Long-term postoperative prognosis and associated risk factors of chronic subdural hematoma in the elderly.

Surgical treatment for chronic subdural hematoma（CSDH）has contributed to good outcome. However, several recent studies have revealed that surgical outcomes for elderly patients were not decisively good. In this study, prognosis of CSDH patients in elderly were analyzed. This study included 232 CSDH patients who were treated in our department and 2 affiliated hospitals, and poor prognosis was defined as aggravation of modified Rankin scale (mRS) at examination comparing with that at discharge, or mRS 3 and higher at examination. We collected data from medical records and questionnaires on the following clinical characteristics of patients: age, sex, findings at admission, medication of antiplatelets and anticoagulants, radiological findings on computed tomography, recurrence, place of discharge, perioperative systemic complications, and mRS at discharge and at examination. The cut-off value of age for poor prognosis of all CSDH patients was 74 years old in this study. In multivariate analysis of all cases, age was prognostic factor for poor outcome:75 years old or higher（p=0.0002）. In this group, mRS at discharge(p=0.0184) and postoperative medical diseases(p<0.0001) were the risk factors of poor prognosis. In this present study, high age and activities of daily life（ADL） at discharge were significant prognostic factors for poor outcome of CSDH. Improvement of ADL at discharge with care for postoperative systemic complications and careful rehabilitation can contribute to good prognosis for CSDH in elderly patients.

Factors Affecting Outcomes of Poor-Grade Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) accounts for 20% of all SAH and is associated with poor outcomes. The first step in improving outcomes is to analyze the factors that contribute to poor outcomes. METHODS: This was a multicenter, retrospective, observational, cohort study. Data fields included demographic, clinical, radiological, and outcome data for all spontaneous patients with SAH treated at 4 hospitals in Aomori Prefecture in Japan. Patients with modified Rankin Scale score 0-2 at discharge were defined as the good outcome group, and those with modified Rankin Scale score 3-6 were defined as the poor outcome group, and comparisons were made between the 2 groups. RESULTS: There were 329 eligible patients with poor-grade SAH, 41 with good outcome group, and 288 with poor outcome group. On multivariate analysis of the outcome, conservative treatment (P < 0.001), Fisher group 4 (P < 0.007), age ≥65 years (P = 0.011), and Hunt and Kosnik grade V on admission (P = 0.021) were significant factors contributing to a poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Nonelderly patients who are not in grade V and Fisher group 4 should undergo aneurysm treatment as soon as possible because they are more likely to have a good outcome, whereas elderly patients in grade V and Fisher group 4 are unlikely to benefit from aneurysm treatment at present. The development of a treatment for early brain injury may be important to improve the outcomes of patients with poor-grade SAH.

Development of an Automatic Chronological Record Creation System Using Voice AI to Facilitate Information Aggregation and Sharing in the Event of a Disaster.

OBJECTIVE: In the event of a disaster, the chain of command and communication of each relevant agency is important. In this study, a chronological record creation system using voice AI (V-CRS) was developed, and an experiment was conducted to determine whether the obtained information could be quickly and easily summarized in chronological order. METHODS: After a lecture by Japanese Disaster Medical Assistant (DMAT) Team members and 8 medical clerks on how to use the developed tool, a comparison experiment was conducted between manual input and V-CRS utilization of the time to compile disaster information. RESULTS: Results proved that V-CRS can collect information gathered at headquarters more quickly than handwriting. It was also suggested that even medical clerks who have never been trained to record information during disasters could record information at the same speed as trained DMAT personnel. CONCLUSION: V-CRS can transcribe audio information even in situations where technical terms and physical units must be recorded, such as radiation disasters. It has been proven that anyone can quickly organize information using this method, to some extent.

Verification of a Three-day Hospitalization Protocol for Chronic Subdural Hematoma Surgery.

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSH) is predominantly a disease of the elderly. Aging societies in advanced countries are seeing the number of CSH cases increasing. We applied a three-day hospitalization protocol for CSH surgery to reduce healthcare costs and more efficiently manage hospital beds. We investigated the clinical factors that influenced prolonged hospitalization. From January 2015 to December 2020, we performed irrigation, evacuation, and drainage of CSH cases in 221 consecutive patients. The χ2 test and logistic regression analysis were conducted to detect clinical factors influencing prolonged hospitalization. A p-value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Applying a three-day hospitalization protocol showed no adverse outcomes. Fifty-two (24%) of 221 patients experienced prolonged hospitalization. The χ2 test showed that female gender, atrial fibrillation, alcohol abuse, preoperative consciousness level, verbal function disturbance, and perioperative activities of daily living were significantly related to prolonged hospitalization. Female gender, atrial fibrillation, and alcohol abuse were significant factors in the logistic regression analysis. A three-day hospitalization protocol for CSH is suitable for patient care; however, particular attention needs to be focused on the female gender, atrial fibrillation, and alcohol abuse, all three of which prolong hospitalization.

Chronic Subdural Hematoma, Caused by Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation and/or Anticoagulation Therapy, after COVID-19.

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) typically develops in the supratentorial region in elderly patients. We treated a case of unilateral supratentorial and bilateral infratentorial CSDH, whereby the patient had a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection combined with disseminated intravascular coagulation 2 months earlier. The patient had not experienced any head trauma before the onset of the CSDH. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient experienced no neurological deficit. We propose that we should be aware not only of acute ischemic or hemorrhagic diseases after COVID-19 infection but also of chronic subdural hematoma caused by coagulopathy after a COVID-19 infection.

Reperfusion Therapy Brings Apixaban Administration Forward in Patients with Nonvalvular Arterial Fibrillation with Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion or Stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: The initiation of anticoagulant administration after large vessel occlusion (LVO) or stenosis with nonvalvular arterial fibrillation (NAVF) is controversial. We evaluate the timing of anticoagulation and its relationship with clinical factors. METHODS: We enrolled 595 anterior circulation LVO or stenosis with NAVF cases from 38 stroke centers. Laboratory data; activities of daily living; the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS); the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score; occluded artery; treatment methods; date of the initiation of apixaban administration and outcome were recorded. Multivariate analyses were performed after univariate analysis. RESULTS: The median start of apixaban administration after the stroke was 2 days (interquartile range, 1-5; range, 0-14). Multivariate analysis of variance showed that non-internal carotid artery occlusion (F value 4.60), reperfusion therapy (31.1), high ASPECTS (6.27) before anticoagulant intake, and absence of intracranial hemorrhage (12.9) were significantly correlated with early apixaban administration. Multiple logistic regression analysis for independent living at 90 days after the stroke showed significant factors: aging (odds, 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91-0.97); male (odds, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.26-0.79); prestroke independence (odds, 20.7; 95% CI, 6.48-93.9); number of white blood cells (odds, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.97-1.00); non-internal carotid artery occlusion; NIHSS score at 72 hours after the stroke (odds 0.92; 95% CI, 0.89-0.96); ASPECTS before apixaban intake (odds, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.00-1.31) and initiation of apixaban (odds, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.83-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Early administration of apixaban is induced by nonsevere infarction, reperfusion therapy or none of intracranial hemorrhage and it correlates with an independent long-term outcome.

Role of microcirculatory impairment in delayed cerebral ischemia and outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Early brain injury (EBI) is considered an important cause of morbidity and mortality after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). As a factor in EBI, microcirculatory dysfunction has become a focus of interest, but whether microcirculatory dysfunction is more important than angiographic vasospasm (aVS) remains unclear. Using data from 128 cases, we measured the time to peak (TTP) in several regions of interest on digital subtraction angiography. The intracerebral circulation time (iCCT) was obtained between the TTP in the ultra-early phase (the baseline iCCT) and in the subacute phase and/or at delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) onset (the follow-up iCCT). In addition, the difference in the iCCT was calculated by subtracting the baseline iCCT from the follow-up iCCT. Univariate analysis showed that DCI was significantly increased in those patients with a prolonged baseline iCCT, prolonged follow-up iCCT, increased differences in the iCCT, and with severe aVS. Poor outcome was significantly increased in patients with prolonged follow-up iCCT and increased differences in the iCCT. Multivariate analysis revealed that increased differences in the iCCT were a significant risk factor that increased DCI and poor outcome. The results suggest that the increasing microcirculatory dysfunction over time, not aVS, causes DCI and poor outcome after aneurysmal aSAH.

Follow-Up DSA at Day 9 ± 2 after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Predicts Long-Term Recurrence of Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysm after Coiling.

Objective: The recurrence rate of coiled ruptured cerebral aneurysms is greater than that of clipped aneurysms. The aim of this study is to determine the factors that relate to the recurrence of embolized, ruptured cerebral aneurysms, and the evidence thereto. Methods: From April 2007 through July 2017, we treated 134 ruptured cerebral aneurysm cases by coiling. DSA and/or MRI were done in 98 saccular aneurysm cases one year after the coiling. Recurrence was defined as enlargement of the aneurysm neck or contrast opacification along the aneurysm wall. A chi-square test and a logistic regression analysis were done to analyze the relationship between aneurysm recurrence and clinical factors. Results: The median follow-up period was 58 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 33-107). Ten cases (10.2%) were subjected to aneurysm recurrence. Internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms proximal to the posterior communicating artery, incomplete obliteration of an aneurysm at initial embolization and postoperative DSA during day 9 ± 2, and increased contrast medium in the aneurysm at postoperative DSA during day 9 ± 2 were all statistically related to the recurrence of the aneurysm. Logistic regression analysis showed that the increased contrast medium in the aneurysm at day 9 ± 2 was statistically related to aneurysm recurrence (p <0.0001). Recurrence or retreatment of the aneurysm did not influence the outcome. Conclusion: Complete obliteration of the aneurysm at the first session is important. Recurrence of an embolized ruptured aneurysm can be estimated by postoperative DSA at day 9 ± 2 days.

Effect of Surgical Arachnoid Plasty on Functional Outcome in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Various techniques have been performed to reduce subarachnoid clotting during aneurysmal neck clipping surgery. We considered that maintaining the physiologic cerebrospinal fluid circulation by performing arachnoid plasty after clipping during surgery would lead to the accelerated clearance of the subarachnoid clot. METHODS: Patients in a prospectively maintained aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) database at our institution and with aSAH that fulfilled the criteria were selected for this study. The incidence of delayed cerebral ischemia, angiographic vasospasm, 3-month functional outcome, and the amount of subarachnoid clot on computed tomography were compared between the 2 groups after matching. RESULTS: From 2006 through 2016, 228 clipping cases met the inclusion criteria. Using propensity score matching, 89 cases of clipping without arachnoid plasty were matched to 89 cases of clipping with arachnoid plasty. Univariate analyses showed that arachnoid plasty significantly reduced the occurrence of hydrocephalus and incidence of poor outcome. Arachnoid plasty statistically significantly reduces the occurrence of hydrocephalus (odds ratio 0.267, 95% confidence interval 0.074-0.963, P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis also showed that arachnoid plasty was the factor reducing poor outcome at 3 months after aSAH (odds ratio 0.222, 95% confidence interval 0.075-0.661, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that good hematoma clearance due to arachnoid formation reduced brain damage, cerebral vasospasm, and hydrocephalus, resulting in significantly fewer cases with poor functional prognosis. It therefore follows that procedures such as arachnoid plasty should be taken into consideration in order to improve outcome in surgical clipping.

Intra-arterial anti-oxidant power negatively correlates with white matter injury, and oxidative stress positively correlates with disability in daily activities.

Oxidative stress influences many kinds of diseases. Our hypothesis is that oxidative stress and antioxidant potentials correlate with cognitive function, activities of daily life and white matter injury. (UMIN-CTR R000016770) Thirty-two consecutive patients participated to this study after informed consent. A routine biochemical analysis, modified-Rankin Scale (m-RS), revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS-R), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and fluid-attenuated-inversion-recovery imaging (FLAIR) were performed before admission. Derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) were measured photometrically using arterial blood. Statistical analyses were done by analysis variance or logistic regression analysis. Median age was 72 (IQR: 64.3 -- 75.8). The d-ROMS were 367 ± 55.4, and BAP was 1967 ± 284. HDS-R and m-RS deteriorated with d-ROMs elevation (p < 0.05). Uric acid and creatinine decreased with d-ROMs elevation (p < 0.05). Both periventricular hyperintensity grade and deep and subcortical white matter hyperintensity grade worsened with BAP reduction (p < 0.05). Oxidative stress correlates negatively with cognitive function and activities of daily life. Low antioxidative potentials correlate with aggravation of white matter injury. We should control both oxidative stress and antioxidative potential to maintain healthy lives.

Irreversible Neuronal Damage Begins Just After Aneurysm Rupture in Poor-Grade Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients.

Pathophysiological findings of early brain injury in humans have not permitted conclusive determinations. We explored the essence of this phenomenon by taking intraoperative cortical specimens of Hunt-Kosnik grades IV~V (poor-grade) subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAH). From 2013 to 2017, we treated 39 consecutive poor-grade patients in 226 cases of aneurysmal SAH. Fourteen of the 39 patients agreed to this study following written informed consent. We took specimens from untouched areas prior to surgical intervention: cortex near the ruptured aneurysm for clipping, convexity cortex for cerebral ventricular drainage. Cortical specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, anti-cleaved caspase-3, and anti-DNA/RNA damage staining. Positive signals were calculated in six random, high-power fields for quantitative assessment. Double immunofluorescence was done to evaluate neural damage. Chi-square analyses were carried out to assess the correlation between the Glasgow Outcome Scale at 90 days after the ictus and the number of positive cells. Cortical specimens were taken at 12.7 ± 7.00 h after the first ictus. All 14 cases showed dense nuclei, with the appearance of acidic and shrunken cytoplasms. Diffuse positivity of anti-cleaved caspase-3 and anti-DNA/RNA damage was detected. Cleaved caspase-3 was detected in 68% of neurons, and DNA/RNA damage was detected in 64% of neurons. Positive reactions of both antibodies indicated poor outcome. With poor-grade cases, irreversible ischemic, apoptotic, and oxidative changes were detected in the cerebral cortex within several hours after the ictus. Those changes occurred far from the aneurysm. Our findings suggest that a revolution is needed in the treatment strategy for poor-grade SAH.

Use of Preprocedural, Multiple Antiplatelet Medications for Coil Embolization of Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysm in the Acute Stage Improved Clinical Outcome and Reduced Thromboembolic Complications without Hemorrhagic Complications.

BACKGROUND: The most uncontrollable complication during coil embolization of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm is thromboembolic ischemia. We analyzed whether thromboembolic complications could be reduced by using preoperative antiplatelet medications for acute subarachnoid hemorrhage in multicenter fashion. METHODS: We selected antiplatelet medicines according to an official protocol: a combination of 200 mg aspirin, 150 or 300 mg clopidogrel, and 200 mg cilostazol. Systemic heparinization was done after sheath insertion in all cases. One hundred and ten consecutive, ruptured cerebral saccular aneurysms that underwent coiling at our institute were analyzed. Procedure-related thrombus formation on digital subtraction angiography and clinical evidence of ischemia and procedure-related stroke on computed tomography scan were reviewed. RESULTS: Eighty cases (73%) were medicated with multiple antiplatelet medications, 22 cases (20%) were treated with a single medication, and 8 cases (7%) were treated without antiplatelet medication. Thromboembolic complications were reduced in an inverse relationship with the number of antiplatelet medications. Hemorrhagic complications because of antiplatelet medications did not occur. Postoperative symptomatic vasospasm tended to decrease, and outcome also tended to improve in the multiple medications groups. Reduction of thromboembolic complications significantly improved clinical outcome in logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative multiple antiplatelet medication reduced thromboembolic events in coiling during acute stage subarachnoid hemorrhage and improved clinical outcomes.

The Role of Intracranial Pressure and Subarachnoid Blood Clots in Early Brain Injury After Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rats.

OBJECTIVE: Early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), which is considered a main factor leading to poor outcome, is believed to be caused by the increase of intracranial pressure (ICP) and/or the presence of subarachnoid blood clots (SBC) itself. The purpose of this study was to examine whether ICP or SBC is more important to neurologic deficit in the presence of apoptosis or edema. METHODS: A total of 50 rats were allocated to 3 groups: an endovascular perforation SAH model (the SAH group), a cisterna magna saline injection model (the saline injection group), and a cisterna magna sham injection model (the sham injection group). Statistical analysis of correlations among the ICP, the grade of clot volume, neuronal apoptosis, brain water content (brain edema), and neurologic deficit was performed. RESULTS: In the SAH group, each of increased ICP and clot volume was correlated with neuronal apoptosis and brain edema. In the saline injection group, increased ICP was associated with apoptosis, but it did not correlate with brain edema. Neuronal apoptosis (r = 0.75; P < 0.01) and brain edema (r = 0.89; P < 0.01) correlated independently with neurologic deficit in the SAH group. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that neuronal apoptosis is caused mainly by increased ICP, whereas brain edema is induced by SBC, and increased ICP could aggravate it in the presence of SBC. Brain edema could affect neurologic deficit, but apoptosis alone may be less influential. Not only ICP but also SBC seem important for brain damage in the acute stage of SAH.

The Role of Oxidative Stress in Microvascular Disturbances after Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Oxidative stress was shown to play a crucial role in the diverse pathogenesis of early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Microcirculatory dysfunction is thought to be an important and fundamental pathological change in EBI. However, other than blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, the influence of oxidative stress on microvessels remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of oxidative stress on microcirculatory integrity in EBI. SAH was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats using an endovascular perforation technique. A free radical scavenger, edaravone, was administered prophylactically by intraperitoneal injection. SAH grade, neurological score, brain water content, and BBB permeability were measured at 24 h after SAH induction. In addition, cortical samples taken at 24 h after SAH were analyzed to explore oxidative stress, microvascular mural cell apoptosis, microspasm, and microthrombosis. Edaravone treatment significantly ameliorated neurological deficits, brain edema, and BBB disruption. In addition, oxidative stress-induced modifications and subsequent apoptosis of microvascular endothelial cells and pericytes increased after SAH induction, while the administration of edaravone suppressed this. Consistent with apoptotic cell inhibition, microthromboses were also inhibited by edaravone administration. Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the induction of multiple pathological changes in microvessels in EBI. Antioxidants are potential candidates for the treatment of microvascular disturbances after SAH.

The Effect of Goreisan on the Prevention of Chronic Subdural Hematoma Recurrence: Multi-Center Randomized Controlled Study.

The relatively high rate of post-operative recurrence in the treatment of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a significant problem. Goreisan is an herbal medicine that exhibits a hydragogue effect by inhibiting the expression of aquaporins, and its efficacy in preventing post-operative CSDH recurrence has been suggested by several case trials. This multi-center prospective randomized controlled trial was performed to investigate the preventative effect of goreisan on post-operative CSDH recurrence. Patients with symptomatic CSDH over 60 years old undergoing burr hole surgery were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly allocated to the control group or the goreisan group, in which oral administration of goreisan (7.5 g daily) was continued for 12 weeks. The primary end-point was the post-operative recurrence rate at 12 weeks and the secondary end-point was hematoma volume reduction rates on computed tomography scan at 12 weeks. The analyses were performed not only on patients of all ages older than 60 years, but also on patients divided into those over or under 75 years old. One hundred and eighty patients were followed and analyzed (the control group, n = 88; the goreisan group, n = 92). The recurrence rates considering patients of all ages and patients under 75 years old were relatively low in the goreisan group but without a significant difference. The hematoma volume reduction rates showed no significant difference. Based on the results of the present study, a larger-scale study including more cases is necessary in future to confirm the efficacy of goreisan.

Intra-arterial oxidative stress correlates negatively with cognitive function and positively with postoperative ischemic lesions in carotid artery stenosis stenting.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Carotid plaque contains biologically active substances released into the blood during carotid artery stenting (CAS). The main purpose of this prospective study was to analyse sequential changes in oxidative stress during CAS and their relationship to clinical factors. METHODS: Twenty-two consecutive CAS procedures were performed between May 2014 and April 2016. Arterial blood was collected four times: (1) after the sheath insertion without edaravone; (2) pre-angioplasty with edaravone from the carotid artery; (3) after post-stenting angioplasty from an occluded carotid artery; and (4) before sheath removal. Derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) were measured photometrically. The relationship between d-ROMs or BAP and preoperatively investigated biochemical parameters, cognitive function, and number of diffusion-weighted image (DWI) high spot lesions was analysed using one-way ANOVA and the Tukey-Kramer HSD test. RESULTS: The d-ROM values for CAS were 355±58.8 Carratelli Units at sheath insertion, 315±57.2 after edaravone infusion, 328±56.8 after post-stenting angioplasty, and 315±53.0 just before sheath removal. The d-ROM values were reduced significantly after edaravone infusion (P<0.05). The BAP at sheath insertion was reduced significantly according to age (P<0.05). The d-ROMs at sheath insertion correlated negatively with the dementia scale and positively with the post-CAS DWI high spots (1.00±1.07; P<0.05). Other biochemical parameters did not correlate with the d-ROM values or BAP. CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress is correlated negatively with cognitive function and positively with postoperative ischemic lesions. Antioxidant potential decreases with ageing.

Long-acting statin for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Statins have pleiotropic effects that are considered beneficial in preventing cerebral vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Many studies using statins have been performed but failed to show remarkable effects. We hypothesized that a long-acting statin would be more effective, due to a longer half-life and stronger pleiotropic effects. Patients with aSAH were randomly assigned to a pitavastatin group (4 mg daily; n = 54) and a placebo group ( n = 54) after repair of a ruptured aneurysm. The primary efficacy end point was vasospasm-related delayed ischemic neurological deficits (DIND), and the secondary end points were cerebral vasospasm evaluated by digital subtraction angiography (DSA), vasospasm-related new cerebral infarctions, and outcome at three months. Severe cerebral vasospasms on DSA were statistically fewer in the pitavastatin group than in the placebo group (14.8% vs. 33.3%; odds ratio, 0.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.11-0.87, p = 0.042); however, the occurrence of DIND and new infarctions and outcome showed no statistically significant differences between the groups. The present study is the first to prove the definite, statin-induced amelioration of cerebral vasospasm on DSA. However, administration of any type of statin at the acute phase of aSAH is not recommended.

Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in the Elderly over Age 75: A Systematic Review.

The number of elderly patients with an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) has been increasing in aging- or aged societies in many countries. A treatment strategy for the elderly with aSAH has not been established, although many studies have been published emphasizing poor outcome for aSAH. The aim of this study was to analyze the factors and treatments affecting outcome in aSAH in the elderly in a systematic review of the literature by investigating patients over age 75. A literature search was done for "elderly aSAH" in PubMed and Embase. Literature with a clear description of treatment measures for aneurysmal occlusion and outcome was selected. Twelve studies, consisted of 816 cases, met the eligibility criteria. Patient characteristics included 83.2% female, 33.8% poor clinical grade on admission, 57.1% Fischer group 3, and 41% internal carotid artery aneurysm. As complications, symptomatic vasospasm was seen in 25.5% of patients, hydrocephalus in 31.1%, and medical complication in 38.4%. Favorable outcome was 35.0% in total, 45.3% for clipping, 36.3% for coiling, and 9.0% for conservative treatment. Several studies by multivariate analysis indicated that poor clinical grade on admission could be a risk factor for neurological outcome and mortality. Advanced age and selection of conservative treatment without aneurysmal occlusion could be a risk factor for mortality. Patients under age 85 with good clinical grade on admission can be candidates for treatment of aneurysm repair. However, treatment for patients over age 85 or with poor clinical grade should be carefully determined.

Rehabilitation and the Neural Network After Stroke.

Stroke remains a major cause of disability throughout the world: paralysis, cognitive impairment, aphasia, and so on. Surgical or medical intervention is curative in only a small number of cases. Nearly all stroke cases require rehabilitation. Neurorehabilitation generally improves patient outcome, but it sometimes has no effect or even a mal-influence. The aim of this review is the clarification of the mechanisms of neurorehabilitation. We systematically reviewed recently published articles on neural network remodeling, especially from 2014 to 2016. Finally, we summarize progress in neurorehabilitation and discuss future prospects.

Regression of atherosclerosis with apple procyanidins by activating the ATP-binding cassette subfamily A member 1 in a rabbit model.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Apple polyphenol contains abundant procyanidins, which have been associated with an anti-atherosclerosis and cholesterol-lowering effect. The aim of this study was to investigate whether apple procyanidins (APCs) feature therapeutic efficacy in terms of regressing atherosclerosis and whether this efficacy is due to mechanisms other than a cholesterol-lowering effect. METHODS: After eight weeks on an atherogenic diet, rabbits were given a normal diet for another eight weeks to normalize the increased serum lipids level. The rabbits in the baseline group were sacrificed at this stage. The control group was subsequently fed a normal diet for eight weeks, while the APCs group was administrated 50 mg/kg/day of APCs in addition to the normal diet. Serum lipids and aortic intimal-medial thickness (IMT) were serially examined, and the resected aorta was examined histologically and through molecular biology. RESULTS: Aortic IMT on ultrasonography and the lipid accumulation area examined using Sudan IV staining were significantly reduced in the APCs group as compared to the control group. Serum lipid profiles were not different between the groups. Immunohistochemistry showed significantly decreased staining of an oxidative stress marker and significantly increased staining of ATP-binding cassette subfamily A member 1 (ABCA1) in the APCs group. Western blotting and RT-PCR also showed increased expression of ABCA1 mRNA and its protein in the APCs group. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that APCs administration causes a regression of atherosclerosis. APCs might hold promise as an anti-atherosclerotic agent.