Predictors of Incident Stroke and Subsequent Mortality Among a Sample of Veterans with Experience of Housing Instability.

Homelessness is associated with poor health outcomes and early development of cardiovascular disease. This study investigated the correlates of incident stroke and its association with mortality among Veterans experiencing housing instability. Using a national sample of Veterans (n=565,608) with incident housing instability between 2014-2018, we compared characteristics of Veterans who did and did not experience incident stroke and conducted logistic regressions to assess two outcomes: incident stroke and mortality. Almost four percent experienced a first stroke and were more frequently male, older than 55 years, Black, and non-Hispanic. A higher rate of mortality was observed among those with a first stroke compared with those with no stroke (17.6% vs. 10.8%), although the difference was not statistically significant. Incident stroke was associated with triple the odds of death among unstably-housed Veterans compared with those who did not have an incident stroke. Implications include the need to screen and monitor for stroke risk among Veterans with experience of housing instability, particularly for those who are older.

Survival within 12months after stroke in Madagascar.

The data on the long-term prognosis of stroke are scarce in Madagascar. Our objective was to determine survival within 12months after a stroke event. A longitudinal study was carried out on a hospital cohort of subjects with stroke in Mahajanga in western Madagascar. We included in the study all subjects admitted to adult emergencies at Mahajanga University Hospitals during the year 2019 and diagnosed with stroke. A follow-up by telephone call or by descent at the home of the patients was carried out after at least 12months from the onset of the disease. We analyzed in-hospital mortality and survival within 12months after the stroke. At the end of the study period, 144 stroke cases were retained. Strokes accounted for 5.07% of emergency admission causes. Male gender accounted for 51.4% of the population. The average age of the subjects was 60.7years. In-hospital mortality was 32.6%. Survival at 1month was 50%, at 3months 48.4%, and at 12months 43%. High blood pressure was found as a risk factor for stroke in 79.9% of patients, 76.5% of whom were undertreated. Stroke mortality was high in our population. Most of the deaths occurred during the first month. Improved prevention and care are needed in Madagascar.

Exploring functional abilities and competing risks among stroke patients: a longitudinal and survival analysis study at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate competing risks and functional ability measures among patients who had a stroke. DESIGN: A joint model comprising two related submodels was applied: a cause-specific hazard submodel for competing drop-out and stroke-related death risks, and a partial proportional odd submodel for longitudinal functional ability. SETTING: Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 400 patients who had a stroke from the medical ward outpatient stroke unit at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, who were treated from September 2018 to August 2021. RESULTS: Among the 400 patients who had a stroke, 146 (36.5%) died and 88 (22%) dropped out. At baseline, 14% of patients had no symptoms and/or disability while 24% had slight disability, and 25% had severe disability. Most patients (37.04%) exhibited moderate functional ability. The presence of diabetes increased the cause-specific hazard of death by 3.95 times (95% CI 2.16 to 7.24) but decreased the cause-specific hazard of drop-out by 95% (aHR 0.05; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.46) compared with non-diabetic patients who had a stroke. CONCLUSION: A substantial proportion of patients who had a stroke experienced mortality and drop-out during the study period, highlighting the importance of considering competing risks in stroke research. Age, diabetes, white cell count and stroke complications were significant covariates affecting both longitudinal and survival submodels. Compared with stand-alone models, the joint competing risk modelling technique offers comprehensive insights into the disease's transition pattern.

Serum Albumin and Post-Stroke Outcomes: Analysis of UK Regional Registry Data, Systematic Review, and Meta-Analysis.

Hypoalbuminemia associates with poor acute ischemic stroke (AIS) outcomes. We hypothesised a non-linear relationship and aimed to systematically assess this association using prospective stroke data from the Norfolk and Norwich Stroke and TIA Register. Consecutive AIS patients aged ≥40 years admitted December 2003-December 2016 were included. Outcomes: In-hospital mortality, poor discharge, functional outcome (modified Rankin score 3-6), prolonged length of stay (PLoS) > 4 days, and long-term mortality. Restricted cubic spline regressions investigated the albumin-outcome relationship. We updated a systematic review (PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases, January 2020-June 2023) and undertook a meta-analysis. A total of 9979 patients were included; mean age (standard deviation) = 78.3 (11.2) years; mean serum albumin 36.69 g/L (5.38). Compared to the cohort median, albumin < 37 g/L associated with up to two-fold higher long-term mortality (HRmax; 95% CI = 2.01; 1.61-2.49) and in-hospital mortality (RRmax; 95% CI = 1.48; 1.21-1.80). Albumin > 44 g/L associated with up to 12% higher long-term mortality (HRmax1.12; 1.06-1.19). Nine studies met our inclusion criteria totalling 23,597 patients. Low albumin associated with increased risk of long-term mortality (two studies; relative risk 1.57 (95% CI 1.11-2.22; I2 = 81.28)), as did low-normal albumin (RR 1.10 (95% CI 1.01-1.20; I2 = 0.00)). Strong evidence indicates increased long-term mortality in AIS patients with low or low-normal albumin on admission.

Association between the triglyceride-glucose index and in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome: results from the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China (CCC)-Acute Coronary Syndrome project.

OBJECTIVE: Although the TyG index is a reliable predictor of insulin resistance (IR) and cardiovascular disease, its effectiveness in predicting major adverse cardiac events in hospitalized acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients has not been validated in large-scale studies. In this study, we aimed to explore the association between the TyG index and the occurrence of MACEs during hospitalization. METHODS: We recruited ACS patients from the CCC-ACS (Improving Cardiovascular Care in China-ACS) database and calculated the TyG index using the formula ln(fasting triglyceride [mg/dL] × fasting glucose [mg/dL]/2). These patients were classified into four groups based on quartiles of the TyG index. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of MACEs during hospitalization, encompassing all-cause mortality, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke. We performed Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to clarify the correlation between the TyG index and the risk of in-hospital MACEs among patients diagnosed with ACS. Additionally, we explored this relationship across various subgroups. RESULTS: A total of 101,113 patients were ultimately included, and 2759 in-hospital MACEs were recorded, with 1554 (49.1%) cases of all-cause mortality, 601 (21.8%) cases of cardiac arrest, 251 (9.1%) cases of MI, and 353 (12.8%) cases of stroke. After adjusting for confounders, patients in TyG index quartile groups 3 and 4 showed increased risks of in-hospital MACEs compared to those in quartile group 1 [HR = 1.253, 95% CI 1.121-1.400 and HR = 1.604, 95% CI 1.437-1.791, respectively; p value for trend < 0.001], especially in patients with STEMI or renal insufficiency. Moreover, we found interactions between the TyG index and age, sex, diabetes status, renal insufficiency status, and previous PCI (all p values for interactions < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ACS, the TyG index was an independent predictor of in-hospital MACEs. Special vigilance should be exercised in females, elderly individuals, and patients with renal insufficiency.

Antithrombotic Treatment and Clinical Outcomes After Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Cohort Study from the Swedish Stroke Register.

BACKGROUND: A rapid shift has occurred from vitamin K antagonists toward direct oral anticoagulants, which have a lower risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, effects on clinical outcomes after ICH are understudied. We aimed to describe the prevalence of antithrombotic drugs and to study the prognosis among prestroke functionally independent Swedish patients with ICH. METHODS AND RESULTS: We identified all patients diagnosed with nontraumatic ICH in 2017 to 2021 from the Swedish Stroke Register (n=13 155) and assessed death and functional outcome at 3 months after ICH in prestroke functionally independent patients (n=10 014). Functional outcome was estimated among 3-month survivors on the basis of self-reported activities of daily living scores. Risks of outcomes were estimated using Poisson regression. In 13 155 patients, 14.5% used direct oral anticoagulant, 10.1% vitamin K antagonists, and 21.6% antiplatelets at ICH onset. Among 10 014 pre-stroke activities of daily living-independent patients, oral anticoagulants and antiplatelets were associated with increased mortality risk (adjusted risk ratio, 1.27 [95% CI, 1.13-1.43]; P<0.001; and adjusted risk ratio, 1.23 [95% CI, 1.13-1.34]; P<0.001 respectively). Mortality risk did not statistically differ between antiplatelets and oral anticoagulants nor between direct oral anticoagulant and vitamin K antagonists. Among 5126 patients with nonmissing functional outcome (69.1% of survivors), antiplatelets (adjusted risk ratio, 1.06 [95% CI, 0.99-1.13]; P=0.100) and oral anticoagulants (adjusted risk ratio, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.92-1.12]; P=0.768) were not statistically significantly associated with functional dependence. CONCLUSIONS: There was no statistically significant difference in mortality risk between direct oral anticoagulant and vitamin K antagonists in prestroke functionally independent patients (unadjusted for oral anticoagulant class indication). Furthermore, mortality risk in antiplatelet and oral anticoagulant users might differ less than previously suggested.

Effect of heart rate on poor outcome in stroke patients treated with intra-arterial thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The relationship between heart rate and the prognosis of patients with large vessel occlusion strokes treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is not well established. This study aimed to evaluate the association of mean heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) with the clinical outcomes after MT therapy. METHODS: Acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing MT therapy were prospectively recruited from March 2020 to November 2022. Their heart rate was collected every hour for the initial 72 h after MT procedure, and the variability of heart rate was measured by standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV). All-cause mortality and worsening of functional outcome (change in modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score) at 3-month were captured. Binary logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between heart rate indicators and all-cause mortality. Ordinal logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between heart rate indicators and worsening of functional outcome. RESULTS: Among 191 MT-treated patients, 51(26.7%) patients died at 3-month after stroke. Increased mean heart rate per 10-bpm, heart rate SD and CV per 5-unit were all associated with the increased risk of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] with 95% CI: 1.29 [1.09-1.51], 1.19 [1.07-1.32], 1.14 [1.03-1.27]; respectively). Patients in the highest tertile of heart rate SD had an increased risk of mortality (4.62, 1.70-12.52). After using mRS as a continuous variable, we found increased mean heart rate per 10-bpm, heart rate SD and CV per 5-unit were associated with the worsening of functional outcome (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] with 95% CI: 1.35 [1.11-1.64], 1.27 [1.05-1.53], 1.19 [1.02-1.40]; respectively). A linear relationship was observed between mean heart rate or heart rate SD and mortality; while all of the heart rate measures in this study showed a linear relationship with the worsening of functional outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Higher mean heart rate and HRV were associated with the increased risk of 3-month all-cause mortality and worse functional outcome after MT therapy for AIS patients.

A systematic review of thromboembolic complications and outcomes in hospitalised COVID-19 patients.

Thromboembolic (TE) complications [myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE)] are common causes of mortality in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Therefore, this review was undertaken to explore the incidence of TE complications and mortality associated with TE complications in hospitalised COVID-19 patients from different studies. A literature search was performed using ScienceDirect and PubMed databases using the MeSH term search strategy of "COVID-19", "thromboembolic complication", "venous thromboembolism", "arterial thromboembolism", "deep vein thrombosis", "pulmonary embolism", "myocardial infarction", "stroke", and "mortality". There were 33 studies included in this review. Studies have revealed that COVID-19 patients tend to develop venous thromboembolism (PE:1.0-40.0% and DVT:0.4-84%) compared to arterial thromboembolism (stroke:0.5-15.2% and MI:0.8-8.7%). Lastly, the all-cause mortality of COVID-19 patients ranged from 4.8 to 63%, whereas the incidence of mortality associated with TE complications was between 5% and 48%. A wide range of incidences of TE complications and mortality associated with TE complications can be seen among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Therefore, every patient should be assessed for the risk of thromboembolic complications and provided with an appropriate thromboprophylaxis management plan tailored to their individual needs.

Association between advanced lung cancer inflammation index and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among stroke patients: NHANES, 1999-2018.

Background: Stroke was a major global public health challenge, and its prognosis was remarkably associated with inflammation levels and nutritional status. The advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) was a comprehensive indicator that combined inflammation and nutritional status. Currently, the relationship between ALI and the prognosis of stroke patients was not yet known. The purpose of the current study was to estimate their relationship. Methods: Cohort data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2018 were collected. The association between ALI and all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in stroke patients was estimated using a multivariable adjusted Cox model. Their non-linear relationship was analyzed by restricted cubic spline analysis. Sensitivity analysis was constructed through stratified analysis and interaction analysis. Results: 1,440 stroke patients were included in this study. An elevated ALI was significantly related to a reduced risk of all-cause mortality in stroke patients but not related to CVD mortality. A reverse J-shaped non-linear association between ALI and all-cause mortality in stroke patients, with an inflection point at 83.76 (the lowest of the mortality risk). On the left side of the inflection point, for each 10 U increase in ALI, there was a 16% reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality. However, on the right side, the risk increased by 6%. There was no remarkable interaction between stratified variables and ALI. Conclusion: This was the first study on the relationship between ALI and all-cause and CVD mortality in stroke patients. Elevated ALI was closely associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality. A reverse J-shaped non-linear relationship existed between the two, with an inflection point at 83.76. These findings implied that controlling the ALI of stroke patients within an appropriate range was crucial for their prognosis (such as weight management, albumin supplementation, anti-inflammatory treatment). The dynamic variation in ALI was also advantageous for clinicians in establishing personalized ALI criteria to maximize the long-term survival of stroke patients.

Support for Thrombolytic Therapy for Acute Stroke Patients on Direct Oral Anticoagulants: Mortality and Bleeding Complications.

Background: Alteplase (tPA) is the initial treatment for acute ischemic stroke. Current tPA guidelines exclude patients who took direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) within the prior 48 hours. In this propensity-matched retrospective study we compared acute ischemic stroke patients treated with tPA who had received DOACs within 48 hours of thrombolysis to those not previously treated with DOACs, regarding three outcomes: mortality; intracranial hemorrhage (ICH); and need for acute blood transfusions (as a marker of significant blood loss). Methods: Using the United States cohort of 54 healthcare organizations in the TriNetx database, we identified 8,582 stroke patients treated with tPA on DOACs within 48 hours of thrombolysis and 46,703 stroke patients treated with tPA not on DOACs since January 1, 2012. We performed propensity score matching on demographic information and seven prior clinical diagnostic groups, resulting in a total of 17,164 acute stroke patients evenly matched between groups. We recorded mortality rates, frequency of ICH, and need for blood transfusions for each group over the ensuing 7- and 30-day periods. Results: Patients treated with tPA on DOACs had reduced mortality (3.3% vs 7.3%; risk ratio [RR] 0.456; P < 0.001), fewer ICHs (6.8% vs 10.1%; RR 0.678; P < 0.001), and less risk of major bleeding as measured by frequency of blood transfusions (0.5% vs 1.5%; RR 0.317; p < 0.001) at 7 days post thrombolytic, than the tPA patients not on DOACS. Findings for 30 days post-thrombolytics were similar/statistically significant with lower mortality rate (7.2% vs 13.1%; RR 0.550; P < 0.001), fewer ICHs (7.6% vs 10.8%; RR 0.705; P < 0.001), and fewer blood transfusions (0.9% vs 2.0%; RR 0.448; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Acute ischemic stroke patients treated with tPA who received DOACs within 48 hours of thrombolysis had lower mortality rates, reduced incidence of ICH, and less blood loss than those not on DOACs. Our study suggests that prior use of DOACs should not be a contraindication to thrombolysis for ischemic stroke.

Incidence of stroke, subsequent clinical outcomes and health care resource utilization in people with type 2 diabetes: a real-world database study in France: "INSIST" study.

BACKGROUND: People with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are at elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) including stroke, yet existing real-world evidence (RWE) on the clinical and economic burden of stroke in this population is limited. The aim of this cohort study was to evaluate the clinical and economic burden of stroke among people with T2D in France. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective RWE study using data from the nationally representative subset of the French Système National des Données de Santé (SNDS) database. We assessed the incidence of stroke requiring hospitalization between 2012 and 2018 among T2D patients. Subsequent clinical outcomes including CVD, stroke recurrence, and mortality were estimated overall and according to stroke subtype (ischemic versus hemorrhagic). We also examined the treatment patterns for glucose-lowering agents and CVD agents, health care resource utilization and medical costs. RESULTS: Among 45,331 people with T2D without baseline history of stroke, 2090 (4.6%) had an incident stroke requiring hospitalization. The incidence of ischemic stroke per 1000 person-years was 4.9-times higher than hemorrhagic stroke (6.80 [95% confidence interval (CI) 6.47-7.15] versus 1.38 [1.24-1.54]). During a median follow-up of 2.4 years (interquartile range 0.6; 4.4) from date of index stroke, the rate of CVD, stroke recurrence and mortality per 1000 person-years was higher among hemorrhagic stroke patients than ischemic stroke patients (CVD 130.9 [107.7-159.0] versus 126.4 [117.2-136.4]; stroke recurrence: 86.7 [66.4-113.4] versus 66.5 [59.2-74.6]; mortality 291.5 [259.1-327.9] versus 144.1 [134.3-154.6]). These differences were not statistically significant, except for mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 1.95 [95% CI 1.66-2.92]). The proportion of patients prescribed glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists increased from 4.2% at baseline to 6.6% during follow-up. The proportion of patients prescribed antihypertensives and statins only increased slightly following incident stroke (antihypertensives: 70.9% pre-stroke versus 76.7% post-stroke; statins: 24.1% pre-stroke versus 30.0% post-stroke). Overall, 68.8% of patients had a subsequent hospitalization. Median total medical costs were €12,199 (6846; 22,378). CONCLUSIONS: The high burden of stroke among people with T2D, along with the low proportion of patients receiving recommended treatments as per clinical guidelines, necessitates a strengthened and multidisciplinary approach to the CVD prevention and management in people with T2D.

Safety and Efficacy of Early SGLT2 Inhibitors Initiation in Diabetic Patients Following Acute Myocardial Infarction, a Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Sodium-glucose cotransporter- 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have become a cornerstone in heart failure (HF), Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) management. In the current retrospective study, we aimed to assess efficacy and safety of SGLT2 inhibitors early following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: Patients with T2DM hospitalized for AMI in 2017-2020 were divided according to SGLT2 inhibitors therapy status on discharge (with vs without therapy). Primary outcome was defined as a composite of hospitalizations for HF, recurrent AMI, and cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Secondary outcomes included hospitalizations for any cause, total cumulative number of hospitalizations, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A total of 69 patients (mean age 59.2 ± 8.2 years) with AMI discharged with SGLT2 inhibitors were compared to 253 patients (mean age 62.5 ± 9.8) with no SGLT2 inhibitors. During the first year post-AMI, 4 (5.8%) patients in the treatment group and 16 (6.3%) in the control group were hospitalized for CV events (p = 1.0). Patients in the SGLT2 inhibitors group had lower rates of hospitalization for any cause (31.9% vs 47.8%, P = 0.02), with no change in mortality (0% vs 3.6%, P = 0.21). After multivariate regression analysis, only female gender was associated with increased risk for readmission, mainly due to urinary tract infections. No events of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or limb amputation were reported. CONCLUSIONS: We found that early initiation of SGLT2 inhibitors in T2DM patients following AMI is safe and decreases the risk of hospitalization for any cause.

[Perioperative stroke after aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis - incidence, risk factors and short-term outcome].

INTRODUCTION: One of the most serious complications of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is stroke that can result in increased rates of complications, morbidity and mortality postoperatively. The aim of this study was to investigate incidence, risk factors and short-term outcome in a well defined cohort of SAVR-patients. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A retrospective study on 740 consecutive aortic stenosis patients who underwent SAVR in Iceland 2002-2019. Patients with stroke were compared with non-stroke patients; including preoperative risk factors of cardiovascular disease, echocardiogram-results, rate of early postoperative complications other than stroke and 30 day mortality. RESULTS: Mean age was 71 yrs (34% females) with 57% of the patients receiving stented bioprosthesis, 31% a stentless Freestyle®-valve and 12% a mechanical valve. Mean EuroSCORE-II was 3.6, with a maximum preop-gradient of 70 mmHg and an estimated valvular area of 0.73 cm2. Thirteen (1.8%) patients were diagnosed with stroke where hemiplegia (n=9), loss of consciousness (n=3) and/or aphasia (n=4) were the most common presenting symptoms. In 70% of cases the neurological symptoms resolved or disappeared in the first weeks and months after surgery. Only one patient out of 13 died within 30-days (7.7%). Stroke-patients had significantly lower BMI than non-stroke patients, but other risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, intraoperative factors or the rate of other severe postoperative complications than stroke were similar between groups. Total length of stay was 14 days vs. 10 days median, including 2 vs. 1 days in the ICU, in the stroke and non-stroke-groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of stroke after SAVR was low (1.8%) and in line with other similar studies. Although a severe complication, most patients with perioperative stroke survived 30 days postoperatively and in majority of cases neurological symptoms recovered.

Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Kidney Failure.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in patients with kidney failure, and their risk of cardiovascular events is 10 to 20 times higher as compared with the general population. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated 508 822 patients who initiated dialysis between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2014 using the United States Renal Data System with linked Medicare claims. We determined hospitalization rates for cardiovascular events, defined by acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, and stroke. We examined the association of sex with outcome of cardiovascular events, cardiovascular death, and all-cause death using adjusted time-to-event models. The mean age was 70±12 years and 44.7% were women. The cardiovascular event rate was 232 per thousand person-years (95% CI, 231-233), with a higher rate in women than in men (248 per thousand person-years [95% CI, 247-250] versus 219 per thousand person-years [95% CI, 217-220]). Women had a 14% higher risk of cardiovascular events than men (hazard ratio [HR], 1.14 [95% CI, 1.13-1.16]). Women had a 16% higher risk of heart failure (HR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.15-1.18]), a 31% higher risk of stroke (HR, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.28-1.34]), and no difference in risk of acute coronary syndrome (HR, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.99-1.03]). Women had a lower risk of cardiovascular death (HR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.88-0.90]) and a lower risk of all-cause death than men (HR, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.95-0.97]). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients undergoing dialysis, women have a higher risk of cardiovascular events of heart failure and stroke than men. Women have a lower adjusted risk of cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality.

The interaction between diet quality and cigarette smoking on the incidence of hypertension, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, and all-cause mortality.

This study aimed to examine the interaction between diet quality indices (DQIs) and smoking on the incidence of hypertension (HTN), stroke, cardiovascular diseases, and all-cause mortality. We prospectively followed 5720 participants and collected dietary data via a validated food frequency questionnaire to calculate DQI-international (DQI-I) and DQI-revised (DQI-R). Considering an interaction analysis, we classified participants based on diet quality (median: higher/lower) and smoking status. Over 9 years of follow-up, higher diet quality scores were associated with a lower risk of stroke and mortality. While current smokers had a higher risk of stroke and mortality but had a lower risk of developing HTN. Compared to the current smokers with lower diet quality, nonsmokers with higher diet quality according to the DQI-I [HR 0.24; 95% CI (0.08, 0.66)], and DQI-R [HR 0.20; 95% CI (0.07, 0.57)] had a lower risk of stroke. Moreover, the lower risk of mortality was more evident in nonsmokers with higher DQI-I [HR 0.40; 95% CI (0.22-0.75)] and DQI-R scores [HR 0.34; 95% CI (0.18-0.63)] compared to nonsmokers with lower diet quality. While higher DQI-I and DQI-R scores were associated with a lower risk of stroke and mortality, this beneficial effect may be negated by smoking.

Comparison between the outcomes of transfemoral access and transfemoral access with adjunct upper extremity access in patients undergoing endovascular aortic repair: A pilot systematic review and meta-analysis.

Endovascular aortic repair is an emerging novel intervention for the management of abdominal aortic aneurysms. It is crucial to compare the effectiveness of different access sites, such as transfemoral access (TFA) and upper extremity access (UEA). An electronic literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases. The primary endpoint was the incidence of stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), while the secondary endpoints included technical success, access-site complications, mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), spinal cord ischemia, among others. Forest plots were constructed for the pooled analysis of data using the random-effects model in Review Manager, version 5.4. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Our findings in 9403 study participants (6228 in the TFA group and 3175 in the UEA group) indicate that TFA is associated with a lower risk of stroke/TIA [RR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.40-0.75; p = 0.0002], MI [RR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.38-0.69; p < 0.0001], spinal cord ischemia [RR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.32-0.53, p < 0.00001], and shortens fluoroscopy time [SMD: -0.62; 95% CI: -1.00 to -0.24; p = 0.001]. Moreover, TFA required less contrast agent [SMD: -0.33; 95% CI: -0.61 to -0.06; p = 0.02], contributing to its appeal. However, no significant differences emerged in technical success [p = 0.23], 30-day mortality [p = 0.48], ICU stay duration [p = 0.09], or overall hospital stay length [p = 0.22]. Patients with TFA had a lower risk of stroke, MI, and spinal cord ischemia, shorter fluoroscopy time, and lower use of contrast agents. Future large-scale randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm and strengthen these findings.

Mortality burden of cardiovascular disease attributable to ambient PM2.5 exposure in Portugal, 2011 to 2021.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to high levels of environmental air pollution causes several health outcomes and has been associated with increased mortality, premature mortality, and morbidity. Ambient exposure to PM2.5 is currently considered the leading environmental risk factor globally. A causal relationship between exposure to PM2.5 and the contribution of this exposure to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality was already demonstrated by the American Heart Association. METHODS: To estimate the burden of mortality attributable to environmental risk factors, a comparative risk assessment was performed, considering a "top-down" approach. This approach uses an existing estimate of mortality of the disease endpoint by all causes as a starting point. A population attributable fraction was calculated for the exposure to PM2.5the overall burden of IHD and stroke was multiplied by the PAF to determine the burden attributable to this risk factor. The avoidable burden was calculated using the potential impact fraction (PIF) and considering the WHO-AQG 2021 as an alternative scenario. RESULTS: Between 2011 and 2021, the ambient exposure to PM2.5 resulted in a total of 288,862.7 IHD YLL and a total of 420,432.3 stroke YLL in Portugal. This study found a decreasing trend in the mortality burden attributable to PM2.5 exposure, for both males and females and different age-groups. For different regions of Portugal, the same trend was observed in the last years. The mortality burden attributable to long-term exposure to PM2.5 was mainly concentrated in Lisbon Metropolitan Area, North and Centre. Changes in the exposure limits to the WHO recommended value of exposure (WHO-AQG 2021) have a reduction in the mortality burden due to IHD and stroke attributable to PM2.5 exposure, in Portugal. CONCLUSION: Between 2011 and 2021, approximately 22% and 23% of IHD and stroke deaths were attributable to PM2.5 exposure. Nevertheless, the mortality burden attributable to cardiovascular diseases has been decreasing in last years in Portugal. Our findings provide evidence of the impact of air pollution on human health, which are crucial for decision-making, at the national and regional level.

The association of the platelet/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio with self-reported stroke and cardiovascular mortality: a population-based observational study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that the relationship between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and stroke is controversial, and the association between the platelet/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (PHR), a novel marker for inflammation and hypercoagulability states, and stroke has not been established. METHODS: This study presents an analysis of cross-sectional data from the 2005-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Stroke history, HDL-C levels, and platelet counts were obtained during cross-sectional surveys. The PHR was calculated as the ratio of the number of platelets to HDL-C concentration. Weighted logistic regression was used to assess the associations of HDL-C and the PHR with stroke. Nonlinearity of this relationship was determined through restricted cubic splines (RCSs) and two-piecewise linear regression for identifying inflection points. Furthermore, Cox regression was utilized to prospectively analyze the associations of the PHR and HDL-C concentration with cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in stroke survivors. RESULTS: A total of 27,301 eligible participants were included in the study; mean age, 47.28 years and 50.57% were female, among whom 1,040 had a history of stroke. After full adjustment, the odds ratio (OR) of stroke associated with a per standard deviation (SD) increase in the PHR was estimated at 1.13 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03 - 1.24, P = 0.01), and the OR of stroke associated with a per SD increase in HDL-C was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.86-1.05, P = 0.30). The RCS indicated a nonlinear relationship for both variables (PPHR = 0.018 and PHDL-C = 0.003), and further piecewise linear regression identified inflection points at PHR = 223.684 and HDL-C = 1.4 mmol/L. Segmental regression indicated that in the PHR ≥ 223.684 segment, the estimated OR of stroke associated with a per-SD increase in the PHR was 1.20 (95% CI: 1.09 - 1.31, P < 0.001), while the association of stroke with HDL-C was not significant before or after the inflection point (P > 0.05). Furthermore, Cox regression and RCS showed that a per-SD increase in the PHR was linearly associated with a greater risk of CVD mortality among stroke survivors (HR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.06 - 1.22, P < 0.001; nonlinear, P = 0.956), while HDL-C was not significantly associated with CVD mortality. CONCLUSION: The association between the PHR and stroke incidence exhibited a significant threshold effect, with an inflection point at 223.684. A PHR exceeding 223.684 was positively associated with stroke, while the association between HDL-C and stroke was not significant. Additionally, the PHR was positively and linearly associated with CVD mortality among stroke survivors.

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials of endovascular therapy for stroke on mortality and disability.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment (EVT) has become standard of care for patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke, with indications having recently expanded to late time-window and large ischemic core patients. There is conflicting evidence on whether EVT reduces mortality or only disability. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the effect of EVT on mortality and severe disability. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase on November 15, 2023, to identify phase 3 RCTs comparing EVT to best medical treatment (BMT) in patients with anterior circulation LVO stroke in a common effects meta-analysis. The primary outcome was mortality at 3 months. Secondary outcomes were moderately severe or severe disability (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 4-5) at 3 months. RESULTS: 18 studies comparing EVT to BMT were included, with a total of 4309 patients; 2159 that were treated with EVT, and 2150 treated with BMT. Mortality was significantly lower in the EVT group than in the BMT group (odds ratio (OR): 0.81, 95% CI: 0.70-0.94). Proportions of moderately severe or severe disability (OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.48-0.62) were also significantly lower in patients treated with EVT. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that EVT reduces both mortality and moderately severe or severe disability in patients with anterior circulation LVO stroke.

Long-term survival in stroke patients: insights into triglyceride-glucose body mass index from ICU data.

BACKGROUND: The Triglyceride Glucose-Body Mass Index (TyG-BMI) has been established as a robust indicator of insulin resistance (IR), reflecting metabolic health across various populations. In general, lower TyG-BMI values are often associated with better metabolic health outcomes and a reduced risk of adverse health events in non-critically ill populations. Previous studies have highlighted a significant negative association between TyG-BMI and all-cause mortality (ACM) among critically ill atrial fibrillation patients. Given the high prevalence and severe outcomes associated with stroke, understanding how TyG-BMI at the time of ICU admission correlates with ACM in critically ill stroke patients becomes imperative. This study aims to assess the correlation between TyG-BMI and ACM in this specific patient cohort, exploring how traditional associations between TyG-BMI and metabolic health may differ in the context of acute, life-threatening illness. METHODS: Patient data were retrieved by accessing the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV 2.2) database, categorizing patients into three groups on the basis of TyG-BMI tertiles. The study evaluated both primary and secondary outcomes: the primary outcomes included the 90-day, 180-day, and 1-year ACM, while secondary outcomes encompassed ICU, in-hospital, and 30-day ACM. Our study employed the Kaplan-Meier (K-M) curve method for outcome comparison across the groups while utilizing multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression models and restricted cubic splines (RCS) to explore TyG-BMI association with these outcomes. Additionally, interaction and subgroup analyses were performed, focusing on different mortality time points. RESULTS: Among a cohort of 1707 individuals diagnosed with stroke, the average age was 68 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 58-78 years), with 946 (55.42%) of the participants being male. The analysis of K-M curves suggested that patients having a lower TyG-BMI level faced a heightened risk of long-term ACM, whereas the short-term ACM exhibited no statistically significant differences across the three TyG-BMI groups. Furthermore, Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis validated a statistically significant increased risk of long-term ACM among patients belonging to the lowest TyG-BMI tertile. Additionally, RCS analysis results demonstrated L-shaped correlations between the TyG-BMI index and both short- and long-term ACM. These findings underscore the TyG-BMI predictive value for long-term mortality in stroke patients, highlighting a nuanced relationship that varies over different time frames. The results revealed no interactions between TyG-BMI and the stratified variables, with the exception of age. CONCLUSION: In our study, lower TyG-BMI levels in critically ill stroke patients are significantly related to a higher risk of long-term ACM within the context of the United States. This finding suggests the potential of TyG-BMI as a marker for stratifying long-term risk in this patient population. However, it's crucial to note that this association was not observed for short-term ACM, indicating that the utility of TyG-BMI may be more pronounced in long-term outcome prediction. Additionally, our conclusion that TyG-BMI could serve as a reliable indicator for managing and stratifying stroke patients over the long term is preliminary. To confirm our findings and assess the universal applicability of TyG-BMI as a prognostic tool, it is crucial to conduct rigorously designed research across various populations.