颅内动脉瘤的显微手术治疗(附132例报告)

132例动脉瘤患者 (均经CT及DSA检查证实 ,动脉瘤单发 1 1 8例 ,2个 1 2例 ,3个 2例 )均施行择期显微手术 ,其中采用术中单夹夹闭瘤颈 1 2 1个 ,双夹夹闭瘤颈 7例 ,行动脉瘤加固 4例。术后 86例患者恢复正常工作 ,轻残 2 5例 ,重残 1 4例 ,死亡 7例。术中出血者 1 3例。术后再出血者 2例 ,大片脑梗死者 1 2例 ,脑积水者2 5例。认为动脉瘤的治疗需要根据患者具体病情 ,采用多项技术、多种手段进行治疗。首选方法应该为择期手术夹闭 ,术中操作一定要细致、轻柔。对于易破动脉瘤 ,应在甘露醇保护下施行控制性降压麻醉 ,可明显减少出血机会。     

血管内栓塞术治疗颅内微小动脉瘤临床观察

目的观察血管内栓塞术治疗颅内微小动脉瘤的效果。方法对10例颅内微小动脉瘤患者行血管内弹簧圈栓塞术治疗,11个颅内动脉瘤中单纯弹簧圈栓塞8个,球囊辅助栓塞1个,支架辅助栓塞2个。结果本组9例康复出院,1例遗留中度神经功能缺失;术后随访6个月～3 a,均未发生蛛网膜下腔出血。结论血管内栓塞术治疗颅内微小动脉瘤安全有效。     

前循环动脉瘤手术时机与预后分析

目的探讨前循环动脉瘤手术时机及对预后的影响。方法回顾性分析34例前循环动脉瘤显微手术,早期手术（72h内手术）24例,延期手术（72h～2周内手术）10例,术式采用Yasargil翼点入路,其中瘤颈夹闭术33例,瘤壁加固术1例。结果早期手术患者24例,恢复良好22例,轻残1例,重残1例,好转率92%;延期手术患者10例,恢复良好6例,轻残2例,重残1例,死亡1例,好转率60%。结论早期手术是避免动脉瘤再破裂出血,提高治愈率和降低死亡率及致残率的关键。     

自发性蛛网膜下腔出血急诊脑血管造影

作者对该院最近20年收治的592例自发性蛛网膜下腔出血(SAH)患者的临床特征和病因进行了分析和探讨.572例SAH患者脑血管造影结果显示,脑动静脉畸形是SAH的最常见病因(395/572例),其次为颅内动脉瘤(98/572例).脑动静脉畸形和颅内动脉瘤患者在脑血管造影后均行血管内栓塞治疗和动脉瘤夹闭术.其中绝大部分患者取得良好效果.因此,作者认为SAH急诊脑血管造影不仅可以迅速明确病因,而且可以采取及时有效的治疗措施,降低SAH的复发率和病死率;急诊脑血管造影的最佳时机在SAH发病后6～72h.     

颅内动脉瘤破裂出血急性期血管内介入治疗的疗效观察

目的探讨颅内动脉瘤破裂出血急性期血管内介入治疗的疗效。方法选择368例颅内动脉瘤破裂出血急性期患者,回顾性分析患者临床资料、治疗方法、临床疗效。结果 368例患者391个动脉瘤,栓塞程度达100%的267个,占68.3%;达95%的87个,占22.3%;达90%的22个,占5.6%;〈80%的15个,占3.8%。227例患者术后3个月～1年行MRA复查、61例行DSA检查、80例失访,18例动脉瘤复发,12例行二次治疗。有21个动脉瘤在栓塞过程中破裂出血,其中7例术后复查CT血肿较大,行开颅血肿清除,4例行脑动脉瘤夹闭＋血肿清除。治疗结果（GOS分级）：Ⅴ级（良好）293例,占79.6%;Ⅳ级（中残）68例,占18.5%;Ⅲ及Ⅱ级（重残）7例,占1.9%;无死亡病例。结论颅内动脉瘤破裂出血急性期血管内介入治疗对防止动脉瘤再次破裂出血有积极的治疗作用。     

弹簧圈瘤腔内栓塞与动脉瘤颈夹闭术治疗高分级动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血的效果对比

目的探讨弹簧圈瘤腔内栓塞与动脉瘤颈夹闭术治疗高分级动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血(a SAH)的效果。方法选取100例世界神经外科联盟(WFNS)分级为Ⅳ~Ⅴ级的a SAH患者,经随机数字表法分为栓塞组与夹闭组各50例,栓塞组行弹簧圈瘤腔内栓塞,夹闭组行动脉瘤颈夹闭术,采用Barthel指数评价患者行为功能,比较两组近期疗效、并发症及免疫指标水平。结果两组整体预后情况无显著差异(P>0.05),栓塞组预后良好率显著高于夹闭组(P<0.05);栓塞组并发症发生率显著低于夹闭组(P<0.05);治疗后第3天,夹闭组Ig G、Ig A与Ig M水平较术前显著下降,且显著低于栓塞组(P<0.05)。治疗3个月后,两组Barthel指数明显提高,且栓塞组明显高于夹闭组(P<0.05)。结论弹簧圈瘤腔内栓塞相对动脉瘤颈夹闭术治疗高分级a SAH疗效更佳,安全性更高,对患者免疫功能影响较小,且对行为功能有所改善。     

Ⅳ～Ⅴ级动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血的超早期综合治疗（附13例报告）

目的总结Ⅳ~Ⅴ级动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血的治疗经验。方法对13例Ⅳ~Ⅴ级动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血患者,行超早期血管内栓塞、血肿清除及去骨瓣减压术。术后6个月行G lasgow（GOS）评分判定疗效。结果死亡1例,植物状态1例,严重残疾4例,中度残疾4例,恢复良好3例。结论血管内栓塞联合显微外科治疗可以显著降低Ⅳ~Ⅴ级动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血的病死率、致残率,提高患者的生存质量。     

经翼点入路显微手术夹闭治疗颅内动脉瘤体会

目的探讨经翼点入路显微手术夹闭治疗颅内动脉瘤的疗效。方法回顾性分析13例采用经翼点入路显微手术夹闭治疗颅内动脉瘤的临床应用情况及效果。结果本组病例均行一次性夹闭,共13个动脉瘤,手术后早期效果:良好10例,轻残2例,重残1例,无死亡病例。结论经翼点入路显微手术夹闭术是治疗颅内动脉瘤的主要方法,能充分显露动脉瘤,临时阻断血流,提高颅内动脉瘤的手术疗效。     

手术治疗小脑后下动脉瘤20例临床分析

目的探讨小脑后下动脉(PICA)动脉瘤的手术治疗方法。方法对20例经手术治疗的PICA动脉瘤患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果 20例中蛛网膜下腔出血8例,小脑出血3例,脑室内出血3例,蛛网膜下腔出血合并脑室内出血4例,以占位为首发症状者2例。12例行介入手术,其中行动脉瘤栓塞6例,支架辅助动脉瘤栓塞术2例,采用微弹簧圈行动脉瘤并载瘤动脉闭塞3例,行载瘤动脉并动静脉畸形栓塞术1例;8例行开颅手术,其中行动脉瘤夹闭5例,动脉瘤孤立并血管吻合术3例。1例行动脉瘤夹闭并血流重建术中动脉瘤破裂,术后昏迷,3 d后自动出院,死亡。余手术均成功。19例随访1个月～3年无复动脉瘤发。术后瘫痪1例,脑积水1例,行脑室—腹腔分流术,格拉斯哥预后评分(GOS)均为3分;行动脉瘤并载瘤动脉闭塞术者术后出现吞咽呛咳和轻度脑积水1例,经相应处理后缓解,GOS 5分;行远外侧夹闭动脉瘤的1例术后出现吞咽呛咳、声音嘶哑,经对症处理后症状消失,3个月后未见复发,GOS为5分,余患者GOS为5分。结论 PICA动脉瘤未累及穿支血管者首选血管内介入治疗,占位效应明显者选择开颅手术,介入与夹闭、血管吻合相结合的手术治疗效果满意。     

破裂性大脑中动脉宽颈动脉瘤支架辅助管栓塞治疗与开颅夹闭术治疗的对比研究

目的探讨开颅夹闭术与血管内介入支架辅助管栓塞治疗大脑中动脉(MCA)宽颈动脉瘤的疗效及安全性。方法回顾分析2014-01～2018-03 73例自发性蛛网膜下腔出血(SAH)的MCA分叉处宽颈动脉瘤患者的临床资料,以治疗方式的不同分为动脉瘤手术夹闭术组35例和支架辅助血管内介入治疗组38例。分析患者的动脉瘤特征、SAH的Hunt-Hess分级、合并颅内血肿、手术并发症(如术中动脉瘤破裂再出血、术后脑梗死、切口/颅内感染)等资料;评价治疗效果的指标包括动脉瘤闭塞率、术后1个月、6个月的格拉斯哥预后量表(Glasgow Outcome Scale,GOS)评分,应用DSA或CTA检查评估动脉瘤闭塞情况。结果介入治疗组38例,其中37例成功实施血管内介入治疗术,1例介入治疗失败转开颅夹闭术,术后即刻造影结果显示,动脉瘤致密性栓塞27例,次全栓塞9例,部分栓塞2例。夹闭术组35例,其中34例成功夹闭动脉瘤,1例夹闭失败转介入治疗。两组闭塞率和复发率比较差异无统计学意义(P 0. 05)。介入治疗组术后脑梗死、术后感染发生率低于夹闭术组,差异有统计学意义(P 0. 05)。两组治疗后1个月、6个月GOS评分比较差异无统计学意义(P 0. 05)。结论血管内介入支架辅助栓塞治疗破裂性MCA宽颈动脉瘤成功率较高,手术并发症发生率较低,是一种安全、有效的颅内动脉瘤治疗术式,但仍需要更大样本研究和长期随访结果进一步验证。     

单一治疗方法未完全治愈颅内动脉瘤的再处理

目的探讨单一治疗方法(开颅夹闭或血管内栓塞)不能完全治愈颅内动脉瘤的再处理。方法回顾性分析采用开颅夹闭或血管内栓塞治疗的13例颅内动脉瘤患者的临床资料,包括影像学结果、治疗方法和疗效。结果13例患者中,4例初次治疗选用开颅夹闭,9例初次治疗选用血管内栓塞。共患有动脉瘤18个,其中大脑中动脉分叉部动脉瘤3个,前交通动脉动脉瘤8个,后交通动脉动脉瘤4个,胼周动脉瘤2个,基底动脉尖端动脉瘤1个。13例中4例有多发动脉瘤。血管内栓塞后,7例复发或残余动脉瘤行再次开颅夹闭术;手术夹闭联合血管内栓塞处理颅内多发动脉瘤3例;开颅夹闭后残余动脉瘤3例行血管内栓塞治疗。所有患者均治愈出院,临床随访1个月至3年,患者临床症状无复发表现。结论开颅夹闭联合血管内栓塞治疗初次处理复发、残余动脉瘤以及颅内多发动脉瘤是安全、有效的治疗方法。     

老年人动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血早期介入治疗的临床研究

目的 探讨老年人动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血早期介入栓塞治疗的安全性和可行性.方法 84例经CT明确的蛛网膜下腔出血的60岁以上的患者,Hunt & Hess分级为Ⅱ级26例,Ⅲ级31例,Ⅳ级25例,Ⅴ级2例.出血后6～72 h内,经全脑血管造影共发现89个动脉瘤,立即行介入栓塞治疗,根据动脉瘤结构,分别采用单纯弹簧圈栓塞、球囊辅助技术和支架结合技术栓塞.术后给予脱水、扩容、扩血管、腰穿及(或)间断腰大池引流,同时对并存疾病予以治疗.结果 89个动脉瘤,成功栓塞83个,技术成功率93.3%.术后3个月格拉斯哥预后评分(GOS)优良68例,中残7例,重残4例,死亡5例(与技术相关的死亡1例); 结论 老年动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血患者,并存症多、全身状况较差,介入栓塞为一种安全、有效的治疗手段.     

手术夹闭与栓塞治疗后交通动脉动脉瘤所致动眼神经麻痹疗效的比较

目的比较手术夹闭和血管内栓塞两种方法治疗后交通动脉动脉瘤(PcomAA)所致动眼神经麻痹(ONP)的疗效及其影响因素。方法回顾性分析2008年6月—2012年5月,四川省人民医院神经外科收治的176例PcomAA同时伴有ONP患者的临床资料。其中手术夹闭132例,血管内栓塞治疗44例。比较两组患者的年龄、性别、动脉瘤大小、是否破裂、治疗间隔时间以及治疗时间、术前ONP程度及术后12个月的ONP恢复程度,采用多因素Logistic分析方法分析影响ONP恢复程度的因素。结果 176例PcomAA瘤患者中,最终ONP完全恢复137例(77.8%),部分恢复25例(14.2%),无恢复14例(8.0%)。(1)手术夹闭组132例中,有SAH 73例,无SAH 59例,最终ONP完全恢复123例(93.2%),部分恢复7例(5.3%),无恢复2例(1.5%);血管内栓塞组44例中,有SAH 26例,无SAH 18例,最终ONP完全恢复14例(31.8%),部分恢复18例(40.9%),无恢复12例(27.3%)。(2)对ONP术后恢复情况进行多因素Logistic回归分析,不同的治疗方法是ONP恢复的独立影响因素(OR=36.368,95%CI:7.556~47.603,P0.01)。结论与血管内栓塞比较,手术夹闭使PcomAA导致的ONP恢复疗效更加显著。     

前循环血泡样动脉瘤显微手术和血管内介入治疗的对比分析

目的总结血泡样动脉瘤（BBA）的临床特点及探讨其治疗策略,比较开颅手术治疗与血管内治疗的有效性和安全性。 方法回顾性分析四川省医学科学院·四川省人民医院神经外科自2009年9月至2019年8月收治的68例BBA患者的临床资料,按照治疗方法分为开颅手术治疗组和血管内治疗组。开颅手术治疗组：27例患者行开颅手术治疗,分别采用夹闭、包裹及孤立等方式。血管内治疗组：41例患者行血管内治疗,分别采用单或多支架、密网支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞等方法。比较2组患者的围手术期并发症发生情况与临床预后,出院时预后评估采用改良Rankin量表（mRs）评分。 结果开颅手术治疗组：直接夹闭22例,包裹夹闭4例,孤立+搭桥1例;术中破裂出血18例,术后脑梗死21例,术后再次出血补救治疗7例,术后血液高凝状态19例;出院时mRs评分0~2分8例,3~5分10例,6分（死亡）9例。血管内治疗组：单或多支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞术32例,血流导向装置9例;术中破裂出血17例,术后脑梗死22例,术后再次出血补救治疗5例,去骨瓣减压11例,术后血液高凝状态26例;出院时mRs评分0~2分30例,3~5分6例,6分（死亡）5例。随访6~84个月,开颅手术治疗组存活18例,失访2例,复发3例;血管内治疗组存活36例,失访3例,复发3例。 结论重建和加固载瘤动脉壁是治疗BBA的关键。围手术期监测凝血功能对及时处理高凝状态、防治脑血管痉挛、降低严重脑梗死发生率极为重要。相对于外科手术方法,血管内治疗似乎能带来更低的复发率、死亡率和更好的预后结果。     

"Kissing aneurysms" of the anterior communicating artery treated with coil embolization.

PURPOSE: To present a case of kissing aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery treated with endovascular coil embolization and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this technique compared with neck clipping. CASE REPORT: A 48-year-old man became drowsy and was admitted to the hospital; he had right hemiparesis and aphasia. Computed tomography revealed diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage; diagnostic angiography identified an aneurysm at the left A1-A2 junction of the anterior communicating artery and another in the distal anterior cerebral artery (ACA). Endovascular coil embolization was performed on the same day. During the procedure, the 3-mm-diameter junctional aneurysm was successfully packed with coils, but an additional aneurysm was suspected; right carotid angiography following embolization of the left aneurysm clearly showed a mirror image aneurysm of the right A1-A2 junction. The right aneurysm was treated using the same technique. The broad-necked ACA aneurysm was unsuitable for embolization, so neck clipping was performed 5 weeks later. The patient was discharged to his home following complete recovery 7 weeks after the coil embolization. CONCLUSIONS: Kissing aneurysms are a rare and specific type of multiple aneurysms that require caution in diagnosis and surgical management. Endovascular treatment may be suitable because it does not involve dissection around the aneurysms.     

Adenosine-Induced Transient Asystole

Cerebral aneurysms are an important health issue in the United States, and the mortality rate following aneurysm rupture, or SAH, remains high. The treatment of these aneurysms uses endovascular options which include coil placement, stent assistant coiling and, recently, flow diversion. However, microsurgical clipping remains an option in those aneurysms not suited for endovascular therapy. These are often the more complicated aneurysms such as in large, giant aneurysms or deep-seated aneurysms. Circumferential visualization of the aneurysm, parent vessels, branches, perforators, and other neurovascular structures is important to prevent residual aneurysms or strokes from vessel or perforator occlusion. Decompression of the aneurysm sac is often required and we believe that adenosine-induced transient asystole should be an important option for clipping of complex cerebral aneurysms.     

The incidence and pathophysiology of hyponatraemia after subarachnoid haemorrhage

BACKGROUND: Hyponatraemia is common following subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) but the pathogenesis is unclear. Objective To establish the incidence, pathophysiology and consequences of hyponatraemia following SAH. METHODS: A retrospective case-note analysis of all patients with SAH admitted to Beaumont Hospital between January 2002 and September 2003. Three hundred and sixteen cases of SAH were substantiated by computed tomography (CT) scan and angiogram findings. Hyponatraemia was defined as plasma sodium < 135 mmol/l. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-nine patients (56.6%) developed hyponatraemia and 62 (19.6%) developed significant hyponatraemia (plasma sodium < 130 mmol/l). The incidence of severe hyponatraemia following hypophysectomy was lower in the period of analysis (5/81, 6.2%, P < 0.01). Hyponatraemia was more common in patients with identified aneurysms (anterior circulation 102/168, 60.7%, posterior circulation 56/95, 60.8%) than in those with no radiological aneurysm (21/54, 38.8%, P < 0.001). Hyponatraemia was more common after aneurysmal clipping (68/103, 66%) or coiling (82/132, 62%) than after conservative treatment (29/81, 36%, P < 0.001). The aetiology of significant hyponatraemia was the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) 39/62 (69.2%), cerebral salt-wasting syndrome (CSWS) 4/62 (6.5%), hypovolaemic hyponatraemia 13/62 (21%), hypervolaemic hyponatraemia 3/62 (4.8%) and mixed CSW/SIADH 3/62 (4.8%). Hyponatraemia was associated with longer hospital stay (24.0 +/- 2.6 vs. 11.8 +/- 0.8 days, P < 0.001) but did not affect mortality (P = 0.07). Hyponatraemia developed more than 7 days following SAH in 21.4% and more then 7 days following intervention in 31.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Hyponatraemia is common following SAH and is associated with longer hospital stay. Clipping and coiling of aneurysms are associated with higher rates of hyponatraemia. SIADH is the commonest cause of hyponatraemia after SAH. Delayed hyponatraemia is common, and has implications for early discharge strategies.     

复合手术治疗颅内复杂破裂动脉瘤的效果分析

目的探讨应用复合手术治疗颅内复杂破裂动脉瘤的安全性及短期有效性。方法回顾性连续纳入2014年12月至2017年3月南方医科大学南方医院神经外科行复合手术治疗的复杂破裂动脉瘤患者14例,其中急性自发性蛛网膜下腔出血性动脉瘤13例,复发动脉瘤栓塞术中出血1例。12例动脉瘤行塑形夹闭术,术中均行DSA造影评估动脉瘤夹闭效果。2例动脉瘤行颅内外血管旁路移植并动脉瘤孤立术,DSA造影评估桥血管通畅性后行血管内球囊闭塞术孤立动脉瘤。结果 14例患者,11例造影后急诊行复合手术,2例择期手术,1例栓塞术中出血急诊行抢救性手术。12例动脉瘤夹闭术中造影提示3例需要调整动脉瘤夹,其中2例载瘤动脉狭窄,1例夹闭不全,调整后均夹闭满意。2例颅内外血管旁路移植术中造影均通畅,一期行动脉瘤孤立术。术后1例患者因严重血管痉挛,自动出院。1例术后出现灌注压突破,行血肿清除并减压术,出院时格拉斯哥预后评分(GOS)3分。余患者术后均无新发神经功能障碍。对13例患者术后3~24个月行临床随访,均无新发神经功能障碍,GOS 5分8例,4分5例。6例患者行DSA复查,其中4例动脉瘤夹闭未见动脉瘤复发,载瘤动脉通畅;2例血管旁路移植动脉瘤无复发,载瘤动脉及吻合血管通畅。结论初步观察,应用复合手术方式治疗颅内复杂破裂动脉瘤安全且有效。     

超选择性动脉内灌注维拉帕米治疗蛛网膜下腔出血后脑血管痉挛的疗效分析

目的探讨超选择性动脉内灌注维拉帕米治疗动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血(SAH)后脑血管痉挛(CVS)的疗效。方法回顾性分析2013年1月至2016年2月对颅内动脉瘤开颅夹闭(8例)或血管内治疗(7例)后出现CVS 15例SAH患者的临床资料,对15例患者均进行全脑DSA,使用微导管超选择至痉挛的动脉并灌注维拉帕米(11.1±3.4)mg,对照治疗前后全脑DSA表现,搜集治疗过程中血压、心率,记录灌注前后经颅多普勒超声结果,随访6个月并进行格拉斯哥预后评分(GOS)。结果 (1)对15例患者共实施了20支动脉内的灌注治疗,灌注前后比较,DSA上CVS改善14例,无明显变化1例。(2)经颅多普勒超声检查大脑中动脉的平均脑血流速度(mBFV),由超选择灌注术治疗前的(181±4)cm/s降至治疗后1 h内的(126±4)cm/s,差异有统计学意义(t=42.46,P0.01),无一例发生使用微导管所导致的并发症。(3)灌注过程中监测患者右上臂血压,灌注开始时收缩压为(138±8)mmHg,灌注结束时为(135±10)mmHg,术后1 h为(137±7)mmHg;手术开始时心率为(83±6)次/min,手术结束时为(79±8)次/min,至术后1 h为(80±5)次/min,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。(4)对所有患者随访6个月,6个月时的GOS评分:恢复良好9例,中度病残但能生活自理3例,重度病残生活不能自理3例。无一例植物生存或死亡。结论超选择性动脉内灌注维拉帕米,能有效改善动脉瘤性SAH造成的CVS,同时对心率及血压无明显影响。     

Low mortality from all causes, including myocardial infarction, in well-controlled hypertensives treated with a beta-blocker plus other antihypertensives

The aim of the present study was to monitor the efficacy of treatment, morbidity and mortality over a 10-year period in 939 moderate to severe hypertensive patients. All patients were treated in the same hypertension clinic with the beta 1-selective agent atenolol, administered either alone or more usually with a diuretic with or without a vasodilator or other agents. Survival rates were compared with predicted survival rates, had the hypertension not been treated, and also with those of a local reference population matched for age and sex. After a mean follow-up time of 6.1 years, mean blood pressure (BP) was significantly lowered from 183/109 to 145/87 mmHg. Biochemical disturbance was minimal. There were 79 withdrawals from treatment, of whom 37 were lost to follow-up. There were 91 deaths on intention to treat. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) on treatment, and not initial BP, was a powerful predictor of mortality. Patients of all age groups with well-controlled SBP were less likely to die, particularly from myocardial infarction, than those with less well controlled SBP (P less than 0.001). However, due to possible J-curve relationships between treated BP and outcome, lowering SBP below 140-150 mmHg in the elderly, and the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) below about 85 mmHg, may not be beneficial. Total mortality and mortality due to myocardial infarction was about 60% [corrected], of predicted level, had a high BP not been treated, being similar to that in a local reference control population (age- and sex-matched). The death rate from stroke was reduced to about 50% of that predicted. Patients who died showed a mean fall in mean serum triglyceride concentration in contrast to the mean increase that occurred in survivors. It is concluded that patients with moderate to severe hypertension who obtain a high level of general health care and optimal control of BP for up to 10 years, experience a significant decrease in total mortality rate and death from myocardial infarction and stroke.