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AimStroke is characterised by high morbidity, mortality and disability, which seriously affects the health and safety of the people. Stroke has become a serious public health problem in China. Organisational stroke management can significantly reduce the mortality and disability rates of patients with stroke. We provide this evidence-based guideline to present current and comprehensive recommendations for organisational stroke management.MethodsA formal literature search of MEDLINE (1 January 1997 through 30 September 2019) was performed. Data were synthesised with the use of evidence tables. Writing group members met by teleconference to discuss data-derived recommendations. The Chinese Stroke Association’s Levels of Evidence grading algorithm was used to grade each recommendation.ResultsEvidence-based guidelines are presented for the organisational management of patients presenting with stroke. The focus of the guideline was subdivided into prehospital first aid system of stroke, rapid diagnosis and treatment of emergency in stroke centre, organisational management of stroke unit and stroke clinic, construction of regional collaborative network among stroke centres and evaluation and continuous improvement of stroke medical quality.ConclusionsThe guidelines offer an organisational stroke management model for patients with stroke which might help dramatically.

Background and Purpose: Modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score (mTICI) ≥2b is defined as successful reperfusion. However, mTICI has rarely been correlated with dynamic perfusion imaging postendovascular therapy for acute stroke. We aimed to study the proportion of tissue optimal reperfusion (TOR) postendovascular therapy across different grades of mTICI. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective analysis of patients with acute ischemic strokes who had endovascular therapy between 2018 and 2019. Computer tomography perfusion or magnetic resonance perfusion was performed before and after endovascular therapy. Tmax+6 volume reduction of >90% was defined as TOR. Comparisons of proportions of TOR in different grades of mTICI were performed. In the present study, the requirement for informed consents was waived. Results: Eighty-two patients were included. The difference in the proportion of TOR for TICI categories was statistically significant (mTICI score 0, 0%, mTICI score 2A, 0%, mTICI score 2b, 50.0%, mTICI score 2c, 80.0%, mTICI score 3, 81.3%, χ 2 =14.035, P =0.003). Multivariable logistic regression showed that lower age (odds ratio, 0.932, P =0.017), onset-to-tissue-type plasminogen activator time (odds ratio, 0.980, P =0.005) and TOR (odds ratio, 8.764, P =0.031) were associated with favorable functional outcome. Conclusions: The proportion of TOR achieved by mTICI score of 2b was significantly lower than mTICI score of 2c and mTICI score of 3. TOR was associated with favorable functional outcome, and the degree of reperfusion was more strongly correlated with outcomes than the mTICI scores.

With the aging population, stroke has gradually become the leading cause of death and disability among adults. It is necessary to verify whether multi-delay pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) MRI can be used as a standard neuroimaging protocol in the patients with ischemic stroke. We aimed to investigate the clinical utility of multi-delay pCASL for evaluating cerebral perfusion in ischemic stroke disease. Twenty-one ischemic stroke patients [18 men and 3 women; median age, 62 years (age range, 37–84 years)] were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent examinations, including the multi-delay pCASL protocol (using 6 PLDs between 1,000 and 3,500 ms) and computed tomography perfusion (CTP). The cerebral blood flow (CBF) and arterial transit time (ATT) maps were obtained by the multi-delay pCASL protocol, while CBF and mean transit time (MTT) maps were derived by CTP measurements. Based on the voxel level analysis, Pearson correlation coefficients were used to estimate the associations between the two modalities in the gray matter, white matter, and whole brain of each subject. Moderate to high positive associations between ASL-CBF and CTP-CBF were acquired by voxel-level-wise analysis in the gray matter, white matter, and whole brain of the enrolled patients (all P < 0.005), and the average Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.647, 0.585, and 0.646, respectively. Highly significant positive correlations between ASL-ATT and CTP-MTT were obtained by voxel-level-wise associations in the gray matter, white matter, and whole brain (all P < 0.005), and the average Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.787, 0.707, and 0.799, respectively. In addition, significant associations between ASL and CT perfusion were obtained in the gray, white matter and whole brain, according to the subgroup analyses of patient’s age and disease stage. There is a correlation between perfusion parameters from multi-delay pCASL and CT perfusion imaging in patients with ischemic stroke. Multi-delay pCASL is radiation-free and non-invasive, and could be an alternative method to CT scans for assessing perfusion in ischemic stroke disease.

Background: Dl-3-n-Butylphthalide (NBP) has the potential to improve clinical outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients by improving collateral circulation. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of NBP in patients with non-disabling minor ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA).Methods: The BRIDGE (the observation study on clinical effectiveness of NBP on patients with non-disabling ischemic cerebrovascular disease) is a prospective registry to monitor the efficacy and safety of NBP therapy in acute non-disabling ischemic stroke or high-risk TIA. Non-disabling minor ischemic stroke patients within 48 h were enrolled across 51 stroke centers in China. We divided patients into NBP compliance or non-compliance groups according to their adherence to NBP. The primary outcome was the favorable functional outcome at 90 days, defined as a modified Rankin scale (mRS) Results: Between 10th October 2016 and 25th June 2019, 3,118 patients were included in this analysis. In multivariable analysis, after adjusting for common risk factors and demographic factors, NBP-compliance group has a higher proportion of favorable functional outcome (92.1 vs. 87.4%, adjusted odds ratio 2.00, 95% confidence interval, 1.50–2.65), and a higher stroke recurrence rate (2.40 vs. 0.31%, adjusted odds ratio 8.86, 95% confidence interval, 3.37–23.30) than the NBP-non-compliance group. There was no significant difference in death and intracranial hemorrhage rate between the two groups. In subgroup analysis, patients with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores from 3 to 5 who complied to NBP therapy had a higher rate of favorable functional outcomes than the NBP-non-compliance group. [88.82 vs. 76.21%, adjusted odds ratio 2.52 (1.81–3.50), adjusted interaction P = 0.00].Conclusion: In non-disabling minor ischemic stroke or TIA patients, compliance with NBP therapy led to better 90-day functional outcomes despite a higher risk of recurrence, and this effect seems to be stronger in patients with NIHSS scores of 3–5. Further large randomized, double-blind controlled studies to analyse the association between NBP and functional outcome is warranted in the coming future.

To investigate the safety and efficacy of intensive statin in the acute phase of ischemic stroke after intravenous thrombolysis therapy. A total of 310 stroke patients treated with rt-PA were randomly scheduled into the intensive statin group (rosuvastatin 20 mg daily × 14 days) and the control group (rosuvastatin 5 mg daily × 14 days). The primary clinical endpoint was excellent functional outcome (mRS ≤ 1) at 3 months, and the primary safety endpoint was symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) in 90 days. The intensive statin users did not achieve a favorable outcome in excellent functional outcome (mRS ≤ 1) at 3 months compared with controls (70.3% vs. 66.5%, p = 0.464). Intensive statin also not significantly improved the overall distribution of scores on the modified Rankin scale, as compared with controls (p = 0.82 by the Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel test). The incidence of primary safety endpoint events (sICH) in 90 days did not significantly differ between the intensive statin group and control group (0.6% vs. 1.3%, p > 0.999). The INSPIRE study indicated that intensive statin therapy may not improve clinical outcomes compared with the low dose of statin therapy in AIS patients undergoing intravenous thrombolysis, and the two groups had similar safety profile. URL: http://www.chictr.org . Unique identifier: ChiCTR-IPR-16008642

Aim The role of clopidogrel in treating patients with acute ischaemic stroke is unclear. We have conducted the clinical trial in order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of clopidogrel with a loading dose in treating patients with non-cardiogenic acute ischaemic stroke. Method Clopidogrel loading dose versus maintenance dose to treat patients with acute ischaemic stroke in China (CLASS-China) was a prospective, randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial in China. Patients with acute ischaemic stroke of non-cardiogenic origin within 48 hours of onset were enrolled and those received thrombolysis were excluded. Enrolled patients were divided into two treatment groups: loading dose and routine dose. The primary outcome was the incidence of stroke recurrence or progression within 7 days. Primary safety outcome was measured by life-threatening haemorrhage. An intent-to-treat analysis was used for the statistical analysis. Results From March 2008 to March 2010, a total of 303 patients from 16 centres were recruited into this study; six were excluded because of lack of basic information. Since the enrolment was slow and the study drug expired in March 2010, this clinical trial was stopped earlier than planned. No significant baseline and demographic differences were seen between the two groups. There was no difference in primary outcome between the loading dosage group 16.1% (24/149) and control group 14.9% (22/148), respectively (p=0.782). The mortality and disability rate within 90 days in loading dose group (19.6%) was slightly lower than that in controlled group (23.4%), p=0.444. Loading dose group had two (1.3%) cases of fatal haemorrhage and control group had four (2.7%) within 90 days, p=0.674. No significant difference was detected in other adverse events between the groups. Conclusion In our study stopped early due to slow enrolment, loading dose of clopidogrel does not reduce the risk of recurrent stroke. Future trials with sufficient number of patients enrolled are needed to re-examine this hypothesis.

Background: The relationship between blood pressure variability and stroke in progression (SIP) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) is still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of blood pressure variability estimated by average real variability on SIP. Method: We prospected enrolled 251 consecutive patients with AIS or TIA (within 7 days after onset). Blood pressure was measured at 2 h intervals throughout the first 24 h, then every 4 h up to the 7th day. Average real variability was used to represent blood pressure variability. Ischemic stroke (IS) patients with an increase of national institutes of health stroke scale ≥ 3 scores or TIA patients in the event of stroke within 7 days after admission were defined as stroke. Patients were grouped in low and high blood pressure average real variability groups. Results: The incidence rate of SIP was 8.3%. In univariate analysis, high D2-7 systolic blood pressure average real variability, female, and high total cholesterol level were significantly associated with SIP. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, SIP was independently predicted by total cholesterol and high D2-7 systolic blood pressure average real variability. Conclusion: High D2-7 systolic blood pressure average real variability was an independent predictor of SIP in AIS or TIA patients.

Background and purpose—Blood pressure variability has a significant effect on stroke. There were controversial reports about its relationship with short term functional outcome remains controversial for ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). There were limited studies about its long-term effect. Our aim was to elucidate the effect of BPV on a 3-month functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke or TIA. Methods—In this prospective observational study, a consecutive series of 400 patients were enrolled with acute ischemic stroke or TIA within 7 days. All patients were referred and monitored for BP at 2-hour intervals in the first 24 hours. Afterward, the BP was recorded every four hours up to the 7th day, with 1-hour deviation the daytime and 2 hours at night. All BP results were recorded into an electronic medical record (EMR) system. Average real variability (ARV) was used to analyze the blood pressure variability (BPV). All patients were followed up as planned for 90 days. The primary outcome was evaluated by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS); an unfavorable outcome was mRS≥2. For comparison, patients were respectively divided into two groups based on systolic blood pressure ARV (SBP ARV) or diastolic blood pressure ARV (DBP ARV). A multivariate logistic regression model was used to estimate the effect of between ARV BPV on functional outcomes. Results—Among the 400 patients, 46 (11.4%) had an unfavorable outcome (mRS>2) at 90 days. Their mean 24h DBP ARV was significantly higher than others (10.42±3.63 vs. 9.83±4.27 mm Hg; p=0.03). The high 24hDBPARV was defined above the median of 7.75 mmHg, which was statistically associated with an unfavorable outcome (64.7% vs. 35.3%; P=0.004). Further stepwise logistic regression analysis indicated that 24h high DBPARV was the independent predictor of an unfavorable outcome (adjusted OR 2.44%, 95% confidence interval: 1.24-4.74, P

Till now there’s no large sample, randomized and double-blinded research of clopidogrel in acute cerebral infarction. There have been some studies of combined and loading dosage of clopidogrel for antiplatelet treatment but the NIHSS is no more than 5 potints. Our study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of clopidogrel in acute ischemic stroke. It’s a single center retrospective study. Collect information of patients with acute ischemic stroke from January 1st 2012 to May 31st 2015, using of different antiplatelet drugs, occuring of progressive ischemic stroke, risk factors of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, etiological classification of cerebral infarction, NIHSS scores on admission and 7 days after admission were collected and was calssified into different groups (NIHSS≤3, 4-7, 8-15 and ＞15 potints). correlation statistical analysis was performed with chi-square test. A total of 1008 patients were collected, 94 of them had progressive ischemic stroke. There was no significant difference between aspirin group and clopidogrel group (routine clopidogrel group and loading clopidogrel group) within 7 days of onset. Clopidogrel group was superior to aspirin in reducing early recurrence and deterioration within 24 hours while NIHSS on admission was greater than 3 points. PIS has close relation to admission time after onset and severity of clinc. There was no significant difference in the incidence of safety events between aspirin and clopidogrel (routine clopidogrel and loading clopidogrel). Loading dosage of clopidogrel is as safe as the routine group and aspirin group.

Hypertension is the most important of the prevalent and modifiable risk factors for stroke. Based on evidence, blood pressure (BP) lowering is recommended in guidelines for the prevention of stroke. However, there are still some uncertainties in the guidelines for controlling BP and preventing stroke in patients with previous cerebrovascular events, such as the goal BP, who to treat and which class of BP-lowering drugs to use. This article discusses these questions by reviewing guidelines and corresponding clinical trials, with the aim of reducing the gap between guidelines and clinical practice.