Oral anticoagulation and left atrial appendage closure: a new strategy for recurrent cardioembolic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There are no recommendations regarding how to treat cardioembolic recurrent strokes when patients are well anticoagulated. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of combining oral anticoagulation (OAC) with percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) in patients with well-anticoagulated atrial fibrillation (AF) with recurrent strokes. METHODS: In an explorative, prospective, observational study, LAAC was performed in patients with AF with at least two ischaemic strokes in the previous year, despite good anticoagulation using the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (St Jude Medical, St Paul, MN, USA) or Amulet Abbot device (Abbot Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, USA). We recorded age, type of AF, CHA2 DS2 -VASC and HAS-BLED scores, types of OAC and risk factors. After closure, treatment with aspirin (100 mg/day) was continued for 3 months in combination with indefinite OAC. Clinical status, recurrent embolisms and bleeding complications were recorded during follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 19 patients were included (mean age, 72.1 ± 9.6 years; mean CHA2 DS2 -VASC score, 5.3 ± 1.48; mean number of previous strokes, 2.78 ± 1.15). Thirteen had spontaneous echocardiographic contrast and all had dilatation of the left atrium. Eighteen patients had a multilobulated left atrial appendage, 17 with 'chicken-wing' morphology and one patient had a left atrial appendage thrombus. There were no complications during the procedure. Only one patient had a transient ischaemic attack and no major bleeding occurred during a mean follow-up of 17.4 ± 11.5 months. CONCLUSION: Combination therapy with indefinite OAC plus LAAC in patients with AF with recurrent strokes despite good anticoagulation should be considered in order to prevent a new stroke.

Concomitant treatment with safinamide and antidepressant drugs: Safety data from real clinical practice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the possible pharmacological interactions between safinamide and antidepressants, and in particular the appearance of serotonin syndrome with data from real life. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients with Parkinson's disease from our Movement Disorders Unit, who were under treatment with any antidepressant drug and safinamide. Specifically, symptoms suggestive of serotonin syndrome were screened for. Also, we collected time of simultaneous use, doses of levodopa and other antiparkinsonian drugs. RESULTS: Clinical records were reviewed for the study period of September 2018 to September 2019. Seventy-eight PD patients who were treated with safinamide of which 25 (32.05%) had a concomitant treatment with an antidepressant drug, being sertraline and escitalopram the most frequent. Mean age was 80 years±8.43 and H&Y stage was 3 [2-4]. Mean dose of levodopa used was 703.75mg±233.15. Median duration of concomitant treatment with safinamide and antidepressant drug was 6 months (IQR 20.5), and over eighteen months in 5 cases. No case of serotonin syndrome was recorded, neither was any of its typical manifestations combined or in isolation. CONCLUSIONS: Our real clinical practice study suggests that concomitant use of safinamide with antidepressant drugs in PD patients seemed to be safe and well tolerated, even in the long term. However, caution is warranted, individualizing treatment regimens and monitoring the potential appearance of adverse effects.

[Inhaled levodopa: from evidence to experience]. / Levodopa inhalada: de la evidencia a la experiencia.

Most patients with Parkinson's disease experience motor fluctuations or 'off' periods, which impact on their daily activities, increase their disability and diminish their quality of life. They suffer from these fluctuations despite multiple adjustments to the schedules, doses and intake of medication. In this context, on-demand or rescue treatments are necessary to attempt to improve 'off' periods, with drugs that have the pharmacokinetic advantage of a much faster onset of action because their routes of administration are not oral. There are currently three on-demand therapies for the treatment of fluctuations: subcutaneous apomorphine, inhaled levodopa and sublingual apomorphine. Of the three alternatives, subcutaneous apomorphine generally has the fastest onset of action, sublingual apomorphine provides the longest clinical effect, and inhaled levodopa has the most favourable side effect profile. Each of these drugs has its own characteristics: the time before onset of action, the duration of action and different side effect profiles. The choice for each patient will depend on their individual needs and circumstances. To mark the first year of the introduction of inhaled levodopa, we review these therapies, focusing on the experience with this new dosage form of levodopa.

TITLE: Levodopa inhalada: de la evidencia a la experiencia.La mayoría de los pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson sufren fluctuaciones motoras o períodos off, que impactan en sus actividades cotidianas, aumentan su discapacidad y empeoran su calidad de vida. A pesar de realizar múltiples ajustes en los horarios, en las dosis y en las tomas de medicación, no se consigue que estén libres de estas fluctuaciones. Es en este contexto en el que son necesarios los tratamientos a demanda o de rescate para tratar de mejorar los períodos off, con fármacos que tienen la ventaja farmacocinética de un inicio de acción mucho más rápido debido a que sus vías de administración no son orales. En la actualidad existen tres terapias a demanda para el tratamiento de las fluctuaciones: apomorfina subcutánea, levodopa inhalada y apomorfina sublingual. En general, la apomorfina subcutánea tiene un inicio de efecto más rápido, la apomorfina sublingual ofrece el efecto clínico más prolongado y la levodopa inhalada tiene el perfil de efectos secundarios más favorable entre las tres opciones. Cada uno de estos medicamentos tiene características únicas: tiempo de inicio, duración de acción y diferentes perfiles de efectos secundarios. La elección para cada paciente dependerá de sus necesidades y circunstancias individuales. Aprovechando el primer año de la introducción de la levodopa inhalada, revisamos estas terapias, centrándonos en la experiencia acumulada con esta nueva presentación galénica de levodopa.

[What do medical students think about functional neurological disorders?] / ¿Qué piensan los estudiantes de Medicina sobre los trastornos neurológicos funcionales?

INTRODUCTION: Functional neurological disorders (FND) are a frequent reason for visits in neurology. However, specific training on these disorders during undergraduate and residency training is limited. This study assesses the knowledge, attitude and exposure of medical students to FNDs before completing their medical degree. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a 15-item survey to explore understanding, exposure and attitudes towards FNDs among sixth-year medical students at four Spanish universities. RESULTS: A total of 118 students (mean age 23.6 ± 1.2 years; 71.2% female) returned the survey. Of these, 88 (74.6%) were aware of the concept of FNDs and 78 (66.1%) had studied them in psychiatry classes. The term 'psychosomatic' was chosen by 54.1% of the students as the most appropriate term to refer to these disorders, and 111 (94.1%) believed that a history of sexual or physical abuse was common among FND patients. Fifty-seven students (48.3%) assumed that the diagnosis of FND was mostly a clinical diagnosis of exclusion and 63 (53.4%) indicated that it is managed only by psychiatry. One hundred and one students (85.6%) considered that adequate training on FNDs is an important aspect of their medical training. CONCLUSIONS: Medical students are aware of the existence of FNDs, but their preferred terminology, as well as the perceived aetiological factors, reflect that the historical view of these disorders is still deeply rooted. Medical students feel that they should receive adequate education on FNDs from specialists in neurology and psychiatry as part of their training.

TITLE: ¿Qué piensan los estudiantes de Medicina sobre los trastornos neurológicos funcionales?Introducción. Los trastornos neurológicos funcionales (TNF) son un motivo de consulta frecuente en neurología. Sin embargo, la formación específica sobre estos trastornos durante la formación universitaria y el período de residencia es limitada. En este estudio se evalúan los conocimientos, la actitud y la exposición de los estudiantes de Medicina a los TNF antes de terminar el grado de Medicina. Sujetos y métodos. Realizamos una encuesta de 15 ítems para explorar la comprensión, la exposición y las actitudes hacia los TNF entre los estudiantes de Medicina de sexto año en cuatro universidades españolas. Resultados. Devolvieron la encuesta 118 estudiantes (edad media 23,6 ± 1,2 años; 71,2%, mujeres). De ellos, 88 (74,6%) conocían el concepto de TNF y 78 (66,1%) los habían estudiado en las clases de psiquiatría. El 54,1% de los estudiantes eligió el término 'psicosomático' como el más adecuado para referirse a estos trastornos, y 111 (94,1%) creían que una historia de abuso sexual o físico era común entre los pacientes con TNF. Cincuenta y siete estudiantes (48,3%) asumieron que el diagnóstico de TNF era mayoritariamente un diagnóstico clínico de exclusión y 63 (53,4%) señalaron que el manejo se realiza únicamente desde psiquiatría. Ciento un estudiantes (85,6%) consideraron que una formación adecuada sobre los TNF es un aspecto importante de su formación médica. Conclusiones. Los estudiantes de Medicina son conscientes de la existencia de los TNF, pero la terminología preferida por ellos, así como los factores etiológicos percibidos, reflejan que la visión histórica acerca de estos trastornos está aún arraigada. Los estudiantes de Medicina consideran que deberían recibir una educación adecuada sobre los TNF como parte de su formación por parte de los especialistas en neurología y psiquiatría.

Concomitant treatment with safinamide and antidepressant drugs: Safety data from real clinical practice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the possible pharmacological interactions between safinamide and antidepressants, and in particular the appearance of serotonin syndrome with data from real life. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients with Parkinson's disease from our Movement Disorders Unit, who were under treatment with any antidepressant drug and safinamide. Specifically, symptoms suggestive of serotonin syndrome were screened for. Also, we collected time of simultaneous use, doses of levodopa and other antiparkinsonian drugs. RESULTS: Clinical records were reviewed for the study period of September 2018 to September 2019. Seventy-eight PD patients who were treated with safinamide of which 25 (32.05%) had a concomitant treatment with an antidepressant drug, being sertraline and escitalopram the most frequent. Mean age was 80 years±8.43 and H&Y stage was 3 [2-4]. Mean dose of levodopa used was 703.75mg±233.15. Median duration of concomitant treatment with safinamide and antidepressant drug was 6 months (IQR 20.5), and over eighteen months in 5 cases. No case of serotonin syndrome was recorded, neither was any of its typical manifestations combined or in isolation. CONCLUSIONS: Our real clinical practice study suggests that concomitant use of safinamide with antidepressant drugs in PD patients seemed to be safe and well tolerated, even in the long term. However, caution is warranted, individualizing treatment regimens and monitoring the potential appearance of adverse effects.

COVID-19 in Parkinson's disease: what holds the key?

INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's disease (PD) is more frequent in the elderly and increases the risk of respiratory infections. Previous data on PD and SARS-CoV-2 are scarce, suggesting a poor prognosis in advanced disease and second-line therapies. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study comparing patients with PD and COVID-19 and patients with PD without COVID-19 was conducted during the pandemic period in Spain (March 1st-July 31st 2020) in a tertiary university hospital. RESULTS: Thirty-nine (COVID-19 +) and 172 (COVID-19-) PD patients were included. Fifty-nine percent were males in both groups, with similar age (75.9 ± 9.0 COVID-19 + , 73.9 ± 10.0 COVID-19-), disease duration (8.9 ± 6.2 COVID-19 + , 8.5 ± 5.6 COVID-19-) and PD treatments. COVID-19 was mild in 10 (26%), required admission in 21 (54%) and caused death in 8 (21%) patients. Dementia was the only comorbidity more frequent in COVID-19 + patients (36% vs. 14%, p = 0.0013). However, in a multivariate analysis, institutionalization was the only variable associated with COVID-19 + (OR 17.0, 95% CI 5.0-60.0, p < 0.001). When considering severe COVID-19 (admission or death) vs. mild or absent COVID-19, institutionalization, neoplasm, dementia and a lower frequency of dopamine agonists were associated with severe COVID-19. In multivariate analysis, only institutionalization [OR 5.17, 95% CI 1.57-17, p = 0.004] and neoplasm [OR 8.0, 95%CI 1.27-49.8, p = 0.027] remained significantly associated. CONCLUSION: In our experience, institutionalization and oncologic comorbidity, rather than PD-related variables, increased the risk of developing COVID-19, and impacted on its severity. These findings suggest that epidemiologic factors and frailty are key factors for COVID-19 morbidity/mortality in PD. Appropriate preventive strategies should be implemented in institutionalized patients to prevent infection and improve prognosis.

[Cognitive impairment as a predictor of functional decline after hospitalization: DECOFIRH Study]. / Deterioro cognitivo como factor independiente de riesgo hospitalario: estudio DECOFIRH.

AIM: Cognitive impairment is underdiagnosed in the elderly. We aimed to study the rate of positive responses to an informant-based questionnaires and functional disability after hospital discharge. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational prospective case series of patients aged 70-85 years-old admitted for hospitalization in an Internal Medicine ward. All medical records were reviewed and those patients with no previous diagnosis of dementia or related neurological conditions, no previous recent hospitalization or not having a caregiver were evaluated after signing an informed consent. A medical interview including the Alzheimer's Disease 8 (AD8), the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) and Barthel Index was completed. Barthel Index was obtained three months after discharge. RESULTS: During a 3-month period a total of 809 admissions were screened and 79 (9.7%) fulfilled the study criteria. Patient's mean age was 80 years-old. Common comorbidities were arterial hypertension (83.5%), major surgery (54.4%) and heart disorders (50.6%). The most frequent cause of admission was infectious disease (37.9%). Test positivity for cognitive impairment was 30.3% for IQCODE and 34.1% for AD8. At admission 37.9% of the patients were functionally independent. At three months this percentage dropped to 24%. CONCLUSIONS: In this small sample size, almost a third of older patients, without major comorbidities or neurological disorders, admitted to a general hospital showed an informant-based suggestion of cognitive impairment previously undiagnosed. Functional impairment affects almost a quarter of these patients three months after admission.

TITLE: Deterioro cognitivo como factor independiente de riesgo hospitalario: estudio DECOFIRH.Objetivo. El deterioro cognitivo esta infradiagnosticado. El estudio DECOFIRH pretende detectar la tasa de deterioro cognitivo no conocido y su impacto en la situacion funcional de estos pacientes tras un ingreso hospitalario mediante cuestionarios realizados a un informador. Pacientes y metodos. Estudio observacional prospectivo realizado sobre una serie de casos, de pacientes comprendidos entre 70 y 85 años, que ingresan en el Servicio de Medicina Interna de un hospital terciario. Se excluyo a los pacientes con diagnostico de demencia o enfermedades neurologicas graves, asi como a los que habian sido hospitalizados recientemente. Los tests empleados en la deteccion de deterioro cognitivo fueron Alzheimer's Disease 8 (AD8) e Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). Asimismo, se evaluo la situacion funcional mediante el indice de Barthel en el momento del ingreso y tres meses despues. Resultados. Durante los tres meses de seguimiento ingresaron 809 pacientes y cumplieron los criterios de inclusion 79 (9,7%) de ellos. Su edad media era de 80 años. Mediante el IQCODE se detecto una tasa de deterioro cognitivo del 30,3%, y con el AD8, del 34,1%. En el ingreso, el 37,9% de los pacientes era funcionalmente independiente. A los tres meses, este porcentaje cayo al 24%. Conclusiones. En nuestra muestra, casi un tercio de los ancianos sin comorbilidades sistemicas o neurologicas graves dio positivo para la deteccion de deterioro cognitivo segun nuestros tests basados en el informador, sin ser este conocido previamente. El deterioro funcional afecta casi a una cuarta parte de estos pacientes a los tres meses del ingreso.

Stroke in young adults: Incidence rate, risk factors, treatment and prognosis. / Ictus en adultos jóvenes: incidencia, factores de riesgo, tratamiento y pronóstico.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the incidence, risk factors, aetiology, treatment and clinical evolution of young patients with stroke. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective registry of patients aged 55 years or younger hospitalised in a stroke unit during 2014. We recorded the incidence rate for all strokes and analysed demographic data, risk factors, degree of stress, stroke type and aetiology, reperfusion treatments and clinical evolution. RESULTS: The study included 110 patients, the majority of whom were men (60.9%, 1.6:1 ratio). The incidence rate was 13.3% (110 of 830 strokes). Most of the patients had cardiovascular risk factors. Smoking was the most common risk factor (56.4%), followed by arterial hypertension (50%), dyslipidaemia (42.7%), obesity (33%), diabetes (18.2%) and emboligenic heart disease (12.7%). Some 64.3% of the heart disease cases and 51.1% of the dyslipidaemia cases were discovered during hospitalisation. Some 57.2% of the patients experienced psychosocial stress in the stage prior to the stroke. Some 83.6% of the stroke cases were ischaemic, 12.7% were haemorrhagic and 3.6% were venous sinus thrombosis. Of the ischaemic stroke cases, 30.4% were cryptogenic, 23.9% were lacunar, 16.3% were from uncommon causes, 15.2% were atherothrombotic and 14.1% were cardioembolic. Some 78.6% of the cerebral haemorrhage cases were hypertensive. Some 23.3% of the ischaemic stroke cases underwent reperfusion treatments in the acute phase, achieving levels of functional independence at 3 months of 62.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of stroke events in patients 55 years of age or younger appear to be related to a high prevalence of classical cardiovascular risk factors and possibly to psychosocial stress.