Cerebrovascular Infarction Research Articles

A prospective, randomized, controlled, interventional clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the medical monopoint reperfusion system for aspiration thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke patients (SUMMIT MAX): Trial rationale and design.

Treatment of large vessel occlusion (LVO) using mechanical thrombectomy with or without intravenous thrombolysis has demonstrated better outcomes compared to medical treatment alone. Large-bore aspiration catheters have been recently introduced. Their effectiveness and safety have not been demonstrated in a randomized trial. The SUMMIT MAX study is designed to address this question. SUMMIT MAX is a randomized controlled trial where the effectiveness and safety of the large-bore Monopoint Reperfusion system (Route 92 Medical, San Mateo, CA), will be compared to the currently largest available FDA-cleared aspiration thrombectomy device the AXS Vecta Aspiration system (Stryker Neurovascular, Fremont, CA). The study is a multi-center, prospective, randomized, controlled, interventional, open label clinical trial. The hypothesis is that the effectiveness measured by the recanalization rate (modified thrombolysis in cerebrovascular infarction - mTICI) and safety measured by symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rate (sICH) of the medical monopoint reperfusion system is non-inferior to the AXS Vecta Aspiration system. Up to 250 subjects are enrolled with at least 50% of subjects enrolled by US sites. The primary effectiveness endpoint is successful arterial revascularization defined as an mTICI score ≥ 2b after use of the assigned device adjudicated by an independent core lab. The primary safety endpoint is defined as sICH within 24 h (-8/+24) post-procedure. Secondary endpoints include successful arterial revascularization defined as a mTICI score ≥ 2b after use of the assigned device with or without adjunctive therapy; device-related serious adverse events; all asymptomatic hemorrhages; time from groin puncture to final angiogram; and rate of first pass effect defined as mTICI 2b after first pass with the assigned device stratified by age (≤85, ≥ 86). SUMMIT MAX is a randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness and safety of a new large bore class of aspiration devices to the currently largest FDA-cleared aspiration device available.

Formation of pulmonary vein stump thrombus after anatomical lung resection and anticoagulant therapy.

It has recently been suggested that the formation of pulmonary vein stump thrombus (PVST) after anatomical lung resection is an underlying cause of arterial thromboembolism including cerebrovascular infarction. This study aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors of PVST and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anticoagulant therapy for PVST. Patients who underwent anatomical lung resection for malignant lung tumors were eligible for inclusion in this study. Chest contrast-enhanced (CE) computed tomography (CT) was performed after surgery to detect PVST. If PVST was observed, patients received anticoagulant therapy. The size of the PVST was followed-up by repeated chest CE-CT. In total, 176 patients were enrolled in this study. Chest CE-CT was performed on postoperative day 1-13 (median, postoperative day 6). PVST was detected in 22 (12.5%) patients. The median size of PVST was 9.5 (4.1-33.4) mm. Thrombus was most commonly observed in patients who underwent left upper lobectomy (9/36, 25.0%). Hypertension, dyslipidemia, arteriosclerosis, and arrhythmia were not associated with PVST formation. Anticoagulant therapy was administered to all 22 patients with PVST until the PVST disappeared. The median duration between the detection and disappearance of PVST was 77days (range: 6-146days). During the period between the detection and disappearance of PVST, cerebrovascular infarction or arterial thromboembolic events were not observed. Postoperative PVST is commonly observed, especially in patients who undergo left upper lobectomy. Anticoagulant therapy for PVST was safely introduced and was efficient to improve PVST without subsequent arterial thromboembolic events.

Early administration of ketorolac after cardiac surgery and postoperative complications: Analysis of the MIMIC-IV database.

Inflammation may contribute to postoperative cardiac complications and ketorolac, an anti-inflammatory agent inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX), shows promise in enhancing cardiac graft patency by suppressing endothelial cell proliferation in animal studies. However, the safety of postoperative ketorolac use remains controversial. This study investigates the association between early ketorolac application and complications following cardiac surgery. Data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV (MIMIC-IV) database fueled this retrospective cohort study. The primary outcome is a composite of mortality, pulmonary insufficiency, severe acute kidney injury (AKI), hemorrhage or hematoma, infection, cardiogenic shock, and cerebrovascular infarction postcardiac surgery. Propensity score matching (PSM; 1:1 match, caliper 0.2), multivariate logistic regression, interaction stratification analysis, pairwise algorithmic, and overlap weight model analyses were employed. Following inclusion and exclusion criteria, 7143 patients who underwent valvular surgery or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were included. PSM created a balanced cohort of 3270 individuals (1635 in the ketorolac group). The matched cohort exhibited an 8.1% overall rate of postoperative complications, with a lower composite outcome rate in patients receiving ketorolac within 48 h of surgery compared with those without (PSM, OR 0.70 [95% CI, 0.54-0.90]). Consistent associations were observed in total cohort analyses, sensitivity, and subgroup analyses. Early ketorolac use within 48 h post-CABG or valvular procedures in adults is independently associated with a lower incidence of composite postoperative adverse events. Prospective trials are warranted to assess causality.

Comparison of Outcomes of Edge-to-Edge Mitral Valve Repair Versus Surgical Mitral Valve Repair for Functional Mitral Regurgitation.

Patients affected by functional mitral regurgitationrepresent an increasingly high-risk population. Edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER) has emerged as a promising treatment option for these patients. However, there is limited research on the comparative outcomes of TEER versus surgical mitral valve repair (SMVr). This study seeks to compare the demographics, complications, and outcomes of TEER and SMVr based on a real-world analysis of the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. In theNIS database, from the years 2016 to 2018, a total of 6233 and 2524 patients who underwent SMVr and TEER were selected, respectively. The mean ages of the patients were 65.68 years (SMVr) and 78.40 years (TEER) (p < 0.01). The mortality rate of patients who received SMVr was similar to that of patients who were treated with TEER (1.7% vs. 1.9%, p = 0.603). Patients who underwent SMVr more likely suffered from perioperative complications including cardiogenic shock (2.3% vs. 0.4%, p < 0.001), cardiac arrest (1.7% vs. 1.1%, p = 0.025), and cerebrovascular infarction (0.9% vs. 0.4%, p = 0.013).The average length of hospital stay was longer (8.59 vs. 4.13 days, p < 0.001) for SMVr compared to TEER; however, the average cost of treatment was higher ($218 728.25 vs. $215 071.74, p = 0.031) for TEER compared to SMVr. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that SMVr was associated with worse adjusted cardiogenic shock (OR, 7.347 [95%CI,3.574-15.105]; p < 0.01) and acute kidney injury (OR, 2.793 [95%CI,2.356-3.311]; p < 0.01). Patients who underwent TEER demonstrated a notable decrease in postoperative complications and a shorter hospitalization period when compared to those who underwent SMVr.

Disparities of Mortality Trends Due to Cerebrovascular Diseases and Cerebrovascular Infarction in the United States

Background Cerebrovascular diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Understanding demographic differences in mortality rate trends can raise awareness of demographic disparities. We sought to investigate age‐adjusted mortality trends due to cerebrovascular diseases and ischemic stroke for demographic disparities in trend from 1999 to 2020. Methods We used the publicly accessible Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide‐Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database to gather mortality data to determine trends in cerebrovascular diseases and cerebral infarction mortality in the United States from 1999 to 2020. Using the Joinpoint program, temporal trends for cerebrovascular diseases and cerebral infarction mortality were calculated for each demographic group and reported as both annual percentage changes (APCs) or average APC from 1999 to 2020. In addition, trends were compared between groups for significant differences. Results We found an overall decrease in mortality rate for cerebrovascular diseases with average APC −1.9%. In 2020, age‐adjusted mortality rates due to cerebrovascular diseases in the Black population was 1031 per 1 000 000 compared with 679 in the White population. Similarly in 2020, cerebral infarction for the Black population had an age‐adjusted mortality rate of 256.3 compared with the White population's 170.4. When assessing overall trends by race and ethnic group: American Indian/Alaska Native had average APC −2.5%, Asian Pacific Americans had 2.4%, White population had −1.9%, and the Black population had −1.8%. We found a statistically significant difference in trend of decline between the Black and White population cerebrovascular diseases age‐adjusted mortality rates. No significant average APCs were found for cerebral infarction. The results of this study showcase disparities in cerebrovascular diseases mortality in the United States and where additional effort, research, and care should be focused. Conclusion The results of this study showcase disparities in mortality in the United States and where additional effort, research, and care should be focused.

Cerebrovascular Complications in Spinal Fusion Surgery: A Nationwide 8-year Follow-up Study in South Korea.

This retrospective study investigated the long-term incidence and risk of postoperative complications following spinal fusion. This study included 640,366 participants from a National Health Examination cohort in the Republic of Korea. Among them, 11,699 individuals underwent spinal fusion, and 56,667 individuals who underwent non-fusion spinal procedures served as controls. Propensity score matching was used to account for patient characteristics including demographic factors, comorbidities, and other relevant variables. The participants were followed for 8 years to assess the occurrence of cerebrovascular disease (CVD), hemorrhagic infarction (HA), ischemic infarction (II), occlusion and stenosis, and ischemic heart disease (IHD). The incidence rates of CVD and IHD were found to be 27.58 and 31.45 per 1,000 person-years in the spinal fusion group compared to 18.68 and 25.73 per 1,000 person-years in the control group (p < .001), respectively. Patients who underwent spinal fusion had a higher risk of CVD, HA, and IHD than those in the control group (all p < .001). In the subgroup analysis, thoracolumbar and noncervical spinal fusion were associated with a higher risk of CVD, II, and IHD (all p < .005). Patients undergoing thoracolumbar fusion may have an increased association with CVD, II in cerebral arteries, and IHD. This suggests a need for careful consideration of vascular risks in such patient populations.

Early Onset Severe Aortic Stenosis Presenting with Recurrent Ventricular and Supraventricular Arrhythmia and Postoperative Stroke in a 44-year-old Man with Uncontrolled Rheumatoid Arthritis

Calcific aortic stenosis is the most common aetiology of aortic stenosis and is mostly seen in older people. Systemic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), are rarely associated with aortic stenosis in the literature. Uncontrolled systemic inflammation related to RA may lead to postoperative complications but this is not well documented. The patient in this case report was a 44-year-old man who had been diagnosed with RA that had been poorly controlled. He had a 7-month history of heart failure symptoms attributed to severe calcific aortic stenosis. He underwent surgical aortic valve replacement, but developed an acute cerebrovascular infarct 2 hours after surgery and recurrent unstable ventricular tachycardia on the first postoperative day warranting 15 synchronised cardioversions. RA is a rare antecedent cause of severe calcific aortic stenosis especially in younger people. Such a valvular complication associated with acute ischaemic stroke and ventricular arrhythmia warrants further study to provide optimal medical management, especially for patients with RA and early cardiovascular complications.

Association of Cerebrovascular Imaging Biomarkers, Depression, and Anxiety, with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

The study included 1,738 Mayo Clinic Study of Aging participants (≥50 years old; 1,460 cognitively unimpaired and 278 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)) and examined the cross-sectional association between cerebrovascular (CVD) imaging biomarkers (e.g., white matter hyperintensities (WMH), infarctions) and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scores, as well as their association with MCI. High (abnormal) WMH burden was significantly associated with having BDI-II>13 and BAI > 7 scores, and both (CVD imaging biomarkers and depression/anxiety) were significantly associated with MCI when included simultaneously in the model, suggesting that both were independently associated with the odds of MCI.

Clinical outcomes of endovascular therapy in acute stroke patients with anterior circulation tandem occlusions due to atherosclerosis and dissection

Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of endovascular therapy in acute stroke patients with anterior circulation tandem occlusions caused by atherosclerosis or dissection. Methods: A retrospective cohort study. A total of 98 patients with anterior circulation tandem lesions undergoing endovascular therapy in the Wuhan NO.1 Hospital (March 2016 to March 2022) were analyzed. Median age was 64(55,71) years old, and 82.7% (81/98 cases) were males. According to the lesion etiology, the patients were divided into atherosclerosis and dissection groups. The differences in clinical outcomes between the two groups were investigated, including favorable 90-day functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2), successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebrovascular Infarction score of 2b-3), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, stroke-associated pneumonia, 90-day all-cause mortality, and average hospitalization days. Logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for potential confounders affecting functional outcomes in both groups, and to determine odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: Seventy-one patients were grouped into the atherosclerotic cause and 27 into the dissection cause cohorts. The rate of favorable 90-day functional outcome was 43.7% (31/71 cases) in the atherosclerosis group versus 55.6% (15/27 cases) in the dissection group (adjusted odds ratio=1.339; 95% confidence interval, 0.374-4.798; P=0.654). No significant differences were found in other clinical outcomes between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion: The clinical prognosis of patients with tandem lesions caused by atherosclerotic stenosis or artery dissection was similar after endovascular therapy. Future studies are still needed to verify our results.

Human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells therapy for cerebral infarction in animal model: A meta-analysis

Aim: Cerebral infarction (CI) is a serious cerebrovascular infarction disease. In recent years, the use of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) has received attention as a new alternative for treating CI in animal model. This systematic review evaluated the efficacy and safety of hUCB-MSCs, using as a treatment in improving functional recovery of CI in animal model. Methods: Electronic databases through July 5, 2023 were searched to identify relevant studies that controlled hUCB-MSCs treatment studies focusing on CI in animal model. We independently selected and assessed the relevant studies. Results: 27 studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included. Compared with control group, significant beneficial effects were observed in hUCB-MSCs group regarding the neurological deficit scores (mean difference [MD]: −1.57, 95% confidential interval [CI]: −2.06, −1.08, P&lt;0.00001), infarct size (MD: −2.82, 95% CI: −4.14, −1.49, P&lt;0.0001).

Safety of BA.4-5 or BA.1 bivalent mRNA booster vaccines: nationwide cohort study

ObjectiveTo examine the association between the omicron adapted bivalent mRNA covid-19 booster vaccines received as a fourth dose and risk of adverse events.DesignNationwide cohort study.SettingDenmark.Participants2 225 567 adults aged ≥50...

Hypotension prediction index guided versus conventional goal directed therapy to reduce intraoperative hypotension during thoracic surgery: a randomized trial

PurposeIntraoperative hypotension is linked to increased incidence of perioperative adverse events such as myocardial and cerebrovascular infarction and acute kidney injury. Hypotension prediction index (HPI) is a novel machine learning guided algorithm which can predict hypotensive events using high fidelity analysis of pulse-wave contour. Goal of this trial is to determine whether use of HPI can reduce the number and duration of hypotensive events in patients undergoing major thoracic procedures.MethodsThirty four patients undergoing esophageal or lung resection were randomized into 2 groups -“machine learning algorithm” (AcumenIQ) and “conventional pulse contour analysis” (Flotrac). Analyzed variables were occurrence, severity and duration of hypotensive events (defined as a period of at least one minute of MAP below 65 mmHg), hemodynamic parameters at 9 different timepoints interesting from a hemodynamics viewpoint and laboratory (serum lactate levels, arterial blood gas) and clinical outcomes (duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU and hospital stay, occurrence of adverse events and in-hospital and 28-day mortality).ResultsPatients in the AcumenIQ group had significantly lower area below the hypotensive threshold (AUT, 2 vs 16.7 mmHg x minutes) and time-weighted AUT (TWA, 0.01 vs 0.08 mmHg). Also, there were less patients with hypotensive events and cumulative duration of hypotension in the AcumenIQ group. No significant difference between groups was found in terms of laboratory and clinical outcomes.ConclusionsHemodynamic optimization guided by machine learning algorithm leads to a significant decrease in number and duration of hypotensive events compared to traditional goal directed therapy using pulse-contour analysis hemodynamic monitoring in patients undergoing major thoracic procedures. Further, larger studies are needed to determine true clinical utility of HPI guided hemodynamic monitoring.Trial registrationDate of first registration: 14/11/2022Registration number: 04729481-3a96-4763-a9d5-23fc45fb722d

Evaluation of calculation processes of apparent diffusion coefficient subtraction method (ASM) imaging.

A number of restricted diffusion (RD) imaging techniques, such as diffusion kurtosis (DK) imaging and Q space imaging, have been developed and proven to be useful for the diagnosis of diseases, including cerebral gliomas and cerebrovascular infarction. In particular, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) subtraction method (ASM) imaging has become available recently as a novel RD imaging technique. ASM is based on the difference between the ADC values in an image pair of two ADC maps, ADC basic (ADCb) and ADC modify (ADCm), which are created from diffusion-weighted images taken using short and long effective diffusion times, respectively. The present study aimed to assess the potential of different types of ASM imaging by comparing them with DK imaging which is the gold-standard RD imaging technique. In the present basic study using both polyethylene glycol phantom and cell-containing bio-phantom, three different types of ASM images were created using different calculation processes. ASM/A is an image calculated by dividing the absolute difference between ADCb and ADCm by ADCb several times. By contrast, ASM/S is an image created by dividing the absolute difference between ADCb and ADCm by the standard deviation of ADCb several times. As for positive ASM/A image (PASM/A), the positive image, which was resultant after subtracting ADCb from ADCm, was divided by ADCb several times. A comparison was made between the types of ASM and DK images. The results showed the same tendency between ASM/A in addition to both ASM/S and PASM/A. By increasing the number of divisions by ADCb from three to five times, ASM/A images transformed from DK-mimicking to more RD-sensitive images compared with DK images. These observations suggest that ASM/A images may prove useful for future clinical applications in RD imaging protocols for the diagnosis of diseases.

Abstract WP188: Relationships Of Hematocrit With Asymptomatic And Symptomatic Lacunar Ischemic Lesions

Introduction: Hematocrit at both low and high extremes can result in both hypoxia and thrombosis respectively. While both scenarios may predispose to ischemia, it is unclear whether hematocrit associates with small vessel cerebrovascular lacunar infarcts. Hypothesis: Hematocrit levels will associate with both asymptomatic and symptomatic cerebrovascular lacunar infarcts in stroke-free participants and ischemic stroke patients, respectively. Methods: A cross sectional observational analysis of a prospective, population-based cohort study of stroke-free, older adult (&gt;50) participants from the Northern Manhattan study (NOMAS) receiving baseline hematocrit testing and MRI between 2003-2008 were analyzed. A second, single center prospective cohort of admitted adult ischemic stroke patients receiving baseline hematocrit testing and MRI between 2005-2018 was evaluated. Associations of hematocrit with covert, asymptomatic chronic lacunar infarcts from stroke-free participants in NOMAS were assessed using general additive models after adjusting for relevant covariates. Separate analyses were performed to assess associations of hematocrit with symptomatic acute lacunar infarct stroke etiology using similar adjusted models for patients admitted and enrolled into the ischemic stroke registry. Results: Of 1218 NOMAS participants analyzed, 6% had covert chronic lacunar infarcts. The association between hematocrit and covert chronic lacunar infarcts was U-shaped (X2: 9.21; p-value: 0.03). In the 1489 patients from the ischemic stroke registry, 23% were identified to have symptomatic acute lacunar infarcts. Linear relationships were identified with higher hematocrit and symptomatic acute lacunar infarct etiology (adjusted coefficient beta: 0.020; standard error: 0.009; p=0.03). Conclusions: We identified relationships of hematocrit with both asymptomatic and symptomatic lacunar infarcts in both stroke-free and ischemic stroke cohorts, respectively. There may be a relevant role of red blood cell volumes with ischemic cerebral small vessel disease pathophysiology. However, further studies are required to clarify the mechanisms behind these relationships.

Abstract 24: Primary Results Of The Preset For Occlusive Stroke Treatment (prost) Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance: Clinical trials focusing on new mechanical thrombectomy (MT) technologies have been typically single-arm studies using historical comparison data to determine the safety and efficacy of the novel device. To date, there has not been a contemporaneous prospective, randomized, controlled study comparing standard to newer designed stent-retrievers. Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the pRESET (phenox Ltd) compared to the Solitaire (Medtronic Corp) thrombectomy devices in the treatment of large vessel occlusion strokes (LVOS). Methods: Multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint, core lab adjudicated, non-inferiority trial that enrolled 340 patients from October 2019 to February 2022 across 19 US &amp; 5 German sites. Patients aged ≥ 18 years with either anterior or posterior circulation LVOS were included up to 8 hours after symptom onset. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either pRESET or Solitaire for the first three device passes.The Primary Endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving a modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2, analyzed by intent to treat with a non-inferiority margin of 0.125 based on the lower bound 95% Confidence Interval. The Primary Safety Endpoint was the proportion of subjects with device- or procedure-related symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage at 24 (-8/+12) hours as per the SITS-MOST criteria. Secondary Outcome Measures included the rates of (1) Successful Revascularization (defined as expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebrovascular Infarction [eTICI] ≥2b50 ≤3 passes of the assigned device; (2) eTICI ≥2c following the first pass of the assigned device; (3) 90-day mortality and (4) Distribution of 90-day mRS across the entire spectrum of disability (ordinal shift). Results: The study database was locked in August 2022. The analysis is ongoing and the final results will be presented at the 2023 International Stroke Conference. Conclusions and Relevance: PROST is the first randomized clinical trial aiming to compare a novel versus an established stent-retriever technology, establishing a new scientific benchmark for stroke device trials. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03994822).

Spontaneous Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Presenting as Concomitant Bilateral Cerebrovascular Infarction and Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background: Spontaneous heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a pro-thrombotic syndrome in which anti-heparin antibodies develop without heparin exposure. Case presentation: A 78-year-old man who underwent a successful lumbar laminectomy presented to the hospital 5 days after discharge for stroke-like symptoms and was found to have acute infarcts of the bilateral frontal lobes. The patient was found to be severely thrombocytopenic and was incidentally found to have an inferior wall myocardial infarction. Further investigation led to the diagnosis of bilateral lower extremity deep vein thromboses. His overall clinical presentation prompted a detailed hematologic workup that indicated positivity for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia despite no previous exposure to heparin products. Conclusions: This case illustrates a patient with no prior lifetime heparin exposure who underwent laminectomy with subsequent development of acute infarcts of the bilateral frontal lobes, an inferior wall myocardial infarction, and bilateral lower extremity deep vein thromboses, with concern for sequelae of spontaneous heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

S3539 ANCA-Associated Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis With Mesenteric Involvement

Introduction: Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a usually self-limiting, idiopathic small-vessel vasculitis with cutaneous symptoms. Extracutaneous manifestations should raise suspicion for underlying autoimmune conditions such as ANCA-associated vasculitis, of which LCV may be the initial manifestation. Mesenteric involvement is uncommon and usually represents advanced disease. Delay in recognition of mesenteric vasculitis can lead to progression and perforation. We present a case of gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage caused by ANCA-associated LCV. Case Description/Methods: A 69-year-old male with a history of bilateral inguinal hernia repair was admitted for post-surgical groin wound infection. He was started on antibiotics and underwent mesh removal, washout, and debridement. He developed shock, renal failure, small vessel ischemic cerebrovascular infarction, and upper extremity papular eruptions. Work-up was notable for elevated inflammatory markers, decreased C3, negative ANA, positive C-ANCA and negative P-ANCA. He met Sapporo criteria for antiphospholipid syndrome given small vessel arterial thrombosis and positive lupus anticoagulant. Shave biopsy of skin lesions confirmed LCV. He was started on IV methylprednisolone and heparin infusion. He subsequently developed melena and anemia. EGD showed grade C esophagitis, gastropathy, and diffuse erosive duodenopathy (Figure). He was diagnosed with ANCA-associated LCV with mesenteric involvement. Bleeding resolved after holding heparin and treatment with pantoprazole. He was transitioned to prednisone and started on rituximab with significant improvement. Discussion: Though uncommon, mesenteric vasculitis merits consideration in patients with abdominal pain or GI bleeding and clinical evidence of systemic autoimmune disease. Symptoms arise from intestinal ischemia which can progress to infarction and perforation if untreated. Endoscopy should be pursued with great caution due to increased perforation risk. Histopathology of superficial mucosal biopsies usually shows mucosal damage but does not yield a definitive diagnosis. Classic endoscopic findings include mucosal pallor, edema, or necrosis dispersed between normal mucosa. Ulcers and bleeding can be seen in severe cases. Timely recognition of GI manifestations of ANCA-associated LCV and initiation of therapy are pivotal in ensuring reduction of morbidity, mortality, and the need for surgery. A high index of suspicion for infarction or perforation warrants early surgical intervention.Figure 1.: Endoscopic evidence of diffuse erosive duodenopathy interspersed between normal mucosa in the setting of mesenteric vasculitis.

TOO HOT TO GET DRESSED?

TOO HOT TO GET DRESSED?

This Month in Anesthesiology

This Month in Anesthesiology

Carotid Artery Stenosis and Progression of Hemispheric Brain Atrophy: The SMART-MR Study

Introduction: It has been hypothesized that carotid artery stenosis (CAS) may lead to greater atrophy of subserved brain regions; however, prospective studies on the impact of CAS on progression of hemispheric brain atrophy are lacking. We examined the association between CAS and progression of hemispheric brain atrophy. Methods: We included 654 patients (57 ± 9 years) of the SMART-MR study, a prospective cohort study of patients with manifest arterial disease. Patients had baseline CAS duplex measurements and a 1.5T brain MRI at baseline and after 4 years of follow-up. Mean change in hemispheric brain volumes (% of intracranial volume [ICV]) was estimated between baseline and follow-up for left-sided and right-sided CAS across three degrees of stenosis (mild [≤29%], moderate [30–69%], and severe [≥70%]), adjusting for demographics, cerebrovascular risk factors, and brain infarcts. Results: Mean decrease in left and right hemispheric brain volumes was 1.15% ICV and 0.82% ICV, respectively, over 4 years of follow-up. Severe right-sided CAS, compared to mild CAS, was associated with a greater decrease in volume of the left hemisphere (B = −0.49% ICV, 95% CI: −0.86 to −0.13) and more profoundly of the right hemisphere (B = −0.90% ICV, 95% CI: −1.27 to −0.54). This pattern was independent of cerebrovascular risk factors, brain infarcts, and white matter hyperintensities on MRI, and was also observed when accounting for the presence of severe bilateral CAS. Increasing degrees of left-sided CAS, however, was not associated with greater volume loss of the left or right hemisphere. Conclusions: Our data indicate that severe (≥70%) CAS could represent a risk factor for greater ipsilateral brain volume loss, independent of cerebrovascular risk factors, brain infarcts, or white matter hyperintensities on MRI. Further longitudinal studies in other cohorts are warranted to confirm this novel finding.