Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Patients with Covid-19 versus Patients with Influenza

Importance: Case series without control groups suggest that Covid-19 may cause ischemic stroke, but whether Covid-19 is associated with a higher risk of ischemic stroke than would be expected from a viral respiratory infection is uncertain. Objective: To compare the rate of ischemic stroke between patients with Covid-19 and patients with influenza, a respiratory viral illness previously linked to stroke. Design: A retrospective cohort study. Setting: Two academic hospitals in New York City. Participants: We included adult patients with emergency department visits or hospitalizations with Covid-19 from March 4, 2020 through May 2, 2020. Our comparison cohort included adult patients with emergency department visits or hospitalizations with influenza A or B from January 1, 2016 through May 31, 2018 (calendar years spanning moderate and severe influenza seasons). Exposures: Covid-19 infection confirmed by evidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the nasopharynx by polymerase chain reaction, and laboratory-confirmed influenza A or B. Main Outcomes and Measures: A panel of neurologists adjudicated the primary outcome of acute ischemic stroke and its clinical characteristics, etiological mechanisms, and outcomes. We used logistic regression to compare the proportion of Covid-19 patients with ischemic stroke versus the proportion among patients with influenza. Results: Among 2,132 patients with emergency department visits or hospitalizations with Covid-19, 31 patients (1.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0%-2.1%) had an acute ischemic stroke. The median age of patients with stroke was 69 years (interquartile range, 66-78) and 58% were men. Stroke was the reason for hospital presentation in 8 (26%) cases. For our comparison cohort, we identified 1,516 patients with influenza, of whom 0.2% (95% CI, 0.0-0.6%) had an acute ischemic stroke. After adjustment for age, sex, and race, the likelihood of stroke was significantly higher with Covid-19 than with influenza infection (odds ratio, 7.5; 95% CI, 2.3-24.9). Conclusions and Relevance: Approximately 1.5% of patients with emergency department visits or hospitalizations with Covid-19 experienced ischemic stroke, a rate 7.5-fold higher than in patients with influenza. Future studies should investigate the thrombotic mechanisms in Covid-19 in order to determine optimal strategies to prevent disabling complications like ischemic stroke.

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Nationwide trends of clinical characteristics and economic burden of emergency department visits due to acute ischemic stroke

Open Access Emergency Medicine ◽

10.2147/oaem.s146654 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol Volume 9 ◽

pp. 89-96 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Mark Stuntz ◽

Katsiaryna Busko ◽

Shumaila Irshad ◽

Taylor Paige ◽

Veranika Razhkova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Economic Burden ◽

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Emergency Department Visits

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Actions speak louder: Young female patients with acute ischemic stroke in the emergency department

Emergency Care Journal ◽

10.4081/ecj.2019.8300 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Mor Saban ◽

Tal Shachar ◽

Heli Patito ◽

Lev Zaretsky

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Emergency Department ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Case Series ◽

Young Female ◽

Initial Examination ◽

Young Females ◽

Case Series Study

The aim was to explore the diagnostic cascade of young females with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the emergency department (ED) setting. A retrospective case series study was conducted between the years 2016-2018 in the ED of a tertiary hospital (N=10). We collected socio-demographic data, clinical risk factors and co-morbidities, ED characteristics and medical examination related data. Ten females presenting with AIS were identified. Results show that each case had a variety of characteristics, there are no similar medical background or clear-cut risk factors, and each case has been presented clinically different. All these factors, with the possible added effect of age and sex bias serve as possible hindrance for correct and efficient diagnosis of stroke in young females. In conclusion, clinical presentation of young female with AIS is misleading. Initial examination in the ED setting may appear to be the determining point of impact on the outcome severity in young females.

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Mechanical thrombectomy in pediatric stroke: systematic review, individual patient data meta-analysis, and case series

Journal of Neurosurgery Pediatrics ◽

10.3171/2019.5.peds19126 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (5) ◽

pp. 558-571 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kartik Bhatia ◽

Hans Kortman ◽

Christopher Blair ◽

Geoffrey Parker ◽

David Brunacci ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Case Reports ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Case Series ◽

Neurological Outcomes

OBJECTIVEThe role of mechanical thrombectomy in pediatric acute ischemic stroke is uncertain, despite extensive evidence of benefit in adults. The existing literature consists of several recent small single-arm cohort studies, as well as multiple prior small case series and case reports. Published reports of pediatric cases have increased markedly since 2015, after the publication of the positive trials in adults. The recent AHA/ASA Scientific Statement on this issue was informed predominantly by pre-2015 case reports and identified several knowledge gaps, including how young a child may undergo thrombectomy. A repeat systematic review and meta-analysis is warranted to help guide therapeutic decisions and address gaps in knowledge.METHODSUsing PRISMA-IPD guidelines, the authors performed a systematic review of the literature from 1999 to April 2019 and individual patient data meta-analysis, with 2 independent reviewers. An additional series of 3 cases in adolescent males from one of the authors’ centers was also included. The primary outcomes were the rate of good long-term (mRS score 0–2 at final follow-up) and short-term (reduction in NIHSS score by ≥ 8 points or NIHSS score 0–1 at up to 24 hours post-thrombectomy) neurological outcomes following mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke in patients < 18 years of age. The secondary outcome was the rate of successful angiographic recanalization (mTICI score 2b/3).RESULTSThe authors’ review yielded 113 cases of mechanical thrombectomy in 110 pediatric patients. Although complete follow-up data are not available for all patients, 87 of 96 (90.6%) had good long-term neurological outcomes (mRS score 0–2), 55 of 79 (69.6%) had good short-term neurological outcomes, and 86 of 98 (87.8%) had successful angiographic recanalization (mTICI score 2b/3). Death occurred in 2 patients and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in 1 patient. Sixteen published thrombectomy cases were identified in children < 5 years of age.CONCLUSIONSMechanical thrombectomy may be considered for acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (ICA terminus, M1, basilar artery) in patients aged 1–18 years (Level C evidence; Class IIb recommendation). The existing evidence base is likely affected by selection and publication bias. A prospective multinational registry is recommended as the next investigative step.

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Management of acute ischemic stroke in patients with COVID-19 infection: Report of an international panel

International Journal of Stroke ◽

10.1177/1747493020923234 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (5) ◽

pp. 540-554 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Adnan I Qureshi ◽

Foad Abd-Allah ◽

Fahmi Al-Senani ◽

Emrah Aytac ◽

Afshin Borhani-Haghighi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Adult Patients ◽

World Health ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

International Panel ◽

Health Organization ◽

Tract Infections

Background and purpose On 11 March 2020, World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 infection a pandemic. The risk of ischemic stroke may be higher in patients with COVID-19 infection similar to those with other respiratory tract infections. We present a comprehensive set of practice implications in a single document for clinicians caring for adult patients with acute ischemic stroke with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection. Methods The practice implications were prepared after review of data to reach the consensus among stroke experts from 18 countries. The writers used systematic literature reviews, reference to previously published stroke guidelines, personal files, and expert opinion to summarize existing evidence, indicate gaps in current knowledge, and when appropriate, formulate practice implications. All members of the writing group had opportunities to comment in writing on the practice implications and approved the final version of this document. Results This document with consensus is divided into 18 sections. A total of 41 conclusions and practice implications have been developed. The document includes practice implications for evaluation of stroke patients with caution for stroke team members to avoid COVID-19 exposure, during clinical evaluation and performance of imaging and laboratory procedures with special considerations of intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy in stroke patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection. Conclusions These practice implications with consensus based on the currently available evidence aim to guide clinicians caring for adult patients with acute ischemic stroke who are suspected of, or confirmed, with COVID-19 infection. Under certain circumstances, however, only limited evidence is available to support these practice implications, suggesting an urgent need for establishing procedures for the management of stroke patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection.

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Emergency medical dispatchers’ ability to identify large vessel occlusion stroke during emergency calls

Scandinavian Journal of Trauma Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine ◽

10.1186/s13049-021-00914-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Pauli E. T. Vuorinen ◽

Jyrki P. J. Ollikainen ◽

Pasi A. Ketola ◽

Riikka-Liisa K. Vuorinen ◽

Piritta A. Setälä ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Emergency Call ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Emergency Response System ◽

Emergency Medical ◽

Cortical Ischemia

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.

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Abstract P119: Factors Influencing Door to Needle Administration for Acute Stroke Patients in the Emergency Department

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.52.suppl_1.p119 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Nicolle W Davis ◽

Meghan Bailey ◽

Natalie Buchwald ◽

Amreen Farooqui ◽

Anna Khanna

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Patient Outcomes ◽

Time Of Day ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Acute Stroke Care ◽

The Impact ◽

Iv Tpa

Background/Objective: There is growing importance on discovering factors that delay time to intervention for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients, as rapid intervention remains essential for better patient outcomes. The management of these patients involves a multidisciplinary effort and quality improvement initiatives to safely increase treatment with intravenous thrombolytic (IV tPa). The objective of this pilot is to evaluate factors of acute stroke care in the emergency department (ED) and the impact they have on IV tPa administration. Methods: A sample of 89 acute ischemic stroke patients that received IV tPa from a single academic medical institution was selected for retrospective analysis. System characteristics (presence of a stroke nurse and time of day) and patient characteristics (mode of arrival and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (NIHSS) on arrival) were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression to address the study question. Results: The mean door to needle time is 53.74 minutes ( + 38.06) with 74.2% of patients arriving to the ED via emergency medical services (EMS) and 25.8% having a stroke nurse present during IV tPa administration. Mode of arrival ( p = .001) and having a stroke nurse present ( p = .022) are significant predictors of door to needle time in the emergency department (ED). Conclusion: While many factors can influence door to needle times in the ED, we did not find NIHSS on arrival or time of day to be significant factors. Patients arriving to the ED by personal vehicle will have a significant delay in IV tPa administration, therefore emphasizing the importance of using EMS. Perhaps more importantly, collaborative efforts including the addition of a specialized stroke nurse significantly decreased time to IV tPa administration for AIS patients. With this dedicated role, accelerated triage and more effective management of AIS patients is accomplished, leading to decreased intervention times and potentially improving patient outcomes.

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Emergency Department Adherence to American Heart Association Guidelines for Blood Pressure Management in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.111.637983 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 43 (2) ◽

pp. 557-559 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Erin McDonough Grise ◽

Opeolu Adeoye ◽

Christopher Lindsell ◽

Kathleen Alwell ◽

Charles Moomaw ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Emergency Department ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

American Heart Association ◽

American Heart ◽

Heart Association ◽

Pressure Management ◽

Blood Pressure Management

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Clinical and radiological outcomes of acute ischemic stroke patients without angiographic occlusion on digital subtraction angiogram. A pooled analysis of case series

Neuroradiology ◽

10.1007/s00234-008-0449-8 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 50 (11) ◽

pp. 963-968 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Qaisar A. Shah ◽

Muhammad Zeeshan Memon ◽

Gabriela Vazquez ◽

M. Fareed K. Suri ◽

Haitham M. Hussein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Case Series ◽

Pooled Analysis ◽

Digital Subtraction ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Digital Subtraction Angiogram

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Delay in presentation of acute ischemic stroke in Lahore General Hospital, Lahore

Annals of King Edward Medical University ◽

10.21649/akemu.v11i3.1013 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Rafiq A Basharat ◽

Kamran Rashid Mirza ◽

Muhammad Yousuf Qamar

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Ct Scan ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

General Hospital ◽

Clinical History ◽

Clinical Findings ◽

Study Data ◽

Time Interval ◽

Time Required

Objectives: To find out the time interval from onset of the symptoms to admission in the hospital of patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke, in order to assess the feasibility of thrombolytic therapy in Lahore General Hospital. Design: Hospital-based, prospective and observational study Setting: Lahore General Hospital Lahore. Duration: Six months from January - June 2004. Patients: Seventy two patients with acute ischemic stroke diagnosed on basis of clinical findings and CT scan. Methods: Patients o f a cute ischemic stroke including cerebral infarct, T IA, venous infarct and lacunar infarct were diagnosed on basis of clinical history, examination and CT scan and enrolled in the study. Data was collected on a Performa. Time taken by patients to reach hospital after onset of symptoms, distance of patients` residences from hospital, education level of patients and time required to do a CT scan after arrival of patient in hospital were studied. Results: 54.2% were male and mean age of patients was 60 years. 58 patients had cerebral infarction, TIA`s and venous infarction were 8 and 6 respectively. Delay in presentation was divided in three groups. Within three hours (hrs) 15 (21%) patients arrived. 54 and 18 patients arrived in 3-- 24 hrs group and >24 firs group. Mean distance was roughly 44 km. Mean distance for 0-3hrs, 3-24hrs and >24hrs group was 14, 35, and 85 Km respectively. Average time required to do CT scan was nine hours after arrival of patient in emergency department. Sixty-five percent of patients coming were illiterate. Conclusion: Majority of the patients with ischemic stroke present late to. emergency department. Many factors including distance from hospital, illiteracy, non-availability of ambulance services responsible for it. Evaluation-of patients and provision of urgent CT scan is required. in hospitals.

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Abstract WP280: Use of Strategies to Improve Door-to-Needle Times with Tissue Plasminogen Activator in Acute Ischemic Stroke by US Hospitals: Findings from the Target: Stroke Survey

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.44.suppl_1.awp280 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Gregg C Fonarow ◽

Eric E Smith ◽

Xin Zhao ◽

Eric D Peterson ◽

Ying Xian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Plasminogen Activator ◽

Tissue Plasminogen Activator ◽

Stroke Care ◽

Ct Scanner ◽

Critical Pathways ◽

Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator ◽

Tissue Plasminogen

Background: The benefits of intravenous tissue-plasminogen activator (tPA) in acute ischemic stroke are time-dependent and several strategies have been reported to be associated with more rapid door-to-needle (DTN) times. However, the extent to which hospitals are utilizing these strategies has not been well studied. Methods: We surveyed 304 hospitals joining Target: Stroke regarding their baseline use of strategies to reduce door-to-needle times in the 1/2008-2/2010 timeframe (prior to the initiation of Target: Stroke). The survey was developed based on literature review and expert consensus for strategies identified as being associated with shorter DTN times and further refined after pilot testing. Categorical responses are reported as frequencies. Results: Hospitals participating in the survey were 50% academic, median 163 (IQR 106-247) ischemic stroke admissions per year, median 10 (IQR 6-17) tPA treated patients per year, and had median 79 minute (IQR 71-89) DTN times. By survey, 214 of 304 hospitals (70%) reported initiating or revising strategies to reduce DTN times in the prior 2 years. Reported use of the different strategies varied in frequency, with use of ischemic stroke critical pathways, CT scanner located in the Emergency Department, and tPA being stored in the Emergency Department being the strategies least frequently employed (Table). As part of Target: Stroke participation, 279 of 304 hospitals (91.5%) indicated they planned to have a dedicated team focused on reducing DTN times. Conclusions: While most US hospitals participating in this survey report use of the strategies to improve the timeliness of tPA administration for acute ischemic stroke, significant variation exists. Further research is needed to understand which of these strategies are most effective in improving acute ischemic stroke care.

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