The hemorrhagic transformation index score: a prediction tool in middle cerebral artery ischemic stroke

Imaging features for the identification of atrial fibrillation in cryptogenic stroke patients

BACKGROUND

Whether specific imaging aspects can be used to identify cryptogenic stroke (CS) patients with high risk of underlying atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate brain-imaging features in CS patients and their utility as AF predictors.

METHODS

The Nordic Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke study was a prospective observational study of CS and transient ischemic attack patients undergoing 12-month cardiac-rhythm monitoring, biomarker and clinical assessments. In this imaging sub-study, brain magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans from 106 patients were assessed for acute and chronic ischemic lesions in relation to AF occurrence and included in a score to predict AF. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the discriminative ability of the score and for its dichotomization for predictive model.

RESULTS

Age, periventricular white-matter hyperintensities (PVWMH), acute lesion size, and vessel occlusion were significantly associated with AF. Acute and chronic cortical infarcts as well as chronic cerebellar infarcts were numerically more frequent in the AF group than the non-AF group. A score consisting of six features (0-6 points) was proposed (age ≥ 65 years, chronic cortical or cerebellar lesions, acute cortical lesions, PVWMH ≥ 2 in Fazekas scale, vessel occlusion, and acute lesion size ≥ 10 mm). Area under ROC curve was 0.735 and a score of ≥ 3 points was a predictor of AF.

CONCLUSIONS

The suggested score was shown to identify CS patients with an increased risk of underlying AF.

Heterogeneous treatment effects of Cerebrolysin as an early add-on to reperfusion therapy: post hoc analysis of the CEREHETIS trial

Background: There has been intensive research into enhancing the effects of reperfusion therapy to mitigate hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in stroke patients. Using neuroprotective agents alongside intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) appears a promising approach. Cerebrolysin is one of the candidates since it consists of neuropeptides mimicking the action of neurotrophic factors on brain protection and repair. Objectives: We looked at treatment effects of Cerebrolysin as an early add-on to IVT in stroke patients with varying HT risk. Methods: It was post hoc analysis of the CEREHETIS trial (ISRCTN87656744). Patients with middle cerebral artery infarction (n = 238) were selected from the intention-to-treat population. To stratify participants according to their HT risk, the DRAGON, SEDAN and HTI scores were computed for each eligible subject using on-admission data. The study endpoints were any and symptomatic HT, and functional outcome measured with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) on day 90. Favorable functional outcome (FFO) was defined as an mRS ≤2. The performance of each stratification tool was estimated with regression approaches. Heterogeneous treatment effect analysis was conducted using techniques of meta-analysis and the matching-smoothing method. Results: The HTI score outperformed other tools in terms of HT risk stratification. Heterogeneity of Cerebrolysin treatment effects was moderate (I2, 35.8%-56.7%; H2, 1.56-2.31) and mild (I2, 10.9%; H2, 1.12) for symptomatic and any HT, respectively. A significant positive impact of Cerebrolysin on HT and functional outcome was observed in the moderate (HTI = 1) and high (HTI ≥2) HT risk patients, but it was neutral in those with the low (HTI = 0) risk. In particular, there was a steady decline in the rate of symptomatic (HTI = 0 vs. HTI = 4: by 4.3%, p = 0.077 vs. 21.1%, p < 0.001) and any HT (HTI = 0 vs. HTI = 4: by 1.2%, p = 0.737 vs. 32.7%, p < 0.001). Likewise, an mRS score reduction (HTI = 0 vs. HTI = 4: by 1.8%, p = 0.903 vs. 126%, p < 0.001) with a reciprocal increase of the fraction of FFO patients (HTI = 0 vs. HTI = 4: by 1.2% p = 0.757 vs. 35.5%, p < 0.001) was found. Conclusion: Clinically meaningful heterogeneity of Cerebrolysin treatment effects on HT and functional outcome was established in stroke patients. The beneficial effects were significant in those whose estimated on-admission HT risk was either moderate or high.

[Cerebrolysin as an early add-on to reperfusion therapy: heterogeneous treatment effect analysis in ischemic stroke patients with varying risk of hemorrhagic transformation]

OBJECTIVE

The study goal was the assessment of heterogeneous treatment effects of Cerebrolysin as an early add-on to reperfusion therapy in stroke patients with varying risk of hemorrhagic transformation (HT).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

It was post hoc analysis of the CEREHETIS trial (ISRCTN87656744). Patients with middle cerebral artery infarction (n=238) were stratified by HT risk with the HTI score. The study outcomes were symptomatic and any HT, and functional outcome measured with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) on day 90. Favorable outcome was defined as an mRS score of ≤2. Heterogeneous treatment effect analysis was performed using techniques of meta-analysis and the matching-smoothing method.

RESULTS

Heterogeneity of Cerebrolysin treatment effects was moderate (I2=36.98-69.3%, H2=1.59-3.26) and mild (I2=18.33-32.39%, H2=1.22-1.48) for symptomatic and any HT, respectively. A positive impact of the Cerebrolysin treatment on HT and functional outcome was observed in patients with moderate (HTI=1) and high (HTI≥2) HT risk. However, the effect was neutral in those with low risk (HTI=0). In high HT risk patients, there was a steady decline in the rate of symptomatic (HTI=0 vs. HTI≥2: by 3.8%, p=0.120 vs. 14.3%, p<0.001) and any HT (HTI=0 vs. HTI≥2: by 0.6%, p=0.864 vs. 19.5%, p<0.001). Likewise, Cerebrolysin treatment resulted in an overall decrease in the mRS scores (HTI=0 vs. HTI≥2: by 2.1%, p=0.893 vs. 63%, p<0.001) with a reciprocal increase of the fraction with favorable outcome (HTI=0 vs. HTI≥2: by 2% p=0.634 vs. 19.2%, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Clinically meaningful heterogeneity of Cerebrolysin treatment effects on HT and functional outcome was established in stroke patients. The Cerebrolysin positive impact was significant in those whose estimated on-admission HT risk was either moderate or high.

Predictive Factors for Hemorrhagic Transformation in Acute Ischemic Stroke in the REAL-World Clinical Practice

BACKGROUND

Few data exists on predictive factors of hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in real-world acute ischemic stroke patients. The aims of this study were: (i) to identify predictive variables of HT (ii) to develop a score for predicting HT.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical, radiographic, and laboratory data of patients with acute ischemic stroke consecutively admitted to our Stroke Unit along two years. Patients with HT were compared with those without HT. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of HT on CT scan at 24 hours to develop a practical score.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 564 patients with mean age 77.5±11.8 years. Fifty-two patients (9.2%) showed HT on brain CT at 24 hours (4.9% symptomatic). NIHSS score ≥8 at Stroke Unit admission (3 points), cardioembolic etiology (2 points), acute revascularization by systemic thrombolysis and/or mechanical thrombectomy (1 point), history of previous TIA/stroke (1 point), and major vessel occlusion (1 point) were found independent risk factors of HT and were included in the score (Hemorrhagic Transformation Empoli score (HTE)). The predictive power of HTE score was good with an AUC of 0.785 (95% CI: 0.749-0.818). Compared with 5 HT predictive scores proposed in the literature (THRIVE, SPAN-100, MSS, GRASPS, SITS-SIC), the HTE score significantly better predicted HT.

CONCLUSIONS

NIHSS score ≥8 at Stroke Unit admission, cardioembolism, urgent revascularization, previous TIA/stroke, and major vessel occlusion were independent predictors of HT. The HTE score has a good predictive power for HT. Prospective studies are warranted.

Contemporary Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant Therapies for Secondary Stroke Prevention: A Narrative Review of Current Literature and Guidelines

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The annual incidence of new or recurrent stroke is approximately 795,000 cases per year in the United States, of which 87% are ischemic in nature. In addition to the management of modifiable high-risk factors to reduce the risk of recurrent stroke, antithrombotic agents (antiplatelets and anticoagulants) play an important role in secondary stroke prevention. This review will discuss the published literature on the use of antiplatelets and anticoagulants in secondary prevention of acute ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA), including their pharmacology, efficacy, and adverse effects. We will also highlight the role of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in secondary stroke prevention, along with supporting literature.

RECENT FINDINGS

Single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) with aspirin or clopidogrel reduces the risk of recurrent ischemic stroke in patients with non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke or TIA. However, as shown in recent trials, short-term DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel or ticagrelor for 21-30 days is more effective than SAPT in patients with minor acute non-cardioembolic stroke or high-risk TIA. Although short-term DAPT is highly effective in preventing recurrent stroke, a more prolonged course can increase bleeding risks without additional benefit. DAPT for 90 days, followed by aspirin monotherapy for patients with large vessel intracranial atherosclerotic disease, is suitable for secondary stroke prevention. However, patients need to be monitored for both minor (e.g., bruising) and major (e.g., intracranial) bleeding complications. Conversely, oral warfarin and newer direct oral anticoagulant (DOACs) such as dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban are the agents of choice for secondary stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular cardioembolic strokes. DOACs may be preferred over warfarin due to decreased bleeding risks, including ICH, lack of need for international normalized ratio monitoring, no dietary restrictions, and limited drug-drug interactions. The choice between different antiplatelets and anticoagulants for prevention of ischemic stroke depends on the underlying stroke mechanism, cytochrome P450 2C19 polymorphisms, bleeding risk profile, compliance, drug tolerance, and drug resistance. Physicians must carefully weigh each patient's relative benefits and bleeding risks before initiating an antiplatelet/anticoagulant treatment regimen. Further studies are warranted to study the optimal duration of DAPT in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis since the benefit is most pronounced in the short term while the bleeding risk remains high during the extended duration of therapy.

Proposal of multimodal computed tomography-based scoring system in prediction of hemorrhagic transformation in acute ischemic stroke

INTRODUCTION

The routinely used computed tomography (CT)-based workup in the setting of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) includes non-contrast brain CT, CT angiography (CTA), and CT perfusion. Several CT, CTA, CTP-based radiological biomarkers of hemorrhagic transformation (HT) were reported.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To assess the predictive value of the combined multimodal CT parameters for HT after AIS and proposal of predictive scoring scale.

METHODS

The source images of the NCCT, CTA and CTP of 282 AIS patients involving the anterior circulation (HT = 91, non-HT = 191) were retrospectively reviewed and the following biomarkers were recorded and analyzed: Early subtle ischemic signs, hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign (HMCAS) and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) < 7 in NCCT, large-vessel occlusion (LVO), clot burden score (CBS) < 6, large-vessel occlusion, poor collateral score (CS) and Tmax > 6 s ≥ 56.5 ml. A scoring system to predict HT based on these biomarkers was developed. Each biomarker counts for a single point with the total score ranging from 0 to 7.

RESULTS

All the aforementioned multimodal CT biomarkers and the selected cut offs were significantly associated with higher HT risk. The calculated scores were statistically significant different between the HT and the non-HT groups with AUC 0.761 (95% CI 0.703-0.819, P < 0.0000001). Rates of HT were approximately five times higher in patients with score ≥ 3.

CONCLUSION

Multimodal CT-based scoring system may provide highly reliable predictive model of hemorrhagic transformation in acute ischemic stroke.

A clinical-radiomics model based on noncontrast computed tomography to predict hemorrhagic transformation after stroke by machine learning: a multicenter study

OBJECTIVE

To build a clinical-radiomics model based on noncontrast computed tomography images to identify the risk of hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) following intravenous thrombolysis (IVT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 517 consecutive patients with AIS were screened for inclusion. Datasets from six hospitals were randomly divided into a training cohort and an internal cohort with an 8:2 ratio. The dataset of the seventh hospital was used for an independent external verification. The best dimensionality reduction method to choose features and the best machine learning (ML) algorithm to develop a model were selected. Then, the clinical, radiomics and clinical-radiomics models were developed. Finally, the performance of the models was measured using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

RESULTS

Of 517 from seven hospitals, 249 (48%) had HT. The best method for choosing features was recursive feature elimination, and the best ML algorithm to build models was extreme gradient boosting. In distinguishing patients with HT, the AUC of the clinical model was 0.898 (95% CI 0.873-0.921) in the internal validation cohort, and 0.911 (95% CI 0.891-0.928) in the external validation cohort; the AUC of radiomics model was 0.922 (95% CI 0.896-0.941) and 0.883 (95% CI 0.851-0.902), while the AUC of clinical-radiomics model was 0.950 (95% CI 0.925-0.967) and 0.942 (95% CI 0.927-0.958) respectively.

CONCLUSION

The proposed clinical-radiomics model is a dependable approach that could provide risk assessment of HT for patients who receive IVT after stroke.

Cerebrolysin as an Early Add-on to Reperfusion Therapy: Risk of Hemorrhagic Transformation after Ischemic Stroke (CEREHETIS), a prospective, randomized, multicenter pilot study

BACKGROUND

Cerebrolysin could mitigate reperfusion injury and hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in animal models of acute ischemic stroke.

METHODS

This was a prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-group with active control, multicenter pilot study. Cerebrolysin (30 mL/day over 14 days) was administered concurrently with alteplase (0.9 mg/kg) in 126 patients, whereas 215 control patients received alteplase alone. The primary outcomes were the rate of any and symptomatic HT assessed from day 0 to 14. The secondary endpoints were drug safety and functional outcome measured with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on day 1 and 14, and the modified Rankin scale (mRS) on day 90. Advanced brain imaging analysis was applied on day 1 and 14 as a marker for in vivo pharmacology of Cerebrolysin.

RESULTS

Cerebrolysin treatment resulted in a substantial decrease of the symptomatic HT rate with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.248 (95% CI: 0.072-0.851; p = 0.019). No serious adverse events attributed to Cerebrolysin occurred. On day 14, the Cerebrolysin arm showed a significant decrease in the NIHSS score (p = 0.045). However, no difference in the mRS score was observed on day 90. A substantial improvement in the advanced brain imaging parameters of the infarcted area was evident in the Cerebrolysin group on day 14.

CONCLUSIONS

Early add-on of Cerebrolysin to reperfusion therapy was safe and significantly decreased the rate of symptomatic HT as well as early neurological deficit. No effect on day 90 functional outcome was detected. Improvements in the imaging metrics support the neuroprotective and blood-brain barrier stabilizing activity of Cerebrolysin.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Name of Registry: ISRCTN.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN87656744 . Trial Registration Date: 16/02/2021.

Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage After Endovascular Stroke Treatment: External Validation of Prediction Models

BACKGROUND

Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) is a severe complication of reperfusion therapy for ischemic stroke. Multiple models have been developed to predict sICH or intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) after reperfusion therapy. We provide an overview of published models and validate their ability to predict sICH in patients treated with endovascular treatment in daily clinical practice.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic search to identify models either developed or validated to predict sICH or ICH after reperfusion therapy (intravenous thrombolysis and/or endovascular treatment) for ischemic stroke. Models were externally validated in the MR CLEAN Registry (n=3180; Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands). The primary outcome was sICH according to the Heidelberg Bleeding Classification. Model performance was evaluated with discrimination (c-statistic, ideally 1; a c-statistic below 0.7 is considered poor in discrimination) and calibration (slope, ideally 1, and intercept, ideally 0).

RESULTS

We included 39 studies describing 40 models. The most frequently used predictors were baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS; n=35), age (n=22), and glucose level (n=22). In the MR CLEAN Registry, sICH occurred in 188/3180 (5.9%) patients. Discrimination ranged from 0.51 (SPAN-100 [Stroke Prognostication Using Age and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale]) to 0.61 (SITS-SICH [Safe Implementation of Treatments in Stroke Symptomatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage] and STARTING-SICH [STARTING Symptomatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage]). Best calibrated models were IST-3 (intercept, -0.15 [95% CI, -0.01 to -0.31]; slope, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.50-1.09]), SITS-SICH (intercept, 0.15 [95% CI, -0.01 to 0.30]; slope, 0.62 [95% CI, 0.38-0.87]), and STARTING-SICH (intercept, -0.03 [95% CI, -0.19 to 0.12]; slope, 0.56 [95% CI, 0.35-0.76]).

CONCLUSIONS

The investigated models to predict sICH or ICH discriminate poorly between patients with a low and high risk of sICH after endovascular treatment in daily clinical practice and are, therefore, not clinically useful for this patient population.

Predictive Value of CT Perfusion in Hemorrhagic Transformation after Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Existing studies indicate that some computed tomography perfusion (CTP) parameters may predict hemorrhagic transformation (HT) after acute ischemic stroke (AIS), but there is an inconsistency in the conclusions alongside a lack of comprehensive comparison. Objective: To comprehensively evaluate the predictive value of CTP parameters in HT after AIS. Data sources: A systematical literature review of existing studies was conducted up to 1st October 2022 in six mainstream databases that included original data on the CTP parameters of HT and non-HT groups or on the diagnostic performance of relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF), relative permeability-surface area product (rPS), or relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) in patients with AIS that completed CTP within 24 h of onset. Data Synthesis: Eighteen observational studies were included. HT and non-HT groups had statistically significant differences in CBF, CBV, PS, rCBF, rCBV, and rPS (p < 0.05 for all). The hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) revealed that rCBF (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.9), rPS (AUC = 0.89), and rCBV (AUC = 0.85) had moderate diagnostic performances in predicting HT. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of rCBF were 0.85 (95% CI, 0.75−0.91) and 0.83 (95% CI, 0.63−0.94), respectively. Conclusions: rCBF, rPS, and rCBV had moderate diagnostic performances in predicting HT, and rCBF had the best pooled sensitivity and specificity.

[Effects of simultaneous use of Cerebrolysin and alteplase on hemorrhagic transformation of brain infarction and functional outcome in stroke patients: CEREHETIS, a randomized, multicenter pilot trial]

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to assess effects of the simultaneous use of Cerebrolysin and intravenous thrombolysis (Alteplase) on hemorrhagic transformation (HT) and functional outcome as well as to analyze the treatment safety in acute stroke patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

It was a prospective, randomized, open-label, multicenter, parallel-group, active-controlled pilot study (Trial Registration Number: ISRCTN87656744, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN87656744, Trial registration date: 16/02/2021). The intervention group (n=126) was treated with Cerebrolysin infusion (30 mL) started simultaneously with Alteplase (0.9 mg/kg) via a separate IV line. The Cerebrolysin treatment continued for 14 consecutive days with the baseline therapy along. The control group (n=215) received only Alteplase and the baseline therapy. The primary endpoints were the rate of any and symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation (HT) from admission to day 14. Secondary endpoints were treatment safety and functional outcome measured with the National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) in 24 h and on day 14, and with the modified Rankin scale (mRS) on day 90.

RESULTS

Treatment with Cerebrolysin resulted in a significant reduction of the symptomatic HT rate with an odds ratio of 0.248 (95% CI: 0.072-0.851; p=0.019). No serious adverse events related to Cerebrolysin were observed. On day 14, the intervention group showed a significant reduction in the NIHSS score (p=0.045). However, no difference in the mRS score was observed on day 90, but there was a trend towards its improvement.

CONCLUSION

The combination of Cerebrolysin and Alteplase was safe and significantly reduced the rate of symptomatic HT and improved early neurological deficit. However, no difference in functional outcome was found on day 90, but there was a trend towards favorable functional outcome.

Machine learning approach for hemorrhagic transformation prediction: Capturing predictors' interaction

Background and purpose

Patients with ischemic stroke frequently develop hemorrhagic transformation (HT), which could potentially worsen the prognosis. The objectives of the current study were to determine the incidence and predictors of HT, to evaluate predictor interaction, and to identify the optimal predicting models.

Methods

A prospective study included 360 patients with ischemic stroke, of whom 354 successfully continued the study. Patients were subjected to thorough general and neurological examination and T2 diffusion-weighted MRI, at admission and 1 week later to determine the incidence of HT. HT predictors were selected by a filter-based minimum redundancy maximum relevance (mRMR) algorithm independent of model performance. Several machine learning algorithms including multivariable logistic regression classifier (LRC), support vector classifier (SVC), random forest classifier (RFC), gradient boosting classifier (GBC), and multilayer perceptron classifier (MLPC) were optimized for HT prediction in a randomly selected half of the sample (training set) and tested in the other half of the sample (testing set). The model predictive performance was evaluated using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) and visualized by observing case distribution relative to the models' predicted three-dimensional (3D) hypothesis spaces within the testing dataset true feature space. The interaction between predictors was investigated using generalized additive modeling (GAM).

Results

The incidence of HT in patients with ischemic stroke was 19.8%. Infarction size, cerebral microbleeds (CMB), and the National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) were identified as the best HT predictors. RFC (AUC: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.85-0.95) and GBC (AUC: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.86-0.95) demonstrated significantly superior performance compared to LRC (AUC: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.79-0.91) and MLPC (AUC: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.78-0.92). SVC (AUC: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.85-0.94) outperformed LRC and MLPC but did not reach statistical significance. LRC and MLPC did not show significant differences. The best models' 3D hypothesis spaces demonstrated non-linear decision boundaries suggesting an interaction between predictor variables. GAM analysis demonstrated a linear and non-linear significant interaction between NIHSS and CMB and between NIHSS and infarction size, respectively.

Conclusion

Cerebral microbleeds, NIHSS, and infarction size were identified as HT predictors. The best predicting models were RFC and GBC capable of capturing nonlinear interaction between predictors. Predictor interaction suggests a dynamic, rather than, fixed cutoff risk value for any of these predictors.

Predicting hemorrhagic transformation in posterior circulation stroke patients not treated with reperfusion therapies

INTRODUCTION

Posterior Circulation (PC) stroke represents one-fifth of all ischemic strokes, with peculiar physiological characteristics. Hemorrhagic Transformation (HT) is a dreaded complication among stroke patients. Many predictive scores of this complication have been proposed, but none is designed specifically for PC stroke patients - therefore, patients who are not eligible for reperfusion therapies (RT) represent about 80% of hospitalized cases. We propose a scoring system to assess the HT risk in PC stroke patients not submitted to RT.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated data of patients diagnosed with PC stroke not treated with RT from 5 Comprehensive Stroke Centers (four in Brazil, 1 in the US) from 2015 to 2018. All patients underwent CT scan or MRI at admission and a follow-up neuroimaging within seven days. Independent variables identified in a logistic regression analysis were used to produce a predictive grading score.

RESULTS

We included 952 patients in the final analysis. The overall incidence of HT was 8.7%. Male gender (1 point), NIH Stroke Scale at admission ≥ 5 points (1), blood glucose at admission ≥ 160 mg/dL (1), and cardioembolism (2) were independently associated with HT. The AUC of the grading score (0 to 5 points) was 0.713 (95% CI 0.65-0.78). Subjects with a score ≥ 3 points had an OR of 4.8 (95% CI 2.9-7.9, p < 0.001) for HT.

CONCLUSIONS

Our score has good accuracy in identifying patients at higher risk of HT. This score may be useful for evaluating secondary prevention and stratifying patients in the context of even clinical trials.

Antithrombotic dilemmas in stroke medicine: new data, unsolved challenges

Antithrombotic therapy is a key element of secondary prevention in patients who have had an ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack. However, its use in clinical practice is not always straightforward. This review provides an update on certain difficult scenarios in antithrombotic management, with a focus on recent clinical trials and large observational studies. We discuss the approach to patients with an indication for antithrombotic treatment who also have clinical or radiological evidence of previous intracranial bleeding, patients with indications for both anticoagulant and antiplatelet treatment, and patients in whom antithrombotic treatment fails to prevent stroke. We also review the timing of anticoagulation initiation after cardioembolic stroke, and the use of antithrombotics in patients with asymptomatic cerebrovascular disease. Despite a wealth of new evidence, numerous uncertainties remain and we highlight ongoing trials addressing these.

Accuracy of predictive scores of hemorrhagic transformation in patients with acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a complication in ischemic strokes, regardless of use of reperfusion therapy (RT). There are many predictive scores for estimating the risk of HT. However, most of them include patients also treated with RT. Therefore, this may lead to a misinterpretation of the risk of HT in patients who did not undergo RT.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to review published predictive scores and analyze their accuracy in our dataset.

METHODS

We analyzed the accuracy of seven scales. Our dataset was derived from a cohort of 1,565 consecutive patients from 2015 to 2017 who were admitted to a comprehensive stroke center. All patients were evaluated with follow-up neuroimaging within seven days. Comparison of area under the curve (AUC) was performed on each scale, to analyze differences between patients treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and those without this treatment.

RESULTS

Our dataset provided enough data to assess seven scales, among which six were used among patients with and without tPA treatment. HAT (AUC 0.76), HTI (0.73) and SEDAN (0.70) were the most accurate scores for patients not treated with tPA. SPAN-100 (0.55) had the worst accuracy in both groups. Three of these scores had different cutoffs between study groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The predictive scores had moderate to fair accuracy for predicting HT in patients treated with tPA. Three scales were more accurate for predicting HT in patients not treated with tPA. Through standardizing these characteristics and including more patients not treated with RT in a large multicenter series, accurate predictive scores may be created.

Hemorrhagic Transformation in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Quantitative Systematic Review

The prevalence and risk factors of hemorrhagic transformation (HT) after acute ischemic stroke HT have not been adequately delineated. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify English-language prospective observational MEDLINE and EMBASE-listed reports of acute ischemic stroke with HT published from 1985–2017. Studies that used the ECASS-2 definitions of hemorrhagic transformation subtypes, hemorrhagic infarction (HI), and parenchymal hematoma (PH) were included. Patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) were compared with those who did not receive thrombolysis. A total of 65 studies with 17,259 patients met inclusion criteria. Overall, HT prevalence was 27%; 32% in patients receiving IV-tPA vs. 20% in those without. Overall PH prevalence was 9%; 12% in IV-tPA treated patients vs. 5% in those without. HT was associated with a history of atrial fibrillation (OR 2.94) and use of anticoagulants (OR 2.47). HT patients had higher NIHSS (Hedge’s-G 0.96) and larger infarct volume (diffusion-weighted MRI, Hedge’s-G 0.8). In IV-tPA treated patients, PH correlated with antiplatelet (OR 3) and statin treatment (OR 4). HT (OR 3) and PH (OR 8) were associated with a poor outcome at 90-day (mRS 5–6). Hemorrhagic transformation is a frequent complication of acute ischemic stroke and is associated with poor outcome. Recognition of risk factors for HT and PH may reduce their incidence and severity.

Acute Ischemic Stroke, Depressed Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction, and Sinus Rhythm: Prevalence and Practice Patterns

BACKGROUND

There are limited data about the epidemiology and secondary stroke prevention strategies used for patients with depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and sinus rhythm following an acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We sought to describe the prevalence of LVEF ≤40% and sinus rhythm among patients with AIS and antithrombotic treatment practice in a multi-center cohort from 2002 to 2018.

METHODS

This was a multi-center, retrospective cohort study comprised of patients with AIS hospitalized in the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Stroke Study and 4 academic, hospital-based cohorts in the United States. A 1-stage meta-analysis of proportions was undertaken to calculate a pooled prevalence. Univariate analyses and an adjusted multivariable logistic regression model were performed to identify demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic characteristics associated with being prescribed an anticoagulant upon AIS hospitalization discharge.

RESULTS

Among 14 338 patients with AIS with documented LVEF during the stroke hospitalization, the weighted pooled prevalence of LVEF ≤40% and sinus rhythm was 5.0% (95% CI, 4.1-6.0%; I², 84.4%). Of 524 patients with no cardiac thrombus and no prior indication for anticoagulant who survived postdischarge, 200 (38%) were discharged on anticoagulant, 289 (55%) were discharged on antiplatelet therapy only, and 35 (7%) on neither. There was heterogeneity by site in the proportion discharged with an anticoagulant (22% to 45%, P<0.0001). Cohort site and National Institutes of Health Stroke Severity scale >8 (odds ratio, 2.0 [95% CI, 1.1-3.8]) were significant, independent predictors of being discharged with an anticoagulant in an adjusted analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly 5% of patients with AIS have a depressed LVEF and are in sinus rhythm. There is significant variation in the clinical practice of antithrombotic therapy prescription by site and stroke severity. Given this clinical equipoise, further study is needed to define optimal antithrombotic treatment regimens for secondary stroke prevention in this patient population.

Neuroimaging Prediction of Hemorrhagic Transformation for Acute Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a common complication of acute ischemic stroke, often resulting from reperfusion therapy. Early prediction of HT can enable stroke neurologists to undertake measures to avoid clinical deterioration and make optimal treatment strategies. Moreover, the trend of extending the time window for reperfusion therapy (both for intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular treatment) further requires more precise detection of HT tendency.

SUMMARY

In this review, we summarized and discussed the neuroimaging markers of HT prediction of acute ischemic stroke patients, mainly focusing on neuroimaging markers of ischemic degree and neuroimaging markers of blood-brain barrier permeability. This review is aimed to provide a concise introduction of HT prediction and to elicit possibilities of future research combining advanced technology to improve the accessibility and accuracy of HT prediction under emergent clinical settings. Key Messages: Substantial studies have utilized neuroimaging, blood biomarkers, and clinical variables to predict HT occurrence. Although huge progress has been made, more individualized and precise HT prediction using simple and robust imaging predictors combining stroke onset time should be the future goal of development.

Development and Validation of a Predictive Model for Spontaneous Hemorrhagic Transformation After Ischemic Stroke

Background: Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) after reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has been well studied; however, there is scarce research focusing on spontaneous HT (sHT). Spontaneous HT is no less important with a relatively high incidence and could be associated with neurological worsening. We aimed to develop and validate a simple and practical model to predict sHT after AIS (SHAIS) and compared the predictive value of the SHAIS score against the models of post-Reperfusion HT for sHT.

Methods: Patients with AIS admitted within 24 h of onset were prospectively screened to develop and validate the SHAIS score. The primary outcome was sHT during hospitalization (within 30 days after onset), and the secondary outcomes were symptomatic sHT and parenchymal hematoma (PH). Clinical information, laboratory, and neuroimaging data were screened to construct the SHAIS score. We selected six commonly used scales for predicting HT after reperfusion therapy and compared their predictive ability for sHT with the SHAIS score using Delong's test.

Results: The derivation cohort included 539 patients (mean age, 68.1 years; men, 61.4%), of whom 91 (16.9%) patients developed sHT with 25.3% (23/91) being symptomatic sHT and 62.6% (57/91) being PH. Five variables (atrial fibrillation, NIHSS score ≥ 10, hypodensity > 1/3 of middle cerebral artery territory, hyperdense artery sign, and anterior circulation infarction) composed the SHAIS score, which ranged from 0 to 11 points. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.86 (95% CI 0.82–0.91, p < 0.001) for the overall sHT, 0.85 (95% CI 0.76–0.92, p < 0.001) for symptomatic sHT, and 0.89 (95% CI 0.85–0.94, p < 0.001) for PH. No evidence of miscalibration of the SHAIS score was found to predict the overall sHT (p = 0.19), symptomatic sHT (p = 0.44), and PH (p = 0.22). The internal (n = 245) and external validation cohorts (n = 200) depicted similar predictive performance compared to the derivation cohort. The SHAIS score had a higher AUC to predict sHT than any of the six pre-Existing models (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The SHAIS score provides an easy-to-use model to predict sHT, which could help providers with decision-making about treatments with high bleeding risk, and to counsel patients and families on the baseline risk of HT, aligning expectations with probable outcomes.

Hemorrhagic Transformation After Ischemic Stroke: Mechanisms and Management

Symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is one of the complications most likely to lead to death in patients with acute ischemic stroke. HT after acute ischemic stroke is diagnosed when certain areas of cerebral infarction appear as cerebral hemorrhage on radiological images. Its mechanisms are usually explained by disruption of the blood-brain barrier and reperfusion injury that causes leakage of peripheral blood cells. In ischemic infarction, HT may be a natural progression of acute ischemic stroke and can be facilitated or enhanced by reperfusion therapy. Therefore, to balance risks and benefits, HT occurrence in acute stroke settings is an important factor to be considered by physicians to determine whether recanalization therapy should be performed. This review aims to illustrate the pathophysiological mechanisms of HT, outline most HT-related factors after reperfusion therapy, and describe prevention strategies for the occurrence and enlargement of HT, such as blood pressure control. Finally, we propose a promising therapeutic approach based on biological research studies that would help clinicians treat such catastrophic complications.

Prognostic Value of a New Integrated Parameter-Both Collateral Circulation and Permeability Surface-in Hemorrhagic Transformation of Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Acute Ischemic Stroke: Retrospective Cohort Study

Background

Multimodal CT, including CT angiography (CTA) and CT perfusion (CTP), was increasingly used in stroke triage. This study was to determine the relationship between a new integrated parameter—both collateral circulation and relative permeability surface (PS)—and the hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive AIS patients with MCAO who underwent baseline CTA/CTP within 4 h of symptom onset and follow-up susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) within 3 weeks. Collateral circulation was assessed on the baseline CTA. Baseline CTP data were postprocessed to generate PS parameter. The patients with poor collateral circulation and at the same time with high relative PS were classified as the group of both poor collateral circulation and high relative PS. HT was defined according to European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study II criteria on follow-up SWI imaging. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed using HT as an outcome variable.

Results

The group of patients with both poor collateral circulation and high relative PS was thirteen and thirty-three (52%) developed HT of the final cohort sixty-three AIS patients with MCAO. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed the new integrated parameter—both collateral circulation and relative PS (odds ratio, 16.59; 95% confidence interval, 13.09–19.10; P < 0.001) was independent predictor of HT. The area under the curve was 0.85 (95% confidence interval, 0.81–0.89). The sensitivity was 57%, specificity 97% and positive predictive value 92%, negative predictive value 58%.

Conclusions

For AIS patients with MCAO, these with poor collateral circulation on CTA and at the same time with high relative PS on CTP were at high risk for HT.

Hemorrhagic Transformation in Ischemic Stroke and the Role of Inflammation

Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a common complication in patients with acute ischemic stroke. It occurs when peripheral blood extravasates across a disrupted blood brain barrier (BBB) into the brain following ischemic stroke. Preventing HT is important as it worsens stroke outcome and increases mortality. Factors associated with increased risk of HT include stroke severity, reperfusion therapy (thrombolysis and thrombectomy), hypertension, hyperglycemia, and age. Inflammation and the immune system are important contributors to BBB disruption and HT and are associated with many of the risk factors for HT. In this review, we present the relationship of inflammation and immune activation to HT in the context of reperfusion therapy, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and age. Differences in inflammatory pathways relating to HT are discussed. The role of inflammation to stratify the risk of HT and therapies targeting the immune system to reduce the risk of HT are presented.

Hemorrhagic Transformation After Tissue Plasminogen Activator Treatment in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a common complication after thrombolysis with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in ischemic stroke. In this article, recent research progress of HT in vivo and in vitro studies was reviewed. We have discussed new potential mechanisms and possible experimental models of HT development, as well as possible biomarkers and treatment methods. Meanwhile, we compared and analyzed rodent models, large animal models and in vitro BBB models of HT, and the limitations of these models were discussed. The molecular mechanism of HT was investigated in terms of BBB disruption, rt-PA neurotoxicity and the effect of neuroinflammation, matrix metalloproteinases, reactive oxygen species. The clinical features to predict HT were represented including blood biomarkers and clinical factors. Recent progress in neuroprotective strategies to improve HT after stroke treated with rt-PA is outlined. Further efforts need to be made to reduce the risk of HT after rt-PA therapy and improve the clinical prognosis of patients with ischemic stroke.

Reduction in the Ratio of Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol to Highdensity Lipoprotein Cholesterol is Associated with Increased Risks of Hemorrhagic Transformation in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a potentially serious complication in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Whether the ratio of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C/HDL-C) is associated with HT remains unclear.

METHODS

Ischemic stroke patients within 7 days of stroke onset from January 2016 to November 2017 were included in this study. Lipid profiles were measured within 24h after admission. HT was determined by a second computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging within 7 days after admission. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between LDL-C/HDL-C and HT.

RESULTS

We enrolled 1239 patients with AIS (788 males; mean age, 64 ± 15 years), of whom 129 (10.4%) developed HT. LDL-C/HDL-C was significantly lower on admission in patients with HT than those without HT (2.00 ± 0.89 vs. 2.25 ± 1.02, P=0.009). The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) of low LDL-C/HDL-C for HT was 2.07 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42-3.01, P＜0.001). After adjustment for possible confounders, lower LDL-C/HDL-C (≤1.52) was significantly associated with HT (OR 1.53, 95% CI: 1.02-2.31, P=0.046). Similar results were observed between lower LDL-C (≤ 4 mmol/L) and HT (OR 4.17, 95% CI: 1.25-13.90, P=0.02). However, no significant association was found between HT and high HDL-C, low triglycerides or low total cholesterol.

CONCLUSION

Lower LDL-C/HDL-C and LDL-C were significantly associated with increased risk of HT after AIS. Further investigations are warranted to confirm these findings and then optimize lipid management in stroke patients with lower LDL/HDL-C or LDL-C.

Single and simultaneous multiple intracerebral hemorrhages: a radiological review

Simultaneous multiple intracerebral hemorrhage (SMICH) is defined as ICH in two or more discrete noncontiguous acute intraparenchymal locations on initial CT. About 5% of ICH patients present with SMICH. ICH/SMICH etiology is classically divided into disorders of primary or secondary origin. About half of primary SMICH cases are caused by cerebral amyloid angiopathy or hypertensive arteriopathy. In this review, we will discuss the radiological features associated with the different causes of primary and secondary ICH and SMICH. Due to its rarity and the associated high morbidity and mortality, we will focus in particular on SMICH.

Predicting hemorrhagic transformation in patients not submitted to reperfusion therapies

BACKGROUND

Well studied in patients with ischemic stroke after reperfusion therapies (RT), hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is also common in patients not treated with RT and can lead to disability even in initially asymptomatic cases. The best predictors of HT in patients not treated with RT are not well established. Therefore, we aimed to identify predictors of HT in patients not submitted to RT and create a user-friendly predictive score (PROpHET).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients admitted to a Comprehensive Stroke Center from 2015 to 2017 were prospectively evaluated and randomly selected to the derivation cohort. A multivariable logistic regression modeling was built to produce a predictive grading score for HT. The external validation was assessed using datasets from 7 Comprehensive Stroke Centers using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC).

RESULTS

In the derivation group, 448 patients were included in the final analysis. The validation group included 2,683 patients. The score derived from significant predictors of HT in the multivariate logistic regression analysis was male sex (1 point), ASPECTS ≤ 7 (2 points), presence of leukoaraiosis (1 point), hyperdense cerebral middle artery sign (1 point), glycemia at admission ≥180 mg/dL (1 point), cardioembolism (1 point) and lacunar syndrome (-3 points) as a protective factor. The grading score ranges from -3 to 7. A Score ≥3 had 78.2% sensitivity and 75% specificity, and AUROC of 0.82 for all cases of HT. In the validation cohort, our score had an AUROC of 0.83.

CONCLUSIONS

The PROpHET is a simple, quick, cost-free, and easy-to-perform tool that allows risk stratification of HT in patients not submitted to RT. A cost-free computerized version of our score is available online with a user-friendly interface.

The Role of Hemorrhagic Transformation in Acute Ischemic Stroke Upon Clinical Complications and Outcomes

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a common neurological complication after ischemic stroke. The influence of symptomatic HT upon clinical outcomes post-stroke is well established, however, the role of asymptomatic HT upon prognosis is still unclear. We aimed to analyze the relationship between HT, clinical complications and outcomes in patients not submitted to reperfusion therapies (RT).

METHODS

We included 448 randomly selected patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke to a tertiary hospital stroke unit from 2015 to 2017. Patients submitted to RT were excluded. All patients were evaluated with computed tomography (CT) at admission and within 7 days from the initial CT. Patients with HT were divided into two groups: symptomatic and asymptomatic cases based on the ECASS II definition. A good clinical outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2 at discharge.

RESULTS

A total of 95 patients (21.2%) had HT (51 asymptomatic and 44 symptomatic). Age, NIHSS at admission and symptomatic HT were associated with a higher risk of developing pneumonia and seizures during hospitalization. Symptomatic HT was also associated with a prolonged length of hospitalization and death and inversely associated with good clinical outcomes at discharge (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.98, p<0.001). In an adjusted analysis, even asymptomatic HT was independently associated with worse clinical outcomes at discharge (mRS 4-6) (OR 5.99, 95% CI 1.83-19.58, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Symptomatic HT is associated with a higher risk of clinical complications, prolonged hospitalization, death and worse clinical outcome at discharge. Furthermore, even patients with asymptomatic HT had a higher chance of worse clinical outcomes at discharge.

Predictors of hemorrhagic transformation after acute ischemic stroke based on the experts' opinion

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a common complication after ischemic stroke. It may be associated to poor outcomes. Some predictors of HT have been previously identified, but there remain controversies.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the risk factors for HT more frequently reported by a panel of experts surveyed for this project.

METHODS

We sent a standard questionnaire by e-mail to specialists in Vascular Neurology from 2014 to 2018. Forty-five specialists were contacted and 20 of them responded to the invitation. Predictors cited by three or more specialists were included in a table and ranked by the frequency in which they appeared. A review of the literature looking for published predictive scores of HT was performed, comparing to the answers received.

RESULTS

The 20 responding specialists cited 23 different risk factors for HT. The most frequent factors in the order of citation were the volume of ischemia, previous use of antithrombotic medication, neurological severity, age, hyperglycemia at presentation, hypertension on admission, and cardioembolism. Most variables were also found in previously published predictive scores, but they were reported by the authors with divergences of frequency.

CONCLUSION

Although many studies have evaluated HT in patients with acute ischemic stroke, the published risk factors were neither uniform nor in agreement with those cited by the stroke specialists. These findings may be helpful to build a score that can be tested with the goal of improving the prediction of HT.

Predicting hemorrhagic transformation and its timing from maximum cerebral lesion diameter in nonlacunar ischemic strokes

OBJECTIVES

We performed this retrospective cohort study to establish which factors are mostly indicative of the appearance of hemorrhagic transformation (HT) and of its time course in a sample of nonlacunar ischemic strokes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 402 patients with nonlacunar ischemic stroke (75.0 ± 12.7 years, 192 male), clinical, laboratory, and neuroimaging variables obtained during the first 3 days of hospitalization were compared between patients with and without HT at computer tomography scan.

RESULTS

HT was documented in 129 patients (32.1%), including 36 with parenchymal hematoma (PH), after a median time of 6 days (range 1-27). Many variables were univariately associated with HT, but only 5 of them were confirmed in Cox regression (Hazard Ratio, 95% Confidence Interval): maximum cerebral lesion diameter (CLD) in cm (1.12, 1.06-1.18; p = .0001), hemoglobin in g/dl (1.16, 1.06-1.27; p = .002), blood glucose in mmol/L (1.10, 1.03-1.18; p = .007), prior anticoagulant therapy (1.82, 1.10-3.03; p = .02), and edema with mass effect (1.72, 1.08-2.75; p = .02). Thus, the most significant predictor was CLD. The overall risk of HT was minimum for CLD < 2 cm (1.5%), intermediate for CLD ≥ 2 and < 5 cm (22%), and maximum for CLD ≥ 5 cm (58%). The residual probability of having HT decreased progressively over time, and a simple formula is proposed to predict, from CLD in cm, when the probability of HT falls below 10%.

CONCLUSIONS

The main determinant of HT was CLD, a simple quantitative parameter that could prove useful, in particular, in deciding the timing of anticoagulation in cardioembolic stroke patients.

There Is No Association Between the Number of Stent Retriever Passes and the Incidence of Hemorrhagic Transformation for Patients Undergoing Mechanical Thrombectomy

Background: Previous research has focused on the association between hemorrhagic transformation (HT) incidence and pre-procedural variables (i.e., baseline variables) rather than the association between HT incidence and endovascular treatment (EVT) procedural variables (e.g., stent retriever passes).

Objective: To assess the association, if any, that exists between the number of stent retriever passes per procedure and the incidence of HT for patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy.

Methods: An endovascular database from a comprehensive stroke center was used to collect data on EVT patients treated with Trevo, Solitaire, or Penumbra stent retrievers from the years 2012 to 2017. Statistical analyses were conducted on the stent retriever passes, demographics, morbidities, medication usage, and outcomes and their association with HT.

Results: Of the 329 total patients, 46 (14%) had HT. The HT group had an average [SD] of 1.65 [0.67] and range of [1–3] passes per procedure while the non-HT group had an average [SD] of 1.63 [0.86] and range of [1–5] passes per procedure. Admission NIHSS score (p = 0.0003) and the incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) (p = 0.05) were significantly higher in the HT group. Subdividing HT into symptomatic and asymptomatic ICH groups failed to display significant differences in the distribution of the stent retriever passes (p = 0.969). The number of passes failed to show any association with HT (p = 0.804) while admission NIHSS score was found to have an OR of 1.07 (95%CI: 1.029–1.121, p = 0.001) with HT incidence.

Conclusion: No significant association was found between HT incidence and the stent retriever passes. Further multicenter studies are warranted to corroborate our results.

Anticoagulation After Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Background and Purpose- Bridging therapy with low-molecular-weight heparin reportedly leads to a worse outcome for acute cardioembolic stroke patients because of a higher incidence of intracerebral bleeding. However, this practice is common in clinical settings. This observational study aimed to compare (1) the clinical profiles of patients receiving and not receiving bridging therapy, (2) overall group outcomes, and (3) outcomes according to the type of anticoagulant prescribed. Methods- We analyzed data of patients from the prospective RAF and RAF-NOACs studies. The primary outcome was defined as the composite of ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, systemic embolism, symptomatic cerebral bleeding, and major extracerebral bleeding observed at 90 days after the acute stroke. Results- Of 1810 patients who initiated oral anticoagulant therapy, 371 (20%) underwent bridging therapy with full-dose low-molecular-weight heparin. Older age and the presence of leukoaraiosis were inversely correlated with the use of bridging therapy. Forty-two bridged patients (11.3%) reached the combined outcome versus 72 (5.0%) of the nonbridged patients (P=0.0001). At multivariable analysis, bridging therapy was associated with the composite end point (odds ratio, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.4-3.7; P<0.0001), as well as ischemic (odds ratio, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.3-3.9; P=0.005) and hemorrhagic (odds ratio, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.2-4.9; P=0.01) end points separately. Conclusions- Our findings suggest that patients receiving low-molecular-weight heparin have a higher risk of early ischemic recurrence and hemorrhagic transformation compared with nonbridged patients.

Predictors and impact of hemorrhagic transformations after endovascular thrombectomy in patients with acute large vessel occlusions

Background

Predictors and impact of hemorrhagic transformation (HT) after thrombectomy remain to be elucidated.

Objective

To investigate the independent predictors and impact of each hemorrhagic infarction (HI) and parenchymal hematoma (PH) after thrombectomy in patients with acute stroke due to intracranial large vessel occlusion (LVO).

Materials and methods

We retrospectively reviewed data from 400 patients with acute LVO who underwent thrombectomy. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine independent predictors of HI and PH on post-treatment CT scans. Associations between HT and poor outcome (modified Rankin Scalescore ≥3) at 90 days were analyzed.

Results

HT was observed in 98 patients (62 HIs (15.5%) and 36 PHs (9%)). Independent predictors of HI were male sex, atrial fibrillation, and time from symptom onset to groin puncture. Hyperlipidemia (OR=0.221, 95% CI 0.064 to 0.767, P=0.017) and successful reperfusion (OR=0.246, 95% CI 0.093 to 0.651, P=0.005) were independently associated with a lower chance of PH, while hypertension (OR=2.260, 95% CI 1.014 to 5.035, P=0.046) and longer procedure duration (OR=1.046, 95% CI 1.016 to 1.077, P=0.003) were independently associated with a higher chance of PH. Only PH (OR=10.154, 95% CI 3.260 to 31.632, P<0.001) was an independent predictor of poor outcome.

Conclusions

PH is independently associated with poor outcome, whereas HI does not predict outcome after thrombectomy in patients with acute LVO. Our findings suggest that rapid and successful reperfusion is essential to prevent PH in patients undergoing thrombectomy for acute LVO. In addition, our study suggests that hyperlipidemia is associated with a lower risk of PH in such patients.