Aspirin in Alzheimer's disease: increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage: cause for concern?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In a randomized controlled trial in Alzheimer's disease (AD), we found a higher number of intracerebral hemorrhages (ICHs) in patients randomized to aspirin treatment. Here, we evaluate the literature on the risk of ICH as a complication in patients with AD treated with aspirin. METHODS: Systematic review and comparison of the occurrence of events over time between the aspirin and control group in each trial using Cox regression analysis. Estimated hazard ratios (HRs) were combined in a pooled HR. RESULTS: Two randomized controlled trials on aspirin for AD were found. In the Evaluation of Vascular Care in Alzheimer's Disease (EVA) trial (conducted in our center), 4.6% of patients in the group receiving a multicomponent treatment that included aspirin had an ICH (3/65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0 to 12.9) versus 0% in the control group (0/58; 95% CI, 0 to 6.2). In the Aspirin in Alzheimer's Disease (AD2000) trial, these proportions were, respectively, 2.6% (4/156; 95% CI, 0.7 to 6.4) and 0% (0/154; 95% CI, 0 to 2.4). The pooled proportion of ICHs in the aspirin group is 3.2% (7/221; 95% CI, 1.3 to 6.4) versus 0% in the control group (0/212; 95% CI, 0 to 1.7). The pooled HR for an ICH in AD patients using aspirin is 7.63 (95% CI, 0.72 to 81.00; P=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of cases in both trials is small, our findings suggest that aspirin use in AD might pose an increased risk of ICH, whereas it has no effect on cognition. If there is an unequivocal cardiovascular indication for aspirin, it should not be withheld in AD patients.

Six-minute walk test in patients with Down syndrome: validity and reproducibility.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the validity of the six-minute walk test (6MWT) as a tool to evaluate functional exercise performance in patients with Down syndrome (DS). DESIGN: Comparison of the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) in 2 distinct groups of DS patients: with and without severe cardiac disease. To test reproducibility, a group of patients with DS performed the 6MWT twice. SETTING: Tertiary referral centers for patients with congenital heart defects and outpatient clinics for people with intellectual disabilities. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients with DS with (n=29) and without (n=52) severe cardiac disease categorized by cardiac echocardiography. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Distance walked on the 6MWT. RESULTS: The mean 6MWD in the group with severe cardiac disease was 289+/-104 m and in the group without severe cardiac disease 280+/-104 m (P=.70). Older age, female sex, and severe level of intellectual disability were all found to be independently and significantly correlated with a lower 6MWD (r=.67, P<.001). The paired 6MWD was not significantly different (310+/-88 m vs 317+/-85 m; P=.40) in patients who performed the 6MWT twice. The coefficient of variation was 11%. CONCLUSIONS: The 6MWD between the 2 groups was not significantly different. However, the walking distance inversely correlated with the level of intellectual disability. Therefore, the 6MWT is not a valid test to examine cardiac restriction in adult patients with DS.

[Obstructive sleep apnoea]. / Obstructieve slaapapneu.

Obstructive sleep apnoea Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a complex condition with many different phenotypes. Historically, OSA has been defined using the apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI). However, because there is no clear relationship between the AHI and the severity of symptoms and comorbidities the degree of hypoxia is increasingly being used to define OSA severity. To reach a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), it has to be shown that symptoms improve with therapy. The treatment of first choice for patients with severe OSA is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. The indication for other therapies depends upon the patient's characteristics and preferences. Treatment with a position trainer and implantation of a hypoglossal nerve stimulator are relatively new therapies. OSA is a cardiovascular risk factor, but the effect of OSA treatment on cardiovascular outcome measures and mortality has not been shown in clinical trials.

[Endarterectomy in asymptomatic carotid stenosis: not worth the risk]. / Endarteriëctomie bij asymptomatische carotisstenose: het risico niet waard.

A recent trial revealed a reduction in ischaemic infarcts after carotid endarterectomy in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis. However, the number needed to treat (NNT) was 22 to prevent 1 stroke in 10 years (including perioperative death as a primary outcome measurement). This is a modest effect in comparison to the trials with symptomatic patients with a 70-99% stenosis (NNT: 6). Furthermore, the number of surgical complications outweighs the benefits of surgery during the first 2 years after treatment. Finally, current medical treatment is significantly more effective than the medical treatment used in the control arm of this trial. Therefore, in our opinion, endarterectomy should not be performed routinely in asymptomatic patients.