Reliability of Past Medical History in a Single Hospital Participating in Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Registry.

Background The GWTG (Get With The Guidelines)-Stroke registry supports clinical research and quality improvement projects that often rely on past medical history elements, the reliability of which remains largely unknown. Here, we evaluated the reliability of specific past medical history elements in a local GWTG-Stroke data set, with particular attention to calculating the CHA2DS2-VASc score. Methods and Results A single-center cohort was identified by querying the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania's GWTG IQVIA Registry Platform for patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke between January 2017 and December 2020, with a previously known history of atrial fibrillation. Demographics and previously known medical history elements were retrieved from the registry to calculate the CHA2DS2-VASc score. Five neurologists abstracted the same medical history elements from the health records. The κ statistics quantified the reliability of medical history elements and CHA2DS2-VASc score. Four hundred fifty-three patients with acute ischemic stroke and previously known atrial fibrillation were included in the cohort. In comparison with manual reabstraction, registry-based medical history elements were only moderately reliable: congestive heart failure (κ=0.53), hypertension (κ=0.42), diabetes (κ=0.80), prior stroke (κ=0.45), and vascular disease (κ=0.48). However, leveraging these variables to calculate the CHA2DS2-VASc score was more reliable (κ=0.73). Conclusions Previously known medical history elements in the GWTG-Stroke registry were only modestly reliable in this single-center study, suggesting caution should be exercised when relying on any individual history elements in registry-based research. Combining these variables to calculate the CHA2DS2-VASc score was somewhat more reliable. Multicenter data are needed before assuming generalizability.

Highly Visible Wall-Timer to Reduce Endovascular Treatment Time for Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke has revolutionized clinical care for patients with stroke and large vessel occlusion, but treatment remains time sensitive. At our stroke center, up to half of the door-to-groin time is accounted for after the patient arrives in the angio-suite. Here, we apply the concept of a highly visible timer in the angio-suite to quantify the impact on endovascular treatment time. METHODS: This was a single-center prospective pseudorandomized study conducted over a 32-week period. Pseudorandomization was achieved by turning the timer on and off in 2-week intervals. The primary outcome was angio-suite-to-groin time, and secondary outcomes were angio-suite-to-intubation time, groin-to-recanalization time, and 90-day modified Rankin scale. A stratified analysis was performed based on type of anesthesia (ie, endotracheal intubation versus not). RESULTS: During the 32-week study period, 97 mechanical thrombectomies were performed. The timer was on and off for 38 and 59 cases, respectively. The timer resulted in faster angio-suite-to-groin time (28 versus 33 minutes; P=0.02). The 5-minute reduction in angio-suite-to-groin was maintained after adjusting for intubation status in a multivariate regression (P=0.02). There was no difference in the 90-day modified Rankin scale between groups. The timer impact was consistent across the 32-week study period. CONCLUSIONS: A highly visible timer in the angio-suite achieved a meaningful, albeit modest, reduction in endovascular treatment time for patients with stroke. Given the lack of risk and low cost, it is reasonable for stroke centers to consider a highly visible timer in the angio-suite to improve treatment times.

Dual-Antiplatelet Therapy May Not Be Associated With an Increased Risk of In-hospital Bleeding in Patients With Moderate or Severe Ischemic Stroke.

Background and Purpose: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), compared to single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT), lowers the risk of stroke or death early after TIA and minor ischemic stroke. Prior trials excluded moderate to severe strokes, due to a potential increased risk of bleeding. We aimed to compare in-hospital bleeding rates in SAPT and DAPT patients with moderate or severe stroke (defined by NIHSS ≥4). Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of ischemic stroke over a 2-year period with admission NIHSS ≥4. The primary outcome was symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) with any change in NIHSS. Secondary outcomes included systemic bleeding and major bleeding, a composite of serious systemic bleeding and symptomatic ICH. We performed analyses stratified by stroke severity (NIHSS 4-7 vs. 8+) and by preceding use of tPA and/or thrombectomy. Univariate followed by multivariate logistic regression evaluated whether DAPT was independently associated with bleeding. Results: Of 377 patients who met our inclusion criteria, 148 received DAPT (39%). Symptomatic ICH was less common with DAPT compared to SAPT (0.7 vs. 6.4%, p < 0.01), as was the composite of major bleeding (2.1 vs. 7.6%, p = 0.03). Symptomatic ICH was numerically less frequent in the DAPT group, but not statistically significant, when stratified by stroke severity (NIHSS 4-7: 0 vs. 5.9%, p = 0.06; NIHSS 8+: 1.5 vs. 6.6%, p = 0.18) and by treatment with tPA and/or thrombectomy (Yes: 2.6 vs. 9.1%, p = 0.30; No: 0 vs. 2.9%, p = 0.25). DAPT was not associated with major bleeding in either the univariate or the multivariate regression. Conclusions: In this single center cohort, symptomatic ICH and the composite of serious systemic bleeding and symptomatic ICH was rare in patients on DAPT. Relative to single antiplatelet therapy DAPT was not associated with an increased risk of in-hospital bleeding in patients with moderate and severe ischemic stroke.

Studies in Neotropical Pseudophyllinae: A new genus of Cocconotini from the Colombian Andes and new subfamily assignment of the Dominican genus Anacaona (Tettigoniidae: Pseudophyllinae: Cocconotini).

Acuscercus eudaldoleondiazi n. gen et n. sp. from the Eastern slopes of the Colombian Andes is described, a typical long-winged member of the tribe Cocconotini, distinguished by peculiar morphology of male cerci. On the other hand, the Dominican genus Anacaona is moved from Cocconotini to the tribe Copiphorini (Conocephalinae). The status and tribal boundaries of Cocconotini and Eucocconotini are briefly discussed.

Mismatch between automated CTP and ASPECTS score in patients with anterior large vessel occlusion.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between delay to computed tomography perfusion and estimated core infarct volumes in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective registry of consecutive adults >18 years old who underwent CTP in clinical practice for suspected LVO within 24 h of LKN at 3 academic hospitals was queried (06/2017 - 12/2017). CT and CTP findings were compared over time as a continuous variable, and dichotomized by ≤6 h or 6-24 h from LKN. RESULTS: Of 410 screened patients, 75 had LVO, of whom 60 (14.6 %) met inclusion criteria (median age 78y [IQR 64-84], 36 were female [60 %]), and 39 (65.0 %) underwent thrombectomy. Thirty (50 %) presented in the extended window (6-24 h) and had lower ASPECTS scores compared to patients in the early window (median 7 vs. 9, p < 0.01). Perfusion core (rCBF <30 %) volumes were similar (median 8 vs. 25, p = 0.10). After adjustment for age, NIHSS, and thrombolysis, there was a trend for lower ASPECTS for every hour after LKN (proportional OR 0.92, 95 %CI 0.84-1.00, p = 0.06), but no change in perfusion core (p = 0.37) or Tmax>6 s volumes (p = 0.29), or mismatch ratios (p = 0.48) after adjusting for age, NIHSS, ASPECTS, and thrombolysis. CONCLUSION: As time progresses in anterior LVO, the unenhanced CT is more sensitive than CTP for detecting irreversibly damaged tissue. These results underscore the importance of carefully reviewing the unenhanced and perfusion CT when considering a patient for thrombectomy.

Computed tomography perfusion in stroke mimics.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence and patterns of abnormal findings on automated computed tomography perfusion in patients with stroke mimic. METHODS: We reviewed a retrospective multi-site cohort of consecutive patients undergoing computed tomography perfusion for suspected acute ischemic stroke within 24 h from last normal (June 2017 to December 2017). The primary outcome was the diagnosis of stroke mimic. Hypoperfusion abnormalities on iSchemaView RAPID automated computed tomography perfusion were compared between patients with stroke/transient ischemic attack and stroke mimic using mixed-effects multivariable logistic regression, focusing on absence of perfusion abnormalities and discordance with clinical symptoms and computed tomography angiography findings. RESULTS: Of 410 consecutive patients who underwent computed tomography perfusion, 348 met inclusion criteria (178 (51%) stroke, 19 (6%) transient ischemic attack, and 151 (43%) mimic). Time-to-maximum of the tissue residue function (Tmax>6s) abnormalities were seen in 42 (28%) patients with stroke mimic and 122 (62%) patients with stroke/transient ischemic attack (p < 0.001). Patients with stroke mimic were more likely to have a normal Tmax pattern (volume = 0mL; adjusted OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1-4.3, p = 0.02). When the Tmax pattern was abnormal, a higher proportion of patients with stroke mimic had Tmax patterns fully discordant with clinical symptoms than patients with stroke/transient ischemic attack (28/39 (71%) vs. 10/115 (9%), p < 0.001). Fully discordant Tmax abnormalities were strongly associated with stroke mimic (adjusted OR: 48.6, 95% CI: 7.0-336, p < 0.001), with a negative predictive value for identifying mimic of 91% (95% CI: 85-94%). CONCLUSION: While one-quarter of patients with stroke mimic show Tmax abnormalities on automated RAPID computed tomography perfusion imaging, the majority of patterns were discordant with symptoms and vessel status. Normal or fully discordant Tmax abnormalities are were more common with stroke mimic and may inform stroke treatment decision making.

Multicenter Volumetric Assessment of Artifactual Hypoperfusion Patterns using Automated CT Perfusion Imaging.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Automated computed tomography perfusion (CTP) is recommended to inform selection of stroke patients for thrombectomy >6 hours from last known normal (LKN). However, artifacts on automated perfusion output may overestimate the tissue at risk leading to misclassification of thrombectomy eligibility in some patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective multisite study of consecutive patients with anterior large vessel occlusion (LVO) undergoing CTP (6/2017-12/2017). The primary outcome was the RAPID automated Tmax  > 6 seconds volume that was discordant with clinical symptoms and vessel imaging, manually assessed by two independent readers. The discordant penumbral volume was compared to the automated output and corrected mismatch ratios were generated. RESULTS: Of 410 consecutive patients who underwent CTP for suspected stroke, 60 (15%) had acute anterior circulation LVO. Of these, 26 (43%) had Tmax > 6 seconds abnormalities discordant with clinical symptoms and vessel imaging. There was strong interrater agreement on artifact volume (r2 = 0.927). Among patients with discordant Tmax imaging, the median artifactual volume was 12cc (IQR 3-21cc), accounting for a median of 8% of the automated Tmax > 6 seconds volume (IQR 3-16%, range 1-64%). Recalculation of the Tmax > 6 seconds volume resulted in 1 patient being reclassified as having an "unfavorable" mismatch ratio (2.04-1.40). CONCLUSION: Nearly half of patients had evidence of artifactual penumbral imaging on automated CTP, which rarely lead to misclassification of thrombectomy eligibility. Although artifactual findings are reliably identified by trained raters, our results emphasize the need to evaluate CTP results with knowledge of the patient's clinical symptoms and vascular imaging.