Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is invariably associated with the risk of clinically manifest transient or irreversible neurologic impairment. We sought to investigate the incidence ...and causes of clinically manifest stroke during TAVI. A total of 214 consecutive patients underwent TAVI with the Medtronic-CoreValve System from November 2005 to September 2011 at our institution. Stroke was defined according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium recommendations. Its cause was established by analyzing the point of onset of symptoms, correlating the symptoms with the computed tomography-detected defects in the brain, and analyzing the presence of potential coexisting causes of stroke, in addition to a multivariate analysis to determine the independent predictors. Stroke occurred in 19 patients (9%) and was major in 10 (5%), minor in 3 (1%), and transient (transient ischemic attack) in 6 (3%). The onset of symptoms was early (≤24 hours) in 8 patients (42%) and delayed (>24 hours) in 11 (58%). Brain computed tomography showed a cortical infarct in 8 patients (42%), a lacunar infarct in 5 (26%), hemorrhage in 1 (5%), and no abnormalities in 5 (26%). Independent determinants of stroke were new-onset atrial fibrillation after TAVI (odds ratio 4.4, 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 15.6), and baseline aortic regurgitation grade III or greater (odds ratio 3.2, 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 9.3). In conclusion, the incidence of stroke was 9%, of which >1/2 occurred >24 hours after the procedure. New-onset atrial fibrillation was associated with a 4.4-fold increased risk of stroke. In conclusion, these findings indicate that improvements in postoperative care after TAVI are equally, if not more, important for the reduction of periprocedural stroke than preventive measures during the procedure.
Outcome after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) depends on the patient risk profile, operator experience, progress in technology, and technique. We sought to compare the results of TAVI ...during the initiation phase and after certification to perform TAVI with the Medtronic CoreValve System without proctoring. A total of 165 consecutive patients was categorized into a first cohort of 33 patients treated before certification (November 2005 to December 2007) and a second cohort of 132 patients treated after certification (January 2008 to October 2010). The study end points were selected and defined according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium recommendations. Compared to cohort 2, the patients in cohort 1 more frequently had New York Heart Association class III–IV (100% vs 71%, p <0.001), hypertension (67% vs 39%, p = 0.004), and aortic regurgitation grade III–IV (46% vs 22%, p = 0.006) before TAVI. Over time, the patients in cohort 2 more frequently underwent a truly percutaneous approach (98% vs 82%, p = 0.002) without circulatory support (96% vs 67%, p <0.001) but with more concomitant percutaneous coronary intervention (11% vs 0%, p = 0.042) than the patients in cohort 1. They also more often received a 29-mm prosthesis (72% vs 24%, p <0.001), required less postimplantation balloon dilation (10% vs 27%, p = 0.008), and had less aortic regurgitation grade III–IV after TAVI (12% vs 30%, p = 0.010). The clinical outcome showed a nonsignificant reduction in the combined safety end point (30% to 17%) but a significant reduction in cerebrovascular events (21% to 7%, p = 0.020) and life-threatening bleeding (15% to 5%, p = 0.044) in cohort 2. However, the reduction in overall bleeding and vascular complications (25% and 14%, respectively) was not significant. In conclusion, TAVI became significantly less complex and was associated with better results over time but remained associated with a high frequency of periprocedural major cardiovascular complications.
Summary Purpose Craniofacial microsomia (CFM) is a congenital malformation of structures derived from the first and second pharyngeal arches leading to underdevelopment of the face. However, besides ...the craniofacial underdevelopment, extracraniofacial anomalies including cardiac, renal and skeletal malformation have been described. The aim of this study is to analyse a large population of patients with regard to demographics, typical phenotypes including craniofacial and extracraniofacial anomalies, and the correlations between the different variables of this condition. Material and Methods A retrospective study was conducted in patients diagnosed with CFM with available clinical and/or radiographic images. All charts were reviewed for information on demographic, radiographic and diagnostic criteria. The presence of cleft lip/palate and extracraniofacial anomalies were noted. Pearson correlation tests and principal component analysis was performed on the phenotypic variables. Results A total of 755 patients were included. The male-to-female ratio and right-to-left ratio were both 1.2:1. A correlation was found among Pruzansky–Kaban, orbit and soft tissue. Similar correlations were found between ear and nerve. There was no strong correlation between phenotype and extracraniofacial anomalies. Nevertheless, extracraniofacial anomalies were more frequently seen than in the ‘normal’ population. Patients with bilateral involvement had a more severe phenotype and a higher incidence of extracraniofacial and cleft lip/palate. Conclusion Outcomes were similar to those of other smaller cohorts. Structures derived from the first pharyngeal arch and the second pharyngeal arch were correlated with degree of severity. Extracraniofacial anomalies were positively correlated with CFM. The findings show that bilaterally affected patients are more severely affected and should be approached more comprehensively.
Background Impaired glucose tolerance is often present in patients with a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ischemic stroke and doubles the risk of recurrent stroke. This impaired glucose tolerance ...can be transient, reflecting an acute stress response, or persistent, representing undiagnosed impaired glucose metabolism possibly requiring treatment. We aimed to assess the occurrence of persistent impaired glucose tolerance after a stroke or TIA and to develop a prediction model to identify patients at risk of persistent impaired glucose tolerance. Methods Patients admitted to the stroke unit or TIA clinic of the Erasmus Medical Center with ischemic stroke or TIA and impaired glucose tolerance (2-hour postload glucose level of 7.8-11.0 mmol/L) were consecutively enrolled between July 2009 and June 2012. The oral glucose tolerance test was repeated after 3 months and patients were classified as having transient impaired glucose tolerance or persistent impaired glucose tolerance. We developed a prediction model by means of a multivariable logistic regression model. We calculated the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) to quantify the performance of the model and the internal validity by bootstrapping. Results Of the 101 patients included, 53 (52%) had persistent impaired glucose tolerance or progression to diabetes. These patients were older and more often had hypertension and used statins. A prediction model including age, current smoking, statin use, triglyceride, hypertension, previous ischemic cardiovascular disease, body mass index, and fasting plasma glucose accurately predicted persistent impaired glucose tolerance (bootstrapped AUC, .777), with statin use, triglyceride, and fasting plasma glucose as the most important predictors. Conclusions Half of the patients with impaired glucose tolerance after a TIA or ischemic stroke have persistent impaired glucose tolerance. We provide a prediction model to identify patients at risk of persistent impaired glucose tolerance, with statin use, triglyceride, and fasting plasma glucose as the most important predictors, which after external validation might be used to optimize secondary prevention.
Spinal cord ischemia is a potentially devastating complication after thoracic endovascular aorta repair (TEVAR). Patients with spinal cord ischemia after TEVAR often develop paraplegia, which is ...considered irreversible, and have significant increased postoperative morbidity and mortality. We report the case of a patient with unusual late complete neurologic recovery of acute-onset paraplegia after TEVAR for an infected thoracic aortic aneurysm.
Despite aspirin's established role in the treatment of atherosclerotic vascular disease, considerable controversy exists regarding its most effective dosing strategy. In a retrospective observational ...study, we examined the relation between prescribed aspirin dose (<162 mg vs ≥162 mg/day aspirin) and clinical outcome in 4,589 placebo-treated patients enrolled in the Blockage of the Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Receptor to Avoid Vascular Occlusion (BRAVO) trial over a median follow-up of 366 days. Standard Cox regression analysis was employed because propensity analysis was not feasible. Compared with lower aspirin doses, higher doses were associated with lower unadjusted all-cause mortality (2.9 vs 1.6%, respectively; log rank chi-square 8.6, p = 0.0034). Higher aspirin dose remained independently predictive of lower all-cause mortality in a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model (hazard ratio 0.64, 95% confidence interval 0.42 to 0.97, p = 0.037). However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of the composite endpoint death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke (6.1% vs 6.2%, p = 0.74). Higher aspirin dose was a significant independent predictor of any (hazard ratio 1.32, 95% confidence interval 1.12 to 1.55, p = 0.001) but not serious bleeding. In conclusion, our findings suggest that aspirin doses of ≥162 mg/day may be more beneficial than those <162 mg/day at preventing death.
Silent brain infarcts: a systematic review Vermeer, Sarah E, Dr; Longstreth, William T, MD; Koudstaal, Peter J, PhD
Lancet neurology,
07/2007, Letnik:
6, Številka:
7
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Summary As the availability and quality of imaging techniques improve, doctors are identifying more patients with no history of transient ischaemic attack or stroke in whom imaging shows brain ...infarcts. Until recently, little was known about the relevance of these lesions. In this systematic review, we give an overview of the frequency, causes, and consequences of MRI-defined silent brain infarcts, which are detected in 20% of healthy elderly people and up to 50% of patients in selected series. Most infarcts are lacunes, of which hypertensive small-vessel disease is thought to be the main cause. Although silent infarcts, by definition, lack clinically overt stroke-like symptoms, they are associated with subtle deficits in physical and cognitive function that commonly go unnoticed. Moreover, the presence of silent infarcts more than doubles the risk of subsequent stroke and dementia. Future studies will have to show whether screening and treating high-risk patients can effectively reduce the risk of further infarcts, stroke, and dementia.
Summary Background High body temperature in the first 12–24 h after stroke onset is associated with poor functional outcome. The Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) In Stroke (PAIS) trial aimed to assess ...whether early treatment with paracetamol improves functional outcome in patients with acute stroke by reducing body temperature and preventing fever. Methods In a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, patients with ischaemic stroke or intracerebral haemorrhage and body temperature between 36°C and 39°C were randomly assigned treatment with paracetamol (6 g daily) or placebo within 12 h from symptom onset. Treatment allocation was based on a computer-generated list of random numbers with varying block size. The primary outcome was improvement beyond expectation on the modified Rankin scale at 3 months, according to the sliding dichotomy approach. This trial is registered, number ISRCTN74418480. Findings Between March, 2003, and May, 2008, 1400 patients were randomly allocated treatment. 260 (37%) of 697 patients receiving paracetamol and 232 (33%) of 703 receiving placebo improved beyond expectation (adjusted odds ratio OR 1·20, 95% CI 0·96–1·50). In a post-hoc analysis of patients with baseline body temperature 37–39°C, treatment with paracetamol was associated with improved outcome (1·43, 1·02–1·97). There were 55 serious adverse events in the paracetamol group (8%) and 70 in the placebo group (10%). Interpretation These results do not support routine use of high-dose paracetamol in patients with acute stroke. Paracetamol might have a beneficial effect on functional outcome in patients admitted with a body temperature 37–39°C, but this post-hoc finding needs further study. Funding Netherlands Heart Foundation.
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