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Background: We aim to assess the association between procedural time and outcomes in patients in unsuccessful mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for anterior circulation acute stroke. Methods: We conducted a cohort study on prospectively collected data from patients with M1 and/or M2 segment of middle cerebral artery occlusion with a thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 0–1 at the end of procedure. Primary outcome was 90-day poor outcome. Secondary outcomes were early neurological deterioration (END), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) according to ECASS II and sICH according to SITS-MOST. Results: Among 852 patients, after comparing characteristics of favourable and poor outcome groups, logistic regression analysis showed age (OR: 1.04; 95%CI: 1.02–1.05; p < 0.001), previous TIA/stroke (OR: 0.23; 95%CI: 0.12–0.74; p = 0.009), M1 occlusion (OR: 1.69; 95%CI: 1.13–2.50; p = 0.01), baseline NIHSS (OR: 1.01; 95%CI: 1.06–1.13; p < 0.001) and procedural time (OR:1.00; 95% CI: 1.00–1.01; p = 0.003) as independent predictors poor outcome at 90 days. Concerning secondary outcomes, logistic regression analysis showed NIHSS (OR:0.96; 95%CI: 0.93–0.99; p = 0.008), general anaesthesia (OR:2.59; 95%CI: 1.52–4.40; p < 0.001), procedural time (OR: 1.00; 95% CI: 1.00–1.01; p = 0.002) and intraprocedural complications (OR: 1.89; 95%CI: 1.02–3.52; p = 0.04) as independent predictors of END. Bridging therapy (OR:2.93; 95%CI: 1.21–7.09; p = 0.017) was associated with sICH per SITS-MOST criteria whereas M1 occlusion (OR: 0.35; 95%CI: 0.18–0.69; p = 0.002), bridging therapy (OR: 2.02; 95%CI: 1.07–3.82; p = 0.03) and intraprocedural complications (OR: 5.55; 95%CI: 2.72–11.31; p < 0.001) were independently associated with sICH per ECASS II criteria. No significant association was found between the number of MT attempts and analyzed outcomes. Conclusions: Regardless of the number of MT attempts and intraprocedural complications, procedural time was associated with poor outcome and END. We suggest a deeper consideration of procedural time when treating anterior circulation occlusions refractory to MT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To assess the safety and efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) taking direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) prior to stroke. Methods: Literature was searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase until March 13, 2023. The primary outcome was symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Secondary outcomes included excellent outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0–1), functional independence (mRS 0–2), and mortality. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using a random-effects model. Results: Five non-randomized studies included 239,879 patients with AIS treated with IVT, with 3400 (1.42%) taking DOACs prior to stroke. The rates of sICH did not differ statistically between patients taking DOACs and those not taking anticoagulants (unadjusted OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.67–1.44; P = 0.92; adjusted OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.64–1.03; P = 0.09). Patients taking DOACs had significantly higher adjusted rates of excellent outcome (adjusted OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.06–1.40; P < 0.01) and functional independence (adjusted OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.10–1.42; P < 0.01) at discharge than those not taking anticoagulants. No significant difference was observed in mortality and other efficacy outcomes between groups after adjustment. Conclusion: The meta-analysis indicated that taking DOACs prior to stroke does not significantly increase the risk of sICH in selected patients with AIS treated with IVT. Furthermore, the benefits of IVT in selected patients taking DOACs appear to be comparable to those not taking anticoagulants. Further research is warranted to confirm the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine if radiographic ocular lateral deviation (rOLD) could be provoked in stroke patients with mild-to-moderate lateropulsion according to vertical perception. Methods: In this single-center, retrospective study, acute stroke patients with mild-to-moderate lateropulsion assessed by the Scale for Contraversive Pushing were enrolled. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was performed on all patients on admission and then according to their conditions. The direction and angle of rOLD were compared among three groups according to the responsible lesion: lateral medullary (LM), pontine (P), and hemispheric (H). Results: Sixty-six patients (male, 47; average age, 67 years) were enrolled and divided into the LM (n = 37), P (n = 8), and H (n = 21) groups. All patients had body tilt. Patients in the LM group showed body tilt to the ipsilesional side during hospitalization, while those in the P and H groups tilted to the contralesional side. All patients had rOLD at the final assessment at an average of 13 days after onset; patients in the P and H groups showed contralateral rOLD, while those in the LM group showed ipsilateral rOLD if they did not have cerebellar or pontine lesions. Significant decreases in the angle and changes in direction of rOLD according to lesion site were observed during hospitalization. Conclusion: Serial changes in rOLD findings after stroke onset are different according to the responsible lesion. The direction of rOLD in most patients is in accordance with vertical perception after the acute stage of stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Skew deviation results from a dysfunction of the graviceptive pathways in patients with an acute vestibular syndrome (AVS) leading to vertical diplopia due to vertical ocular misalignment. It is considered as a central sign, however, the prevalence of skew and the accuracy of its test is not well known. Methods: We performed a prospective study from February 2015 until September 2020 of all patients presenting at our emergency department (ED) with signs of AVS. All patients underwent clinical HINTS and video test of skew (vTS) followed by a delayed MRI, which served as a gold standard for vestibular stroke confirmation. Results: We assessed 58 healthy subjects, 53 acute unilateral vestibulopathy patients (AUVP) and 24 stroke patients. Skew deviation prevalence was 24% in AUVP and 29% in strokes. For a positive clinical test of skew, the cut-off of vertical misalignment was 3 deg with a very low sensitivity of 15% and specificity of 98.2%. The sensitivity of vTS was 29.2% with a specificity of 75.5%. Conclusions: Contrary to prior knowledge, skew deviation proved to be more prevalent in patients with AVS and occurred in every forth patient with AUVP. Large skew deviations (> 3.3 deg), were pointing toward a central lesion. Clinical and video test of skew offered little additional diagnostic value compared to other diagnostic tests such as the head impulse test and nystagmus test. Video test of skew could aid to quantify skew in the ED setting in which neurotological expertise is not always readily available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Cold and warm water ear irrigation, also known as bithermal caloric testing, has been considered for over 100 years the 'Gold Standard' for the detection of peripheral vestibular hypofunction. Its discovery was awarded a Nobel Prize. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of Caloric Testing when compared to the video head impulse test (vHIT) in differentiating between vestibular neuritis and vestibular strokes in acute dizziness. Design: Prospective cross-sectional study (convenience sample). Setting: All patients presenting with signs of an acute vestibular syndrome at the emergency department of a tertiary referral center. Participants: One thousand, six hundred seventy-seven patients were screened between February 2015 and May 2020 for Acute Vestibular Syndrome (AVS), of which 152 met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled. Inclusion criteria consisted of a state of continuous dizziness, associated with nausea or vomiting, head-motion intolerance, new gait or balance disturbance and nystagmus. Patients were excluded if they were younger than 18 years, if symptoms lasted < 24 h or if the index ED visit was > 72 h after symptom onset. Of the 152 included patients 85 completed testing. We assessed 58 vestibular neuritis and 27 stroke patients. Main outcome measures: All patients underwent calorics and vHIT followed by a delayed MRI which served as a gold standard for vestibular stroke confirmation. Results: The overall sensitivity and specificity for detecting stroke with a caloric asymmetry cut-off of 30.9% was 75% and 86.8%, respectively [negative likelihood ratio (NLR) 0.29] compared to 91.7% and 88.7% for vHIT (NLR 0.094). Best VOR gain cut-off was 0.685. Twenty-five percent of vestibular strokes were misclassified by calorics, 8% by vHIT. Conclusions: Caloric testing proved to be less accurate than vHIT in discriminating stroke from vestibular neuritis in acute dizziness. Contrary to classic teaching, asymmetric caloric responses can also occur with vestibular strokes and might put the patient at risk for misdiagnosis. We, therefore, recommend to abandon caloric testing in current practice and to replace it with vHIT in the acute setting. Caloric testing has still its place as a diagnostic tool in an outpatient setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) caused by SARS-CoV-2 has a diverse constellation of neurological manifestations that include encephalopathy, stroke, Guillain–Barré syndrome, myelitis, and encephalitis. Intraluminal carotid thrombi (ILT) are infrequent lesions seen in only 1.6% of patients with acute ischemic stroke. Underlying atherosclerosis is the most common lesion associated with ILT formation. However, with COVID-19, we have encountered ILT in patients without significant atherosclerotic disease. The endothelial inflammation and hypercoagulable state associated with COVID-19 pose a risk of arterial and venous thromboembolism and could have contributed to this presentation although the exact pathophysiology and optimal treatment of ILT in COVID-19 remain elusive. Herein, we present a series of ischemic stroke patients with carotid ILT in the setting of a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: We aimed to assess stroke lesions, which play a key role in determining swallowing dysfunction, and findings of videofluoroscopy (VF), which provides the most accurate instrumental assessment for evaluating swallowing function, in patients with acute stroke. Methods: We enrolled 342 patients with first-time acute stroke (age 70.4 ± 12.6 years, 142 female). Patients with dementia and altered mental status due to severe stroke were excluded. All patients underwent cranial magnetic resonance imaging to identify the location of stroke lesion, VF, and tongue pressure measurement. Results: Aspiration was detected in 45 (13.2%) patients. Multivariate analysis identified parietal lobe lesion and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score as independent significant factors for aspiration (odds ratio 6.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.25–17.84, p < 0.001; odds ratio 1.12, 95% CI 1.03–1.20, p = 0.004, respectively). Swallowing reflex delay was detected in 58 (17.0%) patients. Multivariate analysis identified habitual drinking, basal ganglia lesion, and the NIHSS score as independent significant factors for swallowing reflex delay (odds ratio 0.51, 95% CI 0.26–0.99, p = 0.047; odds ratio 1.91, 95% CI 1.09–3.67, p = 0.041; odds ratio 1.12, 95% CI 1.05–1.20, p < 0.001, respectively). Additionally, oral cavity and pharyngeal residues were independently associated with tongue pressure. Conclusion: Parietal lobe lesions are associated with aspiration and basal ganglia lesions with swallowing reflex delay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate daily life management and functional outcome of Idarucizumab administration in case of emergency situations in patients with Dabigatran treatment. Design: Multicenter observational registry study. Setting: All hospitals with full neurological departments (n = 6) in Munich, Germany Included patients: All patients treated with Idarucizumab from 01/2016 to 03/2019. Analyzed data: Indication and application of Idarucizumab, demographics and clinical parameters, and further interventions and treatments; clinical outcome was assessed with the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 3 months after Idarucizumab administration Results: Idarucizumab was administered to 32 patients for severe bleeding complications and ischemic strokes, more precisely for the following specific indications: intracranial bleeding (17 patients, 53%), ischemic stroke (8 patients, 25%), gastrointestinal bleeding (3 patients, 9%), femoral fracture, aortic dissection, and abdominal trauma and ileus (1 patient each, 3%). Additional coagulation management was performed in 7 patients (22%). Nine patients (28%) underwent emergency surgery. Seven patients (22%) received Idarucizumab before intravenous thrombolysis due to ischemic stroke and 4 of these 7 patients (13%) received mechanical thrombectomy in addition. Indication was mainly based on the history of Dabigatran intake and was irrespective of laboratory testing. At follow-up, 25% of the investigated patients had a mRS 0–2, while 25% had an unfavorable outcome (mRS 4–5). Mortality was 31%. Conclusion: In our study, we have shown that the administration of Idarucizumab is a rare intervention and restricted to patients with severe bleeding complications or ischemic stroke. The clinical outcome of patients who received Idarucizumab in emergency situations was poor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has well-known risk factors. The role of platelets in patients treated using mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has not been studied. The aim of this study was to study if there is an association of initial thrombocytopenia (TP) and a decline of platelets counts (DPC) with the clinical outcomes, mortality and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) rates in AIS patients treated with MT. Materials and methods: In a case–control study consecutive MT-stroke patients were analyzed. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to test for good clinical outcome (mRS 90 days <= 2) and mortality adjusting for age, initial NIHSS, pretreatment with tPA, statins and platelet inhibitors, occlusion site, time from symptom onset to recanalization, initial TP (< 150 × 109/L) and DPC (> 26%). Additionally, rates of ICH were compared. Results: Of 294 patients included, 9.6% had an initial TP and 23.8% a DPC > 26%. The mortality rate in patients with normal platelet counts was 26.1% vs. 48.3% (p = 0.002) in patients with initial TP with an aOR of 3.47 (CI 1.28–9.4, p = 0.005). No difference regarding the rate of good clinical outcome (p = 0.204) and ICH (p = 0.18) was observed. A DPC of more than 26% during the first 5 days of hospitalization predicted the rate of mortality (aOR 2.4 CI 1.14–5.04, p = 0.021) and the chances of a good clinical outcome (aOR 0.291 CI 0.128–0.666, p = 0.003) without significant differences of ICH rates (p = 0.735). Conclusion: In AIS patients treated with MT an initial TP was independently associated with higher mortality rates and a marked DPC with higher mortality rates as well as poorer clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: To date, the efficacy of the virtual reality (VR) application for acute stroke compared with conventional therapy (CT) remains unclear. This retrospective study aims to assess the impact of adjuvant VR technology on multidimensional therapy for patients with acute-stage stroke.Methods: 100 acute ischemic stroke patients with onset within 7 days who underwent combined adjuvant VR-based rehabilitation program and CT (intervention group-VR + CT) were compared to an equal number of cross-matched patients who received CT alone. While the intervention group received 40-min CT plus 20-min VR program (seven times for 1 week), the comparison group received time-matched CT alone. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), medical cost-effectiveness, and shortening of hospital stay were used as outcome measures.Results: Posttreatment, the VR + CT group revealed significantly improved NIHSS and mRS (P < 0.001), whereas only the mRS improvement was remarkable in the CT group. In between-group comparisons, the intervention group had better improvements of symptom severity (NIHSS percentage improvement from the baseline; 20.18% vs. 4.59%, P < 0.005), functional outcomes (mRS improvement from the baseline; − 0.58 vs. − 0.23, P < 0.001), and reduced medical cost (Taiwan dollar; 49474 vs. 66306, P < 0.005). Furthermore, the VR + CT group reached markedly higher proportion of functional independence in activities of daily living (mRS, 0-2) at discharge compared with the CT group (68% vs. 60%, P < 0.001).Conclusions: This study suggests that the combination of VR-based rehabilitation and traditional therapy could be more effective for neurorehabilitation than CT alone in the early improvement of symptom severity, functional outcomes, and lower medical expenditure in acute stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Strokes with onset inside the hospital account for approximately 2-17% of all acute ischemic strokes. The few existing studies addressing these in-hospital strokes lack a thorough analysis of patients who underwent endovascular mechanical thrombectomy—the state of the art therapy for acute strokes due to large vessel occlusions. The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mechanical revascularization therapy in in-hospital stroke patients.Methods: In a single-center case-control study, a propensity score-matched analysis in a 1:2 ratio with the covariates sex, age, type of occluded large vessel, i.v. thrombolysis, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale prior to endovascular mechanical thrombectomy was performed. All identified in-hospital stroke patients between 2010 and 2017 were matched to two consecutive out-of-hospital stroke patients.Results: 27 in-hospital strokes were compared to 54 out-of-hospital strokes. After propensity score matching, the baseline characteristics were well balanced between these groups. The times for symptom onset to alarm, symptom onset to imaging, symptom onset/alarm to start of recanalization and symptom onset to final recanalization respectively were faster in in-hospital stroke patients. In contrast, the recanalization procedure itself took significantly longer in in-house patients and had a significantly lower rate of technical success resulting in significantly worse clinical outcomes.Conclusion: The recognition, assessment and pre-interventional procedures of patients with in-hospital strokes and subsequent mechanical thrombectomy are favorable. Nevertheless, in-hospital stroke patients display inferior recanalization results and poorer clinical outcomes. Furthermore, we find mechanical thrombectomy seems safe for treatment of in-hospital strokes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Hydration status at the time of stroke has been acknowledged as an important determinant in early stroke recovery. However, the diagnosis of dehydration, or more accurately, a volume-contracted state, at the time of stroke is challenging since there are currently no consensus diagnostic criteria. In this systematic review, we gather the available evidence about diagnosis and treatment of dehydration after stroke.Methods: Studies of hospitalized ischemic stroke patients that reported rates of dehydration from January 1997 to March 2017 were screened for inclusion via a systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Scopus using keywords hydration, dehydration, hemodilution, viscosity, volume status, and thirst.Results: Twenty-five studies of 8699 acute stroke patients were included. Nineteen studies reported on the diagnostic approach to dehydration. Findings are synthesized into four main categories of available research including studies that specify: (1) biological mechanisms using animal models to investigate the relationship between dehydration and stroke; (2) measures of dehydration in the acute human stroke population; (3) rehydration therapies after stroke; and (4) outcomes after stroke in dehydrated patients.Conclusions: We found considerable variation in terminology specific to hydration status, diagnostic approach to dehydration, and few prospective studies of treatment strategies with varying results. This review supports the need for consensus development of operational diagnostic criteria, standardization of language, and the opportunity for prospective study of rehydration strategies to impact outcome after stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Higher admission glucose levels (AGL) are associated with less favorable outcome in thrombolysis. But, could AGL’s impact on outcome vary by onset-to-treatment (OTT) time? Is hyperglycemia associated with a shorter therapeutic time window for excellent outcome for thrombolysed stroke patients? We assessed predictive values of AGL, baseline NIHSS, age, and OTT time quartiles on excellent outcome (3-month modified Rankin score of 0-1) in 773 patients treated by rt-Pa. We added the AGL × OTT time quartile interaction in the model and separately analyzed the predictive values of AGL, age, and NIHSS for each OTT time quartile if the interaction was significant. AGL, baseline NIHSS, age, and OTT time quartiles were significant predictors. When added in the model, the AGL × OTT interaction was significant (OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94-0.99, p: 0.0009). AGL was predictive only during the third OTT time quartile (181-224 min). During this period, the predicted rate of excellent outcome was 16% for AGL = 6.5 mmol/L and 8% for AGL = 8 mmol/L. The rate of excellent outcome was not decreased in hyperglycemic patients for OTT time ≤ 180 min (20 vs. 24.5% p: 0.37), but was decreased for OTT time > 180 min (9.6 vs. 26.7% p: 0.00001). Similar results were found in patients with MCA recanalization, but not in patients without recanalization. The therapeutic time window for excellent outcome is shortened in hyperglycemic patients. This would support the design of “freezing penumbra” randomized trials based on ultra-early AGL control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early neurological deterioration (END) following acute ischemic stroke is a serious clinical event strongly associated with poor outcome. Regarding specifically END occurring within 24 h following stroke onset, apart from straightforward causes such as symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage and malignant edema, the cause of END remains unclear in more than a half of cases. In the latter situation, patients are often referred to as 'progressive stroke', a default clinical category that does not imply underlying mechanisms, precluding informed management. In this review article, we summarize the available evidence on the incidence, predictors, and associated factors of unexplained END, and discuss its underlying pathophysiology. We particularly address the hemodynamic and thrombotic mechanisms that likely play a critical role in unexplained END, and in turn highlight potential new avenues to prevent and manage this ominous event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anticoagulant therapy is recommended for the secondary prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). T he identification of patients at high risk for early recurrence, which are potential candidates to prompt anticoagulation, is crucial to justify the risk of bleeding associated with early anticoagulant treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate in patients with acute ischemic stroke and AF the association between findings at trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE) and 90 days recurrence. In consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke and AF, TTE was performed within 7 days from hospital admission. Study outcomes were recurrent ischemic cerebrovascular events (stroke or TIA) and systemic embolism. 854 patients (mean age 76.3 ± 9.5 years) underwent a TTE evaluation; 63 patients (7.4 %) had at least a study outcome event. Left atrial thrombosis was present in 11 patients (1.3 %) among whom 1 had recurrent ischemic event. Left atrial enlargement was present in 548 patients (64.2 %) among whom 51 (9.3 %) had recurrent ischemic events. The recurrence rate in the 197 patients with severe left atrial enlargement was 11.7 %. On multivariate analysis, the presence of atrial enlargement (OR 2.13; 95 % CI 1.06-4.29, p = 0.033) and CHADS-VASc score (OR 1.22; 95 % CI 1.04-1.45, p = 0.018, for each point increase) were correlated with ischemic recurrences. In patients with AF-associated acute stroke, left atrial enlargement is an independent marker of recurrent stroke and systemic embolism. The risk of recurrence is accounted for by severe atrial enlargement. TTE-detected left atrial thrombosis is relatively uncommon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the ICARO-3 study was to evaluate whether intra-arterial treatment, compared to intravenous thrombolysis, increases the rate of favourable functional outcome at 3 months in acute ischemic stroke and extracranial ICA occlusion. ICARO-3 was a non-randomized therapeutic trial that performed a non-blind assessment of outcomes using retrospective data collected prospectively from 37 centres in 7 countries. Patients treated with endovascular treatment within 6 h from stroke onset (cases) were matched with patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis within 4.5 h from symptom onset (controls). Patients receiving either intravenous or endovascular therapy were included among the cases. The efficacy outcome was disability at 90 days assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), dichotomized as favourable (score of 0-2) or unfavourable (score of 3-6). Safety outcomes were death and any intracranial bleeding. Included in the analysis were 324 cases and 324 controls: 105 cases (32.4 %) had a favourable outcome as compared with 89 controls (27.4 %) [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.25, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.88-1.79, p = 0.1]. In the adjusted analysis, treatment with intra-arterial procedures was significantly associated with a reduction of mortality (OR 0.61, 95 % CI 0.40-0.93, p = 0.022). The rates of patients with severe disability or death (mRS 5-6) were similar in cases and controls (30.5 versus 32.4 %, p = 0.67). For the ordinal analysis, adjusted for age, sex, NIHSS, presence of diabetes mellitus and atrial fibrillation, the common odds ratio was 1.15 (95 % IC 0.86-1.54), p = 0.33. There were more cases of intracranial bleeding (37.0 versus 17.3 %, p = 0.0001) in the intra-arterial procedure group than in the intravenous group. After the exclusion of the 135 cases treated with the combination of I.V. thrombolysis and I.A. procedures, 67/189 of those treated with I.A. procedures (35.3 %) had a favourable outcome, compared to 89/324 of those treated with I.V. thrombolysis (27.4 %) (adjusted OR 1.75, 95 % CI 1.00-3.03, p = 0.05). Endovascular treatment of patients with acute ICA occlusion did not result in a better functional outcome than treatment with intravenous thrombolysis, but was associated with a higher rate of intracranial bleeding. Overall mortality was significantly reduced in patients treated with endovascular treatment but the rates of patients with severe disability or death were similar. When excluding all patients treated with the combination of I.V. thrombolysis and I.A. procedures, a potential benefit of I.A. treatment alone compared to I.V. thrombolysis was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed the prevalence of vertebral artery (VA) stenosis or occlusion and its influence on outcome in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO). We studied 141 patients with acute BAO enrolled in the Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study (BASICS) registry of whom baseline CT angiography (CTA) of the intracranial VAs was available. In 72 patients an additional CTA of the extracranial VAs was available. Adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) for death and poor outcome, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score ≥4, were calculated with Poisson regression in relation to VA occlusion, VA occlusion or stenosis ≥50 %, and bilateral VA occlusion. Sixty-six of 141 (47 %) patients had uni- or bilateral intracranial VA occlusion or stenosis ≥50 %. Of the 72 patients with intra- and extracranial CTA, 46 (64 %) had uni- or bilateral VA occlusion or stenosis ≥50 % and 9 (12 %) had bilateral VA occlusion. Overall, VA occlusion or stenosis ≥50 % was not associated with the risk of poor outcome. Patients with intra- and extracranial CTA and bilateral VA occlusion had a higher risk of poor outcome than patients without bilateral VA occlusion (aRR, 1.23; 95 % CI 1.02-1.50). The risk of death did not depend on the presence of unilateral or bilateral VA occlusion or stenosis ≥50 %. In conclusion, in patients with acute BAO, unilateral VA occlusion or stenosis ≥50 % is frequent, but not associated with an increased risk of poor outcome or death. Patients with BAO and bilateral VA occlusion have a slightly increased risk of poor outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Telemedicine is in increasing use in clinical neuroscience such as acute stroke care, especially by applying remote audiovisual communication for patient evaluation. However, telephone consultation was also used linking stroke centres to smaller hospitals. We compared costs of telestroke services using audiovisual and telephone communication in different organizational models. Within a small network in Northern Bavaria video-based teleconsultation (VTC) and telephone advice (TA) was provided for evaluation of acute stroke patients on a weekly rotation. The costs of the admissions process with or without one of both methods of telemedicine were calculated and compared from the perspective of the spoke hospital. Different levels of service and network size were modelled and costs of transfers as well as loss of revenues were calculated. Yearly total labour costs were 415,000 € for an on-site service VTC-service compared to 61,000 € in an on-call service. Additional costs for one teleconsultation were 109.55 € in VTC and 49.82 € in TA (VTC/TA ratio 2.2). The ratio decreased to 0.8 when accounting for costs of transfer and loss of reimbursement for all patients transferred as transfer of patients to the stroke centre was more frequent after TA (9.1 vs. 14.9 %full-time on-site ser). Costs of one QALY gained by using VTC instead of TA ranged from 115.00 € to 515.86 € depending on the different models. In the first view TA looks like the less expensive method as it is easy to access and works without additional costs. When accounting for all disadvantages TA becomes slightly more expensive. In telestroke care VTC should be recommended as the method of choice also from an economic perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the importance of sleep apnea in relation to clinically silent microvascular brain tissue changes in patients with acute cerebral ischemia. Patients with acute cerebral ischemia prospectively underwent nocturnal respiratory polygraphy within 5 days from symptom-onset. Sleep apnea was defined as apnea-hypopnea-index (AHI) ≥5/h. Experienced readers blinded to clinical and sleep-related data reviewed brain computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans for leukoaraiosis and chronic lacunar infarctions. Ischemic lesions were considered clinically silent when patients did not recall associated stroke-like symptoms. Functional outcome was assessed with modified Rankin Scale at discharge, 6 and 12 months. Fifty-one of 56 (91 %) patients had sleep apnea of any degree. Patients with moderate-to-severe leukoaraiosis (Wahlund score ≥5) were found to have higher mean AHI than those with none or mild leukoaraiosis (34.4 vs. 12.8/h, p < 0.001). Moderate-to-severe sleep apnea (AHI ≥15/h) was found to be an independent predictor of moderate-to-severe leukoaraiosis (adjusted OR 6.03, 95 % CI 1.76-20.6, p = 0.0042) and of moderate-to-severe leukoaraiosis associated with clinically silent chronic lacunar infarctions (adjusted OR 10.5, 95 % CI 2.19-50.6, p = 0.003). The higher the Wahlund score and the AHI, the more likely unfavorable functional outcome resulted over time ( p = 0.0373). In acute cerebral ischemia, sleep apnea is associated with clinically silent microvascular brain tissue changes and may negatively influence functional outcome. Routine sleep apnea screening and further investigation of possible long-term effects of non-invasive ventilatory treatment of sleep apnea appear warranted in this at-risk population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) includes all forms of cognitive decline that develop after stroke, even if not severe enough to fit the criteria of dementia. Our aims were to investigate the predictive value of a brief bedside examination (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA) in the acute phase of stroke on the diagnosis of mid-term PSCI, taking into account other clinical, cognitive, functional, and neuroimaging predictors. Consecutive patients admitted to a stroke unit were evaluated with MoCA between 5 and 9 days after stroke. At baseline, clinical, functional, and neuroimaging data were collected. Patients were reassessed between 6 and 9 months after stroke by means of an extensive neuropsychological and functional evaluation. Out of 137 enrolled stroke patients, 80 (58.4 %) were followed up (mean age 68.2 ± 14.6 years, males 66 %, mean NIHSS score 3.6 ± 4.8). PSCI was diagnosed in 47 patients (59 %; 35 mild cognitive impairment, 12 dementia). Controlling for age, education, functional and cognitive pre-morbid status, stroke severity, and pre-existing lacunar infarcts, MoCA baseline score [OR (95 % CI) = 1.4(1.1-1.8)] for each point] and leukoaraiosis severity [OR (95 % CI) = 0.4(0.2-0.9)] for each point of the van Swieten scale] were independently associated with PSCI. Using a ROC analysis, a cut-off of 21 predicted the diagnosis of PSCI with 91.4 % sensitivity, 75.8 % specificity, 80 % positive predictive value, and 89.3 % negative predictive value. In a sample of mild stroke patients, MoCA seems to be a good predictor of mid-term PSCI, making it a possible candidate for a brief cognitive screening in the acute stroke setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Aphasia Rapid Test (ART) is a 26-point scale developed as a bedside assessment to rate aphasia severity in acute stroke patients in <3 min. We tested its inter-rater reproducibility, its sensitivity to detect changes from Day 1 to Day 8, and the predictive value of D8 ART scores on the 3-month aphasia outcome assessed with the Aphasia Handicap Score (AHS), a 0-5 'Rankin-like' score for aphasic disability. The reproducibility was tested in 91 aphasic patients within one week of stroke onset. The inter-rater concordance coefficient was 0.99 and the weighted Kappa value (κ) was 0.93. The sensitivity was tested in 70 aphasic patients by measuring changes in ART values between D1 and D8. Improvement occurred in 46 patients (66 %) and aggravation in three patients (4 %). In these patients, a logistic regression analysis showed that D8 ART was the only significant predictor of good (AHS 0-2) or poor (AHS 4-5) outcome. The ROC curves analyzes showed areas under the curve above 0.9 for good and poor outcome and revealed D8 ART best cut-off values of <12 for good and >21 for poor outcome, with more than 90 % sensitivity and 80 % specificity. The ART is a simple, rapid and reproducible language task, useful in monitoring early aphasic changes in acute stroke patients and highly predictive of the 3-month verbal communication outcome. It should be easy to adapt to other languages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaluation of cognitive status is not routine in the acute stroke setting. We aimed to investigate feasibility, applicability, and performances of the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) in acute stroke patients. Consecutive stroke patients (ischemic or hemorrhagic) admitted to one stroke unit were evaluated 5-9 days after stroke with MoCA (score range: 0-30; higher scores indicate better cognitive performance). Pre-morbid functional and cognitive status was assessed by a structured interview to caregivers. Neuroimaging data regarding index stroke and pre-existing lesions were collected. From December 2009 to December 2010, out of 207 patients with stroke, 137 (66 %) were enrolled [mean age 69.2 ± 14.8 years; males 62 %; mean National Institute of Health and Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score 5.9 ± 7.9]. The most common reason for non-enrolment was unfitting the time window inclusion criteria. MoCA was entirely applicable to 113/137 (82.5 %) patients and the mean score was 17.8 ± 7.1. Multivariate analyses showed that non-applicability was associated with higher NIHSS scores [OR (95 % CI) = 1.4 (1.2-1.7) for each point], left sided lesions [OR (95 % CI) = 18.8 (2.3-155.2)], and worse pre-morbid functional status [OR (95 % CI) = 0.7 (0.6-0.9) for each point of the instrumental activity of daily living scale]. Factors influencing MoCA performance were low education ( β = 0.264, p < 0.01), higher NIHSS scores ( β = −0.277, p < 0.01) and worse pre-morbid functional status ( β = 0.504, p < 0.001). MoCA administration is feasible in acute patients with mild-to-moderate stroke, with lesion location, stroke severity, and pre-morbid functional status as major determinants of its applicability and performance. MoCA seems to reveal some degree of cognitive deficit even in patients with mild stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In patients with space-occupying hemispheric infarction, surgical decompression within 48 h after stroke onset increases the chance of a good functional outcome, but also the chance of survival with severe disability. Until now, cognitive outcome in these patients has not been reported in a consecutive series. Participants of the hemicraniectomy after middle cerebral artery infarction with life-threatening edema trial (HAMLET; ISRCTN94237756) underwent detailed neuropsychological examination at a median of 14.5 months after stroke onset. 'Global cognitive impairment' was defined as a score on the Cambridge cognitive examination (CAMCOG) ≤ 83. Impairment on an individual neuropsychological task was defined as a score below the 2.5th percentile or more than two standard deviations below standard norms. The association between cognitive and functional outcome was analysed with linear regression. Twenty patients were tested. Fifteen (75 %) had global cognitive impairment or such poor performance that assessment of global cognitive performance by the CAMCOG was not feasible. Five had only focal cognitive deficits. Still, detailed neuropsychological examination was feasible in 18 patients. Patients with aphasia performed worse than those without on both verbal and non-verbal tasks. Poorer cognitive performance was associated with worse functional outcome as assessed with the modified Rankin scale (β −0.4, 95 % CI −0.6 to −0.1). No differences were observed between operated and non-operated patients. The majority of survivors of space-occupying hemispheric infarction suffered from long-term global cognitive impairment. Isolated focal neuropsychological deficits were found in only a quarter. Impaired cognitive outcome was associated with worse functional outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protracted and partial implementation of treatment with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) within 4.5 h after acute stroke onset results in potentially eligible patients not receiving optimal treatment. The goal of this study was to review the performance of various organisational models of acute stroke care delivery, and subsequent attempts to improve implementation of tPA treatment. Publications comprehensively reporting on organisational models to improve implementation of i.v. tPA treatment of acute ischemic stroke patients were selected. The efficacy of organisational models was assessed using process outcome measures: thrombolysis rates, time-dependent operational endpoints (time delays), functional outcomes: safety (rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, mortality rates) and clinical outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale). Fifty-eight published studies assessing organisational models were identified. Four dominant models of acute stroke care delivery were discerned, i.e., primary and comprehensive stroke centres, telemedicine, and the mobile stroke unit. Performance reported for these models suggest a large variation in administration of thrombolytic therapy (0.7-30 %). Time delays and functional outcomes found varied considerably, just like safety and mortality (0.0-11.5 %, and 3.4-31.9 %, respectively). These findings suggest that improving organisational models for tPA treatment may improve acute stroke care. However, implementation may be hampered by regional variation in acute stroke care capacity, expertise, and a fragmented approach towards organising stroke care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk of recurrent stroke is likely related to etiology. Therefore it is important to identify which patients are at highest early risk. We evaluated whether selected blood biomarkers may aid in the diagnosis of stroke etiology. We studied consecutive non-lacunar stroke patients between November 2006 and January 2007, and selected undetermined origin strokes. Blood samples were drawn at arrival to test brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), D-dimer, CK-MB, myoglobin, and troponin. Second harmonic transthoracic echocardiography (SHTTE) and ECG-24 h monitoring were also performed within the first 24 h. We evaluated 294 patients with ischemic stroke; 89 had an initial undetermined origin. After a cardiological work-up, 49 were diagnosed as embolic including atrial fibrillation (4), severe aortic arch atheromatosis (24), severe wall abnormalities (12), valve disease (3), dilated cardiomyopathy (1), and patent foramen (5). Higher levels of CK-MB, BNP, and myoglobin were found in patients with embolic source in SHTTE, but only CK-MB >1.5 ng/ml and BNP >64 pg/ml remained as independent predictors: BNP (OR 8.86; CI 95 % 2.79-28.09), CK-MB (OR 6.28; CI 95 % 1.66-23.69). BNP showed specificity of 75 %, sensitivity of 63.4 %, and positive predictive value (PPV) of 75.6 %. CK-MB had specificity of 85 %, sensitivity of 47.9 %, and PPV of 79.3 %. Measuring both biomarkers improves the finding of embolic source, increasing specificity to 95 % and PPV to 88.2 %. High-level CK-MB and BNP during the acute phase of ischemic stroke are associated with an embolic source. Measurement of both biomarkers may improve the diagnosis, guiding the need to perform a heart exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delirium is a common complication in acute stroke yet there is uncertainty regarding how best to screen for and diagnose delirium after stroke. We sought to establish how delirium after stroke is identified, its incidence rates and factors predicting its development. We conducted a systematic review of studies investigating delirium in acute stroke. We searched The Cochrane Collaboration, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINHAL, PsychINFO, Web of Science, British Nursing Index, PEDro and OT Seeker in October 2010. A total of 3,127 citations were screened, full text of 60 titles and abstracts were read, of which 20 studies published between 1984 and 2010 were included in this review. The methods most commonly used to identify delirium were generic assessment tools such as the Delirium Rating Scale ( n = 5) or the Confusion Assessment Method ( n = 2) or both ( n = 2). The incidence of delirium in acute stroke ranged from 2.3-66%, with our meta-analysis random effects approach placing the rate at 26% (95% CI 19-33%). Of the 11 studies reporting risk factors for delirium, increased age, aphasia, neglect or dysphagia, visual disturbance and elevated cortisol levels were associated with the development of delirium in at least one study. The outcomes associated with the condition are increased morbidity and mortality. Delirium is found in around 26% of stroke patients. Difference in diagnostic and screening procedures could explain the wide variation in frequency of delirium. There are a number of factors that may predict the development of the condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspirin is used in ischemic stroke therapy. However, some patients are not responsive to the antithrombotic action of aspirin. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of aspirin resistance in stroke patients and its association with mortality. One-hundred and six patients (mean age 64.9 ± 14.6 years, 53 male) with acute ischemic stroke were consecutively recruited. All subjects were taking aspirin regularly. Aspirin responsiveness was determined by Ultegra Rapid Platelet Function Assay-ASA (VerifyNow Aspirin). Aspirin resistance was defined as aspirin reaction unit (ARU) ≥ 550. Aspirin resistance was detected in 35 patients. There were not any significant differences in age, gender and comorbidities between aspirin-resistant and aspirin-sensitive patients. The mean National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores of the aspirin-resistant and aspirin-sensitive patients were 15 ± 3 and 12 ± 5, respectively ( p = 0.006). Twenty-seven patients had a history of prior ischemic stroke and eight of them had aspirin resistance. Eleven patients died in-hospital and a total of 43 patients died during 2 years. Both the in-hospital and 2-year mortality rates were significantly higher in patients with aspirin resistance (20 vs. 5.6%, p = 0.038 and 60.0 vs. 31.0%, p = 0.004, respectively). Regression analysis revealed aspirin resistance [odds ratio (OR) 3.097, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.070-8.959, p = 0.037] as an independent predictor of 2-year mortality, as well as age (OR 1.051, 95% CI 1.003-1.102, p = 0.038) and NIHSS scores (OR 1.208, 95% CI 1.016-1.437, p = 0.033). Aspirin resistance is not uncommon in patients with acute ischemic stroke and is associated with short and long term mortality in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of our work was to develop a step-wise concept for investigating neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia (NOD) that could be used by both trained nursing staff as well as swallowing therapists and physicians to identify patients with NOD at an early stage and so enable an appropriate therapy to be started. To achieve this objective, we assessed uniform terminology and standard operating procedures (SOP) in a new NOD step-wise concept. In-house stroke mortality rates and rates of pneumonia were measured over time (2003–2009) in order to show improvements in quality of care. In addition, outcome measures in a stroke-unit monitoring system were studied after neurorehabilitation (day 90) assessing quality of life (QL) and patient feedback. An investigation that was carried out in the context of internal and external quality assurance stroke projects revealed a significant correlation between the NOD step-wise concept and low rates of pneumonia and in-house mortality. The quality of life measures show a delta value that can contribute to “post-stroke” depression. The NOD step-wise concept (NSC) should, on the one hand, be capable of being routinely used in clinical care and, on the other, being able to fulfil the requirements of being scientifically based for investigating different stages of swallowing disorders. The value of our NSC relates to the effective management of clinical resources and the provision of adequate diagnostic and therapeutic options for different grades of dysphagia. We anticipate that our concept will provide substantial support to physicians, as well as swallowing therapists, in clinical settings and rehabilitation facilities, thereby promoting better guidance and understanding of neurogenic dysphagia as a concept in acute and rehabilitation care, especially stroke-unit settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain ischemic lesions identified by diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) have been shown to predict high risk of early future ischemic events in patients with transient ischemic attacks and minor stroke. The aim of this study is to analyze different brain MRI–DWI patterns in patients with mild-moderate stroke to define acute patterns related with a higher risk of stroke recurrence in long-term follow-up (from 6 to 36 months). Retrospective review of case series from a prospective stroke record including 253 patients with mild-moderate stroke (NIHSS from 1 to 7) and acute MRI–DWI lesions. MRI–DWI lesions were analyzed to determine clinically relevant lesions, based on the number, location, age and affected arterial territories. We defined three patterns: (1) multiple versus single lesions; (2) single deep versus single cortical lesions; and (3) single lesions versus multiple lesions affecting different arterial territories and/or of different age. The impact of these patterns on recurrence was analyzed by Cox regression analysis. 38 patients (15.0%) suffered a recurrence. Univariate analysis showed the risk of recurrence for each pattern. Pattern 1: patients with multiple lesions had greater risk of recurrence than those with single lesions (28.2 vs. 9.9%; OR: 3.75 (95% CI: 1.76–7.27), p < 0.0001). Pattern 2: patients with single cortical lesions had higher risk than those with deep lesions (14.3 vs. 6.7% OR: 2.33 (95% CI: 0.86–6.33), p < 0.089). Pattern 3: patients with multiple DWI in different territories or different age had the highest recurrence rate (30.6%), OR: 4.01 (95% CI: 1.70–9.47), p < 0.001, compared to patients with single lesions. Cox regression analysis adjusted by possible confounders, showed that for pattern 1 the OR for recurrence was 2.49 (95% CI: 1.27–4.89), p = 0.008; for pattern 2, OR:1.99 (95% CI: 0.74–5.37), p = 0.17; for pattern 3, OR: 2.85 (95% CI: 1.31–6.15), p = 0.008. Brain MRI–DWI patterns assessed in the acute phase of mild-moderate stroke are useful to identify those patients at high risk of recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose was to examine the occurrence of sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) and variables related to SRBD in patients with acute lacunar stroke. In 68 consecutive patients with radiologically proven lacunes, respiratory polygraphy within the first 48 h of stroke onset was performed. SRBDs were classified according to mutually exclusive cutoff values of the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) as mild (AHI ≥10), moderate (AHI ≥20), and severe (AHI ≥30). Variables independently associated with SRBDs were assessed by logistic regression analysis. The mean (standard deviation) AHI was 21.9 (17.4). A total of 69.1% of patients showed AHI ≥10, 44.1% AHI ≥20, and 25% AHI ≥30. Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) was present in 20.6% of patients. Smoking (>20 cigarettes/day) or location of lacunes in the internal capsule or the pons was significantly more frequent in the AHI ≥10 group than in the remaining AHI groups (80.9% vs. 57.1%, P = 0.041). AHI ≥20 and AHI ≥30 occurred more frequently in smokers or in capsular or pontine lacunes than in the remaining patients (20% vs. 2.6%, P = 0.053; 29.4% vs. 3.9%, P = 0.01, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, smoking or capsular or pontine topographies were associated with AHI ≥10 [odds ratio (OR) = 3.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–9.79; P = 0.045]. Lacunes in the internal capsule or the pons in smokers were associated with AHI ≥20 (OR = 9.25, 95% CI 1.05–81.70; P = 0.045). Smoking (OR = 19.64, 95% CI 1.68–229.85; P = 0.010) and body mass index (OR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.13–2.50; P = 0.010) were associated with AHI ≥30. Smoker patients with capsular or pontine acute lacunar stroke should be screened for SRDB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute stroke patients can be transferred directly to a Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC), where acute stroke expertise is provided 24 h a day, seven days a week, and thrombolytic treatment is administered; or they may initially receive attention at an unspecialized community hospital with secondary transfer to the CSC. Our aim is to analyze the influence of previous attention at unspecialized community hospitals on the outcome of ischemic stroke patients treated with thrombolysis. We studied 153 consecutive ischemic stroke patients treated with t-PA over a 30-month period. The primary outcome variable was functional independence at 90 days (Rankin scale, mRS ≤ 2). Secondary outcomes were neurologic improvement at 24 h, rate of arterial recanalization and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. Forty-five patients (29.5%) received initial attention at community hospitals with secondary transfer to the CSC. Median time from onset to t-PA administration was shorter in patients with direct access to the CSC (135 vs. 165 min; p < 0.001) and stroke severity was higher (NIHSS 12 vs. 9; p = 0.017). Patients who received initial attention at the CSC had a higher frequency of neurologic improvement (59.3% vs. 37.2%; p = 0.014) and a lower rate of symptomatic hemorrhage (4.7% vs. 14%; p = 0.04). Compared to initial attention at an unspecialized hospital, direct admission to the CSC was associated with an odds ratio of 2.48 (95% CI, 1.04–5.88; p = 0.039) for good outcome after adjustment for stroke severity at baseline and other potential confounders. Direct access to a CSC is associated with shorter onset-to-treatment time and better outcome for ischemic stroke patients treated with thrombolysis in comparison with initial attention at an unspecialized hospital with secondary transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress as well as expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) are rapidly enhanced after cerebral ischemia. The magnitude of these effects is related to stroke outcome. In human stroke, the extent of oxidative stress correlates well with increased MMP-9 expression. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether treatment with the antioxidant molecule uric acid (UA) decreased the levels of MMP-9 in stroke patients treated with rtPA. The patients were part of a pilot, double-blind, randomized, vehiclecontrolled study of patients with acute stroke treated with rtPA (< 3 h) and randomized to receive an intravenous infusion of UA (n = 16) or vehicle (n = 8). Total matrix metalloproteinase (tMMP)-9 and active (aMMP-9) levels were measured in serum at baseline (< 3 h), at the end of study treatment infusion (< 5.5 h), and at 48 hours. Total MMP-9 and aMMP-9 increased very early after stroke onset in patients allocated vehicle after rtPA therapy. Lower increments of aMMP-9 were associated with better outcome at 3 months. UA treatment was associated with reduced levels of aMMP-9 at T1 (p < 0.02) in multivariate models adjusted for age, NIHSS score, and baseline aMMP-9 levels. The decline of aMMP-9 attained after UA administration supports further clinical assessment of UA therapy in patients with acute stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and accurate method of differentiating ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is potentially useful to facilitate acute therapeutic management. Blood measurements of biomarkers of brain damage and activation of the coagulation system may potentially serve as novel diagnostic tools for stroke subtypes. Ninety-seven stroke patients were prospectively investigated in a multicenter design with blood levels of brain biomarkers S100B, neuron specific enolase (NSE), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) as well as a coagulation biomarker, activated protein C – protein C inhibitor complex (APC-PCI), within 24 hours of symptom onset. Eighty-three patients (86 %) had ischemic stroke and fourteen patients (14 %) had ICH. There were no differences in S100B (p = 0.13) and NSE (p = 0.67) levels between patients with ischemic stroke or ICH. However, GFAP levels were significantly higher in ICH patients (p = 0.0057). APC-PCI levels were higher in larger ischemic strokes (p = 0.020). The combination of GFAP and APC-PCI levels, in patients with NIHSS score more than 3, had a sensitivity and negative predictive value of 100 % for ICH in our material (p = 0.0052). This exploratory study indicated that blood levels of biomarkers GFAP and APC-PCI, prior to neuroimaging, may rule out ICH in a mixed stroke population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Telemedicine is increasingly being used in acute stroke care. Some of the first studies and network projects are already applying remote audiovisual communication for patient evaluation. Formerly the telephone was the method of choice to contact experts for case discussion. We compared remote video-examination and telephone consultation in acute stroke care. Two district hospitals were linked to stroke centers in Northern Bavaria. Patients with symptoms suggestive of an acute stroke were included. Remote video examination (RVE) was provided by live audiovisual communication and access to brain images; telephone consultation (TC) was done via standard telephone using a structured interview. There was a weekly rotation of the two methods. Demographic data and other data concerning process and quality of care as well as outcome 10 days after stroke were recorded and compared between the two groups. Within the study period 151 consultations were made in acute stroke patients (mean age 66.8 years). 77 patients were seen by RVE and 74 by TC. Total examination times were 49.8 min for RVE and 27.2 min for TC (p < 0.01). Patients were more frequently transferred to the stroke center after TC consultation (9.1 % vs. 14.9 %, p < 0.05) and had a higher mortality 10 days after stroke (6.8 % vs. 1.3 %, p < 0.05). Diagnosis made by TC had to be corrected more frequently (17.6 % vs. 7.1 %; p < 0.05). Creating a network improves stroke care by establishing cooperation between hospitals. Telephone consultation could be a simple method of telemedicine to support cooperation as it is easy and widely available. However, outcome parameters like mortality indicate that remote video examination is superior to TC. Therefore, full-scale audiovisual communication is recommended for remote consultation in acute stroke care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following an ischemic stroke a highly variable clinical outcome is commonly evident despite similar onset symptoms as well as lesion characteristics. The aim of this study was to identify indexes providing early prediction of functional recovery, in addition to clinical severity and lesion dimension at onset of stroke. In 32 patients, magnetoencephalographic (MEG) parameters collected in the acute phase (< 10 days from symptoms onset, T0) from affected (AH) and unaffected (UH) hemispheres at rest and evoked by sensory stimuli were evaluated in association with the clinical outcome in a stabilized phase (T1, median 7.8 months) classified with three levels: worsening, partial and full recovery. Multiple multinomial logistic regression indicated AH gamma and UH delta band powers able to prognosticate clinical outcome at T1. After inclusion in this analysis, lesion volume had the strongest predictive ability, and UH delta band power remained as a predictive factor with a measurable cut-off, maximizing both sensitivity and specificity of the prediction: a patient with UH delta below cut-off would recover to some extent; a patient with UH delta above cut-off would have a probability of about 70% to worsen. MEG UH delta and AH gamma band powers were found to provide useful information about long-term outcome prognosis. Only the increase of delta band activity in the unaffected hemisphere contains information about the outcome in addition to the lesion volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First aid training is well established to teach the public how to recognize a medical emergency and take appropriate action. Though it is now handled as a high priority emergency stroke is not among the main topics of first aid. We investigated if first aid training may be useful for enhancing stroke awareness. We developed a 15–20 minute teaching session about stroke as an emergency including signs and symptoms and first hands-on measures. The session was integrated in standard first aid training of the St John Ambulance of Germany and participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding their knowledge about stroke. Subjects were questioned before the stroke lesson and again at the end of the training. 532 participants of the training responded to the questionnaire (mean age 28.6 years, 53.6% male). There was a significant increase in proportion of subjects correctly defining what stroke is (28.4% vs. 69.9%, p < 0,001) and in the mean number of stroke symptoms listed (1.52 vs. 3.35, p < 0,001) by the participants. The number of participants unable to list at least 1 symptom decreased significantly (12.8 vs. 3.6%, p<0.001). In our study a teaching lesson integrated in first aid training was effective in improving stroke knowledge of participants. First aid training should be used for stroke information complementary to other activities like mass media campaigns as it is effective, could reach younger people that are not primarily interested in stroke and provides connections to other health topics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To examine whether intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) treatment given in the acute phase of ischaemic stroke has a favourable effect on cognitive and functional outcome at six months post-stroke. Methods The present study included 92 patients with a first-ever symptomatic infarct, of whom 25 (27%) were subjected to rt-PA treatment in the first three hours post-stroke. Multivariate logistic regression analyses adjusted for stroke severity, education, age, and sex were performed to examine whether rt-PA treatment influenced cognitive outcome (assessed with a neuropsychological examination covering 7 cognitive domains), basic ADL independence (modified Barthel Index ≥19), and instrumental ADL independence (Frenchay Activities Index ≥15) after six months. Results The adjusted odds ratio for intact cognition was 1.0 (95% CI 0.2 to 4.3), that for basic ADL outcome 13.5 (95 % CI 1.4 to 129.4) and for instrumental ADL 7.1 (95 % CI 1.2 to 42.2). Conclusion Our findings suggest that rt-PA treatment is associated with a favourable basic and instrumental ADL outcome, but not with a beneficial cognitive outcome after 6 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose The use of early prognostic data provided by various scores in critically ill stroke patients remains unclear. We tested the performance of the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II in prediction of mortality of acute stroke patients in the NeuroCriticalCareUnit (NCCU). Methods During one year every patient admitted to the NCCUs at 2 University hospitals for cerebral ischemia (CI) or intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and intubated was included in this study. Data for SAPS (I)/II and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) were collected, and mortality at 10 days, 90 days and 1 year was determined. Prognostic performance of all scores was tested by calculation of receiver operating curve (ROC) and by Cox regression analysis. Results 90 patients were included in the study, 49 with ICH and 41 with CI. Mortality after 10 days was 32.2%, after 3 months 58.9% and after 1 year 67.8%. Compared by their area under curve the predictive values were overall quite good for both SAPS (I) (0.77) and SAPS II (0.77) as well as GCS. Motor subscore was equal to total GCS (0.75 vs. 0.73). In Cox regression models all three scores were independent predictors of fatal outcome. Conclusion SAPS II and SAPS (I) but also the GCS are valuable tools for prediction of short and long-term mortality in acute stroke patients treated in NCCU. The GCS as a predictor for mortality in stroke patients could be further simplified by using its subscore ‘best motor response’ alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed at an analysis of the release of Braintype and Heart–type Fatty Acid– Binding Proteins (B–FABP and HFABP) in acute ischaemic stroke and their potential value as neurobiochemical markers of brain damage. We investigated 42 consecutive patients admitted within 6 hours after ischaemic stroke. Serial venous blood samples were taken hourly between 1 to 6 hours, and at 12, 18, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours after stroke onset. In all patients lesion topography was assessed and infarct volume was calculated. The neurological deficit was quantified by the National Institutes of Health stroke scale score, and functional outcome was assessed with the modified Rankin Scale 3 months after stroke. H–FABP and B–FABP concentrations showed peak values already 2 to 3 hours after stroke onset and remained elevated up to last measurements at 120 hours.Unlike BFABP, early H–FABP concentrations were significantly associated with the severity of the neurological deficit and the functional outcome. High H–FABP release was associated with large infarction on CT. Our study shows for the first time quantitative data of serum BFABP and H–FABP being elevated early in acute ischaemic stroke indicating that especially H–FABP might have the potential to be a rapid marker of brain damage and clinical severity. As both FABPs indicate damage to neuronal and glial tissue but are not specific for cerebral infarction, further investigations are needed to better understand the prolonged release of both in ischaemic stroke which is in contrast to the transient increase after myocardial infarction and can not be explained by their renal extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain oedema is a major cause of early death after stroke. Glycerol is a hyperosmolar agent that is claimed to reduce brain oedema. We sought to determine whether I. V. glycerol treatment in acute stroke, either ischaemic or haemorrhagic, influences death rates and functional outcome in the short or long term and whether the treatment is safe. The Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register was searched, conference proceedings were screened and some trialists were personally contacted. We considered all completed, controlled, published and unpublished comparisons, evaluating clinical outcome, in which intravenous glycerol treatment was initiated within the first days after stroke onset. Death from all causes, functional outcome and adverse effects were analysed. Analysis of short term death for acute ischaemic and/or haemorrhagic stroke was possible in ten trials where 482 glycerol treated patients were compared with 463 control patients. Glycerol was associated with a non-significant reduction in the odds of death within the scheduled treatment period (OR 0.78, 95 % Confidence Intervals 0.58–1.06). Among patients with definite or probable ischaemic stroke, glycerol was associated with a significant reduction in the odds of death during the scheduled treatment period (odds ratio 0.65, 95 % CI 0.44–0.97). However, at the end of the scheduled follow up period there was no significant difference in the odds of death (odds ratio 0.98, 95 % CI 0.73–1.31). Functional outcome was reported in only two studies and there was a non-significant positive effect on outcome at the end of scheduled follow up (odds ratio 0.73, 95 % CI 0.37–1.42). Haemolysis seems to be the only relevant adverse effect of glycerol treatment. This systematic review suggests a favourable effect of glycerol treatment on short term survival in probable or definite ischaemic stroke, but the magnitude of the treatment effect may be minimal (as low as a 3 % reduction in odds). Because of the relatively small number of patients and because the trials have been performed in the pre-CT era, the results must be interpreted cautiously. The lack of evidence of benefit in long term survival does not support the routine or selective use of glycerol treatment in patients with acute stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]