The optimal antithrombotic strategy for post-stroke patients with atrial fibrillation and extracranial artery stenosis-a nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In post-stroke atrial fibrillation (AF) patients who have indications for both oral anticoagulant (OAC) and antiplatelet agent (AP), e.g., those with carotid artery stenosis, there is debate over the best antithrombotic strategy. We aimed to compare the risks of ischemic stroke, composite of ischemic stroke/major bleeding and composite of ischemic stroke/intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) between different antithrombotic strategies. METHODS: This study included post-stroke AF patients with and without extracranial artery stenosis (ECAS) (n = 6390 and 28,093, respectively) identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Risks of clinical outcomes and net clinical benefit (NCB) with different antithrombotic strategies were compared to AP alone. RESULTS: The risk of recurrent ischemic stroke was higher for patients with ECAS than those without (12.72%/yr versus 10.60/yr; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.104, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.052-1.158, p < 0.001). For patients with ECAS, when compared to AP only, non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) monotherapy was associated with lower risks for ischaemic stroke (aHR 0.551, 95% CI 0.454-0.669), the composite of ischaemic stroke/major bleeding (aHR 0.626, 95% CI 0.529-0.741) and the composite of ischaemic stroke/ICH (aHR 0.577, 95% CI 0.478-0.697), with non-significant difference for major bleeding and ICH. When compared to AP only, warfarin monotherapy was associated with higher risks of major bleeding (aHR 1.521, 95% CI 1.231-1.880), ICH (aHR 2.045, 95% CI 1.329-3.148), and the composite of ischaemic stroke and major bleeding. With combination of AP plus warfarin, there was an increase in ischaemic stroke, major bleeding, and the composite outcomes, when compared to AP only. NOAC monotherapy was the only approach associated with a positive NCB, while all other options (warfarin, combination of AP-OAC) were associated with negative NCB. CONCLUSIONS: For post-stroke AF patients with ECAS, NOAC monotherapy was associated with lower risks of adverse outcomes and a positive NCB. Combination of AP with NOAC or warfarin did not offer any benefit, but more bleeding especially with AP-warfarin combination therapy.

Drug-coated balloon therapy for in-stent restenosis in patients with iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis: A single-arm observational study.

BACKGROUND: Iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (IFDVT) causes severe symptoms and affect the quality of life to a great extent. Endovascular thrombectomy and stent implantation have been a feasible strategie to alleviate the signs and symptoms of IFDVT. However, venous in-stent restenosis (ISR) has become an emerging non-negligible problem. METHODS: To evaluate the histological characteristics of venous ISR, neointima of arterial and venous ISR patients were collected and examed. To explore the effect of drug-coated balloon (DCB) on venous ISR lesions, we conducted a single-center retrospective case series study involving IFDVT patients with ISR after venous stenting who were treated with paclitaxel-coated balloon dilatation. RESULTS: We found a collagen-rich matrix but not elastin, as well as fewer cells and less neovascularization in venous intimal hyperplasia compared with neointima in arteries. Thirteen IFDVT patients were involved in the study, with average preoperative stenosis degree of 87.69% ± 13.48%. After intervention, the stenosis degree was significantly reduced to 14.6% ± 14.36% immediately (p < 0.0001) and to 16.54% ± 15.73% during follow-up (p < 0.0001). During follow-up, the VEINES-QOL scores (p < 0.0001), VEINES-Sym scores (p < 0.0001), and Villalta scores (p = 0.04) of patients was improved significantly compared with those before intervention. No major adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The use of DCB may have a positive effect in the treatment of venous ISR by targeting intimal hyperplasia. Moreover, the application of DCB dilatation in IFDVT stenting patients with ISR is deemed safe and effective.

Cocaine-associated Eustachian tube stenosis causing chronic 'glue ear': a rare cocaine-induced destructive lesion.

BACKGROUND: Cocaine is one of the most used recreational drugs. Whilst medical uses exist, chronic recreational nasal use of cocaine is associated with progressive destruction of the osseocartilaginous structures of the nose, sinuses and palate - termed cocaine-induced midline destructive lesions. CASE REPORT: A 43-year-old male with a history of chronic cocaine use, presented with conductive hearing loss and unilateral middle-ear effusion. Examination under anaesthesia revealed a completely stenosed left Eustachian tube orifice with intra-nasal adhesions. The adhesions were divided and the hearing loss was treated conservatively with hearing aids. Whilst intra-nasal cocaine-induced midline destructive lesions are a well-described condition, this is the first known report of Eustachian tube stenosis associated with cocaine use. CONCLUSION: This unique report highlights the importance of thorough history-taking, rhinological and otological examination, and audiometric testing when assessing patients with a history of chronic cocaine use. This paper demonstrates the complexity of managing hearing loss in such cases, with multiple conservative and surgical options available.

Esofagitis cáustica. Estenosis esofágica y su tratamiento con dilataciones / Caustic esophageal injuries. Esophageal stenosis and its treatment with dilation

La ingestión accidental de sustancias cáusticas en pediatría es frecuente. La estenosis esofágica (EE) secundaria a esofagitis cáustica (EC) es una grave complicación. El tratamiento de elección de la EE es la dilatación endoscópica con balón neumático. La mayoría de los pacientes tienen una buena respuesta pero requieren dilataciones reiteradas La falla del mismo obliga al tratamiento quirúrgico. En este estudio se analizó en forma retrospectiva la evolución de los niños con EC y el tratamiento de aquellos que presentaron EE. Ingresaron al estudio todos los niños con EC del Servicio de Endoscopia del Hospital Pereira Rossell entre enero de 1997 y diciembre de 2002. Se incluyeron 92 pacientes en los que se diagnosticó esofagitis. La edad promedio fue 2,8 años; 61 varones. La sustancia ingerida con mayor frecuencia fue alcalina. Los grados de EC fueron: grado I, 35 (38 por ciento); grado IIa, 23 (25 por ciento); grado IIb, 16 (17 por ciento); grado IIIa, 10 (10,8 por ciento ) y grado IIIb , 8 (8,7 por ciento). Nueve evolucionaron a estenosis (dos con esofagitis grado IIb, dos con esofagitis grado IIIa y cinco con lesión grado IIIb). El número total de dilataciones fue 168 (promedio 18,6). Cinco niños no requir ieron más dilataciones, dos continúan en tratamiento y dos necesitaron cirugía (promedio de seguimiento 10,5 meses). Si bien el número de niños es pequeño, se concluye que las esofagitis cáusticas moderadas y severas (grado II y III respectivamente) evolucionaron con mayor frecuencia a la estenosis, el tratamiento con balón neumático logró solucionarla y se acompañó de un bajo número de complicaciones. Destacamos la importancia de las medidas de prevención.

Aracnoidite constritiva causada por pantopaque resultando em siringomielia e paraparesia: relato de caso / Constrictive arachnoiditis after pantopaque myelography causing syringomyelia and paraparesis: case report

Relatamos caso de aracnoidite constritiva torácica, verificada 10 anos após o uso de pantopaque, que foi utilizado em mielografia no diagnóstico de cisto aracnóideo