Mortality After Cerebral Venous Thrombosis.

Objectives: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) has historically had a poor prognosis, but advances in diagnosis and treatment may have improved outcomes. This study evaluated mortality rates, causes of death, and predictors of early and late mortality in CVT using international data.

Methods: In this multicenter cohort study, we analyzed data from adults with CVT enrolled between 1995 and 2021.

Early Thrombolysis and Outcomes in Central Retinal Artery Occlusion: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis.

Background: This individual participant data meta-analysis aimed to determine whether time to treatment influences the effect of intraarterial thrombolysis (IAT), intravenous thrombolysis, and conservative standard therapy on visual outcomes in nonarteritic central retinal artery occlusion.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and Embase up to June 2023 for studies reporting treatment modality and peri-treatment best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) for ≥5 participants, excluding patients with nonsevere vision loss (BCVA <1.0 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR]) or treated after 24 hours of symptom onset.

Safety of endovascular therapy in ischemic stroke patients ⩾90 years: A cohort study from the EVA-TRISP collaboration.

Introduction: Data on safety of endovascular therapy (EVT) in the very elderly are scarce. Using data from a large prospective EVT registry, we aimed at providing better evidence for EVT decision-making in patients aged 90 years and older.

Patients And Methods: In this multicentre observational study from the EVA-TRISP collaboration outcomes were compared between patients aged ⩾90 years with those aged <90 years using multivariate logistic regression analysis and reporting odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.

Focal Hypoperfusion on Baseline Perfusion-Weighted MRI and the Risk of Subsequent Cerebrovascular Events in Patients With TIA.

Background And Objectives: While MRI is known to be crucial for TIA workup, the benefit of perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) is underexplored. We aimed to assess the association between focal hypoperfusion on baseline PWI MRI and the long-term incidence of subsequent acute ischemic stroke (AIS) after TIA.

Methods: Consecutive patients with TIA who underwent baseline PWI MRI as part of their emergency consultation between January 2015 and December 2019 were retrospectively identified.

Sex differences in outcomes after endovascular therapy with prior antiplatelet use: A study from the EVA-TRISP registry.

Introduction: This study assessed sex differences in outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) with prior antiplatelet use using the EVA-TRISP multinational registry.

Patients And Methods: A cohort of consecutive patients (2015-2023) treated with MT was analysed by sex and prior antiplatelet use in multivariable logistic regression models. Primary outcomes were in-hospital symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH) and the 3-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score.

Implementing Acute Stroke Services in Sub-Saharan Africa: Steps, Progress, and Perspectives from the Tanzania Stroke Project.

Introduction: Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with Africa bearing a disproportionately high burden of poor outcomes. In sub-Saharan Africa, acute stroke care remains inconsistent, with organized stroke units being either absent or rarely available, contributing to the high stroke mortality rates in the region. To address this issue, the Tanzania Stroke Project (TSP) was launched, aimed at establishing acute stroke services at two of the largest tertiary care centers in collaboration with the Tanzanian Ministry of Health, the World Stroke Organization, and Hospital Directorates.

Factors Associated With Stroke Recurrence After Initial Diagnosis of Cervical Artery Dissection.

Background: Patients presenting with cervical artery dissection (CAD) are at risk for subsequent ischemic events. We aimed to identify characteristics that are associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke after initial presentation of CAD and to evaluate the differential impact of anticoagulant versus antiplatelet therapy in these high-risk individuals.

Methods: This was a preplanned secondary analysis of the STOP-CAD study (Antithrombotic Treatment for Stroke Prevention in Cervical Artery Dissection), a multicenter international retrospective observational study (63 sites from 16 countries in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa) that included patients with CAD predominantly between January 2015 and June 2022.

Safety of intravenous thrombolysis in central retinal artery occlusion patients with concomitant acute cerebral infarctions.

Background And Objectives: Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) results in severe visual impairment. Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is a potential treatment for CRAO, but ambiguous data regarding efficacy and the possibility that the presence of cerebral infarctions may increase the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) raise concerns. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the safety of IVT in patients with CRAO.

Direct oral anticoagulants versus vitamin K antagonists for cerebral venous thrombosis (DOAC-CVT): an international, prospective, observational cohort study.

Background: There is an unmet need for high-quality data from prospective studies on the safety and effectiveness of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for the treatment of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). We aimed to compare the safety and effectiveness of DOACs versus vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for the treatment of CVT in a setting that reflects daily clinical practice.

Methods: DOAC-CVT was an international, prospective, observational cohort study done in 65 hospitals in 23 countries across five continents.

Emergent Carotid Stenting During Thrombectomy in Tandem Occlusions Secondary to Dissection: A STOP-CAD Secondary Study.

Background: The optimal endovascular management of cervical carotid dissection causing tandem occlusion remains uncertain. We investigated the impact of emergent carotid stenting during endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke in patients with tandem occlusion secondary to cervical carotid artery dissection.

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of patients treated with endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke due to occlusive carotid artery dissection and tandem occlusion included in the retrospective international STOP-CAD study (Antithrombotic Treatment for Stroke Prevention in Cervical Artery Dissection).

7T MRI as a Powerful Tool to Detect Small- and Medium-Size Vessel CNS Vasculitis.

Imaging can help to diagnose CNS vasculitis. Yet so far, no imaging studies of CNS vasculitis at 7T are available. We share our experience of vessel wall imaging (VWI) at 7T in patients with suspected vasculitis.

Endovascular therapy in patients with acute intracranial non-terminal internal carotid artery occlusion (ICA-I).

Background: Acute intracranial occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) can be distinguished into (a) occlusion of the terminal ICA, involving the proximal segments of the middle or anterior cerebral artery (ICA-L/-T) and (b) non-terminal intracranial occlusions of the ICA with patent circle of Willis (ICA-I). While patients with ICA-L/-T occlusion were included in all randomized controlled trials on endovascular therapy (EVT) in anterior large vessel occlusion, data on EVT in ICA-I occlusion is scarce. We thus aimed to evaluate effectiveness and safety of EVT in ICA-I occlusions in comparison to ICA-L/-T occlusions.

Outcomes and Recurrence Rates Among Patients With Provoked and Cryptogenic Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: Analysis of the ACTION CVT.

Background And Objectives: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare cause of stroke. While the standard treatment is anticoagulation, the type and duration of anticoagulation depends on the underlying etiology. This study aims to identify prevalence, risk factors, and recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) rates among patients with idiopathic (cryptogenic) CVT and CVT provoked by transient (peripartum, hormonal treatment, infection, trauma) and persistent (cancer, thrombophilia) factors.

Transcranial Doppler With Microbubbles: Screening Test to Detect and Grade Right-to-Left Shunt After an Ischemic Stroke: A Literature Review.

Right-to-left shunt, mainly due to patent foramen ovale (PFO), is likely responsible for ≈5% of all ischemic strokes and 10% of those occurring in young and middle-aged adults. Randomized clinical trials demonstrated that, in selected young and middle-aged patients with otherwise cryptogenic acute ischemic stroke and high-risk PFO, percutaneous PFO closure is more effective than antiplatelet therapy alone in preventing recurrence. However, PFO is generally a benign finding and is present in about one-quarter of the population.

Projections of Endovascular Therapy-Eligible Patients With Stroke for the US Population.

Background: As stroke endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) treatment indications expand, understanding population-based EVT eligibility becomes critical for resource planning. We aimed to project current and future population-based EVT eligibility in the United States.

Methods: We conducted a post hoc analysis of the physician-adjudicated GCNKSS (Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Stroke Study; 2015 epoch), a population-based, cross sectional, observational study of stroke incidence, treatment, and outcomes across a 5-county region.

Journal Club: Prehospital Detection of Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke With Electroencephalography: Results of the ELECTRA-STROKE Study.

The ELECTRA-STROKE study investigated the potential of EEG for prehospital triage of patients with ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO), in which fast triage to stroke centers for endovascular treatment is crucial. The study was conducted in 4 phases, and this Journal Club article focuses on the fourth phase in the prehospital setting with suspected stroke patients. An EEG cap with dry electrodes was used to measure brain activity.

Anticoagulation Versus Antiplatelets in Spontaneous Cervical Artery Dissection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: It is uncertain whether antiplatelets or anticoagulants are more effective in preventing early recurrent stroke in patients with cervical artery dissection. Following the publication of the observational Antithrombotic for STOP-CAD (Stroke Prevention in Cervical Artery Dissection) study, which has more than doubled available data, we performed an updated systematic review and meta-analysis comparing antiplatelets versus anticoagulation in cervical artery dissection.

Methods: The systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023468063).