[A series of 22 cases of perinatal arterial ischaemic stroke: risk factors, clinical management and neurological sequelae]

INTRODUCTION

Perinatal arterial ischaemic stroke (PAIS) is almost as common as in adulthood and causes significant neurological sequelae.

AIM

The aim is to describe the risk situations surrounding these neonates, the clinical manifestations, the management, the cost-effectiveness of diagnostic tests and the neurological sequelae.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted an observational study of a cohort of patients consisting of neonates with a gestational age = 35 weeks diagnosed with PAIS in our hospital between 2010 and 2021.

RESULTS

Twenty-two cases of PAIS were included, and the incidence in our centre was 1/1,869 live newborns. The data showed that 81.8% had some intrapartum risk factor and 40.9% had a combination of several risk factors. It started with seizures (mean age 27.3 hours) in 77.3% of cases. Patients with a stroke in the left hemisphere had more sequelae (77.8%) than those with a stroke on the right-hand side (16.6%) (p = 0.041), with the exception of infantile cerebral palsy (p = 0.04), while we found no difference between hemispheres in the frequency of language impairment (p = 0.06). The mean follow-up time was 6.13 ± 3.06 years. A total of 63.6% of infants had neurological sequelae: infantile cerebral palsy (40.9%), language disorders (22.7%) and intellectual disability (9%). Moreover, 18.2% developed epilepsy (between 0.25 and 1.8 years) and antiseizure treatment was maintained after discharge in 37.5% of cases in the last years of the study.

CONCLUSIONS

If a newborn infant presents seizures, it is necessary to rule out the possibility of a stroke. PAIS causes neurological sequelae in over 60% of cases. Early identification is essential to improve the neurological prognosis and avoid the prolonged use of antiseizure drugs where possible.

Iliac Arteries Dissection with a Rapid Dilatation as Debut of Fibromuscular Dysplasia

We report a case of a 38-year-old male diagnosed with fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) and a dissection of both common iliac arteries without aortic involvement. It was revealed after an inguinal hematoma and a pelvic pain, which are not the typical FMD presentation. Surgical treatment was performed after a rapid iliac growth in the first month control computed tomography angiography. Although the clinical course of this entity is relatively benign, rupture of the common iliac artery has also been described.

Prevalence of orthostatic hypotension in non-institutionalised elderly aged 80 and over. A diagnostic study using an oscillometric device

BACKGROUND

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common disorder, and possibly underdiagnosed. In the elderly, OH has been considered a common cause of falls, fractures, and fear of falling. Its prevalence increases with age, probably related to the number of drug treatments, decreased fluid intake, and the progressive dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the prevalence of OH in a non-institutionalised population ≥80 years, according to different criteria based on sequential measurements taken at minute 0, 1, 3 and 5 of standing.

METHODS DESIGN

A diagnostic accuracy study using an oscillometric device.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Convenience sampling of 176 people ≥80 years attended in an urban Primary Health Care Centre.

MEASUREMENTS

Supine and standing blood pressure (BP) measurements, at minutes 0, 1, 3 and 5 using the OMRON 705-CP blood pressure device. OH definition: decrease ≥20mmHg in systolic BP (SBP) and/or ≥10mmHg in diastolic BP (DBP).

RESULTS

Mean age (Standard Deviation) was 85.2 (3.7) years, and 60.2% were women. Prevalence of OH: 30.7% at minute 0; 19.3% at minute 1; 18.2% at minute 3; and 20.5% at minute 5. Age, sedentary life, smoking, diabetes and SBP values were significantly associated with a greater BP decrease at minute 0.

CONCLUSION

A third of the sample had OH, with a maximum prevalence at minute 0. From a clinical point of view, it is suggested that the definition of OH is prioritized according to the BP at minute 0.

Is ultrasound follow-up necessary in humero-axillary prosthetic arteriovenous fistulas for haemodialysis?

AIM

To evaluate through a specific trial on vascular access fistulas (T-VAF), the impact of intensive follow-up controls on the permeability of humero-axillary fistulas (Hax-AVF).

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Retrospective study. Between January 2005 and December 2009, 108 Hax-AVF were implanted. From June 2007 a T-AVF was established. A preoperative duplex was performed and a follow-up control carried out a month after the intervention and subsequently every 3 months.

RESULTS

An analysis was made of the permeability of 57 Hax-AVF carried out between June 2007 and December 2009 (T-AVF Group), in comparison to 51 interventions performed during the previous 30 months (Control Group). No differences in the permeability achieved were found at 12 and 24 months, with a secondary permeability at 12 months of 49% in the T-AVF Group and 52% in the Control Group. The percentage of patients needing to be re-operated was inferior in the T-AVF Group (35%) than in the Control Group (67%) p=0.02. The re-operation per patient average was lower in the T-AVF Group than in the Control Group (0.49 vs. 1.18 p=0.01). The patients of the TAVF Group underwent a lesser number of re-operations for obstruction as opposed to the Control Group (0.42 vs 1.04 p=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, the intensive follow-up controls did not improve the permeability of the Hax-AVF, although re-operations due to obstruction did diminish. The follow-up of these access fistulas should be clinical based on hemodialysis data, leaving ultrasonographic evaluation for those cases where a malfunction is suspected.