Increased Risk of Stroke Among Young Adults With Serious Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury, stroke, and epilepsy: A mediation study in a Danish nationwide cohort

OBJECTIVE

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke are well-known causes of acquired epilepsy. TBI is also a risk factor for stroke, and injury-induced stroke may indirectly convey a proportion of the epilepsy risk following TBI. We studied the extent to which the effect of TBI on epilepsy operated through intermediary stroke.

METHODS

We analyzed a nationwide, matched, register-based cohort of adults ≥ 40 years of age whose first TBI at Danish hospitals was recorded between 2004 and 2016. A matched reference population was sampled for comparison. During follow-up, we recorded all acute strokes. Cox proportional hazard models and the difference method were used to estimate the total and controlled direct effect hazard ratios (HRs) of TBI on epilepsy and the indirect effect HRs of TBI on epilepsy operating through stroke, and to calculate the proportion eliminated. Analyses were stratified by severity of, age at, and time since TBI.

RESULTS

We followed 57 900 persons with TBI (48.6% males) from median age 61 years (interquartile range = 51-75), and 561 977 age- and sex-matched references. The total effect of TBI on epilepsy was higher for persons aged 40-59 years (HR = 5.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.65-5.72) than for persons aged ≥ 60 years (HR = 4.55, 95% CI = 4.19-4.95). In contrast, the indirect effect of TBI mediated by stroke was lower for persons aged 40-59 years (HR = 1.02, 95% CI = 1.02-1.03) than for persons aged ≥ 60 years (HR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.04-1.06). We estimated 2.3% and 5.6% of the risk of epilepsy after TBI to operate through stroke for these age groups, respectively.

SIGNIFICANCE

Less than 6% of the risk of epilepsy following TBI operated through intermediary stroke. However, this mechanism seems to play an increasing role with age and for late onset epilepsies. This warrants further investigation.

Association Between Traumatic Brain Injury and Increased Risk of Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether exposure to traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with increased risk of stroke in adults compared with referents not exposed to TBI, and to understand whether an association exists throughout the spectrum of injury severity, whether it differs between the acute and chronic phases after TBI, and whether the association is greater with hemorrhagic compared with ischemic stroke after TBI.

SETTING

A database search was conducted on January 22, 2021. Searches were run in MEDLINE (1946 to present), Embase (1988 to present), Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews (various dates), Scopus (1970 to present), and Web of Science (1975 to present).

DESIGN

Observational studies that quantified the association of stroke after TBI compared with referents without TBI were included. Three coauthors independently reviewed titles and abstracts to determine study eligibility. Study characteristics were extracted independently by 2 coauthors who followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, and study quality was assessed independently by 2 coauthors who used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed.

MAIN MEASURES

The primary exposure was TBI of any severity, and the primary outcome was stroke of any kind. Subgroup analysis was performed to assess heterogeneity associated with severity of TBI, type of stroke, and time from TBI to stroke.

RESULTS

A total of 64 full-text articles were reviewed, and data were extracted from 8 cohort studies (N = 619 992 individuals exposed to TBI along with nonexposed referents). A significant overall association was found with TBI and stroke (hazard ratio, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.28-3.32). Significant subgroup differences were found with a smaller risk of ischemic stroke compared with stroke of all types (P < .001, I² = 93.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

TBI, regardless of injury severity, was associated with a higher risk of stroke. To improve secondary stroke prevention strategies, future studies should classify TBI severity and type of stroke more precisely and determine long-term risk.

MR Imaging for Acute Central Nervous System Pathologies and Presentations in Emergency Department

Although evaluation of suspected stroke is a major driver of MRI use in the emergency department (ED), the exquisite contrast resolution and flexibility provided by MRI are valuable in the workup of a broad variety of acute neurologic complaints. This article provides an overview, focused primarily on "non-stroke" neurologic emergencies encountered in ED brain MRI that emergency radiologists should be familiar with.

Long-Term Risk of Stroke after Traumatic Brain Injury: A Population-Based Medical Record Review Study

OBJECTIVE

To reliably inform secondary prevention strategies and reduce morbidity and mortality after traumatic brain injury (TBI), we sought to understand the long-term risk of stroke after TBI in patients aged 40 years and older in comparison to age- and sex-matched referents from a population-based cohort.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

TBI cases in Olmsted County, Minnesota from January 1, 1985, to December 31, 1999, were confirmed by manual review, classified by injury severity and mechanism, and nonhead trauma was quantified. Each TBI case was matched to 2 sex- and age-matched population-based referents without TBI and with similar severity nonhead trauma. Records of cases and referents were manually abstracted to confirm stroke diagnosis. Stroke events during initial hospitalization for TBI were excluded.

RESULTS

In total, 1,410 TBI cases were confirmed, 61% classified as possible TBI (least severe, consistent with concussive), with the most common mechanism being falls. There were 162 stroke events among those with TBI (11.5%) and 269 among referents (9.5%). Median time to stroke from the index date for those with TBI was 10.2 years (Q1-Q3 5.2-17.8), and for referents 12.1 years (Q1-Q3 6.2-17.3), p = 0.215. All-severity TBI was associated with increased risk of stroke (HR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06-1.63, p = 0.011), but only definite TBI (consistent with moderate-severe) was associated with significant risk (HR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.04-4.64, p = 0.038) when stratified by severity.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

By confirming TBI cases, stroke diagnoses, and injury severity classification using manual review with levels of accuracy not previously reported, these results indicate moderate-severe TBI increases long-term risk for stroke. These findings confirm the need to regularly assess long-term vascular risk after TBI to implement disease prevention strategies.

Timing theory continuous nursing, resistance training: Rehabilitation and mental health of caregivers and stroke patients with traumatic fractures

BACKGROUND

Stroke is the leading cause of adult lifelong disability worldwide. A stroke is an acute cerebrovascular disease with a variety of causes and corresponding clinical symptoms. Around 75% of surviving stroke patients experience impaired nerve function, and some suffer from traumatic fractures, which can lead to special care needs.

AIM

To determine the effect of timing theory continuous care, with resistance training, on the rehabilitation and mental health of caregivers and stroke patients with traumatic fractures.

METHODS

Between January 2017 to March 2021, we selected 100 hospital admissions with post-stroke hemiplegia complicated with a traumatic fracture. Two participant groups were created: (1) Control group: given resistance training; and (2) Observation group: given timing theory continuous care combined with resistance training. The degree of satisfaction and differences in bone and phosphorus metabolism indexes between the two groups were compared. The self-perceived burden scale (SPBS) and caregiver burden questionnaire were used to evaluate the psychological health of patients and caregivers. The Harris hip function score, ability of daily living (ADL) scale, and global quality of life questionnaire (GQOL-74) were used to evaluate hip function, ability of daily living, and quality of life.

RESULTS

Data were collected prior to and after intervention. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin, and vitamin D3 in the observation group and control group increased after intervention (P < 0.05), and carboxy-terminal peptide of type I collagen β Special sequence (β-CTX) decreased (P < 0.05). ALP and osteocalcin in the observation group were higher than in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in β-CTX and vitamin D3 between the two groups (P > 0.05). The SPBS score of the observation group was lower and the ADL score was higher than the control group. The burden score was lower and the Harris hip function and GQOL-74 scores were higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The observation group’s satisfaction rating was 94.00%, which was higher than the rating from the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Timing theory continuous nursing with resistance training can reduce hip dysfunction in stroke patients with a traumatic fracture and enhance quality of life and mental health of patients and caregivers.

Time Course of Hemostatic Disruptions After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Almost two-thirds of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) develop some form of hemostatic disturbance, which contributes to poor outcome. While the initial head injury often leads to impaired clot formation, TBI is also associated with an increased risk of thrombosis. Most likely there is a progression from early bleeding to a later prothrombotic state. In this paper, we systematically review the literature on the time course of hemostatic disruptions following TBI. A MEDLINE search was performed for TBI studies reporting the trajectory of hemostatic assays over time. The search yielded 5,049 articles, of which 4,910 were excluded following duplicate removal as well as title and abstract review. Full-text assessment of the remaining articles yielded 33 studies that were included in the final review. We found that the first hours after TBI are characterized by coagulation cascade dysfunction and hyperfibrinolysis, both of which likely contribute to lesion progression. This is then followed by platelet dysfunction and decreased platelet count, the clinical implication of which remains unclear. Later, a poorly defined prothrombotic state emerges, partly due to fibrinolysis shutdown and hyperactive platelets. In the clinical setting, early administration of the antifibrinolytic agent tranexamic acid has proved effective in reducing head-injury-related mortality in a subgroup of TBI patients. Further studies evaluating the time course of hemostatic disruptions after TBI are warranted in order to identify windows of opportunity for potential treatment options.

Blunt and Penetrating Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Severe traumatic brain injury is a common problem. Current practices focus on the importance of early resuscitation, transfer to high-volume centers, and provider expertise across multiple specialties. In the emergency department, patients should receive urgent intracranial imaging and consideration for tranexamic acid. Close observation in the intensive care unit environment helps identify problems, such as seizure, intracranial pressure crisis, and injury progression. In addition to traditional neurologic examination, patients benefit from use of intracranial monitors. Monitors gather physiologic data on intracranial and cerebral perfusion pressures to help guide therapy. Brain tissue oxygenation monitoring and cerebromicrodialysis show promise in studies.

Characterizing health care utilization following hospitalization for a traumatic brain injury: a retrospective cohort study

Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize health services utilization among individuals hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) 1-year post-injury.Methods: Using a retrospective cohort design, adult patients (n = 32, 042) hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury between 2005 and 2014 were selected from a statewide traumatic brain injury registry. Data on health services utilization for 1-year post-injury were extracted from electronic medical and administrative records. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to characterize the cohort and a subgroup of superutilizers of health services.Results: One year after traumatic brain injury, 56% of participants used emergency department services, 80% received inpatient services, and 93% utilized outpatient health services. Superutilizers had ≥3 emergency department visits, ≥3 inpatient admissions, or ≥26 outpatient visits 1-year post-injury. Twenty-six percent of participants were superutilizers of emergency department services, 30% of inpatient services, and 26% of outpatient services. Superutilizers contributed to 81% of emergency department visits, 70% of inpatient visits, and 60% of outpatient visits. Factors associated with being a superutilizer included sex, race, residence, and insurance type.Conclusions: Several patient characteristics and demographic factors influenced patients' healthcare utilization post-TBI. Findings provide opportunities for developing targeted interventions to improve patients' health and traumatic brain injury-related healthcare delivery.

Does Complement-Mediated Hemostatic Disturbance Occur in Traumatic Brain Injury? A Literature Review and Observational Study Protocol

Despite improvements in medical triage and tertiary care, traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Almost two-thirds of patients with severe TBI develop some form of hemostatic disturbance, which contributes to poor outcome. In addition, the complement system, which is abundant in the healthy brain, undergoes significant intra- and extracranial amplification following TBI. Previously considered to be structurally similar but separate systems, evidence of an interaction between the complement and coagulation systems in non-TBI cohorts has accumulated, with the activation of one system amplifying the activation of the other, independent of their established pathways. However, it is not known whether this interaction exists in TBI. In this review we summarize the available literature on complement activation following TBI, and the crosstalk between the complement and coagulation systems. We demonstrate how the complement system interacts with the coagulation cascade by activating the intrinsic coagulation pathway and by bypassing the initial cascade and directly producing thrombin as well. This crosstalk also effects platelets, where evidence points to a relationship with the complement system on multiple levels, with complement anaphylatoxins being able to induce disproportionate platelet activation and adhesion. The complement system also stimulates thrombosis by inhibiting fibrinolysis and stimulating endothelial cells to release prothrombotic microparticles. These interactions see clinical relevance in several disorders where a deficiency in complement regulation seems to result in a prothrombotic clinical presentation. Finally, based on these observations, we present the outline of an observational cohort study that is currently under preparation and aimed at assessing how complement influences coagulation in patients with isolated TBI.