Neurostimulation for treatment of post-stroke impairments

Neurostimulation, the use of electrical stimulation to modulate the activity of the nervous system, is now commonly used for the treatment of chronic pain, movement disorders and epilepsy. Many neurostimulation techniques have now shown promise for the treatment of physical impairments in people with stroke. In 2021, vagus nerve stimulation was approved by the FDA as an adjunct to intensive rehabilitation therapy for the treatment of chronic upper extremity deficits after ischaemic stroke. In 2024, pharyngeal electrical stimulation was conditionally approved by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for neurogenic dysphagia in people with stroke who have a tracheostomy. Many other approaches have also been tested in pivotal device trials and a number of approaches are in early-phase study. Typically, neurostimulation techniques aim to increase neuroplasticity in response to training and rehabilitation, although the putative mechanisms of action differ and are not fully understood. Neurostimulation techniques offer a number of practical advantages for use after stroke, such as precise dosing and timing, but can be invasive and costly to implement. This Review focuses on neurostimulation techniques that are now in clinical use or that have reached the stage of pivotal trials and show considerable promise for the treatment of post-stroke impairments.

Post-stroke diabetes management: a qualitative study

Introduction

Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of stroke. In many cases, a diabetes diagnosis may predate a stroke; however, diabetes is often diagnosed during the hospital admission following a stroke. To explore the experiences of stroke survivors as they cope with a new diabetes diagnosis, particularly regarding developing an effective strategy for managing the disease.

Methods

A qualitative grounded theory approach was used that employed focus group interviews with participants, including clinicians and stroke survivors, to develop a holistic understanding of primary and secondary stroke care services and the experiences of those accessing them.

Results

Clinicians believed they were not optimally equipped to manage diabetes as a condition. They believed more emphasis should be placed on self-management, which would be better managed by lifestyle changes than medication alone. Conversely, stroke survivors with diabetes experienced an additional burden associated with the diagnoses but relied on clinicians to manage their diabetes and believed the clinicians were failing if they were unwilling or unable to achieve this.

Discussion

The research highlights the tensions between stroke survivors and healthcare professionals. Stroke survivors relied on the healthcare teams to provide the optimal treatment when they had recently undergone a significant health event where they had experienced a stroke and received a diabetes diagnosis. However, the healthcare teams, while recognizing the importance of a holistic and comprehensive treatment package, struggled to provide it due to resource limitations. To optimize post-stroke diabetes self-management education, a strategic framework that prioritizes patient empowerment and interdisciplinary collaboration is paramount. Tailoring educational interventions to align with individual patient profiles-considering their unique health status, personal preferences, and cultural context-is essential for fostering self-efficacy. Such a strategy not only empowers patients to take an active role in managing their diabetes post-stroke but also contributes to superior health outcomes and an elevated standard of living.

Allopurinol and blood pressure variability following ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack: a secondary analysis of XILO-FIST

Blood Pressure Variability (BPV) is associated with cardiovascular risk and serum uric acid level. We investigated whether BPV was lowered by allopurinol and whether it was related to neuroimaging markers of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and cognition. We used data from a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of two years allopurinol treatment after recent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Visit-to-visit BPV was assessed using brachial blood pressure (BP) recordings. Short-term BPV was assessed using ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) performed at 4 weeks and 2 years. Brain MRI was performed at baseline and 2 years. BPV measures were compared between the allopurinol and placebo groups, and with CSVD and cognition. 409 participants (205 allopurinol; 204 placebo) were included in the visit-to-visit BPV analyses. There were no significant differences found between placebo and allopurinol groups for any measure of visit-to-visit BPV. 196 participants were included in analyses of short-term BPV at week 4. Two measures were reduced by allopurinol: the standard deviation (SD) of systolic BP (by 1.30 mmHg (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18-2.42, p = 0.023)); and the average real variability (ARV) of systolic BP (by 1.31 mmHg (95% CI 0.31-2.32, p = 0.011)). There were no differences in other measures at week 4 or in any measure at 2 years, and BPV was not associated with CSVD or cognition. Allopurinol treatment did not affect visit-to-visit BPV in people with recent ischemic stroke or TIA. Two BPV measures were reduced at week 4 by allopurinol but not at 2 years.

Validation of the brain health index in the European Prevention of Alzheimer's Dementia cohort

Background

Brain Health Index (BHI) assimilates various MRI sequences, giving a quantitative measure of brain health. To date, BHI validation has been cross-sectional and limited to selected populations. Further large-scale validation and assessment of temporal change is required to understand its clinical utility.

Aim

Assess 1) relationships between variables associated with cognitive decline and BHI 2) associations between BHI and measures of cognition and 3) longitudinal changes in BHI and relationship with cognitive function.

Methods

BHI computation involved Gaussian mixture-model cluster analysis of T1, T2, T2*, and T2 FLAIR MRI data from participants within the European Prevention of Alzheimer's Dementia (EPAD) cohort. Group differences (gender- and health-based) were evaluated using independent samples Welch's t-tests. Relationships between BHI, age and cognitive tests used linear regression. Longitudinal analysis (12/24 months) utilised mixed linear regression models to examine BHI changes, and paired BHI/cognition associations.

Results

Data from N = 1496 predominantly Caucasian participants (50-88 years old, 43.32% male) were used. BHI scores were lower in those with diabetes (p < 0.001, d = 0.419), hypertension (p < 0.001, d = 0.375), hypercholesterolemia (p < 0.001, d = 0.193) and stroke (p < 0.05, d = 0.512). APOE was not significantly related to BHI scores. After correction for age, cross-sectional BHI scores were significantly associated with all measures of cognitive function in males, but only the Four Mountains Test (4MT) in females. Longitudinal change in BHI and cognition were not consistently related.

Conclusions

BHI is a valid marker of cognitive decline and relatively stable over 1-2 year follow-up periods. Further work should assess temporal changes over a longer duration and determine relationships between BHI and cognition in more diverse populations.

Control intervention design for preclinical and clinical trials: Consensus-based core recommendations from the third Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation Roundtable

Control comparator selection is a critical trial design issue. Preclinical and clinical investigators who are doing trials of stroke recovery and rehabilitation interventions must carefully consider the appropriateness and relevance of their chosen control comparator as the benefit of an experimental intervention is established relative to a comparator. Establishing a strong rationale for a selected comparator improves the integrity of the trial and validity of its findings. This Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation Roundtable (SRRR) taskforce used a graph theory voting system to rank the importance and ease of addressing challenges during control comparator design. "Identifying appropriate type of control" was ranked easy to address and very important, "variability in usual care" was ranked hard to address and of low importance, and "understanding the content of the control and how it differs from the experimental intervention" was ranked very important but not easy to address. The CONtrol DeSIGN (CONSIGN) decision support tool was developed to address the identified challenges and enhance comparator selection, description, and reporting. CONSIGN is a web-based tool inclusive of seven steps that guide the user through control comparator design. The tool was refined through multiple rounds of pilot testing that included more than 130 people working in neurorehabilitation research. Four hypothetical exemplar trials, which span preclinical, mood, aphasia, and motor recovery, demonstrate how the tool can be applied in practice. Six consensus recommendations are defined that span research domains, professional disciplines, and international borders.

Pioglitazone and barriers to effective post-stroke comorbidity management in stroke survivors with diabetes

OBJECTIVES

To explore the barriers preventing pioglitazone use in stroke survivors and primary and secondary stroke care services.

METHODS

A qualitative grounded theory approached design was used to assess post-stroke diabetes treatments and to assess clinical applicability of pioglitazone as a preventive treatment to minimize its side effects (SEs) associated. Three focus groups were established with 48 participants from Scotland and Wales health board centers during January 2019 to July 2022.

RESULTS

A qualitative grounded theory approached design was used to assess post-stroke diabetes treatments and to assess clinical applicability of pioglitazone as a preventive treatment to minimize its SEs associated. Three focus groups were established with 48 participants from Scotland and Wales health board centers during January 2019 to July 2022.

CONCLUSION

These strategies might allow greater treatment adherence by stroke survivors and increased confidence of the health care professionals in their practice. The findings suggest that further research will be needed to facilitate wider usage of pioglitazone in treating people with stroke and health education is necessitate when using diabetes drugs post-stroke.

Safety and efficacy of factor XIa inhibition with milvexian for secondary stroke prevention (AXIOMATIC-SSP): a phase 2, international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding trial

BACKGROUND

People with factor XI deficiency have lower rates of ischaemic stroke than the general population and infrequent spontaneous bleeding, suggesting that factor XI has a more important role in thrombosis than in haemostasis. Milvexian, an oral small-molecule inhibitor of activated factor XI, added to standard antiplatelet therapy, might reduce the risk of non-cardioembolic ischaemic stroke without increasing the risk of bleeding. We aimed to estimate the dose-response of milvexian for recurrent ischaemic cerebral events and major bleeding in patients with recent ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA).

METHODS

AXIOMATIC-SSP was a phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding trial done at 367 hospitals in 27 countries. Eligible participants aged 40 years or older, with acute (<48 h) ischaemic stroke or high-risk TIA, were randomly assigned by a web-based interactive response system in a 1:1:1:1:1:2 ratio to receive one of five doses of milvexian (25 mg once daily, 25 mg twice daily, 50 mg twice daily, 100 mg twice daily, or 200 mg twice daily) or matching placebo twice daily for 90 days. All participants received clopidogrel 75 mg daily for the first 21 days and aspirin 100 mg daily for the first 90 days. Investigators, site staff, and participants were masked to treatment assignment. The primary efficacy endpoint was the composite of ischaemic stroke or incident covert brain infarct on MRI at 90 days, assessed in all participants allocated to treatment who completed a follow-up MRI brain scan, and the primary analysis assessed the dose-response relationship with Multiple Comparison Procedure-Modelling (MCP-MOD). The main safety outcome was major bleeding at 90 days, assessed in all participants who received at least one dose of the study drug. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03766581) and the EU Clinical Trials Register (2017-005029-19).

FINDINGS

Between Jan 27, 2019, and Dec 24, 2021, 2366 participants were randomly allocated to placebo (n=691); milvexian 25 mg once daily (n=328); or twice-daily doses of milvexian 25 mg (n=318), 50 mg (n=328), 100 mg (n=310), or 200 mg (n=351). The median age of participants was 71 (IQR 62-77) years and 859 (36%) were female. At 90 days, the estimates of the percentage of participants with either symptomatic ischaemic stroke or covert brain infarcts were 16·8 (90·2% CI 14·5-19·1) for placebo, 16·7 (14·8-18·6) for 25 mg milvexian once daily, 16·6 (14·8-18·3) for 25 mg twice daily, 15·6 (13·9-17·5) for 50 mg twice daily, 15·4 (13·4-17·6) for 100 mg twice daily, and 15·3 (12·8-19·7) for 200 mg twice daily. No significant dose-response was observed among the five milvexian doses for the primary composite efficacy outcome. Model-based estimates of the relative risk with milvexian compared with placebo were 0·99 (90·2% CI 0·91-1·05) for 25 mg once daily, 0·99 (0·87-1·11) for 25 mg twice daily, 0·93 (0·78-1·11) for 50 mg twice daily, 0·92 (0·75-1·13) for 100 mg twice daily, and 0·91 (0·72-1·26) for 200 mg twice daily. No apparent dose-response was observed for major bleeding (four [1%] of 682 participants with placebo, two [1%] of 325 with milvexian 25 mg once daily, two [1%] of 313 with 25 mg twice daily, five [2%] of 325 with 50 mg twice daily, five [2%] of 306 with 100 mg twice daily, and five [1%] of 344 with 200 mg twice daily). Five treatment-emergent deaths occurred, four of which were considered unrelated to the study drug by the investigator.

INTERPRETATION

Factor XIa inhibition with milvexian, added to dual antiplatelet therapy, did not substantially reduce the composite outcome of symptomatic ischaemic stroke or covert brain infarction and did not meaningfully increase the risk of major bleeding. Findings from our study have informed the design of a phase 3 trial of milvexian for the prevention of ischaemic stroke in patients with acute ischaemic stroke or TIA.

FUNDING

Bristol Myers Squibb and Janssen Research & Development.

Control intervention design for preclinical and clinical trials: Consensus-based core recommendations from the third Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation Roundtable

Control comparator selection is a critical trial design issue. Preclinical and clinical investigators who are doing trials of stroke recovery and rehabilitation interventions must carefully consider the appropriateness and relevance of their chosen control comparator as the benefit of an experimental intervention is established relative to a comparator. Establishing a strong rationale for a selected comparator improves the integrity of the trial and validity of its findings. This Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation Roundtable (SRRR) taskforce used a graph theory voting system to rank the importance and ease of addressing challenges during control comparator design. "Identifying appropriate type of control" was ranked easy to address and very important, "variability in usual care" was ranked hard to address and of low importance, and "understanding the content of the control and how it differs from the experimental intervention" was ranked very important but not easy to address. The CONtrol DeSIGN (CONSIGN) decision support tool was developed to address the identified challenges and enhance comparator selection, description, and reporting. CONSIGN is a web-based tool inclusive of seven steps that guide the user through control comparator design. The tool was refined through multiple rounds of pilot testing that included more than 130 people working in neurorehabilitation research. Four hypothetical exemplar trials, which span preclinical, mood, aphasia, and motor recovery, demonstrate how the tool can be applied in practice. Six consensus recommendations are defined that span research domains, professional disciplines, and international borders.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with post-stroke epilepsy: protocol for an individual patient data meta-analysis from the International Post-stroke Epilepsy Research Repository (IPSERR)

INTRODUCTION

Despite significant advances in managing acute stroke and reducing stroke mortality, preventing complications like post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) has seen limited progress. PSE research has been scattered worldwide with varying methodologies and data reporting. To address this, we established the International Post-stroke Epilepsy Research Consortium (IPSERC) to integrate global PSE research efforts. This protocol outlines an individual patient data meta-analysis (IPD-MA) to determine outcomes in patients with post-stroke seizures (PSS) and develop/validate PSE prediction models, comparing them with existing models. This protocol informs about creating the International Post-stroke Epilepsy Research Repository (IPSERR) to support future collaborative research.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We utilised a comprehensive search strategy and searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases until 30 January 2023. We extracted observational studies of stroke patients aged ≥18 years, presenting early or late PSS with data on patient outcome measures, and conducted the risk of bias assessment. We did not apply any restriction based on the date or language of publication. We will invite these study authors and the IPSERC collaborators to contribute IPD to IPSERR. We will review the IPD lodged within IPSERR to identify patients who developed epileptic seizures and those who did not. We will merge the IPD files of individual data and standardise the variables where possible for consistency. We will conduct an IPD-MA to estimate the prognostic value of clinical characteristics in predicting PSE.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval is not required for this study. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals. This study will contribute to IPSERR, which will be available to researchers for future PSE research projects. It will also serve as a platform to anchor future clinical trials.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT06108102.

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

Importance

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

Objective

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

Data Sources

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

Study Selection

Observational studies that reported PSS outcomes.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

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

Main Outcomes and Measures

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

Results

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

Conclusions and Relevance

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

tVNS in Stroke: A Narrative Review on the Current State and the Future

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of disability and there is a paucity of therapeutic strategies that promote functional recovery after stroke. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) has shown promising evidence as a tool to reduce infarct size in animal models of hyperacute stroke. In chronic stroke, tVNS paired with limb movements has been shown to enhance neurological recovery. In this review, we summarize the current evidence for tVNS in preclinical models and clinical trials in humans. We highlight the mechanistic pathways involved in the beneficial effects of tVNS. We critically evaluate the current gaps in knowledge and recommend the key areas of research required to translate tVNS into clinical practice in acute and chronic stroke.

Intima-media thickness at the near or far wall of the common carotid artery in cardiovascular risk assessment

Aims

Current guidelines recommend measuring carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) at the far wall of the common carotid artery (CCA). We aimed to precisely quantify associations of near vs. far wall CCA-IMT with the risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD, defined as coronary heart disease or stroke) and their added predictive values.

Methods and results

We analysed individual records of 41 941 participants from 16 prospective studies in the Proof-ATHERO consortium {mean age 61 years [standard deviation (SD) = 11]; 53% female; 16% prior CVD}. Mean baseline values of near and far wall CCA-IMT were 0.83 (SD = 0.28) and 0.82 (SD = 0.27) mm, differed by a mean of 0.02 mm (95% limits of agreement: -0.40 to 0.43), and were moderately correlated [r = 0.44; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.39-0.49). Over a median follow-up of 9.3 years, we recorded 10 423 CVD events. We pooled study-specific hazard ratios for CVD using random-effects meta-analysis. Near and far wall CCA-IMT values were approximately linearly associated with CVD risk. The respective hazard ratios per SD higher value were 1.18 (95% CI: 1.14-1.22; I² = 30.7%) and 1.20 (1.18-1.23; I² = 5.3%) when adjusted for age, sex, and prior CVD and 1.09 (1.07-1.12; I² = 8.4%) and 1.14 (1.12-1.16; I²=1.3%) upon multivariable adjustment (all P < 0.001). Assessing CCA-IMT at both walls provided a greater C-index improvement than assessing CCA-IMT at one wall only [+0.0046 vs. +0.0023 for near (P < 0.001), +0.0037 for far wall (P = 0.006)].

Conclusions

The associations of near and far wall CCA-IMT with incident CVD were positive, approximately linear, and similarly strong. Improvement in risk discrimination was highest when CCA-IMT was measured at both walls.

Sex differences in outcome after carotid revascularization in symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis

OBJECTIVE

Sex differences regarding the safety and efficacy of carotid revascularization in carotid artery stenosis have been addressed in several studies with conflicting results. Moreover, women are underrepresented in clinical trials, leading to limited conclusions regarding the safety and efficacy of acute stroke treatments.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed by literature search including four databases from January 1985 to December 2021. Sex differences in the efficacy and safety of revascularization procedures, including carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS), for symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery stenoses were analyzed.

RESULTS

Regarding CEA in symptomatic carotid artery stenosis, the stroke risk in men (3.6%) and women (3.9%) based on 99,495 patients (30 studies) did not differ (P = .16). There was also no difference in the stroke risk by different time frames up to 10 years. Compared with men, women treated with CEA had a significantly higher stroke or death rate at 4 months (2 studies, 2565 patients; 7.2% vs 5.0%; odds ratio [OR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-2.12; I2 = 0%; P = .03), and a significantly higher rate of restenosis (1 study, 615; 17.2% vs 6.7%; OR, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.66-4.75; P = .0001). For CAS in symptomatic artery stenosis, data showed a non-significant tendency toward higher peri-procedural stroke in women, whereas for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis, data based on 332,344 patients showed that women (compared with men) after CEA had similar rates of stroke, stroke or death, and the composite outcome stroke/death/myocardial infarction. The rate of restenosis at 1 year was significantly higher in women compared with men (1 study, 372 patients; 10.8% vs 3.2%; OR, 3.71; 95% CI, 1.49-9.2; P = .005). Furthermore, CAS in asymptomatic patients was associated with low risk of a postprocedural stroke in both sexes, but a significantly higher risk of in-hospital myocardial infarction in women than men (8445 patients, 1.2% vs 0.6%; OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.23-3.28; I2 = 0%; P = .005).

CONCLUSIONS

A few sex-differences in short-term outcomes after carotid revascularization for symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis were found, although there were no significant differences in the overall stroke. This indicates a need for larger multicenter prospective studies to evaluate these sex-specific differences. More women, including those aged over 80 years, need to be enrolled in randomized controlled trials, to better understand if sex differences exist and to tailor carotid revascularization accordingly.

Risk of recurrent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation treated with oral anticoagulants alone or in combination with anti-platelet therapy

INTRODUCTION

Ischaemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at high risk of stroke recurrence despite oral anticoagulation therapy. Patients with cardiovascular comorbidities may take both antiplatelet and oral anticoagulation therapy (OAC/AP). Our study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of OAC/AP therapy as secondary prevention in people with AF and ischaemic stroke.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a post-hoc analysis of pooled individual data from multicenter prospective cohort studies and compared outcomes in the OAC/AP cohort and patients on DOAC/VKA anticoagulation alone (OAC cohort). Primary outcome was a composite of ischaemic stroke, systemic embolism, intracranial bleeding, and major extracranial bleeding, while secondary outcomes were ischaemic and haemorrhagic events considered separately. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors for outcome events. To compare the risk of outcome events between the two cohorts, the relation between the survival function and the set of explanatory variables were calculated by Cox proportional hazard models and the results were reported as adjusted hazard ratios (HR). Finally another analysis was performed to compare the overall risk of outcome events in both OAC/AP and OAC cohorts after propensity score matching (PSM).

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up time of 7.5 ± 9.1 months (median follow-up time 3.5 months, interquartile range ±3), 2284 stroke patients were on oral anticoagulants and 215 were on combined therapy. The multivariable model demonstrated that the composite outcome is associated with age (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.04 for each year increase) and concomitant antiplatelet therapy (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.48-3.27), the ischaemic outcome with congestive heart failure (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.02-2.36) and concomitant antiplatelet therapy (OR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.19-3.13) and the haemorrhagic outcome with age (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.06 for each year increase), alcoholism (OR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.06-4.39) and concomitant antiplatelet therapy (OR: 2.22, 95% CI: 1.23-4.02). Cox regression demonstrated a higher rate of the composite outcome (hazard ratio of 1.93 [95% CI, 1.35-2.76]), ischaemic events (HR: 2.05 [95% CI: 1.45-2.87]) and bleeding outcomes (HR: 1.90 [95% CI, 1.06-3.40]) in OAC/AP cohort. After PSM analysis, the composite outcome remained more frequent in people treated with OAC + AP (RR: 1.70 [95% CI, 1.05-2.74]).

DISCUSSION

Secondary prevention with combination of oral anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy after ischaemic stroke was associated with worse outcomes in our cohort.

CONCLUSION

Further research is needed to improve secondary prevention by investigating the mechanisms of recurrent ischaemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Sex and hypertensive organ damage: stroke

Stroke is a common cause of death and disability in both men and women. Differences in the incidence, presenting features and outcome after stroke have been reported between men and women. The global lifetime risk of stroke of approximately 25% is similar in men and women, although in women, the first cardiovascular event is more likely to be stroke than in men. Concerningly, there are reports of underuse of some treatments in women, although these differences may be diminishing over time. In addition, there are specific clinical challenges that can arise in women with stroke, such as stroke in people taking hormonal therapy, and stroke during pregnancy and stroke in the post-partum period. This review will cover these areas highlighting important differences and areas for future research. We found there are important differences in incidence of stroke, which differ by age. Further, there is concerning evidence that some treatments such as intravenous thrombolysis are underused in women. While there may be some differences in the relative effectiveness of treatments such as antiplatelet therapy and blood pressure reduction between men and women, for most aspects of stroke care, benefit is clear in both men and women and the emphasis must be on more equitable access. There is limited evidence to inform decision making during pregnancy and the post-partum period, but guidelines now exist and further research is needed in these areas.

Early versus Later Anticoagulation for Stroke with Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND

The effect of early as compared with later initiation of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in persons with atrial fibrillation who have had an acute ischemic stroke is unclear.

METHODS

We performed an investigator-initiated, open-label trial at 103 sites in 15 countries. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to early anticoagulation (within 48 hours after a minor or moderate stroke or on day 6 or 7 after a major stroke) or later anticoagulation (day 3 or 4 after a minor stroke, day 6 or 7 after a moderate stroke, or day 12, 13, or 14 after a major stroke). Assessors were unaware of the trial-group assignments. The primary outcome was a composite of recurrent ischemic stroke, systemic embolism, major extracranial bleeding, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, or vascular death within 30 days after randomization. Secondary outcomes included the components of the composite primary outcome at 30 and 90 days.

RESULTS

Of 2013 participants (37% with minor stroke, 40% with moderate stroke, and 23% with major stroke), 1006 were assigned to early anticoagulation and 1007 to later anticoagulation. A primary-outcome event occurred in 29 participants (2.9%) in the early-treatment group and 41 participants (4.1%) in the later-treatment group (risk difference, -1.18 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.84 to 0.47) by 30 days. Recurrent ischemic stroke occurred in 14 participants (1.4%) in the early-treatment group and 25 participants (2.5%) in the later-treatment group (odds ratio, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.29 to 1.07) by 30 days and in 18 participants (1.9%) and 30 participants (3.1%), respectively, by 90 days (odds ratio, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.33 to 1.06). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 2 participants (0.2%) in both groups by 30 days.

CONCLUSIONS

In this trial, the incidence of recurrent ischemic stroke, systemic embolism, major extracranial bleeding, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, or vascular death at 30 days was estimated to range from 2.8 percentage points lower to 0.5 percentage points higher (based on the 95% confidence interval) with early than with later use of DOACs. (Funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation and others; ELAN ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03148457.).

Impact of genetic polymorphisms on the risk of epilepsy amongst patients with acute brain injury: A systematic review

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The genetics of late seizure or epilepsy secondary to traumatic brain injury (TBI) or stroke are poorly understood. We undertook a systematic review to test the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the risk of post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) and post-stroke epilepsy (PSE).

METHODS

We followed methods from our prespecified protocol on PROSPERO to identify indexed articles for this systematic review. We collated the association statistics from the included articles to assess the association of SNPs with the risk of epilepsy amongst TBI or stroke patients. We assessed study quality using the Q-Genie tool. We report odds ratios (OR) and hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

The literature search yielded 420 articles. We included 16 studies in our systematic review, of which seven were of poor quality. We examined published data on 127 SNPs from 32 genes identified in PTE and PSE patients. Eleven SNPs were associated with a significantly increased risk of PTE. Three SNPs, TRMP6 rs2274924, ALDH2 rs671, and CD40 -1C/T, were significantly associated with an increased risk of PSE, while two, AT1R rs12721273 and rs55707609, were significantly associated with reduced risk. The meta-analysis for the association of the APOE ɛ4 with PTE was nonsignificant (OR 1.8, CI 0.6-5.6).

CONCLUSIONS

The current evidence on the association of genetic polymorphisms in epilepsy secondary to TBI or stroke is of low quality and lacks validation. A collaborative effort to pool genetic data linked to epileptogenesis in stroke and TBI patients is warranted.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation Paired with Upper-Limb Rehabilitation After Stroke: Two- and Three-Year Follow-up from the Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether a long-term home-based intervention using Paired VNS therapy is feasible and whether the benefits of Paired VNS therapy are maintained beyond 1 year.

DESIGN

A long-term follow-up study.

SETTING

Three centers in the United States and 1 in the United Kingdom.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults with chronic ischemic stroke (n=15) with moderate to severe arm and hand impairment.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants were implanted with a VNS device followed by 6 weeks of in-clinic therapy with Paired (Active) or control VNS followed by home-based rehabilitation through day 90 (blinded phase). The control VNS group then crossed over to receive 6 weeks of in-clinic Active VNS. Participants in both groups then continued a long-term home exercise program with self-administered Active VNS.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) and Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) Functional scores were evaluated at the end of in-clinic therapy and day 90. Since both groups were subsequently receiving home-based rehabilitation with Active VNS during the long term, follow-up outcome assessments were pooled for the analyses at 6, 9, and 12 months, as previously reported. Here, we report pooled analysis of outcomes beyond 1 year.

RESULTS

One year after Paired VNS therapy, FMA-UE improved by an average of 9.2±8.2 points, as previously reported. Overall, the 2- and 3-year FMA-UE gain from baseline was 11.4±8.7 (P<.001) and 14.8±10.2 points (P<.001), respectively. At years 2 and 3, FMA-UE improved by an additional 2.9 (P=.03 for change vs year 1, n=14) and 4.7 (P=.02 for change vs year 1, n=14) points, respectively. At year 1, 73% (11/15) of participants were responders (FMA-UE change ≥6) and by year 3, 85.7% (12/14) were responders. At years 2 and 3, the WMFT score improved by an additional 0.21 points (P=.03 for change vs year 1, n=15) and 0.42 points (P=.01 for change vs year 1, n=13), respectively. Responder rate (WMFT change ≥0.4) was 46.6% (7/15), 73.3% (11/15), and 69.2% (9/13) at years 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Long-term significant improvements were also observed for Motor Activity Log (MAL) and Stroke Impact Scale, Hand section (SIS-Hand). There were no serious long-term adverse events from the stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant effects of Paired VNS therapy at 1 year were maintained at years 2 and 3, and further improvements in both impairment and function were observed in years 2 and 3. These changes were associated with improvements in measures of activity and participation.

Xanthine oxidase inhibition and white matter hyperintensity progression following ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack (XILO-FIST): a multicentre, double-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

People who experience an ischaemic stroke are at risk of recurrent vascular events, progression of cerebrovascular disease, and cognitive decline. We assessed whether allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, reduced white matter hyperintensity (WMH) progression and blood pressure (BP) following ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA).

METHODS

In this multicentre, prospective, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial conducted in 22 stroke units in the United Kingdom, we randomly assigned participants within 30-days of ischaemic stroke or TIA to receive oral allopurinol 300 mg twice daily or placebo for 104 weeks. All participants had brain MRI performed at baseline and week 104 and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring at baseline, week 4 and week 104. The primary outcome was the WMH Rotterdam Progression Score (RPS) at week 104. Analyses were by intention to treat. Participants who received at least one dose of allopurinol or placebo were included in the safety analysis. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02122718.

FINDINGS

Between 25th May 2015 and the 29th November 2018, 464 participants were enrolled (232 per group). A total of 372 (189 with placebo and 183 with allopurinol) attended for week 104 MRI and were included in analysis of the primary outcome. The RPS at week 104 was 1.3 (SD 1.8) with allopurinol and 1.5 (SD 1.9) with placebo (between group difference -0.17, 95% CI -0.52 to 0.17, p = 0.33). Serious adverse events were reported in 73 (32%) participants with allopurinol and in 64 (28%) with placebo. There was one potentially treatment related death in the allopurinol group.

INTERPRETATION

Allopurinol use did not reduce WMH progression in people with recent ischaemic stroke or TIA and is unlikely to reduce the risk of stroke in unselected people.

FUNDING

The British Heart Foundation and the UK Stroke Association.

Abstract 150: Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Paired With Upper Extremity Rehabilitation In Chronic Stroke: Improvements In Wrist And Hand Impairment And Function

Introduction: In the VNS-REHAB trial, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with task-specific arm and hand rehabilitation (Paired VNS) led to clinically meaningful improvements in both impairment and function of the upper extremity in people with chronic ischemic stroke. In this post hoc analysis of trial data, we assessed whether improvements were driven by proximal (shoulder and elbow) and/or distal (wrist and hand) components of the Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-UE). We also wanted to determine whether FMA-UE improvements correlated with improvements in functional outcome.

Methods: Chronic stroke participants (n=108) with moderate-severe UE impairment (FMA-UE 35.1±8) were implanted with the VNS device and randomized to Paired VNS (n=53) or Controls (n=55). Participants underwent 6 weeks of in-clinic therapy followed by 90 days of a home exercise program. Outcomes, including the FMA-UE and Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), were collected after in-clinic therapy (Post-1) and 90 days of home therapy (Post-90).

Results: Distal FMA-UE change was significantly greater after Paired VNS compared to Controls, both at Post-1 (2.43±2.52 vs. 0.64±2.33; 95% CI 0.87-2.72, p<0.001, Cohen’s d=0.74) and Post-90 (2.58±2.88 vs. 0.93±3.16; 95% CI 0.5-2.81, p=0.005, Cohen’s d=0.55). Proximal FMA-UE change was also greater after Paired VNS compared to Controls but did not reach statistical significance at either timepoint. At Post-90, both proximal (r=0.50, p<0.0001) and distal (r=0.42, p=0.001) FMA-UE change significantly correlated with WMFT change after Paired VNS, but not in Controls (proximal: r=0.24, p=0.06; distal: r=0.14, p=0.24).

Conclusions: The data suggest that Paired VNS leads to greater improvement in the distal upper extremity compared to rehabilitation alone and that improvements in FMA-UE scores are correlated with improvements in function. These findings suggest that the improvements seen with Paired VNS are of functional importance. A greater understanding of region-specific arm and hand recovery after Paired VNS therapy will facilitate planning and implementation of a personalized neurorehabilitation approach based on patient-specific impairments.

Abstract TP229: Impact Of Genetic Polymorphisms On The Risk Of Epilepsy Amongst Patients With Acute Brain Injury: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI) accounts for 70% of secondary epilepsy in the adult population. The genetic architecture of epilepsy secondary to TBI or stroke is poorly understood.

Objective: We undertook a systematic review to test the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the risk of posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) and post-stroke epilepsy (PSE).

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search until 5 July 2022 in PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. We preregistered the protocol of this systematic review on PROSPERO (CRD42022325617). We collated the association statistics from the articles to assess the association of SNPs with the risk of epilepsy amongst TBI or stroke patients. We assessed the study quality using the Quality of Genetic Association (Q-Genie) tool. We report Odds Ratio (OR) and Hazard Ratio (HR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI), including combined OR where a meta-analysis was possible.

Results: The literature search yielded 420 articles, of which 16 were included in our systematic review. Q-Genie-based assessment of the literature found that 58% of the included studies were of poor quality. We examined published data on 127 SNPs from 32 genes identified in PTE and PSE patients. Twelve studies reported that 718 TBI patients (21%) suffered from PTE. Four studies reported PSE in 1192 stroke patients (50%). Eleven SNPs were associated with an increased risk of PTE. Three SNPs, TRMP6 rs2274924, ALDH2 rs671, CD40 -1C/T, were significantly associated with an increased risk of PSE, while two SNPs, AT1R rs12721273 and rs55707609, were significantly associated with reduced risk. Only two studies tested the association of APOE E4 with PTE; no other studies validated previously reported genetic association data. Hence, the limited data precluded meta-analysis of all but one SNP, i.e., the APOE E4 allele. The meta-analysis for the association of the APOE E4 allele with PTE was non-significant (OR 1.8, CI 0.6-5.6).

Conclusions: The current evidence on the association of genetic polymorphisms in epilepsy secondary to TBI or stroke is of low quality and lacks validation. A collaborative effort to pool genetic data linked to epileptogenesis in stroke and TBI patients is warranted.

Molecular biomarkers predicting newly detected atrial fibrillation after ischaemic stroke or TIA: A systematic review

Background:

Several molecular biomarkers are available that predict newly detected atrial fibrillation (NDAF). We aimed to identify such biomarkers that predict NDAF after an Ischaemic stroke (IS)/Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) and evaluate their performance.

Methods:

A systematic review was undertaken in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Studies of patients with IS, TIA, or both, who underwent ECG monitoring for ⩾24 h, which reported molecular biomarkers and frequency of NDAF after electronic searches of multiple databases were included.

Results:

Twenty-one studies (76% IS, 24% IS and TIA) involving 4640 patients were included. Twelve biomarkers were identified, with cardiac biomarkers evaluated in the majority (75%) of patients. Performance measures were inconsistently reported. Among cohorts selecting high-risk individuals (12 studies), the most studied biomarkers were N-Terminal-Pro Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-ProBNP, five studies; C-statistics reported by three studies, 0.69–0.88) and Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP, two studies; C-statistics reported in two studies, 0.68–0.77). Among unselected cohorts (nine studies), the most studied biomarker was BNP (six studies; C-statistics reported in five studies, 0.75–0.88). Only BNP was externally validated (two studies) but using different thresholds to categorise risk of NDAF.

Conclusion:

Cardiac biomarkers appear to have modest to good discrimination for predicting NDAF, although most analyses were limited by small, heterogeneous study populations. Their clinical utility should be explored further, and this review supports the need to assess the role of molecular biomarkers in large prospective studies with standardised selection criteria, definition of clinically significant NDAF and laboratory assays.

Early versus Late initiation of direct oral Anticoagulants in post-ischaemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillatioN (ELAN): Protocol for an international, multicentre, randomised-controlled, two-arm, open, assessor-blinded trial

RATIONALE

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) are highly effective in preventing ischaemic strokes in people with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it is unclear how soon they should be started after acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). Early initiation may reduce early risk of recurrence but might increase the risk of haemorrhagic complications.

AIM

To estimate the safety and efficacy of early initiation of DOACs compared to late guideline-based initiation in people with AIS related to AF.

METHODS AND DESIGN

An international, multicentre, randomised (1:1) controlled, two-arm, open, assessor-blinded trial is being conducted. Early treatment is defined as DOAC initiation within 48 h of a minor or moderate stroke, or at day 6-7 following major stroke. Late treatment is defined as DOAC initiation after day 3-4 following minor stroke, after day 6-7 following moderate stroke and after day 12-14 following major stroke. Severity of stroke is defined according to imaging assessment of infarct size.

SAMPLE SIZE

ELAN will randomise 2000 participants 1:1 to early versus late initiation of DOACs. This assumes a risk difference of 0.5% favouring the early arm, allowing an upper limit of the 95% confidence interval up to 1.5% based on the Miettinen & Nurminen formula.

OUTCOMES

The primary outcome is a composite of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage, major extracranial bleeding, recurrent ischaemic stroke, systemic embolism or vascular death at 30 ± 3 days after randomisation. Secondary outcomes include the individual components of the primary outcome at 30 ± 3 and 90 ± 7 days and functional status at 90 ± 7 days.

DISCUSSION

ELAN will estimate whether there is a clinically important difference in safety and efficacy outcomes following early anticoagulation with a DOAC compared to late guideline-based treatment in neuroimaging-selected people with an AIS due to AF.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation Paired With Rehabilitation for Upper Limb Motor Impairment and Function After Chronic Ischemic Stroke: Subgroup Analysis of the Randomized, Blinded, Pivotal, VNS-REHAB Device Trial

BACKGROUND

Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) paired with rehabilitation improved upper extremity impairment and function in a recent pivotal, randomized, triple-blind, sham-controlled trial in people with chronic arm weakness after stroke.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine whether treatment effects varied across candidate subgroups, such as younger age or less injury.

METHODS

Participants were randomized to receive rehabilitation paired with active VNS or rehabilitation paired with sham stimulation (Control). The primary outcome was the change in impairment measured by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) score on the first day after completion of 6-weeks in-clinic therapy. We explored the effect of VNS treatment by sex, age (≥62 years), time from stroke (>2 years), severity (baseline FMA-UE score >34), paretic side of body, country of enrollment (USA vs UK) and presence of cortical involvement of the index infarction. We assessed whether there was any interaction with treatment.

FINDINGS

The primary outcome increased by 5.0 points (SD 4.4) in the VNS group and by 2.4 points (SD 3.8) in the Control group (P = .001, between group difference 2.6, 95% CI 1.03-4.2). The between group difference was similar across all subgroups and there were no significant treatment interactions. There was no important difference in rates of adverse events across subgroups.

CONCLUSION

The response was similar across subgroups examined. The findings suggest that the effects of paired VNS observed in the VNS-REHAB trial are likely to be consistent in wide range of stroke survivors with moderate to severe upper extremity impairment.

Antiplatelet treatment for acute secondary prevention of non-cardioembolic minor stroke / transient ischaemic attack: an update for the acute physician

Acute stroke is the leading cause of disability in the UK and a leading cause of mortality worldwide. The majority of patients with ischaemic stroke present with minor deficits or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), and are often first seen by patient-facing clinicians. Urgent evaluation and treatment are important as many patients are at high risk of major vascular events and death within hours to days after the index event. This narrative review summarises the evidence on four antiplatelet treatments for non-cardioembolic stroke prevention: aspirin, clopidogrel, dipyridamole and ticagrelor. Each of these drugs has a unique mechanism and has been tested as a single agent or in combination. Aspirin, when given early is beneficial and short-term treatment with aspirin and clopidogrel has been shown to be more effective in high-risk TIA / minor stroke. This review concludes by highlighting gaps in evidence, including scope for future trials that could potentially change clinical practice.

European Stroke Organisation (ESO) guideline on pharmacological interventions for long-term secondary prevention after ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack

Recurrent stroke affects 9% to 15% of people within 1 year. This European Stroke Organisation (ESO) guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on pharmacological management of blood pressure (BP), diabetes mellitus, lipid levels and antiplatelet therapy for the prevention of recurrent stroke and other important outcomes in people with ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). It does not cover interventions for specific causes of stroke, including anticoagulation for cardioembolic stroke, which are addressed in other guidelines. This guideline was developed through ESO standard operating procedures and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. The working group identified clinical questions, selected outcomes, performed systematic reviews, with meta-analyses where appropriate, and made evidence-based recommendations, with expert consensus statements where evidence was insufficient to support a recommendation. To reduce the long-term risk of recurrent stroke or other important outcomes after ischaemic stroke or TIA, we recommend: BP lowering treatment to a target of <130/80 mmHg, except in subgroups at increased risk of harm; HMGCoA-reductase inhibitors (statins) and targeting a low density lipoprotein level of <1.8 mmol/l (70 mg/dl); avoidance of dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel after the first 90 days; to not give direct oral anticoagulant drugs (DOACs) for embolic stroke of undetermined source and to consider pioglitazone in people with diabetes or insulin resistance, after careful consideration of potential risks. In addition to the evidence-based recommendations, all or the majority of working group members supported: out-of-office BP monitoring; use of combination treatment for BP control; consideration of ezetimibe or PCSK9 inhibitors when lipid targets are not achieved; consideration of use of low-dose DOACs in addition to an antiplatelet in selected groups of people with coronary or peripheral artery disease and aiming for an HbA1c level of <53 mmol/mol (7%) in people with diabetes mellitus. These guidelines aim to standardise long-term pharmacological treatment to reduce the burden of recurrent stroke in Europe.

Preventing Recurrent Cardioembolic Stroke: Right Approach, Right Patient (PRECISE) Study Protocol

Cardiac rhythm monitoring is performed to search for atrial fibrillation (AF) after ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Prolonged cardiac rhythm monitoring increases AF detection but is challenging to implement in many healthcare settings and is not needed for all people after ischaemic stroke/TIA. We aimed to develop and validate a model that includes clinical, electrocardiogram (ECG), blood-based, and genetic biomarkers to identify people with a low probability of AF detection after ischaemic stroke or TIA. We will recruit 675 consenting participants who are aged over 18 years, who were admitted with ischaemic stroke or TIA in the 5 days prior, who are not known to have AF, and who would be suitable for anticoagulation if AF is found. We will collect baseline demographic and clinical data, a 12-lead ECG, and a venous blood sample for blood biomarkers (including midregional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide, MRproANP) and genetic data. We will perform up to 28 days of cardiac rhythm monitoring using an R-test or patch device to search for AF in all participants. The sample size of 675 participants is based on true sensitivity of 92.5%, null hypothesis sensitivity of 80%, 80% power, and 5% significance. The primary outcome is AF detection ≥30 s duration during 28 days of cardiac rhythm monitoring. Secondary outcomes are AF detection at 1-year, recurrent cardiovascular events, and mortality and will be identified by electronic linkage and telephone follow-up. The results will guide the development of a more personalized care pathway to search for AF after ischaemic stroke or TIA. This could help to reduce cardiac rhythm monitoring for people with a low probability of AF detection and allow more intensive cardiac monitoring to be focused on people who are more likely to have AF and benefit. Participants will be consented for their data to be used in future research studies, providing a rich resource for stroke and cardiovascular research communities.

Improving detection and management of atrial fibrillation after ischaemic stroke in Glasgow (IMPROVE-AF): A quality improvement project

Introduction:

The use of cardiac monitoring to detect atrial fibrillation (AF) is routine after ischaemic stroke but is often delayed leaving patients at risk from undetected AF. We sought to improve the detection of AF by delivering early prolonged ‘in-house’ cardiac monitoring.

Patients and methods:

We collected 3-months of data of people with stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA), but without AF, who underwent cardiac monitoring (Phase 1, pre-quality improvement project (QIP)). We then implemented an ‘in-house’ 7-day cardiac monitoring service for 12 months (Phase 2, during QIP).

Results:

We included 244 people in Phase 1 and 172 in Phase 2. In Phase 1, 232 (95%) people completed cardiac monitoring. Of these, new AF was detected in 10 (4%). Median time from stroke/TIA onset to availability of the monitoring report in Phase 1 was 50 (interquartile range (IQR): 24–123) days. In Phase 2, 166 (97%) of people completed 7-day cardiac monitoring, with new AF detected in 17 (10%). Median time from onset to availability of the report in Phase 2 was 12 (IQR: 9–15) days. In people with AF detected, ‘in-house’ monitoring reduced the time of stroke/TIA onset to anticoagulant commencement from 41 (Phase 1) to 14 (Phase 2) days.

Conclusions:

The QIP has improved AF detection, reduced delays associated with conventional cardiac monitoring and prompted early initiation of oral anticoagulation.

Clinical characteristics with inflammation profiling of long COVID and association with 1-year recovery following hospitalisation in the UK: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

No effective pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions exist for patients with long COVID. We aimed to describe recovery 1 year after hospital discharge for COVID-19, identify factors associated with patient-perceived recovery, and identify potential therapeutic targets by describing the underlying inflammatory profiles of the previously described recovery clusters at 5 months after hospital discharge.

METHODS

The Post-hospitalisation COVID-19 study (PHOSP-COVID) is a prospective, longitudinal cohort study recruiting adults (aged ≥18 years) discharged from hospital with COVID-19 across the UK. Recovery was assessed using patient-reported outcome measures, physical performance, and organ function at 5 months and 1 year after hospital discharge, and stratified by both patient-perceived recovery and recovery cluster. Hierarchical logistic regression modelling was performed for patient-perceived recovery at 1 year. Cluster analysis was done using the clustering large applications k-medoids approach using clinical outcomes at 5 months. Inflammatory protein profiling was analysed from plasma at the 5-month visit. This study is registered on the ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN10980107, and recruitment is ongoing.

FINDINGS

2320 participants discharged from hospital between March 7, 2020, and April 18, 2021, were assessed at 5 months after discharge and 807 (32·7%) participants completed both the 5-month and 1-year visits. 279 (35·6%) of these 807 patients were women and 505 (64·4%) were men, with a mean age of 58·7 (SD 12·5) years, and 224 (27·8%) had received invasive mechanical ventilation (WHO class 7-9). The proportion of patients reporting full recovery was unchanged between 5 months (501 [25·5%] of 1965) and 1 year (232 [28·9%] of 804). Factors associated with being less likely to report full recovery at 1 year were female sex (odds ratio 0·68 [95% CI 0·46-0·99]), obesity (0·50 [0·34-0·74]) and invasive mechanical ventilation (0·42 [0·23-0·76]). Cluster analysis (n=1636) corroborated the previously reported four clusters: very severe, severe, moderate with cognitive impairment, and mild, relating to the severity of physical health, mental health, and cognitive impairment at 5 months. We found increased inflammatory mediators of tissue damage and repair in both the very severe and the moderate with cognitive impairment clusters compared with the mild cluster, including IL-6 concentration, which was increased in both comparisons (n=626 participants). We found a substantial deficit in median EQ-5D-5L utility index from before COVID-19 (retrospective assessment; 0·88 [IQR 0·74-1·00]), at 5 months (0·74 [0·64-0·88]) to 1 year (0·75 [0·62-0·88]), with minimal improvements across all outcome measures at 1 year after discharge in the whole cohort and within each of the four clusters.

INTERPRETATION

The sequelae of a hospital admission with COVID-19 were substantial 1 year after discharge across a range of health domains, with the minority in our cohort feeling fully recovered. Patient-perceived health-related quality of life was reduced at 1 year compared with before hospital admission. Systematic inflammation and obesity are potential treatable traits that warrant further investigation in clinical trials.

FUNDING

UK Research and Innovation and National Institute for Health Research.

Scintillation light detection in the 6-m drift-length ProtoDUNE Dual Phase liquid argon TPC

DUNE is a dual-site experiment for long-baseline neutrino oscillation studies, neutrino astrophysics and nucleon decay searches. ProtoDUNE Dual Phase (DP) is a 6  ×  6  ×  6 m 3 liquid argon time-projection-chamber (LArTPC) that recorded cosmic-muon data at the CERN Neutrino Platform in 2019-2020 as a prototype of the DUNE Far Detector. Charged particles propagating through the LArTPC produce ionization and scintillation light. The scintillation light signal in these detectors can provide the trigger for non-beam events. In addition, it adds precise timing capabilities and improves the calorimetry measurements. In ProtoDUNE-DP, scintillation and electroluminescence light produced by cosmic muons in the LArTPC is collected by photomultiplier tubes placed up to 7 m away from the ionizing track. In this paper, the ProtoDUNE-DP photon detection system performance is evaluated with a particular focus on the different wavelength shifters, such as PEN and TPB, and the use of Xe-doped LAr, considering its future use in giant LArTPCs. The scintillation light production and propagation processes are analyzed and a comparison of simulation to data is performed, improving understanding of the liquid argon properties.

Aspirin for Primary Stroke Prevention; Evidence for a Differential Effect in Men and Women

Background:

The use of aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events in men and women remains controversial. Our study aimed to investigate the role of aspirin in primary stroke prevention in men and women and the effect of aspirin on risk of ischemic stroke in patients with covert cerebral small vessel disease (ccSVD).

Methods

We performed systematic searches of the PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases, covering the period from the inception of each database to May 2021. The incidence of any ischemic stroke (IS) or hemorrhagic stroke (HS) was the main outcome. The incidence of stroke overall, both ischemic (IS) and hemorrhagic (HS), was the main outcome.

Results

From 531 abstracts, 11 randomized control trials which assessed primary prevention of cardiovascular events in men and women were included. Only one study assessed the risk of aspirin in people with ccSVD. In women, there was significant decrease in the risk of stroke (OR 0.85 [95% CI 0.73, 0.99], p = 0.03) and IS (OR 0.76 [0.63, 0.93], p = 0.008) with aspirin compared to placebo while no increase in the risk of HS was found (OR 1.78 [0.61, 5.19], p = 0.29). In men, aspirin did not affect the risk of stroke (OR 1.13 [0.97, 1.31], p = 0.12) and IS (OR 0.94 [0.67, 1.32], p = 0.72) but increased the risk of HS with borderline statistical significance (OR 1.99 [0.99, 4.03], p = 0.05) compared to placebo. Aspirin significantly increased major bleedings in both sexes (p < 0.05). We found no evidence to support the use of aspirin in patients with ccSVD.

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis suggests aspirin is effective in primary prevention of stroke and IS in women with no clear increased risk of HS. However, it was associated with an overall increased risk of bleeding. Aspirin is not recommended in ccSVD.

POS0003 DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A DISEASE SPECIFIC PATIENT REPORTED OUTCOME FOR GIANT CELL ARTERITIS

Background

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is caused by inflammation of the blood vessels of the head and neck; patients can present with cranial, ocular or large vessel vasculitis involvement. Treatment is with glucocorticoids, steroid sparing agents and biologics to control inflammation and protect sight.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to produce a validated disease specific PROM for patients with GCA, to capture the impact of GCA and its treatment on health-related quality of life.

Methods

Patients with clinician- confirmed GCA from the UK, either diagnosed in the last three years or with a flare in the last year, were included in the survey. A longlist of 40 candidate questionnaire items, each with a 5-point Likert scale, had previously been developed, based on a qualitative study with patients from the UK and Australia [1]. In this cross-sectional survey, patients completed the 40-item draft GCA-PROM alongside EQ5D-5L, CAT-PRO5 and self-report of GCA disease activity. Rasch and factor analysis were used in an iterative manner to determine the underlying construct validity of the new PROM. Items were fitted to the Rasch model to determine its construct validity, reliability, unidimensionality and statistical sufficiency of the total score from the scale. Factor analysis was used to establishing factor structure. Item reduction decisions were be based on clinical importance, lack of fit to the Rasch model, and redundancy detected during principal component analysis. External validity was tested by comparing the scores of the newly validated GCA-PROM (i) in participants who self-identify as having ‘active disease’ versus patients ‘in remission’ (known groups validity) (ii) with scores derived from EQ5D-5L and CAT-PRO5 (convergent validity).

Results

The survey included 428 patients; 327 (76%) cranial GCA, 114 (26.6%) large vessel vasculitis and 142 (33.2%) ocular involvement. 285 (67%) of participants were female with a mean age (SD) of 74.2 (7.2). 167 (39%) temporal artery biopsies and 177 (41.4%) temporal artery ultrasounds, and 51 (11.9%) Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography (PET-CT)s were reported as positive. 108 (25%) received second-line immunosuppressants, and 34 (7.9%) anti-IL6 therapy. Active disease was reported in 197 (46%). Four factors (domains) were identified after deletion of 10 redundant items: Acute symptoms (8 items), Activities of daily living (7 items), Psychological (7 items) and Participation (8 items). The four domains were analysed as ‘super-items’ and shown to fit the Rasch model. The overall scale had an adequate fit to the Rasch model: X2 = 25.219, DF=24, p=0.394 including reliability PSI=0.828. The raw-to-linear transformation scale was calibrated to enable parametric analyses if desired. Each domain was shown to have known-groups validity (p<0.001 patients reporting active versus inactive disease) and correlation with EQ5D-5L and CAT-PRO5 (Rs) ranging between 0.4.42 and 0.778.

Conclusion

The GCA-PROM is a new patient reported outcome measure for patients with GCA which demonstrates good internal and external validity.

References

[1]Robson JC, Almeida C, Dawson J, Bromhead A, Dures E, Guly C, Hoon E, Mackie S, Ndosi M, Pauling J, Hill C. Patient perceptions of health-related quality of life in giant cell arteritis; international development of a disease-specific Patient-Reported Outcome Measure. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021:keab076. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keab076

Disclosure of Interests

Joanna Robson Speakers bureau: Vifor Pharma EULAR 2021 Symposium, Consultant of: Vifor Pharma Advisory board 2021, Grant/research support from: Vifor Pharma Steroid PRO grant, Celia Almeida: None declared, Jill Dawson: None declared, Emma Dures: None declared, Rosemary Greenwood: None declared, Catherine Guly: None declared, Sarah Mackie Speakers bureau: Roche/Chugai Educational talk on GCA., Consultant of: Roche/Chugai

Sanofi

Abbvie (2021-)

AstraZeneca (2021-), Grant/research support from: Vifor Pharma Steroid PRO 2020

Vifor Pharma GTI Validation 2020

Roche GCA Tocilizumab Registry 2019

, Alison Bromhead: None declared, Steve Stern: None declared, Mwidimi Ndosi: None declared

POS0040-HPR PATIENT PERCEPTIONS OF IMPACT OF GLUCOCORTICOID THERAPY IN THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES: INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF A TREATMENT-SPECIFIC PATIENT REPORTED OUTCOME MEASURE

Background

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are a key treatment for inflammatory rheumatic diseases, but they cause a wide range of adverse side-effects which are of concern both to patients and clinicians.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to explore the impact of GC therapy on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during treatment for rheumatic diseases, as a basis for development of a Patient-Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) to be used in clinical trials and practice.

Methods

Patients from the UK, USA and Australia who were treated with GCs in the last two years for a rheumatic condition were invited to take part in semi-structured qualitative interviews. Purposive sampling was used to include participants with a range of demographic and disease features. A steering committee of patient research partners, clinicians and methodologists devised an initial conceptual framework, which informed interview prompts and cues. Interviews were carried out by experienced qualitative researchers who encouraged participants to tell their stories and talk about the effects, both adverse and beneficial, of their experiences and perceptions of treatment with GCs, to identify salient physical and psychological symptoms and aspects of HRQoL. The interview data were organised using NVivo, and inductive analysis identified initial themes and domains. Candidate questionnaire items were developed and refined using cognitive interviewing, linguistic assessment, and input from patient research partners.

Results

Sixty semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted (UK n=34, USA n=10, Australia n=16). Mean participant age was 58 years; 39 (66.1%) were female. Purposive sampling of participants provided a broad range of demographic features, GC dosages and inflammatory rheumatic conditions, with 27% having connective tissue disease, 25% inflammatory arthritis, 30% systemic vasculitis and 16% other rheumatic conditions.

Initial domains were developed to identify key themes relating to treatment using GCs and their impact on HRQoL; see Figure 1.

Figure 1.

Steroid PRO Initial Themes

A long-list of 134 initial candidate questionnaire items was developed from the individual themes. These items were reviewed by a qualitative working group of patient research partners, researchers and clinicians to reduce duplication and ambiguity of items. The resulting 62 items were tested and refined by piloting with patient research partners, iterative rounds of cognitive interviews with patients with a range of rheumatic conditions from the UK, USA and Australia, and a linguistic translatability assessment, to define a draft questionnaire of 40 items.

Conclusion

This international qualitative study underpins the development of candidate items for a treatment-specific PROM for patients with rheumatic diseases. The draft questionnaire is currently being tested in an online large-scale survey to determine the final scale structure and measurement properties using Rasch analysis, factor analysis, test-retest, comparison with EQ5D, and known groups analysis.

Disclosure of Interests

Susan Bridgewater Grant/research support from: Vifor Pharma, Michael A Shepherd Grant/research support from: Vifor Pharma, Jill Dawson: None declared, Pamela Richards: None declared, Christine Silverthorne: None declared, Mwidimi Ndosi: None declared, Celia Almeida: None declared, Rachel J Black: None declared, Jonathan T.L. Cheah: None declared, Emma Dures: None declared, Nilasha Ghosh: None declared, Elizabeth A Hoon: None declared, Suellen Lyne: None declared, Iris Navarro-Millan Consultant of: Honorarium on Swedish Orpham Biovitrum (SOBI) advisory board 2021, Diyu Pearce-Fisher: None declared, Carlee Ruediger: None declared, Joanna Tieu: None declared, Kevin Yip: None declared, Sarah Mackie: None declared, Susan Goodman: None declared, Catherine Hill: None declared, Joanna Robson Speakers bureau: EULAR Symposium 2021 for Vifor Pharma, Consultant of: Honorarium for Vifor Pharma advisory board 2021, Grant/research support from: Vifor Pharma 2020-2022

Recurrent Ischemic Stroke and Bleeding in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Who Suffered an Acute Stroke While on Treatment With Nonvitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants: The RENO-EXTEND Study

BACKGROUND

In patients with atrial fibrillation who suffered an ischemic stroke while on treatment with nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants, rates and determinants of recurrent ischemic events and major bleedings remain uncertain.

METHODS

This prospective multicenter observational study aimed to estimate the rates of ischemic and bleeding events and their determinants in the follow-up of consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation who suffered an acute cerebrovascular ischemic event while on nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant treatment. Afterwards, we compared the estimated risks of ischemic and bleeding events between the patients in whom anticoagulant therapy was changed to those who continued the original treatment.

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up time of 15.0±10.9 months, 192 out of 1240 patients (15.5%) had 207 ischemic or bleeding events corresponding to an annual rate of 13.4%. Among the events, 111 were ischemic strokes, 15 systemic embolisms, 24 intracranial bleedings, and 57 major extracranial bleedings. Predictive factors of recurrent ischemic events (strokes and systemic embolisms) included CHA₂DS₂-VASc score after the index event (odds ratio [OR], 1.2 [95% CI, 1.0-1.3] for each point increase; P=0.05) and hypertension (OR, 2.3 [95% CI, 1.0-5.1]; P=0.04). Predictive factors of bleeding events (intracranial and major extracranial bleedings) included age (OR, 1.1 [95% CI, 1.0-1.2] for each year increase; P=0.002), history of major bleeding (OR, 6.9 [95% CI, 3.4-14.2]; P=0.0001) and the concomitant administration of an antiplatelet agent (OR, 2.8 [95% CI, 1.4-5.5]; P=0.003). Rates of ischemic and bleeding events were no different in patients who changed or not changed the original nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants treatment (OR, 1.2 [95% CI, 0.8-1.7]).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients suffering a stroke despite being on nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant therapy are at high risk of recurrent ischemic stroke and bleeding. In these patients, further research is needed to improve secondary prevention by investigating the mechanisms of recurrent ischemic stroke and bleeding.

Paired vagus nerve stimulation for treatment of upper extremity impairment after stroke

The use of a paired vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) system for the treatment of moderate to severe upper extremity motor deficits associated with chronic ischaemic stroke has recently been approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration. This treatment aims to increase task specific neuroplasticity through activation of cholinergic and noradrenergic networks during rehabilitation therapy. A recent pivotal phase III trial showed that VNS paired with rehabilitation led to improvements in upper extremity impairment and function in people with moderate to severe arm weakness an average of three years after ischaemic stroke. The between group difference following six weeks of in-clinic therapy and 90 days of home exercise therapy was three points on the upper extremity Fugl Meyer score. A clinically meaningful response defined as a greater than or equal to six point improvement was seen in approximately half of people treated with VNS compared to approximately a quarter of people treated with rehabilitation alone. Further post-marketing research should aim to establish whether the treatment is also of use for people with intracerebral haemorrhage, in people with more severe arm weakness, and for other post stroke impairments. In addition, high quality randomised studies of non-invasive VNS are required.

European Stroke Organisation guidelines on stroke in women: Management of menopause, pregnancy and postpartum

Pregnancy, postpartum and menopause are regarded as periods women are more vulnerable to ischaemic events. There are conflicting results regarding stroke risk and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause. Stroke in pregnancy is generally increasing with serious consequences for mother and child; therefore, recommendations for acute treatment with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and/or mechanical thrombectomy (MT) are needed. The aim of this guideline is to support and guide clinicians in treatment decisions in stroke in women. Following the “Grading of Recommendations and Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE)” approach, the guidelines were developed according to the European Stroke Organisation (ESO) Standard Operating Procedure. Systematic reviews and metanalyses were performed. Based on available evidence, recommendations were provided. Where there was a lack of evidence, an expert consensus statement was given. Low quality of evidence was found to suggest against the use of HRT to reduce the risk of stroke (ischaemic and haemorrhagic) in postmenopausal women. No data was available on the outcome of women with stroke when treated with HRT. No sufficient evidence was found to provide recommendations for treatment with IVT or MT during pregnancy, postpartum and menstruation. The majority of members suggested that pregnant women can be treated with IVT after assessing the benefit/risk profile on an individual basis, all members suggested treatment with IVT during postpartum and menstruation. All members suggested treatment with MT during pregnancy. The guidelines highlight the need to identify evidence for stroke prevention and acute treatment in women in more vulnerable periods of their lifetime to generate reliable data for future guidelines.

Abstract 1: Vagus Nerve Stimulation Paired With Rehabilitation For Upper Limb Motor Function After Ischaemic Stroke: Sub-group Analysis Of The Randomised, Blinded, Pivotal, Vns-Rehab Device Trial

Background: Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) paired with rehabilitation improved upper extremity impairment and function in a recent pivotal, randomised, blinded, sham-controlled trial. Here we report post-hoc sub-group analyses from the VNS Rehab trial. We aimed to determine whether treatment effects were consistent across subgroups.

Methods: VNS Rehab included 108 participants with moderate to severe arm /hand weakness, at least nine months after ischaemic stroke. They were randomised to receive rehabilitation paired with active VNS or rehabilitation paired with sham stimulation (Control). The primary outcome was the change in iFugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) score on the first day after completion of in-clinic therapy. The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03131960). We explored the effect of VNS treatment by sex (n=70 males; n=38 females), age (≤ 65 or >65 years)), time from stroke (median time, 2 years) and baseline FMA-UE score (<=33 severe, >33 moderate). We assessed whether there was any interaction with treatment. No hypotheses were specified prior to this analysis and no formal adjustment was made for multiplicity.

Findings: On the first day after completion of in-clinic therapy, the mean (±SD) FMA-UE score increased by 5.0 points (SD 4.4) in the VNS group and by 2.4 points (SD 3.8) in the Control group (p=0.001, between group difference 2.6, 95% CI 1.03 to 4.2). The between group difference was similar across all subgroups (figure). No significant treatment interactions were observed with baseline characteristics.

Interpretation: Participants with moderate to severe arm and hand impairment after ischaemic stroke showed clinically meaningful improvements in motor impairment and function with rehabilitation paired with VNS compared to rehabilitation with sham VNS. The response appeared similar across pre-defined subgroups of interest.

Research protocol - Assessing Post-Stroke Psychology Longitudinal Evaluation (APPLE) study: A prospective cohort study in stroke

BACKGROUND

Cognitive and mood problems have been highlighted as priorities in stroke research and guidelines recommend early screening. However, there is limited detail on the preferred approach.We aimed to (1) determine the optimal methods for evaluating psychological problems that pre-date stroke; (2) assess the test accuracy, feasibility and acceptability of brief cognitive and mood tests used at various time-points following stroke; (3) describe temporal changes in cognition and mood following stroke and explore predictors of change.

METHODS

We established a multi-centre, prospective, observational cohort with acute stroke as the inception point - Assessing Post-stroke Psychology Longitudinal Evaluation (APPLE). We approached patients admitted with stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) from 11 different hospital sites across the United Kingdom. Baseline demographics, clinical, functional, cognitive, and mood data were collected. Consenting stroke survivors were followed up with more extensive evaluations of cognition and mood at 1, 6, 12 and 18 months.

RESULTS

Continuous recruitment was from February 2017 to February 2019. With 357 consented to full follow-up. Eighteen-month assessments were completed in September 2020 with permissions in-place for longer term in-person or electronic follow-up. A qualitative study has been completed, and a participant sample biobank and individual participant database are both available.

DISCUSSION

The APPLE study will provide guidance on optimal tool selection for cognitive and mood assessment both before and after stroke, as well as information on prognosis and natural history of neuropsychological problems in stroke. The study data, neuroimaging and tissue biobank are all available as a resource for future research.

Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) in stroke: the evidence, challenges and future directions

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability globally. A significant proportion of stroke survivors are left with long term neurological deficits that have a detrimental effect on personal wellbeing and wider socioeconomic impacts. As such, there is an unmet need for novel therapies that improve neurological recovery after stroke. Invasive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with rehabilitation has been shown to improve upper limb motor function in chronic stroke. However, invasive VNS requires a surgical procedure and therefore may not be suitable for all stroke patients. Non-invasive, transcutaneous VNS (tVNS) via auricular vagus nerve stimulation in the ear (taVNS) and cervical vagus nerve stimulation in the neck (tcVNS) have been shown to activate similar vagal nerve projections in the central nervous system to invasive VNS. A number of pre-clinical studies indicate that tVNS delivered in acute middle cerebral artery occlusion reduces infarct size through anti-inflammatory effects, reduced excitotoxicity and increased blood-brain barrier integrity. Longer term effects of tVNS in stroke that may mediate neuroplasticity include microglial polarisation, angiogenesis and neurogenesis. Pilot clinical trials of taVNS indicate that taVNS paired with rehabilitation may improve upper limb motor and sensory function in patients with chronic stroke. In this review, we summarise and critically appraise the current pre-clinical and clinical evidence, outline the major ongoing clinical trials and detail the challenges and future directions regarding tVNS in acute and chronic stroke.

Leveraging Genetic Data to Elucidate the Relationship Between COVID-19 and Ischemic Stroke

Background

The relationship between COVID‐19 and ischemic stroke is poorly understood due to potential unmeasured confounding and reverse causation. We aimed to leverage genetic data to triangulate reported associations.

Methods and Results

Analyses primarily focused on critical COVID‐19, defined as hospitalization with COVID‐19 requiring respiratory support or resulting in death. Cross‐trait linkage disequilibrium score regression was used to estimate genetic correlations of critical COVID‐19 with ischemic stroke, other related cardiovascular outcomes, and risk factors common to both COVID‐19 and cardiovascular disease (body mass index, smoking and chronic inflammation, estimated using C‐reactive protein). Mendelian randomization analysis was performed to investigate whether liability to critical COVID‐19 was associated with increased risk of any cardiovascular outcome for which genetic correlation was identified. There was evidence of genetic correlation between critical COVID‐19 and ischemic stroke (r_g=0.29, false discovery rate [FDR]=0.012), body mass index (r_g=0.21, FDR=0.00002), and C‐reactive protein (r_g=0.20, FDR=0.00035), but no other trait investigated. In Mendelian randomization, liability to critical COVID‐19 was associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke (odds ratio [OR] per logOR increase in genetically predicted critical COVID‐19 liability 1.03, 95% CI 1.00–1.06, P‐value=0.03). Similar estimates were obtained for ischemic stroke subtypes. Consistent estimates were also obtained when performing statistical sensitivity analyses more robust to the inclusion of pleiotropic variants, including multivariable Mendelian randomization analyses adjusting for potential genetic confounding through body mass index, smoking, and chronic inflammation. There was no evidence to suggest that genetic liability to ischemic stroke increased the risk of critical COVID‐19.

Conclusions

These data support that liability to critical COVID‐19 is associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. The host response predisposing to severe COVID‐19 is likely to increase the risk of ischemic stroke, independent of other potentially mitigating risk factors.

Design of a randomised, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled trial of effects of sildenafil on cerebrovascular function in small vessel disease: Oxford haemodynamic adaptation to reduce pulsatility trial (OxHARP)

Background

Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is associated with increased cerebrovascular pulsatility, endothelial dysfunction, and impaired vascular reactivity. Vasodilating phosphodiesterase inhibitors may improve cardiovascular pulsatility and reactivity, and potentially reduce progression of SVD.

Hypothesis: Sildenafil, a PDE5 inhibitor, will reduce cerebrovascular pulsatility and increase cerebrovascular reactivity compared to placebo, and is non-inferior to cilostazol, a PDE3 inhibitor.

Methods

OxHARP is a randomised, double-blind, crossover trial of sildenafil 50 mg thrice daily, cilostazol 100 mg twice daily and placebo in 75 patients with mild to moderate small vessel disease and a previous lacunar or cryptogenic stroke or TIA. Participants undergo a physiological assessment at baseline and on each treatment, including transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD, DWL DopplerBox) to assess cerebrovascular pulsatility and reactivity to 4–6% carbon dioxide. In up to 60 patients, cerebrovascular pulsatility, perfusion and reactivity will also be assessed by MRI.

Outcome measures

The primary outcome is difference in middle cerebral artery pulsatility (Gosling’s Pulsatility Index, PI) after 3 weeks of sildenafil versus placebo. Secondary outcomes including non-inferiority of sildenafil vs cilostazol in effects on PI, percentage increase in MCA blood flow velocity and BOLD-fMRI response during inhalation of 4–6% carbon dioxide.

Discussion

Reduction in cerebral pulsatility and increased cerebrovascular reactivity during treatment with sildenafil would indicate potential benefit to prevent progression of SVD, suggesting a need for trials with clinical outcomes.

Trial Registration OxHARP is registered with ClinicalTrials.org, NCT03855332

SaeboGlove therapy for upper limb disability and severe hand impairment after stroke (SUSHI): Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background

Impaired active digital extension is common after stroke, hindering functional rehabilitation, and predicting poor recovery. The SaeboGlove assists digital extension and may improve outcome after stroke. We recently performed a single group, open, pilot trial of the SaeboGlove early after stroke which demonstrated satisfactory safety, feasibility and acceptability. An adequately powered randomised clinical trial is now needed to assess the clinical effectiveness of the SaeboGlove.

Methods

SUSHI is a pragmatic, multicentre, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment, and embedded process and economic evaluations. Adults, 7–60 days post-stroke, with upper limb disability and severe hand impairment, including reduced active digital extension, will be recruited from NHS inpatient stroke services in Scotland. Participants will be randomised on a 1:1 basis to receive 6 weeks of self-directed, repetitive, functional-based practice involving a SaeboGlove plus usual care, or usual care only. The primary outcome is upper limb function measured by the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) at 6 weeks. Secondary outcomes will be measured at 6 and 14 weeks. A process evaluation will be performed via interviews with ‘intervention’ participants, and their carers and clinical therapists. A within-trial cost-effectiveness analysis will be performed. 110 participants are required to detect a difference between groups of 9 in the ARAT with 90% power at a 5% significance level allowing for 11% attrition.

Discussion

SUSHI will determine if SaeboGlove self-directed, repetitive, functional-based practice improves upper limb function after stroke, whether it is acceptable to stroke survivors and whether it is cost-effective.

Biomarkers for Atrial Fibrillation Detection After Stroke: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To identify clinical, ECG, and blood-based biomarkers associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) detection after ischaemic stroke or TIA that could help inform patient selection for cardiac monitoring.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis and searched electronic databases for cohort studies from January 15, 2000, to January 15, 2020. The outcome was AF ≥30 seconds within 1 year after ischemic stroke/TIA. We used random effects models to create summary estimates of risk. Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool.

RESULTS

We identified 8,503 studies, selected 34 studies, and assessed 69 variables (42 clinical, 20 ECG, and 7 blood-based biomarkers). The studies included 11,569 participants and AF was detected in 1,478 (12.8%). Overall, risk of bias was moderate. Variables associated with increased likelihood of AF detection are older age (odds ratio [OR] 3.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.35-4.54), female sex (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.23-1.77), a history of heart failure (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.87-3.49), hypertension (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.15-1.75) or ischemic heart disease (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.34-2.42), higher modified Rankin Scale (OR 6.13, 95% CI 2.93-12.84) or National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.64-3.81), no significant carotid/intracranial artery stenosis (OR 3.23, 95% CI 1.14-9.11), no tobacco use (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.48-2.51), statin therapy (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.14-3.73), stroke as index diagnosis (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.17-2.18), systolic blood pressure (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.16-2.22), IV thrombolysis treatment (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.83-3.16), atrioventricular block (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.08-4.17), left ventricular hypertrophy (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.03-4.74), premature atrial contraction (OR 3.90, 95% CI 1.74-8.74), maximum P-wave duration (OR 3.19, 95% CI 1.40-7.25), PR interval (OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.11-4.83), P-wave dispersion (OR 7.79, 95% CI 4.16-14.61), P-wave index (OR 3.44, 95% CI 1.87-6.32), QTc interval (OR 3.68, 95% CI 1.63-8.28), brain natriuretic peptide (OR 13.73, 95% CI 3.31-57.07), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.17-1.88) concentrations. Variables associated with reduced likelihood are minimum P-wave duration (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.29-0.98), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.57-0.93), and triglyceride (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.41-0.64) concentrations.

DISCUSSION

We identified multimodal biomarkers that could help guide patient selection for cardiac monitoring after ischaemic stroke/TIA. Their prognostic utility should be prospectively assessed with AF detection and recurrent stroke as outcomes.

440 Training in Microbiological Sampling for Toe Amputations in Diabetic Foot Disease: A Survey of UK Vascular Trainees

Aim

To determine usual practice and extent of training received by United Kingdom (UK) vascular surgery trainees in microbiological sampling for toe amputations in diabetic patients.

Method

A prospective online survey was distributed via social media networks and trainee organisations. All vascular surgery trainees in the UK were invited to participate. A total of 29 responses were included in the analysis.

Results

86% of respondents have been trained in toe amputations during registrar training. 66% have not been taught which samples to send for microbiological analysis. 10% receive regular training reviews in toe amputations. There is significant variability in the types of samples sent by trainees for microbiological analysis and the majority of trainees did not know how their samples are processed in the laboratory.

Conclusions

Toe amputations appear to be a neglected aspect of training for UK vascular surgery registrars. Lack of consistency in microbiological sampling techniques may prevent optimum antimicrobial stewardship and therefore increase the risk of further complications including major amputation. Inclusion of diabetic foot sepsis as a critical condition in the new vascular surgery curriculum may help to address this issue. A national consensus needs to be reached on how microbiological samples should be taken and processed in order for trainees to be taught in a consistent manner.

Use of risk scores for predicting new atrial fibrillation after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack-A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Newly detected atrial fibrillation (NDAF) following an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack is often paroxysmal in nature. While challenging to detect, extended electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring is often used to identify NDAF which has resource implications. Prognostic risk scores have been derived which may stratify the risk of NDAF and inform patient selection for ECG monitoring approaches after ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack.

AIM

The overall aim was to identify risk scores that were derived and/or validated to predict NDAF after ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack and evaluate their performance.

SUMMARY OF REVIEW

A systematic literature review was undertaken in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, with application of the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy-2 tool. Published studies, which derived and validated clinical risk scores in patients with ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack, or externally validated an existing score to predict NDAF after ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack, were considered and independently screened by two reviewers. Twenty-one studies involving 23 separate cohorts were analyzed from which 17 integer-based risk scores were identified. The overall frequency of NDAF was 9.7% (95% confidence intervals 8%-11.5%; I²= 98%). The performance of the scores varied widely among derivation and validation cohorts (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) 0.54-0.94); scores derived from stroke cohorts (12 scores) appeared to perform better (AUC 0.7-0.94) than those derived from non-stroke cohorts (five scores; AUC 0.53-0.79). The scores also varied considerably in their complexity, ascertainment, component variables, participant characteristics, outcome definition, and ease of application limiting their generalizability and utility.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the risk scores identified performed variably in their discriminative ability and the utility of these scores to predict NDAF in clinical practice remains uncertain. Further studies are required using larger prospective cohorts and randomized control trials to evaluate the usefulness of such scores for clinical decision making and preventative intervention.

European Stroke Organisation expedited recommendation for the use of short-term dual antiplatelet therapy early after minor stroke and high-risk TIA

Prevention of early recurrent ischaemic stroke remains a priority in people with TIA or ischaemic stroke. A number of trials have recently been completed assessing the efficacy of short-term dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) versus single antiplatelet therapy early after minor or moderate stroke or high-risk TIA. We present an Expedited Recommendation for use of dual antiplatelet therapy early after ischaemic stroke and TIA on behalf of the ESO Guideline Board. We make a strong recommendation based on high quality of evidence for use of 21-days of dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel in people with a non-cardioembolic minor ischaemic stroke or high-risk TIA in the past 24 hours. We make a weak recommendation based on moderate quality evidence for 30-days of dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and ticagrelor in people with non-cardioembolic mild to moderate ischaemic stroke or high-risk TIA in the past 24 hours.

Risk factors mediating the effect of body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio on cardiovascular outcomes: Mendelian randomization analysis

BACKGROUND

Higher body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, but the extent to which this is mediated by blood pressure, diabetes, lipid traits, and smoking is not fully understood.

METHODS

Using consortia and UK Biobank genetic association summary data from 140,595 to 898,130 participants predominantly of European ancestry, Mendelian randomization mediation analysis was performed to investigate the degree to which systolic blood pressure (SBP), diabetes, lipid traits, and smoking mediated an effect of BMI and WHR on the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral artery disease (PAD) and stroke.

RESULTS

The odds ratio of CAD per 1-standard deviation increase in genetically predicted BMI was 1.49 (95% CI 1.39 to 1.60). This attenuated to 1.34 (95% CI 1.24 to 1.45) after adjusting for genetically predicted SBP (proportion mediated 27%, 95% CI 3% to 50%), to 1.27 (95% CI 1.17 to 1.37) after adjusting for genetically predicted diabetes (41% mediated, 95% CI 18% to 63%), to 1.47 (95% CI 1.36 to 1.59) after adjusting for genetically predicted lipids (3% mediated, 95% -23% to 29%), and to 1.46 (95% CI 1.34 to 1.58) after adjusting for genetically predicted smoking (6% mediated, 95% CI -20% to 32%). Adjusting for all the mediators together, the estimate attenuated to 1.14 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.26; 66% mediated, 95% CI 42% to 91%). A similar pattern was observed when considering genetically predicted WHR as the exposure, and PAD or stroke as the outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Measures to reduce obesity will lower the risk of cardiovascular disease primarily by impacting downstream metabolic risk factors, particularly diabetes and hypertension. Reduction of obesity prevalence alongside control and management of its mediators is likely to be most effective for minimizing the burden of obesity.

European Stroke Organisation expedited recommendation for the use of short-term dual antiplatelet therapy early after minor stroke and high-risk TIA

Prevention of early recurrent ischaemic stroke remains a priority in people with TIA or ischaemic stroke. A number of trials have recently been completed assessing the efficacy of short-term dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) versus single antiplatelet therapy early after minor or moderate stroke or high-risk TIA. We present an Expedited Recommendation for use of dual antiplatelet therapy early after ischaemic stroke and TIA on behalf of the ESO Guideline Board. We make a strong recommendation based on high quality of evidence for use of 21-days of dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel in people with a non-cardioembolic minor ischaemic stroke or high-risk TIA in the past 24 hours. We make a weak recommendation based on moderate quality evidence for 30-days of dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and ticagrelor in people with non-cardioembolic mild to moderate ischaemic stroke or high-risk TIA in the past 24 hours.