The importance of atrial fibrillation and selected echocardiographic parameters for the effectiveness and safety of thrombolytic therapy in patients with stroke.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of thrombolytic therapy in stroke depend on multiple factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of atrial fibrillation the prognosis in terms of the functional status in patients with stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis. An additional aim was also to assess the potential significance of reduced ejection fraction (EF) and enlarged left atrium (LA) of the heart for the prognosis in patients with stroke who underwent thrombolytic therapy. METHODOLOGY: A prospective study involved enrollment of 222 patients, mean age of 72 years with first-in-life ischemic stroke. In all participants there were realized procedures as follows: neurological status before administering rt-PA (NIHSS), selected echocardiographic parameters, functional status on the 14th day from the onset (mRankin scale) and analysis the bleeding events. RESULTS: Atrial fibrillation was significantly more frequent in women than men; females had higher CHA2DS2VASc scores and heavier neurological conditions on day 1 of stroke. Two independent factors for poor prognosis (3-5 points by mRankin) were found: the NIHSS score and the CHA2DS2VASc score ≥3. We identified 2 independent factors for death within 14 days from the onset: the result by NIHSS and the EF. The NIHSS score turned out to be the only independent predictor of hemorrhage during hospitalization: RR 1.19; CI [1.06-1.33]; p=0.003; p for model=0.0025. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of atrial fibrillation worsens the patient's prognosis in terms of the functional status and survival during the acute period of stroke in patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis. Higher NIHSS and CHA2DS2VASc scores and reduced EF in patients with stroke treated with thrombolysis are the predictors of unfavorable short-term prognosis.

The significance of troponin elevation for the clinical course and outcome of first-ever ischaemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: An increase in the troponin I (TnI) level is a marker of myocardial damage in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and other conditions. According to the latest reports, an increase in the concentration of TnI in the acute phase of stroke relates to 1-34% of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of elevated TnI concentration in patients with acute first-ever stroke and to examine its significance for the prediction of post-stroke disability degree and death within 30 days of stroke. An additional aim of the study was to compare the anatomic location of stroke in patients with normal and elevated TnI concentrations on the 1st day of stroke. METHODS: Patients (M/F: 609/459; mean age 72 ± 11) with stroke numbering 1,068 were included in the prospective study. Their neurological deficit (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale), TnI concentration (normal range ≤ 0.014 ng/ml), creatine kinase and ECG were examined on the 1st day of stroke. A follow-up and ECG were performed one day later in patients with abnormal TnI. The anatomical location of stroke (the right and left hemispheres and the brain stem) was compared in patients with normal and elevated TnI concentrations on the first day of stroke. The patients' functioning status was assessed using the by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) on the 30th day, and mortality was assessed within 30 days. The analysis was performed using a single and multi-factorial method of non-linear estimation for logistic regression in order to identify the independent factors for post-stroke disability at 4-6 points on the mRS on the 30th day following the onset and for death within 30 days of stroke in relation to the entire study group. The relative risk of a 4-6 point scoring on the mRS and of death among patients with abnormal TnI concentrations was also assessed. RESULTS: Abnormal TnI concentration during stroke was observed in 9.73% of patients. The functioning status (mRS) of patients with elevated TnI was significantly worse 30 days post stroke as compared to patients with normal TnI concentration. Stroke was significantly more frequent in the right-hemisphere in patients with elevated TnI and no ischaemic changes in the ECG. For patients with ACS Tn+ during stroke, the mortality within 30 days after stroke was significantly more frequent than for patients without ACS Tn+. The abnormal TnI level neurological status on the 1st day of stroke and age were independent mortality factors within 30 days following stroke. Elevated TnI concentration, hypertension and neurological status on the 1st day of stroke were independent factors for post-stroke disability. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated TnI concentration occurs in 1/10 of patients with acute ischaemic stroke. It is connected with an unfavourable course of stroke leading to a significant disability and less independence in their everyday functioning. The right hemisphere is the most common site of stroke accompanied by elevated concentration of troponin in patients with no ischaemic changes in the electrocardiogram. Troponin-positive acute coronary syndrome in the period of acute stroke increases mortality within one month. Among patients with an abnormal troponin concentration in the acute phase of stroke, poor outcome is attributed to stroke severity on admission.

Acute kidney injury after abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery: detailed assessment of early effects using novel markers.

INTRODUCTION:  One of the most severe complications of repair surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is acute kidney injury (AKI). Even small rises in serum creatinine after surgery are associated with increased mortality. OBJECTIVES:  The aim of the study was to assess the dynamics of AKI after elective AAA surgery using novel markers. PATIENTS AND METHODS:  The study group consisted of 14 patients with AAA. We measured serum neutrophil gelatinase­associated lipocalin (NGAL) before, during (including intra­abdominal vein levels before and after removal of aortic clamp), and within 2 days after surgery.  Moreover, we assessed urinary NGAL, interleukin 18 (IL­18), and liver­type fatty acid­binding protein (L­FABP) before, during, and within 3 days after surgery. RESULTS:  We observed a marked but nonsignificant increase in serum NGAL directly after clamp removal (75.21 ±55.83 vs. 46.37 ±21.60 ng/ml baseline value, P >0.05) and significantly elevated plasma NGAL at 2 hours (91.54 ±76.54 vs. baseline, P <0.05), 12 hours (100.78 ±44.92 vs. baseline, P <0.05) and 24 hours (89.46 ±94.18 vs. baseline, P <0.05) after clamp release. There was also significant elevation of urinary IL­18 at 2 hours (51.60 [12.12-527.16] vs. 25.99 [9.34-187.80] pg/ml at baseline, P <0.05); L­FABP at 2 hours (47.10 [5.40-500.00] vs. 5.50 (2.20-27.20) ng/ml at baseline, P <0.05) and 12 hours (39.00 [5.20-500.00] vs. baseline, P <0.05); NGAL at 12 hours (20.75 [5.00-176.10] vs. 5.85 [1.40-16.00] ng/ml at baseline, P <0.05) and 24 hours (13.95 [3.90-163.30] vs. baseline, P <0.05) after clamp release. CONCLUSIONS:  Elective AAA surgery may induce AKI. Novel markers can facilitate early detection of AKI, thus allowing to start therapy at an appropriate time point.

[Aorto-caval fistula as a results of abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture imitating acute renal insufficiency]. / Pekniecie tetniaka aorty brzusznej do zyly glównej dolnej imitujace ostra niewydolnosc nerek.

Aorto-caval fistula (ACF) is a rare complication of abdominal aortic aneurysm. It occurs in 1-6% of cases. The classic diagnostic signs of an ACF (pulsatile abdominal mass with bruit and right ventricular failure) are present only in a half of the patients. The most common diagnostic imaging procedures like ultrasound and computed tomography often are not sufficient enough. This leads to the delay in diagnosis, which has a great impact on the results of operation. We report a case of a patient, who was treated before admission to the Clinic because of azotemia and oliguria suggesting renal failure.