased risk for MM. Conclusion: More common in older and cerebrovascular disease patients, 41% of r-AVR patients with POAF/AFL had increased READMIT risk; thus, future investigations should focus on improving POAF/AF r-AVR patients’ post-discharge continuity of care.

The Complex Role of C-Reactive Protein in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is well-known as a sensitive albeit unspecific biomarker of inflammation. In most rheumatic conditions, the level of this evolutionarily highly conserved pattern recognition molecule conveys reliable information regarding the degree of ongoing inflammation, driven mainly by interleukin-6. However, the underlying causes of increased CRP levels are numerous, including both infections and malignancies. In addition, low to moderate increases in CRP predict subsequent cardiovascular events, often occurring years later, in patients with angina and in healthy individuals. However, autoimmune diseases characterized by the Type I interferon gene signature (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus, primary Sjögren’s syndrome and inflammatory myopathies) represent exceptions to the general rule that the concentrations of CRP correlate with the extent and severity of inflammation. In fact, adequate levels of CRP can be beneficial in autoimmune conditions, in that they contribute to efficient clearance of cell remnants and immune complexes through complement activation/modulation, opsonization and phagocytosis. Furthermore, emerging data indicate that CRP constitutes an autoantigen in systemic lupus erythematosus. At the same time, the increased risks of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis are well-established, with significant impacts on quality of life, accrual of organ damage, and premature mortality. This review describes CRP-mediated biological effects and the regulation of CRP release in relation to aspects of cardiovascular disease and mechanisms of autoimmunity, with particular focus on systemic lupus erythematosus.

Left Atrial Remodeling and Cerebrovascular Disease Assessed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Continuously Monitored Patients

Background: Atrial remodeling is associated with future atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke. AF has been associated with cognitive impairment and cerebral white matter lesions. We wished to investigate the possible direct association between atrial remodeling and cerebrovascular disease in patients with and without AF documented by implantable loop recorder (ILR). Methods: Cardiac and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging were acquired in a cross-sectional study, including participants ≥70 years of age with stroke risk factors without known AF. Cerebrovascular disease was visually rated using the Fazekas scale and number of lacunar strokes. Left atrial (LA) and ventricular volumes and function were analyzed. Associations between atrial remodeling and cerebrovascular disease were assessed with logistic regression models. The analyses were stratified according to sinus rhythm or any AF during 3 months of continuous ILR monitoring to account for subclinical AF. Results: Of 200 participants investigated, 87% had a Fazekas score ≥1 and 45% had ≥1 lacunar infarct. Within 3 months of ILR monitoring, AF was detected in 28 (14%) participants. For participants with sinus rhythm (n = 172), lower LA passive emptying fraction was associated with Fazekas score after multivariable adjustment (OR [95% CI]: 0.51 [0.27; 0.86] p = 0.02), and increased LA maximum (OR [95% CI]: 1.38 [1.07; 1.82] p = 0.01) and minimum volumes (OR [95% CI]: 1.48 [1.03; 2.17] p = 0.04) were associated with lacunar infarcts. There were no significant associations in patients with AF. Conclusion: In AF-free patients, as documented by ILR monitoring, we found an independent association between LA passive emptying fraction and Fazekas score and between atrial volumes and lacunar infarcts.

Disintegration of anterior thalamic radiation fibers in cerebrovascular disease subjects with periventricular white matter hyperintensities leads to lower executive function performance

AbstractBackgroundWhite matter hyperintensities (WMH) are more prevalent in elder adults and those typically located in periventricular areas are known as periventricular WMHs (pWMH). Recent studies link WMHs to hypoperfusion and ischemic injuries arising from diverse cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs). Previous studies have reported strong associations between WMH burden and disintegration of normal‐appearing white matter (WM) and WM pathways evaluated using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). This WM deterioration may be the underlying cause of cognitive dysfunction in people with WMHs. The purpose of this study is to identify major WM tracts in which there is evidence of microstructure damage associated with pWMH severity to determine whether this damage is associated with cognitive decline.MethodAssociation between pWMH volume and fractional anisotropy (FA) in 18 major WM tracts in 100 CVD subjects (aged 55‐84 years, 29% female, evidenced by an ischemic stroke event documented by MRI or CT, with a modified Rankin score 0‐3) from the Ontario Neurodegenerative Disease Research Initiative was examined using linear regression. DTI (30 directions, b=1000 s/mm2) was acquired on eight 3T MRI scanners. Mean FA in 18 WM tracts was quantified using TRACULA in FreeSurfer in each subject. Volumes of pWMHs were obtained by semi‐automated segmentation of T1‐weighted images in each subject. Cognitive assessments were completed as part of ONDRI. Associations between cognitive scores and FA in tracts that significantly correlated with pWMH severity were also examined.ResultLinear regression (adjusted by age and sex) detected significant correlation between FA in right anterior thalamic radiation (ATR) (Fig. 1) and pWMH volume after Bonferroni correction (p‐value=0.002, r=‐0.356) (Fig. 2). No other significant associations were identified. Since right ATR is part of fronto‐striato‐thalamic circuit contributing to executive function, FA in ATR predicted association with Trail Making Test‐Part B (adjusted by age, sex, and education) and a signhificant correlation was identified (p‐value=0.006, r=‐0.256) (Fig. 3).ConclusionATR disintegration was associated with pWMH severity in participants with CVD and with executive function. This study suggests that tissue microstructure deterioration in ATR measured by DTI may contribute to decline in executive function in CVD patients with pWMHs.

Effect of enteral nutrition with eicosapentaenoic acids for prevention of bedsores in cerebrovascular disease patients

Rationale: In cases with severely impaired consciousness due to cerebrovascular diseases, patients must go through therapy under hospitalization for several days, and are at risk of bedsores due to long-term bed rest during thrapeutical period. If bedsores could be prevented by feeding an enteral diet enriched with EPA, it can be supposed that this diet therapy might make a contribution to improvement of aspects of clinical care and reduction of clinical costs.

Interactions Between Kidney Function and Cerebrovascular Disease: Vessel Pathology That Fires Together Wires Together.

The kidney and the brain, as high-flow end organs relying on autoregulatory mechanisms, have unique anatomic and physiological hemodynamic properties. Similarly, the two organs share a common pattern of microvascular dysfunction as a result of aging and exposure to vascular risk factors (e.g., hypertension, diabetes and smoking) and therefore progress in parallel into a systemic condition known as small vessel disease (SVD). Many epidemiological studies have shown that even mild renal dysfunction is robustly associated with acute and chronic forms of cerebrovascular disease. Beyond ischemic SVD, kidney impairment increases the risk of acute cerebrovascular events related to different underlying pathologies, notably large artery stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage. Other chronic cerebral manifestations of SVD are variably associated with kidney disease. Observational data have suggested the hypothesis that kidney function influences cerebrovascular disease independently and adjunctively to the effect of known vascular risk factors, which affect both renal and cerebral microvasculature. In addition to confirming this independent association, recent large-scale human genetic studies have contributed to disentangling potentially causal associations from shared genetic predisposition and resolving the uncertainty around the direction of causality between kidney and cerebrovascular disease. Accelerated atherosclerosis, impaired cerebral autoregulation, remodeling of the cerebral vasculature, chronic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction can be proposed to explain the additive mechanisms through which renal dysfunction leads to cerebral SVD and other cerebrovascular events. Genetic epidemiology also can help identify new pathological pathways which wire kidney dysfunction and cerebral vascular pathology together. The need for identifying additional pathological mechanisms underlying kidney and cerebrovascular disease is attested to by the limited effect of current therapeutic options in preventing cerebrovascular disease in patients with kidney impairment.

Cost Control of Treatment for Cerebrovascular Patients Using a Machine Learning Model in Western China.

Background Cerebrovascular disease has been the leading cause of death in China since 2017, and the control of medical expenses for these diseases is an urgent issue. Diagnosis-related groups (DRG) are increasingly being used to decrease the costs of healthcare worldwide. However, the classification variables and rules used vary from region to region. Of these variables, the question of whether the length of stay (LOS) should be used as a grouping variable is controversial. Aim To identify the factors influencing inpatient medical expenditure in cerebrovascular disease patients. The performance of two sets of classification rules, and the effects of the extent of control of unreasonable medical treatment, were compared, to investigate whether the classification variables should include LOS. Methods Data from 45,575 inpatients from a Healthcare Security Administration of a city in western China were used. Kruskal–Wallis H tests were used for single-factor analysis, and multiple linear stepwise regression was used to determine the main factors. A chi-squared automatic interaction detector (CHAID) algorithm was built as a decision tree model for grouping related data. The intensity of oversupply of service was controlled step by step from 10% to 100%, and the performance was calculated for each group. Results The average hospitalization cost was 1,284 US dollars, and the total was 51.17 million US dollars. Of this, 43.42 million were paid by the government, and 7.75 million were paid by individuals. Factors including gender, age, type of insurance, level of hospital, LOS, surgery, therapeutic outcomes, main concomitant disease, and hypertension significantly influenced inpatient expenditure (P < 0.05). Incorporating LOS, the patients were divided into seven DRG groups, while without LOS, the patients were divided into eight DRG groups. More clinical variables were needed to achieve good results without LOS. Of the two rule sets, smaller coefficient of variation (CV) and a lower upper limit for patient costs were found in the group including LOS. Using this type of economic control, 3.35 million US dollars could be saved in one year.

Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome in Patients with Coronavirus Disease: A Multicenter Case Series

Background and objectivesRCVS (Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstrictive Syndrome) is a condition associated with vasoactive agents that alter endothelial function. There is growing evidence that endothelial inflammation contributes to cerebrovascular disease in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In our study, we describe the clinical features, risk factors, and outcomes of RCVS in a multicenter case series of patients with COVID-19. Materials and methodsMulticenter retrospective case series. We collected clinical characteristics, imaging, and outcomes of patients with RCVS and COVID-19 identified at each participating site. ResultsTen patients were identified, 7 women, ages 21 – 62 years. Risk factors included use of vasoconstrictive agents in 7 and history of migraine in 2. Presenting symptoms included thunderclap headache in 5 patients with recurrent headaches in 4. Eight were hypertensive on arrival to the hospital. Symptoms of COVID-19 included fever in 2, respiratory symptoms in 8, and gastrointestinal symptoms in 1. One patient did not have systemic COVID-19 symptoms. MRI showed subarachnoid hemorrhage in 3 cases, intraparenchymal hemorrhage in 2, acute ischemic stroke in 4, FLAIR hyperintensities in 2, and no abnormalities in 1 case. Neurovascular imaging showed focal segment irregularity and narrowing concerning for vasospasm of the left MCA in 4 cases and diffuse, multifocal narrowing of the intracranial vasculature in 6 cases. Outcomes varied, with 2 deaths, 2 remaining in the ICU, and 6 surviving to discharge with modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores of 0 (n=3), 2 (n=2), and 3 (n=1). ConclusionsOur series suggests that patients with COVID-19 may be at risk for RCVS, particularly in the setting of additional risk factors such as exposure to vasoactive agents. There was variability in the symptoms and severity of COVID-19, clinical characteristics, abnormalities on imaging, and mRS scores. However, a larger study is needed to validate a causal relationship between RCVS and COVID-19.

Low-Rank Matrix Denoising Algorithm-Based Magnetic Resonance Imaging Combined with Computed Tomography Images in the Diagnosis of Cerebral Aneurysm

This study was to analyze the diagnostic effects of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs) based on low-rank matrix denoising (LRMD) algorithm. The LRMD algorithm was adopted for MRI diagnosis and CT diagnosis for comparative analysis. 129 CVD patients were selected as the research objects, 43 cases were diagnosed by CT, 43 cases were diagnosed by MRI under LRMD, and the other 43 cases were diagnosed by CT + MRI. The results showed that the diagnostic compliance rates (DCRs) of CT group in the cerebral hemorrhage (CH), cerebral infarction (CI), and cerebral aneurysm (CA) were 95.1%, 94.7%, and 70%, respectively, while those in the MRI group were 99.01%, 97.71%, and 100%, respectively. Thus, it was obtained that MRI diagnosis was much better than CT diagnosis, and CT + MRI showed the best diagnosis efficacy, showing statistical differences ( P &lt; 0.05 ). The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of MRI diagnosis under the LRMD algorithm were 96.28%, 88.76%, and 90.62%, respectively, which were superior to those of CT diagnosis (92.71%, 84.94%, and 80.71%, respectively). The diagnosis cost per case (DC/C) (799.73 ± 100.02 yuan) and the total diagnosis cost (TDC) (58,521.67 ± 301.62 yuan) in the MRI group were higher than those in the CT group (601.42 ± 83.61 yuan and 39,819.2 ± 198.72, respectively) ( P &lt; 0.05 ). In conclusion, CT + MRI under the LRMD algorithm showed good potential in diagnosis of CVD; MRI based on the LRMD algorithm showed a higher positive rate in the diagnosis of CA and was better than CT diagnosis, and CT + MRI showed the best diagnosis effect and could improve the clinical diagnosis rate.

A descriptive study of inpatient admissions for cerebrovascular disease at a tertiary hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Background: We sought to provide a descriptive report of inpatient admissions for cerebrovascular disease (CVD) at a tertiary hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive study involving 1 017 patients admitted to the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital for treatment of CVD during 2005 - 2015. Patients were identified using the hospital’s electronic administrative system. Demographics, inpatient length of stay, surgical procedures, and survival status at discharge were also obtained for each patient. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Results: The median age of CVD patients was 50.0 years, and 50.4% were male. The median inpatient length of stay was 13.0 days. Surgery was performed in 38.8% of patients. The mortality rate was 22.5%. Conclusion: The resource burden that CVD places on tertiary healthcare services and the high mortality in afflicted patients highlights the need for effective primary and secondary prevention interventions in our setting.

Cost-effectiveness of a cardiovascular polypill strategy (aspirin, atorvastatin, ramipril) for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease based on real life improvement in risk factor control

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Ferrer Internacional Background The cardiovascular (CV) polypill has consistently demonstrated cost-effectives in decreasing the risk of CV disease in patients in secondary prevention. Previous pharmacoeconomic studies addressed improvements in adherence as a driver of health gains. This economic assessment focuses on the implications of improved control of risk factors with the polypill as observed in clinical practice. Purpose To assess the cost-effectiveness of a fixed-dose combination polypill (ASA 100mg, atorvastatin 20/40mg, ramipril 2.5/5/10mg) strategy for the secondary prevention of CV and cerebrovascular events in adults with a history of coronary heart disease (CHD) or stroke compared to usual care with monocomponents. Methods A Markov cost-effectiveness model (1-year cycles; 4 health states: stable disease, subsequent CHD, subsequent stroke, death; payer perspective; direct medical costs; lifetime horizon; 4% discount rate) based on changes in CV risk factors (total cholesterol, 18.3% reduction; high density lipoprotein cholesterol, 2.1% increment; systolic blood pressure, 11.46% reduction) obtained from a real-life effectiveness study was set for Portugal. The probability of transition between health states was based on the SMART risk equation. Cost-effectiveness was calculated for two cohorts (n = 1,000) of secondary prevention patients with previous CHD or stroke. Systematic reviews, Portuguese registries, mortality tables and official reports were searched to identify effectiveness, epidemiological, costs and utility data. Outcomes were costs (€, 2020) per life year (LY) and Quality Adjusted LY (QALY) gained. One-way (OWA) and probabilistic (PSA) sensitivity analyses tested consistency. Assumptions were validated by experts. Results In the CHD cohort, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for the polypill strategy (ICER) is 2,402 €/LY and the incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) is 2,328 €/QALY. Incremental cost reaches 278,927 € (polypill, 13,198,506 €; monocomponents: 12,919,579 €) with less subsequent CV events (552.31 vs 641.88) and CV deaths (102.4 vs 118.68). Assuming a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of 30.000 €/QALY gained, the PSA shows a 81.4% probability for the polypill to be cost-effective and 39.1% chances to be costs saving compared to usual care. In the stroke cohort, the ICER is 386 €/LY and the ICUR is 553 €/QALY. Incremental costs are 34,178 € (polypill, 10,138,807 €; monocomponents: 10,104,629 €) with less subsequent CV events (481.99 vs 564.50) and CV deaths (101.00 vs. 117.23) with the polypill. There is a 75.9% probability for the polypill to be cost-effective and 49.5% chances to be costs saving. Conclusion The CV polypill is a cost-effective secondary prevention strategy compared to usual care with monocomponents. Its ICER is well below acceptable thresholds in both CV and cerebrovascular disease patients. It reduces the number of recurrent events at a moderately higher cost compared to monocomponents.

A Case Report: Probably Concurrent Nasogastric Tube Syndrome and Cerebrovascular Disease in a Postoperative Patient

Nasogastric tube syndrome (NTS) is characterized by acute upper airway obstruction due to bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Although NTS is a rare cause of vocal cord paralysis, it has the potential of causing serious morbidities even mortality. We here with present a case of concurrent NTS and cerebrovascular disease patient. 73 year-old male was admitted to our university hospital emergency department with acute respiratory distress and stridor days after his cholecystectomy operation and laryngoscopy showed bilateral vocal cord paralysis. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and urgent tracheotomy was performed. On the day after his discharge from the hospital, his vocal cord movements fully recovered state. Nasogastric tube syndrome can be considered in patient who complains because of acute upper airway obstruction with nasogastric tube inserted. Thinking NTS early may be reducing the complication rate.

Increased Premature Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases in Dialysis Patients: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Growing data indicate a higher prevalence of cerebrovascular diseases in patients with ESRD. Cerebral small-vessel disease (CSVD) is an important risk factor of stroke and dementia. A comprehensive assessment of CSVD in a dialysis population is needed. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we enrolled 179 dialysis patients and 351 controls matched by sex and age with normal serum creatinine. The presence and locations of 3 main features of CSVD in dialysis patients, including lacunes, cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), and white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), were evaluated with brain magnetic resonance imaging and compared with controls. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors. Results: Compared with controls, the prevalence of CSVD was significantly increased in dialysis patients (odds ratio [OR] 2.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26–5.62). Among them, risks of CMBs and WMHs were increased in dialysis (OR 4.01, 95% CI 1.78–9.42; 3.91, 95% CI 1.67–9.15), except for lacunes. The age of subjects with CSVD detected was significantly younger in the dialysis group (p = 0.002). Unlike controls, basal ganglia were most affected by lacunes and CMBs in dialysis patients. In dialysis patients, multivariate analysis further revealed that aging, smoking, and hyperlipidemia were significantly associated with CSVD, while dialysis modality was not significant. Conclusion: We demonstrated a higher prevalence and early-onset tendency of CSVD in dialysis patients, especially for CMBs and WMHs. Dialysis patients showed different patterns and associated factors for CSVD.

Performance Metrics of the AGGRESTAR PL-12® Platelet Function Analyser in Patients with TIA or Ischaemic Stroke on Commonly-Prescribed Antiplatelet Regimens

Introduction: The optimal time interval after venepuncture to perform platelet function/reactivity testing at low shear stress on the novel AGGRESTAR PL-12® platelet function analyser in non-Chinese Cerebrovascular Disease (CVD) patients is unknown. Methods: Twelve TIA/ischaemic stroke patients were recruited to this cross-sectional, methodological study: 3 on aspirin monotherapy, aspirindipyridamole combination therapy, clopidogrel monotherapy and aspirinclopidogrel combination therapy, respectively. The PL-12 (‘mode 2’) was used to calculate the % maximum aggregation rate to fixed doses of arachidonic acid (%MARAA) and adenosine diphosphate (%MARADP). Samples were analysed every 15 minutes from 30-135 minutes, and every 30 minutes between 165-225 minutes after venepuncture to calculate the time interval providing optimal interassay Coefficients of Variation (CVs). Results: Mean CVs were ≤ 7.37% for the %MARAA assay in patients on aspirin monotherapy or combination therapy, and ≤ 10.24% for the %MARADP assay in patients on clopidogrel monotherapy or combination therapy if assays were performed between 90-120 minutes post-venepuncture. CVs ≤ 10% were also obtained from assays performed between 90-165 minutes postvenepuncture on aspirin monotherapy or combination therapy. Discussion: Reliable and reproducible platelet function/reactivity data can be obtained with the AGGRESTAR PL-12 analyser in non-Chinese CVD patients on commonly-prescribed antiplatelet monotherapy or combination therapy regimens between 90-120 minutes post-venepuncture.

MRI-visible perivascular space volumes, sleep duration and daytime dysfunction in adults with cerebrovascular disease

ObjectivesRecent studies suggest that interindividual genetic differences in glial-dependent CSF flow through the brain parenchyma, known as glymphatic flow, may trigger compensatory changes in human sleep physiology. In animal models, brain perivascular spaces are a critical conduit for glymphatic flow. We tested the hypothesis that MRI-visible PVS volumes, a putative marker of perivascular dysfunction, are associated with compensatory differences in real-world human sleep behavior. MethodsWe analyzed data from 152 cerebrovascular disease patients from the Ontario Neurodegenerative Disease Research Initiative (ONDRI). PVS volumes were measured using 3T-MRI. Self-reported total sleep time, time in bed, and daytime dysfunction were extracted from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. ResultsIndividuals with greater PVS volumes reported longer time in bed (+0.85 h per log10 proportion of intracranial volume (ICV) occupied by PVS, SE = 0.30, p = 0.006) and longer total sleep times (+0.70 h per log10 proportion of ICV occupied by PVS volume, SE = 0.33, p = 0.04), independent of vascular risk factors, sleep apnea, nocturnal sleep disturbance, depression, and global cognitive status. Further analyses suggested that the positive association between PVS volumes and total sleep time was mediated by greater time in bed. Moreover, despite having on average greater total sleep times, individuals with greater basal ganglia PVS volumes were more likely to report daytime dysfunction (OR 5.63 per log10 proportion of ICV occupied by PVS, 95% CI: 1.38–22.26, p = 0.018). ConclusionsIndividuals with greater PVS volumes spend more time in bed, resulting in greater total sleep time, which may represent a behavioral compensatory response to perivascular space dysfunction.

Clinical and Radiological Characteristics of Acute Cerebrovascular Diseases Among Egyptian Patients With COVID-19 in Upper Egypt

Background and Purpose: There is little information on the acute cerebrovascular complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Egypt. The aim of this study was to estimate the proportion of acute cerebrovascular disease (CVD) among COVID-19 patients and evaluate their clinical and radiological characteristics in comparison with non-COVID-19 CVD.Materials and Methods: In a retrospective study, COVID-19 patients whom presented with CVD in Assiut and Aswan University Hospitals were compared with non-COVID-19, CVD patients, admitted to Qena University Hospital, prior to the pandemic. The following data were collected: clinical history and presentation, risk factors, comorbidities, brain imaging (MRI or CT), chest CT, and some laboratory investigations.Results: Fifty-five (12.5%) of the 439 patients with COVID-19 had acute CVD. Of them, 42 (9.6%) had ischemic stroke while 13 patients (2.9%) had hemorrhagic CVD. In the 250 cases of the non-COVID-19 group, 180 had ischemic stroke and 70 had hemorrhagic stroke. A large proportion of patients with COVID-19 who presented with ischemic stroke had large vessel occlusion (LVO), which was significantly higher than in non-COVID-19 patients with CVD (40 vs. 7.2%, P < 0.001). Comorbidities were recorded in 44 (80%) cases. In COVID-19 ischemic stroke patients, risk factors [hypertension and ischemic heart disease (IHD)] and comorbidities (hepatic and renal) were significantly higher than those in non–COVID-19 patients. In addition, 23.5% had hemorrhagic CVD, and six patients with LVO developed hemorrhagic transformation.Conclusion: Acute CVD among patients with COVID-19 was common in our study. LVO was the commonest. Hypertension, IHD, and anemia are the most common risk factors and could contribute to the worsening of clinical presentation. Comorbidities were common among patients with CVD, although a large number had elevated liver enzymes and creatinine that were partially due to COVID-19 infection itself. The current results begin to characterize the spectrum of CVD associated with COVID-19 in patients in Upper Egypt.Registration ID: The ID number of this study is IRB no: 17300470.

Are Women Underrepresented in Cerebrovascular Disease Clinical Trials? A Systematic Review using the FDA Database

Background and purpose: Clinical trials provide essential evidence in the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug approval process. Women were underrepresented in the enrollment of clinical trials for many medical conditions other than Cerebrovascular Disease (CVD). We investigated women’s participation in FDA-registered CVD-related interventional clinical trials and assessed whether women CVD patients in the United States were underrepresented. We also evaluated the association between the underrepresentation and the features of design and operation among these trials. Methods: We systematically reviewed the phase 2 and 3 CVD-related interventional trials started in 2002–2017 in the FDA database. The proportions of women enrolled in these trials and the Proportion-to-Prevalence Ratios (PPRs), defined as the ratios of the proportions of women enrolled in these trials to the proportion of women prevalent among US CVD patients during the same period, were calculated and summarized by a meta-analysis approach. We used boosted regression tree, a machine learning model, to identify the determinants of women’s underrepresentation in CVD-related trials. Results: According to our selection criteria, we analyzed the data of 145 CVD-related trials, among which 40.9% (95% CI: 38.3%–43.5%) of the patients enrolled were women. Their PPR was estimated to be 0.843 (95% CI: 0.796–0.890). We found that four factors substantially influenced women’s underrepresentation in these trials: The number of enrollment sites, the starting year, randomization, and academic institution sponsorship. Conclusions: Generally, women with CVD in the United States were underrepresented in FDA registered trials started in 2002–2017. In addition, trials with greater numbers of enrollment sites, randomization, and non-academically sponsored trials had a higher risk of underrepresenting women with CVD in the United States. Investigators should take these factors into consideration in clinical trial design in the future, by either increasing women’s participation or stratifying the enrollment by gender.