Risk factors of non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy and central retinal artery occlusion

AIM:To investigate the difference in risk factors between non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy(NAION)and central retinal artery occlusion(CRAO)and develop a predictive diagnostic nomogram.METHODS:The study included 37 patients with monocular NAION,20 with monocular CRAO,and 24 with hypertension.Gender,age,and systemic diseases were recorded.Blood routine,lipids,hemorheology,carotid and brachial artery doppler ultrasound,and echocardiography were collected.The optic disc area,cup area,and cup-to-disc ratio(C/D)of the unaffected eye in the NAION and CRAO group and the right eye in the hypertension group were measured.RESULTS:The carotid artery intimal medial thickness(C-IMT)of the affected side of the CRAO group was thicker(P=0.039)and its flow-mediated dilation(FMD)was lower(P=0.049)than the NAION group.Compared with hypertension patients,NAION patients had higher whole blood reduced viscosity low-shear(WBRV-L)and erythrocyte aggregation index(EAI;P=0.045,0.037),and CRAO patients had higher index of rigidity of erythrocyte(IR)and erythrocyte deformation index(EDI;P=0.004,0.001).The optic cup and the C/D of the NAION group were smaller than the other two groups(P<0.0001).The diagnostic prediction model showed high diagnostic specificity(83.7%)and sensitivity(85.6%),which was highly related to hypertension,the C-IMT of the affected side,FMD,platelet(PLT),EAI,and C/D.CONCLUSION:CRAO patients show thicker C-IMT and worse endothelial function than NAION.NAION and CRAO may be related to abnormal hemorheology.A small cup and small C/D may be involved in NAION.The diagnostic nomogram can be used to preliminarily identify NAION and CRAO.

Effect of Trimetazidine on Functional Capacity in Patient with Ischaemic Cardiomyopathy (TOFCAPI)

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of trimetazidine on exercise capacity via a six-minute walk test in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy and also evaluate the effect of trimetazidine on left ventricular function via echocardiography in the same population. Methods: This prospective observational study, conducted at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Dhaka, Bangladesh, enrolled 200 patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy and a depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF Results: In this study (n = 200) of ischaemic cardiomyopathy patients, the mean age was 58 years, with 76% of the patients being male. All study subjects received GDMT (Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy) for angina and heart failure. Those who received the modified released form of trimetazidine developed lesions during the 1st and 2nd follow-ups, during which the LVEF, LVIDd, and six-minute walk distance significantly improved (p Conclusion: The findings of the present study demonstrated that the addition of modified-release trimetazidine to GDMT can improve exercise capacity and left ventricular function in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy.

A meta-analysis of risk factors for epilepsy after acute ischaemic stroke and the development of a predictive model

Objective:To screen risk factors for epilepsy after acute ischaemic stroke based on meta-analysis and cohort study and to establish a predictive model.Methods:Computer searches of MEDLINE,Embase,Cochrane library,Web of Scinence,PubMed,CNKI,and WanFang Data data were conducted to collect literature on epilepsy after in acute ischemic stroke,from database creation to September 1,2022.The RRs and their 95%confidence intervals(CI)for risk factors for post stroke epilepsy were extracted for each study,and pooled estimates of the RRs and 95%CIs for each study were generated using either a random-effects model or a fixed-effects model.Beta coefficients for each risk factor were calculated based on the combined RR and their corresponding 95%CIs.The beta coefficients were multiplied by 10 and rounded.Results:Ten articles were identified for final inclusion in this meta-analysis,with a total of 141948 cases and 3702 cases of post stroke epilepsy.The risk factors included in the final risk prediction model were infarct size(RR 4.67,95%CI 1.41~15.47;P=0.01),stroke recuRRence(RR 2.48,95%CI 2.01~3.05;P<0.00001),stroke etiology(RR 1.70,95%CI 1.34~2.15;P<0.00001),stroke severity(RR 1.70,95%CI 1.34~2.15;P<0.00001),and stroke risk.stroke severity(RR 1.53,95%CI 1.39~1.70;P<0.00001),NIHSS score(RR 2.91,95%CI 1.64~5.61;P=0.0003),early-onset epilepsy(RR 5.62,95%CI 5.08~6.22;P<0.00001),cortical lesions(RR 3.83.95%CI 2.23~6.58;P<0.00001),total anterior circulation infarction(RR 18.94,95%CI 10.38~34.57;P<0.00001),partial anterior circulation infarction(RR 4.39,95%CI 2.29~8.40;P<0.00001),cardiovascular events(RR 1.78,95%CI 1.59~1.99;P<0.00001).Conclusion:Based on a systematic review and meta-analysis,we developed a simple risk prediction model for late epilepsy in baseline ischemic stroke that integrates clinical risk factors,including infarct size,stroke recurrence,stroke etiology,stroke severity,NIHSS score,early onset epilepsy,cortical lesions,stroke subtype,and cardiovascular events.

Aetiology and risk factors of ischaemic cholangiopathy after liver transplantation

Liver transplantation(LT)is the best treatment for endstage hepatic failure,with an excellent survival rates over the last decade.Biliary complications after LT pose a major challenge especially with the increasing number of procured organs after circulatory death.Ischaemic cholangiopathy(IC)is a set of disorders characterized by multiple diffuse strictures affecting the graft biliary system in the absence of hepatic artery thrombosis or stenosis.It commonly presents with cholestasis and cholangitis resulting in higher readmission rates,longer length of stay,repeated therapeutic interventions,and eventually re-transplantation with consequent effects on the patient’s quality of life and increased health care costs.The pathogenesis of IC is unclear and exhibits a higher prevalence with prolonged ischaemia time,donation after circulatory death(DCD),rejection,and cytomegalovirus infection.The majority of IC occurs within 12 mo after LT.Prolonged warm ischaemic times predispose to a profound injury with a subsequently higher prevalence of IC.Biliary complications and IC rates are between 16%and 29%in DCD grafts com-pared to between 3%and 17%in donation after brain death(DBD)grafts.The majority of ischaemic biliary lesions occur within 30 d in DCD compared to 90 d in DBD grafts following transplantation.However,there are many other risk factors for IC that should be considered.The benefits of DCD in expanding the donor pool are hindered by the higher incidence of IC with increased rates of re-transplantation.Careful donor selection and procurement might help to optimize the utilization of DCD grafts.

Severe Hypokalemia ECG Changes Mimicking Those of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) in Patient with Underlying Ischaemic Heart Disease: A Case Review

Background: Hypokalemia is seen on regular basis in medical emergency. The definition of hypokalemia is serum potassium level below 3.5 mmol/L, meanwhile severe hypokalemia is serum potassium level below 2.5 mmol/L [1]. Patient with hypokalemia can present with wide range of presentation including musculoskeletal complaints from numbness to acute paralysis. Severe hypokalemia has tendency to progress to intestinal paralysis and respiratory failure. In some cases of hypokalemia, cardiovascular system can also be affected causing cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure [2]. Aim: This case report is to highlight that severe hypokalaemia can present with ECG changes mimicking acute coronary syndrome (ACS) which was fully resolved with correction of potassium level. Methods: We report a case of 84 years old Chinese man with underlying triple vessel disease presented with generalised body weakness for 2 days. ECG on arrival noted changes suggestive of ACS with ST segment depression in lead V4-V6 with first degree heart block, however patient had no ischemic symptoms and the potassium level was severe low at 1.6 mmol/L (3.5 - 5.1 mmol/L). He was correctly not treated for ACS. Outcomes: Repeated ECG post fast intravenous potassium correction noted complete resolution of the ST segment depression and first degree heart block. Patient discharged well from hospital four days later with potassium level of 3.8 mmol/L. Conclusions: Severe hypokalemia with asymptomatic ECG of ACS changes can safely be treated as a single entity clinical emergency with good resolution and no complication after normalizing potassium level.

Perioperative anticoagulation and open distal corpora cavernosa shunt in the management of a case of stuttering idiopathic persistent childhood ischaemic priapism

Childhood priapism is a rare entity and there is currently no consensus regarding its contemporary management.The use of perioperative anticoagulation and open distal corporaglandular shunt procedure in the management of childhood priapism has not been reported in the literature.We present a stuttering case of a 13-year-old boy who presented with idiopathic ischaemic priapism lasting 13 h in duration,which recurred despite corporal aspiration and alpha-adrenergic agonist injections,percutaneous distal shunt surgery,and revision of percutaneous distal shunt surgery.He was eventually successfully managed with perioperative subcutaneous enoxaparin,oral aspirin and clopidogrel in conjunction with an Al-Ghorab shunt,which led to sustained detumescence but with spontaneous morning erections.In paediatric patients with sustained childhood priaprism failing stepwise treatments,an Al-Ghorab shunt with perioperative anticoagulation is a viable option.

Prognostic,diagnostic and therapeutic potential of endothelial progenitor cells for patients with ischaemic stroke:Hype or Hope

Ischaemic stroke is a debilitating disease with immense personal,societal and economic impact.Thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator remains the only approved pharmacotherapy for this disease.As each year less than 1%of eligible patients receive this therapy worldwide,efficacious new therapeutics are desperately needed.Emerging evidence suggest endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs),capable of repairing damaged vasculature,as one such therapeutics.However,questions regarding their optimal dose,delivery route and in vivo survivability remain largely unanswered.Outgrowth endothelial cells,generated in large numbers by ex vivo expansion of EPCs,enable effective assessment of these issues and may eventually serve as off-the-shelf therapeutics.Correlations between circulating EPC levels and stroke outcome imply that EPCs may also serve as clinical biomarkers for stroke.This viewpoint briefly evaluates the current evidence,pinpoints the gaps in the literature and proposes new directions for research.

Empirical anticoagulation for patients in sinus rhythm at high risk of ischaemic stroke:A review of current literature

Ischaemic stroke is one of the commonest causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and around a fifth of events can be attributed to a cardioembolic source. This is typically due to atrial fibrillation(AF), the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. However, AF can, at times, be difficult to detect due to a relative lack of symptoms and the fact that it can be paroxysmal in nature. Studies have shown that diagnosis of AF improves as the length of cardiac monitoring increases. However, prolonged cardiac monitoring is not a costeffective way of diagnosing AF. Therefore, an alternative approach may be to empirically anticoagulate individuals who are at high risk of stroke. This article summarises current evidence surrounding stroke risk prediction, the use of anticoagulation in the secondary prevention of stroke and its use in the primary prevention of stroke in high risk groups with the aim of determining whether empirical anticoagulation is a safe and effective strategy.

Imageology of internal carotid artery siphon in nonarteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy

AIM:To evaluate whether narrowing of internal carotid artery siphon(ICAS)may increase the risk of developing non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy(NAION).METHODS:Totally 30 consecutive patients who had unilateral NAION and 30 gender-matched control subjects were recruited in the present study.The diameter of ICAS of all the participants were measured using head-and-neck computed tomographic angiography(CTA).Color doppler flow imaging(CDI)was used to measure the haemodynamics parameters of ICAS and short posterior ciliary arteries(SPCAs)in all subjects.Comparison of parameters between the NAION patients and controls as well as between the two sides within the patients were performed.The correlation between the diameter of ICAS and NAION was analyzed.RESULTS:A comparison of parameters between the affected side of the NAION patients and the controls,including the diameter of ICAS,the resistance index(RI)of ICAS,the blood flow velocities of SPCAs and RI of SPCAs,showed significantly difference(P<0.01),while there was no significant difference in terms of the mean blood flow velocity(Vm)of ICAS;Similar results were found while comparing all the measurements of the affected and unaffected side of patients(P for RI of SPCAs<0.05).No marked difference was detected in nearly all parameters except for RI of ICAS and SPCAs between the unaffected side of the NAION patients and the controls(P<0.05).The diameter of ICAS were significantly positive correlated with both peak systolic velocity(PSV)of SPCAs and end diastolic velocity(EDV)of SPCAs in patients with NAION(r=0.514,P<0.01 and r=0.418,P<0.05,respectively).CONCLUSION:Narrowing of ICAS may increase the risk of developing NAION.

Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy in Malaysia: a 5 years review

AIM: To evaluate the clinical presentations and visual outcomes of non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION).METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted involving 18 consecutive patients (20 eyes) with NAION attending Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia from January 2005 until December 2009.RESULTS: Most patients were Malay (94.4%),and followed by Chinese (5.6 %).The female-to-male ratio was 3.5:1.The age of patients ranged from 36 to 85 years (mean,57.1 years).The main risk factors in systemic diseases were hypertension (55.5%),diabetes mellitus (44.4%),and ischaemic heart disease (11.1%).Most patients (77.8%) presented with acute loss of vision while gradual onset was in 22.3% of cases.Majority had visual acuity worse than 1/60 (80%).The most common fundoscopic findings were peripapillary splinter haemorrhage (90%),sectorial swollen optic disc (60%) and hyperemic disc (60%).During follow up,20% of the patients showed stabilization in visual acuity,and 80% showed worsening of vision.CONCLUSION: Majority of patients with NAION presented with acute poor vision involving middle-aged and elderly individuals.Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were among the main risk factors involved.NAION can lead to permanent visual loss despite treatment.

Secondary prevention of ischaemic stroke

In spite of a documented reduction in incidence in highincome countries over the last decades, stroke is still a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. With the ageing of the population stroke-related economic burden is expected to increase, because of residual disability and its complications, such as cognitive impairment, high risk of falls and fractures, depression and epilepsy. Furthermore, because of the substantial rate of early and long-term vascular recurrences after the first event, secondary prevention after cerebral ischaemia is a crucial issue. This is even more important after minor stroke and transient ischaemic attack(TIA), in order to reduce the risk of potentially more severe and disabling events. To accomplish this aim, acute long-term medical and surgical treatments as well aslifestyle modifications are strongly recommended. However, apart from the well-established indications to thrombolysis, studies in acute phase after a first stroke or TIA are scarce and evidence is lacking. More trials are available for long-term secondary prevention with different classes of drugs, including antithrombotic medications for ischaemic events of arterial and cardiac origin, especially related to atrial fibrillation(antiplatelets and anticoagulants, respectively), lipid lowering agents(mainly statins), blood pressure lowering drugs, surgical and endovascular revascularization procedures.

Cortical Blindness Following Neonatal Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy: Cases Series from Bamako

Purpose: Report of series of cases of cortical blindness that occurred after neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic by analysing its epidemiological frequency in black Africa. Methodology: This is the report of two clinical cases received in consultation on Monday 16th November 2020 and Thursday 7th January 2021 in the paediatric ophthalmology department of the IOTA-University Hospital. Results: They are two infants, aged 05 and 17 months respectively, who were brought in for consultation by their mother for lack of eye-tracking movement since birth. Both infants were born at term following a dystocic delivery. At birth, both infants had a very poor Apar score and were given a resuscitation treatment. The clinical examination coupled with the results of the paraclinical examinations allowed us to conclude at cortical blindness induced the neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. Their therapeutic management, in collaboration with the neurologist, included the combination of piracetam suspension and Valproate sodium syrup. The evolution after three months of treatment is marked by the regression of epileptic seizures and the perception of light. Conclusion: In black Africa, neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy is the second leading cause of cortical blindness in children, after the neuromalaria sequels.

Changes of the F-wave in the acute phase of permanent spinal cord ischaemic injury predict spinal cord function in animal models of rabbits

Objective:to explore the changes of the F-wave in the posterior tibial nerve of rabbits after different levels of lumbar spinal cord ischaemic injury and its correlation with motor function and the extent of lumbar spinal cord pathological damage.Methods:thirty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 6 groups.The control group(n=5)was used to exclude the influence of anaesthesia and surgery on the F-wave.Different levels of lumbar arteries were ligated in the five experimental groups(n=5).The F-wave was recorded to observe the changes in the acute phase of spinal cord ischaemia.The correlation between the changes of the F-wave in the acute reversible phase and the motor function of the spinal cord was analysed.Motor functions were assessed after surgery and 2 d after vascular ligation.The specimens were taken 2 d after ligation for histopathologic observation.Results:the results for the control group indicated that anaesthesia and surgery did not affect the F-wave results.There was no statistically significant difference in the F-wave amplitudes and latency before and after ligation in the 1 and 2 level ligation groups.The F-wave changed immediately after ligation in the 3,4 and 5 ligation groups.The latency of the F-wave gradually extended,the amplitude of the F-wave gradually reduced.The amplitude variations of the F-wave were positively correlated with the motor function 2 d after ligation,there was a statistically significant difference.With the increase in the number of vascular ligation,the degree of destruction of the motor neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord in the pathological specimens increased.Conclusion:the F-waves in the posterior tibial nerve of rabbits were found to be sensitive to the lumbar spinal cord ischaemic injury and specific to predict motor function.

Effect of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound on Ischaemic Heart Disease Patients (Novel Technique)

Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD) or Coronary heart disease means that the heart is not getting enough blood and oxygen supply through the coronary arteries. The most common cause of this disease is the process of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries. Although significant progress has been made in the management of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) The number of severe IHD patients is increasing. The treatment options for IHD have not changed much over the last three decades, which is divided between medications, coronary Angioplasty and Coronary artery bypass surgery. Thus it was crucial to develop new, non-invasive therapeutic strategies in case of Failure of medical or interventional therapy or in case patient is not fit for surgery or angioplasty. In this study, we are pleased to reveal a novel technique that was carried out on a human model. We aimed to develop low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) therapy for the treatment of patients with Ischaemic Heart Disease. We have set up the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the treatment protocol of LIPUS on IHD patients. In this limited group of IHD patients, We found promising clinical results and improvement on myocardial functions.

Ischaemic Stroke Complicating Infective Endocarditis: Microbleeds Are the Diagnostic Clue

Introduction: Ischemic strokes represent a classic complication of infective endocarditis (IE) and are most often related to the fragmentation of valvular vegetation. In most cases, they occur in the Sylvian territory and are related to Staphylococcus aureus. MRI can demonstrate, in addition to the AVCI image, cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) that are very suggestive of the diagnosis. We present the case of a patient who presented an ischemic stroke occurring in the context of infective endocarditis. Observation: A 32-year-old woman with no previous medical history initially presented with acute febrile headache, two weeks later she developed right hemiplegia with aphasia in the context of fever. Her general examination revealed lesions on the soles of her feet, in the form of nodules, infected in places, suggestive of Janeway nodules (characteristic of IE). The brain MRI showed an ischemic stroke in the Sylvian territory, with the presence of multiple microbleeds on the magnetic susceptibility sequences. The biological examination showed a severe inflammatory syndrome;the transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) confirmed the presence of vegetation on the aortic valve;and the blood cultures showed a Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotic therapy was started, and the patient was transferred to the cardiology department. Discussion: Our observation has a double interest. The first is clinical due to the presence of plantar nodules (Janeway’s nodules) that are characteristic of IE which should orientate the diagnosis before the installation of the stroke, and the second is radiological and linked to the discovery of microbleeds. Their presence is increasingly reported in the literature, but their pathophysiology is not yet very clear. Conclusion: Stroke is the most frequent extracardiac complication during IE. The presence of microbleeds contributes to early diagnosis, especially in asymptomatic forms.

Acute right insular ischaemic lesions and poststroke left ventricular dysfunction

Introduction Myocardial injury related to acute ischaemic stroke is common even without primary cardiac disease.We intended to determine associations between values of left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and ischaemic stroke lesion sites.Methods Of a local database,patients with acute first-ever ischaemic stroke confirmed by brain imaging but without pre-existing heart disease were included.The cardiac morphology and LVEF were obtained from transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography,and impaired LVEF was categorised as mild(35%-50%),moderate(34%-25%)and severe(<25%).Patient age,stroke severity,ischaemic lesion volume,prevalence of troponin I increase(>0.1 ng/mL),atrial fibrillation and cardiac wall motion abnormalities were assessed and compared between patients with and without impaired LVEF after stroke(significance:p<0.05).A multivariate voxelwise lesion analysis correlated LVEF after stroke with sites of ischaemic lesions.Results Of 1209 patients who had a stroke,231(mean age 66.3±14.0 years)met the inclusion criteria;40 patients(17.3%)had an impaired LVEF after stroke.Patients with impaired LVEF had higher infarct volumes(53.8 mL vs 30.0 mL,p=0.042),a higher prevalence of troponin increase(17.5%vs 4.2%,p=0.006),cardiac wall motion abnormalities(42.5%vs 5.2%,p<0.001)and atrial fibrillation(60.0%vs 26.2%,p<0.001)than patients with LVEF of>50%.The multivariate voxelwise lesion analysis yielded associations between decreased LVEF and damaged voxels in the insula,amygdala and operculum of the right hemisphere.Conclusion Our imaging analysis unveils a prominent role of the right hemispheric central autonomic network,especially of the insular cortex,in the brain-heart axis.Our results support preliminary evidence that acute ischaemic stroke in distinct brain regions of the central autonomic network may directly impair cardiac function and thus further supports the concept of a distinct stroke-heart syndrome.

Roles of light transmission aggregometry and CYP2C19 genotype in predicting ischaemic complications during interventional therapy for intracranial aneurysms

Background and purpose Light transmission aggregometry(LTA)and CYP2C19 genotype analysis are commonly used to evaluate the antiplatelet effects of clopidogrel during the interventional treatment of intracranial aneurysms.The aim of this study was to determine which test can predict ischaemic events during these treatments.Methods Patient demographic information,imaging data,laboratory data and ischaemic complications were recorded.LTA and CYP2C19 genotype results were compared,and multiple linear regression was performed to examine factors related to platelet reactivity.Multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine whether LTA and CYP2C19 could predict ischaemic complications and to identify other clinical risk factors.Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted to calculate the cut-off value for predicting ischaemic complications.A subgroup analysis was also performed for different CYP2C19 genotype metabolisers,as well as for patients with flow diverters and traditional stents.Results A total of 379 patients were included,of which 22 developed ischaemic events.Maximum platelet aggregation induced by ADP(ADP-MPA)could predict ischaemic events(p<0.001;area under the curve,0.752(95%CI 0.663 to 0.842)),and its cut-off value was 41.5%.ADP-MPA(p=0.001)and hypertension duration>10 years(p=0.022)were independent risk factors for ischaemic events,while the CYP2C19 genotype was not associated with ischaemic events.In the subgroup analysis,ADP-MPA could predict ischaemic events in fast metabolisers(p=0.004)and intermediate metabolisers(p=0.003).The cut-off value for ischaemic events was lower in patients with flow diverters(ADP-MPA=36.4%)than in patients with traditional stents(ADP-MPA=42.9%).Conclusions ADP-MPA can predict ischaemic complications during endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms.Patients with flow diverters require stronger antiplatelet medication than patients with traditional stents.

Protective effects of ischaemic postconditioning on warm/cold ischaemic reperfusion injury in rat liver： a comparative study with ischaemic preconditioning

Background Ischaemic reperfusion injury （IRI） is inevitable during major liver surgery. Ischaemic preconditioning （IPC） has been proven an effective intervention against hepatic IRI. Recently, it was demonstrated that ischaemic postconditioning （IPO） provided effective cardioprotection on IRI. We evaluated the protective effects of IPO on warm/cold IRI in rat liver by a comparison with IPC and assessed the role of apoptosis in the process.Methods Warm IRI model （clamping hepatic pedicle for 30 minutes） and cold IRI model （orthotopic liver transplantation with 2 hours cold storage） were established. Each model consisted of 3 groups： （1） control group, normal warm/cold IRI; （2） IPC group, 5 minutes of ischaemia followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion twice prior to warm/cold IRI; （3） IPO group, 30 seconds of reperfusion followed by 30 seconds of reocclusion for three times after warm/cold ischaemia. The levels of serum transaminase, glucose, and γ glutamyltransferase （GGT） in bile, histopathological examination, apoptotic activity of hepatocyte, and apoptosis related protein Fas, at 3 hours after operation were compared. Survival rates one week after intervention were also compared.Results IPO and IPC protected the functions of hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells, inhibited the hepatocellular apoptosis by preventing expression of Fas gene, and elevated the one week survival rate compared with control group in both models （P 〈0.05）. IPO and IPC groups were comparable in levels of serum transaminase levels, glucose, and GGT in bile, Fas positive expression index, and one week survival. In cold ischaemic models, IPO had lower apoptotic index than IPC （P 〈0.05）.Conclusion Compared with ischaemic preconditioning, ischaemic postconditioning is associated with comparable protections of rat liver from warm or cold ischaemic reperfusion injury.

Short-term effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with ischaemic or nonischaemic cardiomyopathy

Background Patients with heart failure were candidates for cardiac resynchronization therapy （CRT） regardless of underlying aetiology. This study observed the effect of CRT in patients with ischaemic or nonischaemic cardiomyopathy. Methods One hundred and forty-two patients with refractory chronic heart failure and left bundle branch block received cardiac resynchronization therapy, 91 men and 51 women, average age 60 years. Left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） was severely depressed （mean 29%）, left ventricular end diastolic diameter （LVEDD） enlarged （mean 72 mm） and QRS width was lengthened （mean 147 ms）. Ninety-eight had nonischaemic cardiomyopathy and 44 had ischaemic cardiomyopathy. Results After cardiac resynchronization therapy, the heart function was significantly improved. The mean LVEF increased from 29% to 36% after pacing. In patients with nonischaemic cardiomyopathy, the LVEF was improved from 28% to 37%, and in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy, the LVEF was improved from 30% to 36%. No significant difference of the improvement was found between the two groups （P〉0.05）. Conclusions Cardiac resynchronization therapy could significantly improve cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure regardless of the underlying heart disease.

Concurrent intracranial and extracranial artery stenosis and the prognosis of transient ischaemic symptoms or imaging-negative ischaemic stroke

Background and purpose Transient ischaemic attack(TIA),transient symptoms with infarction(TSI)and diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)-negative acute ischaemic stroke(AIS)share similar aetiologies but are considered to have a rather benign prognosis.We intended to investigate the association between intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis(ICAS),extracranial atherosclerotic stenosis(ECAS)and the prognosis of patients with TIA,TSI and DWI-negative AIS.Methods Clinical and imaging data of eligible participants were derived from the Chinese Intracranial Atherosclerosis study,according to symptom duration,acute infarction on DWI and discharge diagnosis.Based on the severity and location of arterial atherosclerosis,we categorised the study population into four groups:no or<50% ICAS and no ECAS;≥50% ICAS but no ECAS;no or<50%ICAS with ECAS;and concurrent≥50% ICAS and ECAS.Using multivariable Cox regression models,we analysed the relationship between the severity and distribution of large artery atherosclerosis and the prognosis of TIA,TSI and DWI-negative AIS.Results A total of 806 patients were included,67.3% of whom were male.The median age of the study participants was 63 years.Patients in the concurrent≥50% ICAS and ECAS subgroup had both a significantly higher 1-year recurrence rate(adjusted HR 3.4(95%CI 1.15 to 10.04),p=0.027)and a higher risk of composite vascular events(adjusted HR 3.82(95%CI 1.50 to 9.72),p=0.005).Conclusions Concurrent ICAS and ECAS is associated with a higher possibility of 1-year recurrent stroke or composite vascular events.Large artery evaluation is necessary to assess patients with transient ischaemic symptoms or DWI-negative AIS.Progress in shortening the time interval between symptom onset and large vessel evaluation is needed.