scholarly journals Characteristics and Outcomes in Patients With COVID-19 and Acute Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
George Ntaios ◽  
Patrik Michel ◽  
Georgios Georgiopoulos ◽  
Yutao Guo ◽  
Wencheng Li ◽  
...  

Recent case-series of small size implied a pathophysiological association between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and severe large-vessel acute ischemic stroke. Given that severe strokes are typically associated with poor prognosis and can be very efficiently treated with recanalization techniques, confirmation of this putative association is urgently warranted in a large representative patient cohort to alert stroke clinicians, and inform pre- and in-hospital acute stroke patient pathways. We pooled all consecutive patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and acute ischemic stroke in 28 sites from 16 countries. To assess whether stroke severity and outcomes (assessed at discharge or at the latest assessment for those patients still hospitalized) in patients with acute ischemic stroke are different between patients with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19, we performed 1:1 propensity score matching analyses of our COVID-19 patients with non-COVID-19 patients registered in the Acute Stroke Registry and Analysis of Lausanne Registry between 2003 and 2019. Between January 27, 2020, and May 19, 2020, 174 patients (median age 71.2 years; 37.9% females) with COVID-19 and acute ischemic stroke were hospitalized (median of 12 patients per site). The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 10 (interquartile range [IQR], 4–18). In the 1:1 matched sample of 336 patients with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19, the median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was higher in patients with COVID-19 (10 [IQR, 4–18] versus 6 [IQR, 3–14]), P =0.03; (odds ratio, 1.69 [95% CI, 1.08–2.65] for higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score). There were 48 (27.6%) deaths, of which 22 were attributed to COVID-19 and 26 to stroke. Among 96 survivors with available information about disability status, 49 (51%) had severe disability at discharge. In the propensity score-matched population (n=330), patients with COVID-19 had higher risk for severe disability (median mRS 4 [IQR, 2–6] versus 2 [IQR, 1–4], P <0.001) and death (odds ratio, 4.3 [95% CI, 2.22–8.30]) compared with patients without COVID-19. Our findings suggest that COVID-19 associated ischemic strokes are more severe with worse functional outcome and higher mortality than non-COVID-19 ischemic strokes.

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 1826-1829
Author(s):  
Pratyaksh K. Srivastava ◽  
Shuaiqi Zhang ◽  
Ying Xian ◽  
Hanzhang Xu ◽  
Christine Rutan ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Studies suggest an increased risk of adverse outcomes among patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: Using Get With The Guidelines–Stroke, we identified 41 971 patients (AIS/COVID-19: 1143; AIS/no COVID-19: 40 828) with AIS hospitalized between February 4, 2020 and June 29, 2020, from 458 Get With The Guidelines–Stroke hospitals with at least one COVID-19 case and evaluated clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes. Results: Compared with patients with AIS/no COVID-19, those with AIS/COVID-19 were younger, more likely to be non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, or Asian, more likely to present with higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores, and had greater proportions of large vessel occlusions. Rates of thrombolysis and thrombectomy were similar between the groups. Door to computed tomography (median 55 [18–207] versus 35 [14–99] minutes, P <0.001), door to needle (59 [40–82] versus 46 [33–64] minutes, P <0.001), and door to endovascular therapy (114 [74–169] versus 90 [54–133] minutes, P =0.002) times were longer in the AIS/COVID-19 cohort. In adjusted models, patients with AIS/COVID-19 had decreased odds of discharge with modified Rankin Scale score of ≤2 (odds ratio, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.52–0.81], P <0.001) and increased odds of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 4.34 [95% CI, 3.48–5.40], P <0.001). ConclusionS: This analysis demonstrates younger age, greater stroke severity, longer times to evaluation and treatment, and worse morbidity and mortality in patients with AIS/COVID-19 compared with those with AIS/no COVID-19.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-Hung Chen ◽  
Hsu-Ling Yeh ◽  
Chiung-Wen Tsao ◽  
Li-Ming Lien ◽  
Arthur Chiwaya ◽  
...  

Translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) has been used as a biomarker of brain injury and inflammation in various neurological diseases. In this study, we measured the level of TSPO in acute ischemic stroke patients and determined its association with the degree of stroke severity and its ability to predict stroke functional outcomes. In total, 38 patients with moderate to severe acute ischemic stroke were enrolled. Demographic information, cerebral risk factors, and stroke severity were examined at the baseline. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, modified Rankin Scale, and Barthal Index were assessed at discharge as measures of poor functional outcomes and severe disability. The baseline fasting plasma TSPO level was assessed within 24 h after the incident stroke and during hospitalization (on days 8–10). The proportion of patients with poor functional outcomes was significantly higher in the higher-TSPO group (compared to the lower group) in terms of clinical worsening (odds ratio (OR) = 11.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.08–65.6), poor functional outcomes (OR = 10.5, 95% CI = 1.14–96.57), and severe disability (OR = 4.8, 95% CI = 1.20–19.13). Plasma TSPO may be intimately linked with disease progression and worse functional outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edzard Schwedhelm ◽  
Laura Schwieren ◽  
Steffen Tiedt ◽  
Mirjam von Lucadou ◽  
Nils-Ole Gloyer ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine whether sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) levels in patients with acute stroke are associated with stroke severity and outcome. Methods: In a prospective stroke cohort (MARK-STROKE), 374 patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack were enrolled (mean age: 67.9±13.0 years, sex: 64.7% male), and serum-S1P at admission was analyzed with tandem mass spectrometry. In addition to cross-sectional analyses, 79 adverse events (death, stroke, myocardial infarction, rehospitalization) were recorded in 270 patients during follow-up. Regression analyses were adjusted for age, sex, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and vascular risk factors. Results were validated in an independent stroke cohort with 219 patients with acute ischemic stroke (CIRCULAS). Results: Low serum-S1P was associated with higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission and with anterior circulation nonlacunar infarcts determined by multivariate regression analyses. During a follow-up of 294±170 days, patients with S1P in the lowest tertile (<1.33 µmol/L) had more adverse events (Kaplan-Meier analysis, P =0.048 for trend). In adjusted Cox regression analysis, the lowest S1P tertile was associated with a worse outcome after stroke (hazard ratio, HR 0.51 [95% confidence interval 0.28–0.92]). Results were confirmed in an independent cohort, ie, low S1P levels were associated with higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, larger infarct volumes and worse outcome after 90 days (β-coefficient: –0.03, P =0.026; β-coefficient: −0.099, P =0.009 and odds ratio 0.52 [0.28–0.96], respectively). Conclusions: Our findings imply a detrimental role of low S1P levels in acute stroke and therefore underpin the therapeutic potential of S1P-mimics.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ganesh Asaithambi ◽  
Amy L Castle ◽  
Lana J Stein ◽  
Sandra K Hanson ◽  
Jeffrey P Lassig

Background: Recent endovascular stroke studies utilizing primarily stent retrievers have proven clinical benefit among eligible patients. It remains unclear if this benefit is exclusive to stent retrievers. We present the results of a single-center experience for patients undergoing primary aspiration thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods: A retrospective analysis of all AIS patients receiving primary aspiration thrombectomy from January 2014 to March 2016 was performed. We assessed stroke severity at admission and discharge as defined by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (NIHSSS), median onset to puncture and onset to recanalization times, location of target vessel treated, rate of concurrent intravenous (IV) alteplase use, and rate of TICI 2b/3 reperfusion. Outcomes adjudicated included rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), favorable discharge disposition to home, and 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤2. Results: During the study period, 121 patients (mean age 68.7±16.5 years, 53.7% women) received primary aspiration thrombectomy for 124 occlusions (26% terminal internal carotid artery, 45% M1, 15% M2, 11% basilar artery, 3% other). Median admission NIHSSS was 19 [11, 22] and improved to 6 [1, 15] upon discharge. Median onset to puncture and onset to recanalization times were 258 [148, 371] and 300 [180, 409] minutes, respectively. The rate of TICI 2b/3 reperfusion was 84.7%, and 52% received adjunctive IV alteplase. Rates of favorable discharge to home was 28.9% and 90-day mRS ≤2 was 39.8%. Only one patient developed sICH. Conclusion: Our single-center experience shows that primary aspiration thrombectomy can yield both favorable angiographic and clinical outcomes with minimal adverse effect.


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.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna K. Bonkhoff ◽  
Markus D. Schirmer ◽  
Martin Bretzner ◽  
Mark Etherton ◽  
Kathleen Donahue ◽  
...  

AbstractBackground and PurposeTo explore the whole-brain dynamic functional network connectivity patterns in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients and their relation to stroke severity in the short and long term.MethodsWe investigated large-scale dynamic functional network connectivity of 41 AIS patients two to five days after symptom onset. Re-occurring dynamic connectivity configurations were obtained using a sliding window approach and k-means clustering. We evaluated differences in dynamic patterns between three NIHSS-stroke severity defined groups (mildly, moderately, and severely affected patients). Furthermore, we established correlation analyses between dynamic connectivity estimates and AIS severity as well as neurological recovery within the first 90 days after stroke (DNIHSS). Finally, we built Bayesian hierarchical models to predict acute ischemic stroke severity and examine the inter-relation of dynamic connectivity and clinical measures, with an emphasis on white matter hyperintensity lesion load.ResultsWe identified three distinct dynamic connectivity configurations in the early post-acute stroke phase. More severely affected patients (NIHSS 10–21) spent significantly more time in a highly segregated dynamic connectivity configuration that was characterized by particularly strong connectivity (three-level ANOVA: p<0.05, post hoc t-tests: p<0.05, FDR-corrected for multiple comparisons). Recovery, as indexed by the realized change of the NIHSS over time, was significantly linked to the acute dynamic connectivity between bilateral intraparietal lobule and left angular gyrus (Pearson’s r = –0.68, p<0.05, FDR-corrected). Increasing dwell times, particularly those in a very segregated connectivity configuration, predicted higher acute stroke severity in our Bayesian modelling framework.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate transiently increased segregation between multiple functional domains in case of severe AIS. Dynamic connectivity involving default mode network components significantly correlated with recovery in the first three months post-stroke.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (01) ◽  
pp. 156-159
Author(s):  
Bindu Menon ◽  
Krishnan Ramalingam ◽  
Rajeev Kumar

Abstract Background The role of oxidative stress in neuronal injury due to ischemic stroke has been an interesting topic in stroke research. Malondialdehyde (MDA) has emerged as a sensitive oxidative stress biomarker owing to its ability to react with the lipid membranes. Total antioxidant power (TAP) is another biomarker to estimate the total oxidative stress in stroke patients. We aimed to determine the oxidative stress in acute stroke patients by measuring MDA and TAP. Materials and Methods MDA and TAP were determined in 100 patients with ischemic stroke and compared with that in 100 age- and sex-matched healthy adults. Demographic data, stroke severity measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and disability measured by the Barthel index (BI) were recorded. The association of MDA and TAP with other variables was analyzed by paired t-test. Results Of the whole sample, 74% represented males. The mean NIHSS score was 13.11 and BI was 38.87. MDA was significantly higher in stroke patients (7.11 ± 1.67) than in controls (1.64 ± 0.82; p = 0.00). TAP was significantly lower in stroke patients (5.72 ± 1.41) than in controls (8.53 ± 2.4; p = 0.00). The lipid profile and blood sugar levels were also significantly higher in stroke patients. There was no association of MDA and TAP with other variables. Conclusion We found that oxidative stress was associated with acute ischemic stroke. However, we could not establish an association between oxidative stress and the severity of acute stroke.


Author(s):  
RA Joundi ◽  
R Martino ◽  
G Saposnik ◽  
J Fang ◽  
V Giannakeas ◽  
...  

Background: Dysphagia is a devastating complication of stroke and can lead to malnutrition, immobility, aspiration pneumonia, and death. Guidelines advocate screening all patients with acute stroke for swallowing impairment. However, previous research suggests only 60% are screened, and it is unclear what factors contribute to receiving dysphagia screening. Methods: We used the Ontario Stroke Registry to identify patients who were admitted to Regional Stroke Centres from 2010-2013. We used multivariable regression to identify predictors of receiving a dysphagia screen within 72 hours. Results: Among 7172 patients with acute ischemic stroke, 1705 patients (23.8%) did not undergo screening. Factors increasing the odds of being tested were: Stroke unit admission (adjusted odds ratio aOR 6.5), presenting with speech deficits (aOR 1.9) or weakness (aOR 1.5), or receiving thrombolysis (aOR 1.9). Seizure (aOR 0.49) and mild stroke (aOR 0.59 vs moderate stroke) decreased the odds of being tested. Among those with mild strokes who received a swallowing screen, 33% failed. *All p<0.0001. Conclusions: Patients with mild stroke are at risk of not being screened for dysphagia, despite a significant fail rate among those tested. This may expose untested patients to a higher risk of complications from dysphagia, and suggests a gap in process of care that should be addressed.


Author(s):  
Raed A. Joundi ◽  
Eric E. Smith ◽  
Amy Y. X. Yu ◽  
Mohammed Rashid ◽  
Jiming Fang ◽  
...  

Background Temporal trends in life‐sustaining care after acute stroke are not well characterized. We sought to determine contemporary trends by age and sex in the use of life‐sustaining care after acute ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage in a large, population‐based cohort. Methods and Results We used linked administrative data to identify all hospitalizations for acute ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage in the province of Ontario, Canada, from 2003 to 2017. We calculated yearly proportions of intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation, percutaneous feeding tube placement, craniotomy/craniectomy, and tracheostomy. We used logistic regression models to evaluate the association of age and sex with life‐sustaining care and determined whether trends persisted after adjustment for baseline factors and estimated stroke severity. There were 137 358 people with acute ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage hospitalized during the study period. Between 2003 and 2017, there was an increase in the proportion receiving care in the intensive care unit (12.4% to 17.7%) and mechanical ventilation (4.4% to 6.6%). There was a small increase in craniotomy/craniectomy, a decrease in percutaneous feeding tube use, and no change in tracheostomy. Trends were generally consistent across stroke types and persisted after adjustment for comorbid conditions, stroke‐center type, and estimated stroke severity. After adjustment, women and those aged ≥80 years had lower odds of all life‐sustaining care, although the disparities in intensive care unit admission narrowed over time. Conclusions Use of life‐sustaining care after acute stroke increased between 2003 and 2017. Women and those at older ages had lower odds of intensive care, although the differences narrowed over time. Further research is needed to determine the reasons for these findings.


Neurology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 91 (11) ◽  
pp. e1067-e1076 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgios Tsivgoulis ◽  
Nitin Goyal ◽  
Ali Kerro ◽  
Aristeidis H. Katsanos ◽  
Rashi Krishnan ◽  
...  

ObjectiveWe sought to determine the safety and efficacy of IV thrombolysis (IVT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with a history of dual antiplatelet therapy pretreatment (DAPP) in a prospective multicenter study.MethodsWe compared the following outcomes between DAPP+ and DAPP− IVT-treated patients before and after propensity score matching (PSM): symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–1), and 3-month mortality.ResultsAmong 790 IVT patients, 58 (7%) were on DAPP before stroke (mean age 68 ± 13 years; 57% men; median NIH Stroke Scale score 8). DAPP+ patients were older with more risk factors compared to DAPP− patients. The rates of sICH were similar between groups (3.4% vs 3.2%). In multivariable analyses adjusting for potential confounders, DAPP was associated with higher odds of asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (odds ratio = 3.53, 95% confidence interval: 1.47–8.47; p = 0.005) but also with a higher likelihood of 3-month favorable functional outcome (odds ratio = 2.41, 95% confidence interval: 1.06–5.46; p = 0.035). After propensity score matching, 41 DAPP+ patients were matched to 82 DAPP− patients. The 2 groups did not differ in any of the baseline characteristics or safety and efficacy outcomes.ConclusionsDAPP is not associated with higher rates of sICH and 3-month mortality following IVT. DAPP should not be used as a reason to withhold IVT in otherwise eligible AIS candidates.Classification of evidenceThis study provides Class III evidence that for IVT-treated patients with AIS, DAPP is not associated with a significantly higher risk of sICH. The study lacked the precision to exclude a potentially meaningful increase in sICH bleeding risk.


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