Improved adherence to statin treatment and differences in results between men and women after pictorial risk communication-a sub-study of the VIPVIZA RCT.

BACKGROUND: People with intermediate CVD risk constitute most of the population. Within this group, the proportion of events is lower compared to the high-risk group, but they contribute with the largest absolute number of events. Atherosclerosis is a dynamic process and progression can be slowed or even reversed with medication and lifestyle changes, but adherence to prescribed treatment is crucial. AIM: To investigate the long-term effects of interventions with pictorial risk communication of cardiovascular (CVD) risk on average adherence in a group of statin users. Compare response in adherence over time between men and women after intervention. METHODS: Participants on active statin treatment were followed up to 5 years after being randomly assigned to an intervention program aimed at raising CVD risk awareness among participants and their physicians. Merging prescribed medication databases with VIPVIZA study to study adherence over time. A moving average adherence was used to compare groups. RESULTS: Generally, the average adherence to statins among the 512 participants was high. Men had a higher average adherence over time, while women had a sharper increase in adherence in conjuncture with the intervention program. CONCLUSIONS: Both men and women were receptive to pictorial information regarding CVD risk, but the intervention effect was more pronounced in women. Sex differences are important when considering risk communication strategies. Periodically repeating the intervention was beneficial for maintaining the intervention effect over time. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The VIPVIZA study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , May 8, 2013, number NCT01849575.

Effect of antihypertensive treatment in isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) - systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) in middle-aged and elderly is associated with high cardiovascular risk, but no randomised controlled trial has assessed the effect of antihypertensive treatment in ISH using today's definition, i.e. systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) <90 mmHg. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials was performed. Studies with ≥1000 patient-years of follow-up, comparing more intensive versus less intensive BP targets, or active drug versus placebo, were included if the mean baseline SBP was ≥140 mmHg and the mean baseline DBP was <90 mmHg. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Relative risks from each trial were pooled in random-effects meta-analyses, stratified by baseline and attained SBP level. RESULTS: Twenty-four trials, including 113,105 participants (mean age 67 years; mean blood pressure 149/83 mmHg) were included in the analysis. Overall, treatment reduced the risk of MACE by 9% (relative risk 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.88-0.93). Treatment was more effective if baseline SBP was ≥160 mmHg (RR 0.77, 95% CIs 0.70-0.86) compared to 140-159 mmHg (RR 0.92, 95% CIs 0.89-0.95; p = 0.002 for interaction), but provided equal additional benefit across all attained SBP levels (RR 0.80, 95% CIs 0.70-0.92 for <130 mmHg, RR 0.92, 95% CIs 0.89-0.96 for 130-139 mmHg, and RR 0.87, 95% CIs 0.82-0.93 for ≥140 mmHg; p = 0.070 for interaction). CONCLUSIONS: These findings support antihypertensive treatment of isolated systolic hypertension, regardless of baseline SBP, to target SBP <140 mmHg and even <130 mmHg if well tolerated.

Association of education and feedback on hypertension management with risk for stroke and cardiovascular disease.

PURPOSE: Education and feedback on hypertension management has been associated with improved hypertension control. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of such interventions to reduce the risk of stroke and cardiovascular events. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Individuals ≥18 years with a blood pressure (BP) recording in Västerbotten or Södermanland County during the study period 2001 to 2009 were included in 108 serial cohort studies, each with 24 months follow-up. The primary outcome was risk of first-ever stroke in Västerbotten County (intervention) compared with Södermanland County (control). Secondary outcomes were first-ever major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), myocardial infarction, and heart failure, as well as all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. All outcomes were analysed using time-to-event data included in a Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, systolic BP at inclusion, marital status, and disposable income. RESULTS: A total of 121 365 individuals (mean [SD] age at inclusion 61.7 [16.3] years; 59.9% female; mean inclusion BP 142.3/82.6 mmHg) in the intervention county were compared to 131 924 individuals (63.6 [16.2] years; 61.2% female; 144.1/81.1 mmHg) in the control county. A first-ever stroke occurred in 2 823 (2.3%) individuals in the intervention county, and 3 584 (2.7%) individuals in the control county (adjusted hazard ratio 0.96, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.03). No differences were observed for MACE, myocardial infarction or heart failure, whereas all-cause mortality (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.95) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.98) were lower in the intervention county. CONCLUSIONS: This study does not support an association between education and feedback on hypertension management to primary care physicians and the risk for stroke or cardiovascular outcomes. The observed differences for mortality outcomes should be interpreted with caution.

A multiple risk factor program is associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease in 70-year-olds: A cohort study from Sweden.

BACKGROUND: In individuals below 65 years of age, primary prevention programs have not been successful in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death. However, no large study to our knowledge has previously evaluated the effects of prevention programs in individuals aged 65 years or older. The present cohort study evaluated the risk of CVD in a primary prevention program for community-dwelling 70-year-olds. METHOD AND FINDINGS: In 2012-2017, we included 3,613 community-dwelling 70-year-olds living in Umeå, in the north of Sweden, in a health survey and multidimensional prevention program (the Healthy Ageing Initiative [HAI]). Classic risk factors for CVD were evaluated, such as blood pressure, lipid levels, obesity, and physical inactivity. In the current analysis, each HAI participant was propensity-score-matched to 4 controls (n = 14,452) from the general Swedish population using national databases. The matching variables included age, sex, diagnoses, medication use, and socioeconomic factors. The primary outcome was the composite of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, and stroke. The 18,065 participants and controls were followed for a mean of 2.5 (range 0-6) years. The primary outcome occurred in 128 (3.5%) HAI participants and 636 (4.4%) controls (hazard ratio [HR] 0.80, 95% CI 0.66-0.97, p = 0.026). In HAI participants, high baseline levels of blood pressure and lipids were associated with subsequent initiation of antihypertensive and lipid-lowering therapy, respectively, as well as with decreases in blood pressure and lipids during follow-up. In an intention-to-treat approach, the risk of the primary outcome was lower when comparing all 70-year-olds in Umeå, regardless of participation in HAI, to 70-year-olds in the rest of Sweden for the first 6 years of the HAI project (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.77-0.97, p = 0.014). In contrast, the risk was similar in the 6-year period before the project started (HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.93-1.17, p = 0.03 for interaction). Limitations of the study include the observational design and that changes in blood pressure and lipid levels likely were influenced by regression towards the mean. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a primary prevention program was associated with a lower risk of CVD in community-dwelling 70-year-olds. With the limitation of this being an observational study, the associations may partly be explained by improved control of classic risk factors for CVD with the program.

MYLK pathogenic variants aortic disease presentation, pregnancy risk, and characterization of pathogenic missense variants.

PURPOSE: Heritable thoracic aortic disease can result from null variants in MYLK, which encodes myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK). Data on which MYLK missense variants are pathogenic and information to guide aortic disease management are limited. METHODS: Clinical data from 60 cases with MYLK pathogenic variants were analyzed (five null and two missense variants), and the effect of missense variants on kinase activity was assessed. RESULTS: Twenty-three individuals (39%) experienced an aortic event (defined as aneurysm repair or dissection); the majority of these events (87%) were aortic dissections. Aortic diameters were minimally enlarged at the time of dissection in many cases. Time-to-aortic-event curves showed that missense pathogenic variant (PV) carriers have earlier-onset aortic events than null PV carriers. An MYLK missense variant segregated with aortic disease over five generations but decreases MYLK kinase acitivity marginally. Functional Assays fail to identify all pathogenic variants in MYLK. CONCLUSION: These data further define the aortic phenotype associated with MYLK pathogenic variants. Given minimal aortic enlargement before dissection, an alternative approach to guide the timing of aortic repair is proposed based on the probability of a dissection at a given age.

Aortic stiffness in families with inherited non-syndromic thoracic aortic disease.

BACKGROUND: In families with an inherited form of non-syndromic thoracic aortic disease (TAAD), aortic diameter alone is not a reliable marker for disease occurrence or progression. To identify other parameters of aortic function, we studied aortic stiffness in families with TAAD. We also compared diameter measurements obtained by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Seven families, including 116 individuals, with non-syndromic TAAD, were studied. The aortic diameter was measured by TTE and MRI. Aortic stiffness was assessed as local distensibility in the ascending aorta and as regional and global pulse wave velocity (PWV). Individuals with a dilated thoracic aorta (n = 21) were compared with those without aortic dilatation (n = 95). RESULTS: Ascending aortic diameter measured by TTE strongly correlated with the diameter measured by MRI (r2 = 0.93). The individuals with dilated aortas were older than those without dilatation (49 vs 37 years old). Ascending aortic diameter increased and distensibility decreased with increasing age; while, PWV increased with age and diameter. Some young subjects without aortic dilatation showed increased aortic stiffness. Individuals with a dilated thoracic aorta had significantly higher PWV and lower distensibility, measured by MRI than individuals without dilatation. CONCLUSIONS: Diameters measured with TTE agree with those measured by MRI. Aortic stiffness might be a complementary marker for aortic disease and progression when used with aortic diameter, especially in young individuals.

Optimal Timing of Anticoagulant Treatment After Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study aims to provide observational data on the relationship between the timing of antithrombotic treatment and the competing risks of severe thrombotic and hemorrhagic events in a cohort of Swedish patients with atrial fibrillation and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: Patients with atrial fibrillation and a first-ever ICH were identified in the Swedish Stroke Register, Riksstroke, 2005 to 2012. Riksstroke was linked with other national registers to find information on treatment, comorbidity, and outcome. The optimal timing of treatment in patients with low and high thromboembolic risk was described through cumulative incidence functions separately for thrombotic and hemorrhagic events and for the combined end point vascular death or nonfatal stroke. RESULTS: The study included 2619 ICH survivors with atrial fibrillation with 5759 person-years of follow-up. Anticoagulant treatment was associated with a reduced risk of vascular death and nonfatal stroke in high-risk patients with no significantly increased risk of severe hemorrhage. The benefit seemed to be greatest when treatment was started 7 to 8 weeks after ICH. For high-risk women, the total risk of vascular death or stroke recurrence within 3 years was 17.0% when anticoagulant treatment was initiated 8 weeks after ICH and 28.6% without any antithrombotic treatment (95% confidence interval for difference, 1.4%-21.8%). For high-risk men, the corresponding risks were 14.3% versus 23.6% (95% confidence interval for difference, 0.4%-18.2%). CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide observational study suggests that anticoagulant treatment may be initiated 7 to 8 weeks after ICH in patients with atrial fibrillation to optimize the benefit from treatment and minimize risk.

Decreasing prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm and changes in cardiovascular risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: A significant reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular disease, including abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), has been observed in the past decades. In this study, a small but geographically well defined and carefully characterized population, previously screened for AAA and risk factors, was re-examined 11 years later. The aim was to study the reduction of AAA prevalence and associated factors. METHODS: All men and women aged 65 to 75 years living in the Norsjö municipality in northern Sweden in January 2010 were invited to an ultrasound examination of the abdominal aorta, registration of body parameters and cardiovascular risk factors, and blood sampling. An AAA was defined as an infrarenal aortic diameter ≥30 mm. Results were compared with a corresponding investigation conducted in 1999 in the same region. RESULTS: A total of 602 subjects were invited, of whom 540 (90%) accepted. In 2010, the AAA prevalence was 5.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8%-8.5%) among men compared with 16.9% (95% CI, 12.3%-21.6%) in 1999 (P < .001). The corresponding figure for women was 1.1% (95% CI, 0.0%-2.4%) vs 3.5% (95% CI, 1.2%-5.8%; P = .080). A low prevalence of smoking was observed in 2010 as well as in 1999, with only 13% and 10% current smokers, respectively (P = .16). Treatment for hypertension was significantly more common in 2010 (58% vs 44%; P < .001). Statins increased in the population (34% in 2010 vs 3% in 1999; P < .001), and the lipid profile in women had improved significantly between 1999 and 2010. CONCLUSIONS: A highly significant reduction in AAA prevalence was observed during 11 years in Norsjö. Treatment for hypertension and with statins was more frequent, whereas smoking habits remained low. This indicates that smoking is not the only driver behind AAA occurrence and that lifestyle changes and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors may play an equally important role in the observed recent decline in AAA prevalence.

A novel variant in MYLK causes thoracic aortic dissections: genotypic and phenotypic description.

BACKGROUND: Mutations in MYLK cause non-syndromic familial thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (FTAAD). Very little is known about the phenotype of affected families. We sought to characterize the aortic disease and the presence of other vascular abnormalities in FTAAD caused by a deletion in MYLK and to compare thoracic aortic diameter and stiffness in mutation carriers and non-carriers. METHODS: We studied FTAAD in a 5-generation family that included 19 living members. Exome sequencing was performed to identify the underlying gene defect. Aortic elastic properties measured by TTE, MRI and pulse wave velocity were then compared between mutation carriers and non-carriers. RESULTS: Exome sequencing led to the identification of a 2-bp deletion in MYLK (c3272_3273del, p.Ser1091*) that led to a premature stop codon and nonsense-mediated decay. Eleven people were mutation carriers and eight people were non-carriers. Five aortic ruptures or dissections occurred in this family, with two survivors. There were no differences in aortic diameter or stiffness between carriers and non-carriers of the mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals carrying this deletion in MYLK have a high risk of presenting with an acute aortic dissection or rupture. Aortic events occur over a wide range of ages and are not always preceded by obvious aortic dilatation. Aortic elastic properties do not differ between carriers and non-carriers of this mutation, rendering it uncertain whether and when carriers should undergo elective prophylactic surgery.

From efficacy in trials to effectiveness in clinical practice: The Swedish Stroke Prevention Study.

Blood pressure treatment has shown great efficacy in reducing cardiovascular events in randomized controlled trials. If this is effective in reducing cardiovascular disease in the general population, is less studied. Between 2001 and 2009 we performed an intervention to improve blood pressure control in the county of Västerbotten, using Södermanland County as a control. The intervention was directed towards primary care physicians and included lectures on blood pressure treatment, a computerized decision support system with treatment recommendations, and yearly feed back on hypertension control. Each county had approximately 255 000 inhabitants. Differences in age and incidence of cardiovascular disease were small. During follow-up, more than 400 000 patients had their blood pressure recorded. The mean number of measurements was eight per patient, yielding a total of 3.4 million blood pressure recordings. The effect of the intervention will be estimated combining the blood pressure data collected from the electronic medical records, with data on stroke, myocardial infarction and mortality from Swedish health registers. Additional variables, from health registers and Statistics Sweden, will be collected to address for confounders. The blood pressure data collected within this study will be an important asset for future epidemiological studies within the field of hypertension.

Antithrombotic Treatment Following Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Patients With and Without Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients who survive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) often have compelling indications for anticoagulant and antiplatelet medication. This nationwide observational study aimed to determine the extent and predictors of antithrombotic treatment after ICH in Sweden. METHODS: Patients with a first-ever ICH in the Swedish Stroke Register (Riksstroke) 2005 to 2012 who survived hospital discharge were included. Riksstroke data were individually linked with other national registers to determine comorbid conditions and dispensed prescriptions of antithrombotic agents. RESULTS: Among the 2777 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the proportion with a dispensed prescription of antithrombotic agents was 8.5% (anticoagulants) and 36.6% (antiplatelet agents) within 6 months and 11.1% (anticoagulants) and 43.6% (antiplatelet agents) within 1 year. Among the 11 268 patients without AF, the corresponding figures were 1.6% (anticoagulants) and 13.8% (antiplatelet agents) within 6 months and 2.0% (anticoagulants) and 17.5% (antiplatelet agents) within 1 year. In patients with AF, predictors of anticoagulant treatment were less severe ICH, younger age, previous anticoagulation, valvular disease, and previous ischemic stroke. High CHA2DS2-VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age, diabetes mellitus, stroke [doubled], vascular disease, age, and sex category [female]) scores did not correlate with anticoagulant treatment. There was a positive correlation between high CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED (hypertension, abnormal renal/liver function, stroke, bleeding history or predisposition, labile international normalized ratio, elderly, drugs/alcohol) scores (rs=0.590, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In majority of patients who receive antithrombotic agents, treatment is initiated within 6 months of ICH. Still, many patients with compelling indications for antithrombotic treatment are not prescribed antithrombotic agents. Factors other than high risk of embolic stroke by CHA2DS2-VASc in ICH survivors with concurrent AF are used to guide the anticoagulant treatment decision in Swedish clinical practice.

Long term trends in control of hypertension in the Northern Sweden MONICA study 1986-2009.

BACKGROUND: A large proportion of treated hypertensive subjects do not achieve target blood pressure (BP) levels. We investigated trends in treatment and BP levels in the population, and among treated hypertensive subjects in northern Sweden. METHODS: The six Northern Sweden MONICA population surveys 1986 to 2009, included 6342 subjects aged 45 to 74 years of age, participation rate 79.3%. Factors associated with lack of BP control are presented for 1106 participants in 2009. BP control was defined as a systolic BP <140 and a diastolic BP <90 mm Hg among treated hypertensive patients. RESULTS: Between 1986 and 2009, the proportion of the population that received antihypertensive treatment increased. The proportion of the whole population having BP <140/90 mm Hg increased for all (p < 0.001 for each subgroup), except for men 45-55 years old. In 2009, 62.4% of the population had BP <140/90 mm Hg, 67.2% in women and 58.1% in men (p = 0.002). In the group of treated hypertensive patients, the proportion having BP control increased (p < 0.001) with no difference between sex or age groups. In 2009 52.1% of treated hypertensives had BP control. In 2009, adequate BP control among treated hypertensive patients was 63.9% for those with BMI <25, but only 48.8% for those with BMI > 25 (p = 0.015). Abdominal obesity was associated with less BP control (48.1%) than without abdominal obesity (66.2%, p = 0.007). Women who were physically inactive had better BP control than those who were active (p = 0.03). Men treated with two or more antihypertensive drugs were 50% more likely to reach target BP than men with monotherapy (60.4% vs. 40.0 %, p = 0.035). Rural or urban living, level of education, diabetes mellitus or having a high cardiovascular risk were not associated with better BP control. CONCLUSION: Antihypertensive treatment and BP control have increased in northern Sweden since 1986, although in 2009 still barely half of the treated patients achieved adequate BP levels. Intensified treatment and weight reduction may help to further improve BP control.

Long-term risk and predictors of recurrent stroke beyond the acute phase.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Previous studies have shown heterogeneous results on predictors and rates of stroke recurrence. This study set out to investigate the long-term risk and predictors of recurrent stroke in Northern Sweden 1995 to 2008. METHODS: In the population-based Monitoring Trends and Determinants of Cardiovascular Disease (MONICA) stroke incidence registry, stroke survivors of either ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage were followed for recurrent stroke or death. Cox regression was used to identify predictors of stroke recurrence. RESULTS: The study comprised 6700 patients and 26 597 person-years. During follow-up, 928 (13.9%) patients had a recurrent stroke. Comparison between the first time period (1995-1998) and the last (2004-2008) showed declined risk of stroke recurrence (hazard ratio, 0.64 [95% confidence interval, 0.52-0.78]). Previous myocardial infarction was less prevalent in the most recent cohort (P<0.001). Predictors of stroke recurrence were age (hazard ratio, 1.03 [95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.04]) and diabetes mellitus (hazard ratio, 1.34 [95% confidence interval, 1.15-1.57]). After an index intracerebral hemorrhage (n=815), a major part of recurrent events were ischemic (63%), and compared with the ischemic stroke group (n=5885), a tendency toward lower risk of recurrence was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Despite declining recurrence rates in this relatively young stroke population, almost one third are either dead or have experienced a second stroke in 5 years.

[Familial thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections can be divided into three different main categories]. / Familjära torakala aortaaneurysm och dissektioner - flera former finns.

Thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD) can be divided into three different main categories. 1. Inherited syndromes predisposing to TAAD such as Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV and Loeys-Dietz syndrome (less than 5% of all TAAD). 2. Familial TAAD (FTAAD) with more than one affected family member (20 % of all TAAD). Inheritance shows an autosomal dominant pattern and there are no features of known syndromes. 3. Sporadic forms of TAAD with no family history or features of syndromic forms. FTAAD present earlier in life and dissections occur in smaller diameter than in sporadic cases. The underlying genetic cause can be found in about 20 % of the inherited cases. The pathogenesis seems to be an involvement of the transforming growth factor ß (TGFß) signaling pathway or a dysfunction of the smooth muscle cell contraction. The role of ß-blockers for aneurysm prevention is uncertain and there are on-going studies comparing angiotensin receptor blockers and ß-blockers.

Vascular risk profiles for predicting outcome and long-term mortality in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: comparison of clinical decision support tools.

OBJECTIVE: Vascular risk factors (VRFs) may act synergistically, and clinical decision support tools (CDSTs) have been developed that present vascular risk as a summarized score. Because VRFs are a major issue in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH), a CDST may be useful in the diagnostic workup. The objective was to compare 4 CDSTs to determine which one most accurately predicts short-term outcome and 10-year mortality after CSF shunt surgery in INPH patients. METHODS: One-hundred forty INPH patients who underwent CSF shunt surgery were included. For each patient, 4 CDST scores (Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation-Older Persons [SCORE-OP], Framingham Risk Score [FRS], Revised Framingham Stroke Risk Profile, and Kiefer's Comorbidity Index [KCI]) were estimated. Short-term outcome (3 months after CSF shunt surgery) was defined on the basis of improvements in gait, Mini-Mental State Examination score, and modified Rankin Scale score. The 10-year mortality rate after surgery was noted. The CDSTs were compared by using Cox regression analysis, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and the chi-square test. RESULTS: For 3 CDSTs, increased score was associated with increased risk of 10-year mortality. A 1-point increase in the FRS indicated a 2% higher risk of death within 10 years (HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.003-1.035, p = 0.021); SCORE-OP, 5% (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.019-1.087, p = 0.002); and KCI, 12% (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.03-1.219, p = 0.008). FRS predicted short-term outcome of surgery (p = 0.024). When the cutoff value was set to 32.5%, the positive predictive value was 80% and the negative predictive value was 48% (p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: The authors recommend using FRS to predict short-term outcome and 10-year risk of mortality in INPH patients. The study indicated that extensive treatment of the risk factors of INPH may decrease risk of mortality. Clinical trial registration no.: NCT01850914 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Reconstituted and frozen botulinum toxin A is as effective and safe as fresh for treating axillary hyperhidrosis: A retrospective study.

The use of reconstituted and frozen left-over botulinum toxin A, for treatment of patients with axillary hyperhidrosis seems to be common practice in healthcare. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of frozen and thawed versus fresh reconstituted abobotulinum toxin (Dysport®) and onabotulinum toxin (Botox®) in the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis. A retrospective study was conducted analysing efficacy and data from pre- and 24 weeks post-treatment questionnaires together with medical records of individuals with moderate to severe axillary hyperhidrosis. The patients had received fresh prepared botulinum toxin A in their right axilla while frozen and thawed botulinum toxin A had been administered in their left axilla. Treatment was conducted at our Hyperhidrosis Clinic, Umeå University Hospital, Sweden 2019-2021. Pre- and post-treatment questionnaires from 106 patients were analysed. The patients were 18 to 55 years old, with a mean age of 30.7 ± 9.9 years. No significant differences in patient-reported variables, Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale and VAS 10-point scale, were found between the different preparations (frozen compared to fresh) for abobotulinum toxin and onabotulinum toxin, before treatment and at 6 months follow-up. Multivariable regression analysis resulted in no significant difference regarding side-effects between the preparations or brands of botulinum toxin. The findings of this study support our clinical experience that both abobotulinum toxin and onabotulinum toxin, reconstituted, frozen and thawed, seem to be as effective and safe as fresh prepared botulinum toxin when treating axillary hyperhidrosis. Our findings indicate that left-over preparations of abo- and onabotulinum toxins, stored and frozen for up to 6 months, is a cost-and time-effective way of handling botulinum toxin for treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis.

Long-term sequelae following acute pulmonary embolism: A nationwide follow-up study regarding the incidence of CTEPH, dyspnea, echocardiographic and V/Q scan abnormalities.

We aimed to follow a nationwide cohort of patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) without any exclusions to generate information regarding long-term symptoms, investigational findings and to determine the prevalence of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). We hypothesized that this approach would yield generalizable estimates of CTEPH prevalence and incidence. All individuals diagnosed with acute PE in Sweden in 2005 were identified using the National Patient Register. In 2007, survivors were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding current symptoms. Those with dyspnea were referred for further examinations with laboratory tests, electrocardiogram (ECG), and a ventilation/perfusion scan (V/Q scan). If CTEPH was suspected, a referral to the nearest pulmonary arterial hypertension-center was recommended. Of 5793 unique individuals with PE diagnosis in 2005, 3510 were alive at the beginning of 2007. Altogether 53% reported dyspnea at some degree whereof a large proportion had V/Q scans indicating mismatched defects. Further investigation revealed 6 cases of CTEPH and in parallel 18 cases were diagnosed outside this study. The overall prevalence of CTEPH was 0.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.2%-0.6%) and 0.7% (95% CI: 0.4%-1.0%) among the survivors. The cumulative incidence of CTEPH in the group of patients who underwent a V/Q scan was 1.1% (95% CI: 0.2%-2.0%). There was a high mortality following an acute PE, a high proportion of persistent dyspnea among survivors, whereof several had pathological findings on V/Q scans and echocardiography. Only a minority developed CTEPH, indicating that CTEPH is the tip of the iceberg of post-PE disturbances.