BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

A growing body of evidence supports that inflammatory mechanisms are involved in secondary brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) which has implications on the morbidity and mortality of stroke patients. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a comprehensive index marker of inflammation and immune status of a patient. The prognostic value of NLR in predicting in-hospital mortality and functional outcome of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage will be assessed in this study.

We retrospectively selected 151 hemorrhagic stroke patients, and demographic and clinical characteristics were collected and computed for NLR. Receiver operating characteristic analysis using Youden’s index was utilized to determine the NLR cut-off value with the best sensitivity and specificity. The association of NLR with the inhospital mortality and functional outcome was assessed using Logistic regression analysis. Pearson Product Model Correlation was employed to evaluate the correlation of NLR with ICH volume.

Admission NLR >7 showed a significant association (p = <0.001 OR 7.99) with in-hospital mortality with a sensitivity of 70.83% and specificity of 72.82%. Furthermore, computed NLR of more than 6.4 showed significant association (p = 0.040 OR 2.92) with poor functional outcome. However, our study revealed that admission NLR showed a low level of correlation (r=0.2968, p=0.002) with the volume of ICH.

This study demonstrated that ICH patients with an elevated NLR is associated with increased inhospital mortality and poor functional outcome and that NLR can be used to predict clinical outcome among patients with spontaneous ICH.

BACKGROUND

There is ambiguity on antiplatelet therapy for post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) patients for stroke prevention, but dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is routinely started despite lack of data on effectiveness and bleeding safety of DAPT versus single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT). This study aims to determine the effectiveness of DAPT versus SAPT in stroke prevention and assess bleeding safety.

A systematic search was done for randomized clinical trials involving DAPT and SAPT in patients who underwent TAVR. The primary outcome was stroke after 1 year of either DAPT and SAPT and life-threatening bleeding. Secondary end points included all-cause mortality. Trials were identified through systematic searches on the following databases (November 2019): Cochrane, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar and ClinicalTrials.gov and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Risk ratio was used for dichotomous outcomes. Heterogeneity among the studies for the meta-analysis was detected using a χ2 test (0.01 level of significance). Risk-of-bias assessment was done.

There is a lower incidence of stroke in patients on DAPT, but with a higher incidence of life-threatening bleeding and major bleeding. There is also a lower incidence of all-cause mortality in SAPT. The statistical power of this meta-analysis is low due to small population size.

Single antiplatelet therapy is comparable to DAPT in preventing stroke with the added benefit of a lower incidence of life-threatening and major bleeding and a lower incidence of all-cause mortality.

mortality.RESULTS: During the therapeutic period, there were no significant differences between the groups in the proportion of composite events, recurrence, or clinically relevant bleeding. Multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model also showed no significant difference in the number of composite events and clinically relevant bleeding between the groups. In the rivaroxaban group, 44.0% of patients experienced gastrointestinal bleeding and 24.0% experienced urinary tract bleeding. In the dalteparin group, bleeding was most common in the urinary tract (44.4%) and at the injection site (22.2%).CONCLUSION: In this study, although there were no significant differences in effectiveness or safety between the rivaroxaban and dalteparin groups, rivaroxaban use was associated with a higher rate of clinically relevant bleeding than dalteparin. Therefore, caution should be taken when prescribing rivaroxaban for gynecologic cancer-associated VTE and bleeding events should be carefully monitored.]]>
Anticoagulants ; Dalteparin ; Hemorrhage ; Heparin ; Humans ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Recurrence ; Rivaroxaban ; Urinary Tract ; Venous Thromboembolism

mortality.RESULTS: A total of 455 strains were isolated from 432 ascitic culture samples. Gram-negative bacteria (GNB), gram-positive bacteria (GPB), and fungi caused 52.3, 45.5, and 2.2% of all SAI episodes, respectively. Episodes were classified as nosocomial (41.2%), healthcare-related (34.7%), and community-acquired (24.1%). Escherichia coli (13.4%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (2.4%) were extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing isolates. The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was 1.1%. Ceftazidime, cefepime, aztreonam, and amikacin were recommended as first-line antibiotics agents for non-MDR GNB infections; piperacillin/tazobactam and carbapenems for MDR GNB in community-acquired and healthcare-related or nosocomial infections, respectively; and vancomycin or linezolid for GPB infections, regardless of drug-resistance status. Multivariate analysis revealed days of hospital stay before SAI, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, white blood cell count, alanine aminotransferase, serum creatinine concentration, total bilirubin, and international normalized ratio as key independent predictors of 28-day mortality.CONCLUSION: MDR pathogens and antibiotic strategies were identified in patients with acute decompensated cirrhosis with culture-positive SAI, which may help optimize therapy and improve clinical outcomes.]]>
Alanine Transaminase ; Amikacin ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Aztreonam ; Bilirubin ; Carbapenems ; Ceftazidime ; China ; Creatinine ; Cross Infection ; Escherichia coli ; Fibrosis ; Fungi ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; Hemorrhage ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; International Normalized Ratio ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Length of Stay ; Leukocyte Count ; Linezolid ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prevalence ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Vancomycin

Background: Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a devastating type of stroke with high mortality rate. The understanding of factors that contribute to mortality in patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage can help clinicians in further management of the patients. Aim: The aim of this study is to identify mortality risk factors in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SH). Methods: This study is a retrospective cohort study. Data were obtained from the stroke registry and medical records of patients at Bethesda Hospital Yogyakarta. Data were analyzed using univariate, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Data were obtained from 80 subarachnoid hemorrhage patients consisting of 40 males (50%) and 40 females (50%). Result of multivariate analysis show that there are significant associations between mortality in SAH patient with loss of consciousness (OR: 19.722, 95% CI: 1.788- 217.521, p: 0.015), elevated systolic blood pressure (OR: 157.4, 95%CI: 2.068- 11990.9, p: 0.022), high random blood glucose (OR: 12.457, 95%CI: 2.305- 67.322, p: 0.03) and presence of medical complication (OR: 30.539, CI95%: 2.685- 347.377, p: 0.006). Conclusion This study demonstrated that loss of consciousness, elevated systolic blood pressure, high blood glucose, and presence of medical complication has significant association with mortality of SAH patient.
Mortality ; Prognosis ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is an extremely rare but lethal cause of massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Characteristic symptoms are mid-thoracic pain, sentinel minor hemorrhage, and massive hemorrhage after a symptom-free interval. Prompt diagnosis and immediate treatments are necessary to reduce mortality. However, AEF is difficult to diagnose because it is uncommon and often leads to death with massive bleeding before proper evaluation. We report a case of endoscopic diagnosis of AEF that did not present with hematemesis; it was treated with thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and surgery. A 71-year-old female presented to the emergency department with epigastric discomfort. Endoscopy demonstrated a submucosal tumor-like protrusion and pulsating mass with blood clots. Contrast-enhanced chest CT confirmed AEF due to descending thoracic aortic aneurysm. The patient immediately underwent TEVAR to prevent massive bleeding and subsequently underwent surgery. Endoscopists should consider AEF if they see a submucosal tumor-like mass with a central ulcerative lesion or a pulsating protrusion covered with blood clots in mid-esophagus during an endoscopy.
Aged ; Aortic Aneurysm ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; Diagnosis* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Fistula* ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Hematemesis* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Mortality ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ulcer

Despite recent advances in endoscopic techniques and acid-suppressive therapies, non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The increased use of dual antiplatelet agents and oral anticoagulants has complicated the management of NVUGIB. Physicians often have to decide on when to discontinue and resume these medications in patients with NVUGIB. However, clinical data regarding the resumption of antiplatelets and anticoagulants are still minimal. Here, we report and summarize the key recommendations made in the recent Asia-Pacific guidelines regarding management of antithrombotics in patients with NVUGIB.
Anticoagulants ; Consensus* ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Mortality ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors

Rivaroxaban has emerged as a potential alternative to warfarin for the prevention of thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there has been concern for the risk of major bleeding, especially in Asian patients. We investigated the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban compared to warfarin in Korean real world practice. A total of 2,208 consecutive non-valvular AF patients were divided into the Warfarin group (n=990) and the Rivaroxaban group (n=1218). Propensity matched 1-year clinical outcomes were compared (Warfarin, n=804; Rivaroxaban, n=804). The efficacy outcome was defined as stroke/systemic embolism (SE). The safety outcome was major bleeding. The primary net clinical benefit (NCB) was defined as the composite of stroke/SE, major bleeding, and all-cause mortality. Secondary, NCB was defined as the composite of stroke, SE, and major bleeding. Rivaroxaban had the similar efficacy in terms of thromboembolic event prevention [hazard ratio (HR) 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37–1.32, p=0.266] compared to warfarin. Rivaroxaban significantly lowered the risk of major bleeding [HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.22–0.76, p=0.004]. Primary NCB was significantly low in the rivaroxaban group [HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.36–0.81, p=0.003]. Secondary NCB was also low in the rivaroxaban group [HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.40–0.99, p=0.041]. Both rivaroxaban 15 mg and 20 mg groups had similar efficacy and significantly lower risks of major bleeding as well as primary and secondary NCB compared to the warfarin group. In patients with non-valvular AF, rivaroxaban had a similar efficacy to warfarin in Korean real world practice. However, rivaroxaban had better safety and net clinical outcomes compared to warfarin.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Atrial Fibrillation* ; Cohort Studies* ; Embolism ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Mortality ; Rivaroxaban* ; Stroke ; Thromboembolism ; Warfarin*

OBJECTIVE: To propose a method of prediction for fatal gastrointestinal bleeding recurrence in hospital and a method of feature selection via machine learning models. METHODS: 728 digestive tract hemorrhage samples were extracted from the first aid database of PLA General Hospital, and 343 patients among them were diagnosed as fatal gastrointestinal bleeding recurrence in hospital. A total of 64 physiological or laboratory indicators were extracted and screened. Based on the ten-fold cross-validation, Logistic regression, AdaBoost and XGBoost were used for classification prediction and comparison. XGBoost was used to search sequence features, and the key indicators for predicting fatal gastrointestinal bleeding recurrence in hospital were screened out according to the importance of the indicators during training. RESULTS: Logistic regression, AdaBoost and XGBoost all get better F1.5 score under each feature input dimension, among which XGBoost had the best effect and the highest score, which was able to identify as many patients as possible who might have fatal gastrointestinal bleeding recurrence in hospital. Through XGBoost iteration results, the Top 30 indicators with high importance for predicting fatal gastrointestinal bleeding recurrence in hospital were ranked. The F1.5 scores of the first 12 key indicators peaked at iteration (0.893), including hemoglobin (Hb), calcium (CA), red blood cell count (RBC), mean platelet volume (MPV), mean erythrocyte hemoglobin concentration (MCH), systolic blood pressure (SBP), platelet count (PLT), magnesium (MG), lymphocyte (LYM), glucose (GLU, blood gas analysis), glucose (GLU, blood biochemistry) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). CONCLUSIONS Logistic regression, AdaBoost and XGBoost could achieve the purpose of early warning for predicting fatal gastrointestinal bleeding recurrence in hospital, and XGBoost is the most suitable. The 12 most important indicators were screened out by sequential forward selection.
Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/mortality* ; Health Status Indicators ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Machine Learning ; Recurrence

Despite the great socioeconomic burden of stroke, there have been few reports of stroke statistics in Korea. In this scenario, the Epidemiologic Research Council of the Korean Stroke Society launched the “Stroke Statistics in Korea” project, aimed at writing a contemporary, comprehensive, and representative report on stroke epidemiology in Korea. This report contains general statistics of stroke, prevalence of behavioral and vascular risk factors, stroke characteristics, pre-hospital system of care, hospital management, quality of stroke care, and outcomes. In this report, we analyzed the most up-to-date and nationally representative databases, rather than performing a systematic review of existing evidence. In summary, one in 40 adults are patients with stroke and 232 subjects per 100,000 experience a stroke event every year. Among the 100 patients with stroke in 2014, 76 had ischemic stroke, 15 had intracerebral hemorrhage, and nine had subarachnoid hemorrhage. Stroke mortality is gradually declining, but it remains as high as 30 deaths per 100,000 individuals, with regional disparities. As for stroke risk factors, the prevalence of smoking is decreasing in men but not in women, and the prevalence of alcohol drinking is increasing in women but not in men. Population-attributable risk factors vary with age. Smoking plays a role in young-aged individuals, hypertension and diabetes in middle-aged individuals, and atrial fibrillation in the elderly. About four out of 10 hospitalized patients with stroke are visiting an emergency room within 3 hours of symptom onset, and only half use an ambulance. Regarding acute management, the proportion of patients with ischemic stroke receiving intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular treatment was 10.7% and 3.6%, respectively. Decompressive surgery was performed in 1.4% of patients with ischemic stroke and in 28.1% of those with intracerebral hemorrhage. The cumulative incidence of bleeding and fracture at 1 year after stroke was 8.9% and 4.7%, respectively. The direct costs of stroke were about ₩1.68 trillion (KRW), of which ₩1.11 trillion were for ischemic stroke and ₩540 billion for hemorrhagic stroke. The great burden of stroke in Korea can be reduced through more concentrated efforts to control major attributable risk factors for age and sex, reorganize emergency medical service systems to give patients with stroke more opportunities for reperfusion therapy, disseminate stroke unit care, and reduce regional disparities. We hope that this report can contribute to achieving these tasks.
Adult ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; Ambulances ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Emergency Medical Services ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Hope ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Mortality ; Prevalence ; Reperfusion ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stroke ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Writing