Are beta blockers effective in preventing stroke-associated infections? - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Excessive sympathoexcitation could lead to stroke associated infection. Inhibiting sympathetic excitation may reduce the infection risk after stroke. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the protective effect of beta blockers on stroke associated infection through systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic search of multiple databases were performed up to February 2022. The included studies required beta blockers therapy in stroke patients and assessed the incidence of stroke-associated infections. Outcomes of interest included infections, pneumonia, urinary tract infection and sepsis. Random-effects model was used for analysis. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 statistics and publication bias was evaluated by the funnel plot. RESULT: A total of 83 potentially relevant publications was identified in the initial search. Six studies met the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. The risk of bias in the included articles satisfies the quality requirement of meta-analysis. No significant associations between beta blockers therapy and the prevention of stroke associated infection, stroke associated pneumonia and septicemia were found, However, subgroup analyses revealed an association between beta blockers treatment and the increased risk of post-stroke urinary tract infection or stroke associated pneumonia in some stroke patients (OR = 1.69 [1.33, 2.14], P < 0.0001; OR = 1.85 [1.51, 2.26], P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Due to the lack of robust evidence, this meta-analysis may not support the preventive effect of beta blockers on stroke associated infection. But beta blockers treatment may be associated with development of post-stroke urinary tract infection and stroke associated pneumonia in some stroke patients.

Effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on motor function recovery in patients with acute ischemic stroke / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of high frequency (10 Hz),low frequency (1 Hz) and theta burst stimulation (TBS) mode of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the recovery of motor function in hemiplegic patients following acute ischemic stroke.Methods Seventy-two patients with hemiplegia after acute ischemic stroke were randomly grouped with the random number table.They were treated with low frequency (n=18),high frequency (n=18),and TBS (n=18) rTMS or sham stimulation (control group,n=18),once a day,for 2 weeks.Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were used to evaluate neurological function in all patients before rTMS treatment (on the day before the first treatment) and after treatment (on the day after the last treatment).Results After treatment,the FMA and NIHSS scores in the 4 groups were significantly improved compared with before treatment (all P<0.05).After rTMS treatment,the FMA and NIHSS scores were improved significantly in the high frequency group,low frequency group and TBS group compare with the control group (all P<0.05).There were no significant differences among all the treatment groups.Conclusion sHigh frequency,low frequency and TBS rTMS can improve the recovery of motor function in hemiplegic patients following acute ischemic stroke.There were no significant differences among all the treatment modes.

Efficacy and acceptability of oxcarbazepine vs. carbamazepine with betahistine mesilate tablets in treating vestibular paroxysmia: a retrospective review.

OBJECTIVES: Vestibular paroxysmia (VP) is a rare episodic peripheral vestibular disorder that can cause acute short attacks of vertigo. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and acceptability of carbamazepine (CBZ), CBZ plus betahistine mesilate tablets (BMT) and oxcarbazepine (OXC) plus BMT in treating VP within 12 weeks. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data from 196 VP patients treated in our hospital was conducted. There were 73 patients receiving CBZ, 65 patients receiving CBZ+BMT and 58 patients receiving OXC+BMT. The frequency of vertigo, vertigo duration, vertigo score, response rate (RR) and side effects were compared between groups to assess efficacy and acceptability at the end of 12(th) week. RESULTS: After 12 weeks' treatment, the CBZ+BMT group had a greater reduction in the frequency of vertigo, vertigo duration and vertigo score than the other two groups. The RR was highest in the CBZ+BMT group, second in the OXC+BMT group and lowest in the CBZ group. The incidence of side-effects was highest in the CBZ group, second in the CBZ+BMT group and lowest in the OXC+BMT group. Two patients in the CBZ group were withdrawn. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that using BMT as an augmentation for CBZ or OXC might be a good choice in treating VP.

The association of increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure with delayed encephalopathy after acute carbon-monoxide poisoning / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective To explore the association of increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure with delayed encepha?lopathy after acute carbonmonoxide poisoning. Methods One hundred twenty cases of severe acute carbon monoxide poi?soning patients were included in the present study. All patients underwent lumbar puncture for measurement of cerebro?spinal fluid pressure (mmH2O) within seven days following acute carbon monoxide poisoning. Results Thirty-eight pa?tients of total 120 patients had a delayed encephalopathy and the incident rate of delayed encephalopathy was 31.67%. In?creased cerebrospinal fluid pressure was detected in 34 cases of delayed encephalopathy patients and the abnormal rate was 89.47%. Thirty-two of 38 patients with delayed encephalopathy demonstrated improvement to varying degrees af?ter treatment:6 cases had complete recovery, 26 regained or partially regained the ability to live independently, four died and two were in coma. Cerebrospinal fluid pressure was less than 150 mmH2O in six patients who achieved full recovery, while cerebrospinal fluid pressure was great than 200 mmH2O in six patients who died or were in coma. Cerebrospinal flu?id pressure was around 150~180 mmH2O in patients who regained or partially regained the ability to live independently. Conclusion Elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure at the early phase of carbon monoxide poisoning may have a predictive value in diagnosis and prognosis of delayed encephalopathy.