International Journal of Stroke最新文献

Background: There is yet no randomized controlled evidence that mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is superior to best medical treatment in patients with large vessel occlusion but minor stroke symptoms (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] <6). Prior studies of patients with admission NIHSS scores >6 observed unfavorable functional outcomes despite successful recanalization, commonly termed as futile recanalization (FR), in up to 50% of cases.

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of FR in patients with minor stroke and identify associated patient-specific risk factors.

Methods: Our multicenter cohort study screened all patients prospectively enrolled in the German Stroke Registry Endovascular Treatment from 2015 to 2021 (n=13082). Included were patients who underwent MT for anterior circulation vessel occlusion with a baseline NIHSS score of <6 and successful recanalization (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction [mTICI] score of 2b-3). FR was defined by a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 2-6 at 90 days. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore factors associated with FR.

Results: A total of 674 patients met the inclusion criteria. FR occurred in 268 (40%) patients. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicates that higher age (adjusted odds ratio: 1.04 [95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.06]), pre-stroke mRS 1 (aOR: 2.70 [1.51-4.84]), transfer from admission hospital to comprehensive stroke center (aOR: 1.67 [1.08-2.56]), longer time from symptom onset/last seen well to admission (aOR: 1.02 [1.00-1.04]), MT under general anesthesia (aOR: 1.78 [1.13-2.82]), higher NIHSS after 24 hours (aOR: 1.09 [1.05-1.14]), and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (aOR: 16.88 [2.03-140.14]) increased the odds of FR. There was no significant difference in primary outcome between achieving mTICI 2b or 3.

Conclusions: Unfavorable functional outcomes despite successful vessel recanalization were frequent in acute ischemic stroke patients with low NIHSS scores on admission. We provide patient-specific risk factors that indicate an increased risk of FR and should be considered when treating patients with minor stroke.

Data access statement: The data that support the findings of our study are available on reasonable request after approval of the GSR steering committee.

Background and objectives: Cancer is associated with an increased risk of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and venous thromboembolism. The role of a cardiac right-to-left shunt (RLS) as a surrogate parameter for paradoxical embolism in cancer-related strokes is uncertain. We sought to investigate the relationship between the presence of an RLS and cancer in AIS patients.

Methods: We included consecutive AIS patients hospitalized at our tertiary stroke center between January 2015 and December 2020 with available RLS status as detected on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Active cancers were retrospectively identified and the association with RLS was assessed with multivariable logistic regression and inverse probability of treatment weighting to minimize the ascertainment bias of having a TEE obtained.

Results: Of the 2236 AIS patients included, 103 (4.6%) had active cancer, of whom 24 (23%) were diagnosed with RLS. An RLS was present in 774 out of the 2133 AIS patients without active cancer (36%). After adjustment and weighting, the absence of RLS was associated with active cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.29; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.14-4.58). When analysis was restricted to patients younger than 60 years of age or those with a high-risk RLS (Risk of Paradoxical Embolism Score ⩾ 6), there was no association between RLS and cancer (aOR, 3.07; 95% CI, 0.79-11.88 and aOR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.10-3.10, respectively).

Conclusion: RLS was diagnosed less frequently in AIS patients with cancer than in cancer-free patients, suggesting that arterial sources may play a larger role in cancer-related strokes than paradoxical venous embolization. Future studies are needed to validate these findings and evaluate potential therapeutic implications, such as the general indication, or lack thereof, for patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure in this patient population.

Objective: There is a paucity of studies investigating the outcomes among Asian stroke patients. Identifying subgroups of stroke patients at risk of poorer outcomes could identify patients who would benefit from targeted interventions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify which ischemic stroke patients at high risk of recurrent events and mortality.

Methods: This cohort study adhered to STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. We obtained data from the Singapore Stroke Registry (SSR) from 2005 to 2016 and cross referenced to the Death Registry and the Myocardial Infarction Registry. Outcome measures included recurrent stroke, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and all-cause and stroke-related deaths. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed to determine risk factors for recurrent stroke, AMI, and all-cause and stroke-related deaths.

Results: A total of 64,915 patients (6705 young, and 58,210 older) were included in our analysis. Older stroke patients were found to have an increased risk of recurrent stroke (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.12-1.30), AMI (HR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.54-1.95), all-cause death (HR = 2.49, 95% CI = 2.34-2.64), and stroke-related death (HR = 176, 95% CI = 1.61-1.92). Among young stroke patients, males were at increased risk for recurrent stroke (HR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.01-1.39) and AMI (HR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.08-1.83), but at reduced risk for all-cause (HR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.69-0.89) and stroke-related deaths (HR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.67-0.94). Ethnicity appeared to influence outcomes, with Malay patients at increased risk of recurrent stroke (HR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.14-1.65), AMI (HR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.87-3.22), and all-cause (HR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.24-1.66) and stroke-related deaths (HR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.09-1.64). Indian patients were also at increased risk of AMI (HR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.41-2.72). Similar findings were seen among the older stroke patients.

Conclusion: This study found that older stroke patients are at risk of poorer outcomes. Within the young stroke population specifically, males were predisposed to recurrent stroke and AMI but were protected against all-cause and stroke-related deaths. Males were also at reduced risk of all-cause and stroke-related deaths in the older stroke population. In addition, Malay and Indian patients experience poorer outcomes after first stroke. Further optimization of risk factors targeting these high-priority populations are needed to achieve high-quality care.

Background and purpose: Sleep disorders are increasingly implicated as risk factors for stroke, as well as a determinant of stroke outcome. They can also occur secondary to the stroke itself. In this review, we describe the variety of different sleep disorders associated with stroke and analyze their effect on stroke risk and outcome.

Methods: A search term-based literature review ("sleep," "insomnia," "narcolepsy," "restless legs syndrome," "periodic limb movements during sleep," "excessive daytime sleepiness" AND "stroke" OR "cerebrovascular" in PubMed; "stroke" and "sleep" in ClinicalTrials.gov) was performed. English articles from 1990 to March 2023 were considered.

Results: Increasing evidence suggests that sleep disorders are risk factors for stroke. In addition, sleep disturbance has been reported in half of all stroke sufferers; specifically, an increase is not only sleep-related breathing disorders but also periodic limb movements during sleep, narcolepsy, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder, insomnia, sleep duration, and circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders. Poststroke sleep disturbance has been associated with worse outcome.

Conclusion: Sleep disorders are risk factors for stroke and associated with worse stroke outcome. They are also a common consequence of stroke. Recent guidelines suggest screening for sleep disorders after stroke. It is possible that treatment of sleep disorders could both reduce stroke risk and improve stroke outcome, although further data from clinical trials are required.

Background: The contribution of atrial fibrillation (AF) to the etiology and burden of stroke may vary by country income level.

Aims: We examined differences in the prevalence of AF and described variations in the magnitude of the association between AF and ischemic stroke by country income level.

Methods: In the INTERSTROKE case-control study, participants with acute first ischemic stroke were recruited across 32 countries. We included 10,363 ischemic stroke cases and 10,333 community or hospital controls who were matched for age, sex, and center. Participants were grouped into high-income (HIC), upper-middle-income (subdivided into two groups-UMIC-1 and UMIC-2), and lower-middle-income (LMIC) countries, based on gross national income. We evaluated the risk factors for AF overall and by country income level, and evaluated the association of AF with ischemic stroke.

Results: AF was documented in 11.9% (n = 1235) of cases and 3.2% (n = 328) of controls. Compared to HIC, the prevalence of AF was significantly lower in UMIC-2 (aOR 0.35, 95% CI 0.29-0.41) and LMIC (aOR 0.50, 95% CI 0.41-0.60) on multivariable analysis. Hypertension, female sex, valvular heart disease, and alcohol intake were stronger risk factors for AF in lower-income countries, and obesity a stronger risk factor in higher-income countries. The magnitude of association between AF and ischemic stroke was significantly higher in lower-income countries compared to higher-income countries. The population attributable fraction for AF and stroke varied by region and was 15.7% (95% CI 13.7-17.8) in HIC, 14.6% (95% CI 12.3-17.1) in UMIC-1, 5.7% (95% CI 4.9-6.7) in UMIC-2, and 6.3% (95% CI 5.3-7.3) in LMIC.

Conclusion: Risk factors for AF vary by country income level. AF contributes to stroke burden to a greater extent in higher-income countries than in lower-income countries, due to a higher prevalence and despite a lower magnitude of odds ratio.

Background: Data comparing the specific reversal agent andexanet alfa with non-specific treatments in patients with non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) associated with factor-Xa inhibitor (FXaI) use are scarce.

Aim: The study aimed to determine the association between the use of andexanet alfa compared with non-specific treatments with the rate of hematoma expansion and thromboembolic complications in patients with FXaI-associated ICH.

Methods: We performed an individual patient data analysis combining two independent, prospective studies: ANNEXA-4 (180 patients receiving andexanet alfa, NCT02329327) and TICH-NOAC (63 patients receiving tranexamic acid or placebo ± prothrombin complex concentrate, NCT02866838). The primary efficacy outcome was hematoma expansion on follow-up imaging. The primary safety outcome was any thromboembolic complication (ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, or deep vein thrombosis) at 30 days. We used binary logistic regression models adjusted for baseline hematoma volume, age, calibrated anti-Xa activity, times from last intake of FXaI, and symptom onset to treatment, respectively.

Results: Among 243 participants included, the median age was 80 (IQR 75-84) years, baseline hematoma volume was 9.1 (IQR 3.4-21) mL and anti-Xa activity 118 (IQR 78-222) ng/mL. Times from last FXaI intake and symptom onset to treatment were 11 (IQR 7-16) and 4.7 (IQR 3.0-7.6) h, respectively. Overall, 50 patients (22%) experienced hematoma expansion (ANNEXA-4: n=24 (14%); TICH-NOAC: n=26 (41%)). After adjusting for pre-specified confounders (baseline hematoma volume, age, calibrated anti-Xa activity, times from last intake of FXaI, and symptom onset to treatment, respectively), treatment with andexanet alfa was independently associated with decreased odds for hematoma expansion (aOR 0.33, 95% CI 0.13-0.80, p = 0.015). Overall, 26 patients (11%) had any thromboembolic complication within 30 days (ANNEXA-4: n=20 (11%); TICH-NOAC: n=6 (10%)). There was no association between any thromboembolic complication and treatment with andexanet alfa (aOR 0.70, 95% CI 0.16-3.12, p = 0.641).

Conclusion: The use of andexanet alfa compared to any other non-specific treatment strategy was associated with decreased odds for hematoma expansion, without increased odds for thromboembolic complications.

Background: Utilization of oral anticoagulants for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) increased in the United States over the last decade. Whether this increase has been accompanied by any change in AF prevalence in AIS at the population level remains unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate trends in AF prevalence in AIS hospitalizations in various age, sex, and racial subgroups over the last decade.

Methods: We used data contained in the 2010-2020 National Inpatient Sample to conduct a serial cross-sectional study. Primary AIS hospitalizations with and without comorbid AF were identified using International Classification of Diseases Codes. Joinpoint regression was used to compute annualized percentage change (APC) in prevalence and to identify points of change in prevalence over time.

Results: Of 5,190,148 weighted primary AIS hospitalizations over the study period, 25.1% had comorbid AF. The age- and sex-standardized prevalence of AF in AIS hospitalizations increased across the entire study period 2010-2020 (average APC: 1.3%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.8-1.7%). Joinpoint regression showed that prevalence increased in the period 2010-2015 (APC: 2.8%, 95% CI: 1.9-3.9%) but remained stable in the period 2015-2020 (APC: -0.3%, 95% CI: -1.0 to 1.9%). Upon stratification by age and sex, prevalence increased in all age/sex groups from 2010 to 2015 and continued to increase throughout the entire study period in hospitalizations in men 18-39 years (APC: 4.0%, 95% CI: 0.2-7.9%), men 40-59 years (APC: 3.4%, 95% CI: 1.9-4.9%) and women 40-59 years (APC: 4.4%, 95% CI: 2.0-6.8%). In contrast, prevalence declined in hospitalizations in women 60-79 (APC: -1.0%, 95% CI: -0.5 to -1.5%) and women ⩾ 80 years over the period 2015-2020 but plateaued in hospitalizations in similar-aged men over the same period.

Conclusion: AF prevalence in AIS hospitalizations in the United States increased over the period 2010-2015, then plateaued over the period 2015-2020 due to declining prevalence in hospitalizations in women ⩾ 60 years and plateauing prevalence in hospitalizations in men ⩾ 60 years.

Background: Stroke is a second leading cause of death globally, with an estimated one in four adults suffering a stroke in their lifetime. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, quality of care, and outcomes in adults with stroke in urban Northwestern Tanzania.

Methods: We analyzed de-identified data from a prospective stroke registry from Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, the second largest city in Tanzania, between March 2020 and October 2022. This registry included all adults ⩾18 years admitted to our hospital who met the World Health Organization clinical definition of stroke. Information collected included demographics, risk factors, stroke severity using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, brain imaging, indicators for quality of care, discharge modified Rankin Scale, and in-hospital mortality. We examined independent factors associated with mortality using logistic regression.

Results: The cohort included 566 adults, of which 52% (294) were female with a mean age of 65 ± 15 years. The majority had a first-ever stroke 88% (498). Premorbid hypertension was present in 86% (488) but only 41% (200) were taking antihypertensive medications before hospital admission; 6% (32) had HIV infection. Ischemic strokes accounted for 66% (371) but only 6% (22) arriving within 4.5 h of symptom onset. In-hospital mortality was 29% (127). Independent factors associated with mortality were severe stroke (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.47-2.24, p < 0.001), moderate to severe stroke (aOR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.22-1.84, p < 0.001), moderate stroke (aOR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.52-2.14, p < 0.001), leukocytosis (aOR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.03-1.38, p = 0.022), lack of health insurance coverage (aOR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.02-1.29, p = 0.025), and not receiving any form of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis (aOR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.02-1.37, p = 0.027).

Conclusion: We report a stroke cohort with poor in-hospital outcomes in urban Northwestern Tanzania. Early diagnosis and treatment of hypertension could prevent stroke in this region. More work is needed to raise awareness about stroke symptoms and to ensure that people with stroke receive guidelines-directed therapy.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for ischaemic stroke (IS) and transient ischaemic attack (TIA). The timely detection of first-diagnosed or "new" AF (nAF) would prompt a switch from antiplatelets to anticoagulation to reduce the risk of stroke recurrence; however, the optimal timing and duration of rhythm monitoring to detect nAF remains unclear.

Aims: We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane database, and Google Scholar to undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) between 2012 and 2023 investigating nAF detection after IS and TIA. Outcome measures were overall detection of nAF (control; (usual care) compared to intervention; (continuous cardiac monitoring >72 h)) and the time period in which nAF detection is highest (0-14 days, 15-90 days, 91-180 days, or 181-365 days). A random-effects model with generic inverse variance weights was used to pool the most adjusted effect measure from each trial.

Summary of review: A total of eight RCTs investigated rhythm monitoring after IS, totaling 5820 patients. The meta-analysis of the studies suggested that continuous cardiac monitoring was associated with a pooled odds ratio of 3.81 (95% CI 2.14 to 6.77), compared to usual care (control), for nAF detection. In the time period analysis, the odds ratio for nAF detection at 0-14 days, 15-90 days, 91-180 days, 181-365 days were 1.79 (1.24-2.58); 2.01 (0.63-6.37); 0.98 (0.16-5.90); and 2.92 (1.30-6.56), respectively.

Conclusion: There is an almost fourfold increase in nAF detection with continuous cardiac monitoring, compared to usual care. The results also demonstrate two statistically significant time periods in nAF detection; at 0-14 days and 6-12 months following monitoring commencement. These data support the utilization of different monitoring methods to cover both time periods and a minimum of 1 year of monitoring to maximize nAF detection in patients after IS and TIA.