Guillain-Barré syndrome and COVID-19: A 1-year observational multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Many single cases and small series of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection were reported during the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) outbreak worldwide. However, the debate regarding the possible role of infection in causing GBS is still ongoing. This multicenter study aimed to evaluate epidemiological and clinical findings of GBS diagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic in northeastern Italy in order to further investigate the possible association between GBS and COVID-19. METHODS: Guillain-Barré syndrome cases diagnosed in 14 referral hospitals from northern Italy between March 2020 and March 2021 were collected and divided into COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative. As a control population, GBS patients diagnosed in the same hospitals from January 2019 to February 2020 were considered. RESULTS: The estimated incidence of GBS in 2020 was 1.41 cases per 100,000 persons/year (95% confidence interval 1.18-1.68) versus 0.89 cases per 100,000 persons/year (95% confidence interval 0.71-1.11) in 2019. The cumulative incidence of GBS increased by 59% in the period March 2020-March 2021 and, most importantly, COVID-19-positive GBS patients represented about 50% of the total GBS cases with most of them occurring during the two first pandemic waves in spring and autumn 2020. COVID-19-negative GBS cases from March 2020 to March 2021 declined by 22% compared to February 2019-February 2020. CONCLUSIONS: Other than showing an increase of GBS in northern Italy in the "COVID-19 era" compared to the previous year, this study emphasizes how GBS cases related to COVID-19 represent a significant part of the total, thus suggesting a relation between COVID-19 and GBS.

Guillain-Barré syndrome and COVID-19: an observational multicentre study from two Italian hotspot regions.

OBJECTIVE: Single cases and small series of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) have been reported during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak worldwide. We evaluated incidence and clinical features of GBS in a cohort of patients from two regions of northern Italy with the highest number of patients with COVID-19. METHODS: GBS cases diagnosed in 12 referral hospitals from Lombardy and Veneto in March and April 2020 were retrospectively collected. As a control population, GBS diagnosed in March and April 2019 in the same hospitals were considered. RESULTS: Incidence of GBS in March and April 2020 was 0.202/100 000/month (estimated rate 2.43/100 000/year) vs 0.077/100 000/month (estimated rate 0.93/100 000/year) in the same months of 2019 with a 2.6-fold increase. Estimated incidence of GBS in COVID-19-positive patients was 47.9/100 000 and in the COVID-19-positive hospitalised patients was 236/100 000. COVID-19-positive patients with GBS, when compared with COVID-19-negative subjects, showed lower MRC sum score (26.3±18.3 vs 41.4±14.8, p=0.006), higher frequency of demyelinating subtype (76.6% vs 35.3%, p=0.011), more frequent low blood pressure (50% vs 11.8%, p=0.017) and higher rate of admission to intensive care unit (66.6% vs 17.6%, p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows an increased incidence of GBS during the COVID-19 outbreak in northern Italy, supporting a pathogenic link. COVID-19-associated GBS is predominantly demyelinating and seems to be more severe than non-COVID-19 GBS, although it is likely that in some patients the systemic impairment due to COVID-19 might have contributed to the severity of the whole clinical picture.

High diastolic blood pressure is a risk factor for in-hospital mortality in complete MCA stroke patients.

Complete middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke is a life-threatening condition, which can lead to death in the form of "malignant MCA syndrome"; characterized by massive brain edema and cerebral herniation. Moreover, patients with complete MCA infarct have high mortality due to complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with complete MCA stroke. Consecutive patients with complete MCA stroke were enrolled in a prospective single center in-hospital outcome study having mortality as its end point. Among 780 ischemic stroke patients, 125 had complete MCA strokes (16%) and 44 (35.2%) of these died in hospital. A high NIHSS-score (OR 1.17 95%CI 1.03-1.34, P=0.013) and high diastolic blood pressure on admission (OR 1.05 95%CI 1.01-1.09) resulted being independent predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with complete MCA stroke. The median value of diastolic blood pressure at admission was 90 mmHg in patients who died and 80 mmHg in survivors (P=0.01). The risk of death increased by 5% for each mmHg increase in diastolic blood pressure on admission after adjusting for other risk factors. The rate of mortality was 22% in patients with diastolic blood pressure lower than 90 mmHg, 56% for those with diastolic blood pressure between 90 and 109 mmHg and 67% for those with diastolic blood pressure higher than 110 mmHg. This study suggests that high diastolic blood pressure on admission in acute MCA stroke patients is linearly correlated with in-hospital mortality.

SARS-CoV-2-related encephalitis with prominent parkinsonism: clinical and FDG-PET correlates in two patients.

Considering the similarities with other pandemics due to respiratory virus infections and subsequent development of neurological disorders (e.g. encephalitis lethargica after the 1918 influenza), there is growing concern about a possible new wave of neurological complications following the worldwide spread of SARS-CoV-2. However, data on COVID-19-related encephalitis and movement disorders are still limited. Herein, we describe the clinical and neuroimaging (FDG-PET/CT, MRI and DaT-SPECT) findings of two patients with COVID-19-related encephalopathy who developed prominent parkinsonism. None of the patients had previous history of parkinsonian signs/symptoms, and none had prodromal features of Parkinson's disease (hyposmia or RBD). Both developed a rapidly progressive form of atypical parkinsonism along with distinctive features suggestive of encephalitis. A possible immune-mediated etiology was suggested in Patient 2 by the presence of CSF-restricted oligoclonal bands, but none of the patients responded favorably to immunotherapy. Interestingly, FDG-PET/CT findings were similar in both cases and reminiscent of those observed in post-encephalitic parkinsonism, with cortical hypo-metabolism associated with hyper-metabolism in the brainstem, mesial temporal lobes, and basal ganglia. Patient's FDG-PET/CT findings were validated by performing a Statistical Parametric Mapping analysis and comparing the results with a cohort of healthy controls (n = 48). Cerebrum cortical thickness map was obtained in Patient 1 from MRI examinations to evaluate the structural correlates of the metabolic alterations detected with FDG-PET/CT. Hypermetabolic areas correlated with brain regions showing increased cortical thickness, suggesting their involvement during the inflammatory process. Overall, these observations suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection may trigger an encephalitis with prominent parkinsonism and distinctive brain metabolic alterations.

Acute hyperglycemia and early hemorrhagic transformation in ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia has been claimed to be associated with hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with thrombolysis. The aim of this study was to assess whether the admission blood glucose level is related to HT in a prospective study in consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: Consecutive patients admitted for ischemic stroke to 4 Italian hospitals were included in this prospective cohort study. RESULTS: Among 1,125 consecutive patients included in the analysis, 98 (8.7%) had HT: 62 (5.5%) had hemorrhagic infarction (HI) and 36 (3.2%) parenchymal hematoma (PH). A blood glucose level >110 mg/dl was found in 42.4% of the patients, a level between 110 and 149 mg/dl in 25.2%, and a level >150 mg/dl in 17.2%. At 3 months, 7 patients were lost at follow-up, 326 patients (29.2%) were disabled (modified Rankin score > or = 3) and 129 died (11.5%). PH was associated with an increased risk of death or disability (OR 15.29, 95% CI 2.35-99.35). However, this was not the case for HT overall and HI. At logistic regression analysis, PH was predicted by high levels of admission blood glucose (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.01 for 1 added mg/dl). The rate of PH was 2.1% in patients with <110 mg/dl, 3.6% in patients with a level between 110 and 149 mg/dl and 6.4% in patients with a level >150 mg/dl. The curve estimation regression model showed a significant linear increase in the risk of PH related to an increase in blood glucose levels (R(2) = 0.007, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperglycemia during acute ischemic stroke predisposes to PH, which in turn determines a non-favorable outcome at 3 months. This relationship seems to be linear.

Early hemorrhagic transformation of brain infarction: rate, predictive factors, and influence on clinical outcome: results of a prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Early hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a complication of ischemic stroke but its effect on patient outcome is unclear. The aims of this study were to assess: (1) the rate of early HT in patients admitted for ischemic stroke, (2) the correlation between early HT and functional outcome at 3 months, and (3) the risk factors for early HT. METHODS: Consecutive patients with ischemic stroke were included in this prospective study in 4 study centers. Early HT was assessed by CT examination performed at day 5+/-2 after stroke onset. Study outcomes were 3-month mortality or disability. Disability was assessed using a modified Rankin score (> or = 3 indicating disabling stroke) by neurologists unaware of the occurrence of HT in the individual cases. Outcomes in patients with and without early HT were compared by chi(2) test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors for HT. RESULTS: Among 1125 consecutive patients (median age 76.00 years), 98 (8.7%) had HT, 62 (5.5%) had hemorrhagic infarction, and 36 (3.2%) parenchymal hematoma. At 3 months, 455 patients (40.7%) were disabled or died. Death or disability was seen in 33 patients with parenchymal hematoma (91.7%), in 35 patients with hemorrhagic infarction (57.4%) as compared with 387 of the 1021 patients without HT (37.9%). At logistic regression analysis, parenchymal hematoma, but not hemorrhagic infarction, was independently associated with an increased risk for death or disability (OR 15.29; 95% CI 2.35 to 99.35). At logistic regression analysis, parenchymal hematoma was predicted by large lesions (OR 12.20, 95% CI 5.58 to 26.67), stroke attributable to cardioembolism (OR 5.25; 95% CI 2.27 to 12.14) or to other causes (OR 6.77; 95% CI 1.75 to 26.18), high levels of blood glucose (OR 1.01; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.01), and thrombolytic treatment (OR 3.54, 95% CI 1.04 to 11.95). CONCLUSIONS: Early HT occurs in about 9% of patients. Parenchymal hematoma, seen in about 3% of patients, is associated with an adverse outcome. Parenchymal hematoma was predicted by large lesions attributable to cardioembolism or other causes, high blood glucose, and treatment with thrombolysis.

Need for extensive diagnostic work-up for patients with lacunar stroke.

OBJECTIVE: Small-vessel disease is the most frequent cause of lacunar stroke. The aims of this study were to evaluate: 1) alternative causes of lacunar stroke other than small-vessel disease; 2) functional outcome of lacunar strokes due to small vessel disease compared to lacunar strokes due to alternative causes. METHODS: Consecutive patients with first-ever ischemic lacunar stroke were prospectively followed-up for at least 3 months. At discharge patients were divided into 2 groups: lacunar stroke due to small vessel disease (L-SVD) and lacunar stroke due to possible other etiologies (L-non SVD) (e. g. cardioembolism, atherosclerosis or other causes). Main outcome measures were the combined end point of death or disability (mRS >or= 3) and recurrent stroke at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: 535 patients with acute stroke were seen during the study period. Out of these, 196 patients (126 males) with a mean age of 71.6 years (SD = 10) had lacunar stroke. L-SVD was seen in 142 patients (72.4 %) and L-nonSVD in 54 patients (27.6 %). After 16.4 months, 12 patients had died (6.2%; annual mortality rate 4.4 %), 63 were disabled (32.5 %) and 27 had stroke recurrence (13.9%; annual recurrence rate 9.9 %). Forty-nine patients with L-SVD (34.7 %) and 26 with L-nonSVD (49%) had died or become disabled. Sixteen patients with L-SVD (11.3 %) and 11 with L-nonSVD (20.4 %) had stroke recurrence. On multivariate analysis, L-nonSVD (OR = 2.87, 95% CI 1.08-7.65; p = 0.034) and age (OR = 1.07, 95 % CI 1.02-1.12; p = 0.01) were associated to more severe outcome. L-nonSVD was independently associated with recurrence (OR = 5.03, 95% CI 1.54-16.44; p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-seven percent of patients with lacunar stroke have causes other than small vessel disease. These patients have a severe outcome in terms of recurrence,mortality or disability. These findings support the need for a comprehensive diagnostic work-up for patients with lacunar stroke.

Early seizures in patients with acute stroke: frequency, predictive factors, and effect on clinical outcome.

BACKGROUND: Early seizure (ES) may complicate the clinical course of patients with acute stroke. The aim of this study was to assess the rate of and the predictive factors for ES as well the effects of ES on the clinical outcome at hospital discharge in patients with first-ever stroke. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 638 consecutive patients with first-ever stroke (543 ischemic, 95 hemorrhagic), admitted to our Stroke Unit, were included in this prospective study. ES were defined as seizures occurring within 7 days from acute stroke. Patients with history of epilepsy were excluded. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients (4.8%) had ES. Seizures were significantly more common in patients with cortical involvement, severe and large stroke, and in patient with cortical hemorrhagic transformation of ischemic stroke. ES was not associated with an increase in adverse outcome (mortality and disability). After multivariate analysis, hemorrhagic transformation resulted as an independent predictive factor for ES (OR=6.5; 95% CI: 1.95-22.61; p=0.003). CONCLUSION: ES occur in about 5% of patients with acute stroke. In these patients hemorrhagic transformation is a predictive factor for ES. ES does not seem to be associated with an adverse outcome at hospital discharge after acute stroke.

Determinants of outcome in patients eligible for thrombolysis for ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVES: Eligibility criteria for thrombolysis in ischemic stroke have been clearly defined. However, not all eligible patients benefit from this treatment. This study aimed to assess the determinants for clinical outcome in consecutive, eligible patients with ischemic stroke treated with thrombolysis in a single-center study. METHODS: Consecutive patients with ischemic stroke were treated with tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) following the established eligibility National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and European Stroke Initiative (EUSI) criteria. Risk factors including blood pressure and pre-treatment glycemia were properly managed. Death and disability at 3 months were the study outcomes. Disability was evaluated by the Rankin-scale. Favorable outcome was defined as 0-2 and adverse outcome as 3-6 including death. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients were included in the study in a single stroke unit. The mean age was 70.9 +/- 13.2 years (range 36-94). Follow-up at 3 months was completed in 73 patients. A favorable outcome was observed in 37 patients (50%) and adverse outcome in 36 (36%). Nine patients (12.3%) died within 3 months. The presence of an occluded carotid artery was a strong predictor for adverse outcome (p < 0.0001). A low NIH Stroke Scale-Score (NIHSS) at admission was a associated with a favorable outcome, while history of diabetes mellitus led to an unfavorable outcome. CONCLUSION: Among patients eligible for thrombolysis, many do not benefit from this treatment. These include patients with carotid occlusion and diabetes.

Right hemisphere syndromes.

Stroke is the leading cause of acquired motor disability in the adult. Neuropsychological sequelae are common after vascular brain injury. While left cortical signs and symptoms are clearly evident at neurological examination, right hemispheric dysfunction must be carefully pursued and sometimes can be underrecognized. Indeed, patients with right hemispheric strokes present later to an emergency department and have a lower chance of receiving intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. For a better comprehension of clinical signs and symptoms in right acute hemispheric stroke, in this chapter we present a review of the principle clinical syndromes.

Acute myocardial infarction and heart failure in acute stroke patients: frequency and influence on clinical outcome.

In patients admitted for acute stroke, the clinical burden of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and acute heart failure (AHF) is unclear. In these patients we evaluated: (1) the prevalence of AMI and AHF; (2) the effect of AMI and/or AHF on mortality at 3 months; (3) the risk factors for AMI and/or AHF. Consecutive patients admitted for acute stroke were prospectively assessed for the occurrence of AMI and AHF during the hospital stay. Mortality at 3 months was also assessed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors for cardiovascular events and death. Eight hundred fourteen patients were included in the study, 685 of which had an ischemic stroke (84.2%). Fifty-three patients (6.5%) had an AMI and/or an AHF (13 AMI alone, 28 AHF alone and 12 AMI and AHF); all these events occurred in patients with ischemic stroke. At 3 months, 151 patients had died (18.8%). Among patients who had an AMI and/or AHF, 60.4% died as compared with 119 of the 750 patients who did not have these events (15.9%) (p < 0.0001). At logistic regression analysis, AMI and/or AHF were associated with increased mortality at 3 months (p = 0.001). History of angina (p = 0.003), AMI in the 3 months before admission (p < 0.0001), hyperglycemia (p = 0.047), and high NIHSS on admission (p < 0.0001) were associated with in hospital AMI and/or AHF. In acute stroke patients, AMI and AHF are common and associated with increased mortality at 3 months. Whether a timely and more careful management of these complications may improve clinical outcome should be further explored.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and warfarin dose requirement variability.

The dose of warfarin needed to obtain a therapeutic anticoagulation level varies widely among patients and can undergo abrupt changes for unknown reasons. Drug interactions and genetic factors may partially explain these differences. Intestinal flora produces vitamin K2 (VK2) and patients with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) rarely present reduced INR values due to insufficient dietary vitamin K. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether SIBO occurrence may affect warfarin dose requirements in anticoagulated patients. Based on their mean weekly dose of warfarin while on stable anticoagulation, 3 groups of 10 patients each were defined: low dose (LD, or=70 mg/wk). Each patient underwent a lactulose breath test to diagnose SIBO. Plasma levels of warfarin and vitamin K-analogues were also assessed. Patients with an altered breath test were 50% in the VHD group, 10% in the HD group, and none in the LD group (P=0.01). Predisposing factors to SIBO were more frequent in the VHD group, while warfarin interfering variables were not. VHD patients were younger and had a higher plasma vitamin K1 (VK1) concentration (P>0.05). On the contrary, the plasma VK2 levels tended to be lower. This pilot study suggests that SIBO may increase a patient's warfarin dose requirement by increasing dietary VK1 absorption through the potentially damaged intestinal mucosa rather than increasing intestinal VK2 biosynthesis. Larger studies are needed to confirm these preliminary data and to evaluate the effects of SIBO decontamination on warfarin dosage.

Gender differences in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Stroke has a greater effect on women than men owing to the fact that women have more stroke events and are less likely to recover. Age-specific stroke rates are higher in men; however, because of women's longer life expectancy and the much higher incidence of stroke at older ages, women have more stroke events than men overall. The aims of this prospective study in consecutive patients were to assess whether there are gender differences in stroke risk factors, treatment or outcome. Consecutive patients with ischemic stroke were included in this prospective study at four study centers. Disability was assessed using a modified Rankin Scale score (>or=3 indicating disabling stroke) in both genders at 90 days. Outcomes and risk factors in both genders were compared using the chi(2) test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify any independent predictors of outcome. A total of 1136 patients were included in this study; of these, 494 (46%) were female. Women were statistically older compared with men: 76.02 (+/- 12.93) and 72.68 (+/- 13.27) median years of age, respectively. At admission, females had higher NIH Stroke Scale scores compared with males (9.4 [+/- 6.94] vs 7.6 [+/- 6.28] for men; p = 0.0018). Furthermore, females tended to have more cardioembolic strokes (153 [30%] vs 147 [23%] for men; p = 0.004). Males had lacunar and atherosclerotic strokes more often (146 [29%] vs 249 [39%] for men; p = 0.002, and 68 [13%] vs 123 [19%] for men; p = 0.01, respectively). The mean modified Rankin Scale score at 3 months was also significantly different between genders, at 2.5 (+/- 2.05) for women and 2.1 (+/- 2.02) for men (p = 0.003). However, at multivariate analysis, female gender was not an indicator for negative outcome. It was concluded that female gender was not an independent factor for negative outcome. In addition, both genders demonstrated different stroke pathophysiologies. These findings should be taken into account when diagnostic workup and treatment are being planned.

Effect of carotid stenosis on the prognostic value of admission blood pressure in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Data on the correlation between blood pressure (BP) on admission and clinical outcome in patients with acute stroke are conflicting. The aims of the present study in consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke were to evaluate: (a) the relationship between systolic or diastolic BP on admission and mortality at 3 months; (b) the role of carotid artery disease ipsilateral to the index stroke on this relationship. METHODS: Consecutive patients admitted to four Italian hospitals with objectively diagnosed ischemic stroke were included in this prospective study. RESULTS: A total of 1467 patients (mean age 72.6+/-13.2 years; males 53.3%) with acute ischemic stroke were evaluated. At 3 months, 13 patients were lost at follow-up and 133 had died (9.2%). In patients with systolic BP <140mmHg, mortality was 11% (40/362), in patients with systolic BP between 140 and 179mmHg 8.3% (68/823) and in patients with systolic BP >or=180mmHg 9.2% (25/269). Patients with systolic BP <140mmHg were more likely to die within 90 days (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.4-8.5, p=0.008, after adjusting for other risk factors) when compared to those with systolic BP between 140 and 179mmHg (reference group with OR=1.0). Systolic BP >or=180mmHg was not associated with increased mortality (OR 0.4; 95% CI 0.1-1.3, p=0.13). Two-hundred and thirty patients out of 1278 with anterior circulation stroke had a stenosis (>or=50% on ultrasonography) or an occlusion of the internal carotid ipsilateral to the index stroke. At 3 months, 29 patients had died (12.7%). In patients with systolic BP <140mmHg, mortality was 20.4% (11/54), in those with systolic BP between 140 and 179mmHg 13.0% (16/123) and in those with systolic BP >or=180mmHg 3.9% (2/51). Patients with systolic BP >or=180mmHg were less likely to die within 90 days (OR 0.1; 95% CI 0.0-0.5, p=0.022 after adjusting for other risk factors) compared to those with systolic BP between 140 and 179mmHg. Systolic BP <140mmHg was not associated with increased mortality (OR 6.3; 95% CI 0.8-48.0, p=0.08). CONCLUSIONS: In the overall population, low BP was an independent risk factor for mortality. In patients with stenosis >/=50% or occlusion of the carotid ipsilateral to the index stroke, high BP was associated with a lower mortality at 3 months.

Clinical presentations of cerebral vein and sinus thrombosis.

Intracranial venous thrombosis may occur at any time from infancy to old age and its clinical expression varies widely and sometimes it may present without focal signs. The most common symptoms are: headache, vomiting, transient or persistent visual obscuration, focal or generalized seizures, lethargy and coma, while papilledema is a common sign. There may also be alternating focal deficits, hemiparesis or paraparesis, or other focal neurological deficits depending on the location of the venous structures involved. Symptom onset is either acute, subacute or chronic. Even with a severe initial presentation, partial or complete recovery is possible, underlying the importance of early recognition. Antithrombotic treatment must be administered at diagnosis as soon as possible.

Effect of on-admission antiplatelet treatment on patients with cerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Antiplatelet treatment remains the first choice for primary and secondary prevention of vascular diseases; even so, expected benefits may be offset by risk of bleeding, particularly cerebral hemorrhage. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of antiplatelet treatment on clinical outcome at hospital discharge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with first-ever stroke due to a primary intraparenchymal hemorrhage were prospectively identified over a 4-year period (2000-2003). Data on hemorrhage location, vascular risk factors, and antiplatelet and anticoagulant treatment were collected. At discharge, outcome was measured using the modified Rankin Scale (disabling stroke > or =3). Patients treated with anticoagulant therapy were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Of 457 consecutive patients with cerebral hemorrhage, 94 (20.5%) had been taking antiplatelet agents. The treated patients (mean age for antiplatelet group 78.9 +/- 9.0 years) were older than the nontreated patients (73.8 +/- 9.4, p = 0.02). In-hospital mortality was 23.4 and 23.1% (p = n.s.) for patients who had been taking antiplatelet agents or no treatment. Poor outcome at discharge was found in 52.1 and 59.7% (p = n.s.), respectively. Univariate analysis showed that age and coma at admission were predictors of disability at discharge, but antiplatelet treatment was not. Additionally, age and coma were shown to be determinants of disability at discharge after multivariate analysis: OR 1.03 per year (95% CI: 1.018-1.049), p < 0.001 and OR 1.68 (95% CI: 1.138-2.503), p = 0.009, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Hemorrhagic stroke continues to be responsible for a high percentage of disability and death. Furthermore, it was seen here that functional outcome was independent of previous antiplatelet treatment.

Risk factors and stroke subtypes: results of five consecutive years of the Perugia Stroke Registry.

To understand the etiopathogenetic mechanisms of stroke and to target prevention, we need to know how risk factors differ among etiological subtypes. Our aims were to determine the different profile of risk factors for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke subtypes in our cohort from the Perugia Hospital-Based Stroke Registry. We analyzed the characteristics and the different risk factors of 2,395 first-ever consecutive stroke patients admitted to the Perugia Hospitals in the period between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2002. The prevalence of cerebrovascular risk factors in each stroke subtype was analyzed independently and compared with other subtypes of stroke pooled together by means of univariate analysis and logistic regression models. Hypertension occurred in 61% of patients; familial history of stroke in 41.6%; vascular disease in 27.2%; embolic heart disease in 22.3%; cigarette smoking in 21.6%. Different potentially modifiable risk factors profiles were identified for each ischemic subtype of stroke, while in hemorrhagic lobar stroke subtypes, only male gender was an independent risk factor.

First-ever stroke and outcome in patients admitted to Perugia Stroke Unit: predictors for death, dependency, and recurrence of stroke within the first three months.

Predictors of poor outcome after first-ever stroke within 3 months in consecutive patients admitted to our Stroke Unit were defined. Factors included age, sex, risk factors, occurrence of transient ischemic attacks, extension of cerebral infarction, presumed cause of stroke, clinical findings, and demographic characteristics. Multiple regression models were used to analyze predictors of mortality, dependency and stroke recurrence. A total of 435 patients with first-ever stroke were included. Of these, 358 patients had ischemic stroke and 77 hemorrhagic stroke. Three-month mortality rate was 20.5%. After the same period, 24.6% of survivors were dependent (mRS > or = 3) and 5.0% of patients had recurrent stroke. Age, the presence of atrial fibrillation, impaired consciousness on admission, and stroke severity were related to mortality. The presence of stroke due to an undetermined cause or small vessel disease was associated with lower mortality. Partial anterior circulation syndrome or lacunar syndrome were both related to better outcome. The best predictors for dependency after 3 months were age and stroke severity. The only variable identified as the best predictor for recurrence was the presence of diabetes mellitus.

Outcome in patients with stroke associated with internal carotid artery occlusion.

BACKGROUND: The clinical outcome in patients with stroke associated with internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion is poor, although a minority may recover without dependency. The purposes of this study were (1) to assess the predictive factors of adverse outcome in patients with stroke associated with an occlusion of the ICA and (2) to evaluate the rate of spontaneous recanalization of an occluded ICA. METHODS: A total of 177 consecutive patients with first-ever ischemic stroke associated with ICA occlusion were prospectively examined from the Perugia Stroke Registry. Mean age was 71.4 +/- 14.3 years; 53% were males. Multiple regression models were used to analyze predictors of mortality, dependency and ipsilateral stroke recurrence. RESULTS: The most probable cause of occlusion was atherosclerosis in 65%, cardioembolism in 22%, dissection in 9% and other causes in 4%. Thirty percent of the patients died within 30 days. After a mean follow-up of 420 days (range 1-1,970 days), 45% of the patients had died and 75% had died or were disabled. Another 6% of the patients had a recurrent stroke ipsilateral to the occluded carotid artery. Age was the only predictor of 30-day mortality (77.7 +/- 9.7 vs. 68.7 +/- 15.2 years; p = 0.03) and of long-term mortality or disability (p < 0.003). Hypertension (OR 0.42; 95% CI 0.17-1.00; p = 0.05) was associated with a better outcome within 30 days from stroke onset. Previous ipsilateral transient ischemic attack (OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.06-0.89; p = 0.03) and hyperlipidemia (OR 0.38; 95% CI 0.15-0.99; p = 0.049) were predictors of a better outcome with respect to long-term mortality or disability. No predictors of ipsilateral stroke recurrence were found. One hundred and five out of 177 patients had adequate follow-up ultrasound data. After a mean follow-up of 1.8 years, 10 patients had recanalization of the occluded ICA (2/71 atherosclerosis, 3/19 cardioembolism and 5/15 dissection). CONCLUSIONS: After a mean follow-up of 1.2 years, 45% of the patients with stroke associated with ICA occlusion had died, while 75% had died or were functionally dependent. The presence of either previous ipsilateral transient ischemic attack, hypertension or hyperlipidemia was associated with a favorable outcome. Recanalization of an occluded ICA occurred in a minority of patients and it was associated with cardioembolism and with arterial dissection.