Predictors of atrial fibrillation after embolic stroke of undetermined source in patients with implantable loop recorders.

BACKGROUND: In patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS), underlying subclinical atrial fibrillation (AF) is often suspected. Previous studies identifying predictors of AF have been limited in their ability to diagnose episodes of AF. Implantable loop recorders enable prolonged, continuous, and therefore more reliable detection of AF. The aim of this study was to identify clinical and ECG parameters as predictors of AF in ESUS patients with implantable loop recorders. METHODS: 101 ESUS patients who received an implantable loop recorder between 2012 and 2020 were included in this study. Patients were followed up regularly on a three-monthly outpatient interval. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 647 ± 385 days, AF was detected in 26 patients (26%). Independent risk factors of AF were age ≥ 60 years (HR 2.753, CI 1.129-6.713, p = 0.026), P-wave amplitude in lead II ≤ 0.075 mV (HR 3.751, CI 1.606-8.761, p = 0.002), and P-wave duration ≥ 125 ms (HR 4.299, CI 1.844-10.021, p < 0.001). In patients without risk factors, the risk of developing AF was 16%. In the presence of one risk factor, the probability increased only slightly to 18%. With two or three risk factors, the risk of AF increased to 70%. CONCLUSION: AF was detected in about one in four patients after ESUS in this study. A comprehensive evaluation involving multiple parameters and the existence of multiple risk factors yields the highest predictive accuracy for detecting AF in patients with ESUS.

Complex left appendage morphology is associated with Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source.

INTRODUCTION: Variations in the left atrial appendage (LAA) morphology are associated with different embolic risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Data are scarce regarding the association between LAA morphology and Embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using cardiac computed tomography (CCT) scans, LAA morphology was categorized as either chicken wing (CW), cactus, windsock, or cauliflower. Furthermore, we examined the presence of large secondary lobes arising from the main lobe, considering their existence as indicative of a complex LAA morphology. LAA morphologies were compared between ESUS (n = 134) and AF patients (n = 120); and between ESUS patients with (n = 24) and without (n = 110) subsequent AF diagnosis during long-term follow-up. RESULTS: ESUS patients had a significantly higher prevalence of cauliflower morphology compared to AF group (52% vs 34%, respectively, p = 0.01); however, no significant difference was found between the groups when categorizing LAA morphology to either CW or non-CW. ESUS patients had significantly higher prevalence of large secondary lobes compared with AF patients (50% vs 29%, respectively, p = 0.001). When comparing ESUS patients with and without AF diagnosis during follow-up (20-48 months of follow-up, median 31 months), there were no significant differences in the prevalence of the "classical" morphologies, but large secondary lobes were significantly more prevalent among those without subsequent AF diagnosis. CONCLUSION: ESUS patients have a high prevalence of complex LAA morphology, which might be associated with an increased risk for thrombus formation even in the absence of AF.

Anticoagulation Therapy in a Patient who had two Consecutive Strokes After Antibiotic Therapy for Infective Endocarditis: A Case Report.

A 77-year-old male presented with altered mentation and was diagnosed with infective endocarditis. Echocardiography revealed aortic valve vegetations. While receiving inpatient antibiotic therapy, the patient experienced an acute ischemic stroke. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed punctate embolic-appearing infarcts in the right cerebellum and in the left occipital, frontal, and parietal lobes. Anticoagulation was not initiated due to a high risk of hemorrhagic transformation. He was readmitted after being discharged due to another episode of altered mentation. Repeat echocardiography indicated increased size of aortic valve vegetations. The patient was then transferred to our hospital for surgical intervention of enlarging vegetations, however was deemed unsuitable for surgery. During hospitalization, he suffered another embolic stroke in the right frontal lobe. By this time, the patient had completed a full course of antibiotics for infective endocarditis, and additional antibiotics were deemed unnecessary by our infectious disease specialists. Literature review highlighted that residual vegetations carry a higher risk for stroke, but no clear guidelines were found on how to intervene or assess the risk of hemorrhage with anticoagulation in this population. Consequently, a decision was made to initiate anticoagulation, Follow-up imaging revealed no evidence of hemorrhagic transformation. Subsequently, the patient remained stable and was discharged to a rehabilitation center, where he did not experience any further events.

Expert opinion of the Heart Rhythm Association of the Polish Cardiac Society and the Polish Neurological Society on evidence-driven implementation of implantable loop recorders in Poland.

Implantable loop recorders (ILR) are considered increasingly helpful in diagnosing cardio-neurological conditions, especially if arrhythmic events are of high clinical importance but are unlikely to be captured by standard methods of electrocardiogram recording due to the low frequency of events and short duration of a single event. The compelling evidence from randomized trials and observational studies strongly supports ILR utilization in patients after cryptogenic stroke or transient ischemic attack and in patients with recurrent transient loss of consciousness of unknown origin. These two groups of patients are expected to gain the most from initiating ILR-driven clinically effective management strategies. Stroke or transient ischemic attack survivors with detected subclinical atrial fibrillation can be switched from antiplatelets to anticoagulants, whilst patients with recurrent syncope may avoid severe injuries and/or substantial impairment of their quality of life. This joint opinion of the Heart Rhythm Association of the Polish Cardiac Society and experts from the Polish Neurological Society summarizes the up-to-date rationale for using ILR in everyday clinical practice and describes the road map for implementing this technology in Poland. Special emphasis is placed on the most recent guidelines issued by both cardiological and neurological scientific societies.

Paradoxical Embolic Stroke Following Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty in a Hemodialysis Patient.

Paradoxical embolism is a medical condition characterized by the migration of an embolus from a venous source into the systemic circulation. This occurs through a specific cardiac abnormality known as a right-to-left shunt, ultimately resulting in the possibility of arterial embolism. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is the most common cause of intracardiac shunting. We reported a rare case of a 56-year-old man on hemodialysis with PFO and arteriovenous fistula dysfunction who suffered a paradoxical embolic ischemic stroke after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. This case emphasized the potential risk of paradoxical embolism in hemodialysis patients with vascular access problems. We aimed to highlight the importance of searching for PFO, as it may serve as a possible source of embolism in these patients.

Predictors of atrial fibrillation detection in embolic stroke of undetermined source patients with implantable loop recorder.

Background: Covert atrial fibrillation (AF) is a predominant aetiology of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). Evidence suggested that AF is more frequently detected by implantable loop recorder (ILR) than by conventional monitoring. However, the predictive factors associated with occult AF detected using ILRs are not well established yet. In this study we aim to investigate the predictors of AF detection in patients with ESUS undergoing an ILR. Methods: This observational multi-centre study included consecutive ESUS patients who underwent ILR implantation. The infarcts were divided in deep, cortical infarcts or both. The infarction sites were categorized as anterior and middle cerebral artery, posterior cerebral artery with and without brainstem/cerebellum involvement. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate variables associated with AF detection. Results: Overall, 3,000 patients were initially identified. However, in total, 127 patients who consecutively underwent ILR implantation were included in our analysis. AF was detected in 33 (26%) out of 127 patients. The median follow-up was 411 days. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics and comorbidities between patients with and without AF detected. AF was detected more often after posterior cerebral artery infarct with brainstem/cerebellum involvement (p < 0.001) whereas less often after infarction in the anterior and middle cerebral artery (p = 0.021). Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that posterior cerebral artery infarct with brainstem/cerebellum involvement was an independent predictor of AF detection. Conclusion: Our study showed that posterior circulation infarcts with brainstem/cerebellum involvement are associated with AF detection in ESUS patients undergoing ILR. Larger prospective studies are needed to validate our findings.

Artificial intelligence predicts undiagnosed atrial fibrillation in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source using sinus rhythm electrocardiograms.

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled sinus rhythm (SR) electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation can aid in identifying undiagnosed paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of an AI model in identifying AF based on SR ECGs in patients with ESUS. METHODS: A transformer-based vision AI model was developed using 737,815 SR ECGs from patients with and without AF to detect current paroxysmal AF or predict the future development of AF within a 2-year period. Probability of AF was calculated from baseline SR ECGs using this algorithm. Its diagnostic performance was further tested in a cohort of 352 ESUS patients from 4 tertiary hospitals, all of whom were monitored using an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) for AF surveillance. RESULTS: Over 25.1-month follow-up, AF episodes lasting ≥1 hour were identified in 58 patients (14.4%) using ICMs. In the receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis, the area under the curve for the AI algorithm to identify AF ≥1 hour was 0.806, which improved to 0.880 after integrating the clinical parameters into the model. The AI algorithm exhibited greater accuracy in identifying longer AF episodes (ROC for AF ≥12 hours: 0.837, for AF ≥24 hours: 0.879) and a temporal trend indicating that the AI-based AF risk score increased as the ECG recording approached the AF onset (P for trend <.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our AI model demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance in predicting AF in patients with ESUS, potentially enhancing patient prognosis through timely intervention and secondary prevention of ischemic stroke in ESUS cohorts.

3-D transesophageal echocardiography aids in assessment of embolic stroke due to aortic atherosclerotic plaque: A case series.

Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of heart disease and stroke. Plaque thickness ≥4 mm in the ascending aorta or aortic arch is strongly correlated with cerebral embolic events and ischemic stroke. However, despite imaging workup, the cause of embolic stroke remains unidentified in many patients. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the preferred echocardiographic method for the evaluation of cardiac source of emboli. 2D TEE imaging evaluates aortic root and aortic arch in a single plane or two planes with biplane imaging. However, 2D TEE often fails to detect mobile or complex components in the ascending aorta and aortic arch plaques. The routine availability of 3D TEE in current ultrasound systems may significantly improve the assessment of aortic plaques as a potential embolic source. In this case series, we present four consecutive patients with stroke who underwent TEE by a single cardiologist for possible cardioembolic source. Some of these patients may have been labelled as "cryptogenic stroke" or "embolic stroke of undetermined source" (ESUS) due to the presence of insignificant or nonmobile ascending aortic or aortic arch plaques on 2D TEE imaging. In our four consecutive patients with ESUS who underwent TEE by a single operator, 3D TEE showed complex aortic arch plaques with ulceration with mobile components and established these plaques as the likely source of embolic stroke.

Higher Frequency of Premature Atrial Contractions Correlates With Atrial Fibrillation Detection after Cryptogenic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Covert atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major cause of cryptogenic stroke. This study investigated whether a dose-dependent relationship exists between the frequency of premature atrial contractions (PACs) and AF detection in patients with cryptogenic stroke using an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM). METHODS: We enrolled consecutive patients with cryptogenic stroke who underwent ICM implantation between October 2016 and September 2020 at 8 stroke centers in Japan. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the PAC count on 24-hour Holter ECG: ≤200 (group L), >200 to ≤500 (group M), and >500 (group H). We defined a high AF burden as above the median of the cumulative duration of AF episodes during the entire monitoring period. We evaluated the association of the frequency of PACs with AF detection using log-rank trend test and Cox proportional hazard model and with high AF burden using logistic regression model, adjusting for age, sex, CHADS2 score. RESULTS: Of 417 patients, we analyzed 381 patients with Holter ECG and ICM data. The median age was 70 (interquartile range, 59.5-76.5), 246 patients (65%) were males, and the median duration of ICM recording was 605 days (interquartile range, 397-827 days). The rate of new AF detected by ICM was higher in groups with more frequent PAC (15.5%/y in group L [n=277] versus 44.0%/y in group M [n=42] versus 71.4%/y in group H [n=62]; log-rank trend P<0.01). Compared with group L, the adjusted hazard ratios for AF detection in groups M and H were 2.11 (95% CI, 1.24-3.58) and 3.23 (95% CI, 2.07-5.04), respectively, and the adjusted odds ratio for high AF burden in groups M and H were 2.57 (95% CI, 1.14-5.74) and 4.25 (2.14-8.47), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of PACs was dose-dependently associated with AF detection in patients with cryptogenic stroke.

[Cilostazol was effective for capsular warning syndrome during anticoagulant therapy: a case report].

An 88-year-old woman with atrial fibrillation was admitted to our hospital due to the right hemiplegia and aphasia. MRA shows the left middle cerebral artery M2 occlusion. After intravenous rt-PA, her symptoms improved. She was diagnosed with cardioembolic stroke, and was treated with direct oral anticoagulation therapy. However, she had repeated stereotypical transient right hemiparesis a week after index stroke. Her symptoms were considered capsular warning syndrome (CWS). After cilostazol was administered, no further transient neurological deteriorations occurred. CWS can coexist with acute cardioembolic stroke, and cilostazol was effective.

Comparison of echocardiographic and clinical characteristics in embolic stroke and migraine patients with patent foramen ovale.

BACKGROUND: This single-center observational study aimed to compare the echocardiographic and clinical features in patients diagnosed with migraine and embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) who presented with a known patent foramen ovale (PFO). METHODS: Two-dimensional and color Doppler images were obtained using various transthoracic echocardiography views for both migraine and ESUS patients. Suspected PFO cases underwent further assessment through contrast echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). High-risk PFO characteristics were evaluated using TEE, and the Risk of Paradoxical Embolism (RoPe) score was calculated. RESULTS: The study included 310 participants (age range: 18-60, 73.2% female), with 43.5% diagnosed with migraine and 56.5% with ESUS. Common comorbidities included diabetes (26.1%). High-velocity shunting through the interatrial septum was observed in 35.5% of patients. ESUS patients were older, with higher rates of diabetes and hypertension, while active smoking was more prevalent among migraine patients. Basic echocardiographic parameters were mostly similar, except for elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure in ESUS. ESUS patients exhibited a greater occurrence of large microbubble passage through the interatrial septum and longer PFO lengths compared to migraine patients. However, the RoPe and High-risk PFO scores were similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: ESUS patients, characterized by older age and higher rates of diabetes and hypertension, demonstrated increased pulmonary artery pressure, more significant microbubble crossings, and longer PFO lengths. Conversely, migraine patients had a higher prevalence of active smoking. Despite differing clinical profiles, the risk scores for PFO-related embolic events were comparable between the groups. These findings underscore potential distinctions between ESUS and migraine patients with PFO and their implications for management strategies.

Management of patent foramen ovale; findings from a nationwide survey.

OBJECTIVES: Several clinical trials have provided evidence supporting the transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in selected patients following a cryptogenic stroke. However, it remains unknown to what extent these guidelines have been implemented in everyday clinical practice and the familiarity of physicians from different specialties with PFO closure. The aim of our nationwide survey is to explore the implementation of transcatheter PFO occlusion in Greek clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Attending level cardiologists, internal medicine physicians and neurologists involved in the management of PFO-related strokes working in Greece were invited to complete an online questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 19 questions and was designed to obtain comprehensive data on provider demographics, PFO characteristics, and specific clinical scenarios. RESULTS: A total of 51 physicians (56.9 % cardiologists, 25.5 % neurologists and 17.6 % internal medicine physicians) completed the survey, resulting in a response rate of 53 %. Cardiologists, internal medicine physicians and neurologists agree on several issues regarding PFO closure, such as PFO closure as first line treatment, management of patients with DVT or prior decompression sickness, and post-closure antithrombotic treatment, but different approaches were reported regarding closure in patients with thrombophilia treated with oral anticoagulation (p=0.012) and implantable loop recorder placement for atrial fibrillation exclusion (p=0.029 and p=0.020). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that cardiologists, internal medicine physicians and neurologists agree in numerous issues, but share different views in the management of patients with thrombophilia and rhythm monitoring duration. These results highlight the significance of collaboration among physicians from different medical specialties for achieving optimal results.

Thin aortic arch plaque is associated with the development of atrial fibrillation for embolic stroke of undetermined source in patients with an insertable cardiac monitor.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study's objective is to investigate whether mild aortic arch plaque is associated with the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) in stroke patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) during the first year following the implantation of an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM). METHODS: The participants in this cross-sectional observational study were consecutive patients with ESUS, even after transesophageal echocardiography. We assessed the relationship between the thickness of the participants' aortic arch plaque and AF detected after ICM implantation. RESULTS: Of the 50 consecutive patients with ESUS enrolled in this study, 12 (24%) developed AF. We observed that thicker aortic arch plaque was associated with undetected AF (2.3 mm vs. 1.2 mm, p < 0.001). Aortic arch plaque thickness was independent associated with undetected AF (OR 54.00, 95% CI 2.706-1077.544, p = 0.009). When the cut-off value for aortic arch plaque thickness was 1.8 mm, the sensitivity and specificity were 71.1% and 91.7%, respectively (95% CI = 0.75-0.98, p < 0.001). Also, patients having both aortic arch plaque with a thickness < 1.8 mm and a CHADS2 score ≥ 4 were more likely to have detectable AF than no AF (88% vs. 12%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A thinner aortic arch plaque was associated with the development of AF. Patients with mild aortic plaques below 4 mm but ≥1.8 mm in thickness and without other high-risk features are less likely to have paroxysmal AF on ICM, and these plaques may be a possible source of embolism for their strokes.

High Prevalence of New Clinically Significant Findings in Patients With Embolic Stroke of Unknown Source Evaluated by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

BACKGROUND: Embolic stroke of unknown source (ESUS) accounts for 1 in 6 ischemic strokes. Current guidelines do not recommend routine cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in ESUS, and beyond the identification of cardioembolic sources, there are no data assessing new clinical findings from CMR in ESUS. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of new cardiac and noncardiac findings and to determine their impact on clinical care in patients with ESUS. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this prospective, multicenter, observational study, CMR imaging was performed within 3 months of ESUS. All scans were reported according to standard clinical practice. A new clinical finding was defined as one not previously identified through prior clinical evaluation. A clinically significant finding was defined as one resulting in further investigation, follow-up, or treatment. A change in patient care was defined as initiation of medical, interventional, surgical, or palliative care. From 102 patients recruited, 96 underwent CMR imaging. One or more new clinical findings were observed in 59 patients (61%). New findings were clinically significant in 48 (81%) of these patients. Of 40 patients with a new clinically significant cardiac finding, 21 (53%) experienced a change in care (medical therapy, n=15; interventional/surgical procedure, n=6). In 12 patients with a new clinically significant extracardiac finding, 6 (50%) experienced a change in care (medical therapy, n=4; palliative care, n=2). CONCLUSIONS: CMR imaging identifies new clinically significant cardiac and noncardiac findings in half of patients with recent ESUS. Advanced cardiovascular screening should be considered in patients with ESUS. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04555538.

Multifocal strokes and vision loss from PDLLA filler injections.

BACKGROUND: Poly-D, L-lactic acid (PDLLA) is increasingly used as a commercial dermal filler due to its lasting cosmetic properties. Consequently, PDLLA-related vascular complications are increasingly recognized and described. Herein, we describe the first known occurrence of multifocal strokes from the use of PDLLA as a cosmetic dermal filler, and discuss the mechanisms facilitating PDLLA's entry into the intracranial arterial system. CASE PRESENTATION: A middle-aged female presented with acute vision loss of both eyes immediately after dermal injections of PDLLA to her nasolabial folds and infraorbital regions. There were no additional neurological deficits. Dilated fundal examination revealed retinal edema bilaterally, with deposition of filler material in the retinal arteries. Magnetic resonance imaging of her brain and orbits demonstrated multifocal strokes (left caudate head, right medial frontal lobe) and ischemia of the left optic nerve. The temporal proximity of the dermal injections to her symptoms, guided by fundal examination and neuroimaging findings, allowed us to attribute her strokes and ischemic optic neuropathy to PDLLA's entry into, and embolism within, the intracranial arterial system. She was treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and experience improvement to her right eye's vision, although poor vision persisted in her left eye. CONCLUSION: While PDLLA is generally considered safe, its increasing use as a cosmetic filler renders it crucial for physicians to be cognizant of its vascular complications, especially when early recognition and treatment are essential in mitigating their devastating ramifications.

Parabiosis Discriminates the Circulating, Endothelial, and Parenchymal Contributions of Endogenous Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator to Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous injection of alteplase, a recombinant tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator) as a thrombolytic agent has revolutionized ischemic stroke management. However, tPA is a more complex enzyme than expected, being for instance able to promote thrombolysis, but at the same time, also able to influence neuronal survival and to affect the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. Accordingly, the respective impact of endogenous tPA expressed/present in the brain parenchyma versus in the circulation during stroke remains debated. METHODS: To address this issue, we used mice with constitutive deletion of tPA (tPANull [tPA-deficient mice]) or conditional deletion of endothelial tPA (VECad [vascular endothelial-Cadherin-Cre-recombinase]-Cre∆tPA). We also developed parabioses between tPANull and wild-type mice (tPAWT), anticipating that a tPAWT donor would restore levels of tPA to normal ones, in the circulation but not in the brain parenchyma of a tPANull recipient. Stroke outcomes were investigated by magnetic resonance imaging in a thrombo-embolic or a thrombotic stroke model, induced by local thrombin injection or FeCl3 application on the endothelium, respectively. RESULTS: First, our data show that endothelial tPA, released into the circulation after stroke onset, plays an overall beneficial role following thrombo-embolic stroke. Accordingly, after 24 hours, tPANull/tPANull parabionts displayed less spontaneous recanalization and reperfusion and larger infarcts compared with tPAWT/tPAWT littermates. However, when associated to tPAWT littermates, tPANull mice had similar perfusion deficits, but less severe brain infarcts. In the thrombotic stroke model, homo- and hetero-typic parabionts did not differ in the extent of brain damages and did not differentially recanalize and reperfuse. CONCLUSIONS: Together, our data reveal that during thromboembolic stroke, endogenous circulating tPA from endothelial cells sustains a spontaneous recanalization and reperfusion of the tissue, thus, limiting the extension of ischemic lesions. In this context, the impact of endogenous parenchymal tPA is limited.

Sex-Based Analysis of Workflow and Outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Treated With Alteplase Versus Tenecteplase.

BACKGROUND: Understanding sex differences in stroke care is important in reducing potential disparities. Our objective was to explore sex differences in workflow efficiency, treatment efficacy, and safety in the AcT trial (Alteplase Compared to Tenecteplase). METHODS: AcT was a multicenter, registry-linked randomized noninferiority trial comparing tenecteplase (0.25 mg/kg) with alteplase (0.9 mg/kg) in acute ischemic stroke within 4.5 hours of onset. In this post hoc analysis, baseline characteristics, workflow times, successful reperfusion (extended Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score ≥2b), symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, 90-day functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score, 0-1), and 90-day mortality were compared by sex. Mixed-effects regression analysis was used adjusting for age, stroke severity, and occlusion site for outcomes. RESULTS: Of 1577 patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis (2019-2022), 755 (47.9%) were women. Women were older (median, 77 [68-86] years in women versus 70 [59-79] years in men) and had a higher proportion of severe strokes (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score >15; 32.4% versus 24.9%) and large vessel occlusions (28.7% versus 21.5%) compared with men. All workflow times were comparable between sexes. Women were less likely to achieve functional independence (31.7% versus 39.8%; unadjusted relative risk, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.70-0.91]) and had higher mortality (17.7% versus 13.3%; unadjusted relative risk, 1.33 [95% CI, 1.06-1.69]). Adjusted analysis showed no difference in outcomes between sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in prognostic factors of age, stroke severity, and occlusion site largely accounted for higher functional dependence and mortality in women. No sex disparities were apparent in workflow quality indicators. Given the integration of the AcT trial into clinical practice, these results provide reassurance that no major sex biases are apparent in acute stroke management throughout participating Canadian centers. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03889249.

How Topographic Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Patterns can Predict the Potential Embolic Source.

PURPOSE: To develop an imaging prediction model for patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS), we investigated the association of topographic diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) patterns with potential embolic sources (PES) identified by transesophageal echocardiography. METHODS: From a total of 992 consecutive patients with embolic stroke, 366 patients with the ESUS group were selected. ESUS was defined as no atrial fibrillation (Af) within 24h from admission and no PES after general examination. Clinical variables include age (> 80years, 70-80 years), sex, vascular risk factors and left atrial diameter > 4 cm. Age, sex and vascular risk factors adjusted odds ratio of each DWI for the different PESs were calculated. DWI was determined based on the arterial territories. Middle cerebral arteries were divided into 4 segments, i.e., M1-M4. Moreover, M2 segments were subdivided into superior and inferior branches. RESULTS: The 366 patients consisted of 168 with paroxysmal Af (pAf), 77 with paradoxical embolism, 71 with aortic embolism and 50 with undetermined embolism after transesophageal echocardiography. The variables adjusted odds ratio (OR) of internal carotid artery (OR: 12.1, p = 0.037), M1 (4.2, p = 0.001), inferior M2 (7.5, p = 0.0041) and multiple cortical branches (12.6, p < 0.0001) were significantly higher in patients with pAf. Striatocapsular infarction (12.5, p < 0.0001) and posterior inferior cerebellar artery infarcts (3.6, p = 0.018) were significantly associated with paradoxical embolism. Clinical variables adjusted OR of multiple small scattered infarcts (8.3, p < 0.0001) were significantly higher in patients with aortic embolism. CONCLUSION: The associations of DWI with different PES have their distinctive characteristics and DWI along with clinical variables may help predict PES in patients with ESUS.