Explore the vast range of titles available.

(1) Background: Consumer smartwatches may be a helpful tool to screen for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, validation studies on older stroke patients remain scarce. The aim of this pilot study from RCT NCT05565781 was to validate the resting heart rate (HR) measurement and the irregular rhythm notification (IRN) feature in stroke patients in sinus rhythm (SR) and AF. (2) Methods: Resting clinical HR measurements (every 5 min) were assessed using continuous bedside ECG monitoring (CEM) and the Fitbit Charge 5 (FC5). IRNs were gathered after at least 4 h of CEM. Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), Bland-Altman analysis, and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) were used for agreement and accuracy assessment. (3) Results: In all, 526 individual pairs of measurements were obtained from 70 stroke patients—age 79.4 years (SD ± 10.2), 63% females, BMI 26.3 (IQ 22.2–30.5), and NIHSS score 8 (IQR 1.5–20). The agreement between the FC5 and CEM was good (CCC 0.791) when evaluating paired HR measurements in SR. Meanwhile, the FC5 provided weak agreement (CCC 0.211) and low accuracy (MAPE 16.48%) when compared to CEM recordings in AF. Regarding the accuracy of the IRN feature, analysis found a low sensitivity (34%) and high specificity (100%) for detecting AF. (4) Conclusion: The FC5 was accurate at assessing the HR during SR, but the accuracy during AF was poor. In contrast, the IRN feature was acceptable for guiding decisions regarding AF screening in stroke patients.

BackgroundIdentifying infarct core on admission is essential to establish the amount of salvageable tissue and indicate reperfusion therapies. Infarct core is established on CT perfusion (CTP) as the severely hypoperfused area, however the correlation between hypoperfusion and infarct core may be time-dependent as it is not a direct indicator of tissue damage. This study aims to characterize those cases in which the admission core lesion on CTP does not reflect an infarct on follow-up imaging.MethodsWe studied patients with cerebral large vessel occlusion who underwent CTP on admission but received endovascular thrombectomy based on a non-contrast CT Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) >6. Admission infarct core was measured on initial cerebral blood volume (CBV) CTP and final infarct on follow-up CT. We defined ghost infarct core (GIC) as initial core minus final infarct >10 mL.Results79 patients were studied. Median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 17 (11–20), median time from symptoms to CTP was 215 (87–327) min, and recanalization rate (TICI 2b–3) was 77%. Thirty patients (38%) presented with a GIC >10 mL. GIC >10 mL was associated with recanalization (TICI 2b–3: 90% vs 68%; p=0.026), admission glycemia (<185 mg/dL: 42% vs 0%; p=0.028), and time to CTP (<185 min: 51% vs >185 min: 26%; p=0.033). An adjusted logistic regression model identified time from symptom to CTP imaging <185 min as the only predictor of GIC >10 mL (OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.04 to 8.09). At 24 hours, clinical improvement was more frequent in patients with GIC >10 mL (66.6% vs 39%; p=0.017).ConclusionsCT perfusion may overestimate final infarct core, especially in the early time window. Selecting patients for reperfusion therapies based on the CTP mismatch concept may deny treatment to patients who might still benefit from reperfusion.

ObjectiveTo evaluate direct transfer to the angiosuite protocol of patients with acute stroke, candidates for endovascular treatment (EVT).MethodsWe studied workflow metrics of all patients with stroke who had undergone EVT in the past 12 months. Patients followed three protocols: direct transfer to emergency room (DTER), CT room (DTCT) or angiosuite (DTAS, only last 6 months if admission National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score >9 and time from onset <4.5 hours) according to staff/suite availability. DTAS patients underwent cone-beam CT before femoral puncture. Dramatic clinical improvement was defined as 10 NIHSS points drop at 24 hours.Results201 patients were included: 87 DTER (43.3%), 74 DTCT (36.8%), 40 DTAS (19.9%).Ten DTAS patients (25%) did not receive EVT: 3 (7.5%) showed intracranial hemorrhage on cone-beam CT and 7 (17.5%) did not show an occlusion on angiography. Mean door-to-puncture (D2P) time was shorter in DTAS (17±8 min) than DTCT (60±29 min; p<0.01). D2P was longer in DTER (90±53 min) than in the other protocols (p<0.01). For outcome analyses only patients who received EVT were compared; no significant differences in baseline characteristics, including time from symptom-onset to admission, puncture-to-recanalization, or recanalization rate, were seen. However, time from symptom-to-puncture (DTAS: 197±72 min, DTER: 279±156, DTCT: 224±142 min; p=0.01) and symptom-to-recanalization (DTAS: 257±74, DTER: 355±158, DTCT: 279±146 min; p<0.01) were longer in the DTER group. At 24 hours, there were no differences in NIHSS score (p=0.81); however, the rate of dramatic clinical improvement was significantly higher in DTAS: 48.6% (DTER 24.1%, DTCT 27.4%); p=0.01). An adjusted model pointed to shorter onset-to-puncture time as an independent predictor of dramatic improvement (OR=1.23, 95% CI 1.13 to 133; p<0.01)ConclusionIn a subgroup of patients direct transfer and triage in the angiosuite seems feasible, safe, and achieves significant reduction in hospital workflow times.

The identification of large vessel occlusion with underlying intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAS-LVO) before endovascular treatment (EVT) continues to be a challenge. We aimed to analyze baseline clinical-radiological features associated with ICAS-LVO that could lead to a prompt identification. We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of consecutive patients with stroke treated with EVT from January 2020 to April 2022. We included anterior LVO involving intracranial internal carotid artery and middle cerebral artery. We analyzed baseline clinical and radiological variables associated with ICAS-LVO and evaluated the diagnostic value of a multivariate logistic regression model to identify ICAS-LVO before EVT. ICAS-LVO was defined as presence of angiographic residual stenosis or a trend to re-occlusion during EVT procedure. A total of 338 patients were included in the study. Of them, 28 patients (8.3%) presented with ICAS-LVO. After adjusting for confounders, absence of atrial fibrillation (OR 9.33, 95% CI 1.11–78.42; p  = 0.040), lower hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR [Tmax > 10 s/Tmax > 6 s ratio], (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.50–0.95; p  = 0.025), symptomatic intracranial artery calcification (IAC, OR .15, 95% CI 1.64–26.42, p  = 0.006), a more proximal occlusion (ICA, MCA-M1: OR 4.00, 95% CI 1.23–13.03; p  = 0.021), and smoking (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.08–7.90; p  = 0.035) were associated with ICAS-LVO. The clinico-radiological model showed an overall well capability to identify ICAS-LVO (AUC = 0.88, 95% CI 0.83–0.94; p  < 0.001). In conclusion, a combination of clinical and radiological features available before EVT can help to identify an ICAS-LVO. This approach could be useful to perform a rapid assessment of underlying etiology and suggest specific pathophysiology-based measures. Prospective studies are needed to validate these findings in other populations.

BackgroundEndovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is the standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion. However, many patients fail to achieve good outcomes, especially without first pass reperfusion. Intra-arterial thrombolytics such as recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) and tirofiban have shown potential as adjunctive therapies. The aim of this study was to compare the in vitro effects of rtPA, tirofiban, and their sequential combination on EVT retrieved clots.MethodsHuman clot obtained during EVT was tested in an in vitro model of cerebral circulation. A three-dimensional printed arterial flow loop was used to replicate middle cerebral artery circulation. Clots were exposed to four treatment arms: plasma (control), rtPA, tirofiban, or both rtPA and tirofiban sequentially. Thrombolytic efficacy was quantified by clot weight reduction with multivariable statistical analyses adjusted by clinical variables.Results70 clots were collected and used to perform 172 thrombolytic experiments. Both rtPA and tirofiban significantly reduced clot weight (tirofiban 20.6%, rtPA 20.7%, P<0.001), with a greater reduction when administered sequentially (37.9%, P<0.001). The treatment arm was the only significant predictor of thrombolytic effect. Clinical variables showed no statistically significant associations, although occlusion location and diabetes showed trends toward an association with clot weight reduction.ConclusionsThis study supports the use of clot based in vitro models with autologous plasma for standardized drug testing for patients with AIS. Sequential administration of rtPA and tirofiban resulted in greater clot degradation than either agent alone. Further studies are needed to confirm clinical applicability and optimize dual thrombolytic strategies.

We aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of 90-day cardiac monitoring with an external Holter device and to find a target population able to benefit from such a technique. Cryptogenic stroke patients were continuously monitored for 90 days with a textile wearable Holter (TWH). Compliance and quality of the monitoring were assessed by the number of hours of ECG stored per month. Mean predictors of pAF, including age, gender, stroke severity, and atrial size (LAVI), were evaluated. One-year follow-up assessed pAF detection outside per protocol monitoring. Out of 224 patients included in 5 stroke centers, 163 patients (72.76%) fulfilled the criteria for the protocol. Median monitoring time was similar among the three months. Per protocol pAF detection reached 35.37% at 90 days. The age (OR 1.095; 95% CI 1.03–1.14) and the LAVI (OR 1.055; 95% CI 1.01–1.09) independently predicted pAF. The cut-off point of 70 years (AUC 0.68) (95% CI 0.60–0.76) predicted pAF with a sensitivity of 75.8% and specificity of 50.5%. The LAVI cut-off point of 28.5 (AUC 0.67) (95% CI 0.56–0.77) had a sensitivity of 63.6% and a specificity of 61.8% to detect pAF. The combination of both markers enhanced the validity of pAF detection sensitivity to 89.6%, with a specificity of 27.59%. These patients had increased risk of pAF during the 90-day monitoring HR 3.23 ( χ 2 7.15) and beyond 90 days ( χ 2 5.37). Intensive 90-days TWH monitoring detected a high percentage of pAF. However, a significant number of patients did not complete the monitoring. Patients older than 70 years and with enlarged left atria benefitted more from the protocol.

Background and purpose Infarct volume and age are strong predictors of outcome in patients with stroke. We aimed to determine the impact of infarct volume on outcome according to age. Methods Consecutive patients with acute stroke with documented internal carotid artery/middle cerebral artery occlusion who underwent endovascular procedures were studied. Patients were categorized in three age groups: <70 years (G1), 70–79 years (G2), ≥80 years (G3). The Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (ASPECTS) was graded on initial CT. Time of successful recanalization (Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarct (TICI) ≥2b )and good outcome at 3 months (modified Rankin Scale score ≤2) were recorded. Infarct volume was measured on the 24 h control CT. Results A total of 214 patients were studied (G1: 68; G2: 74; G3: 72). For all patients the mean infarct volume was 94.7±127 mL; 35.6% had a good outcome. We observed larger infarct volumes in patients with a bad outcome in each age group (G1: 22 vs 182 mL, p<0.01/G2: 22 vs 164 mL, p<0.01/G3: 7.6 vs 132 mL, p<0.01). However, the target cut-off infarct volume that better predicted a good outcome decreased as age increased: G1: 49 mL (sensitivity 80%, specificity 92.6%); G2: 32.5 mL (sensitivity 80%, specificity 81%); G3: 15.2 mL (sensitivity 81.3%, specificity 86.7%). Overall, after adjusting for age, occlusion location, baseline NIH Stroke Scale score and infarct volume, the only predictor of a good outcome was achieving a final infarct volume less than the age-adjusted target (OR 5.5, 95% CI 1.6 to 18.8; p<0.01). The probability of achieving an infarct volume less than the age-adjusted target decreased according to baseline ASPECTS, time and degree of recanalization. Conclusions Age-adjusted infarct size might represent a powerful surrogate marker of stroke outcome and further refine the predictive accuracy of infarct volume on prognosis in patients with stroke undergoing endovascular treatment. This information may be used in the design of new trials to individualize selection criteria for different age groups.

Background: Selection of endovascular approaches for acute stroke patients remains unclear. The efficacy of intra-arterial therapy (IAT) has been demonstrated in the past. However, in the last years, the use of mechanical thrombectomy by retrievers (RET) is increasing at the expense of IAT. We aimed to compare several clinical outcomes between patients treated with IAT or RET. Methods: In a 6-year period, acute stroke patients (<8 h) with confirmed internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion or middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion undergoing endovascular therapy were prospectively included in our database. Patients who underwent intra-arterial tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) ± microguidewire mechanical clot disruption (IAT group) were compared with those who underwent thrombectomy with the Solitaire® or Trevo® retrievers (RET group). Recanalization (REC) was considered if at the end of the endovascular procedure thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score was 2a-3. Dramatic clinical improvement (DCI) was defined as a decrease of ≥10 NIHSSS points from baseline to discharge or 7 days. Results: One hundred and eighty patients were included, 100 (55.6%) patients in the IAT group and 80 patients (44.4%) in the RET group. There were no differences in baseline characteristics (age, gender, risk factors profile, previous treatment with i.v. tPA, baseline NIHSS, extracranial ICA angioplasty and time to REC). Rates of REC, DCI and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were also similar between groups. Among patients with ICA occlusions (41 IAT, 34 RET), REC was significantly higher with RET (83.9 vs. 61%; p = 0.04).There was a trend towards a higher DCI rate in the RET group (32.3%) compared with the IAT group (14.6%; p = 0.06). According to MCA occlusions, there were no major differences in the main outcome variables. The number needed to treat to achieve one additional DCI with RET compared with IAT was 12 for MCA occlusions, and only 5 for ICA occlusions. Conclusions: Among acute stroke patients undergoing endovascular therapies, the benefits of RET over IAT are greater in ICA occlusions. Retrievers may be considered as the first therapeutic option in these patients.

Objectives To derivate and validate three scores for the prediction of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) expansion depending on the use of non-contrast CT (NCCT), single-phase CTA, or multiphase CTA markers of hematoma expansion, and to evaluate the added value of single-phase and multiphase CTA over NCCT. Methods After prospectively deriving NCCT, single-phase CTA, and multiphase CTA hematoma expansion scores in 156 patients with ICH < 6 h, we validated them in 120 different patients. Discrimination and calibration of the three scores was assessed. Primary outcome was substantial hematoma expansion > 6 mL or > 33% at 24 h. Results The evaluation of single-phase and multiphase CTA markers gave a steadily increase in discrimination for substantial hematoma expansion over NCCT markers. The C-index (95% confidence interval) in derivation and validation cohorts was 0.69 (0.58–0.80) and 0.59 (0.46–0.72) for NCCT score, significantly lower than 0.75 ([0.64–0.87], p  = 0.038) and 0.72 ([0.59–0.84], p  = 0.016) for single-phase CTA score, and than 0.79 ([0.68–0.89], p  = 0.033) and 0.73 ([0.62–0.85], p  = 0.031) for multiphase CTA score, respectively. The three scores showed good calibration in both derivation and validation cohorts: NCCT (χ 2 statistic 0.389, p  = 0.533; and χ 2 statistic 0.352, p  = 0.553), single-phase CTA (χ 2 statistic 2.052, p  = 0.359; and χ 2 statistic 2.230, p  = 0.328), and multiphase CTA (χ 2 statistic 0.559, p  = 0.455; and χ 2 statistic 0.020, p  = 0.887) scores, respectively. Conclusion This study shows the added prognostic value of more advanced CT modalities in acute ICH evaluation. NCCT, single-phase CTA, and multiphase CTA scores may help to refine the selection of patients at risk of expansion in different decision-making scenarios. Key Points • This study shows the added prognostic value of more advanced CT modalities in acute intracerebral hemorrhage evaluation. • The evaluation of single-phase and multiphase CTA markers provides a steadily increase in discrimination for intracerebral hemorrhage expansion over non-contrast CT markers. • Non-contrast CT, single-phase CTA, and multiphase CTA scores may help clinicians and researchers to refine the selection of patients at risk of intracerebral hemorrhage expansion in different decision-making scenarios.

PurposeThe temporal evolution of non-contrast CT (NCCT) markers of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) expansion during the dynamics of acute ICH is understudied. We aimed to evaluate the temporal evolution of these markers and its relationship with ICH dynamics.MethodsSingle-center, prospective, observational cohort study on 271 ICH patients < 6 h. Patients underwent baseline NCCT and multiphase CTA, and 24-hour NCCT. NCCT markers included: irregular shape, satellite sign, and island sign (shape markers); heterogeneous density, hypodensities, swirl sign, black hole sign, blend sign, and fluid level (qualitative density markers); and mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation hematoma density (quantitative density markers). The spot sign in first phase of multiphase CTA was considered marker of active hemorrhage. Primary outcome was the change in frequency or values of NCCT markers from baseline to follow-up NCCT. Other outcomes included associations of active hemorrhage with NCCT markers at baseline and with the magnitude of their change at follow-up NCCT.ResultsHeterogeneous density predicted active hemorrhage with the highest accuracy (66.4%); hypodensities had the highest AUC (0.626, 95% CI 0.561–0.691). From baseline to follow-up NCCT, the frequency of heterogeneous density (54 [27.8%] vs. 24 [12.4%], p < 0.001) and hypodensities (82 [42.3%] vs. 52 [26.8%], p < 0.001) decreased, with greater reductions when active hemorrhage at baseline (17 [29.0%] vs. 12 [10.0%], p = 0.001; and 15 [26.3%] vs. 13 [10.8%], p = 0.008; respectively).ConclusionHeterogeneous density and hypodensities are the markers most closely related to acute ICH dynamics, better predicting active hemorrhage at baseline and decreasing with hematoma stabilization.