Left Atrial Appendage Closure Yields Favorable Cardio- and Cerebrovascular Outcomes in Patients With Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation and Prior Stroke

Introduction: Patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and previous stroke are at significantly higher risk of stroke recurrence. Data on the efficacy of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) on these patients is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of LAAC efficacy on long-term cardio- and cerebrovascular outcomes in NVAF patients with vs. without prior stroke.Methods: Three hundred and seventy consecutive NVAF patients who underwent LAAC were enrolled and divided into stroke and non-stroke groups based on history of previous stroke. Endpoints, such as thromboembolism, major bleeding, and mortality post-LAAC, were followed up among groups.Results: Patients in the stroke group had higher mean CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores compared to the non-stroke group (5.1 vs. 3.6 and 4.1 vs. 3.4, both P < 0.001, respectively). Over a median follow-up of 2.2 years, there were no significant differences in incidence rates of thromboembolism, device-related thrombus (DRT), major bleeding, and combined efficacy endpoints between the two groups. In both stroke and non-stroke groups, LAAC decreased the risk of thromboembolism [relative risk reduction (RRR) 87.5%, P = 0.034, and 74.6%, P = 0.004, respectively] and major bleeding (RRR 68.8%, P = 0.034, and 68.6%, P = 0.007, respectively) compared with predicted risk. The RRR in thromboembolism was greater in patients with vs. without prior stroke (OR 2.45, 95% CI: 1.20–5.12, P = 0.016). The incidence rates of all-cause mortality and non-cardiovascular death were similar between the two groups, but the risks of cardiovascular death post-LAAC both before (1.4% vs. 8.1%, respectively, P = 0.038) and after adjustment for confounding factors (P = 0.048) were significantly decreased in the stroke group.Conclusions: Patients with vs. without prior stroke did not exhibit a worse clinical prognosis after LAAC. LAAC may provide an increased benefit in cardio-cerebrovascular outcomes in patients with previous stroke compared to those without previous stroke. Further research is necessary to evaluate the efficacy of LAAC in this field.

Increased COVID-19 Mortality in People With Previous Cerebrovascular Disease: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Background and Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the association between previous stroke and mortality after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) according to sex, age groups, and stroke subtypes. Methods: Prospective population-based cohort study including all COVID-19 positive cases between February 1 and July 31, 2020. Comorbidities and mortality were extracted using linked health administration databases. Previous stroke included transient ischemic attack, ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage, and combined stroke for cases with more than one category. Other comorbidities were obesity, diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, cirrhosis, dementia, individual socioeconomic index, and deprivation index. Cases were followed up until December 31, 2020. Primary outcome was mortality of any cause after COVID-19 positivity. Cox proportional regression analysis adjusted for comorbidities was used. Stratified analyses were performed for sex and age (<60, 60–79, and ≥80 years). Results: There were 91 629 COVID-19 cases. Previous strokes were 5752 (6.27%), of which 3887 (67.57%) were ischemic, 1237 (21.50%) transient ischemic attack, 255 (4.43%) combined, 203 (3.53%) hemorrhagic, and 170 (2.96%) subarachnoid hemorrhage. There were 9512 deaths (10.38%). Mortality was associated with previous stroke (hazard ratio [HR]=1.12 [95% CI, 1.06–1.18], P <0.001), in both sexes separately (men=1.13 [1.05–1.22], P =0.001; women=1.09 [1.01–1.18], P =0.023), in people <60 years (HR=2.97 [1.97–4.48], P <0.001) and 60 to 79 years (HR=1.32 [1.19–1.48], P <0.001) but not in people ≥80 years (HR=1.02 [0.96–1.09], P =0.437). Ischemic (HR=1.11 [1.05–1.18], P =0.001), hemorrhagic (HR=1.53 [1.20–1.96], P =0.001) and combined (HR=1.31 [1.05–1.63], P =0.016) strokes were associated but not transient ischemic attack. Subarachnoid hemorrhage was associated only in people <60 years (HR=5.73 [1.82–18.06], P =0.003). Conclusions: Previous stroke was associated with a higher mortality in people younger than 80 years. The association occurred for both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke but not for transient ischemic attack. These data might help healthcare authorities to establish prioritization strategies for COVID-19 vaccination.

Dementia Risk Following Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Factors Collected at Time of Stroke Diagnosis

Objective: To assess incidence rates and predictors of dementia after ischemic stroke. Methods: A search was conducted on Embase and Medline for reports published up to November 2019. Studies were included if they: 1) assessed dementia incidence among patients with ischemic stroke diagnosis and 2) excluded patients with prevalent dementia at baseline. The main analysis included: 1) absolute risk; 2) incidence rates (per 100 person-years) and 3) patient-level predictors (demographics, CVD history and major cardiac events, previous stroke and TIA, stroke location, disability post-stroke, chronic brain change and stroke mechanism). Additional predictors assessed included study setting (clinic or registry), method of dementia diagnosis (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) or both) and inclusion of patients with recurrent or first-ever stroke. A random effects meta-analysis was undertaken. Risk of bias in included studies was assessed in terms of selection, comparability and outcome. Results: 4,325 studies were screened in the title and abstract phase after removing duplicates and 280 eligible studies were screened for full text. A total of 21 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis, representing 55,183 patients with ischemic stroke, with average age of 70 years (range 65-80 years) and average follow-up of 29 months. The majority of included studies were conducted in a hospital setting (n=17/21). The overall rate of dementia after ischemic stroke was 13.0 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 6.0, 36.0). Incidence rates were eight times higher in hospital-based studies (17.0, 95% CI 8.0, 36.0) compared to registry-based studies (1.8, 95% CI 0.8, 4.0). Absolute dementia risk after stroke was 20% at 5 year, 30% at 15 years and 48% at 25 years of follow-up. Incidence rates were 1.5 times higher in studies that included patients with recurrent ischemic stroke compared to estimates from studies that included first-time ever stroke patients only. There was 33% difference in dementia incidence in the later study periods (2007-2009) compared to (1996-2006). Statistically significant predictors of dementia after ischemic stroke included female gender (OR=1.2, 95% CI 1.1, 1.4), hypertension (1.4, 95% 1.1, 2.0), diabetes mellitus (1.6, 95% 1.3, 2.1), atrial fibrillation (1.9, 95% 1.2, 3.0), previous stroke (2.0, 95% CI 1.6, 2.6), presence of stroke lesion in dominant hemisphere (2.4, 95% 1.3, 4.5), brain stem/cerebellum (0.5, 95% CI 0.3, 0.9) or frontal lobe (3.7, 95% CI 1.2, 12.0), presence of aphasia (7.9, 95% CI 2.4, 26.0), dysphasia (5.8, 95% CI 3.0, 11.3), gait impairment (1.7, 95% CI 1.1, 2.7), presence of white matter hyperintensities (3.2, 95% CI 2.0, 5.3), medial temporal lobe atrophy (3.9, 95% CI 1.9, 8.3) and transient ischemic attack (TIA) as the predisposing aetiology for ischemic stroke (0.44, 95% CI 0.22, 0.88). Conclusion: Factors routinely collected at time of admission guide informed monitoring of patients at highest risk of progression to dementia after acute ischemic stroke. Predictors of dementia after acute ischemic stroke should be assessed as distinct features from those established for general dementia.

Association of total pre-existing comorbidities with stroke risk: a large-scale community-based cohort study from China

Background Comorbidities, any other coexisting diseases in patients with a particular index disease, are known to increase the mortality of a stroke. However, the association of pre-existing comorbidities with stroke risk has not been fully studied. Methods This study included 16,246 adults from a prospective community-based cohort with a baseline survey conducted in 2013 in China. Participants were followed up with hospitalization records and the Cause of Death Registry. The association of eight pre-existing comorbidities (coronary heart disease, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, previous stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, nephropathy, and cancer) with stroke risk was analyzed using the Cox proportional hazard model in 2020. Results At a median follow-up of 5.5 years, a total of 449 participants (206 men and 243 women) developed a stroke. Four pre-existing comorbidities (hypertension, congenital heart disease, previous stroke, and diabetes) were independently and positively associated with the risk for all types of stroke. The adjusted hazard ratios for participants with only 1 and ≥ 2 pre-existing comorbidities compared with those without pre-existing conditions were 1.96 (95% CI: 1.44, 2.67; P < 0.001) and 2.87 (95% CI; 2.09, 3.94; P < 0.001) for total stroke, respectively. Moreover, male and female participants with a combination of increased age and a higher number of pre-existing comorbidities experienced the greatest risk of stroke. Conclusions The number of pre-existing comorbidities was independently associated with an increased risk of stroke. There was a synergic effect between increased age and a higher number of pre-existing comorbidities on stroke occurrence. Our novel findings emphasize the importance and potential application of pre-existing comorbidities as a risk indicator in stroke prevention.

MORe PREcISE: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort of Patient Reported Outcome Measures in Stroke

Background and Purpose: The use of patient reported outcomes measures (PROMs) may offer utility and provide outcome measures that are important for stroke survivors. This study used a stroke specific PROM, which contains Mental health (MH) and Physical Health (PH). The primary aim of this study was to assess the association between the MH and PH measures following a stroke and preexisting health conditions. Methods: A multicenter prospective cohort study at 19 hospital sites across England and Wales during 2019 was conducted. Prevalence of morbidity within PROMs was estimated with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The association between each PROM domain and demographic and health conditions were calculated using a multilevel multivariable linear model fitting the adjusted mean difference (aMD). Results: PROM morbidity was high post stroke; 93.2% of the participants reported combined post stroke PROM morbidity. The MH domain was associated with pre-existing: diabetes, previous stroke, age, and sex. The PH domain was found to be associated with gender (female) and previous stroke, Conclusions: Stroke survivors ubiquitously suffer morbidity. Risk factors associated with worsening MH and PH morbidity have implications in clinical management as they offer an opportunity to intervene, particularly to prevent long term mental health. PROMs provide useful outcome measure that matter to stroke survivors.

Evaluation of microalbuminuria as a prognostic indicator after a TIA or minor stroke in an outpatient setting: the prognostic role of microalbuminuria in TIA evolution (ProMOTE) study

ObjectiveTransient ischaemic attacks (TIA) and minor strokes are important risk factors for further vascular events. We explored the role of albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) in improving risk prediction after a first event.SettingRapid access stroke clinics in the UK.Participants2202 patients attending with TIA or minor stroke diagnosed by the attending stroke physician, able to provide a urine sample to evaluate ACR using a near-patient testing device.Primary and secondary outcomesPrimary outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACE: recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction or cardiovascular death) at 90 days. The key secondary outcome was to determine whether urinary ACR could contribute to a risk prediction tool for use in a clinic setting.Results151 MACE occurred in 144 participants within 90 days. Participants with MACE had higher ACR than those without. A composite score awarding a point each for age >80 years, previous stroke/TIA and presence of microalbuminuria identified those at low risk and high risk. 90% of patients were at low risk (scoring 0 or 1). Their 90-day risk of MACE was 5.7%. Of the remaining ‘high-risk’ population (scoring 2 or 3) 12.4% experienced MACE over 90 days (p<0.001 compared with the low-risk population). The need for acute admission in the first 7 days was twofold elevated in the high-risk group compared with the low-risk group (3.23% vs 1.43%; p=0.05). These findings were validated in an independent historic sample.ConclusionA risk score comprising age, previous stroke/TIA and microalbuminuria predicts future MACE while identifying those at low risk of a recurrent event. This tool shows promise in the risk stratification of patients to avoid the admission of low-risk patients.

Functional Disability After Ischemic Stroke: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Shanghai, China

Objective: This study aimed to understand the demographics, functional disabilities, cognitive impairment, and depressive mood among stroke patients and to explore the correlation between functional disability and the other health conditions so as to provide some data for community rehabilitation among stroke patients.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the functional status of ischemic stroke patients with stroke history between 1 month and 2 years by applying the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Data were collected during October 2016 and January 2017 from 11 communities in two districts of Shanghai, China. We used face-to-face questionnaire interviews to collect information on sociodemographics, vascular risks associated with stroke, cognitive function [Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)], and depression [Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)]; and we applied SPSS 24.0 for data analysis.Results: In this study, 305 patients with ischemic stroke were finally recruited, including 189 (61.97%) men, with an average age of 67 years. According to the mRS score, ischemic stroke patients were divided into patients without symptoms (controls, mRS = 0), patients without obvious disability (mRS = 1), and patients with mild to severe disability (mRS = 2–5). Ischemic stroke patients with different mRS levels demonstrated significant differences in age, tobacco smoke exposure, previous stroke history, cognitive function, and depression status. Compared with patients without symptoms (mRS = 0), patients with mRS = 1 had a lower MMSE score [odds ratio (OR): 0.48, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.26–0.90]; and patients with mRS = 2–5 had a lower MMSE score [OR = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.08–0.33], had a higher PHQ-9 score [OR = 5.36, 95% CI: 2.19–13.11], and were more likely to have previous stroke history [OR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.01–4.79].Conclusion: Lower degrees of functional independence are related to cognitive impairment, as well as the previous stroke history and depression status.

Influencing Factors of Stroke Awareness Among Hypertensive Patients in Community Health Centers in Indonesia

The global burden of stroke is still high, particularly in developing countries, with hypertension serves as the main risk factor. Knowledge related to stroke is essential to establish better prevention strategies. This study aimed to identify factors associated with stroke awareness among hypertensive patients in Indonesia. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in five Community Health Centers in Indonesia. We used a standardized questionnaire to asses stroke awareness and the influencing factors. The knowledge on hypertension was assessed using Hypertension Knowledge Level Scale (HK-LS). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to measure factors associated with stroke awareness. A total of 457 hypertensive patients were included. Majority of patients (77.46%) had low stroke awareness. Having higher knowledge on hypertension, higher income, and a history of previous stroke were associated with higher level of stroke awareness (odds ratio [OR] 1.878, 95%CI 1.176-2.999, p 0.008; OR 1.887, 95%CI 1.170-3.045, p 0.009; OR 5.276, 95%CI 2.210-12.594, p&lt;0.001, respectively). This study suggests that knowledge on hypertension, income, and history of previous stroke are factors which may influence the level of stroke awareness. This emphasizes the need to provide better campaign and education program to raise stroke awareness in a community setting.