Adverse Stroke Outcomes Research Articles

Glycated albumin levels are associated with adverse stroke outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke in China.

Glycated albumin (GA) is a biomarker monitoring glycemia 2-4 weeks before stroke onset. This study was designed to explore the association between GA levels with poststroke outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Participants with ischemic stroke or TIA who had a baseline GA measurement were included in the Third China National Stroke Registry study. The effect of GA on stroke recurrence, poor functional outcomes, and combined vascular events was examined during the 1-year follow-up period. Multivariate Cox and logistic regression models were performed to evaluate the association. Discrimination tests were used to examine the incremental predictive value of GA when incorporating it into the conventional model. A total of 3861 participants were enrolled. At the 3-month follow-up, the elevated GA level was associated with an increased risk of poor functional outcomes (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-2.09). A similar increase was observed for stroke recurrence (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.56; 95% CI, 1.09-2.24), poor functional outcomes (adjusted OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.07-2.45), and combined vascular events (adjusted HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.09-2.20) at the 1-year follow-up. In nondiabetic patients, the association between GA and poor functional outcomes was more pronounced (adjusted OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.05-2.50). Adding GA into the conventional model resulted in slight improvements in predicting poor functional outcomes (net reclassification improvement [NRI]: 12.30% at 1 year). This study demonstrated that elevated GA levels in serum were associated with stroke adverse outcomes, including stroke recurrence, poor functional outcomes, and combined vascular events, in patients with ischemic stroke or TIA.

Association between Fibrinogen-to-Albumin Ratio and Adverse Stroke Outcomes among Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) is implicated in prothrombotic states and is associated with an increased risk of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, studies investigating whether the prothrombotic effect of FAR is associated with long-term adverse outcomes in patients with AIS are lacking. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association based on the Third China National Stroke Registry (CNSR-III). Methods: Patients with AIS with complete laboratory data for fibrinogen and albumin in the CNSR-III were included in this study. The primary outcomes were poor functional outcomes (modified Rankin scale score 3–6) at 12 months, including disability (modified Rankin scale score 3–5), all-cause death, recurrent stroke, and combined vascular events within 1 year. Univariate and multivariate logistic or Cox regression analyses were used to investigate the association between FAR quartiles and adverse outcomes. Results: A total of 8,984 patients with AIS were enrolled in this study. After 1-year follow-up, 238 patients were lost to follow-up. A total of 1,230 (14.06%) patients had poor functional outcomes; 932 (10.37%) and 981 (10.92%) experienced stroke recurrence and combined vascular events, respectively. The adjusted odds ratios/hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals of the highest quartile of the FAR (>11.44) were 1.64 (1.35–2.00) for poor functional outcomes, 1.68 (1.34–2.10) for disability, 1.40 (1.02–1.94) for all-cause death, 1.11 (0.92–1.34) for stroke recurrence, and 1.11 (0.92–1.33) for combined vascular event, respectively. Conclusion: High FAR (>11.44) increased the risk of short- and long-term poor functional outcomes, including disability and all-cause death among patients with AIS. The FAR may play an important role in the early stratification of patients with AIS.

Endothelial Specific Deletion of Autotaxin Improves Stroke Outcomes.

Autotaxin (ATX) is an extracellular secretory enzyme (lysophospholipase D) that catalyzes the hydrolysis of lysophosphatidyl choline to lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). The ATX-LPA axis is a well-known pathological mediator of liver fibrosis, metastasis in cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, atherosclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, it is believed that LPA may cause vascular permeability. In ischemic stroke, vascular permeability leading to hemorrhagic transformation is a major limitation for therapies and an obstacle to stroke management. Therefore, in this study, we generated an endothelial-specific ATX deletion in mice (ERT2 ATX-/-) to observe stroke outcomes in a mouse stroke model to analyze the role of endothelial ATX. The AR2 probe and Evans Blue staining were used to perform the ATX activity and vascular permeability assays, respectively. Laser speckle imaging was used to observe the cerebral blood flow following stroke. In this study, we observed that stroke outcomes were alleviated with the endothelial deletion of ATX. Permeability and infarct volume were reduced in ERT2 ATX-/- mice compared to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-only mice. In addition, the cerebral blood flow was retained in ERT2 ATX-/- compared to I/R mice. The outcomes in the stroke model are alleviated due to the limited LPA concentration, reduced ATX concentration, and ATX activity in ERT2 ATX-/- mice. This study suggests that endothelial-specific ATX leads to increased LPA in the brain vasculature following ischemic-reperfusion and ultimately disrupts vascular permeability, resulting in adverse stroke outcomes.

Stroke Outcomes and Hyperacute Treatment Utilization in Multiple Sclerosis.

People with MS (pwMS) have higher prevalence of comorbidities at disease onset and face increased risk of developing cardiovascular disorders. Stroke is of particular concern for this population with previous neurological disability. However, data on stroke outcomes and resource utilization in those pwMS remains scarce. To assess the risk of adverse stroke outcomes and hyperacute treatment utilization for pwMS in a U.S. population-based sample of hospitalized patients. This study identified patients discharged with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke in the 2018 National Inpatient Sample. We compared the discharge outcomes and hyperacute stroke treatment utilization in MS (n=2,795) versus non-MS patients (n=682.730). Regression models adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors and hospital characteristics were used to account for the complex sampling design. The odds of a good discharge were 32% less likely to occur in pwMS (adj.OR 0.68 [95%CI 0.58-0.81], p<0.001). However, this was not associated with an increased risk of mortality. PwMS had a 57% reduction in the risk of receiving endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) (adj.OR 0.43 [95%CI 0.22-0.83], p=0.01) but no difference in rates of thrombolysis. Patients with MS have lowerrates of gooddischarge outcomes and EVT with ischemic stroke, despite similar rates of thrombolysis.

The relationship between nutritional status at the time of stroke on adverse outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.

The impact of existing malnutrition on stroke outcomes is poorly recognised and treated. Evidence was systematically reviewed and quantified by meta-analysis. MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched from inception to 11 January 2021 and updated in July. Prospective cohort studies, in English, evaluating anthropometric and biomarkers of nutrition on stroke outcomes were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network checklist. Twenty-six studies (n = 156249) were eligible (follow-up: One month-14 years). Underweight patients had increased risk of long-term mortality (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.65,1.41-1.95), whilst overweight (0.80,0.74-0.86) and obese patients (0.80,0.75-0.85) had decreased risk compared to normal weight. Odds of mortality decreased in those with high serum albumin (odds ratio = 0.29,0.18-0.48) and increased with low serum albumin (odds ratio = 3.46,1.78-6.74) compared to normal serum albumin (30-35 g/L). Being malnourished compared to well-nourished, as assessed by the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) or by a combination of anthropometric and biochemical markers increased all-cause mortality (odds ratio = 2.38,1.85-3.06) and poor functional status (adjusted odds ratio = 2.21,1.40-3.49). Nutritional status at the time of stroke predicts adverse stroke outcomes.

The Association between Baseline and 3-Month Albuminuria and 1-Year Prognosis of Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: The association between the changes in albuminuria levels and the clinical prognosis of stroke is unknown. The present study aimed to explore the relationships between changes in albuminuria and the risk of adverse stroke outcomes. Methods: The patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack from the Third China National Stroke Registry (CNSR-III) who had the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) detected at baseline and 3-month were recruited. They were classified into 4 groups according to baseline and 3-month ACR and followed up for 1 year. Results: A total of 5,311 patients were finally included in the study. There were 3,738 (70.4%), 483 (9.1%), 451 (8.5%), and 639 (12.0%) patients with no albuminuria, baseline albuminuria, 3-month albuminuria, and persistent albuminuria, respectively. After adjustment for confounding variables, persistent albuminuria was independently associated with all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR], 2.23; 95% CI, 1.17–4.25; p = 0.02), stroke recurrence (HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.02–2.36; p = 0.04), and poor functional outcome (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.66–2.96; p < 0.001). Baseline albuminuria was independently associated with poor functional outcome (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.19–2.28; p = 0.003), while 3-month albuminuria was independently associated with stroke recurrence (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.06–2.65; p = 0.03). Conclusions: Changes in albuminuria can predict adverse 1-year outcomes in Chinese ischemic stroke patients. In particular, persistent albuminuria was independently associated with 1-year all-cause death, stroke recurrence, and poor functional outcome.

In vitro fertilization exacerbates stroke size and neurological disability in wildtype mice

Background and purposeAssisted reproductive technologies (ART) induce premature vascular aging in human offspring. The related alterations are well-established risk factors for stroke and predictors of adverse stroke outcome. However, given the young age of the human ART population there is no information on the incidence and outcome of cerebrovascular complications in humans. In mice, ART alters the cardiovascular phenotype similarly to humans, thereby offering the possibility to study this problem. MethodsWe investigated the morphological and clinical outcome after ischemia/reperfusion brain injury induced by transient (45 min) middle cerebral artery occlusion in ART and control mice. ResultsWe found that stroke volumes were almost 3-fold larger in ART than in control mice (P < 0.001). In line with these morphological differences, neurological performance assessed by the Bederson and RotaRod tests 24 and 48 h after artery occlusion was significantly worse in ART compared with control mice. Plasma levels of TNF-alpha, were also significantly increased in ART vs. control mice after stroke (P < 0.05). As potential underlying mechanisms, we identified increased blood-brain barrier permeability evidenced by increased IgG extravasation associated with decreased tight junctional protein claudin-5 and occludin expression, increased oxidative stress and decreased NO-bioactivity in ART compared with control mice. ConclusionsIn wildtype mice, ART predisposes to significantly worse morphological and functional stroke outcomes, related at least in part to altered blood-brain barrier permeability. These findings demonstrate that ART, by inducing premature vascular aging, not only is a likely risk factor for stroke-occurrence, but also a mediator of adverse stroke-outcome. Translational perspectiveThis study highlights that ART not only is a likely risk factor for stroke-occurrence, but also a mediator of adverse stroke-outcome. The findings should raise awareness in the ever-growing human ART population in whom these techniques cause similar alterations of the cardiovascular phenotype and encourage early preventive and diagnostic efforts.

Both Ends of Values in the Hemoglobin Spectrum Are Associated with Adverse Stroke Outcomes

Background and Purpose: Existing studies on the association between hemoglobin values and stroke outcomes mostly focus on the lower side and mortality, often the only and primary endpoint. The current study was conducted to assess the association between hemoglobin concentration and a variety of poor stroke outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods: We studied 8,321 patients enrolled in the China National Stroke Registry (CNSR) between 2007 and 2008. Patients were divided into 7 groups, and a logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association. Endpoints of interest included 1-year all-cause mortality, stroke recurrence, combined endpoint, and stroke disability. Stroke disability was defined as a modified Rankin Scale of 2–6. Results: Patients with low and high hemoglobin values (≤11.6 g/dL and >16.1 g/dL) had higher proportion of poststroke adverse events than those in other groups. As compared with the fourth group of hemoglobin values of 13.5–14.2 g/dL, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of low hemoglobin values (≤11.6 g/dL) were 2.25 (1.72–2.93) for all-cause mortality, 1.30 (1.04–1.61) for stroke recurrence, 1.63 (1.33–2.01) for combined endpoint, and 1.37 (1.12–1.67) for stroke disability, respectively. And, the ORs of high hemoglobin values (>16.1 g/dL) for adverse stroke outcomes were 1.72 (1.25–2.37), 1.43 (1.13–1.82), 1.43 (1.13–1.81), and 1.31 (1.06–1.63), respectively. Stratified analysis showed significant interactions between sex and categories of hemoglobin values for all-cause mortality (p = 0.05), stroke recurrence (p = 0.03), and combined endpoint (p = 0.01) but not for stroke disability (p = 0.24). Conclusions: Our study found both low and high hemoglobin values were associated with adverse stroke outcomes including all-cause mortality, stroke recurrence, combined endpoint, and stroke disability, which showed a U-shaped association. And, significant interactions between sex and hemoglobin concentration on all-cause mortality and stroke recurrence were also identified.

The impact of hyperglycemia on stroke outcomes in patients with and without diabetes

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a well-established independent risk factor for the development of stroke. It increases stroke risk by about fourfold. Information is scarce on the prevalence of stroke in the Gulf region. A systematic review of stroke epidemiology in the Middle East reported an increase in stroke cases over the last decade. Objectives: We aimed to examine the relationship between adverse stroke outcomes and dysglycemia. Patients and Methods: In this observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study, we recruited 496 patients with a clinical and radiological stroke diagnosis. We compared the length of hospital stay (LOS), inhospital mortality, and 30-day stroke readmission among those with no diabetes, prediabetes, and diabetes. Results: A total of 496 patients were eligible for the inclusion in the study. They were subdivided into three main categories based on their glycemic status according to the Hemoglobin A1c values at presentation. nondiabetes (190), prediabetes (117) and diabetes (189). The mean age was 57 years, with a higher proportion of males (n = 356) than females (n = 140). There were proportionally more ischemic strokes (n = 350) than hemorrhagic strokes (n = 147). The mean LOS was 5.0 days for all patients, irrespective of their glycemic status. Inhospital mortality was 4%, with slightly higher mortality (5.3%) in the group with diabetes; however, this was not statistically significant. Glycemic status did not seem to impact the stroke readmission at 3 or 6 months significantly. Furthermore, the proportion of patients readmitted within 30 days of discharge was not different between the three categories. Conclusions: Ischemic strokes occur in a much higher proportion in our patients with diabetes. Dysglycemia did not significantly impact stroke outcomes in our cohort.

Mission Thrombectomy 2020 (MT2020)—India’s Biggest Healthcare Challenge Yet

Large vessel occlusion has a disproportionately large contribution to overall mortality and morbidity from stroke. The Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology in the year 2016 announced the launch of Mission Thrombectomy 2020 (MT2020), with the aim of increasing access to stroke thrombectomy globally. Despite 4 years since the start of MT2020, India is falling short in acute stroke therapy including thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Access to timely MT leads to substantial mitigation of adverse stroke outcomes. This in turn leads to an enormous health benefit in that population. MT as a treatment is unevenly and unfairly distributed and increasing access to it is in need of strategies targeting political, economic, and environmental factors. Such strategies are slowly being adopted. In this article, we attempt to look at the major hurdles we face in improving acute stroke care in our country and we also explore options to address them.

Effectiveness of a Cultural Stroke Prevention Program in the United States-South Asian Health Awareness About Stroke (SAHAS).

There are few stroke education programs focused on the South Asian population in the United States. The South Asian Health Awareness about Stroke (SAHAS) program was developed to provide culturally appropriate stroke education to South Asians from 2014 to 2017. Participants recruited for the SAHAS program were educated through a uniquely developed, culturally-specific, educational presentation. Each participant was asked to complete identical educational questionnaires both before (pre-) and after (post-) the intervention, which were then scored and evaluated. Overall, the 357 participants who completed the SAHAS program had a significant, modest 9% improvement in questionnaire score (p < 0.0001). After adjusting for confounders, those ≤ 60years had a 2.9-point greater increase in score than those > 60 (p < 0.0001). Having programs targeted and developed for specific minority groups with an emphasis on familial commitment and active participation may aid in raising awareness and reducing the elevated adverse stroke outcomes in South Asians.

Abstract TP390: The Prognosis of Adverse Stroke Outcomes on the Post IV Alteplase Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Trajectory Groups of 24-Hour Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) Measurement

Background: To explore whether longitudinal 24-hour SBP trajectory patterns after thrombolysis could predict the risk of adverse stroke outcome. Methods: The total of 362 ischemic stroke patients, were selected with onset of within 4.5 hours and underwent intravenous(IV) thrombolysis with alteplase(rt-PA). Group-based trajectory models to identify SBP subgroups were used. The demographics, medical history, laboratory test results and the stroke outcome including early neurological deterioration (END), early neurological improvement (ENI), hemorrhage, Barthel index(BI), the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, recurrent stroke at 3 months after stroke were collected. Results: The stroke patients with IV thrombolysis were classified into six SBP trajectory groups: admission SBP, antihypertensive drugs before thrombolysis, history of hypertension, stroke, hemoglobin, glucose, and triglycerides. There was no difference in the incidence of hemorrhage, END, and recurrent stroke. The results of logistic analysis,when compared with the moderate-stable SBP group, there was a negative correlation between the risk of ENI and SBP trajectory patterns (OR=0.32; 95%CI: 0.15 to 0.67) , and the “J” correlation between the risk of the mRS score(OR=0.31; 95%CI: 1.50 to 7.30). Conclusion: The findings potentially help identify candidates for clinical blood pressure observation, blood pressure control and nursing care and management.

Adverse stroke outcomes among patients with bipolar disorder.

Failure to deliver the standard stroke care is suspected to be a potential reason for disproportionately high mortality among patients with co-morbid bipolar disorder (BD). Few studies have explored adverse outcomes and medical care costs concurrently (as a proxy for care intensity) among patients with BD admitted for stroke. Data for this nationwide population-based study were extracted from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, on 580 patients with BD hospitalized for stroke (the study group) and a comparison group consisting of randomly selected 1740 stroke patients without BD matched by propensity scores. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) for adverse in-hospital outcomes between study group and comparison group. We found that stroke patients with BD had significantly lower in-hospital mortality (3.28% vs. 5.63%), acute respiratory failure (2.59% vs. 5.57%), and use of mechanical ventilation (6.55% vs. 10.23%) than the comparison group. After adjusting for geographical location, urbanization level, monthly income, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and coronary heart disease, the odds of in-hospital mortality, acute respiratory failure, and use of mechanical ventilation in the BD group were 0.56 (95% CI: 0.34–0.92), 0.46 (95% CI: 0.26–0.80), and 0.63 (95% CI: 0.44–0.91), respectively. No differences were found in hospitalization costs and the length of hospital stay. With comparable hospitalization costs and length of hospital stay, we concluded that stroke patients with BD had lower in-hospital mortality and serious adverse events compared to stroke patients without BD.

Tumour Necrosis Factor-\u03b1 Inhibition Improves Stroke Outcome in a Mouse Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder where incidence and severity of myocardial infarction are increased. Data on the incidence and outcome of stroke are conflicting. Thus, we investigated outcome after Ischemia/Reperfusion (I/R) brain injury in a mouse model of RA and assessed for the role of the tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitor Infliximab herein. We used a TNF-α reliant mouse model of RA. RA and wildtype (WT) animals were treated with vehicle (RA/WT) or Infliximab (RA Infliximab) for 4 weeks, before undergoing I/R brain injury. RA-animals displayed larger strokes and poorer neurological performance. Immunohistochemistry on brain sections revealed increased numbers of resident and peripheral innate immune cells (microglia and macrophages); increased Blood-Brain-Barrier (BBB)-disruption; decreased levels of the tight junction proteins (TJPs) claudin-5 and occludin; increased expression of matrix-metalloproteinases (MMP)-3 and -9 and enhanced lipid peroxidation. Treatment with Infliximab corrected these alterations. We show that RA associates to worse stroke-outcome via exacerbated BBB degradation by decrease of the TJPs claudin-5 and occludin. We identified MMPs-3 and -9 and increased oxidative stress as potential mediators thereof. Increased numbers of resident and peripheral innate immune cells (microglia and macrophages) may in turn contribute to all these effects. Infliximab-treatment restored the phenotype of RA-mice to baseline. Our data provide evidence clearly linking RA to adverse stroke-outcome in mice and indicate an approved TNF-α inhibitor as a potential strategy to reduce stroke-burden in this setting.

Prognostic Value of International Normalized Ratio in Ischemic Stroke Patients without Atrial Fibrillation or Anticoagulation Therapy.

Aim: The impact of international normalized ratio (INR) on prognosis after acute ischemic stroke without anticoagulation therapy is unclear. Herein, the association between baseline INR and stroke outcomes in patients without anticoagulation therapy was investigated.Methods: A total of 14,782 ischemic stroke patients from the China National Stroke Registry II were included in this analysis. The period of follow-up was 1 year after stroke onset. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the relationship between INR and stroke outcomes including all-cause death, recurrent stroke, composite end point, and poor functional outcome.Results: Of 14,782 patients with stroke, all-cause death occurred in 1080 (7.3%), recurrence stroke in 538 (3.9%), combined end point in 1319 (8.9%), and poor functional outcome in 3001 (20.3%). Compared with the medium INR group (0.9–1.1), the odds ratios with confidence intervals of 95% for the high INR group (> 1.1) were 1.58 (1.32–1.98) for all-cause death, 1.40 (1.10–1.79) for stroke recurrence, 1.52 (1.29–1.79) for combined end point, and 1.21 (1.06–1.39) for poor functional outcome. No association between low INR (< 0.9) and any stroke outcomes was found compared with the medium group.Conclusions: Increased admission INR was associated with adverse stroke outcomes among acute ischemic stroke patients without atrial fibrillation or anticoagulation therapy.

Evaluation ankle-brachial index in patients with ischemic stroke: annual forecast.

Introduction. Ischemic stroke is the most common disease of the brain vessels worldwide. In recent years, we began to pay attention to the fact that the evaluation of the ABI may have prognostic value in different cohorts studied, not only in epidemiological studies, but also in patients with the presence of cardiovascular disease. The aim of the study was to investigate the prognostic role of abnormal ABI in patients with ischemic stroke. Material and methods. The study included 345 patients with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke. All patients underwent the study status of peripheral arteries using VaSera VS-1000 device. Groups of normal (n = 193) and abnormal ABI (n = 152). Patients were followed up for 1 year, assessed cardiovascular events were compared by the presence of risk factors, severity of neurological deficit, and according to laboratory tests and ultrasound data of the peripheral arteries. Results. The frequency of adverse outcomes (death, recurrent stroke, cardiovascular events) in 1 year after ischemic stroke were 15.6% of patients with a normal ABI and 46.7% of patients with abnormal ABI (p = 0.0001). In patients with abnormal ABI often preserved neurological deficit and the degree of its severity was higher compared to patients with normal ABI. When carrying out logistic regression analysis revealed strong correlation with pathological ABI adverse stroke outcome (OR 4.7; 95% CI 2,8-7,9, p = 0.00008). Conclusions. Evaluation of the ABI can help to identify a group of patients with ischemic stroke with increased risk of subsequent cardiovascular events requiring additional effort on their secondary prevention.

Occupational Physical Activity in Young Adults and Stroke: Was It Due to My Job?

The association of physical activity and stroke among working young adults and vice versa has increasingly empathized in recent years. Lack of physical activity, along with many other modifiable risk factors, such as hypertension, obesity, atherosclerosis, and diabetes, contributes through vascular dysfunction to the development of adverse cerebrovascular events in the future and has always been a topic of interest in the fields of neurology and stroke rehabilitation. We wrote this review article to elaborate on this relationship in detail. This article suggests that the physical activity role in stroke development and the rehabilitation process has a diverse role, where individuals with low physically active occupations are prone to develop a stroke more readily in comparison with other workers who have a moderate amount of physical activity in their jobs; however, less mobility appeared to be harmful too soon after stroke. In addition, we elucidate the effects of physical activity on sympathetic activity and remodeling of vascular response. Alterations in the neuroendocrine system include several factors. This includes harmful changes caused by increasing levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine. These changes are seen with stress-induced cerebrovascular injury and are often elevated in post-stroke patients. In contrast, post-stroke patients engaged in physical activity may prevent these harmful neurotrophic factors by reducing the elevated levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine. However, we need more studies in the near future to further explore this association process. Therefore, we recommend more research to explore the relationship of occupation-related factors and adverse stroke outcomes.

Association between marriage and outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke

BackgroundsThe previous studies on the association between marital status and stroke outcomes were rare. Furthermore, the existing studies mostly focused on the protective effect of marriage on survival. We conducted the study to evaluate the association between marital status and adverse stroke outcomes in patients with AIS based on China national stroke registry.MethodsThis was a multicenter, prospective cohort study of patients with AIS. Patients were classified into two groups based on marital status at admission: married and unmarried. The primary outcomes included all-cause mortality, stroke recurrence, combined endpoint, and stroke disability. Stroke disability was defined as modified Rankin Scale of 2–6.ResultsOf 12,118 patients, 1220 were unmarried and 10,898 married. Unmarried patients had higher proportion of 1-year post-stroke events than married patients did. As compared with being unmarried, the adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence interval of being married for outcomes were as follows: 0.70 (0.58–0.84) for all-cause mortality, 0.78 (0.66–0.91) for stroke recurrence, 0.77 (0.66–0.90) for combined endpoint, and 0.75 (0.65–0.88) for stroke disability. Interactions between marital status and education were significant for all outcomes except for stroke disability.ConclusionsMarital status was associated with all adverse stroke outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke, especially in those with middle-school education.

Lifestyle Factors and Early Clinical Outcome in Patients With Acute Stroke: A Population-Based Study.

We examined the associations of individual and combined lifestyle factors with early adverse stroke outcomes. A total of 82 597 patients were identified from nationwide registries. Lifestyle factors at the time of stroke admission included body mass index (kg/m2), smoking habits, and alcohol intake, which were grouped (healthy, moderately healthy, moderately unhealthy, and unhealthy). The associations between lifestyle and outcomes were examined using multivariable regression. A total of 18.3% had a severe stroke, 7.8% pneumonia, 12.5% urinary tract infection, and 9.9% died within 30 days. The association between lifestyle, stroke severity, and mortality, respectively, differed according to sex. Unhealthy lifestyle was associated with lower risk of severe stroke (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63-0.84) and 30-day mortality among men (adjusted OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.58-0.87), but not among women (severe stroke: adjusted OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.85-1.55, and mortality: adjusted OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.90-1.99). No sex differences were found for pneumonia and urinary tract infection. Unhealthy lifestyle was not associated with a statistically significant increased risk of developing in-hospital pneumonia (adjusted OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.98-1.73) or urinary tract infection (adjusted OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.72-1.33). Underweight was associated with a higher 30-day mortality (men: adjusted OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.50-1.96, and women: adjusted OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.34-1.60). Healthy lifestyle was not associated with a lower risk of adverse stroke outcomes, in particularly among men. However, underweight may be a particular concern being associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes among both sexes.

Abstract P246: Targeting 20-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acid in Rofecoxib-induced Cerebrovascular Damage

Background: Coxibs, selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, significantly improved the quality of life of millions of individuals affected by pain and inflammation. Unfortunately, increased risk of stroke with the use of coxibs limited their clinical usefulness. The goal of this study is to investigate the role of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) metabolism by COX-2 in rofecoxib-induced cerebrovascular damage. We treated MC38 mice (1.4 x 10 6 MC38 cells/mouse) with rofecoxib (50 mg/L) + HET0016 (20-HETE blocker; 5 mg/kg/day, i.p.), rofecoxib, or vehicle for 3 weeks. We then subjected these MC38 and control mice to thromboembolic stroke. Finally, we treated B6 mice with 20-OH PGE 2 (250 ng/h; osmotic pump) and vehicle for 7 days, and then subjected them to ischemic stroke. Results: 1 ). Rofecoxib significantly reduced MC38 tumor size (from 693 ± 106 to 329 ± 40 mm 3 , P &lt; 0.05). Within its therapeutic dose, rofecoxib selectively increased circulating 20-HETE levels (100 ± 18 vs. 150 ± 11%, P &lt; 0.05), which was reversed by HET0016 (150 ± 11 vs. 100 ± 16%, P &lt; 0.05). We did not find significant change on cyp4a (20-HETE synthesizing enzymes) expression in the brain microvessels after rofecoxib treatment. 2 ). A major prostaglandin (PG) metabolite, which is 20-OH PGE 2 , was generated when we incubated purified COX-2 with 20-HETE (5 uM). Strikingly, rofecoxib (1 uM) inhibited 20-OH PGE 2 synthesis by 71% (from 100 ± 16 to 29 ± 8%, P &lt; 0.05). 3 ). Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) was greater in rofecoxib group (4/5 mice showing bleeding), a vascular injury that was prevented by co-treatment with HET0016 (0/6 mice showing bleeding). 4 ). 20-OH PGE 2 supplementation reduced both infarct size (45 ± 10 vs. 17 ± 8% contralateral hemisphere, P &lt; 0.05) and neurological deficits (3.6 ± 0.5 vs. 2 ± 1, P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: 1 ) Rofecoxib increases circulating levels of 20-HETE, which exacerbates stroke damage. 2 ) COX-2 is the key player in regulating 20-HETE metabolism. 3 ) 20-HETE blockade prevents HT induced by rofecoxib. 4 ) 20-OH PGE 2 exerts cerebroprotective after ischemic stroke. In summary , these results suggest that both 20-HETE blockade and 20-OH PGE 2 supplementation are new approaches to ameliorate coxib-induced cerebrovascular damage and adverse stroke outcomes.