External validation of the SI2NCAL2C score for outcomes following cerebral venous thrombosis.

OBJECTIVES: Prognostication for cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) remains difficult. We sought to validate the SI2NCAL2C score in an international cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SI2NCAL2C score was originally developed to predict poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 3-6) at 6 months, and mortality at 30 days and 1 year using data from the International CVT Consortium. The SI2NCAL2C score uses 9 variables: the absence of any female-sex-specific risk factors, intracerebral hemorrhage, central nervous system infection, focal neurological deficits, coma, age, lower level of hemoglobin, higher level of glucose, and cancer. The ACTION-CVT study was an international retrospective study that enrolled consecutive patients across 27 centers. The poor outcome score was validated using 90-day mRS due to lack of follow-up at the 6-month time-point in the ACTION-CVT cohort. Model performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and calibration plots. Missing data were imputed using the additive regression and predictive mean matching methods. Bootstrapping was performed with 1000 iterations. RESULTS: Mortality data were available for 950 patients and poor outcome data were available for 587 of 1,025 patients enrolled in ACTION-CVT. Compared to the International CVT Consortium, the ACTION-CVT cohort was older, less often female, and with milder clinical presentation. Mortality was 2.5% by 30 days and 6.0% by one year. At 90-days, 16.7% had a poor outcome. The SI2NCAL2C score had an AUC of 0.74 [95% CI 0.69-0.79] for 90-day poor outcome, 0.72 [0.60-0.82] for mortality by 30 days, and 0.82 [0.76-0.88] for mortality by one year. CONCLUSIONS: The SI2NCAL2C score had acceptable to good performance in an international external validation cohort. The SI2NCAL2C score warrants additional validation studies in diverse populations and clinical implementation studies.

Ameliorating Racial Disparities in Vascular Risk Factor Management With Aggressive Medical Management in the SAMMPRIS Trial.

BACKGROUND: The WASID trial (Warfarin-Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease) and the SAMMPRIS trial (Stenting and Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis) evaluated optimal management of symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. The aim of this retrospective, observational study was to determine whether aggressive medical management used in the SAMMPRIS trial ameliorated disparities in risk factor control between Black and non-Black patients. METHODS: The SAMMPRIS trial was a randomized controlled trial that enrolled patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis between November 2008 and April 2011. The frequency of risk factors at study entry (baseline) and mean levels of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, LDL (low-density lipoprotein), hemoglobin A1c, and exercise level (quantified by physician-based assessment and counseling for exercise score) at baseline and at 1 year of follow-up were compared between Black (n=104) versus non-Black patients (n=347). RESULTS: Significant differences at baseline in Black patients (listed first) versus non-Black patients were age (57.5 versus 61.0 years; P=0.004), hypertension (95.2% versus 87.5%; P=0.027), diabetes (52.9% versus 39.7%; P=0.017), mean diastolic blood pressure (82.4 versus 79.5 mm Hg; P=0.035), and mean physician-based assessment and counseling for exercise score (2.7 versus 3.3; P=0.002). The mean diastolic blood pressure and mean physician-based assessment and counseling for exercise scores at 1 year in Black versus non-Black patients were 74.7 versus 75.5 mm Hg (P=0.575) and 4.2 versus 4.1 (P=0.593), respectively. No disparities in other modifiable risk factors emerged at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in important risk factors (physical activity and diastolic blood pressure) at baseline between Black and non-Black patients resolved at 1 year, suggesting that aggressive medical management may have an important role in ameliorating disparities in risk factor control between Black and non-Black patients.

Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke due to Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease: Identification, Medical and Interventional Treatment, and Outcomes.

Large vessel occlusion stroke due to underlying intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD-LVO) is prevalent in 10 to 30% of LVOs depending on patient factors such as vascular risk factors, race and ethnicity, and age. Patients with ICAD-LVO derive similar functional outcome benefit from endovascular thrombectomy as other mechanisms of LVO, but up to half of ICAD-LVO patients reocclude after revascularization. Therefore, early identification and treatment planning for ICAD-LVO are important given the unique considerations before, during, and after endovascular thrombectomy. In this review of ICAD-LVO, we propose a multistep approach to ICAD-LVO identification, pretreatment and endovascular thrombectomy considerations, adjunctive medications, and medical management. There have been no large-scale randomized controlled trials dedicated to studying ICAD-LVO, therefore this review focuses on observational studies.

Determining the Marginal Cost Differences of a Telehealth Versus an In-person Occupational Therapy Evaluation Session for Stroke Survivors Using Time-driven Activity-based Costing.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the marginal cost differences and care delivery process of a telerehabilitation vs outpatient session. DESIGN: This study used a time-driven activity-based costing approach including (1) observation of rehabilitation sessions and creation of manual time stamps, (2) structured and recorded interviews with 2 occupational therapists familiar with outpatient therapy and 2 therapists familiar with telerehabilitation, (3) collection of standard wages for providers, and (4) the creation of an iterative flowchart of both an outpatient and telerehabilitation session care delivery process. SETTING: Telerehabilitation and outpatient therapy evaluation. PARTICIPANTS: Three therapists familiar with care deliver for telerehabilitation or outpatient therapy (N=3). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Marginal cost difference between telerehabilitation and outpatient therapy evaluations. RESULTS: Overall, telerehabilitation ($225.41) was more costly than outpatient therapy ($168.29) per session for a cost difference of $57.12. Primary time drivers of this finding were initial phone calls (0 minutes for OP therapists vs 35 minutes for TR) and post documentation (5 minutes for OP vs 30 minutes for TR) demands for telerehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: Telerehabilitation is an emerging platform with the potential to reduce costs, improve health care inequities, and facilitate better patient outcomes. Improvements in documentation practices, staffing, technology, and reimbursement structuring would allow for a more successful translation.

Blood Pressure Trajectory Groups and Outcome After Endovascular Thrombectomy: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Elevated blood pressure after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) has been associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic transformation and poor functional outcomes. However, the optimal hemodynamic management after EVT remains unknown, and the blood pressure course in the acute phase of ischemic stroke has not been well characterized. This study aimed to identify patient subgroups with distinct blood pressure trajectories after EVT and study their association with radiographic and functional outcomes. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients with anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion ischemic stroke who underwent EVT. Repeated time-stamped blood pressure data were recorded for the first 72 hours after thrombectomy. Latent variable mixture modeling was used to separate subjects into five groups with distinct postprocedural systolic blood pressure (SBP) trajectories. The primary outcome was functional status, measured on the modified Rankin Scale 90 days after stroke. Secondary outcomes included hemorrhagic transformation, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and death. RESULTS: Two thousand two hundred sixty-eight patients (mean age [±SD] 69±15, mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale 15±7) were included in the analysis. Five distinct SBP trajectories were observed: low (18%), moderate (37%), moderate-to-high (20%), high-to-moderate (18%), and high (6%). SBP trajectory group was independently associated with functional outcome at 90 days (P<0.0001) after adjusting for potential confounders. Patients with high and high-to-moderate SBP trajectories had significantly greater odds of an unfavorable outcome (adjusted odds ratio, 3.5 [95% CI, 1.8-6.7], P=0.0003 and adjusted odds ratio, 2.2 [95% CI, 1.5-3.2], P<0.0001, respectively). Subjects in the high-to-moderate group had an increased risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (adjusted odds ratio, 1.82 [95% CI, 1-3.2]; P=0.04). No significant association was found between trajectory group and hemorrhagic transformation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with acute ischemic stroke demonstrate distinct SBP trajectories during the first 72 hours after EVT that have differing associations with functional outcome. These findings may help identify potential candidates for future blood pressure modulation trials.

Effect of Hispanic Status in Mechanical Thrombectomy Outcomes After Ischemic Stroke: Insights From STAR.

Background and Purpose: Epidemiological studies have shown racial and ethnic minorities to have higher stroke risk and worse outcomes than non-Hispanic Whites. In this cohort study, we analyzed the STAR (Stroke Thrombectomy and Aneurysm Registry) database, a multi-institutional database of patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy for acute large vessel occlusion stroke to determine the relationship between mechanical thrombectomy outcomes and race. Methods: Patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy between January 2017 and May 2020 were analyzed. Data included baseline characteristics, vascular risk factors, complications, and long-term outcomes. Functional outcomes were assessed with respect to Hispanic status delineated as non-Hispanic White (NHW), non-Hispanic Black (NHB), or Hispanic patients. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify variables associated with unfavorable outcome or modified Rankin Scale ≥3 at 90 days. Results: Records of 2115 patients from the registry were analyzed. Median age of Hispanic patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy was 60 years (72­84), compared with 63 years (54­74) for NHB, and 71 years (60­80) for NHW patients (P<0.001). Hispanic patients had a higher incidence of diabetes (41%; P<0.001) and hypertension (82%; P<0.001) compared with NHW and NHB patients. Median procedure time was shorter in Hispanics (36 minutes) compared to NHB (39 minutes) and NHW (44 minutes) patients (P<0.001). In multivariate analysis, Hispanic patients were less likely to have favorable outcome (odds ratio, 0.502 [95% CI, 0.263­0.959]), controlling for other significant predictors (age, admission National Institutes Health Stroke Scale, onset to groin time, number of attempts, procedure time). Conclusions: Hispanic patients are less likely to have favorable outcome at 90 days following mechanical thrombectomy compared to NHW or NHB patients. Further prospective studies are required to validate our findings.

Blood Pressure Goals and Clinical Outcomes after Successful Endovascular Therapy: A Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVE: Elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) after successful revascularization (SR) via endovascular therapy (EVT) is a known predictor of poor outcome. However, the optimal SBP goal following EVT is still unknown. Our objective was to compare functional and safety outcomes between different SBP goals after EVT with SR. METHODS: This international multicenter study included 8 comprehensive stroke centers and patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who were treated with EVT and achieved SR. SR was defined as modified thrombolysis in cerebral ischemia 2b to 3. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on SBP goal in the first 24 hours after EVT. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) propensity analysis was used to assess the effect of different SBP goals on clinical outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 1,019 patients were included. On IPTW analysis, the SBP goal of <140mmHg was associated with a higher likelihood of good functional outcome and lower odds of hemicraniectomy compared to SBP goal of <180mmHg. Similarly, SBP goal of <160mmHg was associated with lower odds of mortality compared to SBP goal of <180mmHg. In subgroup analysis including only patients with pre-EVT SBP of ≥140mmHg, an SBP of <140mmHg was associated with a higher likelihood of good functional outcome, lower odds of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and lower odds of requirement for hemicraniectomy compared to SBP goal of <180mmHg. INTERPRETATION: SBP goals of <140 and < 160mmHg following SR with EVT appear to be associated with better clinical outcomes than SBP of <180mmHg. ANN NEUROL 2020;87:830-839.

Impact of Stroke Center Certification on Thrombolysis Time Metrics in Telestroke Setting.

Background: Previous studies have shown that primary stroke centers (PSCs) have shorter door to needle (DTN) time than non-PSCs hospitals. We aimed to validate these findings in a high-volume telestroke network. Methods: The prospectively maintained data on all consecutive stroke patients who received intravenous alteplase (tissue plasminogen activator [tPA]) between July 2016 and November 2019 through a large telestroke program in Southeast United States was reviewed. Wilcoxon Rank-sum (Mann-Whitney) test was used to compare median times between different groups. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to assess the association between presenting to PSC and having DTN ≤45 and ≤60 min. Results: During the study period, 1,517 patients received tPA, 874 (57.6%) at PSC sites. There were more white patients in the PSC group (64.3%) compared to non-PSC group (58%) (p < 0.001). Other characteristics were similar in patients in both groups. Time metrics were as follows, Door to telestroke page: 16 min versus 13 min (p < 0.001), telestroke page to tPA recommendation: 23 min versus 22 min (p = 0.975), tPA recommendation to tPA bolus administration: 13 min versus 10 min (p < 0.001), and DTN 58 min versus 49 min (p < 0.001) at non-PSC and PSC sites, respectively. On multivariate analysis, there were significantly higher odds for achieving a DTN ≤45 min (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.8-4.4, p < 0.001) and DTN ≤60 min (OR 3, 95% CI 2.1-4.3, p < 0.001) in the PSC group. Conclusion: In our study, PSCs had better performance in the procedural metrics for tPA administration than non-PSCs in a large contemporary telestroke cohort.

Telestroke Consultation in the Emergency Medical Services Unit: A Novel Approach to Improve Thrombolysis Times.

BACKGROUND: Faster treatment times are associated with improved outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke. In this prospective pilot study, we assess the feasibility of initiating telestroke consultation in emergency medical services unit (TEMS). METHODS: Patients with stroke symptoms were evaluated via TEMS using a video-call with a stroke provider. After TEMS evaluation, patients were transferred to the nearest stroke center (NSC) or thrombectomy capable center (TCS) depending on stroke severity and symptom onset time. We compared time metrics between patients evaluated via TEMS to those via standard telestroke (STS) consultation. RESULTS: 49 patients were evaluated via TEMS between May 2017 and March 2020. Median age was 66, 24 (49%) were females, 15 (30.6%) received intravenous alteplase (tPA) after arrival to a local hospital, and 3 (6.1%) underwent mechanical thrombectomy (MT) after bypassing the NSC. Compared to 52 tPA patients treated through STS consultation, TEMS patients had shorter door to needle (DTN) time (21 vs. 38 min, p < 0.001). In addition, patients who received MT after bypassing the NSC had shorter onset to groin time compared to those transferred from NSC (216 vs. 293 min, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Prehospital stroke triaging using TEMS is feasible, and could result in shorter DTN and onset to groin times.

Blacks Are Less Likely to Present With Strokes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Observations From the Buckle of the Stroke Belt.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on stroke systems has not been systematically evaluated. Our study aims to investigate trends in telestroke consults during the pandemic. METHODS: We did retrospective chart review of consecutive patients seen through a telestroke network in South Carolina from March 2019 to April 2020. We dichotomized patients to preCOVID-19 pandemic (March 2019 to February 2020) and during COVID-19 pandemic (March to April 2020). RESULTS: A total of 5852 patients were evaluated during the study period, 613 (10.5%) were seen during the pandemic. The median number of weekly consults dropped from 112 to 77 during the pandemic, P=0.002. There was no difference in baseline features; however, Black patients were less likely to present with strokes during the pandemic (13.9% versus 29%, P≤0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant drop in telestroke volume. The impact seems to disproportionately affect Black patients.

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Acute Ischemic Stroke Treatment Within a Telestroke Network.

Background: The growth of telestroke services expanded the reach of acute stroke treatment. However, ethnic disparities in receiving such treatment have not been fully assessed. Materials and Methods: We reviewed prospectively maintained data on patients evaluated through the Medical University of South Carolina telestroke program between January 2016 and November 2018. Outcomes included odds of receiving intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), receiving mechanical thrombectomy (MT), and achieving door-to-needle (DTN) time ≤60 and ≤45 min among patients receiving tPA. We used logistic regression to analyze the contribution of race/ethnicity. Results: We included 2,977 patients, of whom 1,093 (36.7%) identified as nonwhite; of these, 1,048 patients (95.9%) identified as black or African American. Significantly more nonwhite patients were seen at a primary stroke center (PSC) (68.4% vs. 52.3% in whites, p < 0.001). However, white patients had significantly higher odds of receiving tPA (odds ratio [OR] 1.47, confidence interval [95% CI] 1.17-1.84). There was no significant difference in receiving MT between races. Among patients receiving tPA, whites had higher odds of DTN ≤45 min (OR 1.76, 1.20-2.57) and ≤60 min (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.31-2.66). Conclusions: White patients had better odds achieving DTN ≤45 min and DTN ≤60 min if receiving tPA within a telestroke setting, as well as higher odds of receiving tPA, even after adjustment for comorbidities. This was noted despite white patients having less access to PSCs. However, larger scale studies are needed to further study the impact of ethnic disparities.

The Relationship Between Admission Systolic Blood Pressure and Mortality in Telestroke Patients.

Background: A "U-shaped" relationship between admission blood pressure (BP) and mortality (wherein patients within a middle range have better outcomes than patients at higher or lower extremes) in patients receiving intravenous recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator (tPA) has been previously described. We aim to determine if this U-shaped relationship persists for patients in a telestroke setting regardless of tPA administration. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of the prospectively collected registry data for all patients seen through the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) telestroke network. Admission systolic BP (SBP) was divided into quartiles with thresholds based on the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles as cut points separately by tPA status. The primary outcomes of this study were odds of 90-day modified Rankin scale ≤2 and 90-day mortality. Logistic regression analyses were used to analyze associations between BP quartiles and these outcomes, adjusted for relevant clinical covariates. Results: Our sample comprised 1,232 patients evaluated for telestroke, 616 of whom received tPA. Patients in the second (odds ratio [OR] 0.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.15-0.77 in the tPA group, OR 0.27, 95% CI 01.0-0.78 in the non-tPA group) and third (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.11-0.64 in the tPA group, OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.14-0.92 in the non-tPA group) quartiles of admission SBP had lower adjusted odds of 90-day mortality. Conclusions: Our findings support a U-shaped relationship between admission SBP and 90-day mortality in acute stroke patients regardless of tPA administration, after adjustment for relevant covariates. Further research into interventions regarding BP management poststroke is warranted.

Teleneurology Network to Improve Access to Neurologists for Patients in Rural Areas: A Real-World Experience.

Background: The need for neurologists has been steadily increasing over the past few years. The implementation of teleneurology networks could serve as a potential solution to this need. Methods: A retrospective review of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Teleneurology records for all consults performed between August 2014 and July 2018 was conducted. Collected data included number of consults, baseline characteristics, final diagnosis, and number of providers and hospitals over the study period. Results: A total of 4,542 Teleneurology consults were performed during the study period. The most common diagnosis was cerebrovascular disease, followed by seizure disorders. The number of consults per month increased throughout the study period from three in August 2014 to 257 in July 2018. The number of community hospitals covered has increased from 3 hospitals in August 2014 to 14 hospitals throughout the state of South Carolina in July 2018. Conclusion: Over 4 years, the MUSC teleneurology program has evolved into a robust partnership with 14 partner hospitals, and is now delivering more than 250 expert neurology consultations monthly to patients throughout the state of South Carolina.

Functional Outcomes of Intravenous Thrombolysis in Octogenarians and Nonagenarians Through Telestroke: Single-Center Experience.

Background: Patients aged ≥80 years are often underrepresented in stroke trials. Observational studies have shown that older patients have worse outcomes compared with younger patients, but outcomes in patients aged ≥80 years treated with intravenous (IV)-alteplase specifically through telestroke (TS) have not been studied. Aim: To compare clinical and safety outcomes in stroke patients aged ≥80 and 60-79 years treated with IV-alteplase via TS. Methods: The Medical University of South Carolina TS database was analyzed to identify IV-alteplase-treated patients aged 60-79 and ≥80 years between January 2015 and March 2018. Baseline demographics and TS-specific variables were compared. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Safety outcomes were evaluated by comparing symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine odds ratio (OR) for good outcome (mRS 0-2) in the older age group at 90 days. Results: IV-alteplase was used in 151 patients in ≥80 years age group and 273 patients in 60-79 years age group. The older age group had more women and a higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. The mean "ED-door-to-TS-consultant-login" time was shorter (21.6 min vs. 25.6 min; p = 0.048), but "TS-consultant-login-to-alteplase" time was longer (22.1 min vs. 19.3 min; p = 0.01) in the older age group. No difference was noted in eventual "door-to-needle" time. The older age group had fewer good outcomes (39.1% vs. 74%; p = 0.001) and more deaths (38% vs. 14%; p = 0.001) at 90 days. The sICH rates were similar in the two groups. The OR for good outcome in ≥80 years age group was 0.20 (95% CI: 0.12-0.34) after controlling for baseline variables. Conclusions: Stroke patients aged ≥80 years treated via TS have similar post-thrombolysis hemorrhage rates but worse clinical outcomes compared with patients aged 60-79 years.

Population Health Indicators Associated with a Statewide Telestroke Program.

Background: Studies show that telestroke (TS) improves rural access to care and outcome for stroke patients receiving TS services, but population health impacts of TS are not known. We examine impacts associated with South Carolina's (SC) statewide TS network on an entire state population of patients suffering acute ischemic stroke (AIS) as TS became available across SC counties. Methods: A population health study using Donabedian's conceptual model and an ecological design to describe the change observed over time in use of thrombolysis and endovascular therapy (EVT) as the SC TeleStroke Network (SCTN) diffused across SC counties. Changes in county rates of stroke mortality and discharge destination are reported. The unit of interest is the population rate for AIS patients living in a SC county. Patients' county of residence at the time of hospitalization defined county cohorts. Relative risks were estimated using logistic regression adjusted for age >75 years. Results: Overall tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) rate was 6.28%, and EVT rate was 1.10%. Patients living where SCTN was available had a 25% higher likelihood of receiving tPA (adjusted relative risk [ARR] = 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15-1.36) and lower risks of mortality (ARR = 0.91; 95% CI = 0.84-0.99) or discharge to skilled nursing (ARR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.89-0.97). Conclusions: TS diffusion affects the structure of the health system serving a county, as well as the processes of care delivered in the emergency department; these changes are associated with measurable population health improvements. Results support a population benefit of TS implementation.

Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Beyond 90 days in Symptomatic Intracranial Stenosis in the SAMMPRIS Trial.

BACKGROUND: The safety and efficacy of dual antiplatelet use for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis beyond 90 days is unknown. Data from SAMMPRIS was used to determine if dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) beyond 90 days impacted the risk of ischemic stroke and hemorrhage. METHODS: This post hoc exploratory analysis from SAMMPRIS included patients who did not have a primary endpoint within 90 days after enrollment (n = 397). Patients in both the aggressive medical management (AMM) and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) arms were included. Baseline features and outcomes during follow-up were compared between patients who remained on DAPT beyond 90 days (on clopidogrel) and patients who discontinued clopidogrel and remained on aspirin alone at 90 days (off clopidogrel) using Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: The stroke rate was numerically lower in the group on clopidogrel vs off clopidogrel among both the AMM alone arm (6.0% versus 10.8%, p = 0.31) and the PTAS arm (8.7% versus 9.8%; p = 0.82), but the difference was not significant. The major hemorrhage rates were numerically higher in the group on clopidogrel vs. off clopidogrel group among both the AMM alone arm (4.0% versus 2.5%; p = 0.67) and the PTAS arm (10.9% versus 3.5%; p = 0.08), but were not significant. CONCLUSION: This exploratory analysis suggests that prolonged DAPT use may lower the risk of stroke in medically treated patients with intracranial stenosis but may increase the risk of major hemorrhage.

Relationship Between Vascular Risk Factors and Location of Intracranial Atherosclerosis in the SAMMPRIS Trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported that different locations of intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) are associated with different demographic features and vascular risk factors. We aimed to examine this observation in the Stenting and Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent stroke in Intracranial Stenosis (SAMMPRIS) trial population. METHODS: SAMMPRIS was a randomized controlled trial that enrolled 451 patients with recent transient ischemic attack or stroke-related due to severe (70%-99%) stenosis of a major intracranial artery. We compared the baseline demographic features and vascular risk factors between the symptomatic artery locations. Wilcoxon test was used to compare continuous variables, and chi-square test was used for categorical variables. RESULTS: Of 449 patients included in the analysis; 289 (64.4%) had ICAS in the anterior circulation and 160 (35.6%) in the posterior circulation. Features that were significantly different between patients with anterior versus posterior ICAS were: median age (58.3 years versus 64.0 years, P < .001), males/females (52.9%/47.1% versus 74.4%/25.6% P < .001), white/black (66.8%/26.6% versus 79.4%/16.9%, P = .02), and history of hyperlipidemia (85.5% versus 92.5%, P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: The observed differences in the distribution of demographic characteristics and vascular risk factors depending on the location of symptomatic ICAS suggest the possibility of different underlying pathological processes involved in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in different locations.

The Accuracy of Large Vessel Occlusion Recognition Scales in Telestroke Setting.

Introduction: A significant proportion of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients who are evaluated through telestroke consultation are transferred to thrombectomy-capable stroke centers (TSCs) for concern of large vessel occlusion (LVO). Patient triage selection is commonly based on the clinical suspicion of LVO, which lacks specificity and could result in unnecessary transfers. In this study, we aimed to assess the accuracy of the most commonly used LVO recognition scales in telestroke setting. Methods: AIS patients transferred to TSCs for suspicion of an LVO were included in this retrospective study. Patients were evaluated by a stroke neurologist through a telestroke consult before transfer. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score documented by the stroke neurologist was retrieved from medical records and used to calculate five other LVO recognition scales (Rapid Arterial Occlusion Evaluation Scale [RACE], Field Assessment Stroke Triage for Emergency Destination [FAST-ED], Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Severity Scale [CPSSS], 3-item stroke scale [3I-SS], and Prehospital Acute Stroke Severity Scale [PASS]). We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values, false positive rate (FPR), and false negative rate (FNR) of each score using published cutoffs and then examined all possible cutoff values for each of these scales in addition to the NIHSS. Results: A total of 439 patients were included in the final analysis. A total of 48.5% of patients had an LVO confirmed on computed tomography angiogram. RACE score had the highest accuracy (78%). Overall, the five derived LVO recognition scores have at least 10% FNR. When examining all possible cutoff values, the NIHSS (cutoff of 6) had a 3% FNR but 73% FPR (false transfer). Conclusion: The use of the NIHSS and other LVO recognition scores over telestroke may result in unnecessary transfers. Better diagnostic tools that could maximize sensitivity with acceptable specificity are urgently needed.

Long-Term Functional Outcome of Telestroke Patients Treated Under Drip-and-Stay Paradigm Compared with Patients Treated in a Comprehensive Stroke Center: A Single Center Experience.

Objective:The purpose of this study is to compare long-term functional outcome for patients who receive intravenous alteplase (tPA) at a primary stroke center (spoke) through telestroke consultations and remain at the spoke (drip-and-stay) with that for patients who receive tPA at the comprehensive stroke center (hub).Methods:Data on baseline characteristics, stroke severity on presentation, door to needle (DTN) time, the rate of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) and long-term outcomes for all patients evaluated at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) hub and MUSC telestroke network spoke sites between January 2016 and March 2017 were collected. Eligible patients received tPA at either the spoke or hub location during the study period. Patients who received mechanical thrombectomy were excluded from the study. Functional outcome was assessed with 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Descriptive statistics were used to compare patient demographics and clinical outcomes across the two groups.Results:Total of 426 were identified (60 hub patients and 366 drip-and-stay patients). There were no significant differences in patient age, sex, admission National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), sICH, or DTN times between the two groups. mRS of 0-2 at 90 days was achieved in 37 (61.7%) of the hub and in 255 (69.7%) in the drip-and-stay patients (p = 0.216). On regression analysis, there was no difference in the adjusted relative risk of having a lower mRS between drip-and-stay and hub patients (incidence rate ratio 1.14, p = 0.278, 95% confidence interval [0.9-1.43]).Conclusion:Our study shows no difference in the long-term functional outcome for patients who received tPA through telestroke consultation and remained at spoke hospitals (drip-and-stay) compared with patients who received tPA at the hub.

Impact of Treatment Time on the Long-Term Outcome of Stroke Patients Treated With Mechanical Thrombectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term functional outcome of stroke in patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) performed during work hours (on-hours) versus after-hours, weekends, and official holidays (off-hours). METHODS: Data on all patients receiving MT at a comprehensive stroke center was collected between December 2014-December 2016. Our primary outcomes were the discharge and 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS). We developed propensity scores for off-hours treatment and used inverse probability of treatment weights to address confounding. We estimated logistic regression to assess the relationship between off-hours treatment and favorable patient outcomes. Independent variables include receiving thrombectomy during the off-hours, admission National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), door to groin time in minutes, age, and race. RESULTS: During the study period, 80 (41%) patients underwent thrombectomy during on-hours and 116 (59%) during off-hours. Mean age was 69.1 years for the on-hours group and 64.1 years for the off-hours group (P = .02). There were no statistically significant differences in median admission NIHSS, rate of alteplase administration, mean time from last known well to thrombectomy, rate of revascularization, and rate of hemorrhagic transformation between the 2 groups. Logistic regression analysis showed the probability of a favorable outcome at discharge (mRS ≤ 2) is 12.6 % lower for off-hours patients (P = .038, [95%CI -.25 to -.01]). For patients with a 90-day mRS (n = 117), the probability of a favorable outcome was 18.7% lower for those treated during the off-hours (P = .029, [95%CI -.36 to -.02]). CONCLUSIONS: There is a higher probability of a good functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients who receive MT when performed during regular work hours.