The Stockholm Stroke Triage Project: Outcomes of Endovascular Thrombectomy Before and After Triage Implementation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Stockholm Stroke Triage System (SSTS) is a prehospital algorithm for detection of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT)-eligible patients, combining symptom severity assessment and ambulance-to-hospital teleconsultation, leading to a decision on primary stroke center bypass. In the Stockholm Region (6 primary stroke centers, 1 EVT center), SSTS implementation in October 2017 reduced onset-to-EVT time by 69 minutes. We compared clinical outcomes before and after implementation of SSTS in an observational study. METHODS: We prospectively recruited patients transported by Code Stroke ambulance within the Stockholm region under the SSTS, treated with EVT during October 2017 to October 2019, and compared to EVT patients from 2 previous years. OUTCOMES: shift in modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores, mRS score 0 to 1, mRS score 0 to 2, and death (all 3 months), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score change 24-hour post-EVT, recanalization (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b-3), and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. mRS outcomes were adjusted for age and baseline NIHSS. RESULTS: Patients with EVT in the SSTS group (n=244) were older and had higher baseline NIHSS versus historical controls (n=187): median age 74 (interquartile range, 63-81) versus 71 (61-78); NIHSS score 17 (11.5-21) versus 15 (10-20). During SSTS, median onset-to-puncture time was 136 versus 205 minutes (P<0.001). Adjusted common odds ratio for lower mRS in SSTS patients was 1.7 (95% CI, 1.2-2.3) versus controls. During SSTS, 83/240 (34.6%) versus 44/186 (23.7%) reached 3-month mRS score 0 to 1 (P=0.014), adjusted common odds ratio 2.3 (95% CI, 1.4-3.6). Median NIHSS change 24-hour post-EVT was 6 versus 4 (P=0.005). Differences in Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and death were nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS: With an onset to arterial puncture time reduction by 69 minutes, outcomes in thrombectomy-treated patients improved significantly after region-wide large artery occlusion triage system implementation. These results warrant replication studies in other geographic and organizational circumstances.

Safety and Outcomes of Intravenous Thrombolysis in Posterior Versus Anterior Circulation Stroke: Results From the Safe Implementation of Treatments in Stroke Registry and Meta-Analysis.

Background and Purpose- Posterior circulation stroke (PCS) accounts for 5% to 19% of patients with acute stroke receiving intravenous thrombolysis. We aimed to compare safety and outcomes following intravenous thrombolysis between patients with PCS and anterior circulation stroke (ACS) and incorporate the results in a meta-analysis. Methods- We included patients in the Safe Implementation of Treatments in Stroke Thrombolysis Registry 2013 to 2017 with computed tomography/magnetic resonance angiographic occlusion data. Outcomes were parenchymal hematoma, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) per SITS-MOST (Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke Monitoring Study), ECASS II (Second European Co-operative Stroke Study) and NINDS (Neurological Disorders and Stroke definition), 3-month modified Rankin Scale score, and death. Adjustment for SICH risk factors (age, sex, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, blood pressure, glucose, and atrial fibrillation) and center was done using inverse probability treatment weighting, after which an average treatment effect (ATE) was calculated. Meta-analysis of 13 studies comparing outcomes in PCS versus ACS after intravenous thrombolysis was conducted. Results- Of 5146 patients, 753 had PCS (14.6%). Patients with PCS had lower median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale: 7 (interquartile range, 4-13) versus 13 (7-18), P<0.001 and fewer cerebrovascular risk factors. In patients with PCS versus ACS, parenchymal hematoma occurred in 3.2% versus 7.9%, ATE (95% CI): -4.7% (-6.3% to 3.0%); SICH SITS-MOST in 0.6% versus 1.9%, ATE: -1.4% (-2.2% to -0.7%); SICH NINDS in 3.1% versus 7.8%, ATE: -3.0% (-6.3% to 0.3%); SICH ECASS II in 1.8% versus 5.4%, ATE: -2.3% (-5.3% to 0.7%). In PCS versus ACS, 3-month outcomes (70% data availability) were death 18.5% versus 20.5%, ATE: 6.0% (0.7%-11.4%); modified Rankin Scale score 0-1, 45.2% versus 37.5%, ATE: 1.7% (-6.6% to 3.2%); modified Rankin Scale score 0-2, 61.3% versus 49.4%, ATE: 2.4% (3.1%-7.9%). Meta-analysis showed relative risk for SICH in PCS versus ACS being 0.49 (95% CI, 0.32-0.75). Conclusions- The risk of bleeding complications after intravenous thrombolysis in PCS was half that of ACS, with similar functional outcomes and higher risk of death, acknowledging limitations of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale for stroke severity or infarct size adjustment.

Analysis and modelling of mistriage in the Stockholm stroke triage system.

Introduction: The Stockholm Stroke Triage System (SSTS) is a prehospital triage system for detection of patients eligible for endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Assessment of hemiparesis combined with ambulance-hospital teleconsultation is used to route patients directly to the thrombectomy centre. Some patients are not identified and require secondary transport for EVT (undertriage) while others taken to the thrombectomy centre do not undergo EVT (overtriage). The aims of this study were to characterize mistriaged patients, model for and evaluate alternative triage algorithms. Patients and methods: Patients with suspected stroke transported by priority 1 ground ambulance between October 2017 and October 2018 (n = 2905) were included. Three triage algorithms were modelled using prehospital data. Decision curve analysis was performed to calculate net benefit (correctly routing patients for EVT without increasing mistriage) of alternative models vs SSTS. Results: Undertriage for EVT occurred in n = 35/2582 (1.4%) and overtriage in n = 239/323 (74.0%). Compared to correct thrombectomy triages, undertriaged patients were younger and had lower median NIHSS (10 vs 18), despite 62.9% with an M1 occlusion. In overtriaged patients, 77.0% had a stroke diagnosis (29.7% haemorrhagic). Hemiparesis and FAST items face and speech were included in all models. Decision curve analysis showed highest net benefit for SSTS for EVT, but lower for large artery occlusion (LAO) stroke. Discussion: Undertriaged patients had lower NIHSS, likely due to better compensated proximal occlusions. SSTS was superior to other models for identifying EVT candidates, but lacked information allowing comparison to other prehospital scales. Conclusion: Using prehospital data, alternative models did not outperform the SSTS in finding EVT candidates.

Predictors of brain infarction in adult patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: an observational cohort study.

Non-hemorrhagic brain infarction (BI) is a recognized complication in adults treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and associated with increased mortality. However, predictors of BI in these patients are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of BI in ECMO-treated adult patients. We conducted an observational cohort study of all adult patients treated with venovenous or venoarterial (VA) ECMO at our center between 2010 and 2018. The primary endpoint was a computed tomography (CT) verified BI. Logistic regression models were employed to identify BI predictors. In total, 275 patients were included, of whom 41 (15%) developed a BI. Pre-ECMO Simplified Acute Physiology Score III, pre-ECMO cardiac arrest, VA ECMO and conversion between ECMO modes were identified as predictors of BI. In the multivariable analysis, VA ECMO demonstrated independent risk association. VA ECMO also remained the independent BI predictor in a sub-group analysis excluding patients who did not undergo a head CT scan during ECMO treatment. The incidence of BI in adult ECMO patients may be higher than previously believed and is independently associated with VA ECMO mode. Larger prospective trials are warranted to validate these findings and ascertain their clinical significance.

Consensus statements and recommendations from the ESO-Karolinska Stroke Update Conference, Stockholm 11-13 November 2018.

The purpose of the European Stroke Organisation-Karolinska Stroke Update Conference is to provide updates on recent stroke therapy research and to give an opportunity for the participants to discuss how these results may be implemented into clinical routine. The meeting started 22 years ago as Karolinska Stroke Update, but since 2014 it is a joint conference with European Stroke Organisation. Importantly, it provides a platform for discussion on the European Stroke Organisation guidelines process and on recommendations to the European Stroke Organisation guidelines committee on specific topics. By this, it adds a direct influence from stroke professionals otherwise not involved in committees and work groups on the guideline procedure. The discussions at the conference may also inspire new guidelines when motivated. The topics raised at the meeting are selected by the scientific programme committee mainly based on recent important scientific publications. This year's European Stroke Organisation-Karolinska Stroke Update Meeting was held in Stockholm on 11-13 November 2018. There were 11 scientific sessions discussed in the meeting including two short sessions. Each session except the short sessions produced a consensus statement (Full version with background, issues, conclusions and references are published as web-material and at www.eso-karolinska.org and http://eso-stroke.org) and recommendations which were prepared by a writing committee consisting of session chair(s), scientific secretary and speakers. These statements were presented to the 250 participants of the meeting. In the open meeting, general participants commented on the consensus statement and recommendations and the final document were adjusted based on the discussion from the general participants Recommendations (grade of evidence) were graded according to the 1998 Karolinska Stroke Update meeting with regard to the strength of evidence. Grade A Evidence: Strong support from randomised controlled trials and statistical reviews (at least one randomised controlled trial plus one statistical review). Grade B Evidence: Support from randomised controlled trials and statistical reviews (one randomised controlled trial or one statistical review). Grade C Evidence: No reasonable support from randomised controlled trials, recommendations based on small randomised and/or non-randomised controlled trials evidence.

A randomized cross-over study of the acute effects of running 5 km on glucose, insulin, metabolic rate, cortisol and Troponin T.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to study the impact by running 5 km, at maximal speed, on the normal variations of metabolic variables related to glucose, insulin, insulin sensitivity, cortisol, glucagon, Troponin T and metabolic rate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five women and 12 men 25.7±5.2 years of age with a body-mass-index of 22.5±2.3 kg/m2 where recruited to run 5 km at individual maximal speed in the morning, and to a corresponding day of rest, followed by standardized breakfast and lunch meals. Blood sampling and measurement of indirect calorimetry were done before and after meals. The participants were randomized regarding the order of the two trial-days in this cross-over study. RESULTS: Insulin and cortisol levels were higher, and insulin sensitivity was lower, on the race-day compared with the day of rest (linear mixed model: p<0.0001 for all three analyses). However, glucose levels and metabolic rate did not differ between the two trial days (p = 0.29 and p = 0.53, respectively). When analyzing specific time-points we found that glucose increased from 5.01±0.37 mmol/l to 6.36 ± 1.3 mmol/l, p<0.0001, by running, while serum insulin concomitantly increased from 42±21 to 90±54 pmol/l, p<0.0001. In accordance, the QUICKI index of serum sensitivity, 1/(log10insulin+log10glucose), was lowered post-race, p<0.0001. Serum cortisol levels increased from 408±137 nmol/l to 644±171 nmol/l, p<0.0001, post-race while serum glucagon levels were unaffected. Troponin T was detectable in serum post-race in 12 out of the 17 participants and reached or surpassed the clinical reference level of 15 ng/l in three subjects. Post-race electrocardiograms displayed no pathologies. CONCLUSIONS: Relatively short running-races can apparently induce a reduction in insulin sensitivity that is not fully compensated by concomitantly increased insulin secretion intended to ensure euglycemia. Since also Troponin T was detected in plasma in a majority of the participants, our data suggest that it is possible to induce considerable metabolic stress by running merely 5 km, when striving for maximal speed.