Comparison of efficacy of eight treatments for plantar fasciitis: A network meta-analysis

The objective of this network meta-analysis (NMA) was to assess the pain relief performance of eight different plantar fasciitis therapies, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroid injections (CSs), autologous whole blood, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), ultrasound therapy (US), botulinum toxin A (BTX-A), and dry needling (DN). Published prospective or randomized controlled trials (RCTs) as for the above eight therapies were identified by searching CNKI, PubMed, and Embase. Mean difference (MD) and 95% credible intervals (CrIs) of visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to evaluate multiaspect comparisons. The ranking result was obtained by utilizing surface under cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). Node-splitting plots were conducted to assess the consistency between direct and indirect evidence. Egger’s test and funnel plots were performed to examine publication bias. Forty-one trials with a total of 2,889 cases were involved in this NMA. In terms of 1-month VAS, only ESWT turned out to be of better efficacy than placebo (MD = −3.3; CrI: [−5.3, −1.1]). No statistically significant difference was found between pair-wise comparisons concerning 2-month VAS. ESWT also demonstrated better efficacy as for 3-month results (MD = −2.7; CrI: [−4.2, −1.3]). Besides, CSs was significantly better than placebo as well in 3-month results (MD = −2.1; CrI: [−4.1, −0.19]). With regard to 6-month VAS results, ESWT performed better than placebo (MD = −3.0; CrI: [−5.0, −0.51]). According to the SUCRA, ESWT ranked the first as for all seven outcomes. ESWT might be the optimal treatment. In addition, BTX-A and PRP were considered as suboptimal.     

Increased Risk of Post-Thrombolysis Intracranial Hemorrhage in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients with Leukoaraiosis: A Meta-Analysis

BackgroundLeukoaraiosis is common in patients with acute ischemic stroke. The results from many studies investigating the association between leukoaraiosis and intracranial hemorrhage after thrombolysis remain conflicting.MethodsA meta-analysis was performed to compare the risk of post-thrombolytic intracranial hemorrhage in patients with and without leukoaraiosis. Relevant reports were identified by searching PubMed, EmBase, Cochrane Library, and ISI Web of Science through December 2015 using a combination of subjective and random terms. Eligible studies that were original articles with a clear definition of leukoaraiosis and intracranial hemorrhage were selected and analyzed. Funnel plots, Egger’s test, and Begg’s test were conducted to assess the publication bias. Sensitivity analysis was also performed to evaluate the influence of each individual study.ResultsEleven trials that enrolled 6912 participants were included. There was a significantly increased risk for acute ischemic stroke patients with leukoaraiosis (odds ratio: 1.89, 95% confidence interval 1.51–2.37, P<0.001). Low heterogeneity and less publication bias was detected among these studies. The results of both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging performed on the subgroups of leukoaraiosis were significant. Furthermore, an association between leukoaraiosis and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was also confirmed. The odds ratios remained stable with no obvious variations on the sensitivity analysis. The limitations consisted of types of including trials and not matching some baseline variables.ConclusionsThe results of this meta-analysis show that leukoaraiosis approximately doubles the incidence of intracranial hemorrhage after thrombolytic therapy. However, it does not critically affect decision making regarding thrombolysis for patients with acute ischemic stroke. Additional investigations are required.     

Evaluation of short‐term effectiveness of eight targeted agents combined with chemotherapy for treating esophageal‐gastric junction adenocarcinoma: A network meta‐analysis

This study aimed to evaluate the short‐term effectiveness of eight targeted agents (ramucirumab, bevacizumab, rilotumumab, panitumumab, cetuximab, trebananib, trastuzumab, matuzumab) plus chemotherapy in esophageal‐gastric junction adenocarcinoma (EGJA) by a network meta‐analysis (NMA). PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically retrieved for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) concerning targeted agents plus chemotherapy in the treatment of EGJA. This NMA combined both direct and indirect evidence to evaluate odds ratio (OR) and to draw the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). In total 11 RCTs with 3649 EGJA patients (1907 patients treated with targeted agents plus chemotherapy were regarded as the case group, and 1742 patients with placebo plus chemotherapy were assigned into the control group) were enrolled in this study. Targeted agents in terms of stable disease (SD), partial response (PR), disease control rate (DCR), and overall response ratio (ORR) with the SUCRA values of 0.838, 0.807, 0.934, and 0.793, respectively. Cetuximab and trastuzumab, with the SUCRA values of 0.884 and 0.758, came on top as the best outcomes for treating EGJA in terms of progressive disease (PD) and complete response (CR). Cluster analysis results indicated that ramucirumab plus chemotherapy might be the optimal treatment for EGJA. Our findings indicated that ramucirumab plus chemotherapy might be the optimal treatment for EGJA amongst the nine treatment regimens, which provided clinical guidance for clinicians in the treatment of EGJA.     

Efficacy and adverse events of five targeted agents in the treatment of advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer: A network meta-analysis of nine eligible randomized controlled trials involving 5,059 patients

Recently, targeted agents were reported to improve overall survival, progression-free survival (PFS), response rate, and quality of life compared with cytotoxic chemotherapies, which provides hope for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The network meta-analysis is applied to compare the efficacies and adverse events of five targeted agents (erlotinib, gefitinib, vandetanib, dacomitinib, and icotinib) for advanced or metastatic NSCLC. Nine eligible randomized controlled trials from PubMed and Cochrane Library database were included. Weighted mean difference, odds ratio, and surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values were evaluated for the efficacy and adverse events of the five targeted agents in the treatment of NSCLC. With regard to efficacy, the overall response rate (ORR) of advanced or metastatic NSCLC patients treated with gefitinib was relatively higher than those treated with placebo. Compared with patients treated with placebo, the disease control rate (DCR) of patients treated with erlotinib and with gefitinib was relatively higher. Furthermore, in terms of PFS and DCR, the SUCRA value of icotinib was the highest among the five targeted drugs. With regard to ORR, the SUCRA value of gefitinib was the highest among the five targeted drugs. In terms of fatigue, rash, and cough, erlotinib had the lowest SUCRA value, whereas vandetanib exhibited the lowest SUCRA value in terms of diarrhea. Our study suggests that the efficacies of gefitinib and icotinib for advanced or metastatic NSCLC were comparatively better, whereas the toxicities of erlotinib and vandetanib were relatively greater.     

多模式磁共振指导超时间窗急性缺血性卒中的静脉溶栓治疗研究

目的:评价多模式磁共振指导下超时间窗静脉应用重组组织型纤溶酶原激活剂rt PA治疗急性缺血性卒中的疗效及安全性。方法:将68例急性脑梗塞患者分为rt PA静脉溶栓组A组、强化抗栓治疗组B组,各组按药物干预时间再分为4.5小时亚组及4.5-6小时亚组。A组给予rt PA静脉溶栓治疗和常规治疗,B组给予首剂氯吡格雷300毫克+阿司匹林100毫克和常规治疗。治疗前行急诊头多模式磁共振检查,治疗24小时后复查头CT,分别于治疗前后不同时间点进行NIHSS评分和3个月MRS评分,记录不良事件的发生情况。结果:A组两个亚组治疗后各时间点NIHSS评分均明显低于B组,且A组4.5小时亚组治疗后NIHSS评分低于其4.5-6小时亚组,A组3个月预后良好患者比例显著高于B组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。A组症状性颅内出血的发生率高于B组。结论:多模式头磁共振指导下超时间窗rt PA静脉溶栓治疗安全有效,远期疗效优于强化抗栓治疗,但颅内症状性出血风险略高于强化抗栓治疗。     

A Network Meta‐Analysis of Short and Long‐Term Efficacy of Targeted Therapy With Single or Double‐Drug Regimens in the Treatment of Stage III/IV Malignant Melanoma Based on 16 Randomized Controlled Trials

For the treatment of stage III/IV malignant melanoma (MM), a network meta‐analysis (NMA) was conducted to compare the short and long‐term efficacy of targeted therapy with single or double‐drug regimens. All conducted randomized controlled trials (RCTs) searched from PubMed and Cochrane Library were included in the study for direct and indirect comparison for MM. The odds ratio (OR) and surface under the cumulative ranking curves (SUCRA) value of the targeted therapy with single or double‐drug regimens for treatment of stage III/IV MM were also analyzed. To group the treatments according to their similarity with regards to both outcomes, cluster analyses were performed. Ultimately, 16 RCTs were incorporated for this NMA. The NMA revealed that the overall response rate (ORR) values of single‐drug regimens (Vemurafenib [Vem], Dabrafenib [Dab], and Nivolumab [Niv]) were higher than those of Dacarbazine (Dac). Also the ORR values of double‐drug regimens (Dab + Trametinib [Dab + Tra], Niv + Ipilimumab [Niv + Ipi], and Vem + Cobimetinib [Vem + Cob]) were moderately higher than those of Dac. The results of the SUCRA showed that short‐term efficacy of single‐drug regimens (Vem and Dab) were better, while the short‐term efficacy of double‐drug regimens (Dab + Tra and Vem + Cob) were relatively better. It was determined that Vem, Dab, and Niv might be the best choice in evaluating the treatment of stage III/IV MM among different single‐drug targeted therapy regimens, while Dab + Tra, Niv + Ipi, and Vem + Cob might have better short‐term efficacy among different double‐drug targeted therapy regimens. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 640–649, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Traumatic Intracranial Hemorrhage Correlates with Preinjury Brain Atrophy,but Not with Antithrombotic Agent Use: A Retrospective Study

Background

The impact of antithrombotic agents (warfarin, clopidogrel, ASA) on traumatic brain injury outcomes is highly controversial. Although cerebral atrophy is speculated as a risk for acute intracranial hemorrhage, there is no objective literature evidence.

Materials and Methods

This is a retrospective, consecutive investigation of patients with signs of external head trauma and age ≥60 years. Outcomes were correlated with antithrombotic-agent status, coagulation test results, admission neurologic function, and CT-based cerebral atrophy dimensions.

Results

Of 198 consecutive patients, 36% were antithrombotic-negative and 64% antithrombotic-positive. ASA patients had higher arachidonic acid inhibition (p = 0.04) and warfarin patients had higher INR (p<0.001), compared to antithrombotic-negative patients. Antithrombotic-positive intracranial hemorrhage rate (38.9%) was similar to the antithrombotic-negative rate (31.9%; p = 0.3285). Coagulopathy was not present on the ten standard coagulation, thromboelastography, and platelet mapping tests with intracranial hemorrhage and results were similar to those without hemorrhage (p≥0.1354). Hemorrhagic-neurologic complication (intracranial hemorrhage progression, need for craniotomy, neurologic deterioration, or death) rates were similar for antithrombotic-negative (6.9%) and antithrombotic-positive (8.7%; p = 0.6574) patients. The hemorrhagic-neurologic complication rate was increased when admission major neurologic dysfunction was present (63.2% versus 2.2%; RR = 28.3; p<0.001). Age correlated inversely with brain parenchymal width (p<0.001) and positively with lateral ventricular width (p = 0.047) and cortical atrophy (p<0.001). Intracranial hemorrhage correlated with cortical atrophy (p<0.001) and ventricular width (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Intracranial hemorrhage is not associated with antithrombotic agent use. Intracranial hemorrhage patients have no demonstrable coagulopathy. The association of preinjury brain atrophy with acute intracranial hemorrhage is a novel finding. Contrary to antithrombotic agent status, admission neurologic abnormality is a predictor of adverse post-admission outcomes. Study findings indicate that effective hemostasis is maintained with antithrombotic therapy.     

A Network Meta-Analysis of Efficacy and Evaluation of Safety of Subcutaneous Pegylated Interferon Beta-1a versus Other Injectable Therapies for the Treatment of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Subcutaneous pegylated interferon beta-1a (peginterferon beta-1a [PEG-IFN]) 125 μg every two or four weeks has been studied in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients in the pivotal Phase 3 ADVANCE trial. In the absence of direct comparative evidence, a network meta-analysis (NMA) was conducted to provide an indirect assessment of the relative efficacy, safety, and tolerability of PEG-IFN versus other injectable RRMS therapies. Systematic searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, and conference proceedings from relevant annual symposia were hand-searched. Included studies were randomized controlled trials evaluating ≥1 first-line treatments including interferon beta-1a 30, 44, and 22 μg, interferon beta-1b, and glatiramer acetate in patients with RRMS. Studies were included based on a pre-specified protocol and extracted by a team of independent reviewers and information scientists, utilizing criteria from NICE and IQWiG. In line with ADVANCE findings, NMA results support that PEG-IFN every 2 weeks significantly reduced annualized relapse rate, and 3- and 6-month confirmed disability progression (CDP) versus placebo. There was numerical trend favoring PEG-IFN every 2 weeks versus other IFNs assessed for annualized relapse rate, and versus all other injectables for 3- and 6-month CDP (6-month CDP was significantly reduced versus IFN beta-1a 30 μg). The safety and tolerability profile of PEG-IFN beta-1a 125 μg every 2 weeks was consistent with that of other evaluated treatments. Study limitations for the NMA include variant definitions of relapse and other systematic differences across trials, assumptions that populations were sufficiently similar, and inability to perform NMA of adverse events. With similar efficacy compared to other RRMS treatments in terms of annualized relapse rate and 3- and 6-month CDP, a promising safety profile, and up to 93% reduction in number of injections (which may improve adherence), PEG-IFN every 2 weeks offers a valuable alternative treatment option for patients with RRMS.     

A reversible aptamer improves outcome and safety in murine models of stroke and hemorrhage

Treatment of acute ischemic stroke with intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator is underutilized partly due to the risk of life-threatening hemorrhage. In response to the clinical need for safer stroke therapy, we explored using an aptamer-based therapeutic strategy to promote cerebral reperfusion in a murine model of ischemic stroke. Aptamers are nucleic acid ligands that bind to their targets with high affinity and specificity, and can be rapidly reversed with an antidote. Here we show that a Factor IXa aptamer administered intravenously after 60 minutes of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion improved neurological function and was associated with reduced thrombin generation and decreased inflammation. Moreover, when the aptamer was administered in the setting of intracranial hemorrhage, treatment with its specific antidote reduced hematoma volume and improved survival. The ability to rapidly reverse a pharmacologic agent that improves neurological function after ischemic stroke should intracranial hemorrhage arise indicates that aptamer-antidote pairs may represent a novel, safer approach to treatment of stroke.     

尼莫地平对动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血脑血管痉挛的临床疗效研究

目的:观察尼莫地平对动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血脑血管痉挛的临床疗效及安全性,为临床治疗提供依据。方法:对我院2010年2月~2013年2月期间收治的92例动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血患者进行随机分为观察组和对照组,每组46例。两组患者入院后均进行常规治疗,绝对卧床休息、镇静、给予氨甲环酸止血、脱水降颅压、防治感染及对症治疗。观察组在上述治疗基础上给予尼莫地平(德国拜尔公司)持续微泵静脉注射20 mg·d-1,连用14 d,后改为口服尼莫地平片40 mg,qid,至第21天,根据监测血压调整剂量。观察两组患者1个月内脑血管发病情况、CT评价情况,并进行对比分析。结果:两组患者治疗后,观察组有效率91.3%;对照组有效率73.91%。两组比较差异明显,观察组疗效明显优于对照组,具有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组患者在治疗期间,观察组发生脑血管痉挛4例,占8.7%;对照组发生脑血管痉挛26例,占56.52%,两组比较差异明显,具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:尼莫地平能够显著降低动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血脑血管痉挛的发生率,对脑血管再出血具有积极防治作用,建议推广应用。     

Comparing the efficacy of pain managements after total hip arthroplasty: A network meta-analysis

The aim of our current study is to compare efficiency of various interventions implemented for pain management after total hip arthroplasty (THA). PubMed and EMBASE were searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) reporting the pain scales for evaluate the efficacy of pain control after THA including at least one pair of direct control groups. Pain scale values and the associated 95% credible interval (CrI) were used to describe efficacy. Surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) of each means of pain control was calculated to compare the relative ranking of different interventions. Thirty-five eligible literatures were involved in data analysis. The interventions for postoperative pain management we examined were psoas compartment block (PCB), posterior nerve block (PNB), fascia iliaca block (FIB), periarticular injection (PAI), femoral nerve block (FNB), lumbar plexus block (LPB), spinal anesthesia (SA), epidural analgesia (EPI), intrathecal morphine (IA), intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA), patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), onsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), local infiltration analgaesia (LIA), and reverse LIA (rLIA). In 0 to 6 hours analysis, patients under SA were found to have significantly lower pain score and SA was ranked the best. In 6 to 12 hours analysis, SA was found to be significantly more effective than other interventions and its SUCRA was the highest. No intervention showed a significant effect on reducing pain score for 12 to 24 hours and 24 to 48 hours after THA. SA is the best intervention to reduce THA postoperative pain in the first 24 hours. LPB is a better choice to reduce pain 12 to 48 hours after THA.     

New Oral Anticoagulants Are Not Superior to Warfarin in Secondary Prevention of Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attacks,but Lower the Risk of Intracranial Bleeding: Insights from a Meta-Analysis and Indirect Treatment Comparisons

Purpose

Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and prior stroke are classified as high risk in all risk stratification schemes. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to compare the efficacy and safety of New Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs) to warfarin in patients with AF and previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Methods

Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs), including total 14527 patients, comparing NOACs (apixaban, dabigatran and rivaroxaban) with warfarin were included in the analysis. Primary efficacy endpoint was ischemic stroke, and primary safety endpoint was intracranial bleeding. Random-effects models were used to pool efficacy and safety data across RCTs. RevMan and Stata software were used for direct and indirect comparisons, respectively.

Results

In patients with AF and previous stroke or TIA, effects of NOACs were not statistically different from that of warfarin, in reduction of stroke (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73- 1.01), disabling and fatal stroke (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.71-1.04), and all-cause mortality (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.79 -1.02). Randomization to NOACs was associated with a significantly lower risk of intracranial bleeding (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.25-0.70). There were no major differences in efficacy between apixaban, dabigatran (110 mg BID and 150 mg BID) and rivaroxaban. Major bleeding was significantly lower with apixaban and dabigatran (110 mg BID) compared with dabigatran (150 mg BID) and rivaroxaban.

Conclusion

NOACs may not be more effective than warfarin in the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke in patients with a prior history of cerebrovascular ischemia, but have a lower risk of intracranial bleeding.     

Acute Endovascular Reperfusion Therapy in Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke have had inconsistent results. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of endovascular therapy in published RCTs.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of RCTs of endovascular therapy with thrombolytic or mechanical reperfusion compared with interventions without endovascular therapy. Primary outcome was the frequency of good functional outcome (modified Rankin scale (mRS) of 0-2 at 90 days) and secondary outcomes were mortality at 90 days and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Random-effects meta-analysis was performed and the Cochrane risk of bias assessment was used to evaluate quality of evidence.

Results

Ten studies involving 1,612 subjects were included. Endovascular therapy was not significantly associated with good functional outcome (Relative Risk [RR] =1.17; 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.42; p=0.10 and Absolute Risk Difference [ARD] =7%; 95%CI -0.1% to 14%; p=0.05); heterogeneity was moderate among studies (I²=30%). Mortality was unchanged with endovascular therapy (RR=0.92; 95 % CI, 0.75 to 1.13; p=0.45) and there was no difference in sICH (RR=1.20; 95 % CI, 0.79 to 1.82; p=0.39). The quality of evidence was low for all outcomes and the recommendation is weak for the use of endovascular therapy as per GRADE methodology.

Conclusions

Intra-arterial therapy did not show significant increase in good outcomes and no changes in either mortality or sICH in patients with acute ischemic stroke. We need further RCTs with better design and quality to evaluate the true efficacy of endovascular therapy.     

Thrombolysis and acute cerebral infarction

Thrombolytic therapy are the most important advance in the management of acute ischemic stroke and has been evaluated in several randomised trials. Thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-Pa) is effective within 3 h of onset of ischemic stroke and this efficacy is similar between different stroke subtypes. New trials will determine if extension of this time-window can be substantiated. Therapy beyond the 3-hour window, with intra-arterial thrombolysis, appears to improve outcome but are applicable to selected group of patients. Thrombolytic drugs can also carry an important risk (5 % to 10 %) of brain hemorrhage and edema that can prove fatal. The risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage is directly proportional to stroke severity and inversely proportional to time to treatment. There is a growing interest in the use of MRI in acute ischemic stroke. It helps identify location of early cerebral ischemia and provides valuable information not only of the penumbra but also of vessel occlusion. Its use might help in selecting patients who will benefit most from treatment such as thrombolysis. In spite of these results, community use of thrombolytic therapy remains dismally low. Many physicians and medical centers are not presently equipped or willing to give thrombolytic drugs for stroke treatment. Increasing stroke awareness in the community, creating stroke unit and physicians education are necessary to extend the effective use of acute treatment in cerebral infarct to a larger group of patients.     

CEREBRAL COMPLICATIONS INCURRED DURING PREGNANCY AND THE PUERPERIUM

In a statistical study of maternal mortality cases in Franklin County, Ohio, with a total of 170 deaths in a ten-year period (1948-1957), there were 36 fatal cases with cerebral complications of various types. Intracranial hemorrhage was the cause of death in 17 cases; subarachnoid hemorrhage in eight; intracerebral hemorrhage in eight and subdural hemorrhage in one case. There were nine cases of intracranial tumor with fatality. In a miscellaneous group of ten “cerebral deaths” infectious processes were the cause in eight cases, including tuberculous meningitis, purulent meningitis, brain abscess, acute (cerebromedullary) poliomyelitis, “viral” encephalitis, toxoplasmosis and tetanus.In a smaller clinical (nonfatal) group with cerebral complications occurring during pregnancy and the puerperium, two patients with subarachnoid hemorrhages made spontaneous recovery. A diagnosis of intracerebral hemorrhage was made in three instances, in two of which operation was done and evacuation of blood clots was accomplished. One patient recovered spontaneously from a minimal hemorrhage.Five other persons had cerebral thrombosis, three in the third month of pregnancy and two in the immediate puerperium. All recovered, with some residual deficits.Three patients with intracranial tumor were successfully treated surgically but with disappointing results ultimately (one case each of cerebellar medulloblastoma, cerebral astrocytoma and supratentorial meningioma).Only when the obstetrician, neurologist and the neurosurgeon are fully aware of the signs, symptoms, and many times the rapid course of these cerebral complications of pregnancy, can there be any material lowering of the morbidity and mortality. Emphasis should be placed on the early investigation of all neurological complaints during pregnancy and the puerperium, with immediate institution of an aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic regimen.     

微创颅内血肿清除术治疗高血压脑出血的效果分析

目的:探讨微创颅内血肿清除术在高血压脑出血治疗中的应用效果。方法:选择我院收治的80例高血压脑出血患者(2014年12月至2015年12月),通过随机数字表将其分为实验组和对照组。在患者知情同意基础上,实验组患者(42例)采用微创颅内血肿清除术进行治疗,而对照组患者(38例)使用开颅血肿清除术进行治疗。观察并比较两组患者治疗前后颅内压、GCS评分(格拉斯哥昏迷评分)、神经功能,同时对两组患者治疗有效性以及安全性进行评价。结果:治疗前,两组患者颅内压、神经功能以及GCS评分无明显差异性(P0.05),而治疗后,实验组患者上述指标值明显优于对照组,且差异性明显(P0.05)。实验组患者总有效率明显高于对照组(P0.05),而不良反应发生率却低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:颅内血肿清除术治疗高血压脑出血不仅能有效降低颅内压,改善患者神经功能及其昏迷症状,并且安全性较高。     

Craniectomy for malignant cerebral infarction: prevalence and outcomes in US hospitals

Object

Randomized trials have demonstrated the efficacy of craniectomy for the treatment of malignant cerebral edema following ischemic stroke. We sought to determine the prevalence and outcomes related to this by using a national database.

Methods

Patient discharges with ischemic stroke as the primary diagnosis undergoing craniectomy were queried from the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1999 to 2008. A subpopulation of patients was identified that underwent thrombolysis. Two primary end points were examined: in-hospital mortality and discharge to home/routine care. To facilitate interpretations, adjusted prevalence was calculated from the overall prevalence and two age-specific logistic regression models. The predictive margin was then generated using a multivariate logistic regression model to estimate the probability of in-hospital mortality after adjustment for admission type, admission source, length of stay, total hospital charges, chronic comorbidities, and medical complications.

Results

After excluding 71,996 patients with the diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage and posterior intracranial circulation occlusion, we identified 4,248,955 adult hospitalizations with ischemic stroke as a primary diagnosis. The estimated rates of hospitalizations in craniectomy per 10,000 hospitalizations with ischemic stroke increased from 3.9 in 1999–2000 to 14.46 in 2007–2008 (p for linear trend<0.001). Patients 60+ years of age had in-hospital mortality of 44% while the 18–59 year old group was found to be 24%(p = 0.14). Outcomes were comparable if recombinant tissue plasminogen activator had been administered.

Conclusions

Craniectomy is being increasingly performed for malignant cerebral edema following large territory cerebral ischemia. We suspect that the increase in the annual incidence of DC for malignant cerebral edema is directly related to the expanding collection of evidence in randomized trials that the operation is efficacious when performed in the correct patient population. In hospital mortality is high for all patients undergoing this procedure.     

Risk of Ischemic Stroke after Intracranial Hemorrhage in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Background

We aimed to estimate the risk of ischemic stroke after intracranial hemorrhage in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Materials and Methods

Using discharge data from all nonfederal acute care hospitals and emergency departments in California, Florida, and New York from 2005 to 2012, we identified patients at the time of a first-recorded encounter with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. Ischemic stroke and intracranial hemorrhage were identified using validated diagnosis codes. Kaplan-Meier survival statistics and Cox proportional hazard analyses were used to evaluate cumulative rates of ischemic stroke and the relationship between incident intracranial hemorrhage and subsequent stroke.

Results

Among 2,084,735 patients with atrial fibrillation, 50,468 (2.4%) developed intracranial hemorrhage and 89,594 (4.3%) developed ischemic stroke during a mean follow-up period of 3.2 years. The 1-year cumulative rate of stroke was 8.1% (95% CI, 7.5–8.7%) after intracerebral hemorrhage, 3.9% (95% CI, 3.5–4.3%) after subdural hemorrhage, and 2.0% (95% CI, 2.0–2.1%) in those without intracranial hemorrhage. After adjustment for the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score, stroke risk was elevated after both intracerebral hemorrhage (hazard ratio [HR], 2.8; 95% CI, 2.6–2.9) and subdural hemorrhage (HR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.5–1.7). Cumulative 1-year rates of stroke ranged from 0.9% in those with subdural hemorrhage and a CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 0, to 33.3% in those with intracerebral hemorrhage and a CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 9.

Conclusions

In a large, heterogeneous cohort, patients with atrial fibrillation faced a substantially heightened risk of ischemic stroke after intracranial hemorrhage. The risk was most marked in those with intracerebral hemorrhage and high CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores.     

SPECT 对症状性颅内动脉狭窄支架成形术的疗效评价

目的:通过SPECT脑血流灌注显像,对症状性颅内动脉粥样硬化性狭窄行颅内支架成形术,进行血流动力学的疗效评价。方法:对42例症状性颅内动脉粥样硬化性狭窄(狭窄程度>50%)患者,术前通过SPECT,分为低灌注组和正常灌注组。术后3月复查SPECT,做出血流动力学的疗效评价。通过术前及术后1年mRS评分,比较两组的远期疗效。结果:低灌注组发病症状一般为缺血性卒中,正常灌注组一般为TIA(P<0.01)。低灌注组术后血流灌注较术前改善明显(P<0.01)。正常灌注组复发性TIA的发生率较低灌注组高(P<0.05)。低灌注组术前术后mRS评分有统计学差异(P<0.05)。结论:颅内支架成形术可以明确改善颅内低灌注区的血流灌注,对低灌注组术后缺血事件的预防效果好,并有改善神经功能作用。因此,存在颅内低灌注区的患者更具有颅内支架成形术的手术适应症。     

Digital Subtraction Angiography Imaging Characteristics of Patients with Extra–Intracranial Atherosclerosis and Its Relationship to Stroke

To investigate the angiographic characteristics and clinical features in patients with suspected extra–intracranial atherosclerosis in a large cohort of Chinese population. On the basis of digital subtraction angiography characteristics, pathological morphology of extra–intracranial atherosclerosis was divided into tortuosity, kinking, coiling, and stenosis in 2,218 individuals aged 45–89 years. The degree of stenosis was further divided into low-grade (<30 %), intermediate-grade (30–69 %), and high-grade stenosis (≥70 %). Clinical manifestations were divided into transient ischemic attack, cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage. The prevalence of tortuosity and stenosis were significantly higher in the extracranial arterial system than that of intracranial arterial system. The prevalence of tortuosity and kinking were significantly higher on the left side than the right side. The prevalence of mild and moderate stenosis in the internal carotid artery was significantly higher in the left side than the right side. The incidence of cerebral infarction was significantly higher in the internal carotid arterial (ICA) system than the vertebrobasilar arterial (VBA) system. Tortuosity is a common carotid abnormality in the Chinese population. The prevalence of ICA tortuosity is higher than that of VBA. The incidence of cerebral infarction in each atherosclerosis group was significantly higher in ICA than that of VBA. The prevalence of stroke is higher in the ICA system than the VBA system. Kinkings and coilings may not have a clinical significance if these lesions are not associated with atheromatous plaques or carotid stenosis.