The Role of Transthoracic Echocardiography in the Evaluation of Patients With Ischemic Stroke

Background: Ischemic stroke can be classified into five etiological types, according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification, and its adequate investigation and characterization can aid in its clinical management and in preventing new events. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) plays a key role in investigating its etiology; approximately one-third of the patients remain without an adequate definition of the etiology or are classified as the undetermined TOAST type.Objectives: To evaluate if the percentage of patients with indeterminate etiology according to the TOAST classification decreased after transthoracic echocardiography, to determine whether or not the prognosis after ischemic stroke is worse among patients classified as the undetermined TOAST type, and to verify the predictive capacity of echocardiography on the prognosis after ischemic stroke.Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, clinical, neurological, and echocardiographic examinations were conducted when the patient was hospitalized for stroke. In-hospital mortality and functional capacity were evaluated at hospital discharge and 90 days thereafter. Multiple linear regression and multiple logistic regression models were adjusted for confounding factors. The level of significance was 5%.Results: A total of 1,100 patients (men = 606; 55.09%), with a mean age of 68.1 ± 13.3 years, were included in this study. Using TTE, 977 patients (88.82%) were evaluated and 448 patients (40.7%) were classified as the undetermined TOAST type. The patients who underwent TTE were 3.1 times less likely to classified as the undetermined TOAST type (OR = 0.32; p < 0.001). Echocardiography during hospitalization was a protective factor against poor prognosis, and reduced the odds of in-hospital death by 11.1 times (OR: 0.090; p < 0.001). However, the presence of the undetermined TOAST classification elevated the chance of mortality during hospitalization by 2.0 times (OR: 2.00; p = 0.013).Conclusions: Echocardiography during hospitalization for ischemic stroke reduces the chances of an undetermined TOAST classification and the risk of in-hospital mortality. However, being classified as the undetermined TOAST type increases the chance of mortality during hospitalization, suggesting that evaluating patients using echocardiography during hospitalization for acute ischemic stroke is important.

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DNA Content in Ischemic Stroke Thrombi Can Help Identify Cardioembolic Strokes Among Strokes of Undetermined Cause

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.120.029134 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (9) ◽

pp. 2810-2816

Author(s):

Lucas Di Meglio ◽

Jean-Philippe Desilles ◽

Mialitiana Solonomenjanahary ◽

Julien Labreuche ◽

Véronique Ollivier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Dna Content ◽

Operating Characteristic ◽

Characteristic Curve ◽

Embolic Stroke ◽

Unique Identifier ◽

Stroke Treatment ◽

Glycoprotein Vi ◽

Biochemical Assays ◽

Toast Classification

Background and Purpose: Identification of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) cause is crucial for guidance of secondary prevention. Previous studies have yielded inconsistent results regarding possible correlations between AIS cause and thrombus composition, as assessed by semiquantitative histological analysis. Here, we performed a correlation analysis between AIS cause and AIS thrombus cellular composition and content, as assessed using quantitative biochemical assays. Methods: Homogenates of 250 patients with AIS thrombi were prepared by mechanical grinding. Platelet, red blood cell, and leukocyte content of AIS thrombi were estimated by quantification of GP (glycoprotein) VI, heme, and DNA in thrombus homogenates. AIS cause was defined as cardioembolic, noncardioembolic, or embolic stroke of undetermined source, according to the TOAST classification (Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment). Results: Cardioembolic thrombi were richer in DNA (35.8 versus 13.8 ng/mg, P <0.001) and poorer in GPVI (0.104 versus 0.117 ng/mg, P =0.045) than noncardioembolic ones. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of DNA content to discriminate cardioembolic thrombi from noncardioembolic was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.63–0.81). With a threshold of 44.7 ng DNA/mg thrombus, 47% of thrombi from undetermined cause would be classified as cardioembolic with a specificity of 90%. Conclusions: Thrombus DNA content may provide an accurate biomarker for identification of cardioembolic thrombi in patients with AIS with embolic stroke of undetermined source. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT03268668.

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Abstract 2597: Centralized and Study-specific Phenotyping in a Large-scale Stroke Genetics Study: An Analysis from the NINDS Stroke Genetics Network (SiGN)

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.43.suppl_1.a2597 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Bradford B Worrall ◽

Alejandro Rabinstein ◽

Dale M Gamble ◽

Kevin M Barrett ◽

Shaneela Malik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Large Scale ◽

Association Studies ◽

Web Based ◽

Stroke Treatment ◽

Automated Algorithm ◽

Genome Association ◽

Whole Genome Association ◽

Toast Classification ◽

User Friendly

Background: The Stroke Genetics Network (SiGN) funded by the NINDS aims to identify genetic risk factors in ischemic stroke using whole-genome association studies (GWAS). High quality phenotyping is crucial to successful application of GWAS. As a heterogenous disorder, stroke poses specific challenges. The Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification is a broadly used, but its validity is challenged especially when performed by multiple investigators with differing interpretations of the system. The Causative Classification System for Ischemic Stroke (CCS) system is a new, web-based, and computerized algorithm that integrates clinical, diagnostic, and etiologic stroke characteristics in an evidence-based manner ( ccs.mgh.harvard.edu ) to generate subtypes. Methods: In planning the SiGN proposal, a sample of 20 coded charts were collected from a subset of participating studies to assess feasibility of central adjudication and comparability to study-specific TOAST. Two central adjudicators reviewed all records and generated TOAST and CCS subtypes. These were compared to study-specific TOAST subtype and the CCS phenotype generated for SiGN by local trained adjudicators. CCS data is now available for 7134 included cases using both a 5 and a 7 category system as defined in the table . Results: All 4 phenotypes were available for 115 ischemic stroke cases from 6 studies in SiGN. Basic demographics were 54% women, 63% white, and median age between 65-74. Table 1 provides the agreement between the various subtypes. Table 2 describes the types of disagreement. Conclusions: Central adjudication with only two adjudicators and curated medical records yielded more consistent subtyping independent of phenotyping system. The agreement for TOAST was higher than published rates by independent groups (∼0.50). In contrast, the agreement for CCS was lower than previously published (0.85-0.95). Site adjudicators' familiarity with TOAST and inexperience with CCS may contribute. Although CCS is an automated algorithm and has a number of user friendly features, our findings suggest that formal training and certification process before starting to use CCS may be worthwhile to achieve optimal benefit from the system.

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Abstract P85: Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Hospitalizations and Outcomes of Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients, Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program (pcnasp)

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.52.suppl_1.p85 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Xin Tong ◽

Sallyann Coleman King ◽

Erika Odom ◽

Quanhe Yang

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Reperfusion Therapy ◽

The United States ◽

Emergency Department Visits ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Hospital Death ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Stroke Treatment

Introduction: Studies suggest a significant reduction in emergency department visits and hospitalizations for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Few studies have examined AIS hospitalizations, treatments, and outcomes during the pandemic period. The present study compared the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients hospitalized with AIS before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (weeks 11-24 in 2019 vs. 2020). Method: We identified 42,371 admissions with a clinical diagnosis of AIS, from 370 participating hospitals who contributed data during weeks 11-24 in both 2019 and 2020 to the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program (PCNASP). Results: During weeks 11-24 of the COVID-19 period, AIS hospitalizations declined by 24.5% compared to the same period in 2019 (18,233 in 2020 vs. 24,138 in 2019). In 2020, the percentage of individuals aged <65 years who were hospitalized with AIS was higher compared with the same period in 2019 (34.6% vs. 32.7%, p<0.001); arriving by EMS were higher in 2020 compared with 2019 (47.7% vs. 44.8%, p<0.001). Individuals admitted with AIS in 2020 had a higher mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score compared with 2019 (6.7 vs. 6.3, p<0.001). In 2020, the in-hospital death rates increased by 16% compared to 2019 (5.0% vs. 4.3%, p<0.001). However, there were no differences in rates of alteplase use, achievement of door to needle in 60 minutes, or complications from reperfusion therapy between the two time periods. Conclusion: A higher percentage of younger (<65 years) individuals and more severe AIS cases were admitted to the participating hospitals during weeks 11 to 24 of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. The AIS in-hospital death rate increased 16% during the pandemic weeks as compared to the same weeks in 2019. Additional studies are needed to examine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on stroke treatment and outcomes.

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Ischemic Stroke with Troponin Elevation: Patient Characteristics, Resource Utilization, and In-Hospital Outcomes

Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽

10.1159/000445526 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 42 (3-4) ◽

pp. 213-223 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Krishi Peddada ◽

Salvador Cruz-Flores ◽

Larry B. Goldstein ◽

Eliahu Feen ◽

Kevin F. Kennedy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Causes Of Death ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Hospital Death ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Troponin Elevation ◽

Changes Over Time ◽

Over Time

Background: Among patients hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke, abnormal serum troponins are associated with higher risk of short-term mortality. However, most findings have been reported from European hospitals. Whether troponin elevation after stroke is independently associated with death among a more heterogeneous US population remains unclear. Furthermore, only a few studies have evaluated the association between the magnitude of troponin elevation and subsequent mortality, patterns of dynamic troponin changes over time, or whether troponin elevation is related to specific causes of death. Methods: Using data collected in the American Heart Association's ‘Get With The Guidelines' stroke registry between 2008 and 2012 at a tertiary care US hospital, we used logistic regression to evaluate the independent relationship between troponin elevation and mortality after adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics. We then assessed whether the magnitude of troponin elevation was related to in-hospital mortality by calculating mortality rates according to tertiles of peak troponin levels. Dynamic troponin changes over time were evaluated as well. To better understand whether troponin elevation identified patients most likely to die due to a specific cause of death, investigators blinded from troponin values reviewed all in-hospital deaths, and the association between troponin elevation and mortality was evaluated among patients with cardiac, neurologic, or other causes of death. Results: Of 1,145 ischemic stroke patients, 199 (17%) had elevated troponin levels. Troponin-positive patients had more cardiovascular risk factors, more intensive medical therapy, and greater use of cardiac procedures. These individuals had higher in-hospital mortality rates than troponin-negative patients (27 vs. 8%, p < 0.001), and this association persisted after adjustment for 13 clinical and management variables (OR 4.28, 95% CI 2.40-7.63). Any troponin elevation was associated with higher mortality, even at very low peak troponin levels (mortality rates 24-29% across tertiles of troponin). Patients with persistently rising troponin levels had fewer anticoagulant and antiatherosclerotic therapies, with markedly worse outcomes. Furthermore, troponin-positive patients had higher rates of all categories of death: neurologic (17 vs. 7%), cardiac (5 vs. <1%), and other causes of death (5 vs. <1%; p < 0.001 for all comparisons). Conclusions: Ischemic stroke patients with abnormal troponin levels are at higher risk of in-hospital death, even after accounting for demographic and clinical characteristics, and any degree of troponin elevation identifies this higher level of risk. Troponins that continue to rise during the hospitalization identify stroke patients at markedly higher risk of mortality, and both neurologic and non-neurologically mediated mortality rates are higher when troponin is elevated.

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In-hospital Mortality and Causes of Death in People Diagnosed With HIV in a General Hospital in Shenyang, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.774614 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Cheng Bo Li ◽

Ying Zhou ◽

Yu Wang ◽

Sheng Liu ◽

Wen Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Medical Care ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Opportunistic Infections ◽

Antiviral Treatment ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Hospital Death ◽

Cox Regression Analysis

Background: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, is a serious public health issue. This study investigated the correlated factors and possible changing trend of in-hospital death in patients diagnosed with HIV in the past decade in our hospital.Methods: We retrospectively collected data of firstly hospitalized patients with HIV in the Department of Infectious Disease in the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019, and compared various factors that correlated with in-hospital death, including age, sex, opportunistic infections, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) status. Cox regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for death.Results: In total, 711 patients were recruited for this study, and 62 patients died in the hospital. The in-hospital mortality rate was 8.72%. Tuberculosis (TB), malignancies, and thrombocytopenia were associated with mortality. Antiviral treatment before admission was found to be a protective factor. There was a declining trend in in-hospital mortality from 19.2% in 2010 to 6.3% in 2019 (linear-by-linear association test, p < 0.001), partly due to intensified medical care strategy.Conclusions: Till date, AIDS-defining illnesses remain the major cause of hospital admission and in-hospital mortality. TB and malignancies were correlated risk factors for in-hospital mortality. ART before admission was found to be beneficial, and considering the decreasing rate of in-hospital mortality, the implementation of intensified medical care strategy requires further effort.

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Elevated total homocysteine predicts in-hospital pneumonia and poor functional outcomes in acute ischemic stroke

Current Neurovascular Research ◽

10.2174/1567202617666201214111244 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

Author(s):

Fuyu Wang ◽

Lixuan Wang ◽

Huaping Du ◽

Shoujiang You ◽

Danni Zheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Fold Increase ◽

Short Term ◽

Thcy Level ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Poor Outcome ◽

Suzhou City ◽

Total Homocysteine

Background : We investigated the association between elevated total homocysteine (tHcy) levels upon hospital admission and short-term in-hospital outcomes including pneumonia in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. Methods: A total of 2,084 AIS patients enrolled from December 2013 to May 2014 across 22 hospitals in Suzhou city were included in the present study. We divided patients into four groups according to their level of admission tHcy: quartile (Q1) (<9.70 umol/L), Q2 (9.70-12.3 umol/L), Q3 (12.3-16.9 umol/L), and Q4 (≥16.9 umol/L). Logistic regression models were used to estimate the effect of tHcy on the short-term outcomes, including in-hospital pneumonia, all-cause in-hospital mortality and poor outcome upon discharge (modified Rankin Scale score ≥3) in AIS patients. Results: The risk of in-hospital pneumonia was significantly higher in patients with highest tHcy level (Q4) compared to those with lowest tHcy level (Q1) (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-2.33; P-trend =0.019). The highest tHcy level (Q4) was associated with a 3.35-fold and 1.50-fold increase in the risk of in-hospital mortality (OR 3.35; 95% CI, 1.11–10.13; P-trend =0.015) and poor outcome upon discharge (OR 1.50; 95% CI, 1.06–2.12; P-trend =0.044) in comparison to Q1 after adjustment for potential covariates including pneumonia. Conclusion: Having a high admission tHcy level was independently associated with in-hospital pneumonia, in-hospital mortality and poor outcome upon discharge in AIS patients.

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Abstract TP375: Using Characteristics of Secondary Ischemic Stroke Events to Improve Stroke Education Initiatives

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.tp375 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Amanda Dirickson ◽

Suzanne Stone

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Stroke Prevention ◽

Small Vessel Disease ◽

Secondary Stroke Prevention ◽

Stroke Treatment ◽

Vessel Disease ◽

Acute Stroke Treatment ◽

Stroke Education ◽

Toast Classification

Purpose: While it is common practice for nursing to perform the duty of stroke education,it is not common to use secondary stroke event data to determine what aspect of stroke education should be emphasized for the greatest impact on secondary stroke prevention. The purpose of this descriptive study is to exam the characteristics of secondary stroke events using the TOAST (Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment) criteria so future educational initiatives can be customized to the needs of the local high risk population. Methods: The team collected data characteristics on all ischemic stroke admissions with previous admitting diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke. The strokes were further characterized using the TOAST (Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment) classification to determine any emerging patterns of both risk factors and etiological types. Conclusions: A total of n=51 admissions were previous adult stroke survivors, (M=30, F=21). Pre-morbid risk factors were as follows: hypertension=78%, type 2 diabetes=39%, hyperlipidemia =54%, smoking=8%, atrial fibrillation=24%. TOAST classification results: Large Vessel Atherosclerosis=14%, Cardioembolic =17%, Small Vessel Disease=3%, Other Known Cause=2%, Cryptogenic=15%. Summary: The results reveal a striking pattern of the presence of premorbid hypertension. While the TOAST classification did not have a single dominant type, but nearly equal distribution of large vessel atherosclerosis, cardioembolic, and small vessel disease etiologies. Not surprising, the decline in stroke mortality is felt to be due to improved blood pressure control, but in discharge stroke education, hypertension is not necessarily emphasized over other perhaps less impactful risk factors. Yet, the most recent acute ischemic stroke clinical guidelines gave providers a first-time recommendation to start or restart antihypertensive therapy in stable patients with BP > 140/90. Nursing has enough encouragement to take the lead on hypertension prevention education in appropriate stable patients ready for discharge. The next goal will be to develop a multimedia educational effort in patient stroke education on hypertension as a risk factor for secondary stroke prevention in this Comprehensive Stroke Center.

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Association of white matter lesions and outcome after endovascular stroke treatment

Neurology ◽

10.1212/wnl.0000000000010994 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 10.1212/WNL.0000000000010994

Author(s):

Sven P.R. Luijten ◽

Daniel Bos ◽

Kars C.J. Compagne ◽

Lennard Wolff ◽

Charles B.L.M. Majoie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

White Matter ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Treatment Effect ◽

White Matter Lesions ◽

Effect Modification ◽

Stroke Treatment ◽

Logistic Regression Models

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between white matter lesions (WML) and functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and the modification of the effect of endovascular treatment (EVT) by WML.MethodsWe used data from the Multicenter Randomized Clinical trial of Endovascular treatment for Acute ischemic stroke in the Netherlands (MR CLEAN) trial and assessed severity of WML on baseline non-contrast CT imaging (NCCT; n = 473) according to the Van Swieten Scale. Post-stroke functional outcome was assessed with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). We investigated the association of WML with functional outcome using ordinal logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, and other relevant cardiovascular and prognostic risk factors. In addition, an interaction term between treatment allocation and WML severity was used to assess treatment effect modification by WML.ResultsWe found an independent negative association between more severe WML and functional outcome (acOR 0.77 [95% CI 0.66–0.90]). Patients with absent to moderate WML had similar benefit of EVT on functional outcome (acOR 1.93 [95% CI 1.31–2.84]) as patients with severe WML (acOR 1.95 [95% CI 0.90–4.20]). No treatment effect modification of WML was found (p for interaction = 0.85).ConclusionsWe found that more severe WML predict poor functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke, but do not modify effect of EVT.Classification of evidencePrognostic accuracy. This study provides Class II evidence that for patients with AIS, the presence of WML on baseline NCCT is associated with worse functional outcomes.

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