The Yield of Multimodal Computed Tomography among Emergency Department Patients with Suspected Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (11) ◽  
pp. 104353
Author(s):  
Yalda Serena Dastmalchi ◽  
J. Adam Oostema
Author(s):  
Pauli E. T. Vuorinen ◽  
Jyrki P. J. Ollikainen ◽  
Pasi A. Ketola ◽  
Riikka-Liisa K. Vuorinen ◽  
Piritta A. Setälä ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In acute ischemic stroke, conjugated eye deviation (CED) is an evident sign of cortical ischemia and large vessel occlusion (LVO). We aimed to determine if an emergency dispatcher can recognise LVO stroke during an emergency call by asking the caller a binary question regarding whether the patient’s head or gaze is away from the side of the hemiparesis or not. Further, we investigated if the paramedics can confirm this sign at the scene. In the group of positive CED answers to the emergency dispatcher, we investigated what diagnoses these patients received at the emergency department (ED). Among all patients brought to ED and subsequently treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) we tracked the proportion of patients with a positive CED answer during the emergency call. Methods We collected data on all stroke dispatches in the city of Tampere, Finland, from 13 February 2019 to 31 October 2020. We then reviewed all patient records from cases where the dispatcher had marked ‘yes’ to the question regarding patient CED in the computer-aided emergency response system. We also viewed all emergency department admissions to see how many patients in total were treated with MT during the period studied. Results Out of 1913 dispatches, we found 81 cases (4%) in which the caller had verified CED during the emergency call. Twenty-four of these patients were diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke. Paramedics confirmed CED in only 9 (11%) of these 81 patients. Two patients with positive CED answers during the emergency call and 19 other patients brought to the emergency department were treated with MT. Conclusion A small minority of stroke dispatches include a positive answer to the CED question but paramedics rarely confirm the emergency medical dispatcher’s suspicion of CED as a sign of LVO. Few patients in need of MT can be found this way. Stroke dispatch protocol with a CED question needs intensive implementation.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Riccardo Di Iorio ◽  
Fabio Pilato ◽  
Iacopo Valente ◽  
Andrea Laurienzo ◽  
Simona Gaudino ◽  
...  

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> We sought to verify the predicting role of a favorable profile on computed tomography perfusion (CTP) in the outcome of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion (LVO) undergoing effective mechanical thrombectomy (MT). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We retrospectively enrolled 25 patients with AIS due to LVO and with a CTP study showing the presence of ischemic penumbra who underwent effective MT, regardless of the time of onset. The controls were 25 AIS patients with overlapping demographics and clinical and computed tomography angiography features at admission who had undergone successful MT within 6 h from onset and without a previous CTP study. The outcome measure was the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Sixty-four percent of the study patients had an mRS score of 0–1 at 90 days versus 12% of the control patients (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). Patients of the study group had a more favorable distribution of disability scores (median mRS [IQR] score of 0 [0–2] vs. 2 [2–3]). Multivariate analysis showed that the selection of patients based on a favorable CTP study was strongly associated (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) with a better neurological outcome. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> In our small-sized and retrospective study, the presence of ischemic penumbra was associated with a better clinical outcome in patients with AIS due to LVO after MT. In the future, a larger and controlled study with similar criteria of enrollment is needed to further validate the role of CTP in patient selection for MT, regardless of the time from the onset of symptoms.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (11) ◽  
pp. 3361-3365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fareshte Erani ◽  
Nadezhda Zolotova ◽  
Benjamin Vanderschelden ◽  
Nima Khoshab ◽  
Hagop Sarian ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Clinical methods have incomplete diagnostic value for early diagnosis of acute stroke and large vessel occlusion (LVO). Electroencephalography is rapidly sensitive to brain ischemia. This study examined the diagnostic utility of electroencephalography for acute stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) and for LVO. Methods: Patients (n=100) with suspected acute stroke in an emergency department underwent clinical exam then electroencephalography using a dry-electrode system. Four models classified patients, first as acute stroke/TIA or not, then as acute stroke with LVO or not: (1) clinical data, (2) electroencephalography data, (3) clinical+electroencephalography data using logistic regression, and (4) clinical+electroencephalography data using a deep learning neural network. Each model used a training set of 60 randomly selected patients, then was validated in an independent cohort of 40 new patients. Results: Of 100 patients, 63 had a stroke (43 ischemic/7 hemorrhagic) or TIA (13). For classifying patients as stroke/TIA or not, the clinical data model had area under the curve=62.3, whereas clinical+electroencephalography using deep learning neural network model had area under the curve=87.8. Results were comparable for classifying patients as stroke with LVO or not. Conclusions: Adding electroencephalography data to clinical measures improves diagnosis of acute stroke/TIA and of acute stroke with LVO. Rapid acquisition of dry-lead electroencephalography is feasible in the emergency department and merits prehospital evaluation.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (9) ◽  
pp. 2426-2433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marielle Ernst ◽  
Anna M.M. Boers ◽  
Annette Aigner ◽  
Olvert A. Berkhemer ◽  
Albert J. Yoo ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Mohamad Abdalkader ◽  
Anurag Sahoo ◽  
Adam A. Dmytriw ◽  
Waleed Brinjikji ◽  
Guilherme Dabus ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Fetal posterior cerebral artery (FPCA) occlusion is a rare but potentially disabling cause of stroke. While endovascular treatment is established for acute large vessel occlusion stroke, FPCA occlusions were excluded from acute ischemic stroke trials. We aim to report the feasibility, safety, and outcome of mechanical thrombectomy in acute FPCA occlusions. METHODS We performed a multicenter retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy of acute FPCA occlusion. Primary FPCA occlusion was defined as an occlusion that was identified on the pre‐procedure computed tomography angiography or baseline angiogram whereas a secondary FPCA occlusion was defined as an occlusion that occurred secondary to embolization to a new territory after recanalization of a different large vessel occlusion. Demographics, clinical presentation, imaging findings, endovascular treatment, and outcome were reviewed. RESULTS There were 25 patients with acute FPCA occlusion who underwent mechanical thrombectomy, distributed across 14 centers. Median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale on presentation was 16. There were 76% (19/25) of patients who presented with primary FPCA occlusion and 24% (6/25) of patients who had a secondary FPCA occlusion. The configuration of the FPCA was full in 64% patients and partial or “fetal‐type” in 36% of patients. FPCA occlusion was missed on initial computed tomography angiography in 21% of patients with primary FPCA occlusion (4/19). The site of occlusion was posterior communicating artery in 52%, P2 segment in 40% and P3 in 8% of patients. Thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2b/3 reperfusion was achieved in 96% of FPCA patients. There were no intraprocedural complications. At 90 days, 48% (12/25) were functionally independent as defined by modified Rankin scale≤2. CONCLUSIONS Endovascular treatment of acute FPCA occlusion is safe and technically feasible. A high index of suspicion is important to detect occlusion of the FPCA in patients presenting with anterior circulation stroke syndrome and patent anterior circulation. Novelty and significance This is the first multicenter study showing that thrombectomy of FPCA occlusion is feasible and safe.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sriharsha Voleti ◽  
Johnathan Vidovich ◽  
Brendan Corcoran ◽  
Bin Zhang ◽  
Vivek Khandwala ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: The Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography (CT) Score (ASPECTS) and CT perfusion (CTP) are commonly used to predict the ischemic core in acute ischemic strokes. CT angiography source images (CTA-SI) can also provide additional information to identify the extent of ischemia. Our objective was to investigate the correlation of noncontrast CT (NCCT) ASPECTS and CTA-SI ASPECTS with CTP core volumes. Methods: We utilized a single institutional, retrospective registry of consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion between May 2016 and May 2018. We graded ASPECTS both on baseline NCCT and CTA-SI and measured CTP core using automated RAPID software (cerebral blood flow <30%). We used Spearman’s correlation coefficients to evaluate the correlation between continuous variables. Results: A total of 52 patients fit the inclusion criteria of large vessel occlusion in 6 to 24 hours and baseline imaging work up of NCCT, CTA, and CTP. The median age was 63 (interquartile range=53.5–75) and 38.46% were female. The median NCCT ASPECTS was 7 (interquartile range=6–9), CTA-SI ASPECTS was 5 (interquartile range=4–7), and CTP core was 14.5 mL (interquartile range=0–46 mL). There was a moderate correlation between NCCT ASPECTS and CTP core (r s =−0.55, P <0.0001) and between CTA-SI ASPECTS and CTP core (r s =−0.50, P =0.0002). The optimal NCCT ASPECTS cutoff score to detect CTP core ≤70 mL was ≥6 (sensitivity, 0.84; specificity, 0.57; positive predictive value, 0.93; negative predictive value, 0.36) and the optimal CTA-SI ASPECTS was ≥5 (sensitivity, 0.76; specificity, 0.71; positive predictive value, 0.94; negative predictive value, 0.31). Conclusions: There was a moderate correlation between NCCT and CTA-SI ASPECTS in predicting CTP defined ischemic core in delayed time windows. Further studies are needed to determine if NCCT and CTA imaging could be used for image-based patient selection when CTP imaging is not available.


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