Ambulance deceleration causes increased intra cranial pressure in supine position:a prospective observational proof of principle study

BACKGROUND: Ambulance drivers in the Netherlands are trained to drive as fluent as possible when transporting a head injured patient to the hospital. Acceleration and deceleration have the potential to create pressure changes in the head that may worsen outcome. Although the idea of fluid shift during braking causing intra cranial pressure (ICP) to rise is widely accepted, it lacks any scientific evidence. In this study we evaluated the effects of driving and deceleration during ambulance transportation on the intra cranial pressure in supine position and 30(°) upright position. METHODS: Participants were placed on the ambulance gurney in supine position. During driving and braking the optical nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) was measured with ultrasound. Because cerebro spinal fluid percolates in the optical nerve sheath when ICP rises, the diameter of this sheath will distend if ICP rises during braking of the ambulance. The same measurements were taken with the headrest in 30(°) upright position. RESULTS: Mean ONSD in 20 subjects in supine position increased from 4.80 (IQR 4.80–5.00) mm during normal transportation to 6.00 (IQR 5.75–6.40) mm (p < 0.001) during braking. ONSD’s increased in all subjects in supine position. After raising the headrest of the gurney 30(°) mean ONSD increased from 4.80 (IQR 4.67–5.02) mm during normal transportation to 4.90 (IQR 4.80–5.02) mm (p = 0.022) during braking. In 15 subjects (75%) there was no change in ONSD at all. CONCLUSIONS: ONSD and thereby ICP increases during deceleration of a transporting vehicle in participants in supine position. Raising the headrest of the gurney to 30 degrees reduces the effect of breaking on ICP

Hospital Variation in Time to Endovascular Treatment for Ischemic Stroke:What Is the Optimal Target for Improvement?

Background Time to reperfusion in patients with ischemic stroke is strongly associated with functional outcome and may differ between hospitals and between patients within hospitals. Improvement in time to reperfusion can be guided by between-hospital and within-hospital comparisons and requires insight in specific targets for improvement. We aimed to quantify the variation in door-to-reperfusion time between and within Dutch intervention hospitals and to assess the contribution of different time intervals to this variation. Methods and Results We used data from the MR CLEAN (Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands) Registry. The door-to-reperfusion time was subdivided into time intervals, separately for direct patients (door-to-computed tomography, computed tomography-to-computed tomography angiography [CTA], CTA-to-groin, and groin-to-reperfusion times) and for transferred patients (door-to-groin and groin-to-reperfusion times). We used linear mixed models to distinguish the variation in door-to-reperfusion time between hospitals and between patients. The proportional change in variance was used to estimate the amount of variance explained by each time interval. We included 2855 patients of 17 hospitals providing endovascular treatment. Of these patients, 44% arrived directly at an endovascular treatment hospital. The between-hospital variation in door-to-reperfusion time was 9%, and the within-hospital variation was 91%. The contribution of case-mix variables on the variation in door-to-reperfusion time was marginal (2%-7%). Of the between-hospital variation, CTA-to-groin time explained 83%, whereas groin-to-reperfusion time explained 15%. Within-hospital variation was mostly explained by CTA-to-groin time (33%) and groin-to-reperfusion time (42%). Similar results were found for transferred patients. Conclusions Door-to-reperfusion time varies between, but even more within, hospitals providing endovascular treatment for ischemic stroke. Quality of stroke care improvements should not only be guided by between-hospital comparisons, but also aim to reduce variation between patients within a hospital, and should specifically focus on CTA-to-groin time and groin-to-reperfusion time

Effect of first pass reperfusion on outcome in patients with posterior circulation ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND: First pass reperfusion (FPR), that is, excellent reperfusion (expanded treatment in cerebral ischemia (eTICI) 2C-3) in one pass, after endovascular treatment (EVT) of an occluded artery in the anterior circulation, is associated with favorable clinical outcome, even when compared with multiple pass excellent reperfusion (MPR). In patients with posterior circulation ischemic stroke (PCS), the same association is expected, but currently unknown. We aimed to assess characteristics associated with FPR and the influence of FPR versus MPR on outcomes in patients with PCS. METHODS: We used data from the MR CLEAN Registry, a prospective observational study. The effect of FPR on 24-hour National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, as percentage reduction, and on modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at 3 months, was tested with linear and ordinal logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of 224 patients with PCS, 45 patients had FPR, 47 had MPR, and 90 had no excellent reperfusion (eTICI <2C). We did not find an association between any of the patient, imaging, or treatment characteristics and FPR. FPR was associated with better NIHSS (-45% (95% CI: -65% to -12%)) and better mRS scores (adjusted common odds ratio (acOR): 2.16 (95% CI: 1.23 to 3.79)) compared with no FPR. Outcomes after FPR were also more favorable compared with MPR, but the effect was smaller and not statistically significant (NIHSS: -14% (95% CI: -51% to 49%), mRS acOR: 1.50 (95% CI: 0.75 to 3.00)). CONCLUSIONS: FPR in patients with PCS is associated with favorable clinical outcome in comparison with no FPR. In comparison with MPR, the effect of FPR was no longer statistically significant. Nevertheless, our data support the notion that FPR should be the treatment target to pursue in every patient treated with EVT

Endovascular treatment of patients with stroke caused by anterior cerebral artery occlusions

Background: Occlusion of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) is uncommon but may lead to significant disability. The benefit of endovascular treatment (EVT) for ACA occlusions remains uncertain. Methods: We included patients treated with EVT and compared patients with ACA occlusions with patients who had internal carotid artery (ICA) or proximal (M1/M2) middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusions from the MR CLEAN Registry. Primary outcome was the modified Rankin Scale score (mRS). Secondary outcomes were functional independence (mRS 0–2), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, delta-NIHSS (baseline minus NIHSS score at 24–48 h), and successful recanalization (expanded thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (eTICI) score 2b-3). Safety outcomes were symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), periprocedural complications, and mortality. Results: Of 5193 patients, 11 (0.2%) had primary ACA occlusions. Median NIHSS at baseline was lower in patients with ACA versus ICA/MCA occlusions (11, IQR 9–14; versus 15, IQR 11–19). Functional outcome did not differ from patients with ICA/MCA occlusions. Functional independence was 4/11 (36%) in patients with ACA versus 1949/4815 (41%) in ICA/MCA occlusions; median delta-NIHSS was − 1 (IQR − 7 to 2) and − 4 (IQR − 9 to 0), respectively. Successful recanalization was 4/9 (44%), versus 3083/4787 (64%) in ICA/MCA occlusions. Mortality was 3/11 (27%) versus 1263/4815 (26%). One patient with ACA occlusion had sICH; no other complications occurred. Conclusion: In this cohort ACA occlusions were uncommon. Functional outcome did not differ between patients with ACA occlusions and ICA/MCA occlusions. Prospective research is needed to determine feasibility, safety, and outcomes of EVT for ACA occlusions.</p

Endovascular Treatment for Posterior Circulation Stroke in Routine Clinical Practice:Results of the Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands Registry

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The benefit of endovascular treatment (EVT) for posterior circulation stroke (PCS) remains uncertain, and little is known on treatment outcomes in clinical practice. This study evaluates outcomes of a large PCS cohort treated with EVT in clinical practice. Simultaneous to this observational study, several intervention centers participated in the BASICS trial (Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study), which tested the efficacy of EVT for basilar artery occlusion in a randomized setting. We additionally compared characteristics and outcomes of patients treated outside BASICS in trial centers to those from nontrial centers. METHODS: We included patients with PCS from the Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands Registry: a prospective, multicenter, observational study of patients who underwent EVT in the Netherlands between 2014 and 2018. Primary outcome was a score of 0 to 3 on the modified Rankin Scale at 90 days. Secondary outcomes included reperfusion status and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. For outcome comparison between patients treated in trial versus nontrial centers, we used ordinal logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: We included 264 patients of whom 135 (51%) had received intravenous thrombolysis. The basilar artery was most often involved (77%). Favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0-3) was observed in 115/252 (46%) patients, and 109/252 (43%) patients died. Successful reperfusion was achieved in 178/238 (75%), and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 9/264 (3%). The 154 nontrial patients receiving EVT in BASICS trial centers had similar characteristics and outcomes as the 110 patients treated in nontrial centers (modified Rankin Scale adjusted cOR: 0.77 [95% CI, 0.5-1.2]). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that high rates of favorable clinical outcome and successful reperfusion can be achieved with EVT for PCS, despite high mortality. Characteristics and outcomes of patients treated in trial versus nontrial centers were similar indicating that our cohort is representative of clinical practice in the Netherlands. Randomized studies using modern treatment approaches are needed for further insight in the benefit of EVT for PCS

Effect of First-Pass Reperfusion on Outcome After Endovascular Treatment for Ischemic Stroke

Background First-pass reperfusion (FPR) is associated with favorable outcome after endovascular treatment. It is unknown whether this effect is independent of patient characteristics and whether FPR has better outcomes compared with excellent reperfusion (Expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction [eTICI] 2C-3) after multiple-passes reperfusion. We aimed to evaluate the association between FPR and outcome with adjustment for patient, imaging, and treatment characteristics to single out the contribution of FPR. Methods and Results FPR was defined as eTICI 2C-3 after 1 pass. Multivariable regression models were used to investigate characteristics associated with FPR and to investigate the effect of FPR on outcomes. We included 2686 patients of the MR CLEAN (Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands) Registry. Factors associated with FPR were as follows: history of hyperlipidemia (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.10), middle cerebral artery versus intracranial carotid artery occlusion (adjusted OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.06-1.16), and aspiration versus stent thrombectomy (adjusted OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03-1.11). Interventionist experience increased the likelihood of FPR (adjusted OR, 1.03 per 50 patients previously treated; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06). Adjusted for patient, imaging, and treatment characteristics, FPR remained associated with a better 24-hour National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (-37%; 95% CI, -43% to -31%) and a better modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months (adjusted common OR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.83-2.54) compared with no FPR (multiple-passes reperfusion+no excellent reperfusion), and compared with multiple-passes reperfusion alone (24-hour NIHSS score, (-23%; 95% CI, -31% to -14%), and mRS score (adjusted common OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.19-1.78)). Conclusions FPR compared with multiple-passes reperfusion is associated with favorable outcome, independently of patient, imaging, and treatment characteristics. Factors associated with FPR were the experience of the interventionist, history of hyperlipidemia, location of occluded artery, and use of an aspiration device compared with stent thrombectomy

Patient-Reported Experience Measures in Stroke Care: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) assess patients' perception of health care. We aimed to identify all reported PREMs for stroke care and critically appraise psychometric properties of PREMs validated for patients with stroke. METHODS: Studies on the development, validation, or utilization of PREMs for adult patients with stroke were systematically identified. The Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments criteria were used to appraise psychometric performance. RESULTS: We included 18 studies, examining 13 PREMs. Two PREMs had been developed for stroke care: Consumer Quality Index: Cerebrovascular Accident and Riksstroke. Consumer Quality Index: Cerebrovascular Accident was given a positive psychometric assessment, but its length and limited language applicability impede clinical implementation. Riksstroke was appraised as doubtful. Eleven PREMs were generic. The psychometric performance of 5 generic PREMS, validated for patients with stroke, received conflicting assessments. Six generic PREMs had not been validated in patients with stroke and were therefore not assessed for instrument performance. CONCLUSIONS: Thirteen PREMs have been published for use in stroke care. The stroke-specific Consumer Quality Index: Cerebrovascular Accident has favorable psychometric performance but lacks practical feasibility. Other PREMs have inadequate or unknown psychometric properties. This indicates the need for developing stroke-specific PREMs to support quality improvement and enhance patient-centered care

Pathology-proven extradural ("distant") metastases of gliomas in adults in the Netherlands between 1971 and 2018: A systematic case series

Background. Diffuse gliomas are the most frequent primary tumors originating in the central nervous system parenchyma. Although the majority of these tumors are highly malignant, extradural metastases (EDM) are extremely rare. We aimed to perform a systematic review of patients with pathology-proven EDM of diffuse gliomas in the Netherlands. Methods. From the Nationwide Network and Registry of Histo- and Cytopathology in the Netherlands information on all cases with EDM between 1971 and October 2018 was retrieved. Patients aged < 18 years or with a diagnosis of ependymoma or continuous tumor growth from intradural to extradural were excluded. Demographics, initial tumor diagnosis, treatment characteristics, location of the EDM, and survival data were collected. IDH1 R132H immunohistochemistry was performed on cases in which a paraffin block of the metastatic tumor could be retrieved. Results. Twenty-five patients with diffuse glioma and pathology-proven EDM were identified. Median age at diagnosis of glioma was 46 years (IQR: 35-59); 21 patients (84%) were male. Histopathologic diagnosis was glioblastoma in 17 patients (68%) and lower-grade tumor in eight patients. In 3 out of 12 patients of which a paraffin block could be retrieved immunohistochemistry revealed an IDH1-mutant glioma. Most frequent EDM locations were bone/bone marrow (14/25 patients; 56%), and lymph nodes (6/25 patients; 24%). Conclusion. EDM of diffuse glioma are rare. They occur most frequently in patients with glioblastoma, however, they can also originate from lower-grade, IDH-mutant gliomas. In daily practice, EDM of diffuse glioma should be considered in patients with tumefactive lesions of the bone or lymph nodes

Increase in intracranial pressure by application of a rigid cervical collar: a pilot study in healthy volunteers

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Standardized mortality ratios for regionalized acute cardiovascular care

Abstract Background Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMRs) are case-mix adjusted mortality rates per hospital and are used to evaluate quality of care. However, acute care is increasingly organized on a regional level, with more severe patients admitted to specialized hospitals. We hypothesize that the current case-mix adjustment insufficiently captures differences in case-mix between non-specialized and specialized hospitals. We aim to improve the SMR by adding proxies of disease severity to the model and by calculating a regional SMR (RSMR) for acute cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and myocardial infarction (MI). Methods We used data from the Dutch National Basic Registration of Hospital Care. We selected all admissions from 2016 to 2018. SMRs and RSMRs were calculated by dividing the observed in-hospital mortality by the expected in-hospital mortality. The expected in-hospital mortality was calculated using logistic regression with adjustment for age, sex, socioeconomic status, severity of main diagnosis, urgency of admission, Charlson comorbidity index, place of residence before admission, month/year of admission, and in-hospital mortality as outcome. Results The IQR of hospital SMRs of CVD was 0.85–1.10, median 0.94, with higher SMRs for specialized hospitals (median 1.12, IQR 1.00-1.28, 71%-SMR > 1) than for non-specialized hospitals (median 0.92, IQR 0.82–1.07, 32%-SMR > 1). The IQR of RSMRs was 0.92–1.09, median 1.00. The IQR of hospital SMRs of MI was 0.76–1.14, median 0.98, with higher SMRs for specialized hospitals (median 1.00, IQR 0.89–1.25, 50%-SMR > 1 versus median 0.94, IQR 0.74–1.11, 44%-SMR > 1). The IQR of RSMRs was 0.90–1.08, median 1.00. Adjustment for proxies of disease severity mostly led to lower SMRs of specialized hospitals. Conclusion SMRs of acute regionally organized diseases do not only measure differences in quality of care between hospitals, but merely measure differences in case-mix between hospitals. Although the addition of proxies of disease severity improves the model to calculate SMRs, real disease severity scores would be preferred. However, such scores are not available in administrative data. As a consequence, the usefulness of the current SMR as quality indicator is very limited. RSMRs are potentially more useful, since they fit regional organization and might be a more valid representation of quality of care