Acute Carotid Artery Stenting Versus Balloon Angioplasty for Tandem Occlusions: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Background Despite thrombectomy having become the standard of care for large‐vessel occlusion strokes, acute endovascular management in tandem occlusions, especially of the cervical internal carotid artery lesion, remains uncertain. We aimed to compare efficacy and safety of acute carotid artery stenting to balloon angioplasty alone on treating the cervical lesion in tandem occlusions. Similarly, we aimed to explore those outcomes’ associations with technique approaches and use of thrombolysis. Methods and Results We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to compare functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale), reperfusion, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and 3‐month mortality. We explored the association of first approach (anterograde/retrograde) and use of thrombolysis with those outcomes as well. Two independent reviewers performed the screening, data extraction, and quality assessment. A random‐effects model was used for analysis. Thirty‐four studies were included in our systematic review and 9 in the meta‐analysis. Acute carotid artery stenting was associated with higher odds of modified Rankin Scale score ≤2 (odds ratio [OR], 1.95 [95% CI, 1.24–3.05]) and successful reperfusion (OR, 1.89 [95% CI, 1.26–2.83]), with no differences in mortality or symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rates. Moreover, a retrograde approach was significantly associated with modified Rankin Scale score ≤2 (OR, 1.72 [95% CI, 1.05–2.83]), and no differences were found on thrombolysis status. Conclusions Carotid artery stenting and a retrograde approach had higher odds of successful reperfusion and good functional outcomes at 3 months than balloon angioplasty and an anterograde approach, respectively, in patients with tandem occlusions. A randomized controlled trial comparing these techniques with structured antithrombotic regimens and safety outcomes will offer definitive guidance in the optimal management of this complex disease.

Sex-Related Differences in Outcomes After Endovascular Treatment of Patients With Late-Window Stroke

Background and Purpose: Sex-related differences exist in many aspects of acute stroke and were mainly investigated in the early time window with conflicting results. However, data regarding sex disparities in late presenters are scarce. Therefore, we sought to investigate differences in outcomes between women and men treated with endovascular treatment in the late time window. Methods: Analyses were based on the SOLSTICE Consortium (Selection of Late-Window Stroke for Thrombectomy by Imaging Collateral Extent), which was an individual-patient level analysis of seven trials and registries. Baseline characteristics, 90-day functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score ≤2), mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were compared between women and men. Effect of sex on the association of age and successful reperfusion (final Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b–3) with outcomes was assessed using multivariable logistic regression adjusted for age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, time from onset to puncture, occlusion location, intravenous thrombolysis, and successful reperfusion, with interaction terms. Results: Among 608 patients treated with endovascular treatment, 50.5% were women. Women were older than men (median age of 72 versus 68 years, P =0.02) and had a lower prevalence of tandem occlusions (14.0% versus 22.9%, P =0.005). Workflow times were similar between sexes. Adjusted outcomes did not differ between women and men. Functional independence at 90 days was achieved by 127 out of 292 women (43.5%) and 135 out of 291 men (46.4%). Mortality at 90 days (54 [18.5%] versus 48 [16.5%]) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (37 [13.3%] versus 33 [11.6%]) were similar between women and men. There was no sex-by-age interaction on functional outcomes. However, men had higher likelihood of mortality ( P interaction =0.003) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage ( P interaction =0.017) with advancing age. Sex did not influence the relation between successful reperfusion and outcomes. Conclusions: In this multicenter analysis of late patients treated with endovascular treatment, sex was not associated with functional outcome. However, sex influenced the association between age and safety outcomes, with men experiencing worse outcomes with advancing age.

A versatile method for dorsal-approach plantar plate repair using standard operative instruments

Background The plantar plate is an important static stabilizer of the lesser metatarsophalangeal joints, and disruptions of the plantar plate can lead to significant instability and lesser toe deformities. In recent years, direct plantar plate repair has been proposed. Although direct repair via a dorsal approach is attractive, a torn plantar plate is small and difficult to access using regular instruments in a restricted operative field. Methods In this report, a unique method for plantar plate repairs was used to repair various configurations of plantar plate tears with standard operative instruments that are available in most operating rooms. Results Using this method, 10 patients underwent plantar plate repairs, and the mean follow-up period was 24 (range, 14–38) months. The mean visual analog scale score for pain preoperatively was 4.1 (range, 0–6) and decreased to 0.6 (range, 0–3) at last follow-up. Postoperatively, the mean visual analog scale score for satisfaction was 9.6 (range, 8–10) and the mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society forefoot score was 88.8 (range, 75–100). Conclusions Our study proposes an inexpensive and versatile method for plantar plate repair via a dorsal approach that uses standard operative instruments. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04949685. July 2, 2021 - Retrospectively registered, Level of clinical evidence 4

Flow augmentation STA-MCA bypass evaluation for patients with acute stroke and unilateral large vessel occlusion: a proposal for an urgent bypass flowchart

OBJECTIVE Endovascular recanalization trials have shown a positive impact on the preservation of ischemic penumbra in patients with acute large vessel occlusion (LVO). The concept of penumbra salvation can be extended to surgical revascularization with bypass in highly selected patients. For selecting these patients, the authors propose a flowchart based on multimodal MRI. METHODS All patients with acute stroke and persisting internal carotid artery (ICA) or M1 occlusion after intravenous lysis or mechanical thrombectomy undergo advanced neuroimaging in a time window of 72 hours after stroke onset including perfusion MRI, blood oxygenation level–dependent functional MRI to evaluate cerebrovascular reactivity (BOLD-CVR), and noninvasive optimal vessel analysis (NOVA) quantitative MRA to assess collateral circulation. RESULTS Symptomatic patients exhibiting persistent hemodynamic impairment and insufficient collateral circulation could benefit from bypass surgery. According to the flowchart, a bypass is considered for patients 1) with low or moderate neurological impairment (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 1–15, modified Rankin Scale score ≤ 3), 2) without large or malignant stroke, 3) without intracranial hemorrhage, 4) with MR perfusion/diffusion mismatch > 120%, 5) with paradoxical BOLD-CVR in the occluded vascular territory, and 6) with insufficient collateral circulation. CONCLUSIONS The proposed flowchart is based on the patient’s clinical condition and multimodal MR neuroimaging and aims to select patients with acute stroke due to LVO and persistent inadequate collateral flow, who could benefit from urgent bypass.

Risk Factors for Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injury in Adult Critical Care Patients

Background Accurately measuring the risk of pressure injury remains the most important step for effective prevention and intervention. Relative contributions of risk factors for the incidence of pressure injury in adult critical care patients are not well understood. Objective To develop and validate a model to identify risk factors associated with hospital-acquired pressure injuries among adult critical care patients. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 23 806 adult patients (28 480 encounters) with an intensive care unit stay at an academic quaternary care center. Patient encounters were randomly split (7:3) into training and validation sets. The training set was used to develop a multivariable logistic regression model using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method. The model’s performance was evaluated with the validation set. Results Independent risk factors identified by logistic regression were length of hospital stay, preexisting diabetes, preexisting renal failure, maximum arterial carbon dioxide pressure, minimum arterial oxygen pressure, hypotension, gastrointestinal bleeding, cellulitis, and minimum Braden Scale score of 14 or less. On validation, the model differentiated between patients with and without pressure injury, with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.85, and performed better than a model with Braden Scale score alone (P < .001). Conclusions A model that identified risk factors for hospital-acquired pressure injury among adult critical care patients was developed and validated using a large data set of clinical variables. This model may aid in selecting high-risk patients for focused interventions to prevent formation of hospital-acquired pressure injuries.

Mechanical Thrombectomy Beyond 2b Reperfusion: Should We Pursue a Higher Reperfusion Grade after Achievement of 2b?

Background Extended thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (eTICI) 2c/3 reperfusion after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is associated with better stroke outcomes than eTICI 2b. Whether additional MT attempt after achieving eTICI 2b (beyond 2b attempt) leads to better outcomes is unknown. Methods Consecutive patients with acute anterior circulation stroke who achieved eTICI 2b during MT were divided into 2 groups: those who further tried MT (beyond‐2b group) and those without (nonbeyond‐2b group). The patients who directly achieved eTICI 2c/3 without experiencing 2b (direct‐2c/3 group) were also studied. The outcomes included the reperfusion status, favorable outcome (3‐month modified Rankin scale score of 0–2), neurological improvement (a ≥10‐point decrease of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score from baseline or the score of 0) at 24 hours and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Results Of 308 patients, 50 were in the beyond‐2b group, 87 in the nonbeyond‐2b group, and the remaining 171 in the direct‐2c/3 group. Perfusion of middle cerebral artery branches supplying the primary motor cortex was worse in the beyond‐2b than the nonbeyond‐2b group at the time of eTICI 2b ( P =0.007). Favorable outcome was similarly common (48% for each, P =0.40). Neurological improvement was more frequent (52% versus 37%; P =0.04) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage tended to be more common (6% versus 1%, P =0.11) in the beyond‐2b than the nonbeyond‐2b group. Eighteen patients (36%) in the beyond‐2b group finally achieved eTICI 2c/3; 10 of these (56%) and 14 of the remaining 32 (44%) had favorable outcome ( P =0.83). The former rate was similar to that in the direct‐2c/3 group (58%; P =0.99). Conclusions Patients undergoing additional MT attempt after achieving eTICI 2b had numerically but not significantly more symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and showed a similar level of functional outcome at 3 months than those who did not. When eTICI 2c/3 was finally achieved by additional attempts, functional outcome was similar with that of patients who directly achieved eTICI 2c/3 without experiencing 2b. Clinical Trial Registration Information URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02251665.

The Relationship Between Death Anxiety and Religious Coping Styles in Patients Diagnosed With COVID-19: A Sample in the East of Turkey

This study was conducted to find out the relationship between death anxiety and religious coping styles in patients diagnosed with COVID-19. This cross-sectional and relational study was carried out with snowball sampling technique between May 15 and June 15, 2021. It was found that the participants had a mean Death Anxiety Scale total score of 10.42 [Formula: see text], they had a mean positive religious coping sub-scale score of [Formula: see text] and a mean negative religious coping sub-scale score of 12.82 [Formula: see text]. Statistically significant positive association was found between Death Anxiety Scale and Religious Coping Questionnaire’s both positive and negative coping sub-scale scores ( p < .05). It was found that patients diagnosed with COVID-19 had high level of death anxiety and positive religious coping styles. It was also found that death anxiety levels increased in the patients as their use of positive and negative coping increased.

Efficacy of Sertraline Combined with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescent Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective. The efficacy of antidepressant drugs combined with psychotherapy is controversial; hence, this meta-analysis was conducted to assess the efficacy of the combination therapy. Methods. Relevant literature was searched in PubMed, Web of Science and Embase, Chinese databases CNKI, and WanFang Data. We included the literature on the comparison of the sertraline combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and each treatment alone for adolescent depression published in 2000-2021. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata16.0 software. Results. A total of 421 relevant articles were retrieved, and 14 studies were finally included. In comparison with the control group (sertraline), sertraline combined with CBT achieved higher response rate ( OR = 5.07 , 95% CI: 3.00, 8.58) and lower incidence of adverse reactions ( OR = 0.43 , 95% CI: 0.24, 0.75). Before treatment, there were no significant differences in depression score, anxiety score, and symptom self-rating scale score between the two groups. After treatment, depression score ( SMD = − 2.79 , 95% CI: -3.64, -1.94), anxiety score ( SMD = − 1.22 , 95% CI: -1.96, -0.47), and symptom self-rating scale score ( SMD = − 1.73 , 95% CI: -3.19, -0.27) were significantly lower in the combined treatment group than in the control group. Conclusion. Although the number of comparative trials is small, this study shows that sertraline is effective for adolescent depression, but sertraline combined with CBT is more effective. The latter can significantly reduce the incidence of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and adverse reactions in patients. Therefore, this combination therapy is recommended for the clinical treatment of adolescent depression.