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BackgroundIn patients with stroke, current guidelines recommend non-invasive vascular imaging to identify intracranial vessel occlusions (VO) that may benefit from endovascular treatment (EVT). However, VO can be missed in CT angiography (CTA) readings. We aim to evaluate the impact of consistently including CT perfusion (CTP) in admission stroke imaging protocols.MethodsFrom April to October 2020 all patients admitted with a suspected acute ischemic stroke underwent urgent non-contrast CT, CTA and CTP and were treated accordingly. Hypoperfusion areas defined by time-to-maximum of the tissue residue function (Tmax) >6 s, congruent with the clinical symptoms and a vascular territory, were considered VO (CTP-VO). In addition, two experienced neuroradiologists blinded to CTP but not to clinical symptoms retrospectively evaluated non-contrast CT and CTA to identify intracranial VO (CTA-VO).ResultsOf the 338 patients included in the analysis, 157 (46.5%) presented with CTP-VO (median Tmax >6s: 73 (29–127) mL). CTA-VO was identified in 83 (24.5%) of the cases. Overall CTA-VO sensitivity for the detection of CTP-VO was 50.3% and specificity was 97.8%. Higher hypoperfusion volume was associated with increased CTA-VO detection (OR 1.03; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.04). EVT was performed in 103 patients (30.5%; Tmax >6s: 102 (63–160) mL), representing 65.6% of all CTP-VO. Overall CTA-VO sensitivity for the detection of EVT-VO was 69.9% and specificity was 95.3%. Among patients who received EVT, the rate of false negative CTA-VO was 30.1% (Tmax >6s: 69 (46–99.5) mL).ConclusionSystematically including CTP in acute stroke admission imaging protocols may increase the diagnosis of VO and rate of EVT.

Background and Purpose: Different studies have pointed that CT perfusion (CTP) could overestimate ischemic core in early time window. We aim to evaluate the influence of time and collateral status on ischemic core overestimation. Methods: Retrospective single-center study including patients with anterior circulation large-vessel stroke that achieved reperfusion after endovascular treatment. Ischemic core and collateral status were automatically estimated on baseline CTP using commercially available software. CTP-derived core was considered as tissue with a relative reduction of cerebral blood flow 6 seconds with time to maximum of tissue residue function >10 seconds). Final infarct volume was measured on 24 to 48 hours noncontrast CT. Ischemic core overestimation was considered when CTP-derived core was larger than final infarct. Results: Four hundred and seven patients were included in the analysis. Median CTP-derived core and final infarct volume were 7 mL (interquartile range, 0–27) and 20 mL (interquartile range, 5–55), respectively. Median hypoperfusion intensity ratio was 0.46 (interquartile range, 0.23–0.59). Eighty-three patients (20%) presented ischemic core overestimation (median overestimation, 12 mL [interquartile range, 41–5]). Multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted by CTP-derived core and confounding variables showed that poor collateral status (per 0.1 hypoperfusion intensity ratio increase; adjusted odds ratio, 1.41 [95% CI, 1.20–1.65]) and earlier onset to imaging time (per 60 minutes earlier; adjusted odds ratio, 1.14 [CI, 1.04–1.25]) were independently associated with core overestimation. No significant association was found with imaging to reperfusion time (per 30 minutes earlier; adjusted odds ratio, 1.17 [CI, 0.96–1.44]). Poor collateral status influence on core overestimation differed according to onset to imaging time, with a stronger size of effect on early imaging patients( P interaction Conclusions: In patients with large-vessel stroke that achieve reperfusion after endovascular therapy, poor collateral status might induce higher rates of ischemic core overestimation on CTP, especially in patients in earlier window time. CTP reflects a hemodynamic state rather than tissue fate; collateral status and onset to imaging time are important factors to consider when estimating core on CTP.

Background and Purpose— Despite recanalization, almost 50% of patients undergoing endovascular treatment (EVT) experience poor outcome. We aim to evaluate the value of computed tomography perfusion as immediate outcome predictor postendovascular treatment. Methods— Consecutive patients receiving endovascular treatment who achieved recanalization (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia [mTICI] 2a-3) underwent computed tomography perfusion within 30 minutes from recanalization (CTPpost). Hypoperfusion was defined as the Tmax>6 second volume; hyperperfusion as visually increased cerebral blood flow/cerebral blood volume with reduced Tmax compared with unaffected hemisphere. Dramatic clinical recovery (DCR) was defined as 24-hour National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≤2 or ≥8 points drop. Delayed recovery was defined as no-DCR with favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–2) at 3 months. Results— We included 151 patients: median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 16 (interquartile range, 10–21), median admission ASPECTS 9 (interquartile range, 8–10). Final recanalization was the following: mTICI2a 11 (7.3%), mTICI2b 46 (30.5%), and mTICI3 94 (62.3%). On CTPpost, 80 (52.9%) patients showed hypoperfusion (median Tmax>6 seconds: 4 cc [0–25]) and 32 (21.2%) hyperperfusion. There was an association between final TICI and CTPpost hypoperfusion(median Tmax>6: 91 [56–117], 15 [0–37.5], and 0 [0–7] cc, for mTICI 2a, 2b, and 3, respectively, P P P P P Conclusions— Hypoperfusion on CTPpost constitutes an immediate accurate surrogate marker of success after endovascular treatment and identifies those patients with delayed recovery and favorable outcome.

Background and Purpose— Substantial proportion of patients who achieve successful recanalization of acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion do not achieve good functional outcome. We aim to analyze the effect of number of thrombectomy device passes and degree of the recanalization (by modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction) on the clinical and functional outcome. Methods— Five hundred forty-two consecutive patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation at a single tertiary stroke center. Baseline characteristics, number of passes, recanalization degree, clinical outcome at 24 hours (measured by National Institutes of Health Scale score), and functional outcome (measured by modified Rankin Scale at 90 days) were registered. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine the association of number of passes and degree of recanalization with dramatical clinical recovery (final National Institutes of Health Scale score ≤2 or decrease in 8 or more National Institutes of Health Scale score points in 24 hours) and good functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≤2 at 90 days). Results— Four hundred fifty-nine patients (84%) achieved successful recanalization (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2B–3), 213 (39%) of them after first device pass. In the multivariate analysis, first-pass recanalization and modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 3 were independent predictors of good functional outcome (odds ratio, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.4–4.5; P =0.002 and odds ratio, 2.6 CI; 1.5–4.7; P =0.001, respectively) and dramatical clinical recovery (odds ratio, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1–3; P =0.032 and odds ratio, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.7–5.1; P P P Conclusions— High number of device passes and less degree of recanalization are associated with worse outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke secondary to large vessel occlusion. Future studies should investigate the optimal number of passes that should be attempted in patients without substantial recanalization.

Background and Purpose— Risk factor control and treatment compliance in the following months after stroke are poor. We aim to validate a digital platform for smartphones to raise awareness among patients about the need to adopt healthy lifestyle, improve communication with medical staff, and treatment compliance. Methods— Farmalarm is an application (app) for smartphones designed to increase stroke awareness by medication alerts and compliance control, chat communication with medical staff, didactic video files, exercise monitoring. Patients with stroke discharged home were screened for participation and divided into groups: to follow the FARMALARM program for 3 to 4 weeks or standard of care follow-up. We determined achievement of risk factor control goals at 90 days. Results— From August 2015 to December 2016, from the 457 patients discharged home, 159 (34.8%) were included: Farmalarm (n=107); age 57±12, Control (n=52), age 59±10; without significant differences in baseline characteristics between groups. At 90 days, knowledge of vascular risk factors was higher in FARMALARM group (86.0% versus 69.2%, P P P =0.03) under control and the rate of patients with 4 out of 4 risk factors under control was higher in FARMALARM group (50.4% versus 30.7%, P =0.02). A regression model showed that the use of Farmalarm was independently associated with all risk factors under control at 90 days (odds ratio, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.14–4.6; P =0.02). Conclusions— In patients with stroke discharged home, the use of mobile apps to monitor medication compliance and increase stroke awareness is feasible and seems to improve the control of vascular risk factors.

Background and Purpose: We aim to evaluate if good collateral flow (CF) modifies endovascular therapy (EVT) efficacy on large-vessel stroke. To do that, we used final degree of reperfusion and number of device-passes performed, factors previously associated with better functional outcome, as main outcome measures. Methods: Single-center retrospective study including consecutive stroke patients receiving EVT for anterior circulation large-vessel stroke. CF degree was assessed on CT angiography before EVT using a previously validated 4-grade score. Final degree of reperfusion, using modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia (mTICI), and number of device-passes performed were prospectively collected. Multivariable analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of collateral flow degree on final degree of reperfusion and number of device-passes performed. Results: Six hundred twenty-six patients were included in the study; 369 patients (59%) presented good collateral flow on CT angiography. Five hundred twenty-two patients (84%) achieved successful reperfusion (mTICI 2B-3) after EVT, 304 (48%) of them with a final mTICI 2C-3. Median number of device-passes was 2 (interquartile range, 1–3). Good CF was independently associated with better final degree of reperfusion (shift analysis for mTICI0-2A/2B/2C-3%, poor CF 19/38/43 versus good CF 15/32/53, adjusted odds ratio, 1.51 [95% CI, 1.08–2.11]). Poor CF was independently associated with higher number of device-passes performed to achieve successful reperfusion (mTICI2B-3; shift analysis for 1/2/3/4+ device-passes, adjusted odds ratio, 1.59, [95% CI, 1.09–2.31]) and complete reperfusion (mTICI2C-3; shift analysis for 1/2/3/4+ device-passes, adjusted odds ratio, 1.70 [95% CI, 1.04–2.90]). Conclusions: Patients with good CF treated with EVT experience higher rates of successful reperfusion with lower number of device-passes. CF may facilitate thrombus retrieval and prevent distal embolization of clot fragments, improving device-passes efficacy.

The aim of the study was to find markers of high-risk cardioembolic etiology (HRCE) in patients with cryptogenic strokes (CS) through the analysis of intracranial clot by flow cytometry (FC). A prospective single-center study was designed including patients with large vessel occlusion strokes. The percentage of granulocytes, monocytes, lymphocytes, and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLr) were analyzed in clots extracted after endovascular treatment (EVT) and in peripheral blood. Large arterial atherosclerosis (LAA) strokes and high-risk cardioembolic (HRCE) strokes were matched by demographics and acute reperfusion treatment data to obtain FC predictors for HRCE. Multilevel decision tree with boosting random forest classifiers was performed with each feature importance for HRCE diagnosis among CS. We tested the validity of the best FC predictor in a cohort of CS that underwent extensive diagnostic workup. Among 211 patients, 178 cases underwent per-protocol workup. The percentage of monocytes (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.11) and MLr (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.12-2.98) independently predicted HRCE diagnosis when LAA clots (n = 28) were matched with HRCE clots (n = 28). Among CS (n = 82), MLr was the feature with the highest weighted importance in the multilevel decision tree as a predictor for HRCE. MLr cutoff point of 1.59 yield sensitivity of 91.23%, specificity of 44%, positive predictive value of 78.79%, and negative predictive value of 68.75 for HRCE diagnosis among CS. MLr >= 1.6 in clot analysis predicted HRCE diagnosis (OR, 6.63, 95% CI 1.85-23.71) in a multivariate model adjusted for age. Clot analysis by FC revealed high levels of monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio as an independent marker of cardioembolic etiology in cryptogenic strokes.

Accident cerebrovascular; Serveis mèdics d'emergència; Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV Accidente cerebrovascular; Servicios médicos de emergencia; Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV Stroke; Emergency medical services; Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant healthcare reorganizations, potentially striking standard medical care. We investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on acute stroke care quality and clinical outcomes to detect healthcare system's bottlenecks from a territorial point of view. Methods: Crossed-data analysis between a prospective nation-based mandatory registry of acute stroke, Emergency Medical System (EMS) records, and daily incidence of COVID-19 in Catalonia (Spain). We included all stroke code activations during the pandemic (March 15-May 2, 2020) and an immediate prepandemic period (January 26-March 14, 2020). Primary outcomes were stroke code activations and reperfusion therapies in both periods. Secondary outcomes included clinical characteristics, workflow metrics, differences across types of stroke centers, correlation analysis between weekly EMS alerts, COVID-19 cases, and workflow metrics, and impact on mortality and clinical outcome at 90 days. Results: Stroke code activations decreased by 22% and reperfusion therapies dropped by 29% during the pandemic period, with no differences in age, stroke severity, or large vessel occlusion. Calls to EMS were handled 42 min later, and time from onset to hospital arrival increased by 53 min, with significant correlations between weekly COVID-19 cases and more EMS calls (rho = 0.81), less stroke code activations (rho = -0.37), and longer prehospital delays (rho = 0.25). Telestroke centers were afflicted with higher reductions in stroke code activations, reperfusion treatments, referrals to endovascular centers, and increased delays to thrombolytics. The independent odds of death increased (OR 1.6 [1.05-2.4], p 0.03) and good functional outcome decreased (mRS ≤2 at 90 days: OR 0.6 [0.4-0.9], p 0.015) during the pandemic period. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Catalonia's stroke system's weakest points were the delay to EMS alert and a decline of stroke code activations, reperfusion treatments, and interhospital transfers, mostly at local centers. Patients suffering an acute stroke during the pandemic period had higher odds of poor functional outcome and death. The complete stroke care system's analysis is crucial to allocate resources appropriately.

Background An increased rate of thrombotic events has been associated to Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) with a variable rate of acute stroke. Our aim is to uncover the rate of acute stroke in COVID-19 patients and identify those cases in which a possible causative relationship could exist. Methods We performed a single-center analysis of a prospective mandatory database. We studied all patients with confirmed COVID-19 and stroke diagnoses from March 2nd to April 30th. Demographic, clinical, and imaging data were prospectively collected. Final diagnosis was determined after full diagnostic work-up unless impossible due to death. Results Of 2050 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, 21 (1.02%) presented an acute ischemic stroke 21 and 4 (0.2%) suffered an intracranial hemorrhage. After the diagnostic work-up, in 60.0% ischemic and all hemorrhagic strokes patients an etiology non-related with COVID-19 was identified. Only in 6 patients the stroke cause was considered possibly related to COVID-19, all of them required mechanical ventilation before stroke onset. Ten patients underwent endovascular treatment; compared with patients who underwent EVT in the same period, COVID-19 was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (50% versus 15%; Odds Ratio, 6.67; 95% CI, 1.1-40.4; p 0.04). Conclusions The presence of acute stroke in patients with COVID-19 was below 2% and most of them previously presented established stroke risk factors. Without other potential cause, stroke was an uncommon complication and exclusive of patients with a severe pulmonary injury. The presence of COVID-19 in patients who underwent EVT was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality.

Background and Purpose— First pass (FP) recanalization has been shown to be a predictor of favorable outcome in endovascular treatment of stroke. The reasons why FP recanalization leads to better outcome as compared with multiple passes (MP) are unknown. We aim to investigate the recanalization pattern and its relationship with outcome. Methods— Six hundred nine consecutive patients underwent endovascular treatment. Recanalization was defined as modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score 2B-3. Favorable outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2 at 90 days. Sudden recanalization (SR) was considered when modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score varied from 0-1 to 2B-3 in a single pass. Progressive recanalization (PR) was considered if modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score 2A was achieved at an interim pass before achieving recanalization. Patients were also categorized as recanalizers at FP, MP, or nonrecanalizers. Results— Five hundred nine (83.9%) patients achieved recanalization. SR was achieved in 378 (62.1%) patients; 280 (46%) were FP-SR, and 98 (16.1%) were MP-SR. MP-PR was achieved in 131 (21.5%) patients. Rates of favorable outcome were similar between patients with FP-SR (57.5%) and MP-SR (57.1%; odds ratio [OR], 0.9 [CI, 0.53–1.54]; P =0.7) but lower in MP-PR (29.8%; OR, 3.33 [CI, 1.71–5.63]; P P P P P P P =0.937). Conclusions— SR strongly predicts favorable outcome in patients undergoing endovascular treatment, even after previous unsuccessful attempts. PR may reflect clot fragmentation and embolization due to more friable composition, leading to worse outcomes. Prospective studies with independent assessment of recanalization pattern should validate these results.

Introduction: Systemic blood pressure (BP) should be strictly monitored and adjusted during the initial stages of stroke. Due to the impairment of cerebral autoregulation, cerebral blood flow is directly affected by systemic BP and some degree of permissive hypertension might be beneficial prior to reperfusion treatments to ensure an adequate perfusion in the ischemic tissue. However, after generalization of endovascular treatment (EVT) the rate of successful recanalization has skyrocketed and it is not well established if, once achieved, BP control should be stricter given its potential risks. We aim to explore the relation between BP and outcome among patients who underwent EVT. Methods: This is a retrospective study of a prospectively acquired unicentric database that includes patients who underwent EVT with successful recanalization measured by a mTICI ≥2b. Hourly measuring of systolic and diastolic BP was conducted during the first 24 hours post-procedure. BP variation was measured using standard deviation (SD) and range. We explored the effects of BP on functional outcome at 3 months and safety variables. Results: The study included 351 subjects with a mean age of 72.7+/-13.1 and 51.6% were men. The 3-months mRS was ≤2 in 50.4% of patients, 66 subjects (19.2%) presented hemorrhagic transformation and 67 (19.1%) were dead in the 3-months follow-up period. Both systolic BP SD (15.6+/-9.9 vs. 12.9+/-4.3; p2). Subjects with hemorrhagic transformation presented higher range of DBP (35.7+/-12.4 vs. 32.0+/-11.9; p=0.03) and SBP (56.8+/-17.0 vs. 51.4+/-18.1; p=0.03) and higher diastolic DBP SD (9.3+/-4.1 vs. 8.2+/-2.7; p Conclusions: Major fluctuations in systolic and diastolic BP predict increased risk of hemorrhagic complications and poor functional outcome. Minimizing BP fluctuations may improve outcome of EVT patients after recanalization.

Introduction: First pass recanalization (FPR) is known to be a strong predictor of good outcome in endovascular treatment (EVT) of stroke. The reasons why FPR leads to better outcome than if achieved in multiple-passes (MP) are unknown. We aim to investigate the recanalization pattern and its relation with good outcome. Methods: 609 consecutive patients underwent EVT in the anterior circulation at a single stroke center. Demographic and imaging characteristics, number of passes and recanalization pattern were recorded. Complete recanalization was defined as mTICI2b-3 at the end of EVT. Good functional outcome was defined as modified Rankin scale (mRs) 0-2 at 90 days. Sudden recanalization(SR) was considered when mTICI score varied from 0-1 to 2B-3 in a single pass. Progressive recanalization (PR) was considered if mTICI 2a was achieved at an interim pass before achieving complete recanalization. Patients were categorized as recanalizers at first-pass (FP) and multiple-passes (MP) or non-recanalizers (NR). 70 (10.3%) patients in MP group were excluded due to missing procedural data. Results: 509 (83.9%) patients achieved complete recanalization. SR was achieved in 378 (62.1%) patients; 280 (46%) were FP-SR and 98 (16.1%) were MP-SR. MP-PR was achieved in 131 (21.5%) patients. Rates of good functional outcome depending on recanalization pattern were: FP-SR 57.5%, MP-SR 57.1% (FP-SR vs MP-SR, OR 0.9 CI 0.53-1.54, p=0.7), MP-PR 29.8% (MP-SR vs MP-PR, OR 3.06 CI 1.66-5.62, p Conclusions: Sudden recanalization is a strong predictor of good functional outcome in patients undergoing EVT, even after previous unsuccessful attempts. Progressive recanalization may reflect clot fragmentation and embolization due to more friable composition, leading to worse outcomes. Benefits of first pass effect are driven by sudden recanalization.

IMPORTANCE: Direct transfer to angiography suite (DTAS) for patients with suspected large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke has been described as an effective and safe measure to reduce workflow time in endovascular treatment (EVT). However, it is unknown whether DTAS improves long-term functional outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of DTAS on clinical outcomes among patients with LVO stroke in a randomized clinical trial. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The study was an investigator-initiated, single-center, evaluator-blinded randomized clinical trial. Of 466 consecutive patients with acute stroke screened, 174 with suspected LVO acute stroke within 6 hours of symptom onset were included. Enrollment took place from September 2018 to November 2020 and was stopped after a preplanned interim analysis. Final follow-up was in February 2021. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to follow either DTAS (89 patients) or conventional workflow (85 patients received direct transfer to computed tomographic imaging, with usual imaging performed and EVT indication decided) to assess the indication of EVT. Patients were stratified according to their having been transferred from a primary center vs having a direct admission. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was a shift analysis assessing the distribution of the 90-day 7-category (from 0 [no symptoms] to 6 [death]) modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score among patients with LVO whether or not they received EVT (modified intention-to-treat population) assessed by blinded external evaluators. Secondary outcomes included rate of EVT and door-to-arterial puncture time. Safety outcomes included 90-day mortality and rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. RESULTS: In total, 174 patients were included, with a mean (SD) age of 73.4 (12.6) years (range, 19-95 years), and 78 patients (44.8%) were women. Their mean (SD) onset-to-door time was 228.0 (117.9) minutes, and their median admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 18 (interquartile range [IQR], 14-21). In the modified intention-to-treat population, EVT was performed for all 74 patients in the DTAS group and for 64 patients (87.7%) in the conventional workflow group (P = .002). The DTAS protocol decreased the median door–to–arterial puncture time (18 minutes [IQR, 15-24 minutes] vs 42 minutes [IQR, 35-51 minutes]; P

Patients’ outcome prediction after ischemic stroke is still challenging. Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is a water channel that is up-regulated in the brain after the ischemic event, but its presence in bloodstream of stroke patients has not been previously studied. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate circulating AQP4 levels after stroke and its correlation with infarct growth and neurological outcome. AQP4 level was determined by ELISA in serum from 42 t-PA-treated ischemic stroke patients at admission (before t-PA) and 13 healthy subjects. To assess infarct growth, serial brain diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images were performed at hospital admission and 1–3 days after. Neurological improvement was defined as a ≥4-point decrease in NIHSS score compared to baseline score. Despite stroke patients and healthy controls had similar baseline circulating AQP4 levels, among strokes AQP4 level negatively correlated with NIHSS score at admission (R= −0.34, p = 0.029) and with infarct growth after 1–3 days of stroke onset (R=−0.36; p = 0.018). Furthermore, baseline AQP4 level was higher in those stroke patients showing a neurological improvement 48 h after stroke onset (p = 0.030) and at hospital discharge (p = 0.037). Baseline AQP4 levels also resulted to be an independent predictor of good neurological outcome at both studied time points (ORadj: 14.33[1.82–112.92], p = 0.012 at 48 h; ORadj: 4.86[0.98–24.12], p = 0.053 at discharge) in logistic regression analysis, adjusted by age, sex, baseline NIHSS and significant variables in the univariate analysis. Overall, we have explored circulating AQP4 levels, and our data suggest that AQP4 could be used as a biomarker of neurological recovery in the acute-subacute phase of ischemic stroke., Neurovascular Research Laboratory acknowledges funding for this project by PI15/00354 and PI18/00804 grants from Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, FEDER). Neurovascular Research Laboratory also takes part into the Spanish stroke research network INVICTUS+ (RD16/0019). L. Ramiro is supported by a predoctoral fellowship grant from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (IFI17/00012). In addition, we acknowledge Miriam Echevarría from the Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla-IBiS by interesting conversations and advice on the role of Aquaporins in neurological diseases.

Our objective was to evaluate hand-held echocardiography as point of care ultrasound scanning (POCUS) to detect sources of embolism in the acute phase of stroke. Prospective, unicentric observational cohort study of non-lacunar ischemic stroke patients evaluated by V Scan device. The main sources of embolism (MSEs) were classified into embolic valvulopathies and severe ventricular dysfunction. We looked for atrial fibrillation (AF) predictors in strokes of undetermined etiology. MSEs were detected in 19.23% (25/130). Large vessel occlusion (LVO) (odds ratio [OR]: 4.24, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–17.85) and chronic heart failure (OR: 13.25, 95% CI: 3.54–49.50) were independent predictors of MSEs. LVO (OR: 6.54, 95% CI: 1.62–26.27) and left atrial area >20 cm2 (OR: 7.01, 95% CI: 1.75–28.09) independently predicted AF. Patients with LVO and chronic heart disease may benefit from hand-held echocardiography as part of POCUS in the acute phase of ischemic stroke. Left atrial area measured was an independent predictor of AF in strokes of undetermined etiology.

Introduction: Mechanical thrombectomy is the best treatment for large vessel occlusion in acute strokes, this technique can obtain clots for further analysis. Objective: To evaluate flow cytometry in thrombi obtained in the treatment of hyperacute stroke by mechanical thrombectomy, as a diagnostic tool in the etiological study of stroke Methods: Consecutively, intracranial clots were obtained in the hyperacute phase of stroke with solitaire device. Cell suspensions of thrombi were prepared that were labeled by direct immunofluorescence using conjugated monoclonal antibodies. The labeled samples were acquired in a Naviostm flow cytometer (Beckman-Coulter). The following leukocyte populations were studied: granulocytes, monocytes, total lymphocytes, T lymphocytes (CD3 +), helper T lymphocytes (CD3 +, CD4 +), suppressor-cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD3 +, CD8 +), TNK lymphocytes (CD3 +, CD56 / 16 +) , NK lymphocytes (CD3-, CD56 / 16 +) and B lymphocytes (CD19 +). The results were expressed as percentages (%). The aetiology of stroke was categorized in secondary to: major structural heart disease, atrial fibrillation, stroke of atherosclerotic etiology (severe stenosis or complicated aortic atheromatosis ulceration) or infrequent causes. Results: 40 samples were analyzed. Clots of atherosclerotic etiology (n = 13) were associated with higher% of CD4 T lymphocytes (24.85% vs 15.83% p = 0.016), and higher% of NK (21.08% vs 17.04) % p = 0.07), also showed a tendency to a higher% LT (23.69% vs 16.46% p = 0.052). Strokes secondary to AF were associated with a higher percentage of CD8 T lymphocytes (20.24 vs 13.56 p = 0.048). Conclussion: Analysis by flow cytometry of clots obtained in the hyperacute phase of stroke showed significant differences in the different lymphocyte populations according to the etiology

Background: Endovascular therapies(EVT) have exponentially increased in the last few years. To maximize the benefits of EVT, complications related to the treatment need to be prevented or minimized with early detection and appropriate management. We implemented a specific registry to collect femoral post-puncture complications detected at different timepoints. Our aim was to identify factors associated with severe groin punction complications. Methods: Prospective study of consecutive patients treated with acute EVT or scheduled (angioplasty), admitted to our Stroke Unit from February2017-June2018. Post-catheterization femoral complications included: groin bleeding(GB), groin hematoma(GH), retroperitoneal hematoma(RH), femoral artery pseudoaneurysm(FAP), and artery dissection(AD). A specific registry was created for data collection at different timepoints: During or immediate post-EVT, at 24h post-compression and at discharge. Results: 384patients were treated with EVT(73%acute), mean age 71+/-13y.o, 69% men. Mynxgrip closure system was used in 346(91,8%). Compressive measures needed to be reinforced in 55 cases(14,5%)/changed in 15(4%). Early mobilization protocol(24-48h) was initiated in 335patients(92,3%). 9patients (2,8%) did not maintain the first 24h absolute rest. 57patients(15,1%) presented mild immediate complications(49GH,6GB). At 24h, 181(47,1%)patients presented GH(28,6%superficial, 18,2%internal) and 5GB(1,3%). At discharge, 29(8,1%)patients had presented clinically significant femoral complications: 16GH(13deep), 5FAP, 1AD, 4RH. 2 of those complications were fatal. Variables associated with severe complications at discharge were: age(p=0.037), non-use of mynxgrip(p=0.001), compressive replacement(p Conclusion: In our series, we found a yield of 8,1% of clinically significant groin complications associated with the EVT (0,5% fatal). We indentified age, closure device, requirement to replace compressive and lack of accomplishment of the early mobilization protocol as predictors of these complications.

Background and Purpose: Recent studies have highlighted the key influence of both time to achieve blood pressure (BP) control and the persistence of BP stable in the potential benefit of intensive BP reduction on attenuating intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) expansion. We aimed to compare two different BP management protocols in acute ICH to determine the influence of stroke nursing practice in BP control over first 24h. Methods: Consecutive patients with spontaneous ICH 150 mmHg under an early (antihypertensive IV bolus by nursing attention at CT scan), intensive (SBP target Results: One hundred and three Early-Intensive-Maintained SBP patients were matched with 103 controls. Mean age was 71.7±13.3 years, 134 (65%) were men, and median SBP was 177 (162-197) mmHg. Median time to SBP target achievement was lower in Early-Intensive-Maintained SBP patients as compared with control group (45 [30-60] vs. 90 [27-167.50] min, P=0.045 ). Early-Intensive-Maintained SBP patients maintained the SBP below the target more frequently than control group at different time points, including 60 min (40.8% vs. 36.9%, P P P P Conclusions: The stroke nurse plays a key role in the management of BP in acute ICH patients. An early and continued nursing care allows a fast and maintained BP reduction in acute ICH patients under an intensive BP reduction protocol.

Introduction Thrombophlebitis of the cavernous sinus is a severe infectious disease with high mortality and morbidity. It is usually diagnosed at a late stage and requires a number of visits to the emergency department in most cases, and the prognosis is highly dependent on prompt treatment. Despite its severity, evidence regarding treatment with corticosteroids and anticoagulation therapy is scarce and controversial. One of its complications is arteritis, which can be mistaken for medium to large vessel vasculitis, as in this case. Case report A 26-year-old female, who visited due to headache and left palpebral oedema. Imaging tests revealed thrombosis in the left cavernous sinus and significant narrowing of the internal carotid artery. The clinical picture was interpreted as secondary to an inflammatory vascular process and treatment with corticosteroids was initiated, with a good response. However, soon afterwards, fever and contralateral palpebral oedema developed. In the blood cultures a growth of Streptococcus intermedius was obtained and thrombophlebitis of the cavernous sinus was diagnosed. Despite initiating antibiotic and anticoagulation therapy, the patient suffered a right hemiplegia secondary to the formation of frontotemporal abscesses. Surgical drainage was performed and the patient progressed well. In the absence of other infectious foci, and due to the oral origin of the germ, a prophylactic multiple exodontia was performed. Conclusion Thrombophlebitis should be considered as a diagnostic option both in headaches with ocular symptoms and in medium to large vessel arteritis so that they can be treated in a timely manner.