U-shaped relationship between hemoglobin level and severity of ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND AIM

We aimed to explore the relation between hemoglobin level and ischemic stroke severity and short-term improvement in patients admitted to hospital within 3 hours of stroke onset.

METHODS

The relation between stroke severity and hemoglobin was explored by locally weighted scatterplot smoothing (lowess smoother) curves. The effect of hemoglobin on short-term outcome was determined by means of linear regression analyses with NIHSS score day 7 as dependent variable after adjusting for confounders including NIHSS score on admission. Analyses were performed to disclose clinical factor associated with hemoglobin level.

RESULTS

This study includes 905 ischemic stroke patients admitted within 3 hours of stroke onset. Lowess smoother curves showed a U-shaped relation between NIHSS score on admission and mRS score day 7 and hemoglobin level. Regression analysis showed low hemoglobin to be independently associated with females, high age, severe stroke, low systolic blood pressure, prior cerebral infarction, not smoking, not atrial fibrillation, and unknown etiology (all P < 0.05). Another regression analysis showed that high NIHSS score day 7 was independently associated with low hemoglobin after adjusting for confounders including NIHSS score on admission.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a U-shaped relationship between hemoglobin level on admission and stroke severity. There was no U-shaped relationship between improvement and hemoglobin level. Poor short-term improvement was associated with low hemoglobin levels.

Recurrent ischemic stroke: Incidence, predictors, and impact on mortality

Background and purpose

Recurrent ischemic stroke (IS) or TIA is frequent with a considerable variation in incidence and mortality across populations. Current data on stroke recurrence and mortality are useful to examine trends, risk factors, and treatment effects. In this study, we calculated the incidence of recurrent IS or TIA in a hospital‐based stroke population in Western Norway, investigated recurrence factors, and estimated the effect of recurrence on all‐cause mortality.

Methods

This prospective cohort study registered recurrence and mortality among 1872 IS and TIA survivors admitted to the stroke unit at Haukeland University Hospital between July 2007 and December 2013. Recurrence and death until September 1, 2016, were identified by medical chart review. Cumulative incidences of recurrence were estimated with a competing risks Cox model. Multivariate Cox models were used to examine recurrence factors and mortality.

Results

During follow‐up, 220 patients had 277 recurrent IS or TIAs. The cumulative recurrence rate was 5.4% at 1 year, 11.3% at 5 years, and 14.2% at the end of follow‐up. Hypertension (HR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.21‐2.25), prior symptomatic stroke (HR = 1.63, 95% CI 1.18‐2.24), chronic infarcts on MRI (HR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.10‐1.99), and age (HR 1.02/year, 95% CI 1.00‐1.03) were independently associated with recurrence. A total of 668 (35.7%) patients died during follow‐up. Recurrence significantly increased the all‐cause mortality (HR = 2.55, 95% CI 2.04‐3.18).

Conclusions

The risk of recurrent IS stroke or TIA was modest in our population and was associated with previously established risk factors. Recurrence more than doubled the all‐cause mortality.

High risk of early neurological worsening of lacunar infarction

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We aimed to evaluate factors associated with neurological worsening among patients with lacunar or non-lacunar infarction admitted within 3 hours and between 3 and 24 hours after stroke onset.

METHODS

All patients admitted to Haukeland university hospital between 2006 and 2016 with acute cerebral infarction on MRI and admission within 24 hours were included. Repeated National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scoring was performed in all patients whenever possible. Neurological worsening during the hospital stay was defined as NIHSS score increase ≥3 compared to NIHSS score on admission.

RESULTS

In patients with lacunar infarction admitted within 3 hours of onset, neurological worsening was associated with low NIHSS score on admission, low body temperature, and leukoaraiosis, whereas only internal carotid artery stenosis or occlusion was associated with neurological worsening in non-lacunar infraction. For patients admitted 3-24 hours after onset, neurological worsening was associated with low body temperature, high systolic blood pressure, and short time from onset to admission in patients with lacunar infarction, whereas high systolic blood pressure, high NIHSS score on admission, middle cerebral artery occlusion, and high blood glucose were associated with neurological worsening in patients with non-lacunar infarction (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Lacunar infarctions with minor neurological deficits within 3 hours of stroke onset are at high risk of neurological worsening especially if concomitant low body temperature and leukoaraiosis.

European position paper on the management of patients with patent foramen ovale. General approach and left circulation thromboembolism

The presence of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) is implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of medical conditions; however, the subject remains controversial and no official statements have been published. This interdisciplinary paper, prepared with involvement of eight European scientific societies, aims to review the available trial evidence and to define the principles needed to guide decision making in patients with PFO. In order to guarantee a strict process, position statements were developed with the use of a modified grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) methodology. A critical qualitative and quantitative evaluation of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures was performed, including assessment of the risk/benefit ratio. The level of evidence and the strength of the position statements of particular management options were weighed and graded according to predefined scales. Despite being based often on limited and non-randomised data, while waiting for more conclusive evidence, it was possible to conclude on a number of position statements regarding a rational general approach to PFO management and to specific considerations regarding left circulation thromboembolism. For some therapeutic aspects, it was possible to express stricter position statements based on randomised trials. This position paper provides the first largely shared, interdisciplinary approach for a rational PFO management based on the best available evidence.

Thirty-day recurrence after ischemic stroke or TIA

BACKGROUND

Incidence of recurrent stroke is highest within 30 days after the initial ischemic stroke (IS) or TIA, but knowledge about early recurrence is lacking. We aimed to identify etiological groups with highest risk of early recurrence and assess how the TOAST classification identified index stroke etiology.

METHODS

Medical records of 1874 IS and TIA patients in the Bergen NORSTROKE registry were retrospectively reviewed for identification of recurrent IS or TIA within 30 days after index IS or TIA. Stroke etiology was determined by review of electronical medical journals. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) for 30-day recurrence.

RESULTS

Thirty-three patients (1.8%) were readmitted with recurrent IS or TIA within 30 days after index stroke. By using TOAST, 12 patients were initially classified with stroke of unknown etiology (SUE). Etiologies behind recurrent IS or TIA were after the recurrent episode identified as extracranial large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) in 14 patients (42.4%), intracranial arterial pathology in seven patients (21.2%), active malignancy in six patients (18.2%), and cardio embolism in four patients (12.1%). Small vessel occlusion and SUE were the causes in one patient each. Logistic regression showed that patients with stroke of other determined etiology (SOE) and LAA had increased risk of 30-day recurrence (OR = 9.72, 95% CI 1.84-51.3, p < 0.01 and OR = 4.36, 95% CI 2.01-9.47, p < 0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Patients with LAA and SOE had increased risk of recurrent IS or TIA within 30 days. TOAST was inadequate at identifying exact etiologies behind recurrent stroke at index event.

Safety and predictors of stroke mimics in The Norwegian Tenecteplase Stroke Trial (NOR-TEST)

Background

Stroke mimics are frequently treated with thrombolysis in clinical practice and thrombolytic trials. Although alteplase in stroke mimics has proven to be safe, safety of tenecteplase in stroke mimics has not been assessed in an ischemic stroke study setting. We aimed to assess clinical characteristics and safety of stroke mimics treated with thrombolysis in the Norwegian Tenecteplase Stroke Trial. We also aimed to identify possible predictors of stroke mimics as compared to patients with acute cerebral ischemia.

Methods

Norwegian Tenecteplase Stroke Trial was a phase-3 trial investigating safety and efficacy of tenecteplase vs. alteplase in patients with suspected acute cerebral ischemia. Two groups were defined based on diagnose at discharge: patients with a different diagnose than ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (stroke mimics group) and patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (acute cerebral ischemia group). Logistic regression analyses were performed with stroke mimics vs. acute cerebral ischemia as dependent variable to identify predictors of stroke mimics.

Results

Of 1091 randomized patients, 181 (16.6%) were stroke mimics. Migraine (22.2%) and peripheral vertigo (11.4%) were the two most frequent stroke mimic-diagnoses. There was no symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage in the stroke mimics group. Stroke mimics were independently associated with age ≤60 years (OR 2.75, p < 0.001), female sex (OR 1.48, p = 0.026), no history of myocardial infarction (OR 2.03, p = 0.045), systolic BP ≤ 150 mmHg (OR 2.33, p < 0.001), NIHSS ≤ 6 points (OR 1.83, p = 0.011), sensory loss (OR 1.55, p = 0.015), and no facial paresis (OR 2.41, p < 0.001) on admission.

Conclusion

Thrombolysis with tenecteplase seems to be as safe as with alteplase in stroke mimics. Predictors were identified for stroke mimics which may contribute to differentiate stroke mimics from acute cerebral ischemia in future stroke trials.

Hospital readmissions after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in Southern Portugal

OBJECTIVES

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) survivors are at risk of hospital readmissions. Data on readmissions after SICH is scarce. We aimed to study the frequency and predictors of readmissions after SICH in Algarve, Portugal.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective study of a community representative cohort of SICH survivors (2009-2015). The first unplanned readmission in the first year after discharge was the outcome. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of 1-year readmission.

RESULTS

Of the 357 SICH survivors followed, 116 (32.5%) were readmitted within the first-year. Sixty-seven (18.8%) of the survivors were early readmitted (<90 days), corresponding to 57.8% or all readmissions. Common causes were pneumonia, endocrine/nutritional/metabolic and cardiovascular complications. The risk of readmission was increased by prior to index SICH history of ≥ 3 previous emergency department visits (hazards ratio (HR) = 2.663 (1.770-4.007); P < 0.001), pneumonia during index hospitalization (HR = 2.910 (1.844-4.592); P < 0.001) and reduced in patients discharge home (HR = 0.681 (0.366-0.976); P = 0.048).

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of readmissions after SICH is high, predictors are identifiable and causes are potentially preventable. Improvement of care can potentially reduce this burden.

Visual field defect after ischemic stroke-impact on mortality

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the impact of visual field defects (VFD) on mortality in ischemic stroke patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients with acute infarction and a clinically detected VFD from February 2006 to December 2013 in the NORSTROKE Registry (n = 506) were included and compared with ischemic stroke patients with normal visual fields (n = 2041). A record of patients who had died per ultimo April 2015 was obtained from the central registry at Haukeland University Hospital.

RESULTS

Patients with VFD were significantly older (75.0 vs 69.8, P < .001) than patients with normal visual fields. The majority of patients with VFD was male, had higher cardiovascular morbidity prestroke, and were more likely to have shorter median time from symptom onset to admission (1.7 hours vs 2.7 hours, P < .001). Baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was higher (12.7 vs 3.5, P < .001) as was modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score (3.5 vs 1.9, P < .001) and Barthel Index was lower (51.9 vs 84.8, P < .001) day 7. VFD was associated with increased mortality on Kaplan-Meier plots. Hazard ratio was significantly higher for patients with VFD after adjusting for age, sex, employment prior to infarction, married prior to infarction, institutionalization prior to infarction, prior myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, smoking, Barthel Index score and i.v. thrombolysis with Cox regression (hazard ratios [HR] 1.30, CI 1.07-1.56, P = .007).

CONCLUSIONS

Having a visual field defect after ischemic stroke is independently associated with increased mortality. This should be addressed when selecting candidates for thrombolysis and in the rehabilitation process.

Thirty-day readmission after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most severe form of stroke, but data on readmission after ICH are sparse. We aimed to determine frequency, causes, and predictors of 30-day readmission after ICH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective cohort study includes all spontaneous ICH survivors admitted to the stroke unit at Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen in Norway from July 2007 to December 2013. Patients were followed by review of electronic medical charts, and the first unplanned readmission within 30 days after discharge was used as final outcome. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of 30-day readmission.

RESULTS

We identified 226 patients with spontaneous ICH, 70 (31.0%) of whom died before discharge or were discharged to palliative care. Of the remaining 156 ICH survivors, 28 (18.0%) were readmitted within 30 days. Median time to readmission was 12 days (IQR 4.5 - 18.5). Most patients were readmitted due to infections (N = 13). None of the patients were readmitted with recurrent stroke. Pneumonia and enteral feeding during the index hospitalization were associated with readmission for infections (both p < .01). Age was the only independent predictor of readmission (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02 - 1.11, p = .006).

CONCLUSIONS

Almost one in five of our spontaneous ICH survivors was readmitted within 30 days, and most readmissions were caused by infections.

Contrast-enhanced sonothrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke patients without intracranial large-vessel occlusion

BACKGROUND

Contrast-enhanced sonothrombolysis (CEST) leads to a more rapid recanalization in acute ischemic stroke caused by intracranial large-vessel occlusion (LVO). Animal studies have shown that CEST also may be safe and efficient in treating the ischemic microcirculation in the absence of LVO. The exact mechanism behind this treatment effect is not known. We aimed to assess safety and efficacy of CEST in acute ischemic stroke patients included in the Norwegian Sonothrombolysis in Acute Stroke Study (NOR-SASS) without LVO on admission CT angiography (CTA).

METHODS

NOR-SASS was a randomized controlled trial of CEST in ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis within 4.5 hours after stroke onset. Patients were randomized to either CEST or sham CEST. In this study, patients were excluded if they had partial or total occlusion on admission CTA, ultrasound-resistant bone window, had received CEST with incorrect insonation as compared to stroke location on Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or were stroke mimics.

RESULTS

Of the 183 patients included in NOR-SASS, a total of 83 (45.4%) patients matched the inclusion criteria, of which 40 received CEST and 43 sham CEST. There were no patients with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) in the CEST group. Rates of asymptomatic ICH, microbleeds, and mortality were not increased in the CEST group. Neurological improvement at 24 hours and functional outcome at 90 days were similar in both groups.

CONCLUSION

CEST is safe in ischemic stroke patients without intracranial LVO. There were no differences in clinical outcomes between the treatment groups.

Abstract 102: Consistency of Efficacy of PFO Closure in the Gore Reduce Trial

Background: The Gore REDUCE Clinical Study (REDUCE) demonstrated superiority of PFO closure in conjunction with antiplatelet therapy over antiplatelet therapy alone in reducing the risk of recurrent clinical ischemic stroke or new silent brain infarct in patients with cryptogenic stroke.

Methods: We randomized 664 subjects with cryptogenic stroke at 63 multinational sites in a 2:1 ratio to either antiplatelet therapy plus PFO closure (with Gore HELEX Septal Occluder or Gore CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder) or antiplatelet therapy alone. Co-primary endpoints were freedom from recurrent clinical ischemic stroke through ≥2 years and incidence of new brain infarct (defined as the composite of clinical ischemic stroke and silent brain infarct) at 2 years. Primary analyses were performed on the intention-to-treat (ITT) population. Per-protocol (PP) analysis included only subjects randomized and treated according to critical protocol requirements (excluding those who violated key eligibility criteria, did not receive the therapy to which they were randomized, or did not comply with protocol-required medical regimen). As-treated (AT) analysis assessed all subjects based on treatment received, regardless of study assignment.

Results: PFO closure was associated with a highly consistent reduction in risk compared to medical therapy alone in all three analytic cohorts (Table).

Conclusions: Among selected patients with cryptogenic stroke and PFO, closure of the PFO plus antiplatelet therapy was superior to antiplatelet therapy alone for reducing the risk of subsequent ischemic stroke.

Abstract TP198: Risk of 30-day Hospital Readmission: Does Ischemic Stroke Subtype Matter?

Background: Stroke patients are at high risk of new diseases. However, as there are differences in risk factors, outcome and treatment for the various ischemic stroke (IS) and transient ischemic attack (TIA) etiologies, there may also be differences in their risk and causes of readmission. We aimed to investigate frequency and causes for 30-day readmission for the different IS subtypes, and estimate each subtypes risk of cause-specific 30-day readmission.

Methods: All surviving IS or TIA patients admitted to a large Norwegian Hospital between July 2007 and January 2014 were followed by review of medical records. Main outcome of interest was the first unplanned readmission within 30 days after discharge. Stroke etiology was classified according to the TOAST criteria as large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA), cardioembolism (CE), small vessel occlusion (SVO), stroke of other demonstrated cause (SOC), or stroke of undetermined cause (SUC). Cox regression was performed to assess 30-day readmission risk of all-cause and cause-specific readmission for the different IS subtypes.

Results: Of 1890 patients, 10.6 % were readmitted within 30 days (43/245 (17.6%) LAA, 75/614 (12.2%) CE, 12/205 (5.9%) SVO, 6/33 (18.2%) SOC, 65/793 (8.2%) SUC). Most frequent causes were stroke-related events (sequela, progressive stroke and neurological symptoms), infections, recurrent stroke and heart disease, but causes of readmission were unevenly distributed among the different stroke subtypes. Patients with LAA or SOC had significant higher risk of all-cause readmission and recurrent stroke, and patients with SUC had significant lower risk of all-cause readmission.

Conclusion: We found significant variations in frequency and causes of 30-day readmission for the different IS subtypes. This approach supports the concept of IS as an polyetiologic disease, with unevenly distributed risk factors and comorbidity between the different etiologies. At the conference, we will also present and discuss predictors for 30-day all-cause readmission.

When to Screen Ischaemic Stroke Patients for Cancer

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Ischemic stroke can be the first manifestation of cancer and it is therefore important to ascertain which stroke patients should be considered for cancer-diagnostic investigations. We aimed to determine the frequency of active cancer in patients with acute ischemic stroke and to compare clinical findings in stroke patients with active cancer to ischemic stroke patients with no history of cancer. Finally, we aimed to develop a predictive and feasible score for clinical use to uncover underlying malignancy.

METHODS

All ischemic stroke patients admitted to the stroke unit in the Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital were consecutively included in the Norwegian Stroke Research Registry (NORSTROKE). Stroke etiology was determined by the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) criteria. Data on cancer diagnoses was obtained from patients' medical records and the Cancer Registry of Norway. Active cancer was defined as cancer diagnosis, metastasis of known cancer, recurrent cancer or receiving cancer treatment, all within 12 months before or after the index stroke. Based on variables independently associated with active cancer, a predictive score was developed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC-ROC) curves. Bayes' theorem was used to calculate post-test probabilities of active cancer.

RESULTS

Of the 1,646 ischemic stroke patients included, 82 (5.0%) had active cancer. Increased D-dimer (OR = 1.1, 95% CI: 1.1-1.2, p = <0.001), lower Hb (OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.5-0.7, p = <0.001), smoking (OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.2-4.3, p = 0.02) and suffering a stroke of undetermined etiology (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-3.3, p = 0.03) were factors independently associated with active cancer. These were included in the final predictive score which gave an AUC of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.65-0.81) in patients younger than 75 years of age. Assuming the prevalence of cancer to be 5%, the score shows that if a patient fulfills all 3 score points, the probability of active cancer is 53%.

CONCLUSIONS

Active cancer was found in 5% of our ischemic stroke patients. We found that a clinical score comprising elevated D-dimer ≥3 mg/L, lower Hb ≤12.0 g/dL and previous or current smoking is feasible for predicting active cancer in ischemic stroke patients.

Short-Term Outcome of Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Algarve, Portugal: Retrospective Hospital-Based Study

BACKGROUND

The short-term outcome from spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) is influenced by local quality of care and population specificities. There are no studies about the SICH mortality in southern Portugal. The objective of this study was to describe the predictors of 30-day in-hospital SICH mortality in Algarve, the southernmost region of Portugal.

METHODS

Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of in-hospital death. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate survival over time based on SICH severity.

RESULTS

Of the 549 cases, 349 (63.6%) were men; the mean age was 71.4 years. Two hundred seventeen patients (39.5%) did not receive stroke unit (SU) care. The 30-day mortality was 34.4%. Independent predictors of death were older age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.096, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.031-2.062, P = .022) per additional year, vitamin K antagonists use (OR = 5.464, 95% CI = 2.088-25.714, P = .043), admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 8 or lower (OR = 20.511, 95% CI = 7.862-62.168, P < .0001) or GCS score of 9-12 (OR = 12.709, 95% CI = 3.078-44.113, P < .0001), hematoma volume (OR = 1.037, 95% CI = 1.004-1.071, P = .028) per additional milliliter, intraventricular dissection (OR = 1.916, 95% CI = 1.105-4.566, P = .046), and pneumonia (OR 12.918, 95% CI = 4.603-24.683, P < .0001). SU care was independently associated with reduction of death (OR .395, 95% CI = .126-.635, P = .004). Severity correlated with short time to death (P < .0001). Sixty-five of the patients (39.2%) died after the seventh day of SICH ("non-neurological deaths").

CONCLUSIONS

The in-hospital 30-day mortality is high in the region. Admitting more patients to the SU and implementation of preventive strategies of complications can reduce mortality.

Elevated body temperature in ischemic stroke associated with neurological improvement

OBJECTIVES

Some studies suggest that high body temperature within the first few hours of ischemic stroke onset is associated with improved outcome. We hypothesized an association between high body temperature on admission and detectable improvement within 6-9 hours of stroke onset.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Consecutive ischemic stroke patients with NIHSS scores obtained within 3 hours and in the interval 6-9 hours after stroke onset were included. Body temperature was measured on admission.

RESULTS

A total of 315 patients with ischemic stroke were included. Median NIHSS score on admission was 6. Linear regression showed that NIHSS score 6-9 hours after stroke onset was inversely associated with body temperature on admission after adjusting for confounders including NIHSS score <3 hours after stroke onset (P<.001). The same result was found in patients with proximal middle cerebral occlusion on admission.

CONCLUSIONS

We found an inverse association between admission body temperature and neurological improvement within few hours after admission. This finding may be limited to patients with documented proximal middle cerebral artery occlusion on admission and suggests a beneficial effect of higher body temperature on clot lysis within the first three hours.

Patent Foramen Ovale Closure or Antiplatelet Therapy for Cryptogenic Stroke

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of closure of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in the prevention of recurrent stroke after cryptogenic stroke is uncertain. We investigated the effect of PFO closure combined with antiplatelet therapy versus antiplatelet therapy alone on the risks of recurrent stroke and new brain infarctions.

METHODS

In this multinational trial involving patients with a PFO who had had a cryptogenic stroke, we randomly assigned patients, in a 2:1 ratio, to undergo PFO closure plus antiplatelet therapy (PFO closure group) or to receive antiplatelet therapy alone (antiplatelet-only group). Imaging of the brain was performed at the baseline screening and at 24 months. The coprimary end points were freedom from clinical evidence of ischemic stroke (reported here as the percentage of patients who had a recurrence of stroke) through at least 24 months after randomization and the 24-month incidence of new brain infarction, which was a composite of clinical ischemic stroke or silent brain infarction detected on imaging.

RESULTS

We enrolled 664 patients (mean age, 45.2 years), of whom 81% had moderate or large interatrial shunts. During a median follow-up of 3.2 years, clinical ischemic stroke occurred in 6 of 441 patients (1.4%) in the PFO closure group and in 12 of 223 patients (5.4%) in the antiplatelet-only group (hazard ratio, 0.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09 to 0.62; P=0.002). The incidence of new brain infarctions was significantly lower in the PFO closure group than in the antiplatelet-only group (22 patients [5.7%] vs. 20 patients [11.3%]; relative risk, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.29 to 0.91; P=0.04), but the incidence of silent brain infarction did not differ significantly between the study groups (P=0.97). Serious adverse events occurred in 23.1% of the patients in the PFO closure group and in 27.8% of the patients in the antiplatelet-only group (P=0.22). Serious device-related adverse events occurred in 6 patients (1.4%) in the PFO closure group, and atrial fibrillation occurred in 29 patients (6.6%) after PFO closure.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with a PFO who had had a cryptogenic stroke, the risk of subsequent ischemic stroke was lower among those assigned to PFO closure combined with antiplatelet therapy than among those assigned to antiplatelet therapy alone; however, PFO closure was associated with higher rates of device complications and atrial fibrillation. (Funded by W.L. Gore and Associates; Gore REDUCE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00738894 .).

A score for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in acute ischemic stroke

Aim Many patients with ischemic stroke have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation that may be difficult to detect. We sought to identify markers of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and construct a score that may help the clinician to select patients for anticoagulation even if investigations do not disclose atrial fibrillation. Methods A group of patients with acute ischemic stroke and TIA and documented paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was compared to a group of patients with ischemic stroke and TIA and no known paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and sinus rhythm on Holter monitoring. Clinical features, blood tests, ECG, and MRI findings were compared. Sensitivity and specificity of significant markers for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were calculated. A simple score based on independent markers for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was constructed. Results Out of 3480 patients with TIA or ischemic stroke, 237 (19%) had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and 1002 (81%) had sinus rhythm. On univariate analyses, significant markers for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation included increasing age, females, prior ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, other heart diseases, pathologic troponin, embolic stroke and stroke in different arterial territories (all P < .01). A score including age dichotomized at 75 years, cardiac disease and troponin was constructed. Conclusion We identified many markers for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and constructed a score that may help the clinician to select patients for anticoagulation even if investigations do not disclose paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Less thrombolysis in posterior circulation infarction-a necessary evil?

OBJECTIVES

Patients with posterior circulation infarction (PCI) have more subtle symptoms than anterior circulation infarction (ACI) and could come too late for acute intervention. This study aimed to describe the clinical presentation, management, and outcome of PCI in the NORSTROKE registry.

METHODS

All patients with PCI admitted to the Department of Neurology at Haukeland University Hospital and registered in the NORSTROKE database 2006-2013 were included (n=686). Patients with ACI (n=1758) were used for comparison.

RESULTS

Patients with PCI were younger (68.2 vs 71.8, P<.001), had longer median time from symptom onset to admission (3.8 hours vs 2.2 hours, P<.001), and were less likely to arrive at hospital within 4.5 hours from symptom onset (56.2% vs 72.5%, P<.001, ictus known). Patients with PCI scored lower on baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) total score (3.2 vs 6.3, P<.001), and lower or equally on all items of NIHSS, except for ataxia in two limbs. Patients with PCI were less likely to receive i.v. thrombolytic treatment (9.9% vs 21.5%, OR 0.66, CI 0.47-0.94). On day 7, patients with PCI scored lower on NIHSS (2.8 vs 4.9, P<.001), modified Rankin Scale (2.0 vs 2.3, P<.001), and higher on Barthel Index (84.5 vs 76.0, P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study is, to our knowledge, the largest series reporting comprehensively on PCI verified by diffusion-weighted imaging. PCI patients are younger than ACI and have better outcome. PCI and ACI are equally investigated in the acute setting, but thrombolysis rates remain 50% lower in PCI.

Patent foramen ovale closure with GORE HELEX or CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder vs. antiplatelet therapy for reduction of recurrent stroke or new brain infarct in patients with prior cryptogenic stroke: Design of the randomized Gore REDUCE Clinical Study

Rationale The utility of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure for secondary prevention in patients with prior cryptogenic stroke is uncertain despite multiple randomized trials completed to date. Aims The Gore REDUCE Clinical Study (REDUCE) aims to establish superiority of patent foramen ovale closure in conjunction with antiplatelet therapy over antiplatelet therapy alone in reducing the risk of recurrent clinical ischemic stroke or new silent brain infarct in patients who have had a cryptogenic stroke. Methods and design This controlled, open-label trial randomized 664 subjects with cryptogenic stroke at 63 multinational sites in a 2:1 ratio to either antiplatelet therapy plus patent foramen ovale closure (with GORE® HELEX® Septal Occluder or GORE® CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder) or antiplatelet therapy alone. Subjects will be prospectively followed for up to five years. Neuroimaging is required for all subjects at baseline and at two years or study exit. Study outcomes The two co-primary endpoints for the study are freedom from recurrent clinical ischemic stroke through at least 24 months post-randomization and incidence of new brain infarct (defined as clinical ischemic stroke or silent brain infarct) through 24 months. The primary analyses are an unadjusted log-rank test and a binomial test of subject-based proportions, respectively, both on the intent-to-treat population, with adjustment for testing multiplicity. Discussion The REDUCE trial aims to target a patient population with truly cryptogenic strokes. Medical therapy is limited to antiplatelet agents in both arms thereby reducing confounding. The trial should determine whether patent foramen ovale closure with the Gore septal occluders is safe and more effective than medical therapy alone for the prevention of recurrent clinical ischemic stroke or new silent brain infarct; the neuroimaging data will provide an opportunity to further support the proof of concept. The main results are anticipated in 2017. Registration Clinical trial registration-URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00738894.