The use of mechanical thrombectomy in the treatment of basilar artery occlusion – case report

Occlusion of the basilar artery (BAO) is a rare cause of stroke, making up approximately 1% of all cases. Ischemic stroke within the basilar artery is associated with serious complications and high mortality (75–91%). BAO may occur initially in the form of mild prodromal symptoms with neurological disorders, the consequences of which can lead to death. For these reasons, BAO requires rapid diagnosis and treatment. We report the case of a 26-year-old man who suffered basilar artery occlusion and was treated with endovascular therapy. The patient was disqualified from intra-venous thrombolysis and endovascular treatment due to exceeding the therapeutic time window. Despite this, due to the location of ischemia and age of the patient, it was decided to proceed with a mechanical thrombectomy (TM). Vessel patency was restored using the Solitaire FR stent. Treatment continued with antiplatelet therapy. Despite a significant overshoot of the time window the procedure was successful and complete recanalization was achieved. During hospitalization, significant neurological symptom reductions were observed. There is no accurate data on which method of treatment of ischemic stroke is best for BAO. Expectations about the effectiveness of endovascular techniques are high

Endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke – Own experience

Objective Presentation of the own experience in the treatment of ischemic stroke using endovascular methods of simultaneous evaluation of their effectiveness and safety. Materials and methods The retrospective study involved a group of 18 patients hospitalized in 2005–2012 who were treated with intraarterial thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy. Overall there were 24 procedures performed. The investigated group consisted of seven (38.89%) women and 11 (61.11%) men. The average age of the patients was 60 years (SD±17, median – 60 years). Results In 62.50% of cases (n=15) the effect of revascularization has been achieved and another 12.50% of cases (n=3) recanalization was achieved only partially. Only in 25% of procedures (n=6) failed to achieve recanalization of the artery (TICI≤1). The highest percentage of recanalized arteries were obtained by following the procedure of thrombolysis targeted – 69.24% (TICI≥2b). In the case of mechanical thrombectomy total patency (TICI≥2b) was 54.55%. The average duration of treatment (operation) is 157min. After 30 days successful result of the neurological status was achieved in 57.14% of patients (n=8). Full return to independent functioning as defined within 3 months after the surgery (mRS≤2) reached 57.14% of patients (n=8). Conclusion Studies suggest that endovascular techniques are effective and safe in the treatment of ischemic stroke. Greater efficiency is characterized by intraarterial thrombolysis. Patients who were treated endovascular improved significantly

Biliary duct obstruction treatment with aid of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage

AbstractIntroductionPercutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage (PTBD) is a procedure indicated in patients with non-operative lesions, when endoscopic application of prosthesis is impossible due to anatomic reasons, complications or severe general condition of patient. Most often it is a palliative procedure, aiming for live-quality improvement, although not altering prognosis of basic disease.AimThis study presents own experience in biliary drainage with the aid of percutaneous transhepatic method and simultaneous assessment of method effectiveness and safety. The aim was to assess outcomes and complications of PTBD in a large group of patients.Materials and methodIn time period 2007–2014, 167 patients hospitalized in Radiodiagnostics and Radiology Department of Clinical Hospital, were investigated retrospectively. PTBD procedure was applied to patients with biliary tract obstruction. In total 186 procedures of percutaneous drainage were applied. Average age of patients was 63.6years. Bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase were measured before and after procedure. All data were analyzed statistically.ResultsIn examined group percutaneous drainage was successful in 90.7% interventions. In 8.1% procedures drainage application was ineffective. The most common complication during procedure was hemobilia (3.2%) and the long term complication was drain dislocation (2.7%). The mean bilirubin levels declined from 397.06μmol/l before drainage to 297.88μmol/l after drainage (p<0.05).ConclusionsPTBD is an effective method of biliary tract decompression and it is an important alternative to endoscopic drainage. This method is indicated in patients with neoplastic obstruction of biliary tract with low expected survival rate and thus is a palliative procedure

Predictors of Early Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Lead Dislodgement in the Elderly

Introduction: One of the most frequent cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation complications is lead dislodgement, especially in the older adult population. Little evidence is available about the influence of frailty on the risk of lead dislodgment after CIED implantation procedures; thus, the evaluation of frailty could be relevant for the course and safety of the implantation procedure, especially among the elderly with cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to assess the risks and predictors of early lead dislodgement in the elderly population. Methods: Between 2008 and 2021, 14,293 patients underwent implantations. In 400 elderly patients, lead dislodgement was confirmed, and frailty was retrospectively calculated. Results: The most frequent dislodgement according to the lead position was that of the atrial lead (133; 33.3%). In the logistic regression, frailty (OR: 1.8196, 95% CI:1.4991&ndash;2.2086; p &lt; 0.0001) and age (OR: 1.0315, 95% CI:1.0005&ndash;1.0634; p &lt; 0.0461) were independent predictors of early dislodgement. In the female group, frailty (OR: 2.1185, 95% CI: 1.5530&ndash;2.8899; p &lt; 0.0001) was an independent predictor of early dislodgement. Similarly, in the male group, frailty (OR: 1.6321, 95% CI:1.2725&ndash;2.0934; p &lt; 0.0001) was an independent predictor of early dislodgement. Conclusion: Lead dislodgement often occurs in the elderly. Frailty in both men and women is a predictive factor of early lead dislodgment. Evaluating frailty may be an essential element of proper selection, especially in the elderly undergoing CIED procedures, and, consequently, it could help prevent further complications

Relationship Between Anti-DFS70 Autoantibodies and Oxidative Stress

Background: The anti-DFS70 autoantibodies are one of the most commonly and widely described agent of unknown clinical significance, frequently detected in healthy individuals. It is not known whether the DFS70 autoantibodies are protective or pathogenic. One of the factors suspected of inducing the formation of anti-DFS70 antibodies is increased oxidative stress. We evaluated the coexistence of anti-DFS70 antibodies with selected markers of oxidative stress and investigated whether these antibodies could be considered as indirect markers of oxidative stress. Methods: The intensity of oxidative stress was measured in all samples via indices of free-radical damage to lipids and proteins such as total oxidant status (TOS), concentrations of lipid hydroperoxides (LPH), lipofuscin (LPS), and malondialdehyde (MDA). The parameters of the non-enzymatic antioxidant system, such as total antioxidant status (TAS) and uric acid concentration (UA), were also measured, as well as the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Based on TOS and TAS values, the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. All samples were also tested with indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and 357 samples were selected for direct monospecific anti DFS70 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing. Results:: The anti-DFS70 antibodies were confirmed by ELISA test in 21.29% of samples. Compared with anti-DFS70 negative samples we observed 23% lower concentration of LPH (P = .038) and 11% lower concentration of UA (P = .005). TOS was 20% lower (P = .014). The activity of SOD was up to 5% higher (P = .037). The Pearson correlation showed weak negative correlation for LPH, UA, and TOS and a weak positive correlation for SOD activity. Conclusion: In samples positive for the anti-DFS70 antibody a decreased level of oxidative stress was observed, especially in the case of samples with a high antibody titer. Anti-DFS70 antibodies can be considered as an indirect marker of reduced oxidative stress or a marker indicating the recent intensification of antioxidant processes

Metabolic syndrome is associated with similar long-term prognosis in non-obese and obese patients. An analysis of 45 615 patients from the nationwide LIPIDOGRAM 2004-2015 cohort studies

Aims We aimed to evaluate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and long-term all-cause mortality. Methods The LIPIDOGRAM studies were carried out in the primary care in Poland in 2004, 2006 and 2015. MetS was diagnosed based on the National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III) and Joint Interim Statement (JIS) criteria. The cohort was divided into four groups: non-obese patients without MetS, obese patients without MetS, non-obese patients with MetS and obese patients with MetS. Differences in all-cause mortality was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. Results 45,615 participants were enrolled (mean age 56.3, standard deviation: 11.8 years; 61.7% female). MetS was diagnosed in 14,202 (31%) by NCEP/ATP III criteria, and 17,216 (37.7%) by JIS criteria. Follow-up was available for 44,620 (97.8%, median duration 15.3 years) patients. MetS was associated with increased mortality risk among the obese (hazard ratio, HR: 1.88 [95% CI, 1.79-1.99] and HR: 1.93 [95% CI 1.82-2.04], according to NCEP/ATP III and JIS criteria, respectively) and non-obese individuals (HR: 2.11 [95% CI 1.85-2.40] and 1.7 [95% CI, 1.56-1.85] according to NCEP/ATP III and JIS criteria respectively). Obese patients without MetS had a higher mortality risk than non-obese patients without MetS (HR: 1.16 [95% CI 1.10-1.23] and HR: 1.22 [95%CI 1.15-1.30], respectively in subgroups with NCEP/ATP III and JIS criteria applied). Conclusions MetS is associated with increased all-cause mortality risk in non-obese and obese patients. In patients without MetS obesity remains significantly associated with mortality. The concept of metabolically healthy obesity should be revised