In-hospital Stroke Research Articles

Analysis of the emergency standard ischemic stroke care system time points for in-hospital-onset ischemic stroke and community-onset stroke in general hospital

Objective: To analyze the treatment situation at each time node in the standard in-hospital-stroke(IHS) in the general hospital compared with that in the emergency(community)-onset stroke (COS) group. Methods: A single-center retrospective case-control study was performed.The clinical cases of acute COS group and IHS group who were treated by the same stroke green channel team at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from Jan.2021 to Apr.2024 were included. The treatment process of acute stage of stroke was divided into four time nodes (onset, recognition, admission, and treatment), and the time of each time node was compared and analyzed. Results: A total of 219 ischemic stroke cases were included, comprising 83 and 136 cases in IHS and COS groups, respectively. There were 134 male patients (61.2%) with a mean onset age of (66.3±15.1) years. IHS occurred across various departments, mainly in surgical departments(55/83, 66.2%). Of the perioperative IHS events, 93.7% (45/48) occurred after the surgery. Compared with the COS group, the IHS group showed a higher rate of post-waking stroke[11/32(34.4%) vs 18/136(13.2%), P=0.004], a lower rate of intravenous thrombolysis[9/32 (29.0%) vs 128/136 (94.8%), P0.001], and a higher rate of mechanical thrombectomy [11/32(34.4%) vs 4/136 (2.9%), P0.001].The overall median onset-CT time in the IHS group was shorter than that in the COS group[M (Q1, Q3)] [100 (59, 189)min vs 135(75, 210)min, P=0.030]. In different stages, median time from stroke onset to recognition[25(1, 140) vs 1(1, 30)min,P=0.005] and the on-site/reception CT [30 (19, 40) min vs 16 (11, 26) min, P=0.001] in the IHS group were longer than those in the COS group, while the median time from recognition to admission[30 (10, 48) min vs 76 (53, 137)min, P0.001]was shorter than that in the COS group. Conclusions: By using the standard ischemic stroke care system, the overall treatment time for IHS group is shorter than that of COS groups. However, compared with COS patients, the onset-recognition and admission to examination/treatment time was significantly prolonged for IHS patients, reflecting the need for further optimization of the standardized in-hospital stroke treatment process.

Clinical characteristics and quality care indicators of pediatric stroke in a referral center of Colombia: eleven-year experience (pediastroke)

ObjectiveThis study aims to describe clinical variables and quality care indicators in pediatric stroke management at a high-complexity pediatric care center in Latin America.MethodsRetrospective study of patients with stroke, aged 2–18 years from 2011 to 2021. The principal outcomes were the mRs and mortality. Differences between groups were assessed using Fisher’s exact test and the Mann–Whitney U test. We used logistic regression to explore the association between characteristics reported as relevant in literature and mortality.ResultsOne hundred thirty six patients included, with a median age of 11 years, 54% were male. 47% were hemorrhagic strokes, followed by ischemic strokes at 39%. One-third of the cases presented in hospital. 51% of the patients had no prior medical history. The most common symptoms were altered consciousness, headache, and hemiparesis. The median door-to-image time was 123 min. The most frequent etiologies in ischemic stroke were arteriopathies and cardiac pathology, while vascular malformation and coagulopathies were predominant in hemorrhagic stroke. No patient received reperfusion therapy. At discharge, 48% of patients had a favorable mRs. The mortality rate was 21%. Patients with in-hospital stroke have approximately 7.37 times the odds of dying compared to those with out-of-hospital stroke. Patients with hemorrhagic stroke have approximately 7.46 times the odds of dying compared to those with ischemic stroke.ConclusionSignificant gaps exist in the epidemiology and quality indicators of pediatric stroke care compared to adult protocols. Implementing a “Pediatric code stroke” protocol and conducting prospective studies are crucial for improving pediatric stroke care and outcomes.

Multimodal computed tomography-guided mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion stroke after cardiac surgery

Post-operative large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke is one of the most severe complications associated with cardiac surgery. Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is the first-line treatment for LVO stroke. In this paper, we present cases of patients who underwent MT guided by multimodal computed tomography (CT) to treat LVO stroke after cardiac surgery at our institution to clarify the impact of MT on patient outcomes. We analyzed the in-hospital stroke database from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, to identify patients who had undergone MT to treat LVO stroke after cardiac surgery in our institution. Demographic data, stroke severity, type of operation, imaging features, and 90-day modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores were assessed. Of the 21 patients receiving endovascular therapy, we included nine (42.9%) who had undergone multimodal CT-guided MT after cardiac surgery. The operations varied and comprised four coronary artery bypass grafts, four surgical valve replacements, and one extended Morrow myectomy. The median time from post-surgery to the onset of stroke symptoms was 4 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 2.5 – 5 days), the median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 16 (IQR: 15 – 18), and the median time between the onset of symptoms and recanalization was 320 min (IQR: 270 – 465 min). One patient died of severe cerebral hemorrhage, while eight patients survived and were discharged to another hospital (n = 1), a rehabilitation facility (n = 3), or home (n = 4). The median 3‐month mRS was 2 (IQR: 0.5 – 3). In summary, multimodal CT-guided MT can improve the prognosis of patients with LVO stroke, although severe neurological deficits and mortality were observed in some patients. A larger sample size is required to clarify the effects of MT.

The Effect of Preoperative Smoking Status on Carotid Endarterectomy Outcomes in Asymptomatic Patients

The current medical landscape lacks comprehensive data regarding the impact of preoperative smoking status on both short and long-term outcomes for patients undergoing Carotid Endarterectomy (CEA). This study seeks to elucidate the influence of smoking cessation on in-hospital and long-term outcomes in this patient population. Data were collected from the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) for all asymptomatic patients who underwent CEA from 2016 to 2023. Outcomes were compared across three different smoking status groups: never smoke (NS), current smoker (CS), and quit >30 days ago (Q30). Our primary outcomes included: in-hospital stroke, death, and MI. Secondary outcomes included 1-year and 3-year death. We used inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to balance the following preoperative factors: age, gender, race, ethnicity, BMI, diabetes, CAD, prior CHF, renal dysfunction, COPD, HTN, prior CABG/PCI, prior CEA/CAS, degree of stenosis, urgency, anesthesia type, and medications. The final analysis included 85,237 CEA cases with 22,343 (26.2%) NS, 41,731 (49.0%) Q30, and 21,163 (24.8%) CS. Notably, NS tended to be older and more likely to be female. On the other hand, patients who Q30 were more likely to have comorbidities including: obesity, CAD, prior CHF, CKD, as well as prior procedures. Patients who are CS were more likely to have COPD and stenosis >80%. After IPTW, we found no statistical difference for in-hospital stroke, death, MI outcomes across the three groups. However, the long-term outcomes revealed Q30 and CS compared to NS had higher odds of 1-year death (OR= 1.4 [95% CI: 1.2-1.5] P<0.001; OR= 1.4 [95% CI: 1.2-1.6] P<0.001) and 3-year death (OR= 1.5 [95% CI: 1.3-1.6] P<0.001; OR= 1.5 [95% CI: 1.4-1.7] P<0.001), respectively. There was no significant difference in mid-term mortality outcomes between Q30 and CS. In this large national study, we found that smoking status did not emerge as a substantial determinant of adverse short-term outcomes for asymptomatic patients undergoing CEA. However, smoking did adversely affect mid-term mortality in these patients. In light of these findings, our study suggests that delaying CEA for smokers may not be warranted. It is crucial to recognize that the complex relationship between smoking and surgical outcomes requires further exploration and validation through additional prospective studies.

Exploring strategies for management of in-hospital stroke in Sweden: A qualitative study.

Patients with in-hospital stroke (IHS) are discovered and treated with delays compared to community-onset stroke. This qualitative study explores current routines and clinical practices for IHS in Sweden, aiming to uncover factors influencing management and propose areas for future research and development. Six physicians in charge of stroke alerts at Swedish hospitals were individually interviewed in video calls. Informants were selected from The Swedish Stroke Register, based on the hospital-specific median processing time for delivering thrombolysis or thrombectomy to IHS patients, stratified by hospital size. Transcribed interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three main themes were developed. The first emphasized the crucial step of discovering IHS and outlined possible workflow pathways, including defining the "key player" with stroke expertise and mandate to proceed with the stroke alert to immediate radiology. Subsequent themes addressed obstacles to optimal practice and suggested clear guidelines for contacting the "key player" to reduce delays, as well as offering IHS education to hospital staff. This study identified differences in workflows for IHS management across the six included sites. A "key player" emerged as a common denominator, who was called as the initiation of the stroke alert and had mandate to proceed with the alert to immediate radiology. Clear guidelines for contacting the "key player" and increased education about IHS were suggested as possible ways to mitigate delays to activate the stroke alert.

Abstract 4143217: Gender Disparities in Clinical Outcomes Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Insights from the National Inpatient Sample

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has revolutionized the management of aortic stenosis, offering a less invasive alternative to surgical valve replacement, particularly for high-risk patients. While TAVR has demonstrated efficacy and safety in various patient populations, there is growing recognition of gender-specific differences in clinical outcomes post-procedure.Understanding gender-related variations in TAVR outcomes is crucial for optimizing patient care and ensuring equitable access to this life-saving therapy. Methods: Using the National Inpatient Sample (2017-2020), we analyzed the characteristics and comorbidities of male and female patients undergoing TAVR. We then assessed the incidence of clinical outcomes between genders, including in-hospital mortality, mechanical ventilation, length of stay, hospital charges, vasopressor requirement, heart block, pacemaker insertion, stroke, acute kidney injury (AKI), vascular complications, and discharge disposition. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate mortality risk among congestive heart failure (CHF) patients. Results: Among 234,860 total admissions, females comprised 44.5% (104,365) of the population. Females were slightly older (mean age 79.4 vs. 78.5 years, p &lt; 0.001) and had a lower mean Charlson Comorbidity Index (2.8 vs. 3.1, p &lt; 0.001) compared to males. After adjusting for confounding factors, females had a higher odds ratio for in-hospital mortality (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.37-1.60, p &lt; 0.001), mechanical ventilation (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.07-1.20, p &lt; 0.001), stroke (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.46-1.65, p &lt; 0.001), and vascular complications (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.19-1.31, p &lt; 0.001). Length of stay (mean difference 0.37 days, 95% CI 0.32-0.42, p &lt; 0.001) and hospital charges (mean difference $3,795, 95% CI 2,488-5,102, p &lt; 0.001) were also significantly higher in females (p &lt; 0.001 for both). Conclusion: The divergent clinical profile and poorer outcomes observed among females undergoing TAVR, characterized by elevated in-hospital mortality, stroke, and vascular complications compared to males, may emphasize the need for gender-specific approaches in TAVR management.

Abstract 4138721: Outcomes of Coronary Revascularization in Patients with Contemporaneous Abdominal Organ Transplant

Background: Clinical evaluation surrounding liver and kidney transplantation may reveal obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). However, little is known about outcomes after revascularization in this population. Our aim was to examine coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous intervention (PCI) in peri-transplant patients compared to the general CABG/PCI populations. Methods: We conducted a matched retrospective cohort study between 2014-2022 at a single academic center. Matching was done by optimal full matching of a logistic regression-based propensity score adjusting for age, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, tobacco use, chronic lung disease, hypertension, prior myocardial infarction, and valvular disease. Covariate balance was assessed as standardized mean difference &lt;0.2. The primary outcome was a composite of in-hospital death, stroke, and myocardial infarction, and a key secondary outcome was incident arrhythmia. Results: The study population comprised 2655 patients: 24 CABG/transplant (median age, 64 [IQR, 59-66]; 4 female [17%]), 1037 CABG/non-transplant (age, 66 [59-73]; 190 female [18%]), 27 PCI/transplant (age, 62 [IQR, 55-67]; 6 female [22%]), and 1567 PCI/non-transplant (age, 70 [IQR, 60-78]; 399 female [25%]). CABG/PCI preceded transplant by a median 321/324 days, respectively, and followed transplant by a median 461/36 days, respectively. For the primary outcome in CABG patients, there were no events in the transplant group and an estimated potential outcome in 6.5% of the matched non-transplant group (marginal RR, &lt;0.001; p&lt;0.001). For the primary outcome in PCI patients, there were no events in the transplant group and an estimated potential outcome in 2.4% of the matched non-transplant group (marginal RR, &lt;0.001; p&lt;0.001). For incident arrhythmia in CABG patients, the estimated potential outcome was 12% and 17.5% in the transplant and matched non-transplant groups, respectively (marginal RR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.37-2.6; p=0.97). For incident arrhythmia in PCI patients, the estimated potential outcome was &lt;0.001% and 3.6% in the transplant and matched non-transplant groups, respectively (marginal RR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.12-6.5; p=0.91). Conclusions: Patients with contemporaneous abdominal organ transplant undergoing coronary revascularization suffered no in-hospital mortality, stroke, or myocardial infarction, and were not at greater risk of incident arrhythmia than similar non-transplant patients.

Abstract 4120105: Meta-Analysis of Outcomes in Patients Developing Acute Kidney Injury Following Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Stanford Type B Aortic Dissection

Background and Aims: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is warranted in patients with Stanford Type-B aortic dissection who are at an increased risk of aneurysm rupture and enlargement. While studies indicate that development of post-operative acute kidney injury (AKI) (with incidence rate varying from 1.5% to 34%) may potentially worsen outcomes and increased mortality, the specific role of AKI in the postoperative period for patients undergoing TEVAR for Stanford Type-B aortic dissection remains understudied and unclear. Our meta-analysis aims to contribute valuable insights into this aspect. Methods: A comprehensive literature search spanning major bibliographic databases was conducted to retrieve studies comparing outcomes in Stanford Type-B aortic dissection patients undergoing TEVAR who developed AKI postoperatively versus those who did not. Our outcomes of interest included the risk of in-hospital mortality, stroke, and requirement for dialysis. Relative risks (RRs) were pooled from all studies using DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models in the ‘meta’ package of R software (Version: 2023.12.1+402). Statistical significance was set at p &lt;0.05. Results: Three studies were included with 1091 patients (234 in the AKI group and 857 in the non-AKI group). The development of AKI was associated with a significantly higher risk of in-hospital mortality [RR: 5.31; 95% CI: 3.10, 9.08; p&lt;0.0001; I 2 =0%], a higher risk of stroke [RR: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.30, 4.17; p=0.0046; I 2 =0%], and an increased risk of requiring dialysis [RR: 18.43; 95% CI: 3.35, 101.46; p=0.0008; I 2 =0%] (Figure 1). No heterogeneity was observed between the studies (Figure 1 and 2). Conclusion: The development of AKI after TEVAR in patients with Stanford Type-B aortic dissection is associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality, stroke, and dialysis requirement. Hence, further research into early recognition of the risk factors associated with the development of AKI after TEVAR is warranted, along with determining its effects in longer follow-up durations.

Abstract 4145873: Optimal Timing for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in NSTEMI Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis of In-Hospital Mortality and Stroke Prevalence Over 2017 to 2021

Background: Recent studies have suggested performing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) within 24 hours of acute myocardial infarction increases mortality risk. However, the ideal timing after the first day remains unclear. This study aims to suggest an optimal timing of CABG in NSTEMI patients using the large National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database over a 5-year period. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed survey-weighted NIS data over 2017-2021, including adult-age admissions with NSTEMI as the principal diagnosis who underwent CABG without prior transfer from another hospital. Patients were categorized into eight groups based on days from admission to CABG (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and ≥7 days). Baseline characteristics were compared across groups. Multivariate regression analysis adjusted for multiple confounders to assess the association between Time-to-CABG and in-hospital mortality and stroke prevalence. Results: Table 1 presents the baseline characteristics across the eight groups, encompassing 142,200 included admissions (mean age 65.24 years; 26.78% female). In-Hospital Mortality: The adjusted odds ratios (OR) were less than one for groups 1 through 7 compared to group 0, indicating that immediate CABG (day 0) is associated with higher mortality risk. While the reduced odds in the day 1 group were not statistically significant, substantial and statistically significant reductions in mortality were observed between days 2 and 5 (OR: 0.624 - 0.609; p&lt;0.05). After day 5, the OR for mortality trended up, reaching 0.667 (p&lt;0.05) on day 6 and 0.692 (p&lt;0.05) for surgeries performed on day 7 or later. Stroke Prevalence: The adjusted ORs for stroke prevalence were significantly lower for groups 1 through 7 compared to the CABG within 24-hour group (all p-values &lt;0.05). The lowest ORs were observed between days 2 and 4 (OR: 0.654 and 0.542, p&lt;0.05, respectively). After day 4, the ORs increased, reaching 0.672 (p&lt;0.05) for surgeries performed on day 5 and 0.609 (p&lt;0.05) on day 7 and beyond. Conclusion: The mortality risk in NSTEMI patients remained higher if CABG was performed in the first 48 hours of admission (end of day 1) compared to later. This risk also increased if CABG was done after day 5. Combined with the possible risk of stroke being increased from day 5, we suggest the optimal time-to-CABG is between admission day 2 and day 4 in NSTEMI patients. Future prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings and guide clinical practice.

Abstract 4125493: Is There an Obesity Paradox for Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair? A Pilot Meta-Analysis

Background: The impact of body mass index (BMI) on Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER) outcomes remains uncertain, with studies showing conflicting results. Some suggest an 'obesity paradox' exists, favoring better outcomes for obese patients and worse outcomes for underweight patients, while others report no significant impact of BMI. Methodology: We conducted a systematic literature search using major databases to identify studies investigating the association between baseline BMI status and post-procedural outcomes in patients undergoing TEER. Patients were categorized into four BMI groups: underweight (BMI &lt; 18.5 kg/m 2 ), normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m 2 ), overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m 2 ), and obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ). The endpoints included were the risk of in-hospital mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Data were pooled using Review Manager with a random-effects model. Risk ratios (RRs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as the effect measure. Statistical significance was set at p&lt;0.05. Results: Our study included a total of six observational studies, encompassing 7,627 obese and 74,820 non-obese patients. The outcome of in-hospital mortality revealed no significant difference between the two groups (RR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.57, 1.27; p=0.43). Subgroup analysis showed a trend towards higher in-hospital mortality risk for underweight patients compared to overweight (RR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.95; p=0.007) and obese patients (RR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.92; p=0.04). The comparison between underweight and normal-weight patients did not reach statistical significance (RR: 1.18; 95% CI: 0.91, 1.55; p=0.22). Additionally, the risk of myocardial infarction (RR: 1.10; 95% CI: 0.77, 1.58; p=0.59) and stroke (RR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.13, 1.42; p=0.17) did not differ significantly between obese and non-obese patients. Conclusions: Our study found no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between obese and non-obese patients. However, underweight patients had a higher mortality risk compared to both overweight and obese patients. While myocardial infarction rates were similar across all groups, there was a non-significant trend suggesting a potentially lower risk of stroke in obese patients. These findings warrant further prospective studies to provide robust evidence.

Abstract 4141480: Gender differences in bifurcation percutaneous coronary interventions: Update from the Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Bifurcation Lesion Interventions (PROGRESS-BIFURCATION)

Background: Gender differences on short and long-term outcomes following bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have received limited study. Research Questions: To examine gender differences in outcomes of bifurcation PCI. Methods: We examined the angiographic, procedural characteristics, and outcomes of 1084 bifurcation PCIs (1076 patients) performed at five centers between 2013-2024 from the Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Bifurcation Lesion Interventions (PROGRESS-BIFURCATION). Results: Women represented 25.19% of the entire study population. They were older (68.37±12.34 vs 66.09±11.54; p=0.001), less likely to be currently smokers (13.7% vs 20.4%; p=0.014), with higher left ventricular ejection fraction (%) (55.46±13.27 vs 53.16±12.55; p&lt;0.001) and lower baseline creatinine (0.85 vs 1.00; p&lt;0.001). Lesion characteristics were mostly similar, with slightly lower proximal and distal main vessel diameter in women. Their proximal main vessel was more likely to be left anterior descending artery (46.5% vs 39.4%; p=0.030) and less likely to be right coronary artery (10.3% vs 16.1%; p=0.030), compared to men. Technical success was similar (94.5% vs 94.6%; p=0.952), while procedural success was lower (89.6% vs 94.1%; p=0.011). In-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were more common in women (8.5% vs 4.2%; p=0.007), which presented with increased in-hospital mortality (4.1% vs 0.6%; p&lt;0.001), stroke (1.8% vs 0.1%; p=0.005) and bleeding (1.8% vs 0.2%; p=0.013). Their PCIs required equal procedure time, but lower fluoroscopy time, contrast volume and air kerma radiation dose. Female gender was independently associated with higher in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (odds ratio (OR) 2.21; 95%CI 1.23-3.95; p=0.008) and lower procedural success (OR 0.56; 95%CI 0.32-1.00; p=0.044). Follow-up data were available for 733 patients (68.12%). The incidence of follow-up MACE was significantly higher in women (hazard ratio (HR) 1.36; 95%CI 1.02-1.81; p=0.038), while on adjusted mixed Cox proportional hazards analysis female gender was associated with higher follow-up MACE (HR 1.58; 95%CI 1.08-2.30; p=0.018). The incidence of follow-up mortality was similar between genders (HR 1.17; 95%CI 0.78-1.77; p=0.45). Conclusions: Bifurcation PCI can be accomplished with high technical success in women, but higher in-hospital and follow-up MACE, compared to men.

Abstract 4145880: Incidence and Outcomes of Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) in Hematological Malignancy Patients: Systematic review and Meta-analysis

Background: Patients with hematological malignancies may face increased cardiovascular risks, including acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the incidence and outcomes of AMI in patients with hematological malignancies compared with the general population. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar databases. Random effect models were utilized to calculate Mantel-Haenszel odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The inverse variance method with DerSimonian–Laird (DL) of Tau2 was used to calculate standardized mean differences (SMDs) with CIs. Statistical significance was set at p &lt; 0.05. The primary endpoint was the incidence of AMI, while secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, length of hospital stay, likelihood of undergoing invasive procedures, total hospital costs, bleeding events, and stroke outcomes. Results: Twenty-six articles, including approximately 6.33 million patients with hematological malignancies, were included in the meta-analysis. Hematological malignancies were not associated with an increased incidence of AMI compared with the general population (OR = 0.91; 95% CI 0.80 to 1.03; p&lt;0.001). AMI in hematological malignancies was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality (OR = 1.71; 95% CI 1.57 to 1.86; p&lt;0.001), bleeding event (OR = 1.30; 95% CI 1.12 to 1.60; p&lt;0.001), and stroke (OR = 1.24; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.42) compared with AMI in the general population. Patients admitted due to AMI in hematologic malignancies also experienced an increased length of stay (SMD = 0.25; 95% CI 0.20 to 0.28; p&lt;0.001) compared with AMI in the general population. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the likelihood of undergoing invasive procedures (OR = 0.62; 95% CI 0.56 to 0.69) or total hospital expenditure (SMD = 0.09; 95% CI -0.01 to 0.19). Conclusion: While hematological malignancies do not appear to increase the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), patients who experience AMI episodes are at higher odds of in-hospital complications.

Hospitalization costs in patients with stroke in southeastern China: a retrospective population-based cohort study, 2019-2022.

Stroke remains a predominant cause of mortality and accounts for one-third of all stroke-related fatalities worldwide. Increasing expenses associated with stroke are a matter of significant concern; however, this aspect has been insufficiently examined. The purpose of this study was to analyze in-hospital stroke costs and explore potential factors influencing them across stroke subtypes. The records of stroke patients from 50 hospitals in southeastern China between 2019 and 2022 were reviewed using multistage stratified cluster random sampling. We focused on the cost patterns of four stroke types and used multivariate linear regression to identify cost determinants. A total of 417 (1.1%) patients had subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), 9309 (25.9%) had intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), 22,248 (61.8%) had ischemic stroke (IS), and 4025 had transient ischemic attack (TIA). The number of stroke patients has sharply increased since the onset of COVID-19, with a majority of them being male (72.2%). Despite the fact that hospitalization costs are highest in tertiary hospitals (Chinese yuan [CNY] 30610.8/United States dollar [USD] 4551.0, interquartile range [IQR] 9944.9, 29668.4/1478.6, 4410.9), the majority of patients are admitted to tertiary hospitals (74.6%) or public hospitals (90.2%). Across all stroke subtypes, patients with SAH had the highest costs (CNY 93,454.9/USD13894.4, IQR 12273.2, 169920.0/1824.7, 25262.8), followed by those with ICH (CNY 48,724.2/USD 7244.0, IQR 16789.6, 57540.7/2496.2, 8554.8), IS (CNY 26,550.3/USD3947.4, IQR 8684.2, 28697.7/1291.1, 4266.6), and TIA (CNY 11,170.1/USD1660.7, IQR 6823.7, 12965.2/1014.5, 1927.6). Therapy fees comprised a significant portion of costs in ICH and IS cases (47.9% and 42.7%, respectively). Materials accounted for the highest proportion of expenses for SAH (56.1%), whereas patients with TIA spent more time on examinations (34.1%). Linear regression analysis revealed that length of stay (LOS), stroke subtype, hospital level, and stroke type were key factors influencing hospitalization costs. The visiting rate and charges were highest in tertiary public hospitals, and hospitalization costs were higher in hemorrhagic types of stroke than in ischemic types of stroke; the proportion of hospitalization cost categories varied among different types of stroke, with LOS, hospital type, and level substantially affecting hospitalization costs. Enhancing medical insurance reimbursement rates for hemorrhagic strokes, implementing a hierarchical medical system, tailoring cost categories to accommodate varying stroke subtypes, and shortening LOS may help alleviate the economic burden of stroke.

Extended delays in recognition of stroke symptoms and stroke code activation for in-hospital strokes: The DELAY study.

Extended delays in recognition of stroke symptoms and stroke code activation for in-hospital strokes: The DELAY study.

Aortic arch replacement in patients with previous repair of acute aortic dissection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Despite the popularity of the frozen elephant technique procedure in recent years, evidence is scarce regarding its utilization for aortic arch replacement following previous acute aortic dissection repair. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to analyse clinical outcomes of aortic arch replacement in patients with previous repair of acute aortic dissection. A systematic literature search on PubMed, MEDLINE via Ovid, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science until March 2024 was performed for studies on open aortic arch replacement with or without frozen elephant technique procedure in adult patients after previous acute aortic dissection repair. Early and late postoperative mortality were primary, while postoperative complications were secondary outcomes of interest. Additionally, a meta-analysis was performed to pool the early and late postoperative mortality. A total of 574 studies were identified, of which 9 studies including a total of 677 patients met the eligibility criteria. In-hospital or 30-day postoperative mortality and stroke were 0-17.5% and 0-7.7%, respectively. Duration of follow-up across all studies varied from 1.1 to 5.1 years. All-cause late mortality rate ranges from 5.9% to 30.5%. Aortic reintervention rate was 4.8-38.7%. The pooled early and late mortality rate were 8.7% [95% confidence interval (CI) 5.7-13%; I2 = 52%] and 24.9% (95% CI 19.5-31.1%; I2 = 54%), respectively. Current evidence suggest that relatively younger patients with chronic post-dissection aneurysm or residual aortic dissection after acute aortic dissection repair can undergo an aortic arch replacement by a dedicated aortic team with acceptable mortality risk. However, postoperative neurological deficit remains an issue.

Time Since Prior NSTEMI and Major Adverse Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events After Noncardiac Surgery

Delaying elective noncardiac surgery after a recent acute myocardial infarction is associated with better outcomes, but current American Heart Association recommendations are based on data that are more than 20 years old. To examine the association between the time since a non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and the risk of postoperative major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). This cross-sectional study examined Medicare claims data between 2015 and 2020 for patients 67 years or older who had major noncardiac surgery. Data were analyzed from September 21, 2023, to February 1, 2024. Time elapsed between a prior NSTEMI and surgery. MACCE (30-day mortality, in-hospital myocardial infarction, heart failure, or stroke) and all-cause 30-day mortality. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the association between outcomes and time since a prior NSTEMI. The sample included 5 227 473 surgeries. The mean (SD) age was 75.7 (6.6) years; 2 981 239 (57.0%) were female, and 2 246 234 (43%) were male. There were 42 278 patients (0.81%) with a previous NSTEMI. Compared with patients without a prior NSTEMI, patients with an NSTEMI within 30 days of elective surgery had higher odds of MACCE, regardless of whether they had undergone coronary revascularization (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.15; 95% CI, 1.09-4.23; P = .03) or not (aOR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.31-3.16; P = .001). The odds of postoperative MACCE leveled off after 30 days in patients who had undergone any coronary revascularization procedure (and after 90 days in patients with drug-eluting stents) and then increased after 180 days (any revascularization at 181-365 days: aOR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.25-1.71; P < .001; patients with drug-eluting stents at 181-365 days: aOR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.42-2.12; P < .001). The odds of MACCE did not level off for patients who did not have revascularization. Findings for all-cause 30-day mortality were similar to those for MACCE, except that the odds of mortality in patients with previous NSTEMI who had revascularization leveled off after 60 days in elective surgeries and 90 days for nonelective surgeries (elective 30-day: aOR, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.30-6.36; P = .009; elective 61- to 90-day: aOR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.57-1.86; P = .92; nonelective 30-day: aOR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.52-2.40; P < .001; nonelective 91- to 120-day: aOR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.73-1.37; P = .99). This study found that among older patients undergoing noncardiac surgery who had revascularization, the odds of postoperative MACCE and mortality leveled off between 30 and 90 days and then increased after 180 days. The odds did not level off for patients who did not have revascularization. Delaying elective noncardiac surgery to occur between 90 and 180 days after an NSTEMI may be reasonable for patients who have had revascularization.

The In-Hospital Code Stroke: A Look Back and the Road Ahead.

With increased patient volumes and complexity, stroke occurrence in hospitalized patients has become relatively more common. The process of activating a code stroke in-hospital differs in many institutions. An emergency team-based response to inpatient acute code stroke is warranted, with many protocols modeled similarly to the cardiac arrest response. However, several studies have demonstrated delays in recognition and management of acute stroke in-hospital as compared to those arriving directly to the emergency department (ED). Furthermore, there are several shared challenges with code stroke resuscitation in the emergency department and the ward, which include the assembly of ad hoc teams and requirement of access to urgent imaging. Delays in activating in-hospital code stroke contributes to increased morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospitalization, and associated health care costs. In the following commentary, we discuss the current landscape of acute in-hospital code stroke protocols, review the differences in neurologic outcomes between inpatient vs ED/out-of-hospital code stroke patients, and propose future directions for in-hospital code stroke paradigms for improved patient outcomes and quality of care.

Long-Term Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Versus Sternotomy Surgical Resection of Primary Cardiac Tumors.

Primary cardiac tumors are uncommon, often benign, but can be potentially life threatening. Minimally invasive endoscopic (ENDO) techniques have been shown to be a feasible alternative for tumor resection compared with conventional sternotomy (CS). This study compared the clinical and surgical outcomes of a small series of patients undergoing cardiac tumor resection operations. Between November 2009 and December 2022, 34 consecutive patients underwent cardiac tumor resection using either ENDO (n = 21) or CS (n = 13) techniques. We compared early perioperative outcomes, echocardiographic outcomes, and long-term clinical and tumor recurrence outcomes. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups; however, the ENDO group included younger patients (56 ± 16 vs 62 ± 17 years) and more female patients (83% vs 53%). The tumor was located in the left atrium (n = 19, 56%), right atrium (n = 5, 15%), or either ventricle (n = 4, 12%). In-hospital mortality and stroke frequency were similar for both groups (n = 0). There was no significant difference in cardiopulmonary bypass or cross-clamp times, respiratory or renal failure, or intensive care unit or hospital lengths of stay. At follow-up (ENDO, 42 [2 to 131] months vs CS, 54 [1 to 156] months), there were no deaths in the ENDO group and 2 patients died in the CS group (P = 0.21). No patients in either group experienced tumor recurrence. In selected patients, both ENDO and CS approaches to primary cardiac tumor resection were safe, effective, durable, and associated with similarly good early and late results.

Safety and efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with previous TAVI; a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) has gained ground in the management of severe aortic stenosis, even in low-surgical risk patients. However, TAVI prostheses, like bioprostheses, have a finite lifetime; thus, TAVI in patients with previous TAVI (TAVI-in-TAVI) rates are radically increased. Although data regarding TAVI indicate low mortality and stroke rates within the first year, TAVI-in-TAVI is less studied. Purpose The aim of the study is to systematically review and summarize available data regarding the safety and the outcomes of TAVI-in-TAVI. Methods This study was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. We systematically searched PubMed, SCOPUS, and Cochrane databases from their inception to February 10, 2024, for studies assessing the characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing TAVI-in-TAVI. Primary endpoint of our systematic review and meta-analysis is the in-hospital, 30-days and 1-year mortality rates. Secondary endpoints comprised in-hospital, 30-days and 1-year stroke rates, in-hospital vascular complications, conversion to surgery, coronary compression or obstruction, and perforation with or without tamponade, and in-hospital and 30-days permanent pacemaker implantation (PPM) implantation. Endpoint definitions followed the Valve Academic Research Consortium 3 criteria. The cumulative incidence of primary and secondary endpoints and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. A random effects model (DerSimonian-Laird) was used to account for heterogeneity among the included studies. Results Our meta-analysis included a total of 5 studies and 2,145 patients undergoing TAVI-in-TAVI, 72.9% (N=1,564) of whom were treated with a balloon-expandable valve. Our analysis showed that patients undergoing TAVI-in-TAVI had 3.7% (95% CI: 1.6%-5.9%), 3.9% (95% CI: 3%-4.7%) and 12.5% (95% CI: 11%-14%) in-hospital, 30-days and 1-year all-cause mortality, while stroke occurred in 1.8% (95% CI: 1.2%-2.4%), 2.1% (95% CI: 1.4%-2.9%) and 3% (95% CI: 2.3%-3.8%) of the patients in-hospital, 30-days and 1-year, respectively. Notalby, conversion to surgery, coronary compression/obstruction and perforation with or without tamponade occurred in &amp;lt;1% of the patients, while 6.1% (95% CI: 2.2%-9.9%) of the patients had vascular complications during the procedure. Considering the PPM implantation rates, patients had a 1.8% (95% CI: 1.2%-2.4%) for in-hospital and a 6.8% (95% CI: 5.2%-8.3%) for 30-days incidence. Conclusion Our systematic review and meta-analysis is the first to present that TAVI-in-TAVI has an acceptable safety profile with relatively low in-hospital, 30-days and 1-year mortality and stroke rates, comparable to the native-valve-TAVI. Taking into consideration that TAVI-in-TAVI might be the only therapeutic approach for an increasing number of patients, further studies are warranted to further assess its safety and efficacy and to provide additional procedural techniques.TAVI-in-TAVI mortality rates

Safety and efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for pure aortic regurgitation; a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Although Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) has gained ground in the management of severe aortic stenosis (AS), evidence about its safety and efficacy for patients with pure native aortic regurgitation (AR) remains limited. Purpose The aim of the study is to systematically review and summarize available data regarding the safety and the outcomes of TAVI in pure AR. Methods This study was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. We systematically searched PubMed, SCOPUS, and Cochrane databases from their inception to February 1, 2024, for studies assessing the characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing TAVI for pure AR. Primary endpoint of our systematic review and meta-analysis is the in-hospital, 30-days and 1-year mortality rates. Secondary endpoints comprised in-hospital stroke, major bleeding, and permanent pacemaker implantation (PPM) implantation. Endpoint definitions followed the Valve Academic Research Consortium 2 criteria. The cumulative incidence of primary and secondary endpoints and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. A random effects model (DerSimonian-Laird) was used to account for heterogeneity among the included studies. Results Our meta-analysis included a total of 22 studies and 6,710 patients undergoing TAVI for pure-AR. Our analysis showed that patients undergoing TAVI for pure AR had 3.4% (95% CI: 2%-4.7%), 7.9% (95% CI: 5.2%-10.6%) and 15.5% (95% CI: 9.9%-21.2%) in-hospital, 30-days and 1-year all-cause mortality. In-hospital stroke occurred in 1.9% (95% CI: 1.5%-2.2%) of the patients, while 4.9% (95% CI: 3.3%-6.6%) of the patients suffered from major bleeding events. Finally, considering the PPM implantation rates, patients had a 10.7% (95% CI: 7.4%-13.9%) in-hospital incidence. Conclusion Our systematic review and meta-analysis shows a promising safety profile for TAVI treating pure AR. It demonstrated relatively low in-hospital, 30-days and 1-year mortality incidence, comparable to the TAVI treating severe AS, according to the existing literature. Taking into consideration that TAVI for pure-AR might be the only therapeutic option for an increasing number of patients, further studies are needed to further assess the safety and efficacy of the procedure.TAVI for pure AR mortality rates