Ticlopidine, trials, and torture.
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Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗
Biomedical subjects
J van Gijn
Publications and source records attributed to J van Gijn.
Cognitive correlates of ventricular enlargement and cerebral white matter lesions on magnetic resonance imaging. The Rotterdam Study.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ventricular enlargement and white matter lesions are frequent findings on cerebral magnetic resonance imaging scans of elderly subjects. In demented subjects they seem related to the severity of the dementia, but in nondemented subjects their clinical significance is less clear. We investigated the relation of size of the lateral ventricles and white matter lesions with cognitive function in a population-based random sample of nondemented elderly persons. METHODS: The study population consisted of 90 subjects, aged 65 to 84 years, who were randomly selected from the cohort of the Rotterdam Study, and who were not demented. The presence of white matter lesions and the ventricle-to-brain ratio were assessed on magnetic resonance scans. Participants were tested with a neuropsychological battery that covered a broad range of cognitive functions. RESULTS: Ventricular enlargement and white matter lesions were both and independently associated with poorer performance on all tests. After adjustment for age and sex, ventricular enlargement was significantly associated with worse scores on tests assessing global cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination, P = .02; Groninger Intelligence Test, P = .01), memory (Word List Learning delayed recall, P = .03), and executive control functions (Stroop part II, P = .02; Trial Making Test B, P < .01); for white matter lesions the differences were significant for tests measuring executive control functions and mental speed (Trail Making Test A and B, P = .01 and P < .01, respectively; verbal fluency, P = .01), and memory (Word List Learning delayed recall, P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that white matter lesions are primarily related to impairment of subcorticofrontal functions, whereas enlargement of the lateral ventricles is associated with disturbances of cortical functions as well.
Age Factors↗
Definition of initial grading, specific events, and overall outcome in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. A survey.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Scientific communication in medicine can be effective only if reports are based on unequivocal criteria for clinical conditions or specific diagnoses. METHODS: We reviewed all articles about subarachnoid hemorrhage published in nine neurosurgical or neurological journals from 1985 through 1992 and assessed the presence and the precision of definitions used for reporting the initial grade, the specific complications of rebleeding, delayed cerebral ischemia, and hydrocephalus, and the overall outcome. We identified 184 articles reporting direct observations in at least 10 patients on one or more of these conditions. RESULTS: Of 161 articles reporting the initial condition, only 19% used an unequivocal grading system (World Federation of Neurological Surgeons Scale or Glasgow Coma Scale); this proportion did not increase after 1988, when the World Federation of Neurological Surgeons Scale was introduced. The specific outcome events of rebleeding, ischemia, and hydrocephalus (283 instances) were sufficiently defined in only 31% of instances, incompletely in 22%, and not at all in 47%. The proportions were similar when the results were analyzed according to the type of complication, the year of publication, or per study. The four exclusively neurosurgical journals featured suitable definitions for any of the three outcome events in 20% of 209 instances, whereas the five mainly neurological journals published fewer articles about subarachnoid hemorrhage (74 instances of outcome events) but more often with precise criteria (65%). Overall outcome was adequately reported in 63% of all articles, with an increase over the years (54% in 1985 through 1988, 71% in 1989 through 1992). CONCLUSIONS: Reports about subarachnoid hemorrhage require closer scrutiny before publication to ascertain whether the conclusions about specific outcome events are based on unequivocal criteria.
Bias↗
Predictive factors for deterioration from hydrocephalus after subarachnoid hemorrhage.
We studied the predictive factors for deterioration from hydrocephalus that developed during the first 28 days after admission in 660 patients following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Deterioration from hydrocephalus was defined as deterioration of consciousness with no detectable cause other than hydrocephalus confirmed by a repeat CT with a bicaudate index exceeding the 95th percentile for age. Deterioration from hydrocephalus occurred in 143 (22%) of the 660 patients. The variables included in the analysis were sex, age, loss of consciousness at ictus, sum score on the Glasgow Coma Scale on admission, sum score of cisternal blood and presence of ventricular blood on initial CT, hydrocephalus on initial CT, confirmed aneurysm, rebleeding, delayed cerebral ischemia, and treatment with tranexamic acid for 4 (short-term treatment) or 28 (long-term treatment) days. In a multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model incorporating fixed and time-dependent covariates, sum score of cisternal blood on initial CT (hazard ratio 3.15, p < 0.000001), presence of ventricular blood on initial CT (hazard ratio 1.66, p = 0.004), hydrocephalus on initial CT (hazard ratio 3.37, p < 0.000001), and long-term treatment with tranexamic acid (hazard ratio 2.40, p < 0.000001) were significantly related with the development of hydrocephalus. We conclude that a high amount of blood after SAH and delay of the resorption of cisternal and ventricular blood caused by long-term treatment with tranexamic acid increases the risk of deterioration from hydrocephalus after SAH.
Adult↗
Cerebral white matter lesions, vascular risk factors, and cognitive function in a population-based study: the Rotterdam Study.
Cerebral white matter lesions are a common finding on MRI in elderly persons. We studied the prevalence of white matter lesions and their relation with classic cardiovascular risk factors, thrombogenic factors, and cognitive function in an age- and gender-stratified random sample from the general population that consisted of 111 subjects 65 to 84 years of age. Overall, 27% of subjects had white matter lesions. The prevalence and severity of lesions increased with age. A history of stroke or myocardial infarction, factor VIIc activity, and fibrinogen level were each significantly and independently associated with the presence of white matter lesions. Significant relations with blood pressure level, hypertension, and plasma cholesterol were present only for subjects aged 65 to 74 years. White matter lesions tended to be associated with lower scores on tests of cognitive function and were significantly associated with subjective mental decline. This study suggests that classic cardiovascular risk factors, as well as thrombogenic factors, are associated with white matter lesions in subjects over 65 years of age in the general population, and that these lesions may be related to cognitive function.
Aged↗
Treating uncontrolled crying after stroke.
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Cerebrovascular Disorders↗
Risk of sports activities in children with Down's syndrome and atlantoaxial instability.
10-40% of children with Down's syndrome have atlantoaxial instability. These children might run the risk of spinal cord compression if they play sport. The aim of our study was to assess this presumed risk. We obtained 282 radiographs of the cervical spine from a cohort of 400 children and young adults with Down's syndrome who attended special schools and who were between 4 and 20 years old (about 25% of all such children in the Netherlands). The atlantoaxial distance was more than 4 mm in 91 children. These children were randomly assigned to two groups, with the provision that all children at any particular school were assigned to the same group. Children of one group were allowed to continue their habitual sports and exercise activities, whereas those in the other group were advised not to play "risky" sports (as defined by a panel of four experts) and not to make "risky" movements during physical education lessons. The compliance of the experimental group was good. After a year, there were no differences between the groups in scores on a functional motor scale, the frequency of neurological signs, or changes in the atlantoaxial distance. The motor function of a third group of 44 children with Down's syndrome but normal atlantoaxial distances was similar to that of children in the other two groups, as was the frequency of neurological signs. These findings suggest there is no reason to stop children with Down's syndrome from playing certain sports and no need to screen them by radiography before they take up such sports activities.
Adolescent↗
Cerebral white matter lesions and atherosclerosis in the Rotterdam Study.
Cerebral white matter lesions (WML) seen on magnetic resonance imaging scans are associated with cardiovascular disease and vascular risk factors. To assess the association between WML and atherosclerosis, we studied 111 people, aged 65 to 85 years, randomly sampled, and stratified by age and sex, from participants in the Rotterdam Study. Cerebral T2-weighted magnetic resonance images in the axial plane were obtained for all subjects. Carotid atherosclerosis was ultrasonographically assessed by the presence of stenosis, measurement of intima to media wall thickness (IMT), and the presence of atherosclerotic plaques. A possible or definite myocardial infarction on an electrocardiogram was used as an indicator of coronary atherosclerosis. The ankle to arm systolic blood pressure ratio (ABI) was determined, and peripheral arterial disease was defined as an ABI lower than 0.90 in at least one side. Carotid atherosclerosis was significantly more pronounced in people with WML. The difference in common carotid IMT was 0.13 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04-0.21), whereas the odds ratio of WML associated with plaques in the carotid bifurcation was 3.9. The degree of internal carotid artery stenosis was not, however, associated with WML. The mean ABI was significantly lower in people with WML than in those without lesions with a difference of -0.11 (95% CI -0.21 to -0.01). The odds ratio of WML associated with peripheral arterial disease and a possible or definite myocardial infarction was 2.4 and 3.1, respectively. We conclude that atherosclerosis, indicated by increased common carotid IMT, carotid plaques, and a lower ABI, is related to WML.
Aged↗
Epileptic seizures after subarachnoid hemorrhage.
We studied predictive factors for the occurrence of epilepsy in 381 consecutive patients admitted within 72 hours after they had a subarachnoid hemorrhage from a ruptured intracranial aneurysm. Fits occurring in the presence of hyponatremia or within 12 hours after the initial bleed, rebleeding, or aneurysm surgery were classified as associated with these acute events and we did not regard these fits subsequent epileptic seizures. Thirty-five patients (9%) had one or more epileptic seizures, 12 hours to 1,761 days after the initial bleed (median value, 18 days). The following variables were included in the analysis: sex, age, history of hypertension, history of cardiovascular disease, loss of consciousness at ictus, sum score on the Glasgow Coma Scale on admission, sum score for the amount of cisternal blood and presence of intraventricular blood based on the initial computed tomography (CT) scan, occurrence of ictal seizures (seizures occurring within 12 hours after the onset), acute hydrocephalus, rebleeding, delayed cerebral ischemia, fluid intake, treatment with tranexamic acid, ventricular drainage, and aneurysm surgery. After multivariate analysis by means of Cox proportional hazards model with stepwise forward selection of the variables, a high cisternal blood score and rebleeding proved to be significantly related to epilepsy (hazard ratio = 2.06, p = 0.040; and hazard ratio = 3.02, p = 0.016), even after the exclusion of 28 patients who received perioperative prophylactic anticonvulsant therapy (hazard ratio = 2.31, p = 0.022; and hazard ratio = 3.65, p = 0.006, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adult↗
Informing patients about clinical trials.
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Aged↗
Radiological assessment of the atlantoaxial distance in Down's syndrome.
People with Down's syndrome are pre-disposed to atlantoaxial instability. As part of a study to determine whether those with Down's syndrome should be screened for atlantoaxial instability before they participate in sport, a series of 279 children, aged 6 to 17 years was investigated radiologically. Lateral radiographs of the cervical spine were taken in neutral position and in flexion. The magnification factor was assessed by means of a marker attached to the nape of the neck. After correction for magnification 15% of the patients were found to have an atlantoaxial distance greater than 4 mm on the flexion film, especially boys under 11 years of age. However, sex and age together explained at most 9% of the variation in atlantoaxial distance. The maximum distance found was 6.5 mm. The disagreement between the means of first and second measurements by the same (test-retest) and by another (inter-) observer was more for those taken in the neutral position than in flexion. On a group level the results for reliability were satisfactory.
Adolescent↗
Increased thromboxane biosynthesis in patients with acute cerebral ischemia.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Clinical and experimental studies suggest that platelets have a major role in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia. However, ex vivo both platelet aggregation studies and measurements of platelet-derived products in patients with cerebral ischemia have shown inconsistent results. The present study was designed to resolve this inconsistency. METHODS: We have measured the urinary excretion of a thromboxane metabolite, 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2, by a previously validated radioimmunoassay technique in 51 patients with acute cerebral ischemia who had experienced either a transient ischemic attack (14 patients) or an ischemic stroke (37 patients) and in 20 control patients with nonvascular neurological disorders. The median time between the onset of symptoms and urine sampling was 24 hours (range, from 2 hours to 8 days). RESULTS: The excretion rate of immunoreactive 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 ranged between 39 and 478 pmol/mmol creatinine in patients with a transient ischemic attack and between 23 and 5,916 pmol/mmol creatinine in stroke patients, with 29% (p = 0.18) and 51% (p = 0.004) of the urine samples, respectively, exceeding the upper limit of the control samples (251 pmol/mmol creatinine [mean +/- 2 SD]) (p = 0.01). In stroke patients, metabolite excretion was not related to the type (cortical or "lacunar") or site of cerebral infarction. Low-dose aspirin (50 mg per day for 7 days) reduced the urinary excretion by approximately 85% in 11 consecutive stroke patients. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that 1) episodes of enhanced thromboxane biosynthesis are detected infrequently in patients with a transient ischemic attack, 2) aspirin-suppressible episodes of increased thromboxane formation can be detected during the early phase of acute ischemic stroke, and 3) this finding may provide a rationale for testing the efficacy and safety of this drug in this setting.
Acute Disease↗
Does cerebral infarction after a previous warning occur in the same vascular territory?
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the territory of cerebral infarcts on follow-up with that of the preceding transient ischemic attack or nondisabling stroke. METHODS: The Dutch TIA Trial was a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, in which the secondary preventive effects of two doses of aspirin were compared in patients with a transient ischemic attack or nondisabling stroke. On the basis of clinical symptoms and computed tomography, qualifying events were classified as pertaining to the left carotid, right carotid, or vertebrobasilar circulation. RESULTS: In 2,993 patients the territory of the qualifying event was that of the left carotid in 1,281 (43%), the right carotid in 1,090 (36%), and the vertebrobasilar in 444 (15%); the territory was uncertain in 178 (6%). On follow-up (mean, 2.6 years), 184 of the 2,371 patients with a baseline event in the carotid circulation suffered a recurrent ischemic stroke (7.8%), as did 28 of the 444 patients in the vertebrobasilar group (6.3%); 117 of these 212 infarcts (55%; 95% confidence interval, 49-62) occurred in the same territory (108 in the ipsilateral carotid and nine in the vertebrobasilar territory) as the event at baseline, compared with 39% to be expected by chance alone (95% confidence interval, 32-45). In the carotid groups patients were significantly more likely to have a subsequent ischemic event in the same territory as at entry than patients in the vertebrobasilar group (relative risk, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-3.2). The average interval between the qualifying event and the subsequent stroke was significantly shorter (mean, 167 days; 95% confidence interval, 77-257) if the vascular territory was the same. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that single artery disease accounts for at most one half of the strokes on follow-up, relatively more often in the carotid territory, and that recurrent strokes from the same arterial lesion occur sooner than strokes associated with other lesions.
Aspirin↗
Carotid endarterectomy with transcranial Doppler and electroencephalographic monitoring. A prospective study in 130 operations.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We report the results of combined recording of hemodynamic and thromboembolic phenomena during carotid endarterectomy by means of computerized electroencephalography as well as transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. The study focuses on the additional value of transcranial Doppler to detect ischemia during surgery. METHODS: Combined monitoring was performed in 130 consecutive operations, using standard anesthesiological, surgical, and neurophysiological procedures. RESULTS: A reduction of > or = 70% of blood flow velocities in the middle cerebral artery during cross-clamping was measured in 16 patients. In seven of these cases there were no severe electroencephalographic changes and a shunt was not used, but one of the patients developed a subcortical infarct with slight disability. In 55 patients, 75 episodes of embolization were detected by transcranial Doppler. In one of these, with massive embolization after release of the clamp, an intraoperative stroke occurred without changes on cranial computerized tomography or neurological disability on follow-up. In the other 54 patients, intraoperative embolization did not cause clinical or neuroradiological symptoms. Electroencephalographic changes occurred in only two of the 75 episodes. In addition to the two nondisabling strokes during surgery (1.5%), six strokes occurred within 5 days of operation, including one hemorrhage. There was no significant relation between contralateral carotid occlusion and stroke (p = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: During carotid endarterectomy, transcranial Doppler immediately provides information about thromboembolism and hemodynamic changes that are not detected by electroencephalography alone. Acoustic feedback from the transcranial Doppler monitoring unit has a direct influence on the surgical technique. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound may be a useful tool in the study and prevention of intraoperative stroke.
Adult↗
Amount of blood on computed tomography as an independent predictor after aneurysm rupture.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: After admission to the hospital of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, we assessed the predictive value of the extent of the hemorrhage on computed tomography in addition to that of clinical grading scales for poor outcome, infarction, and rebleeding. METHODS: We studied 471 consecutive patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and used logistic regression with step-wise forward selection of variables. RESULTS: On admission, poor outcome was predicted by a low Glasgow Coma Scale score (odds ratio, 0.8; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-0.9); treatment with fluid restriction (2.5; 1.6-4.0); age over 52 (2.6; 1.7-3.9); loss of consciousness at ictus (1.7; 1.1-2.6); or a large amount of subarachnoid blood (2.0; 1.3-3.1). Delayed infarction was predicted by a large amount of subarachnoid blood (1.8; 1.2-2.6) or treatment with tranexamic acid (1.6; 1.1-2.4). Rebleeding was predicted by treatment with tranexamic acid (0.4; 0.3-0.7; protective effect); age over 52 (1.9; 1.2-3.0); loss of consciousness at ictus (1.7; 1.1-2.7); or admission to a neurosurgery service (0.6; 0.3-0.9; protective effect). Comparison of the observed and predicted outcome events showed that inclusion of the amount of subarachnoid blood into a predictive model added little to the prediction of poor outcome in general, but much to the prediction of delayed cerebral ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: The total amount of subarachnoid blood on the initial computed tomogram has independent predictive power for the occurrence of delayed cerebral ischemia.
Age Factors↗
Spinal infarction. A follow-up study.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ten patients with spinal cord infarction were followed up after 1 to 27 (median, 3) years to establish the sequelae of the disease in the long term. SUMMARY OF REPORT: Eight surviving patients were interviewed about mobility, pain, and activities of daily living. All 8 patients had residual weakness in the legs; 7 of them were able to live at home without professional help. All but 1 suffered from continuous pain, which was not dependent on the degree of weakness. CONCLUSIONS: Motor function had improved to some extent in all patients, but pain is a disabling feature in the long term.
Activities of Daily Living↗
Subarachnoid hemorrhage without detectable aneurysm. A review of the causes.
BACKGROUND: In 15% to 20% of patients with a spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage, no aneurysm is found on the first angiogram. This review emphasizes that this group of patients is in fact heterogeneous and describes the clinical features, pattern of hemorrhage on early computed tomographic (CT) scan, prognosis, and proposed management in the several and distinct subsets of these patients. SUMMARY OF REVIEW: Patients in whom no aneurysm is revealed on the initial angiogram can be subdivided mainly according to the pattern of hemorrhage on an early CT scan. In two thirds of these patients the CT scan shows a perimesencephalic pattern of hemorrhage (ie, blood confined to the cisterns around the midbrain); these patients invariably have a good prognosis, which obviates the need for a second angiogram. Patients with diffuse or anteriorly located blood on CT scan are at risk of rebleeding. In most of these patients the source of hemorrhage is an occult aneurysm, but intracranial artery dissections, dural arteriovenous malformations, mycotic aneurysms, trauma, bleeding disorders, substance abuse, or a cervical origin of the hemorrhage should also be considered. Patients with no blood revealed on an early CT scan but with xanthochromic cerebrospinal fluid are extremely rare. These patients deserve a second reading of the scan for blood in the prepontine cistern, which can be the only site of hemorrhage in perimesencephalic hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis and management of patients in whom no aneurysm is found on the initial angiogram depends on the pattern of hemorrhage on the initial CT scan. Patients should no longer be designated with the umbrella term "angiogram-negative subarachnoid hemorrhage."
Anemia, Sickle Cell↗