scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 and Stroke Characteristics

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shima Shahjouei ◽  
Georgios Tsivgoulis ◽  
Ghasem Farahmand ◽  
Eric Koza ◽  
Ashkan Mowla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Health Expenditure ◽  
Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽  
Sinus Thrombosis ◽  
National Institutes Of Health ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Large Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Lower Health

Background and Purpose: Stroke is reported as a consequence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in several reports. However, data are sparse regarding the details of these patients in a multinational and large scale. Methods: We conducted a multinational observational study on features of consecutive acute ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, and cerebral venous or sinus thrombosis among SARS-CoV-2–infected patients. We further investigated the risk of large vessel occlusion, stroke severity as measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, and stroke subtype as measured by the TOAST (Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment) criteria among patients with acute ischemic stroke. In addition, we explored the neuroimaging findings, features of patients who were asymptomatic for SARS-CoV-2 infection at stroke onset, and the impact of geographic regions and countries’ health expenditure on outcomes. Results: Among the 136 tertiary centers of 32 countries who participated in this study, 71 centers from 17 countries had at least 1 eligible stroke patient. Of 432 patients included, 323 (74.8%) had acute ischemic stroke, 91 (21.1%) intracranial hemorrhage, and 18 (4.2%) cerebral venous or sinus thrombosis. A total of 183 (42.4%) patients were women, 104 (24.1%) patients were <55 years of age, and 105 (24.4%) patients had no identifiable vascular risk factors. Among acute ischemic stroke patients, 44.5% (126 of 283 patients) had large vessel occlusion; 10% had small artery occlusion according to the TOAST criteria. We observed a lower median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (8 [3–17] versus 11 [5–17]; P =0.02) and higher rate of mechanical thrombectomy (12.4% versus 2%; P <0.001) in countries with middle-to-high health expenditure when compared with countries with lower health expenditure. Among 380 patients who had known interval onset of the SARS-CoV-2 and stroke, 144 (37.8%) were asymptomatic at the time of admission for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions: We observed a considerably higher rate of large vessel occlusions, a much lower rate of small vessel occlusion and lacunar infarction, and a considerable number of young stroke when compared with the population studies before the pandemic. The rate of mechanical thrombectomy was significantly lower in countries with lower health expenditures.

scholarly journals Intra-Arterial Adjunctive Medications for Acute Ischemic Stroke During Mechanical Thrombectomy

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 1192-1202
Author(s):  
Vanessa H.E. Chen ◽  
Grace K.H. Lee ◽  
Choon-Han Tan ◽  
Aloysius S.T. Leow ◽  
Ying-Kiat Tan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽  
Risk Ratio ◽  
Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Tissue Type ◽  
Large Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose: In patients with acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion, the role of intra-arterial adjunctive medications (IAMs), such as urokinase, tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator), or glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, during mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has not been clearly established. We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of concomitant or rescue IAM for acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion patients undergoing MT. Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register databases from inception until March 13, 2020. We analyzed all studies with patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion in the anterior or posterior circulation that provided data for the two treatment arms, (1) MT+IAM and (2) MT only, and also reported on at least one of the following efficacy outcomes, recanalization and 90-day modified Rankin Scale, or safety outcomes, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and 90-day mortality. Data were collated in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Results: Sixteen nonrandomized observational studies with a total of 4581 patients were analyzed. MT only was performed in 3233 (70.6%) patients, while 1348 (29.4%) patients were treated with both MT and IAM. As compared with patients treated with MT alone, patients treated with combination therapy (MT+IAM) had a higher likelihood of achieving good functional outcome (risk ratio, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.03–1.24]) and a lower risk of 90-day mortality (risk ratio, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.72–0.94]). There was no significant difference in successful recanalization (risk ratio, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.99–1.06]) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage between the two groups (risk ratio, 1.13 [95% CI, 0.87–1.46]). Conclusions: In acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion, the use of IAM together with MT may achieve better functional outcomes and lower mortality rates. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to establish the safety and efficacy of IAM as adjunctive treatment to MT.

scholarly journals Endovascular treatment of ischemic large-vessel stroke due to infective endocarditis: case series and review of the literature

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (12) ◽  
pp. 3517-3525
Author(s):  
Lucio D’Anna
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Infective Endocarditis ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Large Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Vessel Occlusion

Abstract Background Mechanical thrombectomy is the standard of care, in selected patients, for acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion but its use in patients with stroke secondary to infective endocarditis is controversial. We report three cases of acute ischemic stroke treated by mechanical thrombectomy and we propose an extensive review of the literature to evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of thrombectomy in patients with stroke secondary to infective endocarditis. Methods A comprehensive literature search was performed following a pre-specified protocol of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Case reports, cases series, cross-sectional studies, case control studies, randomized controlled trials or nonrandomized controlled trials were considered that included endocarditis-related acute ischemic stroke patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy. Results The database search yielded 431 relevant records published until January 2020. Nineteen articles fulfilled the eligibility criteria that described thirty patients. After the thrombectomy, 13.3% of the patients experienced intracranial haemorrhage. After the procedure, the median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score dropped from 15 (IQR 7) to 2.5 (IQR 5.75). At 90 days, mortality was 23.3% while 46.7% of the patients were functionally independent (mRS ≤ 2). Discussion Based on our review, the use of mechanical thrombectomy in patients with large vessel occlusion due to endocarditis-associated stroke might improve patient outcome but it should be considered on a case by case base as the safety has not been well established yet. Further research on risk stratification is needed to drive clinician during the decision-making process.

scholarly journals Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke due to Large Vessel Occlusion With COVID-19

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (8) ◽  
pp. 2540-2543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Escalard ◽  
Benjamin Maïer ◽  
Hocine Redjem ◽  
François Delvoye ◽  
Solène Hébert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽  
Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽  
Stroke Onset ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Large Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Neurological Improvement ◽  
Poor Outcomes

Background and Purpose: Higher rates of strokes have been observed in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but data regarding the outcomes of COVID-19 patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO) are lacking. We report our initial experience in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke with LVO in patients with COVID-19. Methods: All consecutive patients with COVID-19 with acute ischemic stroke due to LVO treated in our institution during the 6 first weeks of the COVID-19 outbreak were included. Baseline clinical and radiological findings, treatment, and short-term outcomes are reported. Results: We identified 10 patients with confirmed COVID-19 treated for an acute ischemic stroke due to LVO. Eight were men, with a median age of 59.5 years. Seven had none or mild symptoms of COVID-19 at stroke onset. Median time from COVID-19 symptoms to stroke onset was 6 days. All patients had brain imaging within 3 hours from symptoms onset. Five patients had multi-territory LVO. Five received intravenous alteplase. All patients had mechanical thrombectomy. Nine patients achieved successful recanalization (mTICI2B-3), none experienced early neurological improvement, 4 had early cerebral reocclusion, and a total of 6 patients (60%) died in the hospital. Conclusions: Best medical care including early intravenous thrombolysis, and successful and prompt recanalization achieved with mechanical thrombectomy, resulted in poor outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Although our results require further confirmation, a different pharmacological approach (antiplatelet or other) should be investigated to take in account inflammatory and coagulation disorders associated with COVID-19.

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