Atorvastatin Reduces First and Subsequent Vascular Events Across Vascular Territories: The SPARCL Trial

BackgroundIn the SPARCL (Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels) trial, atorvastatin was compared with placebo in 4,731 participants with recent stroke or transient ischemic attack and no known coronary heart disease. Atorvastatin reduced the first occurrence of stroke and the first occurrence of a composite of vascular events.ObjectivesThe aim of this post hoc analysis was to assess the occurrence of all (first and subsequent) vascular events and the effect of atorvastatin to reduce these events by vascular territory (cerebrovascular, coronary, or peripheral) in SPARCL.MethodsTreatment effects on total adjudicated vascular events, overall and by vascular territory, were summarized by marginal proportional hazards models. Vascular event rates were estimated for each treatment group with cumulative incidence functions.ResultsThe placebo group had an estimated 41.2 first and 62.7 total vascular events per 100 participants over 6 years. There were 164 fewer first and 390 fewer total vascular events in the atorvastatin group (total events hazard ratio: 0.68; 95% confidence interval: 0.60 to 0.77). The total events reduction included 177 fewer cerebrovascular, 170 fewer coronary, and 43 fewer peripheral events. Over 6 years, an estimated 20 vascular events per 100 participants were avoided with atorvastatin treatment.ConclusionsIn participants with recent stroke or transient ischemic attack, the total number of vascular events prevented with atorvastatin was more than twice the number of first events prevented. Total event reduction provides a comprehensive metric to capture the totality of atorvastatin clinical efficacy in reducing disease burden after stroke or transient ischemic attack. (Lipitor in the Prevention of Stroke, for Patients Who Have Had a Previous Stroke [SPARCL]; NCT00147602)     

不同类型急性缺血性脑血管病患者脑微出血的对比研究

目的:探讨不同类型急性缺血性脑血管病患者脑微出血(CMBs)的发生率及严重程度。方法:收集急性缺血性脑血管病患者852例,其中短暂性脑缺血发作(TIA)46例,急性脑梗死806例[根据TOAST分型标准分为动脉粥样硬化性血栓形成(A组)484例,心源性脑栓塞(B组)92例,小动脉性脑梗死(C组)166例,不明原因脑梗死(D组)64例)]。另选择同期健康体检者102例作为对照。比较各组CMBs发生率、严重程度及比较初发、复发患者的发生率。结果:与对照组比较,A组、C组的年龄及高血压病史、糖尿病史、吸烟史、脑白质病患者的比例明显增高(P<0.05);B组糖尿病史患者的比例明显高于对照组(P<0.05);TIA组的年龄明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。急性脑梗死患者4个分组CMBs发生率明显高于对照组(P<0.05);A组CMBs分布在Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ级的比例接近,B组集中分布于Ⅱ级,C组Ⅳ级多见,D组及TIA组以Ⅱ级多见。初发急性梗死患者的CMBs发生率明显低于复发患者(P<0.05)。A组、C组初发急性梗死患者CMBs发生率明显低于复发患者(P<0.05)。结论:不同类型的急性脑缺血性脑血管病患者的CMBs发生率及严重程度差异较大,另外在初发、复发型脑梗死患者中的CMBs发生率也不尽相同,这可能与CMBs不同的影响因素差别大有关。     

磁共振动脉自旋标记全脑容积灌注成像对短暂性脑缺血发作的诊断价值

探讨动脉自旋标记全脑容积灌注成像（3D-ASL)对短暂性脑缺血发作(TIA)的诊断价值。对48例临床诊断短暂性脑缺血发作的患者据最后一次发作24 h内行磁共振常规扫描（包含T1WI、T2WI、T2-FLAIR、DWI序列)、磁共振血管成像（3D-TOF-MRA)及3D-ASL扫描,并根据扫描结果对48例短暂性脑缺血发作患者进行分析。常规平扫检出异常14例（29.17%）;3D-MRA检出异常18例(37.50%);3D-ASL检出异常37例(77.09%)。动脉自旋标记全脑容积灌注成像对短暂性脑缺血发作的检出率远高于常规平扫及血管成像,有显著性差异,且简便易行,可以作为诊断短暂性脑缺血发作的常规检查方法予以推广。     

Neuromuscular control and hop performance in youth and adult male and female football players

ObjectivesTo compare neuromuscular control and hop performance between youth and adult male and female football players.DesignCross-sectional study.Participants119 youth players (13–16 years; 68 males) and 88 adult players (17–26 years; 44 males).Main outcome measuresNeuromuscular control assessed with drop vertical jump (DVJ) and tuck jump assessment (TJA). Hop performance assessed with single-leg hop for distance and side hop.ResultsAdult females had smaller normalized knee separation distances (NKSD) during DVJ at initial contact (77.9 ± 18.5 vs. 86.1 ± 11.0, p = 0.010) and at maximum knee flexion (59.7 ± 23.4 vs.74.1 ± 18.1, p = 0.001) compared to youth females. TJA revealed more technique errors in youths compared to adults (males 10 (8–11) vs. 8 (7–10); females 11 (9–12) vs. 9 (8–11), p < 0.05). Youths demonstrated inferior hop performance (males single-leg hop 142 ± 18 vs. 163 ± 17, side hop 41 ± 12 vs. 52 ± 12, p < 0.001; females side hop 32 ± 10 vs. 38 ± 14, p < 0.05).ConclusionsYouth players demonstrated reduced neuromuscular control during TJA and inferior hop performance compared to adult players. Adult female players demonstrated greater knee valgus during DVJ compared to youth female players.     

Ischemic Stroke With Cerebral Protection System During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to evaluate in-hospital outcomes with use of the Sentinel cerebral protection system (CPS) in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).BackgroundThe role of the Sentinel CPS in preventing clinical ischemic stroke has been controversial.MethodsThe Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from the last three quarters of 2017, after the approval of the Sentinel CPS device, was queried to identify hospitalizations for TAVR. A 1:2 propensity score–matched analysis to compare in-hospital outcomes with versus without use of the CPS. The primary outcome was the occurrence of ischemic strokes.ResultsA total of 36,220 weighted discharges of patients who underwent TAVR (525 with the CPS and 35,695 without) were identified. The overall percentages of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes were 2.4% and 0.2%, respectively. After propensity score matching (525 CPS, 1,050 no CPS), the risk for ischemic stroke was lower with use of the CPS (1 % vs. 3.8%, odd ratio [OR]: 0.243 (95% confidence interval: 0.095 to 0.619); p = 0.003). The cost of the index hospitalization was higher with use of the CPS ($47,783 vs. $44,578; p = 0.002). In multivariate regression analysis, use of the CPS was independently associated with a lower risk for ischemic stroke (OR: 0.380; 95% confidence interval: 0.157 to 0.992; p = 0.032).ConclusionsUse of the Sentinel CPS in patients undergoing TAVR is associated with a lower incidence of ischemic stroke and in-hospital mortality, without an increased risk for procedural complications but with an increased cost of the index hospitalization.     

短暂性脑缺血发作及脑梗死与血清幽门螺杆菌抗体的相关性

目的 探讨幽门螺杆菌(Hp)感染与短暂性脑缺血发作(TIA)及脑梗死的关系.方法 应用酶联免疫法(ELISA)检测80例脑梗死患者和80例短暂性脑缺血发作患者以及60例健康对照者血清Hp-IgG以及细胞毒素相关蛋白A抗体IgG(CasA-Hp-IgG)阳性率,同时检测血清TC、TG、Apo-A、Apo-B、HDL-C、LDL-C水平.结果 脑梗死组及TIA组血清Hp-IgG阳性率分别为65.40%和67.90%,cagA-Hp-IgG阳性率分别为52.56%和50.23%,均显著高于健康对照组的47.15%和35.20%(P<0.05).脑梗死Hp-IgG阳性与阴性者间TG水平有统计学差异(P<0.05).结论 Hp感染与TIA发作及脑梗死的发病密切相关,并可能影响血脂水平.     

Peridevice Leak Following Amplatzer Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion: Cardiac Computed Tomography Classification and Clinical Outcomes

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate cardiac computed tomography (CT) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) peridevice leak (PDL) assessments, and the clinical relevance of PDL.BackgroundPDL assessment is integral during follow-up after left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion. Comparative studies of TEE and cardiac CT are sparse, and the clinical relevance of PDL is uncertain.MethodsThis was a single-center observational study of consecutive patients undergoing LAA occlusion with Amplatzer devices (Amplatzer Cardiac Plug/Amulet) between 2010 and 2018 (N = 415). Patients with both 8-week CT and TEE were included for analysis (n = 346). Images were analyzed by blinded investigators (K.K. and A.S.). PDL on cardiac CT was classified from grade 1 to 3, based on PDL at the device disc, device lobe, and LAA contrast patency. Primary clinical outcome was a composite of ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, systemic embolism, or all-cause death.ResultsPDL was present in 110 patients (32%) by TEE, with 29 (8%) >3 mm. By cardiac CT, 210 patients (61%) had PDL at the disc, with contrast patency in 204 patients (59%). A grade 3 PDL (gap at disc, lobe, and LAA contrast patency) was present in 63 patients (18%). Bland-Altman analysis showed poor agreement between CT and TEE for leak sizing. CT and TEE detected PDL was not significantly associated with worse outcome, hazard ratio: 1.82 (95 % confidence interval: 0.95 to 3.50); p = 0.07 and hazard ratio: 1.43 (95% confidence interval: 0.74 to 2.76); p = 0.28, respectively.ConclusionsPDL occurrence is substantially higher with CT compared with TEE, with a large discrepancy between modalities in leak quantification. A novel CT-based classification is proposed, yet PDL was not associated with worse clinical outcome.     

Age is not a predictor of patent foramen ovale with right-to-left shunt in patients with cerebral ischemic events

BACKGROUND: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) with or without atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) is highly associated with cerebral ischemic events in young patients. The prevalence of PFO and ASA in elderly patients with cerebral ischemic events is not well described. OBJECTIVE: Our study is to evaluate the frequencies of PFO with right-to-left shunt (RLS) and ASA in elderly patients and to determine whether age is a predictor of flow-reversed PFO with RLS in cerebral ischemic events. METHODS: A prospective registry for all consecutive patients with cerebral ischemic events who were evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for the detection of possible cardiac source of embolization was established and maintained in a university hospital. Patients' demographics including age, gender, ethnic origin, cerebrovascular risk factors, and all positive TEE data were collected from July 2000 to August 2001 for statistical analysis. A univariate and multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: In older patients the prevalence of PFO with RLS, PFO, and ASA was 25/118 (20%), 28/118 (24%), and 38/118 (32%), respectively, as opposed to younger patients, in whom it was 35/119 (30%), 39/119 (33%), and 38/119 (32%), respectively. Older patients had higher frequencies of hypertension (59; 69%), CAD (25; 21%), and prior history of stroke (23; 20%) as opposed to younger patients. Younger age (<60 years), gender, smoking history, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, CAD, and prior history of stroke were not associated with higher prevalence of PFO with RLS. Patent foramen ovale was associated with ASA (P < 0.001) and LVH (P < 0.019) in patients with TIA and stroke. In multivariate analysis only ASA (P < 0.001) remained significant with PFO, with RLS controlling for age, gender, and LVH. CONCLUSIONS: PFO with RLS and ASA are frequently present in elderly stroke and/or TIA patients and age is not a predictor for PFO. Transesophageal echocardiography should be considered for all stroke and/or TIA patients irrespective of their age.     

高浓度氧疗对比滴定氧疗治疗儿童哮喘的随机对照研究

[摘要]目的：对比高浓度氧疗与滴定氧疗对儿童哮喘急性发作患儿经皮二氧化碳分压（PtCO2）的影响。方法：选取因中度或重度哮喘发作就诊于我院的100例2~18岁哮喘病患儿为研究对象,随机分为高浓度氧疗组（HCOT组）或滴定氧疗组（TOT组）,在0、20、40、60、90 min时测量PtCO2、哮喘评分,并对两组患儿住院率进行对比分析。结果：60 min时,HCOT组患儿PtCO2升高>4 mm Hg和PtCO2升高>6 mm Hg比例高于TOT组,HCOT组患儿PtCO2升高>4 mm Hg且PtCO2>38 mm Hg比例高于TOT组（P<0.05）。HCOT组PtCO2平均升高速率均高于TOT组,哮喘评分高于TOT组,90 min时HCOT组呼气高峰流量（PEFR）高于TOT组（P<0.05）。HCOT组住院率44.0%（22/50）,高于TOT组的30.0%（15/50）,但差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论：儿童哮喘急性发作期高浓度氧疗可导致PtCO2水平明显升高,哮喘评分升高,入院率呈上升趋势。治疗儿童哮喘急性发作时,并不需要为所有患儿提供高浓度氧气治疗,采用滴定氧疗使血氧饱和度维持在92%以上,能同时避免低氧血症和高碳酸血症的发生。