Stroke recurrence in patients with atrial fibrillation: concomitant carotid artery stenosis doubles the risk.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and significant carotid artery stenosis (CAS) often coexist in patients with acute stroke but whether CAS affects the stroke recurrence rate in anticoagulated AF patients is largely unknown. The effect of concomitant CAS on both short- and long-term prognosis after stroke in patients with AF was evaluated. METHODS: The multicentre, retrospective FibStroke registry included AF patients with an ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) during 2003-2012. In this sub-study, 165 AF patients with ischaemic stroke or TIA with significant (>50%) CAS (CAS group) and 734 AF patients without CAS (non-CAS group) were identified. The median follow-up time after an index event was 3.5 (interquartile range 3.9) years. Long-term stroke recurrence rate, 30-day mortality, CHA2 DS2 -VASc score, other risk factors and the use and intensity of anticoagulation were assessed. RESULTS: The recurrence rate of ischaemic stroke (21.2% vs. 12.7%, P = 0.005, 8.1 vs. 3.6 events per100 follow-up years) was significantly higher in CAS patients compared to the non-CAS group despite similar anticoagulation/antithrombotic therapy. CAS patients had higher mean CHA2 DS2 -VASc scores than non-CAS patients (4.3 vs. 3.3, P < 0.001). However, in a multivariate analysis CAS was shown to be an independent risk factor for stroke recurrence (hazard ratio 2.02, 95% confidence interval 1.37-3.01, P = 0.001). The 30-day all-cause mortality was significantly higher in CAS patients (7.9% vs. 1.9%, P < 0.001) and CAS was an independent risk factor also for 30-day mortality (odds ratio 3.34, 95% confidence interval 1.51-7.38, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with AF, concomitant CAS was an independent risk factor for both long-term stroke recurrence and 30-day mortality.

Underuse of anticoagulation in stroke patients with atrial fibrillation--the FibStroke Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Current guidelines recommend oral anticoagulation (OAC) for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and increased risk of thromboembolic events. The reasons for not using OAC in AF patients suffering stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) were assessed. METHODS: This retrospective registry included 3404 patients with previously diagnosed AF who suffered a total of 2955 ischaemic strokes and 895 TIAs during 2003-2012. RESULTS: A CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2 and a CHADS2 score ≥2 was observed in 3590 (93.2%) and in 2784 (72.3%) of the events, respectively. Of the high-risk patients (CHADS2 ≥2) only 55.1% were on OAC before the onset of stroke or TIA. The most frequently documented reasons for withholding OAC were infrequent paroxysms of AF (14%), previous bleeding episodes (13%) and the patient's decline/independent discontinuation of treatment (9%). Moreover, patients with paroxysmal AF (40% using OAC), previous bleeding (26% using OAC) and alcohol abuse (30% using OAC) were using OAC significantly less often than patients without these characteristics. A significant increase in the proportion of high-risk patients using OAC from 49% in 2003 to 65% in 2012 was seen. CONCLUSIONS: Underuse of anticoagulation is a common contributor to ischaemic strokes and TIA episodes in patients with AF. Infrequent AF episodes, previous bleeds, patient preference and alcohol abuse were the most common reasons for not using OAC.

Incidence and predictors of 30-day cardiovascular complications in patients undergoing head and neck cancer surgery.

Incidence and predictors of peri-operative or post-operative cardiovascular complications in head and neck cancer surgery remain poorly elucidated. In this retrospective study, we investigated the rate and pre-operative risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications. This study included all patients (n = 456) operated for head and neck cancer between 1999 and 2008. Patients' medical records were reviewed and the adjudication of endpoints was performed by adjudication committee. The 30-day incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications was 7.2 %. Cardiac mortality at 30 days was 1.0 %. Univariate predictors of MACCE (major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events) at the 30-day follow-up were history of myocardial infarction (OR 4.56, 95 % CI 1.73-11.97, p = 0.002); history of heart failure (OR 4.14, 95 % CI 1.32-13.02, p = 0.015); pre-existing coronary artery disease (OR 3.98, 95 % CI 1.75-9.06, p = 0.001); prior aspirin medication (OR 3.73, 95 % CI 1.81-7.71, p < 0.001); prior betablocker medication (OR 3.67, 95 % CI 1.79-7.51, p < 0.001); hypertension (OR 2.55, 95 % CI 1.25-5.19, p = 0.010); and increasing age (OR 1.08, 95 % CI 1.05-1.12, p < 0.001). In a multivariate model, independent predictors of MACCE were pre-existing coronary artery disease (OR 2.45, 95 % CI 1.03-5.80, p = 0.042) and increasing age (OR 1.08, 95 % CI 1.04-1.11, p < 0.001). Patients having surgery for head and neck cancer are at high (>5 %) risk of developing vascular complications. Prior coronary artery disease and increasing age are independent risk factors for MACCE.

Multiscale investigations of drift-wave turbulence and plasma flows: measurements and total-distribution-function gyrokinetic simulations.

Direct measurements of micro-, meso-, and macroscale transport phenomena in the FT-2 tokamak are shown to be quantitatively reproduced by global full f nonlinear gyrokinetic simulation predictions. A detailed agreement with mean equilibrium E×B flows, oscillating fine-scale zonal flows, and turbulence spectra observed by a set of sophisticated microwave backscattering techniques as well as a good fit of the thermal diffusivity data are demonstrated. A clear influence of the impurity ions on the fluctuating radial electric field is observed.

Preoperative myocardial troponin T elevation is associated with the fracture type in patients with proximal femoral fracture.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cardiovascular complications are common in hip fracture patients but the role of fracture type and operative method in these is unclear. This prospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the impact of fracture- and operative characteristics on perioperative cardiovascular complications and prognosis in unselected hip fracture patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During a 7-month trial registration period, a population of 197 consecutive hip fracture patients (median age 84 years) diagnosed with femoral neck or pertrochanteric fracture was formed. The exclusion criteria were patient refusal, subtrochanteric fracture, or death preoperatively. Pre- and postoperative troponin T (TnT) elevation, perioperative N-terminal fragment of pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level, perioperative cardiovascular adverse events, and all-cause 30-day and 2- and 5-year mortalities were studied. RESULTS: Femoral neck fracture was independently associated with preoperative myocardial injury witnessed by TnT elevation (HR 2.95, 95% confidence interval 1.21-7.19, p = 0.018). The fracture type, surgery delay, or operative method were not significantly associated with NT-proBNP levels, cardiovascular adverse event diagnoses, or prognosis. Cardiovascular adverse events were clinically diagnosed in 28 (14%) participants, and these had a higher mortality compared to participants without such diagnosis (at 30 days, 32% vs 5%; 2 years, 71% vs 31%; and 5 years, 86% vs 59%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: While the femoral neck fracture independently predicts preoperative cardiovascular morbidity, the operative method does not affect perioperative cardiovascular complications or the prognosis, and it may be selected by the treating clinician based on other criteria.

Determinants of re-operation for bleeding in head and neck cancer surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Post-operative bleeding in the head and neck area is potentially fatal. This 'real world' study sought to assess factors that increase the risk of re-operation for post-operative bleeding in head and neck cancer surgery. METHODS: A total of 456 patients underwent surgery for head and neck cancer (591 operations). The primary endpoint was re-operation for bleeding. RESULTS: The rate of re-operation for bleeding was 5 per cent of all operations. Re-operation for bleeding was an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality (odds ratio = 5.27, p = 0.014). Risk factors for re-operation because of bleeding included excessive (more than 4000 ml) fluid administration (over 24 hours) (p < 0.001), heavy alcohol consumption (p = 0.014), pre-operative oncological treatment (p = 0.017), advanced disease stage (p = 0.020) and higher tumour (T) classification (p = 0.034). Operations with more excessive bleeding (700 ml or more) were associated with an increased risk (p = 0.001) of re-operation for post-operative bleeding. Moreover, the risk of re-operation was significantly higher in patients undergoing microvascular surgery compared to those who had no oncological treatment pre-operatively (18 vs 6 per cent, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The 30-day mortality risk increased over 5-fold in patients undergoing re-operation for bleeding.