Stroke Care During the First and the Second Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Community Hospital

Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection may alter a stroke course; thus, we compared stroke course during subsequent pandemic waves in a stroke unit (SU) from a hospital located in a rural area.Methods: A retrospective study included all patients consecutively admitted to the SU between March 15 and May 31, 2020 (“first wave”), and between September 15 and November 30, 2020 (“second wave”). We compared demographic and clinical data, treatments, and outcomes of patients between the first and the second waves of the pandemic and between subjects with and without COVID-19.Results: During the “first wave,” 1.4% of 71 patients were hospitalized due to stroke/TIA, and 41.8% of 91 during the “second wave” were infected with SARS-CoV-2 (p < 0.001). During the “second wave,” more SU staff members were infected with COVID-19 than during the “first wave” (45.6 vs. 8.7%, p < 0.001). Nevertheless, more patients underwent intravenous thrombolysis (26.4 vs. 9.9%, p < 0.008) and endovascular thrombectomy (5.3 vs. 0.0%, p < 0.001) during the second than the first wave. Large vessel occlusion (LVO) (OR 8.74; 95% CI 1.60–47.82; p = 0.012) and higher 30-day mortality (OR 6.01; 95% CI 1.04–34.78; p = 0.045) were associated with patients infected with COVID-19. No differences regarding proportions between ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes and TIAs between both waves or subgroups with and without COVID-19 existed.Conclusion: Despite the greater COVID-19 infection rate among both SU patients and staff during the “second wave” of the pandemic, a higher percentage of reperfusion procedures has been performed then. COVID-19 infection was associated with a higher rate of the LVO and 30-day mortality.

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Abstract TP28: Intravenous Thrombolysis is Associated With Better Functional Outcomes in Endovascular Thrombectomy Patients Requiring Multiple-Passes to Achieve Reperfusion

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.tp28 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Christopher Blair ◽

Cecilia Cappelen-Smith ◽

Dennis Cordato ◽

Leon Edwards ◽

Amer Mitchelle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Outcomes ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Independent Effect ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy ◽

Multiple Pass ◽

First Pass

Introduction: In patients with anterior circulation stroke with large vessel occlusion (LVO), recent data suggest that successful reperfusion (mTICI≥2b) after a single device pass results in more favourable functional outcomes in comparison to patients requiring multiple passes. It is unclear if this effect represents an epiphenomenon or a true independent effect. Methods: A prospectively maintained database of EVT was interrogated for patients presenting with anterior circulation LVO with onset to groin puncture times of ≤ 6 hours from January 2016 to March 2019. Three-month functional outcomes were compared between first-pass reperfusion and multiple-pass reperfusion patients using logistic regression. Results: A total of 169 patients were identified (mean age 71 yrs, 44% female, median NIHSS 17, intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in 47%). Successful reperfusion (mTICI≥2b) was achieved with the first-pass (FP) in 80 patients (47%) and multiple-passes (MP) in 89 patients (53%). First pass patients had better outcomes when compared to MP patients (mRS 0-2 71% vs 31%, p < 0.001). No difference in functional outcomes was seen between FP patients who received IVT and those that did not (mRS 0-2 68% vs 75%, p = 0.459). Multiple-pass patients who received IVT achieved higher rates of functional independence than those who did not (mRS 0-2 40% vs 27%, p = 0.035). Conclusion: Intravenous thrombolysis may improve functional recovery in EVT patients requiring multiple-passes to achieve reperfusion. Prospective studies should be considered.

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'Drip-and-ship' intravenous thrombolysis and outcomes for large vessel occlusion thrombectomy candidates in a hub-and-spoke telestroke model

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2021-017819 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. neurintsurg-2021-017819

Author(s):

Robert W Regenhardt ◽

Joseph A Rosenthal ◽

Amine Awad ◽

Juan Carlos Martinez-Gutierrez ◽

Neal M Nolan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Hub And Spoke ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Intravenous Alteplase ◽

Model Versus

BackgroundRandomized trials have not demonstrated benefit from intravenous thrombolysis among patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). However, these trials included primarily patients presenting directly to an EVT capable hub center. We sought to study outcomes for EVT candidates who presented to spoke hospitals and were subsequently transferred for EVT consideration, comparing those administered alteplase at spokes (i.e., ‘drip-and-ship’ model) versus those not.MethodsConsecutive EVT candidates presenting to 25 spokes from 2018 to 2020 with pre-transfer CT angiography defined emergent large vessel occlusion and Alberta Stroke Program CT score ≥6 were identified from a prospectively maintained Telestroke database. Outcomes of interest included adequate reperfusion (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) 2b–3), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), discharge functional independence (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤2), and 90 day functional independence.ResultsAmong 258 patients, median age was 70 years (IQR 60–81), median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 13 (6-19), and 50% were women. Ninety-eight (38%) were treated with alteplase at spokes and 113 (44%) underwent EVT at the hub. Spoke alteplase use independently increased the odds of discharge mRS ≤2 (adjusted OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.08 to 5.46, p=0.03) and 90 day mRS ≤2 (adjusted OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.65 to 7.22, p=0.001), even when controlling for last known well, NIHSS, and EVT; it was not associated with an increased risk of ICH (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.39 to 2.78, p=0.94), and there was a trend toward association with greater TICI 2b–3 (OR 3.59, 95% CI 0.94 to 13.70, p=0.06).ConclusionsIntravenous alteplase at spoke hospitals may improve discharge and 90 day mRS and should not be withheld from EVT eligible patients who first present at alteplase capable spoke hospitals that do not perform EVT. Additional studies are warranted to confirm and further explore these benefits.

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Stroke Intervention: Geographic Disparities in Acute Stroke Care and the Role of Interventional Cardiology

EMJ Interventional Cardiology ◽

10.33590/emjintcardiol/20-00009 ◽

2020 ◽

Keyword(s):

Acute Stroke ◽

Case Series ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Interventional Cardiology ◽

Stroke Care ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Acute Stroke Care ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Geographic Disparities

Stroke is the second-leading cause of death and a major cause of disability worldwide. The majority of strokes are ischaemic, and effective therapy to achieve reperfusion includes intravenous thrombolysis and, for proximal large vessel occlusion strokes, endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (MT). There has been a paradigm shift in acute stroke care, driven by a series of randomised controlled trials demonstrating that timely reperfusion with MT results in superior outcomes compared to intravenous thrombolysis in patients with large vessel occlusion strokes. There are significant geographic disparities in delivering acute stroke care because of the maldistribution of neurointerventional specialists. There are now several case series demonstrating the feasibility and safety of first medical contact MT by carotid stent-capable interventional cardiologists and noninvasive neurologists working on stroke teams, which is a solution to the uneven distribution of neurointerventionalists and allows stroke interventions to be delivered in local communities.

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Comparison of Prior Bridging Intravenous Thrombolysis With Direct Endovascular Thrombectomy for Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Frontiers in Neurology ◽

10.3389/fneur.2021.602370 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Zhao-Ji Chen ◽

Xiao-Fang Li ◽

Cheng-Yu Liang ◽

Lei Cui ◽

Li-Qing Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Meta Analysis ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Bridging Therapy ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy ◽

Significant Difference

Background: Whether bridging treatment combining intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is superior to direct EVT alone for emergent large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the anterior circulation is unknown. A systematic review and a meta-analysis were performed to investigate and assess the effect and safety of bridging treatment vs. direct EVT in patients with LVO in the anterior circulation.Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library were searched to assess the effect and safety of bridging treatment and direct EVT in LVO. Functional independence, mortality, asymptomatic and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (aICH and sICH, respectively), and successful recanalization were evaluated. The risk ratio and the 95% CI were analyzed.Results: Among the eight studies included, there was no significant difference in the long-term functional independence (OR = 1.008, 95% CI = 0.845–1.204, P = 0.926), mortality (OR = 1.060, 95% CI = 0.840–1.336, P = 0.624), recanalization rate (OR = 1.015, 95% CI = 0.793–1.300, P = 0.905), and the incidence of sICH (OR = 1.320, 95% CI = 0.931–1.870, P = 0.119) between bridging therapy and direct EVT. After adjusting for confounding factors, bridging therapy showed a lower recanalization rate (effect size or ES = −0.377, 95% CI = −0.684 to −0.070, P = 0.016), but there was no significant difference in the long-term functional independence (ES = 0.057, 95% CI = −0.177 to 0.291, P = 0.634), mortality (ES = 0.693, 95% CI = −0.133 to 1.519, P = 0.100), and incidence of sICH (ES = −0.051, 95% CI = −0.687 to 0.585, P = 0.875) compared with direct EVT. Meanwhile, in the subgroup analysis of RCT, no significant difference was found in the long-term functional independence (OR = 0.927, 95% CI = 0.727–1.182, P = 0.539), recanalization rate (OR = 1.331, 95% CI = 0.948–1.867, P = 0.099), mortality (OR = 1.072, 95% CI = 0.776–1.481, P = 0.673), and sICH incidence (OR = 1.383, 95% CI = 0.806–2.374, P = 0.977) between patients receiving bridging therapy and those receiving direct DVT.Conclusion: For stroke patients with acute anterior circulation occlusion and who are eligible for intravenous thrombolysis, there is no significant difference in the clinical effect between direct EVT and bridging therapy, which needs to be verified by more randomized controlled trials.

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Changes in Stroke Hospital Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.121.034601 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Aristeidis H. Katsanos ◽

Lina Palaiodimou ◽

Ramin Zand ◽

Shadi Yaghi ◽

Hooman Kamel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Mean Difference ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy

Background and Purpose: We systematically evaluated the impact of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on stroke care across the world. Methods: Observational studies comparing characteristics, acute treatment delivery, or hospitalization outcomes between patients with stroke admitted during the COVID-19 pandemic and those admitted before the pandemic were identified by Medline, Scopus, and Embase databases search. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for all outcomes. Results: We identified 46 studies including 129 491 patients. Patients admitted with stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic were found to be younger (mean difference, −1.19 [95% CI, −2.05 to −0.32]; I 2 =70%) and more frequently male (odds ratio, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.01–1.22]; I 2 =54%) compared with patients admitted with stroke in the prepandemic era. Patients admitted with stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic, also, had higher baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores (mean difference, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.12–0.98]; I 2 =90%), higher probability for large vessel occlusion presence (odds ratio, 1.63 [95% CI, 1.07–2.48]; I 2 =49%) and higher risk for in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.05–1.52]; I 2 =55%). Patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted during the COVID-19 pandemic had higher probability of receiving endovascular thrombectomy treatment (odds ratio, 1.24 [95% CI, 1.05–1.47]; I 2 =40%). No difference in the rates of intravenous thrombolysis administration or difference in time metrics regarding onset to treatment time for intravenous thrombolysis and onset to groin puncture time for endovascular thrombectomy were detected. Conclusions: The present systematic review and meta-analysis indicates an increased prevalence of younger patients, more severe strokes attributed to large vessel occlusion, and higher endovascular treatment rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients admitted with stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic had higher in-hospital mortality. These findings need to be interpreted with caution in view of discrepant reports and heterogeneity being present across studies.

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A Retrospective Study of CT (Computerized Tomography) for Late Window Large Vessel Occlusion (LVO)

Case Medical Research ◽

10.31525/ct1-nct04096248 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Study ◽

Computerized Tomography ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion

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Endovascular therapy in patients with large vessel occlusion due to cardioembolism versus large-artery atherosclerosis

Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders ◽

10.1177/1756286421999017 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

pp. 175628642199901

Author(s):

Meredeth Zotter ◽

Eike I. Piechowiak ◽

Rupashani Balasubramaniam ◽

Rascha Von Martial ◽

Kotryna Genceviciute ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Endovascular Therapy ◽

Independent Predictor ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Stent Retriever ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Artery ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Significant Difference

Background and aims: To investigate whether stroke aetiology affects outcome in patients with acute ischaemic stroke who undergo endovascular therapy. Methods: We retrospectively analysed patients from the Bernese Stroke Centre Registry (January 2010–September 2018), with acute large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation due to cardioembolism or large-artery atherosclerosis, treated with endovascular therapy (±intravenous thrombolysis). Results: The study included 850 patients (median age 77.4 years, 49.3% female, 80.1% with cardioembolism). Compared with those with large-artery atherosclerosis, patients with cardioembolism were older, more often female, and more likely to have a history of hypercholesterolaemia, atrial fibrillation, current smoking (each p < 0.0001) and higher median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores on admission ( p = 0.030). They were more frequently treated with stent retrievers ( p = 0.007), but the median number of stent retriever attempts was lower ( p = 0.016) and fewer had permanent stent placements ( p ⩽ 0.004). Univariable analysis showed that patients with cardioembolism had worse 3-month survival [72.7% versus 84%, odds ratio (OR) = 0.51; p = 0.004] and modified Rankin scale (mRS) score shift ( p = 0.043) and higher rates of post-interventional heart failure (33.5% versus 18.5%, OR = 2.22; p < 0.0001), but better modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) score shift ( p = 0.025). Excellent (mRS = 0–1) 3-month outcome, successful reperfusion (mTICI = 2b–3), symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage and Updated Charlson Comorbidity Index were similar between groups. Propensity-matched analysis found no statistically significant difference in outcome between stroke aetiology groups. Stroke aetiology was not an independent predictor of favourable mRS score shift, but lower admission NIHSS score, younger age and independence pre-stroke were (each p < 0.0001). Stroke aetiology was not an independent predictor of heart failure, but older age, admission antithrombotics and dependence pre-stroke were (each ⩽0.027). Stroke aetiology was not an independent predictor of favourable mTICI score shift, but application of stent retriever and no permanent intracranial stent placement were (each ⩽0.044). Conclusion: We suggest prospective studies to further elucidate differences in reperfusion and outcome between patients with cardioembolism and large-artery atherosclerosis.

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Early detection of large‐vessel occlusion stroke after cardiac surgery using CT angiography leading to early recanalization with endovascular thrombectomy

Clinical Case Reports ◽

10.1002/ccr3.4246 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Kiyoshi Takemoto ◽

Masaaki Sakuraya ◽

Michitaka Nakamura ◽

Hidetsugu Maekawa ◽

Kazuo Yamanaka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Surgery ◽

Early Detection ◽

Ct Angiography ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy

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Mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischaemic stroke patients with pre-interventional intracranial haemorrhage following intravenous thrombolysis

The Neuroradiology Journal ◽

10.1177/19714009211009112 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 197140092110091

Author(s):

Hanna Styczen ◽

Matthias Gawlitza ◽

Nuran Abdullayev ◽

Alex Brehm ◽

Carmen Serna-Candel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcome ◽

Ischaemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischaemic Stroke ◽

Intracranial Haemorrhage ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Vessel Occlusion

Background Data on outcome of endovascular treatment in patients with acute ischaemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion suffering from intravenous thrombolysis-associated intracranial haemorrhage prior to mechanical thrombectomy remain scarce. Addressing this subject, we report our multicentre experience. Methods A retrospective analysis of consecutive acute ischaemic stroke patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy due to large vessel occlusion despite the pre-interventional occurrence of intravenous thrombolysis-associated intracranial haemorrhage was performed at five tertiary care centres between January 2010–September 2020. Baseline demographics, aetiology of stroke and intracranial haemorrhage, angiographic outcome assessed by the Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score and clinical outcome evaluated by the modified Rankin Scale at 90 days were recorded. Results In total, six patients were included in the study. Five individuals demonstrated cerebral intraparenchymal haemorrhage on pre-interventional imaging; in one patient additional subdural haematoma was observed and one patient suffered from isolated subarachnoid haemorrhage. All patients except one were treated by the ‘drip-and-ship’ paradigm. Successful reperfusion was achieved in 4/6 (67%) individuals. In 5/6 (83%) patients, the pre-interventional intracranial haemorrhage had aggravated in post-interventional computed tomography with space-occupying effect. Overall, five patients had died during the hospital stay. The clinical outcome of the survivor was modified Rankin Scale=4 at 90 days follow-up. Conclusion Mechanical thrombectomy in patients with intravenous thrombolysis-associated intracranial haemorrhage is technically feasible. The clinical outcome of this subgroup of stroke patients, however, appears to be devastating with high mortality and only carefully selected patients might benefit from endovascular treatment.

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Differences in Acute Ischemic Stroke Management and Prognosis between Multiple Large-Vessel Occlusion and Single Large-Vessel Occlusion: Subanalysis of the RESCUE-Japan Registry 2

Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽

10.1159/000514369 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 50 (4) ◽

pp. 397-404

Author(s):

Kotaro Tatebayashi ◽

Kazutaka Uchida ◽

Hiroto Kageyama ◽

Hirotoshi Imamura ◽

Nobuyuki Ohara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy ◽

Tandem Occlusion ◽

The Mean ◽

Patient Prognosis

Introduction: The management and prognosis of acute ischemic stroke due to multiple large-vessel occlusion (LVO) (MLVO) are not well scrutinized. We therefore aimed to elucidate the differences in patient characteristics and prognosis of MLVO and single LVO (SLVO). Methods: The Recovery by Endovascular Salvage for Cerebral Ultra-Acute Embolism Japan Registry 2 (RESCUE-Japan Registry 2) enrolled 2,420 consecutive patients with acute LVO who were admitted within 24 h of onset. We compared patient prognosis between MLVO and SLVO in the favorable outcome, defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤2, and in mortality at 90 days by adjusting for confounders. Additionally, we stratified MLVO patients into tandem occlusion and different territories, according to the occlusion site information and also examined their characteristics. Results: Among the 2,399 patients registered, 124 (5.2%) had MLVO. Although there was no difference between the 2 groups in terms of hypertension as a risk factor, the mean arterial pressure on admission was significantly higher in MLVO (115 vs. 107 mm Hg, p = 0.004). MLVO in different territories was more likely to be cardioembolic (42.1 vs. 10.4%, p = 0.0002), while MLVO in tandem occlusion was more likely to be atherothrombotic (39.5 vs. 81.3%, p < 0.0001). Among MLVO, tandem occlusion had a significantly longer onset-to-door time than different territories (200 vs. 95 min, p = 0.02); accordingly, the tissue plasminogen activator administration was significantly less in tandem occlusion (22.4 vs. 47.9%, p = 0.003). However, interestingly, the endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) was performed significantly more in tandem occlusion (63.2 vs. 41.7%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–5.0). The type of MLVO was the only and significant factor associated with EVT performance in multivariate analysis. The favorable outcomes were obtained less in MLVO than in SLVO (28.2 vs. 37.1%; aOR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.30–0.76). The mortality rate was not significantly different between MLVO and SLVO (8.9 vs. 11.1%, p = 0.42). Discussion/Conclusion: The prognosis of MLVO was significantly worse than that of SLVO. In different territories, we might be able to consider more aggressive EVT interventions.

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