Effects of clinical and laboratory variables at admission and of in-hospital treatment with cardiovascular drugs on short term prognosis of ischemic stroke. The GIFA study.

INTRODUCTION: No information exists, to our knowledge, about the possible role of cardiovascular drug administration in the acute phase of ischemic stroke and possible effects on stroke outcome. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between in-hospital treatment with cardiovascular drugs in patients with acute ischemic stroke and some outcome indicators. METHODS AND RESULTS: 1096 subjects enrolled in the GIFA study, who had a main discharge diagnosis of ischemic stroke represent the final sample. Drugs considered for the analysis were the following: ACE-inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), statins, calcium-channel-blockers (CCBs), antiplatelet (APL) drugs, antivitamin-k (VKAs), and heparins. As outcome indicators we choose in-hospital mortality, cognitive function evaluated by Hodkinson Abbreviated Mental Test (HAMT), and functional status evaluated by activity daily living (ADL). Indicators of a good outcome were: no in-hospital mortality, HAMT >6 and 0 ADL impaired. Patients with a good outcome showed a higher rate of in-hospital treatment with ACE-inhibitors, calcium-channel blockers and a lower rate of pre-treatment with heparin. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that if a patient with acute ischemic stroke has higher SBP at admission, higher total cholesterol plasma levels, a lower Charlson index and is treated with ACE-inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and antiplatelet drugs, the short term outcome is better in terms of in-hospital mortality and functional indicators such as cognitive and functional performance at discharge.

Changes in natriuretic peptide and cytokine plasma levels in patients with heart failure, after treatment with high dose of furosemide plus hypertonic saline solution (HSS) and after a saline loading.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Neurohormonal activation and inflammation characterizes heart failure, relates to outcome, and is a therapeutic target. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of high-dose furosemide plus small-volume hypertonic saline solutions (HSS) on natriuretic peptides and immuno-inflammatory marker levels and to analyze, after treatment, the response to acute saline loading. METHODS AND RESULTS: 120 patients with heart failure treated with high-dose furosemide+HSS (Furosemide/HSS group) were matched with: 30 subjects with heart failure treated with high-dose furosemide (furosemide group), 30 controls with asymptomatic left-ventricular dysfunction (ALVD) (asymptomatic group) and 30 controls without heart failure or ALVD (Healthy group). We evaluated plasma levels of natriuretic peptides and cytokine levels in baseline, after treatment and after acute saline load. After treatment with high-dose furosemide+HSS compared to treatment with furosemide alone we observed a significant lowering of ANP [96 (46.5-159.5) pg/ml vs 64 (21-150) pg/ml], BNP [215.5 (80.5-487) pg/ml vs 87 (66-141.5) pg/ml], TNF-α [389.5 (265-615.5) pg/ml vs 231.5 (156-373.5) pg/ml], IL-1ß [8 (7-9) pg/ml vs 4 (3-7) pg/ml], IL-6 [5 (3-7.5) pg/ml vs 3 (2-4) pg/ml], plasma values and after an acute saline load, a lower percentage change of ANP (+18.6% vs +28.03% vs +25% vs +29%), BNP (+14.5% vs +29.2% vs +30% vs +29.6%) TNF-α (+10.8% vs +15.8% vs +17.8% vs +11.3%), IL-1ß (+20% vs 34.4% vs 40% vs 34.4%) compared to control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with HSS could be responsible for a stretching relief that could influence natriuretic and immuno-inflammatory markers.

Cardiopatías Congénitas, Resultados del Manejo Perioperatorio en 18 Meses: Experiencia en el Departamento de Cardiocirugía Centro Materno Infantil. UNA / Results of Perioperative Care of Patients with Congenital Heart Defects during 18 Months: Experience of the Cardiac Surgery Department of the Centro Materno Infantil. National University of Asunción

Introducción: La sobrevida de los pacientes con cardiopatías congénitas ha mejorado en los últimos años gracias al perfeccionamiento en las técnicas diagnósticas, quirúrgicas, anestésicas y de perfusión, así como al advenimiento de nuevas y más selectivas drogas cardiológicas. Objetivos: Describir el manejo perioperatorio y la evolución postoperatoria de las cirugías realizadas en el Departamento de Cardiocirugía de la Cátedra y Servicio de Pediatría del Centro Materno Infantil (CMI), FCM-UNA en 18 meses de atención y su relación con el carácter de la cirugía (electiva o de urgencia), y el estado físico preoperatorio del paciente, definido por los criterios de la American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). Materiales y Métodos: Estudio observacional, retrospectivo, descriptivo, con componente analítico; se utilizaron fichas clínicas de pacientes operados en el Departamento de Cardiocirugía de enero de 2007 a junio de 2008. Resultados: Fueron operados 91 pacientes, 38 de sexo masculino (42%) y 53 de sexo femenino (58%), con edades comprendidas entre 2 días y 18 años. Las cardiopatías fueron 54/91 (59,3%) patologías simples y 37/91 (40,7%) patologías complejas. Todas con confirmación diagnóstica preoperatoria por ecocardiografía Doppler color. Precisaron cateterismo cardiaco preoperatorio 3/91 pacientes (3,3%). El 100% de las cirugías se realizaron con anestesia general balanceada. De los 91 pacientes operados, 42 (46,2%) fueron sometidos a circulación extracorpórea (CEC) y 49 (53,8%) sin CEC. De los 42 pacientes operados con CEC, todas fueron cirugías correctivas, 40 (95,2%) electivas, 2 (4,8%) de urgencia, 3 (7,1%) reintervenciones y 2 (4,8%) fallecieron. Presentaron complicaciones 16 pacientes (38,1%), 39 (92,9%) requirieron Asistencia Respiratoria Mecánica (ARM) menos de 24 horas y 3 (7,1%) más de 24 horas. Los tiempos de clampado aórtico variaron de 13 a 167 minutos (media 49,1) y los tiempos de CEC de 20 a 253 minutos (media 71,9). Se realizó ultrafiltrado plasmático (UFP) en el 100% de los pacientes operados con CEC, y todos ellos recibieron aprotinina para profilaxis del sangrado. De los 49 pacientes operados sin CEC, 30 (61,2%) fueron cirugías correctivas, 19 (38,8%) paliativas, 31 (63,3%) electivas, 18 (36,7%) urgencias, 1 (2,1%) reintervención y 10 (16,3%) fallecieron. Presentaron complicaciones 18 pacientes (36,7%), 39 (79,6%) precisaron ARM menos de 24 horas y 10 (20,4%) más de 24 horas. Del total de pacientes operados, 34 presentaron alguna complicación, el 50% fue de tipo hemodinámico, 35,3% respiratorio, 23,5% neurológico, 14,7% infeccioso, 14,7% metabólico, 11,8% hematológico y 11,8% renal. El 28% de las complicaciones se presentaron en las cirugías electivas y el 65% en las urgencias. Conclusiones: La morbimortalidad de los pacientes estuvo directamente relacionada con dos factores: el carácter urgente de la cirugía y el estado físico preoperatorio del paciente (evaluado según criterio de la American Society of Anesthesiologists ASA). No hubo mortalidad en las cirugías electivas y los pacientes fallecidos correspondieron a un estado físico preoperatorio ASA 4. La utilización intraoperatoria de UFP y aprotinina contribuyó para la buena evolución de las cirugías con CEC.

Introduction: Survival of patients with congenital heart defects has improved in recent years thanks to improved diagnostic, surgical, anesthetic, and extracorporeal circulation techniques, and the arrival of new and more selective cardioactive drugs. Objectives: To describe perioperative care and postoperative progress of patients following surgery performed in the department of cardiac surgery and pediatrics department of the Centro Materno Infantil (CMI) of the national university’s school of medical sciences over a period of 18 months, and its relationship to the type of surgery performed (elective or emergency) and the patient’s presurgical physical status classification of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA-PS). Materials and Methods: A retrospective, descriptive, observational study with an analytical component using the medical records of patients operated on in the department of cardiac surgery between January 2007 and June 2008. Results: Of the 91 patients undergoing surgery, 38 (42%) were male, and 53 (58%) were female, with ages ranging from 2 days to 18 years. Uncomplicated heart disease was found in 54 patients (59.3%), and complications confirmed by color Doppler echocardiography were found in 37 (40.7%). Cardiac catheters were needed before surgery by 3 patients (3.3%). All surgeries (100%) were performed under balanced general anesthesia. Of the 91 patients operated on, 42 (46.2%) received extracorporeal circulation (ECC) and 49 (53.8%) did not. Of the 42 patients who received ECC, all involved corrective surgery, with 40 (96.2%) of those being elective, and 2 (4.8%) emergency surgery, while 3 (7.1%) were reoperated and 2 (4.8%) died. Complications appeared in 16 patients (38.1%), with 39 (92.9%) requiring mechanically assisted ventilation (MAV) for less than 24 hours, and 3 (7.1%) who received MAV for more than 24 hours. Aortic clamping time ranged from 13 to 167 minutes (mean 49.1 min.) and ECC times from 20 to 253 minutes (mean 71.9 min.). Plasma ultrafiltration (pUF) was done in all (100%) of patients operated on who received ECC, all of whom also received prophylactic aprotinin for bleeding. Of the 49 patients operated on without ECC, 30 (61.2%) were corrective surgeries, 19 (38.8%) were palliative, 31 (63.3%) were elective, 18 (36.7%) were emergency surgery, 1 (2.1%) was a reoperation, and 10 (16.3%) died. Complications appeared in 18 patients (36.7%), with 39 (79.6%) requiring MAV for less than 24 hours, and 10 (20.4%) receiving MAV for more than 24 hours. Of the patients operated on, 34 developed complications, 28% in elective surgeries and 65% in emergency surgeries; by type these were 50% were hemodynamic; 35.3% respiratory, 23.5% neurological, 14.7% infectious, 14.7% metabolic, 11.8% hematological, and 11.8% renal. Conclusions: Morbidity and mortality were directly related to two factors: being emergency surgery, and the pre--surgical physical status classification of the patient as per the ASA-PS. There were no deaths in the elective surgeries, and the patients who died had an ASA4 preoperative physical status classification. Intraoperative use of pUF and aprotinin contributed to the favorable progress of the patients operated on with use of ECC.

Fetuin-A and CD40 L plasma levels in acute ischemic stroke: differences in relation to TOAST subtype and correlation with clinical and laboratory variables.

INTRODUCTION: Accumulating evidence suggests that inflammation plays an important role in the acute phase of ischemic stroke. CD40 L is a well recognized atherosclerotic inflammatory marker, whereas recent evidence suggests a pro-inflammatory role of Fetuin-A. To analyze the role of an inflammatory marker such as CD40 L and of a candidate pro-inflammatory marker such as Fetuin-A in acute stroke we evaluated their serum levels in subjects with acute ischemic stroke and their possible association with other laboratory and clinical variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 107 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke admitted to the Internal Medicine Department at the University of Palermo between November 2006 and January 2008, and 102 hospitalized control patients without a diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke. RESULTS: Patients with acute ischemic stroke in comparison to control subjects without acute ischemic stroke had significantly higher CD40 L levels and Fetuin-A serum levels. No significant differences in plasma CD40 L or Fetuin-A levels among different TOAST groups were detected. At intragroup (intra-TOAST-subtype) correlation analysis, among subjects classified as lacunar, CD40 L plasma levels were positively correlated with LDL-cholesterol and with diabetes, whereas Fetuin-A was significantly (positively) correlated with hypertension and white blood cell count. Among subjects with LAAS subtype, CD40 L levels were positively correlated with triglyceride plasma levels and Fetuin-A, whereas Fetuin-A levels were positively correlated with LDL-cholesterol. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest a pro-inflammatory role of Fetuin-A and CD40 L in acute stroke setting. Whether this role should be construed as direct or as a simple expression of a general inflammatory activation will be up to future studies to clarify.

Presentación clínica de coartación de aorta, relato de casos: revisión de manejo actual / Clinical presentation of aortic coarctation: review of current management: a case series report

La coartación de Aorta es una cardiopatía congénita que se presenta con insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva precozmente sobre todo en la edad neonatal y que, de no ser diagnosticada oportunamente evoluciona con elevadísima morbi-mortalidad. Cuando sobrevive a la barrera de la primera infancia, cursa con hipertensión arterial sistémica, pudiendo debutar incluso con un accidente cerebrovascular, con resultado fatal para el paciente, ó dejarlo con incapacidades como secuela. Resaltamos la importancia del correcto y detallado examen clínico cardiovascular, que incluya la palpación adecuada de los pulsos periféricos así como la medición de la presión arterial sistémica, debido a que siempre cursa con hipertensión arterial en los miembros superiores y ausencia de pulsos en los miembros inferiores. Tratado correctamente presenta bajo riesgo de complicaciones y de mortalidad.

Aortic coarctation is a congenital heart defect that presents with early congestive heart failure, especially during the neonatal stage, and which if not opportunely diagnosed progresses with a high degree of morbidity and mortality. When patients survive the barrier of early childhood, they continue having such problems as systemic arterial hypertension, and run risks of outcomes such as fatal or incapacitating cerebrovascular accident. We emphasize the importance of a careful and detailed clinical cardiovascular examination, to include adequate taking of the peripheral pulses and measurement of systemic blood pressure, since this always presents with hypertension in the upper limbs and an absence of pulses in the legs. Treated adequately, it presents little risk of complications or mortality.

Cardiopatías congénitas,resultados del manejo perioperatorio en 18 meses: experiencia en el departamento de cardiocirugía: Centro Materno Infantil, Universidad Nacional de Asunción / Results of perioperative care of patients with congenital heart defects during 18 months experience of the cardiac surgery department of the Centro Materno Infantil: National University of Asunción

Objetivos: Describir el manejo perioperatorio y la evolución postoperatoria de las cirugías realizadas en el Dpto. de Cardiocirugía de la Cátedra y Servicio de Pediatría del CMI-FCM-UNA en 18 meses de atención y su relación con el carácter de la cirugía y el estado físico preoperatorio del paciente. Fueron operados 91 ptes, 53 de sexo femenino (58%), con edades comprendidas entre 2 días y 18 años. Las cardiopatías fueron 54(59,3%) patologías simples y 37(40,7%) patologías complejas, todas con confirmación diagnóstica preoperatoria por ecocardiografía Doppler color. Precisaron cateterismo cardiaco preoperatorio 3 ptes.(3,3%). El 100% de las cirugías se realizaron con anestesia general balanceada. De los 91 ptes operados, 42(46,2%) fueron sometidos a circulación extracorpórea (CEC) y 49 (53,8%) sin CEC. De los 42 ptes. operados con CEC, todas fueron cirugías correctivas, 40(95,2%) electivas, 2(4,8%) de urgencia, 3(7,1%) reintervenciones y 2(4,8%) fallecieron. Presentaron complicaciones 16 ptes.(38,1%), 39(92,9%) requirieron ARM menos de 24 horas y 3(7,1%) más de 24 horas. Los tiempos de clampado aórtico variaron de 13 a 167 minutos (media 49,1) y los tiempos de CEC de 20 a 253 minutos (media 71,9). Se realizó ultrafiltrado plasmático (UFP) en el 100% de los ptes. operados con CEC, y todos ellos recibieron aprotinina para profilaxis del sangrado. De los 49 pacientes operados sin CEC, 30 (61,2%) fueron cirugías correctivas, 19 (38,8%) paliativas, 31 (63,3%) electivas, 18 (36,7%) urgencias, 1 (2,1%) reintervención y 10 (16,3%) fallecieron. Presentaron complicaciones 18 pacientes (36,7%), 39 (79,6%) precisaron ARM menos de 24 horas y 10 (20,4%) más de 24 horas. Del total de pacientes operados, 34 presentaron alguna complicación, el 50% fue de tipo hemodinámico, 35,3% respiratorio, 23,5% neurológico, 14,7% infeccioso, 14,7% metabólico, 11,8% hematológico y 11,8% renal. El 28% de las complicaciones se presentaron en las cirugías electivas y el 65% en las urgencias...

Introduction: Survival of patients with congenital heart defects has improved in recent years thanks to improved diagnostic, surgical, anesthetic, and extracorporeal circulation techniques, and the arrival of new and more selective cardioactive drugs. Objectives: To describe perioperative care and postoperative progress of patients following surgery performed in the department of cardiac surgery and pediatrics department of the Centro Materno Infantil (CMI) of the national university's school of medical sciences over a period of 18 months, and its relationship to the type of surgery performed (elective or emergency) and the patient's pre-surgical physical status classification of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA-PS). Materials and Methods: A retrospective, descriptive, observational study with an analytical component using the medical records of patients operated on in the department of cardiac surgery between January 2007 and June 2008. Results:Of the 91 patients undergoing surgery, 38 (42%) were male, and 53 (58%) were female, with ages ranging from 2 days to 18 years. Uncomplicated heart disease was found in 54 patients (59.3%), and complications confirmed by color Doppler echocardiography were found in 37 (40.7%). Cardiac catheters were needed before surgery by 3 patients (3.3%). All surgeries (100%) were performed under balanced general anesthesia. Of the 91 patients operated on, 42 (46.2%) received extracorporeal circulation (ECC) and 49 (53.8%) did not. Of the 42 patients who received ECC, all involved corrective surgery, with 40 (96.2%) of those being elective, and 2 (4.8%) emergency surgery, while 3 (7.1%) were reoperated and 2 (4.8%) died. Complications appeared in 16 patients (38.1%), with 39 (92.9%) requiring mechanically assisted ventilation (MAV) for less than 24 hours, and 3 (7.1%) who received MAV for more than 24 hours...

Clinical Trial: High-dose furosemide plus small-volume hypertonic saline solutions vs. repeated paracentesis as treatment of refractory ascites.

BACKGROUND: In patients with cirrhosis, ascites is defined as refractory when it cannot be mobilized or recurs early in standard diuretic therapy. AIM: To compare the safety and efficacy of intravenous high-dose furosemide + hypertonic saline solutions (HSS) with repeated paracentesis in patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-four subjects (59/25 M/F) with cirrhosis, mostly of viral aetiology, admitted for refractory ascites, were randomly assigned to receive furosemide (250-1000 mg/bid i.v.) plus HSS (150 mL H(2)O with NaCl 1.4-4.6% or 239-187 mEq/L) (60 patients, Group A) or to repeated paracentesis and a standard diuretic schedule (24 patients, Group B). RESULTS: During hospitalization, Group A patients had more diuresis (1605 +/- 131 mL vs. 532 +/- 124 mL than Group B patients; P < 0.001) and a greater loss of weight at discharge (-8.8 +/- 4.8 kg vs. -4.5 +/- 3.8 kg, P < 0.00). Control of ascites, pleural effusions and/or leg oedema was deemed significantly better in Group A. CONCLUSIONS: This randomized pilot study suggests that HHS plus high-dose furosemide is a safe and effective alternative to repeated paracentesis when treating hospitalized patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites. Larger studies will be needed to evaluate long-term outcomes such as readmission and mortality.

Recurrent venous thromboembolism complicated by heparin-induced thrombocytopenia as a first manifestation of an occult cancer: a case report.

Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a serious and potentially fatal complication of patients on heparins. Its management is difficult and it can be more complicated in patients with cancer because of the hemorrhagic risk carried out by direct inhibitor of thrombin, the currently approved drug for HIT. At present, it is not clear whether cancer patients also have an increased risk of HIT. We describe the case of a patient with occult cancer at the moment of the index venous thrombosis, who developed Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and concomitant HIT with thrombotic complications (recurrent contra-lateral venous thrombosis). The management of HIT was efficaciously based on the combined use of alternative antithrombotic regimens (Dermatan-Sulphate and Defibrotide), without an increased risk of bleeding. This case highlights the potential relationship between DVT, as first episode of an occult cancer, and the risk of developing HIT. The use of alternative antithrombotic therapy seems to be efficacious even in this high-risk cancer patient.

Ischemic stroke in patients with diabetic foot.

AIM: The diabetic foot syndrome is the most frequent cause of hospitalization of diabetic patients and one of the economically most demanding complications of diabetes. People with diabetes have been shown to have higher mortality than people without diabetes, but the cerebrovascular risk profile of these patients is not fully evaluated. The aim of our study was to evaluate the possible role of diabetic foot as a cerebrovascular risk marker in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: We enrolled 102 type 2 diabetes patients with diabetic foot and 123 diabetic patients without diabetic foot. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in the distribution of the main cardiovascular risk factors with exception of hypertension. We observed a higher prevalence of previous cerebrovascular events (transient ischemic attack, ischemic stroke) and of incidence of new onset cerebrovascular events at a 5-year follow-up. Regarding clinical subtype of ischemic stroke classified according to Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification on a retrospective and prospective basis, we observed a higher prevalence of both the lacunar and large artery atherosclerosis subtype with a slight higher prevalence of lacunar subtype in patients with diabetic foot. CONCLUSION: Our results show a worse cerebrovascular risk profile in diabetic patients with diabetic foot than in diabetic subjects without foot ulceration with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and of anamnestic cerebrovascular events and incidence of new cerebrovascular events at a 5-year follow-up.

A case control study between diabetic and non-diabetic subjects with ischemic stroke.

AIM: The clinical and prognostic profile of diabetic stroke patients is still an unclarified topic. The aim of the present study is to compare clinical features and risk factor profile in diabetics and in non-diabetics affected by acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: We have included 98 diabetics and 102 matched non-diabetic subjects affected by acute ischemic stroke and matched by age (+/-3 years) and gender. We determined the Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) on admission and the Rankin disability scale on discharge and after a 6 months follow-up. Ischemic stroke has been classified according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification. We anamnestically evaluated the presence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, any records of transient ischemic attack, and stroke. Using conditional logistic regression analysis, we calculated adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Diabetes was associated with lacunar ischemic stroke subtype (OR 3.89, 95% CI 2.23-6.8), with a record of hypertension (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.48-4.32), and with a better SSS score at admission (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.36-0.96). The association of diabetes with lacunar stroke remained significant also after adjustment for hypertension (adjusted OR 3.37, 95% CI 1.9-5.99) or for large artery atherosclerotic and cardioembolic stroke subtypes (adjusted OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.08-6.69). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows some significant differences in acute ischemic stroke among diabetics in comparison with non-diabetics (higher frequency of hypertension, higher prevalence of lacunar stroke subtype, lower neurological deficit at admission in diabetics).

Vasopressin administration facilitates fluid removal during hemodialysis.

Inadequate secretion of vasopressin during fluid removal by hemodialysis may contribute to the cardiovascular instability that complicates this therapy and administration of exogenous hormone, by supporting arterial pressure, may facilitate volume removal. To test this, we measured plasma vasopressin in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) during hemodialysis and found that despite significant fluid removal, plasma vasopressin concentration did not increase. We further found that ESRD did not alter the endogenous removal rate of plasma vasopressin and that plasma hormone is not dialyzed. Finally, in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in 22 hypertensive patients, we examined the effect of a constant infusion of a non-pressor dose of vasopressin on the arterial pressure response during a hemodialysis in which the target fluid loss was increased by 0.5 kg over the baseline prescription. We found that arterial pressure was more stable in the patients receiving vasopressin and that while only one patient (9%) in the vasopressin group had a symptomatic hypotensive episode, 64% of the patients receiving placebo had such an episode (P=0.024). Moreover, increased fluid removal was achieved only in the vasopressin group (520+/-90 ml vs 64+/-130 ml, P=0.01). Thus, administration of non-pressor doses of vasopressin to hypertensive subjects improves cardiovascular stability during hemodialysis and allows increased removal of excess extracellular fluid. Inadequate vasopressin secretion during hemodialysis-induced fluid removal is a likely contributor to the intradialytic hypotension that limits fluid removal.

Successful salvage therapy of intravenous cyclophosphamide for refractory polymyositis in an elderly patient: case report.

Dermatomyositis and polymyositis may affect children and adults and are now widely recognized as major causes of disability which, thanks to the introduction of immunosuppressive drugs, is often treatable, at least to some extent. Few data exist regarding polymyositis in elderly patients. We describe a case of refractory life-threatening polymyositis in an elderly patient, successfully treated with intravenous cyclophosphamide.

Predictors of hemorrhage in patients with untreated brain arteriovenous malformation.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial hemorrhage is a serious possible complication in patients with brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Several morphologic factors associated with hemorrhagic AVM presentation have been established, but their relevance for the risk of subsequent AVM hemorrhage remains unclear. METHODS: The authors analyzed follow-up data on 622 consecutive patients from the prospective Columbia AVM database, limited to the period between initial AVM diagnosis and the start of treatment (i.e., any endovascular, surgical, or radiation therapy). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models were applied to analyze the effect of patient age, gender, AVM size, anatomic location, venous drainage pattern, and associated arterial aneurysms on the risk of intracranial hemorrhage at initial presentation and during follow-up. RESULTS: The mean pretreatment follow-up was 829 days (median: 102 days), during which 39 (6%) patients experienced AVM hemorrhage. Increasing age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.05, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.08), initial hemorrhagic AVM presentation (HR 5.38, 95% CI 2.64 to 10.96), deep brain location (HR 3.25, 95% CI 1.30 to 8.16), and exclusive deep venous drainage (HR 3.25, 95% CI 1.01 to 5.67) were independent predictors of subsequent hemorrhage. Annual hemorrhage rates on follow-up ranged from 0.9% for patients without hemorrhagic AVM presentation, deep AVM location, or deep venous drainage to as high as 34.4% for those harboring all three risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Hemorrhagic arteriovenous malformation (AVM) presentation, increasing age, deep brain location, and exclusive deep venous drainage appear to be independent predictors for AVM hemorrhage during natural history follow-up. The risk of spontaneous hemorrhage may be low in AVMs without these risk factors.

Recurrent stroke and cardiac risks after first ischemic stroke: the Northern Manhattan Study.

BACKGROUND: Few population-based studies with long-term follow-up have compared risk of recurrent stroke and cardiac events after first ischemic stroke. The relative risk of these two outcomes may inform treatment decisions. METHODS: In the population-based Northern Manhattan Study, first ischemic stroke patients age 40 or older were prospectively followed for recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and cause-specific mortality. Fatal cardiac events were defined as death secondary to MI, congestive heart failure, sudden death/arrhythmia, and cardiopulmonary arrest. Risk of events (with 95% CIs) was calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and adjusted for sex and age using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: Mean age (n = 655; median follow-up 4.0 years) was 69.7 +/- 12.7 years. The risk of recurrent stroke was more than twice that of cardiac events (including nonfatal MI) at 30 days and approximately twice cardiac risk at 5 years. The age- and sex-adjusted 5-year risk of fatal or nonfatal recurrent stroke was 18.3% (14.8 to 21.7%), and the 5-year risk of MI or fatal cardiac event was 8.6% (6.0 to 11.2%). The adjusted 5-year risk of nonfatal stroke (14.8%, 11.6 to 17.9%) was approximately twice as high as fatal cardiac events (6.4%, 4.1 to 8.6%) and four times higher than risk of fatal stroke (3.7%, 2.1 to 5.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac mortality is nearly twice as high as mortality owing to recurrent stroke, but long-term risk of all stroke, fatal or nonfatal, is approximately twice the risk of all cardiac events. The high risk of nonfatal recurrent stroke reinforces the importance of therapies aimed at preventing stroke recurrence in addition to preventing cardiac events.

APOE-epsilon4 predisposes to cognitive dysfunction following uncomplicated carotid endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: Between 9% and 23% of patients undergoing otherwise uncomplicated carotid endarterectomy (CEA) develop subtle cognitive decline 1 month postoperatively. The APOE-epsilon4 allele has been associated with worse outcome following stroke. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of APOE-epsilon4 to predict post-CEA neurocognitive dysfunction. METHODS: Seventy-five patients with CEA undergoing elective CEA were prospectively recruited in this nested cohort study and demographic variables were recorded. Patients were evaluated before and 1 month after surgery with a standard battery of five neuropsychological tests. APOE genotyping was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis in all patients. Neuropsychological deficits were identified by comparing changes (before to 1 month post-operation) in individual performance on the test battery. Logistic regression was performed for APOE-epsilon4 and previously identified risk factors. RESULTS: Twelve of 75 (16%) CEA patients possessed the APOE-epsilon4 allele. Eight of 75 (11%) patients experienced neurocognitive dysfunction on postoperative day 30. One month post-CEA, APOE-epsilon4-positive patients were more likely to be cognitively injured (42%) than APOE-epsilon4-negative patients (5%) (p = 0.002). In multivariate analysis, the presence of the APOE-epsilon4 allele increased the risk of neurocognitive dysfunction at 1 month 62-fold (62.28, 3.15 to 1229, p = 0.007). Diabetes (51.42, 1.94 to 1363, p = 0.02), and obesity (24.43, 1.41 to 422.9, p = 0.03) also predisposed to injury. CONCLUSION: The APOE-epsilon4 allele is a robust independent predictor of neurocognitive decline 1 month following CEA.

Relative elevation in baseline leukocyte count predicts first cerebral infarction.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease, and leukocyte levels are associated with future risk of ischemic cardiac disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hypothesis that relative elevations in leukocyte count in a stroke-free population predict future ischemic stroke (IS). METHODS: A population-based prospective cohort study was performed in a multiethnic urban population. Stroke-free community participants were identified by random-digit dialing. Leukocyte levels were measured at enrollment, and participants were followed annually for IS, myocardial infarction (MI), and cause-specific mortality. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for IS, MI, and vascular death after adjustment for medical, behavioral, and socioeconomic factors. RESULTS: Among 3,103 stroke-free community participants (mean age 69.2 +/- 10.3 years) with baseline leukocyte levels measured, median follow-up was 5.2 years. After adjusting for stroke risk factors, each SD in leukocyte count (1.8 x 10(9) cells/L) was associated with an increased risk of IS (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.42), and IS, MI, or vascular death (HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.26). Compared with those in the lowest quartile of leukocyte count, those in the highest had an increased risk of IS (adjusted HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.82). The effect on atherosclerotic and cardioembolic stroke was greater than in other stroke subtypes. CONCLUSION: Relative elevations in leukocyte count are independently associated with an increased risk of future ischemic stroke and other cardiovascular events.

Thrombin generation in non-cardioembolic stroke subtypes: the Hemostatic System Activation Study.

BACKGROUND: The association between hemostatic activation, stroke mechanism, and outcome is poorly defined. The Hemostatic System Activation Study (HAS) investigators measured serial levels of prothrombin fragment F1.2, a marker of thrombin generation, in patients enrolled in the Warfarin Aspirin Recurrent Stroke Study (WARSS). METHODS: HAS enrolled 631 of the 2,206 patients in WARSS. Strokes were subtyped according to inferred mechanism. Plasma was collected for F1.2 at randomization (within 30 days of stroke), 3 months, 12 months, and 18 months. The 3 to 6 month samples in aspirin-treated patients were used for the primary analysis. RESULTS: The authors analyzed 3 to 6 month samples on 320 patients. Higher F1.2 levels were associated with older age, female sex, and hypertension. There was no difference between mean F1.2 levels in 56 cryptogenic (0.9 +/- 0.32 nmol/L) and 114 non-cryptogenic (1.13 +/- 0.74 nmol/L) patients or across specific stroke subtypes. There was an 8.8%/year (p = 0.006) increase in mean F1.2 levels. There was a trend toward higher risk of recurrent stroke or death as F1.2 levels increased in aspirin (RR: 1.30, 95% CI: 0.57 to 2.94, p = 0.53) and warfarin treated patients (RR: 1.68, 95% CI: 0.48 to 5.94, p = 0.42). F1.2 levels were reduced on average 70% in warfarin-treated patients in a dose-dependent fashion. CONCLUSION: F1.2 levels did not appear to differ by stroke subtype, suggesting that factors other than underlying stroke pathophysiology influence thrombin generation in the post-acute stroke period. F1.2 levels were suppressed by warfarin in a dose-dependent fashion. Additional research is needed to determine the predictive value of F1.2 after stroke.

Association of infratentorial brain arteriovenous malformations with hemorrhage at initial presentation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to analyze the association of hemorrhagic presentation with infratentorial brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). METHODS: The 623 consecutive, prospectively enrolled patients from the Columbia AVM Databank were analyzed in a cross-sectional study. Clinical presentation (diagnostic event) was categorized as intracranial hemorrhage or nonhemorrhagic presentation. From brain imaging and cerebral angiography, AVM location was classified as either infratentorial or supratentorial. Univariate and multivariate statistical models were applied to test the effect of age, sex, AVM size and location, venous drainage pattern, and associated (ie, feeding artery or intranidal) arterial aneurysms on the likelihood of hemorrhage at initial AVM presentation. RESULTS: Of the 623 patients, 72 (12%) had an infratentorial and 551 (88%) had a supratentorial AVM. Intracranial hemorrhage was the presenting symptom in 283 patients (45%), and infratentorial AVM location was significantly more frequent (18%) among patients who bled initially (6%; odds ratio [OR], 3.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.09 to 6.20). This difference remained significant (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.07 to 3.69) in the multivariate logistic regression model controlling for age, sex, AVM size, deep venous drainage, and associated arterial aneurysms. In the same model, the effect of other established determinants for AVM hemorrhage--ie, AVM size (in 1-mm increments; OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.94 to 0.96), deep venous drainage (OR, 3.09; 95% CI, 1.87 to 5.12), and associated aneurysms (OR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.76 to 4.40)--remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that infratentorial AVM location is independently associated with hemorrhagic AVM presentation.

Effect of age on clinical and morphological characteristics in patients with brain arteriovenous malformation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The goal of this work was to determine the effect of age at initial presentation on clinical and morphological characteristics in patients with brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM). METHODS: The 542 consecutive patients from the prospective Columbia AVM database (mean+/-SD age, 34+/-15 years) were analyzed. Univariate statistical models were used to test the effect of age at initial presentation on clinical (AVM hemorrhage, seizures, headaches, neurological deficit, other/asymptomatic) and morphological (AVM size, venous drainage pattern, AVM brain location, concurrent arterial aneurysms) characteristics. RESULTS: Hemorrhage was the presenting symptom in 46% (n=247); 29% (n=155) presented with seizures, 13% (n=71) with headaches, 7% (n=36) with a neurological deficit, and 6% (n=33) without AVM-related symptoms. Increasing age correlated positively with intracranial hemorrhage (P=0.001), focal neurological deficits (P=0.007), infratentorial AVMs (P<0.001), and concurrent arterial aneurysms (P<0.001); an inverse correlation was found with seizures (P<0.001), AVM size (P=0.001), and lobar (P<0.001), deep (P=0.008), and borderzone (P=0.014) location. No age differences were found for sex, headache, asymptomatic presentation, and venous drainage pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest a significant interaction of patient age and clinical and morphological AVM features and argue against uniform AVM characteristics across different age classes at initial presentation. In particular, AVM patients diagnosed at a higher age show a higher fraction of AVM hemorrhage and are more likely to harbor additional risk factors such as concurrent arterial aneurysms and small AVM diameter. Longitudinal population-based AVM data are necessary to confirm these findings.