Utility of A2L2 score in acute ischemic stroke patient triage: the "H.uni" experience.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Two or more National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) points on each motor items (A2L2 score) have shown good accuracy in predicting large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the prehospital setting of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) care. We aimed to study this score for LVO prediction in our stroke network and predictors of poor outcome (PO) after mechanical thrombectomy (MT). METHODS: From our Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke (SITS) registry including patients receiving reperfusion therapy for AIS, we retrospectively computed the A2L2 score from the admission NIHSS to test the diagnostic accuracy for LVO prediction. Multivariable analysis for independent predictors of LVO on the entire cohort and PO from patients with LVO were performed. RESULTS: From the 853 patients with AIS (67% LVO), A2L2 was positive in 52%. A2L2 score (Odds ratio [OR] 4.6;95%CI 3.36-6.34), smoking (OR 2.1;95%CI 1.14-3.85), atrial fibrillation (OR 1.6;95%CI1.1-2.4) and younger age (OR 0.98;95%CI0.97-0.99) were independent predictors of LVO. A2L2 score showed 82%/49% positive/negative predictive values with 66% accuracy (64%/72% sensitivity/specificity) for LVO prediction. Age (OR 1.05;95%CI 1.03-1.07), atrial fibrillation (OR 4.85;95%CI 1.5-15.7), diabetes (OR 2.62;95% CI 1.14-6.05), dyslipidemia (OR 2;95% CI 1.04-3.87), A2L2 score (OR 2.68;95% CI 1.45-4.98), longer onset-to-groin time (OR 1.003;95% CI 1.001-1.01), MT procedure (OR 1.01;95%CI 1.003-1.02) general anaesthesia (OR 2.06;95% CI 1.1-3.83) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR 12.10;95%CI 3.15-46.44) were independent predictors of PO. CONCLUSIONS: A2L2 score independently predicted LVO and PO after MT. Patient characteristics and procedural factors determined PO of LVO patients after MT.

Reperfusion by endovascular thrombectomy and early cerebral edema in anterior circulation stroke: Results from the SITS-International Stroke Thrombectomy Registry.

BACKGROUND: A large infarct and expanding cerebral edema (CED) due to a middle cerebral artery occlusion confers a 70% mortality unless treated surgically. There is still conflicting evidence whether reperfusion is associated with a lower risk for CED in acute ischemic stroke. AIM: To investigate the association of reperfusion with development of early CED after stroke thrombectomy. METHODS: From the SITS-International Stroke Thrombectomy Registry, we selected patients with occlusion of the intracranial internal carotid or middle cerebral artery (M1 or M2). Successful reperfusion was defined as mTICI ⩾ 2b. Primary outcome was moderate or severe CED, defined as focal brain swelling ⩾1/3 of the hemisphere on imaging scans at 24 h. We used regression methods while adjusting for baseline variables. Effect modification by severe early neurological deficits, as indicators of large infarct at baseline and at 24 h, were explored. RESULTS: In total, 4640 patients, median age 70 years and median National Institutes of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS) 16, were included. Of these, 86% had successful reperfusion. Moderate or severe CED was less frequent among patients who had reperfusion compared to patients without reperfusion: 12.5% versus 29.6%, p < 0.05, crude risk ratio (RR) 0.42 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37-0.49), and adjusted RR 0.50 (95% CI: 0.44-0.57). Analysis of effect modification indicated that severe neurological deficits weakened the association between reperfusion and lower risk of CED. The RR reduction was less favorable in patients with severe neurological deficits, defined as NIHSS score 15 or more at baseline and at 24 h, used as an indicator for larger infarction. CONCLUSION: In patients with large artery anterior circulation occlusion stroke who underwent thrombectomy, successful reperfusion was associated with approximately 50% lower risk for early CED. Severe neurological deficit at baseline seems to be a predictor for moderate or severe CED also in patients with successful reperfusion by thrombectomy.

Implications of ACC/AHA Versus ESC/EAS LDL-C Recommendations for Residual Risk Reduction in ASCVD: A Simulation Study From DA VINCI.

PURPOSE: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) recommendations differ between the 2018 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) and 2019 European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society (ESC/EAS) guidelines for patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) (< 70 vs. < 55 mg/dl, respectively). In the DA VINCI study, residual cardiovascular risk was predicted in ASCVD patients. The extent to which relative and absolute risk might be lowered by achieving ACC/AHA versus ESC/EAS LDL-C recommended approaches was simulated. METHODS: DA VINCI was a cross-sectional observational study of patients prescribed lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) across 18 European countries. Ten-year cardiovascular risk (CVR) was predicted among ASCVD patients receiving stabilized LLT. For patients with LDL-C ≥ 70 mg/dl, the absolute LDL-C reduction required to achieve an LDL-C of < 70 or < 55 mg/dl (LDL-C of 69 or 54 mg/dl, respectively) was calculated. Relative and absolute risk reductions (RRRs and ARRs) were simulated. RESULTS: Of the 2039 patients, 61% did not achieve LDL-C < 70 mg/dl. For patients with LDL-C ≥ 70 mg/dl, median (interquartile range) baseline LDL-C and 10-year CVR were 93 (81-115) mg/dl and 32% (25-43%), respectively. Median LDL-C reductions of 24 (12-46) and 39 (27-91) mg/dl were needed to achieve an LDL-C of 69 and 54 mg/dl, respectively. Attaining ACC/AHA or ESC/EAS goals resulted in simulated RRRs of 14% (7-25%) and 22% (15-32%), respectively, and ARRs of 4% (2-7%) and 6% (4-9%), respectively. CONCLUSION: In ASCVD patients, achieving ESC/EAS LDL-C goals could result in a 2% additional ARR over 10 years versus the ACC/AHA approach.

Antithrombotic Therapy Duration after Patent Foramen Ovale Closure for Stroke Prevention: Impact on Long-Term Outcome.

Background: The optimal duration of antithrombotic therapy (ATT) after patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure remains under debate. This study sought to compare the clinical outcome of patients receiving antithrombotic agents for a short (6 months) versus extended (>6 months) period after the procedure. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using a propensity score matching analysis on 259 consecutive patients (131 males, 43 ± 10 years) undergoing PFO closure due to cryptogenic stroke, with complete follow-up (median duration of 10 [4-13] years). The outcome was compared between patients receiving short-term (Group short, N = 88) versus extended ATT (Group long, N = 171). Results: The PFO closure device was successfully implanted in all cases, with 3% of minor complications. After propensity score matching, there were no differences between Groups short and long in the rate of stroke (0.3 vs. 0.4% patient-year, p=1.00), bleeding (2 vs. 2% patient-year, p=0.17), and device thrombosis (0.3 vs. 0.1% patient-year; p=0.60). Univariate analysis showed that short-term ATT was not associated with an increased risk of recurrent stroke (HR: 1.271 [95% CI: 0.247-6.551], p=0.775) or prosthesis thrombus (HR: 0.50 [95% CI: 0.070-3.548], p=0.72). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed similar overall survival in Group short and long (100 vs. 99 ± 1%, respectively; p=0.25). Conclusions: Short-term (6 months) ATT after PFO closure did not impair the clinical outcome, with a preserved low rate of recurrent stroke (0.3% patient-year) and device thrombosis (0.2% patient-year) at 10-year follow-up.

Lipid-lowering therapy and risk-based LDL-C goal attainment in Belgium: DA VINCI observational study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death in Belgium. Current strategies for the prevention and management of CVD focus on reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. This analysis assessed whether LDL-C goals, recommended by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) guidelines, were being achieved in a Belgian study population. METHODS: The cross-sectional, observational, DA VINCI study enrolled patients prescribed lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) between 21 June 2017 and 20 November 2018. Data for patients from Belgium were extracted for this country-specific analysis. Primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved 2016 ESC/EAS risk-based LDL-C goals; attainment of 2019 risk-based LDL-C goals was evaluated post hoc. RESULTS: Of 497 enrolled patients, 41% were female and mean age was 68 years. Among subjects with an LDL-C measurement on stabilised LLT, moderate-intensity statin monotherapy was the most prescribed LLT regimen (59%). Overall, 63% of patients achieved their risk-based LDL-C goals according to the 2016 ESC/EAS guidelines. Among patients with established ASCVD, risk-based LDL-C goal attainment was higher in patients with peripheral arterial disease (53%) than patients with coronary (37%) and cerebrovascular disease (42%). According to the updated 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines, less than half (41%) of patients achieved their risk-based LDL-C goal. The proportion of primary and secondary prevention patients who achieved 2019 risk-based LDL-C goals was 59% and 18%, respectively. CONCLUSION: These findings reveal a large gap between the LDL-C goals advocated by the ESC/EAS and the levels achieved in routine clinical practice in Belgium.

Thrombectomy is a cost-saving procedure up to 24 h after onset.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The treatment of ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion has been revolutionized by mechanical thrombectomy (MT), as multiple trials have consistently shown improved functional outcomes compared to standard medical management both in the early and late time windows after symptom onset. However, MT is an interventional procedure that is more costly than best supportive care (BSC). METHODS: We set out to study the cost-utility and budget impact of MT + BSC versus BSC alone for large-vessel occlusion using a combined decision tree and Markov model. The analysis was conducted from a Belgian payer perspective over a lifetime horizon, and health states were defined by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). The treatment effect of MT + BSC combined clinical outcomes from all published early and late treatment window studies showing improved mRS after 90 days. Resource use and utilities were informed by an observational Belgian study of 569 stroke patients. Long-term mRS transitions were sourced from the Oxford Vascular study. RESULTS: MT + BSC generated 1.31 additional quality-adjusted life years and resulted in cost savings of €10,216 per patient over lifetime. Deterministic sensitivity analyses demonstrated dominance of MT over a wide range of parameter inputs. In a Belgian setting, adding MT to BSC within an early time window for 1575 eligible stroke patients every year produced cost savings between €6.3 million (year 1) and €14.6 million (year 5), or a total cost saving of €56.2 million over 5 years. CONCLUSION: Mechanical thrombectomy is a highly cost-effective treatment for ischemic stroke patients, providing quality-adjusted survival at lower health care cost, both when given in an early time window, as well as in a late time window.

Focal status epilepticus may trigger relapse of primary angiitis of the CNS.

The role of neuroinflammation in epileptogenesis is extensively investigated, but short-term effects of seizures on established CNS pathologies are less studied and less predictable. We describe the case of a woman with previous recurrent episodes of focal cerebral haemorrhage of unknown cause who developed a pseudo-tumoural oedema triggered by provoked focal status epilepticus. A brain biopsy revealed that the underlying condition was primary angiitis of the CNS. Ictal-induced blood-brain barrier dysfunction allows the entry of water and inflammatory molecules that, in the context of CNS inflammatory diseases, may trigger a self-reinforcing process. Caution should be observed when tapering antiepileptic drugs in patients with such conditions.

Safety and Outcomes of Thrombectomy in Ischemic Stroke With vs Without IV Thrombolysis.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that IV thrombolysis (IVT) treatment before endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is associated with better outcomes in patients with anterior circulation large artery occlusion (LAO) stroke, we examined a large real-world database, the Safe Implementation of Treatment in Stroke-International Stroke Thrombectomy Register (SITS-ISTR). METHODS: We identified centers recording ≥10 consecutive patients in the SITS-ISTR, with at least 70% available modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at 3 months during 2014 to 2019. We defined LAO as intracranial internal carotid artery, first and second segment of middle cerebral artery, and first segment of anterior cerebral artery. Main outcomes were functional independence (mRS score 0-2) and death at 3 months and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) per modified SITS-Monitoring Study. We performed propensity score-matched (PSM) and multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Of 6,350 patients from 42 centers, 3,944 (62.1%) received IVT. IVT + EVT-treated patients had less frequent atrial fibrillation, ongoing anticoagulation, previous stroke, heart failure, and prestroke disability. PSM analysis showed that IVT + EVT-treated patients had a higher rate of functional independence than patients treated with EVT alone (46.4% vs 40.3%, p < 0.001) and a lower rate of death at 3 months (20.3% vs 23.3%, p = 0.035). SICH rates (3.5% vs 3.0%, p = 0.42) were similar in both groups. Multivariate adjustment yielded results consistent with PSM. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with IVT was associated with favorable outcomes in EVT-treated LAO stroke in the SITS-ISTR. These findings, while indicative of international routine clinical practice, are limited by observational design, unmeasured confounding, and possible residual confounding by indication. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that IVT before EVT increases the probability of functional independence at 3 months compared to EVT alone.

Magnitude of blood pressure change and clinical outcomes after thrombectomy in stroke caused by large artery occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Extremes of both high and low systolic blood pressure (SBP) after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in large artery occlusion stroke are known predictors of unfavorable outcome. However, the effect of SBP change (∆SBP) during the first 24 h on thrombectomy outcomes remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between ∆SBP at different time intervals and thrombectomy outcomes. METHODS: We analyzed MT-treated patients registered in the SITS International Stroke Thrombectomy Registry from January 1, 2014 to September 3, 2019. Primary outcome was 3-month unfavorable outcome (modified Rankin scale scores 3-6). We defined ∆SBP as the mean SBP of a given time interval after MT (0-2, 2-4, 4-12, 12-24 h) minus admission SBP. Multivariable mixed logistic regression models were used to adjust for known confounders and center as random effect. Subgroup analyses were included to contrast specific subpopulations. Restricted cubic splines were used to model the associations. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 5835 patients (mean age 70 years, 51% male, median NIHSS 16). Mean ∆SBP was -12.3, -15.7, -17.2, and -16.9 mmHg for the time intervals 0-2, 2-4, 4-12 h, and 12-24 h, respectively. Higher ∆SBP was associated with unfavorable outcome at 0-2 h (odds ratio 1.065, 95% confidence interval 1.014-1.118), 2-4 h (1.140, 1.081-1.203), 4-12 h (1.145, 1.087-1.203), and 12-24 h (1.145, 1.089-1.203), for every increase of 10 mmHg. Restricted cubic spline models suggested that increasing ∆SBP was associated with unfavorable outcome, with higher values showing increased risk of unfavorable outcome. CONCLUSION: SBP increase after thrombectomy in large artery occlusion stroke is associated with poor functional outcome.

EU-Wide Cross-Sectional Observational Study of Lipid-Modifying Therapy Use in Secondary and Primary Care: the DA VINCI study.

AIMS: To provide contemporary data on the implementation of European guideline recommendations for lipid-lowering therapies (LLTs) across different settings and populations and how this impacts low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal achievement. METHODS AND RESULTS: An 18 country, cross-sectional, observational study of patients prescribed LLT for primary or secondary prevention in primary or secondary care across Europe. Between June 2017 and November 2018, data were collected at a single visit, including LLT in the preceding 12 months and most recent LDL-C. Primary outcome was the achievement of risk-based 2016 European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) LDL-C goal while receiving stabilized LLT; 2019 goal achievement was also assessed. Overall, 5888 patients (3000 primary and 2888 secondary prevention patients) were enrolled; 54% [95% confidence interval (CI) 52-56] achieved their risk-based 2016 goal and 33% (95% CI 32-35) achieved their risk-based 2019 goal. High-intensity statin monotherapy was used in 20% and 38% of very high-risk primary and secondary prevention patients, respectively. Corresponding 2016 goal attainment was 22% and 45% (17% and 22% for 2019 goals) for very high-risk primary and secondary prevention patients, respectively. Use of moderate-high-intensity statins in combination with ezetimibe (9%), or any LLT with PCSK9 inhibitors (1%), was low; corresponding 2016 and 2019 goal attainment was 53% and 20% (ezetimibe combination), and 67% and 58% (PCSK9i combination). CONCLUSION: Gaps between clinical guidelines and clinical practice for lipid management across Europe persist, which will be exacerbated by the 2019 guidelines. Even with optimized statins, greater utilization of non-statin LLT is likely needed to reduce these gaps for patients at highest risk.

Hyperdense artery sign, symptomatic infarct swelling and effect of alteplase in acute ischaemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Alteplase improves functional outcomes of patients with acute ischaemic stroke, but its effects on symptomatic infarct swelling, an adverse complication of stroke and the influence of CT hyperdense artery sign (HAS) are unclear. This substudy of the Third International Stroke Trial aimed to investigate the association between HAS and symptomatic infarct swelling and effect of intravenous alteplase on this association. METHODS: We included stroke patients whose prerandomisation scan was non-contrast CT. Raters, masked to clinical information, assessed baseline (prerandomisation) and follow-up (24-48 hours postrandomisation) CT scans for HAS, defined as an intracranial artery appearing denser than contralateral arteries. Symptomatic infarct swelling was defined as clinically significant neurological deterioration ≤7 days after stroke with radiological evidence of midline shift, effacement of basal cisterns or uncal herniation. RESULTS: Among 2961 patients, HAS presence at baseline was associated with higher risk of symptomatic infarct swelling (OR 2.21; 95% CI 1.42 to 3.44). Alteplase increased the risk of swelling (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.11 to 2.57), with no difference between patients with and those without baseline HAS (p=0.49). In patients with baseline HAS, alteplase reduced the proportion with HAS at follow-up (OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.50 to 0.91), where HAS disappearance was associated with reduced risk of swelling (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.47). CONCLUSION: Although alteplase was associated with increased risk of symptomatic infarct swelling in patients with or without baseline HAS, it was also associated with accelerated clearance of HAS, which in return reduced swelling, providing further mechanistic insights to underpin the benefits of alteplase.

Multicenter, retrospective analysis of endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke in nonagenarians.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing age of acute stroke patients being admitted to hospitals, more data are needed on indications, complications and outcome of endovascular treatment (EVT) in the very elderly. METHODS: Retrospective observational study with data collection from Belgian, Swiss, Canadian comprehensive stroke centers and Swedish EVT National database. All patients with acute ischemic stroke were eligible if aged older than or ≥90 years and treated with EVT ± pretreatment with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). Safety assessment comprised presence of periprocedural complications, hemorrhagic transformation or other adverse events (<7days). Efficacy and outcome measures were successful recanalization (modified Treatment In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) score ≥2b), favorable clinical outcome (modified Rankin Score (mRS) 0-2) and 3-months mortality. RESULTS: Inclusion of 112 nonagenarians (mean age 93.3 ± 2.5 years; 76.8% women; pre-mRS ≤2 in 69.4%). Pretreatment with IVT was performed in 54.7%. In 74.6% successful recanalization (mTICI ≥2b) was achieved. Favorable outcome (mRS ≤2) was seen in 16.4% and 3-months mortality was 62.3%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed younger age (odds ratio [OR] 2.99; 1.29-6.95; P = .011) and lower prestroke mRS (OR 13.46; 2.32-78.30; P = .004) as significant predictors for good clinical outcome at 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: Our observational study on EVT in nonagenarians demonstrates the need for careful patient selection. A substantial proportion of nonagenarians shows an unfavorable clinical outcome and high mortality, despite acceptable recanalization rates. A high prestroke disability (mRS) and advancing age predict an unfavorable outcome. Treatment decisions should be made on case-by-case evaluation, keeping in mind limited chances of favorable outcome and high risk of mortality.

Dabigatran initiation in patients with non-valvular AF and first acute ischaemic stroke: a retrospective observational study from the SITS registry.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The optimal timing for initiation of dabigatran after acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) is not established. We aimed to evaluate initiation timing and clinical outcomes of dabigatran in AIS patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). DESIGN: Retrospective study based on prospectively collected data in SITS (Safe Implementation of Treatment in Stroke) Thrombolysis and Thrombectomy Registry from July 2014 to July 2018. PARTICIPANTS: European NVAF patients (≥18 years) hospitalised after first-ever ischaemic stroke. SETTING: A multinational, observational monitoring register. INTERVENTION: Dabigatran initiation within 3 months after the ischaemic stroke. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES: The primary outcome was time from first-ever ischaemic stroke (index event) to dabigatran initiation. Additional outcomes included physicians' reasons for delaying dabigatran initiation beyond acute hospital discharge and outcomes within 3 months of index event. METHODS: We identified patients with NVAF who received dabigatran within 3 months of the index event. We performed descriptive statistics for baseline and demographic data and clinical outcomes after dabigatran initiation. RESULTS: In total, 1489 patients with NVAF received dabigatran after AIS treated with thrombolysis and/or thrombectomy. Of these, 1240 had available initiation time. At baseline, median age was 75 years; 53% of patients were women, 15% were receiving an oral anticoagulant, 29% acetylsalicylic acid and 4% clopidogrel. Most patients (82%) initiated dabigatran within 14 days after the index event. Patients initiating earlier had lower stroke severity from median NIHSS 8 (IQR 6-13) if initiated within 7 days to NIHSS 15 (9-19) if initiated between 28 days and 3 months. Most common reasons for delaying initiation were haemorrhagic transformation or intracranial haemorrhage, stroke severity and infarct size. Few thrombotic/haemorrhagic events occurred within 3 months after the index event (20 of 926 patients, 2.2% with the available data). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings, together with previous observational studies, indicate that dabigatran initiated within the first days after an AIS is safe in patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis, endovascular thrombectomy or both. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: SITS Thrombolysis and Thrombectomy Registry (NCT03258645).

The relationship between Home-time, quality of life and costs after ischemic stroke: the impact of the need for mobility aids, home and car modifications on Home-time.

Purpose: Home-time (the number of days spent at home during the first 3 months after stroke) shows a strong association with the modified Rankin scale (mRS). We studied whether Home-time was also a determinant of quality-of-life and medical care costs after ischemic stroke, and assessed factors delaying discharge home.Materials and methods: Five hundred and sixty nine patients participated in a retrospective study when returning for an in-person visit after an ischemic stroke. Home-time, mRS, EQ-5D-3L, inpatient and outpatient resource utilization, use of mobility aids, changes to home and car, comorbidities were recorded.Results: Each additional Home-time day was significantly associated with an increase in utility of 0.0056 (p < 0.0001) and an in- and outpatient cost saving of $99 (p = 0.0158). Requiring extra material support significantly decreased Home-time by 76 days (including: requiring home changes: -68 days, car alterations: -49 days, needing a wheelchair: -80 days or walker: -71 days, needing bed or bath rails: -79 days). This univariable effect was confirmed in multivariable analysis when comparing with patients having the same disability level without requiring material support.Conclusions: Home-time is a stroke outcome associated with disease severity, healthcare costs and patient wellbeing. Streamlining the discharge process for those requiring extra material support may lead to cost savings and higher quality-of-life.Implications for rehabilitationDelays in discharge from the acute hospital or rehabilitation facility are incurred when patients need extra material support in order to return home.Staff from the discharging facility should assist families by giving timely information on the availability and the cost of wheel chairs and walkers; and explaining and planning the need of a stair lift, bed and bath rails as well as car modifications.Planning the discharge process with the families will lead to a more rapid return home and will result in reduced overall health care costs and higher quality of life for the patients.

Premotor dorsal white matter integrity for the prediction of upper limb motor impairment after stroke.

Corticospinal tract integrity after stroke has been widely investigated through the evaluation of fibres descending from the primary motor cortex. However, about half of the corticospinal tract is composed by sub-pathways descending from premotor and parietal areas, to which damage may play a more specific role in motor impairment and recovery, particularly post-stroke. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to investigate lesion load within corticospinal tract sub-pathways as predictors of upper limb motor impairment after stroke. Motor impairment (Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity score) was evaluated in 27 participants at one week and six months after stroke, together with other clinical and demographic data. Neuroimaging data were obtained within the first week after stroke. Univariate regression analysis indicated that among all neural correlates, lesion load within premotor fibres explained the most variance in motor impairment at six months (R2 = 0.44, p < 0.001). Multivariable regression analysis resulted in three independent, significant variables explaining motor impairment at six months; Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity score at one week, premotor dorsal fibre lesion load at one week, and age below or above 70 years (total R2 = 0.81; p < 0.001). Early examination of premotor dorsal fibre integrity may be a promising biomarker of upper limb motor impairment after stroke.

The combined impact of dependency on caregivers, disability, and coping strategy on quality of life after ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: To estimate the additional impact of coping and of being dependent on caregivers, over and above the large effects of disability on utility after ischemic stroke. METHODS: A total of 539 patients were recruited into an observational, retrospective study when returning for a check-up between 3 and 36 months after an ischemic stroke. Patients' modified Rankin Scale (mRS), dependency on caregivers, the Brandtstädter and Renner Coping questionnaire (with summary scores: Tenacity of Goal Pursuit (TGP) and Flexible Goal Adjustment (FGA) coping styles), EQ-5D-3 L and co-morbidities were evaluated. RESULTS: In multivariable regression, greater disability (mRS) resulted in large utility losses, between 0.06 for mRS 1 to 0.65 for mRS 5 (p < 0.0001). Dependency on caregivers caused an additional dis-utility of 0.104 (p = 0.0006) which varied by mRS (0.044, 0.060, 0.083, 0.115, 0.150 and 0.173 for mRS 0-5). The effect of coping on utility varied by coping style, by the disability level of the patient and by his or her dependency on caregivers. FGA coping was associated with additional increases in utility (p < 0.0001) over and above the effect of disability and dependency, whereas TGA had no significant impact. FGA coping was associated with larger utility changes among more disabled patients (0.018 to 0.105 additional utility, for mRS 0 to mRS 5 respectively). Dependent patients had more to gain from FGA coping than patients who function independently of caregivers: utility gains were between 0.049 and 0.072 for moderate to high levels of FGA coping. In contrast, the same positive evolution in FGA coping resulted in 0.039 and 0.057 utility gain among independent patients. Finally, we found that important stroke risk factors and co-morbidities, such as diabetes and atrial fibrillation, were not predictors of EQ-5D utility in a multivariable setting. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that treatment strategies targeting flexible coping styles and decreasing dependency on caregivers may lead to significant gains in quality of life above and beyond treatment strategies that solely target disability.