Ischemic Stroke in Patients With Malignancy

Readmissions for Cardiac Disease Within 30 Days of Hospitalization for Cerebral Infarction: An Evaluation of the Stroke-Heart Syndrome Using the Nationwide Readmission Database

BACKGROUND

The stroke-heart syndrome refers to incident cardiac complications post stroke. This study aims to evaluate the stroke-heart syndrome by determining the rate and predictors of readmission for cardiac disease within 30 days of hospitalization for cerebral infarction.

METHODS

Data from the United States Nationwide Readmissions Database (2018 to 2020) were analyzed to identify rates and factors associated with 30-day readmissions for heart disease following cerebral infarction, excluding patients with atrial fibrillation, heart failure and myocardial infarction during admission with cerebral infarction.

RESULTS

There were 3,115,850 hospital admissions for cerebral infarction, and 75,440 admissions (2.4%) were readmitted with new onset cardiac events within 30 days of discharge. This included 36,310 (1.4%) readmissions for heart failure, 35,900 (1.1%) readmissions for atrial fibrillation, 17,465 (0.5%) readmissions for acute myocardial infarction, 810 (0.03%) readmissions for ventricular arrhythmias and 700 (0.02%) readmissions for Takotsubo syndrome. Readmitted patients were older (median age of 73 years vs. 68 years, p < 0.001) and had a longer length of stay for initial admission (median of 4 days vs. 3 days, p < 0.001). The most significant predictors of readmission were elective admission (OR 2.00, 95%CI 1.89-2.13, p < 0.001), cancer (OR 1.91, 95%CI 1.81-2.01, p < 0.001), chronic kidney disease (OR 1.80, 95%CI 1.73-1.87, p < 0.001), previous myocardial infarction (OR 1.59, 95%CI 1.50-1.69, p < 0.001) and liver failure (OR 1.34, 95%CI 1.06-1.68, p = 0.013). Palliative care was linked to a reduced odds of readmission (OR 0.36, 95%CI 0.31-0.41, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

New cardiac-related hospital readmissions within 30 days after ischemic stroke occur in 2.4% of patients, with elective admission and cancer being a strong predictor of readmissions.

Insights into Cancer-Associated Thrombosis Leading Towards Ischemic Stroke

Stroke leads to significant disability in most patients, whereas cancer elevates the occurrence of stroke. The incidence of cancer-associated stroke (CAS) is projected to rise as a result of improvements in cancer therapies. Various forms of cancer have been demonstrated to be linked to ischemic stroke. Cancer might influence stroke pathophysiology either directly or through coagulation that creates a hypercoagulative state, in addition to infections. Treatment methods for cancer, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, have all been demonstrated to increase the risk of stroke as well. This review discusses the subtypes, epidemiology, pathophysiology, mechanisms of stroke within cancer patients, biomarkers, and signaling pathways of stroke in cancer while providing vital information on the involved transcription factors, treatment, and management of patients with cancer-associated ischemic stroke. Atherosclerosis, extracellular vesicles (EVs), and signaling biomolecules can also affect CAS. Overall, stroke is a significant and not uncommon complication of cancer, and there is an immediate demand for neurologists and oncologists to create strategies for screening and preventing strokes in cancer patients.

Association of Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index With Stroke and Mortality Rates: Evidence From the NHANES Database

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the association of the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) with stroke and mortality rates using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted using the aggregated data from 5 cycles (2009 to 2018) of NHANES. SII was the independent variable, and stroke was the dependent variable. Weighted logistic regression models were employed to analyze their relationship. The nonlinear association between SII and stroke was examined using the restricted cubic spline (RCS) method in subgroups stratified by smoking status, hypertension, and dietary inflammatory index. Weighted Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analysis were used to investigate the association of SII with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 22,107 samples were included in this study. Weighted logistic regression analysis showed a significant correlation between SII and stroke (OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.22-1.92, P <0.001). The stratified analysis revealed that interactions of smoking status and hypertension with SII, respectively, had significant impacts on stroke risk. A remarkable positive link between SII and stroke risk (OR>1, P <0.05) was observed in the crude model (unadjusted for confounding factors), model I (adjusted for demographic characteristics), and model II (adjusted for all confounding factors). RCS analysis displayed a remarkable nonlinear positive correlation between SII and stroke risk only in the "now smoking" population ( P -nonlinear<0.05) after adjusting for all confounding factors. In the overall sample population, Kaplan-Meier curves indicated that individuals in the highest quartile of SII had the highest risk of all-cause mortality and CVD mortality (log-rank test P <0.05). Samples with proinflammatory dietary habits had considerably higher risks of all-cause mortality and CVD mortality compared with those with anti-inflammatory dietary habits (log-rank test P <0.05). Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models showed significantly increased all-cause mortality and CVD mortality rates in the highest quartile of SII compared with the lowest quartile.

CONCLUSIONS

SII levels were considerably positively linked to stroke risk, particularly in the "now smoking" population. Moreover, elevated SII levels increased the risk of all-cause mortality and CVD mortality in the overall population. On the basis of these findings, we recommend incorporating smoking cessation measures into stroke risk reduction strategies.

Arterial Thromboembolism in Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer: Secondary Analyses of the Rising-VTE/NEJ037 Study

BACKGROUND

Cancer-associated thromboembolism has been thoroughly investigated in previous studies, and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) were established for the treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the risks of cancer-associated arterial thromboembolism (ATE) and the efficacy of DOACs remain unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the risk factors and the clinical activity of edoxaban (EDO) for the prevention of ATE in patients with advanced lung cancer.

METHODS

From the prospective Rising-VTE/NEJ037 study which investigated VTE in newly diagnosed advanced lung cancer, we investigated the incidence rate and the risk factors of ATE as secondary endpoints.

RESULTS

A total of 1008 patients were screened for VTE at study baseline and were followed up for 2 years. Excluding patients with a contraindication to DOACs, those with VTE were treated with EDO. ATE events were identified in 41 patients (4.1%). The most common location for ATE was cerebral infarction (N = 31, 75.6%), followed by myocardial infarction (N = 4, 9.8%). Multivariate analysis determined the incidence of VTE, D-dimer, a comorbidity of atrial fibrillation, and four other factors as independent risk factors of ATE. For VTE (+) patients, the incidence rate of ATE was 15.9% for the EDO administration (+) patients, compared with 11.1% for the EDO administration (-) patients (p = 0.626).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence rate of ATE was 4.1% over 2-year follow-up in advanced lung cancer patients. VTE was further identified as an independent risk factor for ATE, while intervention with DOACs was seen as less effective for the prevention of ATE in advanced lung cancer patients with VTE.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial was registered in the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCTs061180025).

Direct Oral Anticoagulants vs. Heparin for Cancer-Related Stroke: Augmented Meta-Analysis

Background

Ischemic stroke is common among patients with systemic malignancy, associated with increased risk of neurological deterioration and mortality compared to the general population. Optimal approach to secondary stroke prevention in cancer patients is unclear. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated available data on the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and heparin products for stroke prevention in this population.

Methods

Using the Nested Knowledge AutoLit software, we performed PubMed search in September 2023 for articles reporting the use of antithrombotics for cancer-associated stroke. We conducted systematic review and meta-analysis. We also used a novel computational augmentation method to amplify the sample size to predict the effect before and after sample size augmentation and predict the results of further trials.

Results

Among 253 potential studies screened, 7 were eligible for inclusion. 439 patients were treated with DOACs and 3968 with heparin products. Among patients treated with heparin, intracerebral hemorrhage (8.8 % vs 1.6, p=.02), overall hemorrhagic complications (17.9% vs 3.5%, p<.001), and mortality [28.1% vs 23.5%, p<.001] were respectively significantly higher than those reported among patients who received DOAC for cancer-associated ischemic stroke. No significant difference was observed in the rates of recurrent deep venous thrombosis, clinically significant hemorrhage, and clinical outcomes between the treatment groups. Similar results were shown with augmented meta-analysis.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis shows DOACs may have efficacy and safety profile similar to heparin products for recurrent stroke prevention in patients with cancer. Given the small number of studies and limited data, findings should be interpreted with caution.

Analysis of readmission and hospitalization expenditures of patients with ischemic stroke suffering from different comorbidities

Background

The comorbidities of ischemic stroke (IS) are increasing worldwide. This study aimed to quantitatively assess the effect of different types of comorbidity on readmission and hospitalization expenditures of patients with IS.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was conducted from the basic insurance claims database of a large city in China, between January 1, 2018, and May 31, 2022. We identified patients with IS aged 18 years and over, who experienced the first episode of IS and had one-year follow-up records. This study divided eighteen different comorbid conditions into two categories (concordant comorbidity and discordant comorbidity) and the IS patients were further categorized into four groups. Multivariable logistic regression models and generalized linear models with log-link and gamma distribution were to estimate the effect of different comorbidity groups on one-year readmission rates and annual hospitalization expenditures.

Results

In total, 99,649 adult patients with IS were identified. Approximately 94.0 % of patients with IS had at least one comorbidity, and 63.8 % reported concordant comorbidity only. Patients with IS had a readmission rate of 26.7 %, and the mean of annual hospitalization expenditure and annual hospitalization out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) were 28086.6 Chinese Yuan (CNY) and 8267.3 CNY, respectively. After adjustment for covariates, the concordant comorbidity-only group had the highest readmission rate, annual hospitalization expenditure, and OOPE compared with the other groups, furthermore, these results increased as the number of comorbidity increased and had statistically significant positive associations.

Conclusions

The readmission and annual hospitalization expenditures of patients with IS were associated with different comorbidities. Concordant comorbidity increased hospital readmission risk and health expenditures. To better manage the comorbidities of patients with IS, especially concordant comorbidities, it is necessary to establish a routine care strategy specifically for comorbid conditions.

Plasma Polyamines and Short-Term Adverse Outcomes Among Patients With Ischemic Stroke: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Polyamines have been reported to be associated with neurological function, but the associations between polyamines and the prognosis of ischemic stroke remain unclear. We aimed to prospectively investigate whether elevated plasma polyamine levels are associated with adverse outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Plasma polyamine levels were measured at admission in 3570 patients with acute ischemic stroke, and clinical outcomes were assessed at 3 months after stroke onset. The primary outcome was a composite outcome of death and major disability (modified Rankin Scale score≥3), and secondary outcomes included the individual outcomes of death and major disability. During a 3-month follow-up period, 877 participants (25.1%) experienced the primary outcome. Increased putrescines were associated with a decreased risk of the primary outcome (the highest versus the lowest tertile: odds ratio, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.58-0.91]; P=0.005) and major disability (odds ratio, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.47-0.74]; P<0.001). Conversely, increased spermidines were associated with an increased risk of death (hazard ratio, 1.86 [95% CI, 1.10-3.14]; P=0.020), and increased spermines were associated with an increased risk of the primary outcome (odds ratio, 1.36 [95% CI, 1.08-1.71]; P=0.009) and major disability (odds ratio, 1.27 [95% CI, 1.01-1.59]; P=0.041).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with ischemic stroke, high plasma putrescine levels were associated with a decreased risk of adverse outcomes, whereas high plasma spermidine and spermine levels were associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes. Further studies are needed to investigate whether targeting these polyamines can improve the prognosis of patients with ischemic stroke.

REGISTRATION

https://clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT01840072.

Current gaps in emergency medicine core content education for oncologic emergencies: A targeted needs assessment

Objective

The core content of emergency medicine (EM) residency training includes the management of oncologic emergencies; however, documented knowledge gaps continue to exist in this subtopic. This study represents a targeted needs assessment as indicated by Step 2 of Kern's curriculum design to determine the specific training gaps to be addressed within the oncologic EM curriculum.

Methods

A multi-institutional cross-sectional survey of oncologists (surgical and medical) and emergency physicians (attendings and residents) was conducted during 2023 at five institutions. The voluntary survey consisted of general and specialty-specific questions exploring gaps in oncologic emergency-specific training/education topics. Descriptive statistics reported responses as frequencies and percentages.

Results

Of the 833 surveys sent across the five sites, 302 (36.3%) were accessed by link; of these, 271 (89.7%) surveys were completed. There were no differences in the responses between early and later respondents and no differences in the characteristics of respondents between sites. A vast majority of the oncologist and EM groups (91.2% and 83.0%, respectively) reported a belief that emergency physicians would benefit from additional oncologic emergency training. Our survey identified 16 important topics for inclusion in an oncologic EM curriculum, including five topics not present on the 2022 Model of Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine.

Conclusions

Based on this needs assessment, an oncologic EM curriculum should include the topics listed under oncologic emergencies in the 2022 Model of the Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine along with our respondent-identified topics of radiation therapy adverse effects, stem cell transplant complications, and the management of cancer-specific postsurgical complications, pain, and common diseases in patients with cancer.

Association Between Cancer and Cardiovascular Toxicity: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study on NHANES 1999-2018

There is a dearth of evidence pertaining to the relationship of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its subtype with adjudicated cancer, thereby limiting our understanding of the heightened risk of CVD resulting from long-term complications of cancer and its therapies. The aim of this study was to quantify the risks of CVD and its subtypes in adult cancer survivors compared with cancer-free controls in a nationwide cross-sectional study on Continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We included 44,442 participants ranging in age from 20 to 85 years. Cancer and CVD diagnoses were ascertained via the household questionnaires. The association of cancer status with the risk of CVD and CVD subtype was examined using weighted logistic regression. Stratification analyses were also performed by age, sex, race, marital status, income status, educational level, and hyperlipidemia. The Wald test was used to calculate P-value for interaction. A total of 4178 participants have cancer, while 4829 participants had CVD, respectively. In the multivariable-adjusted model, the cancer was consistently linked to an elevated risk of CVD. Stratification analyses showed that stronger association between cancer status and CVD risk was found in younger adults, non-white, and participants living without a spouse or partner, and without hyperlipidemia. Our study confirmed that cancer participants were strongly linked to living with CVD, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, especially in younger adults, non-white, and participants living without a spouse or partner, and without hyperlipidemia. There exists a pressing requirement to establish effective strategies for the prevention of CVD within this population characterized by a heightened risk.

Multimodal Cardiac Imaging in the Assessment of Patients Who Have Suffered a Cardioembolic Stroke: A Review

Cardioembolic strokes account for 20-25% of all ischaemic strokes, with their incidence increasing with age. Cardiac imaging plays a crucial role in identifying cardioembolic causes of stroke, with early and accurate identification affecting treatment, preventing recurrence, and reducing stroke incidence. Echocardiography serves as the mainstay of cardiac evaluation. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the first line in the basic evaluation of structural heart disorders, valvular disease, vegetations, and intraventricular thrombus. It can be used to measure chamber size and systolic/diastolic function. Trans-oesophageal echocardiography (TOE) yields better results in identifying potential cardioembolic sources of stroke and should be strongly considered, especially if TTE does not yield adequate results. Cardiac computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging provide better soft tissue characterisation, high-grade anatomical information, spatial and temporal visualisation, and image reconstruction in multiple planes, especially with contrast. These techniques are useful in cases of inconclusive echocardiograms and can be used to detect and characterise valvular lesions, thrombi, fibrosis, cardiomyopathies, and aortic plaques. Nuclear imaging is not routinely used, but it can be used to assess left-ventricular perfusion, function, and dimensions and may be useful in cases of infective endocarditis. Its use should be considered on a case-by-case basis. The accuracy of each imaging modality depends on the likely source of cardioembolism, and the choice of imaging approach should be tailored to individual patients.

Risk Factors and Prognosis of Stroke in Gynecologic Cancer Patients

Increased life expectancy and cancer prevalence rates expose patients to a higher risk of developing other comorbidities such as stroke. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors for and prognosis of stroke in patients with gynecological cancers. A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients with cervical, endometrial, and epithelial ovarian cancers. Patients were classified into three groups based on the period of stroke onset: at least one year before cancer diagnosis, within one year before cancer diagnosis to six months after the last treatment date, and six months after the last treatment date. Among the 644 patients, stroke occurred in 54 (8.4%). In univariate analysis, stroke was significantly associated with overall survival. In contrast, in multivariate analysis, stroke was significantly associated with age and hypertension, but not with overall survival. Age, pulmonary thromboembolism/deep vein thrombosis, histological grade, and tumor stage were significantly associated with overall survival. Therefore, it is important to establish an appropriate examination and treatment plan for patients with gynecologic cancers using a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates the patient's age, medical condition, and tumor characteristics rather than excessively considering the adverse effects of stroke on cancer prognosis.

Safety of intravenous thrombolysis for ischemic stroke in patients with hematologic malignancies: A single institution experience

BACKGROUND

Data on safety of thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in patients with hematologic malignancy is not well established. We report our single institution experience with thrombolysis in this patient population.

METHODS

We identified patients with pathology-confirmed hematologic malignancy from 2000-2022. Primary exposure was presence of AIS and receipt of intravenous (IV) thrombolysis. Primary outcome was safety of IV thrombolysis in this patient population. Safety was measured through imaging review for hemorrhagic transformation, post-stroke mortality, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days.

RESULTS

Among 45,894 patients with hematologic malignancy, 1,099 (2.4%) were identified as having a suspected AIS. Twenty (1.8%) received IV tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for AIS, three underwent endovascular intervention, and 17 had AIS confirmed on MRI. Two patients with confirmed AIS experienced hemorrhagic transformation, one of which was symptomatic. Most patients (n=10, 59%) were functionally independent (mRS 0-2) at 90 days post-stroke, including all patients with active hematologic malignancy at the time of stroke (n=3). Four patients died within 90 days of AIS. None of these deaths were patients with active hematologic malignancy at the time of stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

Without other contraindications, IV alteplase should be considered for management of AIS in patients with hematologic malignancy. The safety profile of tPA administration in this patient population may be similar to the general population, whether underlying hematologic malignancy is active or in remission.

Advances in Management of the Stroke Etiology One-Percenters

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Uncommon causes of stroke merit specific attention; when clinicians have less common etiologies of stoke in mind, the diagnosis may come more easily. This is key, as optimal management will in many cases differs significantly from "standard" care.

RECENT FINDINGS

Randomized controlled trials (RCT) on the best medical therapy in the treatment of cervical artery dissection (CeAD) have demonstrated low rates of ischemia with both antiplatelet and vitamin K antagonism. RCT evidence supports the use of anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonism in "high-risk" patients with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLAS), and there is new evidence supporting the utilization of direct oral anticoagulation in malignancy-associated thrombosis. Migraine with aura has been more conclusively linked not only with increased risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, but also with cardiovascular mortality. Recent literature has surprisingly not provided support the utilization of L-arginine in the treatment of patients with mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS); however, there is evidence at this time that support use of enzyme replacement in patients with Fabry disease. Additional triggers for reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) have been identified, such as capsaicin. Imaging of cerebral blood vessel walls utilizing contrast-enhanced MRA is an emerging modality that may ultimately prove to be very useful in the evaluation of patients with uncommon causes of stroke. A plethora of associations between cerebrovascular disease and COVID-19 have been described. Where pertinent, authors provide additional tips and guidance. Less commonly encountered conditions with updates in diagnosis, and management along with clinical tips are reviewed.