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Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism Oct 2022To investigate the risk of ocular manifestations leading to hospital contacts among patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA).
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the risk of ocular manifestations leading to hospital contacts among patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA).
METHODS
A Danish, nationwide, register-based cohort study including 14,574 GCA patients diagnosed 1996-2018 and 145,740 general population referents, matched on sex and date of birth. Cumulative incidence proportions (CIPs) and relative risks (RRs) of ocular manifestations with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a pseudo-observation approach.
RESULTS
A total of 1026/14,574 (7.0%) GCA patients were registered with ocular manifestations within ±1 year of the diagnosis; 392/1026 (38%) being before and 634/1026 (62%) after the GCA diagnosis, and 744/1026 (73%) were registered within ±1 month of the diagnosis. The diagnoses were 336/1026 (33%) retinal vascular occlusions, 300/1026 (29%) disorders of the optic nerve, 177/1026 (17%) visual impairment, 90/1026 (9%) diplopia, and 123/1026 (12%) amaurosis fugax. The CIP for ocular manifestations among GCA patients after 3, 6, and 12 months following the diagnosis were 4.0% (95% CI: 3.6-4.3), 4.2% (95% CI: 3.9-4.6), and 4.6% (95% CI: 4.2-4.9). The 1-year RR of ocular manifestations among GCA patients was 28.0 (95% CI: 24.0-32.7), with age above 70 years, male sex, and a positive temporal artery biopsy being risk factors. Treatment with low-dose aspirin was not associated with a reduced 1-year RR of incident ocular manifestations.
CONCLUSIONS
In GCA, most cases of ocular manifestations leading to hospital contacts occur close to the time of diagnosis, with over one-third of cases occurring before the diagnosis, emphasizing the need for early recognition and treatment.
Topics: Aged; Biopsy; Cohort Studies; Giant Cell Arteritis; Hospitals; Humans; Incidence; Male; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 35878473
DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2022.152071 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery Oct 2020Transfemoral carotid artery stenting (CAS) has been validated as an acceptable alternative to carotid endarterectomy in patients at high risk for open surgery. There are... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
OBJECTIVE
Transfemoral carotid artery stenting (CAS) has been validated as an acceptable alternative to carotid endarterectomy in patients at high risk for open surgery. There are variable sex- and age-based differences in transfemoral CAS outcomes of published randomized controlled trials. The aim of our study was to evaluate sex-based differences in perioperative outcomes after transfemoral CAS performed in octogenarians.
METHODS
The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program targeted vascular module was queried for all patients ≥80 years of age who underwent transfemoral CAS between 2011 and 2017. Symptomatic status was defined as a history of prior ipsilateral stroke, transient ischemic attack, or amaurosis fugax. The primary outcome was a composite outcome of perioperative (30-day) stroke or death. Outcomes were compared for male vs female patients and stratified by symptomatic status using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusting for emergent status, symptomatic status, comorbidities, and use of an embolic protection device.
RESULTS
Overall, there were 143 patients ≥80 years of age who underwent transfemoral CAS during the study period, including 95 men (66.4%) and 48 women (33.6%). Race (white, 88.0% vs 85.4%), symptomatic status (30.9% vs 29.2%), and degree of stenosis (severe, 71.6% vs 62.5%) were not significantly different for men vs women (P ≥ .27). Periprocedural stroke/death occurred in six men (6.4%) vs two women (4.2%; P = .59) and did not significantly differ when stratified according to symptomatic (6.9% vs 7.1%; P = .98) and asymptomatic (6.2% vs 2.9%; P = .49) status. Based on multivariable analysis, independent factors associated with the composite end point included emergent vs elective status (adjusted odds ratio OR [aOR], 20.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.25-183) and failure to use an embolic protection device (aOR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.59-50.0). Sex was not significantly associated with the primary outcome after risk adjustment (aOR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.28-3.28).
CONCLUSIONS
We found no sex-based differences in risk of perioperative stroke/death among patients ≥80 years of age undergoing transfemoral CAS. Our study validates previous studies showing a high rate of perioperative complications after transfemoral CAS in octogenarians and suggests that the decision to use this technology in older patients should be determined by patients' anatomic and medical risk factors irrespective of sex.
Topics: Aged, 80 and over; Carotid Arteries; Carotid Stenosis; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Femoral Artery; Hospital Mortality; Humans; Male; Postoperative Complications; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Stents; Stroke; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32107096
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2019.12.034 -
Acta Ophthalmologica Jun 2022We describe hypoperfusion-related and embolic ocular signs of carotid stenosis (CS) before and six months after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in a CS population.
PURPOSE
We describe hypoperfusion-related and embolic ocular signs of carotid stenosis (CS) before and six months after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in a CS population.
METHODS
We enrolled prospectively 70 CEA patients (81% male, mean age 69) and 41 non-medicated control subjects (76%, 68), from March 2015 to December 2018, assessing intraocular pressure (IOP), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in logMAR units and performing a bio-microscopy examination.
RESULTS
Main index symptoms included amaurosis fugax (Afx) (29, 41%) and hemispheric TIA (17, 24%), and 17 (24%) were asymptomatic. Of the 70, 17 patients (24%, 95% CI 16-36) showed ocular signs of CS. Of four embolic (Hollenhorst plaques) findings, one small macular plaque disappeared postoperatively. Four had hypoperfusion, that is ocular ischaemic syndrome (OIS), requiring panretinal photocoagulation: one for multiple mid-peripheral haemorrhages, two for iris neovascularization and one for neovascular glaucoma (NVG); only the NVG proved irreversible. Nine (de novo in three) showed mild OIS, that is only few mid-peripheral haemorrhages, ranging pre- /postoperatively in ipsilateral eyes from one to eleven (median two)/ one to two (median one), and in contralateral eyes from three to nine (median five)/ one to six (median three). Pre- and postoperative median BCVA was 0 or better, and mean IOP was normal, except in the NVG patient. Temporary visual impairment from 0 to 0.3 occurred in one eye soon after CEA due to ocular hyperperfusion causing macular oedema.
CONCLUSIONS
Ocular signs of CS are common in CEA patients, ranging from few mid-peripheral haemorrhages to irreversible NVG. Clinicians should be aware of these signs in detecting CS.
Topics: Aged; Carotid Stenosis; Choroid; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Female; Glaucoma, Neovascular; Humans; Male; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 34633762
DOI: 10.1111/aos.15019 -
Stroke Aug 2019Background and Purpose- The clinical utility of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in evaluating carotid artery plaque vulnerability remains unclear. Two tracers... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Background and Purpose- The clinical utility of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in evaluating carotid artery plaque vulnerability remains unclear. Two tracers of recent interest for carotid plaque imaging are F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) and F-sodium fluoride (F-NaF). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the association between carotid artery F-FDG or F-NaF uptake and recent or future cerebral ischemic events. Methods- A systematic review of Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, and the Cochrane library was conducted from inception to December 2017 for articles evaluating PET tracer uptake in recently symptomatic versus asymptomatic carotid arteries, and articles evaluating carotid uptake in relation to future ischemic events. Cerebral ischemic events were defined as ipsilateral strokes, transient ischemic attacks, or amaurosis fugax. We quantitatively pooled studies by a random-effects model when 3 or more studies were amenable for analysis. We assessed the standardized mean difference between tracer uptake in the symptomatic versus asymptomatic carotid artery using Cohen's d metric. Results- After screening 4144 unique articles, 13 prospective cohort studies assessing carotid artery F-FDG uptake in patients with recent cerebral ischemia were eligible for review. Eleven cohorts of 290 subjects scanned with F-FDG were eligible for meta-analysis. We found that carotid arteries ipsilateral to recent ischemic events had significantly higher F-FDG uptake than asymptomatic arteries (Cohen's d =0.492; CI=0.130-0.855; P=0.008) as well as significant heterogeneity (Cochran's Q =31.5; P=0.0005; I=68.3%). Meta-regression was not performed due to the limited number of studies in the analysis. Only 2 studies investigating F-NaF PET imaging, and another 2 articles investigating ischemic event recurrence were found. Conclusions- Recent ipsilateral cerebral ischemia may be associated with increased carotid F-FDG uptake on PET imaging regardless of degree of carotid stenosis, although significant heterogeneity was found, and these results should be interpreted with caution. Emerging evidence suggests a similar association may be present with F-NaF plaque uptake. More studies are warranted to provide definitive conclusions on the utility of F-FDG or F-NaF in carotid plaque evaluation before investigating carotid PET as a diagnostic tool for cerebral ischemic events.
Topics: Brain Ischemia; Carotid Stenosis; Humans; Neuroimaging; Plaque, Atherosclerotic; Positron-Emission Tomography
PubMed: 31272325
DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.118.023987 -
Journal of Ultrasonography 2019The aim of this article was to present the possibilities of use and application of color-coded Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of various diseases of the...
The aim of this article was to present the possibilities of use and application of color-coded Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of various diseases of the eyeball and orbit which result from vascular disorders. Color-coded Doppler ultrasonography is recommended for the assessment of blood flow velocity in the retrobulbar arteries. That is why the article contains current recommendations for Doppler imaging in ophthalmology. The paper provides detailed recommendations for patient's preparation for the examination, presents the scanning technique and safety of the examination, and lists ophthalmological diseases of vascular origin for which color-coded Doppler ultrasonography can be applied. Furthermore, the article also presents other techniques applied in clinical practice for the assessment of blood flow or imaging of vasculature of a given eyeball structure, inter alia: power Doppler ultrasonography, 3D and 4D ultrasonography, magnetic resonance angiography, spiral computer tomography, transcranial ultrasonography and modern microvascular imaging. The authors emphasize the usefulness of color-coded Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of diseases which result from blood flow disorders within the eyeball, such as amaurosis fugax, ocular ischemic syndrome, insufficiency in vessels supplying the carotid and vertebral arteries, posterior ischemic optic neuropathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, vascular vision disorders, vascular malformations, such as arteriovenous fistula, orbital varices, systemic connective tissue diseases in retinopathy of prematurity, diabetes, thyroid disorders or strabismus. The application of color-coded Doppler ultrasonography is especially important in the assessment of the vasculature of intrabulbar tumorous lesions and in the differential diagnosis of intrabulbar tumors. The aim of this article was to present the possibilities of use and application of color-coded Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of various diseases of the eyeball and orbit which result from vascular disorders. Color-coded Doppler ultrasonography is recommended for the assessment of blood flow velocity in the retrobulbar arteries. That is why the article contains current recommendations for Doppler imaging in ophthalmology. The paper provides detailed recommendations for patient’s preparation for the examination, presents the scanning technique and safety of the examination, and lists ophthalmological diseases of vascular origin for which color-coded Doppler ultrasonography can be applied. Furthermore, the article also presents other techniques applied in clinical practice for the assessment of blood flow or imaging of vasculature of a given eyeball structure, inter alia: power Doppler ultrasonography, 3D and 4D ultrasonography, magnetic resonance angiography, spiral computer tomography, transcranial ultrasonography and modern microvascular imaging. The authors emphasize the usefulness of color-coded Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of diseases which result from blood flow disorders within the eyeball, such as amaurosis fugax, ocular ischemic syndrome, insufficiency in vessels supplying the carotid and vertebral arteries, posterior ischemic optic neuropathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, vascular vision disorders, vascular malformations, such as arteriovenous fistula, orbital varices, systemic connective tissue diseases in retinopathy of prematurity, diabetes, thyroid disorders or strabismus. The application of color-coded Doppler ultrasonography is especially important in the assessment of the vasculature of intrabulbar tumorous lesions and in the differential diagnosis of intrabulbar tumors.
PubMed: 31355585
DOI: 10.15557/JoU.2019.0019 -
European Journal of Vascular and... Mar 2019Sarcopenia is a predictor of mortality in elderly patients. Masseter area (MA) reflects sarcopenia in trauma patients. It was hypothesised that MA and Masseter density... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND
Sarcopenia is a predictor of mortality in elderly patients. Masseter area (MA) reflects sarcopenia in trauma patients. It was hypothesised that MA and Masseter density (MD) could be evaluated reliably from pre-operative computed tomography angiography (CTA) scans and that they predict post-operative survival in carotid endarterectomy (CEA) patients.
METHODS
This was an observational registry study. Patients (n = 242) were operated on for asymptomatic stenosis (n = 32; 13.2%), amaurosis fugax (n = 41; 16.9%), transient ischaemic attack (n = 85; 35.1%), or ischaemic stroke (n = 84; 34.7%). Internal carotid artery stenoses were graded angiographically. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to analyse measurement reliability by three independent observers. Cox regression analysis was used to study the effect of MA and MD on survival (hazard ratio [HR]).
RESULTS
Median patient age was 71.0 years (interquartile range [IQR] 13.0) and follow up time was 68.5 months (range 3-163 months); at the end of follow up (1 October 2017), 104 (43.0%) patients had died according to the National Population Register. The average MA (MAavg, the mean of left and right MA [median 394.0 mm; IQR 110.1 mm]) and MD (MDavg, the mean of left and right MD [median 53.5 HU; IQR 16.5 HU]) could be measured with excellent reliability (ICC > 0.865, p < .001 for all). In multivariable analyses only body surface area (BSA) (p < .001) and dental status were associated with MAavg (p = .021). Increased MAavg predicted lower mortality (HR 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61-0.96; p = .023) independent of age (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.07; p = 0.001), female sex, body mass index, renal insufficiency, ipsilateral stenosis, indication category, and presence of teeth. MDavg was not associated with mortality. After further adjustment, BSA (the most significant determinant of MAavg) did not alter the association between MAavg and mortality (0.75, 95% CI 0.58-0.97; p = .031).
CONCLUSION
Average MA but not MD measured from the pre-operative CTA scan provides a reliable estimate of post-operative long-term survival in CEA patients independent of other risk factors, anthropometric measurements, and dental status.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Carotid Stenosis; Computed Tomography Angiography; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Female; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Male; Masseter Muscle; Middle Aged; Registries; Reproducibility of Results; Survival Analysis; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 30583960
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2018.11.011 -
International Medical Case Reports... 2016A 68-year-old female with no significant past medical history presented with loss of vision in the lower half of her left eye that lasted <5 minutes. No abnormalities...
A 68-year-old female with no significant past medical history presented with loss of vision in the lower half of her left eye that lasted <5 minutes. No abnormalities were found on ocular or physical exam. Computed tomography angiography and carotid ultrasound were performed, which confirmed the diagnosis as amaurosis fugax with two abnormalities leading to the transient retinal vessel occlusion. First, it was found that the patient has a congenital vascular anomaly, which consisted most notably of a right-sided aortic arch. This vascular anomaly also consisted of abnormal branching of the left subclavian and common carotid arteries, predisposing the patient to turbulent blood flow and increased risk of the formation of an atherosclerotic plaque at the origin of the common carotid artery. This is an abnormal location for a plaque leading to amaurosis fugax compared to the most common location at the carotid bifurcation. Endarterectomy was not performed because of the difficult location of the plaque and tortuosity of the vessel. Rather, medical intervention with antiplatelet and lipid-lowering therapy was initiated to lower the risk of future retinal or cerebral thromboembolic events.
PubMed: 27445507
DOI: 10.2147/IMCRJ.S106627 -
European Journal of Vascular and... Feb 2015The timing of CEA for symptomatic internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis remains a matter of controversy. Recent registry data showed a significantly increased risk,... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
OBJECTIVES
The timing of CEA for symptomatic internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis remains a matter of controversy. Recent registry data showed a significantly increased risk, especially in the very early days after the onset of symptoms. In this study the outcome of CEA in the hyperacute phase has been investigated.
METHODS
The outcome of CEA for symptomatic ICA stenosis between January 2004 and December 2013 has been retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into four timing groups: surgery within 0 and 2 days, between 3 and 7 days, 8 and 14 days, and thereafter. The post-operative 30 day stroke and death rates were assessed.
RESULTS
A total of 761 symptomatic patients (40.1% with transient ischemic attack [TIA], 21.3% with amaurosis fugax, and 38.6% with ischemic stroke) were included, with an overall peri-operative stroke and death rate of 3.3%. A stroke and death rate of 4.4% (9/206) for surgery within 0 and 2 days, 1.8% (4/219) between 3 and 7 days, 4.4% (6/136) between 8 and 14 days, and 2.5% (5/200) in the period thereafter (p = .25 for the difference between the groups) was observed. The timing of surgery did not influence the peri-operative outcome in a multivariate regression analysis (OR 0.93 [0.63-1.36], p = .71).
CONCLUSIONS
These data show that very urgent surgery in symptomatic patients can be performed without increased procedural risk. Given the fact that ruptured plaques with neurological symptoms carry the highest risk of a recurrent ischemic event in the first 2 days, treating patients as soon as possible to offer the highest benefit in stroke prevention is recommended.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Amaurosis Fugax; Carotid Artery, Internal; Carotid Stenosis; Chi-Square Distribution; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Female; Humans; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Odds Ratio; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Stroke; Time Factors; Time-to-Treatment; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 25445726
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2014.09.006 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery Jan 2017We report a modified operative technique termed partial eversion carotid endarterectomy (PECE). During a 9-year period (2006-2015), 352 patients underwent PECE....
We report a modified operative technique termed partial eversion carotid endarterectomy (PECE). During a 9-year period (2006-2015), 352 patients underwent PECE. Indications for surgery, intraoperative details, and outcomes were recorded. The initial 185 patients had carotid duplex ultrasound imaging at 6 weeks and then at 6, 12, and 24 months. Subsequent patients had carotid imaging at 4 to 6 weeks. Indications included stroke (76), transient ischemic attack (153), and amaurosis fugax (33); 58 patients were asymptomatic, and 32 patients had surgery before cardiac surgery. Median clamp time was 14 minutes (interquartile range, 11.5-17 minutes). Median total operation time was 41 minutes (interquartile range, 31-72 minutes). Outcomes included four transient ischemic attacks (1.2%), five strokes (1.4%), and two deaths at 30 days (0.5%). No significant cranial nerve injuries or carotid restenosis was detected during follow-up. PECE is technically straightforward, with outcomes comparable to those of current operative techniques. Its advantages included reduced operative and carotid clamping time.
Topics: Aged; Amaurosis Fugax; Asymptomatic Diseases; Carotid Stenosis; Computed Tomography Angiography; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Female; Humans; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Male; Middle Aged; Operative Time; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Stroke; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex
PubMed: 28010865
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2016.10.057 -
Romanian Journal of Ophthalmology 2022Sarcoidosis is a chronic multisystemic disease, which can be rarely associated with autoimmune disorders, such as antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Although amaurosis...
Sarcoidosis is a chronic multisystemic disease, which can be rarely associated with autoimmune disorders, such as antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Although amaurosis fugax is an uncommon complication, its presentation can unmask a carotid artery dissection (CAD) in these diseases. In addition, central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) has been related to vascular disorders too. We presented a case of a Caucasian middle-aged man, who developed CAD symptoms, such as amaurosis fugax in the right eye (RE) and headache. His medical history included arterial hypertension, hypothyroidism, and Lofgren's syndrome. On examination, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy and subretinal fluid (SRF) in the macular area of the RE were observed. These findings were confirmed by optical coherence tomography (OCT), which also revealed an increase in choroidal thickness. However, these differed significantly from the contralateral eye. These clinical symptoms and imaging findings suggested a CSC in the RE, but not all clinical processes were justified. Subsequently, a CT angiography was performed and confirmed a significant occlusion in the right internal carotid artery and progressive sharpening of the lumen with an intimal flap due to a carotid dissection. In addition, the laboratory results were compatible with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). To the authors' knowledge, the patient returned to the ED due to an anterior uveitis and he is currently asymptomatic with Cemidon and Adalimumab treatment. We described for the first time a case of carotid dissection and central serous chorioretinopathy in the context of two autoimmune-based pathologies, such as sarcoidosis and antiphospholipid syndrome. APS = Antiphospholipid syndrome, BCVA = Best-corrected visual acuity, CAD = Carotid artery dissection, CNV = Choroidal neovascular membrane, CSC = Central serous chorioretinopathy, CT = Computed tomography, ED = Emergency Department, ICAD = Internal carotid artery dissection, LE = Left eye, OCT = Optical coherence tomography, RAPD = Relative afferent pupillary defect, RPE = Retinal pigment epithelium, RE = Right eye, SRF = Subretinal fluid.
Topics: Amaurosis Fugax; Antiphospholipid Syndrome; Carotid Arteries; Central Serous Chorioretinopathy; Fluorescein Angiography; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Sarcoidosis
PubMed: 35935073
DOI: 10.22336/rjo.2022.38