Stroke in COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic, affecting millions of people. However, the relationship between COVID-19 and acute cerebrovascular diseases is unclear. Aims We aimed to characterize the incidence, risk factors, clinical–radiological manifestations, and outcome of COVID-19-associated stroke. Methods Three medical databases were systematically reviewed for published articles on acute cerebrovascular diseases in COVID-19 (December 2019–September 2020). The review protocol was previously registered (PROSPERO ID = CRD42020185476). Data were extracted from articles reporting ≥5 stroke cases in COVID-19. We complied with the PRISMA guidelines and used the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale to assess data quality. Data were pooled using a random-effect model. Summary of review Of 2277 initially identified articles, 61 (2.7%) were entered in the meta-analysis. Out of 108,571 patients with COVID-19, acute CVD occurred in 1.4% (95%CI: 1.0–1.9). The most common manifestation was acute ischemic stroke (87.4%); intracerebral hemorrhage was less common (11.6%). Patients with COVID-19 developing acute cerebrovascular diseases, compared to those who did not, were older (pooled median difference = 4.8 years; 95%CI: 1.7–22.4), more likely to have hypertension (OR = 7.35; 95%CI: 1.94–27.87), diabetes mellitus (OR = 5.56; 95%CI: 3.34–9.24), coronary artery disease (OR = 3.12; 95%CI: 1.61–6.02), and severe infection (OR = 5.10; 95%CI: 2.72–9.54). Compared to individuals who experienced a stroke without the infection, patients with COVID-19 and stroke were younger (pooled median difference = −6.0 years; 95%CI: −12.3 to −1.4), had higher NIHSS (pooled median difference = 5; 95%CI: 3–9), higher frequency of large vessel occlusion (OR = 2.73; 95%CI: 1.63–4.57), and higher in-hospital mortality rate (OR = 5.21; 95%CI: 3.43–7.90). Conclusions Acute cerebrovascular diseases are not uncommon in patients with COVID-19, especially in those whom are severely infected and have pre-existing vascular risk factors. The pattern of large vessel occlusion and multi-territory infarcts suggests that cerebral thrombosis and/or thromboembolism could be possible causative pathways for the disease.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Bridging Thrombolysis Achieved Better Outcomes Than Direct Thrombectomy After Large Vessel Occlusion: An Updated Meta-Analysis.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.739199878.793581167 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Stephan Mayer

Keyword(s):

Meta Analysis ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion

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Prevalence and risk factors for antibiotic utilization in Chinese children

BMC Pediatrics ◽

10.1186/s12887-021-02706-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shasha Guo ◽

Qiang Sun ◽

Xinyang Zhao ◽

Liyan Shen ◽

Xuemei Zhen

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Random Effect ◽

Random Effect Model ◽

Healthcare Research ◽

Chinese Children ◽

Rural Setting ◽

Antibiotic Prescribing ◽

Antibiotic Utilization ◽

At Home

Abstract Background Antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat to public health globally. Irrational utilization of antibiotics being one of the main reasons of antibiotic resistant. Children as a special group, there's more chance of getting infected. Although most of the infection is viral in etiology, antibiotics still are the most frequently prescribed medications for children. Therefore, high use of antibiotics among children raises concern about the appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing. This systematic review aims to measuring prevalence and risk factors for antibiotic utilization in children in China. Methods English and Chinese databases were searched to identify relevant studies evaluating the prevalence and risk factors for antibiotic utilization in Chinese children (0-18 years), which were published between 2010 and July 2020. A Meta-analysis of prevalence was performed using random effect model. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and modified Jadad score was used to assess risk of bias of studies. In addition, we explored the risk factors of antibiotic utilization in Chinese children using qualitative analysis. Results Of 10,075 studies identified, 98 eligible studies were included after excluded duplicated studies. A total of 79 studies reported prevalence and 42 studies reported risk factors for antibiotic utilization in children. The overall prevalence of antibiotic utilization among outpatients and inpatients were 63.8% (35 studies, 95% confidence interval (CI): 55.1-72.4%), and 81.3% (41 studies, 95% CI: 77.3-85.2%), respectively. In addition, the overall prevalence of caregiver’s self-medicating of antibiotics for children at home was 37.8% (4 studies, 95% CI: 7.9-67.6%). The high prevalence of antibiotics was associated with multiple factors, while lacking of skills and knowledge in both physicians and caregivers was the most recognized risk factor, caregivers put pressure on physicians to get antibiotics and self-medicating with antibiotics at home for children also were the main factors attributed to this issue. Conclusion The prevalence of antibiotic utilization in Chinese children is heavy both in hospitals and home. It is important for government to develop more effective strategies to improve the irrational use of antibiotic, especially in rural setting.

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SOFIA catheter for direct aspiration of large vessel occlusion stroke: A single-center cohort and meta-analysis

Interventional Neuroradiology ◽

10.1177/15910199211005328 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 159101992110053

Author(s):

Federico Bolognini ◽

Pablo A Lebedinsky ◽

Mariano Musacchio ◽

Mariette Delaitre ◽

Abdoulaye M Traoré ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rescue Therapy ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Study Cohort ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

First Line ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Global Rate ◽

Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose Direct aspiration (DA) using large-bore distal aspiration catheters is an established strategy for the endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) of large-vessel occlusion stroke (LVOS). However, the performance of individual catheters like SOFIA has yet to be examined. Methods We present a cohort of 144 consecutive patients treated with first-line DA and SOFIA 6 F Plus catheter for LVOS. We also conducted a systematic review of the literature searching multiple databases for reports on thrombectomy with DA and SOFIA catheters and performed a meta-analysis of recanalization, safety, and clinical outcomes. Results In the study cohort a successful recanalization (mTICI 2b-3) rate of 75.7% was achieved with DA alone, the global rate for functional independence (90-day mRS 0-2) was 40.3%. For the metanalysis we selected nine articles that included a total of 758 patients treated with first-line thrombectomy with the SOFIA catheters. The mTICI 2b-3 rate was 71.6% (95%CI, 66.3-76.5%) while a rescue stent-retriever was used in 24.1% (95%CI, 17.7-31.9%) of cases. The overall mTICI2b-3 rate after DA and rescue therapy was 88.9% (95%CI, 82.6-93.1%). We found a pooled estimate of 45.6% (95%CI, 38.6-52.8%) for functional independence, a mortality within 90 days of 19% (95%CI, 14.1-25.0%) and a rate of 5.8% (95%CI, 4.2-8.0%) of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Conclusion The DA approach for LVOS with the SOFIA catheters is highly effective with an efficacy and safety profile comparable to those found in contemporary thrombectomy trials and observational studies that use other devices or approaches.

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EXPRESS: Off-hour effect on time metrics and clinical outcomes in endovascular treatment for large vessel occlusion, a systematic review and meta-analysis

International Journal of Stroke ◽

10.1177/17474930211012545 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 174749302110125

Author(s):

Mingming Zha ◽

Qingwen Yang ◽

Shuo Liu ◽

Min Wu ◽

Kangmo Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Working Hours ◽

Good Prognosis ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Significant Difference

Background There is an ongoing debate on the off-hour effect on endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute large vessel occlusion (LVO). Aims This meta-analysis aimed to compare time metrics and clinical outcomes of acute LVO patients who presented/were treated during off-hour with those during working hours. Summary of review Structured searches on the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were conducted through February 23rd, 2021. The primary outcomes were onset to door, door to imaging, door to puncture, puncture to recanalization, procedural time, successful recanalization, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH), mortality in hospital, good prognosis (90-day modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score 0-2), and 90-day mortality. The secondary outcomes were imaging to puncture, onset to puncture, onset to recanalization, door to recanalization time, mRS 0-2 at discharge, and consecutive 90-day mRS score. The odds ratio (OR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of the outcomes were calculated using random-effect models. Heterogenicity and publication bias were analyzed. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted as appropriate. Nineteen studies published between 2014 and 2021 with a total of 14185 patients were eligible for quantitative synthesis. Patients in the off-hour group were significantly younger than those in the on-hour group and with comparable stroke severity and intravenous thrombolysis rate. The off-hour group had longer onset to door (WMD [95%CI], 12.83 [1.84-23.82] min), door to puncture (WMD [95%CI], 11.45 [5.93-16.97] min), imaging to puncture (WMD [95%CI], 10.39 [4.61-16.17] min), onset to puncture (WMD [95%CI], 25.30 [13.11-37.50] min), onset to recanalization (WMD [95%CI], 25.16 [10.28-40.04] min), and door to recanalization (WMD [95%CI], 18.02 [10.01-26.03] min) time. Significantly lower successful recanalization rate (OR [95%CI], 0.85 [0.76-0.95]; P=0.004; I2=0%) was detected in the off-hour group. No significant difference was noted regarding SICH and prognosis. But a trend towards lower OR of good prognosis was witnessed in the off-hour group (OR [95%CI], 0.92 [0.84-1.01]; P=0.084; I2=0%). Conclusions Patients who presented/were treated during off-hour were associated with excessive delays before the initiation of EVT, lower successful reperfusion rate, and a trend towards worse prognosis when compared with working hours. Optimizing the workflows of EVT during off-hour is needed.

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Abstract 1122‐000223: Direct to Angiography Suite versus Conventional Imaging in Suspected Large Vessel Occlusion Strokes: A Meta‐Analysis

Stroke: Vascular and Interventional Neurology ◽

10.1161/svin.01.suppl_1.000223 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (S1) ◽

Author(s):

Mahmoud H Mohammaden ◽

Mohamed Elfil ◽

Mohamed Fahmy Doheim ◽

Agostinho Camara Pinheiro ◽

Alhamza R Al‐Bayati ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Clinical Trials ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Conventional Imaging ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Angiography Suite ◽

Significant Difference

Introduction : Direct transfer to angiography suite (DTAS) for patients with suspected large vessel occlusion strokes potentially requiring mechanical thrombectomy has been shown to shorten treatment times and improve outcomes compared to conventional imaging (CI) selection. This meta‐analysis compares both approaches to build more concrete evidence. Methods : The potentially relevant studies that were published in four electronic databases/search engines (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus) till August 2021 were reviewed. Eligible studies were included if they enrolled >10 patients in both groups, were published in English and reported baseline and procedural characteristics and 90‐day outcomes. Relevant data were then extracted and analyzed. Results : Among 4514 searched studies, six qualified for the analysis. Time from door to puncture (MD = ‐26.76minutes, 95 % CI [‐39.48, ‐14.03], P< 0.0001) as well as door to reperfusion (MD = ‐27.21 minutes,95% CI [‐47.42, ‐7.01], P = 0.008) were significantly shorter and the rates of functional independence(mRS0‐2: RR = 1.28, 95% CI [1.03, 1.60], P = 0.03) at 90‐days were significantly higher in the DTAS versus the CI approach. There was no statistically significant difference between DTAS and CI groups in terms of successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infraction [mTICI] score2B‐3: RR = 0.99, 95% CI [0.93, 1.06], P = 0.86), near complete/ full reperfusion (mTICI 2C‐3: RR = 0.84,95% CI [0.68, 1.04], P = 0.11), or fair outcomes at 90‐days (mRS 0–3: RR = 1.05, 95% CI [0.67, 1.64],P = 0.84). Moreover, there was no difference between groups regarding symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (RR = 0.81, 95% CI [0.55, 1.17], P = 0.26) or 90 day‐mortality (RR = 0.85, 95% CI [0.59, 1.24],P = 0.41). Conclusions : Our meta‐analysis showed that DTAS significantly improves time metrics and functional outcome with comparable safety to the CI approach. Multicenter randomized clinical trials are ongoing to confirm these results.

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Abstract TMP35: Clinical Stroke Scales in Predicting Large Vessel Occlusion: A Metaanalysis

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.48.suppl_1.tmp35 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

W Y kong ◽

Andrew Choong ◽

Nicholas Syn ◽

Vijay K Sharma ◽

Hock L Teoh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reference Lists ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Arterial Occlusion ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Computed Tomography Angiogram ◽

Sensitivity Specificity ◽

Stroke Centre

Background: Identifying large vessel occlusion (LVO) is paramount in the era of endovascular therapy. This can be achieved easily by computed tomography angiogram(CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography(MRA). National Institute Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS) threshold can be used in primary stroke centre(PSC) without these facilities, to identify patients with LVO for transfer to a comprehensive stroke centre (CSC) for mechanical thrombectomy. Alternatively, simplified clinical stroke scales (CSS)can also be used by emergency medical services (EMS) to identify such patients to be directly transported to CSC. We aim to compare various CSS in predicting LVO in ischemic stroke. Methods: We searched PUBMED from January 2005 to July 2016 and screened reference lists of included studies, and included all diagnostic accuracy studies that investigate CSS and prediction of LVO confirmed with CTA or MRA. Two authors independently screened titles and abstracts and perform data extraction for analysis. Pooled sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odd ratio (DOR) of various CSS were obtained using the random effects model. Result: 8 studies (total 8556 patients) were included for meta-analysis of 3 CSS. This includes the NIHSS≥5, ≥6, ≥10, ≥13; Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS)≥2 and Rapid Arterial oCclusion Evaluation (RACE) ≥ 5. Pooled sensivity and specificty for the respective cut off values of these CSS was metaanalysed and presented in table 1. NIHSS≥13 has the highest DOR (26.0), followed by NIHSS≥5 (16.9); whereas other NIHSS thresholds, CPSS and RACE were less predictive. NIHSS≥5 was found to have the highest sensitivity of 0.865 and NIHSS≥13 had the highest specificity of 0.934. Conclusion: We found 2 NIHSS thresholds that were most useful for identifying LVO. Depending on resources and preferences of each stroke centre, different NIHSS threshold can be utilized for purpose of ruling in LVO using a high NIHSS threshold, or ruling out LVO using a low NIHSS threshold.

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