Stroke Code Improves Intravenous Thrombolysis Administration in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose

Timely intravenous (IV) thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke is associated with better clinical outcomes. Acute stroke care implemented with “Stroke Code” (SC) may increase IV tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) administration. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of SC on thrombolysis.

Methods

The study period was divided into the “pre-SC era” (January 2006 to July 2010) and “SC era” (August 2010 to July 2013). Demographics, critical times (stroke symptom onset, presentation to the emergency department, neuroimaging, thrombolysis), stroke severity, and clinical outcomes were recorded and compared between the two eras.

Results

During the study period, 5957 patients with acute ischemic stroke were admitted; of these, 1301 (21.8%) arrived at the emergency department within 3 h of stroke onset and 307 (5.2%) received IV-tPA. The number and frequency of IV-tPA treatments for patients with an onset-to-door time of <3 h increased from the pre-SC era (n = 91, 13.9%) to the SC era (n = 216, 33.3%) (P<0.001). SC also improved the efficiency of IV-tPA administration; the median door-to-needle time decreased (88 to 51 min, P<0.001) and the percentage of door-to-needle times ≤60 min increased (14.3% to 71.3%, P<0.001). The SC era group tended to have more patients with good outcome (modified Rankin Scale ≤2) at discharge (49.5 vs. 39.6%, P = 0.11), with no difference in symptomatic hemorrhage events or in-hospital mortality.

Conclusion

The SC protocol increases the percentage of acute ischemic stroke patients receiving IV-tPA and decreases door-to-needle time.     

Aspiration-Related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Acute Stroke Patient

Background

Aspiration of oral or gastric contents into the larynx and lower respiratory tract is a common problem in acute stroke patients, which significantly increases the incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, little is known about the clinical characteristics of aspiration-related ARDS in acute stroke patients.

Methods

Over 17-month period a retrospective cohort study was done on 1495 consecutive patients with acute stroke. The data including demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, chest imaging, and hospital discharge status were collected to analysis.

Results

Aspiration-related ARDS was diagnosed in 54 patients (3.6%). The most common presenting symptom was tachypnea (respiratory rate ≥25 breaths/min) in 50 cases. Computed tomography (CT) images usually demonstrated diffuse ground-glass opacities (GGOs) and inhomogeneous patchy consolidations involving the low lobes. Age, NIHSS score, GCS score, dysphagia, dysarthria, hemoglobin concentration, serum aspertate aminotransferase (AST), serum albumin, serum sodium, and admission glucose level were independently associated with aspiration-related ARDS (odds ratio (OR) 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.04–1.07); OR 2.87, (2.68–3.63); OR 4.21, (3.57–5.09); OR 2.18, (1.23–3.86); OR 1.67, (1.31–2.14); OR 2.31, (1.11–4.84); OR 1.68, (1.01–2.80); OR 2.15, (1.19–3.90); OR 1.92, (1.10–3.36) and OR 1.14, (1.06–1.21) respectively).

Conclusions

Aspiration-related ARDS frequently occurs in acute stroke patient with impairment consciousness. It is advisable that performing chest CT timely may identify disease early and prompt treatment to rescue patients.     

急性缺血性脑卒中动脉内溶栓治疗

目的:探讨急性缺血性脑卒中动脉内溶栓治疗。方法:随机选取411例急性缺血性脑卒中患者,男238例,女173例,平均为(64±11)岁,发病距接受治疗的时间为2～24小时,视闭塞血管部位,采取超选择性接触性溶栓。尿激酶用微量泵以1万单位/min持续泵入,总量为80～130万单位。在泵入尿激酶的过程中,通过导引导管造影,了解闭塞血管再通情况。结果:颈内动脉系统血管闭塞192例,椎-基底动脉系统闭塞68例。脑血管造影未见明显异常78例。颈内动脉闭塞再通27例。大脑中动脉闭塞再通52例。大脑中动脉分支闭塞再通41例。椎-基底动脉系统闭塞再通47例。有35例因明显的血管狭窄而给予球囊扩张、支架置入术。临床症状完全恢复正常或有明显好转的247例。为60.01%。结论:我们认为动脉内接触性溶栓治疗急性脑梗塞还是很值得进行的。随着溶栓经验的积累,溶栓药的开发,脑保护剂的应用,总有效率会不断提高。     

Anticoagulation for the Acute Management of Ischemic Stroke

Few prospective studies support the use of anticoagulation during the acute phase of ischemic stroke, though observational data suggest a role in certain populations. Depending on the mechanism of stroke, systemic anticoagulation may prevent recurrent cerebral infarction, but concomitantly carries a risk of hemorrhagic transformation. In this article, we describe a case where anticoagulation shows promise for ischemic stroke and review the evidence that has discredited its use in some circumstances while showing its potential in others.     

The Predictive Value of the Boston Acute Stroke Imaging Scale (BASIS) in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients among Chinese Population

Objective

Evaluate the predictive value of Boston Acute Stroke Imaging Scale (BASIS) in acute ischemic stroke in Chinese population.

Methods

This was a retrospective study. 566 patients of acute ischemic stroke were classified as having a major stroke or minor stroke based on BASIS. We compared short-term outcome (death, occurrence of complications, admission to intensive care unit [ICU] or neurological intensive care unit [NICU]), long-term outcome (death, recurrence of stroke, myocardial infarction, modified Rankin scale) and economic index including in-hospital cost and length of hospitalization. Continuous variables were compared by using the Student t test or Kruskal-Wallis test. Categorical variables were tested with the Chisquare test. Cox regression analysis was applied to identify whether BASIS was the independent predictive variable of death.

Results

During hospitalization, 9 patients (4.6%) died in major stroke group while no patients died in minor stroke group (p<0.001), 12 patients in the major stroke group and 5 patients in minor stroke group were admitted to ICU/NICU (p = 0.001). There were more complications (cerebral hernia, pneumonia, urinary tract infection) in major stroke group than minor stroke group (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the average cost of hospitalization in major stroke group was 3,100 US$ and 1,740 US$ in minor stroke group (p<0.001); the average length of stay in major and minor stroke group was 21.3 days and 17.3 days respectively (p<0.001). Results of the follow-up showed that 52 patients (26.7%) died in major stroke group while 56 patients (15.1%) died in minor stroke group (P<0.001). 62.2% of the patients in major stroke group and 80.4% of the patients in minor stroke group were able to live independently (P = 0.002). The survival analysis showed that patients with major stroke had 80% higher of risk of death than patients with minor stroke even after adjusting traditional atherosclerotic factors and NIHSS at baseline (HR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–3.1).

Conclusion

BASIS can predict in-hospital mortality, occurrence of complication, length of stay and hospitalization cost of the acute ischemic stroke patients and can also estimate the long term outcome (death and the dependency). BASIS could and should be used as a dichotomous stroke classification system in the daily practice.     

Impact of Implementing Evidence-Based Acute Stroke Interventions on Survival: The South London Stroke Register

Background

Studies examining the impact of organised acute stroke care interventions on survival in subgroups of stroke patients remain limited.

Aims

This study examined the effects of a range of evidence-based interventions of acute stroke care on one year survival post-stroke and determined the size of the effect across different socio-demographic and clinical subgroups of patients.

Methods

Data on 4026 patients with a first-ever stroke recruited to the population-based South London Stroke Register between 1995 and 2010 were used. In uni-variable analyses, one year cumulative survival rates in socio-demographic groups and by care received was determined. Survival functions were compared using Log-rank tests. Multivariable Cox models were used to test for interactions between components of care and age group, sex, ethnic group, social class, stroke subtype and level of consciousness.

Results

1949 (56.4%) patients were admitted to a stroke unit. Patients managed on a stroke unit, those with deficits receiving specific rehabilitation therapies and those with ischaemic stroke subtype receiving aspirin in the acute phase had better one year survival compared to those who did not receive these interventions. The greatest reduction in the hazards of death among patients treated on a stroke unit were in the youngest patients aged <65 years, (HR 0.39; 95% CI: 0.25–0.62), and those with reduced levels of consciousness, GCS <9, (HR: 0.44; CI: 0.33–0.58).

Conclusions

There was evidence of better one year survival in patients receiving specific acute interventions after stroke with a significantly greater effect in stroke subgroups, suggesting the possibility of re-organising stroke services to ensure that the most appropriate care is made accessible to patients likely to derive the most benefits from such interventions.     

急诊快捷护理流程应用于急性脑卒中的效果分析

目的：探讨急诊快捷护理流程对急性脑卒中的临床效果,为改善患者预后提供有效措施。方法：回顾性分析2007年6月-2011年6月我院收治的319例急性脑卒中患者的临床资料,按照其就诊时期分为对照组（n=166）及观察组（n=153）,对比两组患者的急诊效果。结果：观察组接诊至确诊时间、确诊至接受专科治疗时间均显著低于对照组（P〈0．05）,两组抢救费用无明显统计学差异（P〉0．05）;观察组致残19例,病死7例,致残、致死率分别为12．4％及4．6％,对照组致残35例,病死13例,致残、致死率分别为21．1％及7．8％,观察组致残、致死率均低于对照组（P〈0．05）;观察组共出现30例并发症,并发症率19．6％,对照组出现55例并发症,并发症率33．1％,观察组并发症率明显低于对照组（P〈0．05）。结论：急诊快捷护理流程可有效缩短急诊各环节消耗的时间,使患者得到最准确、最及时的干预、治疗,能够有效保证其治疗效果,从而保证其顸后,提高急救效率,值得临床广泛推广。     

血尿酸水平与缺血性卒中相关分析

目的:研究血尿酸水平与缺血性卒中的相关性。方法:选择缺血性卒中患者(病例组)100例和健康体检者(对照组)100例,分别测定空腹血尿酸(UA)、总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C),并对病例组进行颈部动脉超声检查、NIHSS评分、BI指数计算。比较两组尿酸水平及病例组不同血尿酸水平下UA、TC、TG、LDL-C、HDL-C的指标变化及NIHSS评分、BI指数、颈部血管斑块形成率的差别。结果:病例组和对照组空腹血尿酸升高的例数,分别为46例和17例,分别占46%和17%;血尿酸平均浓度分别为485.96±76.03(μmoL/L)和343.12±61.46(μmoL/L),差异有统计学意义。病例组尿酸结果明显高于对照组,两组比较有显著性差异(P<0.01);病例组UA、TC、TG、LDL-C、HDL-C水平较正常对照组差异有显著意义(P<0.05)。对病例组血尿酸水平,颈部血管超声结果、NIHSS评分、BI指数进行分析。病例组患者血尿酸水平与病情及预后有平行关系,即血尿酸水平高,颈部血管斑块形成率高,病情重,预后差。结论:高尿酸血症(HUA)是缺血性卒中重要的危险因素,是防治缺血性卒中的综合因素之一。     

急性缺血性脑卒中临床路径管理模式的优化及实践

目的 评价优化后急性缺血性脑卒中临床路径管理模式的优越性。方法 随机选取医院实施急性缺血性脑卒中治疗临床路径管理优化前后收治的急性脑梗死患者各200例,采用回顾性分析比较各组患者的相关指标。结果 路径优化管理后,患者诊疗等待时间缩短,疾病规范诊疗比率进一步提高,医护工作量大大减少,患者满意度进一步提高。结论 实施临床路径能够改善医疗质量,更好地利用医疗资源。临床路径优化后医疗质量进一步提高。     

Plasma D-Dimer Levels Are Associated with Stroke Subtypes and Infarction Volume in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background

It has been suggested that modestly elevated circulating D-dimer values may be associated with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the association between plasma D -dimer level at admission and AIS in Chinese population.

Methods

In a prospective observational study, plasma D-dimer levels were measured using a particle-enhanced, immunoturbidimetric assay on admission in 240 Chinese patients with AIS. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was assessed on admission blinded to D-dimer levels.

Results

Plasma median D-dimer levels were significantly (P = 0.000) higher in AIS patients as compared to healthy controls (0.88; interquartiler range [IQR], 0.28–2.11 mg/L and 0.31; IQR, 0.17–0.74 mg/L). D-dimer levels increased with increasing severity of stroke as defined by the NIHSS score(r = 0.179, p = 0.005) and infarct volume(r = 0.425, p = 0.000). Those positive trends still existed even after correcting for possible confounding factors (P = 0.012, 0.000; respectively). Based on the Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the optimal cut-off value of plasma D-dimer levels as an indicator for diagnosis of cardioembolic strokes was projected to be 0.91 mg/L, which yielded a sensitivity of 83.7% and a specificity of 81.5%, the area under the curve was 0.862(95% confidence interval [CI], 0.811–0.912).

Conclusion

We had shown that plasma D-dimer levels increased with increasing severity of stroke as defined by the NIHSS score and infarct volume. These associations were independent other possible variables. In addition, cardioembolic strokes can be distinguished from other stroke etiologies by measuring plasma D-dimer levels very early (0–48hours from stroke symptom onset).     

Determinants of Fatigue after First-Ever Ischemic Stroke during Acute Phase

Background and Purpose

Fatigue after stroke is common and has a negative impact on rehabilitation and survival. However, its pathogenesis and contributing factors remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing the occurrence of fatigue after first-ever ischemic stroke in acute phase.

Methods

We examined 265 consecutive patients with first-ever ischemic stroke during acute phase (within 2 weeks) in two tertiary stroke care hospitals in Henan, China. We documented patients’ demographic and clinical characteristics through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires and reviews of medical records. Post-stroke fatigue was defined as a score of ≥4 using the Fatigue Severity Scale. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine post-stroke fatigue in relation to socio-demographic, lifestyle, clinical characteristics and family function.

Results

About 40% first-ever ischemic stroke patients experienced post-stroke fatigue in acute phase. Post-stroke fatigue was associated with lack of exercise before stroke (adjusted odds ratio 4.01, 95% CI 1.95–8.24), family dysfunction (2.63, 1.20–5.80), depression (2.39, 1.02–5.58), the presence of pre-stroke fatigue (4.89, 2.13–11.21), use of sedative medications (4.14, 1.58–10.88), coronary heart disease (3.38, 1.46–7.79) and more severe Modified Rankin Scale (2.55, 1.65–3.95).

Conclusions

The causes of post-stroke fatigue are multifaceted. More physical exercise, improving family function, reducing depression and appropriate use of sedative medications may be helpful in preventing post-stroke fatigue.     

急性脑卒中患者腹泻并发症的临床分析

目的:探讨急性脑卒中患者并发腹泻的发生状况及危险因素,以降低脑卒中并发腹泻的发生率。方法:对264例急性脑卒中患者观察腹泻并发症的发生,分析一般临床资料,使用Logistic回归分析腹泻并发症的可能危险因素。结果:不同类型急性脑卒中并发腹泻发生率差异无统计学意义(P0.05),有无糖尿病的并发腹泻发生率差异有统计学意义(P0.05),抗生素使用的并发腹泻发生率差异有统计学意义(P0.05),腹泻并发症的发生与患者年龄、入院时GCS昏迷量表评分、营养状况、糖尿病史、抗生素使用有关(OR=4.36、8.78、4.48、6.26、5.64),腹泻组和非腹泻组病死率差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:急性脑卒中的患者易发生腹泻,合理选择和使用抗生素,合理饮食,尽量减少医疗干预措施的影响,可减少腹泻并发症的发生。     

Evaluation of Off-Hour Emergency Care in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Results from the China National Stroke Registry

Background and Purpose

The quality of after-hour emergency care of patients with acute ischemic stroke is debatable. We therefore, sought to analyze the performance measures, quality of care and clinical outcomes in these patients admitted during off-hours.

Methods

Our study included 4493 patients from a selected cohort of patients admitted to the hospitals with ischemic stroke in the China National Stroke Registry (CNSR) from September 2007 to August 2008. On-hour presentation was defined as arrival at the emergency department from the scene between 8AM and 5PM from Monday through Friday. Off-hours included the remainder of the on-hours and statutory holidays. The association between off-hour presentation and outcome was analyzed using multivariate logistic-regression models.

Results

Off-hour presentation was identified in 2672 (59.5%) patients with ischemic stroke. Comparison of patients admitted during off-hours with those admitted during on-hours revealed an unadjusted odds ratio of in-hospital mortality of 1.38 (95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.85), which declined to 1.34 (95% confidence interval, 0.93–1.93) after adjusting for patient characteristics (especially, pre-hospital delay). No difference in 30-day mortality, total death or dependence at three, six and 12 months between two groups was observed. No association between off-hour admission and quality of care was found.

Conclusions

In the CNSR database, compared with on-hour patients, off-hour patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the emergency departments from scene manifested a higher incidence of in-hospital mortality. However, the difference in incidence and quality of care between the groups disappeared after adjusting for pre-hospital delay and other variables.     

Proximal Arterial Occlusion in Acute Ischemic Stroke with Low NIHSS Scores Should Not Be Considered as Mild Stroke

Background

Untreated acute mild stroke patients have substantial 90-day disability rates and worse outcomes than those who are treated with thrombolysis. There is little information regarding which patients with acute mild stroke will benefit from thrombolysis. We sought to investigate factors that are associated with early neurological deterioration (END) and poor prognosis in patients with acute mild stroke.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of consecutively registered patients with acute mild stroke (NIHSS ≤3) at our tertiary stroke center between October 2008 and December 2011. END was defined as an increase in NIHSS ≥2 points between hospital days 0 and 5. Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores of 0–1 at 90 days post-stroke were defined as favorable outcomes.

Results

A total of 378 (mean age, 65.9±13.0 years) patients were included in this study. END occurred in 55 patients (14.6%). IV-thrombolysis was performed in only 9 patients. Symptomatic arterial occlusion on the initial MRA was independently associated with END (OR, 2.206; 95% CI, 1.219–3.994; p = 0.009) by multivariate logistic regression. Of the 119 patients with symptomatic arterial occlusion, ICA occlusion was independently associated with END (OR, 8.606; 95% CI, 2.312–32.043; p = 0.001).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that symptomatic arterial occlusion may be an important predictor of END in patients with acute mild stroke. It may therefore be important to consider that acute ischemic stroke with symptomatic arterial occlusion and low NIHSS scores may not represent mild stroke in acute periods.     

Prediction of Pneumonia in Acute Stroke Patients Using Tongue Pressure Measurements

Swallowing dysfunction caused by stroke is a risk factor for aspiration pneumonia. Tongue pressure measurement is a simple and noninvasive method for evaluating swallowing dysfunction. We have hypothesized that low tongue pressure may be able to predict pneumonia occurrence in acute stroke patients. Tongue pressure was measured using balloon-type equipment in 220 acute stroke patients. The modified Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA) score was evaluated independently on the same day. Tongue pressure was measured every week thereafter. An improvement in tongue pressure was observed within the first 2 weeks. Receiver operating curve analysis was performed to determine the ability of tongue pressure to predict modified MASA score <95, which suggests swallowing dysfunction. The optimal cutoff for tongue pressure was 21.6 kPa (χ² = 45.82, p<0.001, sensitivity 95.9%, specificity 91.8%, area under the curve = 0.97). The tongue pressure was significantly lower in patients with pneumonia than in those without pneumonia. Using a Cox proportional hazard model for pneumonia onset with a cutoff tongue pressure value of 21.6 kPa and adjustment for age, sex, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission, the tongue pressure had additional predictive power for pneumonia onset (hazard ratio, 7.95; 95% confidence interval, 2.09 to 52.11; p = 0.0013). In the group with low tongue pressure, 27 of 95 patients showed improvement of tongue pressure within 2 weeks. Pneumonia occurred frequently in patients without improvement of tongue pressure, but not in patients with improvement (31/68 and 2/27, p<0.001). Tongue pressure is a sensitive indicator for predicting pneumonia occurrence in acute stroke patients.