Non-Invasive Tools in Perioperative Stroke Risk Assessment for Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis with a Focus on the Circle of Willis

This review aims to explore advancements in perioperative ischemic stroke risk estimation for asymptomatic patients with significant carotid artery stenosis, focusing on Circle of Willis (CoW) morphology based on the CTA or MR diagnostic imaging in the current preoperative diagnostic algorithm. Functional transcranial Doppler (fTCD), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) are discussed in the context of evaluating cerebrovascular reserve capacity and collateral vascular systems, particularly the CoW. These non-invasive diagnostic tools provide additional valuable insights into the cerebral perfusion status. They support biomedical modeling as the gold standard for the prediction of the potential impact of carotid artery stenosis on the hemodynamic changes of cerebral perfusion. Intraoperative risk assessment strategies, including selective shunting, are explored with a focus on CoW variations and their implications for perioperative ischemic stroke and cognitive function decline. By synthesizing these insights, this review underscores the potential of non-invasive diagnostic methods to support clinical decision making and improve asymptomatic patient outcomes by reducing the risk of perioperative ischemic neurological events and preventing further cognitive decline.

Examination of Coping Strategies among On-Site Paramedics

The occurrence of physical and psychological symptoms that negatively influence everyday activities, efficient job performance, and professional patient treatment are common among paramedic workers. Aim: We uncovered the characteristic coping strategies applied by on-site paramedics and searched for correlations between these strategies and demographic, socio-economic characteristics, as well as factors related to work, workplace, and health behaviours. Sample and methodology: The survey was conducted between March 1, 2018, and February 28, 2019, among employees of the DG National Ambulance Service and participants of the Chamber of Hungarian Health Care Professionals. We used an abbreviated version of the Ways of Coping Questionnaire that contains 22 items (WOC-22). Descriptive statistics, independent samples T-tests, correlation calculations, analysis of variance with the Games-Howell post-hoc test were also carried out. Results: Tension reduction was a more common coping strategy among female and/or single paramedics as well as also being characteristic of people who work as paramedic officers. Problem-oriented coping stood out as a characteristic of people who have a higher level of education and/or are more satisfied with their financial situation. Risk-seeking appears dominantly among those who are not religious and/or have a lower level of education. Conclusions: Although paramedics are basically characterized by problem-oriented coping strategies, they quite often apply non-adaptive strategies as well; consequently, the chance of developing anxiety remains higher for them. Our aim is to use effective intervention methods for curbing the development of anxiety conditions among the ambulance personnel that have long-lasting negative effects on health care. To achieve this goal, we recommend including a questionnaire about coping strategies into the admission process of would-be paramedics; also, completing such questionnaires among the whole emergency workforce.

Differences in guidelines for patients with carotid artery stenosis in some European countries

Összefoglaló. A tudomány jelenlegi állása szerint - csoportok összehasonlítására épülő matematikai-statisztikai eszközökkel - a leginkább hatékonynak és hatásosnak vélt kezelési módszerek szisztematikus elemzése mentén, a bizonyítékokon alapuló irányelveken nyugvó gyógyító munkát tekintjük követendőnek. A nyaki verőérszűkület ellátása esetén az utóbbi években elkészült mind a hazai, mind az európai irányelv, mindemellett a társszakmák irányelveiben is megjelentek kezelési javaslatok. Közleményünkben összehasonlítottuk a témában publikált magyar, angol, német és olasz nyelvű, valamint az európai társaságok által kiadott irányelveket. Az irányelvek alapelveikben hasonlóak, formailag és tartalmilag azonban jelentős (időnként egymásnak ellentmondani látszó) különbségeket találhatunk. Az ellentmondások három leggyakoribb oka: 1) az egyes irányelvek által kitűzött célok különbözősége, 2) az aszimptomatikus és szimptomatikus betegcsoport definíciói, valamint 3) az eltérő evidenciaszintek. Az irányelvek összevetése alapján a tünetes, szignifikáns nyaki verőérszűkületek sebészi ellátása evidenciának tekinthető. A szimptomatikus nyaki verőérszűkület a definíció szerint ellenoldali cerebralis ischaemia okozta, tranziens vagy definitív plegia, paresis, aphasia és az azonos oldali arteria centralis retinae embolisatiója miatti amaurosis fugax. A tünetmentes nyaki verőérszűkületek ellátása tekintetében az európai és a nemzeti irányelvek nem azonosak, ezen esetek terápiás döntése egyéni mérlegelést igényel. Tünetmentes, 70%-os stenosis esetén vascularteam-konzílium javasolt. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(51): 2139-2145. Summary. The correct practice is the one that is proven to be the most effective based on systematic statistical analyses of different treatment methods, and is applied according to evidence-based principles. In recent years, not only has the European Society of Vascular Surgery created a guideline about the management of supra-aortic steno-occlusive disease, but some nations' vascular surgical societies and related disciplines have also developed their own guidance. In this paper, the guidelines by the European societies on the clinical care of patients with carotid artery luminal narrowing is compared to national guidelines published in Hungarian, English, German, and Italian. Although the fundamental points of the guidelines are similar, there are some important differences among them both in presentation and in content; as a result, they sometimes appear to be contradictory. The three main sources of inconsistency are the various goals, the discrepancy in the definition of symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis, and the bias arising from the use of distinct evidence levels. A comparison of guidelines suggests that the treatment of symptomatic significant carotid artery stenosis with surgery can be considered evidence. Symptomatic carotid artery stenosis is defined as transient or definite plegia, paresis, aphasia due to cerebral ischemia, and monocular blindness caused by embolism in the central retinal artery. However, in the case of asymptomatic 70% or greater carotid artery stenosis, the guidelines are quite heterogeneous, and these patients require individual consideration and a vascular team decision is recommended. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(51): 2139-2145.