Stenosis Index Research Articles

The comparison of prednisolone and honey activities in the experimental corrosive esophagitis model

Aim: Honey is well known for its beneficial wound healing-related effects, including anti-edematous effects, stimulation of granulation tissue formation, chemical debridement, and immune system enhancement. In this experimental study, the effects of honey and prednisolone on stricture formation in sodium hydroxide-induced corrosive esophagitis were investigated.Methods: This study was carried out on Wistar albino rats weighing between 200-250 grams. Rats were divided into four equal groups. Corrosive esophagitis induced by 37.5% sodium hydroxide was formed in three groups. The first group received no specific treatment. The second group was treated with honey via the oral route, and the third group was treated by prednisolone intraperitoneally. The control group underwent a sham laparotomy. All subjects were sacrificed by the end of the 28th day. A 20-mm long segment of the distal esophagus was harvested for histopathological examination. The tissue damage scores and stenosis index scores of the groups were measured and compared.Results: A total of 32 rats were included in the study, with eight subjects in each group. The mean values of stenosis index score and tissue damage score were significantly lower in the honey-treated group (P=0.001).Conclusion: Oral honey treatment seems to reduce the severity of esophageal strictures associated with corrosive esophagitis, when compared to untreated and prednisolone-treated groups.

Abstract TP400: The Differences of Vessel Wall Features Between the Anterior and Posterior Brain Arteries Detected by High Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke

Backgrounds: The purpose of this study was to investigate vessel wall features visualization by high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) in a series of ischemic stroke patients and to identify differences between lesions in the anterior and posterior circulation. Methods: We consecutively recruited Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack from 2016 to 2018. All patients were scanned at 3T magnetic resonance imaging. We evaluated pre-and post-contrast cross-sectional views of M1 and M2 segments of middle cerebral arteries (MCAs), basilar arteries (BA) and V4 segments of vertebral arteries (VAs). Results: A total of 74 patients (males 52.3%; median age 62 years old) were included in this study, among which, 234 lesions were identified on HRMRI, including 117 MCA lesions, 26 BA lesions, and 91 VA lesions. The sensitivity and specificity of MRA for diagnosing stenosis in anterior circulation were 89.3% (95% CI, 81.8%- 94.2%) and 50.0 (95% CI, 9.2%- 90.8%). The sensitivity and specificity of MRA for diagnosing stenosis in posterior circulation were 73.2% (95% CI, 63.9%- 80.9%) and 40.0 (95% CI, 7.3%- 83.0%). VA had a significantly higher contrast enhancement index (43.71± 7.74, p <0.016) than MCA (23.32± 2.46) or BA (22.69± 5.31) . Anterior circulation plaques had higher degree of stenosis (anterior versus posterior: 68.5% vs. 62.9%, p =0.036), more eccentric distribution (anterior versus posterior: 70.1% versus 53.8%, p =0.015) and higher rate of intraplaque hemorrhage (anterior versus posterior: 17.1% versus 7.7%, p =0.046). The plaques in posterior circulation had a thicker lesion wall (posterior versus anterior 16.58± 8.25 mm 2 vs. 9.10± 4.07 mm 2 , p <0.001) and higher enhancement index (posterior versus anterior 39.04± 8.50 vs. 23.32± 2.46, p <0.001) than the plaques in anterior circulation. Conclusions: The lesions in posterior circulations could be obscure on MRA. The area stenosis, intraplaque hemorrhage and enhancement index differed between circulations.

Fractional Flow Reserve Evaluated as Metric of Coronary Stenosis - A Mathematical Model Study.

Introduction: Coronary arterial stenosis may impair myocardial perfusion with myocardial ischemia and associated morbidity and mortality as result. The myocardial fractional flow reserve (FFR) is clinically used as a stenosis-specific index.Aim: This study aims to identify the relation between the FFR and the degree of coronary arterial stenosis using a simple mathematical model of the coronary circulation.Methods: A mathematical model of the coronary circulation, including an arterial stenosis of variable degree, was developed. The relation between the FFR and the degree of stenosis (defined as the fractional cross sectional area narrowing) was investigated, including the influence of the aortic and venous pressures and the capillary resistance. An additional study concerning 22 patients with coronary artery disease permits comparison of clinical data and in silico findings.Results: The FFR shows an S-shaped relationship with the stenosis index. We found a marked influence of venous and aortic pressure and capillary resistance. The FFR is accompanied by a clinically relevant co-metric (FFRC), defined by the Pythagorean sum of the two pressures in the definition formula for FFR. In the patient group the FFRC is strongly related to the post-stenotic pressure (R = 0.91). The FFRC requires establishment of a validated cut-off point using future trials.Conclusion: The S-shaped dependence of FFR on the severity of the stenosis makes the FFR a measure of the ordinal scale. The marked influences of the aortic and venous pressures and the capillary resistance on the FFR will be interpreted as significant variations in intra- and inter-individual clinical findings. These fluctuations are partly connected to the neglect of considering the FFRC. At otherwise identical conditions the FFR as measured at baseline differs from the value obtained during hyperemic conditions. This expected observation requires further investigation, as the current hyperemia based evaluation fails to take advantage of available baseline data.

Association between serum non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and cognitive dysfunction after acute ischemic stroke: a cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to explore the association between serum non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and cognitive dysfunction risk in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This cross-sectional study enrolled 583 AIS patients. Biochemical markers and lipid profile were collected after admission. AIS patients were classified into high group (non-HDL-C ≥3.4 mM) and normal group (non-HDL-C <3.4 mM). Mini-Mental State Examination scale (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (MoCA), Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale, Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and Hamilton Depression scale 21 version (HAMD-21) were applied on the third day after admission. Compared with the control group, patients of the high group had higher body mass index and higher frequency of intracranial artery stenosis, and exhibited higher levels of non-HDL-C, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, homocysteine, fasting blood glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, patients of the high group had significantly lower MMSE and MoCA scores (MMSE: 26.01±4.17 vs 23.12±4.73, P<0.001; MoCA: 22.28±5.28 vs 20.25±5.87, P<0.001) and higher scores on the NPI and HAMD-21 (both P<0.001). MMSE (r=-0.306, P<0.001) and MoCA scores (r=-0.251, P<0.001) were negatively associated with non-HDL-C level. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that non-HDL-C level (OR=1.361, 95%CI: 1.059-1.729, P=0.016) was independently associated with the presence of cognitive dysfunction after adjusting for confounding factors. High serum non-HDL-C level might significantly increase the risk of cognitive dysfunction after AIS.

Minimally Invasive Decompression and Intracorporeal Bone Grafting Combined with Temporary Percutaneous Short-Segment Pedicle Screw Fixation for Treatment of Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture with Neurological Deficits

We evaluated the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures and neurological deficits treated with minimally invasive decompression and intracorporeal bone grafting combined with percutaneous short-segment stabilization. Patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures and neurological deficits underwent minimally invasive decompression and intracorporeal bone grafting combined with percutaneous short-segment stabilization. Instrumentation was removed approximately 1 year after vertebral fracture union. The clinical and radiographic outcomes were analyzed. The mean operative duration and intraoperative bleeding volume were 135 ± 63 minutes and 120 ± 200 mL, respectively. The average American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale scores had significantly improved at the final follow-up examination. The visual analog scale score had decreased from 7.8 ± 1.1 preoperatively to <2.9 ± 1.3 (P < 0.05) at 1 week postoperatively. The Oswestry disability index had decreased from 86.1 ± 8.8 preoperatively to 15.9 ± 6.4 (P < 0.05) at 1 year postoperatively. The canal stenosis index had improved from 43.4% ± 12.0% to 93.8% ± 4.8% (P < 0.05). The sagittal Cobb angle had been corrected from 17.8° ± 7.5° to 4.0° ± 1.9° (P < 0.05) and remained at 4.9° ± 2.0° (P > 0.05) at 1 year postoperatively. The sagittal index had been corrected from 16.6° ± 6.1° to 0.3° ± 4.6° (P < 0.05) and remained at 1.5°+ 4.5° (P > 0.05) at 1 year postoperatively. The anterior vertebral height had increased from 49.3% ± 11.1% to 97.6% ± 6.5% (P < 0.05) and remained at 95.7% ± 6.0% (P > 0.05) at 1 year postoperatively. After implant removal, the total kyphosis correction losses were 1.5° ± 0.8° for the Cobb angle, 2.0° ± 1.1° for the sagittal index, and 3.4% ± 2.1% for the anterior vertebral height. One pullout screw and one broken rod were found in 1 patient each. Minimally invasive decompression and intracorporeal bone grafting combined with percutaneous short-segment fixation yielded satisfactory results in decompression and immediate kyphosis correction. Additionally, this procedure resulted in maintenance of the vertebral height and prevented late correction loss after implant removal.

Intracranial venous sinus stenosis: hemodynamic assessment with two-dimensional parametric parenchymal blood flow software on digital subtraction angiography

ObjectiveIntracranial venous sinus stenosis (IVSS) is the most common finding associated with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. A pressure gradient >8–10 mm Hg across the stenosis is considered hemodynamically significant, and typically...

6115Influence of microvascular function and coronary flow in the diagnostic precision of resting full-cycle ratio

Abstract Introduction Resting full-cycle ratio (RFR) has been recently described as a non-hyperemic index of coronary stenosis with good concordance with Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR). However, there is no information concerning the influence of microvascular function and coronary flow on RFR results. Purpose To determine if the accuracy of this novel parameter might be influenced by changes in microvascular function. Methods 133 patients admitted in our center between July 2016 and December 2017 underwent coronary physiology study of an angiographically intermediate lesion. 67 subjects presented with AMI and an intermediate lesion in a non-culprit artery, and 66 subjects stable coronary disease. We performed FFR, Coronary Flow Reserve (CFR), Index of Microcirculatory Resistance (IMR) and Resistance Reserve Ratio (RRR) in all of them. We calculated RFR retrospectively from the pressure tracings. Results Coronary physiology parameters showed a non-normal distribution and are presented as median [IQR]: FFR 0.86 [0.79–0.92]; CFR 2.05 [1.4–2.95]; IMR 20.5 [14–32.55]; RRR 2.5 [1.85–3.63]; RFR 0.897 [0.83–0.94]. Patients with abnormal CFR displayed lower RFR values although FFR was not markedly affected (Table 1). These findings remained irrespective of the clinical scenario at presentation. 61 patients had a CFR lower than 2. Correlation between RFR and FFR was not significantly different in patients with abnormal CFR than in those with normal CFR (0,73 vs 0,88; p=0,067) (Figure 1); however, overall binary agreement between RFR and FFR was worse in patients with a low CFR (69% vs 83%; p=0,047). 48 patients had a high IMR (&gt;25). Linear correlation between RFR and FFR was similar in patients with high and normal IMR (0,81 vs 0,83; p=0,784); likewise, binary concordance showed no significant difference between both groups (77% vs 75%, p=0,78). The mean difference between RFR and FFR was 0,025. This was only influenced by CFR: patients with a low CFR had a smaller difference than those with a normal CFR (0,012 vs 0,035; p=0,019). Physiology parameters by CFR group Normal CFR (≥2) Low CFR (&lt;2) P-value FFR 0.88 [0.82–0.93] 0.84 [0.79–0.92] 0.14 RFR 0.91 [0.88–0.95] 0.86 [0.80–0.92] 0.0009 IMR 16.5 [13–27] 25 [16–45.5] 0.002 RRR 3.6 [2.7–4.9] 1.7 [1.3–2.1] &lt;0.0001 Physiological coronary parameters (Median [IQR]) according to CFR. Correlation between RFR and FFR by CFR Conclusion RFR has good overall correlation and concordance with FFR. However, RFR has a lower diagnostic accuracy in patients with a low CFR. Acknowledgement/Funding None

Carotid artery stenosis and ultrasound vascular indexes predict the coronary revascularization in patients with high cardiovascular risk scheduled for coronary angiography.

Carotid artery atherosclerosis is a complex and multifactorial chronic disease. We aimed to assess the predictive value of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, carotid artery stenosis (CAS), and ultrasound vascular indices for coronary revascularization in patients referred for coronary angiography. Patients scheduled for elective coronary angiography were enrolled. The following ultrasound indices were obtained: CAS, carotid intima‑media thickness (IMT), extra‑media thickness (EMT), intra‑abdominal thickness (IAT), and the combined PATIMA index. The study included 322 patients (118 women, 204 men) with CV risk factors (mean [SD] number, 5.4 [1.5]) and coronary artery disease (n = 228; 71%) with equal rates of 1-, 2-, and 3-vessel disease (35%, 33%, and 32%, respectively). Indications for percutaneous or surgical coronary revascularization were reported for 158 patients (49%). Patients with and without revascularization had a similar total number of CV risk factors (mean [SD], 5.4 [1.3] vs 5.3 [1.1]; P = 0.9) and IAT (mean [SD], 74 [24] mm vs 77 [28] mm; P = 0.4). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that baseline CAS, carotid IMT, EMT adjusted for body mass index, and PATIMA index have a similar significant predictive value for coronary revascularization (mean [SD] area under the ROC curve, 610 [31] u, 590 [31] u, 610 [32] u, and 630 [30] u, respectively). The severity of CAS and carotid vascular indices (IMT, EMT, and PATIMA index) may predict coronary revascularization in patients with high or very high CV risk. Clinical assessment and the presence of CV risk factors do not add predictive value in these patients.

Intraoperative Assessment of Coronary Artery Stenosis by 2D Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography: The Correlation Between Peak Strain Rate During Early Diastole and the Severity of Coronary Artery Stenosis in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

The effects of inhalation anesthetics on cardiac function and the low correlation between transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiographic measurements may alter the ability of transesophageal echocardiography-derived strain rate during early diastole to detect coronary artery stenosis in anesthetized patients. The authors assessed the correlation between coronary artery stenosis and strain-based parameters during early diastole in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Retrospective clinical study. Single university hospital. Thirty-two adult patients with preserved ejection fraction undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting between December 2016 and December 2018. None. Transesophageal echocardiography images and coronary artery angiographies of the participants were studied. The correlation between the severity of coronary artery stenosis and strain-based indices measured in the corresponding left ventricular segments were assessed. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of strain rate during early diastole was used to predict the presence of coronary artery stenosis ≥70%. Regarding the severity of coronary artery stenosis, it demonstrated a strong and inverse correlation with strain rate during early diastole (r = -0.71, p < 0.001), but showed no significant correlation with time to peak strain rate during early diastole (r = 0.19, p = 0.18). Strain rate during early diastole ≤1.5 s-1 had a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 87% for predicting coronary artery stenosis ≥70% (area under the curve, 0.88). Strain rate during early diastole significantly correlates with the severity of coronary artery stenosis in anesthetized patients suffering from heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Evaluation of the efficacy of Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) oil in the prevention of stricture due to esophageal corrosive burns.

The inflammatory response that follows the caustic burns results in fibrosis on the esophageal wall leading to esophageal stricture, dysphagia, and malnutrition. The controversy over the use of corticosteroids warrants alternative therapeutic interventions. We investigated the effect of extracts from St. John's wort (SJW) with known wound-healing activity on stricture formation in rat esophageal injury models. Five experimental groups were involved: sham group with no injury, control group with injury without treatment, and three different treatment groups (methylprednisolone, SJW extract, and combination of the two). Histopathological examination of esophageal damage and collagen accumulation, stenosis index, and tissue hydroxyproline levels were used to assess stricture and the effect of treatments. There was a significant weight loss in all groups except for those without injury and those treated with SJW extract, the latter gained weight albeit not significant. Stenosis index was increased in all groups compared to sham but not significantly in those treated with SJW extract. Histopathological and biochemical analyses produced mixed results. Some of the experimental indicators such as weight gain and stenosis index suggested the treatment of esophageal injury models using extracts of St. John's wort effective while other histopathological indicators show no significant benefit.

МОРФОФУНКЦІОНАЛЬНІ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ СТРАВОХОДУ ЗА УМОВ ЛУЖНОГО ОПІКУ СТРАВОХОДУ 2 СТУПЕНЯ ТА ПРИ ВВЕДЕННІ ЕКСТРАКТУ СТРУЧКІВ PHASEOLUS VULGARIS

The most widespread chemical damage in children – burn of the esophagus. It occurs when accidentally swallowing substances that have in their composition alkali, acid or other caustic substances. The depth of burn depends on the concentration and time of contact of the mucous membrane with the affecting agent. As a result of penetration of alkalis and contact with the wall of the esophagus, along with necrosis, damage to the mucous membrane, submucosal and muscular membrane of the esophagus occurs. Despite a large number of drugs that have been tested in the treatment of complications caused by esophageal burns, there is little information that would indicate the high effectiveness of the previously used drugs. The analysis of literature data shows the positive influence of polyphenols of natural origin on the normalization of physiological and biochemical parameters in various pathologies. The extract of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris pods extract (PVPE)) is an example of a rich bioactive component of the source with beneficial characteristics for humans. Therefore, the purpose of our work was to investigate the effect of the Phaseolus vulgaris pods extract on the healing of post-burns wounds. When morpho-functional characteristics of the esophagus changes in the conditions of alkaline burn of the esophagus of the 2nd degree, it was shown that at 1 day of the experiment there is a violation of the mucous membrane, which manifests itself in the destruction of the multilayered epithelium, namely, in the submucous membrane there is a significant accumulation of leukocytes, leukocytic infiltration is fixed in the partly destroyed muscle layer. At 31 days of study in a group of animals with burn of the esophagus there is a certain restoration of the integrity of the mucous membrane of the esophagus, mainly with hyperplasia; there is also a decrease in the presence of leukocytes; however, there is an enlargement of the connective tissue in the submucosal membrane, which may indicate the formation of a scar. The data of the morphological description are confirmed by the morphometric parameters of the calculation of the stenosis index. With the use of extracts of beans under chemical burns esophagus conditions, improvement of the morpho-functional status of the esophagus of rats was noted: the formed connective tissue scar does not significantly affect the stenosis index (its significance is the intermediate position); the high level of leukocyte infiltration is reduced to the control parameters, which may indicate the obvious therapeutic effect of the extract of beans pods at alkaline burns of the esophagus.

Association of Inadequately Low Left Ventricular Mass with Enhanced Myocardial Contractility in Severe Degenerative Aortic Stenosis.

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), traditionally considered an adaptive mechanism that is aimed at the maintenance of LV systolic function, is absent in 10%–35% of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Our aim was to estimate the clinical and hemodynamic characteristics in patients with severe AS and absent LVH, or inadequately low LV mass (i-lowLVM) relative to an individual hemodynamic load. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed in-hospital records of 100 patients with pure severe degenerative AS, preserved LV systolic function and without relevant coexistent diseases, except for well-controlled hypertension or diabetes. Results: Clinical characteristics were similar in patients with and without LVH, as well as those with and without i-lowLVM, except for slightly lower GFR at i-lowLVM. When compared to their counterparts, subjects without LVH or with i-lowLVM had smaller LV cavities, decreased LV wall thicknesses and higher EF. There were no significant differences in stenosis severity and indices of afterload (valvulo-arterial impedance and circumferential end-systolic LV wall stress), according to the presence or absence of either LVH or i-lowLVM. However, LV fractional shortening at the midwall level was elevated only in patients with i-lowLVM, but not in those without LVH, compared to the remainder (15.8 ± 3.3 vs. 12.9 ± 3.2%, p < 0.001 for those with and without i-lowLVM, respectively; 13.7 ± 3.7 vs. 13.8 ± 3.6% for LVH presence and absence, p = 0.9). Conclusions: Inadequately low LVM relative to the individual hemodynamic load could potentially reflect a different mode of the LV response to severe AS, associated with enhanced load-independent LV systolic performance, i.e., better LV contractility. If confirmed in a large series of patients, our small preliminary study may add to the possible mechanisms of a previously reported counterintuitive tendency of a lower, not higher, risk of adverse outcome in patients with low LV mass despite severe AS. Prospective studies are warranted, in order to determine a potential utility of LVM inadequacy in the risk stratification of patients with AS.

Application of High-Resolution CUBE Sequence in Exploring Stroke Mechanisms of Atherosclerotic Stenosis of Middle Cerebral Artery

BackgroundThis study aimed to analyze the vascular wall and atherosclerotic plaques of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and compare their differences between patients with cerebral infarction and transient ischemic attack (TIA) using 3-dimensional fast-spin-echo T1-weighted sequence (namely CUBE). MethodsForty-seven patients with atherosclerotic stenosis of the MCA were included in this study. They received magnetic resonance examinations with routine T1WI, T2WI, 3-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography and diffusion-weighted imaging, as well as high-resolution CUBE T1WI sequence. Two physicians independently observed the location and degree of enhancement of the atheromatous plaques. The vessel area and lumen area at the maximal-lumen-narrowing and reference site were measured to calculate the plaque area, rate of stenosis, and remodeling index of the MCA. The chi-squared test was used to compare the differences of degree of enhancement between the cerebral infarction and TIA groups. The differences of rate of stenosis and remodeling index were compared by independent sample t test. ResultsTwenty-five lesion vessels in the infarction group and 22 in the TIA group were analyzed. The difference of stenosis rate between the groups was not statistically significant. The lesion vessels of infarction group had a significantly larger remodeling index and plaque area, and the plaques had a significantly higher degree of enhancement, compared to the TIA group. ConclusionsCUBE T1WI can be used to characterize the MCA vessel wall and atherosclerotic plaque. Positive remodeling and enhanced plaques are closely correlated with the occurrence of brain stroke.

Angiographic characteristics and long-term prognostic impact of coronary artery disease in survivors after sudden cardiac arrest with a non-diagnostic electrocardiogram.

Our purpose was to describe the prevalence, distribution, extension, and prognostic value of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients resuscitated from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) with non-diagnostic electrocardiogram (ECG). The impact of CAD and the indication for cardiac catheterization (CC) in patients resuscitated from SCA with non-diagnostic ECG are uncertain. We included prospectively and consecutively 545 patients resuscitated from SCA with at least one CC during hospitalization. From them, 203 patients with a non-diagnostic ECG formed our study population. Patients were followed-up 5 years after discharge. Overall, 125 (61.6%) patients had significant CAD, and at least one acute culprit lesion was found in 25 (12.4%). Regarding the burden and complexity of CAD, 78 (38.4%) patients had a CAD Prognostic Index of 0 and a SYNTAX score of 0. There was higher 5-year mortality only in patients with very high burden of CAD: three vessels with severe stenosis (P = 0.015) and CAD Prognostic Index Score ≥ 56 (P < 0.001). Tertiles of SYNTAX score did not predict higher 5-year mortality. In survivors from SCA with a non-diagnostic ECG, significant CAD is highly prevalent. SYNTAX score was not associated with a different long-term prognosis in this patient population. Patients with severe disease in the three main coronary vessels and patients with higher (≥56) CAD Prognostic Index Score had a worse long-term prognosis.

Association between carotid atheroma and cerebral cortex structure at age 73 years.

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between carotid atherosclerosis and cerebral cortical thickness and investigate whether cortical thickness mediates the association between carotid atheroma and relative cognitive decline.MethodsWe assessed 554 community‐dwelling subjects (male/female: 296/258) from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging and carotid Doppler ultrasound studies at age 73 years. The relationship between carotid atherosclerosis markers (internal carotid artery stenosis, intima–media thickness, velocity, pulsatility, and resistivity indexes) and vertex‐wide cerebral cortical thickness was examined cross‐sectionally, controlling for gender, extensive vascular risk factors (VRFs), and intelligence quotient at age 11 (IQ‐11). We also determined the association between carotid stenosis and a composite measure of fluid intelligence at age 73 years. A mediation model was applied to examine whether cortical thickness mediated the relationship between carotid stenosis and cognitive function.ResultsA widespread negative association was identified between carotid stenosis (median = 15%) and cerebral cortical thickness at age 73 years, independent of the side of carotid stenosis, other carotid measures, VRFs, and IQ‐11. This association increased in an almost dose–response relationship from mild to severe degrees of carotid stenosis, across the anterior and posterior circulation territories. A negative association was also noted between carotid stenosis and fluid intelligence (standardized beta coefficient = −0.151, p = 0.001), which appeared partly (approximately 22%) mediated by carotid stenosis‐related thinning of the cerebral cortex.InterpretationThe findings suggest that carotid stenosis represents a marker of processes that accelerate aging of the cerebral cortex and cognition that is in part independent of measurable VRFs. Cortical thinning within the anterior and posterior circulation territories partially mediated the relationship between carotid atheroma and fluid intelligence. Ann Neurol 2018;84:576–587

Guideline-defined futility or patient-reported outcomes to assess treatment success after TAVI: what to use? Results from a prospective cohort study with long-term follow-up

ObjectiveTranscatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) provides a significant symptom relief and mortality reduction in most patients; however, a substantial group of patients does not experience the same beneficial results according...

Effects of topical application of platelet-rich plasma on esophageal stricture and oxidative stress after caustic burn in rats: Is autologous treatment possible?

BackgroundCaustic esophageal burn is still an important health problem in pediatric surgery. Although there are a number of experimental and clinical studies to increase the recovery of the esophagus and reduce the stenosis rate, there is no consensus on the treatment protocol. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous blood product, which has positive effects on wound healing, reepithelization and scar prevention. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of PRP on stricture formation and oxidative status after caustic esophageal injury in rats. MethodsTwenty-one rats were divided into three groups [Sham operation (n = 8), corrosive esophageal burn with 30% NaOH (n = 6), topical PRP application after corrosive burn (n = 7)]. On the postoperative 21st day, oxidative markers were measured in the serum, and collagen accumulation and stenosis index were measured histopathologically to assess the efficacy of PRP treatment. ResultsPostoperative weight was higher than preoperative weight in Sham and PRP groups, but lower in the Burn group (p < 0.05). No difference was observed between Sham and PRP groups at total antioxidant status and paraoxonase values, but a significant decrease was found in the Burn group. Group PRP had higher total oxidant status and arylesterase levels than Group Burn (p < 0.05). There was no difference in total thiol values between PRP and Sham group. Histopathological scoring for muscularis mucosa damage revealed a significant reduction in Group PRP, compared to Group Burn (p < 0.05). Esophageal wall thickness and SI were reduced, and luminal diameter was increased in Group PRP compared to Group Burn (p < 0.05). ConclusionFor the first time in the literature, these results indicate that topical PRP treatment after the experimental corrosive burn has a positive effect on oxidative stress, mucosal healing and decreased stricture development. PRP may be an alternative at the clinical treatment because it can be used during diagnostic esophagoscopy. Type of studyTreatment study Level I (randomized controlled trial).

A quantitative and semi-automatic measurement of transverse sinus stenosis improves idiopathic intracranial hypertension diagnostic accuracy

We propose a new reliable transverse sinus stenosis (TSS) index based on magnetic resonance venography (MRV) for the diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Our quantitative semi-automatic measurement analysis based on segmentation and cross-sectional TS diameter from 48 IIH patients and controls matched for age and sex, had a good inter-observer agreement (κ=0.729) compared to a visual examination (κ=0.467). A cut-off point≥2 discriminate IIH patients from controls, with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%.

CT morphological index provides incremental value to machine learning based CT-FFR for predicting hemodynamically significant coronary stenosis

AimsTo study the diagnostic performance of the ratio of Duke jeopardy score (DJS) to the minimal lumen diameter (MLD) at coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) and machine learning based CT-FFR for differentiating functionally significant from insignificant lesions, with reference to fractional flow reserve (FFR). Methods and resultsPatients who underwent both coronary CTA and FFR measurement at invasive coronary angiography (ICA) within 2 weeks were retrospectively included in our study. CT-FFR, DJS/MLDCT ratio, along with other parameters, including minimal luminal area (MLA), MLD, lesion length (LL), diameter stenosis, area stenosis, plaque burden, and remodeling index of lesions, were recorded. Lesions with FFR ≤0.8 were considered to be functionally significant. One hundred and twenty-nine patients with 166 lesions were ultimately included for analysis. The LL, diameter stenosis, area stenosis, plaque burden, DJS and DJS/MLDCT ratio were all significantly longer or larger in the group of FFR ≤ 0.8 (p < 0.001 for all), while smaller MLA, MLD and CT-FFR value were also noted (p < 0.001 for all). CT-FFR and DJS/MLDCT ratio showed the largest AUC among all single parameters (AUC = 0.85 and AUC = 0.83, respectively; p < 0.001 for both) for diagnosing functionally significant stenosis. Combining CT-FFR and DJS/MLDCT ratio provided incremental value for discrimination between flow-limiting and non-flow-limiting coronary lesions and yielded the best diagnostic performance (accuracy of 83.7%). ConclusionsThe combination of ML-based CT-FFR and DJS/MLDCT allows accurate non-invasive discrimination between flow-limiting and non-flow-limiting coronary lesions.

CTA/V detection of bilateral sigmoid sinus dehiscence and suspected idiopathic intracranial hypertension in unilateral pulsatile tinnitus.

This aimed to evaluate the prevalence and extent of bilateral sigmoid sinus dehiscence (SSD) and to explore the presence of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) in patients with unilateral pulsatile tinnitus (PT) with CTA/V. Sixty PT patients (52 females; 40.4± 11.6years [20-72]) who underwent CTA/V and 30 non-PT patients (27 females; 38.4± 14.7years [12-62]) were enrolled in this study. The primary outcome measure was the radiographic presence of SSD. The index of transverse sinus stenosis (ITSS) was obtained by multiplying the stenosis scale values for each transverse sinus, and once was ≥ 4, the presence of IIH was suspected. The prevalence and extent of SSD on symptomatic side (78%; maximum transverse diameter, MTD 0.49 ± 0.23; maximum vertical diameter, MVD 0.50 ± 0.26cm) were significantly higher and larger than those on asymptomatic side (50%, P < 0.001; MTD 0.35 ± 0.18, P =0.006; MVD 0.30 ± 0.15cm, P < 0.001) in the study group and those (20%, P < 0.001; MTD 0.36 ± 0.18, P =0.073; MVD 0.30 ± 0.22cm, P < 0.048) in the control group. The presence of SSD showed significant correlation with both PT (logistic regression analysis, OR 4.167 [1.450-11.97]; P = 0.008) and suspected IIH (OR 16.25 [1.893-139.5]; P = 0.011). In PT patients, SSD has a significant correlation with PT and a potential correlation with IIH.