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Stroke is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability worldwide and its burden is increasing rapidly in low-income and middle-income countries, many of which are unable to face the challenges it imposes. In this Health Policy paper on primary stroke prevention, we provide an overview of the current situation regarding primary prevention services, estimate the cost of stroke and stroke prevention, and identify deficiencies in existing guidelines and gaps in primary prevention. We also offer a set of pragmatic solutions for implementation of primary stroke prevention, with an emphasis on the role of governments and population-wide strategies, including task-shifting and sharing and health system re-engineering. Implementation of primary stroke prevention involves patients, health professionals, funders, policy makers, implementation partners, and the entire population along the life course.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is an emerging locoregional treatment (LRT) modality used in the management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The decision to treat HCC with LRT is evaluated in a multidisciplinary setting, and the specific LRT chosen depends on the treatment intent, such as bridge-to-transplant, down-staging to transplant, definitive/curative treatment, and/or palliation, as well as underlying patient clinical factors. Accurate assessment of treatment response is necessary in order to guide clinical management in these patients. Patients who undergo LRT need continuous imaging evaluation to assess treatment response and to evaluate for recurrence. Thus, an accurate understanding of expected post-SBRT imaging findings is critical to avoid misinterpreting normal post-treatment changes as local progression or viable tumor. SBRT-treated HCC demonstrates unique imaging findings that differ from HCC treated with other forms of LRT. In particular, SBRT-treated HCC can demonstrate persistent APHE and washout on short-term follow-up imaging. This brief review summarizes current evidence for the use of SBRT for HCC, including patient population, SBRT technique and procedure, tumor response assessment on contrast-enhanced cross-sectional imaging with expected findings, and pitfalls in treatment response evaluation.

Race/ethnic minorities face significant inequities in stroke incidence, prevalence, care, and outcomes. The Health Equity and Actionable Disparities in Stroke: Understanding and Problem-solving symposium, a collaborative initiative of the American Heart Association and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, was the first-ever annual multidisciplinary scientific forum focused on race/ethnic inequities in cerebrovascular disease, with the overarching goal of reducing inequities in stroke and accelerating the translation of research findings to improve outcomes for race/ethnic minorities. The symposium featured esteemed invited plenary speakers, lecturing on determinants of race/ethnic inequities in stroke and interventions aimed at redressing the inequities. The Edgar J. Kenton III Award recognized Ralph Sacco, MD, MS, for his lifetime contributions to investigation, management, mentorship, and community service in the field of stroke inequities. Early career investigators were provided with travel awards to attend the symposium; presented their research at moderated poster and Think Tank sessions; received career development advice at the Building Momentum session; and networked with experienced stroke inequities researchers. Future conferences—The Health Equity and Actionable Disparities in Stroke: Understanding and Problem-solving 2021 to 2024—will broaden the focus to include 5 major persistent inequities (race/ethnic, sex, geographic, socioeconomic, and global). Each year will focus on a different theme (community and stakeholder engagement; clinical trials; implementation science; and policy and dissemination). By fostering a community of stroke inequities researchers, we hope to highlight promising work, illuminate research gaps, facilitate networking, inform policy makers, recognize achievement, inspire greater interest among junior investigators to pursue careers in this field, and provide networking opportunities for underrepresented minority scientists.

Background Improving stroke services is critical for reducing the global stroke burden. The World Stroke Organization–World Health Organization– Lancet Neurology Commission on Stroke conducted a survey of the status of stroke services in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared to high-income countries. Methods Using a validated World Stroke Organization comprehensive questionnaire, we collected and compared data on stroke services along four pillars of the stroke quadrangle (surveillance, prevention, acute stroke, and rehabilitation) in 84 countries across World Health Organization regions and economic strata. The World Health Organization also conducted a survey of non-communicable diseases in 194 countries in 2019. Results Fewer surveillance activities (including presence of registries, presence of recent risk factors surveys, and participation in research) were reported in low-income countries than high-income countries. The overall global score for prevention was 40.2%. Stroke units were present in 91% of high-income countries in contrast to 18% of low-income countries (p Conclusions There is an urgent need to improve access to stroke units and services globally especially in LMICs. Countries with less stroke services can adapt strategies from those with better services. This could include establishment of a framework for regular monitoring of stroke burden and services, implementation of integrated prevention activities and essential acute stroke care services, and provision of interdisciplinary care for stroke rehabilitation.

Background: Hypothyroidism is common during pregnancy. This disorder is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Objectives: The study of the prevalence and different consequences of hypothyroidism in pregnancy in each region is the special importance in determining prevention and management strategies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypothyroidism and pregnancy outcomes in women referred to Ayatollah Mousavi Hospital in Zanjan. Methods: This cross-sectional-analytical study was performed on all pregnant women who gave birth in Ayatollah Mousavi Hospital in Zanjan in 2018-2019. Data were collected through census and using Chi-square, Fisherchr('39')s exact and independent t-tests and with SPSS software version 22, pregnancy outcomes between the two groups were calculated. Results: The prevalence of hypothyroidism in pregnant women in the present study was estimated at 8.59%. Hypothyroidism was found to double the chance of gestational diabetes (p0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of preeclampsia, preterm delivery, first minute Apgar score, height, weight and head circumference of the newborn (p>0.05). Conclusion: Considering the adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes of hypothyroidism, it seems that more clinical studies in this field are needed to manage and evaluate the outcomes in pregnant women with hypothyroidism

Background and Purpose:The rural-urban life-expectancy gap is widening, but underlying causes are incompletely understood. Prior studies suggest stroke care may be worse for individuals in more rural areas, and technological advancements in stroke care may disproportionately impact individuals in more rural areas. We sought to examine differences and 5-year trends in the care and outcomes of patients hospitalized for stroke across rural-urban strata.Methods:Retrospective cohort study using National Inpatient Sample data from 2012 to 2017. Rurality was classified by county of residence according to the 6-strata National Center for Health Statistics classification scheme.Results:There were 792 054 hospitalizations for acute stroke in our sample. Rural patients were more often white (78% versus 49%), older than 75 (44% versus 40%), and in the lowest quartile of income (59% versus 32%) compared with urban patients. Among patients with acute ischemic stroke, intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular therapy use were lower for rural compared with urban patients (intravenous thrombolysis: 4.2% versus 9.2%, adjusted odds ratio, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.51–0.59],PPPP=0.086; large towns, 1.05 [1.01–1.09],P=0.009; small towns, 1.10 [1.06–1.15],PPPPPConclusions:Rural patients with stroke were less likely to receive intravenous thrombolysis or endovascular therapy and had higher in-hospital mortality than their urban counterparts. These gaps did not improve over time. Enhancing access to evidence-based stroke care may be a target for reducing rural-urban disparities.

Primary care teams provide the majority of poststroke care. When optimally configured, these teams provide patient-centered care to prevent recurrent stroke, maximize function, prevent late complications, and optimize quality of life. Patient-centered primary care after stroke begins with establishing the foundation for poststroke management while engaging caregivers and family members in support of the patient. Screening for complications (eg, depression, cognitive impairment, and fall risk) and unmet needs is both a short-term and long-term component of poststroke care. Patients with ongoing functional impairments may benefit from referral to appropriate services. Ongoing care consists of managing risk factors such as high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, carotid stenosis, and dyslipidemia. Recommendations to reduce risk of recurrent stroke also include lifestyle modifications such as healthy diet and exercise. At the system level, primary care practices can use quality improvement strategies and available resources to enhance the delivery of evidence-based care and optimize outcomes.

ObjectiveBlack and Hispanic survivors of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are at higher risk of recurrent intracranial bleeding. MRI-based markers of chronic cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) are consistently associated with recurrent ICH. We therefore sought to investigate whether racial/ethnic differences in MRI-defined CSVD subtype and severity contribute to disparities in ICH recurrence risk.MethodsWe analyzed data from the Massachusetts General Hospital ICH study (n = 593) and the Ethnic/Racial Variations of Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ERICH) study (n = 329). Using CSVD markers derived from MRIs obtained within 90 days of index ICH, we classified ICH cases as cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)–related, hypertensive arteriopathy (HTNA)–related, and mixed etiology. We quantified CSVD burden using validated global, CAA-specific, and HTNA-specific scores. We compared CSVD subtype and severity among White, Black, and Hispanic ICH survivors and investigated its association with ICH recurrence risk.ResultsWe analyzed data for 922 ICH survivors (655 White, 130 Black, 137 Hispanic). Minority ICH survivors had greater global CSVD (p = 0.011) and HTNA burden (p = 0.021) on MRI. Furthermore, minority survivors of HTNA-related and mixed-etiology ICH demonstrated higher HTNA burden, resulting in increased ICH recurrence risk (all p < 0.05).ConclusionsWe uncovered significant differences in CSVD subtypes and severity among White and minority survivors of primary ICH, with direct implication for known disparities in ICH recurrence risk. Future studies of racial/ethnic disparities in ICH outcomes will benefit from including detailed MRI-based assessment of CSVD subtypes and severity and investigating social determinants of health.

Background and Purpose— The American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) defines ideal cardiovascular health by 7 metrics: not smoking, regular physical activity, normal body mass index, blood pressure, plasma glucose, and total cholesterol levels, and a healthy diet. We assessed prevalence and predictors of ideal LS7 among US stroke survivors. Methods— Among 67 514 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 1988 to 1994 and 1999 to 2014, 1597 adults (≥18 years) had self-reported history of stroke. LS7 metrics were categorized as poor, intermediate, and ideal; ideal LS7 scores were calculated (1 point for each ideal metric met). Trends in poor, intermediate, and ideal cardiovascular health were assessed. Odds of low (0–1) versus high (≥4) ideal LS7 scores were assessed according to sex, race, poverty income ratio, and education level, before and after adjusting for covariates. Results— Only 1 participant met all ideal LS7 metrics. The proportion with low LS7 score increased from 17.9% in 1988 to 1994 to 35.4% in 2011 to 2014 ( P 2 ), poor diet (healthy eating index score P Conclusions— Over the past 3 decades, blood pressure and cholesterol control among stroke survivors improved, but rates of obesity, poor diet, and physical inactivity increased. Stroke survivors who are black, poor, or less educated are less likely to have ideal cardiovascular health.

Background: Patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) may undergo interhospital transfer (IHT) for higher level of care. Although the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act stipulates that patients should be transferred to and accepted by referral hospitals if indicated, it offers few concrete guidelines, making it vulnerable to bias. We hypothesized that (1) IHT for AIS has increased over recent years and (2) minorities, women, and those without insurance had lower odds of IHT. Methods: Using the National Inpatient Sample, adults (>18 yrs) with a primary diagnosis of AIS from 2010 to 2017 (n=770,970) were identified, corresponding to a weighted sample size of 3,798,440. Those transferred to another acute hospital were labeled IHT. Yearly rates of IHT were assessed. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of IHT (vs. not transferred) were compared in 2014-2017 vs. 2010-2013 using a multinomial logistic model, adjusting for socioeconomic, medical, and hospital characteristics. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine odds of IHT by race/ethnicity, sex, and insurance status, adjusting for the above characteristics. Results: From 2010 to 2017, the proportion of IHT declined from 3.2% (SE 0.2) to 2.9% (SE 0.1). Comparing IHT in 2014-2017 to 2010-2013 showed lower odds of IHT (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.88-0.99), but this difference did not remain significant in the fully adjusted model. Fully adjusted OR showed that black patients were more likely than white patients to undergo IHT (AOR 1.13, 1.07-1.20). Women were less likely than men to be transferred (AOR 0.89, 0.86-0.92). Compared to those with private insurance, those with Medicaid (AOR 0.86, 0.80-0.91), self-pay (0.64, 0.59-0.70), and no charge (0.64, 0.46-0.88) were less likely to undergo IHT. Conclusions: Adjusted odds of IHT for AIS did not change significantly. Blacks were more likely than whites to be transferred; however, women and the uninsured/underinsured were less likely to be transferred. Further studies are needed to further understand these inequities and develop interventions and policies to ensure that all individuals have equitable access to stroke care, regardless of their race, sex, or ability to pay.

Introduction: Stroke mortality has declined, with differential changes by race; stroke is now the 5 th leading cause of death overall, but 2 nd leading cause of death in blacks. Little is known about recent race/ethnic trends in in-hospital mortality after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and whether system-level factors contribute to possible differences. Methods: Using the National Inpatient Sample, adults (>18 yrs) with a primary diagnosis of AIS from 2006 to 2017 (n=763,808) were identified. We assessed in-hospital mortality by race/ethnicity (white, black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander [API], other), sex, and age. Hospitals were categorized by proportion of minority patients served: 50% (minority hospitals). Using survey adjusted logistic regression, the association between race/ethnicity and odds of mortality was assessed, adjusting for key sociodemographic, clinical, and hospital characteristics (e.g. age, comorbidities, stroke severity, DNR status, and palliative care). Results: Overall, mortality decreased from 5.0% in 2006 to 2.9% in 2017, plower adjusted odds of mortality (AOR 0.82, 95% CI 0.78-0.86 and AOR 0.92, CI 0.86-0.98), primarily driven by those >65 yrs (age x ethnicity interaction p = 0.003). Compared to white men, black, Hispanic, and API men and black women had lower odds of mortality. Adjusted mortality was lower in minorities vs. whites and most pronounced in white hospitals (white: AOR 0.78, 0.73-0.85; mixed: 0.85, 0.80-0.91; minority: 0.89, 0.82-0.95; interaction effect: p=0.018). These differences were present for both minority men and women in white and mixed hospitals, but not women in minority hospitals. Discussion: AIS mortality decreased dramatically in recent years. Overall, black and Hispanic AIS patients have lower mortality than whites, a difference that is most striking in white hospitals. Further study is needed to understand these differences and to what extent biological, sociocultural, and system-level factors play a role.

Background: Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) was approved for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) 25 yrs ago, yet few AIS patients receive it, with inequities by race/ethnicity, sex, and geography. With expanding evidence-based programs, we hypothesized increases in IVT utilization and reduction in inequities. Methods: Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), we assessed temporal trends from 2002 to 2015 in IVT for AIS (weighted N=6,694,081) by sex, race/ethnicity, age, insurance, and hospital location/teaching status strata using survey - weighted logistic regression. Covariates included socio-demographics, comorbidities, and hospital characteristics. We calculated odds ratios for IVT by each category in 2002-2008 and 2009-2015. Results: IVT for AIS increased from 1.0% in 2002 to 6.8% in 2015, with an overall adjusted annual relative ratio (AARR) of 1.15 (CI 1.14-1.16). Individuals 18-44 yrs had the highest rate of IVT in 2015. The very elderly (≥85 yrs) had the most pronounced increase in IVT (AARR 1.18, CI 1.17-1.19). The sex disparity in IVT improved, but in 2009-2015, women were still 6% less likely to receive IVT than men (Fig 1). Individuals 18-44 yrs were ~3-fold more likely to receive IVT than the very elderly. IVT inequities for black and Hispanic stroke survivors lessened, but blacks remained ~20% less likely than whites to receive IVT. Government-insured patients were ~25% less likely to receive IVT compared to privately insured. Urban AIS patients were up to 4-fold more likely to receive IVT than rural dwellers. Conclusion: From 2002 through 2015, IVT for AIS in the U.S. increased regardless of race/ethnicity, sex, and age among ≥18 yrs, with the most pronounced increase among the very elderly. Despite encouraging trends, only 1 in 15 AIS patients received IVT and persistent inequities remain for blacks, women, government-insured, and rural stroke survivors, highlighting the need for intensifying stroke literacy and preparedness and enhancing systems of care.

Key Points Question Is a team-based community health worker and advanced practice clinician (including nurse practitioners or physician assistants) intervention emphasizing evidence-based care, self-management, lifestyle change, and medication adherence superior to usual care for controlling blood pressure after stroke in safety-net settings? Findings In this randomized clinical trial that included 487 adults with recent stroke or transient ischemic attack, there was no difference between usual care and the multifaceted team-based intervention in blood pressure control at 12 months. Meaning These findings suggest that additional research is needed to determine the optimal care model for controlling risk factors after stroke in safety-net settings., This randomized clinical trial examines the effect of a multifaceted team intervention vs usual care on systolic blood pressure (SBP) among patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in safety-net settings., Importance Few stroke survivors meet recommended cardiovascular goals, particularly among racial/ethnic minority populations, such as Black or Hispanic individuals, or socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Objective To determine if a chronic care model–based, community health worker (CHW), advanced practice clinician (APC; including nurse practitioners or physician assistants), and physician team intervention improves risk factor control after stroke in a safety-net setting (ie, health care setting where all individuals receive care, regardless of health insurance status or ability to pay). Design, Setting, and Participants This randomized clinical trial included participants recruited from 5 hospitals serving low-income populations in Los Angeles County, California, as part of the Secondary Stroke Prevention by Uniting Community and Chronic Care Model Teams Early to End Disparities (SUCCEED) clinical trial. Inclusion criteria were age 40 years or older; experience of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) no more than 90 days prior; systolic blood pressure (BP) of 130 mm Hg or greater or 120 to 130 mm Hg with history of hypertension or using hypertensive medications; and English or Spanish language proficiency. The exclusion criterion was inability to consent. Among 887 individuals screened for eligibility, 542 individuals were eligible, and 487 individuals were enrolled and randomized, stratified by stroke type (ischemic or TIA vs hemorrhagic), language (English vs Spanish), and site to usual care vs intervention in a 1:1 fashion. The study was conducted from February 2014 to September 2018, and data were analyzed from October 2018 to November 2020. Interventions Participants randomized to intervention were offered a multimodal coordinated care intervention, including hypothesized core components (ie, ≥3 APC clinic visits, ≥3 CHW home visits, and Chronic Disease Self-Management Program workshops), and additional telephone visits, protocol-driven risk factor management, culturally and linguistically tailored education materials, and self-management tools. Participants randomized to the control group received usual care, which varied by site but frequently included a free BP monitor, self-management tools, and linguistically tailored information materials. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was change in systolic BP at 12 months. Secondary outcomes were non–high density lipoprotein cholesterol, hemoglobin A1c, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, body mass index, antithrombotic adherence, physical activity level, diet, and smoking status at 12 months. Potential mediators assessed included access to care, health and stroke literacy, self-efficacy, perceptions of care, and BP monitor use. Results Among 487 participants included, the mean (SD) age was 57.1 (8.9) years; 317 (65.1%) were men, and 347 participants (71.3%) were Hispanic, 87 participants (18.3%) were Black, and 30 participants (6.3%) were Asian. A total of 246 participants were randomized to usual care, and 241 participants were randomized to the intervention. Mean (SD) systolic BP improved from 143 (17) mm Hg at baseline to 133 (20) mm Hg at 12 months in the intervention group and from 146 (19) mm Hg at baseline to 137 (22) mm Hg at 12 months in the usual care group, with no significant differences in the change between groups. Compared with the control group, participants in the intervention group had greater improvements in self-reported salt intake (difference, 15.4 [95% CI, 4.4 to 26.0]; P = .004) and serum CRP level (difference in log CRP, −0.4 [95% CI, −0.7 to −0.1] mg/dL; P = .003); there were no differences in other secondary outcomes. Although 216 participants (89.6%) in the intervention group received some of the 3 core components, only 35 participants (14.5%) received the intended full dose. Conclusions and Relevance This randomized clinical trial of a complex multilevel, multimodal intervention did not find vascular risk factor improvements beyond that of usual care; however, further studies may consider testing the SUCCEED intervention with modifications to enhance implementation and participant engagement. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01763203

Background and Purpose: Self-management programs may improve quality of life and self-efficacy for stroke survivors, but participation is low. In a randomized controlled trial of a complex, multidisciplinary, team-based secondary stroke prevention intervention, we offered participants Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) workshops in addition to clinic visits and home visits. To enhance participation, workshops were facilitated by community health workers who were culturally and linguistically concordant with most participants and scheduled CDSMP sessions at convenient venues and times. Over time, we implemented additional strategies such as free transportation and financial incentives. In this study, we aimed to determine factors associated with CDSMP participation and attendance. Methods: From 2014 to 2018, 18 CDSMP workshop series were offered to 241 English and Spanish-speaking individuals (age ≥40 years) with recent stroke or transient ischemic attack. Zero-inflated Poisson regression was used to identify factors associated with participation and attendance (ie, number of sessions attended) in CDSMP. Missing values were imputed using multiple imputation methods. Results: Nearly one-third (29%) of intervention subjects participated in CDSMP. Moderate disability and more clinic/home visits were associated with participation. Participants with higher numbers of clinic and home visits (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.06 [95% CI, 1.01–1.12]), severe (IRR, 2.34 [95% CI, 1.65–3.31]), and moderately severe disability (IRR, 1.55 [95% CI, 1.07–2.23]), and who enrolled later in the study (IRR, 1.12 [95% CI, 1.08–1.16]) attended more sessions. Individuals with higher chaos scores attended fewer sessions (IRR, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.95–0.99]). Conclusions: Less than one-third of subjects enrolled in the SUCCEED (Secondary Stroke Prevention by Uniting Community and Chronic Care Model Teams Early to End Disparities) intervention participated in CDSMP; however, participation improved as transportation and financial barriers were addressed. Strategies to address social determinants of health contributing to chaos and engage individuals in healthcare may facilitate attendance. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01763203.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text., Background and Purpose— Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, antiplatelet/antithrombotic use, and smoking cessation reduce risk of recurrent stroke. However, gaps in risk factor control among stroke survivors warrant development and evaluation of alternative care delivery models that aim to simultaneously improve multiple risk factors. Randomized trials of care delivery models are rarely of sufficient duration or size to be powered for low-frequency outcomes such as observed recurrent stroke. This creates a need for tools to estimate how changes across multiple stroke risk factors reduce risk of recurrent stroke. Methods— We reviewed existing evidence of the efficacy of interventions addressing blood pressure reduction, cholesterol lowering, antiplatelet/antithrombotic use, and smoking cessation and extracted relative risks for each intervention. From this, we developed a tool to estimate reductions in recurrent stroke risk, using bootstrapping and simulation methods. We also calculated a modified Global Outcome Score representing the proportion of potential benefit (relative risk reduction) achieved if all 4 individual risk factors were optimally controlled. We applied the tool to estimate stroke risk reduction among 275 participants with complete 12-month follow-up data from a recently published randomized trial of a healthcare delivery model that targeted multiple stroke risk factors. Results— The recurrent stroke risk tool was feasible to apply, yielding an estimated reduction in the relative risk of ischemic stroke of 0.36 in both the experimental and usual care trial arms. Global Outcome Score results suggest that participants in both arms likely averted, on average, 45% of recurrent stroke events that could possibly have been prevented through maximal implementation of interventions for all 4 individual risk factors. Conclusions— A stroke risk reduction tool facilitates estimation of the combined impact on vascular risk of improvements in multiple stroke risk factors and provides a summary outcome for studies testing alternative care models to prevent recurrent stroke. Registration— URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT00861081.

Although healthy lifestyle practices mitigate recurrent stroke risk and mortality, few stroke survivors adhere to them, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. We developed and pilot tested a occupational therapy-based lifestyle management intervention, Healthy Eating And Lifestyle after Stroke (HEALS), to improve stroke survivors' self-management skills relating to diet and physical activity and evaluated it in a diverse safety-net population.One hundred English- or Spanish-speaking participants with stroke or transient ischemic attack were randomized to a 6-week occupational therapist-led group lifestyle intervention vs. usual care. Each of the six 2-h group sessions included didactic presentations on diet and physical activity, peer exchange, personal exploration with goal setting, and direct experience through participation in a relevant activity. Primary outcomes at 6 months were change in body mass index, fruit/vegetable intake, and physical activity. Secondary outcomes included change in waist circumference, smoking, blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, total cholesterol, glycosylated hemoglobin levels, quality of care, and perceptions of care. Effect sizes were determined in preparation for a larger randomized controlled trial powered to detect a difference in primary outcomes. A nested formative evaluation assessed facilitators and barriers to implementation, acceptance, and intervention adherence.There were no significant changes in primary or secondary outcomes at 6 months. Effect sizes for all outcomes were small ( 0.2). Focus group participants recommended extending the intervention program duration with more sessions, additional information on stroke and vascular risk factors, an interdisciplinary approach, additional family involvement, and incentives. Providers recommended longer program duration, more training, fidelity checks to ensure standardized program delivery, and additional incentives for participants.The HEALS intervention was feasible in a safety-net setting, but effect sizes were small. A longer-duration intervention, with intervener fidelity checks may be warranted.NCT01550822.

Introduction: Studies have suggested sex-related and age-related variations in frequency of reperfusion therapy, but have been limited by constrained geographic scope, data from before the modern thrombectomy era, and incomplete exploration of sex-related differences in discrete age ranges. We therefore analyzed sex-, age-, and sex-age interaction in the frequency of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke in the US National Inpatient Sample. Methods: In the National Inpatient Sample , we identified all adult ischemic stroke EVT hospitalizations from 2010-2016, using ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes. Patient age was categorized as: Results: Among 50,573 EVT hospitalizations, 50.1% were female. The number of EVTs increased from 4091 in 2010 to 12,875 in 2016. Over the entire 7y time period, a sex-age interaction was noted: 49% in Conclusion: While half of all endovascular thrombectomies in the US are performed in women, there are major age-related sex-specific variations in EVT rates, with rates of EVT much lower among women than men in 50-70 age group. Determinants of these age-specific female-male disparities in EVT treatment merit detailed investigation. Figure: Age- and sex-specific female to male thrombectomy utilization rates.

Background: Minority and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals are underrepresented in secondary stroke prevention trials. Little is known about factors associated with study retention in these populations. Objective: To evaluate the impact of sociodemographic characteristics on retention in the Secondary stroke prevention by Uniting Community and Chronic care model teams Early to End Disparities (SUCCEED) trial. Methods: 487 participants ≥40 years with stroke/TIA were recruited from 4 safety-net hospitals and 1 stroke center serving low income zip codes. Strategies for boosting retention included: having bilingual research assistants from similar cultures establish rapport and follow participants; culturally and linguistically tailoring materials; arranging visits around participants’ schedules; offering transportation, and conducting assessments in the home and community. We compared sociodemographic characteristics among those retained at 12 months (n=412) vs. those not retained (n=75) using t-test, Chi Square, and Fisher exact tests. Independent factors associated with retention were determined using logistic regression. Results: Average age was 57 years, 18% were black, 71% were Hispanic, 58% were Spanish-speaking, and 72% were born outside the US. 12-month retention was 85%. On bivariate analysis, factors associated with retention were: Spanish-speaking, Hispanic ethnicity, younger age, born outside the US, and married status (all p Discussion: In this secondary prevention trial of stroke survivors from predominantly minority backgrounds, younger age, marriage, and insurance were associated with retention, suggesting that addressing barriers in the elderly, and those without insurance or spousal support may be beneficial. Financial constraints were associated with retention suggesting that study participation appealed to more socioeconomically vulnerable individuals.

Background: Approximately 25 million people in the US are Limited English Proficient (LEP). LEP individuals are more likely to feel dissatisfied with the quality of healthcare when compared to the English proficient, but little is known about LEP stroke survivors. Objective: To evaluate differences in stroke literacy, self-efficacy, and perceptions of healthcare delivery in English and Spanish-speaking individuals enrolled in the Secondary stroke prevention by Uniting Community and Chronic care model teams Early to End Disparities (SUCCEED) trial. Methods: SUCCEED participants were given the option of receiving the intervention in English or Spanish. Baseline differences in stroke literacy (Schneider et al), self-efficacy (General Self-Efficacy Scale), and perceptions of care (Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care and Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) were compared using T-test, Chi Square, and Fisher Exact in individuals who chose Spanish vs. English. Results: Of 487 participants, 207 preferred English and 280 chose Spanish. Despite feeling more worried about having a stroke (77 % vs. 67%), and feeling at risk of having a stroke (63% vs. 45%), Spanish-speakers were less likely to identify 3 stroke risk factors (19% vs. 33%, all p Conclusion: Among stroke survivors, Spanish-speakers were more likely to have low stroke literacy, low self-efficacy, and a negative perception of healthcare delivery despite feeling that healthcare was accessible. Recognizing language barriers as a contributor to healthcare disparities, and tailoring interventions to address these barriers are crucial.

The chest x-ray is a commonly requested diagnostic test on internal medicine wards which can diagnose many acute pathologies needing intervention. We developed a natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) model to identify the presence of opacities or endotracheal intubation on chest x-rays using only the radiology report. This a preliminary report of our work and findings. Using the General Medicine Inpatient Initiative (GEMINI) dataset, housing inpatient clinical and administrative data from 7 major hospitals, we retrieved 1000 plain film radiology reports which were classified according to 4 labels by an internal medicine resident. NLP/ML models were developed to identify the following on the radiograph reports: the report is that of a chest x-ray, there is definite absence of an opacity, there is definite presence of an opacity, the report is a follow-up report with minimal details in its text, and there is an endotracheal tube in place. Our NLP/ML model development methodology included a random search of either TF-IDF or bag-of-words for vectorization along with random search of various ML models. Our Python programming scripts were made publicly available on GitHub to allow other parties to train models using their own text data. 100 randomly generated ML pipelines were compared using 10-fold cross validation on 75% of the data, while 25% of the data was left out for generalizability testing. With respect to the question of whether a chest x-ray definitely lacks an opacity, the model’s performance metrics were accuracy of 0.84, precision of 0.94, recall of 0.81, and receiver operating characteristic area under curve of 0.86. Model performance was worse when trained against a highly imbalanced dataset despite the use of an advanced oversampling technique.

Ocular lichen planus (LP) is a rare disease which has been increasingly reported in the literature in the last two decades involving conjunctiva, cornea, and lacrimal drainage system. Most reported cases of ocular LP are cicatricial conjunctivitis with subepithelial fibrosis, fornix shortening, and symblepharon formation. It is not clear whether corneal involvement is a primary event or secondary to these changes. Topical cyclosporine and corticosteroid can be considered as first-line therapy in ocular surface involvement, while treatment regimen in more aggravated disease should be boosted with systemic immunosuppressives. After resolving acute inflammation, the patient should be treated with long-term maintenance therapy to halt the chronic progression of the disease. Lacrimal drainage system could also be involved, usually in a bilateral bicanalicular pattern with severe punctal/canalicular stenosis. Because of severity, the surgical outcomes are not favorable but successive treatments with dacryocystorhinostomy + mitomycin C (MMC), Jones tube implantation, and systemic cyclosporine are reported.

Background Poststroke depression is common, affecting approximately 1 in 3 stroke survivors. We aimed to evaluate the association between depression and mortality in adults with and without prior stroke. Methods Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study (1982-1992), we investigated the association between depression and all-cause mortality among adults aged 25-74 years with and without prior stroke, and stroke mortality among stroke survivors, adjusting for covariates. Results Among 9919 individuals, 121 (1.2%) reported prior stroke. The adjusted depression prevalence was 37.1% among stroke survivors and 17.3% among individuals without stroke. In persons aged 25-64 years, neither stroke nor depression was associated with all-cause mortality. The combination of depression and stroke was not associated with all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] .67-12.04). Among persons aged 65-74 years, depression alone (adjusted HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.04-1.47), stroke alone (adjusted HR 1.64, 95% CI 1.17-2.32), and the combination of depression and stroke (adjusted HR 2.28, 95% CI 1.79-2.90) were associated with all-cause mortality, consistent with an additive relationship. Among all ages, the combination of depression and stroke was associated with all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 1.93, 95% CI 1.28-2.92). Higher stroke mortality was only observed in those aged 65-74 years (adjusted HR 2.43, 95% CI 1.05-5.60). Compared with stroke survivors without depression, those with depression were ~35 times more likely to die from a stroke (adjusted HR 35.33, 95% CI 7.79-160.32). Conclusions The combination of prior stroke and depression is associated with higher all-cause mortality than either condition alone. The presence of depression after stroke increases stroke mortality 35-fold, highlighting the importance of identifying and treating depression among stroke survivors.

Background and Purpose Up to 25% of the U.S. population has undiagnosed diabetes. Diabetes and stroke both disproportionately afflict race/ethnic minorities. We assessed race/ethnic differences in the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes, prediabetes, and cardiometabolic risk profiles among stroke survivors in the United States. Methods The prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes among adults (≥20 years) with a self-reported history of stroke was assessed using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) from 1999 to 2010. Cardiometabolic risk factors across race/ethnic groups were compared using linear and logistic regression before and after adjusting for covariates. Results From 1999 to 2010, 1070 individuals who participated in NHANES had a self-reported history of stroke. Among stroke survivors without a formal diagnosis of diabetes and prediabetes, 233 (32%) had undiagnosed prediabetes and 27 (3.7%) had undiagnosed diabetes. The prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes was the highest among non-Hispanic (NH) blacks (8% and 38%) compared with Mexican Americans (4% and 26%) and NH whites (3% and 32%). Compared with NH whites, NH blacks were significantly younger, more likely to take antihypertensive medications, more likely to smoke, and have poorly controlled diabetes. NH blacks were twice as likely as NH whites to have poorly controlled blood pressure, after adjustment for sociodemographic and vascular risk factors. Conclusion In the United States, NH black stroke survivors have the highest rates of undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes, and have poorer cardiometabolic risk factor control than their NH white counterparts.

Background Stroke survivors have high rates of subsequent cardiovascular and recurrent cerebrovascular events, and mortality. While healthy lifestyle practices - including a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, limited alcohol intake, and regular physical activity - can mitigate these outcomes, few stroke survivors adhere to them. Minorities from socioeconomically disadvantaged communities who obtain care in safety-net health systems experience the most barriers to implementing healthy lifestyle changes after stroke. Purpose To report the design of Healthy Eating and Lifestyle After Stroke (HEALS), a randomized controlled trial (RCT) was designed to test the feasibility of using a manualized, lifestyle management intervention in a safety-net setting to improve lifestyle practices among ethnically diverse individuals with stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Methods Design: Pilot RCT. Participants: Inclusion criteria: 1) Adults (≥40 years) with ischemic stroke or TIA (≥ 90 days prior); 2) English- or Spanish-speaking. Setting: Outpatient clinic, safety-net setting. Intervention: Weekly two-hour small group sessions led by an occupational therapist for six weeks. The sessions focused on implementing nutrition, physical activity, and self-management strategies tailored to each participant's goals. Main Outcome Measures: Body mass index, diet, and physical activity. Conclusions Recruitment for this study is complete. If the HEALS intervention study is feasible and effective, it will serve as a platform for a large-scale RCT that will investigate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of life management interventions for racially and ethnically diverse, low-income individuals with a history of stroke or TIA who seek healthcare in the safety-net system.

The pathophysiology of stroke is well characterized, and 9 out of 10 strokes are due to modifiable factors. However, preventive strategies thus far have been relatively ineffective in curbing the global stroke burden, which is projected to increase given the aging of the world's population and epidemiological transition in many low- to middle-income countries. In this review we will summarize our current understanding of behavioral, environmental, and metabolic stroke risk factors not covered elsewhere in this issue. Specifically, we will review the evidence for environmental and household air pollution, smoking, and alcohol use. We will subsequently provide a conceptual framework for stroke prevention strategies, categorizing them as those aimed at changing health care systems and/or provider behavior and those targeting behaviors of patients and/or their caregivers, families, and support networks. The field of stroke prevention is relatively nascent, and little is known about how to optimize health care systems so that providers prescribe evidence-based care for stroke prevention, patients have access to care to receive such services, adherence and control of risk factors are optimized, and patients are empowered to manage their own risk factors and make lifestyle changes, including eating healthy diets (high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and low in sodium and sugar-sweetened beverages), engaging in regular physical activity, not smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption. In the next several years, we will likely develop a better understanding of which strategies are effective for modifying vascular risk factors, and how to design and implement successful interventions. Key questions to be answered include optimal theoretical frameworks, delivery models, team composition, timing, dose, intensity, and frequency, taking into account cultural, sociodemographic, and regional differences in patient populations.

The prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome has increased globally. These epidemiologic changes are likely responsible for a rise in stroke incidence among young adults, despite declining stroke incidence rates in the elderly. In this review, the authors summarize the current understanding of the epidemiology and pathophysiology of stroke associated with obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.

Background Cardiac arrhythmia after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery is a common complication of cardiac surgery. The effect of serum magnesium, hypomagnesaemia treatment and prophylactic administration of magnesium in the development and prevention of arrhythmias is controversial and there are many different ideas. This study evaluates the therapeutic effects of magnesium in cardiac arrhythmia after CABG surgery. Methods The clinical trial enrolled 250 patients who underwent CABG. Based on the initial serum levels of magnesium, patients were divided into two groups: hypomagnesium and normomagnesium. Based on bioethics committee requirements, patients in the hypo-magnesium group received magnesium treatments until they attained normal magnesium blood levels. Both groups underwent CABG with normal blood levels of magnesium. After surgery, each group was randomly divided into two subgroups: one subgroup received a bolus dose of magnesium sulphate (30 mg/kg in 5 min) and the other subgroup received a placebo. Subgroups were under observation in the intensive care unit for 3 days and arrhythmias were recorded. Data from all four subgroups were analysed statistically and interpreted. Results The results of this study showed that the occurrence of arrhythmia was not significantly different among subgroups (P > 0.05). There was no significant relationship between blood levels of magnesium and arrhythmia during the 3 days post-surgery (P > 0.05). Conclusion The results of this study showed that magnesium sulphate administration did not significantly improve the incidence of arrhythmias in hypo- and normo-magnesium patients after CABG. There was no significant correlation between post-operative serum levels of magnesium and arrhythmia during 3 days.

Introduction Metabolic syndrome (MetS), an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke, affects 1 in 3 adults in the United States. Recent trends in MetS prevalence among MI and stroke survivors are unknown. Methods We assessed age, sex, race/ethnicity, and socio-economic status specific trends in rates of MetS among adults ≥ 18 years who participated in National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1999–2010 and who fasted for 8 h ( n = 12,502). MetS was defined using the 2009 harmonized definition. MI and stroke were defined by self-reported diagnosis by a health care provider. Results MetS prevalence was 65.8% (2.2%) in MI survivors ( n = 663) and 61.2% (3.8%) in stroke survivors (299). Women aged 35 to 64 years with prior MI were more likely to have MetS compared to similarly aged stroke survivors (unadjusted OR 3.13, 95% CI 1.38–7.10). MetS prevalence among MI/stroke survivors remained flat from 1999 to 2010 in all groups except non-Hispanic blacks with prior MI, in whom prevalence increased. From 1999 to 2010, dyslipidemia declined and abdominal obesity and hyperglycemia increased among individuals with prior MI. MetS components remained unchanged among those with prior stroke. Conclusion The persistent high prevalence of MetS among stroke and MI survivors highlights the need for more effective interventions.

Background and Purpose— Approximately half of never smokers are exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS). Smoking is a well-established stroke risk factor, yet associations between SHS, stroke, and poststroke mortality remain uncertain. We aimed to determine the prevalence of exposure to SHS among those with and without stroke and its impact on mortality. Methods— Data were obtained from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys for 27 836 never smokers with/without self-reported stroke aged ≥18 years, sampled from 1988 to 1994 and 1999 to 2012, with linked mortality through 2010. Household exposure to SHS was determined by self-report; exposure severity was quantified by serum cotinine level. Independent relationships between SHS and all-cause mortality were assessed using Cox regression models, before and after adjusting for sociodemographics and comorbidities. Results— From 1988 to 1994 to 1999 to 2012, age-adjusted prevalence of exposure to SHS declined from 11.5% to 6.6% among survivors of stroke ( P =0.08), and 14.6% to 5.9% among persons without stroke ( P P P =0.026). There was a dose-dependent relationship between exposure to SHS and all-cause mortality after stroke. Conclusions— Individuals with previous stroke have 50% greater odds to have been exposed to SHS; SHS is associated with a 2-fold increase in mortality after stroke. This study highlights the importance of obtaining exposure to SHS history and counseling patients and their families on the potential impact of SHS on poststroke outcomes.

Background: Minority, disadvantaged populations are often underrepresented in secondary stroke prevention trials despite known disparities in risk factor control. When they do enroll, retention is poor due to competing needs, transiency, unstable housing, transportation barriers, and inconsistent telephone access. Methods: We recruited 487 English- or Spanish-speaking adults (age >40 yrs) with a recent TIA or ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke, and systolic BP ≥130 mm Hg or diagnosed hypertension and SBP≥120mm Hg, from 4 Los Angeles County-Department of Health Services hospitals and 1 stroke center serving low income zip codes. We used recruitment and retention strategies from a prior trial; leadership and staff met regularly to track progress and design and implement new strategies. Meeting notes were reviewed to compile approaches . Results: Average age was 57.1 years; race/ethnicity was 71.4% Hispanic, 17.6% black, 6.4% Asian; 72.5% were born outside the US; 62.6% had not graduated high school; 40% rarely spoke English at home. Follow-up data collection was 440/487 (90%) at 3 months, 382/487 (78%) at 8 months, and 394/475 (83%) of eligibles at 12 months. Prior recruitment strategies used were bilingual research assistants (RAs) from similar cultural backgrounds, inpatient clinical team introduction of potential enrollees to RAs, embedding RAs on the inpatient unit, piloting and tailoring recruitment scripts prior to study initiation, and allowing potential participants to discuss the study with others prior to enrollment. Prior retention strategies used were obtaining ≥3 contact numbers at enrollment and reviewing medical records for upcoming appointments. New retention strategies developed and applied were offering in-home assessments, providing transportation, offering weekend/evening visits, using phone, mail, and registered mail to contact participants, routinely using the same RA for a given participant, and reminding patients of prior interactions with RAs/visits. Conclusion: To maximize retention and recruitment, the combined approach of beginning with a broad set of previously effective strategies, and tracking and developing new ones over the course of the trial was effective. Trial Registry Trial Number: NCT01763203

Background: Although healthy lifestyle practices mitigate stroke risk and mortality, few stroke survivors adhere to them, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. We developed and pilot tested a lifestyle management intervention, HEALS, to improve stroke survivors’ diet and physical activity and tested it in a diverse population receiving care at a safety-net county facility. Methods: One hundred English- or Spanish-speaking participants with stroke or TIA were randomly assigned to a 6-week weekly occupational therapist-led group lifestyle intervention vs. usual care. Each 2 hour session included didactics, goal setting, activities, and peer exchange. Primary outcomes measured at baseline and 6 months were body mass index, abdominal obesity, fruit/vegetable intake, and physical activity. Secondary outcomes were blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glycosylated hemoglobin. Outcomes were compared with repeated measures analysis. Effect sizes for continuous variables were determined using partial eta-squared. A nested formative evaluation assessed facilitators and barriers to implementation, acceptance, and adherence to the intervention. Results: Mean age was 60 years, 62% were men, 68% were Hispanic, 60% were Spanish-speaking, 35% had ≤8 th grade education, 31% were working at enrollment, and 69% had modified Rankin scale Conclusions: The HEALS intervention was feasible in a safety-net setting, but the effect sizes were small. An RCT of a longer-duration intervention, with more formal provider training, may be warranted.

Standard noninvasive methods for detecting renal allograft rejection and injury have poor sensitivity and specificity. Plasma donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) has been reported to accurately detect allograft rejection and injury in transplant recipients and shown to discriminate rejection from stable organ function in kidney transplant recipients. This study used a novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based massively multiplexed PCR (mmPCR) methodology to measure dd-cfDNA in various types of renal transplant recipients for the detection of allograft rejection/injury without prior knowledge of donor genotypes. A total of 300 plasma samples (217 biopsy-matched: 38 with active rejection (AR), 72 borderline rejection (BL), 82 with stable allografts (STA), and 25 with other injury (OI)) were collected from 193 unique renal transplant patients, dd- cfDNA was processed by mmPCR targeting 13,392 SNPs. Median dd-cfDNA was significantly higher in samples with biopsy-proven AR (2.3%) versus BL (0.6%), OI (0.7%), and STA (0.4%) (p &lt, 0.0001 all comparisons). The SNP-based dd-cfDNA assay discriminated active from non-rejection status with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.87, 88.7% sensitivity (95% CI, 77.7&ndash, 99.8%) and 72.6% specificity (95% CI, 65.4&ndash, 79.8%) at a prespecified cutoff (&gt, 1% dd-cfDNA). Of 13 patients with AR findings at a routine protocol biopsy six-months post transplantation, 12 (92%) were detected positive by dd-cfDNA. This SNP-based dd-cfDNA assay detected allograft rejection with superior performance compared with the current standard of care. These data support the feasibility of using this assay to detect disease prior to renal failure and optimize patient management in the case of allograft injury.

In the United States, 32% of beverages consumed by adults and 19% of beverages consumed by children in 2007 to 2010 contained low-calorie sweeteners (LCSs). Among all foods and beverages containing LCSs, beverages represent the largest proportion of LCS consumption worldwide. The term LCS includes the 6 high-intensity sweeteners currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and 2 additional high-intensity sweeteners for which the US Food and Drug Administration has issued no objection letters. Because of a lack of data on specific LCSs, this advisory does not distinguish among these LCSs. Furthermore, the advisory does not address foods sweetened with LCSs. This advisory reviews evidence from observational studies and clinical trials assessing the cardiometabolic outcomes of LCS beverages. It summarizes the positions of government agencies and other health organizations on LCS beverages and identifies research needs on the effects of LCS beverages on energy balance and cardiometabolic health. The use of LCS beverages may be an effective strategy to help control energy intake and promote weight loss. Nonetheless, there is a dearth of evidence on the potential adverse effects of LCS beverages relative to potential benefits. On the basis of the available evidence, the writing group concluded that, at this time, it is prudent to advise against prolonged consumption of LCS beverages by children. (Although water is the optimal beverage choice, children with diabetes mellitus who consume a balanced diet and closely monitor their blood glucose may be able to prevent excessive glucose excursions by substituting LCS beverages for sugar-sweetened beverages [SSBs] when needed.) For adults who are habitually high consumers of SSBs, the writing group concluded that LCS beverages may be a useful replacement strategy to reduce intake of SSBs. This approach may be particularly helpful for persons who are habituated to a sweet-tasting beverage and for whom water, at least initially, is an undesirable option. Encouragingly, self-reported consumption of both SSBs and LCS beverages has been declining in the United States, suggesting that it is feasible to reduce SSB intake without necessarily substituting LCS beverages for SSBs. Thus, the use of other alternatives to SSBs, with a focus on water (plain, carbonated, and unsweetened flavored), should be encouraged.

Objective Glioblastoma (GBM) is associated with increased risk of developing dural venous sinus thrombosis (DVST), which often goes undiagnosed as symptoms are readily attributed to tumor. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of DVST, potential predictive features on imaging, complications, its effect on survival, and time of greatest risk for developing DVST. Methods A retrospective search of patients with GBM who had surgery followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy between 2009 and 2015 at our institution was performed. Magnetic resonance imaging studies of the brain were reviewed on volumetric postgadolinium T1-weighted sequences for DVST. Tumors were characterized using the Visually Accessible REMBRANDT (Repository for Molecular Brain Neoplasia Data) Images classification, and identified thromboses were tracked for propagation, regression, or resolution. Statistical analyses were directed at identifying clinical predictors and survival differences between the DVST and no-DVST groups. Results In total, 163 cases totaling 1637 scans, were reviewed; 12 patients (7.4%) developed DVST, of whom 11 presented with thrombus before any treatment. Tumor invasion of dural sinuses and greater T1/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery ratios were significantly associated with thrombus development (P = 0.02 and P = 0.02, respectively). In patients who developed DVST, thrombosis was more likely to develop ipsilateral to tumor side (P = 0.01) and was associated with a greater likelihood of developing extracranial venous thromboembolism (P = 0.012). There were no venous infarcts and no significant difference in survival between groups (P = 0.83). Conclusions Patients with GBM have increased risk of developing DVST, independent of surgical treatment or chemoradiation. DVST presence does not affect survival. Tumor invasion of dural sinuses and greater T1/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery ratio on preoperative imaging were the most significant predictors of DVST development.

IMPACT: Effective healthcare interventions improve access, quality of care, and health outcomes for underserved, high-disparity populations of Los Angeles county and beyond. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: We will expand our successful, Los Angeles-based public-academic partnership to develop and evaluate health system interventions aimed at improving healthcare for underserved communities, as well as develop workforce skilled in healthcare delivery science. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Together with the LA County Department of Health Services, the two LA-based CTSA hubs at USC and UCLA have established critical infrastructure for effective cross-sector translational research: (1) New funding mechanisms to evaluate health system interventions in county hospitals and clinics in areas of mutual interest; (2) Specialized research service cores (Safety-net Health Innovation core, Clinical Research Informatics core, and Healthcare Delivery Science core), and (3) Training and mentorship programs tailored for healthcare delivery scientists. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Outcomes from the first four years of the partnership include: (1) Significant impact on health outcomes from eight funded projects, e.g., lowered A1c levels by 0.9%; (2) Successful, coordinated service to dozens of research projects, e.g., a teleretinal screening program decreased ophthalmology visit wait times from 158 to 17 days; (3) New virtual coursework in seven domains (healthcare delivery science, dissemination and implementation science, systems engineering, behavioral economics, informatics, team science, and community engagement); (4) A published ‘synergy paper’ w/ CTSA hubs in three other urban cities examining common themes of academic-public partnerships; and (5) Rapid and streamlined COVID-19 research policy setting with county leadership. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: Our sustainable infrastructure is effectively bridging research-policy-practice gaps in Los Angeles and addressing patients’ and the health system’s priorities.

Depression, one of the most common complications encountered after stroke, is associated with poorer outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the factors independently associated with and predictive of poststroke depression (PSD).We assessed the prevalence of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-8] score 10) among a national sample of adults (≥20 years) with stroke who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 2005 to 2010. Logistic regression and random forest models were used to determine the factors associated with and predictive of PSD, after adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical factors.Of the 17,132 individuals surveyed, 546 stroke survivors were screened for depression, and 17% had depression, corresponding to 872,237 stroke survivors with depression in the United States. In the logistic regression model, after adjustment for sociodemographic variables, poverty (poverty index200% versus ≥200%, odds ratio [OR] 2.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-5.53) and 3 or more medical comorbidities (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.01-2.49) were associated with higher odds of PSD; increasing age was associated with lower odds of PSD (per year OR .95, 95% CI .94-.97). In the random forest model, the 10 most important factors predictive of PSD were younger age, lower education level, higher body mass index, black race, poverty, smoking, female sex, single marital status, lack of cancer history, and previous myocardial infarction (specificity = 70%, sensitivity = 64%).Although numerous factors were predictive of developing PSD, younger age, poverty, and multiple comorbidities were strong and independent factors. More aggressive screening for depression in these individuals may be warranted.

Background Expert consensus guidelines recommend antihypertensive treatment to lower secondary stroke risk, but patterns and predictors of blood pressure (BP) treatment and control among stroke survivors in the United States remain unknown. Understanding predictors of poor control can facilitate development of targeted strategies. Methods We reviewed the prevalence and control of hypertension among adults 40 years or older with self-reported stroke who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1999-2004 with mortality follow-up through 2006. Predictors of poorly controlled BP (>140/90 mm Hg) and nontreatment were determined via logistic regression. Independent association between antihypertensive use and mortality was determined using Cox models. Results Among 9145 participants, 490 reported previous stroke; 72% had known hypertension, 8% had undiagnosed hypertension, and 47% had poorly controlled BP. In multivariable analyses, age (odds ratio [OR] per year 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.09), female sex (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.12-2.57), non-Mexican Hispanic ethnicity (OR 4.54, 95% CI 1.76-11.70), black race (OR 3.15, 95% CI 1.59-6.25), hypercholesterolemia (OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.44-4.21), and diabetes (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.16-3.33) were associated with poorly controlled BP. Obesity was associated with lower odds of poorly controlled BP (OR .51, 95% CI .26-.99). Non-Mexican Hispanic ethnicity (OR 7.37, 95% CI 2.25-24.10) and black race (OR 3.13, 95% CI 1.05-9.34) were predictors of nontreatment, whereas diabetes was linked to treatment (OR 3.57, 95% CI 1.21-10.43). There was no association between antihypertensive treatment and mortality after adjustment for demographics and comorbidities. Conclusions One in 2 stroke survivors in the United States has poorly controlled BP; the most vulnerable groups include women, non-Mexican Hispanics, blacks, diabetics, and older individuals. Understanding causes of this evidence–practice gap may assist in developing effective targeted interventions.

Author(s): Writing Group Members; Mozaffarian, Dariush; Benjamin, Emelia J; Go, Alan S; Arnett, Donna K; Blaha, Michael J; Cushman, Mary; Das, Sandeep R; de Ferranti, Sarah; Despres, Jean-Pierre; Fullerton, Heather J; Howard, Virginia J; Huffman, Mark D; Isasi, Carmen R; Jimenez, Monik C; Judd, Suzanne E; Kissela, Brett M; Lichtman, Judith H; Lisabeth, Lynda D; Liu, Simin; Mackey, Rachel H; Magid, David J; McGuire, Darren K; Mohler, Emile R; Moy, Claudia S; Muntner, Paul; Mussolino, Michael E; Nasir, Khurram; Neumar, Robert W; Nichol, Graham; Palaniappan, Latha; Pandey, Dilip K; Reeves, Mathew J; Rodriguez, Carlos J; Rosamond, Wayne; Sorlie, Paul D; Stein, Joel; Towfighi, Amytis; Turan, Tanya N; Virani, Salim S; Woo, Daniel; Yeh, Robert W; Turner, Melanie B; American Heart Association Statistics Committee; Stroke Statistics Subcommittee

A primary barrier to translation of clinical research discoveries into care delivery and population health is the lack of sustainable infrastructure bringing researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and communities together to reduce silos in knowledge and action. As National Institutes of Health's (NIH) mechanism to advance translational research, Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) awardees are uniquely positioned to bridge this gap. Delivering on this promise requires sustained collaboration and alignment between research institutions and public health and healthcare programs and services. We describe the collaboration of seven CTSA hubs with city, county, and state healthcare and public health organizations striving to realize this vision together. Partnership representatives convened monthly to identify key components, common and unique themes, and barriers in academic-public collaborations. All partnerships aligned the activities of the CTSA programs with the needs of the city/county/state partners, by sharing resources, responding to real-time policy questions and training needs, promoting best practices, and advancing community-engaged research, and dissemination and implementation science to narrow the knowledge-to-practice gap. Barriers included competing priorities, differing timelines, bureaucratic hurdles, and unstable funding. Academic-public health/health system partnerships represent a unique and underutilized model with potential to enhance community and population health.

Introduction— Dysphagia screening protocols have been recommended to identify patients at risk for aspiration. The American Heart Association convened an evidence review committee to systematically review evidence for the effectiveness of dysphagia screening protocols to reduce the risk of pneumonia, death, or dependency after stroke. Methods— The Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched on November 1, 2016, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing dysphagia screening protocols or quality interventions with increased dysphagia screening rates and reporting outcomes of pneumonia, death, or dependency. Results— Three RCTs were identified. One RCT found that a combined nursing quality improvement intervention targeting fever and glucose management and dysphagia screening reduced death and dependency but without reducing the pneumonia rate. Another RCT failed to find evidence that pneumonia rates were reduced by adding the cough reflex to routine dysphagia screening. A smaller RCT randomly assigned 2 hospital wards to a stroke care pathway including dysphagia screening or regular care and found that patients on the stroke care pathway were less likely to require intubation and mechanical ventilation; however, the study was small and at risk for bias. Conclusions— There were insufficient RCT data to determine the effect of dysphagia screening protocols on reducing the rates of pneumonia, death, or dependency after stroke. Additional trials are needed to compare the validity, feasibility, and clinical effectiveness of different screening methods for dysphagia.

Introduction—Endovascular thrombectomy is a highly efficacious treatment for large vessel occlusion (LVO). LVO prediction instruments, based on stroke signs and symptoms, have been proposed to identify stroke patients with LVO for rapid transport to endovascular thrombectomy–capable hospitals. This evidence review committee was commissioned by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association to systematically review evidence for the accuracy of LVO prediction instruments.Methods—Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched on October 27, 2016. Study quality was assessed with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy-2 tool.Results—Thirty-six relevant studies were identified. Most studies (21 of 36) recruited patients with ischemic stroke, with few studies in the prehospital setting (4 of 36) and in populations that included hemorrhagic stroke or stroke mimics (12 of 36). The most frequently studied prediction instrument was the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. Most studies had either some risk of bias or unclear risk of bias. Reported discrimination of LVO mostly ranged from 0.70 to 0.85, as measured by the C statistic. In meta-analysis, sensitivity was as high as 87% and specificity was as high as 90%, but no threshold on any instruments predicted LVO with both high sensitivity and specificity. With a positive LVO prediction test, the probability of LVO could be 50% to 60% (depending on the LVO prevalence in the population), but the probability of LVO with a negative test could still be ≥10%.Conclusions—No scale predicted LVO with both high sensitivity and high specificity. Systems that use LVO prediction instruments for triage will miss some patients with LVO and milder stroke. More prospective studies are needed to assess the accuracy of LVO prediction instruments in the prehospital setting in all patients with suspected stroke, including patients with hemorrhagic stroke and stroke mimics.

Introduction: Dysphagia screening protocols have been recommended to identify patients at risk for aspiration. The American Heart Association convened an Evidence Review Committee to systematically review evidence for the effectiveness of dysphagia screening protocols to reduce the risk of pneumonia, death, or dependency after stroke. Methods: The Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched on November 1, 2016, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing dysphagia screening protocols or quality interventions to increased dysphagia screening rates, and reporting outcomes of pneumonia, death or dependency. Results: Three RCTs were identified. One RCT (n=1,126) found that a combined nursing quality improvement intervention targeting fever and glucose management as well as dysphagia screening reduced death and dependency (42% vs. 58%, p=0.002), but without reducing the pneumonia rate (2.1% vs. 2.7%, p=0.82). Another RCT (n=311) failed to find evidence that pneumonia rates were reduced by adding the cough reflex test to routine dysphagia screening (26% vs. 21%, p=0.38). A smaller RCT (n=162) randomly assigned 2 hospital wards to a stroke care pathway including dysphagia screening or regular care, and found that patients on the stroke care pathway were less likely to require intubation and mechanical ventilation (7.8% vs. 20%, p=0.03 after adjustment); however, the study was small and at risk for bias. Conclusions: There were insufficient RCT data to determine the effect of dysphagia screening protocols on reducing rates of pneumonia, death, or dependency after stroke. Additional trials are needed to compare the validity, feasibility, and clinical effectiveness of different screening methods for dysphagia.