Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Lacunar Stroke: A Hospital-Based Study.

Lacunar stroke (LS) is responsible for one-quarter of the overall number of ischemic strokes with long-term complications and carries health and economic issues for patients and health care systems. Therefore, we aimed to investigate lacunar versus non-lacunar strokes in a tertiary academic center. From February 2016 to July 2019, all patients admitted to the stroke unit were retrospectively reviewed. We included LS patients and compared them to other TOAST subtypes. Hemorrhagic stroke and conditions mimicking stroke were excluded. Regression analysis was done to determine LS predictors and outcomes. A 35.5% rate of LS among 989 ischemic stroke patients was found. Most patients (71.9%) were males. Lower National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores at admission and negative history for cardiac diseases were predictors for LS in our population. At discharge, LS patients had low NIHSS scores and shorter hospitalization periods compared to non-LS patients. In conclusion, LS was prevalent among ischemic stroke patients in our cohort. Future studies are highly needed with long follow-up intervals to identify the stroke recurrence, complications, and outcomes.

Stroke Seasonality and Weather Association in a Middle East Country: A Single Tertiary Center Experience.

Background: Stroke is a medical condition that leads to major disability and mortality worldwide. Some evidence suggests that weather and seasonal variations could have an impact on stroke incidence and outcome. However, the current evidence is inconclusive. Therefore, this study examines the seasonal variations and meteorological influences on stroke incidence and outcome in the largest city in Saudi Arabia. Methods: From February 2016 to July 2019, we retrospectively reviewed data from all patients with acute ischemic (AIS) or hemorrhagic stroke (HS) admitted to the stroke unit in a tertiary academic center in Saudi Arabia. The corresponding daily meteorological data were obtained for the same period. We considered the months from November to March as the cold season and April to October as the hot season. Results: The final cohort included 1,271 stroke patients; 60.89% (n = 774) cases occurred in the hot season, while 39.1% (n = 497) in the cold season. Males accounted for 69.6% (n = 884) of the cases. The proportion of ischemic stroke was 83.2% [hot season 83.9% (n = 649) vs. cold season 82.3% (n = 409)]. We found no statistically significant difference between seasons (hot or cold) in stroke incidence, severity [National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)], hospital course (pneumonia, thromboembolism, intensive care stay, or length of stay), or outcome [modified Rankin scale (mRS) on discharge and death]. Conclusions: In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, our study found no impact of weather or seasonal variations on stroke incidence, hospital course, or outcomes. However, our findings warrant further research in different country regions.

Anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke in Saudi Arabia: Prevalence, predictors, and outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Anterior circulation Large Vessel Occlusion (LVO) stroke comes with significant morbidity and mortality. With the advent of endovascular interventions, its management has revolutionized. For health authorities to build systems and allocate resources, its burden, predictors, and outcome must be determined. METHODS: In a single tertiary care center, we retrospectively collected data from 1495 ischemic stroke patients to determine anterior circulation LVO prevalence, predictors, and outcome. Patients must have radiologically proven ischemic stroke within 24 hours before arrival at the emergency department. Anterior circulation LVO related stroke was defined as evidence of new anterior circulation infarct detected on neuroimaging, and vascular imaging confirming anterior circulation Large Vessel Occlusion. Data on demographics, vascular risk factors, treatment with reperfusion therapy, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at admission, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at admission, length of stay (LOS) in days, and in-hospital comorbidities and death were collected. Regression analysis was done to determine the predictors and outcomes of anterior circulation LVO ischemic strokes. RESULTS: We found anterior circulation LVO in 27.8% (95 % CI 25.5-30.0) of all ischemic stroke patients. Atrial fibrillation and admission National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were the strongest predictors of LVO [OR 2.33, P = 0.0011 and OR 1.17, P < 0.0001] respectively. Occurrence of LVO was associated with worse disability score (mRS ≥ 3) [47.22 vs. 19.81% (P = 0.0073)], longer hospitalization in days [Median 9.0 vs. 3.0, IQR (14.0 vs. 5.0) P = 0.0432)], and was more likely to results in patient admission to intensive care unit [Mean 17.59 vs. 3.70 % (P = 0.0002)]. CONCLUSION: Stroke with large vessel occlusion in Saudi Arabia is not uncommon. Its burden and outcome deserve national attention, as effective treatment is now readily available.

Stroke mimics: Clinical characteristics and outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence and nature of stroke mimics (SM) among Saudi patients who came to the emergency department with a sudden neurological deficit and suspected stroke. METHODS: The electronic health records from February 2016 to July 2018 of patients who were admitted to the Stroke Unit at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KAMC-RD) with a suspected stroke were all reviewed. A comparison between SM and stroke was established. Our study identified the predictors of SM by using logistic regression analysis. This study was approved by the local institutional review board. RESULTS: Out of 1,063 patients, 131 (12.3%) had SM. The most common causes were a peripheral vestibular disorder (27.4%) followed by psychogenic causes (24.4%). Stroke mimics were more common among younger individuals and women. Arterial hypertension, diabetes, and smoking were less likely to be found in SMs. At discharge, individuals with SM were more likely to be independent, had milder deficits, and shorter hospital stays. Predictors of SM were young age, female gender, mild deficit at presentation, and good functional status before the stroke. CONCLUSION: The incidence of stroke mimics is common among suspected stroke patients. Practicing physicians should consider potential diagnostic errors, particularly in the hyperacute phase of the stroke.