Hemoglobin Concentration and Clinical Outcomes After Acute Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack

Background Anemia or low hemoglobin can increase the risk of stroke. However, the association between hemoglobin and outcomes after stroke is uncertain. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between hemoglobin and clinical outcomes, including mortality, poor functional outcome, stroke recurrence, and composite vascular events at 1 year. Methods and Results We included the patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack from the Third China National Stroke Registry. We used the Cox model for mortality, stroke recurrence, and composite vascular events and the logistic model for the poor functional outcome to examine the relationship between hemoglobin and clinical outcomes. In addition, we used the restricted cubic spline to evaluate the nonlinear relationship. This study included 14 159 patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. After adjusted for potential cofounders, both anemia and high hemoglobin were associated with the higher risk of mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.73; 95% CI, 1.39–2.15; HR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.95–3.76) and poor functional outcome (odds ratio [OR], 1.36; 95% CI, 1.18–1.57; OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.07–1.87). High hemoglobin, but not anemia, increased the risk of stroke recurrence (HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.05–1.79) and composite vascular events (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.08–1.83). There was a U‐shaped relationship between hemoglobin and mortality and poor functional outcome. Conclusions Abnormal hemoglobin was associated with a higher risk of all‐cause mortality, poor functional outcome, stroke recurrence, and composite vascular events. More well‐designed clinical studies are needed to confirm the relationship between hemoglobin and clinical outcomes after stroke.

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Abstract P343: Relationship of Infarct Volume to Inflammation and Prognostic Significance in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.52.suppl_1.p343 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Lingling Ding ◽

Zixiao Li ◽

Yongjun Wang

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Deep Learning ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Acute Inflammation ◽

Infarct Volume ◽

Prognostic Significance ◽

Stroke Recurrence ◽

Vascular Events ◽

Poor Functional Outcome

Background and Purpose: The diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) lesion volumes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) can be automatically measured using deep learning-based segmentation algorithms. We aim to explore the prognostic significance of artificial intelligence-predicted infarct volume, and the association of markers of acute inflammation with the infarct volume. Methods: 12,598 AIS/TIA patients were included in this analysis. Intarct volume was automatically measured using a U-Net model for acute ischemic stroke lesion segmentation on DWI. Participants were divided into 5 subgroups according to infarct volume. Spearman’s correlations were employed to study the association between infarct volume and markers of acute inflammation. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards model were performed to explore the relationship between infarct volume and the incidence of poor functional outcome (modified Rankin scale score 3-6), stroke recurrence or combined vascular events at 3 months. Results: The U-Net model prediction correlated and agreed well with manual annotation ground truth for infarct volume (r=0.96; P<0.001). There were positive correlations between the infarct volume and markers of acute inflammation (neutrophil [r=0.175; P<0.001], hs-CRP [r=0.180; P<0.001], and IL-6 [r=0.225; P<0.001]). Compared with those without DWI lesions, patients with the largest infarct volume (4th Quartile) were nearly five times more likely to have poor functional outcome (mRS 3-6) (adjusted odds ratio, 4.70; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 3.29-6.72; P for trend<0.001) after adjustment for confounding factors and markers of acute inflammation. The infarct volume category was significantly associated with stroke recurrence (adjusted hazard ratios [HRs], 1.0, 1.43[0.95,2.17], 2.22[1.49,3.29], 2.06[1.40,3.05], 2.26[1.52,3.36]; P for trend<0.001) and combined vascular events(adjusted HRs, 1.0, 1.38[0.92,2.09], 2.25[1.53,3.32], 2.03[1.38,2.98], 2.28[1.54,3.36]; P for trend<0.001). Conclusions: Infarct volume measured automatically by deep learning-based tool was a strong predictor of poor functional outcome as well as stroke recurrence, with the potential for widespread adoption in both research and clinical settings.

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Fibrinogen Level Predicts Prognosis of Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke or TIA

10.21203/rs.3.rs-64098/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Huiqing Hou ◽

Xianglong Xiang ◽

Yuesong Pan ◽

Hao Li ◽

Xia Meng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Fibrinogen Level ◽

Stroke Recurrence ◽

Vascular Events ◽

Poor Functional Outcome ◽

Stroke Registry

Abstract Background: Fibrinogen is involved in acute stroke. This study aimed to investigate the association between fibrinogen and prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Methods: Using data from the CNSR-Ⅲ (Third China National Stroke Registry), this sub-study included 10 518 (69%) consecutive patients who had fibrinogen levels measured. The primary outcome was a poor functional outcome defined as modified Rankin Scale score of 3 to 6 within 90 days. The secondary outcomes were stroke recurrence, ischemic stroke recurrence, composite vascular events, and poor functional outcome during the 1-year follow-up and a new vascular event at 90 days. Multivariate logistic regression and Cox regression analyses were used to assess the associations between fibrinogen and prognosis of patients. Results: In total, 1446 (13.9%) patients had a poor functional outcome at 90 days. High fibrinogen levels were associated with poor functional outcome (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-1.64) at 90 days after adjustment for confounding risk factors. High fibrinogen levels also independently predicted poor functional outcome during the 1-year follow-up. Stroke recurrence occurred in 657 (6.3%) patients at 90 days. High fibrinogen levels were associated with stroke recurrence, ischemic stroke recurrence, and composite vascular events in the crude model, but further adjustment eliminated these associations in the multivariate models. Conclusion: Our study showed that high fibrinogen level was independently associated with poor functional outcome but not with stroke recurrence in patients with acute ischemic stroke or TIA.

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Residual Inflammatory Risk Predicts Poor Prognosis in Acute Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack Patients

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.120.033152 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jiejie Li ◽

Yuesong Pan ◽

Jie Xu ◽

Shiyu Li ◽

Mengxing Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Transient Ischemic Attack ◽

Recurrent Stroke ◽

Hazard Ratio ◽

Adjusted Hazard Ratio ◽

Large Artery ◽

Poor Functional Outcome ◽

Ischemic Attack

Background and Purpose: It is still unclear whether the residual cholesterol and inflammatory risk in the acute phase is associated with prognosis of stroke. We aimed to investigate the proportion and relative contribution of residual cholesterol and inflammatory risk, determined by baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, to the risk of recurrent stroke and poor functional outcome at 1 year. Methods: In this prospective multicenter cohort study, 10 499 consecutive acute ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack patients with levels of LDL-C and hsCRP were enrolled. Patients were divided into 4 groups: residual cholesterol risk only (LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L and hsCRP <3 mg/L), residual inflammatory risk (RIR) only (LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L and hsCRP ≥3 mg/L), both risk (LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L and hsCRP ≥3 mg/L), and neither risk (LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L and hsCRP <3 mg/L). The primary outcomes consisted of stroke recurrence and a modified Rankin Scale score of 2 to 6 within 1 year. Results: The relative proportions of patients with RIR only, residual cholesterol risk only, both risk, and neither were 21.3%, 23.7%, 14.4%, and 40.6%, respectively. RIR only was independently associated with recurrent stroke (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.00–1.40]; P =0.05). The association was slightly attenuated after further adjusting for usage of antiplatelet agent and statin during 1-year follow-up in addition to the traditional risk factors (hazard ratio, 1.31 [95% CI, 0.99–1.76]; P =0.07). When applying the LDL-C cutoff value of 1.8 mmol/L in the sensitivity analyses, such association in large-artery atherosclerosis subtype was more significant (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.69 [95% CI, 1.06–2.67]; P =0.03). Patients with RIR only also had increased risk of poor functional outcome (adjusted odds ratio, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.24–1.64]; P <0.0001). Conclusions: In the patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack, RIR only could be predictive for recurrent stroke, especially for those with large-artery atherosclerosis, and poor functional outcome.

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Lower Serum Potassium Levels at Admission are Associated with the Risk of Recurrent Stroke in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack

Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽

10.1159/000520052 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Anxin Wang ◽

Shuang Cao ◽

Xue Tian ◽

Yingting Zuo ◽

Xia Meng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Serum Potassium ◽

Transient Ischemic Attack ◽

Recurrent Stroke ◽

Stroke Recurrence ◽

Vascular Events ◽

Lower Serum ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Ischemic Attack

Introduction: Serum potassium abnormality is a risk factor of incident stroke, but whether it is associated with recurrent stroke in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the association of serum potassium with the risk of recurrent stroke in patients with AIS or TIA. Methods: We included 12,425 patients from the China National Stroke Registry III. Patients were classified into 3 groups according to tertiles of potassium. The outcomes were recurrence of stroke and combined vascular events at 1 year. Cox proportional hazards regression was adopted to explore the associations by calculating hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Among 12,425 enrolled patients, the median (interquartile range) of potassium was 3.92 (3.68–4.19) mmol/L. Compared with the highest tertile, after adjusted for confounding factors, the lowest tertile potassium was associated with increased risk of recurrent stroke at 1 year. The adjusted HR with 95% CI was 1.21 (1.04–1.41). There was an independent, linear association between serum potassium and stroke recurrence. Per 1 mmol/L decrease of potassium was associated with 19% higher risk of recurrent stroke (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.04–1.37). Similar trends were found in ischemic stroke and combined vascular events. Conclusions: Lower serum potassium level was independently associated with elevated risk of recurrent stroke in patients with AIS or TIA. The finding suggested that monitoring serum potassium may help physicians to identify patients at high risk of recurrent stroke and to stratify risk for optimal management.

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Insulin resistance and clinical outcomes after acute ischemic stroke

Neurology ◽

10.1212/wnl.0000000000005358 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 90 (17) ◽

pp. e1470-e1477 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Tetsuro Ago ◽

Ryu Matsuo ◽

Jun Hata ◽

Yoshinobu Wakisaka ◽

Junya Kuroda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Insulin Resistance ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Scale Score ◽

Stroke Recurrence ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Model Assessment ◽

Poor Functional Outcome

ObjectiveIn this study, we aimed to determine whether insulin resistance is associated with clinical outcomes after acute ischemic stroke.MethodsWe enrolled 4,655 patients with acute ischemic stroke (aged 70.3 ± 12.5 years, 63.5% men) who had been independent before admission; were hospitalized in 7 stroke centers in Fukuoka, Japan, from April 2009 to March 2015; and received no insulin therapy during hospitalization. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score was calculated using fasting blood glucose and insulin levels measured 8.3 ± 7.8 days after onset. Study outcomes were neurologic improvement (≥4-point decrease in NIH Stroke Scale score or 0 at discharge), poor functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of ≥3 at 3 months), and 3-month prognosis (stroke recurrence and all-cause mortality). Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of the HOMA-IR score with clinical outcomes.ResultsThe HOMA-IR score was associated with neurologic improvement (odds ratio, 0.68 [95% confidence interval, 0.56–0.83], top vs bottom quintile) and with poor functional outcome (2.02 [1.52–2.68], top vs bottom quintile) after adjusting for potential confounding factors, including diabetes and body mass index. HOMA-IR was not associated with stroke recurrence or mortality within 3 months of onset. The associations were maintained in nondiabetic or nonobese patients. No heterogeneity was observed according to age, sex, stroke subtype, or stroke severity.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that insulin resistance is independently associated with poor functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke apart from the risk of short-term stroke recurrence or mortality.

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Serum Phosphate and 1-Year Outcome in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack

Frontiers in Neurology ◽

10.3389/fneur.2021.652941 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Jun-Fang Zhang ◽

Jing Jing ◽

Xia Meng ◽

Yuesong Pan ◽

Yi-Long Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Transient Ischemic Attack ◽

Recurrent Stroke ◽

Serum Phosphate ◽

Poor Functional Outcome ◽

End Point ◽

All Cause Mortality ◽

Ischemic Attack

Objective: To determine the association between serum phosphate level and 1-year clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack.Methods: We included 7,353 patients with acute ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack from the China National Stroke Registry III for analysis. Participants were divided into 4 groups according to serum phosphate quartiles. Composite end point included recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction, other ischemic vascular events, and all-cause mortality. Poor functional outcome is defined as modified Rankin Scale score of 3 to 6. Multivariable Cox regression or logistic regression was used to evaluate the independent association of serum phosphate with 1-year all-cause mortality, recurrent stroke, composite end point and poor functional outcome.Results: The mean age of the included 7,353 patients was 62.5 years, and 68.6% of them were men. Plotting hazard ratios over phosphate levels suggested a U-shaped association especially for recurrent stroke and composite end point, and therefore the third quartile group was set as reference group. Compared with the third quartile of phosphate (1.06–1.20 mmol/L), the adjusted hazard ratios/odds ratios (95% CI) of the lowest quartile (<0.94 mmol/L) were 0.98 (0.67–1.42) for all-cause mortality, 1.31 (1.05–1.64) for stroke recurrence, 1.26 (1.02–1.57) for composite end point, and 1.27 (1.01–1.61) for poor functional outcome, and the adjusted odds ratio of the highest quartile (≥1.2 mmol/L) was 1.40 (1.11–1.77) for poor functional outcome.Conclusions: Serum phosphate may be an independent predictor of stroke recurrence, composite end point and poor functional outcome after ischemic stroke.

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Association of Level and Increase in D‐Dimer With All‐Cause Death and Poor Functional Outcome After Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack

Journal of the American Heart Association ◽

10.1161/jaha.120.018600 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Huiqing Hou ◽

Xianglong Xiang ◽

Yuesong Pan ◽

Hao Li ◽

Xia Meng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Transient Ischemic Attack ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Poor Functional Outcome ◽

Stroke Registry ◽

Poor Outcomes ◽

Ischemic Attack ◽

High Level ◽

D Dimer

Background D‐dimer is involved in poor outcomes of stroke as a coagulation biomarker. We aimed to investigate the associations of the level and increase in D‐dimer between baseline and 90 days with all‐cause death or poor functional outcome in patients after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Methods and Results We collected data from the CNSRIII (Third China National Stroke Registry) study. The present substudy included 10 518 patients within 7 days (baseline) of ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack and 6268 patients at 90 days. Poor functional outcome at 1 year was assessed on the basis of the modified Rankin Scale (≥3). Multivariable Cox regression or logistic regression was used to assess the association of D‐dimer levels with all‐cause death or poor functional outcome. D‐dimer levels at 90 days were lower than those at baseline (1.4 µg/mL versus 1.7 µg/mL; P <0.001). Higher baseline D‐dimer level was associated with all‐cause death (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.77; 95% CI, 1.25–2.52; P =0.001) and poor functional outcome (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.49; 95% CI, 1.23–1.80; P <0.001) during 1‐year follow‐up. Higher D‐dimer level at 90 days was also associated with poor outcomes independently. Furthermore, an increase in D‐dimer levels between baseline and 90 days was associated with all‐cause death (since 90 days to 1 year after index event) (adjusted HR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.12–3.53; P =0.019) but not with poor functional outcome (adjusted OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.82–1.41). Conclusions Our study shows that high level and an increase in D‐dimer between baseline and 90 days are associated with poor outcomes in patients after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack.

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Increased Growth Differentiation Factor 15 Is Associated with Unfavorable Clinical Outcomes of Acute Ischemic Stroke

Clinical Chemistry ◽

10.1373/clinchem.2018.297879 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 65 (4) ◽

pp. 569-578 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jieyun Yin ◽

Zhengbao Zhu ◽

Daoxia Guo ◽

Aili Wang ◽

Nimei Zeng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Primary Outcome ◽

Stroke Recurrence ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Vascular Events ◽

Baseline Serum ◽

Growth Differentiation Factor 15 ◽

Differentiation Factor

Abstract BACKGROUND Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), a stress-responsive biomarker, is known to be independently associated with mortality and cardiovascular events in different disease settings, but data on the prognostic value of GDF-15 after stroke are limited. METHODS Baseline serum GDF-15 was measured in 3066 acute ischemic stroke patients from the China Antihypertensive Trial in Acute Ischemic Stroke (CATIS). The primary outcome was a composite of death and major disability within 3 months. Secondary outcomes included death, major disability, vascular events, and stroke recurrence. The associations between GDF-15 and clinical outcomes after stroke were assessed by multivariate logistic regression or Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS At 3 months' follow-up, 676 (22.05%), 86 (2.80%), 81 (2.64%), and 51 (1.66%) patients had experienced major disability, death, vascular events, or stroke recurrence, respectively. After adjusting for age, sex, current smoking, alcohol consumption, and baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, the odds ratio/hazard ratio (95% CI) of 1 SD higher of base-10 log-transformed GDF-15 was 1.26 (1.15–1.39) for primary outcome, 1.13 (1.02–1.25) for major disability, 1.79 (1.48–2.16) for death, and 1.26 (1.00–1.58) for vascular events. The addition of GDF-15 to established risk factors improved risk prediction of the composite outcome of death and major disability (c-statistic, net reclassification index, and integrated discrimination improvement, all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS High GDF-15 concentrations are independently associated with adverse clinical outcomes of acute ischemic stroke, suggesting that baseline serum GDF-15 could provide additional information to identify ischemic stroke patients at high risk of poor prognosis.

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The Association between Baseline and 3-Month Albuminuria and 1-Year Prognosis of Ischemic Stroke

Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽

10.1159/000518180 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Dongxue Wang ◽

Yuesong Pan ◽

Hao Li ◽

Hongyi Yan ◽

Xia Meng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Stroke Recurrence ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Poor Functional Outcome ◽

Clinical Prognosis ◽

Stroke Outcomes ◽

Stroke Registry ◽

Confounding Variables ◽

Ischemic Attack

Introduction: The association between the changes in albuminuria levels and the clinical prognosis of stroke is unknown. The present study aimed to explore the relationships between changes in albuminuria and the risk of adverse stroke outcomes. Methods: The patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack from the Third China National Stroke Registry (CNSR-III) who had the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) detected at baseline and 3-month were recruited. They were classified into 4 groups according to baseline and 3-month ACR and followed up for 1 year. Results: A total of 5,311 patients were finally included in the study. There were 3,738 (70.4%), 483 (9.1%), 451 (8.5%), and 639 (12.0%) patients with no albuminuria, baseline albuminuria, 3-month albuminuria, and persistent albuminuria, respectively. After adjustment for confounding variables, persistent albuminuria was independently associated with all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR], 2.23; 95% CI, 1.17–4.25; p = 0.02), stroke recurrence (HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.02–2.36; p = 0.04), and poor functional outcome (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.66–2.96; p < 0.001). Baseline albuminuria was independently associated with poor functional outcome (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.19–2.28; p = 0.003), while 3-month albuminuria was independently associated with stroke recurrence (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.06–2.65; p = 0.03). Conclusions: Changes in albuminuria can predict adverse 1-year outcomes in Chinese ischemic stroke patients. In particular, persistent albuminuria was independently associated with 1-year all-cause death, stroke recurrence, and poor functional outcome.

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Intraluminal Thrombi in the Cervico-Cephalic Arteries

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.118.023015 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 50 (2) ◽

pp. 357-364 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Ravinder-Jeet Singh ◽

Debabrata Chakraborty ◽

Sadanand Dey ◽

Aravind Ganesh ◽

Abdulaziz Sulaiman Al Sultan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Scale Score ◽

Transient Ischemic Attack ◽

Computed Tomography Angiography ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Stroke Recurrence ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Ischemic Attack

Background and Purpose— Intraluminal thrombus (ILT) is an uncommon finding among patients with ischemic stroke. We report clinical-imaging manifestations, treatment offered, and outcome among patients with ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack and ILT in their cervico-cephalic arteries. Methods— Sixty-one of 3750 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (within 24 hours of onset) and ILT on initial arch-to-vertex computed tomography angiography from April 2015 through September 2017 constituted the prospective study cohort. Functional outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale score with functional independence at discharge defined as modified Rankin Scale score ≤2. Results— Prevalence of ILT on computed tomography angiography was 1.6% (95% CI, 1.2%–2.1%). Median age was 67 years (interquartile range, 56–73), and 40 subjects (65%) were male. The initial clinical presentation included transient ischemic attack in 12 (20%) and stroke in 49 patients (80%); most strokes (76%) were mild (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale ≤5). The most common ILT location was cervical carotid or vertebral artery (n=48 [79%]) followed by intracranial (n=11 [18%]) and tandem lesions (n=2 [3%]). The most common initial treatment strategy was combination antithrombotics (heparin with single antiplatelet agent) among 57 patients (93%). Follow-up computed tomography angiography (n=59), after a median 6 days (interquartile range 4–10 days), revealed thrombus resolution in 44 patients (75% [completely in 27%]). Twenty four of 30 patients (80%) with >50% residual carotid stenosis underwent carotid revascularization (endarterectomy in 15 and stenting in 9 patients) without peri-procedural complications a median of 9 days after symptom onset. In-hospital stroke recurrence occurred in 4 patients (6.6%). Functional independence was achieved in 46 patients (75%) at discharge. Conclusions— Patients presenting with acute stroke/transient ischemic attack with ILT on baseline imaging have a favorable clinical course in hospital with low stroke recurrence, high rate of thrombus resolution, and good functional outcome when treated with combination antithrombotic therapy.

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