Current trends in the acute treatment of ischemic stroke: analysis from the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program.

BACKGROUND: The intra-arterial treatment (IAT) of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is now evidence-based and given the highest level of recommendation among eligible patients. Using a multi-state stroke registry, we studied the trend in IAT among patients with AIS over 11 years and its impact on the utilization of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) within the same 11 years. METHODS: Using data from the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program (PCNASP), we studied trends in IVT and IAT for patients with AIS between 2008 and 2018. Trends over time were examined for rates of IVT only, IAT only, or a combination of IVT and IAT (IVT+IAT). Favorable outcome was defined as discharge to home. RESULTS: During the study period there were 595 677 patients (mean age 70.4 years, 50.4% women) from 646 participating hospitals with a clinical diagnosis of AIS in the PCNASP. Trends for IVT only, IAT only, and IVT+IAT all significantly increased over time (P<0.001). Total use of IVT and IAT increased from 7% in 2008 to 19.1% in 2018. The rate of patients discharged to home increased significantly over time among all treatment groups (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: In our large registry-based analysis, we observed a significant increase in the use of IAT for the treatment of AIS, with continued increases in the use of IVT. Concurrently, the percent of patients with favorable outcomes continued to increase.

Tendencias y costos del uso de antiangiogénicos en Colombia / Trends and costs of the use the antiangiogenics in Colombia

Objetivo: determinar la tendencia de uso de medicamentos AntiVEGF en las patologías oftalmológicas en la Clínica de Oftalmología de Cali y comparar con otros escenarios nacionales. Metodología: se realizó un estudio descriptivo que determinó la tendencia de uso de AntiVEGF en la Clínica de Oftalmología de Cali. Se construyeron indicadores sobre el número de inyecciones ordenadas por cada 100 consultas de oftalmología y se determinó la tendencia de aplicación por cada tipo de AntiVEGF, en el periodo 2013-2014. Basados en los datos de ventas por Lucentis por ciudad, se construyeron indicadores proxy similares para las otras ciudades, teniendo en cuenta las poblaciones mayores de 35 años proyectadas para las ciudades por el DANE. Los datos se expresan en tasas por 100.000 habitantes. La comparación de tasas se realizó por el método indirecto. Adicionalmente se realizó una revisión documental sobre los costos de los medicamentos AntiVEGF y las disposiciones legales y normativas sobre su uso en Colombia. Estos se presentan de forma descriptiva. Resultados: se encontró que la tendencia de uso de AntiVEGF está en aumento, con una frecuencia de 8 indicaciones de AntiVEGF por cada 100 consultas por retinólogo. En 2013 fue de 7 por cada 100 consultas que aumentó a 9 por cada 100 consultas en el año 2014. Existe una tendencia creciente de aplicar 2 inyecciones más de AntiVEGF por cada mes transcurrido El Avastin mantiene una tendencia estable con escasas variaciones Existe una variación importante en la tasa de inyecciones por 100.000 habitantes entre las diferentes ciudades en Colombia. Conclusiones: hay una tendencia al aumento del uso de medicamentos AntiVEGF intravitreos, con el consecuente gasto en salud asociado. Esto necesariamente afecta los recursos del Sistema general de Seguridad Social en Salud de Colombia, por lo que es importante conocer adecuadamente las indicaciones y el costo-beneficio del tratamiento, no sólo en términos del individuo, sino en términos de la comunidad.

Objective: to determine trend of use of anti VEGF in eye diseases in an ophthalmology clinic in Cali and compare with other national settings. Methodology: a descriptive study that determined the use of anti-VEGF trend in Clínica de Oftalmología de Cali was conducted. Indicators on the number of injections per 100 ophthalmology visits and trend of application for each type of anti-VEGF was determined, in the period 2013-2014. Based in sales data by a pharmacological company, proxy indicators were built to compare with other cities, considering population above 35 years old acording to DANE projections. Data are expressed in rates per 100,000 inhabitants rates comparison was performed by the indirect method. Additionally a literature review on the costs of the anti-VEGF drugs and the laws and regulations on its use in Colombia was made. These are presented descriptively. Results: It was found that the anti-VEGF's trend is increasing, with a frequency of 8 indications of antiVEGF per 100 consultations by retina specialist. In 2013 it was 7 indications per 100 consultations and increased to 9 indications per 100 consultations in 2014. There is a growing tendency to apply two more injections of anti-VEGF for each month elapsed. Avastin maintained a stable trend with few variations There is considerable variation injection rate per 100,000 among different cities in Colombia. Conclusions: There is a trend towards increased use of intravitreal anti-VEGF drugs, with consequent associated health spending. This necessarily affects the resources of the General System of Social Security in Health of Colombia, so it is important to properly understand the indications and the cost-benefit of treatment, not only in terms of the individual, but in terms of the community.

Implementation of a patient selection protocol for intra-arterial therapy increases treatment rates in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Strategies for patient selection for intra-arterial therapy (IAT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) are highly variable. The degree of protocol adoption and treatment rates associated with implementation of a service-wide patient selection IAT protocol were assessed. METHODS: All patients with AIS prospectively recorded in our stroke database from January 2007 to June 2009 were reviewed. The IAT patient selection protocol was implemented in March 2008. Patients were defined as likely to benefit (LTB) from IAT if they had brain imaging completed within 6 h from last known well time, NIH Stroke Scale score ≥ 8, infarct volume ≤ 100 ml and evidence of proximal artery occlusion. RESULTS: Of 1348 subjects identified, 118 (8.7%) met the criteria for LTB and 62 (52%) underwent IAT. There was a significant increase in rates of IAT among LTB patients after protocol implementation (61% vs 40%, p<0.02). In LTB patients, factors associated with IAT were stroke duration (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.6 to 0.9 per hour), arrival within later calendar months during study period (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.2 per month), intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4 to 0.9) and age (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.02 per year). After multivariable adjustment, only stroke duration (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.5 to 0.8 per hour) remained an independent predictor of IAT. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with AIS did not meet our criteria for LTB and only 52% of those defined as LTB received IAT. Protocol adoption increased the use of IAT over time; however, further exploration of factors associated with the reasons for non-treatment and the impact of IAT on outcomes is necessary.

Visualização in vivo de células mononucleares de medula óssea na microcirculação coronariana após isquemia miocárdica / In vivo visualization of bone marrow mononuclear cells in coronary microcirculation after myocardial ischemia

A terapia celular para doenças cardiovasculares representa uma nova e promissora opção terapêutica, principalmente para a cardiopatia isquêmica. A injeção de células mononucleares de medula óssea (CMMO) pela via intracoronariana (ICO) é a mais estudada em ensaios clínicos. Embora já se tenha documentado efeitos benéficos com essa terapia, dados relativos aos mecanismos de interação entre as células transplantadas e o ambiente microvascular cardíaco são escassos. A avaliação das CMMO na microcirculação miocárdica tem o potencial de esclarecer seus mecanismos de ação, abrindo novas possibilidades terapêuticas. O objetivo do estudo foi descrever e avaliar uma inovadora técnica de injeção ICO direta e visualização in vivo das CMMO na microcirculação miocárdica de pequenos roedores, após um período de isquemia miocárdica global (IMG) seguida de reperfusão, na presença e na ausência da aterosclerose. Materiais e Métodos: A técnica de transplante cardíaco heterotópico cervical (TCHC) em murinos foi modificada com a inserção e fixação de um microcateter conectado a uma seringa, no tronco braquiocefálico do animal doador. IMG foi induzida ocluindo-se a artéria nutridora do enxerto com um microclamp vascular, por 1 hora. As CMMO foram isoladas e marcadas antes da injeção ICO. Microscopia intravital de fluorescência (MIF) foi usada para análise da microcirculação coronariana do ventrículo direito (VD), incluindo arteríolas, capilares e vênulas pós-capilares. Parâmetros de perfusão e permeabilidade microvasculares e as interações entre as CMMO e células endoteliais foram estudados. O impacto da aterosclerose na recuperação, fenótipo e função celular também foi avaliado. Resultado: A MIF permitiu análise detalhada da microcirculação coronariana e da cinética das CMMO injetadas pela via ICO. A IMG afetou a microcirculação, reduzindo a densidade capilar funcional (DCF). Tal redução foi maior na presença de aterosclerose...

Cell therapy for cardiovascular disease represents a promising new therapeutic option, especially for ischemic heart disease. The intracoronary (ICo) injection of bone marow mononuclear cells (BMMC) is the most commonly studied rote in clinical trials. Although it has been documented beneficial effects with this therapy, data pertaining the mechanisms of interaction between transplanted cells and cardiac microvascular environment are lacking. Assessement of BMMC in myocardial microcirculation has the potential to clarify its mechanisms of action, opening new therapeutic possibilities. The objective of the study was to describe and to evaluate an innovative technique of direct ICo injection and in vivo visualization of BMMC in myocardial small rodents, after a period of global cardiac ischemia (GMI) and reperfusion, in the presence and absence of atherosclerosis. Materials and Methods: The syngeneic murine cervical heterotopic heart transplantation (CHHT) technique was modified by inserting and fixing a catheter connected to a syringe into the donor animal brachiocephalic trunk. GMI was induced occluding the nutritive artery of the graft for 1 hour. Bone marrow mononuclear cells were isolated and labeled prior to ICo injection. Intravital fluorescence microscopy (IFM) was used for analysis of the coronary microcirculation of the right ventricle (RV), including arterioles, capillaries and venules. Parameters of microvascular perfusion, microvascular permeability and the interactions between the BMMC and endothelial cells were studied. The impact of atherosclerosis on the recovery, phenotype and cellular function was also evaluated. Results: The IFM has allowed detailed analysis of both the coronary microcirculation, as the kinetics of BMMC. The GMI affected microcirculation, reducing the functional capillary density (FCD). This reduction was higher in the presence of atherosclerosis. The main area of cell retention was the capillary network...

Update on therapies for acute ischemic stroke.

Acute ischemic stroke is now considered a neurological emergency for which there are new therapies. Neurosurgeons and neurologists need to remain apprised of advances in this field. The authors discuss approved and emerging therapies for patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke, based on a review of recent publications. Currently, intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator is the only Food and Drug Administration-approved therapy for acute ischemic stroke. Intraarterial delivery of thrombolytics is a promising treatment and may be effective in selected patients. Other therapies for acute cerebral ischemia are intriguing but still in the investigational stages.