Incidence and risk factors for intravenous immunoglobulin-related hemolysis: A systematic review of clinical trial and real-world populations.

BACKGROUND: Severe hemolysis rarely occurs in patients receiving intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy. A systematic review was performed to assess the incidence of IVIG-related hemolysis and the impact of patient and product risk factors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A systematic literature search for terms related to "IVIG products", "hemolysis," and "adverse events" was conducted in Embase for articles published between January 1, 2015, and May 31, 2021. Studies with no clinical datasets, no IVIG treatment, or where IVIG was used to treat hemolytic conditions were excluded. Of the 430 articles retrieved, 383 were excluded based on titles/abstracts and 14 were excluded after in-depth review. RESULTS: In total, 33 articles were analyzed and separated into observational studies (n = 16), clinical trials (n = 8), and case reports (n = 9). The incidence proportion for IVIG-related hemolysis ranged from 0% to 19% in observational studies and 0%-21% in clinical trials. A higher incidence of IVIG-related hemolysis was consistently reported in patients with blood groups A and AB. Hemolysis occurred more frequently in patients treated with IVIG for some conditions such as Kawasaki disease; however, this may be confounded by the high dose of IVIG therapy. IVIG-related hemolysis incidence was lower in studies using IVIG products citing manufacturing processes to reduce isoagglutinin levels than products that did not. CONCLUSION: This analysis identified patient and product risk factors including blood group, IVIG dose, and IVIG manufacturing processes associated with elevated IVIG-related hemolysis incidence.

Analysis of relapse by inflammatory Rasch-built overall disability scale status in the PATH study of subcutaneous immunoglobulin in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

Clinical trials in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) often assess efficacy using the ordinal Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) disability score. Here, data from the PATH study was reanalyzed using change in Inflammatory Rasch-built Overall Disability Scale (I-RODS) to define CIDP relapse instead of INCAT. The PATH study comprised an intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) dependency period and an IVIG (IgPro10 [Privigen]) restabilization period; subjects were then randomized to weekly maintenance subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG; IgPro20 [Hizentra]) 0.2 g/kg or 0.4 g/kg or placebo for 24 weeks. CIDP relapse was defined as ≥1-point deterioration in adjusted INCAT, with a primary endpoint of relapse or withdrawal rates. This retrospective exploratory analysis redefined relapse using I-RODS via three different cut-off methods: an individual variability method, fixed cut-off of ≥8-point deterioration on I-RODS centile score or ≥4-point deterioration on I-RODS raw score. Relapse or withdrawal rates were 47% for placebo, 34% for 0.2 g/kg IgPro20 and 19% for 0.4 g/kg IgPro20 using the raw score; 40%, 28% and 15%, respectively using the centile score, and 49%, 40% and 27%, respectively using the individual variability method. IgPro20 was shown to be efficacious as a maintenance therapy for CIDP when relapse was defined using I-RODS. A stable response pattern was shown for I-RODS across various applied cut-offs, which could be applied in future clinical trials.

Electrophysiological predictors of response to subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess axonal function prior to subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) therapy or placebo in relation to relapse in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) to determine whether axonal damage can predict therapy response. METHODS: Relapse rates in patients from the Polyneuropathy and Treatment with Hizentra (PATH) study, where patients were treated with placebo or SCIG (IgPro20), were analyzed by baseline (post-intravenous immunoglobulin stabilization) axonal damage (≤1 mV peroneal compound muscle action potential) status. RESULTS: In patients with non-axonal damage, relapses were significantly higher with placebo (73.0%) than IgPro20 (0.2 g/kg: 39.1%, 0.4 g/kg: 19.2%). In patients with axonal damage, IgPro20 had no effect on relapse (placebo: 25.0%, IgPro20: 0.2 g/kg: 30.0%, 0.4 g/kg: 19.4%). Patients with axonal damage relapsed significantly less on placebo versus non-axonal damage, but they also demonstrated higher baseline disability. CONCLUSION: Axonal damage may correspond to relapse upon treatment withdrawal; patients with axonal damage relapse less, possibly reflecting poor response to immunoglobulin therapy, while non-axonal damage patients may experience more relapse, perhaps indicating better treatment response. SIGNIFICANCE: In CIDP patients with axonal loss, immunoglobulin therapy may not be as effective. Assessing axonal damage could help guide therapy, with immunoglobulins ideally used before substantial axonal damage arises.

Pharmacometric analysis linking immunoglobulin exposure to clinical efficacy outcomes in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

The two main objectives of this analysis were to (i) characterize the relationship between immunoglobulin (Ig) exposure and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) disease severity using data from 171 patients with CIDP who received either subcutaneous Ig (IgPro20; Hizentra® ) or placebo (PATH study), and to (ii) simulate and compare exposure coverage with various dosing approaches considering weekly dosing to be the reference dose. IgG pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters, including those from a previous population PK model, were used to predict individual IgG profile and exposure metrics. Treatment-related changes in Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) scores were best described by a maximum effect (Emax ) model as a function of ΔIgG (total serum IgG at INCAT score assessment minus baseline IgG levels before intravenous Ig restabilization). Simulations indicate that flexible dosing from daily to biweekly (every other week) provide an exposure coverage equivalent to that of a weekly Ig dose.

Electrophysiological testing in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy patients treated with subcutaneous immunoglobulin: The Polyneuropathy And Treatment with Hizentra (PATH) study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess electrophysiology parameters that can reflect patients' clinical status and show changes in nerve function with treatment, in a study of subcutaneous immunoglobulin in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. METHODS: Nerve conduction studies (latency, conduction velocity, conduction block and compound muscle action potential [CMAP] on upper limb median, ulnar, and lower limb peroneal motor nerves) were conducted in the placebo-controlled PATH (Polyneuropathy And Treatment with Hizentra) study of two doses of maintenance subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) IgPro20 in CIDP. RESULTS: Averaged proximal latency substantially increased with placebo (+1.1 ms) indicating electrophysiologic deterioration but remained stable with IgPro20 (0.2 g/kg bodyweight [bw]: +0.1 ms; 0.4 g/kg bw: -0.1 ms). Distal latencies were also more prolonged with placebo versus IgPro20. Averaged motor nerve conduction velocity substantially decreased with placebo (-1.6 m/s) versus increasing in both IgPro20 groups (+0.2 m/s and +1.0 m/s, respectively). Conduction block and CMAP amplitudes did not change substantially. CONCLUSION: These findings support the effectiveness of maintenance IgPro20, as nerve function changed in the direction of increasing nerve dysfunction with placebo but remained stable with ongoing IgPro20 therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: Electrophysiology testing can support assessment of clinical status in CIDP to determine treatment efficacy.

Placebo effect in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: The PATH study and a systematic review.

The Polyneuropathy And Treatment with Hizentra (PATH) study required subjects with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) to show dependency on immunoglobulin G (IgG) and then be restabilized on IgG before being randomized to placebo or one of two doses of subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG). Nineteen of the 51 subjects (37%) randomized to placebo did not relapse over the next 24 weeks. This article explores the reasons for this effect. A post-hoc analysis of the PATH placebo group was undertaken. A literature search identified other placebo-controlled CIDP trials for review and comparison. In PATH, subjects randomized to placebo who did not relapse were significantly older, had more severe disease, and took longer to deteriorate in the IgG dependency period compared with those who relapsed. Published trials in CIDP, whose primary endpoint was stability or deterioration, had a mean non-deterioration (placebo effect) of 43%, while trials with a primary endpoint of improvement had a placebo response of only 11%. Placebo is an important variable in the design of CIDP trials. Trials designed to show clinical improvement will have a significantly lower effect of this phenomenon than those designed to show stability or deterioration.

Long-term safety and efficacy of subcutaneous immunoglobulin IgPro20 in CIDP: PATH extension study.

Objective: To investigate the long-term safety and efficacy of weekly subcutaneous IgPro20 (Hizentra, CSL Behring) in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Methods: In a 48-week open-label prospective extension study to the PATH study, patients were initially started on 0.2 g/kg or on 0.4 g/kg weekly and-if clinically stable-switched to 0.2 g/kg weekly after 24 weeks. Upon CIDP relapse on the 0.2 g/kg dose, 0.4 g/kg was (re)initiated. CIDP relapse was defined as a deterioration by at least 1 point in the total adjusted Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment score. Results: Eighty-two patients were enrolled. Sixty-two patients initially received 0.4 g/kg, 20 patients 0.2 g/kg weekly. Seventy-two received both doses during the study. Sixty-six patients (81%) completed the 48-week study duration. Overall relapse rates were 10% in 0.4 g/kg-treated patients and 48% in 0.2 g/kg-treated patients. After dose reduction from 0.4 to 0.2 g/kg, 51% (27/53) of patients relapsed, of whom 92% (24 of 26) improved after reinitiation of the 0.4 g/kg dose. Two-thirds of patients (19/28) who completed the PATH study without relapse remained relapse-free on the 0.2 g/kg dose after dose reduction in the extension study. Sixty-two patients had adverse events (AEs) (76%), of which most were mild or moderate with no related serious AEs. Conclusions: Subcutaneous treatment with IgPro20 provided long-term benefit at both 0.4 and 0.2 g/kg weekly doses with lower relapse rates on the higher dose. Long-term dosing should be individualized to find the most appropriate dose in a given patient. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class IV evidence that for patients with CIDP, long-term treatment with SCIG beyond 24 weeks is safe and efficacious.

Restabilization treatment after intravenous immunoglobulin withdrawal in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: Results from the pre-randomization phase of the Polyneuropathy And Treatment with Hizentra study.

In patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is recommended to be periodically reduced to assess the need for ongoing therapy. However, little is known about the effectiveness of restabilization with IVIG in patients who worsen after IVIG withdrawal. In the Polyneuropathy And Treatment with Hizentra (PATH) study, the pre-randomization period included sudden stopping of IVIG followed by 12 weeks of observation. Those deteriorating were then restabilized with IVIG. Of 245 subjects who stopped IVIG, 28 did not show signs of clinical deterioration within 12 weeks. Two hundred and seven received IVIG restabilization with an induction dose of 2 g/kg bodyweight (bw) IgPro10 (Privigen, CSL Behring, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania) and maintenance doses of 1 g/kg bw every 3 weeks for up to 13 weeks. Signs of clinical improvement were seen in almost all (n = 188; 91%) subjects. During IVIG restabilization, 35 subjects either did not show CIDP stability (n = 21, analyzed as n = 22 as an additional subject was randomized in error) or withdrew for other reasons (n = 14). Of the 22 subjects who did not achieve clinical stability, follow-up information in 16 subjects after an additional 4 weeks was obtained. Nine subjects were reported to have improved, leaving a maximum of 27 subjects (13%) who either showed no signs of clinical improvement during the restabilization phase and 4 weeks post-study or withdrew for other reasons. In conclusion, sudden IVIG withdrawal was effective in detecting ongoing immunoglobulin G dependency with a small risk for subjects not returning to their baseline 17 weeks after withdrawal.

Efficacy and safety of IVIG in CIDP: Combined data of the PRIMA and PATH studies.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a potential therapy for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). To investigate the efficacy and safety of the IVIG IgPro10 (Privigen) for treatment of CIDP, results from Privigen Impact on Mobility and Autonomy (PRIMA), a prospective, open-label, single-arm study of IVIG in immunoglobulin (Ig)-naïve or IVIG pre-treated subjects (NCT01184846, n = 28) and Polyneuropathy And Treatment with Hizentra (PATH), a double-blind, randomized study including an open-label, single-arm IVIG phase in IVIG pre-treated subjects (NCT01545076, IVIG restabilization phase n = 207) were analyzed separately and together (n = 235). Efficacy assessments included change in adjusted inflammatory neuropathy cause and treatment (INCAT) score, grip strength and Medical Research Council (MRC) sum score. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and ADRs/infusion were recorded. Adjusted INCAT response rate was 60.7% in all PRIMA subjects at Week 25 (76.9% in IVIG pre-treated subjects) and 72.9% in PATH. In the pooled cohort (n = 235), INCAT response rate was 71.5%; median time to INCAT improvement was 4.3 weeks. No clear demographic differences were noticed between early (responding before Week 7, n = 148) and late responders (n = 21). In the pooled cohort, median change from baseline to last observation was -1.0 (interquartile range -2.0; 0.0) point for INCAT score; +8.0 (0.0; 20.0) kPa for maximum grip strength; +3.0 (1.0; 7.0) points for MRC sum score. In the pooled cohort, 271 ADRs were reported in 105 subjects (44.7%), a rate of 0.144 ADRs per infusion. This analysis confirms the efficacy and safety of IgPro10, a recently FDA-approved IVIG for CIDP, in a population of mainly pre-treated subjects with CIDP [Correction added on 14 March 2019 after first online publication: the INCAT response rate has been corrected.].

IgPro20, the Polyneuropathy and Treatment with Hizentra® study (PATH), and the treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy with subcutaneous IgG.

Subcutaneous IgG (SCIG) administration may be preferred over the intravenous route (IVIG) in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) because it minimizes 'end of cycle' treatment-related fluctuations, reduces systemic adverse effects, improves convenience/quality of life and potentially lowers overall costs. Early reports of the use of highly concentrated SCIG preparations suggested they were effective and well-tolerated in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. This was confirmed in the Polyneuropathy and Treatment with Hizentra® study of 172 subjects randomized to receive maintenance therapy with placebo or one of two doses of IgPro20 (20% IgG stabilized with L-Proline) for 6 months. Risk of relapse was reduced by SCIG in a dose-related manner as compared with placebo. A total of 88% of polyneuropathy and treatment with hizentra subjects felt the subcutaneous method was 'easy to learn'. Local adverse events were mostly mild or moderate, and systemic adverse events were infrequent. Some patients may prefer maintenance therapy with SCIG over IVIG.

Subcutaneous immunoglobulin for maintenance treatment in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (PATH): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Approximately two-thirds of patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) need long-term intravenous immunoglobulin. Subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) is an alternative option for immunoglobulin delivery, but has not previously been investigated in a large trial of CIDP. The PATH study compared relapse rates in patients given SCIg versus placebo. METHODS: Between March 12, 2012, and Sept 20, 2016, we studied patients from 69 neuromuscular centres in North America, Europe, Israel, Australia, and Japan. Adults with definite or probable CIDP who responded to intravenous immunoglobulin treatment were eligible. We randomly allocated participants to 0·2 g/kg or 0·4 g/kg of a 20% SCIg solution (IgPro20) weekly versus placebo (2% human albumin solution) for maintenance treatment for 24 weeks. We did randomisation in a 1:1:1 ratio with an interactive voice and web response system with a block size of six, stratified by region (Japan or non-Japan). The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with a CIDP relapse or who were withdrawn for any other reason during 24 weeks of treatment. Patients, caregivers, and study personnel, including those assessing outcomes, were masked to treatment assignment. Analyses were done in the intention-to-treat and per-protocol sets. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01545076. FINDINGS: In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly allocated 172 patients: 57 (33%) to the placebo group, 57 (33%) to the low-dose group, and 58 (34%) to the high-dose group. In the intention-to-treat set, 36 (63% [95% CI 50-74]) patients on placebo, 22 (39% [27-52]) on low-dose SCIg, and 19 (33% [22-46]) on high-dose SCIg had a relapse or were withdrawn from the study for other reasons (p=0·0007). Absolute risk reductions were 25% (95% CI 6-41) for low-dose versus placebo (p=0·007), 30% (12-46) for high-dose versus placebo (p=0·001), and 6% (-11 to 23) for high-dose versus low-dose (p=0·32). Causally related adverse events occurred in 47 (27%) patients (ten [18%] in the placebo group, 17 [30%] in the low-dose group, and 20 [34%] in the high-dose group). Six (3%) patients had 11 serious adverse events: one (2%) patient in the placebo group, three (5%) in the low-dose group, and two (3%) in the high-dose group; only one (an acute allergic skin reaction in the low-dose group) was assessed to be causally related. INTERPRETATION: This study, which is to our knowledge, the largest trial of CIDP to date and the first to study two administrations of immunoglobulins and two doses, showed that both doses of SCIg IgPro20 were efficacious and well tolerated, suggesting that SCIg can be used as a maintenance treatment for CIDP. FUNDING: CSL Behring.

Hemolysis related to intravenous immunoglobulins is dependent on the presence of anti-blood group A and B antibodies and individual susceptibility.

BACKGROUND: Patients treated with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) rarely experience symptomatic hemolysis. Although anti-A and anti-B isoagglutinins from the product are involved in most cases, the actual mechanisms triggering hemolysis are unclear. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A prospective, open-label, multicenter, single-arm clinical trial in 57 patients with immune thrombocytopenia treated with IVIG (Privigen, CSL Behring) was conducted. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients received one infusion (1 g/kg) and 36 received two infusions (2 × 1 g/kg) of IVIG. After a study duration of more than 2 years, no cases of clinically significant hemolysis as defined in the protocol were identified. Data of patients with mild hematologic and biochemical changes were analyzed in more detail. Twelve cases (10/23 patients with blood group A1 and 2/11 patients with blood group B, all having received 2 g/kg IVIG) were adjudicated as mild hemolysis (median hemoglobin [Hb] decrease, -3.0 g/dL); Hb decreases were transient, with partial or full recovery achieved by last visit. Eighteen patients (31.6%), all with non-O blood group, of whom 16 (88.9%) received 2 g/kg IVIG, fulfilled post hoc criteria for hemolytic laboratory reactions. Red blood cell (RBC) eluates of all direct antiglobulin test-positive samples were negative for non-ABO blood group antibodies. Blood groups A and B antigen density on RBCs appeared to be a risk factor for hemolytic laboratory reactions. Platelet response to treatment was observed in 42 patients (74%); eight of 12 patients with complete response had blood group A1. CONCLUSION: Isoagglutinins are involved in clinically nonsignificant hemolysis after treatment with IVIG, but individual susceptibility varies greatly.

Subcutaneous immunoglobulin for maintenance treatment in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (The PATH Study): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Subcutaneous administration of Ig (SCIg) has gained popularity as an alternative route of administration but has never been rigorously examined in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). METHODS/DESIGN: The primary objective of the PATH study (Polyneuropathy and Treatment with Hizentra) is to determine the efficacy of two different doses of SCIg IgPro20 (0.2 g/kg bw or 0.4 g/kg bw) in a 24-week maintenance treatment of CIDP in comparison to placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint will be the proportion of patients who show CIDP relapse (1-point deterioration on the adjusted Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) disability score) or are withdrawn within 24 weeks after randomization for any reason. IVIg-dependent adult patients with definite or probable CIDP according to the European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society who fulfil the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be eligible. Based on sample-size calculation and relapse assumptions in the three arms, a sample size of 58 is needed per arm (overall sample size will be 350, of which 174 will be randomized). All eligible patients will progress through three study periods: an IgG dependency period (≤12 weeks) to select those who are Ig dependent; an IVIg restabilization period (10 or 13 weeks), which will be performed using the 10 % IgPro10 product; and an SC treatment period (24 weeks, followed by a 1-week completion visit after last follow-up). Patients showing IVIg restabilization will be randomized to demonstrate the efficacy of SCIg IgPro20 maintenance treatment over placebo. After completing the study, subjects are eligible to enter a long-term, open-label, extension study of 1 year or return to their previous treatment. In case of CIDP relapse during the 24-week SC treatment period, IgPro10 rescue medication will be offered. Safety, tolerability, and patients' preference of Ig administration route will be examined. DISCUSSION: The PATH trial, which started in March 2012, is expected to finish at the end of 2016. The results will increase knowledge about the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of SCIg in maintenance management of CIDP patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01545076 . Registered on 1 March 2012.

Efficacy and safety of Privigen(®) in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: results of a prospective, single-arm, open-label Phase III study (the PRIMA study).

This prospective, multicenter, single-arm, open-label Phase III study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Privigen(®) (10% liquid human intravenous immunoglobulin [IVIG], stabilized with L-proline) in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Patients received one induction dose of Privigen (2 g/kg body weight [bw]) and up to seven maintenance doses (1 g/kg bw) at 3-week intervals. The primary efficacy endpoint was the responder rate at completion, defined as improvement of ≥1 point on the adjusted Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) disability scale. The preset success criterion was the responder rate being ≥35%. Of the 31 screened patients, 28 patients were enrolled including 13 (46.4%) IVIG-pretreated patients. The overall responder rate at completion was 60.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 42.41%-76.43%). IVIG-pretreated patients demonstrated a higher responder rate than IVIG-naïve patients (76.9% vs. 46.7%). The median (25%-75% quantile) INCAT score improved from 3.5 (3.0-4.5) points at baseline to 2.5 (1.0-3.0) points at completion, as did the mean (standard deviation [SD]) maximum grip strength (66.7 [37.24] kPa vs. 80.9 [31.06] kPa) and the median Medical Research Council sum score (67.0 [61.5-72.0] points vs. 75.5 [71.5-79.5] points). Of 108 adverse events (AEs; 0.417 AEs per infusion), 95 AEs (88.0%) were mild or moderate in intensity and resolved by the end of study. Two serious AEs of hemolysis were reported that resolved after discontinuation of treatment. Thus, Privigen provided efficacious and well-tolerated induction and maintenance treatment in patients with CIDP.

Factors influencing the detection of early CT signs of cerebral ischemia: an internet-based, international multiobserver study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Early CT signs of cerebral ischemia are subtle. Little is known of which factors influence the detection of infarct signs. We compared neuroradiologists' scan readings with those of other specialists involved in the care of stroke patients. METHODS: We used the Internet to show 63 CT scans, all acquired <6 hours after stroke and representing different patient ages, times to scanning, stroke severity, and early CT signs of ischemia to physicians involved in stroke care. They completed a structured scan interpretation proforma over the Internet. We compared the detection of early ischemic signs stratified by severity and the effect of prior stroke between different specialties. RESULTS: Among 207 observers, neuroradiologists saw significantly more of "any early ischemic changes" than did stroke physicians, general radiologists, geriatricians, or neurologists (all P<0.0001), predominantly due to neuroradiologists' greater detection of "mild" hypoattenuation or swelling. Detection of "severe" hypoattenuation or swelling, and hyperattenuated arteries did not differ between specialties. Old infarcts impaired recognition of early ischemic signs. Non-neuroradiologists did not "over-call" signs. Years of scan-reading experience did not account for these differences, but neuroradiologists took, on average, 30 seconds longer to read each scan than did most other specialists (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Non-neuroradiologists should realize that they are unlikely to over-call signs, that old infarcts may distract them from seeing early ischemic signs, and read stroke CT scans more slowly, as these factors may help them perform more like neuroradiologists.

Early signs of brain infarction at CT: observer reliability and outcome after thrombolytic treatment--systematic review.

PURPOSE: To review systematically all reported early computed tomographic (CT) signs in acute ischemic stroke to determine interobserver agreement and the relationship between early CT signs and patient outcome with or without thrombolysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was conducted by using Cochrane Stroke Group methodology to identify studies published between 1990 and 2003 that were performed to assess interobserver agreement about early signs of infarction on CT scans obtained within 6 hours after onset of stroke symptoms and determine the relation of early signs of infarction to clinical outcome, including any interactive effect of thrombolysis. Interobserver agreement was measured with the kappa statistic, sensitivity, and specificity. The relation of early signs to clinical outcome with or without thrombolysis was assessed with calculated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: In 15 studies of interobserver agreement (median of 30 CT scans and six raters), the prevalence of all early infarction signs was 61% +/- 21 (standard deviation). Interobserver agreement (kappa statistics) ranged from 0.14 to 0.78 for any early infarction sign. The mean sensitivity and specificity for detection of early infarction signs with CT were 66% (range, 20%-87%) and 87% (range, 56%-100%), respectively. Experience improved detection, but knowledge of symptoms did not. In 15 studies of early infarction signs and outcome (including seven thrombolysis trials) in 3468 patients, any early infarction sign increased the risk of poor outcome (odds ratio, 3.11; 95% confidence interval: 2.77, 3.49). Two studies that sought interaction between early infarction signs and thrombolysis found no evidence that thrombolysis given in the presence of early infarction signs resulted in worse outcome than that due to early signs alone. CONCLUSION: Further work is required to determine which signs are most reliably detected, whether scoring systems help to improve detection, and whether any early infarction sign should influence decisions concerning thrombolysis.

Transient ischemic attacks are more than "ministrokes".

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are warning signs of stroke. Recently, the hypothesis was raised that TIA bears a significant risk for death and dependence and requires the same complex diagnostic workup as a complete stroke. METHODS: We prospectively collected pre- and in-hospital procedures, symptoms, outcome, complications, and therapies from a representative sample of all stroke-treating hospitals (n=82) in southwest Germany. Follow-up was attempted 6 months after discharge. End points were death or dependence in activities of daily living (Barthel Index <95, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of 3 to 6, or institutionalization in a nursing home). RESULTS: 1380 TIA patients and 3855 stroke patients entered the database. During hospital stay, stroke incidence was 8% for TIA patients and another 5% within the first half-year. Similarly, for ischemic stroke (IS) patients these figures were 7% and 6% (P>0.05), respectively. Two percent of TIA patients died in hospital (5% afterward) compared with 9% of stroke patients (10% afterward, P<0.001). Seventeen percent TIA compared with 38% IS patients (P<0.05) were dependent at follow-up. Whereas an estimated preexisting deficit (mRS >2) was the strongest predictor for death or disability (baseline mRS odds ratio, 4.1; 95% CI, 2.3 to 7.2), admission to a stroke unit was a valid predictor for survival and independence (odds ratio, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2 to 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: These data from a large, multicenter, nonselected, observational study underscore the "not so benign" prognosis for TIA patients. There is a relevant individual risk of early stroke, death, or disability in TIA patients. Management and treatment strategies are similar for both TIA and acute stroke.

Early motor evoked potentials in acute stroke: adjunctive measure to MRI for assessment of prognosis in acute stroke within 6 hours.

BACKGROUND: In acute stroke, a magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) mismatch (PWI>DWI mismatch) may indicate tissue at risk for infarction and poor prognosis. However, different to early enthusiasm about this surrogate marker, its validity has shown several drawbacks in individual patients. Rather than relying on imaging, we evaluated motor evoked potentials (MEP) as a measure of cerebral function in the acute stroke setting. METHODS: Thirteen patients with acute hemiparetic stroke underwent time to peak PWI and DWI within 6 h after onset as well as recordings of early MEP of first dorsal interosseous muscles. Outcome was assessed by the Unified Neurological Stroke Scale and Barthel Index at day 42. RESULTS: Of 8 patients with PWI>DWI mismatch, 4 patients with normal MEP had a good clinical outcome and 4 patients with absent or pathological MEP had an unfavourable outcome (p < 0.05, Fisher's exact test). In all patients without PWI>DWI mismatch, MEP findings predicted clinical outcome. Normal MEP at day 0--but not PWI/DWI findings--significantly correlated with a good clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Early MEP recordings in acute stroke patients provide valid prognostic information; they may become more useful for specific treatment decisions than presently available MRI surrogate parameters.