不明原因缺血性脑卒中患者的卵圆孔未闭与主动脉内斑块关系的经食管超声心动图研究

对特发性脑卒中的病因诊断临床意义重大，但又极具挑战性。本文探讨经食管超声心动图检测的卵圆孔未闭及升主动脉、主动脉弓部内粥样硬化斑块与特发性脑卒中患者的关系，分析总结特发性脑卒中的原因。     

Therapeutic implications of transesophageal echocardiography after transthoracic echocardiography on acute stroke patients

Background

The role of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the evaluation of acute stroke patients is still ill-defined. We conducted a prospective observational study to find the prevalence of TEE findings that indicate anticoagulation as beneficial, in acute ischemic stroke patients without indication for anticoagulation based on clinical, electrocardiographic and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) findings.

Methods

We prospectively studied all patients referred to our laboratory for TTE and TEE. Patients were excluded if the diagnosis was not acute ischemic stroke or if they had an indication for anticoagulation based on clinical, electrocardiographic, or TTE data. Patients with TEE findings that might indicate anticoagulation as beneficial were identified.

Results

A total of 84 patients with acute ischemic stroke and without indication for anticoagulation based on clinical and electrocardiographic or TTE data were included in the study. Findings indicating anticoagulation as beneficial were found in 32.1%: spontaneous echo contrast (1.2%), complex aortic atheroma (27.4%), thrombus (8.3%), and simultaneous patent foramen ovale and atrial septal aneurysm (2.4%).

Conclusions

The results of our study show that TEE can have therapy implications in 32.1% of ischemic stroke patients in sinus rhythm and with TTE with no indication for anticoagulation.     

Prevention of work-related decompression illness events by detection of a cardiac right-to-left shunt

A 44-year-old tunnel worker was studied who suffered from several unexplained decompression illness events for almost 15 years. This caisson worker was affected after standard pressure profiles that did not cause symptoms of decompression illness in his colleagues on the same shift. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed an atrial septal defect (grade II) in this otherwise healthy man. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed ischemic brain lesions. Among divers, patent foramen ovale, the most common cause of cardiac right-to-left shunts, was shown to increase the risk for decompression illness events by a factor of 4.5 and to double the risk of ischemic brain lesions. Hyperbaric workers with symptoms of unexplained decompression illness, even if they are only slight, should immediately be transferred to a cardiologist so that a cardiac right-to-left shunt will not be overlooked.     

Microembolic signal detection by transcranial Doppler: Old method with a new indication

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is useful for investigation of intracranial arterial blood flow and can be used to detect a real-time embolic signal. Unfortunately, artefacts can mimic the embolic signal, complicating interpretation and necessitating expert-level opinion to distinguish the two. Resolving this situation is critical to achieve improved accuracy and utility of TCD for patients with disrupted intracranial arterial blood flow, such as stroke victims. A common type of stroke encountered in the clinic is cryptogenic stroke (or stroke with undetermined etiology), and patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been associated with the condition. An early clinical trial of PFO closure effect on secondary stroke prevention failed to demonstrate any benefit for the therapy, and research into the PFO therapy generally diminished. However, the recent publication of large randomized control trials with demonstrated benefit of PFO closure for recurrent stroke prevention has rekindled the interest in PFO in patients with cryptogenic stroke. To confirm that emboli across the PFO can reach the brain, TCD should be applied to detect the air embolic signal after injection of agitated saline bubbles at the antecubital vein. In addition, the automated embolic signal detection method should further facilitate use of TCD for air embolic signal detection after the agitated saline bubbles injection in patients with cryptogenic stroke and PFO.     

Dyspnea after pneumonectomy due to atrial septum defect

A 55-year-old woman presented with complaints of recurrent dyspnoea one year after pneumonectomy carried out as treatment for a tumour of the left lung. During several months her symptoms progressed and eventually mechanical ventilation became necessary. On admission a patent foramen ovale was found with transoesophageal ultrasound but this was judged not to be the cause of her symptoms. The pulmonary angiogram showed a intracardiac shunt with no intrapulmonary shunts. After repeated transoesophageal ultrasound a second defect was found of a sinus venosus type. This large defect was proven to be clinically significant during catherisation of the heart, when occlusion with a balloon was performed. After surgical repair of these defects with an artificial patch, the patient recovered well. Since then she has been without complaints.     

阿卡波糖降低缺血性脑卒中合并葡萄糖耐量减低患者再发脑卒中风险的研究

目的 探讨阿卡波糖是否可以降低缺血性脑卒中合并葡萄糖耐量减低(IGT)患者再发脑卒中的风险.方法 416例TIA或小型缺血性脑卒中患者发病1个月后行口服75 g葡萄糖耐量试验,合并IGT患者119例,将其随机分为两组,60例用阿卡波糖干预(药物干预组),59例仅随访观察(随访观察组),另外再从未诊断为IGT的患者中随机选出70例患者作为对照组.三组均给予小剂量阿司匹林治疗(50 mg/d),观察时间为3年.结果 药物干预组再发脑卒中的发生率较随访观察组明显减低(13.33%比28.81%,P＜0.05),与对照组(12.86%)比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 阿卡波糖可以降低缺血性脑卒中合并IGT患者再发脑卒中的风险.     

国产封堵器治疗动脉导管未闭的价值

目的评价国产封堵器治疗动脉导管未闭(patent ductus arterious,PDA)的效果及安全性。方法应用国产封堵器介入封堵50例PDA患者,PDA最窄处直径为2.3～14.6mm,平均(5.8±2.6)mm。术后随访3～48个月,平均(15.6±11.2)个月,心脏超声心动图(ultrasonic cardiography,UCG)评价治疗效果以及观察有无并发症。结果50例患者均手术成功,术后采用心导管术和UCG评价患者肺动脉平均收缩压较术前明显降低(p<0.05);术后15min造影显示,无残余分流45例(90%),微量分流3例,少量分流2例(10%);所有患者均无并发症,随访期间增大的左心室及心功能较术前改善。结论国产封堵器介入治疗PDA,近中期疗效确切、使用安全,成本效益比高。     

Clinical use of biplane transesophageal echocardiography]

The clinical value of biplane transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was assessed on basis of the experience of the first 100 cases. All studies were performed in awake patients, there was no complication or failure. There wee 43 males and 57 females, aged between 13 and 82 years. The indication of TEE was infective endocarditis in 33, congenital heart disease in 25, suspected tumor or thrombus in 18, search for source of embolism in 9, thoracic aortic pathology in 9, prosthetic valve dysfunction in 3 and other problems in 3 cases. Biplane technique provided additional information as compared to single plane TEE in the diagnosis of infective endocarditis (by the visualization of small vegetations and of mitral valve fenestration, and by the differentiation of mitral vegetation from prolapse or aneurysm), in the identification of source of embolism (by easier visualization of patent foramen ovale and of the left atrial appendage thrombus), in the imaging of ascending aorta, of right ventricular outflow tract and of the left ventricular endocardium. Biplane technique enhanced therapeutic decision making particularly in the indications of anticoagulant treatment and in planning certain cardiac operations. Biplane TEE is an easily acquired technique and it will replace single plane TEE in a number of indications.     

'Migraine and a hole in the heart': causal relationship between migraine and patent foramen ovale not established

The relationship between patent foramen ovale (PFO) and migraine is controversial. A common genetic background seems possible, but there is no evidence for a causal relationship. Despite the lack of evidence, PFO closure is recommended in many countries as a remedy for migraine. At present, PFO closure for migraine should only be carried out under strictly controlled clinical trial conditions.     

彩超对胎儿期卵圆孔闭合的诊断价值

目的：应用彩色多普勒超声观察胎儿心脏,观测胎儿时期卵圆孔的各项测量指标以预测其产后情况,并明确产后的重点随访对象,提高胎儿或新生儿继发孔型房缺的早期诊断。方法：选取胎儿期心脏结构、功能基本正常的病例,根据其产后房间隔闭合时间分为〈3个月闭合组、3～6个月闭合组、〉6个月尚未闭合等3组,比较各组产前的卵圆孔直径、卵圆孔流速、动脉导管流速、肺动脉内径、肺动脉流速。结果：随着房间隔闭合时间的延迟,胎儿时期的卵圆孔直径、动脉导管流速、肺动脉内径、肺动脉流速有增大趋势,卵圆孔流速有减慢趋势,对在6个月内闭合与未闭合的病例比较其差异,有统计学意义。结论：卵圆孔是胎儿心脏的重要血流通道．通过彩超对以上各项参数进行监测．能够对产后卵圆孔闭合的情况进行初步估测,从而对继发孔型房缺作出早期诊断。     

Cost-effectiveness of echocardiography to identify intracardiac thrombus among patients with first stroke or transient ischemic attack.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Echocardiography to select stroke patients for targeted treatments, such as anticoagulation (AC), to reduce recurrent stroke risk is controversial. The authors' objective was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of imaging strategies that use transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal (TEE) echocardiography for identifying intracardiac thrombus in new stroke patients. METHODS: Model-based cost-effectiveness analysis of 7 echocardiographic imaging strategies and 2 nontesting strategies with model parameters based on systematic evidence review related to effectiveness of echocardiography in newly diagnosed ischemic stroke patients (white males aged 65 years in base case). Primary outcome was cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). RESULTS: All strategies containing TTE were dominated by others and were eliminated from the analysis. Assuming that AC reduces recurrent stroke risk from intracardiac thrombus by 43% over 1 year, TEE generated a cost per QALY of $137,000 (relative to standard treatment) among patients with 5% thrombus prevalence. Cost per QALY dropped to $50,000 in patients with at least 15% intracardiac thrombus prevalence, or, if an 86% relative risk reduction with AC is assumed, in patients with thrombus prevalence of at least 6%. Probabilistic analyses indicate considerable uncertainty around the cost-effectiveness of echocardiography across a wide range of intracardiac thrombus prevalence (pretest probability). CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence on cost-effectiveness is insufficient to justify widespread use of echocardiography in stroke patients. Additional research on recurrent stroke risk in patients with intracardiac thrombus and on the efficacy of AC in reducing that risk may contribute to a better understanding of the circumstances under which echocardiography will be cost-effective.     

宁波市海曙区婴幼儿先天性心脏病监测与随访

【目的】 监测婴幼儿先天性心脏病(先心病)的发病情况和预后,为幼儿先心病的保健管理提供资料。 【方法】 2008-2010年在宁波市海曙区出生的足月活产儿8 259例中,经心脏彩超确诊为先天性心脏病的婴幼儿221例进行定期随访跟踪。 【结果】 婴幼儿先心发病率居前4位的分别为室间隔缺损(占24.89%),卵圆孔未闭(占22.62%),房间隔缺损合并动脉导管未闭(占13.57%),动脉导管未闭合并卵圆孔未闭(占13.57%);221例先心病患儿均在1岁前确诊。 【结论】 先天性心脏病是我国重要的公共卫生问题之一,开展对先天性心脏病的监测和随访,提高先天性心脏病婴幼儿的生活质量。     

缺血性脑卒中复发的临床特点和危险因素研究

目的　探讨缺血性脑卒中患者早期复发的临床特点和危险因素。方法　对 6 8例复发的缺血性卒中患者进行临床分析和病例对照研究。结果　 80 5例完全性缺血性卒中 ,有 6 8例复发 ,其总复发率为 8.5 % (6 8 80 5 ) ,其中脑血栓形成的复发率为 8.4 % (6 2 74 0 ) ,脑栓塞为 9.2 % (6 6 5 )。 6 9.0 %的病例复发在原患侧 ,复发前后类型相同者占89 .7%。结论　缺血性脑卒中患者早期复发多为同卒中类型、同部位的复发 ,高血压、有TIA或脑梗死史、糖尿病可能为卒中早期复发的危险因素。     

不同胎龄新生儿卵圆孔未闭与心电图钩形R波的相关性

目的:探讨不同胎龄新生儿心电图钩形R波对卵圆孔未闭的诊断价值。方法:将142例不同胎龄新生儿按胎龄分为28～30周组、31～33周组、34～36周组、37～40周组,观察各组心电图Ⅱ、Ⅲ、aVF、V1导联钩形R波的出现率。结果:各组间Ⅲ导联、V1导联、Ⅱ、Ⅲ导联钩形R波出现率差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);各组间Ⅱ、Ⅲ、aVF导联钩形R波出现率差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),31～33周组出现率较其他组高。结论:不同胎龄新生儿卵圆孔未闭与Ⅱ、Ⅲ、aVF导联心电图QRS钩形改变有相关性。     

Nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation and left ventricular hypertrophy in the prognosis of reversible ischaemic neurological deficit

Nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation (NRAF) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) have long been recognised as risk factors for cerebral ischaemia and as predictors of recurrent vascular events. In the present study we aimed at determining the value of NRAF and LVH as predictors of recurrent vascular events in a cohort of patients with a first-ever episode of reversible ischemic neurological deficit (RIND). The study included 54 patients (37 men and 17 women, aged 62 +/- 9.6 yrs) who had suffered RIND; they were followed up for 30 days after the stroke in clinical conditions and for 12 months as outpatients. The patients were studied during the hospital stay by means of routine tests (electrocardiography, standard laboratory tests) and specialised studies (computer tomography, echocardiography). By the end of the one-year outpatient follow up there were 8 (14.8%) recurrent cerebrovascular events. By combining the statistically significant cerebrovascular risk factors (male sex, sudden onset of the event and moderately high systolic and diastolic blood pressure) with factors not reaching statistical significance (LVH, NRAF) we developed a statistically significant prediction model for patients with RIND.     

Paradoxical air embolism in pigs with a patent foramen ovale.

Recent studies have indicated that divers with a patent foramen ovale (PFO) are at risk of developing some forms of decompression sickness. Thus, the objective of the present study was to investigate if the occurrence of paradoxical air embolism (PAE) was enhanced in pigs with a PFO compared to the occurrence in pigs without such a defect. Out of 54 pigs, 18 had a PFO (group PFO), and the other 36 composed the controls (group C). The pigs were anesthetized, mechanically ventilated, and received venous air infusion at four different rates (0.050, 0.075, 0.100, and 0.200 ml.kg-1.min-1). PAE was monitored by use of a transesophageal echocardiographic probe to detect if any arterial air bubbles were present in the left atrium or the aorta. We found that PAE appeared at a lower infusion rate in group PFO than in group C. When PAE occurred, the mean pulmonary arterial pressure and the mean arterial pressure were significantly higher in pigs with a PFO than in the control pigs. Finally, the infused air volume per kilogram of body weight in group PFO was significantly lower than that observed in group C. The results demonstrated that the risk of PAE occurring in mechanically ventilated pigs with a PFO was greater compared to the risk observed in pigs without a PFO.     

Different risk factor profiles between subtypes of ischemic stroke. A case-control study in Korean men

Ischemic stroke is composed of subtypes with variable underlying pathogenesis and studies on ischemic stroke as a whole may inadequately evaluate risk factors, being influenced by subtype distribution among studied population. This study aimed to evaluate risk factors associated with individual ischemic stroke subtypes defined by the Trial of ORG10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment. In a case-control study (290 first-ever ischemic stroke cases and 1160 individually matched controls without stroke) nested within Korean male public servants cohort, a range of potential risk factors measured at periodic health surveys prior to the onset of stroke event were examined using conditional logistic regression analysis. Increased risk for large-artery atherosclerosis was associated with hypercholesterolemia (≥ 6.2 mmol/L), hypertension, and smoking. Increased risk for small-artery occlusion was associated with hypertension, hyperglycemia (≥ 7.0 mmol/L), and frequent alcohol intake. No specific risk factor was identified for cardioembolism. For combined ischemic stroke, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and smoking were associated with the increased risk, but the relative odds were much smaller than those estimated from subtype analysis. Significance of risk factors evaluated for subtypes, rather than ischemic stroke as a whole, should be reflected in preventive efforts against the burden of ischemic stroke.     

Introduction: Modern Aspects of Congestive Heart Failure

Abstract

Background: Atherothrombosis is a systemic disease that may manifest as acute ischemic events in multiple vascular beds. Patients who have experienced an atherothrombosis-related ischemic event in 1 vascular bed are at risk for developing ischemic events in other vascular beds. Antiplatelet therapy demands an understanding of the balance between arterial thrombosis benefit and adverse event risk. Clinical trials indicate that dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and the newer thienopyridines increases the risk of bleeding in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) with prior cerebrovascular events. Informed clinical decision making requires a better understanding of the real-world prevalence of cerebrovascular events. Objective and Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of stroke and/or transient ischemic attack (TIA) among patients with ACS within US health plan populations. Methods: A retrospective, observational cohort study was conducted of patients with ACS in 5 health care claims databases. The index event was defined as the first documented inpatient health care claim for myocardial infarction or unstable angina. Patients with ≥ 12 months of pre-index medical care encounter information were included. Stroke/TIA was identified by the first health care claim for these conditions any time prior to or within 90 days following the index ACS event. Results: Across all databases, between 3.8% and 15.7% of patients with ACS had prior stroke/TIA and between 3.4% and 11.7% of patients with ACS with no history of cerebrovascular events had documented stroke/TIA following the index ACS hospitalization. Conclusion: Despite important differences between the various database populations, there is a high prevalence of documented stroke/TIA in patients with ACS both prior to and following the ACS event. These real-world findings, set within the context of the increased bleeding risk observed with the newer thienopyridines, are important considerations when selecting antiplatelet therapy for patients with ACS.     

30例新生儿脑梗死围生期因素的分析

目的:探讨新生儿脑梗死(NCI)围生期发病因素及其发病情况,便于早期防治,降低本病的发生率。方法:总结30例确诊病例的临床特征、影像学表现,进行围生期因素和其它可能病因分析。结果:1年内本院发现6例NCI,占同期住院患儿0.6‰。产前与产时孕妇存在高危因素占83.3%,新生儿出生窒息占30.0%。NCI合并左向右分流先心病36.7%,合并卵圆孔未闭26.7%。临床早期50.0%患儿出现阵发性惊厥,其中80.0%发生于生后72 h内。63.3%患儿缺乏定位体征,且伴有不同程度意识改变、肌张力异常和(或)原始反射异常等非特异性神经系统表现。颅脑CT平扫或MRI均有阳性发现,75.0%发生于左侧大脑中动脉,而且左侧发生多与右侧,分别为73.9%与26.1%。结论:新生儿脑梗死并不少见,是新生儿惊厥早期病因之一,与围生期孕妇的高危因素、新生儿窒息以及先心病等疾病密切相关,及时针对性选择头颅MRI或CT检查是早期确诊主要方法,防治围生期各种高危因素对降低NCI的发病率至关重要。     

Ischemic stroke associated with decrease in temperature

BACKGROUND: Some studies suggest low temperatures can affect mortality, especially deaths associated with circulatory and respiratory conditions. METHODS: We investigated the association between ischemic stroke onset and decrease in temperature in 545 patients over a 3-year period (January 1998 to December 2000) in Incheon, Korea. We used a case-crossover study design to assess changes in the risk of ischemic stroke during a brief hazard period after exposure to decrease in temperature. For each subject, the case period was matched to 2 control periods exactly 1 week before and after onset of the ischemic stroke. RESULTS: Decreased ambient temperature was associated with risk of acute ischemic stroke. The strongest effect was seen on day after exposure to cold weather. The odds ratio (OR) for an interquartile range decrease in temperature was 2.9 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.5-5.3). The risk period was 24-48 hours after cold exposure. Risk estimates associated with decreased temperature were greater in the winter than in the summer. Women, persons greater than 65 years of age, nonobese persons, and those with previous hypertension or hypercholesterolemia were more susceptible to cold-induced ischemic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that stroke occurrence rises with decreasing temperature, and that even a moderate decrease in temperature can increase the risk of ischemic stroke. Susceptible people should take steps to protect themselves from cold, especially in the winter.