Assessment of lesion-associated myocardial ischemia based on fusion coronary CT imaging – the FUSE-HEART study: A protocol for non-randomized clinical trial

Introduction:Multimodality assessment of coronary artery lesions has demonstrated superior effectiveness compared to the conventional approach, for assessing both anatomical and functional significance of a coronary stenosis. Multiple imaging modalities can be integrated into a fusion imaging tool to better assess myocardial ischemia.Material and methods:The FUSE-HEART trial is a single center, prospective, cohort study that will assess the impact of a coronary artery stenosis on myocardial function and viability, based on advanced fusion imaging technics derived from Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA). Moreover, the study will investigate the correlation between morphology and composition of the coronary plaques and myocardial ischemia in the territory irrigated by the same coronary artery. At the same time, imaging parameters will be correlated with inflammatory status of the subjects. The trial will include 100 subjects with coronary lesions found on CCTA examination. The study population will be divided into 2 groups: first group will consist of subjects with anatomically significant coronary lesions on native coronary arteries and the second one will include subjects surviving an acute myocardial infarction. The vulnerability score of the subjects will be calculated based on presence of CCTA vulnerability markers of the coronary plaques: napkin ring sign, positive remodeling, spotty calcifications, necrotic core, and low-density plaques. 3D fusion images of the coronary tree will be generated, integrating the images reflecting wall motion with the ones of coronary circulation. The fusion models will establish the correspondence between plaque composition and wall motion in the subtended myocardium of the coronary artery. The study primary outcome will be represented by the rate of major adverse cardiac events related to myocardial ischemia at 1-year post assessment, in correlation with the degree of coronary artery stenosis and myocardial ischemia or viability.The secondary outcomes are represented by the rate of re-hospitalization, rate of survival and rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (including cardiovascular death or stroke), in correlation with the morphology and composition of atheromatous plaques located in a coronary artery, and myocardial ischemia in the territory irrigated by the same coronary artery.Conclusion:In conclusion, FUSE-HEART will be a study based on modern imaging tools that will investigate the impact of a coronary artery stenosis on myocardial function and viability, using advanced fusion imaging technics derived from CCTA, sighting to validate plaque composition and morphology, together with inflammatory biomarkers, as predictors to myocardial viability.     

Protruding atherosclerotic aortic plaques and dyslipidaemia: correlation to subtypes of ischaemic stroke.

AIMS: To evaluate whether thoracic aortic plaques together with dyslipidaemia are related to ischaemic stroke, and if so, to which of the subtypes of stroke. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed transoesophageal echocardiography in 50 patients with acute ischaemic stroke and in 401 controls. The aorta was divided into two segments: (1) the proximal, proximal to the left subclavian artery, and (2) the distal aorta. Protruding plaques (Intima > or =4 mm in thickness) in the proximal aorta were detected in 14 of the 50 patients (28%) with stroke, and in 53 of the 401 controls (13%) (P<0.01). Plaque score in the proximal aorta (2.1 +/- 1.8 vs 0.9 +/- 0.7; P<0.05), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (3.60 +/- 0.85 vs 2.87 +/- 0.72 mmol/l; P<0.05), and apolipoprotein B/A-I ratio (0.98 +/-0.17 vs 0.73 +/- 0.16; P<0.005) were higher in patients with athero-thrombotic than in cardioembolic stroke. The score in the proximal aorta correlated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (r=0.44, P<0.005) and apolipoprotein B/A-I ratio (r=0.40, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Severe plaques in the proximal aorta together with dyslipidaemia are seen more frequently in patients with atherothrombotic stroke. Lipid analysis may contribute to the prediction and the treatment of the patients who are at high risk for atherothrombotic stroke.     

脑络通与绞股蓝总皂甙对动脉粥样硬化性疾病的疗效比较

脑络通是用来治疗动脉粥样硬化性疾病的中药复方制剂,具有滋肾养肝、消痰祛瘀作用。为明确其治疗效果,周脑络通与绞股蓝总甙对103例动脉粥样硬化性疾病患者进行两盲临床对比观察,时间5个月以上。采用美国ATL公司彩色超声多谱勒血流声象系统在用药前后探测患者两侧颈动脉粥样硬化斑块及内中膜厚度,检测患者血脂、超氧化物歧化酶、脂过氧化物和血液流变学指标,部分病人检测血小板聚集率和心功能,并检测患者的血、尿常规和肝、肾功能,观察患者临床症状。结果发现脑络通组57块颈动脉粥样硬化斑块中15.8%(9/57)的斑块消除,47.4%(27/57)的斑块减轻,29.8%(17/57)的斑块不发展,总有效率为93%(53/57);绞股蓝组分别为0%,2.8%(1/36)和47.2%(17/36),总有效率为50%(18/36).脑络通组对斑块的消除、减轻、总有效率及斑块载面积减少方面皆明显优于绞股蓝组(p<0.01或0.05)。脑络通可使增厚的内中膜减薄。在降低血总胆固醇、甘油三酯、低密度脂蛋白、升高血超氧化物歧化酶活性,降低脂过氧化物,降低全血低切粘度、纤维蛋白原、红细胞压积、血小板最大聚集率等方面皆优于绞股蓝组。提示脑络通在调血脂、抗氧化、抗血栓和改善血液流变学等方面均有作用.在临床症状和患者心脏舒缩功能的改善方面亦优于绞股蓝组.本药长期服用对患者血、尿常规,肝、肾功能无异常影响,未见明显毒副反应.说明脑络通治疗动脉粥样硬化性疾病方面疗效优于绞股蓝总皂甙,脑络通可能阻止患者动脉粥样硬化病变的发展,甚至可能使动脉粥样硬化斑块消除。     

Vulnerable prisoners: Dementia and the impact on prisoners,staff and the correctional setting

The aim of this paper is to increase awareness and highlight the need for prisoner’s early identification of dementia and recommend support strategies within the Australian correctional setting. The number of older people is increasing within the correctional setting, causing a corresponding increase in the number of prisoners with dementia. These older prisoners are at greater risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia which increases their vulnerability in the correctional environment including their interactions with both correctional services staff and other prisoners. Correctional settings have not been designed for older prisoners or those with dementia, which poses problems for physical and psychological health. People who have encounters with the criminal justice system are generally in poorer physical and mental health than the general population. Identifying dementia in the early stages provides opportunities to initiate strategies and supports to slow the progression. However being incarcerated increases the likelihood of not being identified with dementia until the later stages of the disease process, which significantly reduces opportunities for early intervention.     

Gender differences in acute coronary syndromes: focus on the women with ACS without an obstructing culprit lesion

Introduction: The etiologies of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in women expand beyond the traditional paradigm of obstructive epicardial atherosclerotic disease and plaque rupture. Fundamental differences in pathobiology and presentation can partially explain the gender disparity in ACS diagnosis and management, but there is also much we do not know about the spectrum of coronary artery disease in women.

Areas covered: This review seeks to explain some key differences between men and women in terms of risk factors, pathophysiology, and clinical presentations, as well as identify areas where more data are needed, focusing on women presenting with ACS but without a culprit lesion to explain their presentation. Literature search was undertaken with PubMed and Google Scholar.

Expert commentary: Women with acute coronary syndromes but without plaque rupture or obstructive epicardial atherosclerosis can be difficult to diagnose and manage. Improving care in this underdiagnosed and undertreated population will require early identification of at risk patients, development of better diagnostic strategies, and standardized implementation of guideline-based therapies.     

The relevance of work-related learning for vulnerable groups. Dutch case study of a Health Impact Assessment with equity focus

IntroductionLearning is essential for sustainable employability. However, various factors make work-related learning more difficult for certain groups of workers, who are consequently at a disadvantage in the labour market. In the long term, that in turn can have adverse health implications and can make those groups vulnerable. With a view to encouraging workers to continue learning, the Netherlands has a policy on work-related learning, which forms part of the ‘Vitality Package’.AimA Health Impact Assessment with equity focus (HIAef) was undertaken to determine whether the policy on work-related learning affected certain groups of workers and their health in different ways, and whether the differences were avoidable.MethodsThe HIAef method involved the standard phases: screening, scoping, appraisal and recommendations. Equity was the core principle in this method. Data were collected by means of both literature searches (e.g. Scopus, Medline) and interviews with experts and stakeholders (e.g. expertise regarding work, training and/or health).ResultsThe HIAef identified the following groups as potentially vulnerable in the field of work-related learning: the chronically sick, older people, less educated people, flexi-workers/the self-employed and lay carers (e.g. thresholds to learning). Published literature indicates that work-related learning may have a positive influence on health through (work-related) factors such as pay, employability, longer employment rate and training-participation. According to experts and stakeholders, work-related learning policy could be adapted to take more account of vulnerable groups through alignment with their particular needs, such as early support, informal learning and e-learning.ConclusionWith a view to reducing avoidable inequalities in work-related learning, it is recommended that early, low-threshold, accessible opportunities are made available to identified vulnerable groups. Making such opportunities available may have a positive effect on (continued) participation in the labour market and thus on the health of the relevant groups.     

Cluster Analysis of Vulnerable Groups in Acute Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation

Objective

To analyze the complex relation between various social indicators that contribute to socioeconomic status and health care barriers.

颈动脉易损斑块风险模型的构建及与急性脑梗死患者认知障碍和预后的关系

目的]研究颈动脉易损斑块与急性脑梗死(ACI)患者认知障碍和预后的关系。[方法]将2018年7月—2020年7月于连云港市第一人民医院诊断为ACI伴颈动脉易损斑块的患者180例作为观察组,另选取180例经健康体检诊断为不稳定斑块的研究人员作为对照组,分别对两组不稳定斑块积分比、斑块最大长度、斑块最大厚度、溃疡斑块、面积狭窄、狭窄处峰值流速以及阻力指数进行比较。[结果]两组患者的不稳定斑块积分比、斑块最大长度、斑块最大厚度、溃疡斑块、面积狭窄、狭窄处峰值流速以及阻力指数之间的差异存在统计学意义(P＜0.05)。多因素分析显示,高不稳定斑块积分比、斑块最大长度、斑块最大厚度、溃疡斑块、面积狭窄处峰值流速以及阻力指数均是造成颈动脉易损斑块的危险因素。观察组患者的认知障碍(χ²＝11.432,P＝0.001)和预后不良(χ²＝14.362,P＝0.000)的发生率显著高于对照组。相关性分析显示,ACI患者的颈动脉易损斑块与认知障碍以及预后不良呈现显著的相关性。[结论]颈动脉易损斑块与ACI患者认知障碍和预后不良呈现显著的相关性,高不稳定斑块积分比、斑块最大长度、斑块最大厚度、溃疡斑块、面积狭窄、狭窄处峰值流速以及阻力指数均是造成颈动脉易损斑块的危险因素,建议对此类患者及时进行临床干预。