The effect of COVID-19 on general anaesthesia rates for caesarean section. A cross-sectional analysis of six hospitals in the north-west of England.

At the onset of the global pandemic of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), guidelines recommended using regional anaesthesia for caesarean section in preference to general anaesthesia. National figures from the UK suggest that 8.75% of over 170,000 caesarean sections are performed under general anaesthetic. We explored whether general anaesthesia rates for caesarean section changed during the peak of the pandemic across six maternity units in the north-west of England. We analysed anaesthetic information for 2480 caesarean sections across six maternity units from 1 April to 1 July 2020 (during the pandemic) and compared this information with data from 2555 caesarean sections performed at the same hospitals over a similar period in 2019. Primary outcome was change in general anaesthesia rate for caesarean section. Secondary outcomes included overall caesarean section rates, obstetric indications for caesarean section and regional to general anaesthesia conversion rates. A significant reduction (7.7 to 3.7%, p < 0.0001) in general anaesthetic rates, risk ratio (95%CI) 0.50 (0.39-0.93), was noted across hospitals during the pandemic. Regional to general anaesthesia conversion rates reduced (1.7 to 0.8%, p = 0.012), risk ratio (95%CI) 0.50 (0.29-0.86). Obstetric indications for caesarean sections did not change (p = 0.17) while the overall caesarean section rate increased (28.3 to 29.7%), risk ratio (95%CI) 1.02 (1.00-1.04), p = 0.052. Our analysis shows that general anaesthesia rates for caesarean section declined during the peak of the pandemic. Anaesthetic decision-making, recommendations from anaesthetic guidelines and presence of an on-site anaesthetic consultant in the delivery suite seem to be the key factors that influenced this decline.

Correction to: Cesarean delivery to prevent anal incontinence: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The original article can be found online.

Cesarean delivery to prevent anal incontinence: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cesarean delivery (CD), is increasingly recommended as a mode of delivery that prevents the anal incontinence (AI) that arises in some women after vaginal delivery (VD). The assessment of the efficacy of CD in this regard was the subject of this systematic review. METHODS: Searches were conducted in Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library. Both randomized (RCTs) and non-randomized trials (NRTs) comparing the risk of sustained fecal and/or flatus incontinence after VD or CD were sought from 1966 to 1 January, 2019. Studies were eligible if they assessed AI more than 6 months after birth, and had statistical adjustment for at least one of the three major confounders for AI: age, maternal weight or parity. In addition, each study was required to contain more than 250 participants, more than 50 CDs and more than 25 cases of AI. Data after screening and selection were abstracted and entered into Revman for meta-analysis. Analyses were done for combined fecal and flatus incontinence (comAI), fecal incontinence (FI), gas incontinence (GI), CD before or during labor, time trend of incontinence after delivery, assessment of both statistical and clinical heterogeneity, parity and late incident AI. RESULTS: Out of the 2526 titles and abstracts found, 24 eligible studies were analyzed, 23 NRTs and one RCT. These included women with 29,597 VDs and women with 6821 CDs. Among the primary outcomes, VD was found not to be a significant predictor of postpartum comAI compared to CD in 6 studies, incorporating 18,951 deliveries (OR = 0.74; 0.54-1.02). VD was also not a significant predictor of FI in 14 studies, incorporating 29,367 deliveries, (OR = 0.89; 0.76-1.05). VD was not a significant predictor of GI in six studies, incorporating 6724 deliveries (OR = 0.96; 0.79-1.18). The strength of the grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluations (GRADE) evidence for each of these was low for comAI and moderate for FI and GI (upgrade for lack of expected effect). Time trend FI showed incontinence at 3 months often resolved at 1 year. Other secondary analyses assessing parity, delayed incidence of FI, clinical and statistical heterogeneity, spontaneous VD only, late risk of incidence of AI, and CD in or prior to labor all had similar results as in the primary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: There are three components of pelvic floor dysfunction that are thought to be caused by VD and hopefully prevented by CD: AI, urinary incontinence and pelvic floor prolapse. Of these, AI was not found to be reliably prevented by CD in this review.

Cost-effectiveness of community screening for glaucoma in rural India: a decision analytical model.

OBJECTIVES: Studies in several countries have demonstrated the cost-effectiveness of population-based screening for glaucoma when targeted at high-risk groups such as older adults and with familial history of disease. This study conducts a cost-effective analysis of a hypothetical community screening and subsequent treatment programme in comparison to opportunistic case finding for glaucoma in rural India. STUDY DESIGN: A hypothetical screening programme for both primary open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure disease was built for a population aged between 40 and 69 years in rural areas of India. METHODS: A decision analytical model was built to model events, costs and treatment pathways with and without a hypothetical screening programme for glaucoma for a rural-based population aged between 40 and 69 years in India. The treatment pathway included both primary open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure disease. The data on costs of screening and treatment were provided by an administrator of a tertiary eye hospital in Eastern India. The probabilities for the screening and treatment pathway were derived from published literature and a glaucoma specialist. The glaucoma prevalence rates were adapted from the Chennai Glaucoma Study findings. RESULTS: An incremental cost-effectiveness ratio value of ₹7292.30 per quality-adjusted life-year was calculated for a community-screening programme for glaucoma in rural India. The community screening for glaucoma would treat an additional 2872 cases and prevent 2190 person-years of blindness over a 10-year period. CONCLUSIONS: Community screening for glaucoma in rural India appears to be cost-effective when judged by a ratio of willingness-to-pay thresholds as per WHO-CHOICE guidelines. For community screening to be cost-effective, adequate resources, such as trained medical personnel and equipment would need to be made available.

Economic burden of diagnosed pertussis among individuals with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the USA: an analysis of administrative claims.

Individuals with chronic respiratory conditions may be at increased risk for pertussis. We conducted a retrospective administrative claims analysis to examine the incidence and economic burden of diagnosed pertussis among adolescents and adults in the USA with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. Patients aged ⩾11 years with diagnosed pertussis and pre-existing COPD (n = 343) or asthma (n = 1041) were matched 1:1 to patients with diagnosed pertussis but without COPD or asthma. Differences in all-cause costs ('excess' costs) during the 45-day and 3-month and 6-month periods before and after the pertussis index date were calculated; adjusted excess costs were estimated via multivariate regressions. The incidence of diagnosed pertussis was higher among patients with COPD or asthma than among matched patients. Compared with matched patients, patients with pertussis and pre-existing COPD or asthma accrued greater all-cause adjusted costs across study periods ($3694 and $1193 more, respectively, in the 45-day period; $4173 and $1301 more in the 3-month period; and $6154 and $1639 more in the 6-month period; all P < 0·0001). Patients with pre-existing COPD or asthma experience an increased economic burden after diagnosed pertussis and may especially benefit from targeted tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccination strategies.

Should waist circumference be replaced by index of central obesity (ICO) in definition of metabolic syndrome?

Waist circumference has been widely used as the parameter of central obesity in defining metabolic syndrome. Global consensus definition of metabolic syndrome has suggested various race- and gender-specific cutoffs of waist circumference for quantifying central obesity. We have earlier proposed that using index of central obesity (ICO), the need for race- and gender-specific cutoffs may be obviated. We propose that waist circumference be supplanted with index of central obesity in all definitions of metabolic syndrome. Using index of central obesity a common cutoff of 0.5 applicable across races and genders might be obtained. Moreover, it will enhance the sensitivity of definition by diagnosing subjects who are shorter than general population. Among 258 male and 242 female diabetic patients, subjects with metabolic syndrome (defined as per gender-specific waist circumference cutoffs), were found to have a common lower range of index of central obesity suggesting that a common cutoff of waist circumference may be obtained. In another study from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database, replacing index of central obesity with waist circumference was found to enhance the specificity and sensitivity of definition of metabolic syndrome.

An open-label expanded access study of lapatinib and capecitabine in patients with HER2-overexpressing locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The Lapatinib Expanded Access Program (LEAP) was designed to provide access to lapatinib plus capecitabine for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients who previously received an anthracycline, a taxane, and a trastuzumab and had no other treatment options. PATIENTS AND METHODS: LEAP opened globally and enrollment continued until lapatinib received regulatory approval in each participating country. Patients were assessed for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) and monitored for serious adverse events (SAEs). RESULTS: As of 30 September 2008, 4283 patients from 45 countries enrolled in LEAP. The median treatment duration was 24.7 weeks. The most common drug-related SAEs were diarrhea (9.7%), vomiting (4.3%), and nausea (2.4%) and were mainly grade 3 or higher. The incidences of special interest SAEs were decreased left ventricle ejection fraction (0.5%), interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis (0.2%), and serious hepatobiliary events (0.4%). This safety profile is consistent with the overall lapatinib program. The median PFS and OS were 21.1 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 20.1-22.3] and 39.6 (95% CI = 37.7-40.7) weeks, respectively (n = 4006). Subgroup analysis showed longer PFS and OS in patients who had not received prior capecitabine. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the safety and efficacy of lapatinib in a broader patient population compared with a clinical trial.

Repeat cytoreductive surgery with or without intraperitoneal chemotherapy for recurrent epithelial appendiceal neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: With recurrence rates after primary cytoreductive surgery (CRS) in excess of 50 per cent, repeat CRS is being performed increasingly, but survival outcomes have not been reported widely. This study examined the outcomes following repeat CRS for appendiceal cancer with peritoneal surface malignancy (PSM), and evaluated its feasibility and safety. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of patients who had surgery between 1996 and 2018 were analysed. Patients who underwent a single CRS procedure with or without heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) were compared with those who had multiple procedures with or without HIPEC. Perioperative morbidity and survival outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: Some 462 patients were reviewed, 102 of whom had repeat procedures. For high-grade tumours, patients who had a single CRS procedure had significantly reduced overall survival (OS) compared with those who had repeat CRS (55·6 versus 90·7 months respectively; P = 0·016). For low-grade tumours, there was no difference in OS (P = 0·153). When patients who had a single procedure were compared with those who had multiple procedures, there was no significant difference in major morbidity (P = 0·441) or in-hospital mortality (P = 0·080). For multiple procedures, no differences were found in major morbidity (P = 0·262) or in-hospital mortality (P = 0·502) when the first procedure was compared with the second. For low-grade cancers, the peritoneal carcinomatosis index was a significant prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio (HR) 1·11, 95 per cent c.i. 1·05 to 1·17; P < 0·001), whereas for high-grade cancers repeat CRS (HR 0·57, 0·33 to 0·95; P = 0·033), complete cytoreduction score (HR 1·55, 1·01 to 2·40; P = 0·046) and presence of signet ring cells (HR 2·77, 1·78 to 4·30; P < 0·001) were all significant indicators of long-term survival. CONCLUSION: In selected patients presenting with PSM from epithelial appendiceal neoplasms, repeat CRS performed in high-volume centres could provide survival benefits.

ANTECEDENTES: En países de bajos y medianos ingresos (low- and middle-income countries, LMIC) hay que desarrollar estrategias de futuro para incrementar la disponibilidad de equipos quirúrgicos, adquisición, capacitación, uso, mantenimiento y complicaciones relacionadas con las unidades electroquirúrgicas (electrosurgical unit, ESU) y los equipos de laparoscopia. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una encuesta entre los cirujanos que asistieron a la reunión anual del Colegio de Cirujanos de África Oriental, Central y Meridional (College Of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa, COSECSA) en diciembre de 2017 y a la reunión anual de la Sociedad Quirúrgica de Kenia (Surgical Society of Kenya, SSK) en marzo de 2018. Se encuestaron también a los técnicos de equipos biomédicos (Biomedical Equipment Technicians, BMET) y se recopilaron los registros de mantenimiento en Kenia entre febrero y marzo de 2018. RESULTADOS: Participaron 80 sujetos, 59 cirujanos de 11 países africanos y 21 BMET de Kenia. Se recopilaron 36 registros de mantenimiento. Todos los cirujanos de COSECSA y SSK disponían de ESU, pero menos de la mitad (49%) disponían de equipos de laparoscopia. Como principales problemas se detectaron la reutilización de accesorios desechables en las ESU y las dificultades para disponer de CO2. Más de las tres cuartas partes (78%) de los cirujanos contaban con equipos de mantenimiento para las ESU, pero solo el 59% disponía de mantenimiento para los equipos de laparoscopia en su centro. CONCLUSIÓN: A pesar de la disponibilidad de equipos quirúrgicos, en estos LMIC se detectaron serias dificultades en su mantenimiento, hecho que limita la implementación de la cirugía abierta y laparoscópica.

An emergency physician activated protocol, 'Code STEMI' reduces door-to-balloon time and length of stay of patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

INTRODUCTION: National consensus guidelines recommend that ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients achieve a door-to-balloon time of < 90 min. We sought to determine if emergency physician initiated simultaneous activation of the cardiac catheterisation laboratory team and the on-call interventional cardiologist has any impact on reducing door-to-balloon-times at our hospital. METHODS: A total of 72 consecutive STEMI patients were evaluated from January 2007 to December 2007. The emergency physician activated Code STEMI required concurrent activation of cardiac catheterisation personnel and the on-call interventional cardiologist by the emergency physician. These patients were compared with our staff cardiologist activated primary angioplasty protocol from January 2006 to December 2006 for 51 consecutive STEMI patients. The primary outcome was to measure median door-to-balloon time between both groups. Secondary end-points included the individual components of door-to-balloon times (i.e. door-to-ECG time), peak troponin-I level within 24 h, length of stay and all-cause in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Median door-to-balloon time decreased overall (112 vs. 74 min, p < 0.001). Of the three components of door-to-balloon time analysed, the ECG to cardiac catheterization laboratory time exhibited the largest area of improvement with 16 min absolute reduction in median door-to-balloon time. Median peak troponin levels (50 vs. 25 ng/ml, p < 0.001), and hospital length of stay (4 vs. 3 days, p < 0.01) decreased. We did not see any statistically significant difference in all-cause in-hospital mortality (p = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: Emergency physician activation of the Code STEMI significantly reduces door-to-balloon time to within national standards of care, and length of stay in STEMI patients.

Priorities and preferences for school-based mental health services in India: a multi-stakeholder study with adolescents, parents, school staff, and mental health providers.

BACKGROUND: Schools are important settings for increasing reach and uptake of adolescent mental health interventions. There is limited consensus on the focus and content of school-based mental health services (SBMHSs), particularly in low-resource settings. This study elicited the views of diverse stakeholders in two urban settings in India about their priorities and preferences for SBMHSs. METHODS: We completed semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with adolescents (n  =  191), parents (n  =  9), teachers (n  =  78), school counsellors (n  =  15), clinical psychologists/psychiatrists (n  =  7) in two urban sites in India (Delhi and Goa). Qualitative data were obtained on prioritized outcomes, preferred content and delivery methods, and indicated barriers. RESULTS: All stakeholders indicated the need for and acceptability of SBMHSs. Adolescents prioritized resolution of life problems and exhibited a preference for practical guidance. Parents and teachers emphasized functional outcomes and preferred to be involved in interventions. In contrast, adolescents' favored limited involvement from parents and teachers, was related to widespread concerns about confidentiality. Face-to-face counselling was deemed to be the most acceptable delivery format; self-help was less frequently endorsed but was relatively more acceptable if blended with guidance or delivered using digital technology. Structured sensitization was recommended to promote adolescent's engagement. Providers endorsed a stepped care approach to address different levels of mental health need among adolescents. CONCLUSION: SBMHSs are desired by adolescents and adult stakeholders in this setting where few such services exist. Sensitization activities are required to support implementation. School counsellors have an important role in identifying and treating adolescents with different levels of mental health needs, and a suite of interventions is needed to target these needs effectively and efficiently.

Newborn Screening Guidelines for Congenital Hypothyroidism in India: Recommendations of the Indian Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology (ISPAE) - Part I: Screening and Confirmation of Diagnosis.

The Indian Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology has formulated locally relevant Clinical Practice Guidelines for newborn screening, diagnosis and management of primary congenital hypothyroidism (CH). RECOMMENDATIONS: Screening should be done for every newborn using cord blood, or postnatal blood, ideally at 48 to 72 h of age. On this screen sample, neonates with TSH > 20 mIU/L serum units (or >34 mIU/L for samples taken between 24 to 48 h of age) should be recalled for confirmation. For screen TSH > 40 mIU/L, immediate confirmatory venous T4/FT4 and TSH, and for milder elevation of screen TSH, a second screening TSH at 7 to 10 d of age, should be taken. Preterm and low birth weight infants should undergo screening at 48-72 h postnatal age. Sick babies should be screened at least by 7 d of age. Venous confirmatory TSH >20 mIU/L before age 2 wk and >10 mIU/L after age 2 wk, with low T4 (<10 µg/dL) or FT4 (<1.17 ng/dL) indicate primary CH and treatment initiation. Imaging is recommended by radionuclide scintigraphy and ultrasonography after CH is biochemically confirmed but treatment should not be delayed till scans are performed. Levothyroxine is commenced at 10 to 15 µg/kg in the neonatal period. Serum T4/FT4 is measured at 2 wk and TSH and T4/FT4 at 1 mo, then 2 monthly till 6 mo, 3 monthly from 6 mo-3 y and every 3-6 mo thereafter. Babies with the possibility of transient congenital hypothyroidism should be re-evaluated at age 3 y, to assess the need for lifelong therapy.

Newborn Screening Guidelines for Congenital Hypothyroidism in India: Recommendations of the Indian Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology (ISPAE) - Part II: Imaging, Treatment and Follow-up.

The Indian Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology has formulated Clinical Practice Guidelines for newborn screening, diagnosis and management of congenital hypothyroidism (CH). This manuscript, part II addresses management and follow-up. RECOMMENDATIONS: Screening should be done for every newborn using cord blood, or postnatal blood ideally at 48 to 72 h of age. Neonates with screen TSH > 20 mIU/L serum units (or >34 mIU/L for samples taken between 24 and 48 h of age) should be recalled for confirmation. For screen TSH > 40 mIU/L, immediate confirmatory venous T4/FT4 and TSH, and for mildly elevated screen TSH, a second screening TSH at 7 to 10 d of age, should be taken. Preterm and low birth weight infants should undergo screening at 48-72 h age. Sick babies should be screened at least by 7 d of age. Venous confirmatory TSH >20 mIU/L before age 2 wk and >10 mIU/L after age 2 wk, with low T4 (<10 µg/dL) or FT4 (<1.17 ng/dL) indicate primary CH and treatment initiation. Imaging is recommended by radionuclide scintigraphy and ultrasonography after CH is biochemically confirmed but treatment should not be delayed till scans are performed. Levothyroxine is commenced at 10-15 µg/kg in the neonatal period. Serum T4/FT4 is measured at 2 wk and TSH and T4/FT4 at 1 mo, then 2 monthly till 6 mo, 3 monthly from 6 mo-3 y and every 3-6 mo thereafter. Babies with the possibility of transient CH should be re-evaluated at age 3 y, to assess the need for lifelong therapy.

Outcomes of early carotid stenting and angioplasty in large-vessel anterior circulation strokes treated with mechanical thrombectomy and intravenous thrombolytics.

Introduction Proximal cervical internal carotid artery stenosis greater than 50% merits revascularization to mitigate the risk of stroke recurrence among large-vessel anterior circulation strokes undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. Carotid artery stenting necessitates the use of antiplatelets, and there is a theoretical increased risk of hemorrhagic transformation given that such patients may already have received intravenous thrombolytics and have a significant infarct burden. We investigate the outcomes of large-vessel anterior circulation stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolytics receiving same-day carotid stenting or selective angioplasty compared to no carotid intervention. Materials and methods The study cohort was obtained from the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample database between 2006 and 2014, using International Statistical Classification of Diseases, ninth revision discharge diagnosis and procedure codes. A total of 11,825 patients with large-vessel anterior circulation stroke treated with intravenous thrombolytic and mechanical thrombectomy on the same day were identified. The study population was subdivided into three subgroups: no carotid intervention, same-day carotid angioplasty without carotid stenting, and same-day carotid stenting. Outcomes were assessed with respect to mortality, significant disability at discharge, hemorrhagic transformation, and requirement of percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy tube placement, prolonged mechanical ventilation, or craniotomy. Results This study found no statistically significant difference in patient outcomes in those treated with concurrent carotid stenting compared to no carotid intervention in terms of morbidity or mortality. Conclusions If indicated, it is reasonable to consider concurrent carotid stenting and/or angioplasty for large-vessel anterior circulation stroke patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy who also receive intravenous thrombolytics.

Percutaneous lung ablation of pulmonary recurrence may improve survival in selected patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery for colorectal cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis.

PURPOSE: To analyze the outcomes of patients developing pulmonary metastases (PM) following cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and perioperative intra-peritoneal chemotherapy (IPC) for colorectal cancer (CRC) with peritoneal carcinomatosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing CRS/IPC for CRC from 1996 to 2016 was performed. Lung-specific disease-free and patient overall survival was analyzed. Patients undergoing percutaneous lung ablative therapy (PLAT) for PM were compared to patients receiving systemic chemotherapy alone. RESULTS: 273 patients underwent CRS/IPC for CRC. Of these, 61 (22%) developed PM. Median time to development of PM was 8 months (range 0-52 months) and 41 patients (67%) had metachronous lesions. Twenty-one PM patients underwent PLAT, either by radio-frequency or micro-wave ablation, for an average of 3 lesions (range 1-12) and 13 (62%) had bilobar disease. The most common post-interventional complication was the development of pneumothorax (71%). Overall survival following development of PM was 18 months and higher in patients undergoing PLAT compared to those treated with systemic chemotherapy (26 vs. 14 months, p = 0.03). In eight cases (38%) local tumor recurrence developed post-PLAT. A peritoneal carcinomatosis index >10 (HR 3.48, 95% CI 1.69-7.19), presence of liver metastases (HR 2.49, 95% CI 1.24-5.03) and PLAT (HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.20-0.93) were identified as significant predictors of overall survival following diagnosis of PM. CONCLUSION: PM develop in approximately a fourth of patients undergoing CRS/IPC for CRC. Of these, about 1/3 may be eligible for PLAT. PLAT is a valuable treatment option providing good local control and potentially prolongation of overall survival.

Self-expanding versus balloon-mounted stents for vessel recanalization following embolic occlusion in the canine model: technical feasibility study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Despite advances in mechanical thrombolysis for acute stroke, recanalization rates remain approximately 50%-60%. Technologic improvements allowed safe intracranial delivery of stents. To study the feasibility of stent-assisted recanalization for acute stroke, we deployed self-expanding or balloon-mounted stents in 2- to 3.5-mm canine vessels acutely occluded with clot emboli. METHODS: Six mongrel dogs were placed under general anesthesia. A guiding catheter was placed in the distal vertebral artery or an external carotid artery branch. A 7 x 3 mm (length x diameter) soft or hard clot was injected into the catheter and allowed to embolize distally; 20 vessels were successfully occluded. After systemic heparin anticoagulation, recanalization with a self-expanding stent was attempted in 11 vessels (5 occluded with soft clot; 6, with hard clot). Balloon-mounted stents were placed in an attempt to revascularize 9 vessels (4 occluded with soft clot; 5, with hard clot). Vessel recanalization was assessed as the primary end point. Side-branch occlusion and stent-induced vasospasm were also assessed. RESULTS: Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction/Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction flow for 11 vessels treated with self-expanding stents versus 9 treated with balloon-mounted stents was as follows: grade 3, 91% of vessels versus 78% of vessels; grade 2, 0% versus 11%; grade 1, 9% versus 0%; grade 0, 0% versus 11%. Lower rates of spasm and side-branch occlusion were noticed with self-expanding stents. Grade 2/3 flow was achieved in 18/20 vessels (90%). CONCLUSIONS: Excellent recanalization was demonstrated with both stents. Recanalization in self-expanding stents was achieved without pre- or post-balloon dilation. Stents may prove to be a useful adjunct for intra-arterial acute stroke treatment.

Relationship between anxiety disorders and depressive disorders in patients with cerebrovascular injury.

The interaction between anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder in patients with cerebrovascular lesions was examined in a controlled, 2 x 2 study design. A consecutive series of 24 patients who met criteria for major depression only were compared with 6 patients who met criteria for both major depression and generalized anxiety disorder, and 45 patients who did not meet criteria for either major depression of generalized anxiety. Among patients with positive computed tomographic scans, the anxious-depressed group (n = 19) showed a significantly higher frequency of cortical lesions, while patients with major depression only (n = 15) had a significantly higher frequency of subcortical (basal ganglia) strokes. No significant between-group differences were found in other variables, such as demographic variables, familial and personal history of psychiatric disorders, and neurologic deficits. These findings suggest that, in this mostly black, low-socioeconomic-status population, cortical vs subcortical lesion location may play an important role in determining whether severe anxiety occurs in patients with post-stroke major depression.

Are depressive symptoms nonspecific in patients with acute stroke?

OBJECTIVE: Some investigators have suggested that major depression might be overdiagnosed in stroke patients because of changes in appetite, sleep, or sexual interest caused by their medical illness; others have suggested that depression may be underdiagnosed in stroke patients who deny symptoms of depression because of anosognosia, neglect, or aprosody. The authors' goal was to determine how frequently depressive symptoms occur in acute stroke patients with and without depressed mood to estimate how often diagnostic errors of inclusion or exclusion may be made. METHOD: They examined the rate of autonomic and psychological symptoms of depression in 205 patients who were consecutively hospitalized for acute stroke. Eighty-five (41%) of these patients had depressed mood, and 120 (59%) had no mood disturbance. Forty-six (54%) of the 85 patients with depressed mood (22% of all patients) were assigned the DSM-III diagnosis of major depression. RESULTS: The 120 patients without mood disturbance had a mean of one autonomic symptom, but the 85 patients with depressed mood had a mean of almost four. Tightening the diagnostic criteria to account for one more nonspecific autonomic symptom decreased the number of patients with major depression by only three; adding two more criteria decreased the number by only five. Thus, the rate of DSM-III major depression was 1% higher than the rate with one extra nonspecific autonomic symptom and 2% higher than the rate with two extra criteria. Conversely, loosening diagnostic criteria to account for denial of depressive illness increased the rate of major depression by only 5%. CONCLUSIONS: Both autonomic and psychological depressive symptoms are strongly associated with depressed mood in acute stroke patients.

Pathological laughing and crying following stroke: validation of a measurement scale and a double-blind treatment study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to test the reliability and validity of the Pathological Laughter and Crying Scale and the effectiveness of nortriptyline treatment for patients with emotional lability following stroke. METHOD: Eighty-two patients with ischemic brain injury-54 who had been hospitalized with acute stroke and 28 others who requested treatment for pathological laughing and crying--were given standardized psychiatric and neurological assessments and then administered the Pathological Laughter and Crying Scale. The 54 acute stroke patients were used to evaluate the Pathological Laughter and Crying Scale, and the 28 patients with pathological emotional display were randomly assigned to nortriptyline treatment or placebo in a 6-week double-blind trial to assess the efficacy of a tricyclic antidepressant in treatment of this disorder. RESULTS: The interrater reliability on the Pathological Laughter and Crying Scale for a subgroup of 15 patients was 0.93, and the test-retest reliability of the scale was excellent. After 4 and 6 weeks of treatment, scores on the Pathological Laughter and Crying Scale showed significantly greater improvement in the 14 patients given nortriptyline than in the 14 given placebo. Although almost one-half of these patients also had major depression, the improvement in emotional lability was independent of depression status. In addition, response to treatment was not significantly affected by lesion location or time since stroke. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of symptoms in pathological emotional display can be reliably quantified with the Pathological Laughter and Crying Scale, and treatment with nortriptyline can effectively ameliorate this emotional disorder.

PET imaging of cortical S2 serotonin receptors after stroke: lateralized changes and relationship to depression.

Patients with right-hemisphere strokes (N = 9) more than 1 year after injury had greater cortical binding of (3-N-[11C]methyl)spiperone than a similar group of patients with left-hemisphere strokes (N = 8) or normal control subjects (N = 17). The higher S2 serotonin receptor binding occurred in uninjured regions of the right parietal and temporal cortex. The ratio of binding in the ipsilateral to contralateral cortex showed a significant negative correlation with severity of depression scores in the left temporal cortex. These findings suggest that the biochemical response of the brain may be different depending on which hemisphere is injured and that some depressions may be a consequence of the failure to upregulate serotonin receptors after stroke.