Erwin Chiquete

Grading Scale for Prediction of Outcome in Primary Intracerebral Hemorrhages

Background and Purpose— This study aimed to independently derive an intracerebral hemorrhage grading scale (ICH-GS) for prediction of 3 outcome measures. Methods— We evaluated 378 patients with primary ICH at hospital arrival and during the next 30 days. Independent predictors were identified by multivariate models of in-hospital and 30-day mortality. Points were allotted to each predictor based on its prognostic performance. ICH-GS was also evaluated to predict good 30-day functional status and ICH-GS was compared with the ICH score as the reference scoring system. Results— Independent predictors were age, Glasgow Coma Scale, ICH location, ICH volume, and intraventricular extension, all components of the ICH score. Nevertheless, different cutoffs and scoring improved substantially the prognostic power of the predictors. Compared with the ICH score, ICH-GS explained more variance in the 3 outcome measures, had higher sensitivity in predicting in-hospital and 30-day mortality, and performed equally well in predicting good functional outcome at 30 days follow up. Conclusions— The derived ICH-GS is a simple yet robust scale in predicting in-hospital and 30-day mortality, as well as good 30-day functional status, with equivalent performance.

Low prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies in Mexico: A systematic review.

Background: The prevalence of reactive tests to anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies in Mexico is unknown, though estimated to be 1%. There is no single nation-wide study or comprehensive literature review addressing the epidemiology of HCV infection in Mexico. Methods: We did a systematic review of English- and Spanish-language literature reporting on the frequency of anti-HCV antibodies in asymptomatic persons at low risk, of studies performed in Mexico. An exhaustive search in MEDLINE, IMBIOMED, MedicLatina, ARTEMISA and MEDIGRAPHIC databases was undertaken. Weighted mean prevalence (WMP) was calculated after combining the results of each study. Results: 22 studies involving 825,377 persons at low risk, mainly blood donors, were identified. Crude seroprevalence reported in each study ranged from 0.1 to 2%, with 16 (73%) studies reporting below 1%. Overall, WMP of anti-HCV antibodies (tested by enzyme immunoassay) was 0.37% (95% CI, 0.36–0.38%), differing by country region and immunoassay generation (p< 0.01). The most frequent risk factor reported was blood transfusion. Confirmation of specific anti-HCV antibodies by recombinant immunoblot assay ranged from 30 to 100%, whereas confirmation of viremia by PCR ranged from 16 to 80%. In 3 studies on HCV genotype frequency, genotype 1 had crude prevalence ranging from 63 to 70%, subtype 1b being the most prevalent (21–47%). Conclusions: The prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in Mexico might be lower than previously estimated. Transfusion of blood products is the main risk factor. HCV subtype 1b is the most prevalent among persons with confirmed viremia. Information of a nation-wide survey is mandatory.

Serum Uric Acid and Outcome after Acute Ischemic Stroke: PREMIER Study

Background: Current evidence shows that uric acid is a potent antioxidant whose serum concentration increases rapidly after acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Nevertheless, the re-lationship between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and AIS outcome remains debatable. We aimed to describe the prognostic significance of SUA in AIS. Methods: We studied 463 patients (52% men, mean age 68 years, 13% with glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min at hospital arrival) with AIS pertaining to the multicenter registry PREMIER, who had SUA measurements at hospital presentation. Multivariate models were constructed to analyze the association of SUA with functional outcome as assessed by the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 30-day, 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-up. A mRS 0-1 was regarded as a very good outcome. Results: Mean SUA concentration at hospital arrival was 6.1 ± 3.7 mg/dl (362.8 ± 220.0 μmol/l). Compared with cases with higher SUA levels at hospital admission, patients with ≤4.5 mg/dl (≤267.7 μmol/l; the lowest tertile of the sample) had more cases of a very good 30-day outcome (30.5 vs. 18.9%, respectively; p = 0.004). SUA was not associated with mortality or functional dependence (mRS >2) at 30 days, or with any outcome measure at 3, 6 or 12 months poststroke. After adjustment for age, gender, stroke type and severity (NIHSS <9), time since event onset, serum creatinine, hypertension, diabetes and smoking, a SUA ≤4.5 mg/dl (≤267.7 μmol/l) was positively associated with a very good short-term outcome (odds ratio: 1.76, 95% confidence interval: 1.05-2.95; negative predictive value: 81.1%), but not at 3, 6 or 12 months of follow-up. When NIHSS was entered in the multivariate model as a continuous variable, the independent association of SUA with outcome was lost. Compared with cases with higher levels, patients with SUA ≤4.5 mg/dl (≤267.7 μmol/l) were more frequently younger than 55 years, women, with mild strokes, with normal serum creatinine and fewer had hypertension. The time since event onset to hospital arrival was not significantly associated with AIS severity or SUA levels; nevertheless, a nonsignificant tendency was observed for patients with severe strokes and high SUA levels arriving in <24 h. Conclusions: A low SUA concentration is modestly associated with a very good short-term outcome. Our findings support the hypothesis that SUA is more a marker of the magnitude of the cerebral infarction than an independent predictor of stroke outcome.

Cerebral venous thrombosis in a Mexican multicenter registry of acute cerebrovascular disease: the RENAMEVASC study.

BACKGROUND Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare form of cerebrovascular disease that is usually not mentioned in multicenter registries on all-type acute stroke. We aimed to describe the experience on hospitalized patients with CVT in a Mexican multicenter registry on acute cerebrovascular disease. METHODS CVT patients were selected from the RENAMEVASC registry, which was conducted between 2002 and 2004 in 25 Mexican hospitals. Risk factors, neuroimaging, and 30-day outcome as assessed by the modified Rankin scale (mRS) were analyzed. RESULTS Among 2000 all-type acute stroke patients, 59 (3%; 95% CI, 2.3-3.8%) had CVT (50 women; female:male ratio, 5:1; median age, 31 years). Puerperium (42%), contraceptive use (18%), and pregnancy (12%) were the main risk factors in women. In 67% of men, CVT was registered as idiopathic, but thrombophilia assessment was suboptimal. Longitudinal superior sinus was the most frequent thrombosis location (78%). Extensive (>5 cm) venous infarction occurred in 36% of patients. Only 81% of patients received anticoagulation since the acute phase, and 3% needed decompressive craniectomy. Mechanical ventilation (13.6%), pneumonia (10.2%) and systemic thromboembolism (8.5%) were the main in-hospital complications. The 30-day case fatality rate was 3% (2 patients; 95% CI, 0.23-12.2%). In a Cox proportional hazards model, only age <40 years was associated with a mRS score of 0 to 2 (functional independence; rate ratio, 3.46; 95% CI, 1.34-8.92). CONCLUSIONS The relative frequency of CVT and the associated in-hospital complications were higher than in other registries. Thrombophilia assessment and acute treatment was suboptimal. Young age is the main determinant of a good short-term outcome.

Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in a Mexican Multicenter Registry of Cerebrovascular Disease: The RENAMEVASC Study

BACKGROUND Information on risk factors and outcome of persons with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in Mexico is unknown. We sought to describe the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and outcome at discharge of Mexican patients with aneurysmal SAH. METHODS A first-step surveillance system was conducted on consecutive cases confirmed by 4-vessel angiography from November 2002 to October 2004 in 25 tertiary referral centers. Age- and sex-matched control subjects were randomly selected by a 1:1 factor, for multivariate analysis on risk factors. RESULTS We studied 231 patients (66% women; mean age 52 years, range 16-90 years). In 92%, the aneurysms were in the anterior circulation, and 15% had more than two aneurysms. After multivariate analysis, hypertension (odds ratio 2.46, 95% confidence interval 1.59-3.81) and diabetes mellitus (odds ratio 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.17-0.68) were directly and inversely associated with aneurysmal SAH, respectively. Median hospital stay was 23 days (range 2-98 days). Invasive treatment was performed in 159 (69%) patients: aneurysm clipping in 126 (79%), endovascular coiling in 29 (18%), and aneurysm wrapping in 4 (2%). The in-hospital mortality was 20% (mostly due to neurologic causes), and 25% of patients were discharged with a modified Rankin score of 4 or 5. CONCLUSIONS Hypertension is the main risk factor for aneurysmal SAH in hospitalized patients from Mexico. The female:male ratio is 2:1. A relatively low in-hospital mortality and a high frequency of invasive interventions are observed. However, a high proportion of patients are discharged with important neurologic impairment.

Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Young People Previously Unnoticed Age-Related Clinical Differences

Background and Purpose— Hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in young people has been the object of only succinct analyses. Therefore, it is unclear whether extrapolation of the information obtained from older patients is also valid for the young. Here we describe young persons with hypertensive ICH and compare them with their older counterparts to determine whether age-related clinical differences exist. Methods— From 1988 to 2004, we studied 35 consecutive young patients with ICH (60% men; mean age, 33 years; range, 15 to 40 years) for whom the etiology of the brain hemorrhage was hypertension. For clinical comparisons, sex-matched persons with hypertensive ICH, aged >40 years, were randomly selected by a factor of 3:1 (n=105). Results— Essential hypertension was present in 26 (74%) young patients and secondary hypertension in 9 (26%), with renovascular hypertension being the most common cause (n=5, 55%). Compared with older patients, the young had higher blood pressures, smaller hemorrhage volumes, lower rates of ventricular extensions (for all, P<0.05), and different distribution pattern of ICHs (P=0.05), without cerebellar and lobar locations. Thirty-day mortality was markedly lower in the young than in older persons (P=0.001), nevertheless at the expense of more incapacitating disabilities. Conclusions— Young people presenting with hypertensive ICH differ in clinical characteristics and have a different prognosis when compared with their older counterparts. These findings suggest underlying age-related differences in disease pathogenesis.

Idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis successfully treated with weekly subcutaneous methotrexate

SummaryIdiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis is a very infrequent disorder. Adequate management is still a matter of debate. We describe the use of low-dose pulse methotrexate in treating a 63-year-old woman with idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis. A weekly scheme with subcutaneous methotrexate was tried. Clinical improvement occurred in one week. Total remission of the clinical and neuro-imaging abnormalities was evident 6 months later, with minimal side effects. The patient is in complete remission after one year of follow-up without treatment. Hence, low-dose weekly subcutaneous methotrexate may be safe and effective in inducing complete and sustained remission of this condition. The experience with subcutaneous methotrexate to treat this entity has never been reported.

The first Mexican multicenter register on ischaemic stroke (the PREMIER study): demographics, risk factors and outcome.

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Isolated Vein Thrombosis of the Posterior Fossa Presenting as Localized Cerebellar Venous Infarctions or Hemorrhages

Background and Purpose— Cerebellar venous infarction or hemorrhage due to isolated venous thrombosis of the posterior fossa is a rare form of intracranial vein thrombosis that can be unsuspected in clinical practice. Methods— We studied 230 patients with intracranial vein thrombosis, identifying 9 (3.9%: 7 women, mean age 34 years) with neuroimaging or histopathologic evidence of localized posterior fossa vein thrombosis causing parenchymal injury limited exclusively to the cerebellum. Results— All patients had an insidious presentation suggesting other diagnoses. Intracranial hypertension (n=6) and cerebellar (n=4) syndromes were the main clinical presentations. Intracranial vein thrombosis was idiopathic in 3 patients; associated with puerperium in 3; and with contraceptives, protein C deficiency, and dehydration in 1 case each. CT was abnormal but not diagnostic in 5 patients, showing a cerebellar hypodensity with fourth ventricle compression and variable hydrocephalus in 5 patients, and cerebellar hemorrhage in 2. Conventional MRI provided diagnosis in 6 cases, showing the causal thrombosis and cerebellar involvement; angiography was practiced in 2 of them, confirming the findings identified by MRI. In the other 3 patients, diagnosis was reached by histopathology. Thromboses were localized at the straight sinus (n=4), lateral sinuses (n=3), and superior petrosal vein (n=2). The acute case fatality rate was 22.2% (n=2), 1 (11.1%) patient was discharged in a vegetative state, 1 (11.1%) was severely disabled, and 5 (55.6%) were moderately disabled. Conclusions— Isolated venous thrombosis of the posterior fossa is infrequent and implies a challenging diagnosis. Risk factors for intracranial vein thrombosis and atypical cerebellar findings on CT should lead to further MRI assessment.

Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage in the Very Elderly

Background: The number of persons reaching the age 80 years and over is increasing in most populations. Literature focusing on hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) inthis age group is lacking. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the main clinical characteristics of ICH of the advanced old age, in the context of hypertension. Methods: From 1999 to 2003 we studied 56 hypertensive very elderly patients presenting with ICH (50% women; age 80–99 years). As controls, 168 hypertensive gender-matched persons with ICH, aged <80 years, were randomly selected by a 3:1 factor for clinical comparisons. Results: Compared with their younger counterparts, the very elderly patients had a trend for fewer cases of obesity (34 vs. 49%, p = 0.05) and diabetes mellitus (12 vs. 24%, p = 0.06), had lower systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure measures (in all, p < 0.01) and more cases with hematoma extension into ventricles (p = 0.02). Thalamic hemorrhage was more frequent in the very elderly patients than in controls (43 vs. 28%, p = 0.04). In multivariate analysis, age, Glasgow coma scale score at hospital admission, ICH volume and infratentorial location were independent predictors of inhospital mortality, in all persons combined. In the very elderly group exclusively, Glasgow coma scale score was the only factor independently associated with mortality. Conclusions: ICH occurring in hypertensive patients aged ≧80 years has several differences from that seen in younger people; however, these differences do not seem to impact on early outcome.