Abstract P654: Predicting Afib in Cryptogenic Ischemic Stroke Patients With Implantable Loop Recorders

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claribel D Wee ◽  
Tejeswi Suryadevara ◽  
Husitha Vanguru ◽  
Rashid Ahmed ◽  
Danielle Hawley ◽  
...  

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (Afib) detection in cryptogenic stroke is difficult but essential because it changes management. We describe a scoring system that discriminates between cryptogenic ischemic stroke patients with implantable loop recorder (ILR) that were and were not found to have Afib. Consecutive cryptogenic stroke cases from cardiology’s ILR registry for a 2-year period (7/2017-7/2019) were reviewed. We used standardized case report forms to perform chart abstraction. Cases were excluded if ILR was not placed after the index stroke event, stroke etiology workup was not available, or data was incomplete. Patients found to have Afib on ILR were compared to those without evidence of Afib on ILR. We devised a novel scoring system using variables associated with Afib detection and compared its ability to classify Afib detection against CHA2DS2-VASc and LADS. One hundred fifty-seven patients met inclusion criteria. Afib was detected in 12% of cases (9% at 6 months, 10% at 12 months). The median time from ILR placement to Afib detection was 110 days (IQR 37, 507). Median time from Afib detection to the start of anticoagulation was 3 days (IQR 0, 8). The PAL-CrISP score ranges 0 to 7: age (70=0, ≥70=4), history of antihypertensive medication (no=0, yes=2), PR interval (≤200msec=0, >200msec=1). Of those found to have Afib via ILR, 74% (14/19) had a PAL-CrISP score ≥ 6. PAL-CrISP performed better at predicting Afib detection in cryptogenic ischemic stroke patients with ILR (AUC 0.810, 95% CI 0.706-0.913) than CHA2DS2-VASc (AUC 0.650, 95% CI 0.525-0.774) and LADS (AUC 0.745, 95% CI 0.624-0.866). Using only age, home medication review, and an EKG, the novel PAL-CrISP score performs better at predicting Afib detection than the CHA2DS2-VASc and LADS scores in cryptogenic ischemic stroke patients with an ILR.

Stroke ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Z Obeidat ◽  
Heidi Sucharew ◽  
Charles J Moomaw ◽  
Dawn O Kleindorfer ◽  
Brett M Kissela ◽  
...  

Background: Current knowledge on ischemic stroke in sarcoid patients stems from sporadic case reports. The mechanism is thought to be related to granulomatous involvement of brain vasculature. However, clinical, demographic, and radiographic features of sarcoid patients with ischemic stroke are lacking. If sarcoid patients are at higher risk for ischemic stroke event, we hypothesized that the risk factors for ischemic stroke and stroke subtype distribution would differ between sarcoid and non-sarcoid ischemic stroke patients. Methods: Cases of ischemic stroke were identified for the years 2005 and 2010 from the population-based Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Stroke Study (population 1.3 million). Ischemic stroke cases were physician study confirmed and patients with a history of sarcoid were identified through medical chart review. Clinical variables were compared between stroke patients with history of sarcoid and those with no prior sarcoid history. Results: A total of 4258 cases of ischemic stroke were identified; of them, only 18 had prior diagnosis of sarcoid (0.04%). Brain MRI showed diffusion restriction in 14 out of 15 (93%) MRIs performed in sarcoid patients. The table presents risk factor and subtype data on sarcoid patients compared with non-sarcoid patients. Conclusions: We identified only a few cases of prior sarcoid history in our two-year ascertainment of ischemic stroke patients in our population. In comparison with stroke patients with no prior history of sarcoid, the sarcoid patients tended to be of younger age at presentation, female, have a history of diabetes and hyperlipidemia, and more likely of African descent, perhaps related to the diagnosis of sarcoid itself. We were unable to detect differences in stroke subtype distributions between sarcoid and non-sarcoid ischemic stroke patients.


CNS Spectrums ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 567-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven R. Levine

AbstractBlood disorders have been implicated in ~5% to 10% of ischemic stroke, with an increased frequency in younger patients. Most disorders are associated with an increased thrombotic tendency and, therefore, an increased risk of ischemic stroke. Less commonly, a bleeding diathesis may predispose a patient to intracranial hemorrhage. While many conditions predisposing to thrombosis have been associated with stroke, there are relatively few prospective, epidemiological studies addressing hypercoagulable states and arterial stroke compared with the number of studies on the genetic thrombophilias, which are predominantly associated with venous thrombosis. When ordering tests of coagulation in stroke patients, one should keep in mind whether the results will influence therapy and/or patient outcome. It is generally not advocated to screen all stroke patients for a “hypercoagulable workup”. Typically, patients to be screened for coagulation defects will have a prior history of one or more unexplained thromboembolic events. The yield for diagnosing a hypercoagulable state is typically greatest for young stroke patients or those with a family history of thrombosis and who have no other explanations for their stroke (cryptogenic stroke). The yield in typically low in unselected ischemic stroke patients and older patients. Treatment of a first stroke with a documented hypercoagulable state is typically long-term or indefinite duration warfarin, although there is a paucity of clinical trial data supporting this clinical approach.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessie Ze-Jun Chen ◽  
Vincent N. Thijs

Purpose: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is associated with ischemic stroke, especially in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source. This study aims to evaluate the presence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in ischemic stroke patients with PFO.Methods: We systematically searched EMBASE and MEDLINE databases on May 21, 2020 for studies that analyzed the presence of AF in patients with PFO. The primary outcome was the presence of AF in patients with PFO compared with those without. Outcomes were pooled using a random-effects model using the method of DerSimonian and Laird. We recorded demographic characteristics and the methods used for AF detection in the studies included (unspecified, history/medical records review, ECG, Holter monitor, or loop recorder).Results: A total of 14 studies and 13,245 patients fulfilled the entry criteria. The average age was 61.2 years and 41.3% of the participants were female. There was a lower risk of AF in patients with PFO compared with those without (RR 0.52, 95% confidence interval, 0.41–0.63, p < 0.001). There was no evidence of heterogeneity. The lower risk of AF was found in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies and in studies stratified by average age (<60 or ≥60) and in cryptogenic stroke. Meta-regression by PFO detection technique suggested that studies using transoesophageal echocardiogram for PFO detection reported higher risk of AF (1.39, 95% confidence interval 1.14–1.70, p = 0.004).Conclusion: The presence of a PFO in patients with ischemic stroke/TIA may be associated with a lower risk of AF. Few studies have estimated the risk of future AF in patients with PFO.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Santucci ◽  
Takashi Shimoyama ◽  
Ken Uchino

Introduction: Electrocardiogram (ECG) findings of premature atrial contraction and prolonged PR interval are associated with risk of onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in cryptogenic stroke. We sought to see if normal ECG and AF incidence is incompletely understood. Methods: From a prospective single-hospital stroke registry from 2018, we identified ischemic stroke patients who had ECG done on admission for review. We excluded patients with AF on admission ECG, history of AF, and implanted device with cardiac monitoring capability. Normal ECG was interpreted based on the standardized reporting guidelines for ECG studies evaluating risk stratification of emergency department patients. Stroke subtype was diagnosed according to the TOAST classification: large artery atherosclerosis (LAA), small vessel occlusion (SVO), cardioembolism, others/undetermined and embolic stoke of undetermined source (ESUS) criteria. We compared the incidence of newly diagnosed AF during hospitalization and from outpatient cardiac event monitoring between normal and abnormal ECG. Results: Of the 558 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients, we excluded 135 with AF on admission ECG or history of AF and 9 with implanted devices. Of the remaining 414 patients that were included in the study, ESUS (31.2%) was the most frequent stroke subtype, followed by LAA (30.0%), SVO (14.0%), others/undetermined (15.7%), and cardioembolism (9.2%). Normal ECG was observed in 125 patients (30.2%). Cardioembolic subtype was less frequent in the normal versus abnormal ECG group (1.6% vs. 12.5%, p<0.001). New AF was detected in 17/414 patients (4.1%) during hospitalization. Of these 17 patients, none had normal ECG (0/125) and all had abnormal ECG (17/289, 5.9%) (p=0.002). After discharge, of 111 patients undergoing 4-week outpatient cardiac monitoring, new AF was detected in 16 (14.4%). Of these 16 patients, only 1 had a normal ECG (1/35, 2.9%) while 15 had abnormal ECG (15/76, 19.7%) (p=0.02). Conclusions: Normal ECG at admission for acute ischemic stroke is associated with low likelihood of detection of new atrial fibrillation in either the inpatient or outpatient setting.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ganesh Asaithambi ◽  
Jane E Monita ◽  
Sandra K Hanson

Background: The use of insertable cardiac monitors (ICM) has increased the rate of detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) among cryptogenic stroke (CS) patients. We describe a single-center experience for AF detection among CS patients receiving ICMs upon discharge after the index stroke event and attempt to identify predictors for early AF detection. Methods: From April 2014 to April 2016, patients receiving ICMs upon discharge for CS who underwent >90 days of monitoring were reviewed. Time from ICM placement to AF detection, chronic underlying medical illnesses, presence of left atrial dilatation (LAD) on echocardiography, and PR interval on admission EKG were assessed as predictors of early AF detection. Results: A total of 114 patients met inclusion criteria and were followed for a median of 415 [268, 557] days. Among these 32 patients (28.1%) were found to have AF at a median of 53 [5, 132] days from ICM placement. Patients with AF detected <30 days from ICM placement had lower rates of hyperlipidemia (35.7% vs 88.9%, p=0.003) and higher rates of hypertension (100% vs 66.7%, p=0.02), tobaccoism (85.7% vs 33.3%, p=0.005), LAD (64.3% vs 16.7%, p=0.01), and prolonged PR interval (195.3±43.2 ms vs 170.3±23.4 ms, p=0.04) compared to patients with AF detected >30 days from ICM placement. Conclusion: More than one-quarter of CS patients monitored for >90 days with an ICM were found to have previously undiagnosed AF. The majority of patients with AF detected were identified >30 days after their index CS event. Among patients in whom AF was ultimately detected by the ICM, AF may be identified earlier among patients with hypertension and tobaccoism in combination with LAD and prolonged PR interval. Prospective studies are needed to better identify predictors for early AF among the broader population of all CS patients.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anusha Boyanpally ◽  
Sleiman El Jamal ◽  
Michael Reznik ◽  
Tina Burton ◽  
Shawna Cutting ◽  
...  

Introduction: Carotid web is a putative mechanism of cryptogenic ischemic stroke. We aimed to determine the prevalence of carotid web based on assigned stroke mechanism, and hypothesized that carotid webs would be found more frequently in younger cryptogenic stroke patients. Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study using institutional registry data from consecutive patients with confirmed anterior circulation ischemic stroke between July 2015-September 2017. We reviewed all available computed tomography angiogram (CTA) studies of the neck, and excluded patients who did not have a high-quality CTA of the neck performed. Carotid web was defined as a thin shelf of non-calcified tissue protruding into the lumen of the internal carotid artery immediately distal to the bifurcation, best visualized on sagittal oblique imaging and evident as a small septum on axial imaging. Stroke subtype was adjudicated a priori using validated methods, and we compared relevant risk factors in patients with cryptogenic stroke with and without carotid web. Results: We identified 882 patients with anterior circulation stroke who had a CTA neck available for review (49.3% male, 30% cryptogenic). A total of 7 patients (0.8%) were found to have carotid webs, of which 4 were ipsilateral to a patient’s stroke; all patients with ipsilateral carotid webs were adjudicated to have cryptogenic stroke. Patients with carotid web were younger than other patients in our cohort (age 49.0±14.6 vs. 72.2±14.9 years, p=0.003), and none of them had a history of hypertension (0% vs. 72%, p=0.04). In patients with cryptogenic stroke, overall prevalence of carotid webs was 1.5%, but the prevalence was significantly higher in younger cryptogenic stroke patients (age <60: 4.8%; age ≥60: 0.5%; p=0.01). Imaging findings that mimicked carotid webs, including non-calcified atherosclerosis and small protruding lesions, were prevalent in 8.3% of all patients. Discussion: Carotid web may represent an under-recognized occult mechanism of cryptogenic stroke, particularly amongst younger patients.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Betty A McGee ◽  
Melissa Stephenson

Background and Purpose: Thrombolytic therapy is a key link in the stroke chain of survival. Data suggests that four components are vital in decreasing door to thrombolytic administration in acute stroke patients eligible for treatment. Analysis of system data, pre and post implementation of a Door to Needle Project, afforded the opportunity to assess. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that commitment, collaboration, communication, and consistency (referred to as Four C’s) are vital in improving door to thrombolytic administration time in ischemic stroke patients. Methods: In this quantitative study, we utilized case data collected by a quality improvement team serving five emergency departments within a healthcare system. We retrospectively reviewed times of thrombolytic administration from admission to the emergency department in acute ischemic stroke patients. Cases were included based on eligibility criteria from American Heart Association’s Get With the Guidelines. Times from 2019 were compared with times through April 2020, before and after implementation of the project, which had multidisciplinary process interventions that reinforced the Four C’s. Results: The data revealed a 13.5 % reduction in median administration time. Cases assessed from 2019 had a median time of 52 minutes from door to thrombolytic administration, 95% CI [47.0, 59.0], n = 52. Cases assessed through April 2020 had a median time of 45 minutes from door to thrombolytic administration, 95% CI [39.0, 57.5], n = 18. Comparing cases through April 2020 to those of 2019, there were improvements of 38.1% fewer cases for administration in greater than 60 minutes and 27.8% fewer cases for administration in greater than 45 minutes. Conclusion: The hypothesis that Four C’s are vital in improving door to thrombolytic administration was validated by a decrease in median administration time as well as a reduction in cases exceeding targeted administration times. The impact to clinical outcomes is significant as improving administration time directly impacts the amount of tissue saved. Ongoing initiatives encompassing the Four C’s, within a Cerebrovascular System of Care, are essential in optimizing outcomes in acute stroke patients.


Stroke ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethem Murat Arsava ◽  
Ezgi Yetim ◽  
Ugur Canpolat ◽  
Necla Ozer ◽  
Kudret Aytemir ◽  
...  

Background: The role of short-lasting (<30 sec) runs of atrial fibrillation (AF) in ischemic stroke pathophysiology is currently unknown. Although these non-sustained attacks are considered as a risk factor for future development of longer lasting, classical AF episodes, prior research has highlighted that associated clinical stroke features are not entirely similar between these two types of arrhythmias. In this study we determined the prevalence of short-lasting AF in stroke-free controls and compared it to a consecutive series of ischemic stroke patients. Methods: A total 235 controls, without any prior history stroke or AF, were evaluated with ECG and 24-hour Holter monitoring for the presence of <30-sec or ≥30-sec lasting AF episodes. The results were compared to a consecutive series of ischemic stroke patients without prior history of AF (n=456). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine demographic and cardiovascular factors related to <30-sec lasting AF and its association with ischemic stroke. Results: Expectedly, the frequency of newly diagnosed ≥30-sec lasting AF, detected either on ECG or Holter monitoring, was significantly higher in patients with ischemic stroke (18% vs. 2%; p<0.01). Non-sustained AF was positively related to old age (p<0.01), female gender (p=0.01) and hypertension (p<0.01) in univariate analyses. In multivariate analyses, after adjustment for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors, presence of non-sustained AF was significantly higher among both cryptogenic (OR 1.78; 95% CI 1.02-3.10) and non-cryptogenic (OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.15-2.94) stroke patients with respect to controls. Conclusion: Our study shows a higher prevalence of non-sustained AF episodes in ischemic stroke patients in comparison to controls. Whether this cross-sectional association translates into causality in terms of stroke pathophysiology will be the subject of future studies.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Durgesh Chaudhary ◽  
Ayesha Khan ◽  
Mudit Gupta ◽  
Yirui Hu ◽  
Jiang Li ◽  
...  

Introduction: Obesity is an established risk factor for ischemic stroke but the association of increased body mass index (BMI) with survival after ischemic stroke remains controversial. Many studies have shown that increased BMI has a “protective” effect on survival after stroke while other studies have debunked the obesity paradox. This study aimed at examining the relationship between BMI and all-cause mortality at one year in first-time ischemic stroke patients using data extracted from different resources including electronic health records. Methods: We analyzed consecutive ischemic stroke patients captured in the Geisinger NeuroScience Ischemic Stroke (GNSIS) database. Survival in first-time ischemic stroke patients was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimator, stratified by different BMI categories. The predictors of mortality at one-year were assessed using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Among 6,703 first-time adult ischemic stroke patients, mean age was 70.2 ±13.5 years and 52% were men. Of these patients, 24% patients were non-overweight (BMI < 25), 34% were overweight (BMI 25-29.9) and 41% were obese (BMI ≥ 30). One-year survival probability was significantly higher in overweight patients (87%, 95% CI: [85.6 - 88.4], p<0.001) and obese patients (89.5%, 95% CI: [88.4 - 90.7], p<0.001) compared to non-overweight patients (78.1%, 95% CI: [76.0 - 80.1]). In multivariate analysis, one-year mortality was significantly lower in overweight and obese patients (overweight patients- HR = 0.61 [95% CI, 0.52 - 0.72]; obese patients- HR = 0.56 [95% CI, 0.48 - 0.67]). Other significant predictors of one-year mortality were age at the ischemic stroke event (HR = 1.04 [95% CI, 1.03 - 1.04]), history of neoplasm (HR = 1.59 [95% CI, 1.38 - 1.85]), atrial fibrillation or flutter (HR = 1.26 [95% CI, 1.09 - 1.46]), heart failure (HR = 1.68 [95% CI, 1.42 - 1.98]), diabetes mellitus (HR = 1.27 [95% CI, 1.1 - 1.47]), rheumatic disease (HR = 1.37 [95% CI, 1.05 - 1.78]) and myocardial infarction ((HR = 1.23 [95% CI, 1.02 - 1.48]). Conclusion: Our results support the obesity paradox in ischemic stroke patients as shown by a significantly decreased hazard ratio for one-year mortality among overweight and obese patients in comparison to non-overweight patients.


Author(s):  
Chase A Rathfoot ◽  
Camron Edressi ◽  
Carolyn B Sanders ◽  
Krista Knisely ◽  
Nicolas Poupore ◽  
...  

Introduction : Previous research into the administration of rTPA therapy in acute ischemic stroke patients has largely focused on the general population, however the comorbid clinical factors held by stroke patients are important factors in clinical decision making. One such comorbid condition is Atrial Fibrillation. The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical factors associated with the administration of rtPA in Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) patients specifically with a past medical history of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). Methods : The data for this analysis was collected at a regional stroke center from January 2010 to June 2016 in Greenville, SC. It was then analyzed retrospectively using a multivariate logistic regression to identify factors significantly associated with the inclusion or exclusion receiving rtPA therapy in the AIS/AFib patient population. This inclusion or exclusion is presented as an Odds Ratio and all data was analyzed using IBM SPSS. Results : A total of 158 patients with Atrial Fibrillation who had Acute Ischemic Strokes were identified. For the 158 patients, the clinical factors associated with receiving rtPA therapy were a Previous TIA event (OR = 12.155, 95% CI, 1.125‐131.294, P < 0.040), the administration of Antihypertensive medication before admission (OR = 7.157, 95% CI, 1.071‐47.837, P < 0.042), the administration of Diabetic medication before admission (OR = 13.058, 95% CI, 2.004‐85.105, P < 0.007), and serum LDL level (OR = 1.023, 95% CI, 1.004‐1.042, P < 0.16). Factors associated with not receiving rtPA therapy included a past medical history of Depression (OR = 0.012, 95% CI, 0.000‐0.401, P < 0.013) or Obesity (OR = 0.131, 95% CI, 0.034‐0.507, P < 0.003), Direct Admission to the Neurology Floor (OR = 0.179, 95% CI, 0.050‐0.639, P < 0.008), serum Lipid level (OR = 0.544, 95% CI, 0.381‐0.984, P < 0.044), and Diastolic Blood Pressure (OR = 0.896, 95% CI, 0.848‐0.946, P < 0.001). Conclusions : The results of this study demonstrate that there are significant associations between several clinical risk factors, patient lab values, and hospital admission factors in the administration of rTPA therapy to AIS patients with a past medical history of Atrial Fibrillation. Further research is recommended to determine the extent and reasoning behind of these associations as well as their impact on the clinical course for AIS/AFib patients.


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