Management Of Acute Ischemic Stroke Research Articles

Factors Associated with Prehospital Delay in Patients with Acute Stroke in South India.

Early hospital presentation is critical in the management of acute ischemic stroke. The effectiveness of stroke treatment is highly dependent on the amount of time lapsed between onset of symptoms and treatment. This study was aimed to identify the factors associated with prehospital delay in patients with acute stroke. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Sri Ramachandra University Hospital, India. A total of 210 patients hospitalized in the stroke unit were included. Patients' data were obtained by interviewing the patient and/or accompanying family member and by reviewing their medical records using a standard questionnaire. Associations were determined between prehospital delay (≥4.5 h) and variables of interest by using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The prehospital delay was observed in 154 patients (73.3%) and the median prehospital delay was 11.30 h. The following are the factors significantly (P < 0.05) attributed for the delay in presenting to the hospital: contextual factors like using public transport (bus), taxi, time of onset of symptoms, 7 pm-3 am; family history of stroke, perceived cognitive and behavioral factors like, wishing or praying for the symptoms to subside on its own, hesitation to travel due to long distance, delay in arranging transport, and arranging money for admission and wasting time by shopping for general practitioners, nursing homes, and hospitals. The presence of stroke symptom, headache, significantly decreased the prehospital delay. Prehospital delay is high in South India and influenced by clinical, contextual, and cognitive/behavioral factors.

Iranian stroke model-how to involve health policymakers

Iranian stroke model-how to involve health policymakers

Meteorin-Like Protein Levels Decrease in Patients With Acute Ischaemic Stroke.

Ongoing research aims to investigate blood-based biomarkers and use them in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) diagnosis and management of patients with AIS. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the meteorin-like protein (Metrnl) levels secreted by adipose tissue in patients with AIS. The study groups included healthy controls (n=30) and patients diagnosed with AIS via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the emergency department (n=35) during the one-year period. The basic laboratory values and Metrnl, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels of the patients were compared. The Metrnl levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. In the present study, the Metrnl (p=0.001) and TAC (p=0.009) levels decreased significantly, whereas the TOS (p<0.001) and OSI (p<0.001) levels increased significantly in the patients with AIS compared to the healthy controls. Furthermore, a cut-off value of ≤1.63% meteorin-like protein rendered the sensitivity and specificity rates of 91.43% and 71.43%, respectively, in the patients with AIS. In addition, there was a significant negative correlation between the decreased meteorin-like protein levels and the infarct diameter in patients with AIS. In patients with AIS, the meteorin-like protein levels decreased inversely with the infarct diameter, and at the same time, there was an increase in TOS and OSI levels and a decrease in TAC levels.

Acute ischemic stroke for alteplase or medical care alone or intervention with/without alteplase in Palestine (AIS-AMI Palestine)

Background: Stroke is the most common cause of permanent disability and the third most common cause of death in Palestine. We aimed to examine patterns of stroke presentation, causes, management and outcomes at the largest public Mistry of health hospitals in Palestine. Methods: Comprehensive data from all patients with acute ischemic stroke who were admitted to al-Shifa hospital between November 2021 and July 2022 and treated with alteplase alone or endovascular intervention with or without alteplase were prospectively collected and compare with acute ischemic stroke patients who were treated with medical care alone at Palestine medical complex hospital at 2018. Acute ischemic stroke presentation patterns, in-hospital evaluation and management, mortality, and morbidity were evaluated. Results: Medical care alone group: 138 patients with acute ischemic stroke, mean age was 65 ± 14 years and 49% were women. Most of the patients received antiplatelet therapy (98%), although none received thrombolysis. Only 17% received physical therapy evaluation. In-hospital mortality was 13%, and a modified ranking score of 0 -2 was in 44 patients (32%). Endovascular intervention with/without alteplase group: 56 patients with acute ischemic stroke. The mean age was 61 ± 12 years and 41% were women. All patients received brain computed tomography scans, although few received other investigations such as carotid Doppler (13%). Most patients with ischemic stroke received antiplatelet therapy (99%), although 39 patients (70%) received thrombolysis. Only 61% received physical therapy evaluation. In-hospital mortality was 7%. The modified ranking score 0 - 2: 32 patients (57%). Conclusion: This study conducted in Palestine showed that among patients with acute ischemic stroke, functional outcomes according to modified ranking score 0 - 2 were better by endovascular therapy with/without alteplase than with medical care alone.

Emergent carotid endarterectomy and mechanical thrombectomy in tandem occlusion.

Acute tandem occlusions, or occlusions of the extracranial portion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) with concurrent thromboembolism of the intracranial ICA or middle cerebral artery, poses a major clinical challenge, with patients suffering worse outcomes compared to those with single occlusions. Management of these lesions generally includes a combination of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) of the intracranial occlusion and stenting of the extracranial carotid lesion. In this manuscript, we describe a successful surgical method for achieving revascularization of tandem occlusions in the rare circumstance that the proximal lesion cannot be crossed endovascularly to gain intracranial access. Despite using our institution's standard protocol for achieving revascularization of such lesions, the extracranial occlusion could not be crossed endovascularly, and the case was converted to an emergent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in the operating room. Once the endarterectomy was complete, intraoperative MT was performed before cervical incision closure to revascularization. The patient recovered well postoperatively and was discharged with NIHSS of 2 due to minor facial palsy and minor dysarthria. Thirty-day follow-up revealed resolution of the prior neurologic deficits and an mRS of 1. Emergent CEA should be considered in the rare circumstance of being unable to cross the cervical occlusion during management of acute ischemic stroke with tandem occlusion.

Safety of early antiplatelet administration in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with alteplase (SEAPT-24)

ObjectivesAlteplase, a tissue-type plasminogen activator, is recommended for ischemic stroke patients presenting within 4.5 h. Due to bleeding risks, current guidelines advise delaying antiplatelet therapy for 24 h after alteplase. However, specific scenarios may require antiplatelet therapy to be given within the 24 h window. This study aimed to examine the safety of early antiplatelet therapy administration within the first 24 h after alteplase. Materials and methodsThis study is a retrospective, observational study of adult patients with acute ischemic stroke who received alteplase across a multi-hospital system. Patients were grouped based on early antiplatelet therapy (within 24 h window) or as recommended per guidelines. The occurrence of bleeding events, including symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and/or gastrointestinal bleeding, in-hospital mortality, unfavorable outcomes (modified Rankin score 3–6), and hospital length of stay, were compared between groups. ResultsPatients were predominantly African American (72%) and female (53%) with a median age of 62 years. Median baseline NIHSS scores were higher in the early group (5 vs. 7; p = 0.04), and patients in the early group were more likely to undergo endovascular therapy (26% vs. 8%, p < 0.0001). In patients treated with alteplase only and who did not undergo endovascular therapy, there was no difference in symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (1.4% vs. 0%, p = 0.1), gastrointestinal bleeding, in-hospital mortality, unfavorable outcomes, or length of stay. ConclusionsIn our retrospective analysis, early administration of antiplatelet therapy (< 24 h post-alteplase) did not increase the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, gastrointestinal bleeding, or unfavorable outcomes in patients who received alteplase alone for management of acute ischemic stroke. Prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.

Periprocedure Management of Blood Pressure After Acute Ischemic Stroke.

The management of acute ischemic stroke primarily revolves around the timely restoration of blood flow (recanalization/reperfusion) in the occluded vessel and maintenance of cerebral perfusion through collaterals before reperfusion. Mechanical thrombectomy is the most effective treatment for acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusions in appropriately selected patients. Judicious management of blood pressure before, during, and after mechanical thrombectomy is critical to ensure good outcomes by preventing progression of cerebral ischemia as well hemorrhagic conversion, in addition to optimizing systemic perfusion. While direct evidence to support specific hemodynamic targets around mechanical thrombectomy is limited, there is increasing interest in this area. Newer approaches to blood pressure management utilizing individualized cerebral autoregulation-based targets are being explored. Early efforts at utilizing machine learning to predict blood pressure treatment thresholds and therapies also seem promising; this focused review aims to provide an update on recent evidence around periprocedural blood pressure management after acute ischemic stroke, highlighting its implications for clinical practice while identifying gaps in current literature.

Can machine learning of post-procedural cone-beam CT images in acute ischemic stroke improve the detection of 24-h hemorrhagic transformation? A preliminary study.

Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is an independent predictor of unfavorable outcome in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Its early identification could help tailor AIS management. We hypothesize that machine learning (ML) applied to cone-beam computed tomography (CB-CT), immediately after EVT, improves performance in 24-h HT prediction. We prospectively enrolled AIS patients undergoing EVT, post-procedural CB-CT, and 24-h non-contrast CT (NCCT). Three raters independently analyzed imaging at four anatomic levels qualitatively and quantitatively selecting a region of interest (ROI) < 5 mm2. Each ROI was labeled as "hemorrhagic" or "non-hemorrhagic" depending on 24-h NCCT. For each level of CB-CT, Mean Hounsfield Unit (HU), minimum HU, maximum HU, and signal- and contrast-to-noise ratios were calculated, and the differential HU-ROI value was compared between both hemispheres. The number of anatomic levels affected was computed for lesion volume estimation. ML with the best validation performance for 24-h HT prediction was selected. One hundred seventy-two ROIs from affected hemispheres of 43 patients were extracted. Ninety-two ROIs were classified as unremarkable, whereas 5 as parenchymal contrast staining, 29 as ischemia, 7 as subarachnoid hemorrhages, and 39 as HT. The Bernoulli Naïve Bayes was the best ML classifier with a good performance for 24-h HT prediction (sensitivity = 1.00; specificity = 0.75; accuracy = 0.82), though precision was 0.60. ML demonstrates high-sensitivity but low-accuracy 24-h HT prediction in AIS. The automated CB-CT imaging evaluation resizes sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rates of visual interpretation reported in the literature so far. A standardized quantitative interpretation of CB-CT may be warranted to overcome the inter-operator variability.

Groin Puncture to Recanalization Time May Be a Strong Predictor of mTICI 2c/3 over mTICI 2b in Patients with Large Vessel Occlusions Successfully Recanalized with Mechanical Thrombectomy.

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is an important therapeutic option in the management of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large vessel occlusions (LVO). While achieving a modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI), grades of 2b, 2c, and 3 are all considered successful recanalization; recent literature suggests that mTICI grades of 2c/3 are associated with superior outcomes than 2b. The aim of this preliminary study is to determine whether any baseline or procedural parameters can predict whether successfully recanalized patients achieve an mTICI grade of 2c/3 over 2b. Consecutive patients from 9/2019 to 10/2021 who were successfully recanalized following MT for confirmed LVO were included in the study. Baseline and procedural data were collected through manual chart review and analyzed to ascertain whether any variables of interest could predict mTICI 2c/3. A total of 47 patients were included in the preliminary study cohort, with 35 (74.5%) achieving an mTICI score of 2c/3 and 12 (25.5%) achieving an mTICI score of 2b. We found that a lower groin puncture to recanalization time was a strong, independent predictor of TICI 2c/3 (p = 0.015). These findings emphasize the importance of minimizing procedure time in achieving superior reperfusion but must be corroborated in larger scale studies.

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on treatment delay and short-term neurological functional prognosis for acute ischemic stroke during the lockdown period.

Preventive strategies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic may negatively influence the management of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Nowadays, studies have demonstrated that the pandemic has led to a delay in treatment among patients with AIS. Whether this delay contributes to meaningful short-term outcome differences warranted further exploration. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on treatment delay and short-term outcomes of patients with AIS treated with IVT and MT. Patients admitted before (from 11/1/2019 to 1/31/2020) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (from 2/1/2020 to 3/31/2020) were screened for collecting sociodemographic data, medical history information, and symptom onset status, and comparing the effect of treatment delay. The patients treated with IVT or MT were compared for delay time and neurological outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the effect of treatment delay on short-term neurological prognosis. In this study, 358 patients receiving IVT were included. DTN time increased from 50 min (IQR 40-75) before to 65 min (IQR 48-84), p = 0.048. 266 patients receiving MT were included. The DTP was 120 (112-148) min vs. 160 (125-199) min before and during the pandemic, p = 0.002. Patients with stroke during the pandemic had delays in treatment due to the need for additional PPE (p < 0.001), COVID-19 screening processes (p < 0.001), multidisciplinary consultation (p < 0.001), and chest CT scans (p < 0.001). Compared with pre-COVID-19, during the pandemic, patients had a higher likelihood of spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage after IVT (OR: 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03-1.30) and a lower likelihood of mRS scores 0-2 at discharge (OR: 0.90; 95% CI, 0.78-0.99). In logistic regression analysis, high NIHSS score at admission, increasing age, worse pre-admission mRS, large vessel occlusion, admission during the lockdown period, and low mTICI grade after MT were associated with an mRS ≥ 3. The COVID-19 pandemic has had remarkable impacts on the management of AIS. The pandemic might exacerbate certain time delays and play a significant role in early adverse outcomes in patients with AIS.

ENDOVASCULAR INTERVENTION FOR ACUTE ISCHEMIC STROKE AT CAN THO UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY HOSPITAL

Introduction: Acute cerebral ischemic stroke is a life-threatening emergency with high incidence of mortality and morbidity. Endovascular revascularization has been increasingly used as one of the treatment options. In this article, we report our outcomes of endovascular intervention for the treatment of ischemic stroke and highlight some technical experiences. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on all cerebral ischemic stroke patients who came to Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital within 8 hours from the first symptom would be included. National Institute of health stroke (NIHSS) scale was used for stroke grading which should be 10 or above. The vascularization procedure would be performed with the thrombus aspiration systems or stent retrievers with or without angioplasty and stenting. Postprocedure care would be conducted for at least 2 weeks before discharge. Results: A total of 53 patients were recruited from 1st of January 2018 to 30th December 2020 (24 months). Male to female ratio was 1.54:1. Ages ranged from 38 to 90 (mean 64). NIHSS scores ranged from 12-25. Approximately 98% of patients had comorbidities with hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation , mitral valve stenosis and valvular insufficiency, A-V block. Totally there were 44 patients experiencing thrombectomy with catheter-based distal aspiration (35), stent retrievers (03), aspiration and stent retriever combination (06). The total technical success rates for all procedures were 47/53 (88.6%)). The total death rate was 15/53 (28.3%) due to combining comorbiditiese. There were 31/53 patients (58.4%) who had significant recovered in muscle movement, language and cognition after 2 weeks. Conclusion: Endovascular intervention is a one of the good options for the management of acute ischemic stroke, which has a high revascularization rate (88.6%) and can save up to 58.4% of patients out of disability. Successful revascularization is the crucial first step to salvage the patients and obtain a better prognosis.

Knowledge and Attitude of Sudanese Emergency Registrars Towards the Use of Tissue Plasminogen Activator in the Management of Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Recent guidelines report that the administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) within 4.5 hours enhances the clinical outcome of ischemic stroke. We assessed the knowledge and attitude of Sudanese emergency medicine registrars towards the use of tissue plasminogen activators in the management of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, hospital-based study. The study was conducted in emergency departments at Khartoum State Hospitals in Sudan during the period from May to July 2021. The study sample was 150 emergency medicine registrars who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the study. Data was collected by using a self-administered questionnaire as a Google form that was sent to the study participants by email. Knowledge about tPA in the management of AIS at the emergency department was poor, average, and good in 54 (36%), 55 (36.7%), and 41 (27.3%) individuals, respectively.However, there was no significant difference in overall knowledge based on age; nevertheless, good and average knowledge levels were considerably higher among females, level 3 and level 4 of training, and years of experience 5-10 years (p-value = 0.05). The overall attitude of the participants was positive 62 (41.3%), neutral 45 (30%), and negative 43 (28.7%). The positive attitude regarding tPAs for patients with AIS was significantly associated with age 30-40 years, females, levels 3 and 4 of training, and experience 5-10 years (p-value < 0.05). The overall knowledge and attitude of emergency medicine registrars were average to good, with a significant proportion of participants reporting low knowledge.The issues encountered by participants in the use of tPAs were the absence of a stroke team in hospitals, the absence of a protocol for the care pathway of AIS management in hospitals, and the absence of tPAs.

Outcomes in patients with ischaemic stroke undergoing endovascular thrombectomy: impact of atrial fibrillation

Abstract Background/Introduction Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) has become the standard of care for the management of acute ischaemic stroke, but the risk of intracerebral haemorrhage and mortality still remains common following ischaemic stroke. The effect of concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF) on clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischaemic stroke after receiving EVT remains unclear. Purpose To investigate associations between AF and intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) and all-cause mortality at 90 days in patients with ischaemic stroke undergoing EVT. Methods A retrospective cohort was conducted using TriNetX, a global health research network. The network was searched for people aged ≥18 years with ischaemic stroke, EVT and AF recorded in electronic medical records between 01/09/2018 and 01/09/2021. These patients were compared to controls with ischaemic stroke, EVT and no AF. Propensity score matching for age, sex, race, comorbidities, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, and prior use of anticoagulation was used to balance the cohorts with and without AF. Results In total 1,388 patients were identified with history of ischaemic stroke treated by EVT. After propensity-score matching, 832 patients (mean age 68±13; 47% female) with ischaemic stroke, EVT and AF, were compared to 832 patients (mean age 67±12; 47% female) with ischaemic stroke, EVT and no history of AF. In the cohort with AF, 11.5% (n=96) experienced ICH within 90 days following EVT, compared with 12.3% (n=103 patients) in patients without AF (Odds Ratio (OR) 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68–1.24; p=0.59). In the patients with AF, mortality within 90 days following EVT was 18.7% (n=156), compared with 22.5% in patients without AF (n=187) (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.63–1.01; p=0.06). Conclusion In patients with ischaemic stroke undergoing EVT, AF was not significantly associated with intracerebral haemorrhage or all-cause mortality at 90-day follow-up. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship.

Current status of acute ischemic stroke management in Iran: Findings from a single-center study.

This study investigated the current status of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) management in an Iranian emergency department (ED). A descriptive study using a retrospective chart review was conducted on medical records of 270 patients with AIS who presented to the ED of a tertiary university hospital in the northeast of Iran from March 22 to September 22, 2019. The steps of this review process included instrument identification, medical records retrieval, data extraction, and data verification. Of patients with AIS, 88.9% (n = 240) did not receive stroke code activation. For the 11.1% of patients (n = 30) who received activation, 7% of codes (n = 19) were canceled by the acute stroke team and IV recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) was only administered for 4.1% of patients (n = 11). ED arrival outside 4.5 h from symptom onset was the main barrier to IV r-tPA administration for 83.8% of potentially eligible patients with AIS (n = 217). The median door-to-needle time was 70 min (interquartile range: 47-90 min). There was a better clinical performance in terms of critical time goals in potentially eligible patients with AIS if managed with stroke team activation compared to no stroke team activation.

The Use of Intravenous Tenecteplase in Acute Ischemic Stroke after Idarucizumab Reversal of Dabigatran Anticoagulant Effects; Experience from a Regional Hospital Directed by Video Telemedicine Stroke Specialist

Novel Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs) are widely used in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation to prevent Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) and other thrombo- embolic phenomena. The management of AIS with Intravenous Thrombolysis Therapy (IVT), also known as fibrinolytic therapy in people who are taking NOACs poses a great challenge due to increased risks of hemorrhage and intracranial bleeding. We present the case of a 77-year-old man on dabigatran for atrial fibrillation who woke up with an extensive right middle cerebral artery ischemic stroke and had his anticoagulant effects reversed with idarucizumab before successful thrombolysis with intravenous tenectaplase.

Prevalence of Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Undergoing Contrast-Enhanced CT Angiography at a Tertiary Care Centre

BACKGROUND&#x0D; Multimodal Computed Tomography (CT) imaging with contrast-enhanced CT angiography (CTA) is frequently being used to guide the management of acute ischemic stroke. The administration of contrast media (CM) may lead to nephrotoxicity. However, little has been reported about the safety of intravenous CM exposure in acute stroke patients. This study aims to evaluate whether there is a significant change in renal function following contrast agent administration, determine the proportion of patients developing contrast-induced acute kidney injury(CI-AKI), and analyze the risk factors associated with the same.&#x0D; METHODS&#x0D; We analysed 138 patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent emergency CTA at our centre, followed up on the renal parameters and prospectively evaluated them for the development of CI-AKI. The patients who developed CI-AKI were analysed for specific risk factors and categorized into risk groups based on a pre-validated risk score. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was done to identify independent predictors of CI-AKI.&#x0D; RESULTS&#x0D; CI-AKI occurred in 19 patients (13.7%). Significant (p&lt;0.001) changes in renal parameters were observed following contrast administration irrespective of whether it satisfied the criteria for CI-AKI. Most of the patients had a low-risk score for CI-AKI. The predicted risk of CI-AKI based on the Mehran Risk Score (MRS) was similar to that observed in our study population. No patient had to be on haemodialysis. Raised baseline S.creatinine(p-value&lt;0.03), Diabetes with microangiopathy(p-value&lt;0.001), and systemic hypertension(p-value&lt;0.001) were significant predictors for CI-AKI.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS&#x0D; The development of renal sequelae is low in acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing contrast imaging. Prompt CTA, if indicated, need not be delayed in those with no history of renal impairment or without relevant risk factors. A practical reflection of this study is to be cognizant of the renal risks that an in-patient stroke population is exposed to as Intravascular depletion, infections(urinary tract infections, pneumonia), and nephrotoxic medications.

Mechanical thrombectomy in a Chilean public hospital. Experience in 149 patients

Mechanical thrombectomy is the accepted treatment for acute ischemic stroke in Large Vessel Occlusion. The Barros Luco Trudeau hospital developed endovenous thrombolysis in 2010, and since 2012, implemented endovascular management, becoming the neurovascular center in the southern area of the metropolitan region. To describe endovascular management of acute ischemic stroke in a Chilean public hospital. Analysis of patients with acute ischemic stroke that were treated with mechanical throm-bectomy from 2012 to 2019 in the Barros Luco Hospital. In the study period, a mechanical thrombectomy was carried out in 149 patients aged 61 ± 15 years (46% females). The average National institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at presentation was 19 ± 4-5. Anterior or posterior circulation involvement was present in 89.9 and 10.1 % of patients. Twenty-five percent of patients were referred from other public centers. The mean lapse between onset of symptoms and thrombectomy was 266 ± 178 in. Ninety days after the procedure, 58% of patients had minimal or absent disability (Modified Ranson score of 0-2), and 19,2% died. Mechanical thrombectomy, according to this experience, has favorable clinical outcomes in patients with high NIHSS scores at entry.

Management and Outcome of AcuteIschemic Stroke Complicating Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Despite advances in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), periprocedural acute ischemic stroke remains a concern. The aims of this study were to investigate acute ischemic stroke complicating TAVR (AISCT) and to describe the indications and outcomes of interventions to treat AISCT. An international multicenter registry was established focusing on AISCT within 30days of TAVR. Stroke severity was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. Primary outcomes were 1-year all-cause death and neurologic disability status at 90days according to modified Rankin scale score. Of 16,615 TAVR procedures, 387 patients with AISCT were included (2.3%). Rates of 1-year death were 28.9%, 35.9%, and 77.5% in patients with mild, moderate, and severe stroke, respectively (P< 0.001). Although 348 patients were managed conservatively, 39 patients (10.1%) underwent neurointervention (NI) with either mechanical thrombectomy (n=26) or thrombolytic therapy (n=13). In a subanalysis excluding patients with mild stroke, there was no clear 1-year survival benefit for NI compared with conservative management (47.6% vs 41.1%, respectively; P=0.78). In a logistic regression model controlling for stroke severity, NI was associated with 2.9-fold odds (95%CI: 1.2-7.0; P=0.016) of independent survival at 90days. AISCT carries significant morbidity and mortality, which is correlated with stroke severity. The present findings suggest that neurologic disability for patients with moderate or worse stroke could potentially be improved by timely intervention and highlight the importance of collaboration between cardiologists and neurologists to optimize AISCT outcomes.

Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in the Management of Acute Minor Ischemic Stroke and High-Risk Transient Ischemic Attack: An Expert Consensus Statement From Taiwan Stroke Society and Taiwan Society of Emergency Medicine.

The aim of this review is to achieve a consensus between Taiwan Stroke Society (TSS) and Taiwan Society of Emergency Medicine (TSEM) to manage acute non-cardioembolic minor ischemic stroke (MIS) and high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA). The methodology is to review the recent findings from clinical trials of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) from 2010 to 2021 and updates in clinical practice guidelines from 2018 to 2022 for non-cardioembolic MIS/TIA management at the acute stage. Four leading clinical studies, CHANCE, POINT, THALES, and CHANCE-2 along with other relevant studies introducing DAPT, are discussed in this review. The risk-benefit profile between stroke recurrence reduction and major bleeding increase is also elucidated. TSS and TSEM concluded that for patients presenting with non-cardioembolic MIS or high-risk TIA who did not receive intravenous alteplase, initiation of DAPT within 24 hours after stroke onset and continued up to 21 days, followed by antiplatelet monotherapy, is effective in reducing recurrent ischemic stroke for a period of up to 90 days.

Change of mortality of patients with acute ischemic stroke before and after 2015.

IntroductionAdvances in the diagnosis and management of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and the increased use of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) have improved the quality of care and prognosis of patients with AIS since 2015. We investigated the changing trends in mortality of patients with AIS in Korea before and after 2015.Materials and methodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted using combined anonymized data from the Acute Stroke Assessment Registry of Korea and the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service database. Patients with ischemic stroke with precise onset time and initial National Institute of Health Stroke Scale records were included.ResultsPatients receiving MT treatment increased from 256 (2.7%) pre-2015 to 1,037 (3.9%) post-2015 (p < 0.001). Overall mortality significantly decreased from pre-2015 to post-2015. In pre-2015, intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) administered within 2 h significantly reduced 3-month mortality when compared with non-IVT. While, in post-2015, IVT administered within 2 h significantly reduced the 3-month, 1-year, 2-year, and 4-year mortality (p < 0.05). MT only reduced 1-year mortality pre-2015; however, MT significantly reduced the 3-month, 1-year, and 2-year mortality post-2015 (p < 0.05). Post-stroke antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs significantly reduced the 3-month, 1-year, 2-year, and 4-year mortality post-2015.DiscussionSince 2015, faster IVT has significantly reduced the short- and long-term mortality in patients with AIS; MT reduced the 3-month, 1-year, and 2-year mortality. Post-stroke antithrombotic medication has significantly lowered the 2- and 4-year mortality since 2015.ConclusionsChanging trends in AIS management since 2015 have improved the prognosis of patients with AIS.