Association of preprocedural antiplatelet use with decreased thromboembolic complications for intracranial aneurysms undergoing intrasaccular flow disruption.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the impact of antiplatelet administration in the periprocedural period on the occurrence of thromboembolic complications (TECs) in patients undergoing treatment using the Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device for intracranial wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms. The primary objective was to assess whether the use of antiplatelets in the pre- and postprocedural phases reduces the likelihood of developing TECs, considering various covariates. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter observational study was conducted within the WorldWideWEB Consortium and comprised 38 academic centers with endovascular treatment capabilities. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between antiplatelet use and TECs, adjusting for covariates. Missing predictor data were addressed using multiple imputation. RESULTS: The study comprised two cohorts: one addressing general thromboembolic events and consisting of 1412 patients, among whom 103 experienced TECs, and another focusing on symptomatic thromboembolic events and comprising 1395 patients, of whom 50 experienced symptomatic TECs. Preprocedural antiplatelet use was associated with a reduced likelihood of overall TECs (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.19-0.53, p < 0.001) and symptomatic TECs (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.25-0.95, p = 0.036), whereas postprocedural antiplatelet use showed no significant association with TECs. The study also revealed additional predictors of TECs, including stent use (overall: OR 4.96, 95% CI 2.38-10.3, p < 0.001; symptomatic: OR 3.24, 95% CI 1.26-8.36, p = 0.015), WEB single-layer sphere (SLS) type (overall: OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.04-0.74, p = 0.017), and posterior circulation aneurysm location (symptomatic: OR 18.43, 95% CI 1.48-230, p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that the preprocedural administration of antiplatelets is associated with a reduced likelihood of TECs in patients undergoing treatment with the WEB device for wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms. However, postprocedural antiplatelet use did not show a significant impact on TEC occurrence.

Venous Anatomy of the Central Nervous System.

Comprehensive understanding of venous anatomy is a key factor in the approach to a multitude of conditions. Moreover, the venous system has become the center of attention as a new frontier for treatment of diseases such as idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), arteriovenous malformation (AVM), pulsatile tinnitus, hydrocephalus, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) venous fistulas. Its knowledge is ever more an essential requirement of the modern brain physician. In this article, the authors explore the descriptive and functional anatomy of the venous system of the CNS in 5 subsections: embryology, dural sinuses, cortical veins, deep veins, and spinal veins.

Comprehensive Analysis of Post-Pipeline Endothelialization and Remodeling.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Successful post-flow-diverter endoluminal reconstruction is widely believed to require endothelial overgrowth of the aneurysmal inflow zone. However, endothelialization/neointimal overgrowth is a complex process, over which we currently have very limited influence. Less emphasized is vascular remodeling of the target arterial segment, the dynamic response of the vessel to flow-diverter implantation. This process is distinct from flow modifications in covered branches. It appears that basic angiographic methods allow simple and useful observations. The purpose of this article was to quantitatively evaluate observable postimplantation changes in target vessels following deployment of Pipeline endoluminal constructs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive adults with unruptured, previously untreated, nondissecting aneurysms treated with the Pipeline Embolization Device with Shield Technology and the availability of follow-up conventional angiography were studied with 2D DSA imaging. Target vessel size; Pipeline Embolization Device diameter; endothelial thickness; and various demographic, antiplatelet, and device-related parameters were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: The thickness of neointimal overgrowth (mean, 0.3 [SD, 0.1] mm; range, 0.1-0.7 mm) is inversely correlated with age and is independent of vessel size, smoking status, sex, and degree of platelet inhibition. The decrease in lumen diameter caused by neointimal overgrowth, however, appears counteracted by outward remodeling (dilation) of the target arterial segment. This leads to an increase in the diameter with a corresponding decrease in length (foreshortening) of the implanted Pipeline Embolization Device. This physiologic remodeling process affects optimally implanted devices and is not a consequence of stretching, device migration, vasospasm, and so forth. A direct, linear, statistically significant relationship exists between the degree of observed outward remodeling and the diameter of the implanted Pipeline Embolization Device relative to the target vessel. Overall, remodeled arterial diameters were reduced by 15% (SD, 10%) relative to baseline and followed a normal distribution. Clinically relevant stenosis was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Vessel healing involves both outward remodeling and neointimal overgrowth. Judicial oversizing could be useful in specific settings to counter the reduction in lumen diameter due to postimplant neointimal overgrowth; however, this overszing needs to be balanced against the decrease in metal coverage accompanying the use of oversized devices. Similar analysis for other devices is essential.

Dual Layer vs Single Layer Woven EndoBridge Device in the Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) devices have been used for treating wide neck bifurcation aneurysms (WNBAs) with several generational enhancements to improve clinical outcomes. The original device dual-layer (WEB DL) was replaced by a single-layer (WEB SL) device in 2013. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of these devices in managing intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: A multicenter cohort study was conducted, and data from 1,289 patients with intracranial aneurysms treated with either the WEB SL or WEB DL devices were retrospectively analyzed. Propensity score matching was utilized to balance the baseline characteristics between the two groups. Outcomes assessed included immediate occlusion rate, complete occlusion at last follow-up, retreatment rate, device compaction, and aneurysmal rupture. RESULTS: Before propensity score matching, patients treated with the WEB SL had a significantly higher rate of complete occlusion at the last follow-up and a lower rate of retreatment. After matching, there was no significant difference in immediate occlusion rate, retreatment rate, or device compaction between the WEB SL and DL groups. However, the SL group maintained a higher rate of complete occlusion at the final follow-up. Regression analysis showed that SL was associated with higher rates of complete occlusion (OR: 0.19; CI: 0.04 to 0.8, p = 0.029) and lower rates of retreatment (OR: 0.12; CI: 0 to 4.12, p = 0.23). CONCLUSION: The WEB SL and DL devices demonstrated similar performances in immediate occlusion rates and retreatment requirements for intracranial aneurysms. The SL device showed a higher rate of complete occlusion at the final follow-up.

The impact of postoperative aspirin in patients undergoing Woven EndoBridge: a multicenter, institutional, propensity score-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device is frequently used for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Postoperative management, including the use of aspirin, varies among clinicians and institutions, but its impact on the outcomes of the WEB has not been thoroughly investigated. METHODS: This was a retrospective, multicenter study involving 30 academic institutions in North America, South America, and Europe. Data from 1492 patients treated with the WEB device were included. Patients were categorized into two groups based on their postoperative use of aspirin (aspirin group: n=1124, non-aspirin group: n=368). Data points included patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, procedural details, complications, and angiographic and functional outcomes. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to balance variables between the two groups. RESULTS: Prior to PSM, the aspirin group exhibited significantly higher rates of modified Rankin scale (mRS) mRS 0-1 and mRS 0-2 (89.8% vs 73.4% and 94.1% vs 79.8%, p<0.001), lower rates of mortality (1.6% vs 8.6%, p<0.001), and higher major compaction rates (13.4% vs 7%, p<0.001). Post-PSM, the aspirin group showed significantly higher rates of retreatment (p=0.026) and major compaction (p=0.037) while maintaining its higher rates of good functional outcomes and lower mortality rates. In the multivariable regression, aspirin was associated with higher rates of mRS 0-1 (OR 2.166; 95% CI 1.16 to 4, p=0.016) and mRS 0-2 (OR 2.817; 95% CI 1.36 to 5.88, p=0.005) and lower rates of mortality (OR 0.228; 95% CI 0.06 to 0.83, p=0.025). However, it was associated with higher rates of retreatment (OR 2.471; 95% CI 1.11 to 5.51, p=0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Aspirin use post-WEB treatment may lead to better functional outcomes and lower mortality but with higher retreatment rates. These insights are crucial for postoperative management after WEB procedures, but further studies are necessary for validation.

The incidence of adverse outcome in donors after living donor liver transplantation: A meta-analysis of 60,829 donors.

The scarcity of liver grafts has prompted developments in living donor liver transplantations (LDLT), with previous literature illustrating similar outcomes in recipients compared to deceased donor transplants. However, significant concerns regarding living donor morbidity and mortality have yet to be examined comprehensively. This study aims to provide estimates of the incidence of various outcomes in living liver donors. In this meta-analysis, Medline and Embase were searched from inception to July 2022 for articles assessing the incidence of outcomes in LDLT donors. Complications in the included studies were classified into respective organ systems. Analysis of incidence was conducted using a generalized linear mixed model with Clopper-Pearson intervals. Eighty-seven articles involving 60,829 living liver donors were included. The overall pooled incidence of complications in LDLT donors was 24.7% (CI: 21.6%-28.1%). The incidence of minor complications was 17.3% (CI: 14.7%-20.3%), while the incidence of major complications was lower at 5.5% (CI: 4.5%-6.7%). The overall incidence of donor mortality was 0.06% (CI: 0.0%-0.1%) in 49,027 individuals. Psychological complications (7.6%, CI: 4.9%-11.5%) were the most common among LDLT donors, followed by wound-related (5.2%, CI: 4.4%-6.2%) and respiratory complications (4.9%, CI: 3.8%-6.3%). Conversely, cardiovascular complications had the lowest incidence among the subgroups at 0.8% (CI: 0.4%-1.3%). This study presents the incidence of post-LDLT outcomes in living liver donors, illustrating significant psychological, wound-related, and respiratory complications. While significant advancements in recent decades have contributed towards decreased morbidity in living donors, our findings call for targeted measures and continued efforts to ensure the safety and quality of life of liver donors post-LDLT.

Longitudinal Outcomes Associated With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: A Meta-analysis of 129 Studies.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has been found to manifest in a series of hepatic and extrahepatic complications. A comprehensive meta-analysis of the longitudinal outcomes associated with MASLD has yet to be conducted. METHODS: To investigate the longitudinal outcomes associated with MASLD, Medline and Embase databases were searched to identify original studies that evaluated the longitudinal risks of incident clinical outcomes among MASLD patients compared with non-MASLD individuals. DerSimonian Laird random-effects meta-analysis was performed. Pooled effect estimates were calculated, and heterogeneity among studies was evaluated. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed a significant increase in the risk of cardiovascular outcomes (hazard ratio [HR], 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27-1.60; P < .01), various metabolic outcomes such as incident hypertension (HR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.46-2.08; P < .01), diabetes (HR, 2.56; 95% CI, 2.10-3.13; P < .01), pre-diabetes (HR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.22-2.35; P < .01), metabolic syndrome (HR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.13-5.85; P = .02), chronic kidney disease (HR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.27-1.50; P < .01), as well as all cancers (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.35-1.76; P < .01) among MASLD patients compared with non-MASLD individuals. By subgroup analysis, MASLD patients with advanced liver disease (HR, 3.60; 95% CI, 2.10-6.18; P < .01) were also found to be associated with a significantly greater risk (P = .02) of incident diabetes than those with less severe MASLD (HR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.0-2.45; P = .02) when compared with non-MASLD. CONCLUSIONS: The present study emphasizes the association between MASLD and its clinical outcomes including cardiovascular, metabolic, oncologic, and other outcomes. The multisystemic nature of MASLD found in this analysis requires treatment targets to reduce systemic events and end organ complications.

Donor Diabetes and Steatosis Affects Recipient Survival Following Liver Transplantation Based on Etiology of Liver Cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation (LT) offers patients with decompensated cirrhosis the best chance at long-term survival. With the rising prevalence of diabetes, further clarity is needed on the impact of receiving a liver allograft from a donor with diabetes on post-LT outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the impact of donor diabetes on clinical outcomes after LT. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of the United Network for Organ Sharing registry data of LT recipients from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2021. Outcomes analysis was performed using Cox proportional model for all-cause mortality and graft failure. Confounding was reduced by coarsened exact matching causal inference analysis. RESULTS: Of 66 960 donors identified, 7178 (10.7%) had diabetes. Trend analysis revealed a longitudinal increase in the prevalence of donor diabetes ( P < 0.001). Importantly, donor diabetes was associated with increased all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.19; P < 0.001) and graft failure (HR: 1.16; 95% CI, 1.11-1.22; P < 0.001). Receiving donor organ with diabetes reduced graft survival in patients who received LT for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis (HR: 1.26; 95% CI, 1.13-1.41; P < 0.001) but not other etiologies of cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: Donor diabetes was associated with worse outcomes post-LT, particularly in patients receiving LT for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis. Future studies are needed to better understand the mechanism underlying this association to develop better risk stratification and clinical practice to improve the outcomes of the transplanted patients.

Use of Carotid Web Angioarchitecture for Stroke Risk Assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the usefulness of carotid web (CW), carotid bifurcation and their combined angioarchitectural measurements in assessing stroke risk. METHODS: Anatomic data on the internal carotid artery (ICA), common carotid artery (CCA), and the CW were gathered as part of a retrospective study from symptomatic (stroke) and asymptomatic (nonstroke) patients with CW. We built a model of stroke risk using principal-component analysis, Firth regression trained with 5-fold cross-validation, and heuristic binary cutoffs based on the Minimal Description Length principle. RESULTS: The study included 22 patients, with a mean age of 55.9 ± 12.8 years; 72.9% were female. Eleven patients experienced an ischemic stroke. The first 2 principal components distinguished between patients with stroke and patients without stroke. The model showed that ICA-pouch tip angle (P = 0.036), CCA-pouch tip angle (P = 0.036), ICA web-pouch angle (P = 0.036), and CCA web-pouch angle (P = 0.036) are the most important features associated with stroke risk. Conversely, CCA and ICA anatomy (diameter and angle) were not found to be risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study shows that using data from computed tomography angiography, carotid bifurcation, and CW angioarchitecture may be used to assess stroke risk, allowing physicians to tailor care for each patient according to risk stratification.

Cervical Osteomyelitis and Diskitis as a Complication of Neopharyngeal Breakdown: A Multisite Case Series Review.

Laryngectomy and pharyngectomy are surgical options for advanced laryngeal or pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Cervical osteomyelitis-diskitis, occurring when there is dehiscence of the posterior neopharyngeal wall, is an uncommon complication of laryngopharyngectomy. This case series describes imaging findings of pharyngoesophageal wall breakdown with subsequent cervical spine infection and demonstrates that most of these patients had undergone prior esophageal or neopharyngeal dilations for benign posttreatment stricture. Neck pain, fever, or serologic evidence of infection should prompt careful evaluation for osteomyelitis-diskitis and assessment for neopharyngeal breakdown and sinus tract formation, especially in the postdilation setting.

Superior hypophyseal arteries: angiographic re-discovery, comprehensive assessment, and embryologic implications.

The superior hypophyseal arteries (SHAs) are well known in anatomical and surgical literature, with a well-established role in supply of the anterior hypophysis and superjacent optic apparatus. However, due to small size and overlap with other vessels, in vivo imaging by any modality has been essentially non-existent. Advances in high resolution cone beam CT angiography (CBCTA) now enables this deficiency to be addressed. This paper presents, to the best of our knowledge, the first comprehensive in vivo imaging evaluation of the SHAs. METHODS: Twenty-five CBCTA studies of common or internal carotid arteries were obtained for a variety of clinical reasons. Dedicated secondary reconstructions of the siphon were performed, recording the presence, number, and supply territory of SHAs. A spectrum approach, emphasizing balance with adjacent territories (inferior hypophyseal, ophthalmic, posterior and communicating region arteries) was investigated. RESULTS: The SHAs were present in all cases. Supply of the anterior pituitary was nearly universal (96%) and almost half (44%) originated from the 'cave' region, in excellent agreement with surgical literature. Optic apparatus supply was more difficult to adjudicate, but appeared present in most cases. The relationship with superior hypophyseal aneurysms was consistent. Patency following flow diverter placement was typical, despite a presumably rich collateral network. Embryologic implications with respect to the ophthalmic artery and infraoptic course of the anterior cerebral artery are intriguing. CONCLUSIONS: SHAs are consistently seen with CBCTA, allowing for correlation with existing anatomical and surgical literature, laying the groundwork for future in vivo investigation.

Impact of Pretransplant Diabetes on Outcomes After Liver Transplantation: An Updated Meta-analysis With Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Preliver transplant diabetes mellitus (pre-LT DM) is a common comorbidity in LT recipients associated with poorer post-transplant survival. However, its relationship with other important outcomes, including cardiovascular and renal outcomes, remains unclear. This meta-analysis aims to provide an updated analysis of the impact of pre-LT DM on key post-LT outcomes. METHODS: A search was conducted in Medline and Embase databases for articles comparing the post-transplant outcomes between patients with and without pre-LT DM. Pairwise analysis using random effects with hazard ratios (HRs) was used to assess the longitudinal post-LT impacts of pre-LT DM. In the absence of HR, pooled odds ratios analysis was conducted for secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Forty-two studies involving 77,615 LT recipients were included in this analysis. The pooled prevalence of pre-LT DM amongst LT recipients was 24.79%. Pre-LT DM was associated with significantly lower overall survival (HR, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.52-0.81; P<0.01) and significantly increased cardiovascular disease-related mortality (HR, 1.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-2.85; P=0.03). Meta-regression of other patient characteristics identified Asian ethnicity and hypertension to be significant predictors of worse overall survival, whereas African-American ethnicity was associated with significantly improved overall survival in patients with pre-LT DM. Further analysis of secondary outcomes revealed pre-LT DM to be a significant predictor of post-LT cardiovascular events and end-stage renal disease. CONCLUSIONS: The present study illustrates the impact of pre-LT DM on post-LT survival, and cardiovascular and renal outcomes and provides a sound basis for revision of preoperative management of pre-LT DM.

Mechanical disorders of the cervicocerebral circulation in children and young adults.

Mechanical disorders of the cervicocerebral circulation (MDCC) are conditions in which neurological symptoms result from a disturbance of cerebral blood flow attributable to external mechanical forces exerted on extracranial blood vessels by adjacent musculoskeletal structures during head movement that is presumably within a physiological range. The disease spectrum includes bow hunter's syndrome, carotid-type Eagle syndrome, and various dynamic venous compression syndromes. These conditions have distinct phenotypes in children which differ from those expressed in older adults. In contemporary practice, recognition and diagnostic evaluation is the domain of the neuroendovascular specialist. The diagnostic evaluation of MDCC involves significant technical nuance that can be critical to directing appropriate management, particularly in children. This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiology, anatomical patterns, diagnosis, and treatment for the full spectrum of MDCC that is commonly encountered in clinical practice.

Spinal dural and epidural fistulas: role of cone beam CT in diagnosis and treatment.

Understanding normal spinal arterial and venous anatomy, and spinal vascular disease, is impossible without flow-based methods. Development of practical spinal angiography led to site-specific categorization of spinal vascular conditions, defined by the 'seat of disease' in relation to the cord and its covers. This enabled identification of targets for highly successful surgical and endovascular treatments, and guided interpretation of later cross-sectional imaging.Spinal dural and epidural arteriovenous fistulas represent the most common types of spinal shunts. Although etiology is debated, anatomy provides excellent pathophysiologic correlation. A spectrum of fistulas, from foramen magnum to the sacrum, is now well-characterized.Most recently, use of cone beam CT angiography has yielded new insights into normal and pathologic anatomy, including venous outflow. It provides unrivaled visualization of the fistula and its relationship with spinal cord vessels, and is the first practical method to study normal and pathologic spinal veins in vivo-with multiple implications for both safety and efficacy of treatments. We advocate consistent use of cone beam CT imaging in modern spinal fistula evaluation.The role of open surgery is likely to remain undiminished, with increasing availability and use of hybrid operating rooms for practical intraoperative angiography enhancing safety and efficacy of complex surgery.

SuperDyna: Unlocking the Potential of Post-Treatment Device Evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Current imaging algorithms for post-device evaluation are limited by either poor representation of the device or poor delineation of the treated vessel. Combining the high-resolution images from a traditional three-dimensional digital subtraction angiography (3D-DSA) protocol with the longer cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) protocol may provide simultaneous visualization of both the device and the vessel content in a single volume, improving the accuracy and detail of the assessment. We aim here to review our use of this technique which we termed "SuperDyna". METHODS: In this retrospective study, patients who underwent an endovascular procedure between February 2022 and January 2023 were identified. We analyzed patients who had both non-contrast CBCT and 3D-DSA post-treatment and collected information on pre-/post-blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, radiation dose, and the intervention type. RESULTS: In 1 year, SuperDyna was performed in 52 (of 1935, 2.6%) patients, of which 72% were women, median age 60 years. The most common reason for the addition of the SuperDyna was for post-flow diversion assessment (n=39). Renal function tests showed no changes. The average total procedure radiation dose was 2.8 Gy, with 4% dose and ~20 mL of contrast attributed to the additional 3D-DSA needed to generate the SuperDyna. CONCLUSIONS: The SuperDyna is a fusion imaging method that combines high-resolution CBCT and contrasted 3D-DSA to evaluate intracranial vasculature post-treatment. It allows for more comprehensive evaluation of the device position and apposition, aiding in treatment planning and patient education.

Continued Infarction Growth and Penumbral Consumption After Reperfusion in Vaccine-Naive Patients With COVID-19: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND. Neurologic sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 include potentially malignant cerebrovascular events arising from complex hemodynamic, hematologic, and inflammatory processes occurring in concert. OBJECTIVE. This study concerns the hypothesis that despite angiographic reperfusion COVID-19 promotes continued consumption of at-risk tissue volumes after acute ischemic stroke (AIS), yielding critical insights into prognostication and monitoring paradigms in vaccine-naive patients experiencing AIS. METHODS. This retrospective study compared 100 consecutive COVID-19 patients with AIS presenting between March 2020 and April 2021 with a contemporaneous cohort of 282 AIS patients without COVID-19. Reperfusion classes were dichotomized into positive (extended thrombolysis in cerebral ischemia [eTICI] score = 2c-3) and negative (eTICI score < 2c) groups. All patients underwent endovascular therapy after initial CT perfusion imaging (CTP) to document infarction core and total hypoperfusion volumes. RESULTS. Ten COVID-positive (mean age ± SD, 67 ± 12 years; seven men, three women) and 144 COVID-negative patients (mean age, 71 ± 16 years; 76 men, 68 women) undergoing endovascular reperfusion, with antecedent CTP and follow-up imaging, comprised the final dataset. Initial infarction core and total hypoperfusion volumes (mean ± SD) were 1.5 ± 18 mL and 85 ± 100 mL in COVID-negative patients and 30.5 ± 34 mL and 117 ± 80.5 mL in COVID-positive patients, respectively. Final infarction volumes were significantly larger in patients with COVID-19, with median volumes of 77.8 mL versus 18.2 mL among control patients (p = .01), as were normalized measures of infarction growth relative to baseline infarction volume (p = .05). In adjusted logistic parametric regression models, COVID positivity emerged as a significant predictor for continued infarct growth (OR, 5.10 [95% CI, 1.00-25.95]; p = .05). CONCLUSION. These findings support the potentially aggressive clinical course of cerebrovascular events in patients with COVID-19, suggesting greater infarction growth and ongoing consumption of at-risk tissues, even after angiographic reperfusion. CLINICAL IMPACT. SARS-CoV-2 infection may promote continued infarction progression despite angiographic reperfusion in vaccine-naive patients with large-vessel occlusion AIS. The findings carry potential implications for prognostication, treatment selection, and surveillance for infarction growth among revascularized patients in future waves of infection by novel viral strains.

Higher risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in females with type 2 diabetes Mellitus: an Umbrella review of systematic reviews.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that females with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) may have excess mortality risk compared to their male counterparts. An important next step to address the high global burden of T2DM and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an umbrella review to summarize data on sex differences in cardiovascular outcomes for patients with T2DM and assess the strength of the evidence observed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Medline and Embase were searched from inception till 7 August 2022 for systematic reviews and meta-analyses studying the effects of sex on cardiovascular outcomes in T2DM patients. Results from reviews were synthesized with a narrative synthesis, with a tabular presentation of findings and forest plots for reviews that performed a meta-analysis. 27 review articles evaluating sex differences in cardiovascular outcomes were included. Females with T2DM had a higher risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD; RRR: 1.52, 95%CI: 1.32-1.76, P < 0.001), acute coronary syndrome (ACS; RRR: 1.38, 95%CI: 1.25-1.52, P < 0.001), heart failure (RRR: 1.09, 95%CI: 1.05-1.13, P < 0.001) than males. Females had a higher risk of all-cause mortality (RRR: 1.13, 95%CI: 1.07-1.19, P < 0.001), cardiac mortality (RRR: 1.49, 95%CI: 1.11-2.00, P = 0.009) and CHD mortality (RRR: 1.44, 95%CI: 1.20-1.73, P < 0.001) as compared to males. CONCLUSIONS: This umbrella review demonstrates that females with T2DM have a higher risk of cardiovascular outcomes than their male counterparts. Future research should address the basis of this heterogeneity and epidemiological factors for better quality of evidence, and identify actionable interventions that will narrow these sex disparities.

This umbrella review highlights the sex differences in adverse cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with females at a higher risk than males. This is contributed by both biological and healthcare disparities and underscores the need for equitable care and personalized medical therapy.Females with T2DM have a higher risk of coronary heart disease, acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, and cardiac mortality compared to males.Clinicians need to be aware of the substantial heterogeneity across the current T2DM studies, and future meta-analysis and large-scale studies examining sex differences in outcomes should attempt to address the heterogeneity and epidemiological factors for a better quality of evidence.

Ethnic disparities in waitlist outcomes of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis listed for liver transplantation in the US.

NASH is the fastest-growing cause of liver cirrhosis and is the leading indication for liver transplantation (LT). However, significant racial and ethnic disparities in waitlist outcomes and LT allocation may unfairly disadvantage minorities. Our aim was to characterize racial and ethnic disparities in waitlist mortality and transplantation probability among patients with NASH. This is a retrospective analysis of the United Network for Organ Sharing registry data of LT candidates from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2021. Outcomes analysis was performed using competing risk analysis with the Fine and Gray model. The multivariable adjustment was conducted, and mixed-effect regression was used to compare the model for end-stage liver disease scores at listing and removal. Of 18,562 patients with NASH cirrhosis, there were 14,834 non-Hispanic Whites, 349 African Americans, 2798 Hispanics, 312 Asians, and 269 of other races/ethnicities; African American (effect size: 2.307, 95% CI: 1.561-3.053, and p < 0.001) and Hispanic (effect size: 0.332, 95% CI: 0.028-0.637, p = 0.032) patients were found to have a significantly higher model for end-stage liver disease scores at the time of listing than non-Hispanic Whites. African Americans had a higher probability of receiving LT relative to non-Hispanic Whites (subdistribution HR: 1.211, 95% CI: 1.051-1.396, and p = 0.008). However, Hispanic race/ethnicity was associated with a lower transplantation probability (subdistribution HR: 0.793, 95% CI: 0.747-0.842, and p < 0.001) and increased waitlist mortality (subdistribution HR: 1.173, CI: 1.052-1.308, and p = 0.004) compared with non-Hispanic Whites. There are significant racial and ethnic disparities in waitlist outcomes of patients with NASH in the US. Hispanic patients are less likely to receive LT and more likely to die while on the waitlist compared with non-Hispanic Whites despite being listed with a lower model for end-stage liver disease scores.