Early in-hospital exposure to statins and outcome after intracerebral haemorrhage - Results from the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive

Introduction Recent data suggest that statin use after intracerebral haemorrhage might be beneficial. However, data on the effects of early in-hospital statin exposure are lacking. Therefore, we sought to assess whether (1) early statin exposure during the acute phase after intracerebral haemorrhage and (2) early continuation of prevalent statin use are associated with favourable functional outcome. Patients and methods Data were obtained from the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive. Patients were categorised according to use patterns of statins during this early in-hospital phase (continuation, discontinuation or new initiation of statins). Univariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to explore the association between early statin exposure and functional outcome. Results A total of 919 patients were included in the analysis. Early in-hospital statin exposure (n = 89, 9.7%) was associated with better functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale <= 3) compared with 790 patients without statin exposure before or early after the event (66% versus 47%, adjusted OR 2.1, 95% confidence interval 1.3-3.6). Compared with patients without exposure to statins before and early after the event, early continuation of statin therapy (n = 57) was associated with favourable functional outcome (adjusted odds ratio 2.6, 95% confidence interval 1.3-5.2). The association between early continuation of statins and outcome remained robust in sensitivity analyses restricted to patients able to take oral medication within 72 h and one-week survivors. Discussion It is possible that part of the observed associations are not due to a protective effect of statins but are confounded by indication bias. Conclusion Statin exposure and continuation of prevalent statin therapy early after intracerebral haemorrhage are associated with favourable functional outcome after 90 days

Current status of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator dosage for acute ischaemic stroke: An updated systematic review

10.1136/svn-2017-000112Stroke and Vascular Neurology3128-3

Intracerebral hemorrhage location and outcome among INTERACT2 participants

M. Kaste, T. Tatlisumak ja F. Scheperjans ovat työryhmän INTERACT2 Investigators jäseniä.Objective: To clarify associations between intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) location and clinical outcomes among participants of the main phase Intensive Blood Pressure Reduction in Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage Trial (INTERACT2). Methods: Associations between ICH sites and poor outcomes (death [6] or major disability [3-5] of modified Rankin Scale) and European Quality of Life Scale (EQ-5D) utility scores at 90 days were assessed in logistic regression models. Results: Of 2,066 patients included in the analyses, associations were identified between ICH sites and poor outcomes: involvement of posterior limb of internal capsule increased risks of death or major disability (odds ratio [OR] 2.10) and disability (OR 1.81); thalamic involvement increased risks of death or major disability (OR 2.24) and death (OR 1.97). Involvement of the posterior limb of the internal capsule, thalamus, and infratentorial sites were each associated with poor EQ-5D utility score ( Conclusion: Poor clinical outcomes are related to ICH affecting the posterior limb of internal capsule, thalamus, and infratentorial sites. The highest association with death or major disability and poor EQ-5D utility score was seen in ICH encompassing the thalamus and posterior limb of internal capsule.Peer reviewe

Associations between change in blood pressure and functional outcome, early events and death: Results from the Efficacy of Nitric Oxide in Stroke trial

Objectives:High blood pressure (BP) is associated with a poor outcome after acute stroke. Early reduction in BP may be associated with fewer early adverse events and deaths, and improved functional outcome.Methods:Analyses used data from the Efficacy of Nitric Oxide in Stroke trial, a multicentre randomized single-masked and outcome-masked trial of glyceryl trinitrate vs. no glyceryl trinitrate in 4011 patients recruited within 48h of an ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke and with raised SBP (140-220mmHg). Change in SBP from baseline to day 1 was categorized as: more than 15% decrease, 15-5% decrease, 5% decrease to 5% increase (no change-reference) and more than 5% increase. The primary outcome was functional outcome (modified Rankin scale) score at 90 days.Results:Across all patients, both moderate (5-15%) and large (>15%) decreases in SBP were associated with beneficial shifts in the modified Rankin scale relative to patients with no change in BP: Adjusted common odds ratio (OR) 0.81 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70-0.90] and OR 0.84 (95% CI 0.71-1.00), respectively. A moderate decrease in SBP was also associated with a lower risk of early adverse events, adjusted OR 0.69 (95% CI 0.52-0.90).Conclusion:Modest decreases in SBP in acute stroke appear to be associated with fewer early events and better long-Term functional outcome. © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved

Maintaining stroke care in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from an international survey of stroke professionals and practice recommendations from the European Stroke Organisation

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been placing an overwhelming burden on health systems, thus threatening their ability to operate effectively for acute conditions in which treatments are highly time sensitive, such as cerebrovascular disorders and myocardial infarction. As part of an effort to reduce the consequences of this outbreak on health service delivery to stroke patients, the European Stroke Organisation has undertaken a survey aimed at collecting information on the provision of stroke care during the pandemic. Methods: Cross-sectional, web-based survey, conducted from 26 March through 1 April 2020 among stroke care providers, focused on reorganisation of health services, the delivery of acute and post-acute stroke care and the availability of personal protective equipment. Results: A total of 426 stroke care providers from 55 countries completed the survey, most of whom worked in Europe (n = 375, 88%) and were stroke physicians/neurologists (n = 334, 78%). Among European respondents, 289 (77%) reported that not all stroke patients were receiving the usual care in their centres and 266 (71%) estimated that functional outcomes and recurrence rates of stroke patients would be negatively affected by the organisational changes caused by the pandemic. The areas considered as being most affected were acute care and rehabilitation. Most professionals had to adapt their activities and schedules and more than half reported shortage of protective equipment. Discussion: Strategies to maintain availability of stroke care during the COVID-19 outbreak are crucial to prevent indirect mortality and disability due to suboptimal care. Conclusion: European Stroke Organisation proposes a set of targeted actions for decision makers facing this exceptional situation. © European Stroke Organisation 2020

Off-label use of intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke: a critical appraisal of randomized and real-world evidence

Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) represents the only systemic reperfusion therapy able to reverse neurological deficit in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Despite its effectiveness in patients with or without large vessel occlusion, it can be offered only to a minority of them, because of the short therapeutic window and additional contraindications derived from stringent but arbitrary inclusion and exclusion criteria used in landmark randomized controlled clinical trials. Many absolute or relative contraindications lead to disparities between the official drug label and guidelines or expert recommendations. Based on recent advances in neuroimaging and evidence from cohort studies, off-label use of IVT is increasingly incorporated into the daily practice of many stroke centers. They relate to extension of therapeutic time windows, and expansion of indications in co-existing conditions originally listed in exclusion criteria, such as use of alternative thrombolytic agents, pre-treatment with antiplatelets, anticoagulants or low molecular weight heparins. In this narrative review, we summarize recent randomized and real-world data on the safety and efficacy of off-label use of IVT for AIS. We also make some practical recommendations to stroke physicians regarding the off-label use of thrombolytic agents in complex and uncommon presentations of AIS or other conditions mimicking acute cerebral ischemia. Finally, we provide guidance on the risks and benefits of IVT in numerous AIS subgroups, where equipoise exists and guidelines and treatment practices vary. © The Author(s), 2021

COVID-19 and cerebrovascular diseases: a comprehensive overview

Neurological manifestations are not uncommon during infection with the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). A clear association has been reported between cerebrovascular disease and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, whether this association is causal or incidental is still unknown. In this narrative review, we sought to present the possible pathophysiological mechanisms linking COVID-19 and cerebrovascular disease, describe the stroke syndromes and their prognosis and discuss several clinical, radiological, and laboratory characteristics that may aid in the prompt recognition of cerebrovascular disease during COVID-19. A systematic literature search was conducted, and relevant information was abstracted. Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 receptor dysregulation, uncontrollable immune reaction and inflammation, coagulopathy, COVID-19-associated cardiac injury with subsequent cardio-embolism, complications due to critical illness and prolonged hospitalization can all contribute as potential etiopathogenic mechanisms leading to diverse cerebrovascular clinical manifestations. Acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis have been described in case reports and cohorts of COVID-19 patients with a prevalence ranging between 0.5% and 5%. SARS-CoV-2-positive stroke patients have higher mortality rates, worse functional outcomes at discharge and longer duration of hospitalization as compared with SARS-CoV-2-negative stroke patients in different cohort studies. Specific demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiological characteristics may be used as ‘red flags’ to alarm clinicians in recognizing COVID-19-related stroke. © The Author(s), 2020

Supplementary Material for: Sex and gender publications in brain health: a mapping review of the Asia-Pacific region

Introduction. Reporting of sex and gender analysis in medical research has been shown to improve quality of the science and ensures findings are applicable to women and men. There is conflicting evidence on whether efforts by funding agencies and medical journals to encourage reporting of sex and gender analysis has resulted in tangible improvements. This study mapped the inclusion of sex and gender analysis in stroke and dementia research conducted in the Asia-Pacific region. Methods. A systematic search for Asia-Pacific stroke and dementia research was conducted in PubMed and papers included from the period 2012 to 2022. Eligible studies were reviewed for inclusion of a primary sex or gender focus and categorized by type of sex and gender analysis. Author gender was determined using an algorithm and its associations with inclusion of sex and gender analysis examined. Results. Total Asia-Pacific publications increased from 109 in 2012 to 313 in 2022, but the rate of studies with a primary sex or gender focus did not increase significantly (R2 = 0.06, F(1,9) = 0.59, p = 0.46). Australia, China, India, Japan and South Korea produced the most publications over the study period and were the only countries with at least 50 publications. The impact of author gender was mixed, with female first authorship associated with inclusion of sex or gender analysis and last female authorship associated with studies having a primary sex or gender focus. Conclusions. In the Asia-Pacific, brain health research is currently centered around high income countries and efforts are needed to ensure research findings are applicable through out the region. While there was a general increase in brain health publications over the last decade, the rate of sex and gender analysis was unchanged. This demonstrates that even with efforts in some countries in place, there is currently a lack of progress in the Asia-Pacific region to produce more research focusing on sex and gender analysis

Association of Blood Pressure with Outcomes in Acute Stroke Thrombectomy

Limited data exist evaluating the effect of blood pressure (BP) on clinical outcomes among patients with acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT). We sought to evaluate the association of BP levels on clinical outcomes among patients with acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion treated with MT. Studies were identified that reported the association of systolic BP (SBP) or diastolic BP levels before, during, or after MT on the outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with MT. Unadjusted and adjusted analyses of studies reporting odds ratios (ORadj) per 10 mm Hg BP increment were performed. Our analysis included 25 studies comprising 6474 patients. Higher pre-MT mean SBP (P=0.008) and post-MT maximum SBP (P=0.009) levels were observed in patients who died within 3 months. Patients with 3-month functional independence were noted to have lower pre-MT (P&amp;lt;0.001) and post-MT maximum SBP levels (P&amp;lt;0.001). In adjusted analyses, increasing post-MT maximum SBP and diastolic BP levels were associated with 3-month mortality (ORadj, 1.19 [95% CI,1.00-1.43]; I2=78%, P value for Cochran Q test: 0.001) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ORadj, 1.65 [95% CI, 1.11-2.44]; I2=0%, P value for Cochran Q test: 0.80), respectively. Increasing pre- and post-MT mean SBP levels were associated with lower odds of 3-month functional independence (ORadj, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.77-0.96]; I2=18%, P value for Cochran Q test: 0.30) and (ORadj, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.72-0.89]; I2=0%, P value for Cochran Q test: 0.51), respectively. In conclusion, elevated BP levels before and after MT are associated with adverse outcomes among patients with acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion. © 2020 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved

Blood pressure excursions in acute ischemic stroke patients treatedwith intravenous thrombolysis

Objective: To investigate the association of blood pressure BP excursions, defined as greater than 185 SBP or greater than 105 DBP, with the probability of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and worse functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treated with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Methods: We performed a post hoc analysis of the CLOTBUST-ER trial. Serial BP measurements were conducted using automated cuff recording according to the recommended BP protocol guidelines for tPA administration. The outcomes were prespecified efficacy and safety endpoints of CLOTBUST-ER. Results: The mean number of serial BP recordings per patient was 37. Of the 674 patients, 227 (34%) had at least one BP excursion (&gt;185/105 mmHg) during the first 24 h following tPA-bolus. The majority of BP excursions (46%) occurred within the first 75min from tPA-bolus. Patients with at least one BP excursion in the first 24 h following tPA bolus had significantly lower rates of independent functional outcome at 90 days (31 vs. 40.1%, P=0.028). The total number of BP excursions was associated with decreased odds of 24-h clinical recovery (OR=0.88, 95% CI:0.80-0.96), 24-h neurological improvement (OR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.81-0.94), 7-day functional improvement (common OR=0.92, 95% CI: 0.87-0.97), 90-day functional improvement (common OR=0.94, 95% CI: 0.88-0.98) and 90-day independent functional outcome (OR=0.90, 95% CI: 0.82-0.98) in analyses adjusted for potential confounders. DBP excursions were independently associated with increased odds of any intracranial hemorrhage (OR=1.26, 95% CI: 1.04-1.53). Conclusion: BP excursions above guideline thresholds during the first 24 h following tPA administration for AIS are common and are independently associated with adverse clinical outcomes. © 2021 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved