A prediction model for large vessel occlusion in suspected stroke patients based on available prehospital information

Objective:Early and accurate identification of large vessel occlusion(LVO)acute ischemic stroke(AIS)patients is critically important for stroke management.Practicable scales with simple items can facilitate prehospital paramedics distinguishing LVO-AIS patients with high efficiency and help to avoid unnecessary and costly delays.The current study aims to develop a screening tool to predict AIS-LVO patients based on prehospital available data.Method:A total of 251 suspected stroke patients who were transported to the emergency department of our hospital via emergency medical services were consecutively enrolled from August,2020 to January,2022.Data including demographic information,medical history,clinical manifestations,and vital signs were collected.A multivariate logistic regression model was developed based on statistically significant variables selected from univariate analysis.Result:Forty-two patients(16.7%)were diagnosed as LVO-AIS based on imaging validation at admission.A comprehensive model was developed with past medical history factors such as atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease,vital signs such as systolic blood pressure,and prominent symptoms and signs such as gaze palsy,facial paralysis,and dysarthria.The model showed better diagnostic performance in terms of area under the receiver operating characteristic curves(0.884,95%CI,0.830-0.939),which was higher than other common prehospital prediction scales such as the Face,Arm,Speech,Time test(FAST),the Field Assessment Stroke Triage for Emergency Destination(FAST-ED)scale,and the Gaze-Face-Arm-Speech-Time test(G-FAST).Calibration curve analysis,decision curve analysis,and clinical impact curve analysis further validated the reliability,net benefit,and potential clinical impact of the prediction model,respectively.Conclusion:We conducted a prediction model based on prehospital accessible factors including past history of atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease,systolic blood pressure,and signs such as gaze palsy,facial palsy,and dysarthria.The prediction model showed good diagnostic power and accuracy for identification of the high-risk patients with LVO and may become an effective tool for the LVO recognition in prehospital settings.Future studies are warranted to refine and validate the model further in order to enhance the accuracy and objectivity of clinical judgments.

Analysis on Endovascular Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke with Large Vessel Occlusion and Large-Scaled Core Infarct Volume in the Time Window

Patients who received endovascular therapy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO) and large-scaled core infarct volume in the time window were analyzed. Literature data were reviewed. Results showed that although EVT is the first choice to AIS-LVO, patients often have poor prognosis. Alberta stroke program early CT score (ASPECTS) based on computerized tomography angiography source image (CTA-SI) can reflect the real cerebral perfusion more truly, and it can assess the size of core infarct more quickly and accurately, thus enabling to judge prognosis.

Endovascular Application of Magnetic Resonance Double Mismatch Technique for Acute Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion with Cerebral Infarction in an Unknown Time Window

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of applying the magnetic resonance double mismatch technique to endovascular treatment of acute anterior circulation,large vessel occlusion with cerebral infarction in an unknown time window.Methods:The research work was carried out in our hospital,the work was carried out from November 2018 to November 2019,the patients with acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusion with cerebral infarction who were treated in our hospital during this period,100 patients,50 patients with an unknown time window and 50 patients with definite time window were selected,and they were named as the experimental and control groups,given different examination methods,were given to investigate the clinical treatment effect.Results:Patients’data on HIHSS score before treatment,the incidence of intracranial hemorrhage and rate of Mrs≤2 rating after 90 days of treatment were not significantly different(P>0.05),which was not meaningful.The differences in data between the two groups concerning HIHSS scores were relatively significant before,and after treatment(P<0.05).Conclusion:The magnetic resonance double mismatch technique will be applied in the endovascular treatment of acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusion with cerebral infarction of unknown time window.

Different strategies for ultra-early reperfusion therapy in anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke safety and effectiveness of the comparative observation

Background:To compare the safety and effectiveness of direct mechanical thrombectomy and bridging therapy for stroke with acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusion within 4.5 hours of onset.Methods:Retrospectively collected from 66 patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the Department of Neurology of Tongliao Hospital and Xuanwu Hospital from August 2019 to November 2021 within 4.5 hours.According to the different recanalization methods,30 patients were assigned to the direct thrombectomy treatment group,and 36 patients in the bridging treatment group(i.e.,the intravenous thrombolysis bridging mechanical thrombectomy treatment group).The primary outcome measure was the neurological outcome at the onset of 90d.Secondary outcome measures were intraoperative vascular recanalization and reperfusion,and the US National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score at 24 hours after surgery.The primary safety indicators are intracranial hemorrhage,including symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and non-symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage,and 90d mortality.Results:The direct thrombectomy group had lower body mass index,hypertension and baseline Alberta early computed tomography score than the bridging treatment group,and longer time from onset to visit than the bridging group(206.5(119.5,256.25)min vs.150.5(25.205,212.75)min),the above difference were statistically significant(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in successful vascular reperfusion(93%vs.89%),24 hours postoperative National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score(11(5,18)vs.11(5,20)),intracranial hemorrhage(11%vs.14%),symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage(7%vs.17%),90d mRS0 to 2 points(43%vs.36%)and 90d mortality(23%vs.22%)(P>0.05).Conclusion:Similar clinical efficacy and safety of direct mechanical thrombectomy and bridging therapy for acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusive stroke within 4.5 hours of onset,direct thrombectomy can be used as an alternative scheme for acute anterior circulation intracranial large artery occlusive stroke.

A New Point of Consideration for the Definition of Minor Ischemic Stroke: Review

Stroke is the second highest cause of death globally and a leading cause of not only physical disability but also cognitive. Approximately two-thirds of Ischemic Stroke patients, who represent the most common type of stroke are found to have mild deficits. Minor stroke, sometimes also referred to as “mild stroke”, is often defined in research studies as a National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 5 or less, although, the cut point for NIHSS score or standardized criterion to define minor stroke has not been established. In the past, many studies have been focusing on the definition of the minor stroke to better stabilize the acute treatment guidelines, to predict the functional outcome, and also for early risk factors stratification. Different studies use different criteria or different cut-points of NIHSS scores to define minor stroke. Aside from indecision of acute management of minor stroke, many other questions have been raised regarding minor strokes, for example, the interaction of large vessel occlusion with minor stroke, the prevalence rate of depression, anxiety, cognitive dysfunction, chronic head after minor stroke, and so on. Finding a universal definition for minor stroke is the key to establish the guideline for management for this group of patients. However, the guidance of treatment of minor stroke is not the focus of this review. The review will focus on the deep comprehension of minor stroke characteristics, summarizing the new findings related to minor stroke, and highlight the essential points to consider for characterizing mild stroke symptoms for a new direction guide for future studies.