Background

Acute stroke codes may be activated for anisocoria, but how often these codes lead to a final stroke diagnosis or alteplase treatment is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of anisocoria in stroke codes that ultimately resulted in alteplase administration.

Methods

We retrospectively assessed consecutive alteplase-treated patients from a prospectively-collected stroke registry between February 2015 and July 2018. Based on the stroke code exam, patients were categorized as having isolated anisocoria [A+(only)], anisocoria with other findings [A+(other)], or no anisocoria [A-]. Baseline demographics, stroke severity, alteplase time metrics, and outcomes were also collected.

Results

Ninety-six patients received alteplase during the study period. Of the 94 who met inclusion criteria, there were 0 cases of A+(only). There were 9 cases of A+(other) (9.6%). A+(other) exhibited higher baseline National Institutes of Health (NIH) Stroke Scale scores compared to A- (17 versus 7; P = .0003), and no additional differences in demographics or alteplase time metrics. Final stroke diagnosis and other outcome measures were no different between A+(other) and A-. Of the A+ patients without pre-existing anisocoria, 5 of 6 (83%) had posterior circulation events or diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Conclusions

In this exploratory analysis, zero patients with isolated anisocoria received alteplase treatment. Anisocoria as a part of the neurologic presentation occurred in 10% of alteplase patients, and was strongly associated with a posterior circulation event. Therefore, we conclude that anisocoria has a higher likelihood of leading to alteplase treatment when identified in the presence of other neurologic deficits.

Background and purpose

Cerebral vasomotor reactivity (VMR) is vital for regulating brain blood flow and maintaining neurological function. Impaired cerebral VMR is linked to a higher risk of stroke and poor post-stroke outcomes. This study explores the relationship between statin treatment intensity and VMR in patients with ischemic stroke.

Methods

Seventy-four consecutive patients (mean age 69.3 years, 59.4% male) with recent ischemic stroke were included. VMR levels were assessed 4 weeks after the index stroke using transcranial Doppler, measuring the breath-holding index (BHI) as an indicator of the percentage increase in middle cerebral artery blood flow (higher BHI signifies higher VMR). Multistep multivariable regression models, adjusted for demographic and cerebrovascular risk factors, were employed to examine the association between statin intensity treatment and BHI levels.

Results

Forty-one patients (55%) received high-intensity statins. Patients receiving high-intensity statins exhibited a mean BHI of 0.85, whereas those on low-intensity statins had a mean BHI of 0.67 (mean difference 0.18, 95% confidence interval: 0.13-0.22, p-value<.001). This significant difference persisted in the fully adjusted model (adjusted mean values: 0.84 vs. 0.68, p-value: .008). No significant differences were observed in BHI values within patient groups on high-intensity or low-intensity statin therapy (all p-values>.05). Furthermore, no significant association was found between baseline low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and BHI.

Conclusions

High-intensity statin treatment post-ischemic stroke is linked to elevated VMR independent of demographic and clinical characteristics, including baseline LDL level. Further research is needed to explore statin therapy's impact on preserving brain vascular function beyond lipid-lowering effects.

Background and objectives

Telemedicine bridges the gap between care needs and provider availability. The value of telemedicine can be eclipsed by long wait times, especially if patients are stuck in virtual waiting rooms. UCSD Tele-Untethered allows patients to join visits without waiting in virtual waiting rooms. Tele-Untethered uses a text-to-video link to improve clinic flow, decrease virtual waiting room reliance, improve throughput, and potentially improve satisfaction.

Methods

This institutional review board (IRB)-approved quality improvement pilot (IRB #210364QI) included patients seen in a single vascular neurology clinic, within the pilot period, if they had a smartphone/cell phone, and agreed to participate in a flexible approach to telehealth visits. Standard work was disseminated (patient instructions, scripting, and workflows). Patients provided a cell phone number to receive a text link when the provider was ready to see them. Metrics included demographics, volumes, visit rates, percentage seen early/late, time savings, and satisfaction surveys.

Results

Over 2.5 months, 22 patients were scheduled. Of those arriving, 76% were "Tele-Untethered" and 24% were "Standard Telemedicine." Text-for-video link was used for 94% of Tele-Untethered. Fifty-five percent were seen early. There was a 55-minute-per-session time savings.

Conclusion

This UCSD Tele-Untethered pilot benefitted patients by allowing scheduling flexibility while not being tied to a "virtual waiting room." It benefited providers as it allowed them to see patients in order/not tied to exact times, improved throughput, and saved time. Even modest time savings for busy providers, coupled with Lean workflows, can provide critical value. High Tele-Untethered uptake and use of verbal check-in highlight that patients expect flexibility and ease of use. As our initial UCSD Tele-Untethered successes included patient flexibility and time savings for patients and providers, it can serve as a model as enterprises strive for optimal care and improved satisfaction. Expansion to other clinic settings is underway with a mantra of "UCSD Tele-Untethered: Your provider can see you now."

Background

External counterpulsation (ECP) increases perfusion to a variety of organs and may be helpful for acute stroke.

Methods

We conducted a single-blinded, prospective, randomized controlled feasibility and safety trial of ECP for acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) ischemic stroke. Twenty-three patients presenting within 48 hours of symptom onset were randomized into one of two groups. One group was treated with ECP for 1 hour at a pressure of up to 300 mmHg ("full pressure"). During the procedure, we also determined the highest possible pressure that would augment MCA mean flow velocity (MFV) by 15%. The other group was treated with ECP at 75 mmHg ("sham pressure"). Transcranial Doppler MCA flow velocities and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores of both groups were checked before, during, and after ECP. Outcomes were assessed at 30 days after randomization.

Results

Although the procedures were feasible to implement, there was a frequent inability to augment MFV by 15% despite maximal pressures in full-pressure patients. In sham-pressure patients, however, MFV frequently increased as shown by increases in peak systolic velocity and end diastolic velocity. In both groups, starting ECP was often associated with contemporaneous improvements in NIHSS stroke scores. There were no between-group differences in NIHSS, modified Rankin Scale Scores, and Barthel Indices, and no device or treatment-related serious adverse events, deaths, intracerebral hemorrhages, or episodes of acute neuro-worsening.

Conclusions

ECP was safe and feasible to use in patients with acute ischemic stroke. It was associated with unexpected effects on flow velocity, and contemporaneous improvements in NIHSS score regardless of pressure used, with a possibility that even very low ECP pressures had an effect. Further study is warranted.

Background and purpose

Patients with acute ischemic stroke are at increased risk of developing parenchymal hemorrhage (PH), particularly in the setting of reperfusion therapies. We have developed a predictive model to examine the risk of PH using combined magnetic resonance perfusion and diffusion parameters, including cerebral blood volume (CBV), apparent diffusion coefficient, and microvascular permeability (K2).

Methods

Voxel-based values of CBV, K2, and apparent diffusion coefficient from the ischemic core were obtained using pretreatment magnetic resonance imaging data from patients enrolled in the MR RESCUE clinical trial (Mechanical Retrieval and Recanalization of Stroke Clots Using Embolectomy). The associations between PH and extreme values of imaging parameters were assessed in univariate and multivariate analyses. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the optimal parameter(s) and threshold for predicting PH.

Results

In 83 patients included in this analysis, 20 developed PH. Univariate analysis showed significantly lower 10th percentile CBV and 10th percentile apparent diffusion coefficient values and significantly higher 90th percentile K2 values within the infarction core of patients with PH. Using classification tree analysis, the 10th percentile CBV at threshold of 0.47 and 90th percentile K2 at threshold of 0.28 resulted in overall predictive accuracy of 88.7%, sensitivity of 90.0%, and specificity of 87.3%, which was superior to any individual or combination of other classifiers.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that combined 10th percentile CBV and 90th percentile K2 is an independent predictor of PH in patients with acute ischemic stroke with diagnostic accuracy superior to individual classifiers alone. This approach may allow risk stratification for patients undergoing reperfusion therapies.

Clinical trial registration

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00389467.

Domain-specific endpoints are assessments that correspond to the output of individual neural systems and are useful for capturing treatment effects on specific behaviors. By contrast, global endpoints combine several attributes into a single score and are useful for capturing broad treatment effects in a summary way. While global endpoints have become the de facto mechanism required to define benefit in stroke trials, they also have important limitations, some of which might be addressed by simultaneously measuring domain-specific endpoints. Substantial opportunity remains to identify quantifiable patient benefit that would otherwise not be captured by global endpoints. Potential advantages of incorporating domain-specific endpoints in acute stroke trials are discussed, such as increased granularity of measurement, improved understanding of how therapies affect the brain between acute treatment and day 90, and optimized therapeutic translation. Potential disadvantages are also considered, including time and cost of administering domain-specific endpoints, as well as statistical implications. Domain-specific endpoints and global endpoints are not mutually exclusive, and both capture clinical benefits to patients. Incorporating a broader set of outcome assessments in stroke trials, including both global and domain-specific endpoints, is warranted.

Background and purpose

Therapeutic hypothermia is a potent neuroprotectant approved for cerebral protection after neonatal hypoxia-ischemia and cardiac arrest. Therapeutic hypothermia for acute ischemic stroke is safe and feasible in pilot trials. We designed a study protocol to provide safer, faster therapeutic hypothermia in stroke patients.

Methods

Safety procedures and 4°C saline infusions for faster cooling were added to the ICTuS trial (Intravascular Cooling in the Treatment of Stroke) protocol. A femoral venous intravascular cooling catheter after intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator in eligible patients provided 24 hours cooling followed by a 12-hour rewarm. Serial safety assessments and imaging were performed. The primary end point was 3-month modified Rankin score 0,1.

Results

Of the intended 1600 subjects, 120 were enrolled before the study was stopped. Randomly, 63 were to receive hypothermia plus antishivering treatment and 57 normothermia. Compared with previous studies, cooling rates were improved with a cold saline bolus, without fluid overload. The intention-to-treat primary outcome of 90-day modified Rankin Score 0,1 occurred in 33% hypothermia and 38% normothermia subjects, odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 0.81 (0.36-1.85). Serious adverse events occurred equally. Mortality was 15.9% hypothermia and 8.8% normothermia subjects, odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 1.95 (0.56-7.79). Pneumonia occurred in 19% hypothermia versus 10.5% in normothermia subjects, odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 1.99 (0.63-6.98).

Conclusions

Intravascular therapeutic hypothermia was confirmed to be safe and feasible in recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator-treated acute ischemic stroke patients. Protocol changes designed to reduce pneumonia risk appeared to fail, although the sample is small.

Clinical trial registration

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01123161.