Trends in admission blood pressure and stroke outcome in patients with acute stroke and transient ischemic attack in a National Acute Stroke registry

Structural and functional dysbiosis of gut microbiota in Tibetan subjects with coronary heart disease

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in coronary heart disease (CHD). However, only a few studies focusing on the relationship between gut microbiota and CHD in ethnic populations are available. Here, we employed shotgun sequencing of the gut metagenome to analyze the taxonomic composition and functional annotation of the gut microbiota of 14 CHD patients, 13 patients with non-stenosis coronary heart disease (NCHD), and 18 healthy controls (HT) in Tibetan subjects. We found that the α-diversity of the gut microbiota was not significantly different among the three groups., whereas β-diversity was significantly altered in the CHD group compared with HT. Based on the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria species effectively distinguished patients with CHD from the control group. Most of the enriched species belonged to Proteobacteria. The pathways that contributed the most to the differences between groups were amino acid metabolism-related pathways, especially lysine biosynthesis. The enzymes of the lysine biosynthesis pathway, including K01714 and K00821, were significantly decreased in the CHD group. Our findings increase the understanding of the association between CHD pathogenesis and gut microbiota in the Tibetan population, thus paving the way for the development of improved diagnostic methods and treatments for Tibetan patients with CHD.

Perfusion-Dependent Cerebral Autoregulation Impairment in Hemispheric Stroke

OBJECTIVE

Loss of cerebral autoregulation (CA) plays a key role in secondary neurologic injury. However, the regional distribution of CA impairment after acute cerebral injury remains unclear because, in clinical practice, CA is only assessed within a limited compartment. Here, we performed large-scale regional mapping of cortical perfusion and CA in patients undergoing decompressive surgery for malignant hemispheric stroke.

METHODS

In 24 patients, autoregulation over the affected hemisphere was calculated based on direct, 15 to 20-minute cortical perfusion measurement with intraoperative laser speckle imaging and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) recording. Cortical perfusion was normalized against noninfarcted tissue and 6 perfusion categories from 0% to >100% were defined. The interaction between cortical perfusion and MAP was estimated using a linear random slope model and Pearson correlation.

RESULTS

Cortical perfusion and CA impairment were heterogeneously distributed across the entire hemisphere. The degree of CA impairment was significantly greater in areas with critical hypoperfusion (40-60%: 0.42% per mmHg and 60-80%: 0.46% per mmHg) than in noninfarcted (> 100%: 0.22% per mmHg) or infarcted (0-20%: 0.29% per mmHg) areas (*p < 0.001). Pearson correlation confirmed greater CA impairment at critically reduced perfusion (20-40%: r = 0.67; 40-60%: r = 0.68; and 60-80%: r = 0.68) compared to perfusion > 100% (r = 0.36; *p < 0.05). Tissue integrity had no impact on the degree of CA impairment.

INTERPRETATION

In hemispheric stroke, CA is impaired across the entire hemisphere to a variable extent. Autoregulation impairment was greatest in hypoperfused and potentially viable tissue, suggesting that precise localization of such regions is essential for effective tailoring of perfusion pressure-based treatment strategies. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:358-368.

Controlling Hypertension After Severe Cerebrovascular Event (CHASE): A randomized, multicenter, controlled study

BACKGROUND

The optimal blood pressure lowering target in the acute phase of severe stroke is uncertain. Our aim was to compare the efficacy and safety of individualized blood pressure lowering with standard blood pressure lowering in severe stroke.

METHODS

Five-hundred consecutive patients with acute severe stroke and elevated BP were recruited from 26 Chinese hospitals. Eligible patients were randomized into an individualized blood pressure lowering group (with 10-15% reduction in systolic blood pressure from admission level or standard blood pressure lowering group (with a target SBP of <200 mm Hg in acute ischemic stroke and <180 mm Hg in intracerebral hemorrhage). The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with a poor functional outcome at day 90 of enrolment.

RESULTS

Of 483 participants included in the analysis, 242 received individualized blood pressure lowering treatment and 241 received standard treatment. The primary outcome event was observed in 71.1% of the participants in the individualized treatment group and in 73.4% of the standard treatment group (odds ratio with individualized treatment for primary outcome, 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.47 to 1.19; p = 0.222). The rates of serious adverse events in the two groups were similar (27.7% vs. 28.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with acute severe stoke, individualized blood pressure lowering treatment did not significantly reduce the rate of three-month death or dependence.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02982655. Registered in 5 December 2016, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02982655.

Evaluation of serum retinol-binding protein-4 levels as a biomarker of poor short-term prognosis in ischemic stroke

The aim was to investigate the relationship between retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) levels and short-term functional outcome, and to determine its possible role in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). In a prospective observational study, 299 first-ever AIS who were admitted to our hospital were included. Serum levels of RBP4 were assayed and severity of stroke was evaluated with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission. The prognostic value of RBP4 to predict the poor outcome within 3 months was compared with the NIHSS and with other known outcome predictors. The median age of the included patients was 66 (interquartile range (IQR): 55-77) years and 155 (51.8%) were women. A poor functional outcome was found in 88 patients (29.4%), and significantly higher RBP4 values were found in poor outcomes rather than good outcomes patients (P<0.001). The poor outcomes distribution across the RBP4 quartiles ranged between 9.3% (first quartile) and 60.8% (fourth quartile). In multivariate models comparing the second(Q2), third, and fourth quartiles against the first quartile of the RBP4, RBP4 in Q3 and Q4 were associated with poor functional outcome, and increased risk of poor functional outcome by 144% (OR: 2.44; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22-5.03) and 602% (7.02; 3.11-12.24), respectively. Interestingly, RBP4 improved the NIHSS score (area under the curve (AUC) of the combined model, 0.79; 95% CI: 0.74-0.85; P<0.001). The data showed that elevated serum levels of RBP4 at admission were associated with severity and prognosis of AIS, suggesting that vitamin A metabolism or impaired insulin signaling could be involved.

Presenting predictors and temporal trends of treatment-related outcomes in diabetic ketoacidosis

OBJECTIVE

This study examines temporal trends in treatment-related outcomes surrounding a diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) performance improvement intervention consisting of mandated intensive care unit admission and implementation of a standardized management pathway, and identifies physical and biochemical characteristics associated with outcomes in this population.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort of 1225 children with DKA were identified in the electronic health record by international classification of diseases codes and a minimum pH less than 7.3 during hospitalization at a quaternary children's hospital between April, 2009 and May, 2016. Multivariable regression examined predictors and trends of hypoglycemia, central venous line placement, severe hyperchloremia, head computed tomography (CT) utilization, treated cerebral edema and hospital length of stay (LOS).

RESULTS

The incidence of severe hyperchloremia and head CT utilization decreased during the study period. Among patients with severe DKA (presenting pH < 7.1), the intervention was associated with decreasing LOS and less variability in LOS. Lower pH at presentation was independently associated with increased risk for all outcomes except hypoglycemia, which was associated with higher pH. Patients treated for cerebral edema had a lower presenting mean systolic blood pressure z score (0.58 [95% confidence interval (CI) -0.02-1.17] vs 1.23 [1.13-1.33]) and a higher maximum mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) z score during hospitalization (3.75 [3.19-4.31] vs 2.48 [2.38-2.58]) compared to patients not receiving cerebral edema treatment. Blood pressure and cerebral edema remained significantly associated after covariate adjustment.

CONCLUSION

Treatment-related outcomes improved over the entire study period and following a performance improvement intervention. The association of SBP with cerebral edema warrants further study.

Blood pressure control for acute severe ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Severe ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke is a devastating cerebrovascular disease often demanding critical care. Optimal management of blood pressure (BP) in the acute phase is controversial. The purpose of this review is to display insights from recent studies on BP control in both conditions.

RECENT FINDINGS

BP control in acute ischemic stroke has recently been investigated with regard to endovascular recanalizing therapies. Decreases from baseline BP and hypotension during the intervention have been found detrimental. Overall, a periinterventional SBP between 140 and 160 mmHg appeared favorable in several studies. In acute hemorrhagic stroke, the recently completed Antihypertensive Treatment of Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage II trial confirmed feasibility of early aggressive BP reduction but failed to demonstrate a reduction in hematoma growth or a clinical benefit.

SUMMARY

Recent findings do not support benefits of intensive BP lowering in both acute hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke, with the possible exception of the postinterventional phase after successful endovascular recanalization of large-vessel occlusions. Although optimal ranges of BP values remain to be defined, high BP should still be treated according to guidelines. As stroke patients requiring critical care are underrepresented in most studies on BP, caution in transferring these findings is warranted and prospective research in that patient population needed.

Declining Rate and Severity of Hospitalized Stroke From 2004 to 2013: The National Acute Stroke Israeli Registry

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and disability. We assessed trends in rates of hospitalized stroke and stroke severity on admission in a prospective national registry of stroke from 2004 to 2013.

METHODS

All 6693 acute ischemic strokes and intracerebral hemorrhage in the National Acute Stroke Israeli participants ≥20 years old were included. Data were prospectively collected in 2004 (February-March), 2007 (March-April), 2010 (April-May), and 2013 (March-April). Rates of hospitalized stroke from 2004 to 2013 were studied using generalized linear models assuming a quasi-Poisson error distribution with a log link. Stroke severity on admission was determined using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and trends were studied. Analysis was performed for stroke overall and by sex and age-group as well as by stroke type.

RESULTS

Estimated average annual rates of hospitalized stroke decreased from 24.9/10 000 in 2004 to 19.5/10 000 in 2013. The age and sex-adjusted rates ratio (95% confidence interval) for hospitalized stroke overall was 0.82 (0.76-0.89) for 2007, 0.71 (0.65-0.77) for 2010, and 0.72 (0.66-0.78) for 2013 compared with 2004. Severity on admission decreased over time: rates (95% confidence interval) of severe stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of ≥11) decreased from 27% (25%-29%) in 2004 to 19% (17%-21%) in 2013, whereas rates (95% confidence interval) of minor stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of ≤5) increased from 46% (44%-49%) in 2004 to 60% (57%-62%) in 2013 (P<0.0001). Findings were consistent by sex, age-group, and stroke type.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our national data, rates of hospitalized stroke and severity of stroke on admission have decreased from 2004 to 2013 overall and by stroke type, in men and women. Despite the observed declines in rates and severity, stroke continues to place a considerable burden to the Israeli health system.

Significant interaction of hypertension and homocysteine on neurological severity in first-ever ischemic stroke patients

It is not known whether combination of hypertension and high homocysteine (HHcy) impacts on stroke-related neurological severity. Our aim was to determine whether there is an interaction of hypertension and HHcy on neurological severity in first-ever ischemic stroke patients. We analyzed neurological severity among 189 consecutive first-ever ischemic stroke patients with or without hypertension or HHcy. Hypertension (odds ratio [OR]: 8.086, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.596-18.181, P < .001) and total homocysteine (OR: 1.403, 95% CI: 1.247-1.579, P < .001) were independently associated with neurological severity. In receiver-operating characteristic analysis, total homocysteine was a significant predictor of neurological severity (area under curve: 0.794; P < .001). A multiplicative interaction of hypertension and HHcy on more severe neurological severity was revealed by binary logistic regression (OR: 13.154, 95% CI: 5.293-32.691, P < .001). Analysis further identified a more than multiplicative interaction of hypertension and HHcy on neurological severity compared with patients without each condition (OR: 50.600, 95% CI: 14.775-173.285, P < .001). Interaction effect measured on an additive scale showed that 76.4% patients with moderate/severe neurological severity were attributed to interaction of hypertension and HHcy. Significant interaction of hypertension and HHcy on neurological severity was found on multiplicative and additive scale in first-ever Chinese ischemic stroke patients.

Different levels of blood pressure, different benefit from dual antiplatelet therapy in minor stroke or TIA patients

The study aimed to evaluate whether the benefits of dual antiplatelet therapy would be influenced by blood pressure (BP) levels, among acute minor stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). In CHANCE (Clopidogrel in High-Risk Patients with Acute Nondisabling cerebrovascular Events) trail, Patients were stratified by systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) level measured on admission, respectively, using the supine position BP within 24 hours after symptoms onset. The primary efficacy outcome was stroke recurrence, bleeding was the safety outcome. Patients with SBP ≥ 140 mmHg, dual antiplatelet treatment could reduce the risk of stroke recurrence significantly (HR 0.654, 95% CI 0.529-0.793, p < 0.001) than mono antiplatelet therapy. And patients with DBP ≥ 90 mmHg, clopidogrel-aspirin significantly reduced the risk of recurrent stroke (HR 0.588, 95% CI 0.463-0.746, p < 0.001), compared with aspirin alone. However, in patients with SBP < 140 mmHg or DBP < 90 mmHg, no significant difference was observed between clopidogrel plus aspirin and aspirin alone. there was no difference in bleeding episodes by treatment assignment across categories of SBP or DBP. Patients with SBP ≥ 140 mmHg or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg after minor stroke or TIA got more benefits from dual antiplatelet therapy. Bleeding risk from dual antiplatelet treatment did not increase among patients with higher BP level on admission.