Updated Trends,Disparities, and Clinical Impact of Neuroimaging Utilization in Ischemic Stroke in the Medicare Population: 2012 to 2019

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to update trends, investigate sociodemographic disparities, and evaluate the impact on mortality of stroke neuroimaging across the United States from 2012 to 2019.MethodsRetrospective cohort study using CMS Medicare 5% Research Identifiable Files, representing consecutive ischemic stroke emergency department or hospitalized patients aged ≥65 years. A total of 85,547 stroke episodes with demographic and clinical information were analyzed using Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel tests and logistic regression. Outcome measures were neuroimaging (CT angiography [CTA], CT perfusion [CTP], MRI, MR angiography [MRA]) utilization, acute treatment (endovascular thrombectomy [EVT] and intravenous thrombolysis [IVT]), and mortality while in the hospital and at 30 days and 1 year post discharge.ResultsSignificantly increasing utilization trends for CTA (250%), CTP (428%) and MRI (18%), and a decreasing trend for MRA (?33%) were observed from 2012 to 2019 (P < .0001). Controlling for covariates in the logistic regression models, CTA and CTP were significantly associated with higher EVT and IVT utilization. Although CTA, MRI, and MRA were associated with lower mortality, CTP was associated with higher mortality post discharge. Less neuroimaging was performed in rural patients; older patients (≥80 years) had lower utilization of CTA, MRI, and MRA; female patients had lower rates of CTA; and Black patients had lower utilization of CTA and CTP.ConclusionsCTA and CTP utilization increased in the Medicare ischemic stroke population from 2012 to 2019 and both were associated with greater EVT and IVT use. However, disparities exist in neuroimaging utilization across all demographic groups, and further understanding of the root causes of these disparities will be crucial to achieving equity in stroke care.     

基于DTI评价急性缺血性脑卒中运动功能缺损程度与肾虚髓亏证的相关性研究＊

目的 运用核磁共振弥散张量成像技术（DTI），从皮质脊髓束损伤程度评价的角度，探讨肾虚髓亏证与急性缺血性脑卒中运动功能缺损程度相关性，丰富中风病病机及证候诊断，拓宽缺血性脑卒中的中医药防治思路，为急性缺血性脑卒中肾虚髓亏证患者运动功能损伤程度提供临床依据，强调肾虚髓亏证在急性缺血性脑卒中运动功能损伤中的重要意义。方法 纳入符合诊断标准的90例病例，根据证候分别归入肾虚髓亏组和非肾虚髓亏组，每组各45例。每组患者均给予常规西药治疗。对两组患者入院后行弥散张量成像检测，同时分别于治疗前及治疗后14天，记录两组患者NIHSS评分、改良Barthel指数量表及简化Fugl-Meyer运动功能评分量表评分，比较两组病例发病时的轻重程度及治疗前后两组病例组间的恢复差异。结果 研究显示，治疗前肾虚髓亏组在NIHSS评分方面高于非肾虚髓亏组（P<0.05）；治疗前肾虚髓亏组在改良Barthel指数量表及简化Fugl-Meyer运动功能评分方面低于非肾虚髓亏组（P<0.05）。治疗前后NIHSS评分、改良Barthel指数评分及简化Fugl-Meyer运动功能评分改善情况，非肾虚髓亏组要优于肾虚髓亏组（P<0.05）。治疗前两组患者在健侧内囊后肢及大脑脚外侧处FA值及ADC值无明显差异；肾虚髓亏组在患侧内囊后肢及大脑脚外侧处FA值及ADC值均低于非肾虚髓亏组（P<0.05）。相关性分析得出，两组患者患侧内囊后肢FA值与患者治疗前NIHSS评分呈负相关；两组患者患侧内囊后肢FA值与患者改良Barthel指数评分及简化Fugl-Meyer运动功能评分呈正相关；肾虚髓亏组患者患侧内囊后肢FA值与肾虚髓亏证中医证候评分呈负相关。结论 肾虚髓亏是急性缺血性脑卒中运动功能障碍的重要病机。研究结果显示，两组皮质脊髓束损伤程度与神经功能及运动功能损伤存在相关性，且肾虚髓亏组在皮质脊髓束的损伤程度方面与其中医证候评分呈负相关。     

刍议清络法论治特发性肺纤维化急性发作＊

本文通过对特发性肺纤维化急性发作病因病机的分析，认为其病因为外邪或内伤引动肺络虚火，从阳化热，病机为“肺热”、“络瘀”；并结合其病因病机，探究归纳《温病条辨》中清络法和中药复方清络饮在论治特发性肺纤维化急性发作时的理论基础，为临床中论治特发性肺纤维化急性发作，改善患者症状提供新方法，为肺络病证治体系构建及应用提供新思路。     

Chinese herbal injections combined with rt-PA intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Background:Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is an important factor leading to adult death and disability globally. For AIS patients who meet certain conditions, recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) intravenous thrombolysis is an important method recommended by national guidelines to achieve vascular recanalization. However, complications such as hemorrhagic transformation and vascular reocclusion after thrombolysis are still unsolved problems in clinical. Several systematic reviews of clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the past have shown that Chinese herbal injections (CHIs) can improve the neurological function of patients, increase the tolerance of ischemic tissues to hypoxia, and inhibit platelet aggregation. Therefore, this study conducted a meta-analysis of AIS treatment with intravenous thrombolysis alone and compared it with the combined application of CHIs. To evaluate whether CHIs have a synergistic effect on thrombolytic therapy and provide a basis for clinical application.Methods:The following databases will be searched until September 2020: ①English databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase; ②Chinese databases: CNKI, Wanfang database, Weipu database, SinoMed. RCTs will be included to compare the efficacy of thrombolysis combined with CHIs and thrombolysis alone in the treatment of AIS. Data extraction and risk of bias assessments will be carried out by 2 verifiers independently. The risk of bias will be evaluated through the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Review Manager software 5.3 will be used for statistical analysis.Results:This study will provide comprehensive evidence for the treatment of AIS by CHIs combined with intravenous thrombolysis from multiple aspects.Conclusion:The conclusion of the meta-analysis will provide a basis for judging whether CHIs combined with intravenous thrombolysis is an effective measure for the treatment of AIS.Ethics and dissemination:Ethical approval is not needed because this study will be based on data that already published. We will publish the findings of this study in a peer-reviewed journal and related conferences.PROSPERO registration number:CRD42020215546.     

Renal AAV2-Mediated Overexpression of Long Non-Coding RNA H19 Attenuates Ischemic Acute Kidney Injury Through Sponging of microRNA-30a-5p

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内囊预警综合征的临床特征和预后

目的 分析内囊预警综合征（capsular warning syndrome，CWS）的临床特点、影像学特征及治疗预后，
以提高对此病的认识。
方法 回顾性分析战略支援部队特色医学中心神经内科2013年1月-2018年12月收住院治疗的CWS的
临床资料、影像学特征及治疗预后情况。
结果 共12例患者，男性8例（66.67%），中位年龄为60岁。高脂血症9例（75.0%），高血压8例
（66.67%），糖尿病4例（33.33%），肿瘤病史3例（25.0%）。纯运动性卒中4例（33.33%），运动伴有构
音障碍者4例（33.33%），运动及感觉性障碍3例（25.00%），纯感觉障碍1例（8.33%）。影像学示豆纹
动脉供血区新发脑梗死6例（50%）。所有患者给予口服双联抗血小板治疗，其中3例症状复发患者又
给予静脉溶栓和静脉抗血小板治疗。3个月随访，所有患者均未再出现症状发作，10例mRS评分为0
分，2例mRS评分分别为4分及3分。
结论 CWS主要表现为运动障碍，发作刻板，常见原因为动脉粥样硬化性。在本组病例中发现双重
抗血小板治疗有效，静脉溶栓效果不肯定。     

Cost-Effectiveness Study of Initial Imaging Selection in Acute Ischemic Stroke Care

PurposeNational guidelines recommend prompt identification of candidates for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treatment, requiring timely neuroimaging with CT and/or MRI. CT is often preferred because of its widespread availability and rapid acquisition. Despite higher diagnostic accuracy of MRI, it commonly involves complex workflows that could potentially cause treatment time delays. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact on outcomes of imaging utilization before treatment decisions at comprehensive stroke centers for patients presenting with suspected AIS in the anterior circulation with last-known-well-to-arrival time 0 to 24 hours.MethodsA decision simulation model based on the American Heart Association’s recommendations for AIS care pathways was developed from a health care perspective to compare initial imaging strategies: (1) stepwise-CT: noncontrast CT (NCCT) at the time of presentation, with CT angiography (CTA) ± CT perfusion (CTP) only in select patients (initial imaging to exclude hemorrhage and extensive ischemia) for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) evaluation; (2) stepwise-hybrid: NCCT at the time of presentation, with MR angiography (MRA) ± MR perfusion (MRP) only for MT evaluation; (3) stepwise-advanced: NCCT + CTA at presentation, with MR diffusion-weighted imaging (MR DWI) + MRP only for MT evaluation; (4) comprehensive-CT: NCCT + CTA + CTP at the time of presentation; and (5) comprehensive-MR: MR DWI + MRA + MRP at the time of presentation. Model parameters were defined using evidence-based data. Cost-effectiveness and sensitivity analyses were performed.ResultsThe cost-effectiveness analyses revealed that comprehensive-CT and comprehensive-MR yield the highest lifetime quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) (4.81 and 4.82, respectively). However, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of comprehensive-MR is $233,000/QALY compared with comprehensive-CT. Stepwise-CT, stepwise-hybrid, and stepwise-advanced strategies are dominated, yielding lower QALYs and higher costs compared with comprehensive-CT.ConclusionsPerforming comprehensive-CT at presentation is the most cost-effective initial imaging strategy at comprehensive stroke centers.