Nationwide Incidence and Trends in Central Retinal Arterial Occlusion Management: A 5000-Patient Analysis.

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a rare and visually debilitating vascular condition characterized by sudden and severe vision loss. CRAO is a compelling target for intravenous alteplase (tPA) and endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (MT) due to pathophysiological similarities with acute ischemic stroke; however, the utility of these interventions in CRAO remains dubious due to limited sample sizes and potential risks. To assess usage and outcomes of tPA and MT in CRAO, we queried the National Inpatient Sample database using International Classification of Disease, Ninth and Tenth edition for patients with CRAO and acute ischemic stroke between 2010 and 2019. Our cohort of 5009 CRAO patients were younger with higher rates of obesity, hypertension, long-term anticoagulant use, and tobacco use compared to acute ischemic stroke patients. CRAO patients had lower rates of tPA administration (3.41% vs 6.21%) and endovascular MT (0.38% vs 1.31%) but fewer complications, including deep vein thrombosis, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, acute kidney injury, and acute myocardial infarction (all P < 0.01). CRAO patients had lower rates of poor functional outcome (31.74% vs 58.1%) and in-hospital mortality (1.2% vs 5.64%), but higher rates of profound blindness (9.24% vs 0.58%). A multivariate regression showed no relationship between tPA and MT and profound blindness, although the limited sample size of patients receiving interventions may have contributed to this apparent insignificance. Further investigation of larger patient cohorts and alternative treatment modalities could provide valuable insights for revascularization therapies in CRAO to optimize visual restoration and clinical outcomes.

Outcomes of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients: A US nationwide analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread use of heparin during and following endovascular procedures in the management of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients, limited research has explored the incidence and impact of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) on SAH. METHODS: Descriptive statistics, multivariate regressions, and propensity score-matching were employed to compare clinical characteristics, comorbidities, interventions, complications, and outcomes of HIT in SAH patients identified within the US National Inpatient Sample database from 2010 to 2019. RESULTS: Among 76 387 SAH patients from 2010 to 2019, 166 (0.22%) developed HIT. HIT was identified as a significant predictor of prolonged length of stay (OR 6.799, 95% CI 3.985 to 11.6, P<0.01) and poor functional outcomes (OR 2.541, 95% CI 1.628 to 3.966, P<0.01) after adjusting for relevant factors. HIT incidence was higher in patients with elevated SAH severity scores (1.42 vs 1.06, P<0.01), younger patients (58.04 vs 61.39 years, P=0.01), overweight individuals (0.4% vs 0.2%, P<0.01), those on long-term anticoagulants (10.84% vs 5.72%, P<0.01), or with a cerebrospinal fluid drainage device (external ventricular drain, ventriculoperitoneal shunt; P<0.01). HIT patients showed increased rates of endovascular coiling, ventricular drain placement, shunt placement, deep vein thrombosis, urinary tract infection, acute kidney injury, pulmonary embolism, venous sinus thrombosis, pneumonia, and cerebral vasospasm (all P<0.01). CONCLUSION: SAH patients with HIT exhibited various comorbidities and increased rates of complications, which may contribute to extended hospital stays. This nationwide study aids clinical suspicion and highlights HIT's impact on SAH patients.

A double-hit: End-stage renal disease patients suffer worse outcomes in intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) carries significant morbidity and mortality. Previous single-center retrospective analysis suggests that end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a risk factor for severe ICH and worse outcomes. This investigation aims to examine the impact of ESRD on ICH severity, complications, and outcomes using a multicenter national database. METHODS: The International Classification of Disease, Ninth and Tenth Revision Clinical Modification codes were used to query the National Inpatient Sample for patients with ICH and ESRD between 2010 and 2019. Primary endpoints were the functional outcome, length of stay (LOS), and in-hospital mortality. Multivariate variable regression models and a propensity-score matched analysis were established to analyze patient outcomes associated with baseline patient characteristics. RESULTS: We identified 211,266 patients with ICH, and among them, 7,864 (3.77%) patients had a concurrent diagnosis of ESRD. Patients with ESRD were younger (60.85 vs. 67.64, P < 0.01) and demonstrated increased ICH severity (0.78 vs. 0.77, P < 0.01). ESRD patients experienced higher rates of sepsis (15.9% vs. 6.15%, P < 0.01), acute myocardial infarction (8.05% vs. 3.65%, P < 0.01), and cardiac arrest (5.94% vs. 2.4%, P < 0.01). In addition, ESRD predicted poor discharge disposition (odds ratio [OR]: 2.385, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.227-2.555, P < 0.01), longer hospital LOS (OR: 1.629, 95% CI: 1.553-1.709, P < 0.01), and in-hospital mortality (OR: 2.786, 95% CI: 2.647-2.932, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study utilizes a multicenter database to analyze the effect of ESRD on ICH outcomes. ESRD is a significant predictor of poor functional outcomes, in-hospital mortality, and prolonged stay in the ICH population.

Frailty as a Predictor of Outcomes in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Frailty is an emerging concept in clinical practice used to predict outcomes and dictate treatment algorithms. Frail patients, especially older adults, are at higher risk for adverse outcomes. Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a neurosurgical emergency associated with high morbidity and mortality rates that have previously been shown to correlate with frailty. However, the relationship between treatment selection and post-treatment outcomes in frail aSAH patients is not established. We conducted a meta-analysis of the relevant literature in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using "Subarachnoid hemorrhage AND frailty" and "subarachnoid hemorrhage AND frail" as search terms. Data on cohort age, frailty measurements, clinical grading systems, and post-treatment outcomes were extracted. Of 74 studies identified, four studies were included, with a total of 64,668 patients. Percent frailty was 30.4% under a random-effects model in all aSAH patients (p < 0.001). Overall mortality rate of aSAH patients was 11.7% when using a random-effects model (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in mortality rate between frail and non-frail aSAH patients, but this analysis only included two studies and should be interpreted cautiously. Age and clinical grading, rather than frailty, independently predicted outcomes and mortality in aSAH patients.

Clinical Reasoning: An Older Woman With Headaches and Lethargy After a Fall.

In this case, a 77-year-old woman presented with generalized weakness, difficulty ambulating, lethargy, loss of appetite, and headaches after a mechanical fall. This case discusses the management of acute neurologic emergencies such as subdural hematoma, status epilepticus, and bacterial meningitis. Potential etiologies for stroke and CNS infection are highlighted. Readers are led through the diagnostic approach to a patient presenting with a complex array of neurologic symptoms causing rapid clinical decompensation.

Significant increase in mortality and risk of acute ischemic stroke in infective endocarditis patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to mycotic aneurysms.

Infective Endocarditis (IE) patients are known to have a variety of complications with one of the rarest, but serious being cerebral mycotic aneurysm, which can result in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Using the National In-Patient Sample database, we sought to determine the rate of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and outcomes in IE- patients with and without SAH. In total, we identified 82,844 IE-patients from 2010 to 2016, of which 641 had a concurrent diagnosis of SAH. IE patients with SAH had a more complicated course, higher mortality rate (OR 4.65 CI 95% 3.9-5.5, P < 0.001), and worse outcomes. This patient population also had a significantly higher rate of AIS (OR 6.3 CI 95% 5.4-7.4, P < 0.001). Overall, 41.5% of IE-patients with SAH had AIS during their hospitalization as compared to 10.1% of IE only patients. IE-patients with SAH were more likely to undergo endovascular treatment (3.6%) with 0.8% of the IE patients with AIS undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. While IE-patients are at risk for various complications, our study suggests a significant increase in the mortality and risk of AIS in those with SAH.

Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Cardiac Related Fatality: Who Dies and Why?

Medical complications are a notable source of in-hospital death following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). However, there is a paucity of literature examining medical complications on a national scale. This study uses a national dataset to analyze the incidence rates, case fatality rates, and risk factors for in-hospital complications and mortality following aSAH. We found that the most common complications in aSAH patients (N = 170, 869) were hydrocephalus (29.3%) and hyponatremia (17.3%). Cardiac arrest was the most common cardiac complication (3.2%) and was associated with the highest case fatality rate overall (82%). Patients with cardiac arrest also had the highest odds of in-hospital mortality [odds ratio (OR), 22.92; 95% confidence interval (CI), 19.24-27.30; P < 0.0001], followed by patients with cardiogenic shock (OR, 2.96; 95% CI, 2.146-4.07; P < 0.0001). Advanced age and National Inpatient Sample-SAH Severity Score were found to be associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.03-1.03; P < 0.0001 and OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.65-1.75; P < 0.0001, respectively). Renal and cardiac complications are significant factors to consider in aSAH management, with cardiac arrest being the strongest indicator of case fatality and in-hospital mortality. Further research is needed to characterize factors that have contributed to the decreasing trend in case fatality rates identified for certain complications.

Ruptured arteriovenous malformation mortality: Incidence, risk factors, and inpatient outcome score.

BACKGROUND: Limited literature exists on the morbidity and mortality of AVM associated intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) compared with non-AVM ICH. OBJECTIVE: We examine morbidity and mortality in cAVM in a large nationwide inpatient sample to create a prognostic inpatient ruptured AVM mortality score. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study from 2008 to 2014 compares outcomes in cAVM related hemorrhages and ICH utilizing the National Inpatient Sample database. Diagnostic codes for ICH and AVM underlying ICH were identified. We compared case fatality according to medical complications. Multivariate analysis was used to derive hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals to assess odds of mortality. RESULTS: We identified 6496 patients with ruptured AVMs comparing them to 627,185 admitted with ICH. Mortality was lower for ruptured AVMs (11%) compared to ICH (22%) [p < 0.01]. Mortality associated factors were liver disease (OR 2.64, CI 1.81-3.85, p < .001), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.42, CI 1.38-4.22, p = 0.002), alcohol abuse (OR 1.81, CI 1.31-2.49, p = 0.001), hydrocephalus (OR 3.35 CI 2.81-4.00, p < 0.001), cerebral edema (OR 1.5, 1.25-1.85, p < 0.001), cardiac arrest (OR 15, CI 7.9-30, p < 0.001), and pneumonia (OR 1.93, CI 1.51-2.47, p < 0.001). A 0-5 ruptured AVM mortality score was developed: Cardiac arrest (=3), age >60 (=1), Black race (=1), chronic liver failure (=1) diabetes mellitus (=1), pneumonia (=1), alcohol abuse (=1) and cerebral edema (=1). Mortality increased with score. No patient with 5 or more points survived. CONCLUSION: The Ruptured AVM Mortality Score allows for risk stratification on patients with ICH due to ruptured AVM. This scale could prove useful in prognostication and patient education.

Complication Rates Following Cerebral and Coronary Angiography: Nationwide Analysis 2008-2014.

Catheter-based angiography is an essential procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of vascular complications in patients. Since cerebral and coronary angiography are similar techniques that utilize the same access sites and general principles, the associated risks overlap and should be identified to help direct patient care. The purpose of this study was to determine complication rates in a combined cohort of cerebral and coronary angiography patients, as well as conduct a comparative analysis of coronary and cerebral angiography complications. The National Inpatient Sample was queried from 2008 to 2014 to identify patients who underwent coronary or cerebral angiography. After assessment of baseline characteristics, complication rates, and disposition in the combined cohort, propensity matching was utilized to create sub-cohorts of coronary and cerebral angiography patients based on demographics and comorbidities. Comparative analysis of procedural complications and disposition was then performed. A total of 3,763,651 hospitalizations were included in our study cohort (3,505,715 coronary angiographies and 257,936 cerebral angiographies). The median age was 62.9 years, with females being 46.42%. The most prevalent comorbidities in the overall cohort were hypertension (69.92%), coronary artery disease (69.48%), smoking (35.64%), and diabetes mellitus (35.13%). Propensity matching demonstrated that the cerebral angiography cohort had lower rates of acute and unspecified renal failure (5.4% vs 9.2%, OR 0.57, 95% CI, 0.53-0.61, P < 0.001), hemorrhage/hematoma formation (0.8% vs 1.3%, OR 0.63, 95% CI, 0.54-0.73, P < 0.001), and equivalent rates of retroperitoneum hematoma formation (0.03% vs 0.04%, OR 1.49, 95% CI, 0.76-2.90, P = 0.247) and arterial embolism/ thrombus formation (0.3% vs 0.3%, OR 1.01, 95% CI, 0.81-1.27, P = 0.900). Our study showed both cerebral and coronary angiography have generally low rates of procedural complications. Matched cohort analysis demonstrated that cerebral angiography patients are at no greater risk for complications than coronary angiography patients.

Frailty and outcomes in lacunar stroke.

BACKGROUND: Lacunar strokes (LS) are ischemic strokes of the small perforating arteries of deep gray and white matter of the brain. Frailty has been associated with greater mortality and attenuated response to treatment after stroke. However, the effect of frailty on patients with LS has not been previously described. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between frailty and outcomes in LS. METHODS: Patients with LS were selected from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2016-2019 using the International Classification of Disease, 10th edition (ICD-10) diagnosis codes. The 11-point modified frailty scale (mFI-11) was used to group patients into severely frail and non-severely frail cohorts. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and complications were defined. Health care resource utilization (HRU) was evaluated by comparing total hospital charges and length of stay (LOS). Other outcomes studied were discharge disposition and inpatient death. RESULTS: Of 48,980 patients with LS, 10,830 (22.1%) were severely frail. Severely frail patients were more likely to be older, have comorbidities, and pertain to lower socioeconomic status categories. Severely frail patients with LS had worse clinical stroke severity and increased rates of complications such as urinary tract infection (UTI) and pneumonia (PNA). Additionally, severe frailty was associated with unfavorable outcomes and increased HRU. CONCLUSION: Severe frailty in LS patients is associated with higher rates of complications and increased HRU. Risk stratification based on frailty may allow for individualized treatments to help mitigate adverse outcomes in the setting of LS.

Significant Mortality Associated With COVID-19 and Comorbid Cerebrovascular Disease: A Quantitative Systematic Review.

We report the first quantitative systematic review of cerebrovascular disease in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to provide occurrence rates and associated mortality. Through a comprehensive search of PubMed we identified 8 cohort studies, 5 case series, and 2 case reports of acute cerebrovascular disease in patients with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. Our first meta-analysis utilizing the identified publications focused on comorbid cerebrovascular disease in recovered and deceased patients with COVID-19. We performed 3 additional meta-analyses of proportions to produce point estimates of the mortality and incidence of acute cerebrovascular disease in COVID-19 patients. Patient's with COVID-19 who died were 12.6 times more likely to have a history of cerebrovascular disease. We estimated an occurrence rate of 2.6% (95% confidence interval, 1.2-5.4%) for acute cerebrovascular disease among consecutively admitted patients with COVID-19. While for those with severe COVID-19' we estimated an occurrence rate of 6.5% (95% confidence interval, 4.4-9.6%). Our analysis estimated a rate of 35.5% for in-hospital mortality among COVID-19 patients with concomitant acute cerebrovascular disease. This was consistent with a mortality rate of 34.0% which we obtained through an individual patient analysis of 47 patients derived from all available case reports and case series. COVID-19 patients with either acute or chronic cerebrovascular disease have a high mortality rate with higher occurrence of cerebrovascular disease in patients with severe COVID-19.

Cerebral Ischemic Reperfusion Injury: Preventative and Therapeutic Strategies.

Acute ischemic stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Treatment goals remain focused on restoring blood flow to compromised areas. However, a major concern arises after reperfusion occurs. Cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury is defined as damage to otherwise salvageable brain tissue occurring with the reestablishment of the vascular supply to that region. The pool of eligible patients for revascularization continues to grow, especially with the recently expanded endovascular therapeutic window. Neurointensivists should understand and manage complications of successful recanalization. In this review, we examine the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and potential management strategies in cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury.

Acute ischemic strokes in patients with developmental disabilities: A cross-sectional analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with developmental disabilities (DD) are frequently excluded from acute ischemic stroke (AIS) randomized control trials. We sought to evaluate the impact of having DD on this patient cohort. METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample was analyzed to explore the impact of AIS and treatment on discharge dispositions in patients with DD. Clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes were compared to fully-abled patients with AIS. RESULTS: 1,605,723 patients with AIS were identified from 2010-2019, of whom 4094 (0.30%) had a DD. AIS patients with DD were younger (60.31 vs 70.93 years, p < 0.01), less likely to be Caucasian (66.37%vs 68.09%, p = 0.01), and had higher AIS severity (0.63 vs 0.58, p < 0.01). Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was administered in 99,739 (6.2%) fully-abled patients and 196 (4.79%) of patients with DD (p < 0.01). Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) was performed in 21,066 (1.31%) of fully-abled patients and 35 (0.85%) of patients with DD (p < 0.01). The presence of developmental disabilities were predictive of lower rates of tPA (OR:0.71,CI:0.56-0.87,p < 0.01) and EVT (OR:0.24,CI:0.16-0.36,p < 0.01). In a propensity score-matched cohort of all AIS patients who underwent EVT, there was no difference in functional outcome (p = 0.41), in-hospital mortality (0.10), and LOS (p = 0.79). CONCLUSION: AIS patients with DD were less likely to receive tPA and EVT compared to fully-abled patients. Individuals with DD had higher mortality and worse discharge disposition. There was no significant difference in post-EVT outcomes between fully-abled patients and patients with developmental disabilities. In the absence of prospective clinical trials, population based cross-sectional analyses such as the present study provide valuable clinical insight.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Patients with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Incidence, Predictive Factors, and Impact on Mortality.

INTRODUCTION: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a known predictor of poor outcomes in critically ill patients. We sought to examine the role ARDS plays in outcomes in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients. Prior studies investigating the incidence of ARDS in SAH patients did not control for SAH severity. Hence, we sought to determine the incidence ARDS in patients diagnosed with aneurysmal SAH and investigate the predisposing risk factors and impact upon outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database for the years 2008 to 2014. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors and outcome associated with developing ARDS in the setting of SAH. RESULTS: We identified 170,869 patients with non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, of whom 6962 were diagnosed with ARDS and of those 4829 required mechanical ventilation. ARDS more frequently developed in high grade SAH patients (1.97 ± 0.05 vs. 1.15 ± 0.01; p < 0.0001). Neurologic predictors of ARDS included cerebral edema (OR 1.892, CI 1.180-3.034, p = 0.0035) and medical predictors included cardiac arrest (OR 4.642, CI 2.273-9.482, p < 0.0001) and cardiogenic shock (OR 2.984, CI 1.157-7.696, p = 0.0239). ARDS was associated with significantly worse outcomes (15.5% vs. 52.9% discharged home, 63.0% vs. 40.8% discharged to rehabilitation facility and 21.5% vs. 6.3% in-hospital mortality). CONCLUSION: Patients with SAH who developed ARDS were less likely to be discharged home, more likely to need rehabilitation and had a significantly higher risk of mortality. The identification of risk factors contributing to ARDS is helpful for improving outcomes and resource utilization.

Treatment of an Elusive Symptomatic Sinus Pericranii: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Sinus pericranii (SP) are abnormal vascular connections between extracranial scalp venous channels and intracranial dural sinuses. This vascular abnormality rarely results in significant sequelae, but in select cases, it can be symptomatic. We describe the case of a 7-year-old girl with an SP who experienced intermittent visual, motor, and sensory symptoms not previously described in the literature. Her symptoms resolved after surgical treatment of the SP. We propose a mechanism for her symptoms and the rationale for the role of neurosurgical intervention along with a review of the literature.

Utility of frailty as a predictor of acute kidney injury in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with poor outcome in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients (aSAH). Frailty has recently been demonstrated to correlate with elevated mortality and morbidity; its impact on predicting AKI and mortality in aSAH patients has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: Evaluating risk factors and predictors for AKI in aSAH patients. METHODS: aSAH patients from a single-center's prospectively maintained database were retrospectively evaluated for development of AKI within 14 days of admission. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were collected. The effect of frailty and other risk factors were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 213 aSAH patients, 53 (33.1%) were frail and 12 (5.6%) developed AKI. Admission serum creatinine (sCr) and peak sCr within 48 h were higher in frail patients. AKI patients showed a trend towards higher frailty. Mortality was significantly higher in AKI than non-AKI aSAH patients. Frailty was a poor predictor of AKI when controlling for Hunt and Hess (HH) grade or age. HH grade ≥ 4 strongly predicted AKI when controlling for frailty. CONCLUSION: AKI in aSAH patients carries a poor prognosis. The HH grade appears to have superior utility as a predictor of AKI in aSAH patients than mFI.

Intrasellar hemorrhagic chordoma masquerading as pituitary apoplexy: case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Chordomas are centrally located, expansile soft tissue neoplasms that arise from the remnants of the embryological notochord. Hemorrhagic presentation is exceedingly rare and can resemble pituitary apoplexy. Moreover, a purely intrasellar location of a chordoma is extremely uncommon. We report a case of a hemorrhagic intrasellar chordoma in an adult male, which presented similarly to pituitary apoplexy and was resolved with surgical resection. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 69-year-old male presented with a 4 week history of acute onset headache and concurrent diplopia, with significantly reduced testosterone and slightly reduced cortisol. His left eye demonstrated a sixth cranial nerve palsy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed a large hemorrhagic mass in the pituitary region with significant compression of the left cavernous sinus and superior displacement of the pituitary gland. The patient underwent an endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach for the resection of the lesion. Near total resection was achieved. Final pathology revealed chordoma with evidence of intratumoral hemorrhage, further confirmed by immunopositive stain for brachyury. Post-operatively, the patient had improved diplopia and was discharged home on low dose hydrocortisone. At 3-month follow-up, his diplopia was resolved and new MRI showed stable small residual disease. CONCLUSIONS: Apoplectic chordomas are uncommon given chordoma's characteristic lack of intralesional vascularity and represent a diagnostic challenge in the sellar region. Our unique case demonstrates that despite our initial impression of pituitary apoplexy, this was ultimately a case of apoplectic chordoma that responded well to endoscopic endonasal surgery.

Neutrophil-Lymphocyte ratio is associated with poor clinical outcome after mechanical thrombectomy in stroke in patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is emerging as an important biomarker of acute physiologic stress in a myriad of medical conditions, and is a confirmed poor prognostic indicator in COVID-19. OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe the role of NLR in predicting poor outcome in COVID-19 patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: We analyzed NLR in COVID-19 patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes enrolled into an international 12-center retrospective study of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, consecutively admitted between March 1, 2020 and May 1, 2020. Increased NLR was defined as ≥7.2. Logistic regression models were generated. RESULTS: Incidence of LVO stroke was 38/6698 (.57%). Mean age of patients was 62 years (range 27-87), and mortality rate was 30%. Age, sex, and ethnicity were not predictive of mortality. Elevated NLR and poor vessel recanalization (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) score of 1 or 2a) synergistically predicted poor outcome (likelihood ratio 11.65, p = .003). Patients with NLR > 7.2 were 6.8 times more likely to die (OR 6.8, CI95% 1.2-38.6, p = .03) and almost 8 times more likely to require prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 7.8, CI95% 1.2-52.4, p = .03). In a multivariate analysis, NLR > 7.2 predicted poor outcome even when controlling for the effect of low TICI score on poor outcome (NLR p = .043, TICI p = .070). CONCLUSIONS: We show elevated NLR in LVO patients with COVID-19 portends significantly worse outcomes and increased mortality regardless of recanalization status. Severe neuro-inflammatory stress response related to COVID-19 may negate the potential benefits of successful thrombectomy.

An institutional report of heparin induced thrombocytopenia type II in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients.

BACKGROUND: Heparin induced thrombocytopenia Type II (HIT-II) is a dangerous thromboembolic complication of heparin therapy. The current literature on incidence and outcomes of HIT-II in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) patients remains sparse. OBJECTIVE: We report our institution's incidence and outcomes of HIT-II in aSAH patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study at an academic medical center between June 2014 and July 2018. All patients had aSAH confirmed by digital subtraction angiography. Diagnosis of HIT-II was determined by positive results on both heparin PF4-platelet antibody ELISA (anti-PF4) and serotonin release assay (SRA). RESULTS: 204 patients met inclusion criteria. Seven patients (7/204, 3.5%) underwent laboratory testing, three of whom met clinical criteria. HIT-II incidence was confirmed in two of these seven patients (2/204, 0.98%), who had high BMI and T4 scores. CONCLUSION: Our institution's report of HIT-II incidence in aSAH patients is lower than previously reported in this population and more closely parallels HIT-II incidence in the general and surgical ICU setting. Widely-accepted American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) clinical diagnostic criteria in conjunction with anti-PF4 and SRA testing is the gold standard of clinical diagnosis of HIT-II in aSAH patients.

Adult Trauma Patients With Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score of 4: A Systematic Review.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate characteristics of patients with thoracolumbar injury classification and severity (TLICS) score of 4 (To4) severity traumatic thoracolumbar injury. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The TLICS score is used to predict the need for operative versus nonoperative management in adult patients with traumatic thoracolumbar injury. Ambiguity exists in its application and score categorization. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed. The databases of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Review were queried. Studies included adults with traumatic thoracolumbar injury with assigned TLICS score and description of management strategy. RESULTS: A total of 16 studies met inclusion criteria representing 1911 adult patients with traumatic thoracolumbar injury. There were 503 (26.32%) patients with To4, of which 298 (59.24%) were operative. Studies focusing on the thoracolumbar junction and AO Type A fracture morphology had To4 patient incidences of 11.15% and 52.94%, respectively. Multiple studies describe better quality of life, pain scores, and radiographic outcomes in To4 who underwent operative treatment patients. CONCLUSION: To4 injuries are more commonly AO Type A and located in the thoracolumbar junction in adult patients with traumatic thoracolumbar injury. Despite ambiguous recommendations regarding treatment provided by TLICS, outcomes favor operative intervention in this subset of traumatic thoracolumbar injury patients.