Early Intracranial Hemorrhage Research Articles

Is near-infrared spectroscopy a promising predictor for early intracranial hemorrhage diagnosis in the Emergency Department?

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a serious medical condition that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Early detection and treatment are essential for improving the outcome in patients with ICH. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a non-invasive imaging technique that has been used to detect changes in brain tissue oxygenation and blood flow in various conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive potential of NIRS for early diagnosis of ICH in patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) triage with headache. A total of 378 patients were included in the study. According to the final diagnosis of the patients, 4 groups were formed: migraine, tension-cluster headache, intracranial hemorrhage and intracranial mass, and control group. Cerebral NIRS values "rSO2" were measured at the first professional medical contact with the patient. The right and left rSO2 (RrSO2, LrSO2) were significantly lower and the rSO2 difference was significantly higher in the intracranial hemorrhage group compared to all other patient groups (P<0.001). The cut-off values determined in the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis were RrSO2 ≤67, LrSO2 ≤67, and ΔrSO2 ≥9. This study found that a difference of more than 9 in cerebral right-left NIRS values can be a non-invasive, easy-to-administer, rapid, and reliable diagnostic test for early detection of intracranial bleeding. NIRS holds promise as an objective method in ED triage for patients with intracranial hemorrhage. However, further research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and limitations of this method.

Guarding against the storm: the imperative of early intracranial hemorrhage recognition in end-stage renal disease and hypertension: a case report

Guarding against the storm: the imperative of early intracranial hemorrhage recognition in end-stage renal disease and hypertension: a case report

The characteristics and long-term outcomes of acute promyelocytic leukemia patients with early intracranial hemorrhage.

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a major cause of early death (ED) and leads to poor prognosis in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). We retrospectively described 27 unselected APL patients who experienced early ICH. The ED rate was 37%. The 3-year overall survival (OS) rate was 45.4%, while the 3-year OS rate of patients who survived through induction therapy was 87.5%. No patient experienced central nervous system leukemia (CNSL). Concurrent differentiation syndrome, white blood cell count, prothrombin time and D-dimer were related to death. Although the ED rate among APL patients with early ICH was high, patients with early ICH had a favorable outcome after surviving through induction therapy. CNSL was rare despite a history of ICH during induction therapy. Compared with APL patients without ICH, it seems unnecessary to administer additional measures to prevent CNSL for this subpopulation in the era of all-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide, but this needs further validation in prospective trials.

Early Intracranial Hemorrhage Predicts Poor Clinical Outcome in Community-Acquired Bacterial Meningitis.

BackgroundCommunity-acquired bacterial meningitis in adults is associated with significant morbidity and mortality; therefore, early prognostication is important to identify severe cases and possibly allocate more intensive treatment. We hypothesized that early intracranial hemorrhage portends a poor prognosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of early intracranial hemorrhage regardless of size and location on clinical outcome.MethodsRetrospective analysis of patients with community-acquired bacterial meningitis treated at a tertiary academic center between 2009 and 2019 about patient characteristics, cerebral imaging findings, and clinical outcome. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of poor clinical outcomes defined as a modified Rankin scale score of 5 or 6 upon discharge.ResultsA total of 102 patients were included, of which 22.5% had poor clinical outcomes. Intracranial micro- or macrohemorrhages were present in 7.8% of cases and associated with poor clinical outcomes [odds ratio (OR) 55.75, 95% CI 3.08–1,008.48, p = 0.006] in multivariate analysis, further predictors included ischemic stroke (OR 15.06, 95% CI 1.32–172, p = 0.029), age (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.4–4.67, p = 0.002), and reduced consciousness (OR 4.21, 95% CI 1.07–16.64, p = 0.04).ConclusionEarly cerebral hemorrhage (ECHO) is a potential prognostic marker for clinicians confronted with decision-making in patients who are critically ill with community-acquired bacterial meningitis.

Seizures in a Term Newborn.

Seizures in a Term Newborn.

Disparities between Asian and Non-Asian Thrombolyzed Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients in the Enhanced Control of Hypertension and Thrombolysis Stroke Trial

Background and Purpose: As outcomes for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) vary according to clinical profile and management approaches, we aimed to determine disparities in clinical outcomes between Asian and non-Asian participants of the international, Enhanced Control of Hypertension and Thrombolysis Stroke study (ENCHANTED). Methods: ENCHANTED was a multicenter, prospective, partial-factorial, randomized, open trial of low-dose (0.6 mg/kg) versus standard-dose (0.9 mg/kg) alteplase, and intensive (target systolic blood pressure [SBP] 130–140 mm Hg) or guideline-recommended (<180 mm Hg) BP management, in thrombolysis-eligible AIS patients. Logistic regression models were used to examine the associations with outcomes of death or disability (modified Rankin scale [mRS] scores 2–6), major disability (mRS 3–5), death, and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), with adjustment prognostic factors, alteplase dose, and mean SBP over 1–24 h. Results: Among 4,551 thrombolyzed AIS patients (mean age 66.7 years, 37.8% female), there were 65.4% Asians who were younger, fewer female, and with less atrial fibrillation, hypercholesterolemia, premorbid symptoms, and concomitant antihypertensive, antithrombotic and statin treatment, and more prior stroke, compared to non-Asians. Frequencies of hypertension, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus were comparable between groups. Asian patients were less likely to be admitted to an acute stroke unit and receive early mobilization by a therapist or rehabilitation but more likely to receive intensive care. There were no significant differences between Asians and non-Asians in functional outcome (defined by mRS scores 2–6 or 3–5; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85–1.19 [p = 0.958] and OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.80–1.13 [p = 0.572], respectively), or death (OR 1.25, 95% CI 0.95–1.65; p = 0.116), despite Asians having greater odds of ICH (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.23–1.86; p = 0.0001) and neurological deterioration within 24 h (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.18–2.12; p = 0.002). Conclusions: Within the context of an international clinical trial of thrombolyzed AIS patients, demography, risk factors, management, and odds of early neurological deterioration and ICH, all differ between Asian and non-Asian participants. However, patterns of functional recovery are similar between these major regional groups.

Isolated headache and its association with characteristics and outcome of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcome, hospital stay, and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) development of patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) who presented with isolated headache. In a retrospective study, consecutive patients with a definite diagnosis of CVST referred to Namazi hospital (Shiraz University of Medical Sciences) from 2012 to 2016 were included. Clinical, radiological, and prognostic characteristics and outcome on discharge (using modified Rankin Scale (mRS)) were compared between the CVST patients who presented with isolated headache and other CVST patients through univariate analyses. The associations of isolated headache with poor outcome (mRS &gt; 2), presence or development of ICH, and duration of hospital stay were assessed through multivariable analyses. Of the 174 patients, 45 (26.0%) presented with isolated headache. Presence of isolated headache was more frequent in men ( p value = 0.048) and patients with thrombophilia ( p value = 0.040). Lateral sinus involvement was more common in patients with isolated headache ( p value = 0.005). After adjustment for other variables, the isolated headache was significantly associated with shorter hospital stay (odds ratio (OR): 0.85, confidence interval (CI): 0.73–0.99) and lower risk of early ICH (OR: 0.314, CI: 0.132–0.749). Although poor outcome was significantly less frequent in patients with isolated headache on univariate analysis ( p value &lt; 0.001), this association was not significant in multivariable analysis (OR: 0.324, CI: 0.035–2.985). CVST patients with isolated headache had lower ICH events and shorter hospital stay. CVST should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis in certain patients who present only with headache, particularly those with diffuse progressive headache, or underlying provocative conditions.

Statin, cholesterol, and sICH after acute ischemic stroke: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Conflicts exist regarding relationship between prior/new statin use, cholesterol, and early poststroke intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. This meta-analysis is aimed at evaluating the safety of prior/new statin use, cholesterol level and risk of ICH in AIS patients. We searched PubMed and Embase for studies examining relation between statin use, cholesterol level, and early poststroke ICH in AIS. Included studies should report risk of early poststroke symptomatic ICH (sICH) or overall ICH. A random-effects model was used to pool the data. Twenty-five articles involving 26,327 participants were included, among whom 925 had sICH. Prior statin use was not associated with overall ICH (adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.478; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.924-2.362; p = 0.103) and sICH in patients who received thrombolysis (adjusted OR, 1.567; 95% CI, 0.994-2.471; p = 0.053) or overall ICH in patients, most of whom had not received recanalization therapy (crude OR, 1.342; 95% CI, 0.872-2.065; p = 0.181). New statin use was associated with decreased sICH after recanalization therapy (crude OR, 0.292; 95% CI, 0.168-0.507; p < 0.001).Cholesterol level was not associated with overall ICH. Prior/new statin use and lower cholesterol level are not risk factors for sICH and overall ICH in AIS patients, whether or not the patient has received recanalization therapy. New statin use is likely associated with decreased sICH.

Image review on mobile devices for suspected stroke patients: Evaluation of the mRay software solution.

PurposeSoftware solutions such as mRay allow review of radiological images on handheld devices. We investigated if the quality is adequate for evaluating CT scans of patients with suspected stroke.Methods50 patients (Median age 80 years, 28 females) were retrospectively selected. All patients had undergone multidetector CT angiography ± perfusion and presented with clinical signs of acute stroke. Out of the 50 patients, 19 had large-vessel occlusion (LVO), 5 had intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), 10 had severe intracranial stenosis of at least one major vessel, 2 had intracranial tumor and 15 had no or an unrelated pathology. One experienced neuroradiologist and one resident scored the anonymized pictures separately on two handheld devices (iPhone 7 Plus, MED-TAB) equipped with mRay Software and on a PACS workstation. Each case was reviewed on all three devices with a break in-between of at least 12 weeks. The scoring on the traditional workstation was compared with the two handheld devices, regarding detection of early ischemic signs, LVOs, CBV/CBF-mismatch, ICHs and severe stenosis. Both raters were asked to rate the diagnostic quality of both handheld devices regarding detection of LVOs, ICHs, early ischemic signs and overall.ResultsAll LVOs, intracranial tumors and ICHs were detected on both mobile devices. There was no significant difference in the rating of CCT and CBF ASPECTS between all three devices, while the sensitivity for detecting a CBF/CBV-mismatch was above 80% on both devices. Both raters assessed the diagnostic quality to be sufficient on both mobile devices to base treatment decisions on.ConclusionSoftware solutions such as mRay for handheld devices provide adequate diagnostic quality for the review of CT scans of suspected stroke patients.

Intracranial Hemorrhage in Childhood Acute Leukemia: Incidence, Characteristics, and Contributing Factors

BackgroundAmong all cancers, hematologic malignancy has the highest rate of intracranial hemorrhage. However, there are limited data on intracranial hemorrhage in childhood acute leukemia. We aimed to determine the incidence, characteristics, and factors associated with intracranial hemorrhage in children with acute leukemia. MethodsWe reviewed a database of patients aged one month to 15 years diagnosed with acute leukemia during 2003 to 2016 at a hospital in Thailand. Characteristics of patients with intracranial hemorrhage were compared with those of patients without intracranial hemorrhage. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the associated factors. We performed survival analyses to compare survival and hazard ratios between groups. ResultsThere were 494 children with acute leukemia (acute lymphoblastic leukemia 367, acute myelogenous leukemia 127). Median age was 4.9 years (interquartile range 3.0 to 9.2). Follow-up duration was 2.1 years. Intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 12 patients whose median age was 12.5 years (interquartile range 7.5 to 13.3). Incidence rate of intracranial hemorrhage was 6.2 (acute lymphoblastic leukemia 5.1, acute myelogenous leukemia 12.9) per 1000 person-years. Case fatality rate of intracranial hemorrhage was 75%. Patients with early intracranial hemorrhage had prolonged international normalized ratio and higher white blood cell count, whereas patients with late intracranial hemorrhage had more concurrent systemic infections. Most cases of intracranial hemorrhage were intraparenchymal with perihematomal edema. Median survival was 24 days in the intracranial hemorrhage group compared with four years in the non-intracranial hemorrhage group. Risk of death from intracranial hemorrhage was 3.2 times higher than that of the non-intracranial hemorrhage group. Age at diagnosis, initial white blood cell count, and lactate dehydrogenase were associated with increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage. ConclusionsIntracranial hemorrhage was common and often fatal in children with acute leukemia. Potential contributing factors differed by intracranial hemorrhage timing. Older age, white blood cell count, and lactate dehydrogenase were associated with high risk of intracranial hemorrhage.

Clinical and radiological characteristics and predictors of outcome of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, a hospital-based study.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is an uncommon cause of stroke, which is more prevalent in Iran and the Middle East. We aimed to assess the etiology, radiologic, and clinical manifestations of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, specifically the predictors of patients' outcome in Namazi hospital, Shiraz, Iran. In this retrospective study, we included all adult patients with the diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, who were admitted in hospital, from 2012 to 2016. Demographic data, radiologic findings, clinical presentation, risk factors, treatment, and outcome according to modified Rankin Scale (mRS) on discharge were assessed and the factors associated with hospital fatality and poor outcome (mRS > 2) were investigated through univariable and multivariable analyses. Adjusted odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI), and p values were reported. Among 174 patients, 128 (73.6%) were female. The mean age was 37.8 ± 11.2. Total of 39 patients (22.4%) had poor discharge outcome and nine patients died in hospital. Older age (OR = 1.041, CI = 1.000-1.08), decreased level of consciousness (OR = 5.46, CI = 2.17-13.72), focal neurologic deficit (OR = 5.63, CI = 2.14-14.77), and expansion of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) (OR = 9.13, CI = 1.96-42.64) were predictors of poor outcome according to the logistic regression model. Older age (p = 0.02), focal neurologic deficit (p = 0.005), deep venous system thrombosis (p = 0.002), early intracranial hemorrhage (p = 0.049), delayed hemorrhage (p = 0.007) and hemorrhage expansion (p = 0.002), infratentorial hemorrhagic lesions (p = 0.005), and higher CRP (p = 0.011) were associated with hospital fatality. The patients with gynecologic risk factors were at lower risk of hospital death (p = 0.005). Age, decreased consciousness and focal neurological deficit on admission, and expanded intracranial hemorrhage are predictors of poor outcome. The patients who are at higher risk of unfavorable outcome should be recognized and closely monitored.

Co-occurrence of hyperleukocytosis and elevated fibrin-fibrinogen degradation product levels is a risk factor for early intracranial hemorrhage in patients with de novo acute leukemia.

Early intracranial hemorrhage (eICH) is a potentially fatal complication of acute leukemia. We analyzed risk factors for eICH in patients with de novo acute leukemia. Ninety-one de novo acute leukemia patients at our institution between September 2003 and June 2014 were included. Of the 91 patients, eight (8.8%) and 83 were included in the eICH and non-eICH groups, respectively. Univariate analysis demonstrated that white blood cell (WBC) count (P=0.018), fibrin-fibrinogen degradation product (FDP) level (P=0.0075), co-occurrence of WBC≥50,000/µl and FDP level>40µg/ml (P<0.001), and fever (P=0.248) were all significant predictors of eICH at the 0.25 level. In a subsequent multivariate analysis involving these parameters, only the combination of hyperleukocytosis and elevated FDP levels was found to be significant at the 0.05 level. A significant difference in the duration of the overall survival (OS) period was detected between patients that did and did not exhibit the combination of hyperleukocytosis and elevated FDP levels (P<0.001). Co-occurrence of hyperleukocytosis and elevated FDP levels is a significant risk factor for eICH in patients with de novo acute leukemia and has a significant adverse affect on OS.

Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians position statement on acute ischemic stroke.

The CAEP Stroke Practice Committee was convened in the spring of 2013 to revisit the 2001 policy statement on the use of thrombolytic therapy in acute ischemic stroke. The terms of reference of the panel were developed to include national representation from urban academic centres as well as community and rural centres from all regions of the country. Membership was determined by attracting recognized stroke leaders from across the country who agreed to volunteer their time towards the development of revised guidance on the topic. The guideline panel elected to adopt the GRADE language to communicate guidance after review of existing systematic reviews and international clinical practice guidelines. Stroke neurologists from across Canada were engaged to work alongside panel members to develop guidance as a dyad-based consensus when possible. There was no unique systematic review performed to support this guidance, rather existing efficacy data was relied upon. After a series of teleconferences and face to face meetings, a draft guideline was developed and presented to the CAEP board in June of 2014. The panel noted the development of significant new evidence to inform a number of clinical questions related to acute stroke management. In general terms the recommendations issued by the CAEP Stroke Practice Committee are supportive of the use of thrombolytic therapy when treatment can be administered within 3 hours of symptom onset. The committee is also supportive of system-level changes including pre-hospital interventions, the transport of patients to dedicated stroke centers when possible and tele-health measures to support thrombolytic therapy in a timely window. Of note, after careful deliberation, the panel elected to issue a conditional recommendation against the use of thrombolytic therapy in the 3–4.5 hour window. The view of the committee was that as a result of a narrow risk benefit balance, one that is considerably narrower than the same considerations under 3 hours, a significant number of informed patients and families would opt against the risk of early intracranial hemorrhage and the possibility of increased 90-day mortality that is not seen for more timely treatment. Furthermore, the frequently impaired nature of patients suffering an acute stroke and the difficulties in asking families to make life and death decisions in a highly time-sensitive context led the panel to restrict a strong endorsement of thrombolytic to the 3 hour outermost limit. The committee noted as well that Health Canada has not approved a thrombolytic agent beyond a three hour window in acute ischemic stroke.

Trends in oral anticoagulant choice for acute stroke patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in Japan: the SAMURAI-NVAF study.

BackgroundLarge clinical trials are lack of data on non‐vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants for acute stroke patients.AimTo evaluate the choice of oral anticoagulants at acute hospital discharge in stroke patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and clarify the underlying characteristics potentially affecting that choice using the multicenter Stroke Acute Management with Urgent Risk‐factor Assessment and Improvement‐NVAF registry (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01581502).MethodThe study included 1192 acute ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (527 women, 77·7 ± 9·9 years old) between September 2011 and March 2014, during which three nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant oral anticoagulants were approved for clinical use. Oral anticoagulant choice at hospital discharge (median 23‐day stay) was assessed.ResultsWarfarin was chosen for 650 patients, dabigatran for 203, rivaroxaban for 238, and apixaban for 25. Over the three 10‐month observation periods, patients taking warfarin gradually decreased to 46·5% and those taking nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants increased to 48·0%. As compared with warfarin users, patients taking nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants included more men, were younger, more frequently had small infarcts, and had lower scores for poststroke CHADS 2, CHA 2 DS 2‐VASc, and HAS‐BLED, admission National Institutes of Health stroke scale, and discharge modified Rankin Scale. Nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants were started at a median of four‐days after stroke onset without early intracranial hemorrhage. Patients starting nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants earlier had smaller infarcts and lower scores for the admission National Institutes of Health stroke scale and the discharge modified Rankin Scale than those starting later. Choice of nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants was independently associated with 20‐day or shorter hospitalization (OR 2·46, 95% CI 1·87–3·24).ConclusionsWarfarin use at acute hospital discharge was still common in the initial years after approval of nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants, although nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant users increased gradually. The index stroke was milder and ischemia‐risk indices were lower in nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant users than in warfarin users. Early initiation of nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants seemed safe.

Abstract 124: Collaterals Determine Risk of Early Territorial Stroke and Hemorrhage in the SAMMPRIS Trial

Background: The degree of collateral circulation is a powerful risk factor for recurrent stroke in the setting of medical therapy for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis. The impact of collaterals on the short-term risk for stroke in patients treated by stenting or intensive medical therapies is not known. We systematically evaluated baseline angiographic features of collateral circulation and antegrade flow across intracranial stenoses in randomized subjects of the multicenter SAMMPRIS trial and correlated these to their 30-day risk of ischemic stroke. Methods: Digital review of baseline angiograms in SAMMPRIS was conducted to score ASITN/SIR collateral grade and TICI antegrade flow, blind to other data. Dichotomized collateral and TICI scores (none/partial versus complete) were analyzed independently and in combinations with trial endpoints of territorial ischemic stroke or stroke in territory (SIT) and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) within 30 days in the intensive medical and stenting arms of the study. Log-rank tests with follow-up time censored at 30 days were used in the analysis. Results: Collaterals could be assessed on 376/424 baseline angiography studies available for digital imaging review for the 451 randomized subjects in SAMMPRIS (186 medical, 190 stenting). Early territorial stroke (SIT) occurred in 6/186 (3.2%) subjects in the medical arm and 20/190 (10.5%) after stenting. SIT was not associated with TICI in either arm, whereas collaterals exerted a potent protective influence in medical (p=0.067) and stented (p=0.004) cases, with 0/66 (0%) SIT in the medical arm and 0/51 (0%) SIT in the stented arm when collaterals were complete. SIT in medical cases was associated with partial TICI/partial collaterals (5/25 (20.0%)) versus complete TICI/partial collaterals (1/95 (1.1%)) and partial TICI/complete collaterals (0/66 (0%)), p&lt;0.001. SIT in stented cases was associated with partial TICI/partial collaterals (11/46 (23.9%)) versus complete TICI/partial collaterals (9/93 (9.7%)) and partial TICI/complete collaterals (0/51 (0%)), p&lt;0.001. ICH within 30 days occurred in 0/186 (0%) subjects randomized to medical therapy. In the stenting arm, early ICH occurred in 8/190 (4.2%) and was associated with TICI (p=0.036) and collaterals (p=0.077). Overall, early ICH after stenting was associated with partial TICI/partial collaterals (7/46 (15.2%)) versus complete TICI/partial collaterals (1/93 (1.1%)) and partial TICI/complete collaterals (0/51 (0%)), p&lt;0.001. Conclusions: Patients with impaired collateral flow associated with severe intracranial stenosis had the highest risk for stroke within 30 days, both with intensive medical therapy and as a complication of angioplasty and stenting.

Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Associated With Cerebral Hemorrhage

The current recommended treatment for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is anticoagulation, and the presence of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is not a contraindication. We present a case of ICH associated with CVST in which heparin treatment was associated with rebleeding, and we review current evidence of anticoagulation safety in patients with ICH associated with CVST. A 65-year-old man presented with right hemiparesis and loss of consciousness. Brain computed tomography showed a left frontoparietal hemorrhage. Angiographic studies with magnetic resonance imaging showed the presence of a partial superior saggital sinus thrombosis. With a diagnosis of CVST, intravenous heparin was administered. After 24 hours the patient had a symptomatic increase in ICH size, and 2 days later the patient developed a status epilepticus with new evidence of rebleeding. Anticoagulant treatment was stopped and the patient experienced neurological improvement, with no new episodes of rebleeding. Evidence for the safety of anticoagulants in CVST comes from 2 small trials involving a total of 79 patients, but only 18 had some degree of bleeding in baseline computed tomography. A meta-analysis suggested that in CVST patients who are treated with anticoagulants, the risk of ICH is low, but acknowledged that an impact of up to 9% of new ICH cannot be ruled out. As there is not enough evidence for the safety of anticoagulant therapy in patients with early ICH associated with CVST, the therapeutic decision must be individualized and the rebleeding risk should be weighed in those patients.

Anticoagulation Should Not Be Used in Most Patients With Stroke With Infective Endocarditis

One of the most worrisome consults to the stroke service is the patient with neurological symptoms in the setting of infective endocarditis (IE). Stroke is the main neurological complication of IE and in 50% to 75% is the presenting feature. The most effective strategy for the prevention of a first or recurrent stroke is the prompt institution of appropriate antibiotic therapy, which reduces the risk to 1% to 3% within the first week.1 Ischemic stroke is 3-fold more common than hemorrhagic stroke. Embolic patterns are seen on diffusion-weighted MR in 92% of patients with stroke or encephalopathy. Initiating anticoagulation may seem reasonable to prevent embolization of infected or bland platelet–fibrin valvular vegetations—perhaps enhanced in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies—and it is the standard of care for most cardioembolic stroke; however, the stroke risk is similar in the presence or absence of anticoagulants at onset of IE. The most compelling reason to avoid anticoagulation in Staphylococcus aureus IE is the predominance of early …

Transcranial Duplex Sonography for Monitoring Hyperacute Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Early hematoma growth is one of the main determinants of mortality in patients with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Transcranial duplex sonography (TDS) might represent a useful tool for the bedside monitoring of early ICH enlargement. We aimed to correlate ICH volumes measured by TDS and CT scan in patients with ICH evaluated <3 hours of symptom onset. We prospectively studied 34 patients with supratentorial ICH evaluated <3 hours of onset. All patients underwent emergent CT scan and TDS examination on admission and at 6 hours. Major longitudinal, sagittal, and coronal hematoma diameters were measured on CT scan by a neuroradiologist and on TDS by a blinded operator with a time delay <30 minutes between both techniques. Total hematoma volume was determined using the formula for irregular volumes (longitudinalxsagittalxcoronal)/2. Early hematoma growth was defined as an increase >20% in the hematoma volume at 6 hours. ICH was identified on TDS as an hyperechogenic mass located in the basal ganglia in 28 patients and in the lobar position in 6. Mean hematoma volume at baseline was 86+/-4 5 mL. At 6 hours, early hematoma growth was seen in 9 (26%) patients. An excellent correlation was found between TDS and CT measurements for all diameters: longitudinal (r=0.91, P<0.001), sagittal (r=0.85, P=0.002), coronal (r=0.79, P=0.022) and for total hematoma volume (r=0.82, P=0.001). When all obtained measures were matched, the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.888 (95% CI, 0.8 to 0.937). TDS showed an excellent correlation with CT in measuring the extent of bleeding in patients with hyperacute ICH. TDS may represent a reliable useful tool for monitoring ICH noninvasively at the patient's bedside.

Safety and Efficacy of MRI-Based Thrombolysis in Unclear-Onset Stroke

Background: Standard selection criteria for thrombolysis typically exclude patients with acute ischemic stroke with unclear onset. Multimodal MRI screening may be able to identify those with a favorable benefit-risk ratio for thrombolysis. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MRI-based thrombolysis in unclear-onset stroke (UnCLOS). Methods: We reviewed the thrombolysis database registries from 3 medical centers in Korea. Subjects received thrombolysis with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) or combined intravenous tPA and intra-arterial urokinase within 3 h, or intra-arterial urokinase within 6 h from symptom detection. For patients with UnCLOS, MRI-specific eligibility criteria (i.e. positive perfusion-diffusion mismatch and absence of well-developed fluid-attenuated inversion recovery changes of acute diffusion lesions) were applied. Rates of immediate and 5-day recanalization, early neurological improvement and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) within 48 h after treatment and 3-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores were compared between patients with UnCLOS and those with clear-onset stroke (CLOS). Results: 32 patients with UnCLOS and 223 patients with CLOS were included. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups, except that the proportion of MRI screening was higher, and detection-to-door time and door-to-needle time were longer in the UnCLOS group (p < 0.01). Rates of recanalization (immediate, 81.3 vs. 63.1%; delayed, 80.6 vs. 69.1%), early neurological improvement (on day 1, 46.9 vs. 35.9%; on day 7, 50.0 vs. 49.3%), symptomatic ICH (6.3 vs. 5.8%) and 3-month outcome (mRS 0–1, 37.5 vs. 35.0%; mRS 0–2, 50.0 vs. 49.3%) did not differ between the UnCLOS and CLOS groups. Conclusion: These preliminary results suggest that thrombolysis based on MRI criteria may safely be applied to acute stroke patients with unclear onset.

Management of Fetal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (AIT): Treatment of 30 Cases in Which the Previous Sibling Suffered an IntraCranial Hemorrhage (ICH).

Prevention of fetal-perinatal ICH is the primary goal of antenatal therapy for AIT. When there was an ICH in a prior pregnancy, these fetuses are at virtually 100% risk for a recurrent ICH. Current antenatal treatments given to the mother are intravenous gammaglobulin (IVIG), oral steroids, or both. Two consecutive studies examined risk-based therapy by tailoring therapeutic interventions according to the course of the previous affected sibling with ICH.Thirty patients with AIT were divided into 4 groups based on the timing of the sibling's ICH (see Figs. 1 & 2, including abbreviations). In the Extremely High Risk (EHR), Very HR (VHR), HR1, and HR2 arms, an adequate initial response was defined as an Fetal Platelet Count (FPC) ≥30 × 109/L at the time of the first Fetal Blood Sampling (FBS). Repeat FBS was done 3–8 weeks later. If the platelet count did not increase, therapy was intensified (“salvage”) by adding prednisone or additiional IVIG. There were 5 ICHs (see Table), 3 of which were failures of antenatal therapy. One ICH occurred in an EHR patient prior to the use of 2g/kg/wk of IVIG as did one of the 2 ICHs in the HR1 study; both of these hemorrhages occurred on IVIG + pred prior to 30 weeks. Both previous siblings had had early antenatal ICHs. The second HR1 patient with ICH was initially on IVIG alone, added pred when repeat FBS was not possible because of premature contractions, and delivered at 35 weeks with a birth platelet count (BPC) of 14 × 109/L; a Grade I intraventricular ICH was noted on the first day of life. The other 2 ICHs occurred in a VHR infant delivered at 24 weeks gestation with a BPC of 248 × 109/L and in a HR2 35.7 week old infant with a BPC of 137 × 109/L. The effectiveness of the treatment strategy was demonstrated because all groups' mean BPC was >50 × 109/L; 3 of 4 groups' mean BPC was >100 × 109/L.The fact that 20 of 30 of the patients required salvage therapy, and that overall, the BPC was greater than the initial FPC in all arms, attests to the need for monitoring of the FPC and for intensification of therapy in these HR patients. Comparing HR1 to HR2, starting therapy earlier than 20–24 weeks in the HR2 arm appeared to substantially increase the BPC. Antenatal therapy with IVIG 1–2g/kg/wk beginning at approximately 12 weeks gestation was effective in preventing ICH in the highest risk pregnancies in 25 of 30 cases. In the future, treatment may start with IVIG 2g/kg/wk and automatically add prednisone at 24–30 weeks for optimal response. This could also allow avoidance of FBS until at least 32 weeks.Summary# of Patients# Requiring SalvageMean FPC at 1st FBS (K)Mean Gestational Age at Birth (weeks)Mean BPC (K)# of ICHs# of Fetal DemisesEHR432332.515511VHR151174.633.612220HR18521.833.168.421HR2315433.212200 [Display omitted]