Abstract WP109: Early Neurological Decline in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Receiving Thrombolysis With Large Vessel Occlusion and Initial Mild Deficits

Abstract

Introduction: One quarter of ischemic stroke patients with initial mild deficits will have poor outcome. We sought to determine the rate of early neurological decline in acute ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) presenting with mild deficits. Methods: Among 322 acute ischemic stroke patients who received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IVtPA) from July 1, 2016 to July 1, 2017, we identified 76 (23.6%) with imaging confirmed anterior circulation LVO, defined as M1, M2, or carotid terminus (ICAT). Basilar artery occlusions were excluded. Mild deficits were defined as National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) < 7. Data was abstracted on demographics, neuroimaging, need for intra-arterial therapy (IAT) revascularization, final Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score (TICI), and clinical presentation. Early neurological decline was defined as NIHSS worsening of > 4 points within 24 hours. Results: Among 76 patients with LVO, we identified 22 (29%) who presented with initial low NIHSS (< 7). The mean age was 64.7 years (range 26 to 93). IVtPA time from last known well (LKN) was a mean 2.7 hours (range 1.3 to 4.9). Most patients (91%) were transfers from outside facilities. LVO sites were as follows: 4 (18%) ICAT, 7 (32%) M1, and 11 (50%) M2. Most (19/22 86%) had CT perfusion imaging, and large mismatch was seen in 6/8 with worsening and 6/11 without worsening. Among the 22 patients with mild deficits initially, 9 (41%) had early neurological decline. Patients with early neurological decline were significantly older (77.8 vs 55.7 years, p=0.0008). Among 9 patients with decline, the mean change in NIHSS was 9 points (range, 4 to 18) and 3 (13.6%) underwent rescue therapy with IAT with TICI 2b (1) and TICI 3 (2) revascularization. On hospital discharge, LVO patients with neurological decline were significantly less likely to be discharged home compared with patients without decline (22% vs 69%, p=0.03). Conclusions: Among LVO patients who received IVtPA, 29% presented with mild deficits (NIHSS <7). Among these patients with mild deficits, early neurological decline occurred in 41% despite receiving IVtPA and was associated with older age. CTP mismatch did not accurately predict which patients would worsen.