Hypertriglyceridemia as a possible cause of coma: a case report

The role of total and LDL-cholesterol as independent risk factors of ischemic stroke remains uncertain. The aim of this hospital based prospective observational study is to investigate the association between total and LDL cholesterol levels and ischaemic stroke in Emirates patients admitted to hospital between June 2007 and June 2009 with atherothrombotic stroke. One hundred and seventy one Emirati patients, 89 males and 82 females with acute ischemic stroke were diagnosed and investigated for risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiac diseases, cigarettes smoking and past history of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and past history of stroke. Exclusion criteria were patients with acute or chronic atrial fibrillation and patients receiving statins. Brain CT scan, echocardiogram and carotid ultrasound were done on hospital admission. One hundred and twelve patients (65.5%) had hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol level ≥ 5.2 mmole/L, LDL cholesterol ≥ 4.2 mmole/L). One hundred and thirty patients (76.0%) were hypertensive. Ninety patients (52.8%) were diabetic. Twenty two (12.9%) were heavy smokers. Fifty patients (29.2%) had past history of cardiac disease. Twenty eight patients (16.4%) had previous stroke Twelve patients (12%) had TIA. Out of the one hundred and twelve patients with hypercholesterolemia nine patients (5%) only had isolated hypercholesterolemia. The commonest risk factor associated with hypercholesterolemia is hypertension (78.8%). In conclusion, the results of this study do not support the association between isolated hypercholesterolemia and atherothrombotic stroke. Hypercholesterolemia is not an independent risk factor for ischaemic stroke but it can interact with other risk factors mainly hypertension to promote atherosclerosis.

Transient Ischemic Attacks—Populations and Prognosis

In this present study, we tried to find out if there is a subgroup of patients that should not undergo transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) after an ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). A total of 441 consecutive unselected patients with ischaemic stroke or TIA suitable for anticoagulation were examined with TEE in the acute phase. The patients were divided into five subcategories according to their rhythm, age and the findings in carotid sonography, and into two groups according to the presence of clinical risk factors for ischaemic stroke or TIA. From the 441 studied patients, 60 (14%) had chronic or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) and 381 (86%) were in sinus rhythm (SR). Of the patients in SR, 46 (12%) were below 50 years old. The carotid sonography was conducted in 240 patients above 50 years old and in SR, and <50% internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis was found in 194 (81%) patients and > or =50% ICA in 46 (19%) patients. Potential cardiac sources of embolism were found in patients both with AF or in SR (70% versus 46%), both below and above 50-year-old patients in SR (37% versus 47%), both in over 50-year-old patients in SR with <50% ICA stenosis and > or =50% ICA stenosis (41% versus 61%) and in patients in SR either without or with clinical risk factors for ischaemic stroke or TIA (43% versus 51%). On the basis of the TEE study, oral anticoagulation was started in 36 (9%) patients in SR. These results support TEE in patients with ischaemic stroke or TIA who are candidates for receiving oral anticoagulation.

To determine the vascular ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound characteristics of ischaemic stroke in patients with Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) and explore the diagnostic value of ultrasound characteristics for diagnosing ischaemic stroke in such patients. We retrospectively analysed 80 patients with TAK who underwent vascular ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound on admission. We analysed the ultrasound characteristics of ischaemic stroke in these patients and performed multiple logistic regression analyses to determine the independent risk factors for ischaemic stroke in the patient cohort. The value of ultrasound characteristics in patients with TAK and ischaemic stroke was evaluated using the net reclassification and integrated discrimination improvement indices. Among 80 patients, 22 (27.5%) had ischaemic stroke. Fourteen patients had anterior circulation infarction, two had posterior circulation infarction, and six had both. Multivariate analysis showed that the number of occluded arteries (odds ratio (OR), 2.01; p=0.005), high-grade enhancement (grade ≥2, OR, 6.52; p=0.016), and revascularisation (OR, 0.05; p=0.002) were independent influencing factors for ischaemic stroke in patients with TAK. The area under the curve indicated that the number of occluded arteries (≥3) and high-grade enhancement (grade ≥2) can be used to identify patients with TAK at high risk for ischaemic stroke. A higher number of cervical artery occlusions and high-grade enhancement (grade ≥2) are independent risk factors for ischaemic stroke in patients with TAK. The combination of these factors can facilitate the diagnosis of ischaemic stroke in these patients.

Associations between hepatitis C viremia and low serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels: A community-based study

PurposeResidual cardiovascular risk reduction by fenofibrate in patients with high serum triglyceride (TG) levels despite previous statin monotherapy is not well characterized. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combination of choline fenofibrate and statin in patients with inadequately controlled TG levels despite previous statin monotherapy. MethodsThis prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind study was conducted in Korea. A total of 133 patients with controlled LDL-C but elevated TG levels, already receiving statin monotherapy, were enrolled in the study, which was conducted from July 2018 to December 2019. Patients were randomly assigned to receive combination therapy with choline fenofibrate and statin or statin monotherapy in a 1:1 ratio. After 8 weeks of treatment, the lipid profiles and safety parameters of the patients in the 2 groups were compared. FindingsThe study included 127 patients (64 in the combination group and 63 in the control group) older than 19 years. After 8 weeks of therapy, mean serum TG levels significantly decreased from 269.8 to 145.5 mg/dL (P < 0.0001) in the combination therapy group, whereas no significant changes occurred in the statin monotherapy group (from 271.1 to 280.5 mg/dL). Contrarily, the mean serum HDLC levels significantly increased from 45.0 to 50.4 mg/dL (P = 0.0004) in the combination therapy group, whereas there were no significant changes in the monotherapy group (from 44.3 to 44.7 mg/dL). There were no additional serious adverse events in the combination therapy group compared with the statin monotherapy group. ImplicationsThe combination therapy using choline fenofibrate and statin was found to be effective in serum TG control and likely tolerable in patients with high TG levels despite statin monotherapy. A larger study, conducted for a longer duration, is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of this combination in reducing cardiovascular risk. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03874260.

Objective: The accompanying thrombocytosis is referred to as the major factor associated with thromboembolism in iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Increased viscosity may increase the risk of thrombosis. We hypothesized that increased platelet count -with reactive thrombocytosis- might also affect plasma viscosity. We planned to evaluate the influence of normal and high platelet count on plasma viscosity in IDA patients. Material and Methods: The patient population consisted of fifty-three newly diagnosed and untreated women aged between 18 and 62 years with IDA. Group 1 consisted of 33 patients, platelet levels below 400 x 109/L. Group 2 consisted of 20 patients, platelet levels above 400 x 109/L. Measurements of plasma viscosity were performed using Brookfield viscometer. Results: Mean plasma viscosity was found as 1.05 ± 0.08 mPa.s. in Group 1, and 1.03 ± 0.06 mPa.s. in Group 2. Mean plasma viscosity was not statistically different. White blood cell count was significantly higher in Group 2. Vitamin B12 levels were significantly higher in Group 2, while folic acid levels were higher in Group 1 (p=0.011 and p=0.033). Plasma viscosity was correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r=0.512 p=0.002) in Group 1 and inversely correlated with vitamin B12 (r=−0.480 p=0.032) in Group 2. Conclusion: Despite the significant difference between groups in terms of platelet count, no significant difference was detected in plasma viscosity and this finding could be explained as the following; 1-These platelets were not thrombocythemic platelets; 2-Similar to the theory about leukocytes, higher platelet counts – even non-thrombocythemic – may increase plasma viscosity; 3-Evaluating platelet count alone is not sufficient and the associating red-cell deformability should also be taken into account; and 4-Although other diseases that could affect viscosity are excluded, some definitely proven literature criteria such as fibrinogen, hyperlipidemia, and the inflammatory process should also be evaluated by laboratory and clinical measures.

Treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia lowers plasma viscosity

Previous infection, both of bacterial and viral origin, is reported to represent an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke in children and young adults. The authors describe the case of an immunocompetent young woman who developed a middle cerebral artery thrombosis and stroke in course of a recurrence of human parvovirus B19 (PVB19) infection. A previously healthy 25-year-old woman developed right ataxic hemiparesis, 5 days after the onset of a flulike syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed acute multiple left frontal-parietal ischemic lesions. Conventional and magnetic resonance angiograms revealed a stenosis in the left middle cerebral artery. Nested polymerase chain reaction detected PVB19-specific DNA sequences in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood, and serology showed high titers of high avidity immunoglobulin G against PVB19. After 10 days, the patient's recovery was nearly complete. One month later, PVB19 disappeared from the serum, whereas it persisted in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells. This case report suggests that PVB19 infection may play a trigger role in the development of ischemic stroke, and that it should be considered in the screening of infectious risk factors for cerebrovascular diseases in young adults.

Evaluation of risk factors for stroke/embolism and of complications due to anticoagulant therapy in atrial fibrillation.

Background: Stroke is a common cause of death, and a leading contributor to long-term disability. The cost associated with the disease is great. Several modifiable risk factors for stroke have been found in older cohorts; however, no study to date has investigated the effects of these risk factors from late adolescence. Methods: The study cohort comprised 811,579 Swedish men (mean age, 18 years) that participated in the mandatory military conscription service in Sweden between 1969 and 1986. Some risk factors for stroke, such as body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and cognitive function, were assessed at conscription. Aerobic fitness was also assessed at conscription, using a braked ergometer cycle test. Other risk factors for stroke, including stroke in subjects' parents, and socioeconomic factors including highest achieved level of education and annual income 15 years after conscription, were collected through national register linkage using the personal identification number. Stroke diagnosis among the study participants was tracked in the National Hospital Discharge Patient Register. Results: During a median follow-up period of 33 years 6,180 ischemic strokes and 2,104 hemorrhagic strokes were diagnosed in the cohort at a mean age of 47.9 years. Strong independent risk factors (all p <1.0 × 10−⁶) for ischemic stroke included low aerobic fitness (hazard ratio [HR], 0.84 per standard deviation [SD] increase), high BMI (HR, 1.15 per SD increase), diabetes (HR, 2.85), alcohol intoxication (HR, 1.93), low annual income (HR, 0.85 per SD decrease), and stroke in the mother (HR, 1.31). Similar risk factors were found for hemorrhagic stroke including low aerobic fitness (HR, 0.82 per SD increase), high BMI (HR, 1.18 per SD increase) alcohol intoxication (HR, 2.92), diabetes (HR, 2.06), and low annual income (HR, 0.75). The population attributable risks associated with all evaluated risk factors were 69% for ischemic stroke and 88% for hemorrhagic stroke (p < 0.001 for both). Conclusions: In the present study we have shown that several known risk factors for stroke are present already in late adolescence, and that they are independent of each other. The strongest risk factors were low physical fitness, high BMI, diabetes, low annual income and a maternal history of stroke. Several of the aforementioned risk factors are potentially modifiable.

Background: Family history (FHx) of stroke is perceived to be an important risk factor for ischaemic stroke. However, there are several intermediate phenotypes that are often involved in the aetiology of ischaemic stroke and that have a substantial genetic component themselves. We studied FHx of ischaemic heart disease (IHD), hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM) as risk factors for ischaemic stroke. Methods: We performed a systematic review of case-control and cohort studies reporting on FHx_IHD, FHx_HTN or FHx_DM as risk factors for stroke using bibliographic databases, and by hand searching reference lists and journals. Odds ratios of FHx as a risk factor for stroke were calculated within individual studies. We included unpublished data from two Oxfordshire population-based studies to assess effects on subtypes of ischaemic stroke. Results: We identified 54 studies that investigated the odds of stroke conferred by a positive FHx, 24 of which reported data on FHx of one or more intermediate phenotypes in addition to FHx of stroke. Most studies reported an increased frequency of FHx_IHD and FHx_HTN in stroke patients versus controls. The association was significant in 6 out of 14 studies for FHx_IHD and 4 out of 11 studies for FHx_HTN. In contrast, FHx_DM was not associated with stroke. FHx_IHD was particularly associated with large vessel strokes (OR 1.72, CI 1.3–2.2, p = 0.00004). Conclusions: FHx_IHD and FHx_HTN are both risk factors for stroke. It is likely that the apparent heritability of stroke is partly accounted for by heritability of HTN and large vessel atherosclerosis. Analyses of heritability of stroke and candidate gene studies should be adjusted accordingly.

IntroductionCardioembolic (CE) risks is usually considered as the main mechanism of ischemic stroke in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients. However, a substantial number of ischemic strokes in NVAF patients are related to non-CE mechanisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the non-CE risk factors in ischemic stroke patients had NVAF.MethodsWe included 401 patients (65.6% male, 68.6 ± 9.6 years old) who had been hospitalized due to ischemic stroke and had a known or newly diagnosed NVAF. The CE (intracardiac thrombus, dense spontaneous echo contrast, or low left atrial appendage flow velocity) and non-CE (complex aortic plaque, significant carotid stenosis, or intracranial arterial stenosis) risk factors were investigated at the time of the index stroke.ResultsThe number of CE and non-CE risk factors increased with increasing CHA2DS2-VASc scores (p for trends < 0.001). The presence of CE risk factors was independently associated with persistent atrial fibrillation (p < 0.001), body mass index (p = 0.003), heart failure (p = 0.003), and left atrial volume index (p < 0.001). In contrast, the presence of non-CE risk factors was independently associated with age (p < 0.001), hypertension (p = 0.049), diabetes (p = 0.030), and coronary artery calcium score (CACS; p < 0.001). CACS had the added value in predicting non-CE risk factors of ischemic stroke regardless of the CHA2DS2-VASc risk category (p < 0.001).ConclusionNon-CE risk factors in ischemic stroke patients with NVAF are associated with high CHA2DS2-VASc score and CACS. Atherosclerotic non-CE risk factors should be considered as potential mechanisms of stroke even in patients with AF-associated ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND : Stroke is the leading cause of death and disability in the world. The occurrence of ischemic stroke is indicated by genetic factors, environmental factors and the interaction between it. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) genetic variant is associated with various characteristics of risk factors for ischemic stroke. OBJECTIVE : Identifying genetic variants of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) with the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method and to find it’s correlation beetwen risk factor in patients with Ischemic Stroke at Dr. Kariadi Semarang METHOD : The subjects of the study were 72 patients with ishcemic stroke who were treated at the polyclinic of the Neurology Department Dr. Kariadi Semarang in January - December 2013. DNA extraction of research subjects was carried out at the Laboratory of the Center of Biomedical Research (CEBIOR), Faculty of Medicine, Diponegoro University from January to March 2020. Amplification using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method was carried out using an Eppendorf thermocycler. Data were analyzed with SPSS for Windows Version 25 RESULT : 72 samples analyzed obtained genetic variants of ACE II 39 (54.2%) samples, genetic variants of ACE DI 30 samples (41.7%), and genetic variants of ACE DD 3 (4.2%) samples. Meanwhile, there was no significant relationship ( p&gt;0,05 ) between genetic variants of ACE and the characteristics of risk factors for ischemic stroke, namely age, gender, Body Mass Index, smoking history, triglyceride levels, HDL levels, LDL levels, obesity and hypertension. CONCLUSION : There are three types of ACE genetic variants, including the ACE II genetic variant, the ACE DI genetic variant, and the ACE DD genetic variant. Among the three genetic variants, ACE II genetic variant is the most common variant and there is no significant relationship to the various risk factor characteristics found in ischemic stroke patients at Dr. Kariadi Gneeral Hospital Semarang.

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