ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate clinical aspects as risk factors for seizure recurrence in patients with post-stroke epilepsy. MethodsDuring January 2010 to April 2016, patients admitted into Department of Neurology, West China Hospital were retrospectively selected. Inpatients diagnosed as epilepsy following stoke and attending our follow-up were participated in this study. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors of seizure recurrence. ResultsWe included 105 patients with diagnosis of post-stroke epilepsy, among them, 59.0% were male and the median age was 72 years. Median time from stroke onset to seizure attack was 180 days. Approximately 80% patients received antiepileptic drugs(AEDs). During 720 days follow-up period, 70% patients reported without seizure attack. Risk factors significantly associated with seizure recurrence were younger age [OR=3.03, 95 % CI(1.19, 7.76), P=0.02], poor modified Rankin Scale score [OR=3.01, 95 % CI(1.1, 8.18), P=0.03] and using more than two kinds of AEDs [OR=3.85, 95 % CI(1.3, 11.18), P=0.01]. ConclusionsIn the clinical course of post-stroke epilepsy, clinicians should realize the management for primary disease to alleviate stroke sequel and select rational AEDs to reduce seizure recurrence.
Objectives This study aims to examine the possible association between C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration and cognitive impairment in patients with post-stroke epilepsy. Methods Patients with post-stroke epilepsy admitted to Western China Hospital from January 2010 to June 2016 were consecutively enrolled in our study. CRP levels were assessed within one week of stroke onset, and then correlated with cognitive status assessed two years after stroke using the Six-Item Screener. Results Among the 96 patients with post-stroke epilepsy who included in our study, 24 patients were found to have cognitive impairment during the two years follow-up period. Our data showed a significant association between CRP levels and cognitive performance in these patients (31.5±36.2 vs. 11.9±19.4, P=0.029). In addition, this association persisted even after adjusting for potential confounders［OR=1.021, 95%CI (0.997, 1.206), P=0.037］. Conclusions Following ischemic stroke, higher CRP levels is associated with subsequent cognitive decline in patients with epilepsy. Association and prospective studies in larger sample size are needed in order to validate our findings, especially studies in which baseline CRP level and CRP level during follow-up are closely monitored.
Telomeres play an important role in maintaining genomic stability and cell life. Accumulating studies show that telomeres are closely related to human aging, cardiovascular diseases and cerebrovascular diseases. There are a series of researches about telomeres and atherosclerosis across the world, including studies on the relationship between atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases and telomere length, and on telomere-targeted treatments for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Telomeres may be a risk predictor or a new therapeutic target for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. This article reviews the relationship between telomeres and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, introduces the research progress of telomere length and cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and the possible mechanisms of their association, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for exploring new therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of perioperative dual antiplatelet treatment (DAPT) or single antiplatelet treatment (SAPT) for patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA).MethodsWe searched English and Chinese databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, Chongqing VIP, and relevant clinical trial registry platforms (searched from database establishment to January 2020). Cohort studies or randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included to evaluated the use of DAPT and SAPT for patients undergoing CEA. Stroke, myocardial infarction, artery restenosis, and composite endpoint (stroke or myocardial infarction or artery restenosis) were used as effectiveness outcomes. Death and any bleeding event were used as safety outcomes. Meta-analysis was performed with Review Manager 5.3 and STATA 15.1 softwares.ResultsA total of 11 studies with 123 748 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that there was no significant decrease in the risk of stroke [relative risk (RR)=0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.66, 1.01), P=0.06], myocardial infarction [RR=1.31, 95%CI (0.92, 1.87), P=0.13], artery restenosis [RR=0.55, 95%CI (0.18, 1.68), P=0.29], or composite endpoint event [RR=0.90, 95%CI (0.59, 1.37), P=0.62] for CEA patients with DAPT during the perioperative period compared with SAPT. The difference in mortality rate was not statistically significant between DAPT and SAPT for CEA patients during the perioperative period [RR=0.99, 95%CI (0.44, 2.22), P=0.97]. CEA patients with DAPT had a higher risk of any bleeding event [RR=1.64, 95%CI (1.08, 2.50), P=0.02].ConclusionsPerioperative CEA patients with DAPT are not associated with a lower risk of vascular events recurrence, but the risk of any bleeding event may increase. Therefore, SAPT during the perioperative period of patients undergoing CEA may be better than DAPT.