Machine learning-based diagnosis and risk factor analysis of cardiocerebrovascular disease based on KNHANES.

The prevalence of cardiocerebrovascular disease (CVD) is continuously increasing, and it is the leading cause of human death. Since it is difficult for physicians to screen thousands of people, high-accuracy and interpretable methods need to be presented. We developed four machine learning-based CVD classifiers (i.e., multi-layer perceptron, support vector machine, random forest, and light gradient boosting) based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We resampled and rebalanced KNHANES data using complex sampling weights such that the rebalanced dataset mimics a uniformly sampled dataset from overall population. For clear risk factor analysis, we removed multicollinearity and CVD-irrelevant variables using VIF-based filtering and the Boruta algorithm. We applied synthetic minority oversampling technique and random undersampling before ML training. We demonstrated that the proposed classifiers achieved excellent performance with AUCs over 0.853. Using Shapley value-based risk factor analysis, we identified that the most significant risk factors of CVD were age, sex, and the prevalence of hypertension. Additionally, we identified that age, hypertension, and BMI were positively correlated with CVD prevalence, while sex (female), alcohol consumption and, monthly income were negative. The results showed that the feature selection and the class balancing technique effectively improve the interpretability of models.

The Reproducibility of Cerebrovascular Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) relevant to the cerebrovascular field have been performed. The fragility index was recently developed to complement the P value and measure the robustness and reproducibility of clinical findings of RCTs. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluate the fragility index for key surgical and endovascular cerebrovascular RCTs and propose a novel RCT classification system based on the fragility index. METHODS: Cerebrovascular RCTs reported between 2000 and 2018 were reviewed. Six key areas were specifically targeted in relation to stroke, carotid stenosis, cerebral aneurysms, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. The correlation between fragility index, number of patients lost to follow-up, and fragility quotient were evaluated to propose a classification system for the robustness of the studies. RESULTS: A total of 20 RCTs that reported significant differences between both study groups in terms of the primary outcome were included. The median fragility index for the trials was 5.5. An additional 30 randomly selected RCTs were added to propose a classification system with high reliability. The difference between the number of patients lost to follow-up and fragility index inversely correlated with the fragility quotient and was used to divide the robustness of the RCTs into 3 classes reflecting the reproducibility of the trial. CONCLUSIONS: Neurosurgeons and neurointerventionalists should exercise caution with interpreting the results of cerebrovascular RCTs, especially when the sample size and events numbers are small and there is a high number of patients who were lost to follow-up, as quantitatively identified using the proposed classification system.

[Cerebrovascular diseases: matching ICD-10 and ICD-11 codes]. / Tserebrovaskulyarnye bolezni: sopostavlenie kodov MKB-10 i MKB-11.

A comparison of the codes and wording of the ICD-11 with the previous version of the classification was carried out. It seems necessary to develop a new revision of the domestic classification of cerebrovascular pathology, consistent with the ICD-11 codes.

Validity of cerebrovascular ICD-9-CM codes in healthcare administrative databases. The Umbria Data-Value Project.

BACKGROUND: Validation of administrative databases for cerebrovascular diseases is crucial for epidemiological, outcome, and health services research. The aim of this study was to validate ICD-9 codes for hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke in administrative databases, to use them for a comprehensive assessment of the burden of disease in terms of major outcomes, such as mortality, hospital readmissions, and use of healthcare resources. METHODS: We considered the hospital discharge abstract database of the Umbria Region (890,000 residents). Source population was represented by patients aged >18 discharged from hospital with a diagnosis of hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke between 2012 and 2014 using ICD-9-CM codes in primary position. We randomly selected and reviewed medical charts of cases and non-cases from hospitals. For case ascertainment we considered symptoms and instrumental tests reported in the medical charts. Diagnostic accuracy measures were computed using 2x2 tables. RESULTS: We reviewed 767 medical charts for cases and 78 charts for non-cases. Diagnostic accuracy measures were: subarachnoid hemorrhage: sensitivity (SE) 100% (95% CI: 97%-100%), specificity (SP) 96% (90-99), positive predictive value (PPV) 98% (93-100), negative predictive value (NPV) 100% (95-100); intracerebral hemorrhage: SE 100% (97-100), SP 98% (91-100), PPV 98% (94-100), NPV 100% (95-100); other and unspecified intracranial hemorrhage: SE 100% (97-100), SP 96% (90-99), PPV 98% (93-100), NPV 100% (95-100); ischemic stroke due to occlusion and stenosis of precerebral arteries: SE 99% (94-100), SP 66 (57-75), PPV 70% (61-77), NPV 99% (93-100); occlusion of cerebral arteries: SE 100% (97-100), SP 87% (78-93), PPV 91% (84-95), NPV 100% (95-100); acute, but ill-defined, cerebrovascular disease: SE 100% (97-100), SP 78% (69-86), PPV % 83 (75-89), NPV 100% (95-100). CONCLUSIONS: Case ascertainment for both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke showed good or high levels of accuracy within the regional healthcare databases in Umbria. This database can confidently be employed for epidemiological, outcome, and health services research related to any type of stroke.

Associations of plasma LP(a), Hcy and D-D levels with the subtype of ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

The relevance of LP(a), Hcy, and D-D in ischemic cerebrovascular disease remains undefined. This study aimed to assess the associations of plasma LP(a), Hcy and D-D levels with the subtype of ischemic cerebrovascular disease.Patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease admitted to the Taixing People's Hospital were retrospectively enrolled from November 2017 to July 2018. Immunoturbidimetry was used to assess 119 LAA, 107 SAO, and 112 TIA patients for plasma LP(a), Hcy, and D-D levels.Plasma LP(a), Hcy, and D-D levels in the large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) group were significantly lower than those of the transient ischemic attack (TIA) group (all P < .05). LP(a), Hcy, and D-D levels were significantly reduced in the SAO group compared with the TIA group (both P < .05). The LAA and SAO groups showed comparable values for all the above parameters (P > .05).LP(a), Hcy, and D-D levels differ according to the subtype of ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

Update on Vascular Cognitive Impairment Associated with Subcortical Small-Vessel Disease.

Subcortical small-vessel disease (SSVD) is a disorder well characterized from the clinical, imaging, and neuropathological viewpoints. SSVD is considered the most prevalent ischemic brain disorder, increasing in frequency with age. Vascular risk factors include hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, elevated homocysteine, and obstructive sleep apnea. Ischemic white matter lesions are the hallmark of SSVD; other pathological lesions include arteriolosclerosis, dilatation of perivascular spaces, venous collagenosis, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, microbleeds, microinfarcts, lacunes, and large infarcts. The pathogenesis of SSVD is incompletely understood but includes endothelial changes and blood-brain barrier alterations involving metalloproteinases, vascular endothelial growth factors, angiotensin II, mindin/spondin, and the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway. Metabolic and genetic conditions may also play a role but hitherto there are few conclusive studies. Clinical diagnosis of SSVD includes early executive dysfunction manifested by impaired capacity to use complex information, to formulate strategies, and to exercise self-control. In comparison with Alzheimer's disease (AD), patients with SSVD show less pronounced episodic memory deficits. Brain imaging has advanced substantially the diagnostic tools for SSVD. With the exception of cortical microinfarcts, all other lesions are well visualized with MRI. Diagnostic biomarkers that separate AD from SSVD include reduction of cerebrospinal fluid amyloid-ß (Aß)42 and of the ratio Aß42/Aß40 often with increased total tau levels. However, better markers of small-vessel function of intracerebral blood vessels are needed. The treatment of SSVD remains unsatisfactory other than control of vascular risk factors. There is an urgent need of finding targets to slow down and potentially halt the progression of this prevalent, but often unrecognized, disorder.

An updated diagnostic approach to subtype definition of vascular parkinsonism - Recommendations from an expert working group.

This expert working group report proposes an updated approach to subtype definition of vascular parkinsonism (VaP) based on a review of the existing literature. The persistent lack of consensus on clear terminology and inconsistent conceptual definition of VaP formed the impetus for the current expert recommendation report. The updated diagnostic approach intends to provide a comprehensive tool for clinical practice. The preamble for this initiative is that VaP can be diagnosed in individual patients with possible prognostic and therapeutic consequences and therefore should be recognized as a clinical entity. The diagnosis of VaP is based on the presence of clinical parkinsonism, with variable motor and non-motor signs that are corroborated by clinical, anatomic or imaging findings of cerebrovascular disease. Three VaP subtypes are presented: (1) The acute or subacute post-stroke VaP subtype presents with acute or subacute onset of parkinsonism, which is typically asymmetric and responds to dopaminergic drugs; (2) The more frequent insidious onset VaP subtype presents with progressive parkinsonism with prominent postural instability, gait impairment, corticospinal, cerebellar, pseudobulbar, cognitive and urinary symptoms and poor responsiveness to dopaminergic drugs. A higher-level gait disorder occurs frequently as a dominant manifestation in the clinical spectrum of insidious onset VaP, and (3) With the emergence of molecular imaging biomarkers in clinical practice, our diagnostic approach also allows for the recognition of mixed or overlapping syndromes of VaP with Parkinson's disease or other neurodegenerative parkinsonisms. Directions for future research are also discussed.

A pilot study and novel angiographic classification for superior sagittal sinus stenting in patients with non-thrombotic intracranial venous occlusive disease.

OBJECTIVE: Safety and efficacy of superior sagittal sinus (SSS) stenting for non-thrombotic intracranial venous occlusive disease (VOD) is unknown. The aim of this retrospective cohort study is to evaluate outcomes after SSS stenting. METHODS: We evaluated an institutional database to identify patients who underwent SSS stenting. Radiographic and clinical outcomes were analyzed and a novel angiographic classification of the SSS was proposed. RESULTS: We identified 19 patients; 42% developed SSS stenosis after transverse sinus stenting. Pre-stent maximum mean venous pressure (MVP) in the SSS of 16.2 mm Hg decreased to 13.1 mm Hg after stenting (p=0.037). Preoperative trans-stenosis pressure gradient of 4.2 mm Hg decreased to 1.5 mm Hg after stenting (p<0.001). No intraprocedural complication or junctional SSS stenosis distal to the stent construct was noted. Improvement in headache, tinnitus, and visual obscurations was reported by 66.7%, 63.6%, and 50% of affected patients, respectively, at mean follow-up of 5.2 months. We divided the SSS into four anatomically equal segments, numbered S1-S4, from the torcula to frontal pole. SSS stenosis typically occurs in the S1 segment, and the anterior extent of SSS stents was deployed at the S1-S2 junction in all but one case. CONCLUSIONS: SSS stenting is reasonably safe, may improve clinical symptoms, and significantly reduces maximum MVP and trans-stenosis pressure gradients in patients with VOD with SSS stenosis. The S1 segment is most commonly stenotic, and minimum pressure gradients for symptomatic SSS stenosis may be lower than for transverse or sigmoid stenosis. Additional studies and follow-up are necessary to better elucidate appropriate clinical indications and long-term efficacy of SSS stenting.

Alterations in optic nerve sheath diameter according to cerebrovascular disease sub-groups.

BACKGROUND: ONSD (optic nerve sheath diameter) is a method used for indirect measurement of the increased intracranial pressure. In previous studies, the relation between the increased intracranial pressure and ONSD was analyzed in the patients suffering from cerebrovascular diseases (CVD). In our study, the patients suffering from ischemic CVD were categorized into 4 subgroups according to Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project classification (OCSP); the relationship between each group and ONSD, and the influence on each eye were analyzed. METHODS: The study included the patients over the age of 18 applying to the emergency department of Malatya State Hospital with the symptoms of stroke between the dates of 1/1/2015 and 1/9/2016. The patients diagnosed with stroke by means of clinical and neuroradiological imaging were examined in 4 subgroups according to Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project. The aim of the study is to predict the intracranial pressure (ICP) levels of the patients through ONSD measurement and CT images. RESULTS: In the comparison of the right and left optic nerve sheath diameters of CVD group and control group, the obtained results were found to be statistically significant (p<0.001). When the CVD subgroups were compared with the control group in terms of right and left optic nerve sheath diameters, the highest right-left optic nerve sheath diameter was detected to be in TACI (Total Anterior Circulation Infarction) group (p<0.001). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: In the early cases of CVD, mortality and morbidity can be decreased through the early diagnosis of the possible existence of ICP increase according to ONSD level.

The Vascular Impairment of Cognition Classification Consensus Study.

INTRODUCTION: Numerous diagnostic criteria have tried to tackle the variability in clinical manifestations and problematic diagnosis of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) but none have been universally accepted. These criteria have not been readily comparable, impacting on clinical diagnosis rates and in turn prevalence estimates, research, and treatment. METHODS: The Vascular Impairment of Cognition Classification Consensus Study (VICCCS) involved participants (81% academic researchers) from 27 countries in an online Delphi consensus study. Participants reviewed previously proposed concepts to develop new guidelines. RESULTS: VICCCS had a mean of 122 (98-153) respondents across the study and a 67% threshold to represent consensus. VICCCS redefined VCI including classification of mild and major forms of VCI and subtypes. It proposes new standardized VCI-associated terminology and future research priorities to address gaps in current knowledge. DISCUSSION: VICCCS proposes a consensus-based updated conceptualization of VCI intended to facilitate standardization in research.

[Organ donation after circulatory death]. / Organspende nach Herz- und Kreislauftod.

Approximately 17 million inhabitants live in the Netherlands. The number of potential organ donors in 1999 was the lowest in Europe with only 10 donors per million inhabitants. Medical associations, public health services, health insurance companies and the government had to find common solutions in order to improve organ allocation, logistics of donations and to increase the number of transplantations. After a prolonged debate on medical ethical issues of organ transplantation, all participants were able to agree on socio-medico-legal regulations for organ donation and transplantation. In addition to improving the procedure for organ donation after brain death (DBD) the most important step was the introduction of organ donation after circulatory death (DCD). Measures such as the introduction of a national organ donor database, improved information to the public, further education on intensive care units (ICU), guidelines for end of life care on the ICU, establishment of transplantation coordinators on site, introduction of autonomous explantation teams and strict procedures on the course of organ donations, answered many practical issues about logistics and responsibilities for DBD and DCD. In 2014 the number of postmortem organ donations rose to 16.4 per million inhabitants. Meanwhile, up to 60 % of organ donations in the Netherlands originate from a DCD procedure compared to approximately 10 % in the USA. This overview article discusses the developments and processes of deceased donation in the Netherlands after 15 years of experience with DCD.

Selective neuronal vulnerability of human hippocampal CA1 neurons: lesion evolution, temporal course, and pattern of hippocampal damage in diffusion-weighted MR imaging.

The CA1 (cornu ammonis) region of hippocampus is selectively vulnerable to a variety of metabolic and cytotoxic insults, which is mirrored in a delayed neuronal death of CA1 neurons. The basis and mechanisms of this regional susceptibility of CA1 neurons are poorly understood, and the correlates in human diseases affecting the hippocampus are not clear. Adopting a translational approach, the lesion evolution, temporal course, pattern of diffusion changes, and damage in hippocampal CA1 in acute neurologic disorders were studied using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging. In patients with hippocampal ischemia (n=50), limbic encephalitis (n=30), after status epilepticus (n=17), and transient global amnesia (n=53), the CA1 region was selectively affected compared with other CA regions of the hippocampus. CA1 neurons exhibited a maximum decrease of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) 48 to 72 hours after the insult, irrespective of the nature of the insult. Hypoxic-ischemic insults led to a significant lower ADC suggesting that the ischemic insult results in a stronger impairment of cellular metabolism. The evolution of diffusion changes show that CA1 diffusion lesions mirror the delayed time course of the pathophysiologic cascade typically observed in animal models. Studying the imaging correlates of hippocampal damage in humans provides valuable insight into the pathophysiology and neurobiology of the hippocampus.

Prevalence and risk of cardiovascular risk factors and events in offspring of patients at high vascular risk and effect of location of parental vascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Offspring of patients with cardiovascular disease are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular events. We evaluated whether prevalence of risk factors in offspring of patients with increased cardiovascular risk is higher compared with the general population and whether the risk of cardiovascular events and prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in offspring is dependent on parental vascular disease location. METHODS: Of 4270 patients enrolled in the SMART cohort we assessed after a follow-up of 7 years (IQR 4-8) the presence of cardiovascular risk factors and disease in their 10,572 children by questionnaire. The SMART patients had symptomatic vascular disease (coronary artery disease (CAD) (n = 1826), cerebrovascular disease (CVD) (n = 637), peripheral artery disease (PAD) (n = 275), abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) (n = 98), polyvascular disease (≥ 2 vascular manifestations) (n = 371)) or risk factors (hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, hypertension) (n = 1063). The prevalence of risk factors in offspring was compared with the general population and stratified for parental vascular disease location. The relation between parental vascular disease location and cardiovascular events in offspring was determined by Poisson regression. RESULTS: The offspring had higher prevalence of in particular hypercholesterolemia and hypertension compared with the general population, irrespective of the parental vascular disease location. Higher risks of cardiovascular events compared with offspring of patients without manifest vascular disease were observed in offspring of patients with CAD (PR 1.8, 95%CI 0.9-3.4), CVD (PR 2.4, 95%CI 1.2-4.8), PAD (PR 2.8, 95%CI 1.3-6.4), polyvascular disease (PR 2.5, 95%CI 1.2-5.2), but not with AAA (PR 1.7, 95%CI 0.5-6.1). CONCLUSIONS: In offspring from patients with cardiovascular disease or risk factors, the prevalence of traditional risk factors was higher compared with the general population, independent of the location of vascular disease of the parent. Offspring of patients with PAD had the highest risk of developing vascular disease.

Intracranial Vascular Malformations and Epilepsy.

Among the spectrum of intracranial vascular malformations (IVMs), arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), and cavernous malformations (CCMs) are of particular importance for epilepsy. Seizures are a common mode of presentation for both conditions. Seizures may occur de novo or secondary to intracerebral hemorrhage. Timely imaging is thus crucial for patients with seizures and AVMs or CCMs. Patients with a first-ever AVM- or CCM-related seizure can now be considered to have epilepsy according to the International League Against Epilepsy criteria. Observational studies and case series suggest that between 45 to 78% of patients with AVM-related epilepsy and 47 to 60% of patients with CCM-related epilepsy may achieve seizure freedom through antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) alone. Invasive procedures are available although current evidence suggests that epilepsy-specific preintervention evaluations are underused. Randomized controlled trials and population-based studies have demonstrated worse short-term functional outcomes after routine intervention on unruptured AVMs or CCMs when compared with conservative management. The role of invasive therapy for IVM-related epilepsy has yielded mixed results. Case series have reported high estimates of seizure freedom although these results have not been replicated in controlled observational studies. Randomized controlled trials of immediate invasive therapy versus conservative management, in addition to usual care with AEDs and of different types of treatment and their timing, are warranted for AVMs and CCM-related epilepsy.

Vascular Parkinsonism: deconstructing a syndrome.

Progressive ambulatory impairment and abnormal white matter (WM) signal on neuroimaging come together under the diagnostic umbrella of vascular parkinsonism (VaP). A critical appraisal of the literature, however, suggests that (1) no abnormal structural imaging pattern is specific to VaP; (2) there is poor correlation between brain MRI hyperintensities and microangiopathic brain disease and parkinsonism from available clinicopathologic data; (3) pure parkinsonism from vascular injury ("definite" vascular parkinsonism) consistently results from ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes involving the SN and/or nigrostriatal pathway, but sparing the striatum itself, the cortex, and the intervening WM; and (4) many cases reported as VaP may represent pseudovascular parkinsonism (e.g., Parkinson's disease or another neurodegenerative parkinsonism, such as PSP with nonspecific neuroimaging signal abnormalities), vascular pseudoparkinsonism (e.g., akinetic mutism resulting from bilateral mesial frontal strokes or apathetic depression from bilateral striatal lacunar strokes), or pseudovascular pseudoparkinsonism (e.g., higher-level gait disorders, including normal-pressure hydrocephalus with transependimal exudate). These syndromic designations are preferable over VaP until pathology or validated biomarkers confirm the underlying nature and relevance of the leukoaraiosis. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Is there an association between asymmetry of carotid artery wall thickness (ACAWT) and cerebrovascular symptoms?

PURPOSE: Previous publications demonstrated that multi-detector-row computed tomography Angiography (MDCTA) can evaluate the carotid artery wall thickness (CAWT). The purpose of this work was to compare the asymmetry of CAWT between carotids in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty consecutive symptomatic (males 44; median age 64) and 60 asymptomatic sex- and age-matched patients were analysed by using a 40-detector-row CT system. CAWT was calculated for both carotids in each patient and the ratio between the thicker CAWT and the contra-lateral was calculated to obtain the ACAWT index. Bland-Altman, logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were calculated. RESULTS: The Bland-Altman plot demonstrates a very good agreement between measurements with a mean difference value of 3.4% and 95% CI from -8% to 14.8%. The ACAWT was significantly different between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (with a p value of 0.0001). The ROC area under the curve was 0.742 (p = 0.001). Logistic regression model indicated that ACAWT, CAWT, stenosis degree, and fatty plaques were independent variables associated with cerebrovascular symptoms (p value, respectively, 0.0108, 0.0231, 0.0002, and 0.013). CONCLUSION: Results of our study indicated that the index of asymmetry in the CAWT might be used as a further parameter to stratify the risk of symptoms related to carotid artery.

Progress on diabetic cerebrovascular diseases.

Diabetic cerebrovascular diseases are defined as cerebral vascular diseases induced by diabetes with sugar, fat and a series of nutrient substance metabolic disorders, resulting in intracranial large and small vessel diseases. About 20%-40% patients with type 2 diabetes suffer from cerebral blood vessel diseases. Diabetic cerebrovascular diseases are the main causes of death in patients with diabetes mellitus. The major clinical manifestations are asymptomatic cerebral atherosclerosis, stroke, cerebral small vessel disease and acute cerebral vascular disease. The pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of diabetic cerebrovascular disease are obviously different from non-diabetic cerebral vascular diseases. This paper will focus on the diabetic cerebrovascular disease, including its latest research progress. Diabetic cerebral large vascular disease and diabetic cerebral small vessel disease will be reviewed here.