Antiplatelets, ACE inhibitors, and statins combination reduces stroke severity and tissue at risk

Predicting the risk of ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation using heterogeneous drug-protein-disease network-based deep learning

Current risk assessment models for predicting ischemic stroke (IS) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) often fail to account for the effects of medications and the complex interactions between drugs, proteins, and diseases. We developed an interpretable deep learning model, the AF-Biological-IS-Path (ABioSPath), to predict one-year IS risk in AF patients by integrating drug-protein-disease pathways with real-world clinical data. Using a heterogeneous multilayer network, ABioSPath identifies mechanisms of drug actions and the propagation of comorbid diseases. By combining mechanistic pathways with patient-specific characteristics, the model provides individualized IS risk assessments and identifies potential molecular pathways involved. We utilized the electronic health record data from 7859 AF patients, collected between January 2008 and December 2009 across 43 hospitals in Hong Kong. ABioSPath outperformed baseline models in all evaluation metrics, achieving an AUROC of 0.7815 (95% CI: 0.7346-0.8283), a positive predictive value of 0.430, a negative predictive value of 0.870, a sensitivity of 0.500, a specificity of 0.885, an average precision of 0.409, and a Brier score of 0.195. Cohort-level analysis identified key proteins, such as CRP, REN, and PTGS2, within the most common pathways. Individual-level analysis further highlighted the importance of PIK3/Akt and cytokine and chemokine signaling pathways and identified IS risks associated with less-studied drugs like prochlorperazine maleate. ABioSPath offers a robust, data-driven approach for IS risk prediction, requiring only routinely collected clinical data without the need for costly biomarkers. Beyond IS, the model has potential applications in screening risks for other diseases, enhancing patient care, and providing insights for drug development.

Effects of preceding antiplatelet agents on severity of ischemic stroke in patients with a history of stroke

INTRODUCTION

Antiplatelet agents are effective for secondary prevention of ischemic stroke and can reduce the severity of first-ever ischemic stroke. However, it is uncertain if prophylactic antiplatelet therapy reduces the severity of recurrent ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of preceding antiplatelet treatment on the severity of thrombotic stroke (TS) in patients with a prior history of stroke.

METHODS

From a prospective hospital registry of 1338 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke, we identified patients with a prior history of stroke who were admitted for cardioembolic stroke (CE); TS including large-artery atherosclerosis, small vessel occlusion, and branch atheromatous disease; or other cause or cryptogenic stroke (OCS). Cases in each subtype were categorized based on preceding medication: antiplatelet agents (AP) and none (N). Severity of stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale: NIHSS) on admission was compared between AP and N cases.

RESULTS

The total cohort of 252 patients included 83 with CE, 102 with TS, and 67 with OCS. After excluding those with prior anticoagulants, the median NIHSS on admission was lower in AP cases than in N cases (3 vs. 5, p = 0.002). In multivariate analysis, preceding AP treatment was independently associated with minor stroke (NIHSS ≤4) on admission in CE group (OR 8.48, 95% CI 1.71-62.9, p = 0.008) and TS group (OR 4.24, 95% CI 1.44-13.4, p = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

Preceding antiplatelet treatment in patients with a prior history of stroke may reduce the severity of subsequent thrombotic and cardiogenic stroke.

Synergistic actions between angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and statins in atherosclerosis

AIMS

Hypertension and hypercholesterolemia are independent risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) by acting directly on the endothelium and activating the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) and mevalonate pathways. This review examines how the severity and duration of these risk factors may influence the cardiovascular risk through a reciprocal interplay leading to oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory response.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The review highlights the clinical evidence supporting the benefits of statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors for hypertension, lipid disorders and ASCVD management, both individually and combined, at all stages of the cardiovascular continuum.

CONCLUSION

Drug strategies incorporating an ACE-inhibitor and a statin, and in particular perindopril and atorvastatin, have consistently demonstrated reductions in the rate of ASCVD events in patients with hypertension and lipid disorders, cementing their position as first-line therapies for the management of atherosclerosis complications.

Neuroprotection in Stroke-Focus on the Renin-Angiotensin System: A Systematic Review

Stroke is the primary cause of disability in the adult population. Hypertension represents the leading risk factor being present in almost half the patients. The renin-angiotensin system is involved in the physiopathology of stroke and has an essential impact on hypertension as a risk factor. This article targeted the role of the renin-angiotensin system in stroke neuroprotection by reviewing the current literature available. The mechanism of action of the renin-angiotensin system was observed through the effects on AT1, AT2, and Mas receptors. The neuroprotective properties ascertained by angiotensin in stroke seem to be independent of the blood pressure reduction mechanism, and include neuroregeneration, angiogenesis, and increased neuronal resistance to hypoxia. The future relationship of stroke and the renin-angiotensin system is full of possibilities, as new agonist molecules emerge as potential candidates to restrict the impairment caused by stroke.

Improvement of survival in Polish stroke patients is related to reduced stroke severity and better control of risk factors: the Krakow Stroke Database

INTRODUCTION

In the last decade, the stroke mortality rate in Poland significantly decreased. We hypothesised that stroke severity, the major determinant of outcome, is lowered in Polish stroke patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We compared the stroke severity in two cohorts of first-ever ischaemic stroke patients admitted within 24 h after stroke onset to the Department of Neurology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow in the years 1994-2000 and 2008-2012. To assess stroke severity we used the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). We defined mild stroke as an NIHSS score ≤ 4.

RESULTS

We included 816 patients hospitalised in the years 1994-2000 and 569 patients hospitalised in the years 2008-2012. NIHSS score on admission was higher in the former (mean: 12.0 ±7.0 vs. 8.0 ±6.0, p < 0.01), and the frequency of mild stroke was higher in the latter (12.7% vs. 41.8%, p < 0.01). Although the frequency of hypertension (67.3% vs. 81.2%, p < 0.01), diabetes mellitus (20.8% vs. 26.4%, p = 0.02) and atrial fibrillation (20.7% vs. 26.2%, p = 0.02) was higher in patients hospitalised in the years 2008-2012, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure values and the frequency of fasting hyperglycaemia were lower in this cohort. This cohort also less frequently suffered from hypercholesterolaemia (25.4% vs. 16.3%, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Reduced stroke severity is associated with better recognition and control of risk factors and explains the improvement of survival in Polish stroke patients.

The Interplay between Stroke Severity, Antiplatelet Use, and Aspirin Resistance in Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND

The issue of whether prior antiplatelet use favorably affects stroke severity is currently unresolved. In this study, we evaluated the effect of antiplatelet use on clinical stroke severity and ischemic lesion volume, and assessed the confounding effect of laboratory-defined aspirin resistance on this relationship.

METHODS

Admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, ischemic lesion volumes on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and in vitro aspirin resistance, in addition to other pertinent stroke features, were determined in a series of ischemic stroke patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to compare clinical and imaging markers of stroke severity among patients with and without prior antiplatelet use, taking into consideration the presence or absence of aspirin resistance.

RESULTS

Antiplatelet users experienced more severe strokes, per NIHSS score, in comparison to antiplatelet-naive patients (P = .007). No significant difference was observed with respect to admission DWI lesion volume. When analyses were repeated after adjustment for stroke subtype and other confounders, no association was observed between antiplatelet use and stroke severity. On the other hand, NIHSS scores were significantly higher in aspirin-unresponsive patients than in both aspirin responders (P = .049) and aspirin nonusers (P = .005).

CONCLUSION

We were unable to demonstrate a substantial positive influence of prestroke antiplatelet usage on stroke severity. Although the presence of more severe strokes among patients with laboratory resistance suggests a protective influence of aspirin sensitivity on stroke severity, the hypothesis could not be validated as no difference was observed among aspirin-naive and aspirin-sensitive patients with respect to admission NIHSS score or DWI lesion volume.

Preadmission use of ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers and short-term mortality after stroke

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The prognostic impact of ACE inhibitors (ACE-Is) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) on stroke mortality remains unclear. We aimed to examine whether prestroke use of ACE-Is or ARBs was associated with improved short-term mortality following ischaemic stroke, intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) and subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH).

METHODS

We conducted a nationwide population-based cohort study using medical registries in Denmark. We identified all first-time stroke patients during 2004-2012 and their comorbidities. We defined ACE-I/ARB use as current use (last prescription redemption <90 days before admission for stroke), former use and non-use. Current use was further classified as new or long-term use. We used Cox regression modelling to compute 30-day mortality rate ratios (MRRs) with 95% CIs, controlling for potential confounders.

RESULTS

We identified 100 043 patients with a first-time stroke. Of these, 83 736 patients had ischaemic stroke, 11 779 had ICH, and 4528 had SAH. For ischaemic stroke, the adjusted 30-day MRR was reduced in current users compared with non-users (0.85, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.89). There was no reduction in the adjusted 30-day MRR for ICH (0.95, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.03) or SAH (1.01, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.21), comparing current users with non-users. No association with mortality was found among former users compared with non-users. No notable modification of the association was observed within sex or age strata.

CONCLUSIONS

Current use of ACE-Is/ARBs was associated with reduced 30-day mortality among patients with ischaemic stroke. We found no association among patients with ICH or SAH.

A Novel Computerized Clinical Decision Support System for Treating Thrombolysis in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Thrombolysis is underused in acute ischemic stroke, mainly due to the reluctance of physicians to treat thrombolysis patients. However, a computerized clinical decision support system can help physicians to develop individualized stroke treatments.

METHODS

A consecutive series of 958 patients, hospitalized within 12 hours of ischemic stroke onset from a representative clinical center in Korea, was used to establish a prognostic model. Multivariable logistic regression was used to develop the model for global and safety outcomes. An external validation of developed model was performed using 954 patients data obtained from 5 university hospitals or regional stroke centers.

RESULTS

Final global outcome predictors were age; previous modified Rankin scale score; initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score; previous stroke; diabetes; prior use of antiplatelet treatment, antihypertensive drugs, and statins; lacunae; thrombolysis; onset to treatment time; and systolic blood pressure. Final safety outcome predictors were age, initial NIHSS score, thrombolysis, onset to treatment time, systolic blood pressure, and glucose level. The discriminative ability of the prognostic model showed a C-statistic of 0.89 and 0.84 for the global and safety outcomes, respectively. Internal and external validation showed similar C-statistic results. After updating the model, calibration slopes were corrected from 0.68 to 1.0 and from 0.96 to 1.0 for the global and safety outcome models, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A novel computerized outcome prediction model for thrombolysis after ischemic stroke was developed using large amounts of clinical information. After external validation and updating, the model's performance was deemed clinically satisfactory.

Effects of clinical and laboratory variables at admission and of in-hospital treatment with cardiovascular drugs on short term prognosis of ischemic stroke. The GIFA study

INTRODUCTION

No information exists, to our knowledge, about the possible role of cardiovascular drug administration in the acute phase of ischemic stroke and possible effects on stroke outcome. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between in-hospital treatment with cardiovascular drugs in patients with acute ischemic stroke and some outcome indicators.

METHODS AND RESULTS

1096 subjects enrolled in the GIFA study, who had a main discharge diagnosis of ischemic stroke represent the final sample. Drugs considered for the analysis were the following: ACE-inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), statins, calcium-channel-blockers (CCBs), antiplatelet (APL) drugs, antivitamin-k (VKAs), and heparins. As outcome indicators we choose in-hospital mortality, cognitive function evaluated by Hodkinson Abbreviated Mental Test (HAMT), and functional status evaluated by activity daily living (ADL). Indicators of a good outcome were: no in-hospital mortality, HAMT >6 and 0 ADL impaired. Patients with a good outcome showed a higher rate of in-hospital treatment with ACE-inhibitors, calcium-channel blockers and a lower rate of pre-treatment with heparin.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that if a patient with acute ischemic stroke has higher SBP at admission, higher total cholesterol plasma levels, a lower Charlson index and is treated with ACE-inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and antiplatelet drugs, the short term outcome is better in terms of in-hospital mortality and functional indicators such as cognitive and functional performance at discharge.

Preferential effect of premorbid statins on atherothrombotic strokes through collateral circulation enhancement

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Endovascular recanalization therapies are an increasingly used strategy for acute cerebral ischemia with heterogeneous clinical outcomes. We aimed to determine the impact of previous medication on ischemic stroke following intra-arterial revascularization therapy.

METHODS

Consecutive patients receiving intra-arterial reperfusion therapy after an acute intracranial occlusion were analyzed. Premorbid use of antiplatelets, statins, oral antidiabetic drugs, antihypertensive drugs and oral anticoagulants were recorded. Collateral pial circulation (CPC) was scored on initial angiogram.

RESULTS

118 patients were included (mean age 70.4 ± 11 years, 45% female). 66 patients (56%) were cardioembolic, 30 (25%) atherothrombotic, and 22 (19%) other/unknown etiologies. No significant impact of medication was detected in all the series or cardioembolic strokes. However, relevant differences were found among atherothrombotic strokes. The previous use of antiplatelets was associated with smaller infarct volume (64 vs. 170 ml; p = 0.043) whereas premorbid statin predicted reduced infarct volume (64 vs. 215 ml; p = 0.019), clinical improvement (79 vs. 29%; p = 0.016) and good CPC (100 vs. 20%; p = 0.04). Statins were the only medication independently predicting reduced infarct volume and clinical improvement and this effect depended on CPC.

CONCLUSION

Previous use of statins may preferentially benefit patients with atherothrombotic strokes by favoring the development of CPC.

Impact of the additive effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and /or statins with antiplatelet medication on mortality after acute ischaemic stroke

There has been recent interest in combining antiplatelets, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and statins in primary and secondary ischaemic stroke prevention. This observational study was performed to evaluate the impact of adding ACEIs and/or statins to antiplatelets on post-stroke in-hospital mortality. Ischaemic stroke patients attending a hospital in Malaysia over an 18-month period were evaluated. Patients were categorized according to their vital status at discharge. Data included demographic information, risk factors, clinical characteristics and previous medications with particular attention on antiplatelets, ACEIs and statins. In-hospital mortality was compared among patients who were not taking antiplatelets, ACEIs or statins before stroke onset versus those who were taking antiplatelets alone or in combination with either ACEIs, statins or both. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 15. Overall, 637 patients met the study inclusion criteria. After controlling for the effects of confounders, adding ACEIs or statins to antiplatelets significantly decreased the incidence of death after stroke attack by 68% (p = 0.036) and 81% (p = 0.010), respectively, compared to patients on antiplatelets alone or none of these medications. Additionally, the addition of both ACEIs and statins to antiplatelet medication resulted in the highest reduction (by 94%) of the occurrence of death after stroke attack (p < 0.001). Our results suggest that adding ACEIs and/or statins to antiplatelets for patients at risk of developing stroke, either as a primary or as a secondary preventive regimen, was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of mortality after ischaemic stroke than antiplatelets alone. These results might help reduce the rate of ischaemic stroke morbidity and mortality by enhancing the application of specific therapeutic and management strategies for patients at a high risk of acute stroke.

Clinical determinants of infarct pattern subtypes in large vessel atherosclerotic stroke

BACKGROUND

Although stroke from large vessel atherothromboembolism has a common pathogenesis, its topographic presentation is variable. Given the impact of cerebral infarct size and location on incident stroke magnitude and subsequent prognosis, we evaluated the determinants of cerebral infarct topography among patients with atherosclerotic stroke.

METHODS

We analyzed data on 148 consecutive patients admitted over a 4-year period to a university medical center with acute ischemic stroke within the MCA distribution on DWI, presumed due to atherosclerosis. Based on the DWI data, we divided the patients into three stroke phenotypes: large cortical, small (< 1 cm in diameter) cortical, and deep pattern. Independent factors for each stroke phenotype were evaluated using logistic regression.

RESULTS

After adjusting for covariates, premorbid statin use (OR, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.40-6.65) and older age (OR, 1.05 per 1 year increase; 95% CI, 1.02-1.08) were independently associated with the small cortical phenotypic pattern. In contrast, younger age (OR, 0.95 per 1 year increase; 95% CI, 0.92-0.98), premorbid statin non-use (OR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.17-0.99), and higher levels of fasting s-glucose (OR, 1.01 per 1 mg/dl increase; 95% CI, 1.00-1.02) and admission peripheral WBC counts (OR, 1.13 per 1 x 10(9) cells/L; 95% CI, 1.00-1.27) were independently associated with the large cortical pattern. There was no relation between DWI patterns and LDL-cholesterol levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Age, premorbid statin use, s-glucose and WBC count predict atherosclerotic stroke phenotype. Further studies should examine whether modifying some of these factors may result in more favorable phenotypic patterns.

Secondary stroke prevention: inside the vessels and beyond

Cerebral ischaemic stroke is frequently a relapsing, if not chronic, disease. Its incidence is age-dependent, and with the ageing of society the need for effective therapies increases. This review considers current and alternative hypotheses underlying secondary prevention of stroke. Currently, secondary stroke prevention is widely practiced with aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), a drug that has been in use for more than 100 years. Newer drugs such as ticlopidine and clopidogrel have subsequently been developed, but their efficacy barely surpasses that of aspirin. Other drugs used in secondary stroke prevention include HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and antihypertensive agents. The endovascular paradigm has shaped the thinking of secondary stroke prevention, and aspirin, ticlopidine and clopidogrel are known as 'platelet inhibitors'; however, their pharmacological and clinical effects are not fully explained within the platelet paradigm. Moreover, in recent years, reduction of stroke incidence has also been observed with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, regardless of their lipid-lowering effects. Hence, current understanding needs to be supplemented by considering mechanisms beyond platelet inhibition. Evidence has shown that aspirin, ticlopidine and clopidogrel share neuroprotective properties not explained by the platelet paradigm and that are reminiscent of a preconditioning effect. This neuroprotective mechanism is also shared with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.

Molecular physiology of preconditioning-induced brain tolerance to ischemia

Ischemic tolerance describes the adaptive biological response of cells and organs that is initiated by preconditioning (i.e., exposure to stressor of mild severity) and the associated period during which their resistance to ischemia is markedly increased. This topic is attracting much attention because preconditioning-induced ischemic tolerance is an effective experimental probe to understand how the brain protects itself. This review is focused on the molecular and related functional changes that are associated with, and may contribute to, brain ischemic tolerance. When the tolerant brain is subjected to ischemia, the resulting insult severity (i.e., residual blood flow, disruption of cellular transmembrane gradients) appears to be the same as in the naive brain, but the ensuing lesion is substantially reduced. This suggests that the adaptive changes in the tolerant brain may be primarily directed against postischemic and delayed processes that contribute to ischemic damage, but adaptive changes that are beneficial during the subsequent test insult cannot be ruled out. It has become clear that multiple effectors contribute to ischemic tolerance, including: 1) activation of fundamental cellular defense mechanisms such as antioxidant systems, heat shock proteins, and cell death/survival determinants; 2) responses at tissue level, especially reduced inflammatory responsiveness; and 3) a shift of the neuronal excitatory/inhibitory balance toward inhibition. Accordingly, an improved knowledge of preconditioning/ischemic tolerance should help us to identify neuroprotective strategies that are similar in nature to combination therapy, hence potentially capable of suppressing the multiple, parallel pathophysiological events that cause ischemic brain damage.

Hypertension, vascular cognitive disorders and neuroprotection

OBJECTIVE

The role of the antihypertensive therapy in preventing vascular cognitive disorders in elderly persons without a history of stroke is a matter of debate. This review focuses on cognitive disorders in elderly hypertensive patients.

METHODS

Relevant papers were identified by searches in PubMed from 1946 until February 2007 using the keywords 'cerebral blood flow autoregulation', 'vascular cognitive disorders', 'neuroimaging in hypertension', 'antihypertensive treatment' and 'neuroprotection in cerebral ischemia'.

RESULTS

Excessive blood pressure lowering in patients with long-standing hypertension may increase the risk of cerebral hypoperfusion, white matter lesions and consequent cognitive decline. White matter lesions have been found in the majority of patients with long-standing hypertension. They correlate with vascular cognitive disorders, particularly impairments of attention and executive function, while memory is relatively preserved. Cerebral small vessel disease in elderly patients should be taken into account when antihypertensive treatment is considered. Renin-angiotensin blockade, some calcium channel blockers and statins are thought to possess neuroprotective action.

CONCLUSION

For prevention of cerebral hypoperfusion in elderly hypertensives blood pressure lowering should be cautiously controlled. The increased risk of white matter lesions is an indication for early neuroprotection. The combination of renin-angiotensin blockade or calcium channel blockers with statins may become a promising preventive strategy against cognitive decline in elderly hypertensives. Cerebral white matter protection is a future challenge.

Papel actual de las estatinas en la prevención del ictus

The role of lipids in stroke has been a traditionally debated subject. Many studies have recently demonstrated that reduction of cholesterol levels is associated to a lower stroke incidence. At present, statins play an essential role in both primary as well as secondary stroke prevention. More knowledge on the use of statins in stroke in order to be able to apply it in the daily clinical practice is needed.

Prior use of antithrombotic agents and neurological functional outcome at discharge in patients with ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND

Studies in experimental animals have suggested that antithrombotic agents may have a neuroprotective effect after an ischemic injury. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of prior use of antithrombotic agents (antiplatelets or anticoagulants) on neurological functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Consecutive patients included in the Perugia Stroke Registry were considered for this analysis. Neurological functional outcome was evaluated at discharge using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS >or= 3 disabling stroke).

RESULTS

Of the 1921 patients included in the analysis (mean age 76.3 +/- 12.5 years; 53% males), 662 (34.5%) were on antithrombotic treatment (581 antiplatelets, 71 anticoagulants and 10 antiplatelets associated with anticoagulants). One hundred and twenty-two patients (6.4%) died in hospital; at discharge 712 patients (37.1%) were disabled and 1,087 patients (56.6%) were non-disabled. Fifty-four (44.3%) of the deceased patients and 270 (37.9%) of disabled patients were on antithrombotic treatment, while 338 (31.1%) non-disabled patients were taking antithrombotic agents. From multivariate analysis, age and stroke severity were associated with an adverse outcome. Male gender, dyslipidemia, stroke due to small vessel disease and no history of previous stroke were associated with an improved outcome, while no correlation was found between prior use of antithrombotic agents and outcome (mortality odds ratio; OR = 1.32, 95% confidence interval; CI 0.85-2.04; P = 0.20, mortality or disability OR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.72-1.25; P = 0.80).

CONCLUSION

Prior use of antithrombotic agents does not improve the functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke.