Cerebrovascular events and outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: The SVIN COVID-19 Multinational Registry

Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been associated with a significant risk of thrombotic events in critically ill patients. Aim To summarize the findings of a multinational observational cohort of patients with SARS-CoV-2 and cerebrovascular disease. Methods Retrospective observational cohort of consecutive adults evaluated in the emergency department and/or admitted with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) across 31 hospitals in four countries (1 February 2020–16 June 2020). The primary outcome was the incidence rate of cerebrovascular events, inclusive of acute ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhages (ICH), and cortical vein and/or sinus thrombosis (CVST). Results Of the 14,483 patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2, 172 were diagnosed with an acute cerebrovascular event (1.13% of cohort; 1130/100,000 patients, 95%CI 970–1320/100,000), 68/171 (40.5%) were female and 96/172 (55.8%) were between the ages 60 and 79 years. Of these, 156 had acute ischemic stroke (1.08%; 1080/100,000 95%CI 920–1260/100,000), 28 ICH (0.19%; 190/100,000 95%CI 130–280/100,000), and 3 with CVST (0.02%; 20/100,000, 95%CI 4–60/100,000). The in-hospital mortality rate for SARS-CoV-2-associated stroke was 38.1% and for ICH 58.3%. After adjusting for clustering by site and age, baseline stroke severity, and all predictors of in-hospital mortality found in univariate regression (p < 0.1: male sex, tobacco use, arrival by emergency medical services, lower platelet and lymphocyte counts, and intracranial occlusion), cryptogenic stroke mechanism (aOR 5.01, 95%CI 1.63–15.44, p < 0.01), older age (aOR 1.78, 95%CI 1.07–2.94, p = 0.03), and lower lymphocyte count on admission (aOR 0.58, 95%CI 0.34–0.98, p = 0.04) were the only independent predictors of mortality among patients with stroke and COVID-19. Conclusions COVID-19 is associated with a small but significant risk of clinically relevant cerebrovascular events, particularly ischemic stroke. The mortality rate is high for COVID-19-associated cerebrovascular complications; therefore, aggressive monitoring and early intervention should be pursued to mitigate poor outcomes.

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Abstract P75: Cerebrovascular Events and Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients With Covid-19: The Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology Multinational Registry

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.52.suppl_1.p75 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

James E Siegler ◽

Pere Portela ◽

Juan F Arenillas ◽

Alba Chavarria-Miranda ◽

Ana Guillen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Mortality Rate ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Cryptogenic Stroke ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Cerebrovascular Event ◽

Cerebrovascular Events ◽

Observational Cohort

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been associated with a significant risk of thrombotic events in critically ill patients. Aims: To summarize the findings of a multinational observational cohort of patients with SARS-CoV-2 and cerebrovascular disease. Methods: Retrospective observational cohort of consecutive adults evaluated in the emergency department and/or admitted with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) across 31 hospitals in 4 countries (2/1/2020 - 06/16/2020). The primary outcome was the incidence rate of cerebrovascular events, inclusive of acute ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhages (ICH), and cortical vein and/or sinus thrombosis (CVST). Results: Of the 14,483 patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2, 172 were diagnosed with an acute cerebrovascular event (1.13% of cohort; 1130/100,000 patients, 95%CI 970-1320/100,000), 68/171 (40.5%) of whom were female and 96/172 (55.8%) were between the ages 60-79 years. Of these, 156 had acute ischemic stroke (1.08%; 1080/100,000 95%CI 920-1260/100,000), 28 ICH (0.19%; 190/100,000 95%CI 130 - 280/100,000) and 3 with CVST (0.02%; 20/100,000, 95%CI 4-60/100,000). The in-hospital mortality rate for SARS-CoV-2-associated stroke was 38.1% and for ICH 58.3%. After adjusting for clustering by site and age, baseline stroke severity, and all predictors of in-hospital mortality found in univariate regression (p<0.1: male sex, tobacco use, arrival by emergency medical services, lower platelet and lymphocyte counts, and intracranial occlusion), cryptogenic stroke mechanism (aOR 5.01, 95%CI 1.63-15.44, p<0.01), older age (aOR 1.78, 95%CI 1.07-2.94, p=0.03), and lower lymphocyte count on admission (aOR 0.58, 95%CI 0.34-0.98 p=0.04) were the only independent predictors of mortality among patients with stroke and COVID-19. Conclusions: COVID-19 is associated with a small but significant risk of clinically relevant cerebrovascular events, particularly ischemic stroke. The mortality rate is high for COVID-19 associated cerebrovascular complications, therefore aggressive monitoring and early intervention should be pursued to mitigate poor outcomes.

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Abstract MP29: Effects of System-Level Factors on Race/Ethnic Differences in In-Hospital Mortality After Acute Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.52.suppl_1.mp29 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Abdullah Ibish ◽

Philip Sun ◽

Daniela Markovic ◽

Roland Faigle ◽

Rebecca F Gottesman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Black Women ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Cause Of Death ◽

Primary Diagnosis ◽

System Level ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Race Ethnicity ◽

Minority Men

Introduction: Stroke mortality has declined, with differential changes by race; stroke is now the 5 th leading cause of death overall, but 2 nd leading cause of death in blacks. Little is known about recent race/ethnic trends in in-hospital mortality after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and whether system-level factors contribute to possible differences. Methods: Using the National Inpatient Sample, adults (>18 yrs) with a primary diagnosis of AIS from 2006 to 2017 (n=763,808) were identified. We assessed in-hospital mortality by race/ethnicity (white, black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander [API], other), sex, and age. Hospitals were categorized by proportion of minority patients served: <25% minority (white hospitals); 25-50% (mixed hospitals), and >50% (minority hospitals). Using survey adjusted logistic regression, the association between race/ethnicity and odds of mortality was assessed, adjusting for key sociodemographic, clinical, and hospital characteristics (e.g. age, comorbidities, stroke severity, DNR status, and palliative care). Results: Overall, mortality decreased from 5.0% in 2006 to 2.9% in 2017, p<0.001. Comparing 2006-2011 to 2012-2017, there was a 66% reduction in mortality after adjustment for covariates, most prominent in whites (68%) and smallest in blacks (58%). Compared to whites, blacks and Hispanics had lower adjusted odds of mortality (AOR 0.82, 95% CI 0.78-0.86 and AOR 0.92, CI 0.86-0.98), primarily driven by those >65 yrs (age x ethnicity interaction p = 0.003). Compared to white men, black, Hispanic, and API men and black women had lower odds of mortality. Adjusted mortality was lower in minorities vs. whites and most pronounced in white hospitals (white: AOR 0.78, 0.73-0.85; mixed: 0.85, 0.80-0.91; minority: 0.89, 0.82-0.95; interaction effect: p=0.018). These differences were present for both minority men and women in white and mixed hospitals, but not women in minority hospitals. Discussion: AIS mortality decreased dramatically in recent years. Overall, black and Hispanic AIS patients have lower mortality than whites, a difference that is most striking in white hospitals. Further study is needed to understand these differences and to what extent biological, sociocultural, and system-level factors play a role.

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Elevation of troponin I in acute ischemic stroke

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.1866 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. e1866 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Yu-Chin Su ◽

Kuo-Feng Huang ◽

Fu-Yi Yang ◽

Shinn-Kuang Lin

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Acute Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Barthel Index ◽

Troponin I ◽

Clinical Deterioration ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Nihss Score ◽

Poor Outcome

Background. Cardiac morbidities account for 20% of deaths after ischemic stroke and is the second commonest cause of death in acute stroke population. Elevation of cardiac troponin has been regarded as a prognostic biomarker of poor outcome in patients with acute stroke.Methods. This retrospective study enrolled 871 patients with acute ischemic stroke from August 2010 to March 2015. Data included vital signs, laboratory parameters collected in the emergency department, and clinical features during hospitalization. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Barthel index, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were used to assess stroke severity and outcome.Results.Elevated troponin I (TnI) > 0.01 µg/L was observed in 146 (16.8%) patients. Comparing to patients with normal TnI, patients with elevated TnI were older (median age 77.6 years vs. 73.8 years), had higher median heart rates (80 bpm vs. 78 bpm), higher median white blood cells (8.40 vs. 7.50 1,000/m3) and creatinine levels (1.40 mg/dL vs. 1.10 mg/dL), lower median hemoglobin (13.0 g/dL vs. 13.7 g/dL) and hematocrit (39% vs. 40%) levels, higher median NIHSS scores on admission (11 vs. 4) and at discharge (8 vs. 3), higher median mRS scores (4 vs3) but lower Barthel index scores (20 vs. 75) at discharge (p< 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that age ≥ 76 years (OR 2.25, CI [1.59–3.18]), heart rate ≥ 82 bpm (OR 1.47, CI [1.05–2.05]), evidence of clinical deterioration (OR 9.45, CI [4.27–20.94]), NIHSS score ≥ 12 on admission (OR 19.52, CI [9.59–39.73]), and abnormal TnI (OR 1.98, CI [1.18–3.33]) were associated with poor outcome. Significant factors for in-hospital mortality included male gender (OR 3.69, CI [1.45–9.44]), evidence of clinical deterioration (OR 10.78, CI [4.59–25.33]), NIHSS score ≥ 12 on admission (OR 8.08, CI [3.04–21.48]), and elevated TnI level (OR 5.59, CI [2.36–13.27]).C-statistics revealed that abnormal TnI improved the predictive power of both poor outcome and in-hospital mortality. Addition of TnI > 0.01 ug/L or TnI > 0.1 ug/L to the model-fitting significantly improvedc-statistics for in-hospital mortality from 0.887 to 0.926 (p= 0.019) and 0.927 (p= 0.028), respectively.Discussion.Elevation of TnI during acute stroke is a strong independent predictor for both poor outcome and in-hospital mortality. Careful investigation of possible concomitant cardiac disorders is warranted for patients with abnormal troponin levels.

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The Impact of Post-contrast Acute Kidney Injury on In-hospital Mortality After Endovascular Thrombectomy in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke

Frontiers in Neurology ◽

10.3389/fneur.2021.665614 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Mona Laible ◽

Ekkehart Jenetzky ◽

Markus Alfred Möhlenbruch ◽

Martin Bendszus ◽

Peter Arthur Ringleb ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Kidney Injury ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Kidney Injury ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Post Contrast ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy ◽

Symptomatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽

The Impact

Background and Purpose: Clinical outcome and mortality after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in patients with ischemic stroke are commonly assessed after 3 months. In patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), unfavorable results for 3-month mortality have been reported. However, data on the in-hospital mortality after EVT in this population are sparse. In the present study, we assessed whether AKI impacts in-hospital and 3-month mortality in patients undergoing EVT.Materials and Methods: From a prospectively recruiting database, consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients receiving EVT between 2010 and 2018 due to acute large vessel occlusion were included. Post-contrast AKI (PC-AKI) was defined as an increase of baseline creatinine of ≥0.5 mg/dL or >25% within 48 h after the first measurement at admission. Adjusting for potential confounders, associations between PC-AKI and mortality after stroke were tested in univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.Results: One thousand one hundred sixty-nine patients were included; 166 of them (14.2%) died during the acute hospital stay. Criteria for PC-AKI were met by 29 patients (2.5%). Presence of PC-AKI was associated with a significantly higher risk of in-hospital mortality in multivariate analysis [odds ratio (OR) = 2.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16–7.13, p = 0.023]. Furthermore, factors associated with in-hospital mortality encompassed higher age (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.01–1.04, p = 0.002), stroke severity (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.03–1.08, p < 0.001), symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (OR = 3.20, 95% CI = 1.69–6.04, p < 0.001), posterior circulation stroke (OR = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.72–4.71, p < 0.001), and failed recanalization (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.35–3.00, p = 0.001).Conclusion: PC-AKI is rare after EVT but represents an important risk factor for in-hospital mortality and for mortality within 3 months after hospital discharge. Preventing PC-AKI after EVT may represent an important and potentially lifesaving effort in future daily clinical practice.

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Abstract P397: Outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Presenting With Impaired Level of Consciousness

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.52.suppl_1.p397 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Ayham Alkhachroum ◽

Antonio Bustillo ◽

Negar Asdaghi ◽

Erika T Marulanda-londono ◽

Carolina M Gutierrez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Length Of Stay ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Early Recovery ◽

Hospital Size ◽

Stroke Registry ◽

Level Of Consciousness

Background: Impaired level of consciousness (LOC) on presentation after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) may affect outcomes and the decision to withdraw life-sustaining treatment (WLST). We aim to investigate the outcomes and their trends after AISby the LOC on stroke presentation. Methods: We studied 238,989 cases with AIS in the Florida Stroke Registry from 2010-2019. Pearson chi-squared and Kruskall-Wallis tests were used to compare descriptive statistics. A multivariable-logistic regression with GEE accounted for basic demographics, comorbidities, stroke severity, location, hospital size and teaching status. Results: At stroke presentation, 32,861 (14%) cases had impaired LOC (mean age 77, 54% women, 60 white%, 19% Black, 16% Hispanic). Compared to cases with preserved LOC, impaired cases were older (77 vs. 72 years old), more women (54% vs. 48%), had more comorbidities, greater stroke severity on NIHSS ≥ 5 (49% vs. 27%), higher WLST rates (3% vs. 0.6%), and greater in-hospital mortality rates (9% vs. 3%). In our adjusted model however, no significant association was found between impaired LOC and in-hospital mortality, or length of stay. Those with preserved LOC were more likely discharged home/rehab (OR 0.7, 95%CI 0.6-0.8, p<0.0001) and more likely to ambulate independently (OR 0.7, 95%CI 0.6-0.9, p=0.001). Trend analysis (2010-2019) showed decreased mortality, increased length of stay, and increased rates of discharge to home/rehab in all irrespective of LOC status. Conclusion: In this large multicenter registry, AIS cases presenting with impaired LOC had more severe strokes at presentation. Although LOC was not associated with significantly worse in-hospital morality, it was associated with higher rates of WLST and more disability among survivors. Future efforts should focus on biomarkers of LOC that discriminates the potential for early recovery and reduced disability in acute stroke patients with impaired LOC.

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National trends in outcomes of ischemic stroke and prognostic influence of stroke center capability in Japan, 2010–2016

International Journal of Stroke ◽

10.1177/1747493019884526 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 174749301988452 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Akiko Kada ◽

Kuniaki Ogasawara ◽

Takanari Kitazono ◽

Kunihiro Nishimura ◽

Nobuyuki Sakai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Poor Outcomes ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center

Background Limited national-level information on temporal trends in comprehensive stroke center capabilities and their effects on acute ischemic stroke patients exists. Aims To examine trends in in-hospital outcomes of acute ischemic stroke patients and the prognostic influence of temporal changes in comprehensive stroke center capabilities in Japan. Methods This retrospective study used the J-ASPECT Diagnosis Procedure Combination database and identified 372,978 acute ischemic stroke patients hospitalized in 650 institutions between 2010 and 2016. Temporal trends in patient outcomes and recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and mechanical thrombectomy usage were examined. Facility comprehensive stroke center capabilities were assessed using a validated scoring system (comprehensive stroke center score: 1–25 points) in 2010 and 2014. The prognostic influence of temporal comprehensive stroke center score changes on in-hospital mortality and poor outcomes (modified Rankin Scale: 3–6) at discharge were examined using hierarchical logistic regression models. Results Over time, stroke severity at admission decreased, whereas median age, sex ratio, and comorbidities remained stable. The median comprehensive stroke center score increased from 16 to 17 points. After adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities, consciousness level, and facility comprehensive stroke center score, proportion of in-hospital mortality and poor outcomes at discharge decreased (from 7.6% to 5.0%, and from 48.7% to 43.1%, respectively). The preceding comprehensive stroke center score increase (in 2010–2014) was independently associated with reduced in-hospital mortality and poor outcomes, and increased rt-PA and mechanical thrombectomy use (odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 0.97 (0.95–0.99), 0.97 (0.95–0.998), 1.07 (1.04–1.10), and 1.21 (1.14–1.28), respectively). Conclusions This nationwide study revealed six-year trends in better patient outcomes and increased use of rt-PA and mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke. In addition to lesser stroke severity, preceding improvement of comprehensive stroke center capabilities was an independent factor associated with such trends, suggesting importance of comprehensive stroke center capabilities as a prognostic indicator of acute stroke care.

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Disparities in Care and Outcome of Stroke Patients from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities in Metropolitan Australia

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10245870 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (24) ◽

pp. 5870

Author(s):

Fatemeh Rezania ◽

Christopher J. A. Neil ◽

Tissa Wijeratne

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Stroke Unit ◽

Language Barriers ◽

Language Barrier ◽

Residential Aged Care ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

English Speaking

Background: Acute stroke is a time-critical emergency where diagnosis and acute management are highly dependent upon the accuracy of the patient’s history. We hypothesised that the language barrier is associated with delayed onset time to thrombolysis and poor clinical outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the effect of language barriers on time to thrombolysis and clinical outcomes in acute ischemic stroke. Concerning the method, this is a retrospective study of all patients admitted to a metropolitan stroke unit (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) with an acute ischemic stroke treated with tissue plasminogen activator between 1/2013 and 9/2017. Baseline characteristics, thrombolysis time intervals, length of stay, discharge destination, and in-hospital mortality were compared among patients with and without a language barrier using multivariate analysis after adjustment for age, sex, stroke severity, premorbid modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Language barriers were defined as a primary language other than English. A total of 374 patients were included. Our findings show that 76 patients (20.3%) had a language barrier. Mean age was five years older for patients with language barriers (76.7 vs. 71.8 years, p = 0.004). Less non-English speaking patients had premorbid mRS score of zero (p = 0.002), and more had premorbid mRS score of one or two (p = 0.04). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of stroke severity on presentation (p = 0.06). The onset to needle time was significantly longer in patients with a language barrier (188 min vs. 173 min, p = 0.04). Onset to arrival and door to imaging times were reassuringly similar between the two groups. However, imaging to needle time was 9 min delayed in non-English speaking patients with a marginal p value (65 vs. 56 min, p = 0.06). Patients with language barriers stayed longer in the stroke unit (six vs. four days, p = 0.02) and had higher discharge rates than residential aged care facilities in those admitted from home (9.2% vs. 2.3%, p = 0.02). In-hospital mortality was not different between the two groups (p = 0.8). In conclusion, language barriers were associated with almost 14 min delay in thrombolysis. The delay was primarily attributable to imaging to needle time. Language barriers were also associated with poorer clinical outcomes.

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CARDIAC CHANGES IN ACUTE ISCHEMIC STROKE

Romanian Journal of Neurology ◽

10.37897/rjn.2017.1.3 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 15-20

Author(s):

Maria Mirabela Manea ◽

◽

Dorin Dragos ◽

Vladimir Moldoveanu ◽

Constantin Popa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Troponin T ◽

Holter Monitoring ◽

Cardioembolic Stroke ◽

Function Parameter ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Long Term Outcome

Purpose: the analysis of the paraclinical features of heart changes in the acute ischemic stroke, especially electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities. Material and methods. We performed a prospective study on 23 patients admitted in our stroke unit with large lesions induced by acute ischemic strokes and no history of cardiovascular disease. Results. The average age of patients was 72,87 +/- 11,55 years. On admission NIHSS score was higher in the cardioembolic stroke patients compared to atherothrombotic stroke patients, the difference persisting after the first seven days. Echocardiography demonstrated a larger left atrium area in cardioembolic compared to atherothrombotic stroke patients. The E-wave deceleration time (a diastolic function parameter) was longer in atherothrombotic compared to cardioembolic stroke. The ECG monitoring and repeated 24h Holter monitoring detected atrial fibrillation (AF) in 52, 17% of the patients and it was associated with a higher in-hospital mortality and stroke severity. No significant correlation was found between the increase in troponin T levels and AF, or in-hospital mortality. Discusions. In our study atherothrombotic stroke is associated with a more pronounced tendency to diastolic dysfunction compared to cardioembolic stroke. The percentage of detected AF is higher than expected because of: 1) the higher average age of patients, 2) the inclusion of patients with large strokes, and 3) continuous ECG and Holter monitoring for longer periods of time compared to the usual procedure in stroke patients. Conclusion. The cardiologic monitoring has strong implications for stroke mechanisms and short and long term outcome and prognosis of the patients.

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Safety and Outcomes of Intravenous tPA in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients With Prior Stroke Within 3 Months

Circulation Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes ◽

10.1161/circoutcomes.119.006031 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shreyansh Shah ◽

Li Liang ◽

Andrzej Kosinski ◽

Adrian F. Hernandez ◽

Lee H. Schwamm ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽

Tissue Type ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽

Prior Stroke ◽

Iv Tpa

Background Guidelines recommend against the use of intravenous tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator; IV tPA) in acute ischemic stroke patients with prior ischemic stroke within 3 months. However, there are limited data on the safety of IV tPA in this population. Methods and Results A retrospective observational study of patients ≥66 years of age linked to Medicare claims and treated with IV tPA at Get With The Guidelines–Stroke hospitals (February 2009 to December 2015). We identified 293 patients treated with IV tPA who had a prior ischemic stroke within 3 months and 30 655 with no history of stroke. Patients with prior stroke had a higher stroke severity (median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, 11 [6–19] versus 11 [6–18]; absolute standardized difference, 11.2%) and a higher prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities. Patients with prior stroke had a higher unadjusted risk for symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (7.7% versus 4.8%) and in-hospital mortality (12.6% versus 8.9%), but these differences were not statistically significant after adjustment. When stratified by prespecified time epochs, the elevated risk for symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was seen only within the first 14 days (16.3% versus 4.8%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.7 [95% CI, 1.62–8.43]) but not in other epochs (2.1% versus 4.8%; aOR, 0.38 [95% CI, 0.05–2.79] for 15–30 days and 7.4% versus 4.8%; aOR, 1.36 [95% CI, 0.77–2.40] for 31–90 days). In addition, patients with prior stroke were significantly more likely to have a combined outcome of in-hospital mortality or discharge to hospice (25.9% versus 17.0%; aOR, 1.70 [95% CI, 1.21–2.38]), less likely to be discharged to home (28.3% versus 32.3%; aOR, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.54–0.98]), or to have good functional outcomes at discharge (modified Rankin Scale, 0–1; 11.3% versus 20.0%; aOR, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.24–0.89]). Conclusions Stroke providers need to continue to be vigilant about the safety of IV tPA in patients with prior stroke, particularly those with an event in the previous 14 days.

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Disparities in Care and Outcome of Stroke Patients from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities in Metropolitan Australia

10.20944/preprints202110.0398.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Fatemeh Rezania ◽

Christopher J.A. Neil ◽

Tissa Wijeratne

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Stroke Unit ◽

Language Barriers ◽

Language Barrier ◽

Residential Aged Care ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

English Speaking

BACKGROUND: Acute stroke is a time-critical emergency where diagnosis and acute management are highly dependent upon accuracy of patient’s history. We hypothesised that language barrier is associated with delayed onset time to thrombolysis and poor clinical outcomes. AIM: To evaluate the effect of language barriers on time to thrombolysis and clinical outcomes in acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of all patients admitted to a metropolitan stroke unit (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) with an acute ischemic stroke treated with tissue plasminogen activator between 1/2013 and 9/2017. Baseline characteristics, thrombolysis time intervals, length of stay, discharge destination, and in-hospital mortality were compared between patients with and without a language barrier using multivariate analysis after adjustment for age, sex, stroke severity, premorbid modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Language barriers were defined as a primary language other than English. RESULTS: A total of 374 patients were included. Of this, 76 patients (20.3%) had a language barrier. Mean age was 5 years older for patients with language barriers (76.7 vs 71.8 years, P=0.004). Less non-English speaking patients had pre-morbid mRS score of zero (P=0.002) and more had pre-morbid mRS score of one or two (P=0.04). There was no statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of stroke severity on presentation (P=0.06). The onset to needle time was significantly longer in patients with a language barrier (188 min vs 173 min, P=0.04). Onset to arrival and door to imaging times were surprisingly similar between the two groups. However, imaging to needle time was 9 minutes delayed in non-English speaking patients with a marginal P value (65 vs 56 min, P=0.06). patients with language barriers stayed longer in stroke unit stay (6 vs 4 days, P=0.02) and had higher rates of discharge to residential aged care facilities in those admitted from home (9.2% vs 2.3%, P=0.02). In-hospital mortality was not different between two groups (P=0.8) CONCLUSION: In this study language barriers were associated with almost 14 min delay in thrombolysis. The delay was mostly attributable to imaging to needle time. Language barriers were also associated with poorer clinical outcomes.

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