Early automated cerebral edema assessment following endovascular therapy: impact on stroke outcome.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral edema (CED) is associated with poorer outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The aim of the study was to investigate the factors contributing to greater early CED formation in patients with AIS who underwent endovascular therapy (EVT) and its association with functional outcome. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter cohort study of patients with an anterior circulation AIS undergoing EVT. The volume of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was extracted from baseline and 24-hour follow-up CT using an automated algorithm. The severity of CED was quantified by the percentage reduction in CSF volume between CT scans (∆CSF). The primary endpoint was a shift towards an unfavorable outcome, assessed by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed. The ∆CSF threshold that predicted unfavorable outcome was selected using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: We analyzed 201 patients (mean age 72.7 years, 47.8% women) in whom CED was assessable for 85.6%. Higher systolic blood pressure during EVT and failure to achieve modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) 3 were found to be independent predictors of greater CED. ∆CSF was independently associated with the probability of a one-point worsening in the mRS score (common odds ratio (cOR) 1.05, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.08) after adjusting for age, baseline mRS, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and number of passes. Displacement of more than 25% of CSF was associated with an unfavorable outcome (OR 6.09, 95% CI 3.01 to 12.33) and mortality (OR 6.72, 95% CI 2.94 to 15.32). CONCLUSIONS: Early CED formation in patients undergoing EVT was affected by higher blood pressure and incomplete reperfusion. The extent of early CED, measured by automated ∆CSF, was associated with worse outcomes.

Keeping prior anticoagulation treatment in the acute phase of ischaemic stroke: the REKOALA study.

INTRODUCTION: A consensus on the management of anticoagulated patients in the acute phase of ischaemic stroke has not yet been established. We aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes in such patients based on the continuation or discontinuation of anticoagulation. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients with acute ischaemic stroke and cardioembolic source receiving anticoagulant therapy is done. Patients were classified based on the continuation or discontinuation of anticoagulation at admission. Clinical outcomes, haemorrhagic and ischaemic events were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis, propensity score matching (PSM) analysis and a sub-analysis of patients with severe ischaemic stroke at admission (NIHSS score ≥ 15) were performed. RESULTS: Anticoagulation was continued in 147 (78.8%) of 186 patients. Patients continuing anticoagulant had lower NIHSS (median 5 vs 18, p < 0.001). There were no differences in haemorrhagic or ischaemic events. In the multivariate analysis, good functional outcome at discharge was higher in the continuation group, OR (CI95%) 3.77 (1.2-11.2). PSM analysis adjusted for potential confounders such as NIHSS had higher rates of good functional outcomes at discharge (80% vs 36%, p = 0.004) and at 90 days (76% vs 44%, p = 0.042) in the continuation group. Patients with severe stroke in this group had lower 90-day mortality (34.6% vs 62.5%, p = 0.045) and higher rates of good clinical outcome at discharge (33.3% vs 8.3%, p = 0.032). No differences were observed in 90-day haemorrhagic or ischaemic events. CONCLUSION: Continuation of anticoagulation in patients with acute ischaemic stroke and cardioembolic source did not increase the risk of intracranial haemorrhage and may be associated with better functional outcomes.

The use of a smartphone application to improve stroke code workflow metrics: A pilot study in a comprehensive stroke centre.

Background: Timely coordination between stroke team members is of relevance for stroke code management. We explore the feasibility and potential utility of a smartphone application for clinical and neuroimaging data sharing for improving workflow metrics of stroke code pathways, and professionals' opinions about its use. Methods: We performed an observational pilot study including stroke code activations at La Paz University Hospital in Madrid, from June 2019 to March 2020. Patients were classified according to the activation or not of the JOIN app by the attending physician. Clinical data and time-to-procedures were retrieved from the app or from the hospital records and the Madrid regional stroke registry as appropriate and compared between both groups. An anonymous survey collected professionals' opinions about the app and its use. Results: A total of 282 stroke code activations were registered. The JOIN app was activated in 111 (39%) cases. They had a significant reduction in imaging-to-thrombolysis (31 vs 20 min, p = .026) and in door-to-thrombolysis times (51 vs 36 min, p = .004), with more patients achieving a door-to-needle time below 45 min (68.8% vs 37.8%, p = .016). About 50% of the users found the app useful for facilitating the diagnosis and decision-making; interoperability with clinical files was considered an opportunity for improvement. Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that JOIN helps improve and document workflow metrics in acute stroke management in a comprehensive stroke centre. These results support testing JOIN in a prospective randomised study to confirm its usefulness and the general applicability of the results.

Development of the Madrid Stroke Programme: Milestones and Changes in Stroke Trends and Mortality from 1997 to 2017.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke is a serious health problem, given it is the second leading cause of death and a major cause of disability in the European Union. Our study aimed to assess the impact of stroke care organization measures (such as the development of stroke units, implementation of a regional stroke code, and treatment with intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy) implemented from 1997 to 2017 on hospital admissions due to stroke and mortality attributed to stroke in the Madrid health region. METHODS: Epidemiological data were obtained from the National Statistics Institute public website. We collected data on the number of patients discharged with a diagnosis of stroke, in-hospital mortality due to stroke and the number of inhabitants in the Madrid health region each year. We calculated rates of discharges and mortality due to stroke and the number of inhabitants per SU bed, and we analysed temporal trends in in-hospital mortality due to stroke using the Daniels test in 2 separate time periods (before and after 2011). Figures representing annual changes in these data from 1997 to 2017 were elaborated, marking stroke care organizational measures in the year they were implemented to visualize their temporal relation with changes in stroke statistics. RESULTS: Hospital discharges with a diagnosis of stroke have increased from 170.3/100,000 inhabitants in 1997 to 230.23/100,000 inhabitants in 2017. However, the in-hospital mortality rate due to stroke has decreased (from 33.3 to 15.2%). A statistically significant temporal trend towards a decrease in the mortality percentage and rate was found from 1997 to 2011. CONCLUSIONS: Our study illustrates how measures such as the development of stroke units, implementation of a regional stroke code and treatment with intravenous thrombolysis coincide in time with a reduction in in-hospital mortality due to stroke.

Thyrotoxic Crisis and COVID-19 Infection: An Extraordinary Case and Literature Review.

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease commonly known as COVID-19, has spread around the world, associated mostly with respiratory tract symptoms. We report the first case of a thyrotoxic crisis precipitated by COVID-19 and describe its identification, diagnosis, and management in the emergency unit. We also conduct a systematic review of thyrotoxic crisis literature and COVID-19 infection. This case highlights the importance of considering the SARS-CoV2 virus as a potential trigger of a thyroid storm. It also shows the need to maintain extreme contact precautions even after one month of COVID-19 symptom onset.

Glycemic variability: prognostic impact on acute ischemic stroke and the impact of corrective treatment for hyperglycemia. The GLIAS-III translational study.

INTRODUCTION: Glycemic variability (GV) represents the amplitude of oscillations in glucose levels over time and is associated with higher mortality in critically ill patients. Our aim is to evaluate the impact of GV on acute ischemic stroke (IS) outcomes in humans and explore the impact of two different insulin administration routes on GV in an animal model. METHODS: This translational study consists of two studies conducted in parallel: The first study is an observational, multicenter, prospective clinical study in which 340 patients with acute IS will be subcutaneously implanted a sensor to continuously monitor blood glucose levels for 96 h. The second study is a basic experimental study using an animal model (rats) with permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery and induced hyperglycemia (through an intraperitoneal injection of nicotinamide and streptozotocin). The animal study will include the following 6 groups (10 animals per group): sham; hyperglycemia without IS; IS without hyperglycemia; IS and hyperglycemia without treatment; IS and hyperglycemia and intravenous insulin; and IS and hyperglycemia and subcutaneous insulin. The endpoint for the first study is mortality at 3 months, while the endpoints for the animal model study are GV, functional recovery and biomarkers. DISCUSSION: The GLIAS-III study will be the first translational approach analyzing the prognostic influence of GV, evaluated by the use of subcutaneous glucose monitors, in acute stroke. Trial registration https://www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04001049).

Increased Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Multiple Myeloma Associated With Lenalidomide Treatment: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to illustrate the increased risk of ischemic stroke in the context of multiple myeloma (MM) under treatment with lenalidomide combined with dexamethasone. METHODS: This is a case report and literature review. RESULTS: A 62-year-old woman diagnosed with relapsed MM under treatment with lenalidomide and dexamethasone presented with acute onset disorientation, disturbed behavior, and aphasia. Cranial computed tomography scan revealed an acute cerebral infarction in the left middle cerebral artery territory, and brain magnetic resonance imaging showed additional silent ischemic lesions in other arterial territories. Common stroke etiologies were excluded after an extensive study, leading to a final diagnosis of cerebral infarction of uncommon cause probably related to MM and treatment with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone. A literature review provided 84 reports from the license holder, 2 more cases of stroke in patients with MM receiving lenalidomide and a recurrent stroke in a patient experiencing polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes (POEMS syndrome) treated with lenalidomide. CONCLUSIONS: Our case exemplifies the need to raise awareness about the risk of ischemic stroke associated with MM that might be increased by treatment with lenalidomide and to establish consistent recommendations regarding thromboprophylaxis to reduce comorbidities and mortality in these patients.