In patients with ischemic stroke (IS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and cortical superficial siderosis (cSS), there are few data regarding the risk of future cerebrovascular events and also about the benefits and safety of antithrombotic drugs for secondary prevention. We investigated the associations of cSS and stroke risk in patients with recent IS or TIA.
Background and purpose: There are risks of recurrent stroke and systemic embolism during the early period after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) especially in patients with hemorrhagic transformation because of delayed initiation of anticoagulants. We assessed the rate of early recurrent embolism (ERE) after MT and the effect of intracranial hemorrhage on ERE. Methods: Patients who underwent MT for acute ischemic stroke in our institution between January 2014 and July 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. ERE was defined as symptomatic recurrent stroke and systemic embolism within 14 days after MT. A multivariable logistic regression model with prespecified covariates including anticoagulants within 48 hours after MT was constructed to determine the association between ERE and parenchymal hemorrhage (PH) within 36 hours (SITS-MOST definition). Adjustment for differences in baseline characteristics between patients with and without PH was performed using the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). Results: A total of 300 patients (mean age, 75.4 years; female patients, 49%; median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, 18 [IQR, 12-25]) were included. ERE was observed in 12 of 300 patients (8 strokes and 4 systemic embolisms; 4.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.3 to 9.3). The median time from MT to ERE was 6.5 days (IQR, 3-8) and no ERE occurred before PH. Patients with PH were not likely to be initiated anticoagulants within 48 hours after MT (41 % vs. 77%, p < 0.01). In multivariable analysis, PH was significantly associated with an increased risk of ERE (unweighted odds ratio, 5.61; 95% CI, 1.25 to 25.27, p = 0.025). After weighting for IPTW, PH remained an independent predictor of ERE (weighted odds ratio 6.20, 95% CI, 1.05 to 36.57, p = 0.044). Conclusions: ERE occurred in about 4% of patients after the MT. Our results reveal a dilemma that intracranial hemorrhage after reperfusion therapy may increase the risk of recurrent embolism.
Background We retrospectively compared early‐ (<6 hours) versus late‐ (6–24 hours) presenting patients using perfusion‐weighted imaging selection and evaluated clinical/radiographic outcomes. Methods and Results Large vessel occlusion patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy from August 2017 to July 2020 within 24 hours of onset were retrieved from a single‐center database. Perfusion‐weighted imaging was analyzed by automated software and final infarct volume was measured semi‐automatically within 14 days. The primary end point was good outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0–2 at 90 days). Secondary end points were excellent outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0–1 at 90 days), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and death. Clinical characteristics/radiological values including hypoperfusion volume and infarct growth velocity (baseline volume/onset‐to‐image time) were compared between the groups. Of 1294 patients, 118 patients were included. The median age was 74 years, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 14, and core volume was 13 mL. The late‐presenting group had more female patients (67% versus 31%, respectively; P =0.001). No statistically significant differences were seen in good outcome (42% versus 53%, respectively; P =0.30), excellent outcome (26% versus 32%, respectively; P =0.51), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (6.5% versus 4.6%, respectively; P =0.74), and death (3.2% versus 5.7%, respectively; P =0.58) between the groups. The late‐presenting group had more atherothrombotic cerebral infarction (19% versus 6%, respectively; P =0.03), smaller hypoperfusion volume (median: 77 versus 133 mL, respectively; P =0.04), and slower infarct growth velocity (median: 0.6 versus 5.1 mL/h, respectively; P =0.03). Conclusions Patients with early‐ and late‐time windows treated with mechanical thrombectomy by automated perfusion‐weighted imaging selection have similar outcomes, comparable with those in randomized trials, but different in infarct growth velocities. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT02251665.
Introduction We aim to investigate the difference in mechanical thrombectomy (MT) outcome for cancer‐related stroke (CRS) with active and inactive cancer. Methods Of the consecutive acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients admitted to our institute from 2010 to 2021, patients with cancer who received MT within 24 hours of onset and were enrolled.Outcomes including the favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2) at3 months, 1‐year,and death within 3 months or 1‐yearwere assessed between patients with active and inactive cancer among patients with cancer. The rate offirst pass effect (FPE, extendedThrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction[eTICI] 2c/3 after first pass) and final eTICI 2c/3 achievement were also assessed. Active cancer was defined as a cancer that was diagnosed within 6 months; required chemotherapy or surgical treatment within 6 months; or was recurrent, metastatic, or inoperable. Results Of 59 patients (26 women; median age, 80 years; median NIH Stroke Scale score[NIHSS] 17), 19 (32.2%) patients had an active cancer. Patients with active cancer has less atrial fibrillation (47% vs. 78%,P< 0.01) and higher medianD‐dimer(4.60μg/mLvs. 2.00μg/mL,P< 0.01). There were no significant differences in the favorable outcome at 3 months (26% vs. 45%,P = 0.26) and at 1 year (26% vs. 45%,P = 0.26) between both groups, but death within 3 months (32% vs. 5%,P< 0.01) and within 1 year (42% vs. 8%,P< 0.01) were more frequent in patients with active cancer than those with inactive cancer. Conclusions Long‐term clinical outcomes of patients with active cancer were worse than those with inactive cancer.
Objective To investigate the safety and effectiveness of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) versus vitamin K antagonists (VKA) after recent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) aged ≥85 years. Methods Individual patient data analysis from seven prospective stroke cohorts. We compared DOAC versus VKA treatment among patients with AF and recent stroke (<3 months) aged ≥85 versus <85 years. Primary outcome was the composite of recurrent stroke, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and all‐cause death. We used simple, adjusted, and weighted Cox regression to account for confounders. We calculated the net benefit of DOAC versus VKA by balancing stroke reduction against the weighted ICH risk. Results In total, 5,984 of 6,267 (95.5%) patients were eligible for analysis. Of those, 1,380 (23%) were aged ≥85 years and 3,688 (62%) received a DOAC. During 6,874 patient‐years follow‐up, the impact of anticoagulant type (DOAC versus VKA) on the hazard for the composite outcome did not differ between patients aged ≥85 (HR ≥85y = 0.65, 95%‐CI [0.52, 0.81]) and < 85 years (HR <85y = 0.79, 95%‐CI [0.66, 0.95]) in simple (p interaction = 0.129), adjusted (p interaction = 0.094) or weighted (p interaction = 0.512) models. Analyses on recurrent stroke, ICH and death separately were consistent with the primary analysis, as were sensitivity analyses using age dichotomized at 90 years and as a continuous variable. DOAC had a similar net clinical benefit in patients aged ≥85 (+1.73 to +2.66) and < 85 years (+1.90 to +3.36 events/100 patient‐years for ICH‐weights 1.5 to 3.1). Interpretation The favorable profile of DOAC over VKA in patients with AF and recent stroke was maintained in the oldest old. ANN NEUROL 2022;91:78–88
Introduction: Side-to-side relative reduction in end-diastolic velocity (EDV) of the common carotid artery (CCA) may discriminate ipsilateral anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO), which will contribute faster patient triage for reperfusion therapy. We evaluated the discriminative accuracy of this simple sonographic index for anterior circulation LVO in acute stroke population, including intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods: Among patients with acute stroke admitted to our institute between 2016-2018, those who underwent both carotid ultrasonography and head MRA or CTA within 24 hours after last known normal time were reviewed. Relative EDV reduction was calculated as a ratio by dividing the CCA EDV lower side by the EDV higher side. Anterior circulation LVO was defined as occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) or M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery on the lower EDV side. Discriminative performance of relative EDV reduction for anterior circulation LVO was assessed by receiver operating characteristics analysis. Results: A total of 688 patients (411 males; median age 77 years; 87 with anterior circulation LVO) were analyzed. When compared to no occlusion, value of relative EDV reduction was remarkably lower in ICA occlusion, followed by that in M1 occlusion (Figure). Area under the curve (AUC) of relative EDV reduction for ICA occlusion was 0.96 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94-0.99) with an appropriate cut-off value of 0.50 (sensitivity 94%, specificity 94%). When the discrimination target was set to anterior circulation LVO, the AUC was 0.78 (95% CI 0.72-0.85) with an appropriate cut-off value of 0.67 (sensitivity 69%, specificity 83%). At this cut-point, 51% of patients with M1 occlusion was classified as false negative. Conclusions: The discriminative performance of the relative CCA EDV reduction in acute stroke population was excellent for ICA occlusion and acceptable for anterior circulation LVO.
Background Anemia can occur due to an aspiration maneuver of blood with thrombi during mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for stroke. However, the association between postoperative anemia and stroke outcomes is unknown. Methods In a registry-based hospital cohort, consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent MT were retrospectively recruited. Patients were divided into the following three groups according to their hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations within 24 h after MT; no anemia (Hb concentrations ≥13 g/dL for men and ≥ 12 g/dL for women), mild anemia (Hb concentrations of 11–13 g/dL and 10–12 g/dL, respectively), and moderate-to-severe anemia (Hb concentrations <11 g/dL and < 10 g/dL, respectively). A 3-month modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2 indicated a favorable outcome. Results Of 470 patients, 166 were classified into the no anemia group, 168 into the mild anemia group, and 136 into the moderate-to-severe anemia group. Patients in the moderate-to-severe anemia group were older and more commonly had congestive heart failure than those in the other groups. Patients in the moderate-to-severe anemia group also had more device passes than those in the other groups ( p < 0.001). However, no difference was observed in the rate of final extended thrombolysis in cerebral infarction ≥2b reperfusion or intracranial hemorrhage among the groups. A favorable outcome was less frequently achieved in the moderate-to-severe anemia group than in the no anemia group (adjusted odds ratio, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.26–0.81) independent of the baseline Hb concentration. A restricted cubic spline model with three knots showed that the adjusted odds ratio for a favorable outcome was lower in patients with lower Hb concentrations within 24 h after MT. Conclusion Moderate-to-severe anemia within 24 h after MT is independently associated with a reduced likelihood of a favorable outcome. Clinical trial registration https://www.clinicaltrials.gov , NCT02251665.
Background and purpose: The discrimination between paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillations (AF) has not been considered to guide secondary stroke prevention, because it remains unclear whether patients with persistent AF are at higher risk compared with paroxysmal AF, particularly in secondary prevention. We aimed to assess the differences in clinical outcomes between mostly anticoagulated patients with persistent vs. paroxysmal AF who had ischemic stroke or TIA. Methods: Using interim data of 1192 nonvalvular AF (NVAF) patients with acute ischemic stroke or TIA who were registered in the SAMURAI-NVAF study (an ongoing prospective, multicenter, observational study) to determine choice of anticoagulantion therapy and clinical outcomes, we divided patients into those with paroxysmal AF and those with persistent AF. We compared clinical outcomes between the 2 groups. Results: The median follow-up period was 1.0 year (IQR 0.3-2.0). Of the 1192 patients, 434 (191 women, 77.3±10.0 y.o.) and 758 (336, 77.9±9.9) were assigned to the paroxysmal AF group and persistent AF group, respectively. Of each group, 220 (50.7%) and 442 (58.3%) were anticoagulated with warfarin and 199 (45.9%) and 276 (36.4%) were so with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) (p=0.004). As for primary outcomes, 30 (6.2%/person-year) and 78 (9.9) ischemic events, respectively [hazard ratio adjusted for sex, age, initial NIHSS, CHADS2 score, creatinine clearance, anticoagulation with warfarin (vs. NOAC) (HR) 0.65; 95% CI 0.42-0.98], and 18 (4.9%/person-year) and 31 (3.8) hemorrhagic events, respectively (HR 0.97, 0.52-1.75), occurred during follow-up. As for secondary outcomes, the person-year rate of ischemic stroke or TIA was 3.9% and 8.4%, respectively (HR 0.46, 0.27-0.76), that of intracranial hemorrhage was 1.6% and 1.7%, respectively (HR 0.97, 0.36-2.37), and that of death was 11.1% and 15.7%, respectively (HR 0.90, 0.64-1.26). Conclusions: Among patients with prior ischemic stroke or TIA, those with persistent AF had a higher risk of ischemic events, and ischemic stroke or TIA compared with those with paroxysmal AF. The prevention of progress to persistent AF from paroxysmal AF may be beneficial for secondary prevention in patients with NVAF.
Background and Purpose: White blood cell count (WBC), a marker of the atherosclerotic burden, has reportedly been a predictor of poor outcome in the general stroke population. The purpose of this study was to clarify associations between WBC on admission and outcomes among patients having acute ischemic stroke with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), that was principally cardioembolic. Methods: Of those enrolled in the multicenter observational Stroke Acute Management with Urgent Risk-factor Assessment and Improvement (SAMURAI)-NVAF study, acute ischemic stroke/TIA patients (within 7 days of onset) with NVAF with premorbid modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-2 were included in the analysis. WBC on admission was categorized into quartiles. Associations between WBC count and major disability or death (mRS score of 3-6) at 90 days and 2 years were analyzed using logistic and proportional odds regression models. Results: A total of 789 patients were studied (306 women, 76.2±9.5 years old, the median NIHSS score was 6 [IQR, 2-16], the median WBC count was 6700 [IQR, 5475-8300], the median mRS score at 90 days was 2 [IQR, 1-4], the median mRS score at 2 years was 2 [IQR, 0-5]). WBC had a significant linear association with major disability or death at 90 days (adjusted odds ratio [OR] for highest versus lowest quartile 3.53; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.07-6.13; P for trend<0.001). Associations were similar for the outcome at 2 years (adjusted OR for highest versus lowest quartile 2.16; 95% CI 1.31-3.56; P for trend<0.001). Conclusions: Higher WBC count on admission seems to predict a short- and long-term poor outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients with NVAF. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01581502.