scholarly journals Epidemiological and Treatment Trends for Acute Ischemic Stroke Preceding and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Adrian Rodrigues ◽  
Michael C. Jin ◽  
Arjun Pendharkar

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic heralded a number of indirect perturbations to patient behavior and disease epidemiology, and mounting evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated underlying health disparities along racial and socioeconomic (SES) groups for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We used 1 large national insurance database to identify whether patient demographics, disease severity, or mechanical thrombectomy (MT) rates changed for the treatment and management of AIS during COVID-19. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> AIS patient records were queried from the Clinformatics® Data Mart Optum SES Database from the following 2 time periods: March 1, 2019-June 30, 2019 (pre-COVID-19), and March 1, 2020–June 30, 2020 (COVID-19). The database contains the longitudinal healthcare claims of approximately 77 million patients covered by a major insurance provider between 2003 and June 30, 2020 across all 50 states. Interrupted time-series analyses were used to assess trend differences before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. <b><i>Results:</i></b> During the pre-COVID-19 period (March 1, 2019-June 30, 2019), there were 9,072 patients who presented for AIS, compared to 7,366 during COVID-19 (March 1, 2020-June 30, 2020). In both periods, the majority of patients were white (66.83% pre-COVID-19 and 67.91% during COVID-19). The average hospitalization duration was not different during the 2 time periods (<i>p</i> = 0.632), nor were rates of MT (<i>p</i> = 0.260). Total inpatient costs rose slightly for the COVID-19 period (USD 30,739 vs. USD 29,406; <i>p</i> = 0.015), and the median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was higher during CO­VID-19 (5 vs. 4; <i>p</i> = 0.023). When longitudinal trends were assessed for rates of MT and average NIHSS score for black and white patients, no differences were noted during the CO­VID-19 pandemic. Patients without any undergraduate experience did not present with AIS in increasing or decreasing incidence during COVID-19 (<i>p</i> = 0.268), but they did undergo declining rates of MT (<i>p</i> = 0.013). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> In the largest SES analysis of AIS patients during the COVID-19 era, we found that several SES factors, including race and income, did not seem to significantly impact utilization of MT for the treatment of AIS or the severity of the stroke at presentation.

Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ameer E Hassan ◽  
Nauman Tariq ◽  
Nassir Rostambeigi ◽  
Saqib Chaudhry ◽  
Gustavo Rodriguez ◽  
...  

Background: The effect of pre-existing malignancy with or without metastasis on angiographic and clinical success of endovascular treatment in acute ischemic stroke patients has not been previously studied. The procoagulant states in patients with pre-existing malignancy may lead to suboptimal results after endovascular treatment. Objective: To determine the effect of underlying malignancy with or without metastasis on angiographic recanalization and clinical outcomes among acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing endovascular treatment. Methods: We reviewed consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients treated with endovascular treatment over a 5-year period. Demographics characteristics, NIHSS score before and after the procedure, and discharge modified Rankin scale (mRS) were collected. An improvement of 1 point or more on the Qureshi grading scale was used to define angiographic recanallization. Primary malignancy and evidence of metastasis was obtained by individual chart review. We analyzed whether the presence of malignancy with or without metastasis was associated with angiographic recanalization, favorable clinical outcome, intra-cerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and length of stay (LOS) after age and NIHSS score adjustment. Results: We analyzed 186 patients undergoing endovascular treatment, mean age + SD: 65+16 years, 100(54%) men, and mean admission NIHSS score ± SD: 15.3+8. Of these, 34 patients (18%) had underlying malignancy [20 were men] with 16 patients with documented metastatic disease. The mean age was higher in the malignancy group (72 versus 64 years, p=0.014). LOS was similar (11 days versus 9, p=NS). Adjusting for age and admission NIHSS score, regression analysis showed no impact from malignancy with or without metastatic disease on recanalization rate (odds ratio [OR]=0.5, p=NS) or discharge mRS (p=NS). A total of 37 patients developed ICH after endovascular therapy (38% and 18% in patients with or without underlying malignant disease, respectively). The presence of malignancy wih or without metastatic disease was associated with significantly higher ICH rates (OR=3, p=0.05) after endovascular treatment. Conclusion: Underlying malignancy with or without metastasis in patients undergoing endovascular procedure for acute ischemic stroke is not associated with lower rates of angiographic recanalization or poor outcomes but increases the rates of post-procedural ICH by 3 fold.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Zhou ◽  
Xiao-Chuan Wang ◽  
Jun-Yi Xiang ◽  
Ming-Zhao Zhang ◽  
Bo Li ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEMechanical thrombectomy using a Solitaire stent retriever has been widely applied as a safe and effective method in adult acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, due to the lack of data, the safety and effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy using a Solitaire stent in pediatric AIS has not yet been verified. The purpose of this study was to explore the safety and effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy using a Solitaire stent retriever for pediatric AIS.METHODSBetween January 2012 and December 2017, 7 cases of pediatric AIS were treated via mechanical thrombectomy using a Solitaire stent retriever. The clinical practice, imaging, and follow-up results were reviewed, and the data were summarized and analyzed.RESULTSThe ages of the 7 patients ranged from 7 to 14 years with an average age of 11.1 years. The preoperative National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores ranged from 9 to 22 with an average of 15.4 points. A Solitaire stent retriever was used in all patients, averaging 1.7 applications of thrombectomy and combined balloon dilation in 2 cases. Grade 3 on the modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction scale of recanalization was achieved in 5 cases and grade 2b in 2 cases. Six patients improved and 1 patient died after thrombectomy. The average NIHSS score of the 6 cases was 3.67 at discharge. The average modified Rankin Scale score was 1 at the 3-month follow-up. Subarachnoid hemorrhage after thrombectomy occurred in 1 case and that patient died 3 days postoperatively.CONCLUSIONSThis study shows that mechanical thrombectomy using a Solitaire stent retriever has a high recanalization rate and excellent clinical prognosis in pediatric AIS. The safety of mechanical thrombectomy in pediatric AIS requires more clinical trials for confirmation.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Jang Hun Kim ◽  
Wonki Yoon ◽  
Chi Kyung Kim ◽  
Haewon Roh ◽  
Hee Jin Bae ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Clinical outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large vessel occlusion (LVO) is not satisfactory if reperfusion treatment fails or is not tried. <b><i>Aims:</i></b> We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of urgent superficial temporal-to-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass surgery in selected patients. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Patients who were diagnosed with LVO-induced AIS in the anterior circulation but had a failed intra-arterial thrombectomy (IAT) or were not tried due to IAT contraindications were prospectively enrolled. Timely urgent STA-MCA bypass surgery was performed if they showed perfusion-diffusion mismatch or symptom-diffusion mismatch in the acute phase of disease. Clinical and radiological data of these patients were assessed to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of urgent bypass procedures. A pooled analysis of published data on urgent bypass surgery in acute stroke patients was conducted and analyzed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> In 18 patients who underwent timely bypass, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score improved from 12.11 ± 4.84 to 9.89 ± 6.52, 1 week after surgery. Three-month and long-term (9.72 ± 5.00 months) favorable outcomes (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] scores 0–2) were achieved in 50 and 75% of the patients, respectively. The pooled analysis (117 patients from 10 articles, including ours) identified favorable mRS scores in 71.79% patients at 3 months. A significant NIHSS score improvement from 11.51 ± 4.89 to 7.59 ± 5.50 was observed after surgery with significance. Major complications occurred in 3 patients (2.6%, 3/117) without mortality. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Urgent STA-MCA bypass surgery can be regarded as a safe optional treatment to prevent cerebral infarct expansion and to improve clinical and radiological outcomes in highly selected patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 148-158
Author(s):  
Yu Cui ◽  
Zhong-He Zhou ◽  
Xiao-Wen Hou ◽  
Hui-Sheng Chen

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The delipid extracorporeal lipoprotein filter from plasma (DELP) has been approved for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) by the China Food and Drug Administration, but its effectiveness and mechanism are not yet fully determined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of DELP treatment on AIS patients after intravenous thrombolysis. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A retrospective study was performed on AIS patients with no improvement within 24 h after intravenous thrombolysis who were subsequently treated with or without DELP. Primary outcome was the proportion with a modified Rankin scale (mRS) of 0–1 at 90 days. Secondary outcomes were changes in National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score from 24 h to 14 days after thrombolysis, and the rate of improvement in stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP). The main safety outcomes were the rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality. To investigate its mechanisms, serum biomarkers were measured before and after DELP. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 252 patients were recruited, 63 in the DELP group and 189 matched patients in the NO DELP group. Compared with the NO DELP group, the DELP group showed an increase in the proportion of mRS 0–1 at 90 days (<i>p</i> = 0.042). More decrease in NIHSS from 24 h to 14 days (<i>p</i> = 0.024), a higher rate of improvement in SAP (<i>p</i> = 0.022), and lower mortality (<i>p</i> = 0.040) were shown in DELP group. Furthermore, DELP decreased levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, E-selectin, malondialdehyde, matrix metalloprotein 9, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and fibrinogen, and increased superoxide dismutase (<i>p</i>&#x3c; 0.05). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> DELP following intravenous thrombolysis should be safe, and is associated with neurological function improvement, possibly through multiple neuroprotective mechanisms. Prospective trials are needed.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joon-tae Kim ◽  
Hee-Joon Bae ◽  

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and large artery diseases (LAD) share several risk factors and often coexist in the same patient. Optimal treatments for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with concomitant AF and LAD have not been extensively studied so far. Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the addition of antiplatelet (AP) to oral anticoagulant (OAC) with that of OAC alone in AIS with AF according to the LAD. Methods: Using a multicenter stroke registry, acute (within 48h of onset) and mild-to-moderate (NIHSS score ≤15) stroke patients with AF were identified. Propensity scores using IPTW were used to adjust baseline imbalances between the OAC+AP group and the OAC alone group in all patients and in each subgroup by LAD. The primary outcome was major vascular events, defined as the composite of recurrent stroke, MI, and all-cause mortality at up to 3 months after index stroke. Results: Among the 5469 patients (age, 72±10yrs; male, 54.9%; initial NIHSS score, 4 [2-9]), 79.0% (n=4323) received OAC alone, and 21.0% (n=1146) received OAC+AP. By weighted Cox proportional hazards analysis, a tendency of increasing the risk of 3-months primary composite events in the OAC+AP group vs the OAC alone (HR 1.36 [0.99-1.87], p=0.06), with significant interaction with treatments and LAD (Pint=0.048). Briefly, among patients with moderate-to-severe large artery stenosis, tendency of decrease in 3-months primary composite events of the OAC+AP group, compared with OAC alone group, was observed (HR 0.54 [0.17-1.70]), whereas among patients with complete occlusion, the OAC+AP group markedly increased the risk of 3-months composite events (HR 2.00 [1.27-3.15]), compared with the OAC alone group. No interaction between direct oral anticoagulant and warfarin on outcome was observed (Pint=0.35). Conclusion: In conclusion, treatment with addition of AP to OAC had a tendency to increase the risk of 3-months vascular events, compared with OAC alone in AIS with AF. However, the effects of antithrombotic treatment could be modified according to the LAD, with substantial benefits of OAC alone in subgroup of large artery occlusion. Our results address the need for the further study to tailor the optimal treatment in AIS with concomitant AF and LAD.


Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. B Brouwers ◽  
Svetlana Lorenzano ◽  
Lyndsey H Starks ◽  
David M Greer ◽  
Steven K Feske ◽  
...  

Purpose: Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a common and potentially devastating complication of ischemic stroke, however its prevalence, predictors, and outcome remain unclear. Early anticoagulation is thought to be a risk factor for HT which raises the clinical question when to (re)start anticoagulation in ischemic stroke patients who have a compelling indication, such as atrial fibrillation. We conducted a prospective cohort study to address this question and to identify association of hemorrhagic transformation with outcome measures in patients with atrial fibrillation in the setting of acute ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective study which enrolled consecutive patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke presenting to a single center over a three-year period. As part of the observational study, baseline clinical data and stroke characteristics as well as 3 month functional outcome were collected. For this sub-study, we restricted the analysis to subjects diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. CT and MRI scans were reviewed by experienced readers, blinded to clinical data, to assess for hemorrhagic transformation (using ECASS 2 criteria), microbleeds and infarct volumes in both admission and follow-up scans. Clinical and outcome data were analyzed for association with hemorrhagic transformation. Results: Of 94 patients, 63 had a history of atrial fibrillation (67.0%) and 31 had newly discovered atrial fibrillation (33.0%). We identified HT in 3 of 94 baseline scans (3.2%) and 22 of 48 follow-up scans (45.8%) obtained a median of 3 days post-stroke. In-hospital initiation of either anti-platelet (n = 36; OR 0.34 [95% CI 0.10-1.16], p-value = 0.09) or anticoagulation with unfractionated intravenous heparin or low molecular weight heparin (n = 72; OR 0.25 [95% CI 0.06-1.15], p-value = 0.08) was not associated with HT. Initial NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (median 13.0 [IQR 15.0] vs. 7.0 [IQR 10.0], p-value = 0.029) and baseline infarct volume (median 17 [IQR 42.03] vs. 5 [IQR 10.95], p-value = 0.011) were significantly higher in patients with HT compared to those without. Hemorrhagic transformation was associated with a significantly higher 48-hour median NIHSS score (20 [IQR 3.0] vs. 2 [IQR 3.25], p-value = 0.007) and larger final infarct volume (81.40 [IQR 82.75] vs. 9.95 [IQR 19.73], p-value < 0.001). Finally, we found a trend towards poorer 3-month modified Rankin Scale scores in subjects with HT (OR 11.25 [95% CI 0.97-130.22], p-value = 0.05). Conclusion: In patients with atrial fibrillation, initial NIHSS score and baseline infarct volume are associated with hemorrhagic transformation in acute ischemic stroke. Early initiation of antithrombotic therapy was not associated with hemorrhagic transformation. Patients with hemorrhagic transformation were found to have a poorer short and long term outcome and larger final infarct volumes.


PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Chin Su ◽  
Kuo-Feng Huang ◽  
Fu-Yi Yang ◽  
Shinn-Kuang Lin

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.


2021 ◽  
pp. jim-2020-001675
Author(s):  
Jian-Feng Qu ◽  
Huo-Hua Zhong ◽  
Wen-Cong Liang ◽  
Yang-Kun Chen ◽  
Yong-Lin Liu ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was to determine the neuroimaging predictors of poor participation after acute ischemic stroke. A total of 443 patients who had acute ischemic stroke were assessed. At 1-year recovery, the Reintegration to Normal Living Index was used to assess participation restriction. We also assessed the Activities of Daily Living Scale and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. Brain MRI measurement included acute infarcts and pre-existing abnormalities such as enlarged perivascular spaces, white matter lesions, ventricular-brain ratio, and medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTLA). The study included 324 men (73.1%) and 119 women (26.9%). In the univariate analysis, patients with poor participation after 1 year were older, more likely to be men, had higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission, with more histories of hypertension and atrial fibrillation, larger infarct volume, more severely enlarged perivascular spaces and MTLA, and more severe periventricular hyperintensities and deep white matter hyperintensities. Patients with participation restriction also had poor activities of daily living (ADL) and mRS score. Multiple logistic regression showed that, in model 1, age, male gender, NIHSS score on admission, and ADL on follow-up were significant predictors of poor participation, accounting for 60.2% of the variance. In model 2, which included both clinical and MRI variables, male gender, NIHSS score on admission, ADL on follow-up, and MTLA were significant predictors of poor participation, accounting for 61.2% of the variance. Participation restriction was common after acute ischemic stroke despite good mRS score. Male gender, stroke severity, severity of ADL on follow-up, and MTLA may be predictors of poor participation.Trial registration number ChiCTR1800016665.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisda Amalia ◽  
Yeremia Tatang ◽  
Henny Anggraini Sadeli ◽  
Ida Parwati ◽  
Ahmad Rizal ◽  
...  

Abstract Background. Stroke is the third leading causes of death and can cause severe disability. Ischemic stroke has a higher prevalence compared to hemorrhage stroke. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is a transcription factor which maintains cellular homeostasis in response to hypoxia. It can trigger apoptosis while stimulating angiogenesis process and decrease neurological deficit after an ischemic stroke. However, this protein complex has not been widely investigated. Objective. Here, we examined the potential of HIF-1α as a marker for neuroplasticity process after ischemic stroke. Methods. Serum HIF-1α were measured in acute ischemic stroke patients. National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were assessed on the admission and discharge day (between days 7 and 14). To classify the ischemic stroke, we used (Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment) TOAST criteria. Statistical significances were calculated with Spearman rank test. Results. A total of 58 patients, 31 with large artery atherosclerosis LVD and 27 with small vessel disease (SVD) were included in this study. HIF-1α level in LVD group was (mean ± SD) 0.5225 ± 0.2459 mg/L and in SVD group was 0.3815 ± 0.121 mg/L. HIF-1α was higher (p = 0.004) in LVD group than in SVD group. The initial NIHSS score in LVD group was (mean ± SD) 15.46 ± 2.61 and discharge NIHSS score was 13.31 ± 3.449. Initial NIHSS score in SVD group was 6.07 ± 1.82 and the discharge NIHSS was 5.703 ± 1.7055. In LVD group, HIF-1α was correlated significantly with initial NIHSS (p = 0.0000) and discharge NIHSS (p = 0.0000, r = 0.93). This was also the case for SVD. We found a significant correlation between the level of HIF-1α with initial NIHSS (p = 0.0000) and discharge NIHSS (p = 0.0383) in SVD group (r = 0.94). Conclusion. HIF-1α has a strong correlation with NIHSS and it may be used as the predictor of acute ischemic stroke outcome.


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