Abstract T P102: Recurrent Stroke Risk in Patients With ICAD Treated With Aggressive Medical Management: A Comparison With The Sammpris Trial

Abstract

Background: Since the SAMMPRIS trial, aggressive medical management (AMM) with the use of dual antiplatelets (aspirin, clopidogrel) and high dose statin therapy has been standard of care for patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD). However, there is limited data on the “real-world” application of this regimen. We hypothesized that 30-day recurrent stroke risk among patients treated with AMM would be similar to that in SAMMPRIS medically-treated patients. Methods: Using the prospective Northwestern University Brain Attack Registry, we identified all patients admitted between 8/1/12 and 1/31/14 with 1) confirmed ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA); 2) independently adjudicated symptomatic ICAD; and 3) discharged on AMM. At 30 days (28-35 day window) post-stroke, patients or proxies were contacted by telephone to review events and outcomes. We also utilized an electronic surveillance system of hospital records at any of 3 health system hospitals with confirmation by manual review of the medical record in all instances of reported recurrent stroke or TIA. Ischemic stroke in the territory of the symptomatic stenotic artery was the primary outcome. We calculated 30-day rate of stroke in the territory of the stenotic artery and 95% confidence intervals using the Wald method and compared it with that reported in the SAMMPRIS trial. Results: Among 36 patients who met study criteria, 13 (36.1%) were female and mean age was 65.4 (± 9.7) years. Median initial NIHSS score was 4 (interquartile range 0-17). Symptomatic ICAD was localized to the anterior circulation in 21 (58%) patients and posterior circulation in 15 (41.7%). At 30 days, 3 of the 36 patients (8.3%, 95% CI 2.1-22.6%) had recurrent stroke compared to 5.8% in the medical arm of SAMMPRIS (p=0.47). An additional 3 patients (8.3%) experienced TIA within 30 days. Conclusions: In a single-center observational cohort study, we found that AMM in patients with symptomatic ICAD yielded similar rates of recurrent stroke at 30-days as observed in the SAMMPRIS trial. Our study provides “real-world” confirmation of the potential benefits of AMM in this high-risk stroke subtype.