Lipoprotein (a) and cerebrovascular disease.

The role of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] in cerebrovascular disease is a topic of importance. In this narrative review, pertinent studies have been leveraged to comprehensively examine this relationship from diverse perspectives.Lp(a) shares structural traits with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Lp(a) is synthesized by hepatocytes, and its plasma levels are genetically determined by the LPA gene, which produces apolipoprotein (a).Numerous epidemiological studies have confirmed the positive correlation between elevated serum Lp(a) levels and the occurrence or recurrence of cerebrovascular events, especially ischemic strokes, in adults. It should be noted that the correlation strength varies among studies and is marginal in Mendelian randomization studies.Regarding pediatric patients, screening is currently limited to those with a relevant medical history. Lp(a) seems to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of arterial ischemic stroke in children because environmental thrombotic and atherogenic factors are generally not present.Phase 3 trials of novel Lp(a) targeting agents, such as pelacarsen and olpasiran, are anticipated to demonstrate their efficacy in reducing the incidence of stroke. Given the richness of the literature, new guidelines regarding Lp(a) screening and management in targeted populations are warranted to provide more effective primary and secondary prevention.

Timing matters in the use of renin-angiotensin system modulators and COVID-related cognitive and cerebrovascular dysfunction.

Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) modulators, including Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), are effective medications for controlling blood pressure. Cognitive deficits, including lack of concentration, memory loss, and confusion, were reported after COVID-19 infection. ARBs or ACEI increase the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2), a functional receptor that allows binding of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein for cellular invasion. To date, the association between the use of RAS modulators and the severity of COVID-19 cognitive dysfunction is still controversial. PURPOSE: This study addressed the following questions: 1) Does prior treatment with RAS modulator worsen COVID-19-induced cerebrovascular and cognitive dysfunction? 2) Can post-treatment with RAS modulator improve cognitive performance and cerebrovascular function following COVID-19? We hypothesize that pre-treatment exacerbates COVID-19-induced detrimental effects while post-treatment displays protective effects. METHODS: Clinical study: Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between May 2020 and December 2022 were identified through the electronic medical record system. Inclusion criteria comprised a documented medical history of hypertension treated with at least one antihypertensive medication. Subsequently, patients were categorized into two groups: those who had been prescribed ACEIs or ARBs before admission and those who had not received such treatment before admission. Each patient was evaluated on admission for signs of neurologic dysfunction. Pre-clinical study: Humanized ACE-2 transgenic knock-in mice received the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein via jugular vein injection for 2 weeks. One group had received Losartan (10 mg/kg), an ARB, in their drinking water for two weeks before the injection, while the other group began Losartan treatment after the spike protein injection. Cognitive functions, cerebral blood flow, and cerebrovascular density were determined in all experimental groups. Moreover, vascular inflammation and cell death were assessed. RESULTS: Signs of neurological dysfunction were observed in 97 out of 177 patients (51%) taking ACEIs/ARBs prior to admission, compared to 32 out of 118 patients (27%) not receiving ACEI or ARBs. In animal studies, spike protein injection increased vascular inflammation, increased endothelial cell apoptosis, and reduced cerebrovascular density. In parallel, spike protein decreased cerebral blood flow and cognitive function. Our results showed that pretreatment with Losartan exacerbated these effects. However, post-treatment with Losartan prevented spike protein-induced vascular and neurological dysfunctions. CONCLUSION: Our clinical data showed that the use of RAS modulators before encountering COVID-19 can initially exacerbate vascular and neurological dysfunctions. Similar findings were demonstrated in the in-vivo experiments; however, the protective effects of targeting the RAS become apparent in the animal model when the treatment is initiated after spike protein injection.

Latest research in nootropic therapy of patients with chronic cerebral circulation insufficiency.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To analyze latest research on the usage of choline alfoscerate and ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate (EMHPS) as nootropic therapy for patients with chronic cerebral circulation insufficiency (CCCI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: Bibliosemantic, comparative and system analysis methods were used in the study. The proposed recommendations are developed on the basis of the analysis of modern literature, the results of randomized studies and meta-analyses, authoritative studies devoted to the study of the CCCI problem. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The combination of EMHPS with choline alfoscerate for the complex treatment of CCCI and associated syndromes improves the functions of the endothelium, leads to asthenic syndrome, indicators of stress, depression and anxiety decreasing has a positive effect on the cognitive impairment and complications' progress reduction.

A cohort study of the effects of social support on cerebral cardiovascular disease in subjects with metabolic syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have extensively examined the relationship between social support and various health outcomes. However, little is known about the distinct longitudinal associations between perceived social support and the development of cardiovascular events in patients with metabolic syndrome. In this cohort study, we investigated whether the levels of perceived social support in patients with metabolic syndrome were associated with an increased risk of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events. METHODS: The level of social support was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study-Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) in 2,721 individuals living in Wonju and Pyeongchang, South Korea. The presence of metabolic syndrome was determined by physical measurements and blood tests, and the occurrence of cerebral cardiovascular disease in relation to the presence of metabolic syndrome and the level of social support was analyzed using Cox proportional-hazards models. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 2,345 days (2,192-2,618). Overall, in the group with metabolic syndrome and low social support, low social support was associated with an increased risk of later cerebral cardiovascular events; in this group, the hazard ratio after adjusting for confounding variables was 1.97 times (95% confidence interval, 1.01-3.85) higher than that in the group without metabolic syndrome and low social support. CONCLUSION: This study shows, for the first time, that the level of social support is a risk factor for preventing cerebral cardiovascular disease in patients with metabolic syndrome and suggests that social support status should be incorporated into multifactorial risk assessment and intervention procedures to prevent metabolic syndrome and cerebral cardiovascular disease.

Combination therapy for Sneddon syndrome to reduce the incidence of cerebrovascular complications.

BACKGROUND: Sneddon syndrome is an occlusive vasculopathy that presents clinically with generalized livedo racemosa on the skin and transient ischemic attacks, strokes, and cognitive or motor deficits in the central nervous system. Antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy is recommended. Due to the limited therapeutic efficacy and the resulting serious complications, we propose combination therapy with additional infusion cycles of alprostadil and captopril and report initial long-term results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a systematic retrospective analysis of all patients with primary Sneddon syndrome who received combination therapy in our clinic between 1995 and 2020. Therapeutic outcomes were evaluated using descriptive statistics compared to historical controls receiving monotherapy. We also analyzed the event rate of complications when combination therapy was discontinued. RESULTS: During the 99.7 patient-years of follow-up, there were no transient ischemic attacks and the stroke rate dropped to 0.02 per patient-year. In comparison, the rates of transient ischemic attacks and strokes in the historical controls ranged from 0.08 to 0.035 per patient-year. After discontinuation of alprostadil therapy, eight events occurred in three patients. CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy reduces the long-term incidence of ischemic events in patients with primary Sneddon syndrome.

Triglyceride Glucose Body Mass Index as 3 Year Prognostic Indicator for Major Adverse Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction After PCI: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI) is associated with cardiovascular mortality in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. However, the predictive value of TyG-BMI in the prognosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains unclear. Methods: In total, 408 AMI patients who underwent PCI were consecutively included in this study. All included patients were then divided into three groups according to tertiles of TyG-BMI. The association between TyG-BMI and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) were investigated. Results: Participants were divided into three groups: tertile 1(≤199.4, n=136), tertile 2 (199.4-231.8, n=136), and tertile 3 (≥231.8, n=136). Eighty (19.6%) patients had MACCEs: 18 (13.2%) in tertile 1, 26 (19.1%) in tertile 2, and 36 (25.7%) in tertile 3. The incidence of MACCEs increased as the tertiles of TyG-BMI increased (p<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that diabetes mellitus and TyG-BMI were independent predictors of MACCEs in AMI patients after PCI (p<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that when TyG-BMI was ≥192.4, the sensitivity and specificity were 60.1% and 65.4%, respectively, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.632 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.562-0.703; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Elevated TyG-BMI level was an independent predictor of the composite MACCEs in patients with AMI after PCI.

[Validity and reliability of the Tardieu scale for assessing upper limb spasticity in adults with cerebrovascular disease. Systematic review]. / Validez y fiabilidad de la escala de Tardieu para evaluar la espasticidad en miembro superior en adultos con enfermedad cerebrovascular. Revisión sistemática.

INTRODUCTION: The increase in the number of people with upper limb spasticity as a sequela of cerebrovascular disease, which negatively impacts their autonomy, functional independence and participation, and affects their quality of life, calls for the application of precise and objective instruments for its measurement and evaluation. OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity and reliability of the Tardieu scale in the evaluation of upper extremity spasticity in adults with cerebrovascular disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The search strategy was implemented in eight databases; the systematic review protocol was registered beforehand in INPLASY (with registration no. 2023110076). The evidence was synthesised in three phases: a tabular presentation of results, an evaluation of the quality of the articles, and a narrative synthesis of the findings. RESULTS: Only three of the 33 articles identified fulfilled the variables that enable the validity and reliability of the Tardieu scale to be established. The measurements of angles and velocities R1, R2 and R2-R1 were analysed. Student's t-test to assess the reliability between the measurements of R1 and R2; and angles R2 and R2-R1 showed statistical significance, which confirmed the reliability of the scale. CONCLUSIONS: The Tardieu scale proved robust. It is important to note that the sample size, the time of evolution of the disease and the age of the patients may influence the results of the scale.

TITLE: Validez y fiabilidad de la escala de Tardieu para evaluar la espasticidad en miembro superior en adultos con enfermedad cerebrovascular. Revisión sistemática.Introducción. El incremento en el número de personas con espasticidad en los miembros superiores como secuela de una enfermedad cerebrovascular, que impacta negativamente en la autonomía, la independencia funcional y la participación, y afecta a la calidad de vida de las personas, demanda la aplicación de herramientas clínicas precisas y objetivas para su medición y evaluación. Objetivo. Evaluar la validez y la fiabilidad de la escala de Tardieu en la evaluación de la espasticidad en las extremidades superiores de adultos con enfermedad cerebrovascular. Materiales y métodos. La estrategia de búsqueda se implementó en ocho bases de datos; el protocolo de revisión sistemática se registró previamente en INPLASY (registro n.o 2023110076). La síntesis de la evidencia se llevó a cabo en tres fases: presentación tabular de resultados, evaluación de la calidad de los artículos y síntesis narrativa de los hallazgos. Resultados. De los 33 artículos identificados, sólo tres cumplieron con las variables que permiten establecer la validez y la fiabilidad de la escala de Tardieu. Se analizaron las medidas de los ángulos y velocidades R1, R2 y R2-R1. La prueba de la t de Student para evaluar la fiabilidad entre las medidas de R1 y R2; los ángulos R2 y R2-R1 mostraron significancia estadística, lo que confirmó la confiabilidad de la escala. Conclusiones. La escala de Tardieu demostró robustez. Es importante considerar que el tamaño de la muestra, el tiempo de evolución de la enfermedad y la edad de los pacientes pueden influir en los resultados de la escala.

Cerebrovascular Disease Detected on Preprocedural Computed Tomography in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis Undergoing Aortic Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND: There is a scarcity of data on the prevalence and clinical impact of cerebrovascular disease detected on preprocedural computed tomography (CT) before aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with severe aortic stenosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing AVR, the authors compared clinical outcomes between patients with and without cerebrovascular disease detected on preprocedural CT, which was defined as chronic brain infarction or hemorrhage. The primary outcome measure in this study was a composite of all-cause death or stroke. Among 567 study patients, 200 patients (35.3%) had cerebrovascular disease on preprocedural CT. Among 200 patients with cerebrovascular disease on preprocedural CT, only 28.5% of patients had a clinical history of symptomatic stroke. The cumulative 3-year incidence of death or stroke was higher in patients with cerebrovascular disease on preprocedural CT than in those without cerebrovascular disease on preprocedural CT (40.7% versus 24.1%, log-rank P<0.001). After adjusting for confounders, the higher risk of patients with cerebrovascular disease on preprocedural CT relative to those without remained significant for death or stroke (hazard ratio [HR], 1.42 [95% CI, 1.02-1.98]; P=0.04). Among 200 patients with cerebrovascular disease on preprocedural CT, patients with prior symptomatic stroke compared with those without were not associated with higher adjusted risk for death or stroke (HR, 1.18 [95% CI, 0.72-1.94]; P=0.52). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing AVR, a substantial proportion had cerebrovascular disease on preprocedural CT, with a clinical history of symptomatic stroke in one-fourth of patients. Regardless of history of symptomatic stroke, patients with cerebrovascular disease on preprocedural CT had worse clinical outcomes compared with those without cerebrovascular disease on preprocedural CT.

Triglyceride-glucose index as a potential predictor of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in patients with coronary heart disease complicated with depression.

Background: Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a surrogate marker of insulin resistance and metabolic abnormalities, which is closely related to the prognosis of a variety of diseases. Patients with both CHD and depression have a higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and worse outcome. TyG index may be able to predict the adverse prognosis of this special population. Methods: The retrospective cohort study involved 596 patients with both CHD and depression between June 2013 and December 2023. The primary outcome endpoint was the occurrence of MACCE, including all-cause death, stroke, MI and emergent coronary revascularization. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, Cox regression analysis, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis were used to assess the correlation between TyG index and MACCE risk of in patients with CHD complicated with depression. Results: With a median follow-up of 31 (15-62) months, MACCE occurred in 281(47.15%) patients. The area under the ROC curve of TyG index predicting the risk of MACCE was 0.765(0.726-0.804) (P<0.01). Patients in the high TyG index group(69.73%) had a significantly higher risk of developing MACCE than those in the low TyG index group(23.63%) (P<0.01). The multifactorial RCS model showed a nonlinear correlation (nonlinear P<0.01, overall P<0.01), with a critical value of 8.80 for the TyG index to predict the occurrence of MACCE. The TyG index was able to further improve the predictive accuracy of MACCE. Conclusions: TyG index is a potential predictor of the risk of MACCE in patients with CHD complicated with depression.

[The efficiency of X-Ray endovascular care in decreasing of population mortality from acute coronary syndrome and acute disorder of cerebral circulation].

The article considers results of assessment of dynamics of mortality from cardiovascular diseases and the most important nosologic forms - acute cerebrovascular disorders and coronary heart disease with acute coronary syndrome and development of accessibility of X-Ray endovascular care of patients in the Oblast. The results of analysis of changes in mortality after implementation of new model of care of patients with acute vascular diseases are presented. The relationship between accessibility of X-Ray endovascular interventions and decrease of mortality was analyzed. The reliable significantly strong connection was found for cerebrovascular diseases, and medium negative connection for coronary heart disease with acute coronary syndrome.

[A role of cerebrovascular diseases in the progression of multiple sclerosis]. / Rol' tserebrovaskulyarnykh zabolevanii v progressirovanii rasseyannogo skleroza.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the association between cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) and multiple sclerosis (MS) among patients over 50 years old in two independent populations of Moscow and Tyumen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 94 patients with MS in combination with CVD (main group) and 90 age-and sex-matched patients with MS without a vascular history (comparison group). An analysis of parameters such as disease duration, EDSS at different time points, disease progression index, duration of first remission in each population separately and in both populations together was carried out. RESULTS: The presence of CVD in patients with MS was associated with the presence of other diseases that are associated with an increased risk of developing cerebrovascular pathology. In the main group, there was a statistically significant decrease in the duration of the first remission and an increase in the disease progression index. In addition, other diseases and syndromes were identified in the main group that, in combination with CVD in patients with MS, could lead to a worsening of the course of MS. These included arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, dyslipidemia, chronic venous insufficiency, and regular use of proton pump inhibitors. CONCLUSION: Comorbid vascular pathology can affect the severity of MS from the very beginning of the disease. It can lead to a shorter duration of the first remission and a higher disease progression index, increasing the degree of disability. The combination of autoimmune-inflammatory, demyelinating, and vascular processes can worsen the prognosis for MS.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Cerebrovascular Diseases-Stroke and Stroke-Related Conditions.

Cerebrovascular disease encompasses a vast array of conditions. The imaging recommendations for stroke-related conditions involving noninflammatory steno-occlusive arterial and venous cerebrovascular disease including carotid stenosis, carotid dissection, intracranial large vessel occlusion, and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis are encompassed by this document. Additional imaging recommendations regarding complications of these conditions including intraparenchymal hemorrhage and completed ischemic strokes are also discussed. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

Impact of Smoking and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on All-Cause, Respiratory, and Cardio-Cerebrovascular Mortality.

Introduction: Mortality differences in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) between nonsmokers and smokers remain unclear. We compared the risk of death associated with smoking and COPD on mortality. Methods: The study included participants aged ≥40 years who visited pulmonary clinics and were categorised into COPD or non-COPD and smoker or nonsmoker on the basis of spirometry results and cigarette consumption. Mortality rates were compared between groups using statistical analysis for all-cause mortality, respiratory disease-related mortality, and cardiocerebrovascular disease-related mortality. Results: Among 5811 participants, smokers with COPD had a higher risk of all-cause (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 1.69; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.23-2.33) and respiratory disease-related mortality (aHR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.20-3.79) than nonsmokers with COPD. Non-smokers with and without COPD had comparable risks of all-cause mortality (aHR, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.98-1.97) and respiratory disease-related mortality (aHR, 1.77; 95% CI, 0.85-3.68). However, nonsmokers with COPD had a higher risk of cardiocerebrovascular disease-related mortality than nonsmokers without COPD (aHR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.15-4.40). Conclusion: The study found that smokers with COPD had higher risks of all-cause mortality and respiratory disease-related mortality compared to nonsmokers with and without COPD. Meanwhile, nonsmokers with COPD showed comparable risks of all-cause and respiratory mortality but had a higher risk of cardiocerebrovascular disease-related mortality compared to nonsmokers without COPD.

The association of triglyceride-glucose index with major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events after acute myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis of cohort studies.

BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance (IR) is indicated to be linked with adverse outcomes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), for its pro-inflammatory and pro-thromboplastic function. The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a newly developed substitute marker for IR. The aim of this pooled analysis was to provide a summary of the relationship of TyG index with occurrences of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) among populations suffering from AMI. METHODS: Cohorts reporting multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios of TyG index with MACCEs or its independent events were identified through systematically searching PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of science, Embase and Cochrane databases. Results were combined using a random-effects model. RESULTS: 21 cohorts comprising 20403 individuals were included. Compared to individuals in the lowest TyG category, patients in the highest TyG category exhibited elevated risks of both MACCEs (P < 0.00001) and all-cause death (P < 0.00001). These findings were in line with the results as TyG analyzed as continuous variables (MACCEs: P = 0.006; all-cause death: P < 0.00001). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that diabetic status, type of AMI, nor the reperfusion therapy did not destruct this correlation (for subgroups, all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: All these indicated that higher TyG index could potentially predict MACCEs and all-cause death in patients with AMI as an independent indicator.

Time-of-flight MRA of intracranial vessels at 7 T.

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF-MRA) is a largely adopted non-invasive technique for assessing cerebrovascular diseases. We aimed to optimize the 7-T TOF-MRA acquisition protocol, confirm that it outperforms conventional 3-T TOF-MRA, and compare 7-T TOF-MRA with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in patients with different vascular pathologies. METHODS: Seven-tesla TOF-MRA sequences with different spatial resolutions acquired in four healthy subjects were compared with 3-T TOF-MRA for signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios as well as using a qualitative scale for vessel visibility and the quantitative Canny algorithm. Four patients with cerebrovascular disease (primary arteritis of the central nervous system, saccular aneurism, arteriovenous malformation, and dural arteriovenous fistula) underwent optimized 7-T TOF-MRA and DSA as reference. Images were compared visually and using the complex-wavelet structural similarity index. RESULTS: Contrast-to-noise ratio was higher at 7 T (4.5 ± 0.8 (mean ± standard deviation)) than at 3 T (2.7 ± 0.9). The mean quality score for all intracranial vessels was higher at 7 T (2.89) than at 3 T (2.28). Angiogram quality demonstrated a better vessel border detection at 7 T than at 3 T (44,166 versus 28,720 pixels). Of 32 parameters used for diagnosing cerebrovascular diseases on DSA, 27 (84%) were detected on 7-T TOF-MRA; the similarity index ranged from 0.52 (dural arteriovenous fistula) to 0.90 (saccular aneurysm). CONCLUSIONS: Seven-tesla TOF-MRA outperformed conventional 3-T TOF-MRA in evaluating intracranial vessels and exhibited an excellent image quality when compared to DSA. Seven-tesla TOF-MRA might improve the non-invasive diagnostic approach to several cerebrovascular diseases. RELEVANCE STATEMENT: An optimized TOF-MRA sequence at 7 T outperforms 3-T TOF-MRA, opening perspectives to its clinical use for noninvasive diagnosis of paradigmatic pathologies of intracranial vessels. KEY POINTS: • An optimized 7-T TOF-MRA protocol was selected for comparison with clinical 3-T TOF-MRA for assessing intracranial vessels. • Seven-tesla TOF-MRA outperformed 3-T TOF-MRA in both quantitative and qualitative evaluation. • Seven-tesla TOF-MRA is comparable to DSA for the diagnosis and characterization of intracranial vascular pathologies.

Coronary and Cerebrovascular Events and Exacerbation of Existing Conditions After Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza Infection Among US Veterans: A Self-Controlled Case Series Study.

BACKGROUND: Influenza may contribute to coronary/cerebrovascular events and exacerbate underlying conditions. METHODS: We used self-controlled case series (SCCS) design to analyze data from US Veterans ≥18 years with coronary/cerebrovascular or exacerbation event +/-1 year of lab-confirmed influenza (LCI) during 2010-2018. We estimated the incidence ratio (IR) (95% CI) of the event for risk interval (Days 1-7 post-LCI) versus control interval (all other times +/-1 year of LCI) with fixed-effects conditional Poisson regression. We included biomarker data for mediation analysis. RESULTS: We identified 3439 episodes with coronary/cerebrovascular-related hospitalizations. IRs (95% CI) for LCI risk versus control interval were STEMI 0.6 (0.1, 4.4), NSTEMI 7.3 (5.8, 9.2), ischemic stroke 4.0 (3.0, 5.4), hemorrhagic stroke 6.2 (3.4, 11.5), and coronary spasm 1.3 (0.5, 3.0). IR significantly increased for NSTEMI and ischemic stroke among those ≥ 65 years. IR for NSTEMI and ischemic stroke dropped 26% and 10%, respectively, when white blood cell (WBC) and platelet count were considered. LCI was significantly associated with exacerbation of preexisting asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and congestive heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: We found significant association between LCI and hospitalization for NSTEMI, ischemic stroke, and hemorrhagic stroke, the latter possibly due to unaccounted time-varying confounding in SCCS design.

[Relationship between physical activity and the risk of morbidity of cerebrovascular disease in Sichuan Province: a prospective study].

Objective: To investigate the morbidity of cerebrovascular disease among residents ≥30 years in Pengzhou, Sichuan Province, and analyze the effect of physical activity level on the risk of morbidity of cerebrovascular disease. Methods: From 2004 to 2008, people from Pengzhou, Sichuan Province were randomly selected. All the local people aged 30-79 were asked to receive a questionnaire survey, physical examination, and long-term follow-up to determine the morbidity of cerebrovascular disease. The physical activity level and the morbidity of cerebrovascular disease were described, and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the association of domain-specific physical activity with the risk of morbidity of cerebrovascular disease. Results: In 55 126 participants, there were 5 290 new cases of cerebrovascular disease, with a cumulative incidence of 9.60%. After the adjustment for multiple confounding factors, multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that increased levels of occupational, transportation, and total physical activity reduced the risk of cerebrovascular disease and its subtypes (cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction). The highest group of occupational physical activity level had the lowest risk of cerebrovascular disease, with a hazard ratio (HR) value of 0.81 (95%CI: 0.75-0.88), the highest group of transportation physical activity level had the lowest risk of cerebrovascular disease, with an HR value of 0.84 (95%CI: 0.78-0.91), the highest group of total physical activity level had the lowest risk of cerebrovascular disease, with an HR value of 0.87 (95%CI: 0.80-0.94), compared with the lowest group of corresponding physical activity. No association was found between the household/leisure-time physical activity level and the risk of cerebrovascular disease and its subtypes (cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction). Conclusions: In project areas of Pengzhou, Sichuan Province, increased physical activity has been associated with reduced morbidity of cerebrovascular disease and its subtypes (cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction). Increased levels of physical activity in adults are encouraged for health benefits.

Ischemic cardio-cerebrovascular disease and all-cause mortality in Chinese elderly patients: a propensity-score matching study.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic cardio-cerebrovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. However, studies focusing on elderly and very elderly patients are scarce. Hence, our study aimed to characterize and investigate the long-term prognostic implications of ischemic cardio-cerebrovascular diseases in elderly Chinese patients. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 1026 patients aged ≥ 65 years who were categorized into the mono ischemic cardio-cerebrovascular disease (MICCD) (either coronary artery disease or ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack) (n = 912) and the comorbidity of ischemic cardio-cerebrovascular disease (CICCD) (diagnosed with both coronary artery disease and ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack at admission) (n = 114). The primary outcome was all-cause death. The mortality risk was evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards risk model with multiple adjustments by conventional and propensity-score-based approaches. RESULTS: Of the 2494 consecutive elderly patients admitted to the hospital, 1026 (median age 83 years [interquartile range]: 76.5-86.4; 94.4% men) met the inclusion criteria. Patients with CICCD consisted mostly of very elderly (79.2% vs. 66.1%, P < 0.001) individuals with a higher burden of comorbidities. Over a median follow-up of 10.4 years, 398 (38.8%) all-cause deaths were identified. Compared with the MICCD group, the CICCD group exhibited a higher adjusted hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidential interval, CI) of 1.71 (1.32-2.39) for long-term mortality after adjusting for potential confounders. The sensitivity analysis results remained robust. After inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) modeling, the CICCD group displayed an even worse mortality risk (IPTW-adjusted HR: 2.07; 95% CI 1.47-2.90). In addition, anemia (adjusted HR: 1.48; 95% CI 1.16-1.89) and malnutrition (adjusted HR: 1.43; 95% CI 1.15-1.78) are also independent risk factors for all-cause mortality among elderly and very elderly patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results thus suggest that elderly patients with ischemic cardio-cerebrovascular disease and anemia or malnutrition may have higher mortality, which may be predicted upon admission. These findings, however, warrant further investigation.