IV Thrombolysis in Basilar Artery Occlusion: Outcomes and Comparison With Endovascular Thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recanalization is considered a prerequisite for favorable outcome in basilar artery occlusion (BAO). Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) has been successfully used for eligible patients with BAO well beyond the 4.5-hour time window but has been largely underrepresented in the best medical management arms in recent randomized controlled trials of recanalization therapy in BAO. We aimed to analyze the outcomes of patients with BAO treated with IVT only and to compare IVT with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). METHODS: This observational single-center, retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients with BAO treated with IVT and/or EVT up to 48 hours of symptom onset during 1995-2022. The primary outcome was favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0-3) at 3 months collected by a stroke physician by phone. In the first part, we described the outcomes and factors associated with functional outcome in the IVT-only cohort during 1995-2022. In the second part, we used doubly robust inverse probability-weighted regression adjustment models to compare functional outcome of patients treated with IVT vs EVT+/-IVT during 2010-2022. RESULTS: In the whole cohort of 376 patients with acute BAO treated with recanalization therapy, 245 (65.2%) received only IVT. In the IVT-only cohort, most patients had moderate-to-severe clinical presentation (median NIH Stroke Scale 18) but no extensive early ischemic changes in the posterior circulation on admission. Half of them had onset-to-treatment time over 6 hours. 46.5% of the IVT-treated patients achieved 3-month favorable functional outcome, whereas mortality was 35.9%. sICH occurred in 11.1%. In a multivariable analysis, younger age, milder symptom severity, and less baseline ischemic changes predicted favorable functional outcome. In the 2010-2022 cohort, when compared with patients treated with EVT+/-IVT (n = 121), the IVT-only cohort (n = 122) had higher odds for favorable functional outcome (IVT 58.2% vs EVT 43.0% (aOR 2.82 [95% CI 1.31-6.05]). DISCUSSION: IVT alone produced outcomes comparable with those in recent trials of endovascular BAO recanalization. Furthermore, in head-to-head comparison in our cohort, the IVT-only approach was more often associated with favorable outcome than EVT+/-IVT. Thus, it should not be overlooked as the first-line recanalization therapy in acute BAO, even in longer time windows. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class IV evidence that tPA is as effective as thrombectomy for basilar artery thrombosis.

Effect of Bridging Thrombolysis on the Efficacy of Stent Retriever Thrombectomy Techniques : Insights from the SWIFT-DIRECT trial.

BACKGROUND: There are little available data regarding the influence of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) on the efficacy of different first line endovascular treatment (EVT) techniques. METHODS: We used the dataset of the SWIFT-DIRECT trial which randomized 408 patients to IVT + EVT or EVT alone at 48 international sites. The protocol required the use of a stent retriever (SR), but concomitant use of a balloon guide catheter (BGC) and/or distal aspiration (DA) catheter was left to the discretion of the operators. Four first line techniques were applied in the study population: SR, SR + BGC, SR + DA, SR + DA + BGC. To assess whether the effect of allocation to IVT + EVT versus EVT alone was modified by the first line technique, interaction models were fitted for predefined outcomes. The primary outcome was first pass mTICI 2c­3 reperfusion (FPR). RESULTS: This study included 385 patients of whom 172 were treated with SR + DA, 121 with SR + DA + BGC, 57 with SR + BGC and 35 with SR. There was no evidence that the effect of IVT + EVT versus EVT alone would be modified by the choice of first line technique; however, allocation to IVT + EVT increased the odds of FPR by a factor of 1.68 (95% confidence interval, CI 1.11-2.54). CONCLUSION: This post hoc analysis does not suggest treatment effect heterogeneity of IVT + EVT vs EVT alone in different stent retriever techniques but provides evidence for increased FPR if bridging IVT is administered before stent retriever thrombectomy.

Endovascular Thrombectomy for Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke: An Evolution of Trials.

The last decade's progress in demonstrating the clinical benefit of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in patients with large vessel occlusion stroke has transformed the paradigm of care for these patients. This review presents the milestones in implementing EVT as standard of care, demonstrates the current state of evidence, provides guidance for identifying the candidate patient for EVT, and highlights unsolved and controversial issues. Ongoing trials investigate broadening of EVT indications for patients who present with large core infarction, adjunctive intra-arterial thrombolysis, medium vessel occlusion, low NIHSS, and tandem occlusion.

What Is the Evidence for Endovascular Thrombectomy in Posterior Circulation Stroke?

Posterior circulation infarcts comprise approximately 25% of ischemic strokes but are less often treated with recanalization therapy and have longer treatment delays compared with anterior circulation strokes. Among posterior circulation strokes, basilar artery occlusion is associated with the most severe deficits and the worst prognosis. Endovascular thrombectomy is a standard of care for patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion, but not until recently were the first randomized controlled trials on endovascular thrombectomy in basilar artery occlusion published. Two of the trials were neutral, whereas two others showed better functional outcome after thrombectomy up to 24 hours of symptom onset compared with best medical treatment, which in most cases had low rates of intravenous thrombolysis. According to observational data, thrombectomy seems to be safe also in isolated posterior cerebral artery occlusions and might be an option for selected patients, even if its outcome benefit is yet to be demonstrated.

Early versus Later Anticoagulation for Stroke with Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: The effect of early as compared with later initiation of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in persons with atrial fibrillation who have had an acute ischemic stroke is unclear. METHODS: We performed an investigator-initiated, open-label trial at 103 sites in 15 countries. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to early anticoagulation (within 48 hours after a minor or moderate stroke or on day 6 or 7 after a major stroke) or later anticoagulation (day 3 or 4 after a minor stroke, day 6 or 7 after a moderate stroke, or day 12, 13, or 14 after a major stroke). Assessors were unaware of the trial-group assignments. The primary outcome was a composite of recurrent ischemic stroke, systemic embolism, major extracranial bleeding, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, or vascular death within 30 days after randomization. Secondary outcomes included the components of the composite primary outcome at 30 and 90 days. RESULTS: Of 2013 participants (37% with minor stroke, 40% with moderate stroke, and 23% with major stroke), 1006 were assigned to early anticoagulation and 1007 to later anticoagulation. A primary-outcome event occurred in 29 participants (2.9%) in the early-treatment group and 41 participants (4.1%) in the later-treatment group (risk difference, -1.18 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.84 to 0.47) by 30 days. Recurrent ischemic stroke occurred in 14 participants (1.4%) in the early-treatment group and 25 participants (2.5%) in the later-treatment group (odds ratio, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.29 to 1.07) by 30 days and in 18 participants (1.9%) and 30 participants (3.1%), respectively, by 90 days (odds ratio, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.33 to 1.06). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 2 participants (0.2%) in both groups by 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: In this trial, the incidence of recurrent ischemic stroke, systemic embolism, major extracranial bleeding, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, or vascular death at 30 days was estimated to range from 2.8 percentage points lower to 0.5 percentage points higher (based on the 95% confidence interval) with early than with later use of DOACs. (Funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation and others; ELAN ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03148457.).

Endovascular Versus Medical Management of Posterior Cerebral Artery Occlusion Stroke: The PLATO Study.

BACKGROUND: The optimal management of patients with isolated posterior cerebral artery occlusion is uncertain. We compared clinical outcomes for endovascular therapy (EVT) versus medical management (MM) in patients with isolated posterior cerebral artery occlusion. METHODS: This multinational case-control study conducted at 27 sites in Europe and North America included consecutive patients with isolated posterior cerebral artery occlusion presenting within 24 hours of time last well from January 2015 to August 2022. Patients treated with EVT or MM were compared with multivariable logistic regression and inverse probability of treatment weighting. The coprimary outcomes were the 90-day modified Rankin Scale ordinal shift and ≥2-point decrease in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. RESULTS: Of 1023 patients, 589 (57.6%) were male with median (interquartile range) age of 74 (64-82) years. The median (interquartile range) National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 6 (3-10). The occlusion segments were P1 (41.2%), P2 (49.2%), and P3 (7.1%). Overall, intravenous thrombolysis was administered in 43% and EVT in 37%. There was no difference between the EVT and MM groups in the 90-day modified Rankin Scale shift (aOR, 1.13 [95% CI, 0.85-1.50]; P=0.41). There were higher odds of a decrease in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale by ≥2 points with EVT (aOR, 1.84 [95% CI, 1.35-2.52]; P=0.0001). Compared with MM, EVT was associated with a higher likelihood of excellent outcome (aOR, 1.50 [95% CI, 1.07-2.09]; P=0.018), complete vision recovery, and similar rates of functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score, 0-2), despite a higher rate of SICH and mortality (symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, 6.2% versus 1.7%; P=0.0001; mortality, 10.1% versus 5.0%; P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with isolated posterior cerebral artery occlusion, EVT was associated with similar odds of disability by ordinal modified Rankin Scale, higher odds of early National Institutes of Health stroke scale improvement, and complete vision recovery compared with MM. There was a higher likelihood of excellent outcome in the EVT group despite a higher rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality. Continued enrollment into ongoing distal vessel occlusion randomized trials is warranted.

Intravenous Thrombolysis 4.5-9 Hours After Stroke Onset: A Cohort Study from the TRISP Collaboration.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and effectiveness of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) >4.5-9 hours after stroke onset, and the relevance of advanced neuroimaging for patient selection. METHODS: Prospective multicenter cohort study from the ThRombolysis in Ischemic Stroke Patients (TRISP) collaboration. Outcomes were symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, poor 3-month functional outcome (modified Rankin scale 3-6) and mortality. We compared: (i) IVT >4.5-9 hours versus 0-4.5 hours after stroke onset and (ii) within the >4.5-9 hours group baseline advanced neuroimaging (computed tomography perfusion, magnetic resonance perfusion or magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging fluid-attenuated inversion recovery) versus non-advanced neuroimaging. RESULTS: Of 15,827 patients, 663 (4.2%) received IVT >4.5-9 hours and 15,164 (95.8%) within 4.5 hours after stroke onset. The main baseline characteristics were evenly distributed between both groups. Time of stroke onset was known in 74.9% of patients treated between >4.5 and 9 hours. Using propensity score weighted binary logistic regression analysis (onset-to-treatment time >4.5-9 hours vs onset-to-treatment time 0-4.5 hours), the probability of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ORadjusted 0.80, 95% CI 0.53-1.17), poor functional outcome (ORadjusted 1.01, 95% CI 0.83-1.22), and mortality (ORadjusted 0.80, 95% CI 0.61-1.04) did not differ significantly between both groups. In patients treated between >4.5 and 9 hours, the use of advanced neuroimaging was associated with a 50% lower mortality compared with non-advanced imaging only (9.9% vs 19.7%; ORadjusted 0.51, 95% CI 0.33-0.79). INTERPRETATION: This study showed no evidence in difference of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, poor outcome, and mortality in selected stroke patients treated with IVT between >4.5 and 9 hours after stroke onset compared with those treated within 4.5 hours. Advanced neuroimaging for patient selection was associated with lower mortality. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:309-320.

Time to treatment with bridging intravenous alteplase before endovascular treatment:subanalysis of the randomized controlled SWIFT-DIRECT trial.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that treatment delays might be an effect modifier regarding risks and benefits of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) before mechanical thrombectomy (MT). METHODS: We used the dataset of the SWIFT-DIRECT trial, which randomized 408 patients to IVT+MT or MT alone. Potential interactions between assignment to IVT+MT and expected time from onset-to-needle (OTN) as well as expected time from door-to-needle (DTN) were included in regression models. The primary outcome was functional independence (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included mRS shift, mortality, recanalization rates, and (symptomatic) intracranial hemorrhage at 24 hours. RESULTS: We included 408 patients (IVT+MT 207, MT 201, median age 72 years (IQR 64-81), 209 (51.2%) female). The expected median OTN and DTN were 142 min and 54 min in the IVT+MT group and 129 min and 51 min in the MT alone group. Overall, there was no significant interaction between OTN and bridging IVT assignment regarding either the functional (adjusted OR (aOR) 0.76, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.30) and safety outcomes or the recanalization rates. Analysis of in-hospital delays showed no significant interaction between DTN and bridging IVT assignment regarding the dichotomized functional outcome (aOR 0.48, 95% CI 0.14 to 1.62), but the shift and mortality analyses suggested a greater benefit of IVT when in-hospital delays were short. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence that the effect of bridging IVT on functional independence is modified by overall or in-hospital treatment delays. Considering its low power, this subgroup analysis could have missed a clinically important effect, and exploratory analysis of secondary clinical outcomes indicated a potentially favorable effect of IVT with shorter in-hospital delays. Heterogeneity of the IVT effect size before MT should be further analyzed in individual patient meta-analysis of comparable trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov ; Unique identifier: NCT03192332.

Clinical frailty and outcome after mechanical thrombectomy for stroke in patients aged ≥ 80 years.

OBJECTIVES: Data concerning the results of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in old patients is still limited. We aimed to investigate the outcomes in thrombectomy-treated ischemic stroke patients aged ≥ 80 years, focusing on frailty as a contributing factor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a single-centre retrospective cohort study with 159 consecutive patients aged ≥ 80 years and treated with EVT for acute ischemic stroke between January 1st 2016 and December 31st 2019. Pre-admission frailty was assessed with the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). Patients with CFS ≥ 5 were defined as frail. The main outcome was very poor outcome defined as mRS 4-6 at three months after EVT. Secondary outcomes were recanalization status, symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage (sICH), and one-year survival. Finally, we recorded if the patient returned home within 12 months. RESULTS: Very poor outcome was observed in 57.9% of all patients (52.4% in non-frail and 79.4% in frail patients). Rates of recanalization and sICH were comparable in frail and non-frail patients. Of all patients, 46.5% were able to live at home within 1 year after stroke. One-year survival was 59.1% (65.6% in non-frail and 35.3% in frail patients). In logistic regression analysis higher admission NIHSS, not performing thrombolysis, lack of recanalization and higher frailty status were all independently associated with very poor three-month outcome. Factors associated with one-year mortality were male gender, not performing thrombolysis, sICH, and higher frailty status. CONCLUSION: Almost 60% of studied patients had very poor outcome. Frailty significantly increases the likelihood of very poor outcome and death after EVT-treated stroke.

Intravenous Thrombolysis in Patients With Ischemic Stroke Aged ≥90 Years: A Cohort Study From the TRISP Collaboration.

BACKGROUND: The probability to receive intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) for treatment of acute ischemic stroke declines with increasing age and is consequently the lowest in very elderly patients. Safety concerns likely influence individual IVT treatment decisions. Using data from a large IVT registry, we aimed to provide more evidence on safety of IVT in the very elderly. METHODS: In this prospective multicenter study from the TRISP (Thrombolysis in Ischemic Stroke Patients) registry, we compared patients ≥90 years with those <90 years using symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ECASS [European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study]-II criteria), death, and poor functional outcome in survivors (modified Rankin Scale score 3-5 for patients with prestroke modified Rankin Scale score ≤2 and modified Rankin Scale score 4-5 for patients prestroke modified Rankin Scale ≥3) at 3 months as outcomes. We calculated adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of 16 974 eligible patients, 976 (5.7%) were ≥90 years. Patients ≥90 years had higher median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale on admission (12 versus 8) and were more often dependent prior to the index stroke (prestroke modified Rankin Scale score of ≥3; 45.2% versus 7.4%). Occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (5.7% versus 4.4%, odds ratioadjusted 1.14 [0.83-1.57]) did not differ significantly between both groups. However, the probability of death (odds ratioadjusted 3.77 [3.14-4.53]) and poor functional outcome (odds ratioadjusted 2.63 [2.13-3.25]) was higher in patients aged ≥90 years. Results for the sample of centenarians (n=21) were similar. CONCLUSIONS: The probability of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after IVT in very elderly patients with stroke did not exceed that of their younger counterparts. The higher probability of death and poor functional outcome during follow-up in the very elderly seems not to be related to IVT treatment. Very high age itself should not be a reason to withhold IVT.

Thrombolysis in stroke patients with elevated inflammatory markers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic value of white blood cell count (WBC) on functional outcome, mortality and bleeding risk in stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). METHODS: In this prospective multicenter study from the TRISP registry, we assessed the association between WBC on admission and 3-month poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale 3-6), mortality and occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH; ECASS-II-criteria) in IVT-treated stroke patients. WBC was used as continuous and categorical variable distinguishing leukocytosis (WBC > 10 × 109/l) and leukopenia (WBC < 4 × 109/l). We calculated unadjusted/ adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (OR [95% CI]) with logistic regression models. In a subgroup, we analyzed the association of combined leukocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP > 10 mg/l) on outcomes. RESULTS: Of 10,813 IVT-treated patients, 2527 had leukocytosis, 112 leukopenia and 8174 normal WBC. Increasing WBC (by 1 × 109/l) predicted poor outcome (ORadjusted 1.04[1.02-1.06]) but not mortality and sICH. Leukocytosis was independently associated with poor outcome (ORadjusted 1.48[1.29-1.69]) and mortality (ORadjusted 1.60[1.35-1.89]) but not with sICH (ORadjusted 1.17[0.94-1.45]). Leukopenia did not predict any outcome. In a subgroup, combined leukocytosis and elevated CRP had the strongest association with poor outcome (ORadjusted 2.26[1.76-2.91]) and mortality (ORadjusted 2.43[1.86-3.16]) when compared to combined normal WBC and CRP. CONCLUSION: In IVT-treated patients, leukocytosis independently predicted poor functional outcome and death. Bleeding complications after IVT were not independently associated with leukocytosis.

Recanalization treatment for acute ischemic stroke: 3-month outcome before and after implementation of routine endovascular treatment.

Background and purpose: Endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke has become a recommended treatment option for selected patients after several randomized controlled trials have shown the effectiveness of endovascular treatment. Due to the nature of randomized clinical trials, the generalizability to population based real life settings and the resulting benefits remain difficult to estimate. Methods: We included 896 consecutive patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) within 4.5 h of stroke onset between January 2016 and December 2018, who were treated with additional endovascular treatment according to the new evidence when indicated (new-IVT-cohort). This cohort was compared to 913 intravenous thrombolysis patients treated in the 4.5 h time-window between January 2011 and December 2013 before the era of endovascular treatment (old-IVT-cohort). Results: In the new-IVT-cohort there were 253 intravenous thrombolysis + endovascular treatment treated patients. The new-IVT-cohort was associated with a better outcome on the modified Rankin Scale at 3 months in univariable ordinal regression (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.08-1.49). The association remained significant (OR 1.65; 95% CI 1.27-2.14) also after adjustment for following confounding factors: sex, NIHSS, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, coronary artery disease, hypercholesterolemia, myocardial infarction, heart failure, history of ischemic stroke, history of TIA, and use of antithrombotic, statins, antihypertensive, anticoagulation treatment, or endovascular treatment (Fig. 1). Conclusion: We were able to verify the efficacy of endovascular treatment in a real life cohort of intravenous thrombolysis patients even when only 28% of the patients are eligible for endovascular treatment on top of intravenous thrombolysis treatment.

Resting-state Functional Connectivity After Occipital Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) reflects spontaneous activation of cortical networks. After stroke, these networks reorganize, both due to structural lesion and reorganization of functional connectivity (FC). OBJECTIVE: We studied FC in chronic phase occipital stroke patients with homonymous visual field defects before and after repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS). METHODS: This spin-off study, embedded in the randomized, sham-controlled REVIS trial, comprised 16 chronic occipital stroke patients with visual field defect and 12 healthy control subjects. The patients underwent rsfMRI at baseline, after two weeks of rtACS or sham treatment, and after two months of treatment-free follow-up, whereas the control subjects were measured once. We used a multivariate regression connectivity model to determine mutual prediction accuracy between 74 cortical regions of interest. Additionally, the model parameters were included into a graph to analyze average path length, centrality eigenvector, centrality degree, and clustering of the network. The patients and controls at baseline and the two treatment groups were compared with multilevel modeling. RESULTS: Before treatment, the patients and controls had similar whole-network prediction accuracy and network parameters, whereas centrality eigenvector differed in perilesional regions, indicating local modification in connectivity. In line with behavioral results, neither prediction accuracy nor any network parameter changed systematically as a result of rtACS rehabilitation compared to sham. CONCLUSIONS: Whole-network FC showed no difference between occipital stroke patients and healthy population, congruent with the peripheral location of the visual network in relation to the high-density cortical core. rtACS treatment in the given setting did not affect FC.

Hemicraniectomy for Dominant vs Nondominant Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Decompressive hemicraniectomy decreases mortality and severe disability from space-occupying middle cerebral artery infarction in selected patients. However, attitudes towards hemicraniectomy for dominant-hemispheric stroke have been hesitant. This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the association of stroke laterality with outcome after hemicraniectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search up to 6th February 2020 to retrieve original articles about hemicraniectomy for space-occupying middle cerebral artery infarction that reported outcome in relation to laterality. The primary outcome was severe disability (modified Rankin Scale 4‒6 or 5‒6 or Glasgow Outcome Scale 1‒3) or death. A two-stage combined individual patient and aggregate data meta-analysis evaluated the association between dominant-lateralized stroke and (a) short-term (≤ 3 months) and (b) long-term (> 3 months) outcome. We performed sensitivity analyses excluding studies with sheer mortality outcome, second-look strokectomy, low quality, or small sample size, and comparing populations from North America/Europe vs Asia/South America. RESULTS: The analysis included 51 studies (46 observational studies, one nonrandomized trial, and four randomized controlled trials) comprising 2361 patients. We found no association between dominant laterality and unfavorable short-term (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.69‒1.45) or long-term (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.76‒1.33) outcome. The results were unchanged in all sensitivity analyses. The grade of evidence was very low for short-term and low for long-term outcome. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that patients with dominant-hemispheric stroke have equal outcome after hemicraniectomy compared to patients with nondominant stroke. Despite the shortcomings of the available evidence, our results do not support withholding hemicraniectomy based on stroke laterality.

Is the weekend effect true in acute stroke patients at tertiary stroke center?

BACKGROUND: There is contradicting evidence on the outcome of emergency patients treated during weekends versus weekdays. We studied if outcome of ischemic stroke patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) differs according to the treatment time. METHODS: Our retrospective study included consecutive patients receiving IVT within 4.5 h of stroke onset between June 1995 and December 2018 at the Helsinki University Hospital. The patients were compared based on the treatment initiation either during weekdays (Monday to Friday) or weekend (Saturday and Sunday). The primary outcome was 3-month mortality and secondary outcomes comprised 3-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and incidence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH). Additional analyses studied the effect of IVT treatment according to non-office hours, time of day, and season. RESULTS: Of the 3980 IVT-treated patients, 28.0% received treatment during weekends. Mortality was similar after weekend (10.0%) and weekday (10.6%) admissions in the multivariable regression analysis (OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.59-1.03). Neither 3-month mRS (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.86-1.12), nor the occurrence of sICH (4.2% vs 4.6%; OR 0.87; 95% CI 0.60-1.26) differed between the groups. No outcome difference was observed between the office vs non-office hours or by the time of day. However, odds for worse outcome were higher during autumn (OR 1.19; 95% CI 1.04-1.35) and winter (OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.01-1.30). CONCLUSION: We did not discover any weekend effect for IVT-treated stroke patients. This confirms that with standardized procedures, an equal quality of care can be provided to patients requiring urgent treatment irrespective of time.

Non-invasive electrical brain stimulation for vision restoration after stroke: An exploratory randomized trial (REVIS).

BACKGROUND: Occipital strokes often cause permanent homonymous hemianopia leading to significant disability. In previous studies, non-invasive electrical brain stimulation (NIBS) has improved vision after optic nerve damage and in combination with training after stroke. OBJECTIVE: We explored different NIBS modalities for rehabilitation of hemianopia after chronic stroke. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled, three-armed trial, altogether 56 patients with homonymous hemianopia were recruited. The three experiments were: i) repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS, n = 8) vs. rtACS with prior cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the intact visual cortex (tDCS/rtACS, n = 8) vs. sham (n = 8); ii) rtACS (n = 9) vs. sham (n = 9); and iii) tDCS of the visual cortex (n = 7) vs. sham (n = 7). Visual functions were evaluated before and after the intervention, and after eight weeks follow-up. The primary outcome was change in visual field assessed by high-resolution and standard perimetries. The individual modalities were compared within each experimental arm. RESULTS: Primary outcomes in Experiments 1 and 2 were negative. Only significant between-group change was observed in Experiment 3, where tDCS increased visual field of the contralesional eye compared to sham. tDCS/rtACS improved dynamic vision, reading, and visual field of the contralesional eye, but was not superior to other groups. rtACS alone increased foveal sensitivity, but was otherwise ineffective. All trial-related procedures were tolerated well. CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory trial showed safety but no main effect of NIBS on vision restoration after stroke. However, tDCS and combined tDCS/rtACS induced improvements in visually guided performance that need to be confirmed in larger-sample trials.NCT01418820 (clinicaltrials.gov).

Occipital intracerebral hemorrhage-clinical characteristics, outcome, and post-ICH epilepsy.

OBJECTIVES: Posterior location affects the clinical presentation and outcome of ischemic stroke, but little is known about occipital intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We studied non-traumatic occipital ICH phenotype, outcome, and post-ICH epilepsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Occipital ICH patients were retrospectively identified from the Helsinki ICH Study registry of 1013 consecutive ICH patients treated in our tertiary center in 2005-2010. They were compared to non-occipital ICH patients to evaluate the effect of location on functional outcome at discharge (dichotomized modified Rankin Scale, mRS), 3- and 12-month mortality, and incidence of epilepsy. RESULTS: We found 19 occipital ICH patients (5.3% of lobar and 1.9% of all ICH). Compared to non-occipital lobar ICHs, they were younger (median age 63 vs 71 years, P = .007) and had lower National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale on admission (1 vs 8, P < .001), smaller hematoma volume (6.3 vs 17.7 ML, P = .008), and more frequently structural etiology underlying the ICH (26% vs 7%, P = .01). Mortality at both 3 and 12 months was 6%, whereas 84% reached favorable outcome (mRS 0-2) at discharge. Occipital location was associated with favorable outcome at discharge in lobar ICH (OR 11.02, 95% CI 1.55-78.20). Incidence of post-ICH epilepsy (median follow-up 2.7 years) was 18%, equaling to that of non-occipital lobar ICH. CONCLUSIONS: Occipital ICH patients are younger, have less severe clinical presentation, smaller hematoma volume, more often structural etiology, and better outcome than other ICH patients. They exhibit a similar risk of epilepsy as non-occipital ICHs.

Effect of haemoglobin levels on outcome in intravenous thrombolysis-treated stroke patients.

INTRODUCTION: Alterations in haemoglobin levels are frequent in stroke patients. The prognostic meaning of anaemia and polyglobulia on outcomes in patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis is ambiguous. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective multicentre, intravenous thrombolysis register-based study, we compared haemoglobin levels on hospital admission with three-month poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale 3-6), mortality and symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study II-criteria (ECASS-II-criteria)). Haemoglobin level was used as continuous and categorical variable distinguishing anaemia (female: <12 g/dl; male: <13 g/dl) and polyglobulia (female: >15.5 g/dl; male: >17 g/dl). Anaemia was subdivided into mild and moderate/severe (female/male: <11 g/dl). Normal haemoglobin level (female: 12.0-15.5 g/dl, male: 13.0-17.0 g/dl) served as reference group. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated with logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among 6866 intravenous thrombolysis-treated stroke patients, 5448 (79.3%) had normal haemoglobin level, 1232 (17.9%) anaemia - of those 903 (13.2%) had mild and 329 (4.8%) moderate/severe anaemia - and 186 (2.7%) polyglobulia. Anaemia was associated with poor outcome (ORadjusted 1.25 (1.05-1.48)) and mortality (ORadjusted 1.58 (1.27-1.95)). In anaemia subgroups, both mild and moderate/severe anaemia independently predicted poor outcome (ORadjusted 1.29 (1.07-1.55) and 1.48 (1.09-2.02)) and mortality (ORadjusted 1.45 (1.15-1.84) and ORadjusted 2.00 (1.46-2.75)). Each haemoglobin level decrease by 1 g/dl independently increased the risk of poor outcome (ORadjusted 1.07 (1.02-1.11)) and mortality (ORadjusted 1.08 (1.02-1.15)). Anaemia was not associated with occurrence of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage. Polyglobulia did not change any outcome. DISCUSSION: The more severe the anaemia, the higher the probability of poor outcome and death. Severe anaemia might be a target for interventions in hyperacute stroke. CONCLUSION: Anaemia on admission, but not polyglobulia, is a strong and independent predictor of poor outcome and mortality in intravenous thrombolysis-treated stroke patients.

Intravenous thrombolysis and platelet count.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of platelet count (PC) on bleeding risk and outcome in stroke patients treated with IV thrombolysis (IVT) and to explore whether withholding IVT in PC < 100 × 109/L is supported. METHODS: In this prospective multicenter, IVT register-based study, we compared PC with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH; Second European-Australasian Acute Stroke Study [ECASS II] criteria), poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 3-6), and mortality at 3 months. PC was used as a continuous and categorical variable distinguishing thrombocytopenia (<150 × 109/L), thrombocytosis (>450 × 109/L), and normal PC (150-450 × 109/L [reference group]). Moreover, PC < 100 × 109/L was compared to PC ≥ 100 × 109/L. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from the logistic regression models were calculated. RESULTS: Among 7,533 IVT-treated stroke patients, 6,830 (90.7%) had normal PC, 595 (7.9%) had thrombocytopenia, and 108 (1.4%) had thrombocytosis. Decreasing PC (every 10 × 109/L) was associated with increasing risk of sICH (ORadjusted 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.05) but decreasing risk of poor outcome (ORadjusted 0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99) and mortality (ORadjusted 0.98, 95% CI 0.98-0.99). The risk of sICH was higher in patients with thrombocytopenic than in patients with normal PC (ORadjusted 1.73, 95% CI 1.24-2.43). However, the risk of poor outcome (ORadjusted 0.89, 95% CI 0.39-1.97) and mortality (ORadjusted 1.09, 95% CI 0.83-1.44) did not differ significantly. Thrombocytosis was associated with mortality (ORadjusted 2.02, 95% CI 1.21-3.37). Forty-four (0.3%) patients had PC < 100 × 109/L. Their risks of sICH (ORunadjusted 1.56, 95% CI 0.48-5.07), poor outcome (ORadjusted 1.63, 95% CI 0.82-3.24), and mortality (ORadjusted 1.38, 95% CI 0.64-2.98) did not differ significantly from those of patients with PC ≥ 100 × 109/L. CONCLUSION: Lower PC was associated with increased risk of sICH, while higher PC indicated increased mortality. Our data suggest that PC modifies outcome and complications in individual patients, while withholding IVT in all patients with PC < 100 × 109/L is challenged.