Excess Stroke Research Articles

Stroke Mortality and Race: Does Access to Care Influence Outcomes?

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. We investigated racial differences in death after hospital discharge for ischemic stroke in a large cohort of Veterans Health Affairs (VHA) stroke patients. We hypothesized that having access to VA care would ameliorate the excess stroke mortality rates in African-Americans (AA) reported in non-VA studies. Hospital administrative data were used to identify all patients discharged from any VA hospital between October 1990 and September 1997 with a primary discharge diagnosis of ischemic stroke (ICD-9-CM codes 434 and 436). We obtained demographic data and clinical data recorded during the index hospitalization and after discharge, including deaths, from VA clinical and administrative databases. The Charlson comorbidity index was constructed for each patient from the index admission's discharge diagnoses. Patients were followed through 1998. Of 55,094 VHA stroke patients discharged after ischemic strokes, 34,579 (63%) were white and 11,530 (21%) were AA. Charlson index was similar between the groups. One-year mortality rate was significantly higher for whites: Adjusting for demographic and clinical differences, being white remained predictive of higher mortality rates (multivariable hazard ratio, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.10). From Kaplan-Meier estimates, the probability that whites would survive for 1 year was 0.86 compared with 0.87 for AA. Despite having similar severity of illness and adjusting for other clinical differences, mortality rate was marginally lower in AA after being discharged from VA hospitals after ischemic strokes. This is contrary to prior reports from non-VA hospitals and suggests the possibility of access to care playing a role in stroke deaths.

Ethnicity and cardiovascular disease prevention in the United Kingdom: a practical approach to management

The United Kingdom is a diverse society with 7.9% of the population from black and minority ethnic groups (BMEGs). The causes of the excess cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke morbidity and mortality in BMEGs are incompletely understood though socio-economic factors are important. However, the role of classical cardiovascular (CV) risk factors is clearly important despite the patterns of these risk factors varying significantly by ethnic group. Despite the major burden of CVD and stroke among BMEGs in the UK, the majority of the evidence on the management of such conditions has been based on predominantly white European populations. Moreover, the CV epidemiology of African Americans does not represent well the morbidity and mortality experience seen in black Africans and black Caribbeans, both in Britain and in their native African countries. In particular, atherosclerotic disease and coronary heart disease are still relatively rare in the latter groups. This is unlike the South Asian diaspora, who have prevalence rates of CVD in epidemic proportions both in the diaspora and on the subcontinent. As the BMEGs have been under-represented in research, a multitude of guidelines exists for the 'general population.' However, specific reference and recommendation on primary and secondary prevention guidelines in relation to ethnic groups is extremely limited. This document provides an overview of ethnicity and CVD in the United Kingdom, with management recommendations based on a roundtable discussion of a multidisciplinary ethnicity and CVD consensus group, all of whom have an academic interest and clinical practice in a multiethnic community.

The Unchanging Incidence and Case-Fatality of Stroke in the 1990s

Many advances were made in stroke prevention strategies during the 1990s, and yet temporal trends in stroke incidence and case-fatality have not been reported in the United States. Blacks have a 2-fold higher risk of stroke; however, there are no data over time showing if any progress has been made in reducing racial disparity in stroke incidence. The objective of this study was to examine temporal trends in stroke incidence and case-fatality within a large, biracial population during the 1990s. Within a biracial population of 1.3 million, all strokes were ascertained at all local hospitals using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision codes during July 1993 to June 1994 and again in 1999. A sampling scheme was used to ascertain cases in the out-of-hospital setting. Race-specific incidence and case-fatality rates were calculated and standardized to the 2000 US Census population. A population-based telephone survey regarding stroke risk factor prevalence and medication use was performed in 1995 and 2000. There were 1954 first-ever strokes in 1993-1994 and 2063 first-ever strokes in 1999. The annual incidence of first-ever hospitalized stroke did not significantly change between study periods: 158 per 100,000 in both 1993-1994 and 1999 (P=0.97). Blacks continue to have higher stroke incidence than whites, especially in the young; however, case-fatality rates continue to be similar between races and are not changing over time. Medication use for treatment of stroke risk factors significantly increased in the general population between study periods. Despite advances in stroke prevention treatments during the 1990s, the incidence of hospitalized stroke did not decrease within our population. Case-fatality also did not change between study periods. Excess stroke mortality rates seen in blacks nationally are likely the result of excess stroke incidence and not case-fatality, and the racial disparity in stroke incidence did not change over time.

Letter Regarding Article by Markus et al, “Dual Antiplatelet Therapy With Clopidogrel and Aspirin in Symptomatic Cardiac Stenosis Evaluated Using Doppler Embolic Signal Detection: The Clopidogrel and Aspirin for Reducton of Emboli in Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis (CARESS) Trial”

Letter Regarding Article by Markus et al, “Dual Antiplatelet Therapy With Clopidogrel and Aspirin in Symptomatic Cardiac Stenosis Evaluated Using Doppler Embolic Signal Detection: The Clopidogrel and Aspirin for Reducton of Emboli in Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis (CARESS) Trial”

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and anemia among participants in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Cohort Study: Baseline results

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and anemia among participants in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Cohort Study: Baseline results

The Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Study: Objectives and Design

The REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study is a national, population-based, longitudinal study of 30,000 African-American and white adults aged ≧45 years. The objective is to determine the causes for the excess stroke mortality in the Southeastern US and among African-Americans. Participants are randomly sampled with recruitment by mail then telephone, where data on stroke risk factors, sociodemographic, lifestyle, and psychosocial characteristics are collected. Written informed consent, physical and physiological measures, and fasting samples are collected during a subsequent in-home visit. Participants are followed via telephone at 6-month intervals for identification of stroke events. The novel aspects of the REGARDS study allow for the creation of a national cohort to address geographic and ethnic differences in stroke.

Chagasic Cardiomyopathy Is Independently Associated With Ischemic Stroke in Chagas Disease

Chagasic cardiomyopathy is independently associated with ischemic stroke in Chagas disease. American trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease (CD), is a major public health problem in South America. We sought to evaluate prevalence of vascular risk factors for stroke in patients with stroke caused by CD. Ninety-four consecutive CD stroke patients and 150 consecutive nonchagasic stroke patients were studied. CD was confirmed when both immunofluorescence and hemagglutination serology were positive. Data collected included age, sex, vascular risk factors, diagnostic stroke subtype (TOAST classification), and echocardiography findings. Fasting plasma levels of protein C, protein S, antithrombin III, homocysteine, activated protein C resistance, IgG anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant, and genetic tests for the factor V Leiden and the C677T methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene mutation were determined. CD patients had a mean age of 56.31 years compared with 61.59 years for non-CD stroke patients (P=0.0002). Cardioembolism occurred in 56.38% of CD stroke patients compared with 9.33% in controls (P=0.000), whereas atherothrombotic strokes occurred in 8.51% of CD strokes versus 20% in controls (P=0.016), and small-vessel stroke in 9.57% of CD stroke patients versus 34.67% in controls (P=0.000). Apical aneurysm (37.23% versus 0.67%; OR, 88.39), left ventricular dilatation (23.4% versus 5.33%; OR, 5.42), mural thrombus (11.7 versus 2%; OR, 6.49) and abnormal electrocardiography (ECG) (66% versus 23.33%; OR, 2.87) were significantly higher in the group of chagasic stroke patients. No statistical differences were observed in thrombophilia between both groups. The significant variables that predicted CD stroke patients on a stepwise logistical regression model were apical aneurysm, cardiac insufficiency, ECG arrhythmia, female gender, and hypertension. Chagasic cardiomyopathy is independently associated with ischemic stroke, whereas hypercoagulable states do not appear to be major contributors to the excess stroke risk seen in patients with CD.

Body Fat Distribution and Long-Term Risk of Stroke Mortality

Excess weight is an important determinant of cardiovascular disease, but the relationship between excess weight, its distribution, and stroke is yet unclear. We examined in a large prospective cohort study the association between body fat distribution and stroke mortality among middle-aged men. A cohort of male civil servants and municipal employees free of cardiovascular disease in Israel (n=9151) were followed up for mortality over 23 years. The subscapular skinfold (SSF) was used as a measure of trunk and overall obesity and the ratio of subscapular to triceps skinfold thickness (SFR) as an indicator of trunk versus peripheral distribution of body fat. During the follow-up period, 316 died of stroke, and 865 died of coronary heart disease. The estimated age-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for stroke mortality, associated with 1 SD increment of SSF, was 1.12 (95% CI, 1.01 to 1.25) and for body mass index, 1.17 (1.06 to 1.30), but these associations were markedly weakened when adjusting for blood pressure. SFR was associated with an age-adjusted HR for stroke mortality of 1.14 (1.03 to 1.26). Further adjusting for systolic blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, and socioeconomic status (HR, 1.11; 1.01 to 1.23) as well as body mass index (HR, 1.11; 1.00 to 1.23) only mildly attenuated this association. Subjects with SFR in the upper quartile exhibited a approximately 1.5-fold higher adjusted HR (1.53; 1.10 to 2.12) compared with the lowest quartile. Indices of body fat and body fat distribution predict long-term stroke and coronary heart disease mortality among middle-aged men. SFR, an indicator of trunk versus peripheral distribution of body fat, is associated with stroke mortality, independent of main mediators of the effect of obesity on health and of body mass index.

Prior Hospitalization for Epilepsy, Diabetes, and Stroke and Subsequent Glioma and Meningioma Risk

We conducted a case-control study to evaluate the preclinical association between epilepsy, diabetes, and stroke and primary adult brain tumors. We first identified all 1,501 low-grade glioma, 4,587 high-grade glioma (HGG), and 4,193 meningioma cases reported to the Swedish Cancer Registry from 1987 to 1999. Next, controls (137,485) were randomly selected from the continuously updated Swedish Population Registry and matched to cases diagnosed that year on age and sex. Finally, cases and controls were linked to the Swedish Hospital Discharge Registry (1969-1999). We found that > or =8 years before HGG diagnosis (or control reference year) there was an elevated risk of HGG among people discharged with epilepsy [odds ratio (OR), 3.01; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.73-5.22]. Two to 3 years before HGG diagnosis, this risk increased (OR, 5.33; 95% CI, 3.58-7.93) and was especially strong among people ages <55 years (OR, 13.49; 95% CI, 6.99-25.94). During this 2- to 3-year prediagnostic period, we also found an increased risk of HGG among people discharged with meningitis (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.06-8.59) or viral encephalitis (OR, 12.64; 95% CI, 2.24-71.24). Results are similar for glioblastoma multiforme, low-grade glioma, and meningioma. In contrast, risk of HGG among people discharged with diabetes or stroke does not increase until year of brain tumor diagnosis. The occurrence of excess epilepsy > or =8 years before HGG diagnosis suggests a relatively long preclinical phase, but excess diabetes or stroke appear late in HGG development.

TIA incidence and prevalence: the Stroke Belt perspective.

A 12-state area in the southeastern United States (figure) has been dubbed the “stroke belt” because there is excess stroke mortality in this region for both black and white Americans.1 There is heterogeneity of stroke mortality in this geographic area, with the highest rates being reported in a 153-county area of the coastal plain states of Georgia and the Carolinas. The precise reason for this excess has been a topic of debate and controversy.2 More recently, it has been observed that the stroke belt may be breaking up as excess rates of stroke mortality spread into the lower Mississippi Valley3 and possibly into the northwestern United States.4 This section of the supplement reviews the prevalence of TIA based on reports from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study5 and a study conducted in Evans County, Georgia.6 Figure. The “Stroke Belt” in the southeastern United States is composed of 11 states, part of another (southern Indiana*), and the District of Columbia. (Map/inset design and concept contributed by Michael McClain, Art Director, and Fred Balzac, Editor, of Chase Medical Communications, Wilton, CT, USA, based in part on a map provided by the National Stroke Association.) The ARIC Study is a prospective study of independent-living adults 45 to 64 years of age in Forsyth, North Carolina, Jackson, Mississippi, suburban …

The Confounding of Race and Geography: How Much of the Excess Stroke Mortality among African Americans Is Explained by Geography?

Introduction: The excess stroke mortality among African Americans and Southerners is well known. Because a higher proportion of the population living in the ‘Stroke Belt’ is African American, then a portion of the estimated excess risk of stroke death traditionally associated with African-American race may be attributable to geography (i.e., race and geography are ‘confounded’). In this paper we estimate the proportion of the excess stroke mortality among African Americans that is attributable to geography. Methods: The numbers of stroke deaths at the county level are available from the vital statistics system of the US. A total of 1,143 counties with a population of at least 500 whites and 500 African Americans were selected for these analyses. The black-to-white stroke mortality ratio was estimated with and without adjustment for county of residence for those aged 45–64 and for those aged 65 and over. The difference in the stroke mortality ratio before versus after adjustment for county provides an estimate of the proportion of the excess stroke mortality inappropriately attributed to race (that is in fact attributable to geographic region). Results: For ages 45–64, the black-to-white stroke mortality ratio was reduced from 3.41 to 3.04 for men, and from 2.82 to 2.60 for women, suggesting that between 10 and 15% of the excess mortality traditionally attributed to race is rather due to geography. Over the age of 65, the black-to-white stroke mortality ratio was reduced from 1.31 to 1.27 for men, and from 1.097 to 1.095 for women, suggesting that between 2 and 13% of the excess mortality attributed to black race is actually attributable to geography. The reductions of all the four age strata gender groups were highly significant. Discussion: These results suggest that a significant, although relatively small, proportion of the excess mortality traditionally attributed to race is rather a factor of geography.

Propensity case-matched analysis of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with atheromatous aortic disease

Objective Atheromatous aortic disease is a risk factor for excessive mortality and stroke in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Outcomes of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with severe atheromatous aortic disease were compared by propensity case-match methods. Methods Routine intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography identified 985 patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting with severe atheromatous disease in the aortic arch or ascending aorta. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 281 patients (28.5%). Propensity matched-pairs analysis was used to match patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 245) with patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass. Results Univariate analysis revealed decreased hospital mortality (16/245, 6.5% vs 28/245, 11.4%; P = .058) and stroke prevalence (4/245, 1.6% vs 14/245, 5.7%; P = .03) in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting compared with coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass. Freedom from any postoperative complication was higher in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting compared with coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass (226/245, 92.2% vs 196/245, 80.0%; P < .001). Multivariable analysis of preoperative risk factors showed that increased hospital mortality was associated with coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass (odds ratio = 2.7; P = .01), fewer grafts ( P = .05), acute myocardial infarction (odds ratio = 11.5; P < .001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (odds ratio = 2.4; P = .03), previous cardiac surgery (odds ratio = 10.2, P = .05), and peripheral vascular disease (odds ratio = 2.1; P = .05). Cardiopulmonary bypass was the only independent risk factor for stroke (odds ratio = 3.6, P = .03). At 36 months' follow-up, comparable survival was observed in the off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass groups (74% vs 72%). Multivariable analysis revealed that renal disease ( P < .001), advanced age ( P < .001), previous myocardial infarction ( P = .03), and lower number of grafts ( P = .02) were independent risks for late mortality. Conclusions Patients with severe atherosclerotic aortic disease who undergo off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting have a significantly lower prevalence of hospital mortality, perioperative stroke, and overall complications than matched patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass. Routine intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography identifies severe atheromatous aortic disease and directs the choice of surgical technique.

Risk of stroke in children: ethnic and gender disparities.

Using a California-wide hospital discharge database, the authors analyzed all first admissions for stroke in children 1 month through 19 years of age from 1991 through 2000. Incidence rates were estimated as the number of first hospitalizations divided by the person-years at risk; case fatality rates were based on in-hospital deaths. The authors identified 2,278 first admissions for childhood stroke, yielding an annual incidence rate of 2.3 per 100,000 children (1.2 for ischemic stroke, 1.1 for hemorrhagic stroke). Compared with whites, black children were at higher risk of stroke (for ischemic stroke, relative risk [RR] 2.59, 95% CI 2.17 to 3.09, p < 0.0001; subarachnoid hemorrhage [SAH], RR 1.59, CI 1.06 to 2.33, p = 0.02; intracerebral hemorrhage [ICH], RR 1.66, CI 1.23 to 2.13, p = 0.0001). Hispanics, however, had a lower risk of ischemic stroke (RR 0.70, CI 0.60 to 0.82, p < 0.0001) and ICH (RR 0.77, CI 0.64 to 0.93, p = 0.0004), whereas Asians had similar risks as whites. Boys were at higher risk for all stroke types than girls (ischemic stroke, RR 1.25, CI 1.11 to 1.40, p = 0.0002; SAH, RR 1.24, CI 1.00 to 1.53, p = 0.047; ICH, RR 1.34, CI 1.16 to 1.56, p = 0.0001). After eliminating cases with coexisting sickle cell disease, excess stroke risk persisted in blacks; after elimination of trauma, excess stroke risk persisted in boys. Case fatality rates were similar among different ethnic groups. Compared with girls, boys had a higher case fatality rate for ischemic stroke (17 vs 12%; p = 0.002) but not for ICH or SAH. Rates of hospitalization for stroke are higher among black children and boys; sickle cell disease and trauma do not fully account for these findings.

Ethnic differences in markers of thrombophilia: implications for the investigation of ischemic stroke in multiethnic populations: the South London Ethnicity and Stroke Study.

The role of hypercoagulable states in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke in black subjects is not known, and data on normal reference ranges in black populations are lacking. This study estimated ethnic-specific reference ranges in a community population to determine the prevalence of thrombophilic states in a multiethnic stroke population. Free protein S, protein C, antithrombin III, activated protein C resistance, IgG anticardiolipin antibodies, and lupus anticoagulant were determined in 130 consecutive ischemic stroke cases < or =65 years of age (50 black Caribbeans, 30 black Africans, 50 whites) and 130 community controls. Black African controls had significantly lower protein S (P<0.001) and protein C (P=0.049) and a trend toward lower antithrombin III (P=0.056) levels compared with white controls. Black Caribbean and African controls had higher diluted Russell's viper venom time ratios compared with whites (P=0.001, P<0.001). Using ethnic-specific reference ranges, 8 controls (6.3%) and 11 cases (8.5%) had thrombophilia abnormalities (odds ratio [OR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54 to 3.57; P=0.50). ORs were 0.96 (95% CI, 0.18 to 4.99; P=0.96) for whites, 1.57 (95% CI, 0.41 to 5.94; P=0.51) for black Caribbeans, and 2.07 (95% CI, 0.18 to 24.2; P=0.95) for black Africans. Failure to account for ethnic differences in the normal reference ranges for thrombophilia markers may lead to inappropriate diagnosis and investigation of hypercoagulable states in black individuals. Protein S and protein C deficiencies and lupus anticoagulant may contribute to stroke risk in a minority of black cases, but they are unlikely to be major contributors to the excess stroke risk seen in young individuals of African and African-Caribbean descent.

For severe carotid stenosis found on ultrasound, further arterial evaluation prior to carotid endarterectomy is unnecessary: the argument against.

Carotid endarterectomy reduces the risk of stroke in certain patients with recently symptomatic carotid stenosis1 and to a lesser extent inpatients with severe asymptomatic stenosis.2 Screening of patients for inclusion in the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was usually performed with Doppler ultrasound (DU), but conventional arterial angiography (CAA) was required prior to randomization in the RCTs in symptomatic stenosis1 and prior to surgery in ACAS.2 However, CAA is costly, time-consuming, and can cause stroke. A systematic review of prospective studies of the risks of CAA inpatients with cerebrovascular disease reported a 0.1% risk of death and a 1.0% risk of permanent neurological sequelae.3 More recent studies have reported lower risks in both academic centers and community hospitals,4 but many centers have already adopted a policy of operating on the basis of DU alone.5 The main advantage of DU over CAA is the absence of a procedural risk. However, it should be noted that most studies of the risk of CAA classified all strokes that occurred within 24 hours of CAA as procedural complications. Given that the risk of stroke shortly after presentation with symptomatic carotid stenosis and …

Development of Extrusion-Burring Process for Plate Forming.

A new forming process, extrusion-burring process is proposed to produce the parts with a flange from a thick plate. The feature of the newly devised extrusion-burring process has been investigated in detail by FEM analysis and verified by a series of experiments with the aluminum plate. In the extrusion-burring process, a drawn cup is extruded by pushing its wall downwards and the extruded material flows into the flange portion. With increasing extrusion stroke the material of the flange portion gets thick and high. By increasing extrusion stroke, the flange height after burring process increase successfully. However, an excessive extrusion stroke results in the fracture at the base of the flange portion, because the burring process is very similar to the ironing process.

Endarterectomy VS Stent Angioplasty: What is the Optimal Treatment of Carotid Stenosis?

Very few operations have been subject to more scientific scrutiny than carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Since its introduction in the 1950s, CEAs have been performed in great numbers with the goal of preventing ischemic stroke. In the mid 1980s concern about over utilization of CEA and reports of excessive perioperative stroke morbidity and mortality prompted the initiation of several multicenter, randomized trials designed to evaluate the efficacy of CEA. As the results of these trials became available, the number and frequency of CEA in the United States increased significantly. However, now a new wave of uncertainty has arisen related to the availability of an alternative to CEA, carotid angioplasty and stent (CAS). Now, more than ever, there is uncertainty as to the proper management of carotid artery stenosis. In this review we summarize the existing data regarding the efficacy of CEA and compare these data to a critical analysis of the recent results of CAS.

Endarterectomy vs stent angioplasty: what is the optimal treatment of carotid stenosis?

Very few operations have been subject to more scientific scrutiny than carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Since its introduction in the 1950s, CEAs have been performed in great numbers with the goal of preventing ischemic stroke. In the mid 1980s concern about over utilization of CEA and reports of excessive perioperative stroke morbidity and mortality prompted the initiation of several multicenter, randomized trials designed to evaluate the efficacy of CEA. As the results of these trials became available, the number and frequency of CEA in the United States increased significantly. However, now a new wave of uncertainty has arisen related to the availability of an alternative to CEA, carotid angioplasty and stent (CAS). Now, more than ever, there is uncertainty as to the proper management of carotid artery stenosis. In this review we summarize the existing data regarding the efficacy of CEA and compare these data to a critical analysis of the recent results of CAS.

Dentistry's role in the diagnosis and co-management of patients with sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome.

The sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (SAHS) is characterized by repeated upper airway narrowing or collapse during sleep. The obstruction is caused by the soft palate and/or base of tongue collapsing against the pharyngeal walls because of decreased muscle tone. These episodes are accompanied by hypoxaemia, surges in blood pressure, brief arousal from sleep and pronounced snoring. Individuals with occult disease are at heightened risk of motorway accidents because of excessive sleepiness, sustained hypertension, myocardial infarction, and stroke. The signs and symptoms of SAHS may be recognisable in the dental practice. Common findings in the medical history include daytime sleepiness, snoring, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Common clinical findings include male gender, obesity, increased neck circumference, excessive fat deposition in the palate, tongue (macroglossia) and pharynx, a long soft palate, a small recessive mandible and maxilla, and calcified carotid artery atheromas on panoramic and lateral cephalometric radiographs. Dentists who recognise these signs and symptoms have an opportunity to diagnose patients with occult SAHS. After confirmation of the diagnosis by a physician, dentists can participate in the management of the disorder by fabricating mandibular advancement appliances that enlarge the retroglossal space by anterior displacement of the tongue and performing corrective upper airway surgery that prevents recurrent airway obstruction.

Age-Specific Excess Deaths Associated With Stroke Among Racial/Ethnic Minority Populations--United States, 1997

Stroke was the third leading cause of death in the United States in 1997. During 1950-1996, age-standardized stroke death rates declined 70% for the entire U.S. population; however, the decline varied among racial/ethnic populations. The estimated number of stroke deaths by race/ethnicity and age illustrate the differences in stroke mortality that may be used to direct prevention efforts. This report presents an analysis of stroke mortality by age and racial/ethnic group; the findings indicate that for persons aged 35-64 years, excess stroke deaths and higher risk for stroke mortality occurred among members of U.S. racial/ethnic minority populations than among the non-Hispanic white population.