Prevalence, Characteristics, and Outcomes of Undetermined Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background and Purpose: There are scarce data regarding the prevalence, characteristics and outcomes of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) of undetermined (unknown or cryptogenic) etiology. We sought to determine the prevalence, radiological characteristics, and clinical outcomes of undetermined ICH. Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with spontaneous ICH was conducted to primarily assess the prevalence and clinical-radiological characteristics of undetermined ICH. Additionally, we assessed the rates for ICH secondary to hypertensive arteriopathy and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the use of (1) etiology-oriented ICH classification, (2) detailed neuroimaging, and (3) Boston criteria among patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy related ICH. We pooled the prevalence rates using random-effects models, and assessed the heterogeneity using Cochran Q and I2 statistics. Results: We identified 24 studies comprising 15 828 spontaneous ICH patients (mean age, 64.8 years; men, 60.8%). The pooled prevalences of hypertensive arteriopathy ICH, undetermined ICH, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy ICH were 50% (95% CI, 43%­58%), 18% (95% CI, 13%­23%), and 12% (95% CI, 7%­17% [P<0.001 between subgroups]). The volume of ICH was the largest in cerebral amyloid angiopathy ICH (24.7 [95% CI, 19.7­29.8] mL), followed by hypertensive arteriopathy ICH (16.2 [95% CI, 10.9­21.5] mL) and undetermined ICH (15.4 [95% CI, 6.2­24.5] mL). Among patients with undetermined ICH, the rates of short-term mortality (within 3 months) and concomitant intraventricular hemorrhage were 33% (95% CI, 25%­42%) and 38% (95% CI, 28%­48%), respectively. Subgroup analysis demonstrated a higher rate of undetermined ICH among studies that did not use an etiology-oriented classification (22% [95% CI, 15%­29%]). No difference was observed between studies based on the completion of detailed neuroimaging to assess the rates of undetermined ICH (P=0.62). Conclusions: The etiology of spontaneous ICH remains unknown or cryptogenic among 1 in 7 patients in studies using etiology-oriented classification and among 1 in 4 patients in studies that avoid using etiology-oriented classification. The short-term mortality in undetermined ICH is high despite the relatively small ICH volume.

Rapid Arterial Occlusion Evaluation Scale Agreement between Emergency Medical Services Technicians and Neurologists.

BACKGROUND: Rapid arterial occlusion evaluation (RACE) scale is a valid prehospital tool used to predict large vessel occlusion of major cerebral arteries in patients with suspected acute stroke. RACE scale administered by Emergency medicine services (EMS) technicians in the prehospital setting correlates well with NIH Stroke Scale score after patient arrival at a hospital. Despite this, the RACE scale is often characterized as too difficult for EMS technicians to accurately utilize. There are no data examining RACE scale accuracy in the prehospital setting comparing EMS technicians with neurologists. We sought to examine agreement between RACE scores calculated by EMS technicians and stroke neurologists in the prehospital setting during telestroke consultation. METHODS: Data for this observational cohort study were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. EMS technicians in person and stroke specialized neurologists via televideo connection independently assessed suspected stroke patients and calculated RACE scores in the prehospital setting. We used a linearly weighted Cohen's kappa (kw) to estimate the extent of agreement for RACE score between EMS technicians and stroke neurologists. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients with stroke symptoms were independently examined and assessed with the RACE scale by EMS technicians and stroke neurologists in the prehospital setting. Exact agreement on the RACE score was found in 24 of 31 (77%) patients. We found very good agreement between EMS technicians and stroke neurologists, kw = .818 (95% CI, .677-.960), P< .001. CONCLUSIONS: EMS technicians provide reliable RACE assessments in patients with suspected stroke, with agreement similar to stroke specialized neurologists in the prehospital setting.

Imaging of acute ischemic stroke.

For decades, imaging has been a critical component of the diagnostic evaluation and management of patients suspected of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). With each new advance in the treatment of AIS, the role of imaging has expanded in scope, sophistication, and importance in selecting patients who stand to benefit from potential therapies. Although the field of stroke imaging has been evolving for many years, there have been several major recent changes. Most notably, in late 2017, the window for treatment expanded to 24 h from onset of stroke symptoms in selected patients. Furthermore, for those patients in expanded time windows, guidelines issued in early 2018 now recommend the use of "advanced" imaging techniques in the acute setting, including CT perfusion and MRI, to guide therapeutic decision-making. With these and other changes, the emergency radiologist must be prepared to handle a growing volume and complexity of AIS imaging. This article reviews the various imaging modalities and techniques employed in the imaging of AIS patients, with an emphasis on recommendations from recent randomized controlled trials and national consensus guidelines.

Posttreatment variables improve outcome prediction after intra-arterial therapy for acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: There are multiple clinical and radiographic factors that influence outcomes after endovascular reperfusion therapy (ERT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We sought to derive and validate an outcome prediction score for AIS patients undergoing ERT based on readily available pretreatment and posttreatment factors. METHODS: The derivation cohort included 511 patients with anterior circulation AIS treated with ERT at 10 centers between September 2009 and July 2011. The prospective validation cohort included 223 patients with anterior circulation AIS treated in the North American Solitaire Acute Stroke registry. Multivariable logistic regression identified predictors of good outcome (modified Rankin score ≤2 at 3 months) in the derivation cohort; model ß coefficients were used to assign points and calculate a risk score. Discrimination was tested using C statistics with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in the derivation and validation cohorts. Calibration was assessed using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and plots of observed to expected outcomes. We assessed the net reclassification improvement for the derived score compared to the Totaled Health Risks in Vascular Events (THRIVE) score. Subgroup analysis in patients with pretreatment Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) and posttreatment final infarct volume measurements was also performed to identify whether these radiographic predictors improved the model compared to simpler models. RESULTS: Good outcome was noted in 186 (36.4%) and 100 patients (44.8%) in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. Combining readily available pretreatment and posttreatment variables, we created a score (acronym: SNARL) based on the following parameters: symptomatic hemorrhage [2 points: none, hemorrhagic infarction (HI)1-2 or parenchymal hematoma (PH) type 1; 0 points: PH2], baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (3 points: 0-10; 1 point: 11-20; 0 points: >20), age (2 points: <60 years; 1 point: 60-79 years; 0 points: >79 years), reperfusion (3 points: Thrombolysis In Cerebral Ischemia score 2b or 3) and location of clot (1 point: M2; 0 points: M1 or internal carotid artery). The SNARL score demonstrated good discrimination in the derivation (C statistic 0.79, 95% CI 0.75-0.83) and validation cohorts (C statistic 0.74, 95% CI 0.68-0.81) and was superior to the THRIVE score (derivation cohort: C statistic 0.65, 95% CI 0.60-0.70; validation cohort: C-statistic 0.59, 95% CI 0.52-0.67; p < 0.01 in both cohorts) but was inferior to a score that included age, ASPECTS, reperfusion status and final infarct volume (C statistic 0.86, 95% CI 0.82-0.91; p = 0.04). Compared with the THRIVE score, the SNARL score resulted in a net reclassification improvement of 34.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Among AIS patients treated with ERT, pretreatment scores such as the THRIVE score provide only fair prognostic information. Inclusion of posttreatment variables such as reperfusion and symptomatic hemorrhage greatly influences outcome and results in improved outcome prediction.

An analysis of discrepancy between point-of-care and central laboratory international normalized ratio testing in ED patients with cerebrovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to identify demographic, clinical, and operational variables associated with discrepancy between point-of-care (POC) and central laboratory international normalized ratio (INR) results in emergency department (ED) patients with acute cerebrovascular disease. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, observational cohort study of a series of 637 patients with acute cerebrovascular disease over 30 months who underwent simultaneous POC, using the i-STAT POC analyzer (Abbott, Princeton, NJ), and central laboratory INR testing at ED presentation. Point-of-care INR results greater than ± 0.25 INR units from the central laboratory INR value were considered discrepant. We analyzed potential predictors of POC INR discrepancy from demographic, clinical, and operational variables using multivariable logistic regression. We evaluated the change in POC INR discrepancy incidence over the study interval using analysis of variance methodology. RESULTS: The final diagnoses of the 637 subjects were acute ischemic stroke (n=427), transient ischemic attack (n=105), and intracranial hemorrhage (n=105). Discrepant POC INR results occurred in 21.5% (137/637) of subjects. The mean bias between POC and central laboratory INR was 0.24 ± 0.69 (range, 0-11.3). Significant covariates of POC INR discrepancy were oral anticoagulant use (odds ratio, 3.03; confidence interval, 1.37-6.68) and increasing activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) (odds ratio, 1.07; confidence interval, 1.02-1.12). We observed a significant reduction trend in the incidence of POC-central laboratory discrepancy over the study period, decreasing on average at 0.42% per month (F=5.59, P=.025). CONCLUSION: In this retrospective study, oral anticoagulant use and increasing aPTT were significantly associated with POC INR discrepancy in ED patients with acute cerebrovascular disease. Point-of-care INR discrepancy incidence decreased over the study interval.

Outcomes of endovascular thrombectomy in patients selected by computed tomography perfusion imaging - a matched cohort study comparing nonagenarians to younger patients.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is efficacious for appropriately selected patients with large vessel occlusions (LVO) up to 24 hours from symptom onset. There is limited information on outcomes of nonagenarians, selected with computed tomography perfusion (CTP) imaging. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from a large academic hospital between December 2017 and October 2019. Patients receiving EVT for anterior circulation LVO were stratified into nonagenarian (≥90 years) and younger (<90 years) groups. We performed propensity score matching on 18 covariates. In the matched cohort we compared: primary outcome of inpatient mortality and secondary outcomes of successful reperfusion (TICI ≥2B), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and functional independence. Subgroup analysis compared CTP predicted core volumes in nonagenarians with outcomes. RESULTS: Overall, 214 consecutive patients (26 nonagenarians, 188 younger) underwent EVT. Nonagenarians were aged 92.8±2.9 years and younger patients were 74.5±13.5 years. Mortality rate was significantly greater in nonagenarians compared with younger patients (43.5% vs 10.4%, OR 9.33, 95% CI 2.88 to 47.97, P<0.0001) and a greater proportion of nonagenarians developed sICH (13.0% vs 3.0%, OR 6.00, 95% CI 1.34 to 55.20, P=0.02). There were no significant differences for successful reperfusion (P=1.00) or functional independence (P=0.75). Nonagenarians selected with smaller ischemic core volumes had decreased mortality rates (P=0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Nonagenarians were noted to have greater mortality and sICH rates following EVT compared with matched younger patients, which may be ameliorated by selecting patients with smaller CTP core volumes. Nonagenarians undergoing EVT had similar rates of successful reperfusion and functional independence compared with the younger cohort.

Ticagrelor Use in Stroke Patients: Past, Present, and Future.

Antiplatelet medications are the mainstay for secondary stroke treatment. Aspirin, clopidogrel, and aspirin-dipyridamole are commonly used antiplatelet medications. Other antiplatelet medications such as ticagrelor and prasugrel have been majorly used in cardiovascular or neuro-interventional specialties. Recent studies have paved a way to their use in secondary stroke prevention. In this review, we have briefly discussed the pharmacology of ticagrelor, published literature in cardiology and stroke trials, use of ticagrelor among patients with ischemic strokes, and compared its efficacy, limitations and side-effects with other antiplatelet medications.

Positive predictive value and stroke workflow outcomes using automated vessel density (RAPID-CTA) in stroke patients: One year experience.

PURPOSE: Several new techniques have emerged for detecting anterior circulation large vessel occlusion by quantifying relative vessel density including RAPID-CTA, potentially allowing for faster triage and decreased time to mechanical thrombectomy. We present our one-year experience on positive predictive value of RAPID-CTA for the detection of large vessel occlusion in patients presenting with stroke symptoms and its effect on treatment time and clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred and ten patients presenting with stroke symptoms with relative vessel density <60% on RAPID-CTA were included (average age 70 years, 145 male, 165 female). Examinations were considered positive if there was evidence of large vessel occlusion or high grade stenosis. Computed tomography angiography to groin puncture time was calculated during one-year time intervals before and after RAPID-CTA installation. Ninety-day Modified Rankin Scale scores were obtained for patients in each cohort. RESULTS: Of the 310 patients, 270 had large vessel occlusion or high grade stenosis (87% positive predictive value), with 161 having large vessel occlusion. Using 45% relative vessel density threshold, 129/161 large vessel occlusion were detected (80% sensitivity) and 163/172 examinations were positive (95% positive predictive value). Computed tomography angiography to groin puncture time was significantly lower after deployment of RAPID-CTA (93 min vs 68 min, p<0.05). Average 90 day modified Rankin Scale score was lower in the RAPID-CTA group with a higher percentage of patients with functional independence, although the data was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: RAPID-CTA had high positive predictive value for large vessel occlusion with a 45% relative vessel density threshold, which could facilitate active worklist reprioritization. Time to treatment was significantly lower and clinical outcomes were improved after deployment of RAPID-CTA.

Global Impact of COVID-19 on Stroke Care and IV Thrombolysis.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the global impact of COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of IV thrombolysis (IVT), IVT transfers, and stroke hospitalizations over 4 months at the height of the pandemic (March 1 to June 30, 2020) compared with 2 control 4-month periods. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, observational, retrospective study across 6 continents, 70 countries, and 457 stroke centers. Diagnoses were identified by their ICD-10 codes or classifications in stroke databases. RESULTS: There were 91,373 stroke admissions in the 4 months immediately before compared to 80,894 admissions during the pandemic months, representing an 11.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] -11.7 to -11.3, p < 0.0001) decline. There were 13,334 IVT therapies in the 4 months preceding compared to 11,570 procedures during the pandemic, representing a 13.2% (95% CI -13.8 to -12.7, p < 0.0001) drop. Interfacility IVT transfers decreased from 1,337 to 1,178, or an 11.9% decrease (95% CI -13.7 to -10.3, p = 0.001). Recovery of stroke hospitalization volume (9.5%, 95% CI 9.2-9.8, p < 0.0001) was noted over the 2 later (May, June) vs the 2 earlier (March, April) pandemic months. There was a 1.48% stroke rate across 119,967 COVID-19 hospitalizations. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was noted in 3.3% (1,722/52,026) of all stroke admissions. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a global decline in the volume of stroke hospitalizations, IVT, and interfacility IVT transfers. Primary stroke centers and centers with higher COVID-19 inpatient volumes experienced steeper declines. Recovery of stroke hospitalization was noted in the later pandemic months.

Conscious sedation versus general anesthesia during endovascular therapy for acute anterior circulation stroke: preliminary results from a retrospective, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients undergoing intra-arterial therapy (IAT) for acute ischemic stroke receive either general anesthesia (GA) or conscious sedation. GA may delay time to treatment, whereas conscious sedation may result in patient movement and compromise the safety of the procedure. We sought to determine whether there were differences in safety and outcomes in GA patients before initiation of IAT. METHODS: A cohort of 980 patients at 12 stroke centers underwent IAT for acute stroke between 2005 and 2009. Only patients with anterior circulation strokes due to large-vessel occlusion were included in the study. A binary logistic-regression model was used to determine independent predictors of good outcome and death. RESULTS: The mean age was 66+/-15 years and median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 17 (interquartile range, 13-20). The overall recanalization rate was 68% and the symptomatic hemorrhage rate was 9.2%. GA was used in 44% of patients with no differences in intracranial hemorrhage rates when compared with the conscious sedation group. The use of GA was associated with poorer neurologic outcome at 90 days (odds ratio=2.33; 95% CI, 1.63-3.44; P<0.0001) and higher mortality (odds ratio=1.68; 95% CI, 1.23-2.30; P<0.0001) compared with conscious sedation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients placed under GA during IAT for anterior circulation stroke appear to have a higher chance of poor neurologic outcome and mortality. There do not appear to be differences in hemorrhagic complications between the 2 groups. Future clinical trials with IAT can help elucidate the etiology of the differences in outcomes.

Intravenous thrombolysis in patients with chronic kidney disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of chronic kidney disease (CKD) with the safety and efficacy of IV thrombolysis (IVT) among patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). METHODS: A systematic review and pairwise meta-analysis of studies involving patients with CKD undergoing IVT for AIS were conducted to evaluate the following outcomes: symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), asymptomatic and any intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), in-hospital and 3-month mortality, 3-month favorable functional outcome (FFO; modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score 0-1), and 3-month functional independence (FI, mRS score 0-2). CKD was defined with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ranging from mild (eGFR 60-89 mL/min) to moderate (eGFR 30-59 mL/min) to severe (eGFR 15-29 mL/min). RESULTS: We identified 20 studies comprising 60,486 patients with AIS treated with IVT. In unadjusted analyses, CKD was associated with sICH according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) (7 studies; odds ratio [OR] 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19-1.67) and European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study (ECASS) II (9 studies; OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.01-1.85) definitions, any ICH (8 studies; OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.18-1.70), 3-month mortality (9 studies; OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.72-2.81), 3-month FFO (8 studies; OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.47-0.72), and 3-month FI (8 studies; OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.46-0.71). In adjusted analyses, CKD was associated with sICH according to NINDS (4 studies; ORadj 1.34, 95% CI 1.01-1.79) and ECASS II (3 studies; ORadj 2.08, 95% CI 1.27-3.43) definitions, any ICH (6 studies; ORadj 1.41, 95% CI 1.01-1.97), in-hospital mortality (2 studies; ORadj 1.19, 95% CI 1.09-1.30), and 3-month FFO (6 studies; ORadj 0.80, 95% CI 0.70-0.92). CONCLUSIONS: After adjustment for confounders in this pairwise meta-analysis, moderate to severe CKD is associated with increased risks of ICH and worse functional outcomes among patients with AIS treated with IVT.

Quantitative perihematomal blood flow in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage predicts in-hospital functional outcome.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Few data on xenon computed tomography-based quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage have been reported. We correlated perihematomal CBF in a retrospective series of 42 subacute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage patients undergoing xenon computed tomography with in-hospital discharge status and mortality. METHODS: We calculated 3 area-weighted mean CBF values: (1) within the computed tomography-visible rim of perihematomal edema, (2) within a 1-cm marginal radius around the hematoma, and (3) all cortical regions of interest immediately adjacent to the hematoma. Primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and discharge status (ordinally as 0=home, 1=acute rehabilitation, 2=nursing home, 3=death). Discharge status was used as a surrogate for in-hospital functional outcome. RESULTS: Median hematoma volume was 14.4 cm(3) (range, 2 to 70). Median perihematomal (low-attenuation rim) CBF was 21.9 cm(3).100 g(-1).min(-1) (range, 6.1 to 81.1), and the median 1-cm marginal radius CBF was 26.8 cm(3).100 g(-1).min(-1) (range, 10.8 to 72.8). The median regional cortical CBF was 26.7 cm(3).100 g(-1).min(-1) (range, 6.9 to 72.6). Eight patients had 1-cm marginal radius or regional cortical CBF values <20 cm(3).100 g(-1).min(-1). Hematoma volume (odds ratio [OR], 1.68 per 10-cm(3) volume; P=0.036) and intraventricular hemorrhage (OR, 1.88 per grade of intraventricular hemorrhage; P=0.036) predicted mortality. Two CBF measures, hydrocephalus, and IVH predicted poor in-hospital functional outcome in bivariate analysis. Each CBF measure (OR, 0.34 to 0.43; P<0.001 to 0.003) and intraventricular hemorrhage (OR, 3.42; P<0.001) predicted in-hospital functional outcome in multivariable analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Most spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage patients lack perihematomal penumbra. Perihematomal CBF independently predicts in-hospital discharge status but not in-hospital mortality. Further studies are warranted to determine whether perihematomal CBF predicts long-term functional outcomes.

Multimodal reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke: factors predicting vessel recanalization.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endovascular therapies using mechanical and pharmacological modalities for large vessel occlusions in acute stroke are rapidly evolving. Our aim was to determine whether one modality is associated with higher recanalization rates. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 168 consecutive patients treated with intra-arterial (IA) therapy for acute ischemic stroke between May 1999 and November 15, 2005. Demographic, clinical, radiographic, angiographic, and procedural notes were reviewed. Recanalization was defined as achieving thrombolysis in myocardial infarction 2 or 3 flow after intervention. A logistic regression model was constructed to determine independent predictors of successful recanalization. RESULTS: A total of 168 patients were reviewed with a mean age of 64+/-13 years and mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 17+/-4. Recanalization was achieved in 106 (63%) patients. Independent predictors of recanalization include: the combination of IA thrombolytics and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (odds ratio [OR], 2.9 [95% CI, 1.04 to 6.7]; P<0.048), intracranial stent placement with angioplasty (OR, 4.8 [95% CI, 1.8 to 10.0]; P<0.001), or extracranial stent placement with angioplasty (OR, 4.2 [95% CI, 1.4 to 9.8]; P<0.014). Lesions at the terminus of the internal carotid artery were recalcitrant to revascularization (OR, 0.34 [95% CI, 0.16 to 0.73]; P value 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial or extracranial stenting or combination therapy with IA thrombolytics and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in the setting of multimodal therapy is associated with successful recanalization in patients treated with multimodal endovascular reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke.

Taking care of volunteers in a stroke trial: a new assisted-management strategy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Providing participants with evidence-based care for secondary prevention is an ethical and scientific priority for trials in stroke therapy. The optimal strategy, however, is uncertain. We report the performance of a new approach for delivering preventive care to trial participants. METHODS: Participants were enrolled in the Insulin Resistance Intervention after Stroke trial, which examined the insulin sensitiser, pioglitazone versus placebo for prevention of stroke and myocardial infarction after ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Preventive care was the responsibility of the participants' personal healthcare providers, but investigators monitored care and provided feedback annually. We studied achievement of 8 prevention goals at baseline and 3 annual visits, with a focus on 3 priority goals: blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol <2.59 mmol/L and antithrombotic therapy. RESULTS: The proportion of participants achieving the priority goals was highest for antithrombotic use (96-99% in each year) and similar for blood pressure (66-72% in each year) and LDL (68-70% in each year). All 3 priority goals were achieved by 47-52% of participants in any given year. However, only 22% of participants achieved all 3 goals in each year. CONCLUSIONS: A strategy of monitoring care and providing feedback was associated with high average yearly achievement of 3 priority secondary prevention goals, but the majority of trial participants did not persist in being at goal over time. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT00091949.

Emergent stenting of extracranial internal carotid artery occlusion in acute stroke has a high revascularization rate.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Acute ischemic stroke attributable to extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion is frequently associated with severe disability or death. In selected cases, revascularization with carotid artery stenting has been reported, but the safety, recanalization rate, and clinical outcomes in consecutive case series are not known. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all of the cases of ICA occlusions that underwent cerebral angiography with the intent to revascularize over a 38-month period. Two groups were identified: (1) patients who presented with an acute clinical presentation within 6 hours of symptom onset (n=15); and (2) patients who presented subacutely with neurologic fluctuations because of the ICA occlusion (n=10). RESULTS: Twenty-five patients with a mean age of 62+/-11 years and median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) of 14 were identified. Twenty-three of the 25 patients (92%) were successfully revascularized with carotid artery stenting. Patients in group 1 were younger and more likely to have a tandem occlusion and higher baseline NIHSS when compared with group 2. Patients in group 2 were more likely to show early clinical improvement defined as a reduction of their NIHSS by > or =4 points and a modified Rankin Score of < or =2 at 30-day follow-up. Two clinically insignificant adverse events were noted: 1 asymptomatic hemorrhage and 1 nonflow-limiting dissection. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment of acute ICA occlusion appears to have a high-recanalization rate and be relatively safe in our cohort of patients with acute ICA occlusion. Future prospective studies are necessary to determine which patients are most likely to benefit from this form of therapy.

De novo development of a remote arteriovenous fistula following transarterial embolization of a carotid cavernous fistula: case report and review of the literature.

We report a case of a patient who developed a remote dural arteriovenous fistula involving the left sigmoid sinus 4 months after successful transarterial embolization of a carotid cavernous fistula. This rare occurrence has been reported after transvenous embolization, but this represents the first case, to our knowledge, after transarterial coil embolization. We present our findings along with a brief review of the literature.

Predictors of poor hospital discharge outcome in acute stroke due to atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent cause of acute ischemic stroke that results in severe neurological disability and death despite treatment with intravenous thrombolysis (intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator [rtPA]). We performed a retrospective review of a single-center registry of patients treated with intravenous rtPA for stroke. The purposes of this study were to compare intravenous rtPA treated patients with stroke with and without AF to examine independent predictors of poor hospital discharge outcome (in-hospital death or hospital discharge to a skilled nursing facility, long-term acute care facility, or hospice care). A univariate analysis was performed on 144 patients receiving intravenous rtPA for stroke secondary to AF and 190 patients without AF. Characteristics that were significantly different between the two groups were age, initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, length of hospital stay, gender, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking status, presence of large cerebral infarct, and hospital discharge outcome. Bivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that patients with stroke secondary to AF with a poor hospital discharge outcome had a greater likelihood of older age, higher initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores, longer length of hospital stay, intubation, and presence of large cerebral infarct compared with those with good hospital discharge outcome (discharged to home or inpatient rehabilitation or signed oneself out against medical advice). A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that older age, longer length of hospital stay, and presence of large cerebral infarct were independent predictors of poor hospital discharge outcome. These predictors can guide nursing interventions, aid the multidisciplinary treating team with treatment decisions, and suggest future directions for research.

Predictors and clinical relevance of hemorrhagic transformation after endovascular therapy for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion strokes: a multicenter retrospective analysis of 1122 patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endovascular techniques are frequently employed to treat large artery occlusion in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We sought to determine the predictors and clinical impact of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) after endovascular therapy. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients presenting to 13 high volume stroke centers with AIS due to proximal occlusion in the anterior circulation who underwent endovascular treatment within 8 h from symptom onset. Logistic regression was performed to determine the variables associated with ICH, hemorrhagic infarction (HI), and parenchymal hematomas (PHs), as well as 90 day poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≥3) and mortality. RESULTS: There were a total of 363 ICHs (overall rate 32.3%; HI=267, 24%; PH=96, 8.5%) among the 1122 study patients (mean age 67±15 years; median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 17 (IQR 13-20)). Independent predictors for HI included diabetes mellitus (OR 2.27, 95% CI (1.58 to 3.26), p<0.0001), preprocedure IV tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) (1.43 (1.03 to 2.08), p<0.037), Merci thrombectomy (1.47 (1.02 to 2.12), p<0.032), and longer time to puncture (1.001 (1.00 to 1.002), p<0.026). Patients with atrial fibrillation (1.61 (1.01 to 2.55), p<0.045) had a higher risk of PH while the use of IA tPA (0.57 (0.35 to 0.90), p<0.008) was associated with lower chances of PH. Both the presence of HI (2.23 (1.53 to 3.25), p<0.0001) and PH (6.24 (3.06 to 12.75), p<0.0001) were associated with poor functional outcomes; however, only PH was associated with higher mortality (3.53 (2.19 to 5.68), p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Greater understanding about the predictors and consequences of ICH post endovascular stroke therapy is essential to improve risk assessment, patient selection/clinical outcomes, and early prognostication. Our data suggest that patients with atrial fibrillation are particularly prone to severe ICH and question the 'benign' nature of HI suggested by earlier studies.

The search for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in cryptogenic stroke: leave no stone unturned.

Atrial fibrillation (AF), a well-established cause of ischemic stroke, is found in up to 25% of first strokes.(1,2) Most patients with stroke from AF will benefit from anticoagulation for secondary stroke prevention, so finding AF as a cause of ischemic stroke is critical. Many patients with AF have paroxysmal AF (PAF), in which periods of normal sinus rhythm alternate with sometimes brief episodes of AF. Conventional monitoring for AF in the hospital or for a small number of days as an outpatient may therefore miss the diagnosis of PAF. Although most of the data to support anticoagulation for stroke patients with AF come from patients with continuous AF, PAF has a similar risk of stroke when compared to continuous AF(3,4) and there appears to be a similar benefit of anticoagulation in reducing the risk of stroke in patients with PAF.(3.)

Advanced modality imaging evaluation in acute ischemic stroke may lead to delayed endovascular reperfusion therapy without improvement in clinical outcomes.

PURPOSE: Advanced neuroimaging techniques may improve patient selection for endovascular stroke treatment but may also delay time to reperfusion. We studied the effect of advanced modality imaging with CT perfusion (CTP) or MRI compared with non-contrast CT (NCT) in a multicenter cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 10 stroke centers who select patients for endovascular treatment using institutional protocols. Approval was obtained from each institution's review board as only de-identified information was used. We collected demographic and radiographic data, selected time intervals, and outcome data. ANOVA was used to compare the groups (NCT vs CTP vs MRI). Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with a good clinical outcome. RESULTS: 556 patients were analyzed. Mean age was 66 ± 15 years and median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 18 (IQR 14-22). NCT was used in 286 (51%) patients, CTP in 190 (34%) patients, and MRI in 80 (14%) patients. NCT patients had significantly lower median times to groin puncture (61 min, IQR (40-117)) compared with CTP (114 min, IQR (81-152)) or MRI (124 min, IQR (87-165)). There were no differences in clinical outcomes, hemorrhage rates, or final infarct volumes among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The current retrospective study shows that multimodal imaging may be associated with delays in treatment without reducing hemorrhage rates or improving clinical outcomes. This exploratory analysis suggests that prospective randomised studies are warranted to support the hypothesis that advanced modality imaging is superior to NCT in improving clinical outcomes.