Outcome Modified Rankin Scale Research Articles

Risk Factors and Stroke Subtyping in Young Adults: A Study From a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India.

This study aimed to determine the risk factors and stroke subtypes for young ischemic stroke patients and their outcomes at the time of discharge. This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of ischemic stroke patients (n = 264) between the age groups of 18 and 45. The study population was divided into two broad age groups: 18 to 35 years and 36 to 45 years; and compared based on demographics, risk factors, the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification, and outcomes. The outcomes were compared based on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) systems at the time of admission and discharge. The mean age of patients was 37.84±6.19 years. The male-to-female ratio was 2.5:1. The most common vascular risk factors identified were diabetes (29.16%), hypertension (49.62%), dyslipidaemia (DLP, 44.4%), and smoking (10.9%). The most common TOAST subtype was large vessel disease (38.63%), followed by the undetermined category (35.6%). The elderly group showed a high proportion of strokes secondary to small vessel disease (14.13%; p = 0.03), while cardioembolic strokes were common in the female subgroup (p = 0.05). The majority of strokes were in the anterior circulation (66.6%) as compared to the posterior (25.75%), and nearly 50% of the patients had intracranial disease. Overall, there was a favourable MRS outcome at discharge. Conventional vascular risk factors are equally prevalent, even among young stroke patients. The benchmark for young stroke age is showing a downward shift as more stroke patients above the age of 35 are showing similar risk factor trends as those of their older counterparts. The majority of stroke burden still falls under the undermined category, which requires aggressive risk factor identification and management.

Endoscopic surgery versus craniotomy for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in the late elderly patients

ObjectivesTo compare the prognosis of late elderly patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) treated by endoscopic evacuation and craniotomy Materials and MethodsUsing the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, we identified patients aged ≥ 75 years who underwent surgery for spontaneous ICH within 48 hours after admission between April 2014 and March 2018. Eligible patients were classified into two groups according to the type of surgery (endoscopic surgery and craniotomy). Propensity-score matching weight analysis was conducted to compare the good neurological outcome modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score (0–4) at discharge as the primary endpoint between the two groups. Secondary endpoints were postoperative meningitis, tracheostomy, reoperation within 3 days and total hospitalization costs. ResultsAmong the 5,396 eligible patients, endoscopic surgery and craniotomy were performed in 895 and 4,501 patients, respectively. In the propensity-score matching weight analysis, all covariates were well balanced. The proportions of patients with a good prognosis (mRS score at discharge: 0–4) did not significantly differ between the surgical procedures (42.1% vs. 42.8%, p = 0.828). The proportions of meningitis, tracheostomy and reoperation were not significantly different between the two groups. Hospitalization costs were significantly higher in the craniotomy group than in the endoscopic surgery group (25,536 vs. 29,603 US dollars, p = 0.012). ConclusionsInhospital outcomes did not differ between endoscopic and open surgeries for spontaneous ICH in the late-stage elderly patients aged ≥75 years. Hospitalization costs were significantly higher in the craniotomy group, suggesting that endoscopic surgery may be more acceptable.

Intravenous Thrombolysis Is Associated With Better Outcomes in Large‐Vessel Occlusion Requiring Endovascular Therapy

Background Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and endovascular therapy (EVT) are both important treatments for large‐vessel occlusion stroke. However, it is still unclear how the timing of IVT, EVT, and the need for transfer of a patient to an endovascular stroke center for EVT affect outcomes. In this investigation, we study the interaction between IVT, rapidity to EVT, and need for transfer among patients with large‐vessel occlusion stroke. Methods This investigation is an analysis of the OPUS‐REACH (Optimizing the Use Prehospital Stroke Systems of Care–Reacting to Changing Paradigms) registry of patients with large‐vessel occlusion stroke from 9 endovascular centers in the United States. Using the database, we extracted baseline characteristics of patients, whether the patient received IVT, and time intervals in the patients’ care. Patient demographics and characteristics were compared between 2 groups using the χ 2 test for categorical variables and 2‐sample t ‐tests or Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests for continuous variables. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the adjusted associations of the variables with 90‐day dichotomized modified Rankin Scale outcome. Results A total of 1171 patients were included in the final analysis, and 38.9% had good functional outcome at 90 days. Male sex and lower initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score were nonmodifiable factors associated with good clinical outcomes. We saw no differences in outcome whether a patient underwent primary or secondary transport. On multiple variable analysis, the receipt of IVT was the only modifiable factor associated with good outcomes. We found no overall effect of time from last known well to EVT on 90‐day outcomes unless the patient received IVT. Conclusions In this investigation, receipt of IVT was independently associated with improved outcomes at 90 days with an odds ratio of 1.51. Neither shorter time from last known well to EVT nor direct transport to an endovascular stroke center versus transfer to an endovascular stroke center was associated with improved outcomes. We therefore conclude that prehospital algorithms must account for the timely administration of IVT over time to EVT.

Hyperglycemia, Ischemic Lesions, and Functional Outcomes After Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Background Ischemic lesions observed on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) magnetic resonance imaging are associated with poor outcomes after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We evaluated the association between hyperglycemia, ischemic lesions, and functional outcomes after ICH. Methods and Results This was a retrospective observational analysis of 1167 patients who received magnetic resonance imaging in the ERICH (Ethnic and Racial Variations in Intracerebral Hemorrhage) study. A machine learning strategy using the elastic net regularization and selection procedure was used to perform automated variable selection to identify final multivariable logistic regression models. Sensitivity analyses with alternative model development strategies were performed, and predictive performance was compared. After covariate adjustment, white matter hyperintensity score, leukocyte count on admission, and non-Hispanic Black race (compared with non-Hispanic White race) were associated with the presence of DWI lesions. History of ICH and ischemic stroke, presence of DWI lesions, deep ICH location (versus lobar), ICH volume, age, lower Glasgow Coma Score on admission, and medical history of diabetes were associated with poor 6-month modified Rankin Scale outcome (4-6) after covariate adjustment. Inclusion of interactions between race and ethnicity and variables included in the final multivariable model for functional outcome improved model performance; a significant interaction between race and ethnicity and medical history of diabetes and serum blood glucose on admission was observed. Conclusions No measure of hyperglycemia or diabetes was associated with presence of DWI lesions. However, both medical history of diabetes and presence of DWI lesions were independently associated with poor functional outcomes after ICH.

Power Analysis for Ordinal Analyses of the Modified Rankin Scale and an Online and Downloadable Tool for Practical Use.

Several methods for conducting power analysis of studies with outcomes across the full ordinal modified Rankin Scale are proposed in the literature. No systematic comparison of accuracy, agreement, and sensitivity to small changes in hypothesized effect sizes for these methods is available. Our aim is to conduct such a systematic comparative analysis and to introduce a comprehensive freely available online tool to facilitate appropriate power analyses for ordinal outcomes. We performed simulation studies utilizing the control arm modified Rankin Scale distributions from the AVERT (A Very Early Rehabilitation Trial), EXTEND (Extending the Time for Thrombolysis in Emergency Neurological Deficits), and HERMES (Highly Effective Reperfusion Evaluated in Multiple Endovascular Stroke Trials) studies, as well as a uniform distribution, in combination with hypothetical treatment effects. We systematically evaluated published power formulas for Ordinal Logistic Regression and Tournament Methods (generalized odds ratio; Win Probability; Win Ratio; and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U test). We also developed an online and downloadable Shiny R app facilitating sample size calculation for, and ordinal analysis of, modified Rankin Scale data. Power formulas for Tournament Methods performed well, while the formula for ordinal logistic regression was inaccurate. Tang's Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U test sample size formula exhibited the highest accuracy. All methods, including ordinal logistic regression, had almost identical empirical power for a given sample size. All power methods exhibited sensitivity to small changes in hypothesized effect size. The developed freely available online app supports analytical and visualization requirements for all investigated methods for power and statistical analyses of ordinal modified Rankin Scale outcomes. As Tournament Method sample size formulas are assumption-free and accurately calculate power, stroke researchers should use these methods when designing studies with outcomes measured on the full or partially collapsed modified Rankin Scale as well as other ordinal scales, even if they intend to use ordinal logistic regression for analysis. Conducting sensitivity analyses of the effect size assumptions are essential for appropriate sample size estimation. Our developed tool supports both of these recommendations (https://www.thembc.com.au/tournamentmethods).

Reliability and validity of prognostic indicators for Guillain-Barré syndrome in children.

To explore the clinical characteristics and prognostic predictors of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in Chinese paediatric patients. The clinical features of children with GBS hospitalized in the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were summarized retrospectively. The correlation between the Erasmus GBS Outcome Score (EGOS)/modified Erasmus GBS Outcome Score (mEGOS), GBS disability score (GDS)/modified Rankin Scale (MRS), Erasmus GBS Respiratory Insufficiency Score (EGRIS), and mechanical ventilation were evaluated. One hundred forty-two patients (86 males, 56 females; median 62.50 months [interquartile range 41.00-97.50]) with classic GBS were enrolled in the study. In the present GBS cohort, 134 (94.37%) patients could walk independently (GDS ≤2) and 121 (85.21%) could manage without assistance (MRS ≤2) at 6 months. Eighteen (12.68%) patients with GBS required mechanical ventilation. The performance of mEGOS on admission, mEGOS on day 7, and EGOS-predicted GDS outcome at 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months in the paediatric patients with GBS admitted within 2 weeks of disease onset and that of the MRS outcome were evaluated. The EGRIS in individuals who required mechanical ventilation was significantly higher than in patients without mechanical ventilation (median=6 vs median=3, p < 0.001). In Chinese paediatric patients with GBS who were admitted 2 weeks after disease onset, the mEGOS and EGOS are validated indicators for the prediction of clinical outcomes 6 months after onset. EGRIS is helpful in predicting the implementation of mechanical ventilation in the acute phase. The Erasmus Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) Outcome Score (EGOS) and modified EGOS are reliable prognostic predictors in paediatric patients with GBS. The Erasmus GBS Respiratory Insufficiency Score (EGRIS) is an effective predictor of mechanical ventilation in paediatric patients with GBS. An EGRIS of ≥5 indicates a high risk of mechanical ventilation in the acute phase.

Endovascular and Medical Management of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Management of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) involves minimizing expansion of the thrombus and promoting the recanalization of the venous sinus. While current guidelines include indications of endovascular management and anticoagulation with heparin and warfarin, the use of direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) has increased. In this study, we aim to conduct a network meta-analysis comparing these 3 therapeutic options: standard anticoagulation, DOACs, and endovascular treatments (EVTs). Seventeen of 2265 studies identified from 4 publication databases met inclusion criteria for this network meta-analysis. Outcomes analyzed included modified Rankin Scale score, complications, mortality, and 6-month recanalization rates using a frequentist network meta-analysis approach. For each outcome, the preferential order of each intervention was ranked hierarchically based on P-score calculations used for frequentist network meta-analyses. Modified Rankin Scale outcomes were not significantly different based on the type of treatment modality (i.e., standard anticoagulation, DOACs, or EVT). Evaluation of complications demonstrated that patients treated with EVT were significantly more likely to experience a worse outcome than individuals treated with standard anticoagulation (odds ratio [OR]=1.83, P=0.04). Other comparisons did not demonstrate a significant difference in adverse events. For all-cause mortality outcomes, EVT demonstrated significantly greater odds of mortality than standard anticoagulation (OR=1.89, P=0.02). Mortality between DOACs and standard anticoagulation was not significantly different. When comparing 6-month recanalization rates, DOACs and EVT were significantly more effective than standard anticoagulation (OR=1.93, OR=2.2, P < 0.05). EVT followed by DOACs was preferred over standard anticoagulation for 6-month recanalization rates. This network meta-analysis evaluates the outcomes in CVT treatment, comparing standard anticoagulation, DOACs, and EVT, with evidence that DOACs have similar outcomes to standard anticoagulation in the treatment of CVT. EVT resulted in an increased risk of overall mortality but improved 6-month recanalization rates.

Automatic Segmentation in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Prognostic Significance of Topological Stroke Volumes on Stroke Outcome.

Stroke infarct volume predicts patient disability and has utility for clinical trial outcomes. Accurate infarct volume measurement requires manual segmentation of stroke boundaries in diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans which is time-consuming and subject to variability. Automatic infarct segmentation should be robust to rotation and reflection; however, prior work has not encoded this property into deep learning architecture. Here, we use rotation-reflection equivariance and train a deep learning model to segment stroke volumes in a large cohort of well-characterized patients with acute ischemic stroke in different vascular territories. In this retrospective study, patients were selected from a stroke registry at Houston Methodist Hospital. Eight hundred seventy-five patients with acute ischemic stroke in any brain area who had magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion-weighted imaging were included for analysis and split 80/20 for training/testing. Infarct volumes were manually segmented by consensus of 3 independent clinical experts and cross-referenced against radiology reports. A rotation-reflection equivariant model was developed based on U-Net and grouped convolutions. Segmentation performance was evaluated using Dice score, precision, and recall. Ninety-day modified Rankin Scale outcome prediction was also evaluated using clinical variables and segmented stroke volumes in different brain regions. Segmentation model Dice scores are 0.88 (95% CI, 0.87-0.89; training) and 0.85 (0.82-0.88; testing). The modified Rankin Scale outcome prediction AUC using stroke volume in 30 refined brain regions based upon modified Rankin Scale-relevance areas adjusted for clinical variables was 0.80 (0.76-0.83) with an accuracy of 0.75 (0.72-0.78). We trained a deep learning model with encoded rotation-reflection equivariance to segment acute ischemic stroke lesions in diffusion- weighted imaging using a large data set from the Houston Methodist stroke center. The model achieved competitive performance in 175 well-balanced hold-out testing cases that include strokes from different vascular territories. Furthermore, the location specific stroke volume segmentations from the deep learning model combined with clinical factors demonstrated high AUC and accuracy for 90-day modified Rankin Scale in an outcome prediction model.

Study of correlations between CT properties of retrieved cerebral thrombi with treatment outcome of stroke patients

BackgroundAll the patients with suspected stroke are directed to whole-brain CT scan. The purpose of this scan is to look for early features of ischemia and to rule out alternative diagnoses than stroke. In case of ischemic stroke, CT diagnostics (including CT angiography) is used mainly to locate the occlusion and its size, while the Hounsfield Units (HU) values of the thrombus causing the stroke are usually overlooked on CT scan or considered not important. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that the HU value is relevant and can help in better treatment planning.Patients and methodsThere were 25 patients included in the study, diagnosed with ischemic stroke in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory. In all patients, systemic thrombolysis was not successful and the mechanical recanalization was needed. The retrieved thrombi were also analyzed histologically for the determination of red blood cells (RBC) proportion. CT of the proximal MCA (M1) segment was analyzed for average HU value and its variability both in the occluded section and the symmetrical normal site. These CT parameters were then statistically studied for the possible correlations with different clinical, histological and procedure parameters using the Linear Regression and the Pearson correlation coefficient.ResultsRelevant positive correlations were found between average HU value of thrombus and outcome modified Rankin Scale (mRS), initial mRS, number of passes with thrombectomy device as well as RBC proportion.ConclusionsResults of the present study suggest that measured HU values in CT images of the cerebral thrombi may help in the assessment of thrombus compaction and therefore better treatment planning.

Biomarkers in the Prediction of Hemorrhagic Transformation in Acute Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a complication that occurs spontaneously or after thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and can increase morbidity and mortality. The association of biomarkers with the risk of HT has been variably reported. We conducted a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis and sought to compare blood biomarkers associated with HT and its subtypes by evaluating its predictability and correlation with outcome in AIS. Methods: The study protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42020201334) and adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Among 2,230 articles identified from Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Web of Science databases, 30 quality-appraised articles were found eligible. Meta-analysis was conducted for matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), cellular fibronectin (c-Fn), ferritin, S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B), and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). We also reviewed biomarkers for correlation with the functional outcome at 90 days from stroke onset (poor outcome modified Rankin scale >2). Results: The pooled diagnostic odds ratio (DOR_pooled) was the highest for baseline c-Fn levels (299.253 [95% CI, 20.508–4,366.709]), followed by MMP-9 (DOR_pooled, 29.571 [95% CI 17.750–49.267]) and ferritin (DOR_pooled, 24.032 [95% CI 2.557–225.871]). However, wide confidence intervals for ferritin and c-Fn suggested lesser reliability of the markers. Patients with MMP-9 levels ≥140 ng/mL were 29.5 times at higher risk of developing symptomatic HT after AIS (area under the curve = 0.881). S100B (DOR_pooled, 6.286 [95% CI, 1.861–21.230]) and NLR (DOR_pooled, 5.036 [95% CI, 2.898–8.749]) had lower diagnostic accuracies. Among the markers not included for meta-analysis, caveolin-1, thrombin-activated fibrinolysis inhibitor, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and soluble ST2 were highly sensitive. Elevated levels of MMP-9, ferritin, and NLR were found to be associated with poor functional outcomes and mortality. Conclusion: Of the 5 biomarkers, there was enough evidence that MMP-9 has higher diagnostic accuracy for predicting the risk of HT before thrombolysis. MMP-9, ferritin, and NLR also predicted poor short-term outcomes.

Role of clinical predictors in determining the need for mechanical ventilation in patients with acute stroke and their outcome- A Prospective observational study

Background: Stroke is the third leading cause of death in developed countries and the leading cause of long term disability. As the mortality during initial few days depends upon the compression of vital organs in brain stem due to raised intracranial tension and possible herniation, treatment for impending or early herniation requires intubation and mechanical ventilation and up to 10% of patients with acute stroke need mechanical ventilation due to different reasons.&#x0D; Aims and Objective: The aim of the study was to find the role of clinical predictors in determining the need for mechanical ventilation in patients with acute stroke and their outcome.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: This prospective observational cohort study was conducted from September 2017 to march 2019 of patients with acute stroke admitted either through OPD or Emergency/ Triage of Max super specialty hospital, Saket, New Delhi. Patients with acute Stroke defined as the presence of sudden onset of focal neurological deficit and admitted within 24 h of onset of symptoms with Age ≥18 years were included in the study. Patients already on ventilator support at the time of admission were excluded.&#x0D; Results: A total of 165 patients met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were enrolled for the study. Out of 165 patients included in the study 43 (26.06 %) were put on the mechanical ventilation due to various reasons. Multivariate analysis of statistically significant and most clinically important variables showed the overall predictor accuracy of requirement of mechanical ventilation of 81.2% if the patients had loss of consciousness at the time of onset ( OR = 0.076) and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) motor score of ≤ 5 ( OR= 0.000). About 58.62% (17/29) patients who were put on ventilator support were found to have favorable outcome Modified Rankin Scale (MRS score ≤ 2) at discharge compared to 6.90% (2/29) before ventilation.&#x0D; Conclusion: We concluded that loss of consciousness at onset, GCS motor score ≤ 5 (OR= 0.000) were associated with overall predictor accuracy of 81.2% in determining the need for mechanical ventilation. We found overall in-hospital mortality rate of 9.1% whereas mortality rate in patients on mechanical ventilation was 32.55%.

Non-contrast head CT-based thrombolysis for wake-up/unknown onset stroke is safe: A single-center study and meta-analysis.

Recent studies have shown that tPA can be safely administered past the standard 4.5 h window with good outcomes when selected with multi-model imaging, which is often lacking outside of comprehensive stroke centers. We aim to analyze the safety and outcomes of wake up/unknown onset (WUS/UNK) patients treated based on non-contrast head CT (NCCT) at our institution and in the literature. Suspected stroke patients from January 2015 to December 2018 receiving tPA within 4.5 h (standard window-SW) and with WUS/UNK based on NCCT and clinical-imaging mismatch were identified. We compared baseline characteristics, tPA metrics, and outcome data, with primary outcome as symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH). A meta-analysis was performed evaluating NCCT-based treatment of WUS/UNK patients. Of 1827 patients treated at our hub or through telestroke, 93 underwent WUS/UNK-based treatment. There was no statistical difference in sICH between WUS/UNK and SW: 1% vs. 4% (OR 0.3; 95% confidence interval 0.0-1.9). 90-day modified Rankin scale outcomes were similar between SW and WUS/UNK-treated patients. Seven studies encompassing 485 WUS/UNK patients were included in a pooled analysis with a 2.1% incidence of sICH. In our meta-analysis, three studies compared NCCT-based treated WUS/UNK patients with SW patients with no difference in rate of hemorrhage: 2.1% vs 3.4% (OR 1.01; 95% confidence interval 0.45-2.28). Our single-center analysis and meta-analysis suggest that tPA can be safely administered based on NCCT with comparable rates of sICH for select WUS/UNK stroke patients.

Abstract P233: Descriptions of the Meaning of Modified Rankin Scale Outcomes in Acute Stroke Clinical Trials: Meta-Analysis and Call to Corrective Action

Background: The modified Rankin scale, a 7-level, clinician-reported, measure of global disability, is the most widely employed outcome scale in acute stroke trials. As the meaning of technical mRS scores (e.g. mRS 1, mRS 4) is not well-known among general clinicians, patients, and policy-makers, trialists sometimes apply valence (e.g. “excellent”, “good”) and health-state (e.g. “disabled”, “dependent”) terms to convey the clinical meaning of trial findings. The terms employed have not been well-delineated. Methods: Systematic meta-analysis assessing mRS descriptive terms across all large (n ≥ 100) RCTs for acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke reported 2000 - 2020, following PRISMA guidelines. Results: Among the 60 RCTs meeting study entry criteria, patient populations were acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in 88%, intracerebral hemorrhage in 8%, both in 3%. Among the 55 AIS trials, tested agents included: antiplatelet - 28%, endovascular thrombectomy - 20%, IV lytics - 20%, neuroprotective - 11%. The mRS was a major endpoint measure in 82% of trials (primary in 60%, secondary in 22%). Table 1 shows frequency of different valence terms (1A) and health state terms (1B) for 9 types of mRS analysis. Trials often used mutually contradictory terms for particular mRS outcomes. e.g. “good outcome” was applied to outcomes mRS 0-1 (2 trials), mRS 0-2 (2 trials), mRS 0-3 (1 trial), and ordinal mRS (3 trials); “favorable” was applied to mRS 0-1 (5 trials), mRS 0-2 (6 trials), and ordinal mRS (6 trials). Also many trials provided no meaningful descriptor (no valence descriptor in 82%, no health state descriptor in 58%). Conclusion: Across major acute stroke trials of the past 20 years, the valence and health state terms for different mRS outcomes have been often mutually contradictory or not provided at all. A standardized nomenclature for mRS outcome description would improve clinician and policy-maker understanding of trial results

Factors related to time of stroke onset versus time of hospital arrival: A SITS registry-based study in an Egyptian stroke center.

High-quality data on time of stroke onset and time of hospital arrival is required for proper evaluation of points of delay that might hinder access to medical care after the onset of stroke symptoms. Based on (SITS Dataset) in Egyptian stroke patients, we aimed to explore factors related to time of onset versus time of hospital arrival for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We included 1,450 AIS patients from two stroke centers of Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. We divided the day to four quarters and evaluated relationship between different factors and time of stroke onset and time of hospital arrival. The factors included: age, sex, duration from stroke onset to hospital arrival, type of management, type of stroke (TOAST classification), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on admission and favorable outcome modified Rankin Scale (mRS ≤2). Pre-hospital: highest stroke incidence was in the first and fourth quarters. There was no significant difference in the mean age, sex, type of stroke in relation to time of onset. NIHSS was significantly less in onset in third quarter of the day. Percentage of patients who received thrombolytic therapy was higher with onset in the first 2 quarters of the day (p = <0.001). In-hospital: there was no difference in percentage of patients who received thrombolytic therapy nor in outcome across 4 quarters of arrival to hospital. Pre-hospital factors still need adjustment to improve percentage of thrombolysis, while in-hospital factors showed consistent performance.

Therapeutic Hypothermia in Patients with Malignant Ischemic Stroke and Hemicraniectomy—A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) offers cerebral protection following ischemic stroke and may improve outcomes in conjunction with decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC). We aimed to assess the effectiveness of TH in patients with malignant ischemic stroke and DHC. We performed a meta-analysis in patients with malignant ischemic stroke undergoing DHC comparing TH versus normothermia in studies published up to August 2019. Included studies had ≥10 adults with acute ischemic stroke. Primary outcome was functional independence, and secondary outcomes included complications. Effect size was pooled and described by relative risk (RR) ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Five studies (n= 269 patients; n= 130 TH, n= 139 controls) were included, 4 of which were prospective (n= 2 randomized controlled trials). Median achieved body temperature of TH was 33.6°C (range 33°C-35°C). Median modified Rankin Scale at the study completion was similar between TH and controls (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.56-2.07, P= 0.8). Three studies reported individual patient modified Rankin Scale outcomes demonstrated a shift toward worse outcomes with TH (unadjusted common odds ratio 1.74; 95% CI 1.05-2.88, P= 0.01). Overall complications were similar between groups (RR 1.20, 95% CI 0.70-2.05, random effects P= 0.5). A suggestion of higher mortality was seen in TH (RR 1.50, 95% CI 0.97-2.32, P= 0.07). Clinical and functional outcomes were not overall different between patients undergoing systemic TH and controls following DHC despite the shift toward worse outcomes with TH observed in some studies.

MRI-based thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke presenting with a low NIHSS.

Treatment of patients with stroke presenting with minor deficits remains controversial, and the recent Potential of rtPA for Ischemic Strokes with Mild Symptoms (PRISMS) trial, which randomized patients to thrombolysis vs aspirin, did not show benefit. We studied the safety and efficacy of thrombolysis in a population of patients with acute stroke presenting with low NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores screened using MRI. The NIH Natural History of Stroke database was reviewed from January 2006 to December 2016 to identify all patients with an initial NIHSS score ≤5 who received thrombolysis within 4.5 hours of symptom onset after being screened with MRI. The 24-hour postthrombolysis MRIs were reviewed for hemorrhagic transformation. Primary outcomes were symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and favorable 90-day outcome modified Rankin Scale score 0-1. Subgroup analysis was performed on patients who would have been eligible for the PRISMS trial, which enrolled patients with a nondisabling neurologic deficit. A total of 121 patients were included in the study with a median age of 65 and an NIHSS score of 3; 63% were women. The rate of any hemorrhagic transformation was 13%, with 11% of them being limited to petechial hemorrhage. The rate of sICH was <1%. Sixty-six patients had 90-day outcome data; of those, 74% had a favorable outcome. For the subgroup of 81 PRISMS-eligible patients, none experienced sICH. Fifty of these patients had 90-day outcome data; of these, 84% had a favorable outcome. Thrombolytic therapy was safe in our patients with stroke with minor deficits who were initially evaluated by MRI. Future studies of this population may benefit from MRI selection. This study provides Class IV evidence that for patients with acute ischemic stroke and NIHSS ≤5 screened with MRI, IV tissue plasminogen activator is safe.

Endovascular Thrombectomy in the Elderly: Do Radiological and Clinical Outcomes Differ from Those in Younger Patients? A Prospective Single-Center Experience

Objectives: Endovascular treatment (EVT) has emerged as the gold standard therapy for stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). There is however limited evidence to suggest that similar efficacy can be expected in elderly patients. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of EVT in elderly patients (aged > 80), comparing outcomes to younger patients (aged < 80). Material and Methods: A total of 195 patients with LVO stroke treated with EVT were included and dichotomized by age. We compared neurological improvement, clinical 90 day outcome, technical recanalization rates, procedure-related complications, and mortality in between the groups. Results: Both groups showed equally marked neurological improvement. A favorable outcome modified Rankin Scale (mRS < 2) was seen in 28% of the elderly patients compared to 46% of the younger patients (p = 0.01). mRS 0–3 was seen in 46% of the elderly patients and 58% of the younger patients (p = 0.09). The rates of successful technical recanalization did not differ between the groups and there were no differences in procedural complication rates or incidence of symptomatic intracranial bleeding. Three-month mortality rates were however higher in the elderly group. Conclusions: EVT in the elderly resulted in equally notable neurological improvement as compared to younger patients. Although the elderly had a higher mortality rate and fewer favorable clinical outcomes at 3 month follow-up, a strict upper age limit for EVT seems unjustified.

Noninfectious Fever in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Association with Cerebral Vasospasm and Clinical Outcome

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between noninfectious fever onset and radiographic vasospasm, delayed ischemic neurologic deficit (DIND), delayed cerebral infarction (DCI), and clinical outcome in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. We evaluated 44 patients for the association between noninfectious fever (greater than 101.5°F) and the development of radiographic vasospasm by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and transcranial Doppler (TCD), DIND, DCI, and modified Rankin scale outcome score at 6 months to 2 years. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to account for patient age, sex, admission Hunt and Hess grade, and Fisher grade. TCD was additionally used for temporal analysis. Noninfectious fever was significantly associated with radiographic vasospasm using both DSA (odds ratio [OR], 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-4.5; P=0.02) and TCD (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.2-5.6; P= 0.02), but it was not associated with DIND, DCI, or outcome. The maximum cross correlation between TCD velocity and temperature occurred for temperatures taken 1 day prior to TCD velocity measurement. A quadratic mixed-effects model demonstrated that TCD velocity was significantly associated with temperature from 1 day prior to TCD velocity measurement (β = 13.5; 95% CI, 0.83-8.79, P= 0.01), posthemorrhage day (β= 20.1; 95% CI, 2.14-7.52; P<0.001), and (posthemorrhage day)2 (β= -0.72; 95% CI, -0.26 to -0.11; P< 0.001). Noninfectious fever was associated with the development of radiographic vasospasm but not with DIND, DCI, or clinical outcome. Furthermore, there is a temporal association between the onset of noninfectious fever and radiographic vasospasm by 1 day. Fever independent of patient's infectious profile may be an early marker for the development of radiographic vasospasm.

Endovascular management for tandem occlusions of anterior cerebral circulation.

Objectives:To compare the endovascular approaches and techniques used to treat tandem occlusions of anterior cerebral circulation.Methods:A literature review was carried out using PubMed to review the studies that described endovascular therapies for patients with tandem cerebral occlusions.Results:A total of 106 patients (median age: 64 years; range: 18-90 years) were identified. The median National Institutes of Health Stroke scale score at the time of admission for 104 patients was 16.5 (standard deviation [SD] ±5.7). The mean times and ranges from symptom onset to recanalization were 396.85 minutes (range: 120-1,574 minutes) and from groin puncture to recanalization were 80.3 minutes (range: 14-180 minutes). The mean outcome modified Rankin scale (mRS) score was 2.31 (SD ±2.2), and 61.3% of patients had an outcome mRS score ≤2. Moreover, 80% of patients with a groin puncture-to-recanalization time of ≤60 minutes had a mRS score ≤2 compared to 51.5% of patients with longer times (p=0.02). Despite that only 11.3% of patients underwent a retrograde approach, 81.8% of them had an outcome mRS score ≤2 compared to 60.8% of patients with an anterograde approach (p=0.023).Conclusion:A groin puncture-to-recanalization time of <60 minutes and a retrograde approach were shown to be favorable prognostic factors in terms of mRS score. The use of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator was associated with higher Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction scores, but not superior prognosis based on mRS.

Abstract WP299: Patient-centered Quality of Life Utility Values Are Superior to Modified Rankin Scale Outcomes in Stroke- Experience From the Artss-2 Trial (Randomized, Multi-center Trial of Argatroban With Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Acute Stroke)

Background and Purpose: Although the modified Rankin Score ( mRS ) is broadly used as a measure of stroke outcome, patients’ valuation of each mRS category has been understudied. Stroke patient/caregiver quality of life ( QOL ), expressed in 0-1 numerical utility scores, more accurately reflect patient-centered health states. We hypothesized that QOL utility values would not be linearly associated with mRS. Rather, clinically-meaningful transitions with large utility differences would occur among certain mRS scores. Methods: Utilities were obtained from ischemic stroke patients or proxy family members in the ARTSS-2 randomized trial; clinicaltrials.gov/NCT01464788. A societal perspective for health-state assessments was performed using Time-Trade-Off methodology (EuroQol-5D). Utilities were converted using country-specific tariffs as ARTSS-2 had US &amp; UK sites. Death was assigned a utility=0. Certified raters blinded to utility data assessed 90-day mRS. Mean (SD) utilities were mapped across mRS categories. mRS 5 &amp; 6 were collapsed as 5, bedbound and dependent for all bodily needs, is accepted to be equal or worse than death (mRS=6). Results: 86 of 90 (96%) patients had utilities at 90-days. Excluding missing and deaths, 70 patients had utilities generated by either the patient (N=48; 70%) or the proxy (N=22; 30%). Of the 22 proxy assessments, 20 (91%) were aphasic, 1 had severe neglect, and 1 remained mechanically ventilated. Utility vales declined in a non-linear fashion with increasing mRS; the largest difference between 3-4 and 4-5+6 (Figure). Conclusions: Although the mRS is analyzed under a linear assumption that each numerical transition is equal, stroke patient QOL utilities demonstrate important transitions between mRS scores. Future stroke trials should consider replacing mRS with direct patient utilities or convert mRS into utility-weighted scores established by patient-generated values that reflect clinically important health states.