Doença carotídea assintomática… A saga.

 Por Maramelia Miranda e Gabriel Lopes **

O que você faria com o caso ilustrado abaixo (angioRMs): Mulher de 78 anos, ativa e independente, portadora de hipertensão e dislipidemia, sem coronariopatia ou AVC prévio, que descobriu uma estenose carotídea assintomática em check-up com seu geriatra? Negou qualquer sintoma neurológico. A ressonância do crânio era normal, sem infartos cerebrais prévios. O Doppler Transcraniano não pode ser feito, por ausência de janelas temporais adequadas para avaliação de microembolia ou vasorreatividade.

carotid   Captura de Tela 2015-01-28 às 09.29.52

Figura. AngioRM cervical (à esquerda) mostra estenose crítica na artéria carótida interna direita, com fluxo distal presente, e enchimento normal da carótida intracraniana e ramos distais (figura à direita).

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** Dr. Gabriel Lopes é neurologista, residente-R3 da Disciplina de Neurologia da UNIFESP.

Cirurgia pós-AVC isquêmico: Quando fazer?

Por Daniel Fialho **

Devemos esperar uma “gestação” para liberar nossos pacientes pós-AVCi para uma cirurgia não-cardíaca (exceto revascularização carotídea) eletiva ???

Hoje, as avaliações neurológicas estão ainda literalmente “em gestação”, reclusas aos grandes centros ou ao ambiente acadêmico, mas, com certeza, tornar-se-ão rotina, como é a avaliação cardíaca.

E vocês, qual o intervalo indicam entre um evento cerebral isquêmico e uma cirurgia eletiva?

Vejam o artigo da JAMA abaixo:

Time Elapsed After Ischemic Stroke and Risk of Adverse Cardiovascular Events and Mortality Following Elective Noncardiac Surgery

Jornal: JAMA

Autores e Local: Jørgensen et al (Copenhagen, Dinamarca)

Abstract

Importance: The timing of surgery in patients with recent ischemic stroke is an important and inadequately addressed issue.

Objective:  To assess the safety and importance of time elapsed between stroke and surgery in the risk of perioperative cardiovascular events and mortality.

Design, Setting, and Participants:  Danish nationwide cohort study (2005-2011) including all patients aged 20 years or older undergoing elective noncardiac surgeries (n=481 183 surgeries).

Exposures:  Time elapsed between stroke and surgery in categories and as a continuous measure.

Main Outcomes and Measures: Risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; including ischemic stroke, acute myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular mortality) and all-cause mortality up to 30 days after surgery. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated by multivariable logistic regression models.

Results:  Crude incidence rates of MACE among patients with (n = 7137) and without (n = 474 046) prior stroke were 54.4 (95% CI, 49.1-59.9) vs 4.1 (95% CI, 3.9-4.2) per 1000 patients. Compared with patients without stroke, ORs for MACE were 14.23 (95% CI, 11.61-17.45) for stroke less than 3 months prior to surgery, 4.85 (95% CI, 3.32-7.08) for stroke 3 to less than 6 months prior, 3.04 (95% CI, 2.13-4.34) for stroke 6 to less than 12 months prior, and 2.47 (95% CI, 2.07-2.95) for stroke 12 months or more prior. MACE risks were at least as high for low-risk (OR, 9.96; 95% CI, 5.49-18.07 for stroke <3 months) and intermediate-risk (OR, 17.12; 95% CI, 13.68-21.42 for stroke <3 months) surgery compared with high-risk surgery (OR, 2.97; 95% CI, 0.98-9.01 for stroke <3 months) (P = .003 for interaction). Similar patterns were found for 30-day mortality: ORs were 3.07 (95% CI, 2.30-4.09) for stroke less than 3 months prior, 1.97 (95% CI, 1.22-3.19) for stroke 3 to less than 6 months prior, 1.45 (95% CI, 0.95-2.20) for stroke 6 to less than 12 months prior, and 1.46 (95% CI, 1.21-1.77) for stroke 12 months or more prior to surgery compared with patients without stroke. Cubic regression splines performed on the stroke subgroup supported that risk leveled off after 9 months.

Conclusions and Relevance:  A history of stroke was associated with adverse outcomes following surgery, in particular if time between stroke and surgery was less than 9 months. After 9 months, the associated risk appeared stable yet still increased compared with patients with no stroke. The time dependency of risk may warrant attention in future guidelines.

 

** Daniel Fialho é neurologista, chefe do serviço de Neurologia do Hospital São Francisco, em Concórdia, SC.

No infarto do miocárdio, oxigênio em excesso foi pior!!!

Abstract saído do forno, super highlight do congresso da AHA de Chicago, na semana passada… Exemplo claro de como obviedades podem ser jogadas no lixo com simples matemática e estatística.

A Randomised Controlled Trial of Oxygen Therapy in Acute St-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: The Air Versus Oxygen in Myocardial Infarction (AVOID) Study

Autores::: Dion Stub et al.

Local::: Australia.

Abstract

Background: Oxygen is commonly administered to patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) despite previous studies suggesting a possible increase in myocardial injury due to coronary vasoconstriction and heightened oxidative stress.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled trial comparing oxygen (8 L/min) with no supplemental oxygen in patients with STEMI diagnosed on paramedic 12-lead electrocardiogram. Of 638 patients randomized, 441 were confirmed STEMI patients who underwent primary endpoint analysis. The primary endpoint was myocardial infarct size as assessed by cardiac enzymes, troponin (cTnI) and creatine kinase (CK). Secondary endpoints included recurrent myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmia and myocardial infarct size assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging at 6 months.

Results: There was a significant increase in mean peak CK in the oxygen group compared to the no oxygen group (1948 U/Lvs.1543 U/L; means ratio, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.52; P= 0.01). Mean peak troponin was similar in the oxygen and no oxygen groups (57.4 mcg/L vs. 48.0 mcg/L; ratio, 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92 to 1.56;P=0.18).There was an increase in the rate of recurrent myocardial infarction in the oxygen group compared to the no oxygen group (5.5%vs.0.9%, P=0.006) and an increase in frequency of cardiac arrhythmia (40.4%vs.31.4%; P=0.05). At 6-months the oxygen group had an increase in myocardial infarct size on CMR n=139;20.3grams vs. 13.1grams; P=0.04).

Conclusion: Supplemental oxygen therapy in patients with STEMI but without hypoxia increased early myocardial injury and was associated with larger myocardial infarct size assessed at six months.

oxygen

Para o coração, faz mal. E para o cérebro?

ESUS: Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source

Mais uma “siglinha” para se decorar… Guardem: É um dos Hot Topics de 2014. 

Critérios clínicos do AVC do tipo ESUS:

  • AVCi não-lacunar detectado por TC ou RM (ou seja, características neurorradiológicas de embolia)
  • Ausência de estenose / aterosclerose intra ou extracraniana (estenose> 50%) na neuroimagem vascular (AngioTC ou AngioRM), no território do AVC ocorrido
  • Ausência de fonte emboligênica de alto risco no ECO TE e Holter de pelo menos 24h de monitoração (Flutter, FA, FEVE < 30%, valvulopatia, etc)
  • Nenhuma outra causa possível de AVCi (vasculite, dissecção, espasmo cerebral, etc)

Estou falando grego pra você? Viajou na maionese? Corra. Vá estudar! Hart RG et al. Embolic strokes of undetermined source: the case for a new clinical construct. Lancet Neurol 2014.

FOP na vida real: Padrão do AVCi e aspectos do ECO e shunt são pontos importantes

Determinants of antithrombotic choice for patent foramen ovale in cryptogenic stroke

Autores::: Thaler et al.

Local: Boston, MA; Germany; Girona, Spain; University of Bern; Zurich, Switzerland; Cambridge University, UK; Columbia University, NY; Switzerland; University of Bern, Switzerland; Cleveland, OH.

Revista: Neurology 2014.

Abstract

Objective: We examined the influence of clinical, radiologic, and echocardiographic characteristics on antithrombotic choice in patients with cryptogenic stroke (CS) and patent foramen ovale (PFO), hypothesizing that features suggestive of paradoxical embolism might lead to greater use of anticoagulation.

Methods: The Risk of Paradoxical Embolism Study combined 12 databases to create the largest dataset of patients with CS and known PFO status. We used generalized linear mixed models with a random effect of component study to explore whether anticoagulation was preferentially selected based on the following: (1) younger age and absence of vascular risk factors, (2) “high-risk” echocardiographic features, and (3) neuroradiologic findings.

Results: A total of 1,132 patients with CS and PFO treated with anticoagulation or antiplatelets were included. Overall, 438 participants (39%) were treated with anticoagulation with a range (by database) of 22% to 54%. Treatment choice was not influenced by age or vascular risk factors. However, neuroradiologic findings (superficial or multiple infarcts) and high-risk echocardiographic features (large shunts, shunt at rest, and septal hypermobility) were predictors of anticoagulation use.

Conclusion: Both antithrombotic regimens are widely used for secondary stroke prevention in patients with CS and PFO. Radiologic and echocardiographic features were strongly associated with treatment choice, whereas conventional vascular risk factors were not. Prior observational studies are likely to be biased by confounding by indication.

Novos anticoagulantes e dissecções: Descrição de uso Off-label

Efficacy and Safety of Novel Oral Anticoagulants in Patients with Cervical Artery Dissections

Autor: Caprio et al.  Revista: Cerebrovasc Diseases 2014.

Local::: Departments of aNeurology and bRadiology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill., cDepartment of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Tex., USA

Abstract

Background: American and European guidelines support antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants as reasonable treatments of cervical artery dissection (CAD), though randomized clinical trials are lacking. The utility of novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC), effective in reducing embolic stroke risk in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), has not been reported in patients with CAD. We report on the use, safety, and efficacy of NOACs in the treatment of CAD.

Methods: We retrospectively identified patients diagnosed with CAD at a single academic center between January 2010 and August 2013. Patients were categorized by their antithrombotic treatment at hospital discharge with a NOAC (dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or apixaban), traditional anticoagulant (AC: warfarin or treatment dose low-molecular weight heparin), or antiplatelet agent (AP: aspirin, clopidogrel, or aspirin/extended-release dypyridamole). Using appropriate tests, we compared the baseline medical history, presenting clinical symptoms and initial radiographic characteristics among patients in the 3 treatment groups. We then evaluated for the following outcomes: recurrent stroke, vessel recanalization, and bleeding complications. p values <0.05 were considered significant.

Results: Of the 149 included patients (mean age 43.4 years; 63.1% female; 70.5% vertebral artery CAD), 39 (26.2%), 70 (47.0%), and 40 (26.8%) were treated with a NOAC, AC, and AP, respectively. More patients with severe stenosis or occlusion were treated with NOAC than with AC or AP (61.8 vs. 60.0 vs. 22.5%, p = 0.002). Other baseline clinical and radiographic findings, including the presence of acute infarction and hematoma, did not differ between the 3 treatment groups. One hundred and thirty-five (90.6%) patients had clinical follow-up (median time 7.5 months) and 125 (83.9%) had radiographic follow-up (median time 5 months) information. There were 2 recurrent strokes in the NOAC group and 1 in each of the AC and AP groups (p = 0.822). There were more major hemorrhagic events in the AC group (11.4%) compared to the NOAC (0.0%) and AP (2.5%) groups (p = 0.034). Three patients treated with NOAC and none treated with AC or AP had a worsened degree of stenosis on follow-up imaging (8.6 vs. 0.0 vs. 0.0%, p = 0.019).

Conclusion: Compared to traditional anticoagulants for CAD, treatment with NOACs is associated with similar rates of recurrent stroke, fewer hemorrhagic complications, but greater rates of radiographic worsening. These data suggest that NOACs may be a reasonable alternative in the management of CAD. Prospective validation of these findings is needed.

~~~~~~

Depois comento.

Trombectomia na crista da onda em AVCi agudo!!!!!

Primeiro foi o MR CLEAN (Multicenter Randomized Clinical trial of Endovascular treatment for Acute ischemic stroke in the Netherlands), cujos dados foram apresentados no Congresso Mundial de AVC em Istambul. Trial interrompido pelos resultados bons do braço de endovascular.

Agora outros dois trials, que comparam grupos de tratamento com embolectomia versus rTPA, também foram interrompidos pela eficácia da terapia intervencionista.

O ESCAPE (Endovascular Treatment for Small Core and Proxim al Occlusion Ischemic Stroke), estudo canadense, e o EXTEND IA (Extending the Time for Thrombolysis in Emergency Neurological Deficits – Intra-Arterial) — pararam suas randomizações após análises interidas desmonstrarem benefício da terapia endovascular.

Detalhe: todos estes trials usam devices de segunda e terceira geração (exemplos: TREVO, SOLITAIRE), diferentemente dos anteriores, IMS III, MR RESCUE e SYNTHESIS, que tinham dispositivos antigos e inclusive possibilidade de terapia IA (usando rTPA local). 

neuroradiology-interv

Neurorradio intervencionista: They are back!!!!!!!

E agora? Será que as fontes pagadoras continuarão a não reembolsar os materiais…?!?!?!

IMS III e terapia endovascular no AVCi agudo: Nem tudo está perdido… :)

neuroradiol

Notícia boa para nossos queridos amigos intervencionistas!!!!!

Foram apresentados no Congresso Mundial de AVC, em Istambul, novos dados do estudo IMS III, que avaliou rTPA endovenoso (sistêmico) versus rTPA e terapia endovascular combinada no AVCi agudo, e os resultados iniciais do estudo MR CLEAN (Multicenter Randomized Clinical trial of Endovascular treatment for Acute ischemic stroke in the Netherlands).

Em relação ao IMS-III, os pesquisadores observaram que, na análise de follow-up de 12 meses, embora os pacientes com AVCi mais leves ficaram melhores do que os mais graves, a evidência foi de que, ao contrário do grupo mais leve, a terapia endovascular fez diferença (favoravelmente) no subgrupo de pacientes com AVCi mais severo, quando comparados com a terapia de primeira linha – rTPA EV sozinho.  Lembro aqui que AVCi moderado foi definido pelo trial como NIH de 8-19, e severo > ou igual a 20.

Até então, os dados do IMS-III que tínhamos eram os publicados na NEJM em 2013, que tinha jogado 5476 baldes de água fria na terapia endovascular –> este paper mostrou similaridade dos tratamentos quando medidos desfechos em 90 dias, motivo inclusive de sua interrupção por futilidade.

A melhora ao longo do tempo até a visita de 12m foi de 8% no grupo de AVCi mais grave, versus 2% no grupo moderado.

O “odds ratio” para o efeito do tratamento chegar ao escore de mRS de 0 a 2 foi de 0,95 no subgrupo de AVCi moderado, e 2,37 no grupo severo, isso já ajustadas variáveis como escala de NIH, tempo de início dos sintomas e idade.

Tabela. Desfechos favoráveis em 12 meses (mRS de 0 a 2)

Grupo/Tratamento Endovascular + rTPA EV (%) rTPA EV sozinho (%) P 
AVCi moderado (NIH 8-19)(n=452) 55.6 57.7
AVCi severo (NIH >20)(n=204) 32.5 18.6 .037

Ou seja, aparentemente, parece haver uma maior diferença, uma melhora maior, mais “tardia”, em relação aos AVCis mais graves que recebem rTPA e terapia endovascular??? Seria isso?! Fiquei algo confusa com estes números. Preciso “digerir” melhor…

Depois volto com os dados do MR CLEAN…

Neuroradio-photo

Neurorradiologia ressurgindo das cinzas!!!!! 

Vamos chamar mais os caras!!!!!

Leituras… E Downloads da semana…

Agora não são somente leituras… Vivemos a era dos Downloads… Baixamos tudo que podemos: textos, artigos, apps, programas, PDFs, livros, fotos, arquivos em geral… Enchemos nossos pendrives, nossos HDs, e muitas vezes nem temos tempo de ler, de ver tudo. Essa é a parte ruim, tempo pra ler… Tempo para fuçar o que temos nas mídias…  🙂

downloadnow

 

Universidades em Perigo. Por Paulo Alcântara Gomes, para o Blog do Noblat. Leiam.

2013 AHA/ASA CV Risk Calculator. App disponível nas principais plataformas, para cálculo de risco cardiovascular.

Meschia et al. Executive Summary: Guidelines for the Primary Prevention of Stroke. A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke 2014.  Atenção para várias novas recomendações do documento. Vejam tabela no final do artigo.

Abigail Moore. This Is Your Brain on Drugs. Artigo mais enviado desta semana, do NY Times.

Burnett et al. A Simple Text-Messaging Intervention Is Associated With Improved Door-to-Needle Times for Acute Ischemic Stroke. Stroke 2014. Uma medida simples, mas de impacto…

Blumenthal et al. Innovation in Health Care Leadership. NEJM 2014. Na verdade, este material trata-se de uma mesa redonda, um vídeo com os participantes da mesa discutindo inovação na área de Saúde. 

Dissecções arteriais cervicais e “massagens terapêuticas”

A cena… Vemos frequentemente nos shoppings e espaços públicos por aí: Cadeiras de “quick massage”, e o profissional massageando o pescoço do “cliente”, numa sessão de 10-15-20 minutos de massoterapia. É febre.

O slogan para chamar os clientes parece piada para os neurologistas: “Venha relaxar” (e de quebra, dissecar suas artérias do pescoço… Pensam muitos dos neuros que passam e vêem o ambiente…).

quick-massage

Pois bem.

A American Stroke Association publicou um statement sobre este tema no mês passado: terapias de manipulação cervical, ou em português bem claro – as tais massoterapias, e sua possível associação com as dissecções arteriais cervicais.

Possível?! Alguém ainda tem dúvida?

No ponto de vista estritamente científico, os autores concluem que ainda não é possível tornar este tratamento proibitivo, mas que os profissionais massoterapêutas devem alertar seus clientes quanto às descrições de casos e séries de casos da literatura – e esta associação.

Afinal, deverá ser difícil fazer um ensaio controlado para estudar a fundo esta associação, não? Qual serviço de massoterapia encararia tal desafio?!

O documento, na verdade, não fala só disso. Lendo o artigo inteiro, vemos que é um verdadeiro artigo de revisão sobre as dissecções cervicais, apresentando diagramas, estudos clínicos e ilustrações muito bonitas sobre a fisiopatologia das dissecções e das embolias que ocorrem quando há a laceração na íntima das artérias. Figuras interessantes para quando queremos explicar aos pacientes o porquê dos AVCs nestes casos!!!! Vale a pena ver!!!!

Conclusão transcrita do documento: ABAIXO::: Depois, link do artigo em PDF – na íntegra.

“Cervical artery dissections (CD) is an important cause of ischemic stroke in young and middle-aged patients. CD is most prevalent in the upper cervical spine and can involve the internal carotid artery or vertebral artery. Although current biomechanical evidence is insufficient to establish the claim that cervical manipulative therapy (CMT) causes CD, clinical reports suggest that mechanical forces play a role in a considerable number of CDs and most population controlled studies have found an association between CMT and VAD stroke in young patients. Although the incidence of CMT-associated CD in patients who have previously received CMT is not well established, and probably low, practitioners should strongly consider the possibility of CD as a presenting symptom, and patients should be informed of the statistical association between CD and CMT prior to undergoing manipulation of the cervical spine. “

LINK

Biller et al. Cervical Arterial Dissections and Association With Cervical Manipulative Therapy. A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke 2014.