Ischaemic stroke on anticoagulation therapy and early recurrence in acute cardioembolic stroke: the IAC study

Background and purposeA subset of ischaemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have ischaemic stroke despite anticoagulation. We sought to determine the association between prestroke anticoagulant therapy and recurrent ischaemic events and symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH).MethodsWe included consecutive patients with acute ischaemic stroke and AF from the Initiation of Anticoagulation after Cardioembolic stroke (IAC) study from eight comprehensive stroke centres in the USA. We compared recurrent ischaemic events and delayed sICH risk using adjusted Cox regression analyses between patients who were prescribed anticoagulation (ACp) versus patients who were naïve to anticoagulation therapy prior to the ischaemic stroke (anticoagulation naïve).ResultsAmong 2084 patients in IAC, 1518 had prior anticoagulation status recorded and were followed for 90 days. In adjusted Cox hazard models, ACp was associated with some evidence of a higher risk higher risk of 90-day recurrent ischaemic events only in the fully adjusted model (adjusted HR 1.50, 95% CI 0.99 to 2.28, p=0.058) but not increased risk of 90-day sICH (adjusted HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.46 to 2.51, p=0.862). In addition, switching anticoagulation class was not associated with reduced risk of recurrent ischaemic events (adjusted HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.12 to 1.33, p=0.136) nor sICH (adjusted HR 1.47, 95% CI 0.29 to 7.50, p=0.641).ConclusionAF patients with ischaemic stroke despite anticoagulation may have higher recurrent ischaemic event risk compared with anticoagulation-naïve patients. This suggests differing underlying pathomechanisms requiring different stroke prevention measures and identifying these mechanisms may improve secondary prevention strategies.

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Association between pulse pressure and ischaemic stroke in elderly patients with hypertension

Postgraduate Medical Journal ◽

10.1136/postgradmedj-2019-137357 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. postgradmedj-2019-137357

Author(s):

Jiayi Huang ◽

Lin Liu ◽

Yu-Qing Huang ◽

Kenneth Lo ◽

Yu-Ling Yu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischaemic Stroke ◽

Pulse Pressure ◽

Regression Models ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Antihypertensive Drugs ◽

Uncontrolled Blood Pressure ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Elderly Hypertensive ◽

Male Patients

BackgroundThe association between pulse pressure (PP) and the risk of first ischaemic stroke (IS) is inconsistent. Therefore, we evaluated the association between PP and the risk of first IS among elderly hypertensive population in China.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study. Patients with hypertension and aged ≥60 years were recruited. Multivariate Cox regression was performed to evaluate the association between PP and the risk of IS. We further stratified the regression models into subgroups and test for interaction to assess whether the associations were modified by other covariates.ResultsA total of 3315 patients with hypertension (44.49% male; mean age 71.41±7.20 years) were included, and 206 cases of IS occurred with a median follow-up of 5.5 years. The results showed that per SD mm Hg increment in PP was associated with a 17% (95% CI 1.05 to 1.40, p=0.0172) increased risk of IS. Moreover, the HR of IS for the highest quartile of PP was 1.46 (95% CI 1.18 to 1.73, p=0.0011, p for trend <0.001) comparing with the lowest quartile of PP. Subgroup analysis showed that population aged ≥70 years, male, patients with smoking or drinking habit, diabetes at baseline, being overweight, with uncontrolled blood pressure or did not take antihypertensive drugs have a higher risk for IS.ConclusionsWe found that PP was significantly associated with IS and was an independent risk factor for IS.

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Prognostic significance of patent foramen ovale in anticoagulated patients with atrial fibrillation

Open Heart ◽

10.1136/openhrt-2019-001229 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. e001229

Author(s):

Rowlens M Melduni ◽

Waldemar E Wysokinski ◽

Zhenzhen Wang ◽

Bernard J Gersh ◽

Samuel J Asirvatham ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Ischaemic Stroke ◽

Patent Foramen Ovale ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Prognostic Significance ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Contrast Study ◽

Foramen Ovale ◽

Obstructive Sleep ◽

Increased Risk

ObjectivePrevious studies have postulated a causal role of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in the aetiology of embolic stroke in the general population. We hypothesised that the presence of concomitant PFO and atrial fibrillation (AF) will add incremental risk of ischaemic stroke to that linked to AF alone.MethodsWe analysed data on 3069 consecutive patients (mean age 69.4±12.2 years; 67.1% men) undergoing transoesophageal echocardiography-guided electrical cardioversion (ECV) for AF between May 2000 and March 2012. PFO was identified by colour Doppler and agitated saline contrast study. All patients were followed up after ECV for first documentation of ischaemic stroke. Outcomes were compared using Cox regression models.ResultsThe prevalence of PFO was 20.0% and the shunt direction was left-to-right in the majority of patients (71.4%). Patients with PFO had a higher frequency of obstructive sleep apnoea (21.7% vs 17.1%, p=0.01) and higher mean peak left atrial appendage emptying velocity (38.3±21.8 vs 36.1±20.4 cm/s; p=0.04) compared with those without PFO. Otherwise, baseline characteristics were similar between groups. During a mean follow-up period of 7.3±4.6 years, 214 patients (7.0%) had ischaemic stroke. Multivariable analysis showed no significant association between PFO and ischaemic stroke (HR, 0.82 (95% CI 0.57 to 1.18)). PFO shunt direction was strongly associated with stroke: HR, 1.91 (95% CI 1.16 to 3.16) for right-to-left shunt and HR, 0.58 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.93) for left-to-right shunt.ConclusionsThe presence of concurrent PFO in this largely anticoagulated group of patients with AF was not associated with increased risk of ischaemic stroke.

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Timing of anticoagulation therapy in patients with acute ischaemic stroke and atrial fibrillation

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1160/th16-03-0217 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 116 (09) ◽

pp. 410-416 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Maurizio Paciaroni ◽

Giancarlo Agnelli ◽

Walter Ageno ◽

Valeria Caso

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Ischaemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischaemic Stroke ◽

Substantial Reduction ◽

Anticoagulation Therapy ◽

Early Recurrence ◽

Optimal Time ◽

Optimal Timing ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Haemorrhagic Transformation

SummaryIn patients with acute stroke and atrial fibrillation (AF), the risk of early recurrence has been reported to range between 0.1% and 1.3% per day. Anticoagulants are the most effective therapy for the prevention of recurrent ischaemic stroke in these patients, but randomised clinical trials have failed to produce any evidence supporting the administration of heparin within 48 hours from stroke onset as it has been associated with a non-significant reduction in the recurrence of ischaemic stroke, no substantial reduction in death and disability, and an increase in intracranial bleeding. As early haemorrhagic transformation is a major concern in the acute phase of stroke patients with AF, determining the optimal time to start anticoagulant therapy is essential. This review which focuses on the epidemiology of recurrent ischaemic stroke and haemorrhagic transformation in patients with acute ischaemic stroke and AF, proposes a model for decision making on optimal timing for initiating anticoagulation, based on currently available evidence.

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Cardiovascular and all-cause mortality attributable to loneliness in older Swedish men and women.

10.21203/rs.2.22585/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Masuma Novak ◽

Margda waern ◽

Lena Johansson ◽

Anna Zettergren ◽

Lina Ryden ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Mortality ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Mortality Data ◽

Men And Women ◽

Face To Face ◽

Risk Of Mortality ◽

Increased Risk ◽

All Cause Mortality ◽

Adjusted Model

Abstract Background. This study examined whether loneliness predicts cardiovascular- and all-cause mortality in older men and women. Methods. Baseline data from the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies, collected during 2000 on 70-year-olds born 1930 and living in Gothenburg were used for analysis (n=524). Mortality data were analyzed until 2012 through Swedish national registers. Results. Perceived loneliness was reported by 17.1% of the men and 30.9% of the women in a face-to-face interview with mental health professional. A total of 142 participants died during the 12-year follow-up period, with 5 334 person-years at risk, corresponding to 26.6 deaths/1000 person-years. Cardiovascular disease accounted for 59.2% of all deaths. The cumulative rates/1000 person-years for cardiovascular mortality were 20.8 (men) and 11.5 (women), and for all-cause mortality 33.8 (men) and 20.5 (women), respectively. In Cox regression models, no significant increased risk of mortality was seen for men with loneliness compared to men without loneliness (cardiovascular mortality HR 1.52, 95% CI 0.78 - 2.96; all-cause HR 1.32, 95% CI 0.77 - 2.28). Increased risk of cardiovascular mortality was observed in women with loneliness compared to those without (HR 2.25 95% CI 1.14 - 4.45), and the risk remained significant in a multivariable-adjusted model (HR 2.42 95% CI 1.04 - 5.65). Conclusions. Loneliness was shown to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality in women. We found no evidence to indicate that loneliness was associated with an increased risk of either cardiovascular- or all-cause mortality in men.

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The Impact of Ischaemic Stroke Subtype on 30-day Hospital Readmissions

Stroke Research and Treatment ◽

10.1155/2018/7195369 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Anna Therese Bjerkreim ◽

Andrej Netland Khanevski ◽

Henriette Aurora Selvik ◽

Ulrike Waje-Andreassen ◽

Lars Thomassen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischaemic Stroke ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Recurrent Stroke ◽

Hospital Readmissions ◽

Large Artery ◽

Stroke Subtype ◽

Increased Risk ◽

One Year ◽

The Impact

Background. Stroke aetiology may affect the risk and causes of readmission after ischaemic stroke (IS) and transient ischaemic attack (TIA) due to differences in risk factors, functional outcome, and treatment. We aimed to examine frequencies, causes, and risk of 30-day readmission by stroke subtype, determine predictors of 30-day readmission, and study the impact of 30-day readmissions on one-year mortality. Methods. All surviving patients admitted with IS or TIA from July 2007 to December 2013 were followed by review of medical records for all unplanned readmissions within 30 days after discharge. Stroke subtype was classified as large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA), cardioembolism (CE), small vessel occlusion (SVO), stroke of other determined aetiology (SOE), or stroke of undetermined aetiology (SUE). Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the risk of 30-day readmission for the stroke subtypes and identify predictors of 30-day readmission, and its impact on one-year mortality. Results. Of 1874 patients, 200 (10.7%) were readmitted within 30 days [LAA 42/244 (17.2%), CE 75/605 (12.4%), SVO 12/205 (5.9%), SOE 6/32 (18.8%), SUE 65/788 (8.3%)]. The most frequent causes of readmissions were stroke-related event, infection, recurrent stroke/ TIA, and cardiac disease. After adjusting for age, sex, functional outcome, length of stay, and the risk factor burden, patients with LAA and SOE subtype had significantly higher risks of readmission for any cause, recurrent stroke or TIA, and stroke-related events. Predictors of 30-day readmission were higher age, peripheral arterial disease, enteral feeding, and LAA subtype. Thirty-day readmission was an independent predictor of one-year mortality. Conclusions. Patients with LAA or SOE have a high risk of 30-day readmission, possibly caused by an increased risk of recurrent stroke and stroke-related events. Awareness of the risk of readmission for different causes and appropriate handling according to stroke subtype may be useful for preventing some readmissions after stroke.

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Cardiovascular and all-cause mortality attributable to loneliness in older Swedish men and women

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-020-01603-x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Masuma Novak ◽

Margda Waern ◽

Lena Johansson ◽

Anna Zettergren ◽

Lina Ryden ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Mortality ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Mortality Data ◽

Men And Women ◽

Face To Face ◽

Risk Of Mortality ◽

Increased Risk ◽

All Cause Mortality ◽

Adjusted Model

Abstract Background This study examined whether loneliness predicts cardiovascular- and all-cause mortality in older men and women. Methods Baseline data from the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies, collected during 2000 on 70-year-olds born 1930 and living in Gothenburg were used for analysis (n = 524). Mortality data were analyzed until 2012 through Swedish national registers. Results Perceived loneliness was reported by 17.1% of the men and 30.9% of the women in a face-to-face interview with mental health professional. A total of 142 participants died during the 12-year follow-up period, with 5334 person-years at risk, corresponding to 26.6 deaths/1000 person-years. Cardiovascular disease accounted for 59.2% of all deaths. The cumulative rates/1000 person-years for cardiovascular mortality were 20.8 (men) and 11.5 (women), and for all-cause mortality 33.8 (men) and 20.5 (women), respectively. In Cox regression models, no significant increased risk of mortality was seen for men with loneliness compared to men without loneliness (cardiovascular mortality HR 1.52, 95% CI 0.78–2.96; all-cause HR 1.32, 95% CI 0.77–2.28). Increased risk of cardiovascular mortality was observed in women with loneliness compared to those without (HR 2.25 95% CI 1.14–4.45), and the risk remained significant in a multivariable-adjusted model (HR 2.42 95% CI 1.04–5.65). Conclusions Loneliness was shown to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality in women. We found no evidence to indicate that loneliness was associated with an increased risk of either cardiovascular- or all-cause mortality in men.

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Low testosterone levels are predictive for incident atrial fibrillation and ischaemic stroke in men, but protective in women – results from the FINRISK study

European Journal of Preventive Cardiology ◽

10.1177/2047487318778346 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 25 (11) ◽

pp. 1133-1139 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Tanja Zeller ◽

Renate B Schnabel ◽

Sebastian Appelbaum ◽

Francisco Ojeda ◽

Filip Berisha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Ischaemic Stroke ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Hazard Ratio ◽

Total Testosterone ◽

Testosterone Levels ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Low Testosterone

Background Atrial fibrillation is the most common serious abnormal heart rhythm, and a frequent cause of ischaemic stroke. Recent experimental studies, mainly in orchiectomised rats, report a relationship between sex hormones and atrial electrophysiology and electroanatomy. We aimed to evaluate whether low testosterone levels are predictive for atrial fibrillation and/or ischaemic stroke in men and women. Design and methods The serum total testosterone levels were measured at baseline in a population cohort of 7892 subjects (3876 male, 4016 female), aged 25–74 years, using a commercially available immunoassay. The main outcome measure was atrial fibrillation or ischaemic stroke, whichever came first. Results During a median follow-up of 13.8 years, a total of 629 subjects (8.0%) suffered from incident atrial fibrillation ( n = 426) and/or ischemic stroke ( n = 276). Cox regression analyses, adjusted for age (used as time-scale), geographical region, total cholesterol (log), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (log), hypertension medication, known diabetes, smoking status, waist-hip-ratio, and time of blood drawn, documented differential predictive value of low sex-specific testosterone levels for atrial fibrillation and/or ischaemic stroke, in men and in women: Increasing levels were associated with lower risk in men (hazard ratio per one nmol/l increase 0.98 (95% confidence interval 0.93–1.00); p = 0.049). On the other hand, increasing testosterone levels were associated with higher risk in women (hazard ratio per one nmol/l increase 1.17 (95% confidence interval 1.02–1.36); p = 0.031). Conclusion Our study indicates that low testosterone levels are associated with increased risk of future atrial fibrillation and/or ischaemic stroke in men, while they are protective in women.

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Masticatory Capacity and Mortality: The Preventive and Clinical Investigation Center (IPC) Cohort Study

Journal of Dental Research ◽

10.1177/0022034519889021 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 99 (2) ◽

pp. 152-158 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

C. Darnaud ◽

F. Thomas ◽

N. Danchin ◽

P. Boutouyrie ◽

P. Bouchard

Keyword(s):

Cancer Mortality ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Clinical Investigation ◽

Missing Teeth ◽

Masticatory Efficiency ◽

Hazard Ratios ◽

Increased Risk ◽

All Cause Mortality ◽

Adjusted Model

Poor oral health (OH) has been associated with mortality, but the association between OH components and mortality remains imprecise. The present observational study aimed to investigate if there is an association between oral masticatory efficiency and cardiovascular (CV) mortality in a large French subject cohort. The study was based on a cohort of 85,830 subjects aged between 16 and 94 y at recruitment. The follow-up extended from 2001 to 2014 and the mean follow-up was 8.06 ± 2.73 y. The number of deaths totaled 1,670. Full-mouth examinations were performed. Dental plaque, dental calculus, gingival inflammation, missing teeth, and masticatory units were recorded. Masticatory units represent the number of natural or prosthetic opposing premolars and molar pairs and can be considered an accurate indicator for masticatory efficiency. Causes of death were ascertained from death certificates. Cox regression analyses were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs). In the fully adjusted model, the number of masticatory units <5 is associated with an HR of 1.72 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.54 to 1.91) for all-cause mortality, HR of 1.41 (95% CI, 1.01 to 1.99) for CV mortality, HR of 1.76 (95% CI, 1.44 to 2.15) for cancer mortality, and HR of 1.85 (95% CI, 1.55 to 2.20) for non-CV and noncancer mortality. Significant statistical associations with the other oral variables were also found for all-cause mortality, cancer mortality, and non-CV and noncancer mortality in the adjusted models. Our study indicates that after full adjustment, all oral parameters are associated with all-cause, cancer, and non-CV and noncancer mortality. However, the low number of masticatory units is associated with an increased risk of CV mortality. We highlight the association of masticatory units and CV mortality.

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Relationship between diastolic blood pressure and the first ischaemic stroke in elderly patients with hypertension

Postgraduate Medical Journal ◽

10.1136/postgradmedj-2019-137018 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 96 (1139) ◽

pp. 525-529

Author(s):

Chao-Lei Chen ◽

Jia-Yi Huang ◽

Lin Liu ◽

Yu-Ling Yu ◽

Geng Shen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Elderly Patients ◽

Ischaemic Stroke ◽

Diastolic Blood Pressure ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Interaction Analysis ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Elder Patients ◽

Adjusted Model

BackgroundIt is uncertain how diastolic blood pressure (DBP) may associate with ischaemic stroke in elder patients with hypertension. We aimed to explore this relationship in a Chinese community.MethodsA total of 3315 participants aged ≥60 years with essential hypertension were enrolled between January 2010 and December 2011, and being followed up until 31 December 2016. DBP levels were categorised into five groups (<60, 60–70, 70–80, 80–90 and ≥90 mm Hg), using 70–80 mm Hg as referent. We performed Cox regression analysis and subgroup analyses to evaluate the relationship between DBP and the incidence of ischaemic stroke.ResultsAmong the 3315 participants, 44.49% were men and they were 71.4 years old on average. During a median follow-up period of 5.5 years, there were 206 onset cases of ischaemic stroke. The HRs for the first ischaemic stroke in the fully adjusted model were 1.32 (95% CI 0.73 to 2.40) for DBP <70 mm Hg, 1.50 (95% CI 1.13 to 2.73) for DBP between 80 and 89.9 mm Hg and 2.31 (95% CI 1.14 to 4.68) for DBP ≥90 mm Hg compared with DBP between 70 and 79.9 mm Hg (p=0.020 for trend). Subgroup and interaction analysis showed no significant findings.ConclusionsDBP had a non-linear association with the risk of ischaemic stroke among Chinese elderly patients with hypertension. DBP between 70 and 80 mm Hg may be an appropriate indicator for a lower stroke risk.

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Incident gonorrhoea and chlamydia among a prospective cohort of men who have sex with men in Kisumu, Kenya

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

10.1136/sextrans-2019-054166 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 96 (7) ◽

pp. 521-527 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Fredrick Otieno ◽

George Ng'ety ◽

Duncan Okall ◽

Carolyne Aketch ◽

Eve Obondi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cox Regression ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Repeated Testing ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Increased Risk ◽

High Incidence ◽

Hiv Testing And Counselling ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Adjusted Model

ObjectiveSTIs disproportionately affect men who have sex with men (MSM) in sub-Saharan Africa. We identified factors associated with incident Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infections among MSM in the Anza Mapema cohort study in Kisumu, Kenya.MethodsWe enrolled 711 MSM who underwent HIV testing and counselling, medical history and examination, and collection of demographic and behavioural information. They also provided urine and rectal swab specimens for CT and NG testing by qualitative PCR at baseline and at months 6 and 12. Separate multivariable Cox regression models identified factors associated with first incident urethral or rectal infection.ResultsAmong the 619 men aged 18–54 years included in this analysis, there were 83 first incident urethral CT/NG infections (14.4 cases per 100 person-years (PY)) and 40 first incident rectal infections (6.84 cases per 100 PY), and an overall incidence of 18.0 cases per 100 PY (95% CI 14.8 to 21.8). Most urethral (84%) and rectal (81%) infections were asymptomatic. In the adjusted model, the risk of first incident urethral CT/NG decreased by 4% for each 1-year increase in age and was 41% lower for men who reported their partner used condom at last sexual encounter. Men who were HIV-positive had a 68% less risk of urogenital CT/NG compared with those who were negative. Men who reported being usually receptive or versatile as compared with usually insertive had an 81% increased risk of incident urogenital CT/NG.ConclusionOur study demonstrated a high incidence of urethral CT/NG infection, with somewhat lower incidence of rectal CT/NG infection, despite repeated testing and treatment, highlighting the need for preventive interventions to decrease the burden of CT/NG among Kenyan MSM. Most infections were asymptomatic, and routine aetiological screening for STIs is recommended.

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