Thrombolysis of stroke mimics via telestroke.

BACKGROUND: The rate of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IVtPA) administered to stroke mimics (SM) occurs in 24%-44% of telestroke series. METHODS: We reviewed 270 suspected acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) patients who were evaluated by telestroke and received IVtPA from 1 July 2016 to 30 September 2017 at our academic comprehensive stroke centre. RESULTS: Among 270 AIS patients who received IVtPA via telestroke, 64 (23.7%) were diagnosed with SM. Compared with patients who had a stroke, the SM group was younger (mean age 56.4 vs 68.2, p<0.0001), more likely to be female (60.9% vs 45.6%, p=0.0324) and had longer door-to-needle times (85.3 vs 69.9, p=0.0008). The most common SM diagnoses were migraine 26 (40.6%), conversion disorder 12 (18.8%), encephalopathy 7 (10.9%) and unmasking (9.4%). Among the SM, migraine and conversion disorder were younger compared with the other subgroups (p<0.001). Functional exam elements were noted more frequently in conversion disorder (66.7%) and migraine (34.6%), but rare in other diagnoses (p=0.006). Among the SM, 23 (35.9%) had a history of a prior similar episodes, and 15 (23.4%) had a history of more than 5 spells. CONCLUSIONS: In our telestroke programme, 23.7% of those administered thrombolysis had a final diagnosis of SM.

Intravenous Thrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients with Unsuspected Infective Endocarditis.

OBJECTIVE: Infective endocarditis (IE) is considered to be an absolute contraindication for intravenous tissue plasminogen activator treatment (IVtPA) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, during the hyperacute stroke evaluation, the exclusion of IE may be difficult. We sought to report the prevalence of undiagnosed IE in AIS patients who received IVtPA. METHODS: We reviewed consecutive patients hospitalized at our comprehensive stroke center from January 1, 2014 to March 31, 2019 who received IVtPA for suspected AIS and identified patients diagnosed with IE. Data was abstracted on demographics, medical history, clinical presentation, last known normal (LKN) time, initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), neuroimaging, culture results, and 90 day modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Good functional outcome was defined as mRS ≤ 2. RESULTS: Among 1022 AIS patients who received IVtPA, 5 patients (0.5%) were ultimately diagnosed with IE. Among the 5 patients with IE, the mean age was 53.4 years (range, 25-74) and 3 (60%) were female. The majority 4 (80%) were white. Medical risk factors for IE were present in 3 (60%) and included intravenous drug use (1) and dialysis (2). Initial NIHSS was 4.6 (range, 1 to 8). Fever was present on initial presentation in only 1 patient (102.7 F). The mean time from LKN to IVtPA was 3.0 hours (range, 1.9 to 4.4). Vascular imaging showed middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in 4 (80%) and no occlusion in 1 (20%). One patient underwent endovascular thrombectomy. Two patients (40%) developed hemorrhagic complications, including 1 patient who developed subarachnoid hemorrhage due to mycotic cerebral aneurysm rupture. Blood culture results included MRSE (1), Streptococcus viridans (2) and negative (2). TEE in all patients showed vegetations on the mitral valve. No patients had good functional outcomes, and the mean 3 month mRS was 4.8 (range, 3 to 6). The 90 day mortality was 60%. CONCLUSION: In a series of AIS patients who received IVtPA by academic vascular neurologists, the risk of undiagnosed IE was low (0.5%). Fever was not commonly present during initial evaluation in IE presenting with AIS. Despite affecting younger patients with initial mild deficits, AIS patients with IE who received IVtPA had poor functional outcomes.

Early neurologic decline in acute ischemic stroke patients receiving thrombolysis with large vessel occlusion and mild deficits.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine the rate of early neurologic decline (END) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with large vessel occlusion (LVO) who presented with mild deficits and received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IVtPA). METHODS: Among 1022 patients with AIS who received IVtPA from 2014 to 2019, we identified 313 (30.6%) with LVO, of which 94 (30%) presented with National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≤7. Thirteen patients were excluded, leaving 81 for analysis. END was defined as NIHSS worsening of ≥4 points within 24 hours. RESULTS: Among 81 patients with LVO and low NIHSS score, the mean age was 65.8 years (range 25-93) and 41% were female. The mean time to IVtPA from last known well was 2.5 hours (range 0.8-7). LVO sites were as follows: 5 (6%) carotid, 23 (28%) M1, and 53 (65%) M2 occlusions. Among the 81 patients, 28 (34.6%) had END, and these patients were older (70.8 vs 63.2 years, p=0.036). The mean change in NIHSS score at 24 hours in those with END was 10.4 (range 4-22). Patients with END were less likely to be discharged home (25% vs 66%, p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with LVO AIS who received IVtPA, 30% presented with initial mild deficits. END occurred in one-third of LVO patients with initial mild deficits despite receiving IVtPA. Clinicians should be aware that the natural history of LVO with initial mild deficits is not benign and these patients are eligible for rescue thrombectomy in the 24-hour window if they deteriorate.

Predictors of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea: identification of sex differences.

PURPOSE: Home sleep apnea tests are recommended only for patients at high risk of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA, apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] ≥ 15/h). We evaluated 14 factors known to be associated with OSA and identified sex differences in predictors of moderate to severe OSA. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was done on 545 subjects who completed sleep questionnaires and underwent diagnostic polysomnogram at a tertiary sleep center. Univariate and multivariate analysis was conducted separately in males and females to determine which variables were independent predictors of moderate to severe OSA. RESULTS: Overall, physical traits were stronger predictors in both males and females. For each sex, only 3 variables were found to be independently predictive of moderate to severe OSA. In order of predictive strength, this included body mass index (BMI) ≥ 38 kg/m2 (aOR 5.80, p < 0.001), neck circumference (NC) ≥ 17 in. (aOR 2.52, p = 0.002), and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) ≥ 13 (aOR 2.22, p = 0.015) for males and age ≥ 50 years (aOR 4.19, p < 0.001), NC ≥ 14.5 in. (aOR 3.13, p = 0.003), and report of morning headaches (aOR 2.00, p = 0.039) for females. Applying the Bonferroni correction, BMI and NC remained significant for males, and age and NC remained significant for females. CONCLUSIONS: In a subject population referred for sleep evaluation at a tertiary care center only a few variables are independently predictive of moderate to severe OSA, and these variables differed between males and females. Only BMI, NC, and a high ESS were independently predictive of moderate to severe OSA in males, whereas age, NC, and morning headaches were independently predictive in females.