Etiology of intracerebral hemorrhage during pregnancy or puerperium: A nationwide study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracerebral hemorrhage during pregnancy or puerperium (pICH) is one of the leading causes of maternal death worldwide. However, limited epidemiological data exist on the etiology and outcomes of pICH, which is required to guide prevention and treatment. METHODS: A retrospective nationwide cohort study and a nested case-control study was performed in Finland 1987-2016. We identified women with incident pICH by linking the Medical Birth Register (MBR) and the Hospital Discharge Register (HDR). The clinical details were collected from patient records. Three matched controls with a pregnancy without ICH were selected for each case from the MBR. RESULTS: In total, 49 pICH cases were identified. Half of these cases occurred during pregnancy, and the other half during peripartum and puerperium. Based on the SMASH-U (structural vascular lesion, medication, amyloid angiopathy, systemic disease, hypertension, undetermined) classification, 35.4% of the patients had a systemic disease, most commonly preeclampsia, eclampsia, or HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) syndrome; 31.3% had a structural vascular lesion; 31.3% had an undetermined etiology; and one patient (2.1%) had hypertension. The most important risk factor was hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP; odds ratio = 3.83, 95% confidence interval = 1.60-9.15), occurring in 31% of the cases. Maternal mortality was 12.5%, and 20.9% of the surviving women had significant disability (modified Rankin Scale = 3-5) 3 months after the pICH. Women with systemic disease had the worst outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Even in a country with a comprehensive pregnancy surveillance system, the maternal mortality rate for pICH is high, and the sequelae are severe. Early recognition and treatment of the key risk factor, HDP, is crucial to help prevent this serious pregnancy complication.

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage During Pregnancy and Puerperium: A Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-related subarachnoid hemorrhage (pSAH) is rare, but it causes high mortality and morbidity. Nevertheless, data on pSAH are limited. The objectives here were to examine the incidence trends, causes, risk factors, and outcomes of pSAH in a nationwide population-based cohort study in Finland covering 30 years. METHODS: We performed a retrospective population-based cohort study and nested case-control study in Finland for the period 1987-2016 (Stroke in Pregnancy and Puerperium in Finland). The Medical Birth Register was linked to the Hospital Discharge Register to identify women with incident stroke during pregnancy or puerperium. A subcohort of women with SAH is included in this analysis. The temporal connection of SAH to pregnancy and clinical details were verified from patient records. RESULTS: The unadjusted incidence of pSAH was 3.21 (95% CI, 2.46-4.13) per 100 000 deliveries. No significant increase occurred in the incidence throughout the study period. However, the age of the mother had a significant increasing effect on the incidence. In total, 77% of patients suffered an aneurysmal pSAH, resulting in death in 16.3% of women and with only 68.2% achieving good recovery (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2) at 3 months. Patients with nonaneurysmal pSAH recovered well. The significant risk factors for pSAH were smoking (odds ratio, 3.27 [1.56-6.86]), prepregnancy hypertension (odds ratio, 12.72 [1.39-116.46]), and pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (odds ratio, 3.88 [1.00-15.05]). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of pSAH has not changed substantially over time in Finland. The majority of pSAH cases were aneurysmal and women with aneurysm had considerable mortality and morbidity. Counseling of pregnant women about smoking cessation and monitoring of blood pressure and symptoms of pre-eclampsia are important interventions to prevent pSAH.

Pregnancy-associated stroke and the recurrence of stroke and other complications in subsequent pregnancies: Population-based retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the outcomes of the subsequent pregnancies from women with a previous pregnancy-associated stroke (PAS) in comparison to matched controls. DESIGN: Population-based retrospective cohort study. SETTING AND POPULATION: All women with a PAS in Finland 1987-2016 (n = 235) and controls (n = 694). METHODS: We identified all subsequent deliveries and induced and spontaneous abortions for women with a previous PAS and their matched controls from the Medical Birth Register and the Hospital Discharge Register until 2016. The number, course and outcomes of the subsequent pregnancies were compared. Patient records were studied for PAS recurrence. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: PAS recurrence and pregnancy complications. RESULTS: Women with a previous PAS had fewer subsequent deliveries: 73 (31.1%) women had 122 deliveries in all, whereas 303 (47.3%) of the controls had 442 deliveries (age-adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.54, 95% CI 0.38-0.76). Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) (17.2% versus 5.7%, age-adjusted OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.7-9.3), especially chronic hypertension (age-adjusted OR 5.9, 95% CI 1.5-24.7), and any diabetes during pregnancy (24.6% versus 14.5%, age-adjusted OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1-3.8) were more common in cases. Regarding HDP, the difference between groups was explained by underlying factors such as index pregnancy HDP (multivariable OR 2.4, 95% CI 0.8-6.7). PAS recurred in four cases (5.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Subsequent pregnancies of women with a history of PAS are more often complicated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and any diabetes during pregnancy. PAS recurrence risk is considerable.

Pregnancy-associated stroke -a systematic review of subsequent pregnancies and maternal health.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-associated stroke is a rare but life-threatening event, with an estimated incidence of 30/100000 deliveries. Data on the risk of stroke recurrence and the risk of other adverse pregnancy outcomes are essential for adequate counselling and surveillance in subsequent pregnancies. The aim of this systematic review is to describe the implications of a pregnancy-associated stroke for the future health of these women. METHODS: We searched Ovid Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Library and CINAHL for articles published in 1980-2018. Articles including women with pregnancy-associated stroke and information on at least one of the following outcomes were included: 1) recurrence of stroke during subsequent pregnancy, 2) number and course of subsequent pregnancies and their outcomes and 3) subsequent cardiovascular health. RESULTS: Twelve articles were included in the review, with six providing information on subsequent pregnancies, four on subsequent maternal health and two on both. The included articles varied greatly in terms of study design, length of follow up and reported outcomes. We found 252 women with pregnancy-associated stroke for whom the outcomes of interest were reported: 135 women with information on subsequent pregnancies and 123 women with information on future health. In total, 55 pregnancies after stroke were found. In the majority of studies, the incidence of pregnancy complications was comparable to that of the general population. The risk of stroke recurrence during pregnancy was 2%. Data on subsequent health of these women were limited, and the quality of the data varied between the studies. CONCLUSIONS: Data on subsequent pregnancies and health of women with a history of pregnancy-associated stroke are limited. Further research on this topic is essential for adequate counselling and secondary prevention.

Fatal Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Infections Caused by Siberian and European Subtypes, Finland, 2015.

In most locations except for Russia, tick-borne encephalitis is mainly caused by the European virus subtype. In 2015, fatal infections caused by European and Siberian tick-borne encephalitis virus subtypes in the same Ixodes ricinus tick focus in Finland raised concern over further spread of the Siberian subtype among widespread tick species.

Cutting the Prehospital On-Scene Time of Stroke Thrombolysis in Helsinki: A Prospective Interventional Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Significant portion of the prehospital delay consists of minutes spent on the scene with the patient. We implemented a training program for the emergency medical services personnel with the aim to optimize the on-scene time (OST) and to study the impact of different elements of prehospital practice to the OST duration. METHODS: In this prospective interventional study, key operational emergency medical service performance variables were analyzed from all thrombolysis candidates transported to the Helsinki University Hospital emergency department. The catchment period was 4 months before and 4 months after the implementation. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-one patients were managed as thrombolysis candidates before and 148 patients after the training program implementation. The OST duration for the groups was 25 (20.5-31) and 22.5 (18-28.5) minutes, respectively (P<0.001). Physician consultations via telephone were associated with a longer (odds ratio 0.546 [0.333-0.893]) and advanced life support training with a shorter OST (odds ration 1.760 [1.070-2.895]). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the emergency medical services training program successfully decreased the OST of thrombolysis candidates by 10%. Higher expertise level of the ambulance crew was associated with shorter OST, and decisions to consult a physician via telephone were reflected by longer OST.

Clinical and laboratory characteristics of active and healthy aging (AHA) in octogenarian men.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate clinical and laboratory variables associated with good subjective and objective health ("active and healthy aging", AHA) in a cohort of octogenarian men. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analyses of a longitudinal study. SETTING: The Helsinki Businessmen Study in Finland. PARTICIPANTS: A socioeconomically homogenous cohort of men (baseline n = 3293), born in 1919-1934, has been followed up from the 1960s. From 2000, the men have been regularly sent mailed questionnaires and mortality has been retrieved from national registers. MEASUREMENTS: In 2010 survey, AHA was defined as independently responding to the mailed survey, feeling happy without cognitive or functional impairments and without major diseases. In 2010/11, a random subgroup men was clinically investigated and survivors with healthy and nonhealthy aging were compared. RESULTS: By 2010, 1788 men of the baseline cohort had died, and 894 men responded to the mailed survey. 154 (17.2 %) of those fulfilled the present AHA criteria. Increasing number of criteria were negatively (P < 0.001) related to short-term mortality. In 2011, a random sample of 458 men were clinically investigated, 90 of them with AHA. Men with AHA had higher serum LDL cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure (partially explained by less frequent drug use) but no significant difference was observed in other risk factors. Men with AHA had significantly faster walking speed (P < 0.001), stronger handgrip (P = 0.017), better self-rated health and less phenotypic frailty (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Less than 5 % enjoyed active and healthy aging over their life course, which was significantly related to markers of frailty but not to the traditional vascular risk factors.

Long-Term Mortality, Recovery, and Vocational Status After a Maternal Stroke: Register-Based Observational Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Maternal stroke is a rare event with an increasing incidence. Data on the long-term prognosis after a maternal stroke are limited. We aimed to examine long-term mortality, recovery, vocational status and morbidity after a maternal stroke in a population-based setting including a comparison with matched, stroke-free controls. METHODS: In this register-based study with hospital chart validation, we included all women with a maternal stroke in Finland in 1987-2016 who survived the first year after the event. The recovery of the cases was assessed from the hospital charts by modified Rankin scale (mRS). Three controls matched by delivery year, age, and parity were selected for each case. All deaths until 2022 were identified from the Register for Causes of Death. Data on vocational status were obtained from Statistics Finland and morbidity from the Hospital Discharge Register and patient charts until year 2016. RESULTS: The study included 235 women with a maternal stroke and 694 matched controls. The median follow-up time was 17.5 years (interquartile range [IQR] 9.6-25.4) for mortality and 11.8 years (IQR 3.8-19.8) for vocational status and subsequent morbidity. Mortality among cases was 5.5% and among controls, 2.4% (age-adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.3, 95% [CI] 1.1-4.9). At the end of the follow-up, 90.3% of the cases were independent in daily activities (mRS ≤2). In 2016, fewer women with a maternal stroke were working compared with controls (65.9% vs 79.1%, OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.4-0.7) and were more often receiving a pension (18.2% vs 4.9%, OR 4.4, 95% CI 2.7-7.3). Cerebrovascular events (age-adjusted OR 8.6 95% CI 4.4-17.1), cardiac diseases (age-adjusted OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.4-7.7), and major cardiovascular events were more common among cases during the follow-up (age-adjusted OR 7.6 95% CI 3.1-18.7). DISCUSSION: Despite having higher overall mortality and higher cardiovascular morbidity, the majority of the maternal stroke survivors recovered well. As expected, the vocational status of cases was inferior to that of controls, but most women were working at the end of the follow-up. Our study provides important information on the prognosis and sequalae after a maternal stroke to help in patient counseling and to improve secondary prevention.

Acute recanalization therapy for ischemic stroke during pregnancy and puerperium.

BACKGROUND: The safety and efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and endovascular thrombectomy for an ischemic stroke (IS) during pregnancy and puerperium are poorly studied. We evaluated the complications and outcome of recanalization therapy in maternal ISs. METHODS: A nationwide cohort of maternal ISs in Finland during 1987-2016 was collected by linking national healthcare registers: Medical Birth Register, Hospital Discharge Register, and Cause-Of-Death Register. The diagnoses were verified retrospectively from patient records. IVT-treated patients were compared to controls, who were young females with non-pregnancy-related IS from the Helsinki Stroke Thrombolysis Registry. RESULTS: Totally, 12 of 97 (12.4%) maternal ISs were treated with recanalization therapy. Compared to controls, IVT-treated maternal IS patients had more frequently early (age-adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 7.63, 95% CI 1.49-39.04) and major (aOR = 8.59, 95% CI 2.09-35.31) neurological improvements, measured using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale. Good functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale 0-2) at three months were equally common in maternal ISs and controls. No other complications were observed in IVT-treated maternal ISs than 1 (9.1%) symptomatic nonfatal intracranial hemorrhage. Among maternal IS patients treated with recanalization or conventional therapy, good functional outcome at the end of the follow-up was less common in recanalization-treated patients (66.7% vs 89.4%, aOR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.052-0.90), but otherwise outcomes were similar. CONCLUSIONS: In this small nationwide cohort of maternal ISs, the complications of recanalization therapy were rare, and the outcomes were similar in IVT-treated maternal IS patients and controls. Maternal ISs should not be excluded from recanalization therapy in otherwise eligible situations.

Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations During Pregnancy and Puerperium-A Retrospective Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The knowledge about the management of patients with brain arteriovenous malformations (AVM) during pregnancy is limited, owing partly to insufficient evidence about the outcomes of newborns. This study aims to explore symptomatic AVMs and their outcomes during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis by combining patients with symptomatic AVM from a nationwide population-based cohort of all women with a pregnancy resulting in delivery during 1987 to 2016 (n = 1 773 728 deliveries) and our AVM database (n = 805, 1942-2014). Cerebrovascular events during pregnancy were identified through International Classification of Diseases-9, International Classification of Diseases-10, or surgical procedure codes from the Hospital Discharge and Medical Birth Registers. Our analysis focused on treatment characteristics and outcomes of patients with AVM hemorrhage or symptomatic AVM during pregnancy, delivery, or puerperium. RESULTS: A total of 28 women with symptomatic AVMs during pregnancy, delivery, or postpartum period were followed for an average of 12.8 years (SD = 15.5) after admission. Among them, 21 (75%) experienced AVM hemorrhages during pregnancy, puerperium, or delivery. The mean age of patients was 28.9 years (SD = 5.5). Hemorrhages occurred predominantly during the second (n = 9, 43% of all ruptures) or the third trimester (n = 5, 24%). Two AVM ruptures occurred during labor. Treatment for AVM took place during pregnancy (n = 7, 25%) or puerperium (n = 3, 14%) in 10 patients (35.7%). Only 5 mothers (17.8%) had not been previously pregnant. There was no significant difference in mean Apgar scores between those with AVM hemorrhage (8.3) and those without (8.4). CONCLUSION: Most mothers in the study had prior pregnancies, suggesting a potentially weaker association between AVM rupture and pregnancy compared to previous reports. Notably, 2 AVM ruptures occurred during spontaneous vaginal deliveries. Outcomes were generally favorable in both mothers and infants. More research is needed to refine our understanding of the optimal timing for invasive treatment during pregnancy.

Etiology and risk factors of ischemic stroke during pregnancy and puerperium: A population-based study.

INTRODUCTION: Ischemic stroke (IS) is an uncommon, but potentially life-changing, complication of pregnancy. The aim of this study was to analyze the etiology and risk factors of pregnancy-associated IS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We collected a population-based retrospective cohort of patients diagnosed with IS during pregnancy or puerperium in Finland from 1987 to 2016. These women were identified by linking the Medical Birth Register (MBR) with the Hospital Discharge Register. Three matched controls were selected from MBR for each case. The diagnosis and temporal relationship of IS to pregnancy, and clinical details were verified from patient records. RESULTS: A total of 97 women (median age 30.7 years) were identified as having pregnancy-associated IS. The most common etiologies based on TOAST classification were cardioembolism in 13 (13.4%), other determined in 27 (27.8%) and undetermined in 55 (56.7%) patients. Fifteen patients (15.5%) had embolic strokes of undetermined sources. The most important risk factors were pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, gestational hypertension, and migraine. IS patients had more frequently traditional and pregnancy-related stroke risk factors than the controls (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.48-3.84) and the risk of IS multiplied with the number of risk factors (4-5 risk factors: OR 14.21, 95% CI 1.12-180.48). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Rare causes and cardioembolism were frequent etiologies for pregnancy-associated IS, but in half of the women, the etiology remained undetermined. The risk of IS increased with the number of risk factors. Surveillance and counseling of pregnant women, especially with multiple risk factors, is crucial for the prevention of pregnancy-associated IS.

Characteristics and outcome of ischemic stroke patients who are free of symptoms at 24 hours following thrombolysis.

BACKGROUND: A part of ischemic stroke patients score 0 on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) within 24 h following thrombolysis. Their clinical characteristics and long-term outcome are poorly studied. We report a single-center assessment of such patients. METHODS: The cohort comprises 874 consecutive patients from the Helsinki Stroke Thrombolysis Registry, out of whom 113 scored 0 on 24-hour NIHSS. We analyzed their baseline demographic, clinical and radiological characteristics and 3-month outcome (modified Rankin Scale, mRS). Associations between the study parameters were tested by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Patients with a 24-hour NIHSS score = 0 (n = 113) were younger than the rest of the population (n = 761; median: 65.6 vs. 71.5 years; p < 0.001), their NIHSS score on admission was lower (median: 5 vs. 10; p < 0.001), as was their glucose level (median: 6.2 vs. 6.7 mmol/l; p = 0.02). The onset-to-treatment time was similar in both groups (median: 120 vs. 115 min; p = 0.89). Patients with a 24-hour NIHSS score = 0 more often achieved an excellent outcome (mRS scores: 0-1; 81 vs. 31%; p < 0.001) and had lower mortality (1.8 vs. 11.8%; p < 0.01). One third of these patients had a brain infarction visible on 24-hour imaging. Lower baseline NIHSS score and younger age were independently associated with 24-hour NIHSS score = 0, which, in turn, was independently associated with excellent 3-month outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with an NIHSS score = 0 at 24 h following thrombolysis are younger, have milder symptoms and have a lower glucose level on admission. They achieve more often excellent outcome and lower mortality. Still, 8% of them required help in daily activities or were dead at 3 months (mRS scores: 3-6).

Post-thrombolytic hyperglycemia and 3-month outcome in acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Treating hyperglycemia in acute ischemic stroke may be beneficial, but knowledge on its prognostic value and optimal target glucose levels is scarce. We investigated the dynamics of glucose levels and the association of hyperglycemia with outcomes on admission and within 48 h after thrombolysis. METHODS: We included 851 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis in the Helsinki University Central Hospital during 1998-2008. Outcome measures were unfavorable 3- month outcome (3-6 on the modified Rankin Scale), death, and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) according to NINDS criteria. Hyperglycemia was defined as a blood glucose level of ≥8.0 mmol/l. Four groups were identified based on (a) admission and (b) peak glucose levels 48 h after thrombolysis: (1) persistent normoglycemia (baseline plus 48-hour normoglycemia), (2) baseline hyperglycemia (48-hour normoglycemia), (3) 48-hour hyperglycemia (baseline normoglycemia), and (4) persistent hyperglycemia (baseline plus 48-hour hyperglycemia). RESULTS: 480 (56.4%) of our patients (median age 70 years; onset-to-needle time 199 min; National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 9), had persistent normoglycemia, 59 (6.9%) had baseline hyperglycemia, 175 (20.6%) had 48-hour hyperglycemia, while persistent hyperglycemia appeared in 137 (16.1%) patients. Persistent and 48-hour hyperglycemia independently predicted unfavorable outcome [odds ratio (OR) = 2.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.41-3.86, and OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.30-3.38, respectively], death (OR = 6.63, 95% CI = 3.25-13.54, and OR = 3.13, 95% CI = 1.56-6.27, respectively), and sICH (OR = 3.02, 95% CI = 1.68-5.43, and OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.04-3.43, respectively), whereas baseline hyperglycemia did not. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperglycemia (≥8.0 mmol/l) during 48 h after intravenous thrombolysis of ischemic stroke is strongly associated with unfavorable outcome, sICH, and death.

Stroke in Pregnancy and Puerperium: Validated Incidence Trends With Risk Factor Analysis in Finland 1987-2016.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether previously reported increasing incidence of pregnancy-associated stroke (PAS) is observed in chart-validated register data in Finland. In an exploratory analysis, we studied risk factors for PAS. METHODS: We performed a retrospective population-based cohort study and nested case-control study in Finland from 1987 to 2016. The Medical Birth Register (MBR) was linked to the Hospital Discharge Register to identify women with incident stroke (ischemic stroke, cerebral venous thrombosis, intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage) during pregnancy or puerperium. Cases were verified from patient records. Incidence of PAS over the study period in 5-year age groups and pregnancy/postpartum period was calculated per number of deliveries. Three matched controls were selected for each case from MBR to compare risk factors. RESULTS: After chart review, 29.6% (257 of 868) of cases were PAS. The incidence of PAS was 14.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.8-16.3) per 100,000 deliveries. Incidence increased from 11.1 to 25.2 per 100,000 deliveries from 1987 to 1991 to 2012 to 2016 (p < 0.0001). Incidence increased by age from 9.8 to 29.9 per 100,000 deliveries from 20 to 24 years to >40 years of age (p < 0.0001). During the early postpartum period, incidence was 5-fold greater compared to the first trimester. Maternal mortality was 6.6%. In the multivariable-adjusted model, smoking beyond 12 gestational weeks (odds ratio [OR] 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.7), migraine (OR 16.3, 95% CI 5.3-49.8), and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (OR 4.0, 95% CI 2.5-6.3) were the most important risk factors for PAS. CONCLUSION: PAS incidence is increasing, stressing the importance of careful pregnancy surveillance and risk factor management, particularly in older expectant mothers and extending to puerperium. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class III evidence that smoking beyond 12 gestational weeks, migraine, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of PAS.

Early recovery of frontal EEG slow wave activity during propofol sedation predicts outcome after cardiac arrest.

AIM OF THE STUDY: EEG slow wave activity (SWA) has shown prognostic potential in post-resuscitation care. In this prospective study, we investigated the accuracy of continuously measured early SWA for prediction of the outcome in comatose cardiac arrest (CA) survivors. METHODS: We recorded EEG with a disposable self-adhesive frontal electrode and wireless device continuously starting from ICU admission until 48 h from return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in comatose CA survivors sedated with propofol. We determined SWA by offline calculation of C-Trend® Index describing SWA as a score ranging from 0 to 100. The functional outcome was defined based on Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) at 6 months after the CA to either good (CPC 1-2) or poor (CPC 3-5). RESULTS: Outcome at six months was good in 67 of the 93 patients. During the first 12 h after ROSC, the median C-Trend Index value was 38.8 (interquartile range 28.0-56.1) in patients with good outcome and 6.49 (3.01-18.2) in those with poor outcome showing significant difference (p < 0.001) at every hour between the groups. The index values of the first 12 h predicted poor outcome with an area under curve of 0.86 (95% CI 0.61-0.99). With a cutoff value of 20, the sensitivity was 83.3% (69.6%-92.3%) and specificity 94.7% (83.4%-99.7%) for categorization of outcome. CONCLUSION: EEG SWA measured with C-Trend Index during propofol sedation offers a promising practical approach for early bedside evaluation of recovery of brain function and prediction of outcome after CA.

Off-label thrombolysis is not associated with poor outcome in patients with stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Numerous contraindications included in the license of alteplase, most of which are not based on scientific evidence, restrict the portion of patients with acute ischemic stroke eligible for treatment with alteplase. We studied whether off-label thrombolysis was associated with poorer outcome or increased rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage compared with on-label use. METHODS: All consecutive patients with stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis from 1995 to 2008 at the Helsinki University Central Hospital were registered (n=1104). After excluding basilar artery occlusions (n=119), the study population included 985 patients. Clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0 to 2 versus 3 to 6) and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage according to 3 earlier published criteria were analyzed with a logistic regression model adjusting for 21 baseline variables. RESULTS: One or more license contraindications to thrombolysis was present in 51% of our patients (n=499). The most common of these were age >80 years (n=159), mild stroke National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score <5 (n=129), use of intravenous antihypertensives prior to treatment (n=112), symptom-to-needle time >3 hours (n=95), blood pressure >185/110 mm Hg (n=47), and oral anticoagulation (n=39). Age >80 years was the only contraindication independently associated with poor outcome (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.27 to 3.73) in the multivariate model. None of the contraindications were associated with an increased risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: Off-license thrombolysis was not associated with poorer clinical outcome, except for age >80 years, nor with increased rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. The current extensive list of contraindications should be re-evaluated when data from ongoing randomized trials and observational studies become available.

[Current diagnosis and treatment of TIA]. / TIA:n diagnostiikka ja nykyhoito.

A TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) is a sudden onset transient cerebral or retinal ischemic symptom. The definition of TIA has evolved from a time-based (< 24 hours) towards tissue-based. This requires brain scanning either with a computer tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The benefit of urgent etiological work-up and immediate start of secondary preventive medications has been shown in two independent open studies, in which eight out of ten ischemic strokes could be prevented after a TIA. The risk of ischemic stroke is highest in the two days following a TIA. This puts a huge demand on both the patients and their doctors in the recognition of a TIA. The patient needs to be referred on an emergency basis to a specialized centre with adequate investigational facilities.

Postoperative cognitive change after cardiac surgery predicts long-term cognitive outcome.

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common consequence of coronary artery bypass grafting. However, domain-specific associations between postoperative changes and long-term performance are poorly known. The aim of this study was to investigate whether domain-specific cognitive changes after cardiac surgery predict long-term cognitive outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed 100 patients (86 men, mean age 60) before coronary artery bypass grafting, with re-examinations after one week, three months, and a mean of 6.7 years. The extensive neuropsychological test battery was organized into seven functional cognitive domains. Cognitive decline and improvement were defined with the reliable change index derived from 17 matching healthy controls. Analyses were adjusted for baseline cognitive performance, age, gender, education and cardiovascular risks factors. RESULTS: On group level, one week after surgery 71% patients showed cognitive decline and 9% improvement in any functional domain, as compared to preoperative results. Three months postsurgery, decline was observed in 47% and improvement in 25% of patients. Executive functioning was the most sensitive domain to both decline and improvement. Postoperative dysfunction predicted long-term cognitive deterioration six years after operation, particularly in the domain of executive functioning. CONCLUSIONS: POCD after coronary artery bypass grafting is an essential risk factor for long-term deterioration and an indication for neuropsychological follow-up. Assessment of change in executive functioning after coronary artery bypass grafting may help to identify patients at risk for unfavorable long-term outcome.

SiPP (Stroke in Pregnancy and Postpartum): A prospective, observational, international, multicentre study on pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical profile, management and outcome of cerebrovascular diseases in pregnant and postpartum women.

RATIONALE: Cerebrovascular diseases associated with pregnancy and postpartum period are uncommon; however, they can have an important impact on health of both women and foetus or newborn. AIMS: To evaluate the frequency, characteristics and management of cerebrovascular events in pregnant/postpartum women, to clarify pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the occurrence of these events including biomolecular aspects, and to assess the short- and long-term cerebrovascular and global cardiovascular outcome of these patients, their predictors and infant outcome. METHODS AND DESIGN: This is an observational, prospective, multicentre, international case-control study. The study will include patients with cerebrovascular events during pregnancy and/or within six months after delivery. For each included case, two controls will be prospectively recruited: one pregnant or puerperal subject without any history of cerebrovascular event and one non-pregnant or non-puerperal subject with a recent cerebrovascular event. All controls will be matched by age, ethnicity and type of cerebrovascular event with their assigned cases. The pregnant controls will be matched also by pregnancy weeks/trimester. Follow-up will last 24 months for the mother and 12 months for the infant. SUMMARY: To better understand causes and outcomes of uncommon conditions like pregnancy/postpartum-related cerebrovascular events, the development of multisite, multidisciplinary registry-based studies, such as the Stroke in Pregnancy and Postpartum study, is needed in order to collect an adequate number of patients, draw reliable conclusions and give definite recommendations on their management.