Effects of a Planned Web-Based Educational Intervention Based on the Health Belief Model for Patients With Ischemic Stroke in Promoting Secondary Prevention During the COVID-19 Lockdown in China: Quasi-Experimental Study

Background

Some common modified vascular risk factors remain poorly controlled among stroke survivors, and educational programs may help improve these conditions.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a planned web-based educational intervention based on the health belief model (HBM) in promoting secondary prevention among patients with ischemic stroke.

Methods

An evaluation-blinded quasi-experimental trial with a historical control group was conducted. Patients admitted from March to June 2020 were assigned to the historical control group, and patients admitted from July to October 2020 were assigned to the intervention group. The control group received routine health management. The intervention group received 6 additional sessions based on the HBM via Tencent Meeting, an audio and video conferencing application, within 3 months after discharge. Sessions were held every 2 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 40 minutes. These sessions were conducted in small groups, with about 8 to 10 people in each group. The primary outcomes were changes in blood pressure (BP), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and the proportion of patients achieving the treatment target. The secondary outcomes were medication adherence, assessed with the Morisky Medicine Adherence Scale (MMAS), and disability, assessed with the modified Rankin scale.

Results

In total, 315 patients experiencing their first-ever stroke were analyzed. More patients in the intervention group had controlled BP (41.9% vs 28.4%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.93; P=.01), LDL-C (83.1% vs 67.7%; aOR 2.66; P=.001), and HbA1c (91.9% vs 83.9%; aOR: 3.37; P=.04) levels as well as a significant postintervention decrease in the systolic BP (adjusted β -3.94; P=.02), LDL-C (adjusted β -0.21; P=.008), and HbA1c (adjusted β -0.27; P<.001), compared with control groups. Significant between-group differences were observed in medication adherence (79.4% vs 63.2%; aOR 2.31; P=.002) but not in favorable functional outcomes.

Conclusions

A web-based education program based on the HBM may be more effective than current methods used to educate patients having strokes on optimal vascular risk factors and medication adherence.

Predictors of neurocognitive outcome in pediatric ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke

This clinical study examined the impact of eight predictors (age at stroke, stroke type, lesion size, lesion location, time since stroke, neurologic severity, seizures post-stroke, and socioeconomic status) on neurocognitive functioning following pediatric stroke. Youth with a history of pediatric ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke (n = 92, ages six to 25) underwent neuropsychological testing and caregivers completed parent-report questionnaires. Hospital records were accessed for medical history. Spline regressions, likelihood ratios, one-way analysis of variance, Welch's t-tests, and simple linear regressions examined associations between predictors and neuropsychological outcome measures. Large lesions and lower socioeconomic status were associated with worse neurocognitive outcomes across most neurocognitive domains. Ischemic stroke was associated with worse outcome in attention and executive functioning compared to hemorrhagic stroke. Participants with seizures had more severe executive functioning impairments than participants without seizures. Youth with cortical-subcortical lesions scored lower on a few measures than youth with cortical or subcortical lesions. Neurologic severity predicted scores on few measures. No differences were found based on time since stroke, lesion laterality, or supra- versus infratentorial lesion. In conclusion, lesion size and socioeconomic status predict neurocognitive outcome following pediatric stroke. An improved understanding of predictors is valuable to clinicians who have responsibilities related to neuropsychological assessment and treatments for this population. Findings should inform clinical practice through enhanced appraisals of prognosis and the use of a biopsychosocial approach when conceptualizing neurocognitive outcome and setting up support services aimed at fostering optimal development for youth with stroke.

Edoxaban for the treatment of hypercoagulability and cerebral thromboembolism associated with cancer: A randomized clinical trial of biomarker targets

BACKGROUND

This study aimed compare efficacy of edoxaban and enoxaparin upon biomarkers of hypercoagulability in patients with cancer-related embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS).

METHODS

In this open-label, randomized, pilot trial, patients with cancer-related ESUS within 30 days of diagnosis were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive edoxaban (60 mg once daily) or enoxaparin (1 mg/kg twice daily) for 90 days. The primary endpoint was interval change of serum D-dimer level between days 0 and 7. The secondary endpoints were microembolic signals detected by transcranial Doppler at 7 and 90 days, the modified Rankin scale score, and stroke recurrence during 90 days. Safety outcomes included major bleeding and all-cause death at 90 days.

RESULTS

Of 303 patients with ischemic stroke and cancer, 40 fully met enrollment criteria and were randomized. Baseline D-dimer levels were numerically higher in the edoxaban group (22.9 ± 15.9 μg/mL vs 16.9 ± 16.9 μg/mL). D-dimer level change (%) between days 0 and 7 was similar in the two groups (53.2 ± 25.7 vs 52.2 ± 52.0; P = 0.11). Microembolic signals were detected in 41.1% and 43.8% at baseline, 41.2% and 42.9% at day 7, and 25.0% and 28.6% at day 90 in the edoxaban and enoxaparin groups, respectively. Non-significantly higher major bleeding (35.0% vs 10.0%, P = 0.06) and 90-day mortality (40.0% vs 25.0%, P = 0.31) were noted in the edoxaban group.

CONCLUSION

Edoxaban and enoxaparin were comparable with respect to the biomarkers of hypercoagulability and cerebral thromboembolism. Larger trials are warranted to compare effects of edoxaban and enoxaparin upon recurrent stroke and major bleeding in patients with cancer-related ESUS.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT03570281 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03570281).

Schizophrenia and Types of Stroke: A Mendelian Randomization Study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies suggest an association between schizophrenia and stroke, but no studies have investigated stroke subtypes. We examined potential causal associations between schizophrenia and a range of atherosclerotic, embolic, and hemorrhagic stroke outcomes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Two-sample Mendelian randomization analyses were conducted. The summary-level data (restricted to European ancestry) were obtained for schizophrenia and stroke: ischemic stroke, large-artery stroke, small-vessel stroke, cardioembolic stroke, and intracerebral hemorrhage. The associations between schizophrenia and each outcome were analyzed by an inverse variance weighting method primarily and Mendelian randomization Egger, weighted median, and weighted mode subsequently. The presence of pleiotropy was also tested by Cochran Q statistic, I2 index, and Mendelian randomization Egger intercept with scatter and funnel plots. We found associations between schizophrenia and cardioembolic stroke (odds ratio [OR], 1.070 [95% CI, 1.023-1.119]) and intracerebral hemorrhage (OR, 1.089 [95% CI, 1.005-1.180]) using inverse variance weighting. Little evidence of associations with the other stroke subtypes was found. Different Mendelian randomization methods corroborated the association with cardioembolic stroke but not intracerebral hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS

We have provided evidence of a potentially causal association between schizophrenia and cardioembolic stroke. Our findings suggest that cardiac evaluation should be considered for those with schizophrenia.

Comparison of D-dimer concentration and thromboelastography for diagnosis of cerebrovascular accidents in dogs: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) in dogs are diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This modality is sometimes unavailable, and CVAs can resemble other lesions on MRI. D-dimer concentration and thromboelastography (TEG) are utilized in human medicine in addition to diagnostic imaging to support diagnosis of CVAs, but their use in veterinary patients has not been assessed.

OBJECTIVE

Assess utility of blood D-dimer concentration and TEG in supporting the imaging diagnosis of CVAs in dogs.

ANIMALS

Sixty-eight client-owned dogs with neurologic signs that had brain MRI and D-dimer concentration or TEG performed.

METHODS

Multicenter, retrospective study. The incidence of abnormal D-dimer concentration or TEG was compared between patients with MRI evidence of CVA and a control population. Analysis methods included Fisher's exact test or Chi-squared test for association and comparison of independent proportions.

RESULTS

Neither D-dimer concentration nor TEG was significantly associated with a CVA (P = .38 and .2, respectively). D-dimer testing was performed in a low-risk population and showed low sensitivity (30.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10%-61%) and high specificity (86.4%; 95% CI, 64%-96%) for CVA diagnosis. Thromboelastography was performed in a high-risk population and showed moderate sensitivity (64.3%; 95% CI, 44%-81%) and specificity (66.7%; 95% CI, 24%-94%) for CVA diagnosis. Abnormal D-dimer concentration or TEG were not helpful in differentiating hemorrhagic from ischemic stroke (P = .43 and .41, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Although blood D-dimer concentration or TEG alone are not diagnostic of CVAs in dogs, a positive D-dimer result supports additional testing for CVA.

A cross-sectional analysis of the relationship between ischemic stroke and uric acid in young people in highland areas

Objective

To investigate the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and ischemic stroke in young patients in the Ganzi Tibetan plateau area.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was undertaken from January 2020 to June 2023 involving young patients (age: 15-45 years) diagnosed with ischemic stroke. The survey was conducted at the Department of Internal Medicine of the People's Hospital of Derong County, Ganzi Prefecture. The participants underwent a comprehensive assessment, including questionnaire surveys, physical examinations, laboratory tests, and head computed tomography (CT) examinations. Based on the tertiles of serum uric acid (SUA) levels, the patients were stratified into three groups. Furthermore, stroke severity was classified into mild (1-4 points), moderate (5-15 points), and severe (>15 points) categories using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale.

Results

The severe stroke group exhibited higher levels of age, glucose, systolic blood pressure, serum triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and serum uric acid (SUA) compared to the mild stroke group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the likelihood of male sex, advanced age, smoking, and a family history of stroke, diabetes mellitus, and heart disease were significantly elevated in the severe stroke group compared to the moderate stroke group (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis conducted on young adults residing in highland areas revealed a significant association between SUA levels and the risk of stroke.

Conclusion

Elevated SUA levels serve as a distinct risk factor for the development of a major stroke in young patients in highland areas. At SUA levels of 320.56 mol/L, the risk of a moderate-to-severe stroke is noticeably elevated.

The Pitfalls of NIHSS: Time for a New Clinical Acute Stroke Severity Scoring System in the Emergency?

Stroke is the second leading cause of death and a major cause of disability worldwide. Stroke severity scales serve as reliable means to track a patient's neurological deficit, predict outcome, and guide treatment decisions in clinical practice. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was introduced over 30 years ago, marking a significant milestone in the field of stroke. Over the years, there have been notable advancements in acute stroke care. Despite several modifications made to NIHSS, none has yet succeeded in effectively capturing all the complex effects of a stroke. This review focuses on the pitfalls of NIHSS and emphasizes the need for a quick and comprehensive clinical and upgraded version of the stroke severity rating scale.

Concomitants of Diabetic Foot Ulcer - A Review

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus leading to foot ulcer is a serious complication, and it is considered a global epidemic. Neuropathyand high blood glucose levels are the primary causes of foot ulcers. Fifteen percent of people with diabetes develop foot ulcers, and these foot disorders are the main cause of lower extremity amputation among such patients.

INTRODUCTION

Complications of diabetic foot, affecting the lower extremities are common and quite complex and life-threatening. This review focuses on the life-threatening factors associated with diabetic foot ulcers and also the diagnosing and preventive measures. Neuropathy assessment and the range of foot ulcers were accurately examined.

CONCLUSION

Novel therapies focusing on the vascularity of the lower limbs, infection control, and ischemic control are being developed to mainly treat nonhealing ulcers.

New Score Models for Predicting Bleeding and Ischemic of Ticagrelor Therapy in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

PURPOSE

Ticagrelor is an antiplatelet drug, and its use increases the risk of bleeding. Coronary artery disease is significantly influenced by the widespread occurrence of diabetes mellitus. In order to decrease the incidence of clinical adverse events, a novel bleeding and thrombosis score is developed in this research.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patient data from two medical centers who were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and treated with ticagrelor. We gathered information on every patient from the electronic database of the hospital and follow-up. The collected data were statistically analyzed to obtain risk factors for bleeding and ischemic events.

RESULTS

A total of 851 patients with diabetes mellitus who have been administered ticagrelor are included in our investigation. A total of 76 patients have bleeding events and 80 patients have ischemic events. The analysis of multiple variables indicates that characteristics like the age of >65, having a previous occurrence of bleeding, experiencing anemia, using aspirin, and taking atorvastatin are linked to a higher likelihood of bleeding. Additionally, the age of >65, smoking, having a history of blood clots, and having a BMI ≥ 30 are found to increase the risk of ischemia.

CONCLUSION

The A4B score established in this study was better than the HAS-BLED score，and the same is true for the ABST score to the CHA2DS-VASc score. This new risk assessment model can potentially detect patients who are at high risk for bleeding and ischemic events. For high-risk patients, the dose of ticagrelor can be adjusted appropriately or the medication can be adjusted.(2023-09-11, ChiCTR2300075627).

Prevalence of stroke-related risk factors in Albania: a single-center experience

Introduction

Stroke, a prominent global cause of mortality and disability, is broadly categorized into ischemic and hemorrhagic types. An epidemiological survey of stroke and its risk factors can help identify individuals at higher risk and therefore promote stroke prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to estimate the current prevalence of stroke and evaluate stroke-associated risk factors in Albania.

Material and methods

This was a single-center retrospective analysis conducted in Albania for the period from May 2015 to September 2021. Data were collected retrospectively through hospital records. Stroke was defined as sudden onset of a nonconvulsive and focal neurological deficit, and ischemic stroke was diagnosed using brain computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, or both. We examined patient history characteristics encompassing demographics, stroke history, conventional vascular risk factors, and lifestyle-related risk factors.

Results

The mean age of the 3860 patients was 74.6 ±10.4 years, and 73.5% were men. The prevalence of carotid stenosis, arrhythmia, obesity, and hypertension was significantly higher in males than in females (p < 0.001). Out of the 3860 patients in the study cohort, 641 (16.6%) subjects died, while 335 (8.7%) patients achieved complete recovery. Hemiparesis was observed in 386 (10%) patients and hemiplegia in 868 (22.4%) patients.

Conclusions

Our analysis underscores the male predominance (2.2 : 1) in stroke cases. Carotid and vertebral artery stenosis is a significant factor, emphasizing the life-saving potential of early intervention. Social and economic factors in Albania pose challenges, demanding comprehensive strategies. Prospective trials are crucial to explore intervention efficacy, and timing, and address socioeconomic impacts on timely stroke management.

Hospital-Level Variability in Reporting of Ischemic Stroke Subtypes and Supporting Diagnostic Evaluation in GWTG-Stroke Registry

BACKGROUND

Secondary prevention of ischemic stroke (IS) requires adequate diagnostic evaluation to identify the likely etiologic subtype. We describe hospital-level variability in diagnostic testing and IS subtyping in a large nationwide registry.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We used the GWTG-Stroke (Get With The Guidelines-Stroke) registry to identify patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute IS at 1906 hospitals between January 1, 2016, and September 30, 2017. We compared the documentation rates and presence of risk factors, diagnostic testing, achievement/quality measures, and outcomes between patients with and without reported IS subtype. Recording of diagnostic evaluation was optional in all IS subtypes except cryptogenic, where it was required. Of 607 563 patients with IS, etiologic IS subtype was documented in 57.4% and missing in 42.6%. Both the rate of missing stroke pathogenesis and the proportion of cryptogenic strokes were highly variable across hospitals. Patients missing stroke pathogenesis less frequently had documentation of risk factors, evidence-based interventions, or discharge to home. The reported rates of major diagnostic testing, including echocardiography, carotid and intracranial vascular imaging, and short-term cardiac monitoring were <50% in patients with documented IS pathogenesis, although these variables were missing in >40% of patients. Long-term cardiac rhythm monitoring was rarely reported, even in cryptogenic stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

Reporting of IS etiologic subtype and supporting diagnostic testing was low overall, with high rates of missing optional data. Improvement in the capture of these data elements is needed to identify opportunities for quality improvement in the diagnostic evaluation and secondary prevention of stroke.

Intravenous Ascorbic Acid for the Prevention of Postreperfusion Syndrome in Orthotopic Liver Transplantation: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Liver transplantation is the last therapeutic option for patients with end-stage liver disease. Postreperfusion syndrome (PRS), defined as a fall in mean arterial pressure of more than 30% within the first 5 minutes after reperfusion of at least 1 minute, can occur in liver transplantation as a deep hemodynamic instability with associated hyperfibrinolysis immediately after reperfusion of the new graft. Its incidence has remained unchanged since it was first described in 1987. PRS is related to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, whose pathophysiology involves the release of several mediators from both the donor and the recipient. The antioxidant effect of ascorbic acid has been studied in resuscitating patients with septic shock and burns. Even today, there are publications with conflicting results, and there is a need for further studies to confirm or rule out the usefulness of this drug in this group of patients. The addition of ascorbic acid to preservation solutions used in solid organ transplantation is under investigation to harness its antioxidant effect and mitigate I/R injury. Since PRS could be considered a manifestation of I/R injury, we believe that the possible beneficial effect of ascorbic acid on the occurrence of PRS should be investigated.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to assess the benefits of ascorbic acid over saline in the development of PRS in adult liver transplantation.

METHODS

We plan to conduct a single-center randomized controlled trial at the Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal in Spain. A total of 70 participants aged 18 years or older undergoing liver transplantation will be randomized to receive either ascorbic acid or saline. The primary outcome will be the difference between groups in the incidence of PRS. The randomized controlled trial will be conducted under conditions of respect for fundamental human rights and ethical principles governing biomedical research involving human participants and in accordance with the international recommendations contained in the Declaration of Helsinki and its subsequent revisions.

RESULTS

The enrollment process began in 2020. A total of 35 patients have been recruited so far. Data cleaning and analysis are expected to occur in the first months of 2024. Results are expected around the middle of 2024.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that this study could be particularly relevant because it will be the first to analyze the clinical effect of ascorbic acid in liver transplantation. Moreover, we believe that this study fills an important gap in the knowledge of the potential benefits of ascorbic acid in the field of liver transplantation, particularly in relation to PRS.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials Database 2020-000123-39; https://tinyurl.com/2cfzddw8; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05754242; https://tinyurl.com/346vw7sm.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/50091.

Multidimensional Outcomes of IV Thrombolysis in Minor Ischemic Stroke: Motor, Psychocognitive, and Dependence

Background

The presence of mild deficit is the most common reason for nonuse of intravenous alteplase in ischemic stroke. We analyzed within a national prospective cohort on whether patients with minor stroke can benefit from intravenous alteplase.

Methods

This observational study included patients with acute ischemic stroke with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score 0 to 5 at admission. The short-term outcomes at discharge and 3-month were analyzed including the modified Rankin Scale score, gait speed, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, General Anxiety Disorder-7 and Stroke Impact Scale-16. Multivariate regression models were performed to evaluate the association between intravenous thrombolysis and clinical outcomes.

Results

A total of 1876 consecutive patients were included in the current analyses with 102 patients (5.4%) received alteplase and 1774 patients (94.5%) were in non-alteplase group. We found that 10.9% patients presented unfavorable functional outcome with a mRS ≥ 2 at 3-month. Patients with alteplase treatment had a more favorable outcome in SIS-16 at discharge (OR, 5.45; 95% CI, 2.22-8.68) and 3-month after stroke (OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 0.17-4.50). There was an association of alteplase with better gait speed in the restricted sample of age >60 (OR,0.14; 95% CI, 0.02-0.25), while an unfavorable effect was found in anxiety (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 2.23, 0.91-3.55) and depression (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 0.17-2.91) in female.

Conclusion

Alteplase showed a suggestive benefit in function and motor outcomes in patients with low NIHSS score of 0-5. Meanwhile, female seemed more inclined to post-stroke emotional problems after alteplase treatment, which should be further explored in the future.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and long-term risk of maternal stroke-a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are associated with a long-term risk for cardiovascular disease among parous patients later in life. However, relatively little is known about whether hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are associated with an increased risk for ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke in later life. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the available literature on the association between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and the long-term risk for maternal stroke.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL were searched from inception to December 19, 2022.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Studies were only included if the following criteria were met: case-control or cohort studies that were conducted with human participants, were available in English, and that measured the exposure of a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, chronic hypertension, or superimposed preeclampsia) and the outcome of maternal ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke.

METHODS

Three reviewers extracted the data and appraised the study quality following the Meta-analyses of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines and using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for risk of bias assessment.

RESULTS

The primary outcome was any stroke (undifferentiated) and secondary outcomes included ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. The protocol for this systematic review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews under identifier CRD42021254660. Of 24 studies included (10,632,808 study participants), 8 studies examined more than 1 outcome of interest. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were significantly associated with any stroke (adjusted risk ratio, 1.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.45-2.10). Preeclampsia was significantly associated with any stroke (adjusted risk ratio, 1.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.56-1.97), ischemic stroke (adjusted risk ratio, 1.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.46-2.06), and hemorrhagic stroke (adjusted risk ratio, 2.77; 95% confidence interval, 2.04-3.75). Gestational hypertension was significantly associated with any stroke (adjusted risk ratio, 1.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-1.26), ischemic stroke (adjusted risk ratio, 1.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-1.53), and hemorrhagic stroke (adjusted risk ratio, 2.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-6.98). Chronic hypertension was associated with ischemic stroke (adjusted risk ratio, 1.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-2.19).

CONCLUSION

In this meta-analysis, exposure to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including preeclampsia and gestational hypertension, seems to be associated with an increased risk for any stroke and ischemic stroke among parous patients in later life. Preventive interventions may be warranted for patients who experience hypertensive disorders of pregnancy to reduce their long-term risk for stroke.

Impact of vessel tortuosity and radiological thrombus characteristics on the choice of first-line thrombectomy strategy: Results from the ESCAPE-NA1 trial

INTRODUCTION

Despite improvements in device technology, only one-third of stroke patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) achieve first-pass effect (FPE). We investigated the effect of arterial tortuosity and thrombus characteristics on the relationship between first-line EVT strategy and angiographic outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with thin-slice baseline CT-angiography from the ESCAPE-NA1 trial (Efficacy and safety of nerinetide for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke) were included. Tortuosity was estimated using the tortuosity index extracted from catheter pathway, and radiological thrombus characteristics were length, non-contrast density, perviousness and hyperdense artery sign. We assessed the association of first-line EVT strategy (stent-retriever [SR] versus contact aspiration [CA] versus combined SR+CA) with FPE (eTICI score 2c/3 after one pass), final eTICI 2b/3, number of passes and procedure duration using multivariable regression. Interaction of tortuosity and thrombus characteristics with first-line technique were assessed using interaction terms.

RESULTS

Among 520 included patients, SR as a first-line modality was used in 165 (31.7%) patients, CA in 132 (25.4%), and combined SR+CA in 223 (42.9%). FPE was observed in 166 patients (31.9%). First-line strategy was not associated with FPE. Tortuosity had a significant effect on FPE only in the CA group (aOR = 0.90 [95% CI 0.83-0.98]) compared with stent-retrievers and combined first-line approach (p interaction = 0.03). There was an interaction between thrombus length and first-line strategy for number of passes (p interaction = 0.04). Longer thrombi were associated with higher number of passes only in the CA group (acOR 1.03 [95% CI 1.00-1.06]).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that vessel tortuosity and longer thrombi may negatively affect the performance of first-line contact aspiration catheters in acute stroke patients undergoing EVT.

Alpha2 Antagonist Vatinoxan Does Not Abolish the Preconditioning Effect of Dexmedetomidine on Experimental Ischaemia-Reperfusion Injury in the Equine Small Intestine

Pharmacological preconditioning with dexmedetomidine has been shown to ameliorate intestinal ischaemia reperfusion injury in different species, including horses. However, it remains unknown if this effect is related to alpha2 adrenoreceptor activity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of dexmedetomidine preconditioning with and without the administration of the peripheral alpha2 antagonist vatinoxan. This prospective randomized experimental trial included 12 horses equally divided between two treatment groups. Horses in group Dex received a bolus of dexmedetomidine followed by a continuous rate infusion (CRI), while group DexV additionally received vatinoxan as bolus and CRI. A median laparotomy was performed under general anaesthesia, and jejunal ischaemia was applied for 90 min, followed by 30 min of reperfusion. Mucosal damage was evaluated in full thickness biopsies by use of a semiquantitative mucosal injury score and by determining the apoptotic cell counts with immunohistochemical staining for cleaved caspase-3 and TUNEL. Comparisons between the groups and time points were performed using non-parametric tests (p < 0.05). During pre-ischaemia and ischaemia, no differences could be found in mucosal injury between the groups. After reperfusion, group DexV showed lower mucosal injury scores compared to group Dex. The apoptotic cell counts did not differ between the groups. In conclusion, antagonizing the peripheral alpha2 adrenoreceptors did not negatively affect dexmedetomidine preconditioning.

Stroke Characteristics in a Cohort of Hmong American Patients

Background Prior studies have indicated high rates of vascular risk factors, but little is known about stroke in Hmong. Methods and Results The institutional Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) database was used to identify patients discharged with acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, or subarachnoid hemorrhage between 2010 and 2019. Hmong patients were identified using clan names and primary language. Univariate analysis was used to compare Hmong and White patients. A subarachnoid hemorrhage comparison was not conducted because of the small sample size. We identified 128 Hmong patients and 3084 White patients. Hmong patients had more prevalent hemorrhagic stroke (31% versus 15%; P<0.0016). In the acute ischemic stroke cohort, compared with White patients, Hmong patients were younger (60±13 versus 71±15 years; P<0.0001), presented to the emergency department almost 4 hours later; and had a lower thrombolysis usage rate (6% versus 14%; P=0.03496), worse lipid profile, higher hemoglobin A1C, similar stroke severity, and less frequent discharge to rehabilitation facilities. The most common ischemic stroke mechanism for Hmong patients was small-vessel disease. In the intracerebral hemorrhage cohort, Hmong patients were younger (55±13 versus 70±15 years; P<0.0001), had higher blood pressure, and had a lower rate of independent ambulation on discharge (9% versus 30%; P=0.0041). Conclusions Hmong patients with stroke were younger and had poorer risk factor control compared with White patients. There was a significant delay in emergency department arrival and low use of acute therapies among the Hmong acute ischemic stroke cohort. Larger studies are needed to confirm these observations, but action is urgently needed to close gaps in primary care and stroke health literacy.

Clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome in 8 dogs and 2 cats with global hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (2010-2022)

BACKGROUND

Global hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (GHIBI) results in variable degrees of neurological dysfunction. Limited data exists to guide prognostication on likelihood of functional recovery.

HYPOTHESIS

Prolonged duration of hypoxic-ischemic insult and absence of neurological improvement in the first 72 hours are negative prognostic indicators.

ANIMALS

Ten clinical cases with GHIBI.

METHODS

Retrospective case series describing 8 dogs and 2 cats with GHIBI, including clinical signs, treatment, and outcome.

RESULTS

Six dogs and 2 cats experienced cardiopulmonary arrest or anesthetic complication in a veterinary hospital and were promptly resuscitated. Seven showed progressive neurological improvement within 72 hours of the hypoxic-ischemic insult. Four fully recovered and 3 had residual neurological deficits. One dog presented comatose after resuscitation at the primary care practice. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed diffuse cerebral cortical swelling and severe brainstem compression and the dog was euthanized. Two dogs suffered out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest, secondary to a road traffic accident in 1 and laryngeal obstruction in the other. The first dog was euthanized after MRI that identified diffuse cerebral cortical swelling with severe brainstem compression. In the other dog, spontaneous circulation was recovered after 22 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. However, the dog remained blind, disorientated, and ambulatory tetraparetic with vestibular ataxia and was euthanized 58 days after presentation. Histopathological examination of the brain confirmed severe diffuse cerebral and cerebellar cortical necrosis.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Duration of hypoxic-ischemic insult, diffuse brainstem involvement, MRI features, and rate of neurological recovery could provide indications of the likelihood of functional recovery after GHIBI.

Endovascular thrombectomy for ischemic stroke with large core volume: An updated, post-TESLA systematic review and meta-analysis of the randomized trials

BACKGROUND

Limited randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been performed comparing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) to medical therapy (MEDT) for acute ischemic stroke with extensive baseline ischemic injury (AIS-EBI). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs reporting EVT for AIS-EBI.

METHODS

Using the Nested Knowledge AutoLit software, we conducted a systematic literature review from inception to 12 February 2023 within Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and PubMed databases. Results of the TESLA trial were included on 10 June 2023. We included RCTs that compared EVT to MEDT for AIS with large ischemic core volume. The primary outcome of interest was a modified Rankin Score (mRS) 0-2. Secondary outcomes of interest included early neurological improvement (ENI), mRS 0-3, thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) 2b-3, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and mortality. A random-effects model was used to calculate risk ratios (RRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

We included four RCTs with 1310 patients, 661 of whom underwent EVT and 649 of whom were treated with MEDT. EVT was associated with greater rates of mRS 0-2 (RR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.75-3.09; P-value < 0.001), mRS 0-3 (RR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.33-2.12; P-value < 0.001), and ENI (RR = 2.24, 95% CI = 1.55-3.24; P-value < 0.001). Rates of sICH (RR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.07-3.69; P-value = 0.03) were greater in the EVT group. Mortality (RR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.83-1.15; P-value = 0.79) was comparable between the EVT and MEDT groups. The rate of successful reperfusion in the EVT group was 79.9% (95% CI = 75.6-83.6).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the rate of sICH was greater in the EVT group, EVT conferred a greater clinical benefit to MEDT for AIS-EBI based on available RCTs.

Staged management of a large ischemic heel ulcer in a diabetes patient: a case report

Heel ulcer is one of the severe complications of patients with diabetes mellitus, which poses a high risk for foot infection and amputation, especially in patients with peripheral arterial disease and neuropathy. Researchers have searched for new treatments for treating diabetic foot ulcers in recent years. In this case report, we demonstrated the treatment of large ischemic ulcers for the first time in a diabetic patient. The overall treatment goal of this patient was designed to improve blood supply to her diseased lower extremities and close the ulcer. This two-stage reconstruction approach resulted in an ulcer-free, stable, plantigrade foot at postoperative follow-up.

Comparison of revascularization and conservative treatment for hemorrhagic moyamoya disease in East Asian Countries: a single-center case series and a systematic review with meta-analysis

Objective

The optimal treatment approach for hemorrhagic moyamoya disease (HMMD) remains a topic of debate, particularly regarding the comparative efficacy of revascularization versus conservative treatment. Our study, which included a single-center case series and a systematic review with meta-analysis, aimed to determine whether surgical revascularization is associated with a significant reduction in postoperative rebleeding, ischemic events, and mortality compared to conservative treatment among East Asian HMMD patients.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature review by searching PubMed, Google Scholar, Wanfang Med Online (WMO), and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). The outcomes of surgical revascularization and conservative treatment, including rebleeding, ischemic events and mortality, were compared. The authors' institutional series of 24 patients were also included and reviewed in the analysis.

Results

A total of 19 East Asian studies involving 1,571 patients as well as our institution's retrospective study of 24 patients were included in the study. In the adult patients-only studies, those who underwent revascularization had significantly lower rates of rebleeding, ischemic events, and mortality compared to those who received conservative treatment (13.1% (46/352) vs. 32.4% (82/253), P < 0.00001; 4.0% (5/124) vs. 14.9% (18/121), P = 0.007; and 3.3% (5/153) vs. 12.6% (12/95), P = 0.01, respectively). In the adult/pediatric patients' studies, similar statistical results of rebleeding, ischemic events, and mortality have been obtained (70/588 (11.9%) vs. 103/402 (25.6%), P = 0.003 or <0.0001 in a random or fixed-effects model, respectively; 14/296 (4.7%) vs. 26/183 (14.2%), P = 0.001; and 4.6% (15/328) vs. 18.7% (23/123), P = 0.0001, respectively).

Conclusion

The current single-center case series and systematic review with meta-analysis of studies demonstrated that surgical revascularization, including direct, indirect, and a combination of both, significantly reduces rebleeding, ischemic events, and mortality in HMMD patients in the East Asia region. More well-designed studies are warranted to further confirm these findings.

Factors Affecting the Delay of intravenous Thrombolysis in Hyperacute Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Single Centre Study

Introduction

Intravenous thrombolysis with r-tPA is the gold standard procedure in managing acute ischemic stroke recommended by the World Stroke Association, which is performed by injecting the drug r-tPA (Alteplase) intravenously. Generally, the preparation time to achieve thrombolysis is divided into pre-hospital and in-hospital. If this time can be shortened, the efficacy of thrombolysis can be increased. This study aims to determine the factors that can affect the delay in thrombolysis.

Methods

This is an analytic observational study with a retrospective cohort design in ischemic stroke confirmed by a neurologist at the neurology emergency unit of Hasan Sadikin Hospital (RSHS) from January 2021 to December 2021 and divided into two groups, delay and non-delay thrombolysis. A logistic regression test was performed to determine the independent predictor of delayed thrombolysis.

Results

There were 141 patients with an ischemic stroke diagnosis confirmed by a neurologist at the neurological emergency unit at Hasan Sadikin Hospital (RSHS) from January 2021 to December 2021. A total of 118 (83.69%) patients were included in the "delay" category, while 23 (16.31%) patients were included in the "non-delay" category. Patients included in the "delay" category had an average age of 58.29+11.19 years with a male-to-female sex ratio of 57%, while patients included in the "non-delay" category had an average age of 55.57+15.55 years with a male-to-female sex ratio of 66%. The NIHSS admission score was a significant risk factor for delayed thrombolysis. Through multiple logistic regression, it was found that age, onset, female gender, NIHSS admission score, and NIHSS discharge score were independent predictors of delayed thrombolysis. However, all of them were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Gender, risk factors for dyslipidemia, and arrival onset are independent predictors of delayed thrombolysis. Prehospital factors contribute relatively more to the delay in thrombolytic action.

Plasma Homocysteine (Hcy) Concentration Functions as a Predictive Biomarker of SPECT-Evaluated Post-Ischemic Hyperperfusion in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Introduction

Homocysteine (Hcy) concentration has been reported to be associated with ischemic stroke. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential of plasma Hcy in the prediction of post-ischemic hyperperfusion in AIS patients, which was diagnosed with the single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) method.

Methods

A total of 112 ischemic stroke patients were recruited in this study. According to whether the patients were subjected to post-ischemic hyperperfusion, all recruited subjects were divided into a post-ischemic hyperperfusion (+) group (N=48) and post-ischemic hyperperfusion (-) group (N=64). The basic demographical data, clinicopathological data and laboratory biochemical data were collected and compared. Level of homocysteine (Hcy) and cystatin-C (Cys-C) and their potential as predictive biomarker are also investigated.

Results

No significant differences were spotted between the post-ischemic hyperperfusion group (+) and post-ischemic hyperperfusion (-) group in respect to the basic demographical and clinicopathological data. And the serum Hcy levels were lower in the post-ischemic hyperperfusion (+) group. Moreover, ROC analysis indicated significant relationships between Hcy levels and the onset of post-ischemic hyperperfusion.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we validated that the plasma Hcy concentration can be used as a predictive biomarker of SPECT-evaluated post-ischemic hyperperfusion in patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke.

Correlation between clinical and brain computed tomography findings of stroke patients: A cross-sectional study

Background and Aims

In developing countries, the burden of stroke is growing and causing significant morbidity and disability with high mortality rates. Neuroimaging plays a crucial role in differentiating ischemic stroke from an intracerebral hemorrhage, as well as entities other than stroke. This study sought to determine the correlation between the clinical and brain CT scan findings of stroke patients attending three hospitals in Kampala, Uganda.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of clinically suspected stroke patients who were sent for brain CT scan at three selected hospitals in Kampala, Uganda. All brain CT scans of patients with suspected stroke were evaluated and the Alberta stroke program early CT score (ASPECTS) was used for middle cerebral artery (MCA) strokes. Univariate analysis was used to describe the clinico-demographic and brain CT features of stroke and summarized them as percentages. Bivariate and multivariate analysis were used to determine the adjusted odds ratios as a measure of association with a 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Of the 270 study participants, 141 (52.2%) were male. 162 (60%) had CT findings of stroke, and 90 (33.3%) had normal brain CT findings. Eighteen (6.7%) had other CT findings like tumor, dural hemorrhage, epidermoid cyst, and others. Ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and subarachnoid hemorrhage accounted for 124 (45.9%), 34 (12.6%), and 4 (1.5%) respectively. Limb weakness (55.2%), headache (41.1%), and loss of consciousness (39.3%) were associated with stroke findings on CT. Among the acute ischemic strokes, 30 (73.2%) had a worse (0-7) ASPECT score. Those aged ≥65 years were associated with a worse ASPECTS [AOR: 22.01, (95% CI: 1.58-306.09) p = 0.021].

Conclusion

More than a third of patients with a clinical diagnosis of stroke had either no CT features of stroke or had other findings. The most commonly affected vascular territory was left MCA. Old age was strongly associated with having the worst ASPECTS score.

Transradial balloon guide catheter placement for acute ischemic stroke thrombectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a treatment option for acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion. The use of a balloon-guided catheter (BGC) for EVT via transradial access (TRA) has emerged as a treatment approach, but its efficacy and safety compared to existing practices are uncertain.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was performed using Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science databases, and manual search. Studies reporting safety and efficacy metrics for TRA BGC EVT were included. Data regarding recanalization time, thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI), modified Rankin scale (mRS), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), first pass effect (FPE), and additional complications was pooled using a random-effects model to calculate event rates and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

The search yielded five studies (n  =  117). The mean time from puncture to final recanalization was 34.5 (95% CI  =  30.5 to 39.14, I²  =  0%, P-value  =  0.37) min. Successful recanalization (TICI 2b-3) and complete recanalization (TICI 3) occurred in 96.6% (95% CI  =  91.24 to 98.71, I²  =  0%, P-value  =  0.99) and 55.2% (95% CI  =  42.14 to 67.54, I²  =  0%, P-value  =  0.39) of cases, respectively. FPE occurred in 67.5% (95% CI  =  51.73 to 80.10, I²  =  0%, P-value  =  0.56) of patients. mRS 0-2 was achieved in 41.2% (95% CI  =  27.34 to 56.65, I²  =  70%, P-value  =  0.07) of patients. sICH occurred in 5.0% (95% CI  =  1.25 to 17.91, I²  =  0%, P-value  =  1.00) of patients. Local complications of radial hematoma and radial vasospasm occurred in 5.0% (95% CI  =  0.49 to 12.36, I²  =  29%, P-value  =  0.24) and 2.1% (95% CI  =  1.25 to 17.91, I²  =  71%, P-value  =  0.03) of cases, respectively. Switch to femoral access was necessary in 3.7% (95% CI  =  0.00 to 14.07, I²  =  68%, P-value  =  0.02) of procedures. The average number of passes per procedure was 1.6 (95% CI  =  1.15 to 2.11, I²  =  88%, P-value < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

TRA BGC EVT has potential as a safe and efficacious treatment option compared to existing methods. However, additional, prospective studies are necessary to inform clinical decision making.

Prognostic Utility of Cardiac MRI Myocardial Strain Parameters in Patients With Ischemic and Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND. Prior small single-center studies have yielded conflicting results regarding the prognostic significance of myocardial strain parameters derived from feature tracking (FT) on cardiac MRI in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic utility of FT parameters on cardiac MRI in patients with ischemic and nonischemic DCM and to determine the optimal strain parameter for outcome prediction. METHODS. This retrospective study included 471 patients (median age, 61 years; 365 men, 106 women) with ischemic (n = 233) or nonischemic (n = 238) DCM and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) less than 50% who underwent cardiac MRI at any of four centers from January 2011 to December 2019. Cardiac MRI parameters were determined by manual contouring. In addition, software-based FT was used to calculate six myocardial strain parameters (LV and right ventricular [RV] global radial strain, global circumferential strain, and global longitudinal strain [GLS]). Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was also evaluated. Patients were assessed for a composite outcome of all-cause mortality and/or heart-failure hospitalization. Cox regression models were used to determine associations between strain parameters and the composite outcome. RESULTS. Mean LV EF was 27.5% and mean LV GLS was -6.9%. The median follow-up period was 1328 days. The composite outcome occurred in 220 patients (125 deaths, 95 heart-failure hospitalizations). All six myocardial strain parameters were significant independent predictors of the composite outcome (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.92-1.16; all p < .05). In multivariable models that included age, corrected LV and RV end-diastolic volume, LV and RV EF, and presence of LGE, the only strain parameter that was a significant independent predictor of the composite outcome was LV GLS (HR = 1.13, p = .006); LV EF and presence of LGE were not independent predictors of the composite outcome in the models (p > .05). A LV GLS threshold of -6.8% had sensitivity of 62.6% and specificity of 62.6% in predicting the composite outcome rate at 4.0 years. CONCLUSION. LV GLS, derived from FT on cardiac MRI, is a significant independent predictor of adverse outcomes in patients with DCM. CLINICAL IMPACT. This study strengthens the body of evidence supporting the clinical implementation of FT when performing cardiac MRI in patients with DCM.

Sex-Specific Predictors of Long-Term Mortality in Elderly Patients with Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

Ischemic heart failure (HF) is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in the world-wide, but sex-specific predictors of mortality in elderly patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICMP) have been poorly studied. A total of 536 patients with ICMP over 65 years-old (77.8 ± 7.1 years, 283 males) were followed for a mean of 5.4 years. The development of death during clinical follow up was evaluated, and predictors of mortality were compared. Death was developed in 137 patients (25.6%); 64 females (25.3%) vs. 73 males (25.8%). Low-ejection fraction was only an independent predictor of mortality in ICMP, regardless of sex (HR 3.070 CI = 1.708-5.520 in female, HR 2.011, CI = 1.146-3.527 in male). Diabetes (HR 1.811, CI = 1.016-3.229), elevated e/e' (HR 2.479, CI = 1.201-5.117), elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (HR 2.833, CI = 1.197-6.704), anemia (HR 1.860, CI = 1.025-3.373), beta blocker non-use (HR2.148, CI = 1.010-4.568), and angiotensin receptor blocker non-use (HR 2.100, CI = 1.137-3.881) were bad prognostic factors of long term mortality in female, whereas hypertension (HR 1.770, CI = 1.024-3.058), elevated Creatinine (HR 2.188, CI = 1.225-3.908), and statin non-use (HR 3.475, CI = 1.989-6.071) were predictors of mortality in males with ICMP independently. Systolic dysfunction in both sexes, diastolic dysfunction, beta blocker and angiotensin receptor blockers in female, and statins in males have important roles for long-term mortality in elderly patients with ICMP. For improving long-term survival in elderly patients with ICMP, it may be necessary to approach sex specifically.

Trends in Intensive Care Admissions and Outcomes of Stroke Patients Over 10 Years in Brazil: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected stroke care worldwide. Data from low- and middle-income countries are limited.

RESEARCH QUESTION

What was the impact of the pandemic in ICU admissions and outcomes of patients with stroke, in comparison with trends over the last 10 years?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Retrospective cohort study including prospectively collected data from 165 ICUs in Brazil between 2011 and 2020. We analyzed clinical characteristics and mortality over a period of 10 years and evaluated the impact of the pandemic on stroke outcomes, using the following approach: analyses of admissions for ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes and trends in in-hospital mortality over 10 years; analysis of variable life-adjusted display (VLAD) during 2020; and a mixed-effects multivariable logistic regression model.

RESULTS

A total of 17,115 stroke admissions were analyzed, from which 13,634 were ischemic and 3,481 were hemorrhagic. In-hospital mortality was lower after ischemic stroke as compared with hemorrhagic (9% vs 24%, respectively). Changes in VLAD across epidemiological weeks of 2020 showed that the rise in COVID-19 cases was accompanied by increased mortality, mainly after ischemic stroke. In logistic regression mixed models, mortality was higher in 2020 compared with 2019, 2018, and 2017 in patients with ischemic stroke, namely, in those without altered mental status. In hemorrhagic stroke, the increased mortality in 2020 was observed in patients 50 years of age or younger, as compared with 2019.

INTERPRETATION

Hospital outcomes of stroke admissions worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, interrupting a trend of improvements in survival rates over 10 years. This effect was more pronounced during the surge of COVID-19 ICU admissions affecting predominantly patients with ischemic stroke without coma, and young patients with hemorrhagic stroke.

COVID-19 and Acute Ischemic Stroke Mortality and Clinical Outcomes among Hospitalized Patients in the United States: Insight from National Inpatient Sample

Coronavirus-19, primarily a respiratory virus, also affects the nervous system. Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a well-known complication among COVID-19 infections, but large-scale studies evaluating AIS outcomes related to COVID-19 infection remain limited. We used the National Inpatient Sample database to compare acute ischemic stroke patients with and without COVID-19. A total of 329,240 patients were included in the study: acute ischemic stroke with COVID-19 (n = 6665, 2.0%) and acute ischemic stroke without COVID-19 (n = 322,575, 98.0%). The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included mechanical ventilation, vasopressor use, mechanical thrombectomy, thrombolysis, seizure, acute venous thromboembolism, acute myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, septic shock, acute kidney injury requiring hemodialysis, length of stay, mean total hospitalization charge, and disposition. Acute ischemic stroke patients who were COVID-19-positive had significantly increased in-hospital mortality compared to acute ischemic stroke patients without COVID-19 (16.9% vs. 4.1%, aOR: 2.5 [95% CI 1.7-3.6], p < 0.001). This cohort also had significantly increased mechanical ventilation use, acute venous thromboembolism, acute myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, septic shock, acute kidney injury, length of stay, and mean total hospitalization charge. Further research regarding vaccination and therapies will be vital in reducing worse outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke and COVID-19.

Effectiveness and safety of the Trevo® Retriever for mechanical thrombectomy in Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke: Trevo Retriever China Registry

BACKGROUND

To quantify the effectiveness and safety of the Trevo® Retriever for endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients in China.

METHODS

Trevo Retriever Registry (China) was a prospective, multicenter, non-comparative, open-label study of patients with AIS treated with the Trevo Retriever. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients achieving an expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (eTICI) score ≥2b at the end of endovascular treatment. Secondary outcomes included first-pass eTICI score ≥2b and 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤2.

RESULTS

The Trevo Retriever Registry (China) enrolled and followed 201 patients (62.1 ± 12.5 years-old; 70.6% male) at 11 centers. The pre-procedure NIHSS score and ASPECTS were 16 (interquartile range (IQR), 13-21) and 7 (IQR, 6-9), respectively, and 188 (93.5%) patients had an mRS score of 0 prior to the stroke. The main stroke etiology was large artery atherosclerosis, accounting for 71.6% (144/201) of patients. Post-procedure eTICI ≥2b was 98.4% (187/190). First-pass eTICI ≥2b was 74.7% (136/182). The 90-day good outcome (mRS ≤2) rate was 73.6% (148/201). The 90-day all-cause mortality was 5.5% (11/201). Neurological deterioration at 24 h post-procedure was observed in 7.7% (15/195) patients. Embolism in a new territory was seen in one patient (0.5%). Two (1.0%) procedure-related adverse events (AEs) occurred, which were intra-procedure cerebral artery embolism. No Trevo related AEs occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

This real-world study of the Trevo Retriever in China demonstrated a high rate of revascularization and first-pass success that resulted in an overall high good function outcome rate and low mortality.

Various Types of Wounds That Diabetic Patients Can Develop: A Narrative Review

Diabetic foot complications represent a substantial health burden and are the foremost cause of hospitalization in patients with diabetes. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to cause several other problems. Diabetes is rapidly becoming the leading cause of illness and death worldwide. Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are one of the most painful complications of diabetes. These complications cause problems in blood vessels, nerves, and other organs throughout the body. DFU pathophysiology is attributed to a triad of neuropathies, trauma with secondary infection, and arterial occlusive disease. This review aims to identify the types of wounds that diabetics can develop. Owing to the complexity of their disease pathology, diabetics are susceptible to a variety of wounds, such as diabetic ulcers due to trauma (DUDT); neuropathic, ischemic, neuroischemic, arterial, venous, and mixed wounds; and diabetic bullae, furuncles, cellulitis, and carbuncles. Therefore, it is essential for healthcare providers to recognize the specific classification of a diabetic wound based on its distinctive attributes to provide appropriate wound care and therapeutic interventions. In the context of individuals with diabetes, it is of paramount significance to precisely identify the types of wounds during the initial evaluation to provide appropriate care and treatment, thereby enhancing the probability of favorable outcomes.

Advances in Antibody-Based Therapeutics for Cerebral Ischemia

Cerebral ischemia is an acute disorder characterized by an abrupt reduction in blood flow that results in immediate deprivation of both glucose and oxygen. The main types of cerebral ischemia are ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. When a stroke occurs, several signaling pathways are activated, comprising necrosis, apoptosis, and autophagy as well as glial activation and white matter injury, which leads to neuronal cell death. Current treatments for strokes include challenging mechanical thrombectomy or tissue plasminogen activator, which increase the danger of cerebral bleeding, brain edema, and cerebral damage, limiting their usage in clinical settings. Monoclonal antibody therapy has proven to be effective and safe in the treatment of a variety of neurological disorders. In contrast, the evidence for stroke therapy is minimal. Recently, Clone MTS510 antibody targeting toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) protein, ASC06-IgG1 antibody targeting acid sensing ion channel-1a (ASIC1a) protein, Anti-GluN1 antibodies targeting N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor associated calcium influx, GSK249320 antibody targeting myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), anti-High Mobility Group Box-1 antibody targeting high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) are currently under clinical trials for cerebral ischemia treatment. In this article, we review the current antibody-based pharmaceuticals for neurological diseases, the use of antibody drugs in stroke, strategies to improve the efficacy of antibody therapeutics in cerebral ischemia, and the recent advancement of antibody drugs in clinical practice. Overall, we highlight the need of enhancing blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration for the improvement of antibody-based therapeutics in the brain, which could greatly enhance the antibody medications for cerebral ischemia in clinical practice.

Circulating MicroRNA Profiling Identifies Distinct MicroRNA Signatures in Acute Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack Patients

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) refers to a momentary neurologic deficit caused by focal cerebral, spinal or retinal ischemic insult. TIA is associated with a high risk of impending acute ischemic stroke (AIS), a neurologic dysfunction characterized by focal cerebral, spinal or retinal infarction. Understanding the differences in molecular pathways in AIS and TIA has merit for deciphering the underlying cause for neuronal deficits with long-term effects and high risks of morbidity and mortality. In this study, we performed comprehensive investigations into the circulating microRNA (miRNA) profiles of AIS (n = 191) and TIA (n = 61) patients. We performed RNA-Seq on serum samples collected within 24 hrs of clinical diagnosis and randomly divided the study populations into discovery and validation cohorts. We identified a panel of 11 differentially regulated miRNAs at FDR < 0.05. Hsa-miR-548c-5p, -20a-5p, -18a-5p, -484, -652-3p, -486-3p, -24-3p, -181a-5p and -222-3p were upregulated, while hsa-miR-500a-3p and -206 were downregulated in AIS patients compared to TIA patients. We also probed the previously validated gene targets of our identified miRNA panel to highlight the molecular pathways affected in AIS. Moreover, we developed a multivariate classifier with potential utilization as a discriminative biomarker for AIS and TIA patients. The underlying molecular pathways in AIS compared to TIA may be explored further in functional studies for therapeutic targeting in clinical translation.

Age Stratification in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients with Heart Failure

Background and Purpose. Heart failure (HF) is considered one of the major risk factors associated with the severity of acute ischemic stroke(AIS). The risk factors associated with stroke severity in AIS with a history of HF is not fully understood. Methods. A prospectively maintained database from comprehensive stroke centers in PRISMA Health Upstate Sc, was analyzed for patients with AIS and a history of HF from January 2010 to 30 June 2016. The primary outcome was risk factors associated with a National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score (NIHSS) < 7 indicating lower severity and a score ≥ 7 indicating high severity for 65−74 age category and ≥75 years age category for AIS-HF patients. Univariate analysis was used to determine risk factors based on age categories and stroke severities, while multivariable analysis was used to adjust for the effect of confounding variables. Results: A total 367 AIS-HF patients were identified in this study, 113 patients were between 65−74 years old, while 254 patients were in the ≥75 years old age category. In the adjusted analysis for 65−74 age category, history of smoking (OR = 0.105, 95% Confidence interval (CI): 0.018−0.614, p = 0.012), triglycerides (Odd ratio(OR) = 0.993, 95% (CI): 0.987−0.999, p = 0.019), and International Normalized Ratio (INR) (OR = 0.454, 95% CI: 0.196−1.050, p = 0.045), and direct admission treatment (OR = 0.355, 95% CI: 0.137−0.920, p = 0.033) were associated with a lower stroke severity, elevated heart rate (OR = 1.032, 95% CI: 1.009−1.057, p = 0.007) was associated with a higher stroke severity. For the ≥75 years old age category, previous stroke (OR = 2.297, 95% CI: 1.171−9.852, p = 0.024), peripheral vascular disease (OR = 6.784, 95% CI: 1.242−37.065, p = 0.027), heart rate (OR = 1.035, 95% CI: 1.008−1.063, p = 0.012), and systolic blood pressure (OR = 1.023, 95% CI: 1.005−1.041, p = 0.012) were associated with a higher severe stroke severity. Conclusions: After adjusting for the effect of potential confounders, more risk factors were associated with a high severity of stroke among ≥75 years old compared with 65−74 years old AIS-HF patients. Elevated heart rate was an independent risk factor associated with stroke severity in 65−74 and ≥75 years old AIS-HF patients. Elevated heart rate and other identified risk factors should be managed to reduce stroke severity among elderly AIS-HF patients.

Identification of distinct circulating microRNAs in acute ischemic stroke patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Stroke is the second leading cause of global mortality and continued efforts aim to identify predictive, diagnostic, or prognostic biomarkers to reduce the disease burden. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as potential biomarkers in stroke. We performed comprehensive circulating miRNA profiling of ischemic stroke patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), an important risk factor associated with worse clinical outcomes in stroke. Serum samples were collected within 24 h of acute stroke diagnosis and circulating miRNAs profiled using RNA-Seq were compared between stroke patients with T2DM (SWDM; n = 92) and those without T2DM (SWoDM; n = 98). Our analysis workflow involved random allocation of study cohorts into discovery (n = 96) and validation (n = 94) datasets. Five miRNAs were found to be differentially regulated in SWDM compared to SWoDM patients. Hsa-miR-361-3p and -664a-5p were downregulated, whereas miR-423-3p, -140-5p, and -17-3p were upregulated. We also explored the gene targets of these miRNAs and investigated the downstream pathways associated with them to decipher the potential pathways impacted in stroke with diabetes as comorbidity. Overall, our novel findings provide important insights into the differentially regulated miRNAs, their associated pathways and potential utilization for clinical benefits in ischemic stroke patients with diabetes.

Ischemic Heart Disease in Young Women: JACC Review Topic of the Week

The Cardiovascular Disease in Women Committee of the American College of Cardiology convened a working group to develop a consensus regarding the continuing rise of mortality rates in young women aged 35 to 54 years. Heart disease mortality rates in young women continue to increase. Young women have increased mortality secondary to ischemic heart disease (IHD) compared with comparably aged men and similar mortality to that observed among older women. The authors reviewed the published evidence, including observational and mechanistic/translational data, and identified knowledge gaps pertaining to young women. This paper provides clinicians with pragmatic, evidence-based management strategies for young women at risk for IHD. Next-step research opportunities are outlined. This report presents highlights of the working group review and a summary of suggested research directions to advance the IHD field in the next decade.

Targeting Persistent Neuroinflammation after Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy-Is Exendin-4 the Answer?

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is brain injury resulting from the loss of oxygen and blood supply around the time of birth. It is associated with a high risk of death or disability. The only approved treatment is therapeutic hypothermia. Therapeutic hypothermia has consistently been shown to significantly reduce the risk of death and disability in infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. However, approximately 29% of infants treated with therapeutic hypothermia still develop disability. Recent preclinical and clinical studies have shown that there is still persistent neuroinflammation even after treating with therapeutic hypothermia, which may contribute to the deficits seen in infants despite treatment. This suggests that potentially targeting this persistent neuroinflammation would have an additive benefit in addition to therapeutic hypothermia. A potential additive treatment is Exendin-4, which is a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist. Preclinical data from various in vitro and in vivo disease models have shown that Exendin-4 has anti-inflammatory, mitochondrial protective, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative and neurotrophic effects. Although preclinical studies of the effect of Exendin-4 in perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury are limited, a seminal study in neonatal mice showed that Exendin-4 had promising neuroprotective effects. Further studies on Exendin-4 neuroprotection for perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, including in large animal translational models are warranted to better understand its safety, window of opportunity and effectiveness as an adjunct with therapeutic hypothermia.

Postacute Rehabilitation Impact on Functional Recovery Outcome and Quality of Life in Stroke Survivors: Six Month Follow-Up

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to examine the impact of postacute rehabilitation duration on the outcome of the functional recovery and patients’ quality of life after the stroke. Materials and Methods: One hundred patients (52 females, 48 males, mean age: 66.5 ± 7.3; range 53 to 79 years) who experienced a stroke (50 with ischemic stroke (IS) and 50 with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH)) took part in the study. Patients (treated with postacute rehabilitation measures for six months) were examined after one, three, and six months of postacute rehabilitation. Functional independence was measured using the functional independence measure (FIM) test, while the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life. Results: Patients with ICH had a slightly lower FIM score (FIM motor = 29.8 ± 11.8; FIM cognitive = 14.4 ± 4.6) on admission compared to patients with IS (FIM motor = 41.8 ± 18.8; FIM cognitive = 18.7 ± 6.3), but, after six months of postacute rehabilitation, patients with ICH reached an approximate level of functional independence (FIM motor = 53.8 ± 14.4; FIM cognitive = 25.8 ± 4.7), as did patients with IS (FIM motor = 67.6 ± 16.4; FIM cognitive = 29.2 ± 4.0). The motor and cognitive FIM, as well as quality of life, was statistically significantly increased at all four measurement points (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there is a statistically significant connection between functional independence and quality of life at all tested times. Conclusion: Patients achieved the highest degree of functional independence after six months. Furthermore, our findings point out that inpatient rehabilitation as well as outpatient rehabilitation are effective in functionality and quality of life improvement after a stroke; thus, both should be emphasized and regularly implemented.

Outcomes of young patients following mechanical thrombectomy for stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Young patients experience acute ischemic stroke (AIS) at much lower rates than their older counterparts. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the question regarding outcomes and clinical characteristics of young stroke patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy for AIS.

METHODS

Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review of the literature was conducted using the databases PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase. The primary outcome of interest was 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2. Secondary outcome variables included rate of successful reperfusion (TICI 2b/3), symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), and mortality. Using R software version 4.1.2, we calculated pooled event rates and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) for all outcomes.

RESULTS

Our analysis included eight studies with a total of 1903 patients. Definitions of young patients included age ranges of 18-49/50 years, 18-54/55 years, and 18-64/65 years. Functional independence was achieved in 62.0% of the patients, with an overall mortality of 9.0%. Moreover, successful reperfusion was achieved in 82.0% of the patients with sICH rates of 5.7%. There was significant heterogeneity among different analyses, which could not be attributed to the differences of the definition of young patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Following mechanical thrombectomy for AIS, patients aged 18-65 years achieved relatively high rates of functional independence and successful reperfusion and low rates of mortality and sICH.Clinical Perspective In this systematic review and meta-analysis of eight studies, we examined outcomes in young stroke patients, aged 18-65 years old, following mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke. We found that young patients achieved high rates of functional independence, high rates of successful reperfusion, and low rates of mortality and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage.While there have been several papers examining outcomes following mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke in young patients, the results of these studies have yet to be pooled together in a meta-analysis. Our results indicate that young patients have good outcomes following mechanical thrombectomy. Further studies that examine these outcomes are warranted so that a higher-powered analysis can be performed to better informed clinicians regarding outcomes in this patient age-group cohort.

Mechanical Thrombectomy via Transradial Approach for Posterior Circulation Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is traditionally performed via transfemoral access. While the majority of AISs are due to anterior circulation large vessel occlusions (AC-LVO), we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the feasibility of and outcomes following a transradial artery access for posterior circulation large vessel occlusion (PC-LVO) strokes. A systematic literature review of the English language literature was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Outcomes of interest included 90-day modified Rankin scale (mRS) 0-2, puncture to recanalization time, and thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) scores 2b/3 and 3. We calculated pooled event rates and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) for all outcomes. We included seven studies with 68 patients in our analysis. All patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy via transradial artery access for AIS due to PC-LVO. The pooled meantime of puncture to recanalization was 29.19 (95% CI=24.05 to 35.42) minutes. Successful recanalization (TICI2b/3) was achieved in 98.69% (95% CI=93.50 to 100) of patients and complete recanalization (TICI 3) in 52.16% (95% CI=34.18 to 79.60) of the patients. Overall, 56.84% (95% CI=41.26 to 78.30) of patients achieved mRS 0-2. Transradial artery access for mechanical thrombectomy for PC-LVO stroke displays early promise and feasibility, particularly regarding very high rates of successful recanalization and low puncture to recanalization time.

Prophylactic Hydroxyurea Treatment Is Associated with Improved Cerebral Hemodynamics as a Surrogate Marker of Stroke Risk in Sickle Cell Disease: A Retrospective Comparative Analysis

Sickle cell disease (SCD) increases the incidence of childhood stroke eighty-fold. Stroke risk can be estimated by measurement of the blood velocity through the middle cerebral artery (MCA) using transcranial doppler ultrasound (TCD). A high MCA blood velocity indicates increased stroke risk due to cerebral vasculopathy, and first-line treatment to prevent primary or recurrent strokes in high-risk children with SCD has classically been chronic blood transfusions. Research has more recently shown that many of these patients may safely transition from transfusions to oral hydroxyurea (HU) treatment while maintaining a decreased risk of stroke. However, the effect on stroke risk of truly prophylactic HU treatment beginning in infancy, prior to the onset of cerebral vasculopathy, is less well understood. Our retrospective study aimed to document the long-term effects of HU treatment compared with no HU treatment in children with SCD, using TCD measurements as our primary outcome and a surrogate marker of stroke risk. Our results showed that when accounting for age-related variability and duration of treatment, prophylactic HU treatment was independently associated with lower TCD MCA velocities compared with no HU treatment, providing further evidence supporting its early initiation for patients with SCD.

Rapidly progressive ischemic strokes and transient antiphospholipid syndrome during a mild SARS-CoV-2 infection

SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with an increased risk of thrombotic events, especially during severe forms of disease. Here we describe the clinical history of a patient with a mild form of Covid-19 infection presenting with multiple cerebral ischemic lesions that evolved in an atypical way.

Deep learning derived automated ASPECTS on non-contrast CT scans of acute ischemic stroke patients

Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke, ranked as the second leading cause of death worldwide. The Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) is considered as a systematic method of assessing ischemic change on non-contrast CT scans (NCCT) of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients, while still suffering from the requirement of experts' experience and also the inconsistent results between readers. In this study, we proposed an automated ASPECTS method to utilize the powerful learning ability of neural networks for objectively scoring CT scans of AIS patients. First, we proposed to use the CT perfusion (CTP) from one-stop stroke imaging to provide the golden standard of ischemic regions for ASPECTS scoring. Second, we designed an asymmetry network to capture features when comparing the left and right sides for each ASPECTS region to estimate its ischemic status. Third, we performed experiments in a large main dataset of 870 patients, as well as an independent testing dataset consisting of 207 patients with radiologists' scorings. Experimental results show that our network achieved remarkable performance, as sensitivity and accuracy of 93.7 and 92.4% in the main dataset, and 95.5 and 91.3% in the independent testing dataset, respectively. In the latter dataset, our analysis revealed a high positive correlation between the ASPECTS score and the prognosis of patients in 90DmRs. Also, we found ASPECTS score is a good indicator of the size of CTP core volume of an infraction. The proposed method shows its potential for automated ASPECTS scoring on NCCT images.

Triglyceride-glucose index and stroke recurrence in elderly patients with ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

This study aimed to explore the association between triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and stroke recurrence in elderly patients with ischemic stroke in China.

METHODS

We enrolled ischemic stroke patients aged ≥ 65 years from the Nanjing Stroke Registry Program. The primary endpoint was defined as recurrent stroke within one year after the index stroke. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models to investigate the association between TyG index and stroke recurrence. We assessed the discriminative ability of TyG index with the receiver operative characteristic and the area under the curve.

RESULTS

A total of 955 patients (median age, 70.0 [67.0, 75.0]; male sex, 67.2%) from the Nanjing Stroke Registry Program were enrolled. During one year follow-up, 97 (10.2%) elderly patients experienced stroke recurrence. In multivariable analyses, the association between TyG index and stroke recurrence remained significant after adjusting for confounders (quartile 4 versus quartile 1; hazard ratio, 2.073, 95% confidence interval, 1.158-3.711; P = 0.014). The restricted cubic spline showed an increasing trend for TyG index and stroke recurrence (P for non-linearity = 0.072). The area under the curve to predict stroke recurrence with TyG index was 0.719 (95% confidence interval, 0.666-0.772). Besides, TyG index slightly improved the prediction for stroke recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Elevated TyG index was associated with stroke recurrence in elderly patients with ischemic stroke. Further studies are warranted to assess the role of TyG index in the development of stroke recurrence in the elderly.

Use of Batroxobin in Central and Peripheral Ischemic Vascular Diseases: A Systematic Review

Background and Purpose: The mechanism of action of Batroxobin included the decomposition of the fibrinogen to fibrin degradation products (FDPs) and D-dimer and mobilization of endothelial cells to release endogenous nt-PA and to promote thrombolysis. This review aims to summarize current study findings about batroxobin on correcting cerebral arterial, venous, and peripheral vascular diseases, to explore the mechanism of batroxobin on anti-thrombosis process.

Methods: A thorough literature search was conducted utilizing the PubMed Central (PMC) and EMBASE databases to identify studies up to June 2021. Data from clinical studies and animal experiments about batroxobin were extracted, integrated and analyzed based on Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions approach and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P), including the condition of subjects, the usage and dosage, research observation index and main findings.

Results: A total of 62 studies were enrolled in this systematic review, including 26 clinical studies and 36 animal experiments. The 26 clinical studies involved 873 patients with arterial ischemic events, 92 cases with cerebral venous thrombosis, 13 cases with cerebral cortical vein thrombosis, and 1,049 cases with peripheral vascular diseases. These patients included 452 males and 392 females aged 65.6 ± 5.53 years. The results revealed that batroxobin had broad effects, including improving clinical prognosis (n = 12), preventing thrombosis (n = 7), promoting thrombolysis (n = 6), and improving vascular cognitive dysfunction (n = 1). The effects of batroxobin on reducing neuronal apoptosis (n = 8),relieving cellular edema (n = 4), improving spatial memory (n = 3), and promoting thrombolysis (n = 13) were concluded in animal experiments. The predominant mechanisms explored in animal experiments involved promoting depolymerization of fibrinogen polymers (n = 6), regulating the expression of related molecules (n = 9); such as intercellular adhesion molecule, heat shock proteins, tumor necrosis factor), reducing oxidative stress (n = 5), and reducing inflammation response (n = 4).

Conclusion: Batroxobin can correct both arterial and venous ischemic diseases by promoting depolymerization of fibrinogen polymers, regulating the expression of related molecules, reducing oxidative stress, and reducing the inflammation response.

Mortality among ischemic and nonischemic heart failure patients with a primary implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) for primary prevention is controversial in patients with nonischemic heart failure (HF). We evaluated the mortality and predictors of mortality in patients with prophylactic ICD implantation for ischemic and nonischemic HF.

METHODS

From 2008 to 2017, 1097 patients (667, nonischemic HF and 430, ischemic HF) who underwent prophylactic ICD implantation, were identified from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. We used propensity score overlap weighting to correct the differences between two groups.

RESULTS

Those with ischemic HF were older (67.0 ± 10.1 vs 61.8 ± 14.2 years), more often male (71.4% vs 63.7%), and had more comorbidities than patients with nonischemic HF. During a median follow-up of 37.3 months (interquartile range [IQR], 14.2-53.8 months), all-cause mortality was higher in unweighted patients with ischemic HF than in those with nonischemic HF (10.9 vs 6.4 per 100 person-years; hazard ratio [HR], 1.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38-2.20; P < .001). However, after weighting, the annual all-cause mortality rate was similar in both groups (9.5 vs 8.8 per 100 person-years), with no significant difference in the risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.68-1.71; P = .755). Older age and chronic kidney disease were independent predictors of all-cause mortality in both groups. There was no significant difference in cardiac and noncardiac mortality between the weighted nonischemic and ischemic HF groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The all-cause, cardiac, and noncardiac mortality rates were similar between patients with nonischemic and ischemic HF who underwent prophylactic ICD implantation.

The Role of Ultrasound as a Diagnostic and Therapeutic Tool in Experimental Animal Models of Stroke: A Review

Ultrasound is a noninvasive technique that provides real-time imaging with excellent resolution, and several studies demonstrated the potential of ultrasound in acute ischemic stroke monitoring. However, only a few studies were performed using animal models, of which many showed ultrasound to be a safe and effective tool also in therapeutic applications. The full potential of ultrasound application in experimental stroke is yet to be explored to further determine the limitations of this technique and to ensure the accuracy of translational research. This review covers the current status of ultrasound applied to monitoring and treatment in experimental animal models of stroke and examines the safety, limitations, and future perspectives.

Comparison of therapeutic effects of different acupuncture and moxibustion therapies on constipation after stroke treatment: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Constipation is a common complication after stroke, which seriously affects patients' quality of life and recovery. Many evidences show that acupuncture and moxibustion therapy has advantages in the treatment of constipation after stroke. But different types of acupuncture and moxibustion have different effects, and there is no research to prove which one is more effective.

METHODS

According to the search strategy, we will retrieve the randomized controlled studies of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of constipation after stroke from China Knowledge Network, Wanfang, VIP, China Biomedical medicine, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library databases. The retrieval time was from the establishment of the database to July 2021. Studies will be screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the quality of the studies will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk Bias Assessment Tool. All data analyses will be performed using Revman 5.4, Gemtc 0.14.3, and Stata 14.0. Finally, we will evaluate the strength of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method.

RESULTS

In this study, the efficacy of different acupuncture and moxibustion therapies in the treatment of constipation after stroke will be evaluated by evaluating defecation frequency, stool property score, constipation symptom score, quality of life score, adverse reactions, etc.

CONCLUSIONS

This study will provide reliable evidence-based evidence for selecting the best acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for constipation after stroke.

The economic burden of stroke: a systematic review of cost of illness studies

Stroke is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. As the number of stroke cases is rising from one year to another, policymakers require data on the amount spent on stroke to enforce better financing policies for prevention, hospital care, outpatient rehabilitation services and social services. We aimed to systematically assess the economic burden of stroke at global level. Cost of stroke studies were retrieved from five databases. We retrieved the average cost per patient, where specified, or estimated it using a top-down approach. Resulting costs were grouped in two main categories: per patient per year and per patient lifetime. We extracted information from forty-six cost of illness studies. Per patient per year costs are larger in high income countries and in studies conducted from the payer perspective. The highest average per patient per year cost by country was reported in the United States ($59,900), followed by Sweden ($52,725) and Spain ($41,950). The highest per patient lifetime costs were reported in Australia ($232,100) for all identified definitions of stroke. Existing literature regarding the economic burden of stroke is concentrated in high-income settings, with very few studies conducted in South America and Africa. Published manuscripts on this topic highlight substantial methodological heterogeneity, rendering comparisons difficult or impossible, even within the same country or among studies with similar costing perspectives.