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

Although surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment for resectable esophageal cancer, it is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic resection, including endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection, has been considered as a feasible alternative to surgical resection for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma based on its minimal invasiveness and favorable outcomes in suitable indications. The long-term outcomes of endoscopic resection are comparable to those of surgery when tumors are confined to the intraepithelial or lamina propria layer because these tumors have low or no risk of lymph node metastasis. The results of histopathological examination of the resected specimens should be interpreted thoroughly regarding the requirement of additional treatment. Treatment-related adverse events include bleeding, perforation, and stricture. Preventive measures should be taken during and after the procedure, particularly when the mucosal defects account for more than three-fourths of the circumference. In this review, the indications and outcomes of endoscopic treatment for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma are summarized.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; Hemorrhage ; Lymph Nodes ; Mortality ; Mucous Membrane ; Neoplasm Metastasis

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a life-threatening disease with high mortality. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of surgical embolectomy and to clarify the sustained long-term effects of surgery by comparing preoperative, postoperative, and long-term follow-up echocardiography outcomes. Of 22 survivors, 21 were followed up for a mean (median) period of 6.8±5.4 years (4.2 years). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 27 surgical embolectomy cases for massive or submassive acute PTE from 2003 to 2016. Immediate and long-term follow-up outcomes of surgical embolectomy were assessed on the basis of 30-day mortality, long-term mortality, postoperative complications, right ventricular systolic pressure, and tricuspid regurgitation grade. RESULTS: The 30-day and long-term mortality rates were 14.8% (4 of 27) and 4.3% (1 of 23), respectively. Three patients had major postoperative complications, including hypoxic brain damage, acute kidney injury, and endobronchial bleeding, respectively (3.7% each). Right ventricular systolic pressure (median [range], mm Hg) decreased from 62.0 (45.5–78.5) to 31.0 (25.7–37.0, p<0.001). The tricuspid valve regurgitation grade (median [range]) decreased from 1.5 (0.63–2.00) to 0.50 (0.50–1.00, p<0.05). The improvement lasted until the last echocardiographic follow-up. CONCLUSION: Surgical embolectomy revealed favorable mortality and morbidity rates in patients with acute massive or submassive PTE, with sustained long-term improvements in cardiac function.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Echocardiography ; Embolectomy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypoxia, Brain ; Mortality ; Postoperative Complications ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Retrospective Studies ; Survivors ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency

Aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is a rare and potentially fatal disease that causes massive gastrointestinal bleeding. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent mortality. Controlling the massive bleeding is the most important aspect of treating AEF. The traditional surgical treatment was emergent thoracotomy, but intraoperative or perioperative mortality was high. We report a case of a patient presenting with hematemesis who was successfully treated by a staged treatment, in which bridging thoracic endovascular aortic repair was followed by delayed surgical repair of the esophagus and aorta.
Aorta ; Early Diagnosis ; Esophagus ; Fistula ; Hematemesis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Mortality ; Thoracotomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate superiority of a night float (NF) system in comparison to a traditional night on-call (NO) system for surgical residents at a single institution in terms of efficacy, safety, and satisfaction. METHODS: A NF system was implemented from March to September 2017 and big data analysis from electronic medical records was performed for all patients admitted for surgery or contacted from the emergency room (ER). Parameters including vital signs, mortality, and morbidity rates, as well as promptness of response to ER calls, were compared against a comparable period (March to September 2016) during which a NO system was in effect. A survey was also performed for physicians and nurses who had experienced both systems. RESULTS: A total of 150,000 clinical data were analyzed. Under the NO and NF systems, a total of 3,900 and 3,726 patients were admitted for surgery. Mortality rates were similar but postoperative bleeding was significantly higher in the NO system (0.5% vs. 0.2%, P = 0.031). From the 1,462 and 1,354 patients under the NO and NF systems respectively, that required surgical consultation from the ER, the time to response was significantly shorter in the NF system (54.5 ± 70.7 minutes vs. 66.8 ± 83.8 minutes, P < 0.001). Both physicians (90.4%) and nurses (91.4%) agreed that the NF system was more beneficial. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of a NF system using big data analysis in Korea, and potential benefits of this new system were observed in both ward and ER patient management.
Electronic Health Records ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Internship and Residency ; Korea ; Medical Staff ; Mortality ; Statistics as Topic ; Vital Signs

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