Demographic Disparities in the Incidence, Clinical Characteristics, and Outcome of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in the United States

OBJECTIVES

To estimate age-specific, sex-specific, and race-specific incidence of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) in the United States.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the State Inpatient Database of Florida (2016-2019), Maryland (2016-2019), and New York (2016-2018). All new cases of PRES in adults (18 years or older) were combined with Census data to compute incidence. We evaluated the generalizability of incident estimates to the entire country using the 2016-2019 National Readmissions Database (NRD).

RESULTS

Across the study period, there were 3,716 incident hospitalizations for PRES in the selected states. The age-standardized and sex-standardized incidence of PRES was 2.7 (95% CI 2.5-2.8) cases/100,000/y. Incidence in female patients was >2 times that of male patients (3.7 vs 1.6 cases/100,000/y, p < 0.001). Incidence increased with age in both sexes (p-trend <0.001). Similar demographic distribution of first hospitalization for PRES was also noted in the entire country using the NRD. Age-standardized and sex-standardized PRES incidence in Black patients (4.2/100,000/y) was significantly greater than in Non-Hispanic White (2.7/100,000/y) and Hispanic patients (1.2/100,000/y) (p < 0.001 for pairwise comparisons).

DISCUSSION

The incidence of PRES in the United States is approximately 3/100,000/y, but incidence in female patients is >2 times that of male patients. PRES incidence is higher in Black compared with non-Hispanic White and Hispanic patients.

Age- and Sex-Specific Trends in Medical Complications After Acute Ischemic Stroke in the United States

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

To test the hypothesis that the age and sex-specific prevalence of infectious (pneumonia, sepsis, and urinary tract infection [UTI]) and noninfectious (deep venous thrombosis [DVT], pulmonary embolism [PE], acute renal failure [ARF], acute myocardial infarction [AMI], and gastrointestinal bleeding [GIB]) complications increased after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) hospitalization in the United States from 2007 to 2019.

METHODS

We conducted a serial cross-sectional study using the 2007-2019 National Inpatient Sample. Primary AIS admissions in adults (aged 18 years or older) with and without complications were identified using International Classification of Diseases codes. We quantified the age/sex-specific prevalence of complications and used negative binomial regression models to evaluate trends over time.

RESULTS

Of 5,751,601 weighted admissions, 51.4% were women. 25.1% had at least 1 complication. UTI (11.8%), ARF (10.1%), pneumonia (3.2%), and AMI (2.5%) were the most common complications, while sepsis (1.7%), GIB (1.1%), DVT (1.2%), and PE (0.5%) were the least prevalent. Marked disparity in complication risk existed by age/sex (UTI: men 18-39 years 2.1%; women 80 years or older 22.5%). Prevalence of UTI (12.9%-9.7%) and pneumonia (3.8%-2.7%) declined, but that of ARF increased by ≈3-fold (4.8%-14%) over the period 2007-2019 (all p < 0.001). AMI (1.9%-3.1%), DVT (1.0%-1.4%), and PE (0.3%-0.8%) prevalence also increased (p < 0.001), but that of sepsis and GIB remained unchanged over time. After multivariable adjustment, risk of all complications increased with increasing NIH Stroke Scale (pneumonia: prevalence rate ratio [PRR] 1.03, 95% CI 1.03-1.04, for each unit increase), but IV thrombolysis was associated with a reduced risk of all complications (pneumonia: PRR 0.80, 85% CI 0.73-0.88; AMI: PRR 0.85, 95% CI 0.78-0.92; and DVT PRR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78-0.98). Mechanical thrombectomy was associated with a reduced risk of UTI, sepsis, and ARF, but DVT and PE were more prevalent in MT hospitalizations compared with those without. All complications except UTI were associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality (sepsis: PRR 1.97, 95% CI 1.78-2.19).

DISCUSSION

Infectious complications declined, but noninfectious complications increased after AIS admissions in the United States in the last decade. Utilization of IV thrombolysis is associated with a reduced risk of all complications.

Trends in the Incidence of Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhages in the United States, 2007-2017

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that age-specific, sex-specific, and race-specific and ethnicity-specific incidence of nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) increased in the United States over the last decade.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, validated International Classification of Diseases codes were used to identify all new cases of SAH (n = 39,475) in the State Inpatients Databases of New York and Florida (2007-2017). SAH counts were combined with Census data to calculate incidence. Joinpoint regression was used to compute the annual percentage change (APC) in incidence and to compare trends over time between demographic subgroups.

RESULTS

Across the study period, the average annual age-standardized/sex-standardized incidence of SAH in cases per 100,000 population was 11.4, but incidence was significantly higher in women (13.1) compared with that in men (9.6), p < 0.001. Incidence also increased with age in both sexes (men aged 20-44 years: 3.6; men aged 65 years or older: 22.0). Age-standardized and sex-standardized incidence was greater in Black patients (15.4) compared with that in non-Hispanic White (NHW) patients (9.9) and other races and ethnicities, p < 0.001. On joinpoint regression, incidence increased over time (APC 0.7%, p < 0.001), but most of this increase occurred in men aged 45-64 years (APC 1.1%, p = 0.006), men aged 65 years or older (APC 2.3%, p < 0.001), and women aged 65 years or older (APC 0.7%, p = 0.009). Incidence in women aged 20-44 years declined (APC -0.7%, p = 0.017), while those in other age/sex groups remained unchanged over time. Incidence increased in Black patients (APC 1.8%, p = 0.014), whereas that in Asian, Hispanic, and NHW patients did not change significantly over time.

DISCUSSION

Nontraumatic SAH incidence in the United States increased over the last decade predominantly in middle-aged men and elderly men and women. Incidence is disproportionately higher and increasing in Black patients, whereas that in other races and ethnicities did not change significantly over time.

Stroke Prevention in Symptomatic Large Artery Intracranial Atherosclerosis Practice Advisory: Report of the AAN Guideline Subcommittee

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

To review treatments for reducing the risk of recurrent stroke or death in patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic arterial stenosis (sICAS).

METHODS

The development of this practice advisory followed the process outlined in the American Academy of Neurology Clinical Practice Guideline Process Manual, 2011 Edition, as amended. The systematic review included studies through November 2020. Recommendations were based on evidence, related evidence, principles of care, and inferences.

MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS

Clinicians should recommend aspirin 325 mg/d for long-term prevention of stroke and death and should recommend adding clopidogrel 75 mg/d to aspirin for up to 90 days to further reduce stroke risk in patients with severe (70%-99%) sICAS who have low risk of hemorrhagic transformation. Clinicians should recommend high-intensity statin therapy to achieve a goal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level <70 mg/dL, a long-term blood pressure target of <140/90 mm Hg, at least moderate physical activity, and treatment of other modifiable vascular risk factors for patients with sICAS. Clinicians should not recommend percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting for stroke prevention in patients with moderate (50%-69%) sICAS or as the initial treatment for stroke prevention in patients with severe sICAS. Clinicians should not routinely recommend angioplasty alone or indirect bypass for stroke prevention in patients with sICAS outside clinical trials. Clinicians should not recommend direct bypass for stroke prevention in patients with sICAS. Clinicians should counsel patients about the risks of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting and alternative treatments if one of these procedures is being contemplated.

Abstract WMP15: Temporal Trends In Medical Complications After Acute Ischemic Strokes In The United States From 2006-2017

Purpose: To evaluate age and sex-specific trends in prevalence of infectious and non-infectious complications (comps) following acute ischemic stroke (AIS) admissions in the United States (US) from 2006 to 2017.

Methods: We identified all admissions with a primary AIS diagnosis (weighted n= 5,190,311) in the 2006-2017 National Inpatient Sample. We quantified the prevalence of infectious [pneumonia, sepsis, and urinary tract infection (UTI)] and non-infectious [acute kidney injury (AKI), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) hemorrhage and acute myocardial infarction (AMI)] comps in subgroups categorized by age and sex. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate trends in prevalence over time.

Results: Across the study period, 24.3% of all AIS admissions had at least one comp but prevalence increased with age. UTI (12.2%) was the most common comp, but this was driven mainly by its high prevalence in older females (f) 60-79 y (16.0%) and F >=80 y (22.9%). AKI was the second most common comp (8.9%) in all patients, followed by pneumonia (3.3%) and AMI (2.7%). GIB (1.1%), DVT (0.9%), and PE (0.5%) were the least common. Any comp risk increased from 20.8% in 2006 to 25.9% in 2017. Risk of UTI and pneumonia declined over time (p <0.001) but this was more than counterbalanced by increased risk of noninfectious comps such as AKI, AMI, DVT, and PE (figure 1). This was most prominent for AKI where there was a >3-fold increase in risk across the study period (figure 1). After multivariable adjustment, AKI, AMI, PE, pneumonia, sepsis, and GIB were associated with increased odds of in-hospital death while UTI and DVT were inversely associated with mortality (all p-values < 0.01).

Conclusion: Infectious comps declined, while noninfectious comps, particularly AKI, increased following AIS admissions from 2006 to 2017. Additional efforts are needed to minimize comp risk following AIS.

New-Onset Refractory Status Epilepticus (NORSE) as a Recurrence of Anti-Neuronal Nuclear Antibody 2 (ANNA-2) Encephalitis After Immune Checkpoint Inhibition Therapy

Paraneoplastic encephalitis from anti-neuronal nuclear antibody 2 (ANNA-2), usually associated with breast cancer, can cause seizures. We report a case of recurrent paraneoplastic encephalitis due to ANNA-2 presenting with new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) one month after receiving checkpoint inhibitors therapy.

A 69-year-old female was diagnosed with opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome (OMS) secondary to ANNA-2, which led to a diagnosis of breast cancer. OMS improved with surgical resection and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Three years later, she was diagnosed with metastatic cancer to the liver and spine. She underwent immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. One month later, she was admitted with NORSE. Opsoclonus was seen at the physical exam. Brain MRI and infectious work-up were unremarkable. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed pleocytosis with lymphocytic predominance. She was treated with corticosteroids and immunoglobulins, and she had symptomatic improvement. ANNA-2 test was positive in a lower titration than three years earlier.

Opsoclonus in a patient with NORSE can be the hint of ANNA-2 positivity. Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy should be carefully reconsidered in patients with a history of paraneoplastic encephalitis for ANNA-2 as it could precipitate NORSE.

Abstract TP21: Safety of Cangrelor in Emergency Endovascular Stroke Recanalization, a Single Center Experience

Introduction: Optimal antiplatelet regimen post-emergent stenting in acute stroke remains challenging among patients at high-risk for thrombosis and/or hemorrhage, especially after tPA. We describe our preliminary experience with cangrelor, an immediate acting IV P2Y12 receptor inhibitor with rapid onset and clearance.

Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study of mechanical thrombectomy (MER) patients requiring urgent stenting(0-48h). Patients treated with cangrelor were compared to those treated with other antiplatelets.

Results: Nine cangrelor patients were compared to twelve patients treated with other antiplatelets. Pre- and post-treatment measures were similar overall (Table).

Conclusions: Cangrelor may be a safe alternative to current antiplatelets used in immediate perioperative period post-MER and urgent stenting, including tPA patients and those at high-risk for malignant cerebral edema or hemorrhagic transformation. Additional studies are required to confirm or refute our observations.

Abstract TP208: Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) - An Overlooked Modifiable Risk Factor in Acute Stroke Care

Introduction: In patients with acute stroke, part of the acute management entails identifying the risk factors; modifiable or non modifiable. Early recognition of these factors is essential for optimizing therapeutic procedures, especially those with a known effective treatment. In this sense, Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) has also been suggested as a modifiable and independent risk factor for stroke as defined by international guidelines and some studies have demonstrated that patients with stroke and particularly Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) have an increased risk of death or new vascular events. Pathogenesis of ischemic stroke in SDB is probably related to worsening of existing cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and hypoxia driven cardiac arrhythmia leading to higher prevalence of ischemic stroke in patients with sleep disordered breathing disease. Despite strong evidence linking SDB to ischemic stroke, evaluation for SDB is rarely performed in patients presenting with an acute ischemic stroke.

Hypothesis: Evaluation of SDB is rarely performed in patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all patients above the age of 18 who were admitted to the acute stroke service at University Hospital July 2014 to December 2014. Demographic data, etiology of stroke as identified per TOAST criteria, modifiable risk factors, presenting NIHSS and frequency of testing for SDB and their results were collected. The data was consolidated and tabulated by using STATA version 14.

Results: Total of 240 patients satisfied our inclusion criteria. Only 24 patients ie 10% of those who satisfied our inclusion criteria received evaluation for SDB. Out of those evaluated, 62.5% ie 15 patients out of 24 patients had findings concerning for significant desaturation. Only 2 providers out of 8 stroke physicians ie 25% tested for SDB in more than 5 patients.

Conclusions: Our observations highlight the paucity in evaluation for SDB in acute ischemic stroke in a tertiary care setting. Being a modifiable risk factor, greater emphasis must be placed on evaluation for SDB in patients in patients with acute stroke. Education must be provided to all patients and providers regarding identification of these factors.

Abstract TP32: Endovascular Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke Beyond the 6 Hour Window

Background: Recent randomized trials demonstrated the efficacy of endovascular therapy (EVT) in managing acute ischemic stroke (AIS), though EVT was initiated <6 hours from time last seen well in nearly all patients, and posterior circulation strokes were excluded. Current data is limited for patients receiving EVT >6 hours, and more so for those with posterior circulation strokes. We aim to assess safety and clinical outcome of EVT in patients presenting >6 hours, with anterior or posterior circulation strokes.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients with AIS receiving EVT >6 hours between 2012-2015, including those with unknown time of onset and wake-up strokes. Outcomes observed include mRS at ≥90 days, rates of recanalization (TICI 2b-3), sICH and mortality.

Results: A total of 34 patients were identified presenting with AIS and receiving EVT >6 hours, including 25 anterior and 9 posterior circulation strokes. See Table 1 for comparison with published data from recent EVT trials.

Conclusion: Our results are not significantly different from some of the recent trials. MR CLEAN, the only trial that did not employ advanced imaging in patient selection, had similar outcomes. The IV-tPA only groups of recent trials (where data is available) also produced comparable results. It should be noted that the patients in our study all have large vessel occlusions and high NIHSS, are mostly ineligible for tPA, and thus would be expected to have very poor outcomes without treatment. Our data supports the possibility of expanding the EVT window to >6 hours, and with advanced imaging screening, better rates of functional outcome/mortality may still be achieved. DAWN and DEFUSE3 trials currently underway should provide further insight into this subject.

Single Stage versus Multi-staged Stent-assisted Endovascular Repair of Intracranial Aneurysms

BACKGROUND

Stent-assisted coiling of intracranial aneurysms is performed either as a single-stage or a multi-staged procedure. The objective of our study is to compare the complications between the in single-stage versus the multi-staged stent-assisted coiling of intracranial aneurysm.

METHODS

From January 2003 to January 2010, consecutive patients treated with intracranial stent for aneurysms were prospectively enrolled. Patients' demographics including cerebrovascular risk factors, aneurysms size and locations were collected. Technical and clinical complications as well as outcomes were measured. Data were analyzed retrospectively using SPSS software version 11.5.

RESULTS

87 patients (87 aneurysms) with a mean of 51.2 ± 13.6 years were treated with 90 intracranial (Neuroform 74, Enterprise 16) stents, single-stage 37 (42.5%) and multi-staged 50 (57.5%). Eight adverse events were observed without any mortality, 6 of which were in the single-stage group-rupture of aneurysm in 2, and thrombo-embolic events in 4. Both rupture occurred in basilar artery bifurcation aneurysms, required ventriculostomy and resuscitations. In single-stage, asymptomatic intra-operative stent thrombosis developed in one, symptomatic stent thrombosis in one on day 14, transient ischemic attack on day 6 and immediate post operative stroke in one. Only two minor strokes were observed in the multi-staged group, one on post-procedure day 7 and other on day 60. Majority of the patients had good outcomes including those with events.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed that single-stage stent-coiling technique is associated with a higher rate of complications than multistaged procedure. Therefore, staging the procedure may be an option whenever possible.

Progressive occlusion of aneurysms in Neuroform Stent-assisted treatment of intracranial aneurysms

INTRODUCTION

The long term effect of Neuroform stent in progressive occlusion of intracranial aneurysms is not yet completely understood. Here the effect of the Neuroform stent in progressive occlusion of intracranial aneurysms and clinical outcome is reported.

METHODS

Consecutive patients treated with the Neuroform stent from January 2003 to July 2007 were prospectively enrolled. Patients' demographics, immediate and delayed rate of occlusion, and clinical outcomes using the National Institution of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) were recorded.

RESULTS

Neuroform stent placement was attempted in 72 patients, including 10 ruptured cases. However, stent placement could not be accomplished in two patients who were not included for analysis. Mean age was 50 ± 14 years and mean aneurysm diameter was 10.28 ± 5.9 mm. Immediate complete occlusion was observed in 31 (44%), neck remnants in 29 (41%) and subtotal occlusion in 10 (14%). Angiographic follow-up was available in 59 cases; complete occlusion was observed in 48/59 (81%), neck remnant in 7/59 (13%) and recanalisation in 4/49 (7%). Of 39 patients with immediate incomplete obliteration, progressive complete occlusions were achieved in 25/31 (81%), no changes in two and recanalisation in four cases. The majority of patients had good outcomes (GOS 1 or NIHSS 0 in 66/70 (94%), GOS 2 or NIHSS 2 in one patient and GOS 3 or NIHSS 4 in three at the 90 day follow-up visit.

CONCLUSIONS

The Neuroform stent assisted neck remodelling technique improves progressive obliteration of intracranial aneurysms with a low recanalisation rate and good clinical outcome.