Advanced Liver Fibrosis Predicts Unfavorable Long-Term Prognosis in First-Ever Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack

Association of AST/ALT ratio with 90-day outcomes in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic liver disease: a prospective multicenter cohort study in China

Background and aim

A high aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio is associated with liver injury in liver disease; however, no data exist regarding its relationship with 90-day prognosis in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic liver disease.

Methods

In this study, 3,758 participants (955 with advanced fibrosis and 2,803 with cirrhosis) from the CATCH-LIFE cohort in China were included. The relationships between different AST/ALT ratios and the risk of adverse 90-day outcomes (death or liver transplantation) were determined in patients with cirrhosis or hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated advanced fibrosis, respectively.

Results

In the patients with HBV-associated advanced fibrosis, the risk of 90-day adverse outcomes increased with AST/ALT ratio; after adjusting for all confounding factors, the risk of adverse 90-day outcomes was the highest when AST/ALT ratio was more than 1.08 (OR = 6.91 [95% CI = 1.789-26.721], p = 0.005), and the AST/ALT ratio of >1.9 accelerated the development of adverse outcomes. In patients with cirrhosis, an AST/ALT ratio > 1.38 increased the risk of adverse 90-day outcomes in all univariables (OR = 1.551 [95% CI = 1.216-1.983], p < 0.001) and multivariable-adjusted analyses (OR = 1.847 [95% CI = 1.361-2.514], p < 0.001), and an elevated AST/ALT ratio (<2.65) accelerated the incidence of 90-day adverse outcomes. An AST/ALT ratio of >1.38 corresponded with a more than 20% incidence of adverse outcomes in patients with cirrhosis.

Conclusion

The AST/ALT ratio is an independent risk factor for adverse 90-day outcomes in patients with cirrhosis and HBV-associated advanced fibrosis. The cutoff values of the AST/ALT ratio could help clinicians monitor the condition of patients when making clinical decisions.

Initial stroke severity and discharge outcome in patients with muscle mass deficit

This study aimed to investigate the association between muscle mass deficit and the initial severity of ischemic stroke. The impact of muscle mass deficit on the discharge outcome was also evaluated. This retrospective study included 660 patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent bioelectrical impedance analyses. We compared the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, occurrence of moderate stroke (NIHSSS ≥ 5) at admission, and unfavorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≥ 2) at discharge between patients with and without muscle mass deficit using Poisson and logistic regression analyses. The mean age of the study patients was 65.6 ± 13.0, and 63.3% were males. Muscle mass deficit was present in 24.4% of patients. Muscle mass deficit was significantly and independently associated with NIHSS score or moderate stroke (all p < 0.05). This association was noted regardless of patient characteristics. Among the respective NIHSS items, muscle mass deficit was significantly associated with facial palsy, motor function of the arm or leg, limb ataxia, and dysarthria. Muscle mass deficit also led to unfavorable functional outcome, which was mediated by the initial NIHSS score. In conclusion, muscle mass deficit is associated with higher NIHSS score and unfavorable functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Relationship Between Liver Fibrosis and Increased Risk of Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage in Ischemic Stroke Patients Undergoing Mechanical Thrombectomy

Background

Liver fibrosis has been reported to be associated with hematoma expansion and mortality in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. This study aimed to detect the association between liver fibrosis and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) in ischemic stroke after mechanical thrombectomy (MT).

Methods

We retrospectively included patients with large artery occlusion in the anterior circulation and treated with MT at a single stroke center. The fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) was used to assess the severity of liver fibrosis. sICH was diagnosed according to the Heidelberg Bleeding Classification criteria. Multivariate logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analysis were conducted to examine the relationship between liver fibrosis and sICH.

Results

Among the 578 patients (mean age, 70.1 years; 58.5% male) included in the study, 65 (11.2%) individuals were diagnosed with sICH. After adjusting for demographic characteristics and other potential confounders, a higher FIB-4 index was found to be independently associated with an increased risk of sICH (odds ratio: 1.306, 95% confidence interval: 1.127-1.512, P=0.001). Similar results were obtained when analyzing FIB-4 as a categorical variable.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that there is a significant association between FIB-4 and the risk of sICH in patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent MT. Therefore, liver fibrosis could serve as a valuable parameter in monitoring the risk of sICH following MT.

Association between liver fibrosis and stroke recurrence in young patients with ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Stroke incidence rates are rising among young adults. Liver fibrosis has recently been recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular events and stroke in the general population. It remains unclear whether liver fibrosis influences the prognosis of stroke. We aimed to evaluate the association between liver fibrosis and stroke recurrence in young stroke patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Young adults with first-ever ischemic stroke were enrolled from a prospective stroke registry and were followed up for stroke recurrence. Liver fibrosis was evaluated by Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score and was stratified into three categories. Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between liver fibrosis and stroke recurrence. Over a median follow-up of 3.1 (1.7-4.6) years, 72 (11.6%) recurrent strokes occurred among 621 patients. According to the FIB-4 score, 73 (11.7%) patients had indeterminate fibrosis, while 11 (1.8%) had advanced fibrosis. Univariate Cox analysis revealed that patients with a high FIB-4 score were more likely to experience stroke recurrence than those with a low FIB-4 score (hazard ratio 3.748, 95% confidence interval 1.359-10.332, P = 0.011). After adjusting for potential confounders in the multivariate analysis, FIB-4 score remained an independent risk factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Young stroke patients with advanced liver fibrosis were at a greater risk of stroke recurrence. Evaluating liver fibrosis may provide valuable information for stroke risk stratification, and the FIB-4 score could serve as a useful tool.

Management of Stroke in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease: A Practical Review

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a highly prevalent condition. There is burgeoning recognition that there are many people with subclinical liver disease that may nonetheless be clinically significant. CLD has a variety of systemic aberrations relevant to stroke, including thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, elevated liver enzymes, and altered drug metabolism. There is a growing body of literature on the intersection of CLD and stroke. Despite this, there have been few efforts to synthesize these data, and stroke guidelines provide scant guidance on this topic. To fill this gap, this multidisciplinary review provides a contemporary overview of CLD for the vascular neurologist while appraising data regarding the impact of CLD on stroke risk, mechanisms, and outcomes. Finally, the review addresses acute and chronic treatment considerations for patients with stroke-ischemic and hemorrhagic-and CLD.

The value of clinical routine blood biomarkers in predicting long-term mortality after stroke

Background:

Several blood biomarkers have been identified as predictors for poor outcome after ischemic stroke. However, recent studies mainly focused on single or experimental biomarkers and considered rather short follow-up intervals limiting their value for daily clinical practice. We, therefore, aimed to compare various clinical routine blood biomarkers for their predictive value on post-stroke mortality over a 5-year follow-up period.

Patients and methods:

This data analysis of a prospective single-center study included all consecutive ischemic stroke patients admitted to the stroke unit of our university hospital over a 1-year period. Various blood biomarkers of inflammation, heart failure, metabolic disorders, and coagulation were analyzed from standardized routine blood samples collected within 24 h of hospital admission. All patients underwent a thorough diagnostic workup and were followed for 5 years post-stroke.

Results:

Of 405 patients (mean age: 70.3 years), 72 deceased (17.8%) during the follow-up period. While various routine blood biomarkers were associated with post-stroke mortality in univariable analyses, only NT-proBNP remained an independent predictor (adjusted odds ratio 5.1; 95% CI 2.0–13.1; p < 0.001) for death after stroke. NT-proBNP levels ⩾794 pg/mL ( n = 169, 42%) had a sensitivity of 90% for post-stroke mortality with a negative predictive value of 97% and was additionally associated with cardioembolic stroke and heart failure (each p ⩽ 0.05).

Conclusion:

NT-proBNP represents the most relevant routine blood-based biomarker for the prediction of long-term mortality after ischemic stroke. Increased NT-proBNP levels indicate a vulnerable subgroup of stroke patients in which early and thorough cardiovascular assessment and consistent follow-ups could improve outcome after stroke.

The association between liver fibrosis and depression in patients after ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Liver fibrosis has been considered a predictor of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to evaluate whether the degree of liver fibrosis is related to post-stroke depression (PSD) at 3 months follow-up.

METHODS

We prospectively and continuously enrolled patients with first-ever ischemic stroke from June 2020 to January 2022. Liver fibrosis was measured after admission by calculating the Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) and stratified into two categories (< 2.67 versus ≥ 2.67). Patients with a 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale score > 7 were further evaluated using the Chinese version of the structured clinical interview of DSM-IV, for diagnosing PSD at 3 months.

RESULTS

A total of 326 patients (mean age 66.6 years, 51.5% male) were recruited for the study. As determined by the FIB-4 score, 80 (24.5%) patients had advanced liver fibrosis. During the follow-up, PSD was observed in 91 patients, which accounted for 27.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.5%-30.5%) of the cohort. The prevalence of advanced liver fibrosis was higher in PSD patients than those without PSD (40.0% versus 24.0%; P = 0.006). After adjustment for covariates in the multivariate logistic analysis, advanced fibrosis was significantly associated with PSD (odds ratio [OR], 1.88; 95% CI, 1.03-3.42; P = 0.040). Similar results were found when the FIB-4 was analyzed as a continuous variable.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that advanced liver fibrosis was associated with an increased risk of 3-month PSD. FIB-4 score may be valuable for screening depressive symptoms in ischemic stroke patients.

Risk of Liver Fibrosis Is Associated with More Severe Strokes, Increased Complications with Thrombolysis, and Mortality

The Fibrosis (FIB)-4 index is an established non-invasive test to detect liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis is postulated to be one of the predictors of the risk of symptomatic Intracranial Haemorrhage (SICH) after intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) therapy, the mainstay of treatment following acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, SICH is a feared complication of thrombolytic therapy. We aimed to evaluate the association of FIB-4 with outcomes of AIS after IV tPA. Consecutive AIS patients receiving IV tPA from 2006 to 2018 at a single stroke centre were studied in a retrospective cohort study. Multivariable adjusted logistic regression was performed to assess associations of FIB-4 with outcomes. The primary outcome was SICH, and secondary outcomes included functional independence (mRS of 0−2) and mortality measured at 90 days. Among 887 patients (median age: 67 (IQR: 57−77)), 342 had FIB-4 < 1.3 and 161 had FIB-4 > 2.67. A greater proportion of moderate to severe strokes (NIHSS ≥10) occurred in the FIB-4 > 2.67 group (n = 142, 88.8%) compared to the FIB-4 < 1.3 group (n = 208, 61.2%). Amongst the different stroke subtypes, median FIB-4 was highest in cardioembolic stroke (CES) compared to the 3 other non-CES stroke subtypes (1.90 (IQR: 1.41−2.69)). Following IV tPA, having FIB-4 > 2.67 was associated with an increased rate of SICH (adjusted OR: 4.09, 95% CI: 1.04−16.16, p = 0.045) and increased mortality (adjusted OR 3.05, 95% CI: 1.28−7.26, p = 0.012). Advanced liver fibrosis was associated with an increased rate of SICH and increased 90-day mortality after IV tPA. The FIB-4 score may be useful for prognostication after IV tPA.

Aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase ratio and clinical outcomes after acute ischemic stroke: the CNSR-III registry

Elevated aspartate aminotransferase-to-alanine aminotransferase ratio (AAR) has been associated with cardiovascular diseases and mortality. The clinical significance of AAR in the prognosis of stroke has yet to be established. We aimed to investigate the associations between AAR levels and clinical outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Patients with AIS or TIA in the Third China National Stroke Registry (CNSR-III) were divided into four groups by quartiles of AAR, and two groups according to AAR < 1 and AAR ≥ 1. Multivariable Cox regression for all-cause mortality and logistic regression for poor functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale, mRS 3-6/2-6) were adopted to explore the associations between AAR and clinical outcomes at 3 months and 1 year. Among 10,877 included patients, the median AAR was 1.06 (interquartile range [IQR], 0.82 to 1.36). In the multivariable-adjusted model, patients in the fourth AAR quartile had higher risk of all-cause mortality within 3 months and 1 year (hazard ratio [HR] 2.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25 to 3.47; HR 2.26, 95% CI 1.55 to 3.27), and mRS 3-6/2-6 at 1 year (odds ratio [OR] 1.29, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.55; OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.42), compared with those in the first quartile. Similar associations were also observed when AAR ≥ 1 compared with AAR < 1. Elevated AAR was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality and poor functional outcome after AIS or TIA, and should be carefully assessed after admission.

Hepatic Fibrosis Is a Risk Factor for Greater Severity and Worse Outcome of Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, particularly in the presence of hepatic fibrosis, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, including ischemic stroke. However, it is unclear whether hepatic fibrosis is associated with the severity and outcome of acute ischemic stroke. Aim: To evaluate the relationship between hepatic fibrosis and the severity at admission and in-hospital outcome of acute ischemic stroke. Patients and methods: We prospectively studied all patients who were admitted to our department with acute ischemic stroke between September 2010 and February 2018 (n = 1107; 42.1% males, age 79.8 ± 7.2 years). The severity of stroke was assessed at admission with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Severe stroke was defined as NIHSS ≥ 21. The presence of hepatic fibrosis was evaluated with the Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4). The outcome was assessed with dependency at discharge (modified Rankin Scale between 2 and 5) and with in-hospital mortality. Results: Patients with severe stroke had a higher FIB-4 index than patients with non-severe stroke (2.7 ± 1.7 and 2.3 ± 1.4, respectively; p < 0.05). Independent risk factors for severe IS were age (relative risk (RR) 1.064, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.030−1.100, p < 0.001), female sex (RR 1.723, 95% CI 1.100−2.698, p = 0.012), atrial fibrillation (RR 1.869, 95% CI 1.234−2.831, p = 0.002), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (RR 1.019, 95% CI 1.006−1.033, p = 0.001), and the FIB-4 index (RR 1.130, 95% CI 1.007−1.268, p = 0.022). At discharge, 64.2% of patients were dependent. The FIB-4 index did not differ between patients who were dependent and those who were independent at the time of discharge (2.3 ± 1.5 and 2.1 ± 1.2, respectively; p = 0.061). During hospitalization, 9.8% of patients died. Patients who died during hospitalization had a higher FIB-4 index than those who were discharged (2.9 ± 1.8 and 2.3 ± 1.4, respectively; p < 0.005). Independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality were DBP (RR 1.022, 95% CI 1.010−1.034, p < 0.001), serum glucose levels (RR 1.004, 95% CI 1.001−1.007, p = 0.007), serum triglyceride levels (RR 0.993, 95% CI 0.987−0.999, p = 0.023), NIHSS (RR 1.120, 95% CI 1.092−1.149, p < 0.001), and the FIB-4 index (RR 1.169, 95% CI 1.060−1.289, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Hepatic fibrosis, evaluated with the FIB-4 index, appears to be associated with more severe ischemic stroke and might also represent an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality in patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke.

Early depression screening and short-term functional outcome in hospitalized patients for acute ischemic stroke

Background

Patients with ischemic stroke are at high risk for post-stroke depression (PSD). There are limited data regarding the clinical impact of early PSD, assessed in hospitalized patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods

This hospital-based observational cohort study included consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack between July 2019 and June 2021. In the study hospital, all admitted patients were systematically screened for depression. The depression was screened using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and PHQ-9 positivity indicated early PSD, which was defined as a score of &gt;4. Logistic regression analyses were used to compare the rates of poor functional outcomes at 3 months in patients with and without PHQ-9 positivity.

Results

Among 1339 patients admitted during the study period, 775 were included, with a median age of 68.0 years, and 316 (40.8%) were women. A total of 111 (14.3%) patients were PHQ-9 positive. History of cancer and early neurological deterioration were independently associated with PHQ-9 positivity. Poor functional outcomes at 3 months were observed in 147 patients (18.8%). PHQ-9 positivity independently showed a 2.2-fold increased risk of poor functional outcome at 3 months (Odds ratio 2.23; 95% confidence interval 1.05–4.73, P = 0.037).

Conclusions

Patients with history of cancer and early neurological deterioration were at risk for early PSD. Early PSD was independently associated with poor functional outcomes at 3 months. The identification of early depression could offer opportunities for further questioning and exploration of symptoms, as well as interventions.

Liver Fibrosis-4 index indicates atrial fibrillation in acute ischemic stroke

Background

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and particularly liver fibrosis are related to cardiovascular disease and may indicate an increased risk for atrial fibrillation (AF), but this association has not yet been systematically investigated in a cohort of ischemic stroke patients.

Methods

We analyzed data from a prospective single‐center study enrolling all consecutive ischemic stroke patients admitted to our stroke unit over a 1‐year period. All patients received a thorough etiological workup. For evaluation of liver fibrosis, we determined the Fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) index, a well‐established noninvasive liver fibrosis test. Laboratory results were analyzed from a uniform blood sample taken at stroke unit admission.

Results

Of 414 included patients (mean age 70.2 years, 57.7% male), FIB‐4 indicated advanced liver fibrosis in 92 (22.2%). AF as the underlying stroke mechanism was present in 28.0% (large vessel disease: 25.6%, small vessel disease: 11.4%, cryptogenic: 29.2%). Patients with FIB‐4 ≥ 2.67 had higher rates of AF (53.3% vs. 20.8%, p < 0.001), and this association remained significant after correction for established AF risk factors (odds ratio 2.53, 95% confidence interval 1.44–4.46, p = 0.001). FIB‐4 was further associated with worse functional outcome 3 months (p < 0.001) and higher mortality 4 years post‐stroke (p < 0.02), but these relationships were no longer present after correction for age and initial stroke severity. Moreover, FIB‐4 was not associated with long‐term recurrent vascular events.

Conclusions

Liver fibrosis assessed by the FIB‐4 index is independently associated with AF in acute ischemic stroke patients. Further studies should evaluate whether adding the FIB‐4 index to AF risk scores increases their precision.

Impact of Sarcopenia on Functional Outcomes Among Patients With Mild Acute Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack: A Retrospective Study

Introduction

Sarcopenia, a age-related disease characterized by loss of muscle mass accompanied by loss of function, is associated with nutrition imbalance, physical inactivity, insulin resistance, inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and atherosclerosis which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. However, its association with outcomes after ischemic stroke has not been well-established. This study investigated whether functional outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke is associated with sarcopenia.

Methods

Data were collected from 568 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke with National Institute of Health Stroke Scale 0–5 or transient ischemic attack who underwent bioelectrical impedance analysis between March 2018 and March 2021. Sarcopenia was defined, as low muscle mass, as measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and low muscle strength, as indicated by the Medical Research Council score. Unfavorable functional outcome was defined as mRS score of 2–6 at 90 days after discharge. The relationship between functional outcomes and the presence of sarcopenia or its components was determined.

Results

Of the 568 patients included (mean age 65.5 ± 12.6 years, 64.6% male), sarcopenia was detected in 48 (8.5%). After adjusting for potential confounders, sarcopenia was independently and significantly associated with unfavorable functional outcome (odds ratio 2.37, 95% confidence interval 1.15–4.73 for unfavorable functional outcome, odds ratio 2.10, 95% confidence interval 1.18–3.71 for an increase in the mRS score). Each component of sarcopenia was also independently associated with unfavorable functional outcome (odds ratio 1.76, 95% confidence interval 1.05–2.95 with low muscle mass, odds ratio 2.64, 95% confidence interval 1.64–4.23 with low muscle strength). The impact of low muscle mass was larger in men than in women, and in patients with lower muscle mass of the lower extremities than in those with lower muscle mass of the upper extremities.

Conclusions

In this study, the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with stroke was lower than most of previous studies and patients with sarcopenia showed higher likelihood for unfavorable functional outcomes at 90 days after acute ischemic stroke or TIA. Further investigation of the interventions for treating sarcopenia and its impact on the outcome of ischemic stroke patients is needed.

Prevalence and Prognostic Importance of High Fibrosis-4 Index in COVID-19 Patients

INTRODUCTION

The fibrosis 4 (FIB-4) index was developed to predict advanced fibrosis in patients with liver disease. We aimed to evaluate the association of FIB-4 with risk factors for progression to critical illness in middle-aged patients hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

METHOD

We included patients aged 35-65 years who were hospitalized following a positive RT-PCR SARS-Cov-2 test in a tertiary hospital. All data were obtained from the medical records of the patients during the first admission to the hospital. The FIB-4 index was calculated according to the equation (age (years) x AST (IU/L)/platelet count (10⁹/L)/√ALT (IU/L)). The FIB-4 index was divided into three categories according to the score categorisation: <1.3 = low risk, 1.3-2.67 = moderate risk, and >2.67 = high risk.

RESULTS

A total of 619 confirmed COVID-19 patients (mean age = 52 yrs.) were included in this study; 37 (6.0%) were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), of which 44% were intubated and eight (1.3%) patients died during follow-up. The results of patients with high FIB-4 scores were compared with those with low FIB-4 scores. In patients with high FIB-4 scores, male gender, and advanced age, decreased neutrophil, lymphocyte, thrombocyte, and albumin counts, elevated AST, LDH, CK, ferritin, CRP, and D-dimer, and low GFR were the high-risk factors for critical illness. Additionally, the number of patients referred to ICU with high FIB-4 who died had higher scores than from those with low scores.

CONCLUSION

The FIB-4 index derived from baseline data obtained during hospitalisation can be used as a simple, inexpensive, and straightforward indicator to predict ICU requirement and/or death in middle-aged hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Liver Fibrosis is Associated with Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have reported the predictive value of liver fibrosis indices for hematoma enlargement in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, little is known about the precise association between fibrosis and ICH prognosis. Thus, our study was designed to investigate the relevance of liver fibrosis, as evaluated by fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score and poor outcomes after ICH.

METHODS

We used data from a prospective, multi-center and registry-based database. In this study, patients were stratified by the higher cut-off value of a FIB-4 score ≥2.67. The two groups of patients were then compared with regard to baseline characteristics, ICH severity and follow-up outcomes. We performed univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine the prognostic value of a FIB-4 score ≥2.67 for major disability or death. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to analyze the association between different FIB-4 scores and survival rate.

RESULTS

Our present study included 839 patients from 13 hospitals in Beijing. Participants with FIB-4 scores ≥2.67 had a larger baseline hematoma volume and a higher score on the modified Rankin Scale at follow-up (all p values <0.05). In the logistic regression analysis, liver fibrosis defined by a FIB-4 score ≥2.67 was independently associated with poor clinical outcomes at discharge and at 1 year (at discharge: adjusted odds ratio [95% CI] = 1.894 [1.120-3.202], p = 0.0172; at 1 year: adjusted odds ratio [95% CI] = 1.694 [1.021-2.809], p = 0.0412). However, this association was not observed at 3 months. During the follow-up period, patients with a FIB-4 score ≥2.67 also had a significantly lower survival rate according to Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that liver fibrosis defined by a FIB-4 score ≥2.67 is associated with poor clinical outcomes and lower survival rates in patients with mild to moderate ICH. These data provide reliable evidence for detecting fibrosis and managing related risk factors to improve prognosis after ICH.

Non-invasive markers of liver fibrosis and outcome in large vessel occlusion stroke

Background:

Liver fibrosis has been identified as an outcome predictor in cardiovascular disease and has been associated with hematoma expansion and mortality in patients with primary intracerebral hemorrhage. We aimed to explore whether clinically inapparent liver fibrosis is related to neurological outcome, mortality, and intracranial hemorrhage risk in ischemic stroke patients after mechanical thrombectomy.

Methods:

We included consecutive patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke treated at our center with mechanical thrombectomy between January 2011 and April 2019. Clinical data had been collected prospectively; laboratory data were extracted from our electronic hospital information system. We calculated the Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4), an established non-invasive liver fibrosis test. The main outcomes were postinterventional intracranial hemorrhage, unfavorable functional status (modified Rankin scale scores of 3–6), and mortality three months post-stroke.

Results:

In the 460 patients (mean age 69 years, 49.3% female) analyzed, FIB-4 indicated advanced liver fibrosis in 22.6%. Positive FIB-4 was associated with unfavorable neurological outcomes and mortality three months post-stroke, even after correction for co-factors [Odds Ratio (OR) 2.15 for unfavorable outcome in patients with positive FIB-4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21–3.83, p = 0.009, and 2.16 for mortality, 95% CI 1.16–4.03, p = 0.01]. However, FIB-4 was neither related to hemorrhagic transformation nor symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Moreover, atrial fibrillation was more frequent in patients with liver fibrosis (p < 0.001). Two further commonly-used liver fibrosis indices (Forns index and the Easy Liver Fibrosis Test) yielded comparable results regarding outcome and atrial fibrillation.

Conclusions:

Clinically inapparent liver fibrosis (based on simple clinical and laboratory parameters) represents an independent risk factor for unfavorable outcomes, including mortality, at three months after stroke thrombectomy. Elevated liver fibrosis indices warrant further hepatological work-up and thorough screening for atrial fibrillation in stroke patients.