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Plasma protein S (PS) levels are reportedly low in patients with venous thrombosis but high in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. The authors examined the association between free PS concentration and CHD or stroke risk and assessed risk in combination with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Free PS concentration was determined in 6 annual visits among 3,052 middle-aged (49–64 years) United Kingdom men from the Second Northwick Park Heart Study, with 297 CHD events from 1989 to 2005. The highest (vs. first) quintile was associated with a significantly increased CHD risk after adjustment for all other risk factors and correction for regression dilution bias (hazard ratio = 1.85, 95% confidence interval: 1.08, 3.16; P = 0.024). Models that included all well-known risk factors plus PS quintiles improved prediction of CHD (net reclassification improvement (NRI) = 7.0% (P = 0.007), category-less NRI (>0) = 22.1% (P < 0.001)), and the likelihood ratio statistic increased significantly (P = 0.018). The increase in CHD risk was particularly strong when subjects also had high CRP levels. There was no association between free PS level and stroke risk. This study confirms the independent association of elevated free PS levels with future risk of CHD, although elevated PS levels added only modestly to prediction metrics. The novel finding of increased CHD risk, particularly when CRP and PS levels are high, requires further study. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses study on the risk of stroke after the discontinuation of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) therapy. It references a study by L. A. García Rodr&iacuteguez et al published in an issue of "Neurology." The source population used in the study was derived from primary care database in Great Britain and comprised of 40,000 individuals aged 50-84 years receiving their ASA for the prevention of cerebrovascular or cardiovascular events. It found a 40% higher risk of stroke in patients who had discontinued low-dose ASA therapy.

Presents the cases of women suffered strokes from lesions of the internal carotid artery in the neck. Reference on the cases of women; Factors affecting the strokes in women; Role of non-penetrating trauma in the pathogenesis of internal carotid artery occlusion; Characteristics of traumatic internal carotid artery occlusion.

Presents an abstract of the study "A Search for Novel Risk Factors of Stroke in South Asians," by K. M. Sharobeem, J. V. Patel, A. E. S. Ritch, F. Siddiqui and E. A. Hughes.

Considers excessive alcohol consumption as a risk factor for stroke among young men in Great Britain. Rarity of stroke cases among young men; Association of atheroma on the occurrence of stroke; Relation of alcohol intake on cerebral infarction.