Tenecteplase versus standard of care for minor ischaemic stroke with proven occlusion (TEMPO-2): a randomised, open label, phase 3 superiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with minor ischaemic stroke and intracranial occlusion are at increased risk of poor outcomes. Intravenous thrombolysis with tenecteplase might improve outcomes in this population. We aimed to test the superiority of intravenous tenecteplase over non-thrombolytic standard of care in patients with minor ischaemic stroke and intracranial occlusion or focal perfusion abnormality. METHODS: In this multicentre, prospective, parallel group, open label with blinded outcome assessment, randomised controlled trial, adult patients (aged ≥18 years) were included at 48 hospitals in Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, and the UK. Eligible patients with minor acute ischaemic stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 0-5) and intracranial occlusion or focal perfusion abnormality were enrolled within 12 h from stroke onset. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1), using a minimal sufficient balance algorithm to intravenous tenecteplase (0·25 mg/kg) or non-thrombolytic standard of care (control). Primary outcome was a return to baseline functioning on pre-morbid modified Rankin Scale score in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population (all patients randomly assigned to a treatment group and who did not withdraw consent to participate) assessed at 90 days. Safety outcomes were reported in the ITT population and included symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage and death. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02398656, and is closed to accrual. FINDINGS: The trial was stopped early for futility. Between April 27, 2015, and Jan 19, 2024, 886 patients were enrolled; 369 (42%) were female and 517 (58%) were male. 454 (51%) were assigned to control and 432 (49%) to intravenous tenecteplase. The primary outcome occurred in 338 (75%) of 452 patients in the control group and 309 (72%) of 432 in the tenecteplase group (risk ratio [RR] 0·96, 95% CI 0·88-1·04, p=0·29). More patients died in the tenecteplase group (20 deaths [5%]) than in the control group (five deaths [1%]; adjusted hazard ratio 3·8; 95% CI 1·4-10·2, p=0·0085). There were eight (2%) symptomatic intracranial haemorrhages in the tenecteplase group versus two (<1%) in the control group (RR 4·2; 95% CI 0·9-19·7, p=0·059). INTERPRETATION: There was no benefit and possible harm from treatment with intravenous tenecteplase. Patients with minor stroke and intracranial occlusion should not be routinely treated with intravenous thrombolysis. FUNDING: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the British Heart Foundation.

Management of Poststroke Hyperglycemia: Results of the TEXAIS Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia in acute ischemic stroke reduces the efficacy of stroke thrombolysis and thrombectomy, with worse clinical outcomes. Insulin-based therapies are difficult to implement and may cause hypoglycemia. We investigated whether exenatide, a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist, would improve stroke outcomes, and control poststroke hyperglycemia with minimal hypoglycemia. METHODS: The TEXAIS trial (Treatment With Exenatide in Acute Ischemic Stroke) was an international, multicenter, phase 2 prospective randomized clinical trial (PROBE [Prospective Randomized Open Blinded End-Point] design) enrolling adult patients with acute ischemic stroke ≤9 hours of stroke onset to receive exenatide (5 µg BID subcutaneous injection) or standard care for 5 days, or until hospital discharge (whichever sooner). The primary outcome (intention to treat) was the proportion of patients with ≥8-point improvement in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (or National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores 0-1) at 7 days poststroke. Safety outcomes included death, episodes of hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and adverse event. RESULTS: From April 2016 to June 2021, 350 patients were randomized (exenatide, n=177, standard care, n=173). Median age, 71 years (interquartile range, 62-79), median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, 4 (interquartile range, 2-8). Planned recruitment (n=528) was stopped early due to COVID-19 disruptions and funding constraints. The primary outcome was achieved in 97 of 171 (56.7%) in the standard care group versus 104 of 170 (61.2%) in the exenatide group (adjusted odds ratio, 1.22 [95% CI, 0.79-1.88]; P=0.38). No differences in secondary outcomes were observed. The per-patient mean daily frequency of hyperglycemia was significantly less in the exenatide group across all quartiles. No episodes of hypoglycemia were recorded over the treatment period. Adverse events of mild nausea and vomiting occurred in 6 (3.5%) exenatide patients versus 0 (0%) standard care with no withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with exenatide did not reduce neurological impairment at 7 days in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Exenatide did significantly reduce the frequency of hyperglycemic events, without hypoglycemia, and was safe to use. Larger acute stroke trials using GLP-1 agonists such as exenatide should be considered. REGISTRATION: URL: www.australianclinicaltrials.gov.au; Unique identifier: ACTRN12617000409370. URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03287076.

Trends in direct oral anticoagulant use in patients presenting with acute stroke.

Acute ischaemic strokes occur despite the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). A retrospective review was conducted at a high-volume primary stroke centre over a 3-year period to assess the acute management of stroke presentations in patients prescribed DOACs. During the time period of the study, 103 of 195 anticoagulated stroke patients presented within the timeframe for thrombolysis and only 15 patients had DOAC plasma level assays performed. Of these 103, 5 received thrombolysis; however, DOAC level was not a factor in these cases.

The quest to reduce stroke treatment delays at a Melbourne metropolitan primary stroke centre over the past two decades.

BACKGROUND: Reducing door-to-needle time (DNT) for intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischaemic stroke can lead to improved patient outcomes. Long-term reports on DNT trends in Australia are lacking in the setting of extension of the thrombolysis time window, addition of mechanical thrombectomy and increasing presentations. AIMS: To examine 17-year trends of DNT and identify factors associated with improved DNT at a high-volume, metropolitan primary stroke centre. METHOD: Retrospective study between 2003 and 2019 of all thrombolysis cases using departmental stroke database. Since most strategies were implemented from 2012 onwards, intervention period has been defined as period 2012-2019. Factors associated with DNT reduction were examined by regression modelling. RESULTS: Fifteen strategies were identified including alterations to 'Code Stroke' processes. One thousand, two hundred and fifty patients were thrombolysed, with 737 (58.8%) treated during the intervention period. The proportion of DNT ≤60-min rose from average of 22.5% during 2003-2012 to 63% during 2015-2018 and 71% in 2019. However, median DNT has only marginally improved from 58 to 51 min between 2015 and 2019. Faster DNT was independently associated with two modifiable workflow factors, 'Direct-to-CT' protocol (P < 0.001) and acute stroke nurse presence (P < 0.005). Over time, treated patients were older and less independent (P < 0.001), and the number of annual stroke admissions and 'Code Stroke' activations have risen by fourfold and 10-fold to 748 and 1298 by 2019 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted quality improvement initiatives are key to reducing thrombolysis treatment delays in the Australian metropolitan setting. Relative stagnation in DNT improvement is concerning and needs further investigation.

Caught in Action - Evolving Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion and Collateral Failure During Alteplase Infusion for Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Published reports of acute deterioration during alteplase infusion for acute ischemic stroke due to development of partial to complete large vessel occlusion and collateral failure are sparce. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We describe an 84-year-old patient with a fluctuating clinical course due to evolving emergent large vessel occlusion of right M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery and collateral failure during alteplase infusion. Potential mechanisms of acute deterioration within 24 h after thrombolysis are discussed. RESULTS: Urgent mechanical thrombectomy was performed with resultant partial recanalization and small volume residual infarcts at 72 h magnetic resonance imaging of brain. CONCLUSIONS: Progression from partial to complete occlusion may occur within minutes, even during administration of intravenous thrombolytics in hyper-acute stroke. In patients who deteriorate within 24 h of stroke onset, non-contrast CT of brain, followed by CT perfusion and angiography, is the imaging protocol of choice in the mechanical thrombectomy era.

Large Vessel Occlusion Sites Affect Agreement Between Outputs of Three Computed Tomography Perfusion Software Packages.

OBJECTIVES: Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) data are important for hyperacute stroke decision making. Available comparisons between outputs of different CTP software packages show variable outcomes. Evaluation for factors associated with agreement between the volume estimates is limited. We assessed for differences in core and penumbra volume estimates of three CTP software packages - AutoMIStar, RAPID, and Vitrea - and analyzed factors associated with agreement between the volume estimates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Differences between software estimates of penumbra and core volumes were calculated for each patient with suspected acute ischemic stroke who underwent CTP. Exploratory hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis were performed to identify factors of decreased volume estimate agreement. Two-sample t-tests were performed, stratified by large vessel occlusion (LVO) location. RESULTS: 579 CTP studies were performed; 267 were normal, 139 artifacts, with 172 included in the final analysis. 79/172 had LVO of internal carotid artery (ICA, n = 20), M1 (n = 38) and proximal M2 (n = 21). LVO was the only factor associated with decreased software package agreement, and proximal LVO location was associated with general trend of increasing mean differences and standard deviations between software packages (range of mean differences [SD]: non-LVO, -17-6 [4-33] ml; M2, -40-13 [5-39] ml; M1, -43-26 [16-58] ml; ICA, -76-39 [22-97] ml). CONCLUSIONS: Core and penumbra volume estimates can be affected by LVO location significantly between CTP software packages.

Permeability Measures Predict Hemorrhagic Transformation after Ischemic Stroke.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine the diagnostic utility of existing predictors of any hemorrhagic transformation (HT) and compare them with new perfusion imaging permeability measures in ischemic stroke patients receiving alteplase only. METHODS: A pixel-based analysis of pretreatment CT perfusion (CTP) was undertaken to define the optimal CTP permeability thresholds to predict the likelihood of HT. We then compared previously proposed predictors of HT using regression analyses and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to produce an area under the curve (AUC). We compared AUCs using χ2 analysis. RESULTS: From 5 centers, 1,407 patients were included in this study; of these, 282 had HT. The cohort was split into a derivation cohort (1,025, 70% patients) and a validation cohort (382 patients or 30%). The extraction fraction (E) permeability map at a threshold of 30% relative to contralateral had the highest AUC at predicting any HT (derivation AUC 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79-0.91; validation AUC 0.84, 95% CI 0.77-0.91). The AUC improved when permeability was assessed within the acute perfusion lesion for the E maps at a threshold of 30% (derivation AUC 0.91, 95% CI 0.86-0.95; validation AUC 0.89, 95% CI 0.86-0.95). Previously proposed associations with HT and parenchymal hematoma showed lower AUC values than the permeability measure. INTERPRETATION: In this large multicenter study, we have validated a highly accurate measure of HT prediction. This measure might be useful in clinical practice to predict hemorrhagic transformation in ischemic stroke patients before receiving alteplase alone. ANN NEUROL 2020;88:466-476.

Ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack on anticoagulants: outcomes in the era of direct oral anticoagulants.

Clinical and imaging characteristics of patients receiving direct oral anticoagulants presenting with transient ischaemic attack or stroke are lacking. A retrospective review of all patients who presented to a high-volume primary stroke centre with acute stroke symptoms while prescribed an oral anticoagulant between January 2012 and June 2017. Clinical, radiological characteristics and functional outcomes were examined. Anticoagulated patients diagnosed with stroke or transient ischaemic attack shared similar disease and outcome characteristics irrespective of anticoagulants used. One-third of warfarin patients with sub-therapeutic international normalised ratios were treated with thrombolytics but no direct oral anticoagulants level was performed in any of the patients, with only one treated by intravenous thrombolysis.

Effect of Intravenous Tenecteplase Dose on Cerebral Reperfusion Before Thrombectomy in Patients With Large Vessel Occlusion Ischemic Stroke: The EXTEND-IA TNK Part 2 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Intravenous thrombolysis with tenecteplase improves reperfusion prior to endovascular thrombectomy for ischemic stroke compared with alteplase. Objective: To determine whether 0.40 mg/kg of tenecteplase safely improves reperfusion before endovascular thrombectomy vs 0.25 mg/kg of tenecteplase in patients with large vessel occlusion ischemic stroke. Design, Setting, and Participants: Randomized clinical trial at 27 hospitals in Australia and 1 in New Zealand using open-label treatment and blinded assessment of radiological and clinical outcomes. Patients were enrolled from December 2017 to July 2019 with follow-up until October 2019. Adult patients (N = 300) with ischemic stroke due to occlusion of the intracranial internal carotid, \basilar, or middle cerebral artery were included less than 4.5 hours after symptom onset using standard intravenous thrombolysis eligibility criteria. Interventions: Open-label tenecteplase at 0.40 mg/kg (maximum, 40 mg; n = 150) or 0.25 mg/kg (maximum, 25 mg; n = 150) given as a bolus before endovascular thrombectomy. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was reperfusion of greater than 50% of the involved ischemic territory prior to thrombectomy, assessed by consensus of 2 blinded neuroradiologists. Prespecified secondary outcomes were level of disability at day 90 (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score; range, 0-6); mRS score of 0 to 1 (freedom from disability) or no change from baseline at 90 days; mRS score of 0 to 2 (functional independence) or no change from baseline at 90 days; substantial neurological improvement at 3 days; symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage within 36 hours; and all-cause death. Results: All 300 patients who were randomized (mean age, 72.7 years; 141 [47%] women) completed the trial. The number of participants with greater than 50% reperfusion of the previously occluded vascular territory was 29 of 150 (19.3%) in the 0.40 mg/kg group vs 29 of 150 (19.3%) in the 0.25 mg/kg group (unadjusted risk difference, 0.0% [95% CI, -8.9% to -8.9%]; adjusted risk ratio, 1.03 [95% CI, 0.66-1.61]; P = .89). Among the 6 secondary outcomes, there were no significant differences in any of the 4 functional outcomes between the 0.40 mg/kg and 0.25 mg/kg groups nor in all-cause deaths (26 [17%] vs 22 [15%]; unadjusted risk difference, 2.7% [95% CI, -5.6% to 11.0%]) or symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (7 [4.7%] vs 2 [1.3%]; unadjusted risk difference, 3.3% [95% CI, -0.5% to 7.2%]). Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with large vessel occlusion ischemic stroke, a dose of 0.40 mg/kg, compared with 0.25 mg/kg, of tenecteplase did not significantly improve cerebral reperfusion prior to endovascular thrombectomy. The findings suggest that the 0.40-mg/kg dose of tenecteplase does not confer an advantage over the 0.25-mg/kg dose in patients with large vessel occlusion ischemic stroke in whom endovascular thrombectomy is planned. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03340493.

Door-in-Door-Out Time of 60 Minutes for Stroke With Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion at a Primary Stroke Center.

Background and Purpose- Rapid reperfusion with mechanical thrombectomy in ischemic strokes with emergent large vessel occlusions leads to significant reduction in morbidity and mortality. The door-in-door-out (DIDO) time is an important metric for stroke centers without an on-site mechanical thrombectomy service. We report the outcome of a continuous quality improvement program to improve the DIDO time since 2015. Methods- Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients transferred out from a metropolitan primary stroke center for consideration of mechanical thrombectomy between January 1, 2015, and October 31, 2018. Clinical records were interrogated for eligible patients with DIDO times and reasons for treatment delays extracted. Results- One hundred thirty-three patients were transferred over the 46-month period. Median DIDO time reduced by 14% per year, from 111 minutes interquartile range (IQR, 98- 142) in 2015 to 67 minutes (IQR, 55-94) in 2018. A median DIDO time of 59 minutes (IQR, 51-80) was achieved in 2018 during working hours (0800-1700 hours). Overall, 65 patients had no documented delays (49%) with a median DIDO time of 75 minutes (IQR, 54-93) and 103 minutes (IQR, 75-143) in those with at least one delay factor documented. Conclusions- A median DIDO time of <60 minutes can be achieved in a primary stroke center.

Neuroimaging and clinical outcomes of oral anticoagulant-associated intracerebral hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Whether intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) associated with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC-ICH) has a better outcome compared to ICH associated with vitamin K antagonists (VKA-ICH) is uncertain. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis of cohort studies comparing clinical and radiological outcomes between NOAC-ICH and VKA-ICH patients. The primary outcome measure was 30-day all-cause mortality. All outcomes were assessed in multivariate regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, ICH location, and intraventricular hemorrhage extension. RESULTS: We included 7 eligible studies comprising 219 NOAC-ICH and 831 VKA-ICH patients (mean age = 77 years, 52.5% females). The 30-day mortality was similar between NOAC-ICH and VKA-ICH (24.3% vs 26.5%; hazard ratio = 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.67-1.31). However, in multivariate analyses adjusting for potential confounders, NOAC-ICH was associated with lower admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (linear regression coefficient = -2.83, 95% CI = -5.28 to -0.38), lower likelihood of severe stroke (NIHSS > 10 points) on admission (odds ratio [OR] = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.30-0.84), and smaller baseline hematoma volume (linear regression coefficient = -0.24, 95% CI = -0.47 to -0.16). The two groups did not differ in the likelihood of baseline hematoma volume < 30cm3 (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 0.81-1.62), hematoma expansion (OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.63-1.48), in-hospital mortality (OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.49-1.11), functional status at discharge (common OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.57-1.07), or functional status at 3 months (common OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.75-1.43). INTERPRETATION: Although functional outcome at discharge, 1 month, or 3 months was comparable after NOAC-ICH and VKA-ICH, patients with NOAC-ICH had smaller baseline hematoma volumes and less severe acute stroke syndromes. Ann Neurol 2018;84:702-712.

Inpatient continuous cardiac monitoring in hyper-acute stroke: a comparison between telemetry by cardiology and stroke unit.

This retrospective study assessed the pattern of telemetry usage and rates of atrial fibrillation (AF) detection in the 6 months pre- and post-implementation of stroke unit monitored telemetry; 122/154 (79%) of patients had telemetry prior to implementation of stroke unit based telemetry and 164/194 (85%) in the 5 months post (P = 0.31). The use of stroke unit based telemetry was associated with a small increase of telemetry usage and significant increase in telemetry hours per patient. AF detection was similar during the two study periods.

Acute Stroke Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Pre-existing Disability Should Be Considered for Thrombolysis Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Thrombolytic therapy in patients with pre-existing disability presenting with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is controversial because of concerns regarding poor outcomes and futility of treatment. We hypothesized that a similar proportion of patients with and without pre-existing disability would return to their premorbid functional status following thrombolysis. METHODS: This was a retrospective study at a single high-volume academic primary stroke center. All patients with AIS treated with intravenous alteplase between January 2005 and July 2016 were included. Premorbid functional status was assessed using modified Rankin scale (mRS) and dichotomized as independent premorbid (mRS 0-1) or disabled premorbid (mRS 2-4) groups for comparison. Functional outcome was assessed by mRS at 90 days and compared between groups. RESULTS: Six hundred eighty patients independent premorbid (mean age 71.8 ± 13.1 years, 57.9% male) and 140 disabled premorbid (mean age 82.1 ± 8.7 years, 40.7% male) were included. Patients with pre-existing disability were older and had more vascular risk factors and more severe stroke on presentation (P < 0.05). A greater proportion of patients in the disabled premorbid group were dead at 90 days (35.7% versus 12.8%, P < 0.05). At 90 days, among patients with premorbid mRS 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4: 25%, 38%, 32%, 30%, and 25% of them returned to their respective premorbid mRS status. CONCLUSIONS: Irrespective of premorbid functional level, approximately one fourth to one third of thrombolyzed patients had returned to their premorbid functional levels at 90 days. Thrombolytic treatment should be considered in patients with mild-to-moderate pre-existing disability, taking into account the value placed on the chance of a return to premorbid functional status.

Deconstruction of Interhospital Transfer Workflow in Large Vessel Occlusion: Real-World Data in the Thrombectomy Era.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Interhospital transfer is a critical component in the treatment of acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusive stroke transferred for mechanical thrombectomy. Real-world data for benchmarking and theoretical modeling are limited. We sought to characterize transfer workflow from primary stroke center (PSC) to comprehensive stroke center after the publication of positive thrombectomy trials. METHODS: Consecutive patients transferred from 3 high-volume PSCs to a single comprehensive stroke center between January 2015 and August 2016 were included in a retrospective study. Factors associated with key time metrics were analyzed with emphasis on PSC intrahospital workflow. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients were identified. Median age was 74 years (interquartile range [IQR], 63.5-78) and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale 17 (IQR, 12-21). Median transfer time measured by PSC-door-to-comprehensive stroke center-door was 128 minutes (IQR, 107-164), of which 82.8% was spent at PSCs (door-in-door-out [DIDO]; 106 minutes; IQR, 86-143). The lengthiest component of DIDO was computed-tomography-to-retrieval-request (median 59.5 minutes; IQR, 44-83). The 37.3% had DIDO exceeding 120 minutes. DIDO times differed significantly between PSCs (P=0.01). In multivariate analyses, rerecruiting the initial ambulance crew for transfer (P<0.01) and presentation during working hours (P=0.04) were associated with shorter DIDO times. CONCLUSIONS: In a metropolitan hub-and-spoke network, PSC-door-to-comprehensive stroke center-door and DIDO times are long even in high-volume PSCs. Improving PSC workflow represents a major opportunity to expedite mechanical thrombectomy and improve patient outcomes.

Utility of Computed Tomographic Perfusion in Thrombolysis for Minor Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The use of thrombolysis in acute minor ischemic stroke (MIS) remains controversial. We sought to determine the safety and efficacy of intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) in acute MIS patients with demonstrable penumbra on computed tomographic perfusion study. METHODS: Consecutive MIS patients with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale ≤3 were identified from a prospective single tertiary-center database over a 4.5-year period (2011-2015). Cases with demonstrable penumbra were analyzed according to treatment received: IV-tPA versus standard stroke-unit care without thrombolysis. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients of 195 acute MIS admissions had a demonstrable penumbra (34 IV-tPA versus 39 standard stroke-unit care). Overall median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and premorbid modified Rankin Scale were 2 and 0, respectively. Median age was 73.2 (interquartile range, 67.3-82.8) years. There were no differences in baseline demographics, risk factors, stroke localization and cause, rates of vascular occlusion (38.2% versus 38.5%; P=1.000), or mean penumbral volume (41.3 versus 25.1 mL; P=0.150; IV-tPA versus standard stroke-unit care) between groups. There were no symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhages in either group. Patients treated with IV-tPA were more likely to have an excellent functional outcome at discharge (88.2% versus 53.9%; P=0.002) and 90 days (91.2% versus 71.8%; P=0.042). Ordinal analysis demonstrated a favorable shift in modified Rankin Scale with IV-tPA both at discharge (odds ratio, 5.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.83-12.20) and 90 days (odds ratio, 4.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.77-11.36). CONCLUSIONS: In selected MIS patients with demonstrable penumbra on computed tomographic perfusion, IV-tPA is safe and associated with significant improvement in functional outcome at discharge and 90 days.

Time-Resolved 4-Dimensional Computed-Tomography Angiography Can Correctly Identify Carotid Pseudo-Occlusion.

Correct identification of symptomatic high-grade internal carotid artery stenosis from low-grade or total chronic occlusion is critical for patient selection for urgent carotid endarterectomy. Carotid pseudo-occlusion is a flow-related artifact on noninvasive imaging that can lead to an incorrect diagnosis of total internal carotid artery occlusion, thereby denying an eligible patient for appropriate surgical treatment. We present an 82-year-old man with a symptomatic critical internal carotid artery, which was detected on time-resolved 4-dimensional computed-tomography angiography, whereas single-phase computed-tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, and Doppler ultrasonography suggested apparent occlusion. To our understanding, the use of 4-dimensional computed-tomography angiography to identify carotid pseudo-occlusion has not been previously reported.

Trends over time in the risk of stroke after an incident transient ischemic attack.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Long-term population trends in the early risk of stroke after transient ischemic attack (TIA) are unknown. We hypothesized that there has been an appreciable decline in the risk of stroke after TIA for the last decade. METHODS: Population-level cohort study from Victoria, Australia (population 5.6 million), using linked data from hospitals, emergency departments, and death records (2001-2011), with a 2-year clearance period to define incident TIAs. Age-specific rates/1000, yearly incident rate ratios, and age-sex-adjusted risk of stroke after TIA were computed. RESULTS: The mean age of 46 971 patients with TIA was 71 (SD=15), 52% women. In patients ≥65 years, annual TIA rates declined between 2001 and 2011 from 5.8 to 4.8/1000 (men) and from 5.3 to 4.2/1000 (women). Yearly incident rate ratios were 0.97 (95% confidence interval, 0.96-0.98) in men and 0.97 (95% confidence interval, 0.97-0.98) in women. Overall, the 90-day stroke risk was 3.1%. Age-sex-adjusted risk of stroke at 90 days after a TIA decreased by 3% per year (odds ratio for the effect of year, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.95-0.99). Male sex, direct discharge from emergency departments, public hospital care, stroke unit care, and absence of vascular risk factors were associated with a downward yearly trend of stroke within 90 days of TIA. CONCLUSIONS: Over the last 10 years, there has been a measurable decline in the 90-day risk of stroke after an incident TIA and overall decline in rates of TIA in Victoria, Australia. These trends may reflect improved primary and secondary prevention efforts for the last decade.