Cardioembolic stroke

The paper considers the main causes and pathogenetic, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of cardioembolic stroke (CES). The latter is emphasized to be a group of conditions, which is highly heterogeneous in its etiology, pathogenesis, course, and prognosis. Their major risk factors are atrial fibrillation (AF), myocardial infarction (MI), and heart valve apparatus pathology. The leading diagnostic method for CES is brain computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, which most commonly visualize a well-defined wedge-shaped area of ischemia on the gray and white matter boundary, as well as cardiological examination. The results of electrocardiography, among them the detection of AF or MI, and echocardiography are of key value for correct diagnosis. Patients with CES are managed by the common principles applied to ischemic stroke. Oral anticoagulants, the efficacy and safety of which have been proven in large clinical trials, are most widely used to prevent recurrent CES. The patients who are at risk for CEA must be followed up by both a cardiologist and a neurologist. Adequate and individualized therapy can substantially reduce the likelihood of cerebrovascular disorders in this category of patients

Risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in patients received complex treatment for cranial and craniospinal tumors in childhood

Aim. To study the traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), indicators of endothelial function and exercise tolerance in patients received complex treatment for cranial and craniospinal tumors in childhood, including radiation therapy.Material and methods. We compared examination data of 48 patients who underwent treatment for brain tumors using cranial and craniospinal irradiation in childhood (mean age, 21,7±4,3 years, mean period after the end of treatment, 6,9±5,4 years), and 20 healthy volunteers. Examination methods included assessment of lipid profile, vascular stiffness and endothelial function using the Photoplethysmography and occlusion test, cardiopulmonary test, and in patients who underwent craniospinal irradiation, also echocardiography and duplex ultrasound of extracranial arteries.Results. Compared to healthy individuals, patients after a brain tumor were found to have lower blood pressure, higher heart rate (HR), significantly lower exercise performance (peak oxygen consumption, 19,8±6,4 ml×min-1×kg vs 30,3±5,8 ml×min-1×kg, p<0,0001) and a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia (56% vs 5%, p<0,0001), as well as an increase in the augmentation index, indicating higher stiffness of large vessels (-7,3±16,3 vs -20,3±7,9, p=0,001), and a trend towards a decrease in the occlusion index (p=0,051). Echocardiography and duplex ultrasound revealed no radiation-associated abnormalities.Conclusion. Determining the mechanisms and prognostic significance of the identified risk factors for CVD (dyslipidemia, decreased exercise tolerance, increased heart rate and vascular stiffness) in this category of patients requires further research. Regular monitoring of risk factors, primarily the lipid profile, and the use of preventive measures for individuals with an increased risk of CVD should be recommended

Dynamics of Kidney Function in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and Atrial Fibrillation Who Receive Dabigatran

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent type of supraventricular arrhythmias. The anticoagulant therapy should be prescribed to prevent thromboembolic events. According to randomized clinical trials, anticoagulants do not always prove their high efficiency in the real clinical practice. It is a complicated issue for any doctor to prescribe the anticoagulant therapy for patients with AF and CKD. 30 % of patients with atrial fibrillation are known to have chronic kidney disease, while 10-15% of patients with chronic kidney disease are diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. Currently, there are scarce studies into the use of direct oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease (in case of Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) below 45 ml/min/1.73 m2).Aim. To determine the dynamics of GFR in patients with AF and CKD (in case of GFR below 45 ml/min/1.73 m2).Material and Methods. The sub-analysis was carried out to examine a single-centre prospective study into the optimization of the anticoagulant therapy in the outpatient practice. Initially, 133 dabigatran taking patients were enrolled in the study, and 79 patients were included in the final analysis. Endpoints were changes in Glomerular Filtration Rate (CKD-EPI) formulae as of the inclusion date, in 6, 12, 24 and 60 months after the inclusion. Changes in the renal function shall mean a decrease or increase in GFR by ≥5 ml/min.Results. The average follow-up period for patients was 1785 ± 218 days. A GFR>45 ml/min/1.73 m2 occurred in 116 (87.2%) patients, and a GFR <45 ml/min/1.73 m2 was found in 17 (12.8%) patients. The average HAS-BLED score was 1.8, and CHA2DS2VASc score - 3.8. During the observation period, there were 3 cases of major bleeding and 133 cases of minor bleeding. Both major (р=0.025) and minor (р=0.012) bleeding were statistically significant more frequent in patients with GFR below 45 ml/min. During 5 years of follow-up, 66 (49.6%) patients had an average decrease in GFR of 3.32 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year. Patients with the initially declined GFR (below 45 ml/min) did not demonstrate a significant dynamic of the renal function during the dabigatran therapy. The mortality rate in this group during the observation period was 61.5%.Conclusion. In 49.6% of patients during 5 years of follow-up, GFR decreased by an average of 3.32 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year, which does not exceed the indicators typical for patients with cardiovascular events and CKD