Community-based thrombolytic therapy of acute ischemic stroke in Helsinki

Controversies in cerebrovascular disease: high or low doses of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator to treat acute stroke? A literature review

INTRODUCTION

The use of low doses of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) was initially proposed in Asian countries in response to racial peculiarities related to the functionality of fibrinogen and coagulation factors that potentially increased the risk of intracerebral haemorrhage, and with a view to saving costs. In view of the controversy over the use of rt-PA below the standard dose, we conducted a literature review of studies promoting the use of low doses or comparing different doses of rt-PA.

DEVELOPMENT

We reviewed 198 abstracts related to the search terms and the full texts of 52 studies published in the last 30 years. We finally included 13 randomised clinical trials aiming to determine the efficacy and safety of the use of rt-PA at different doses in acute stroke, 14 observational cohort studies, 5 meta-analyses, and 3 systematic reviews.

CONCLUSIONS

There is insufficient evidence to classify low doses of rt-PA as superior or at least not inferior to the standard treatment in the management of acute stroke in western populations. More clinical trials are required to determine whether the use of low doses is beneficial in patients with relative contraindications for thrombolytic therapy or other particular circumstances that may increase the risk of intracerebral haemorrhage.

Controversies in cerebrovascular disease: High or low doses of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator to treat acute stroke? A literature review

INTRODUCTION

The use of low doses of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) was initially proposed in Asian countries in response to racial peculiarities related to the functionality of fibrinogen and coagulation factors that potentially increased the risk of intracerebral haemorrhage, and with a view to saving costs. In view of the controversy over the use of rt-PA below the standard dose, we conducted a literature review of studies promoting the use of low doses or comparing different doses of rt-PA.

DEVELOPMENT

We reviewed 198 abstracts related to the search terms and the full texts of 52 studies published in the last 30 years. We finally included 13 randomised clinical trials aiming to determine the efficacy and safety of the use of rt-PA at different doses in acute stroke, 14 observational cohort studies, 5 meta-analyses, and 3 systematic reviews.

CONCLUSIONS

There is insufficient evidence to classify low doses of rt-PA as superior or at least not inferior to the standard treatment in the management of acute stroke in western populations. More clinical trials are required to determine whether the use of low doses is beneficial in patients with relative contraindications for thrombolytic therapy or other particular circumstances that may increase the risk of intracerebral haemorrhage.

Intravenous thrombolysis in a peripheral primary stroke center without advanced imaging, a retrospective 2016-2017 cohort study

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The hyperacute care of ischemic stroke has evolved markedly. It is unclear to which level stroke centre patients should primarily be taken so information of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) outcomes in smaller centres are needed.

METHODS

All IVT episodes in North Karelia Central hospital in 2016-2017 were analysed retrospectively using hospital registries and individual medical records.

RESULTS

IVT had been given to 75 patients (47% women) whose median age was 74 years [IQR 64, 81; no gender difference (p = 0.70)]. Median NIHSS on admission was 6 (IQR 4, 10) and onset-to-treatment time (OTT) 125 min (95% CI 112-138 min). Two intracranial bleeding complications were observed. Clinical status improved following IVT and 53.4% were independent at six months (85% were independent before the stroke). In a multivariate analysis the NIHSS score was the only predictor (B = 0.12, R²=0.34, p = 0.0001) of modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Large-vessel occlusion (LVO) was identified in 27% (35% women). Their median mRS was 2.0 (25% had died). Endovascular thrombectomy had followed IVT in 30% of the LVO-patients.

CONCLUSIONS

IVT results were generally in this peripheral PSC-level hospital without advanced imaging capabilities, but LVO outcomes need improvement. A mothership strategy should be evaluated.

Targets for improving dispatcher identification of acute stroke

Background

Accurate identification of acute stroke by Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMD) is essential for timely and purposeful deployment of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and a prerequisite for operating mobile stroke units. However, precision of EMD stroke recognition is currently modest.

Aims

We sought to identify targets for improving dispatcher stroke identification.

Methods

Dispatch codes and EMS patient records were cross-linked to investigate factors associated with an incorrect dispatch code in a prospective observational cohort of 625 patients with a final diagnosis of acute stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), transported to our stroke center as candidates for recanalization therapies. Call recordings were analyzed in a subgroup that received an incorrect low-priority dispatch code indicating a fall or unknown acute illness ( n = 46).

Results

Out of 625 acute stroke/TIA patients, 450 received a high-priority stroke dispatch code (sensitivity 72.0%; 95% CI, 68.5–75.5). Independent predictors of dispatcher missed acute stroke included a bystander caller (aOR, 3.72; 1.48–9.34), confusion (aOR, 2.62; 1.59–4.31), fall at onset (aOR, 1.86; 1.24–2.78), and older age (aOR [per year], 1.02; 1.01–1.04). Of the analyzed call recordings, 71.7% revealed targets for improvement, including failure to recognize a Face Arm Speech Time (FAST) test symptom (21/46 cases, 18 with speech disturbance), or failure to thoroughly evaluate symptoms (12/46 cases).

Conclusions

Based on our findings, efforts to improve dispatcher stroke identification should primarily focus on improving recognition of acute speech disturbance, and implementing screening of FAST-symptoms in emergency phone calls revealing a fall or confusion.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02145663.

Association of Elevated Blood Pressure Levels with Outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Treated with Intravenous Thrombolysis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Although arbitrary blood pressure (BP) thresholds exist for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients eligible for intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), current international recommendations lack clarity on the impact of mean pre- and post-IVT BP levels on clinical outcomes.

METHODS

Eligible studies involving IVT-treated AIS patients were identified that reported the association of mean systolic BP (SBP) or diastolic BP levels before and after IVT with the following outcomes: 3-month favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] scores of 0-1) and 3-month functional independence (mRS scores of 0-2), 3-month mortality and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Unadjusted analyses of standardized mean differences and adjusted analyses of studies reporting odds ratios (ORadj) per 10 mm Hg BP increment were performed using random-effects models.

RESULTS

We identified 26 studies comprising 56,513 patients. Higher pre- (P=0.02) and posttreatment (P=0.006) SBP levels were observed in patients with sICH. Patients with 3-month functional independence had lower post-treatment (P<0.001) SBP whereas trended towards lower pre-treatment (P=0.06) SBP. In adjusted analyses, elevated pre- (ORadj, 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.16) and post-treatment (ORadj, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.25) SBP levels were associated with increased likelihood of sICH. Increasing pre- (ORadj, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.84 to 0.98) and post-treatment (ORadj, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.87) SBP values were also related to lower odds of 3-month functional independence.

CONCLUSION

s We found that elevated BP levels adversely impact AIS outcomes in patients receiving IVT. Future randomized-controlled clinical trials will provide definitive data on the aforementioned association.

Diagnosing cerebral ischemia with door-to-thrombolysis times below 20 minutes

Objectives

To clarify diagnostic accuracy and consequences of misdiagnosis in the admission evaluation of stroke-code patients in a neurologic emergency department with less than 20-minute door-to-thrombolysis times.

Methods

Accuracy of admission diagnostics was studied in an observational cohort of 1,015 stroke-code patients arriving by ambulance as candidates for recanalization therapy between May 2013 and November 2015. Immediate admission evaluation was performed by a stroke neurologist or a neurology resident with dedicated stroke training, primarily utilizing CT-based imaging.

Results

The rate of correct admission diagnosis was 91.1% (604/663) for acute cerebral ischemia (ischemic stroke/TIA), 99.2% (117/118) for hemorrhagic stroke, and 61.5% (144/234) for stroke mimics. Of the 150 (14.8%) misdiagnosed patients, 135 (90.0%) had no acute findings on initial imaging and 100 (67.6%) presented with NIH Stroke Scale score 0 to 2. Misdiagnosis altered medical management in 70 cases, including administration of unnecessary treatments (thrombolysis n = 13, other n = 24), omission of thrombolysis (n = 5), delays to specific treatments of stroke mimics (n = 13, median 56 [31–93] hours), and delays to antiplatelet medication (n = 14, median 1 [1–2] day). Misdiagnosis extended emergency department stay (median 6.6 [4.7–10.4] vs 5.8 [3.7–9.2] hours; p = 0.001) and led to unnecessary stroke unit stay (n = 10). Detailed review revealed 8 cases (0.8%) in which misdiagnosis was possible or likely to have worsened outcomes, but no death occurred as a result of misdiagnosis.

Conclusions

Our findings support the safety of highly optimized door-to-needle times, built on thorough training in a large-volume, centralized stroke service with long-standing experience. Augmented imaging and front-loaded specialist engagement are warranted to further improve rapid stroke diagnostics.

Cutting the Prehospital On-Scene Time of Stroke Thrombolysis in Helsinki

Background and Purpose—

Significant portion of the prehospital delay consists of minutes spent on the scene with the patient. We implemented a training program for the emergency medical services personnel with the aim to optimize the on-scene time (OST) and to study the impact of different elements of prehospital practice to the OST duration.

Methods—

In this prospective interventional study, key operational emergency medical service performance variables were analyzed from all thrombolysis candidates transported to the Helsinki University Hospital emergency department. The catchment period was 4 months before and 4 months after the implementation.

Results—

One hundred and forty-one patients were managed as thrombolysis candidates before and 148 patients after the training program implementation. The OST duration for the groups was 25 (20.5–31) and 22.5 (18–28.5) minutes, respectively ( P <0.001). Physician consultations via telephone were associated with a longer (odds ratio 0.546 [0.333–0.893]) and advanced life support training with a shorter OST (odds ration 1.760 [1.070–2.895]).

Conclusions—

Implementation of the emergency medical services training program successfully decreased the OST of thrombolysis candidates by 10%. Higher expertise level of the ambulance crew was associated with shorter OST, and decisions to consult a physician via telephone were reflected by longer OST.

Prehospital Phase of the Stroke Chain of Survival: A Prospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Few studies have discussed the emergency call and prehospital care as a continuous process to decrease the prehospital and in-hospital delays for acute stroke. To identify features associated with early hospital arrival (<90 minutes) and treatment (<120 minutes), we analyzed the operation of current dispatch protocol and emergency medical services and compared stroke recognition by dispatchers and ambulance crews.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This was a 2-year prospective observational study. All stroke patients who were transported to the hospital by emergency medical services and received recanalization therapy were recruited for the study. For a sample of 308 patients, the stroke code was activated in 206 (67%) and high priority was used in 258 (84%) of the emergency calls. Emergency medical services transported 285 (93%) of the patients using the stroke code and 269 (87%) using high priority. In the univariate analysis, the most dominant predictors of early hospital arrival were transport using stroke code (P=0.001) and high priority (P=0.002) and onset-to-call (P<0.0001) and on-scene times (P=0.052). In the regression analysis, the influences of high-priority transport (P<0.01) and onset-to-call time (P<0.001) prevailed as significant in both dichotomies of early arrival and treatment. The on-scene time was found to be surprisingly long (>23.5 minutes) for both early and late-arriving patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Fast emergency medical services activation and ambulance transport promoted early hospital arrival and treatment. Although patient-dependent delays still dominate the prehospital process, it should be ensured that the minutes on the scene are well spent.

Effective management of patients with acute ischemic stroke based on lean production on thrombolytic flow optimization

The efficacy of thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) decreases when the administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is delayed. Derived from Toyota Production System, lean production aims to create top-quality products with high-efficiency procedures, a concept that easily applies to emergency medicine. In this study, we aimed to determine whether applying lean principles to flow optimization could hasten the initiation of thrombolysis. A multidisciplinary team (Stroke Team) was organized to implement an ongoing, continuous loop of lean production that contained the following steps: decomposition, recognition, intervention, reengineering and assessment. The door-to-needle time (DNT) and the percentage of patients with DNT ≤ 60 min before and after the adoption of lean principles were used to evaluate the efficiency of our flow optimization. Thirteen patients with AIS in the pre-lean period and 43 patients with AIS in the lean period (23 in lean period I and 20 patients in lean period II) were consecutively enrolled in our study. After flow optimization, we reduced DNT from 90 to 47 min (p < 0.001^¤). In addition, the percentage of patients treated ≤60 min after hospital arrival increased from 38.46 to 75.0 % (p = 0.015^¤). Adjusted analysis of covariance confirmed a significant influence of optimization on delay of tPA administration (p < 0.001). The patients were more likely to have a good prognosis (mRS ≤ 2 at 90 days) after the flow optimization (30.77-75.00 %, p = 0.012^¤). Our study may offer an effective approach for optimizing the thrombolytic flow in the management of AIS.

"Sudden Drop" in Blood Pressure is Associated With Recanalization After Thrombolysis

We aim to investigate whether the phenomenon of "sudden drop" in blood pressure (BP) within the first 2 hours is associated with vessel recanalization.We retrospectively examined clinical and imaging data from a consecutive series of patients with stroke with large vessel occlusion treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). BP was monitored every 15 minutes during the first 2 hours, then every 30 minutes for 6 hours, and then every hour for 16 hours.We observed the phenomenon of "sudden drop" in systolic BP (≥20 mm Hg) in 82 (50.9%) patients in the first 2 hours and vessel recanalization in 87 (54.0%) patients 24 hours after treatment. This phenomenon was independently associated with recanalization (odds ratio 2.100; 95% confidence interval: 1.085-4.062; P = 0.028) after adjusting for the history of atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease, and hypertension.The phenomenon of "sudden drop" in systolic BP with 20 mm Hg or greater between 2 continuous measurements within the first 2 hours is associated with recanalization after IVT in patients with large vessel occlusion, especially for middle cerebral artery occlusion.

The presence of visual neglect after thrombolytic treatment in patients with right hemisphere stroke

Visual neglect (VN) is a common consequence of right hemisphere (RH) stroke. The aims of this study were to explore the presence of VN after RH stroke in the patients with (T+) or without (T−) thrombolytic treatment, and to determine whether thrombolysis is a predictor of VN. The study group consisted of 77 RH infarct patients. VN was evaluated with six conventional subtests of the Behavioural Inattention Test (BIT). Stroke severity was assessed using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). In the neuropsychological examination, 22% of all RH stroke patients had VN. VN was present in 15% of the patients in the T+ group and in 28% of the patients in the T− group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Despite that, patients in the T− group had a higher risk of VN than patients in the T+ group. Our results suggest that thrombolysis independently predicted absence of VN.

Predictors of functional outcome after right hemisphere stroke in patients with or without thrombolytic treatment

The purpose of this study was to assess the predictors of functional outcome after right hemisphere stroke at 6-month follow up in patients with or without thrombolytic treatment. Thrombolysis did not predict functional outcome in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Lower acute phase basic activities of daily living (ADL) measured by the Barthel Index was a statistically significant predictor of IADL when adjusted for age and education (p = .015) and had borderline significance (p = .076) as a predictor of functional outcome when adjusted for severity of stroke at admission. When stroke severity was taken into account also higher age became a statistically significant (p = .039) predictor of functional outcome. The acute phase neuropsychological symptoms predicted the functional outcome in unadjusted analyses but when adjusted for age, education, and severity of stroke no independent association was found.

Rightward bias in right hemisphere infarct patients with or without thrombolytic treatment and in healthy controls

Right hemisphere (RH) infarct patients have a tendency to begin visual scanning from the right side of a given stimulus. Our aim was to find out whether RH patients with (T+) or without (T-) thrombolytic treatment and healthy controls differ in their starting points in three cancellation tasks. Our sample comprised of 77 patients and 62 controls. Thirty-four patients received thrombolysis. Rightward orientation bias was more evident in the T- group than in the T+ group. The T+ group showed a robust tendency to start all cancellation tasks more often on the right side than the controls. Regardless of whether they had visual neglect, patients in the T+ group showed still defective rightward orienting, possibly indicating residual attentional problems. The analyses of starting points in visual cancellation tasks provide additional information on residual symptoms of attention difficulties after stroke.

Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Ischaemic Stroke: Effective Blood Pressure Control Matters

In this Leading opinion we summarise the observational evidence endorsing current guidelines that advocate effective blood pressure control before and during an rtPA infusion and indicate that a more active blood pressure-lowering approach immediately after intravenous thrombolysis appears to be a promising therapeutic option that should be formerly evaluated in a randomised clinical trial setting. Acute ischaemic stroke is a highly treatable neuroemergency and the efficacy of the available treatment is not only related to the speed by which it is administered but also by the effective control of modifiable adverse outcome predictors including elevated blood pressure levels.

Off-label thrombolysis is not associated with poor outcome in patients with stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Numerous contraindications included in the license of alteplase, most of which are not based on scientific evidence, restrict the portion of patients with acute ischemic stroke eligible for treatment with alteplase. We studied whether off-label thrombolysis was associated with poorer outcome or increased rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage compared with on-label use.

METHODS

All consecutive patients with stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis from 1995 to 2008 at the Helsinki University Central Hospital were registered (n=1104). After excluding basilar artery occlusions (n=119), the study population included 985 patients. Clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0 to 2 versus 3 to 6) and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage according to 3 earlier published criteria were analyzed with a logistic regression model adjusting for 21 baseline variables.

RESULTS

One or more license contraindications to thrombolysis was present in 51% of our patients (n=499). The most common of these were age >80 years (n=159), mild stroke National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score <5 (n=129), use of intravenous antihypertensives prior to treatment (n=112), symptom-to-needle time >3 hours (n=95), blood pressure >185/110 mm Hg (n=47), and oral anticoagulation (n=39). Age >80 years was the only contraindication independently associated with poor outcome (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.27 to 3.73) in the multivariate model. None of the contraindications were associated with an increased risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS

Off-license thrombolysis was not associated with poorer clinical outcome, except for age >80 years, nor with increased rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. The current extensive list of contraindications should be re-evaluated when data from ongoing randomized trials and observational studies become available.

Feasibility and logistics of MRI before thrombolytic treatment

OBJECTIVES

The study analyzes feasibility and time-delays in Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based thrombolysis and estimate the impact of MRI on individual tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Feasibility of MRI and time logistics were prospectively recorded in patients referred with presumed acute stroke over a 2 year time period. Door-to-needle-times (DNT) were compared with those of patients treated with rtPA after conventional CT during the same time period, and to published open label studies.

RESULTS

We received 174 patients with presumed stroke. MRI was feasible in 141 of 161 (88%) of those requiring acute imaging. MRI supported the decision to treat 11 patients with mild symptoms or seizures, and not to treat four patients with extensive infarctions. Median 'door-to-needle time' (DNT) in MR scanned patients (70 min), did not differ significantly from DNT after conventional CT (n = 17, DNT = 66 min, P = 0.27) or the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke (SITS-MOST) registry (DNT = 68 min).

CONCLUSIONS

Magnetic resonance imaging can be performed in the majority of acute stroke patients without delaying treatment. MRI may affect decision making in a large proportion of patients.

Safety and efficacy of alteplase in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke

After publication of the results of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke study, the application of intravenous thrombolysis for ischemic stroke was launched and has now been in use for more than 10 years. The approval of this drug represented only the first step of the therapeutic approach to this pathology. Despite proven efficacy, concerns remain regarding the safety of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator for acute ischemic stroke used in routine clinical practice. As a result, a small proportion of patients are currently treated with thrombolytic drugs. Several factors explain this situation: a limited therapeutic window, insufficient public knowledge of the warning signs for stroke, the small number of centers able to administer thrombolysis on a 24-hour basis and an excessive fear of hemorrhagic complications. The aim of this review is to explore the clinical efficacy of treatment with alteplase and consider the hemorrhagic risks.

Relationship of blood pressure, antihypertensive therapy, and outcome in ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis: retrospective analysis from Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-International Stroke Thrombolysis Register (SITS-ISTR)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The optimal management of blood pressure (BP) in acute stroke remains unclear. For ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis, current guidelines suggest pharmacological intervention if systolic BP exceeds 180 mm Hg. We determined retrospectively the association of BP and antihypertensive therapy with clinical outcomes after stroke thrombolysis.

METHODS

The SITS thrombolysis register prospectively recorded 11 080 treatments from 2002 to 2006. BP values were recorded at baseline, 2 hours, and 24 hours after thrombolysis. Outcomes were symptomatic (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score deterioration >or=4) intracerebral hemorrhage Type 2, mortality, and independence at (modified Rankin Score 0 to 2) 3 months. Patients were categorized by history of hypertension and antihypertensive therapy within 7 days after thrombolysis: Group 1, hypertensive treated with antihypertensives (n=5612); Group 2, hypertensive withholding antihypertensives (n=1573); Group 3, without history of hypertension treated with antihypertensives (n=995); and Group 4, without history of hypertension not treated with antihypertensives (n=2632). For 268 (2.4%) patients, these data were missing. Average systolic BP 2 to 24 hours after thrombolysis was categorized by 10-mm Hg intervals with 100 to 140 used as a reference.

RESULTS

In multivariable analysis, high systolic BP 2 to 24 hours after thrombolysis as a continuous variable was associated with worse outcome (P<0.001) and as a categorical variable had a linear association with symptomatic hemorrhage and a U-shaped association with mortality and independence with systolic BP 141 to 150 mm Hg associated with most favorable outcomes. OR (95% CI) from multivariable analysis showed no difference in symptomatic hemorrhage (1.09 [0.83 to 1.51]; P=0.58) and independence (1.03 [0.93 to 1.10]; P=0.80) but lower mortality (0.82 [0.73 to 0.92]; P=0.0007) for Group 1 compared with Group 4. Group 2 had a higher symptomatic hemorrhage (1.86 [1.34 to 2.68]; P=0.0004) and mortality (1.62 [1.41 to 1.85]; P<0.0001) and lower independence (0.89 [0.80 to 0.99]; P=0.04) compared with Group 4. Group 3 had similar results as Group 1.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a strong association of high systolic BP after thrombolysis with poor outcome. Withholding antihypertensive therapy up to 7 days in patients with a history of hypertension was associated with worse outcome, whereas initiation of antihypertensive therapy in newly recognized moderate hypertension was associated with a favorable outcome.

Thrombolysis in young adults with ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

No exclusive systematic data exist on the safety and outcomes of thrombolytic treatment in young patients with ischemic stroke.

METHODS

We evaluated all 48 patients aged 16 to 49 years with hemispheric ischemic stroke treated with intravenous alteplase in Helsinki University Central Hospital from 1994 to 2007. For comparison of outcome, we selected, blinded to outcome data, 96 control subjects (1:2) with ischemic stroke not treated with alteplase matched by age, gender, and admission stroke severity (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale). We selected similarly 96 older alteplase-treated gender and arrival National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score-matched patients (aged, 50 to 79 years) for comparison of outcome and hemorrhage rate. A 3-month favorable outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 1. Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage was defined according to the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke Monitor Study.

RESULTS

Young alteplase-treated patients (67% males; mean age, 38.8+/-9.1 years) more often recovered completely (27% versus 10%, P=0.010) and achieved a favorable outcome (40% versus 22%, P=0.025) compared with their age-matched control subjects not treated with alteplase. In alteplase-treated patients, unfavorable outcome was more frequent in males and in those with carotid artery dissection. We observed no difference in outcome between cases and older control subjects treated with alteplase. However, none of the cases had symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage versus 3 (3%) in the older control group (P=0.551). Mortality rate was 2% (P=0.552) in age-matched control subjects and 7% (P=0.095) among older control subjects, whereas none of the case patients died during the 3-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Young adults with acute hemispheric ischemic stroke benefited from intravenous thrombolysis with good safety.

CT perfusion identifies increased salvage of tissue in patients receiving intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator within 3 hours of stroke onset

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In spite of the advent of thrombolytic therapy, CT-perfusion imaging is currently not fully used for clinical decision-making and not included in published clinical guidelines for management of ischemic stroke. We investigated whether lesion volumes on cerebral blood volume (CBV), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and mean transit time (MTT) maps predict final infarct volume and whether all these parameters are needed for triage to intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA). We also investigated the effect of intravenous rtPA on affected brain by measuring salvaged tissue volume in patients receiving intravenous rtPA and in controls.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-four patients receiving intravenous rtPA and 19 controls underwent CT perfusion (CTP) studies in the emergency department within 3 hours of stroke onset. Lesion volumes were measured on MTT, CBV, and CBF maps by region-of-interest analysis and were compared with follow-up CT volumes by correlation and regression analysis. The volume of salvaged tissue was determined as the difference between the initial MTT and follow-up CT lesion volumes and was compared between intravenous rtPA-treated patients and controls.

RESULTS

No significant difference between the groups was observed in lesion volume assessed from the CTP maps (P > .08). Coefficients of determination for MTT, CBF, and CBV versus follow-up CT lesion volumes were 0.3, 0.3, 0.47, with intravenous rtPA; and 0.53, 0.55, and 0.81 without intravenous rtPA. Regression of MTT on CBF lesion volumes showed codependence (R(2) = 0.98, P < .0001). Mean salvaged tissue volumes with intravenous rtPA were 21.8 +/- 17.1 and 13.2 +/- 13.5 mL in controls; these were significantly different by using nonparametric (P < .03) and Fisher exact tests (P < .04).

CONCLUSIONS

Within 3 hours of stroke onset, CBV lesion volume does not necessarily represent dead tissue. MTT lesion volume alone can be used to identify the upper limit of the size of abnormally perfused brain. More brain is salvaged in patients with intravenous rtPA than in controls.

Long-Term Outcome as Function of Blood Pressure in Acute Ischemic Stroke and Effects of Thrombolysis

BACKGROUND

While baseline blood pressure (BP) is a known predictor of 90-day residual deficit after acute ischemic stroke, the effect of thrombolysis on this relationship has not been described. To study the interaction and to find intervals of prognostic significance, the functional forms of this predictive relationship should be found and compared for recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA)- and placebo-treated patients of the first European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study.

METHODS

We studied the 615 patients with acute ischemic hemispheric stroke randomized and treated in the first European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study. Endpoints were fatal outcome within and favorable outcome (no or negligible long-term handicap on the modified Rankin Scale scores 0 or 1) after 90 +/- 14 days. Functional relationships with baseline BP were estimated fully nonparametrically as moving averages of occurrences of either outcome among placebo- and rt-PA-treated patients, separately. Visual findings were corroborated by conventionally stratified logistic regression.

RESULTS

For favorable outcome, an S-shaped functional relationship with baseline systolic BP (SBP) was found with an averaged incremental rate around 10% per 1 mm Hg increase in baseline SBP between 140 and 160 mm Hg, among rt-PA and placebo patients. Similar results were obtained for diastolic BP (DBP) between 80 and 90 mm Hg. Odds ratios in favor of rt-PA were 1.96 (95% CI: 1.02-3.78) and 2.87 (95% CI: 1.36-6.04) for SBP and DBP in these intervals, respectively. For mortality, visible markedly lower risks in the placebo group between 120 and 140 and between 160 and 180 mm Hg SBP were confirmed with adjusted OR of 2.47 (95% CI: 1.09-5.64) and 9.73 (95% CI: 2.02-46.82), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients benefited from rt-PA in terms of no or negligible handicap after 90 days, without excess risk of death, with baseline SBP between 140 and 160 mm Hg or baseline DBP between 80 and 90 mm Hg.

Mast Cell Stabilization Reduces Hemorrhage Formation and Mortality After Administration of Thrombolytics in Experimental Ischemic Stroke

Background— Thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) improves stroke outcome, but hemorrhagic complications and reperfusion injury occasionally impede favorable prognosis after vessel recanalization. Perivascularly located cerebral mast cells (MCs) release on degranulation potent vasoactive, proteolytic, and fibrinolytic substances. We previously found MCs to increase ischemic and hemorrhagic brain edema and neutrophil accumulation. This study examined the role of MCs in tPA-mediated hemorrhage formation (HF) and reperfusion injury.

Methods and Results— Exposure to tPA in vitro induced strong MC degranulation. In vivo experiments in a focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model in rats showed 70- to 100-fold increase in HF after postischemic tPA administration ( P <0.001). Pharmacological MC stabilization with cromoglycate led to significant reduction in tPA-mediated HF at 3 (97%), 6 (76%), and 24 hours (96%) compared with controls ( P <0.01, P <0.001, and P <0.01, respectively). Furthermore, genetically modified MC-deficient rats showed similarly robust reduction of tPA-mediated HF at 6 (92%) and 24 (89%) hours compared with wild-type littermates ( P <0.01 and P <0.001, respectively). MC stabilization and MC deficiency also significantly reduced other hallmarks of reperfusion injury, such as brain swelling and neutrophil infiltration. These effects of cromoglycate and MC deficiency translated into significantly better neurological outcome ( P <0.01 and P <0.05, respectively) and lower mortality ( P <0.05 and P <0.05, respectively) after 24 hours.

Conclusions— MCs appear to play an important role in HF and reperfusion injury after tPA administration. Pharmacological stabilization of MCs could offer a novel type of therapy to improve the safety of administration of thrombolytics.

The role of hyperglycemia in acute ischemic stroke

Stroke remains a leading cause of death and long-term disability in the developed world. Reperfusion and anti-thrombotic therapies are of limited benefit for the majority of patients following acute ischemic stroke, and increasing interest has focused on therapeutic approaches that seek to modulate infarct evolution. Animal and human studies have linked hyperglycemia in the acute phase of ischemic stroke to worse clinical outcomes regardless of the presence of pre-existing diabetes mellitus. Experimental data suggest that elevated blood glucose may directly contribute to infarct expansion through a number of maladaptive metabolic pathways, and that treatment with insulin may attenuate these adverse effects. In this review, we analyze the relationship between elevated serum glucose and acute cerebrovascular ischemia, and critically appraise the potential of a clinical strategy that targets euglycemia in all acute stroke patients.

The Cologne Stroke Experience: Safety and Outcome in 450 Patients Treated with Intravenous Thrombolysis

BACKGROUND

Predictors of outcome and safety in intravenous thrombolysis within 3 h in clinical routine is a matter of ongoing debate. Available reports contain small patient numbers or summarize heterogeneous multicenter data.

METHODS

Four hundred and fifty patients received intravenous thrombolysis within 3 h after stroke. Pretreatment NIHSS score and detailed medical history were analyzed. Noncontrast CT was performed before thrombolysis, 24-36 h later and in case of clinical deterioration. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH; any bleeding with an NIHSS increase of > or =4 points) and clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale, mRS) after 3 months were recorded. Logistic regression identified parameters predictive of independence (mRS 0-2) and SICH.

RESULTS

Median onset to admission, door to needle and onset to treatment time was 75, 50 and 135 min, respectively. Direct presentation by emergency service (64%) was the fastest way of referral. Median pretreatment NIHSS was 11 points. Independence (mRS 0-2) was reached by 53%. Mortality was 11% (7% intracerebral, 4% extracerebral complications). Logistic regression identified low NIHSS, low age and absent diabetes as predictors of independence. Overall hemorrhagic complications and SICH were found in 18 and 4% of the patients, respectively. Extracerebral bleeding complications and allergic reactions were found in 3 and 1%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This largest single center report presents a sample in the range of the 3 h rt-PA cohort of all randomized controlled trials. Outcome was comparable to randomized studies with a higher rate of independence and a lower rate of mortality and SICH.

Safety of routine IV thrombolysis between 3 and 4.5 h after ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND

The administration of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) has been proven effective for ischemic stroke within 3 h after onset. A pooled-analysis of six trials showed that intravenous t-PA still improves outcome when given between 3 to 4.5 h after stroke onset. On the basis of this pooled analysis, t-PA was also routinely offered to our patients between 3-4.5 h. We report the safety and clinical features of this group together with the features of the group given t-PA within 3 h.

METHODS

Prospectively patient characteristics, stroke severity, stroke subtype, incidence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH), in-hospital mortality, and 3-months modified Rankin Scale scores (mRS) were registered. Data was analyzed separately for patients treated within 3 h (early group) and those treated between 3-4.5 h (late group).

RESULTS

Among 176 patients who underwent intravenous thrombolysis, 101 were treated in the early group and 75 in the late group. Six (5.9%; 95% CI 2.8%-12.3%) patients in the early group and 4 (5.3%; 95% CI 2.2%-12.9%) in the late group developed SICH (p=1.0). In the early group 13 (12.9%; 95% CI 7.7%-20.8%) patients died within 7 days after admission, compared to 5 (6.7%; 95% CI 3.0%-14.7%) in the late group (p=0.179). In the early group 44 (43.6%; 95% CI 43.3%-53.3%) were independent (mRS< or =2) at three months, compared to 36 (48.0%; 95% CI 37.0%-59.1%) in the late group (p=0.559).

CONCLUSION

Our data show no trend of decreased safety of thrombolysis beyond 3 h. Due to a small sample size a harmful effect cannot be excluded but seems unlikely.

Early stroke care in Italy--a steep way ahead: an observational study

OBJECTIVES

To measure the performance of selected Italian emergency medical system (EMS) dispatch centres managing calls for patients suffering from stroke. Data on outcome and on early treatment in the ED were collected.

METHODS

Prospective data collection for a trimester from interventions for a suspected stroke in 13 EMS dispatch centres over five Italian regions.

RESULTS

Altogether, 1041 calls for a suspected stroke were analysed. Mean intervals of the sequential phases were 2.3+/-2 minutes between call and ambulance dispatch, 8.4+/-5.5 minutes to reach the patient, 14.5+/-8.5 minutes on the scene, and 40.2+/-16.2 minutes between call and arrival at the ED. Interventions were performed in 56% of cases by a basic life support (BLS) crew, advanced life support (ALS) crews intervened in 28% of cases, and a combination of ALS and BLS in the remaining 16%. Mean diagnostic interval was 99+/-85 minutes between emergency system call and the first CT scan. This was performed 71+/-27 minutes after ED admission. Only 1.6% were admitted to a stroke unit. One month outcome according to GCS was good recovery in 32%, moderate disability in 28%, severe disability in 14%, and death in 25% of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Mean times show a rapid response of the selected EMS dispatch centres to calls for a suspected stroke. Nevertheless, mean times of the ED phase are still unacceptable according to international guidelines such as Brain Attack Coalition and American Stroke Association guidelines. Efforts should be spent to reduce the time between the arrival and the CT scan and more patients should be admitted to a stroke unit.

Impact of an Early Hospital Arrival on Treatment Outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients

OBJECTIVES

Recent educational efforts have concentrated on patient's early hospital arrival after symptom onset. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the time interval between symptom onset and hospital arrival and to investigate its relation with clinical outcomes for patients with acute ischemic stroke.

METHODS

A prospective registry of patients with signs or symptoms of acute ischemic stroke, admitted to the OO Medical Center through emergency room, was established from September 2003 to December 2004. The interval between symptom onset and hospital arrival was recorded for each eligible patient and analyzed together with clinical characteristics, medication type, severity of neurologic deficits, and functional outcomes.

RESULTS

Based on the data of 256 patients, the median interval between symptom onset and hospital arrival was 13 hours, and 22% of patients were admitted to the hospital within 3 hours after symptom onset. Patients of not-mild initial severity and functional status showed significant differences between arrival hours of 0-3 and later than 3 in terms of their functional outcomes on discharge. Logistic regression models also showed that arrival within 3 hours was a significant factor influencing functional outcome (OR=5.6; 95% CI=2.1, 15.0), in addition to patient's initial severity, old age, cardioembolism subtype, and referral to another hospital.

CONCLUSIONS

The time interval between symptom onset and hospital arrival significantly influenced treatment outcome for patients with acute ischemic stroke, even after controlling for other significant clinical characteristics. The findings provided initiatives for early hospital arrival of patients and improvement of emergency medical system.

Reasons to withhold intra-arterial thrombolysis in clinical practice

BACKGROUND

In selected stroke centers intra-arterial thrombolysis (IAT) is used for the treatment of acute stroke patients presenting within 6 hours of symptom onset. However, data about eligibility of acute stroke patients for IAT in clinical practice are very scarce.

METHODS

We collected prospectively data on indications advising for or against IAT of 230 consecutive stroke patients in a tertiary stroke center.

RESULTS

76 patients (33.0%) presented within 3 hours, 69 (30%) between 3 and 6 hours of symptom onset and 85 (37%) later than 6 hours. Arteriography was performed in 71 patients (31%) and IAT in 46 (20%). In 11 patients no or only peripheral branch occlusions were seen on arteriography and therefore IAT was not performed. In 9 patients the ICA was occluded and barred IAT and in five anatomical or technical difficulties made IAT impossible. 72 patients presenting within 6 hours did not undergo arteriography and thrombolysis, mostly because of mild (n=44) or rapidly improving neurological deficits (n=13). Other reasons to withhold IAT were CT and/or clinical findings suggesting lacunar stroke due to small vessel occlusion (n=7), limiting comorbidty (n=7) and baseline international normalized ratio>1.7 (n=1).

CONCLUSIONS

A third of the patients underwent diagnostic arteriography and one fifth received IAT. The most important reasons to withhold thrombolysis were presentation beyond the 6 hours time window and mild or rapidly improving symptoms.

Long-Term Effect of Intra-Arterial Thrombolysis in Stroke

Background and Purpose— Thrombolysis has been shown to improve the 3-month outcome of patients with ischemic stroke, but knowledge of the long-term effect of thrombolysis is limited.

Methods— The present study compares the long-term outcome of stroke patients who were treated with intra-arterial thrombolysis (IAT) using urokinase with the outcome of patients treated with aspirin. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was used to assess the outcome; 173 patients treated with IAT and 261 patients treated with aspirin from the Bernese Stroke Data Bank were eligible for the study. A matching algorithm taking into account patient age and stroke severity on admission (as measured by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS]) was used to assemble an IAT and an aspirin group.

Results— One hundred and forty-four patients treated with IAT and 147 patients treated with aspirin could be matched and included in the comparative analysis. The median NIHSS score was 14 in each group. At 2 years, 56% of the patients treated with IAT and 42% of the patients treated with aspirin achieved functional independence (mRS, 0 to 2; P =0.037). Clinical outcome was excellent (mRS, 0 to 1) in 40% of the IAT and in 24% of the aspirin patients ( P =0.008). Mortality was 23% and 24%, respectively.

Conclusions— The present study provides evidence for a sustained effect of IAT when assessed 2 years after the stroke.

Factors influencing hemorrhagic transformation in ischemic stroke: a clinicopathological comparison

As hemorrhagic transformation (HTr) is a frequent complication and can worsen the outcome of acute ischemic stroke, our aim was to assess the risk factors of HTr. Using the database of our neuropathological laboratory, 245 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients were analyzed. An exploratory logistic regression procedure was carried out to find the best multiple model identifying the factors associated with HTr. The autopsy revealed ischemic infarct in 175 (71%) and ischemic infarct with HTr in 70 (29%) patients. Mean age was 71.5 +/- 11.4 years (mean +/- SD) and 74.8 +/- 10.2 years (mean +/- SD), respectively. The multiple model confirmed age in case of embolic stroke, and diabetes mellitus and infarct size as independent risk factors of HTr. It seems that not serum glucose level but diabetes mellitus in the case history is an independent predictor of HTr.

Evidence, education and practice

Stroke causes greater loss of quality-adjusted life years than any other disease and is also one of the most expensive disorders. The burden of stroke will increase in the future due to change in the age structure of populations. We have a vast body of evidence on how to prevent stroke and how to treat stroke patients. Good examples are treatment of hypertension, antithrombotic agents and carotid surgery in stroke prevention, thrombolysis in ischaemic stroke and stroke unit care for all stroke patients. We only have to translate scientific evidence into daily practice. If some pieces are missing, it is our duty to generate them through research. While taking part in randomized clinical trials (RCTs), the discipline, an essential part of RCTs, will improve the daily care of all stroke patients. Besides RCTs there are many other sources of scientific evidence for stroke management, one of which is the European Stroke Initiative (EUSI). The mission of the EUSI is to improve and optimize stroke management in Europe through education and by offering best practice guidelines. Also national and international societies and organizations play an important role in providing education. The human factor is one obstacle to more successful stroke management because to be more effective we must change our own clinical routine. We can make a difference by applying available evidence to our daily practice.

Alteplase at 0.6 mg/kg for Acute Ischemic Stroke Within 3 Hours of Onset

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Based on previous studies comparing different recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) doses, we performed a clinical trial with 0.6 mg/kg, which is lower than the internationally approved dosage of 0.9 mg/kg, aiming to assess the efficacy and safety of alteplase in acute ischemic stroke for the Japanese.

METHODS

Our prospective, multicenter, single-arm, open-label trial was designed with a target sample size of 100 patients. The primary end points were the proportion of patients with a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0 to 1 at 3 months and the incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) within 36 hours. Thresholds for these end points were determined by calculating 90% CIs of weighted averages derived from published reports. The protocol was defined according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) rt-PA stroke study with slight modifications.

RESULTS

Among the 103 patients enrolled, 38 had an mRS of 0 to 1 at 3 months; this proportion (36.9%) exceeded the predetermined threshold of 33.9%. sICH within 36 hours occurred in 6 patients; this incidence (5.8%) was lower than the threshold of 9.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients receiving 0.6 mg/kg alteplase, the outcome and the incidence of sICH were comparable to published data for 0.9 mg/kg. These findings indicate that alteplase, when administered at 0.6 mg/kg to Japanese patients, might offer a clinical efficacy and safety that are compatible with data reported in North America and the European Union for a 0.9 mg/kg dose.

Time to hospital arrival, use of thrombolytics, and in-hospital outcomes in ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVE

To determine the interval between symptom onset and hospital arrival and its relationship to baseline clinical characteristics, use of thrombolysis, and in-hospital outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the 11 hospitals in the Buffalo metropolitan area and Erie County.

METHODS

The medical records of 1,590 patients were reviewed to determine the severity of the neurologic deficits (NIH Stroke Scale [NIHSS]), in-hospital mortality, favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of < or = 2 at discharge), and strata of time interval between symptom onset and hospital arrival.

RESULTS

The time interval between symptom onset and hospital arrival was 0 to 3 hours in 337 (21%) patients, 3 to 6 hours in 177 (11%) patients, 6 to 24 hours in 301 (19%) patients, > 24 hours in 420 (26%) patients, and undetermined in 355 (22%) patients. IV (n = 23) and intra-arterial (n = 4) thrombolysis was used in 27 (8%) of the 337 patients that presented within 3 hours of symptom onset. In 1,235 patients with known time interval between symptom onset and hospital arrival, an association (p = 0.008) was observed between strata of increasing time interval and higher proportion of favorable outcomes at discharge. The initial NIHSS score was higher with decreasing interval between symptom onset and hospital arrival (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

A small proportion of patients who present within 3 hours of symptom onset receive thrombolytic therapy. The observation that patients with more severe neurologic deficits and subsequently worse in-hospital outcomes appear to present early after symptom onset to the hospital may have implications for clinical studies.

Characteristics of Blood Pressure Profiles as Predictors of Long-Term Outcome After Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose— Most patients have elevated blood pressure (BP) in the early phase after an acute ischemic stroke. Mechanism and effects of this BP elevation are not well understood. The benefits of intervention by lowering the initial BP or waiting for spontaneous return to normal values remain debated. We studied the hypothesis that increased BP level and profile variability will adversely affect long-term outcome after stroke with and without thrombolytic treatment.

Methods— We studied the 615 patients with acute ischemic hemispheric stroke in the first European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study (ECASS). BP was measured at 2-hour intervals during the first 20 hours after randomization, and then every 4 hours, up to 72 hours after admission. Studied features of individual 0- to 72-hour BP profiles were: baseline BP, maximum and minimum BP, mean level, and successive variation in the BP profile. The end point was good functional recovery (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score of 0 to 1) at 90 days. Logistic regression was used to adjust for known prognostic factors, demographic, initial stroke severity, disease and medication histories, and computed tomography signs.

Results— Higher systolic BP or diastolic BP at baseline were associated with favorable outcome assessed on modified mRS at 90 days (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.22; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.49; and OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.49 per 10 mm Hg), lower within-patient 0- to 72-hour average systolic BP (SBP), or DBP implied favorable outcome (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.61 to 0.90; and OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.90 per 10 mm Hg). Reduced variability of 0- to 72-hour DBP profile was an independent predictor of favorable outcome (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.85 per 5 mm Hg).

Conclusions— Higher baseline SBP or DBP was associated with favorable outcome after stroke. Other characteristics of first 72-hour BP profiles: lower mean level of SBP or DBP and reduced successive variability of DBP profile were independent predictors of favorable outcome at 90 days.

Long-Term Effect of Intravenous Thrombolytic Therapy in Acute Stroke: Responder Analysis versus Uniform Analysis of Excellent Outcome

BACKGROUND

Knowledge regarding functional improvement over time and long-term outcome after intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischaemic stroke is limited. The aim of this study was to compare a uniform assessment of outcome with an assessment taking the baseline stroke severity into account (responder analysis).

METHODS

Fifty-seven patients were assessed with the modified Rankin Scale at 3, 6 and 12 months and a comparison was made between a uniform assessment and a responder analysis of excellent outcome.

RESULTS

Between 3 and 12 months, 74% of the patients had a stable functional outcome and 22% improved. Excellent outcome at 12 months was similar in the uniform analysis (37%) and the responder analysis (35%). The individual patients having an excellent outcome differed, however, using the two methods. Using a responder analysis the number of patients with excellent outcome decreased in mild stroke patients by 40%, but increased in severe stroke patients by 43%.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term outcome is sustained at 12 months, but major improvement does not occur between 3 and 12 months. A responder analysis of long-term excellent outcome provided a balanced measure of outcome reflecting the drug-related potential of improvement in all stroke severity subgroups, whereas a uniform analysis provided a measure of outcome mainly in mild stroke patients. These results suggest that a responder analysis should be considered for the assessment of outcome after treatment for acute stroke.

Brain tissue salvage in acute stroke

Thrombolysis is the only effective medical therapy of ultra-acute (<3 hours) cerebral ischemia, and it is moving from academic centers to community-based standard therapy in experienced centers. Despite intensive experimental and clinical research, the salvage of brain cells through a host of neuroprotective strategies has not been demonstrated to be efficient. As the imaging and other patient selection methods continue to develop, it may be possible eventually to identify patients who still have viable penumbral brain tissue even after the 3-h window. This review focuses on the possibilities of salvaging acutely ischemic brain tissue and potential reasons for differences in the efficacies of the thrombolytic and neuroprotective therapies.

Intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischaemic stroke: optimising its use in routine clinical practice

Stroke is a common and important medical problem. Intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator; rtPA) is the only available direct treatment that reduces neurological injury following ischaemic stroke. Strong efficacy data from randomised, controlled trials support the use of intravenous thrombolysis to improve outcomes for patients with acute ischaemic stroke. Numerous studies have provided effectiveness data that demonstrate that intravenous thrombolytic therapy can be given safely outside clinical trial settings. However, effectiveness studies have demonstrated that intravenous thrombolytic therapy is often given despite protocol violations when it is prescribed in routine clinical practice. Protocol violations must be avoided because they are associated with adverse events including higher mortality and increased haemorrhagic complications. Although thrombolytic therapy with alteplase is currently being used in only <10% of patients with acute ischaemic stroke, recent studies demonstrate that quality management efforts can improve both the absolute rate of use as well as the proficiency with which alteplase is administered. Given the complexities inherent in prescribing thrombolysis for patients with acute ischaemic stroke, alteplase should be used by clinicians who are experienced in the diagnosis and management of stroke, working in medical centres that have systems in place to ensure that alteplase is given without protocol violations.

Trends in Fatal and Nonfatal Strokes Among Persons Aged 35 to ≥85 Years During 1991–2002 in Finland

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Declining trends in the incidence and mortality of stroke have been observed in Finland since the beginning of the 1980s until 1997. In this study we analyzed the trends in fatal and nonfatal strokes in Finland during 1991-2002.

METHODS

The Finnish Hospital Discharge Register was linked to the National Causes of Death Register to produce a Cardiovascular Disease Register, which includes data on 410 760 cerebrovascular events (International Statistical Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision [ICD-10] codes I60-I69) in patients aged > or =35 years in 1991-2002.

RESULTS

Age-standardized incidence of first-ever stroke (ICD-10 codes I60-I64, excluding I63.6) per 100 000 persons declined during 1991-2002 annually by 2.2% (95% CI, -2.4% to -1.9%) among men and 2.5% (-2.8% to -2.2%) among women aged 35 to 74 years. In patients aged 75 to 84 years, the change in the incidence of first-ever stroke was -2.6% per year (-3.0% to -2.2%) among men and -3.2% per year (-3.5% to -2.9%) among women. A similar trend was observed also in the oldest age group, in patients aged > or =85 years. Among patients aged 35 to 74 years, the 28-day case fatality of first-ever stroke declined annually by 3.2% (-3.9% to -2.5%) among men and by 3.0% (-3.8% to -2.2%) among women. A significant decrease was found in the 28-day case fatalities of all subtypes of stroke in this age group.

CONCLUSIONS

The favorable development in stroke incidence, mortality, and case-fatality has continued in Finland during 1991-2002.

Clinical and imaging predictors of intracerebral haemorrhage in stroke patients treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate clinical, biological, and pretreatment imaging variables for predictors of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) related intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) in stroke patients.

METHODS

48 consecutive patients with hemispheric stroke were given intravenous tPA within seven hours of symptom onset, after computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. Baseline diffusion weighted (DWI) and perfusion weighted (PWI) imaging volumes, time to peak, mean transit time, regional cerebral blood flow index, and regional cerebral blood volume were evaluated. The distribution of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values was determined within each DWI lesion.

RESULTS

The symptomatic ICH rate was 8.3% (four of 48); the rate for any ICH was 43.8% (21 of 48). Univariate analysis showed that age, weight, history of hyperlipidaemia, baseline NIHSS score, glucose level, red blood cell count, and lacunar state on MRI were associated with ICH. However, mean 24 hour systolic blood pressure and a hyperdense artery sign on pretreatment CT were the only independent predictors of ICH. Patients with a hyperdense artery sign had larger pretreatment PWI and DWI lesion volumes and a higher NIHSS score. Analysis of the distribution of ADC values within DWI lesions showed that a greater percentage of pixels had lower ADCs (< 400 x 10(-6) mm(2)/s) in patients who experienced ICH than in those who did not.

CONCLUSION

Key clinical and biological variables, pretreatment CT signs, and MRI indices are associated with tPA related intracerebral haemorrhage.

Elevated Pulse Pressure During the Acute Period of Ischemic Stroke Is Associated With Poor Stroke Outcome

BACKGROUND

It is controversial which component of blood pressure (BP) during acute period of stroke best predicts outcome. We hypothesized that elevated pulse pressure (PP), the difference between systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP), is independently associated with poor stroke outcome at 3 months.

METHODS

We analyzed both treatment groups from the Glycine Antagonist (Gavestinel) in Neuroprotection (GAIN) International trial (1455 ischemic stroke cases of mostly moderate severity). Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression modeling corrected for demography, medical history, heart rate, stroke severity, and clinical subtype.

RESULTS

Elevated weighted average PP during the first 60 hours was associated with poor outcome by mortality, Barthel index, National Institutes of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS) and Rankin scores. Elevated baseline PP was associated with Barthel index and Rankin score.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated PP is associated with poor stroke outcome at 3 months.