Projections of Endovascular Therapy-Eligible Patients With Stroke for the US Population.

BACKGROUND: As stroke endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) treatment indications expand, understanding population-based EVT eligibility becomes critical for resource planning. We aimed to project current and future population-based EVT eligibility in the United States. METHODS: We conducted a post hoc analysis of the physician-adjudicated GCNKSS (Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Stroke Study; 2015 epoch), a population-based, cross sectional, observational study of stroke incidence, treatment, and outcomes across a 5-county region. All hospitalized patients ≥18 years of age with acute ischemic stroke were ascertained using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes 430-436 and Tenth Revision codes I60-I67 and G45-G46 and extrapolated to the US adult census 2020. We determined the rate of EVT eligibility within the GCNKSS population using time from last known well to presentation (0-5 versus 5-23 hours), presenting National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, and prestroke modified Rankin Scale. Both conservative and liberal estimates of prevalence of large vessel occlusion and large core were then applied based on literature review (unavailable within the 2015 GCNKSS). This eligibility was then extrapolated to the 2020 US population. RESULTS: Of the 1 057 183 adults within GCNKSS in 2015, 2741 had an ischemic stroke and 2176 had data available for analysis. We calculated that 8659 to 17 219 patients (conservative to liberal) meet the current guideline-recommended EVT criteria (nonlarge core, no prestroke disability, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥6) in the United States. Estimates (conservative to liberal) for expanded EVT eligibility subpopulations include (1) 5316 to 10 635 by large core; (2) 10 635 to 21 270 by mild presenting deficits with low National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score; (3) 13 572 to 27 089 by higher prestroke disability; and (4) 7039 to 14 180 by >1 criteria. These expanded eligibility subpopulations amount to 36 562 to 73 174 patients. CONCLUSIONS: An estimated 8659 to 17 219 adult patients in the United States met strict EVT eligibility criteria in 2020. A 4-fold increase in population-based EVT eligibility can be anticipated with incremental adoption of recent or future positive trials. US stroke systems need to be rapidly optimized to handle all EVT-eligible patients with stroke.

Trends in Disparities in Advanced Neuroimaging Utilization in Acute Stroke: A Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Our primary objective was to evaluate if disparities in race, sex, age, and socioeconomic status (SES) exist in utilization of advanced neuroimaging in year 2015 in a population-based study. Our secondary objective was to identify the disparity trends and overall imaging utilization as compared with years 2005 and 2010. METHODS: This was a retrospective, population-based study that utilized the GCNKSS (Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Stroke Study) data. Patients with stroke and transient ischemic attack were identified in the years 2005, 2010, and 2015 in a metropolitan population of 1.3 million. The proportion of imaging use within 2 days of stroke/transient ischemic attack onset or hospital admission date was computed. SES determined by the percentage below the poverty level within a given respondent's US census tract of residence was dichotomized. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the odds of advanced neuroimaging use (computed tomography angiogram/magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance angiogram) for age, race, gender, and SES. RESULTS: There was a total of 10 526 stroke/transient ischemic attack events in the combined study year periods of 2005, 2010, and 2015. The utilization of advanced imaging progressively increased (48% in 2005, 63% in 2010, and 75% in 2015 [P<0.001]). In the combined study year multivariable model, advanced imaging was associated with age and SES. Younger patients (≤55 years) were more likely to have advanced imaging compared with older patients (adjusted odds ratio, 1.85 [95% CI, 1.62-2.12]; P<0.01), and low SES patients were less likely to have advanced imaging compared with high SES (adjusted odds ratio, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.75-0.93]; P<0.01). A significant interaction was found between age and race. Stratified by age, the adjusted odds of advanced imaging were higher for Black patients compared with White patients among older patients (>55 years; adjusted odds ratio, 1.34 [95% CI, 1.15-1.57]; P<0.01), but no racial differences among the young. CONCLUSIONS: Racial, age, and SES-related disparities exist in the utilization of advanced neuroimaging for patients with acute stroke. There was no evidence of a change in trend of these disparities between the study periods.

Substance Use and Performance of Toxicology Screens in the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Stroke Study.

BACKGROUND: Though stroke risk factors such as substance use may vary with age, less is known about trends in substance use over time or about performance of toxicology screens in young adults with stroke. METHODS: Using the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Stroke Study, a population-based study in a 5-county region comprising 1.3 million people, we reported the frequency of documented substance use (cocaine/marijuana/opiates/other) obtained from electronic medical record review, overall and by race/gender subgroups among physician-adjudicated stroke events (ischemic and hemorrhagic) in adults 20 to 54 years of age. Secondary analyses included heavy alcohol use and cigarette smoking. Data were reported for 5 one-year periods spanning 22 years (1993/1994-2015), and trends over time were tested. For 2015, to evaluate factors associated with performance of toxicology screens, multiple logistic regression was performed. RESULTS: Overall, 2152 strokes were included: 74.5% were ischemic, mean age was 45.7±7.6, 50.0% were women, and 35.9% were Black. Substance use was documented in 4.4%, 10.4%, 19.2%, 24.0%, and 28.8% of cases in 1993/1994, 1999, 2005, 2010, and 2015, respectively (Ptrend<0.001). Between 1993/1994 and 2015, documented substance use increased in all demographic subgroups. Adjusting for gender, comorbidities, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, predictors of toxicology screens included Black race (adjusted odds ratio, 1.58 [95% CI, 1.02-2.45]), younger age (adjusted odds ratio, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.53-0.91], per 10 years), current smoking (adjusted odds ratio, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.06-2.46]), and treatment at an academic hospital (adjusted odds ratio, 1.80 [95% CI, 1.14-2.84]). After adding chart-reported substance use to the model, only chart-reported substance abuse and age were significant. CONCLUSIONS: In a population-based study of young adults with stroke, documented substance use increased over time, and documentation of substance use was higher among Black compared with White individuals. Further work is needed to confirm race-based disparities and trends in substance use given the potential for bias in screening and documentation. Findings suggest a need for more standardized toxicology screening.

Acute Ischemic Stroke, Depressed Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction, and Sinus Rhythm: Prevalence and Practice Patterns.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data about the epidemiology and secondary stroke prevention strategies used for patients with depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and sinus rhythm following an acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We sought to describe the prevalence of LVEF ≤40% and sinus rhythm among patients with AIS and antithrombotic treatment practice in a multi-center cohort from 2002 to 2018. METHODS: This was a multi-center, retrospective cohort study comprised of patients with AIS hospitalized in the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Stroke Study and 4 academic, hospital-based cohorts in the United States. A 1-stage meta-analysis of proportions was undertaken to calculate a pooled prevalence. Univariate analyses and an adjusted multivariable logistic regression model were performed to identify demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic characteristics associated with being prescribed an anticoagulant upon AIS hospitalization discharge. RESULTS: Among 14 338 patients with AIS with documented LVEF during the stroke hospitalization, the weighted pooled prevalence of LVEF ≤40% and sinus rhythm was 5.0% (95% CI, 4.1-6.0%; I2, 84.4%). Of 524 patients with no cardiac thrombus and no prior indication for anticoagulant who survived postdischarge, 200 (38%) were discharged on anticoagulant, 289 (55%) were discharged on antiplatelet therapy only, and 35 (7%) on neither. There was heterogeneity by site in the proportion discharged with an anticoagulant (22% to 45%, P<0.0001). Cohort site and National Institutes of Health Stroke Severity scale >8 (odds ratio, 2.0 [95% CI, 1.1-3.8]) were significant, independent predictors of being discharged with an anticoagulant in an adjusted analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 5% of patients with AIS have a depressed LVEF and are in sinus rhythm. There is significant variation in the clinical practice of antithrombotic therapy prescription by site and stroke severity. Given this clinical equipoise, further study is needed to define optimal antithrombotic treatment regimens for secondary stroke prevention in this patient population.

Temporal Trends in Stroke Incidence Over Time by Sex and Age in the GCNKSS.

Background and Purpose- Sex differences in stroke incidence over time were previously reported from the GCNKSS (Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Stroke Study). We aimed to determine whether these differences continued through 2015 and whether they were driven by particular age groups. Methods- Within the GCNKSS population of 1.3 million, incident (first ever) strokes among residents ≥20 years of age were ascertained at all local hospitals during 5 periods: July 1993 to June 1994 and calendar years 1999, 2005, 2010, and 2015. Out-of-hospital cases were sampled. Sex-specific incidence rates per 100 000 were adjusted for age and race and standardized to the 2010 US Census. Trends over time by sex were compared (overall and age stratified). Sex-specific case fatality rates were also reported. Bonferroni corrections were applied for multiple comparisons. Results- Over the 5 study periods, there were 9733 incident strokes (56.3% women). For women, there were 229 (95% CI, 215-242) per 100 000 incident strokes in 1993/1994 and 174 (95% CI, 163-185) in 2015 (P<0.05), compared with 282 (95% CI, 263-301) in 1993/1994 to 211 (95% CI, 198-225) in 2015 (P<0.05) in men. Incidence rates decreased between the first and last study periods in both sexes for IS but not for intracerebral hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Significant decreases in stroke incidence occurred between the first and last study periods for both sexes in the 65- to 84-year age group and men only in the ≥85-year age group; stroke incidence increased for men only in the 20- to 44-year age group. Conclusions- Overall stroke incidence decreased from the early 1990s to 2015 for both sexes. Future studies should continue close surveillance of sex differences in the 20- to 44-year and ≥85-year age groups, and future stroke prevention strategies should target strokes in the young- and middle-age groups, as well as intracerebral hemorrhage.

Can non-contrast head CT and stroke severity be used for stroke triage? A population-based study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients may benefit from endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) up to 24 h since last known normal (LKN). Advanced imaging is required for patient selection. Small or rural hospitals may not have sufficient CT technician and radiology support to rapidly acquire and interpret images. We estimated transfer rates using non-contrast head CT and stroke severity to select patients to be transferred to larger centers for evaluation. METHODS: We identified all AIS among residents of the study region in 2010. Only cases age ≥ 18 with baseline mRS 0-2 that presented to an ED were included. Among cases that presented between 6 and 24 h from LKN, those without evidence of acute infarct on head CT and with initial NIHSS ≥6 or ≥ 10 were identified. RESULTS: Of 1359 AIS cases, 448 (33.0%) presented between 6 and 24 h, of which 383 (85.5%) showed no evidence of acute infarct on CT. Of cases with no acute infarct on CT, 89/383 (23.2%) had NIHSS ≥6, of which 66 (74.2%) initially presented to a hospital without thrombectomy capabilities; and 51/383 (13.3%) had NIHSS ≥10, of which 40 (78.4%) presented to a non-thrombectomy hospital. CONCLUSIONS: In our population, 40-66 AIS patients annually (0.8-1.3/week, or 3-5 patients/100,000 persons/year) may present to non-thrombectomy hospitals and need to be transferred using non-contrast CT and stroke severity as screening tools. Such an approach may sufficiently mitigate the impact of delays in treatment on outcomes, without overburdening the referring nor accepting hospitals.

Temporal Trends of Sex Differences in Transient Ischemic Attack Incidence Within a Population.

OBJECTIVE: Previously we reported that ischemic stroke incidence is declining over time for men but not women. We sought to describe temporal trends of sex differences in incidence of transient ischemic attack (TIA) within the same large, biracial population. METHODS: Among the population of 1.3 million in the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Stroke Study (GCNKSS) region, TIAs among area residents (≥20 years old) were identified at all local hospitals. Out of hospital cases were ascertained using a sampling scheme. First-ever cases and first within each study period for a patient was included in incidence rates. All cases were physician-adjudicated. Incidence rates (during July 93-June 94 and calendar years 1999, 2005, and 2010) were calculated using the age-, race-, and sex-specific number of TIAs divided by the GCNKSS population in that group; rates were standardized to the 2010 U.S. POPULATION: t Tests with Bonferroni correction were used to compare rates over time. RESULTS: There were a total of 4746 TIA events; 53% were female, and 12% were black. In males, incidence decreased from 153 (95% confidence interval [CI] 139-167) per 100,000 in 1993/4 to 117 (95% CI 107-128) in 2010 (P < .05 for trend test) but was similar over time among females (107 (95% CI 97-116) to 102 (95%CI 94-111), P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Within the GCNKSS population, TIA incidence decreased significantly over time in males but not females, data which parallels trends in ischemic stroke in the GCNKSS over the same time period. Future research is needed to determine if these sex differences in incidence over time continue past 2010.

Prehospital neurological deterioration in stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients with stroke can experience neurological deterioration in the prehospital setting. We evaluated patients with stroke to determine factors associated with prehospital neurological deterioration (PND). METHODS: Among the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region (population ~1.3 million), we screened all 15 local hospitals' admissions from 2010 for acute stroke and included patients aged ≥20. The GCS was compared between emergency medical services (EMS) arrival and hospital arrival, with decrease ≥2 points considered PND. Data obtained retrospectively included demographics, medical history and medication use, stroke subtype (eg, ischaemic stroke (IS), intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH)) and IS subtype (eg, small vessel, large vessel, cardioembolic), seizure at onset, time intervals between symptom onset, EMS arrival and hospital arrival, EMS level of training, and blood pressure and serum glucose on EMS arrival. RESULTS: Of 2708 total patients who had a stroke, 1092 patients (median (IQR) age 74 (61-83) years; 56% women; 21% black) were analysed. PND occurred in 129 cases (12%), including 9% of IS, 24% of ICH and 16% of SAH. In multivariable analysis, black race, atrial fibrillation, haemorrhagic subtype and ALS level of transport were associated with PND. CONCLUSION: Haemorrhage and atrial fibrillation is associated with PND in stroke, and further investigation is needed to establish whether PND can be predicted. Further studies are also needed to assess whether preferential transport of patients with deterioration to hospitals equipped with higher levels of care is beneficial, identify why race is associated with deterioration and to test therapies targeting PND.

Association Between Acute Kidney Disease and Intravenous Dye Administration in Patients With Acute Stroke: A Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Computed tomographic angiography and conventional angiography provide timely vascular anatomic information in patients with stroke. However, iodinated contrast dye may cause acute kidney injury (AKI). Within a large, biracial population, we examined in-hospital incidence of new or worsening kidney disease in patients with stroke and its association with administration of intravenous dye. METHODS: All adult residents of the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region with acute ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage who presented to an emergency department in 2010 were included. Prevalence of unsuspected kidney disease at the time of emergency department presentation and the incidence of AKI after admission in 2 groups of patients-those who did and those who did not receive intravenous dye-were determined. RESULTS: In 2010, 2299 patients met inclusion criteria (89% ischemic stroke and 11% intracerebral hemorrhage); mean age 69 years (SD 15), 22% black, and 54% women. Among these patients, 37% had kidney disease at baseline, including 22% (516/2299) in whom this was unsuspected. Two percent (2%; 15/853) of patients with baseline kidney disease developed AKI during the hospital stay. Of those with no baseline kidney disease, 1% (14/14 467) developed AKI. There was no association between dye administration and new or worsening kidney disease. CONCLUSIONS: Although 22% of patients in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky stroke population had unsuspected kidney disease, the incidence of new or worsening kidney disease was low, and AKI was not associated with dye administration. These findings confirm single-center reports that the risk of severe renal complications after contrast dye is small.

Prevalence of Positive Troponin and Echocardiogram Findings and Association With Mortality in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients may have raised serum cardiac troponin levels on admission, although it is unclear what prognostic implications this has, and whether elevated levels are associated with cardiac causes of stroke or structural cardiac disease as seen on echocardiogram. We investigated the positivity of cardiac troponin and echocardiogram testing within a large biracial AIS population and any association with poststroke mortality. METHODS: Within a catchment area of 1.3 million, we screened emergency department admissions from 2010 using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, discharge codes 430 to 436 and ascertained all physician-confirmed AIS cases by retrospective chart review. Hypertroponinemia was defined as elevation in cardiac troponin above the standard 99th percentile. Multiple logistic regression was performed, controlling for stroke severity, history of cardiac disease, and all other stroke risk factors. RESULTS: Of 1999 AIS cases, 1706 (85.3%) had a cardiac troponin drawn and 1590 (79.5%) had echocardiograms. Hypertroponinemia occurred in 353 of 1706 (20.7%) and 160 of 1590 (10.1%) had echocardiogram findings of interest. Among 1377 who had both tests performed, hypertroponinemia was independently associated with echocardiogram findings (odds ratio, 2.9; 95% confidence interval, 2-4.2). When concurrent myocardial infarctions (3.5%) were excluded, hypertroponinemia was also associated with increased mortality at 1 year (35%; odds ratio, 3.45; 95% confidence interval, 2.1-5.6) and 3 years (60%; odds ratio, 2.91; 95% confidence interval, 2.06-4.11). CONCLUSIONS: Hypertroponinemia in the context of AIS without concurrent myocardial infarction was associated with structural cardiac disease and long-term mortality. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether further cardiac evaluation might improve the long-term mortality rates seen in this group.

Estimated Impact of Emergency Medical Service Triage of Stroke Patients on Comprehensive Stroke Centers: An Urban Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The American Stroke Association recommends that Emergency Medical Service bypass acute stroke-ready hospital (ASRH)/primary stroke center (PSC) for comprehensive stroke centers (CSCs) when transporting appropriate stroke patients, if the additional travel time is ≤15 minutes. However, data on additional transport time and the effect on hospital census remain unknown. METHODS: Stroke patients ≥20 years old who were transported from home to an ASRH/PSC or CSC via Emergency Medical Service in 2010 were identified in the Greater Cincinnati area population of 1.3 million. Addresses of all patients' residences and hospitals were geocoded, and estimated travel times were calculated. We estimated the mean differences between the travel time for patients taken to an ASRH/PSC and the theoretical time had they been transported directly to the region's CSC. RESULTS: Of 929 patients with geocoded addresses, 806 were transported via Emergency Medical Service directly to an ASRH/PSC. Mean additional travel time of direct transport to the CSC, compared with transport to an ASRH/PSC, was 7.9±6.8 minutes; 85% would have ≤15 minutes added transport time. Triage of all stroke patients to the CSC would have added 727 patients to the CSC's census in 2010. Limiting triage to the CSC to patients with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of ≥10 within 6 hours of onset would have added 116 patients (2.2 per week) to the CSC's annual census. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency Medical Service triage to CSCs based on stroke severity and symptom duration may be feasible. The impact on stroke systems of care and patient outcomes remains to be determined and requires prospective evaluation.

Age, subjective stress, and depression after ischemic stroke.

The incidence of stroke among younger adults in the United States is increasing. Few studies have investigated the prevalence of depressive symptoms after stroke among different age groups or the extent to which subjective stress at the time of stroke interacts with age to contribute to post-stroke depression. The present study examined whether there exists an age gradient in survivors' level of depressive symptoms and explored the extent to which financial, family, and health-related stress may also impact on depression. Bivariate analyses (N = 322) indicated significant differences in depression and stress by age group, as well as differences in age and stress by 3-month depression status. Linear regression analyses indicated that survivors between the ages of 25-54 and 55-64 years old had, on average, significantly higher depressive symptom scores. Those with financial, family, and health-related stress at the time of stroke, irrespective of age, also had significantly higher scores.

Gender and Time to Arrival among Ischemic Stroke Patients in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Stroke Study.

BACKGROUND: Some studies of stroke patients report longer prehospital delays in women, but others conflict; studies vary in their inclusion of factors including age and stroke severity. We aimed to investigate the relationship between gender and time to emergency department (ED) arrival and the influence of age and stroke severity on this relationship. METHODS: Ischemic stroke patients 20 years old or older who presented to 15 hospitals within a 5-county region of Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky during 2010 were included. Time from symptom onset to ED arrival and covariates were abstracted by study nurses and reviewed by study physicians. Data were analyzed using logistic regression with time to arrival dichotomized at 3 hours or less in the overall sample and then stratified by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and age. RESULTS: 1991 strokes (55% women) were included. Time to arrival was slightly longer in women (geometric mean 337 minutes [95% confidence interval {CI} 307-369] versus 297 [95% CI 268-329], P = .05), and 24% of women versus 27% of men arrived within 3 hours (P = .15). After adjusting for age, race, NIHSS, living situation, and other covariates, gender was not associated with delayed time to arrival (OR = 1.00, 95% CI .78-1.28). This did not change across age or NIHSS categories. CONCLUSIONS: After adjusting for factors including age, NIHSS score, and living alone, women and men with ischemic stroke had similar times to arrival. Arrival time is not likely a major contributor to differences in outcome between men and women.

Withdrawal of Antithrombotic Agents and the Risk of Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Antithrombotic medications are effective for ischemic stroke prevention, but stoppage of these medications is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism. The frequency of antithrombotic withdrawal in the general population is unknown. METHODS: We conducted a random phone sample of 2036 households in the Greater Cincinnati metropolitan area, representative of the stroke population by age, sex, and race, to determine the frequency of antithrombotic medication use and stoppage by physicians for medically indicated procedures. RESULTS: Sixty-two percent of survey respondents reported that they were on an antithrombotic medication. Ten percent of participants reported that they had stopped taking their medication within the past 60 days for a medically indicated intervention. Of those who stopped taking the medication, it was more common for persons taking an anticoagulant to stop their medication (20%) than those taking an antiplatelet agent (9%). Colonoscopies and orthopedic surgeries were the most common reasons for withdrawal of antiplatelet agents, whereas orthopedic and vascular surgeries were the most common reason for withdrawal of anticoagulants. CONCLUSIONS: Recommended discontinuation of antithrombotic medication for surgical or diagnostic procedures is common practice for persons in the community representative of a stroke population. Because stoppage of these medications is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic stroke, further clinical trials are needed to determine best management practices in this setting.

Analysis of tissue plasminogen activator eligibility by sex in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Stroke Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Sex differences in recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (r-tPA) administration are present in some populations. It is unknown whether this is because of eligibility differences or the modifiable exclusion criterion of severe hypertension. Our aim was to investigate sex differences in r-tPA eligibility, in individual exclusion criteria, and in the modifiable exclusion criterion, hypertension. METHODS: We included all ischemic stroke patients ≥18 years among residents of the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region who presented to 16-area emergency departments in 2005. Eligibility for r-tPA and individual exclusion criteria were determined using 2013 American Heart Association (AHA) and European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study (ECASS) III guidelines. RESULTS: Of 1837 ischemic strokes, 58% were women, 24% were black. Mean age in years was 72.2 for women and 66.1 for men. Eligibility for r-tPA was similar by sex (6.8% men and 6.1% women; P=0.55), even after adjusting for age (7.0% and 5.9%; P=0.32). Similar proportions of women and men arrived beyond 3- and 4.5-hour time windows, but more women had severe hypertension. There were no sex differences in blood pressure treatment rates among those with severe hypertension (14.6% women and 20.8% men; P=0.21). More women were >80 years and had National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) >25. CONCLUSIONS: Within a large, biracial population, eligibility for r-tPA was similar by sex. Women were more likely to have the modifiable exclusion criterion of severe hypertension but were not more likely to be treated. Women were more likely to have 2 of the 5 ECASS III exclusion criteria. Undertreatment of hypertension in women is a potentially modifiable contributor to reported differences in r-tPA administration.

The impact of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) on ischemic stroke detection and incidence: minimal impact within a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: There are several situations in which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) might impact whether an cerebrovascular event is considered a new stroke. These include clinically non-focal events with positive imaging for acute cerebral infarction, and worsening of older symptoms without evidence of new infarction on MRI. We sought to investigate the impact of MRI on stroke detection and stroke incidence, by describing agreement between a strictly clinical definition of stroke and a definition based on physician opinion, including MRI imaging findings. METHODS: All hospitalized strokes that occurred in five Ohio and Northern Kentucky counties (population 1.3 million) in the calendar year of 2005 were identified using ICD-9 discharge codes 430-436. The two definitions used were: "clinical case definition" which included sudden onset focal neurologic symptoms referable to a vascular territory for >24 h, compared to the "best clinical judgment of the physician definition", which considers all relevant information, including neuroimaging findings. The 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the incidence rates were calculated assuming a Poisson distribution. Rates were standardized to the 2000 U.S. population, adjusting for age, race, and sex, and included all age groups. RESULTS: There were 2403 ischemic stroke events in 2269 patients; 1556 (64%) had MRI performed. Of the events, 2049 (83%) were cases by both definitions, 185 (7.7%) met the clinical case definition but were non-cases in the physician's opinion and 169 (7.0%) were non-cases by clinical definition but were cases in the physician's opinion. There was no significant difference in the incidence rates of first-ever or total ischemic strokes generated by the two different definitions, or when only those with MRI imaging were included. CONCLUSIONS: We found that MRI findings do not appear to substantially change stroke incidence estimates, as the strictly clinical definition of stroke did not significantly differ from a definition that included imaging findings. Including MRI in the case definition "rules out" almost the same number of strokes as it "rules in".

The negative impact of spasticity on the health-related quality of life of stroke survivors: a longitudinal cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Spasticity often leads to symptomatic and functional problems that can cause disability for stroke survivors. We studied whether spasticity has a negative impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS: As part of the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Stroke Study (NCT00642213), 460 ischemic stroke patients were interviewed during hospitalization and then followed over time. HRQoL was measured by the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores of the Short Form-12 (SF-12), EuroQol-5 dimension (EQ-5D), and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life (SSQOL) instruments, with lower scores indicating worse health. HRQoL differences between stroke survivors with and without spasticity were compared, adjusting for age, race, stroke severity, pre-stroke function, and comorbidities. RESULTS: Of the 460 ischemic stroke patients, 328 had spasticity data available 3 months after their stroke (mean age of 66 years, 49% were female, and 26% were black). Of these patients, 54 (16%) reported having spasticity. Three months following their stroke, patients who reported spasticity had lower mean scores on the PCS (29.6 ± 1.4 vs 37.3 ± 0.6; P < .001), EQ-5D (0.59 ± 0.03 vs 0.71 ± 0.01; P < .001), and SSQOL (3.57 ± 0.08 versus 3.78 ± 0.03; P = .03) compared with patients who did not report spasticity. Lower HRQoL scores were also observed at the 1-year (PCS, EQ-5D, and SSQOL) and 2-year (EQ-5D and SSQOL) interviews in those with spasticity compared with those without spasticity. CONCLUSIONS: Statistically and clinically meaningful differences in HRQoL exist between stroke survivors with and without spasticity.

Health Factors Associated With Development and Severity of Poststroke Dysphagia: An Epidemiological Investigation.

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia after stroke is common and can impact morbidity and death. The purpose of this population-based study was to determine specific epidemiological and health risk factors that impact development of dysphagia after acute stroke. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke cases from 2010 and 2015 were identified via chart review from the GCNKSS (Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Stroke Study), a representative sample of ≈1.3 million adults from southwestern Ohio and northern Kentucky. Dysphagia status was determined on the basis of clinical assessments and necessity for alternative access to nutrition via nasogastric or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement. Comparisons between patients with and without dysphagia were made to determine differences in baseline characteristics and premorbid conditions. Multivariable logistic regression determined factors associated with increased risk of dysphagia. Dysphagia status was ascertained from 4139 cases (1709 with dysphagia). Logistic regression showed that increased age, Black race, higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission, having a hemorrhagic stroke (versus infarct), and right hemispheric stroke increased the risk of developing dysphagia after stroke. Factors associated with reduced risk included history of high cholesterol, lower prestroke modified Rankin Scale score, and white matter disease. CONCLUSIONS: This study replicated previous findings of variables associated with dysphagia (older age, worse stroke, right-sided hemorrhagic lesions), whereas other variables identified were without clear biological rationale (eg, Black race, history of high cholesterol, and presence of white matter disease) and should be investigated in future studies to determine biological relevance and potential influence in stroke recovery.

Racial Disparities in Blood Pressure at Time of Acute Ischemic Stroke Presentation: A Population Study.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a stroke risk factor with known disparities in prevalence and management between Black and White patients. We sought to identify if racial differences in presenting blood pressure (BP) during acute ischemic stroke exist. METHODS AND RESULTS: Adults with acute ischemic stroke presenting to an emergency department within 24 hours of last known normal during study epochs 2005, 2010, and 2015 within the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Stroke Study were included. Demographics, histories, arrival BP, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, and time from last known normal were collected. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine differences in mean BP between Black and White patients, adjusting for age, sex, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, stroke, body mass index, and study epoch. Of 4048 patients, 853 Black and 3195 White patients were included. In adjusted analysis, Black patients had higher presenting systolic BP (161 mm Hg [95% CI, 159-164] versus 158 mm Hg [95% CI, 157-159], P<0.01), diastolic BP (86 mm Hg [95% CI, 85-88] versus 83 mm Hg [95% CI, 82-84], P<0.01), and mean arterial pressure (111 mm Hg [95% CI, 110-113] versus 108 mm Hg [95% CI, 107-109], P<0.01) compared with White patients. In adjusted subanalysis of patients <4.5 hours from last known normal, diastolic BP (88 mm Hg [95% CI, 86-90] versus 83 mm Hg [95% CI, 82-84], P<0.01) and mean arterial pressure (112 mm Hg [95% CI, 110-114] versus 108 mm Hg [95% CI, 107-109], P<0.01) were also higher in Black patients. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based study suggests differences in presenting BP between Black and White patients during acute ischemic stroke. Further study is needed to determine whether these differences influence clinical decision-making, outcome, or clinical trial eligibility.