Sex differences in outcomes and associated factors among stroke patients with small artery occlusion in China

Abstract Background Sex differences in outcomes after small artery occlusion (SAO) stroke have not been well described, particularly in a Chinese population. We aimed to assess sex differences in outcomes and related risk factors among patients with SAO. Methods All consecutive patients with SAO were recruited between May 2005 and September 2014. Clinical features and risk factors were recorded. The mortality, recurrence, and dependency rates at 3 months after stroke were assessed. Results A total of 2524 patients with SAO were included in this study. There was a higher frequency of mild stroke, current smoking, and alcohol consumption in men than in women. Women were more likely than men to be older, to have diabetes and obesity, and to have higher total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. There were worse outcomes in men than in women at 3 months after stroke (P < 0.05). There were more independent risk factors of poor outcome in men than in women. Older age was a common predictive factor of outcome both in men and in women. In men, low triglyceride levels and high fasting plasma glucose levels were independent risk factors for mortality; in addition, a high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was associated with recurrence. Moreover, in men, moderate and severe stroke, and high total cholesterol and fasting plasma glucose levels were risk factors for dependency. A negative association was found between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level and risk of mortality and between total cholesterol level and risk of recurrence in women. Conclusions These findings suggest that it is crucial to control conventional risk factors and fasting plasma glucose and lipid levels among patients with SAO, especially male patients, to reduce the burden of stroke in China

Comparison between MRI FLAIR vascular hyperintensity-DWI mismatch and perfusion based triage for thrombectomy in the late time window

BackgroundThe clinical impact of patient selection using FLAIR vascular hyperintensity (FVH)–diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) mismatch for endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in patients who have been symptomatic for over 6 h remains unclear. Herein, a retrospective study was conducted to compare the inter-rater reliability and clinical outcomes of patients selected for thrombectomy based on FVH-DWI mismatch with perfusion.MethodsPatients with anterior-circulation large-vessel occlusion selected simultaneously with MRI and perfusion imaging in the late time window from a single-center retrospective study were categorized into EVT-applicable (FVH-DWI mismatch on MRI or perfusion imaging meeting the DEFUSE3 standards) and EVT-inapplicable groups based on MRI and perfusion imaging. The primary outcome was the 90-day functional independence rate. Safety outcomes encompassed symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality in 90 days. We assessed the consistency of the two profiles and compared the differences in functional independence rates of EVT patients among the EVT-applicable groups determined by MRI and perfusion.ResultsA total of 130 patients were enrolled, of which 114 were classified into the EVT-applicable group after triaging using MRI images. In this group, 96 patients underwent EVT, with 53 of them (55.2%) achieving functional independence. A total of 110 patients were divided into EVT-applicable group based on perfusion, among which 92 underwent EVT, with 49 of them (53.2%) achieving functional independence. The consistency of identifying EVT indication was moderate between two groups (κ = 0.42, 95% CI, 0.17–0.67). The functional independence rate was comparable between patients in the two EVT-applicable groups based on the two methods (55.2% vs. 53.2%, p = 0.789).ConclusionMRI triaging based on FVH-DWI mismatch showed moderate inter-rater reliability compared with perfusion-based triage and comparable efficacy in predicting clinical outcomes after EVT