ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The superiority of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) over medical management was not established in two early basilar artery occlusion (BAO) randomized controlled trials. Despite this, many clinicians recommended EVT for acute BAO under certain circumstances. This paper aims to compare physicians' diagnostic and management strategies of BAO according to gender. METHODS: From January to March 2022 an international survey was conducted regarding management strategies in acute BAO. We compared responses between clinicians by identifying gender. Questions were designed to examine clinical and imaging parameters influencing management of patients with BAO. RESULTS: Among the 1245 respondents from 73 countries, 311 (25.0%) identified as female. This figure was 13.6% amongst interventionists. Geographically, female respondents were lowest in Asia (14.5%) and North America (23.9%). The proportion of respondents identifying as female was consistent regardless of their years of experience. Female respondents were more likely to choose time of onset as time of first estimated stroke like symptom (48.0% vs. 38.5%, p < .01), were less likely to favor thrombectomy in the V4 segment of vertebrobasilar artery occlusions (31.5% vs. 43.3%, p < .01), and were less likely to find it acceptable to enroll all patients who met trial criteria in the standard medical treatment arm of a clinical trial (41.2% vs. 47.0%, p = .01). Male respondents were more likely to agree that thrombolysis would not alter their decision on proceeding with EVT (93.7% vs. 88.3%, p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Female clinicians appear to be significantly underrepresented in stroke medicine. This is most pronounced amongst interventionists and in Asia. Although male and female opinions were closely aligned on many aspects of BAO management, differences in opinion were observed in a number of significant areas which influence decision making.
ABSTRACT
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1024891.].
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: With the expanding eligibility for endovascular therapy (EVT) of patients presenting in the late window (6-24 hours after last known well), we aimed to derive a score to predict favorable outcomes associated with EVT versus best medical management. METHODS AND RESULTS: A multinational observational cohort of patients from the CLEAR (Computed Tomography for Late Endovascular Reperfusion) study with proximal intracranial occlusion (2014-2022) was queried (n=58 sites). Logistic regression analyses were used to derive a 9-point score for predicting good functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2 or return to premorbid modified Rankin Scale score) at 90 days, with sensitivity analyses for prespecified subgroups conducted using bootstrapped random forest regressions. Secondary outcomes included 90-day functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2), poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 5-6), and 90-day survival. The score was externally validated with a single-center cohort (2014-2023). Of the 3231 included patients (n=2499 EVT), a 9-point score included age, early computed tomography ischemic changes, and stroke severity, with higher points indicating a higher probability of a good functional outcome. The areas under the curve for the primary outcome among EVT and best medical management subgroups were 0.72 (95% CI, 0.70-0.74) and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.84-0.90), respectively, with similar performance in the external validation cohort (area under the curve, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.66-0.76]). There was a significant interaction between the score and EVT for good functional outcome, functional independence, and poor outcome (all Pinteraction<0.001), with greater benefit favoring patients with lower and midrange scores. CONCLUSIONS: This score is a pragmatic tool that can estimate the probability of a good outcome with EVT in the late window. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.Clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04096248.
Subject(s)
Endovascular Procedures , Thrombectomy , Humans , Male , Female , Endovascular Procedures/methods , Aged , Thrombectomy/methods , Middle Aged , Treatment Outcome , Time Factors , Ischemic Stroke/physiopathology , Ischemic Stroke/therapy , Recovery of Function , Functional Status , Predictive Value of Tests , Risk Assessment/methods , Time-to-Treatment , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The optimal anesthetic strategy for endovascular therapy (EVT) in acute ischemic stroke is still under debate. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with isolated posterior cerebral artery (PCA) occlusion stroke undergoing EVT by anesthesia modality with conscious sedation (non-GA) versus general anesthesia (GA). METHODS: Patients from the Posterior CerebraL Artery Occlusion (PLATO) study were analyzed with regard to anesthetic strategy. GA was compared with non-GA using multivariable logistic regression and inverse probability of weighting treatment (IPTW) methods. The primary endpoint was the 90-day distribution of the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. Secondary outcomes included functional independence or return to Rankin at day 90, and successful reperfusion, defined as expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (eTICI) 2b to 3. Safety endpoints were symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality. RESULTS: Among 376 patients with isolated PCA occlusion stroke treated with EVT, 183 (49%) had GA. The treatment groups were comparable, although the GA group contained more patients with severe stroke and lower posterior circulation Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (pc-ASPECTS). On IPTW analysis, there was no difference between groups with regard to ordinal mRS shift analysis (common OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.51, P=0.67) or functional independence (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.39, P=0.49). There were greater odds for successful reperfusion with GA (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.47, P=0.01). Safety outcomes were comparable between groups. CONCLUSION: In patients with isolated PCA occlusion undergoing EVT, patients treated with GA had higher reperfusion rates compared with non-GA. Both GA and non-GA strategies were safe and functional outcomes were similar.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Posterior cerebral artery occlusion (PCAo) can cause long-term disability, yet randomized controlled trials to guide optimal reperfusion strategy are lacking. We compared the outcomes of PCAo patients treated with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) with or without intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) to patients treated with IVT alone. METHODS: From the multicenter retrospective Posterior cerebraL ArTery Occlusion (PLATO) registry, we included patients with isolated PCAo treated with reperfusion therapy within 24 hours of onset between January 2015 and August 2022. The primary outcome was the distribution of the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3 months. Other outcomes comprised 3-month excellent (mRS 0-1) and independent outcome (mRS 0-2), early neurological improvement (ENI), mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). The treatments were compared using inverse probability weighted regression adjustment. RESULTS: Among 724 patients, 400 received EVT+/-IVT and 324 IVT alone (median age 74 years, 57.7% men). The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admission was 7, and the occluded segment was P1 (43.9%), P2 (48.3%), P3-P4 (6.1%), bilateral (1.0%), or fetal posterior cerebral artery (0.7%). Compared to IVT alone, EVT+/-IVT was not associated with improved functional outcome (adjusted common odds ratio [OR] 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.79-1.43). EVT increased the odds for ENI (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.49, 95% CI 1.05-2.12), sICH (aOR 2.87, 95% CI 1.23-6.72), and mortality (aOR 1.77, 95% CI 1.07-2.95). CONCLUSION: Despite higher odds for early improvement, EVT+/-IVT did not affect functional outcome compared to IVT alone after PCAo. This may be driven by the increased risk of sICH and mortality after EVT.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We compared the outcomes of endovascular therapy (EVT) in an extended time window in patients with large-vessel occlusion (LVO) between patients with and without pre-stroke disability. METHODS: In this prespecified analysis of the multinational CT for Late Endovascular Reperfusion study (66 participating sites, 10 countries between 2014 and 2022), we analyzed data from patients with acute ischemic stroke with a pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-4 and LVO who underwent EVT 6-24 hours from the time last seen well. The primary outcome was the composite of functional independence (FI; mRS score 0-2) or return to the pre-stroke mRS score (return of Rankin, RoR) at 90 days. Outcomes were compared between patients with pre-stroke disability (pre-stroke mRS score 2-4) and those without (mRS score 0-1). RESULTS: A total of 2,231 patients (median age, 72 years; median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, 16) were included in the present analysis. Of these, 564 (25%) had pre-stroke disability. The primary outcome (FI or RoR) was observed in 30.7% of patients with pre-stroke disability (FI, 16.5%; RoR, 30.7%) compared to 44.1% of patients without (FI, 44.1%; RoR, 13.0%) (P<0.001). In multivariable logistic regression analysis with inverse probability of treatment weighting, pre-stroke disability was not associated with significantly lower odds of achieving FI or RoR (adjusted odds ratio 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.43-1.25). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 6.3% of both groups (P=0.995). CONCLUSION: A considerable proportion of patients with late-presenting LVO and pre-stroke disability regained pre-stroke mRS scores after EVT. EVT may be appropriate for patients with pre-stroke disability presenting in the extended time window.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The benefit of endovascular therapy (EVT) among stroke patients with large ischemic core (ASPECTS 0-5) in the extended time window outside of trial settings remains unclear. We analyzed the effect of EVT among these stroke patients in real-world settings. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The CT for Late Endovascular Reperfusion (CLEAR) study recruited patients from 66 centers in 10 countries between 01/2014 and 05/2022. The extended time-window was defined as 6-24 h from last-seen-well to treatment. The primary outcome was shift of the 3-month modified Rankin scale (mRS) score. Safety outcomes included symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and mortality. Outcomes were analyzed with ordinal and logistic regressions. RESULTS: Among 5098 screened patients, 2451 were included in the analysis (median age 73, 55% women). Of patients with ASPECTS 0-5 (n = 310), receiving EVT (n = 209/310) was associated with lower 3-month mRS when compared to medical management (median 4 IQR 3-6 vs 6 IQR 4-6; aOR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.7). Patients undergoing EVT had higher sICH (11.2% vs 4.0%; aOR 4.1, 95% CI 1.2-18.8) and lower mortality (31.6% vs 58.4%, aOR 0.4; 95% CI 0.2-0.9) compared to medically managed patients. The relative benefit of EVT was comparable between patients with ASPECTS 0 and 5 and 6-10 in the extended time window (interaction aOR 0.9; 95% CI 0.5-1.7). CONCLUSION: In the extended time window, patients with ASPECTS 0-5 may have preserved relative treatment benefit of EVT compared to patients with ASPECTS 6-10. These findings are in line with recent trials showing benefit of EVT among real-world patients with large ischemic core in the extended time window. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04096248.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Emerging data associated subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) with a heightened risk of future cognitive decline in Parkinson´s Disease (PD). OBJECTIVE: To determine whether SCC may predict the development of cognitive impairment in PD patients at baseline. METHODS: Over 4 years, major aspects of motor and non-motor symptoms were assessed. SCC were evaluated by non-motor symptoms scale domain-5 (NMSS5). The predictor value of SCC in cognitive change was assessed with univariate linear regression analyses, with NMSS5 at baseline as predictor. Change in cognition (ΔMoCA) was calculated by subtracting Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) scores at baseline from scores obtained at reassessment and employed as the outcome. We replicated these analyses by employing alterations in MoCA subdomains as outcomes. RESULTS: 134 patients were evaluated at baseline, of those 73 PD patients were reassessed four years later. In our study, SCC didn´t act as a predictor for future cognitive decline. However, baseline NMSS5 was associated significantly with variation in attention, naming, and orientation domains. CONCLUSION: Our findings did not support that SCC in PD patients acts as a predictor of global cognitive decline. However, our findings enhance comprehension of how SCC correlates with performance in distinct cognitive areas, thereby providing better guidance for patients on their current complaints.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Studies comparing bridging intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with direct endovascular therapy (EVT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke who present late are limited. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and safety of bridging IVT in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who underwent EVT 6 to 24 hours after time last known well. METHODS: We enrolled patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke and a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of ≥6 from 20 centers across 10 countries in the multicenter retrospective CLEAR study (CT for Late Endovascular Reperfusion) between January 2014 and May 2022. We used inverse probability of treatment weighting modeling adjusted for clinical and imaging confounders to compare functional outcomes, reperfusion success, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and mortality between EVT patients with and without prior IVT. RESULTS: Of 5098 patients screened for eligibility, we included 2749 patients, of whom 549 received bridging IVT before EVT. The timing of IVT was not recorded. Witnessed stroke onset and transfer rates were higher in the bridging IVT group (25% versus 12% and 77% versus 55%, respectively, P value for both <0.0001), and time intervals between stroke onset and treatment were shorter (time last known well-start of EVT median 560 minutes [interquartile range, 432-791] versus 724 minutes [interquartile range, 544-912]; P<0.0001). After adjustment for confounders, there was no difference in functional outcome at 3 months (adjusted common odds ratio for modified Rankin Scale shift, 1.03 [95% CI, 0.89-1.19]; P=0.72) or successful reperfusion (adjusted odds ratio, 1.19 [95% CI, 0.81-1.75]; P=0.39). There were no safety concerns associated with bridging IVT versus direct EVT (symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage: adjusted odds ratio, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.38-1.48]; P=0.40; mortality: adjusted odds ratio, 1.14 [95% CI, 0.89-1.46]; P=0.31). Results were unchanged when the analysis was limited to patients who received IVT >6 hours after last known well. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with an anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke who underwent EVT 6 to 24 hours from last known well, bridging IVT was not associated with a difference in outcomes compared with direct EVT. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04096248.
Subject(s)
Endovascular Procedures , Ischemic Stroke , Thrombolytic Therapy , Humans , Male , Female , Aged , Ischemic Stroke/therapy , Ischemic Stroke/drug therapy , Ischemic Stroke/surgery , Endovascular Procedures/methods , Middle Aged , Thrombolytic Therapy/methods , Treatment Outcome , Retrospective Studies , Aged, 80 and over , Fibrinolytic Agents/therapeutic use , Fibrinolytic Agents/administration & dosage , Time-to-Treatment , Brain Ischemia/drug therapy , Brain Ischemia/therapyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is uncertainty whether patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) presenting in the late 6-hour to 24-hour time window can be selected for endovascular therapy (EVT) by noncontrast CT (NCCT) and CT angiography (CTA) for LVO detection. We evaluated the clinical outcomes of patients selected for EVT by NCCT compared with those medically managed in the extended time window. METHODS: This multinational cohort study was conducted at 66 sites across 10 countries. Consecutive patients with proximal anterior LVO stroke selected for EVT by NCCT or medically managed and presenting within 6-24 hours of time last seen well (TSLW) from January 2014 to May 2022 were included. The primary end point was the 90-day ordinal shift in the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. Inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) and multivariable methods were used. RESULTS: Of 5,098 patients screened, 839 patients were included, with a median (interquartile range) age of 75 (64-83) years; 455 (54.2%) were women. There were 616 patients selected to undergo EVT by NCCT (73.4%) and 223 (26.6%) who were medically managed. In IPTW analyses, there was a more favorable 90-day ordinal mRS shift in patients selected by NCCT to EVT vs those who were medically managed (odds ratio [OR] 1.99, 95% CI 1.53-2.59; p < 0.001). There were higher rates of 90-day functional independence (mRS 0-2) in the EVT group (40.1% vs 18.4%, OR 3.31, 95% CI 2.11-5.20; p < 0.001). sICH was nonsignificantly higher in the EVT group (8.5% vs 1.4%, OR 3.77, 95% CI 0.72-19.7, p = 0.12). Mortality at 90 days was lower in the EVT vs MM group (23.9% vs 32.3%, OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.45-0.83, p = 0.002). DISCUSSION: In patients with proximal anterior LVO in the extended time window, there was a lower rate of disability and mortality in patients selected with NCCT and CTA to EVT compared with those who were medically managed. These findings support the use of NCCT as a simpler and more inclusive approach to patient selection in the extended window. TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION: This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under NCT04096248. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class III evidence that for patients with proximal anterior circulation occlusion presenting with ischemic stroke from 6 to 24 hours, compared with medical management, those undergoing thrombectomy based on NCCT have reduced disability and mortality at 90 days.
Subject(s)
Endovascular Procedures , Thrombectomy , Humans , Female , Aged , Male , Thrombectomy/methods , Aged, 80 and over , Middle Aged , Endovascular Procedures/methods , Computed Tomography Angiography , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Cohort Studies , Time-to-Treatment , Treatment Outcome , Cerebral AngiographyABSTRACT
In patients with ischaemic stroke, a carotid free-floating thrombus (CFFT) raises diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We describe two women, each taking tamoxifen for invasive non-metastatic breast cancer, who developed large-vessel occlusion ischaemic strokes. The first had a CFFT 24 hours after receiving intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy; the thrombus completely resolved after 1 week of therapeutic anticoagulation. The second had a tandem occlusion with a CFFT at admission; her neurological deficits rapidly improved after intravenous thrombolysis without needing a mechanical thrombectomy. However, subsequently, under therapeutic anticoagulation, distal migration of the CFFT caused a recurrent large vessel occlusion ischaemic stroke, requiring mechanical thrombectomy. The CTFF in both cases appeared to relate to a cancer-related prothrombotic state. Both received long-term oral anticoagulation and their tamoxifen was switched to anastrozole. At 3 months, both were functionally independent without recurrent vascular events.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Ischemic Stroke , Humans , Female , Ischemic Stroke/diagnostic imaging , Ischemic Stroke/drug therapy , Ischemic Stroke/etiology , Ischemic Stroke/complications , Middle Aged , Breast Neoplasms/complications , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Tamoxifen/therapeutic use , Aged , Thrombosis/diagnostic imaging , Thrombosis/drug therapy , Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/therapeutic use , Carotid Artery Thrombosis/diagnostic imaging , Carotid Artery Thrombosis/complications , Carotid Artery Thrombosis/drug therapyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Abnormal hemoglobin (Hb) levels lead to poorer outcomes in ischemic stroke, though the mechanisms remain elusive. We aimed to study the role of Hb on imaging and clinical outcomes, namely on collaterals as it is a known mediator of infarct growth. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients with large vessel occlusion ischemic stroke admitted to our center. Demographics, clinical and imaging variables were collected, particularly baseline hemoglobin, presence of anemia and collateral score. Collaterals were scored from 0 to 3 and defined as poor if 0-1. Multivariable analyses were performed for collateral score and clinical outcomes (3-month mortality and good prognosis). RESULTS: We included 811 patients, 215 (26.5 %) with anemia. Patients with anemia were older, had more comorbidities and more severe strokes. Hemoglobin levels and anemia were not associated with collateral score (OR 0.97, 95 % CI 0.89-1.05, p = 0.414 and OR 0.89, 95 % CI 0.64-1.24, p = 0.487, respectively) nor with poor collaterals (OR 0.96, 95 % CI 0.88-1.05, p = 0.398 and OR 0.86, 95 % CI 0.60-1.23, p = 0.406, respectively). Hb levels were associated with 3-month mortality (OR 0.85, 95 % CI 0.76-0.96, p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Hemoglobin or anemia were not found to be associated with collateral status. Our results raise further questions regarding the pathophysiology of anemia and outcomes in ischemic stroke, highlighting the need for future research.
Subject(s)
Anemia , Arterial Occlusive Diseases , Brain Ischemia , Ischemic Stroke , Stroke , Humans , Brain Ischemia/complications , Brain Ischemia/diagnostic imaging , Retrospective Studies , Stroke/diagnostic imaging , Hemoglobins , Anemia/complications , Collateral Circulation/physiology , Cerebral Angiography/methods , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The follow-up of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) presents an opportunity to alert patients and their families on how to recognize and act in the event of stroke. Our aim was to compare stroke recognition-to-door time and prehospital stroke code activation in patients with known AF (KAF) and AF detected after stroke (AFDAS). METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients receiving acute recanalization treatment for acute ischemic stroke between January 2016 and August 2022, with AF as a potential stroke cause. Patients were divided into KAF and AFDAS, and stroke recognition-to-door time and prehospital stroke code activation were compared. In the KAF subgroup, we assessed whether the use of preadmission anticoagulation was associated with the studied prehospital parameters. RESULTS: We included 438 patients, 290 female (66.2%), mean age 79.3±9.4 years. In total, 238 patients had KAF (54.3%) and 200 (45.7%) had AFDAS. Of those with KAF, 114 (48.1%) were pretreated with anticoagulation. Patients with KAF and AFDAS had no differences in stroke recognition-to-door time (74.0 [55.0-101.0] vs. 78.0 [60.0-112.0] min; p=0.097) or prehospital stroke code activation [148 (64.6%) vs. 128 (65.3%); p=0.965]. In the KAF subgroup, preadmission anticoagulation did not influence stroke recognition-to-door time or mode of hospital admission. CONCLUSION: Stroke recognition-to-door time and prehospital stroke code activation were similar between patients with known or newly diagnosed AF. Preadmission anticoagulation treatment also did not affect the studied parameters. Our findings highlight a missed opportunity to promote stroke knowledge in patients followed due to AF.
Subject(s)
Atrial Fibrillation , Emergency Medical Services , Ischemic Stroke , Humans , Female , Atrial Fibrillation/complications , Atrial Fibrillation/drug therapy , Retrospective Studies , Male , Aged , Ischemic Stroke/complications , Time-to-Treatment , Cohort StudiesABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery are among the specialties that most commonly require neurology inpatient consultations. We aimed to study the neurology referrals by the cardiovascular-specialized hospital included in our tertiary hospital center. METHODS: Retrospective study of consecutive patients referred for neurology inpatient consultation between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022. We analyzed referrals, patients' characteristics, and the approach taken. A detailed subanalysis was performed for patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). RESULTS: 143 patients were observed (mean age 67.3 years, 46 [32.2%] females). Most frequent referral reasons were suspected AIS deficits (39.2%), altered mental status (19.6%), suspected seizures (13.3%), and neuroprognostication (11.9%). Mean referral-to-consult time was 2.7 days, and 117 (81.8%) consults were in-person. Additional investigation, treatment changes, and outpatient clinic referral were proposed, respectively, in 79.7%, 60.1%, and 19.6% of patients. Most common diagnoses were AIS (45.5%), hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (18.9%), and delirium (7.0%). Regarding patients with AIS (n = 62), most common stroke causes were post-cardiac procedure (44.6%), infective endocarditis (18.5%), aortic dissection (10.8%), acute myocardial infarction (10.8%), and anticoagulant withdrawal in patients with atrial fibrillation (6.2%). Thirty-four AIS patients were diagnosed less than 24 h since last seen well, of which four (6.2%) were treated (three with thrombolysis and one with mechanical thrombectomy). CONCLUSION: AIS is the most common reason for referral in our cardiovascular hospital. Our results highlight the importance of the availability of a neurologist/neurohospitalist with stroke expertise for consultation of inpatients admitted in a specialized cardiovascular hospital.
Subject(s)
Ischemic Stroke , Referral and Consultation , Humans , Female , Male , Aged , Retrospective Studies , Middle Aged , Referral and Consultation/statistics & numerical data , Ischemic Stroke/therapy , Neurology/statistics & numerical data , Tertiary Care Centers , Aged, 80 and over , Hospitals, Special/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Biological sex is known to have an impact on quality metrics of acute stroke. We aimed to determine whether COVID positivity accentuates this effect and constitutes worse outcome. METHODS: The present analysis was based on the Global COVID-19 Stroke Registry, a retrospective, international, cohort study of consecutive ischemic stroke patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis and/or endovascular thrombectomy between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021. We investigated differences between the sexes in patient characteristics, acute stroke metrics as well as post-stroke outcome in COVID-positive and COVID-negative stroke patients undergoing acute revascularization procedures. RESULTS: A total of 15,128 patients from 106 centers were recorded in the Global COVID-19 Stroke Registry, 853 (5.6%) of whom were COVID-positive. Overall, COVID-positive individuals were treated significantly slower according to every acute stroke metric compared to COVID-negative patients. We were able to show that key quality indicators in acute stroke treatment were unfavorable for COVID-negative women compared to men (last-seen-well-to-door time + 11 min in women). Furthermore, COVID-negative women had worse 3-month outcomes (3-month modified Rankin Scale score [interquartile range] 3.0 [4.0] vs. 2.0 [3.0]; p < 0.01), even after adjusting for confounders. In COVID-positive individuals no such difference between the sexes, either in acute management metrics or in 3-month outcome, was seen. CONCLUSION: Known sex-related differences in acute stroke management exist and extend to times of crisis. Nevertheless, if patients were COVID-19-positive at stroke onset, women and men were treated the same, which could be attributed to structured treatment pathways.
Subject(s)
Brain Ischemia , COVID-19 , Endovascular Procedures , Stroke , Humans , Female , Male , Brain Ischemia/therapy , Sex Characteristics , Retrospective Studies , Cohort Studies , Treatment Outcome , COVID-19/complications , Stroke/epidemiology , Stroke/therapy , Thrombectomy , Endovascular Procedures/methodsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The association between sex and outcome after endovascular thrombectomy of acute ischemic stroke is unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and safety outcomes between men and women treated with endovascular thrombectomy in the late 6-to-24-hour window period. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective observational cohort study included consecutive patients who underwent endovascular thrombectomy of anterior circulation stroke in the late window from 66 clinical sites in 10 countries from January 2014 to May 2022. The primary outcome was the 90-day ordinal modified Rankin Scale score. Secondary outcomes included 90-day functional independence (FI), return of Rankin (RoR) to prestroke baseline, FI or RoR, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and mortality. Multivariable and inverse probability of treatment weighting methods were used. We explored the interaction of sex with baseline characteristics on the outcomes ordinal modified Rankin Scale and FI or RoR. RESULTS: Of 1932 patients, 1055 were women and 877 were men. Women were older (77 versus 69 years), had higher rates of atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and greater prestroke disability, but there was no difference in baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. Inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis showed no difference between women and men in ordinal modified Rankin Scale (odds ratio, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.79-1.21]), FI or RoR (odds ratio, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.78-1.22]), severe disability or mortality (odds ratio, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.80-1.23]). The multivariable analysis of the above end points was concordant. There were no interactions between baseline characteristics and sex on the outcomes of ordinal modified Rankin Scale and FI or RoR. CONCLUSIONS: In late presenting patients with anterior circulation stroke treated with endovascular thrombectomy in the 6 to 24-hour window, there was no difference in clinical or safety outcomes between men and women.
Subject(s)
Atrial Fibrillation , Ischemic Stroke , Stroke , United States , Humans , Female , Male , Sex Characteristics , Retrospective Studies , Stroke/surgeryABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The association of COVID-19 with higher bleeding risk and worse outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) undergoing revascularization may be related to the presence of infection symptoms. We aimed to assess the safety and outcomes of revascularization treatments in patients with AIS with asymptomatic COVID-19 (AS-COVID) or symptomatic COVID-19 (S-COVID). METHODS: We conducted an international multicenter retrospective cohort study of consecutive AIS tested for SARS-CoV-2, receiving intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular treatment between 2020 and 2021. We compared COVID-negative controls, AS-COVID, and S-COVID using multivariable regression. We assessed symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage), mortality, and 3-month disability (modified Rankin Scale score). RESULTS: Among 15â 124 patients from 105 centers (median age, 71 years; 49% men; 39% treated with intravenous thrombolysis only; and 61% with endovascular treatment±intravenous thrombolysis), 849 (5.6%) had COVID-19, of whom 395 (46%) were asymptomatic and 454 (54%) symptomatic. Compared with controls, both patients with AS-COVID and S-COVID had higher symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage rates (COVID-controls, 5%; AS-COVID, 7.6%; S-COVID, 9.4%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.43 [95% CI, 1.03-1.99]; aOR, 1.63 [95% CI, 1.14-2.32], respectively). Only in patients with symptomatic infections, we observed a significant increase in mortality at 24 hours (COVID-controls, 1.3%; S-COVID, 4.8%; aOR, 2.97 [95% CI, 1.76-5.03]) and 3 months (COVID-controls, 19.5%; S-COVID, 40%; aOR, 2.64 [95% CI, 2.06-3.37]). Patients with COVID-19 had worse 3-month disability regardless of disease symptoms although disability was affected to a greater extent in symptomatic patients (aOR for worse modified Rankin Scale score shift: AS-COVID, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.03-1.51]; S-COVID, 2.10 [95% CI, 1.75-2.53]). S-COVID had lower successful recanalization (74.9% versus 85.6%; P<0.001), first pass recanalization (20.3% versus 28.3%; P=0.005), and a higher number of passes. CONCLUSIONS: In AIS undergoing revascularization treatments, both AS-COVID and S-COVID influence the risk of intracranial bleeding and worse clinical outcomes. The magnitude of this effect is more pronounced in symptomatic infections, which also present less favorable recanalization outcomes. These findings emphasize the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the prognosis of revascularized AIS independent of symptom status. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04895462.
Subject(s)
Brain Ischemia , COVID-19 , Endovascular Procedures , Ischemic Stroke , Stroke , Male , Humans , Aged , Female , Stroke/therapy , Stroke/drug therapy , Ischemic Stroke/epidemiology , Ischemic Stroke/surgery , Brain Ischemia/epidemiology , Brain Ischemia/surgery , Thrombolytic Therapy , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/therapy , SARS-CoV-2 , Cerebral Hemorrhage/complications , Intracranial Hemorrhages/complications , ThrombectomyABSTRACT
Background Blood biomarkers are a potential tool for early stroke diagnosis. We aimed to perform a pilot and exploratory study on untargeted blood biomarkers in patients with suspected stroke by using mass spectrometry analysis. Methods and Results This was a prospective observational study of consecutive patients with suspected stroke admitted within 6 hours of last being seen well. Blood samples were collected at admission. Patients were divided into 3 groups: ischemic stroke (IS), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and stroke mimics. Quantitative analysis from mass spectrometry data was performed using a supervised approach. Biomarker-based prediction models were developed to differentiate IS from ICH and ICH+stroke mimics. Models were built aiming to minimize misidentification of patients with ICH as having IS. We included 90 patients, one-third within each subgroup. The median age was 71 years (interquartile range, 57-81 years), and 49 participants (54.4%) were women. In quantitative analysis, C3 (complement component 3), ICAM-2 (intercellular adhesion molecule 2), PLGLA (plasminogen like A), STXBP5 (syntaxin-binding protein 5), and IGHV3-64 (immunoglobulin heavy variable 3-64) were the 5 most significantly dysregulated proteins for both comparisons. Biomarker-based models showed 88% sensitivity and 89% negative predictive value for differentiating IS from ICH, and 75% sensitivity and 95% negative predictive value for differentiating IS from ICH+stroke mimics. ICAM-2, STXBP5, PLGLA, C3, and IGHV3-64 displayed the highest importance score in our models, being the most informative for identifying patients with stroke. Conclusions In this proof-of-concept and exploratory study, our biomarker-based prediction models, including ICAM-2, STXBP5, PLGLA, C3, and IGHV3-64, showed 75% to 88% sensitivity for identifying patients with IS, while aiming to minimize misclassification of ICH. Although our methodology provided an internal validation, these results still need validation in other cohorts and with different measurement techniques.