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Background and purpose: Stroke has been described as a COVID-19 complication. However, its occurrence rate, risk factors, and causal relationships are still not well established. Methods: We describe the characteristics of confirmed COVID-19-related strokes among all cases of COVID-19 hospitalized in our health network, from November 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. Risk factor analysis has been conducted for ischemic stroke (IS), which represents 92% of all confirmed cases of Covid-19-related strokes, and a "causal attribution to infection" classification is provided. Results: In all, 62/4105 hospitalized COVID-19 patients had an acute stroke (1.51%). Severe COVID-19 (OR 2.27--CI 1.06-4.77; p = 0.032), atrial fibrillation (OR 3.65--CI 1.63-7.98; p = 0.001), and ischemic heart disease (OR 4.590--CI 1.714-12.137; p = 0.002) proved to be independent risk factors for IS, while obesity was a protective factor (OR 0.90--CI 0.82-0.97; p = 0.012). COVID-19 had a causal role in 32.1% of IS cases, was a relevant cofactor in 28.6% of cases of IS, and was a possible trigger in 39.3% of events. Conclusion: Our stroke occurrence rate is consistent with other populationbased reports (range 0.34-2.7%). Prespecified peculiar clinical and radiological features allow the distinction between "IS caused by COVID-19" and "IS triggered by COVID-19." Clinical history of vascular diseases and risk factors is crucial in determining the risk of IS in patients with COVID-19. However, the protective effect of a BMI > 30 kg/m2 seems to suggest an obesity paradox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The optimal dose of tenecteplase vs. alteplase for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has yet to be established. Therefore, we included the latest randomized controlled trials (RCT) to assess the efficacy and safety of different doses of tenecteplase vs. alteplase for AIS within 4.5 hours of symptom onset. Methods: Literature was searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and clinical trial registries until February 12, 2023. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% credible intervals (CrI) were estimated using Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA). Treatments were ranked based on efficacy and safety using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). Results: Eleven RCTs with 5,475 patients were included. Tenecteplase 0.25 mg/kg and alteplase 0.9 mg/kg had signicantly higher rates of excellent functional outcome (tenecteplase: OR, 1.85; 95% CrI, 1.44--2.37; alteplase: OR, 1.60; 95% CrI, 1.29--1.97) and good functional outcome (tenecteplase: OR, 1.54; 95% CrI, 1.19-- 1.98; alteplase: OR, 1.40; 95% CrI, 1.14--1.74) than placebo, despite an increased risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Furthermore, the NMA (OR, 1.16; 95% CrI, 1.01--1.33) and the pairwise meta-analysis (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.02--1.33; P = 0.03) indicated that tenecteplase 0.25 mg/kg was superior to alteplase 0.9 mg/kg in excellent functional outcome. Alteplase 0.9 mg/kg (OR, 2.54; 95% CrI, 1.45-- 8.08) signicantly increased the risk of any intracranial hemorrhage compared with placebo. SUCRA results demonstrated that tenecteplase 0.25 mg/kg ranked rst and tenecteplase 0.4 mg/kg ranked last in efficacy outcomes. Conclusions: The NMA indicated that tenecteplase 0.25 mg/kg and alteplase 0.9 mg/kg are safe and signicantly improve clinical outcomes in patients with AIS within 4.5 h of symptom onset. Furthermore, tenecteplase 0.25 mg/kg provides more benet and has the potential to replace alteplase 0.9 mg/kg in AIS treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate and compare the predictive value of Face, Arm, Speech Test (FAST) and Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, Time (BEFAST) scale in the acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods: We searched Medline and Ovid databases for relevant literature in the English language. There were no limitations on the date. The sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio were pooled for meta-analysis. The symmetric receiver operator characteristic curve and Fagan's Nomogram were drawn, and meta-regression and subgroup analysis were used to explore the source of heterogeneity. Results: A total of 9 studies, including 6,151 participants, were analyzed. The combined sensitivity of FAST was 0.77 [95% CI (0.64–0.86)], specificity was 0.60 [95% CI (0.38–0.78)], the area under the ROC curve was 0.76, and the diagnostic ratio was 1.57, while the sensitivity of BEFAST was 0.68 [95% CI (0.23–0.93)], specificity was 0.85 [95% CI (0.72–0.92)], the area under the ROC curve was 0.86, and the diagnostic odds ratio was 2.44. No publication bias was detected in Deeks' funnel plot. For FAST, meta-regression analysis showed that the prospective design, satisfactory description of the index test, and a broad spectrum of disease contributed to the heterogeneity in sensitivity, while no sources contributed to the heterogeneity in sensitivity. When the pretest probability was set as 20%, the posterior probability in Fagan's Nomogram was 32%; however, when the pretest probability was set as 20% in BEFAST, the posterior probability in Fagan's Nomogram was 52%. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that FAST and BEFAST might be useful in the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke. The diagnostic value of BEFAST in acute ischemic stroke was higher than in FAST; thus, it might have an important role in the fast recognition of acute ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) has been validated in several randomized controlled trials in recent years for its efficacy in the treatment of acute ischemic strokes (AIS) and is now the standard of care according to international guidelines. However, in about 20% of EVT procedures, recanalization is not achieved, and over 50% of patients who undergo EVT still do not have good functional outcome. In this article, we provide an extensive review of the latest evidence and developments in the field of EVT, with particular focus on the factors that improve patient outcomes. These factors include new and adjunctive techniques such as combination of direct aspiration and stent retriever, intra-arterial urokinase or 2b/3a inhibitors, rescue stenting, as well as novel devices including balloon guide catheters and the newer generations of aspiration catheters and stent retrievers. We also examined the latest notion of using first-pass effect (FPE) as the target to achieve during EVT, which has been associated with an improved functional outcome. While the field of EVT has been rapidly evolving, further research is required in specific AIS patient populations such as those with large ischemic core, late presentation beyond 24 h, posterior circulation strokes, and with distal medium vessel occlusion or tandem lesions to better assess its efficacy and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Thousands of designated COVID-19 hospitals have been set up in China to fight the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Anecdotal reports indicate a falling rate of acute stroke diagnoses in these hospitals during the COVID-19 period. We conducted an exploratory single-center analysis to estimate the change in acute stroke presentation at the designated COVID-19 hospitals. Methods: This retrospective observational study included all patients admitted to Yongchuan Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University with acute stroke between January 24 and March 10, 2020. Patient demographics, characteristics of the stroke, treatment details, and clinical outcomes were compared with those of patients admitted in the corresponding period in the year before (2019, "the pre-COVID-19 period"). Subgroup analysis was performed in the ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke groups. Results: A total of 110 patients presented with acute stroke symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared with 173 patients in the pre-COVID-19 period. A higher proportion of stroke patients presented to the hospital via emergency medical services during the pandemic (48.2 vs. 31.8%, p = 0.006). There was a lower proportion of ischemic stroke patients (50.9 vs. 65.3%, p = 0.016) than in the preceding year. There were significantly fewer patients with 90-day modified Rankin Scale score ≥3 in the COVID-19 period compared with the pre-COVID-19 period (17.3 vs. 30.6%, p = 0.012). Among patients with ischemic stroke, the mean time from patient arrival to vessel puncture for emergency endovascular therapy in the COVID-19 period was shorter than that in the pre-COVID-19 period (109.18 ± 71.39 vs. 270.50 ± 161.51 min, p = 0.002). Among patients with hemorrhagic stroke, the rate of emergency surgical operation in the COVID-19 period was higher than that in the pre-COVID-19 period (48.1 vs. 30.0%, p = 0.047). The mean time from patient arrival to emergency surgical operation (15.31 ± 22.89 vs. 51.72 ± 40.47 min, p = 0.002) was shorter in the COVID-19 period than in the pre-COVID-19 period. Conclusions: Although fewer acute stroke patients sought medical care in this designated COVID-19 hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic, this type of hospital was more efficient for timely treatment of acute stroke. Recognizing how acute strokes presented in designated COVID-19 hospitals will contribute to appropriate adjustments in strategy for dealing with acute stroke during COVID-19 and future pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is the standard of care for acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion, but is not available at all stroke centers. Transfers between hospitals lead to treatment delays. Transport directly to a facility capable of MT based on a prehospital stroke severity scale score has been recommended, if transportation time is less than 30 min. Aims: We hypothesized that an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) routing algorithm for stroke, using the Los Angeles Motor Scale (LAMS) in the field, would improve time from last known well to MT, without causing patients to miss the IV Thrombolysis (IVT) window. Methods: An EMS algorithm in the Baltimore metro area using the LAMS was implemented. Patients suspected of having an acute stroke were assessed by EMS using the LAMS. Patients scoring 4 or higher and within 20 h from last known well, were transported directly to a Thrombectomy Center, if transport could be completed within 30 min. The algorithm was evaluated retrospectively with prospectively collected data at the Thrombectomy Centers. The primary outcome variables were proportion of patients with suspected stroke rerouted by EMS, proportion of rerouted ischemic stroke patients receiving MT, time to treatment, and whether the IVT window was missed. Results: A total of 303 patients were rerouted out of 2459 suspected stroke patients over a period of 6 months. Of diverted patients, 47% had acute ischemic stroke. Of these, 48% received an acute stroke treatment: 16.8% IVT, 17.5% MT, and 14% MT+IVT. Thrombectomy occurred 119 min earlier in diverted patients compared to patients transferred from other hospitals (P = 0.006). 55.3% of diverted patients undergoing MT and 38.2% of patients transferred from hospital to hospital were independent at 90 days (modified Rankin score 0–2) (P = 0.148). No patient missed the time window for IVT due to the extra travel time. Conclusions: In this retrospective analysis of prospectively acquired data, implementation of a pre-hospital clinical screening score to detect patients with suspected acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion was feasible. Rerouting patients directly to a Thrombectomy Center, based on the EMS algorithm, led to a shorter time to thrombectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite extensive evidence of benefit of thrombectomy in adult ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion in the 6-h window, its role remains uncertain in very young children. We describe hereafter the case of a 2-year-old female child who had a successful thrombectomy 9 h after stroke onset. The patient presented with right hemiplegia, central facial palsy, a normal level of consciousness, and speech difficulties. The PedNIHS score was 11. CT scan without contrast injection displayed spontaneous hyperdensity of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), with only limited early signs of ischemia (ASPECTS 8). CT angiography demonstrated occlusion of the proximal MCA with good collaterals. Thrombectomy was realized. Complete recanalization (TICI 3) was obtained under general anesthesia after two passes of a stent retriever. Time from symptoms onset to full recanalization was 9 h. The acute ischemic stroke was caused by embolic thrombus from a congenital heart disease. Clinical recovery was complete. Three months after the thrombectomy, the young patient was doing well without any neurological sequelae (PedNIHSS 0; modified Rankin Scale: 0). This case report is an example of a decision-making process to perform thrombectomy in a very young child, which included cardio-embolic etiology as a parameter that potentially might have participated to the successful outcome of the therapeutic procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imaging protocols of acute ischemic stroke continue to hold significant uncertainties regarding patient selection for reperfusion therapy with thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy. Given that patient inclusion criteria can easily introduce biases that may be unaccounted for, the reproducibility and reliability of the patient screening method is of utmost importance in clinical trial design. The optimal imaging screening protocol for selection in targeted populations remains uncertain. Acute neuroimaging provides a snapshot in time of the brain parenchyma and vasculature. By identifying the at-risk but still viable penumbral tissue, imaging can help estimate the potential benefit of a reperfusion therapy in these patients. This paper provides a perspective about the assessment of the penumbral tissue in the context of acute stroke and reviews several neuroimaging models that have recently been developed to assess the penumbra in a more reliable fashion. The complexity and variability of imaging features and techniques used in stroke will ultimately require advanced data driven software tools to provide quantitative measures of risk/benefit of recanalization therapy and help aid in making the most favorable clinical decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most clinical diagnoses of stroke are based on the persistence of symptoms relating to consciousness, language, visual-field loss, extraocular movement, neglect (visual), motor strength, and sensory loss following acute cerebral infarction. Yet despite the fact that most motor actions and cognition are driven by vision, functional vision per se is seldom tested rigorously during hospitalization. Hence we set out to determine the effects of acute stroke on functional vision, using an iPad application (Melbourne Rapid Field-Neural) that can be used to assess vision (visual acuity and visual field sensitivity) at the bedside or in the emergency ward in about 6 min per eye. Our convenience sample comprised 60 (29–88 years, 65 ± 14 years, 33 males) of 160 sequentially presenting first episode, acute (<7 days) ischemic stroke patients at Sunshine Hospital, Melbourne. One hundred patients were excluded due to existing eye disease, inadequate radiological confirmation, inability to comply with English directions or too ill to participate. Stroke cases were compared with 37 (29–85 years, 64 ± 12 years,14 males) similar-aged controls using a Mann-Whitney U -test. A significant loss in visual field sensitivity was measured in 68% of stroke cases (41/60, Mean Deviation: Stroke: −5.39 ± 6.26 dB, Control: 0.30 ± 0.60 dB, MWU = 246, p < 0.0001). Surprisingly, 44% (18/41) of these patients were unaware of their field loss. Although high contrast visual acuity was unaffected in most (55/60) patients, visual acuity-in-noise was reduced in 62% (37/60, Stroke: mean 6/12−2, log MAR 0.34 ± 0.21 vs. Control: mean 6/7·5–2, log MAR 0.14 ± 0.10; MWU = 470, p < 0.0001). Visual field defects were associated with all occipital, parietal and posterior cerebellar artery strokes while 9/15 middle cerebral artery lesions and 11 lesions in other brain regions were also associated with visual field defects. Our findings demonstrate that ~2/3 of acute first episode ischemic stroke patients experience acquired vision deficits, often unrelated to the confirmed lesion site. Our results also imply that visual dysfunction may be associated with a more generalized cerebral dysfunction while highlighting the need for bedside testing of vision for every stroke patient and demonstrating the translational clinical value of the "Melbourne Rapid Field- Neural" iPad application. Clinical Trial: http://www.ANZCTR.org.au/ACTRN12618001111268.aspx. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of resting-state functional MRI scan length on the diagnostic accuracy, image quality and lesion volume estimation of BOLD delay maps used for brain perfusion assessment in acute ischemic stroke. Methods: Sixty-three acute ischemic stroke patients received a 340 s resting-state functional MRI within 24 h of stroke symptom onset. BOLD delay maps were calculated from the full scan and four shortened versions (68 s, 136 s, 204 s, 272 s). The BOLD delay lesions on these maps were compared in terms of spatial overlap and volumetric agreement with the lesions derived from the full scans and with time-to-maximum (Tmax) lesions derived from DSC-MRI in a subset of patients (n = 10). In addition, the interpretability and quality of these maps were compared across different scan lengths using mixed models. Results: Shortened BOLD delay scans showed a small volumetric bias (ranging from 0.05 to 5.3 mL; between a 0.13% volumetric underestimation and a 7.7% overestimation relative to the mean of the volumes, depending on scan length) compared to the full scan. Decreased scan length was associated with decreased spatial overlap with both the BOLD delay lesions derived from the full scans and with Tmax lesions. Only the two shortest scan lengths (68 and 136 s) were associated with substantially decreased interpretability, decreased structure clarity, and increased noisiness of BOLD delay maps. Conclusions: BOLD delay maps derived from resting-state fMRI scans lasting 272 and 204 s provide sufficient diagnostic quality and adequate assessment of perfusion lesion volumes. Such shortened scans may be helpful in situations where quick clinical decisions need to be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Treatment of aphasia is still challenging for clinicians and patients. So far, there is proven evidence for "face-to-face" speech therapy. However, the digital age potentially offers new and complementary strategies that may add to treatment outcome in a cost-effective way. Neolexon® is a commercial tablet-based software for treatment of aphasia, which can be applied with the help of a therapist or as self-training by the patient. Aims and hypothesis: In the Lexi study, we aim to determine whether treatment with Neolexon® is superior to standard therapy in acute post-stroke aphasia. Sample size estimates: A sample size of 180 patients, 90 for each group, will be included with an assumed dropout rate of ~20%. Methods and design: Prospective, randomized, parallel group, open-label, blinded-endpoint clinical, and experimental controlled non-invasive trial (PROBE). Adult German native speakers with acute aphasia after stroke are included. Computer-generated, blocked, and stratified randomization by aphasia severity will assign patients to one of two groups: 4 weeks of either standard logopedic speech therapy or logopedic speech therapy with the app version of Neolexon®. Both groups will be instructed in self-training: the frequency and duration of self-training will be documented. Screening for aphasia will be performed using the Language Screening Test (LAST). The severity of aphasia in general and in subitems will be assessed using the Bielefelder Aphasie Screening (BIAS) and the Aphasia Check List (ACL). Follow-up will be assessed after 3 months. Study outcomes: Based on the consensus in our study team, we considered a 10% mean difference in the change of percentile rank (PR) of BIAS to be a minimal and clinically important difference. The primary endpoint is defined as a significant difference in BIAS comparing the two groups. Differences in quality of life, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and modified Ranking Scale (mRS) will be evaluated as secondary outcome parameters. Discussion: This trial will determine whether speech therapy with the use of Neolexon® is superior to standard logopedic therapy. Subgroups with the greatest response to Neolexon® will be described. The trial was prospectively registered on the "EU Clinical Trials Register" (NCT04080817)1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prognostic models can estimate the recovery of arm functioning after stroke, guide the selection of individual training strategies, and inform patient selection in clinical trials. Several models for early prediction of arm recovery have been proposed, but their implementation has been hindered by insufficient external validation, limited evidence of their impact on patient outcomes, and reliance on predictors that are not feasible in regular clinical practice. Objectives: To determine the predictive value of new and previously reported tests that can be easily conducted in regular clinical settings for early prognosis of two levels of favorable arm recovery at 6 months post-stroke. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of merged data (n = 223) from two Scandinavian prospective longitudinal cohorts. The candidate predictors were seven individual tests of motor function and the sensory function measured by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Upper Extremity within 7 days post-stroke, and the whole motor section of this assessment. For each candidate predictor, we calculated the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of two levels of residual motor impairment in the affected arm at 6 months post-stroke: moderate-to-mild (≥32 points on the motor section of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Upper Extremity, FMA-UE) and mild (FMA-UE ≥ 58 points). Results: Patients with partial shoulder abduction (OR 14.6), elbow extension (OR 15.9), and finger extension (OR 9.5) were more likely to reach FMA-UE ≥ 32. Patients with full function on all individual motor tests (OR 5.5–35.3) or partial elbow extension, pronation/supination, wrist dorsiflexion and grasping ability (OR 2.1–18.3) were more likely to achieve FMA-UE ≥ 58 compared with those with absent function. Intact sensory function (OR 2.0–2.2) and moderate motor impairment on the FMA-UE (OR 7.5) were also associated with favorable outcome. Conclusions: Easily conducted motor tests can be useful for early prediction of arm recovery. The added value of this study is the prediction of two levels of a favorable functional outcome from simple motor tests. This knowledge can be used in the development of prognostic models feasible in regular clinical settings, inform patient selection and stratification in future trials, and guide clinicians in the selection of individualized training strategies for improving arm functioning after stroke. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02250365, NCT01115348. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]