Hidden health effects and economic burden of stroke and coronary heart disease attributed to ambient air pollution (PM2.5) in Tehran, Iran: Evidence from an assessment and forecast up to 2030.

Air pollution is one of the main causes of global disease burden, especially in low-income and middle-income countries. Estimation of the current situation and prediction of the future health effects of death and incidence of stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD) attributed to PM2.5 were done using BenMAP-CE software. Estimating and forecasting the economic burden of these diseases were done in 4 scenarios: Stability of the current PM2.5 concentration, annual 10 % reduction of PM2.5 concentration, reduction to 5 µg/m3, and reduction to 12 µg/m3, with three approaches for calculating the economic burden in mortality costs, including the human capital(HC), years of life lost(YLL) and value of statistical life(VSL) was performed. With the stability of the PM2.5 concentration, the economic burden of stroke attributed to PM2.5 with the approach of calculating the cost of death with the HC, the YLL, and VSL will reach from 64, 82 and 172 million USD in 2020-849, 1120 and 2703 million USD in 2030 and these costs for CHD in the mentioned approaches of calculating the cost of death will reach respectively from 499, 568 and 898 million USD in 2020-7096, 8088, and 13,621 million USD in 2030. We find that the morbidity economic burden (including direct, indirect, and intangible costs) of stroke compared to the cost of death with the HC, and YLL approaches are 67.58 times, 3.15 times respectively, and in the VSL approach is 47.32 % of stroke death cost. Also, the costs of CHD morbidity economic burden compared to the cost of death in the method of calculating the cost of death with the HC, YLL, and VSL approaches are 42.09, 7.25, and 1.16 times, respectively. This study provides comprehensive baseline information for health policymakers to understand the benefits of air pollution control policies globally, especially in LMICs.

Atypical Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome as the First Presentation of a Pheochromocytoma: A Case Report.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinico-neuroradiological entity that is manifested by characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) depictions of subcortical/cortical hyperintensities in the parieto-occipital lobes. Paroxysmal hypertension, headache, and palpitation are the most common clinical manifestations of pheochromocytoma, which are catecholamine-secreting enterochromaffin tumors. PRES is a rare complication of pheochromocytoma. Herein, we describe a 44-year-old woman who presented with postoperative confusion and headache. MRI images showed multiple asymmetrical hyperintensities with surrounding edema and contrast enhancement, predominantly in the right parietal lobe, left cerebellar hemisphere, and dentate nuclei, in favor of hemorrhagic metastases. The results of further investigations, including abdominopelvic computed tomography and the 24-hour urine test for metanephrine and normetanephrine, were in favor of a pheochromocytoma. The patient was scheduled for adrenalectomy and histopathologic examination of the tissue, which confirmed the diagnosis. Surprisingly, her symptoms and neuroimaging abnormalities improved significantly without any treatment during the follow-up period. Based on these findings, the diagnosis of PRES was considered, and the patient was followed. She was symptom-free at 3 years' follow-up. The literature contains only four case reports of PRES as a complication of pheochromocytoma; however, all these cases had bilateral symmetrical hemispheric involvement and occurred during childhood and adolescence.

Enhancement of Motor Recovery through Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Stimulation after Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Two previous studies, which investigated transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) use in motor recovery after acute ischemic stroke, did not show tDCS to be effective in this regard. We speculated that additional left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) stimulation may enhance poststroke motor recovery. METHODS: In the present randomized clinical trial, 20 acute ischemic stroke patients were recruited. Patients received real motor cortex (M1) stimulation in both arms of the trial. The 2 arms differed in terms of real versus sham stimulation over the left DLPFC. The motor component of the Fugl-Meyer upper extremity assessment (FM) and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) scores were used to assess primary outcomes, and nonlinear mixed effects models were used for data analyses. RESULTS: Primary outcome measures improved more and faster among the real stimulation group. During the first days of stimulations, the sham group's FM scores increased by 1.2 per day, while the real group's scores increased by 1.7 per day (P = .003). In the following days, FM improvement decelerated in both groups. Based on the derived models, a stroke patient with a baseline FM score of 15 improves to 32 in the sham stimulation group and to 41 in the real stimulation group within the first month after stroke. Models with ARAT scores yielded nearly similar results. No significant adverse effect was reported. CONCLUSION: The current study results showed that left DLPFC stimulation in conjunction with M1 stimulation resulted in better motor recovery than M1 stimulation alone.

Tinnitus 3 years after strangulation.

Because psychogenic tinnitus can be a presentation of a wide range of psychiatric diseases such as anxiety disorders, somatoform and mood disorders, and personality disorders, the presence of tinnitus in the patient in this case can be easily misdiagnosed as her coexisting major depressive disorder. If brain imaging had been the only modality used, this case patient's cervical dissecting pseudoaneurysm would have been overlooked. Examination of carotid pulses and detection of carotid bruits were crucial parts in the diagnosis of the current patient's pseudoaneurysm.

The effect of low-dose combined oral contraceptive pills on brachial artery endothelial function and common carotid artery intima-media thickness.

BACKGROUND: Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are considered for their thrombogenicity and the risk of premature atherosclerosis and the stroke caused by them. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between chronic use of low-dose COCs (ethinyl estradiol 30 mcg + levonorgestrel 150 mcg) and endothelial dysfunction and intima-media thickness. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, in 2011-2012, 60 healthy premenopausal women (30 cases of COC consumers and 30 controls as nonconsumers), aged between 25 and 45 years, participated in this study. They were current users for at least a 3-year period. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) were measured for the patients. RESULTS: The mean duration of COC consumption was 54.03 ± 27.27 months in the case group. There was a significant FMD% difference between 2 groups of cases and controls: 11 ± 3.53 versus 15.80 ± 9.22 (P = .01). In addition, a significant mean CCA-IMT thickness difference was detected: .53 ± .07 versus .44 ± .08 (P = .00). However, after multiple regression analysis and adjusting for body mass index (BMI), in COC users, no significant association between COC consumption duration and FMD% and mean CCA-IMT was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged used of low-dose COCs may cause changes in both endothelial function (measured by FMD%) and endothelial structure (measured by CCA-IMT). There was a nonsignificant inverse relationship between the duration of COC ingestion and FMD% and a nonsignificant positive relationship with CCA-IMT. Our results are in favor of early atherosclerotic changes in prolonged users of COCs.

Spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage accompanied with intraventricular hemorrhage.

Spinal hematoma is a rare and usually severe neurological disorder that, without adequate treatment, often leads to death or permanent neurological deficit. Epidural as well as subdural and subarachnoid hematomas have been investigated in some studies. A 66-year-old man referred to our hospital because of acute onset paraplegia and incontinency started 3 h before admission. With impression of spinal hemorrhage, emergent cervicothoracic spinal MRI performed. On magnetic resonance imagination (MRI) mixed hyper/iso intense lesion in anterior subarachnoid space from C7 to T5 was seen. On brain A computerised tomography (CT) scan, subarachnoid hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage in posterior parts of brain was seen. Unfortunately, the patient died 10 days later. About our patient, severe back pain accompanying by immediate paraplegia, sphincter disturbances, sensory level, and prominent meningeal signs guided us clinically to spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Further brain CT scan revealed diffusion of blood to brain subarachnoid space and ventricles. An outstanding finding on brain CT was the presence of blood only in posterior horn of lateral ventricles and dorsal fissures of brain supporting our theory that blood has diffused from spinal subarachnoid space to dorsal subarachnoid space of brain because of supine position of patient. In this patient anticoagulation may be the only sinister factor for developing complications.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy following malignant melanoma.

Polyneuropathy has rarely been encountered in association with melanoma. Although this association may be a biologically plausible phenomenon considering the common embryonic origin of the melanocytes and Schwann cells with proven antibody cross reactivity, only few such cases have been reported so far. We report 2 new cases of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy in association with malignant melanoma, which we believe will add more evidence of this association. We also include a short review of the literature for similar cases.

Estimation and predictors of direct hospitalisation expenses and in-hospital mortality for patients who had a stroke in a low-middle income country: evidence from a nationwide cross-sectional study in Iranian hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: Stroke is the second most prevalent cardiovascular disease in Iran. This study investigates the estimation and predictors of hospitalisation expenses and in-hospital mortality for patients who had a stroke in Iranian hospitals. SETTING: Patients who had a stroke in Iran between 2019 and 2020 were identified through the data collected from the Iran Health Insurance Organization and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. This study is the first to conduct a pervasive, nationwide investigation. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional, prevalence-based study. Generalised linear models and a multiple logistic regression model were used to determine the predictors of hospitalisation expenses and in-hospital mortality for patients who had a stroke. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 19 150 patients suffering from stroke were studied. RESULTS: Mean hospitalisation expenses per patient who had a stroke in Iran amounted to US$590.91±974.44 (mean±SD). Mean daily hospitalisation expenses per patient who had a stroke were US$55.18±37.89. The in-hospital mortality for patients who had a stroke was 18.80%. Younger people (aged ≤49 years) had significantly higher expenses than older patients. The OR of in-hospital mortality in haemorrhagic stroke was significantly higher by 1.539 times (95% CI, 1.401 to 1.691) compared with ischaemic and unspecified strokes. Compared with patients covered by the rural fund, patients covered by Iranian health insurance had significantly higher costs by 1.14 times (95% CI, 1.186 to 1.097) and 1.319 times (95% CI, 1.099 to 1.582) higher mortality. There were also significant geographical variations in patients who had a stroke's expenses and mortality rates. CONCLUSION: Applying cost-effective stroke prevention strategies among the younger population (≤49 years old) is strongly recommended. Migration to universal health insurance can effectively reduce the inequality gap among all insured patients.

Intracranial Aneurysm Rupture after SARS-CoV2 Infection: Case Report and Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV virus infection results in a dysbalanced and severe inflammatory response with hypercytokinemia and immunodepression. Viral infection triggers systemic inflammation and the virus itself can potentially cause vascular damage, including blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and alterations in the coagulation system, which may result in cardiovascular and neurovascular events. Here, we review the literature and present a case of COVID-19 infection leading to an aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH). CASE DESCRIPTION: A 61-year-old woman presented with dyspnea, cough, and fever. She had a history of hypertension and was overweight with a body mass-index of 34. There was no history of subarachnoid hemorrhage in the family. Due to low oxygen saturation (89%) she was admitted into ICU. A chest CT showed a typical picture of COVID-19 pneumonia. The PCR-based test of an oropharyngeal swab was COVID-19-positive. In addition to oxygen support she was prescribed with favipiravir and hydroxychloroquine. She experienced a sudden headache and lost consciousness on the second day. Computer tomography (CT) with CT-angiography revealed a subarachnoid haemorrhage in the basal cisterns from a ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm. The aneurysm was clipped microsurgically through a left-sided standard pterional approach and the patient was admitted again to the intensive care unit for further intensive medical treatment. Post-operatively, the patient showed slight motor dysphasia. No other neurological deficits. CONCLUSION: Systemic inflammation and ventilator support-associated blood pressure fluctuations may trigger aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage secondary to COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 infection could be considered as one of the possible risk factors leading to instability and rupture of intracranial aneurysm.

Quality of Life in Patients with Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis: A Study on Physical, Psychological, and Social Status of Patients in Long-term.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) causes significant problems for patients in the working age and may therefore negatively affect their quality of life (QOL). In the present study, we sought to evaluate the QOL and its predictors in subjects with CVST. METHODS: This observational, prospective study investigated several outcomes of 56 CVST patients after thrombosis onset. Demographic characteristics, medical history, neurological signs and symptoms during hospitalization, and the employment status of the patients were retrospectively collected. Stroke-related functional scales, including the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Barthel Index (BI) were employed. For physical and mental aspects of the QOL, we used the validated Persian version of the Stroke Specific Quality of Life (SS-QOL) scale. RESULTS: The physical and functional outcomes in the long-term were promising according to mRS and BI tools, as well as the improved rate of return to work. Mental domains of the SS-QOL, such as energy and personality represented the lowest scores. According to the multiple linear regression analysis, lower mRS score, and longer time interval between CVST onset and interview were associated with higher physical function of the patients while their better mental function was correlated with lower mRS score and thrombosis in merely one cerebral venous. CONCLUSION: CVST patients experience an acceptable alleviation of the primary physical disabilities, while residual symptoms, mostly in psychologic/mental domains, impair their QOL.

Risk of stroke in hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 infected patients: A multinational study.

BACKGROUND: There is an increased attention to stroke following SARS-CoV-2. The goal of this study was to better depict the short-term risk of stroke and its associated factors among SARS-CoV-2 hospitalized patients. METHODS: This multicentre, multinational observational study includes hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 patients from North and South America (United States, Canada, and Brazil), Europe (Greece, Italy, Finland, and Turkey), Asia (Lebanon, Iran, and India), and Oceania (New Zealand). The outcome was the risk of subsequent stroke. Centres were included by non-probability sampling. The counts and clinical characteristics including laboratory findings and imaging of the patients with and without a subsequent stroke were recorded according to a predefined protocol. Quality, risk of bias, and heterogeneity assessments were conducted according to ROBINS-E and Cochrane Q-test. The risk of subsequent stroke was estimated through meta-analyses with random effect models. Bivariate logistic regression was used to determine the parameters with predictive outcome value. The study was reported according to the STROBE, MOOSE, and EQUATOR guidelines. FINDINGS: We received data from 26,175 hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 patients from 99 tertiary centres in 65 regions of 11 countries until May 1st, 2020. A total of 17,799 patients were included in meta-analyses. Among them, 156(0.9%) patients had a stroke-123(79%) ischaemic stroke, 27(17%) intracerebral/subarachnoid hemorrhage, and 6(4%) cerebral sinus thrombosis. Subsequent stroke risks calculated with meta-analyses, under low to moderate heterogeneity, were 0.5% among all centres in all countries, and 0.7% among countries with higher health expenditures. The need for mechanical ventilation (OR: 1.9, 95% CI:1.1-3.5, p = 0.03) and the presence of ischaemic heart disease (OR: 2.5, 95% CI:1.4-4.7, p = 0.006) were predictive of stroke. INTERPRETATION: The results of this multi-national study on hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection indicated an overall stroke risk of 0.5%(pooled risk: 0.9%). The need for mechanical ventilation and the history of ischaemic heart disease are the independent predictors of stroke among SARS-CoV-2 patients. FUNDING: None.

Intracranial aneurysms coiling with matrix: immediate results in 152 patients and midterm anatomic follow-up from 115 patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We report our experience using Matrix coils in coiling of cerebral aneurysms. METHODS: Clinical and angiographic outcomes of 152 patients (165 aneurysms) treated exclusively with Matrix coils were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: There were 74 ruptured aneurysms (44.8%) and 91 unruptured (55.2%). After coiling, 84 (50.9%) aneurysms were occluded, 38 (23.0%) aneurysms had a neck remnant, and 43 (26.1%) aneurysms had a sac remnant. Packing ranged from 10% to 49% (mean and median, 27%). Overall treatment-induced morbidity was 6.6% and mortality was 1.3% (10 of 152 to 2 of 152, respectively). One hundred fifteen (69.7%) aneurysms were followed, disclosing 42 (36.5%) recurrences at a mean period of 9 months (median, 6 months; range, 1 to 28 months). The recurrence rate for small aneurysms (<10 mm) was 28 (31.1%) of 90, whereas for larger aneurysms (>/=10 mm), the recurrence rate was 14 (56.0%) of 25 (P=0.0336). When packing was 25%, the recurrence rate was 29.8% (P=0.1588). Recurrence rate was not correlated to packing. Ruptured aneurysms recurred more frequently than unruptured aneurysms (P=0.0004). CONCLUSIONS: Matrix coils provided no better recanalization rates than those reported previously for bare platinum coils.

The assessment of proinflammatory cytokines in the patients with the history of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Evidence is accumulating that venous thromboembolism is not limited to coagulation system and immune system seems to be involved in formation and resolution of thrombus. Some studies have demonstrated the role of inflammatory factors in deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of limbs; however, there has not been such study in the patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). The purpose of this study was to evaluate inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the patients with the history of CVST. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 20 patients with the first episode of CVST and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. The patients were seen only after anticoagulant treatment had been discontinued for at least 3 months. IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α levels, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured in two groups. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 37.0 [interquartile range (IQR) = 31.75-42.75] and in control group was 42.0 (IQR = 38.0-40.6) (P = 0.18). In patients group, 14 (70%) were females and in control group, also, 14 (70%) subjects were female (P = 0.01). It is significant that the level of IL-6 was significantly higher in the control group [patients: median: 9.75, IQR: 8.98-10.65; controls: median: 11.45, IQR: 10.28-13.10; P = 0.01]; however, the ESR level was higher in the patients. On the subject of IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α, no significant difference was detected. CONCLUSION: We did not find higher concentrations of inflammatory ILs in the patients with the history of CVST that is contradictory with some findings in venous thrombosis of the extremities; however, the studies with larger sample size may be required.

Assessment of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis using T2 (*)-weighted gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging sequences.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the advantages of gradient echo (GRE) sequences in the detection and characterization of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis compared to conventional magnetic resonance sequences. METHODS: A total of 17 patients with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) were evaluated using different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences. The MRI sequences included T1-weighted spin echo (SE) imaging, T(*) 2-weighted turbo SE (TSE), fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), T(*) 2-weighted conventional GRE, and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). MR venography (MRV) images were obtained as the golden standard. RESULTS: Venous sinus thrombosis was best detectable in T(*) 2-weighted conventional GRE sequences in all patients except in one case. Venous thrombosis was undetectable in DWI. T(*) 2-weighted GRE sequences were superior to T(*) 2-weighted TSE, T1-weighted SE, and FLAIR. Enhanced MRV was successful in displaying the location of thrombosis. CONCLUSION: T(*) 2-weighted conventional GRE sequences are probably the best method for the assessment of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. The mentioned method is non-invasive; therefore, it can be employed in the clinical evaluation of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

Impaired arterial smooth muscle cell vasodilatory function in methamphetamine users.

OBJECTIVES: Methamphetamine use is a strong risk factor for stroke. This study was designed to evaluate arterial function and structure in methamphetamine users ultrasonographically. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 20 methamphetamine users and 21 controls, aged between 20 and 40years, were enrolled. Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) marker of early atherogenesis, flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) determinants of endothelium-dependent vasodilation, and nitroglycerine-mediated dilatation (NMD) independent marker of vasodilation were measured in two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding demographic and metabolic characteristics. The mean (±SD) CCA-IMT in methamphetamine users was 0.58±0.09mm, versus 0.59±0.07mm in the controls (p=0.84). Likewise, FMD% was not significantly different between the two groups [7.6±6.1% in methamphetamine users vs. 8.2±5.1% in the controls; p=0.72], nor were peak flow and shear rate after hyperemia. However, NMD% was considerably decreased in the methamphetamine users [8.5±7.8% in methamphetamine users vs. 13.4±6.2% in controls; p=0.03]. CONCLUSION: According to our results, NMD is reduced among otherwise healthy methamphetamine users, which represents smooth muscle dysfunction in this group. This may contribute to the high risk of stroke among methamphetamine users.

Clinical features, risk factors, and outcome of cerebral venous thrombosis in Tehran, Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Despite increasing the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) has remained an under-diagnosed condition. In this study, characteristics and frequency of various risk factors of CVST patients in a tertiary referral hospital were closely assessed. METHODS: Patients with an unequivocal diagnosis of CVST confirmed by MRI and magnetic resonance venography during 6 years of the study were included. All data from the onset of symptoms regarding clinical signs and symptoms, hospital admission, seasonal distribution, medical and drug history, thrombophilic profile, D-dimer, neuroimaging, cerebrospinal fluid findings, mortality, and outcome were collected and closely analyzed. RESULT: A total of 53 patients with female to male ratio of 3.07 and mean age of 33.7 years were included in the study. Headache and papilledema were the most frequent clinical features (44 and 36 patients, respectively). An underlying disease (diagnosed previously or after admission) was the most common identified risk factor for CVST in both females and males (21 patients). A total of 15 women used the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) where 12 of them had simultaneously other predisposing factors. Overall, 19 patients (36%) had more than one contributing factor. D-dimer had a sensitivity of 71.4% in CVST patients. The mortality of patients in this study was 3.7% (n = 2). Focal neurologic deficit and multicranial nerve palsy were associated with poor outcome which defined as death, recurrence, and massive intracranial hemorrhage due to anticoagulation (P = 0.050 and 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSION: Unlike most of the CVST studies in which OCP was the main factor; in this study, an underlying disease was the most identified cause. Considering the high probability of multiple risk factors in CVST that was shown by this study, appropriate work up should be noted to uncover them.

Comparing the production of complex sentences in Persian patients with post-stroke aphasia and non-damaged people with normal speaking.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrovascular disease leading to stroke is the most common cause of aphasia. Speakers with agrammatic non-fluent aphasia have difficulties in production of movement-derived sentences such as passive sentences, topicalized constituents, and Wh-questions. To assess the production of complex sentences, some passive, topicalized and focused sentences were designed for patients with non-fluent Persian aphasic. Afterwards, patients' performance in sentence production was tested and compared with healthy non-damaged subjects. METHODS: In this cross sectional study, a task was designed to assess the different types of sentences (active, passive, topicalized and focused) adapted to Persian structures. Seven Persian patients with post-stroke non-fluent agrammatic aphasia (5 men and 2 women) and seven healthy non-damaged subjects participated in this study. The computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that all the patients had a single left hemisphere lesion involved middle cerebral artery (MCA), Broca`s area and in its white matter. In addition, based on Bedside version of Persian Western Aphasia Battery (P-WAB-1), all of them were diagnosed with moderate Broca aphasia. Then, the production task of Persian complex sentences was administered. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between four types of sentences in patients with aphasia [Degree of freedom (df) = 3, P < 0.001]. All the patients showed worse performance than the healthy participants in all the four types of sentence production (P < 0.050). CONCLUSION: In general, it is concluded that topicalized and focused sentences as non-canonical complex sentences in Persian are very difficult to produce for patients with agrammatic non-fluent aphasia. It seems that sentences with A-movement are simpler for the patients than sentences involving A`-movement; since they include shorter movements in compare to topicalized and focused sentences.