Mortality after primary intracerebral hemorrhage in relation to post-stroke seizures

Risk factors of posthemorrhagic seizure in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage

Seizure is a relatively common neurological consequence after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH). This study aimed to investigate risk factors of early, late, and overall seizures in patients with SICH. Retrospective analysis was performed on all patients with SICH who completed two years of follow-up. The variables collected were obtained from demographic, clinical, radiographic and treatment data, in-hospital complications, and follow-up results. Univariate and multivariate analyzes were used to identify risk factors for post-hemorrhagic stroke seizure. Of 400 SICH patients recruited, 30 (7.5%) and 40 (10%) developed early and late seizures during the 2-year follow-up period, respectively. In the final result of the multivariate analysis, factors associated with the occurrence of the early seizure included lobar location of hematoma (p = 0.018), and GCS ≤ 12 on initial clinical presentation (p = 0.007). Factors associated with the occurrence of the late seizure included lobar location of hematoma (p = 0.001), volume of hematoma greater than 10 ml (p = 0.009), and midline shift on initial cranial CT (p = 0.036). Risk factors of the overall seizure after SICH included lobar location of hematoma (p < 0.001), volume of hematoma greater than 10 ml (p < 0.001), and craniotomy with evacuation of hematoma (p = 0.007). Furthermore, seizure was also associated with a poor functional outcome 2 years after the onset of SICH. Several factors associated with the appearance of post-ICH seizures were revealed. In patients with increased risk of post-SICH seizures, appropriate surveillance and management of seizures should be carried out.

Incidence of mortality and risk factors among adult stroke patients in public hospitals Jigjiga town Somali region, Ethiopia: Cohort study design

Background

A stroke is a sudden loss of blood supply to the brain, leading to permanent tissue damage caused by embolism, thrombosis, or hemorrhagic events. Almost 85% of strokes are ischemic strokes.

Objective

To assess the incidence of mortality and risk factors among adult stroke patients in public hospitals of Jigjiga town, Somali Region, Ethiopia.

Methods

An institution-based retrospective cohort study was conducted from 25 May to 15 June 2022 at Sheikh Hassen Yabare Referral Hospital and Karamara Hospital. Data were entered using Epi-Data version 4.3 and exported to be analyzed using SPSS 20 statistical software. Kaplan-Meier was used to estimate mean survival time, and a predictor with a p-value < 0.05 was considered to have a significant in multivariate Cox regression.

Results

About 480 stroke patients' charts were included in this study; among those, 229 (53.3%) were male stroke patients, and 259 (60.2%) had an ischemic stroke. The overall incidence rate was 7.15 deaths per 1000 person-day observations. The overall median survival time for adult stroke patients was 120 days. GCS level b/n 3-8 has a lower survival time with a mean survival time of 57 days (95% CI: 48.8-66.7) as compared to those who had GCS level 9-12 with a mean survival time of 103 days (95% CI: 93.4-112.9). Age ⩾ 71 (AHR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.02-3.45), presence of pneumonia (AHR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.52-4.63), and history of hypertension (AHR = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.08-3.89) were the predictors of mortality among stroke patients.

Conclusion

According to the findings of this study, the incidence of mortality was high, at 7.15 per 1000 person-years. The presence of pneumonia, decreased GCS, age ⩾ 7, and history of hypertension were predictors of mortality in adult stroke patients.

Long-Term Outcomes in Patients With Spontaneous Cerebellar Hemorrhage: An International Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in the cerebellum has a poor short-term prognosis, whereas data on the long-term case fatality and recurrent vascular events are sparse. Herewith, we aimed to assess the long-term case fatality and recurrence rate of vascular events after a first cerebellar ICH.

METHODS

In this international cohort study, we included patients from 10 hospitals (the United States and Europe from 1997 to 2017) aged ≥18 years with a first spontaneous cerebellar ICH who were discharged alive. Data on long-term case fatality and recurrence of vascular events (recurrent ICH [supratentoria or infratentorial], ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, or major vascular surgery) were collected for survival analysis and absolute event rate calculation.

RESULTS

We included 405 patients with cerebellar ICH (mean age [SD], 72 [13] years, 49% female). The median survival time was 67 months (interquartile range, 23-100 months), with a cumulative survival rate of 34% at 10-year follow-up (median follow-up time per center ranged: 15-80 months). In the 347 patients with data on vascular events 92 events occurred in 78 patients, after initial cerebellar ICH: 31 (8.9%) patients had a recurrent ICH (absolute event rate, 1.8 per 100 patient-years [95% CI, 1.2-2.6]), 39 (11%) had an ischemic stroke (absolute event rate, 2.3 [95% CI, 1.6-3.2]), 13 (3.7%) had a myocardial infarction (absolute event rate, 0.8 [95% CI, 0.4-1.3]), and 5 (1.4%) underwent major vascular surgery (absolute event rate, 0.3 [95% CI, 0.1-0.7]). The median time to a first vascular event during follow-up was 27 months (interquartile range, 8.7-50 months), with a cumulative hazard of 47% at 10 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term prognosis of patients who survive a first spontaneous cerebellar ICH is poor and comparable to that of patients who survive a first supratentorial ICH. Further identification of patients at high risk of vascular events following the initial cerebellar ICH is needed. Including patients with cerebellar ICH in randomized controlled trials on secondary prevention of patients with ICH is warranted.

Predictors of unprovoked seizures in intracerebral hemorrhages

BACKGROUND

Seizures are a common complication of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We aimed to identify predictors of unprovoked seizures (US) after ICH in a Chinese cohort.

METHODS

We retrospectively included patients with ICH admitted in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University between November 2018 and December 2020. Incidence and risk factors of US were identified with univariate and then multiple Cox regression analysis. We used χ2 test to compare incidence of US between groups with or without prophylactic anti-seizure medications (ASM) in patients with craniotomy.

RESULTS

A total of 488 patients were included in the cohort, 58 (11.9%) patients developed US within 3 years after ICH. Analysis on the 362 patients without prophylactic ASM showed that craniotomy (HR 8.35, 95% CI 3.80-18.31) and acute symptomatic seizures (ASS) (HR 13.76, 95% CI 3.56-53.17) are independent predictors of US. No significant effect of prophylactic ASM use was found on incidence of US in ICH patients with craniotomy (P = 0.369).

CONCLUSIONS

Craniotomy and acute symptomatic seizures were independent predictors for unprovoked seizures after ICH, suggesting that more attention should be paid for such patients during follow-up. Whether prophylactic ASM treatment benefits ICH patients underwent craniotomy remains uncertain.

Outcomes in Patients With Poststroke Seizures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Importance

Published data about the impact of poststroke seizures (PSSs) on the outcomes of patients with stroke are inconsistent and have not been systematically evaluated, to the authors' knowledge.

Objective

To investigate outcomes in people with PSS compared with people without PSS.

Data Sources

MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, Cochrane, LILACS, LIPECS, and Web of Science, with years searched from 1951 to January 30, 2023.

Study Selection

Observational studies that reported PSS outcomes.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist was used for abstracting data, and the Joanna Briggs Institute tool was used for risk-of-bias assessment. Data were reported as odds ratio (OR) and standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% CI using a random-effects meta-analysis. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and the Egger test. Outlier and meta-regression analyses were performed to explore the source of heterogeneity. Data were analyzed from November 2022 to January 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Measured outcomes were mortality, poor functional outcome (modified Rankin scale [mRS] score 3-6), disability (mean mRS score), recurrent stroke, and dementia at patient follow-up.

Results

The search yielded 71 eligible articles, including 20 110 patients with PSS and 1 166 085 patients without PSS. Of the participants with PSS, 1967 (9.8%) had early seizures, and 10 605 (52.7%) had late seizures. The risk of bias was high in 5 studies (7.0%), moderate in 35 (49.3%), and low in 31 (43.7%). PSSs were associated with mortality risk (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.8-2.4), poor functional outcome (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.8-2.8), greater disability (SMD, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4-0.7), and increased dementia risk (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.3-7.7) compared with patients without PSS. In subgroup analyses, early seizures but not late seizures were associated with mortality (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.9-2.9 vs OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.8-2.0) and both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke subtypes were associated with mortality (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.8-2.7 vs OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.0-1.8). In addition, early and late seizures (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.6-3.4 vs OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.8-4.1) and stroke subtypes were associated with poor outcomes (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.9-3.7 vs OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0-3.6).

Conclusions and Relevance

Results of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that PSSs were associated with significantly increased mortality and severe disability in patients with history of stroke. Unraveling these associations is a high clinical and research priority. Trials of interventions to prevent seizures may be warranted.

In-hospital mortality and its predictors among adult stroke patients admitted in Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Introduction

Stroke is the second-leading global cause of death next to ischemic heart disease. The burden of stroke mortality, morbidity, and disability is increasing across the world. In Ethiopia, evidence on the survival status of adult stroke patients is insufficient. The purpose of this study is to estimate in-hospital mortality and its predictors among adult stroke patients.

Methods

Institution-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted on adult stroke patients who were admitted to Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from 1 November 2015 to 31 October 2020. Through simple random sampling, 382 patient charts were selected from 1125 stroke patients for 5 years follow-up period. Data were entered using EpiData™ version 4.1 and exported to Stata/SE™ version 14 for cleaning, coding, categorizing, and analysis. Predictor variables were selected using 95% confidence interval with a corresponding adjusted hazard ratio.

Results

In this study, 219 (57.33%) males and the mean (standard deviation) age of 57.65 ± 14.3 years. The in-hospital mortality rate of stroke was 12.8%; the median (interquartile range) time to mortality and Glasgow Coma Scale were 7 (4-13) days and 14 (11-15), respectively. The incidence of in-hospital mortality was 29/1000, 11/1000, 8/1000, and 13.6/1000 person-days in the first, second, third, and end of follow-up weeks, respectively. Pneumonia (adjusted hazard ratio = 3.51 (95% confidence interval = 1.86, 6.61)), hemorrhagic stroke (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.03 (95% confidence interval = 1.03, 3.99)), moderate impairment Glasgow Coma Scale (9-12) (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.16 (95% confidence interval = 1.08, 4.29)), severe impairment Glasgow Coma Scale (3-8) (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.38 (95% confidence interval = 1.01, 5.67)), history of hypertension (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.01 (95% confidence interval = 1.08, 3.74)), and increased intracranial pressure (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.12 (95% confidence interval = 1.10, 4.07)) were statistically significant predictors for in-hospital mortality.

Conclusion

In-hospital mortality of stroke was relatively high, and the median time to mortality was 8 days. Pneumonia, hemorrhagic stroke, Glasgow Coma Scale, history of hypertension, and increased intracranial pressure were identified predictors.

Post-stroke epilepsy and risk of all-cause mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

OBJECTIVE

Post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) has been suggested as a predictor of poor prognosis. We aimed to evaluate the association between PSE and all-cause mortality via a meta-analysis.

METHODS

Relevant cohort studies were identified by search of electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Two authors independently performed database search, data collection, and study quality evaluation. A randomized-effect model incorporating the possible between-study heterogeneity was used to pool the results.

RESULTS

Overall, ten cohort studies including 177,929 patients with stroke contributed to the meta-analysis. Of them, 15,836 (8.9%) had PSE during a mean follow-up of 4 years. Compared to stroke survivors without PSE, patients with PSE had a significantly increased risk of all-cause death (odds ratio [OR]: 1.68, 95% confidence interval: 1.51-1.87, p < 0.001; I² = 80%). Subgroup analyses showed consistent association in patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, in prospective and retrospective studies, in PSE diagnosed as unprovoked seizure occurred more than 7 days and 14 days after stroke, in studies with follow-up durations within or over 5 years, and in studies with different quality scores (p for subgroup effect all < 0.05). The Galbraith plot identified three outlier studies which may contribute to the heterogeneity of the meta-analysis, and all of the three studies were database-linked studies. The between-study heterogeneity was significantly reduced after removing the three database-linked studies (OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.18-1.62, p < 0.001; I² = 0%).

CONCLUSION

PSE was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality.

Relationship Between Mortality and Seizures After Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

The relationship between mortality and seizures after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has not yet been understood until now. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the effect of post-ICH seizures on mortality among patients with ICH.

Methods

PubMed and Embase were searched from the establishment of the databases to December 2021 to identify literature that evaluated the relationship between post-ICH seizures and mortality in ICH. Crude odds ratios and adjusted odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were pooled using a random-effects model.

Results

Thirteen studies involving 245,908 participants were eventually included for analysis. The pooled estimate suggested that post-ICH seizures were not associated with significantly increased mortality in patients with ICH (crude odds ratios 1.35, 95% CI: 0.91–2; adjusted adds ratios 1.22, 95% CI: 0.78–1.88). However, the relationship was not consistent in subgroup analysis or robust in a sensitivity analysis.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis proved that post-ICH seizures were not associated with significantly increased mortality in patients with ICH. However, this result could be influenced by confounding factors, so more high-quality research is needed.

Risk factors that predict delayed seizure detection on continuous electroencephalogram (cEEG) in a large sample size of critically ill patients

OBJECTIVE

Majority of seizures are detected within 24 hours on continuous EEG (cEEG). Some patients have delayed seizure detection after 24 hours. The purpose of this research was to identify risk factors that predict delayed seizure detection and to determine optimal cEEG duration for various patient subpopulations.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified all patients ≥18 years of age who underwent cEEG at Cleveland clinic during calendar year 2016. Clinical and EEG data for all patients and time to seizure detection for seizure patients were collected.

RESULTS

Twenty-four hundred and two patients met inclusion criteria. Of these, 316 (13.2%) had subclinical seizures. Sixty-five (20.6%) patients had delayed seizures detection after 24 hours. Seizure detection increased linearly till 36 hours of monitoring, and odds of seizure detection increased by 46% for every additional day of monitoring. Delayed seizure risk factors included stupor (13.2% after 48 hours, P = .031), lethargy (25.9%, P = .013), lateralized (LPDs) (27.7%, P = .029) or generalized periodic discharges (GPDs) (33.3%, P = .022), acute brain insults (25.5%, P = .036), brain bleeds (32.8%, P = .014), especially multiple concomitant bleeds (61.1%, P < .001), altered mental status (34.7%, P = .001) as primary cEEG indication, and use of antiseizure medications (27.8%, P < .001) at cEEG initiation.

SIGNIFICANCE

Given the linear seizure detection trend, 36 hours of standard monitoring appears more optimal than 24 hours especially for high-risk patients. For awake patients without epileptiform discharges, <24 hours of monitoring appears sufficient. Previous studies have shown that coma and LPDs predict delayed seizure detection. We found that stupor and lethargy were also associated with delayed seizure detection. LPDs and GPDs were associated with delayed seizures. Other delayed seizure risk factors included acute brain insults, brain bleeds especially multiple concomitant bleeds, altered mental status as primary cEEG indication, and use of ASMs at cEEG initiation. Longer cEEG (≥48 hours) is suggested for these high-risk patients.

Impact of drug treatment and drug interactions in post-stroke epilepsy

Stroke is a huge burden on our society and this is expected to grow in the future due to the aging population and the associated co-morbidities. The improvement of acute stroke care has increased the survival rate of stroke patients, and many patients are left with permanent disability, which makes stroke the main cause of adult disability. Unfortunately, many patients face other severe complications such as post-stroke seizures and epilepsy. Acute seizures (ASS) occur within 1 week after the stroke while later occurring unprovoked seizures are diagnosed as post-stroke epilepsy (PSE). Both are associated with a poor prognosis of a functional recovery. The underlying neurobiological mechanisms are complex and poorly understood. There are no universal guidelines on the management of PSE. There is increasing evidence for several risk factors for ASS/PSE, however, the impacts of recanalization, drugs used for secondary prevention of stroke, treatment of stroke co-morbidities and antiseizure medication are currently poorly understood. This review focuses on the common medications that stroke patients are prescribed and potential drug interactions possibly complicating the management of ASS/PSE.

Risk of Post-stroke Epilepsy Following Stroke-Associated Acute Symptomatic Seizures

Objective: Post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Stroke-associated acute symptomatic seizures are an important risk factor: 20.8–34.3% of these patients will go on to develop PSE. Identifying these “high risk” individuals may result in earlier PSE diagnosis, treatment, and avoidance of seizure-related morbidity. This study was to identify predictors of PSE development in patients with stroke-associated acute symptomatic seizures.

Participants and Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 167 patients with stroke-associated acute symptomatic seizures admitted to the Neurology Department of a tertiary Hospital of China, from 1 May 2006 to 30 January 2020. Both those with primary ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage were included in the study. Patient demographics, medical history, stroke-associated, and seizure-related variables were evaluated with univariable analysis and multivariable Cox regression analysis. PSE was defined as unprovoked seizures occurring > 7 days post-stroke. Data points were extracted from medical records and supplemented by tele-interview.

Results: Of the 167 patients with stroke-associated acute symptomatic seizures, 49 (29.3%) developed PSE. NIHSS score > 14 [hazard ratio (HR) 2.98, 95% CI 1.57–5.67], longer interval from stroke to acute symptomatic seizures (days 4–7 post-stroke) (HR 2.51, 95% CI 1.37–4.59) and multiple acute symptomatic seizures (HR 5.08, 95% CI 2.58–9.99) were independently associated with PSE development. This association remained in the sub-analysis within the ischemic stroke cohort. In the sub-analysis of the hemorrhagic stroke cohort, multilobar involvement (HR 4.80, 95% CI 1.49–15.39) was also independently associated with development of PSE. Further, we developed a nomogram to predict individual risk of developing PSE following stroke-associated acute symptomatic seizures. The nomogram showed a C-index of 0.73.

Conclusion: More severe neurofunctional deficits (NIHSS score > 14), longer interval from stroke to acute symptomatic seizures (days 4–7 post-stroke), and multiple acute symptomatic seizures were independently associated with development of PSE in patients with stroke-associated acute symptomatic seizures. This knowledge may increase clinical vigilance for development of PSE, facilitating rapid diagnosis and treatment initiation, and subsequently reduce seizure-related morbidity.

Long-Term Survival, Causes of Death, and Trends in 5-Year Mortality After Intracerebral Hemorrhage: The Tromsø Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Data on long-term survival after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are scarce. In a population-based nested case-control study, we compared long-term survival and causes of death within 5 years in 30-day survivors of first-ever ICH and controls, assessed the impact of cardiovascular risk factors on 5-year mortality, and analyzed time trend in 5-year mortality in ICH patients over 2 decades.

METHODS

We included 219 participants from the population-based Tromsø Study, who after the baseline participation had a first-ever ICH between 1994 to 2013 and 1095 age- and sex-matched participants without ICH. Cumulative survival was presented using the Kaplan-Meier method. Hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality and for the association between cardiovascular risk factors and 5-year mortality in 30-day survivors were estimated by stratified Cox proportional hazards models. Trend in 5-year mortality was assessed by logistic regression.

RESULTS

Risk of death during follow-up (median time, 4.8 years) was increased in the ICH group compared with controls (HR, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.27-2.06]). Cardiovascular disease was the leading cause of death, with a higher proportion in ICH patients (22.9% versus 9.0%; P<0.001). Smoking increased the risk of 5-year mortality in cases and controls (HR, 1.59 [95% CI, 1.15-2.19]), whereas serum cholesterol was associated with 5-year mortality in cases only (HR, 1.39 [95% CI, 1.04-1.86]). Use of anticoagulants at ICH onset increased the risk of death (HR, 2.09 [95% CI, 1.09-4.00]). There was no difference according to ICH location (HR, 1.15 [95% CI, 0.56-2.37]). Five-year mortality did not change during the study period (odds ratio per calendar year, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.93-1.09]).

CONCLUSIONS

Survival rates were significantly lower in cases than in controls, driven by a 2-fold increased risk of cardiovascular death. Smoking, serum cholesterol, and use of anticoagulant drugs were associated with increased risk of death in ICH patients. Five-year mortality rates in ICH patients remained stable over time.

Gender differences in long-term mortality after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in southern Portugal

Introduction:

the prognosis of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) remains poor. Understanding gender differences can clarify the clinico-epidemiological and process of care related factors that influence SICH prognosis. We analyzed the long-term gender differences of mortality after SICH in Algarve, southern Portugal.

Patients and Methods:

analysis of consecutive community representative of SICH survivors (2009–2015). Logistic regression analysis and Kaplan–Meier method was used to assess gender differences on 1-year mortality and survival. We further analyzed if differences exist between 4 age and gender based subgroups (women <75 years, women ≥75 years, men <75 years, men ≥75 years).

Results:

a total of 285 survivors were analyzed; majority men (66.3%). Women were 2 years older on average. Overall case fatality was 11.6% [CI: 8.3–15.8]. A non-statistically significant (P = .094) higher case-fatality rate was observed in women; men were more frequently admitted to stroke unit; women had more often poor functional outcome or modified Rankin scale (mRS) ≥3. Predictors of death were: being women with ≥ 75 years, in-hospital pneumonia and hospital discharge mRS ≥3. The likelihood of death was higher in women ≥75 years (OR = 2.91 [1.23–8.1], P = .035) in comparison to women <75 years and men ≥75 years. Women <75 years had the longest survivor time, whereas women ≥75 years the shortest survivor time (P < .001).

Conclusion:

gender and age interact to influence long-term mortality after SICH. Women ≥75 years are at increased risk of death and have reduced survival after SICH in southern Portugal. Further studies are needed to clarify the biological or social factors contributing for the poor prognosis in the very old women in the region.

New-onset seizures after cranioplasty-a different view on a putatively frequently observed phenomenon

Background

New-onset seizures after cranioplasty (NOSAC) are reported to be a frequent complication of cranioplasty (CP) after decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC). There are considerable differences in the incidence of NOSAC and contradictory data about presumed risk factors in the literature. We suggest NOSAC to be a consequence of patients’ initial condition which led to DHC, rather than a complication of subsequent CP. We conducted a retrospective analysis to verify our hypothesis.

Methods

The medical records of all patients ≥ 18 years who underwent CP between 2002 and 2017 at our institution were evaluated including incidence of seizures, time of seizure onset, and presumed risk factors. Indication for DHC, type of implant used, timing of CP, patient age, presence of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP shunt), and postoperative complications were compared between patients with and without NOSAC.

Results

A total of 302 patients underwent CP between 2002 and 2017, 276 of whom were included in the outcome analysis and the incidence of NOSAC was 23.2%. Although time between DHC and CP differed significantly between DHC indication groups, time between DHC and seizure onset did not differ, suggesting the occurrence of seizures to be independent of the procedure of CP. Time of follow-up was the only factor associated with the occurrence of NOSAC.

Conclusion

New-onset seizures may be a consequence of the initial condition leading to DHC rather than of CP itself. Time of follow-up seems to play a major role in detection of new-onset seizures.

Increased mortality after post-stroke epilepsy following primary intracerebral hemorrhage

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine whether post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) predicts mortality, and to describe the most prominent causes of death (COD) in a long-term follow-up after primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

METHODS

We followed 3-month survivors of a population-based cohort of primary ICH patients in Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland, for a median of 8.8 years. Mortality and CODs were compared between those who developed PSE and those who did not. PSE was defined according to the ILAE guidelines. CODs were extracted from death certificates (Statistics Finland).

RESULTS

Of 961 patients, 611 survived for 3 months. 409 (66.9%) had died by the end of the follow-up. Pneumonia was the only COD that was significantly more common among the patients with PSE (56% vs. 37% of deaths). In the multivariable models, PSE (hazard ratio [HR] 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.87), age (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.06-1.08), male sex (HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.09-1.67), dependency at 3 months (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.24-1.88), non-subcortical ICH location (subcortical location HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.61-0.99), diabetes (HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.07-1.90) and cancer (HR 1.45, 95% CI 1.06-1.98) predicted death in the long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSION

PSE independently predicted higher late morality of ICH in our cohort. Pneumonia-related deaths were more common among the patients with PSE.

Long-term mortality in survivors of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage

Background

Factors associated with long-term mortality after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) have been poorly investigated.

Aim

Our objective was to identify variables associated with long-term mortality in a prospective cohort of 30-day ICH survivors.

Methods

We prospectively included consecutive 30-day spontaneous ICH survivors. We evaluated baseline and follow-up clinical characteristics and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers of chronic brain injury as variables associated with long-term mortality using univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models.

Results

Of 560 patients with spontaneous ICH, 304 (54.2%) survived more than 30 days and consented for follow-up. During a median follow-up of 10 years (interquartile range: 8.0–10.5), 176 patients died. The cumulative survival rate at 10 years was 38%. In multivariable analysis, variables independently associated with long-term mortality were age (hazard ratio (HR) per 10-year increase: 1.68, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.45–1.95), male gender (HR: 1.41, CI: 1.02–1.95), prestroke dependency (HR: 1.66, CI: 1.15–2.39), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (HR per 1-point increase: 1.03, CI: 1.01–1.04), occurrence of any stroke (HR: 2.24, CI: 1.39–3.60), and dementia (HR: 1.51, CI: 1.06–2.16) during follow-up. Among MRI markers, only cerebral atrophy (HR per 1-point increase: 1.50, CI: 1.13–2.00) was independently associated with long-term mortality.

Conclusions

Preexisting comorbidities, clinical severity at presentation, and significant clinical event during follow-up are associated with long-term mortality. Among MRI markers of chronic brain injury, only cerebral atrophy is associated with long-term mortality.

MicroRNA Regulatory Network as Biomarkers of Late Seizure in Patients with Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Approximately 15% of patients experience seizures after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The pathogenesis of seizures post-ICH is not well-known; however, iron deposition-related neuronal injury following hemoglobin breakdown may contribute. Profiling known miRNAs to identify biomarkers for post-ICH late seizures, we found 64 differentially expressed miRNA: 32 upregulated and 32 downregulated in seizure vs. non-seizure. Functional classification of upregulated miRNA for KEGG pathways and biological processes identified enrichment for cell cycle, protein modifications, and FoxO neurotrophin signaling pathways. No significant enrichment was found for downregulated miRNA. Molecular functions Gene Ontology (GO) terms enriched for upregulated miRNA are numerous, while downregulated miRNAs were associated with ion channel activity. RT-PCR confirmed two miRNAs, 4317 and 4325, were differentially expressed in patients who developed seizures at 1 year. MiR-4317 regulates SLC38A1, a glutamine-glutamate transporter. Integrated miRNA-mRNA network analysis identified COMMD6, APOBEC2, and RASSF6-involved in NF-kB regulation. Two miRNAs (miR-4317 and 4325) differentiated post-ICH late seizures vs. non-seizures at 1 year. The results suggest functional and miRNA-mRNA networks as potential biomarkers for post-ICH late seizures.

Seizures Do Not Affect Disability and Mortality Outcomes of Stroke: A Population-Based Study

Although seizures are frequently seen after cerebrovascular accidents, their effects on long-term outcome in stroke patients are still unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between post-stroke seizures and the risk of long-term disability and mortality in stroke patients. This study is part of a larger population-based study. All patients were prospectively followed up by a face-to-face interview or a structured telephone interview. We enrolled 635 patients with first-ever stroke and without a history of seizures. Prevalence of ischemic stroke (IS) was 85.2%, while the remaining 14.8% of patients were affected by intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). During the study period, 51 subjects (8%) developed post-stroke seizures. Patients with post-stroke seizures were younger, had a higher prevalence of ICH, had a more severe stroke at admission, were more likely to have an IS involving the total anterior circulation, and were more likely to have a lobar ICH than patients without seizures. Moreover, subjects with seizures had more frequently hemorrhagic transformation after IS and cortical strokes. At 24 months, the risk of disability in patients with seizures was almost twice than in those without seizures. However, the negative effect of seizures disappeared in multivariate analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival curves at 12 years were not significantly different between patients with and without post-stroke seizures. Using the Cox multivariate analysis, age, NIHSS at admission, and pre-stroke mRS were independently associated with all-cause long-term mortality. In our sample, seizures did not impair long-term outcome in patients affected by cerebrovascular accidents. The not significant, slight difference in favor of a better survival for patients with seizures may be attributed to the slight age difference between the two groups.

Impact of antiepileptic drugs for seizure prophylaxis on short and long-term functional outcomes in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage: A meta-analysis and systematic review

PURPOSE

The purpose of this analysis is to assess the effect of antiepileptics (AEDs) on seizure prevention and short and long term functional outcomes in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

METHOD

The meta-analysis was conducted using the PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was performed of the PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases. Search terms included "Anticonvulsants", "Intracerebral Hemorrhage", and related subject headings. Articles were screened and included if they were full-text and in English. Articles that did not perform multivariate regression were not included. Overall effect size was evaluated with forest plots and publication bias was assessed with the Begg's and Egger's tests.

RESULTS

A total of 3912 articles were identified during the initial review. After screening, 54 articles remained for full review and 6 articles were included in the final analysis. No significant association between the use of AEDs after ICH and functional outcome (OR 1.53 [95%CI: 0.81-2.88] P = 0.18, I² = 81.7%). Only one study evaluated the effect AEDs had in preventing post-ICH seizures.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of prophylactic AEDs was not associated with improved short and long outcomes after acute ICH. This analysis supports the 2015 AHA/ASA recommendation against prophylactic AEDs (class III; level of evidence b).