Derivation and validation of three intracerebral hemorrhage expansion scores using different CT modalities

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 (χ2 statistic 0.389, p = 0.533; and χ2 statistic 0.352, p = 0.553), single-phase CTA (χ2 statistic 2.052, p = 0.359; and χ2 statistic 2.230, p = 0.328), and multiphase CTA (χ2 statistic 0.559, p = 0.455; and χ2 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.

Management of acute stroke. Specific nursing care and treatments in the stroke unit

OBJECTIVE

This study provides a series of updated, evidence-based recommendations for the management of acute stroke. We aim to lay a foundation for the development of individual centres' internal protocols, serving as a reference for nursing care.

METHODS

We review the available evidence on acute stroke care. The most recent national and international guidelines were consulted. Levels of evidence and degrees of recommendation are based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine classification.

RESULTS

The study describes prehospital acute stroke care, the operation of the code stroke protocol, care provided by the stroke team upon the patient's arrival at hospital, reperfusion treatments and their limitations, admission to the stroke unit, nursing care in the stroke unit, and discharge from hospital.

CONCLUSIONS

These guidelines provide general, evidence-based recommendations to guide professionals who care for patients with acute stroke. However, limited data are available on some aspects, showing the need for continued research on acute stroke management.

Management of acute stroke. Specific nursing care and treatments in the stroke unit

OBJECTIVE

This study provides a series of updated, evidence-based recommendations for the management of acute stroke. We aim to lay a foundation for the development of individual centres' internal protocols, serving as a reference for nursing care.

METHODS

We review the available evidence on acute stroke care. The most recent national and international guidelines were consulted. Levels of evidence and degrees of recommendation are based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine classification.

RESULTS

The study describes prehospital acute stroke care, the operation of the code stroke protocol, care provided by the stroke team upon the patient's arrival at hospital, reperfusion treatments and their limitations, admission to the stroke unit, nursing care in the stroke unit, and discharge from hospital.

CONCLUSIONS

These guidelines provide general, evidence-based recommendations to guide professionals who care for patients with acute stroke. However, limited data are available on some aspects, showing the need for continued research on acute stroke management.

Ghost Infarct Core and Admission Computed Tomography Perfusion: Redefining the Role of Neuroimaging in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background

Determining the size of infarct extent is crucial to elect patients for reperfusion therapies. Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) based on cerebral blood volume may overestimate infarct core on admission and consequently include ghost infarct core (GIC) in a definitive lesional area.

Purpose

Our goal was to confirm and better characterize the GIC phenomenon using CTP cerebral blood flow (CBF) as the reference parameter to determine infarct core.

Methods

We performed a retrospective, single-center analysis of consecutive thrombectomies of middle cerebral or intracranial internal carotid artery occlusions considering noncontrast CT Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score ≥6 in patients with pretreatment CTP. We used the RAPID® software to measure admission infarct core based on initial CBF. The final infarct was extracted from follow-up CT. GIC was defined as initial core minus final infarct > 10 mL.

Results

A total of 123 patients were included. The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 18 (13-20), the median time from symptoms to CTP was 188 (67-288) min, and the recanalization rate (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score 2b, 2c, or 3) was 83%. Twenty patients (16%) presented with GIC. GIC was associated with shorter time to recanalization (150 [105-291] vs. 255 [163-367] min, p = 0.05) and larger initial CBF core volume (38 [26-59] vs. 6 [0-27] mL, p < 0.001). An adjusted logistic regression model identified time to recanalization < 302 min (OR 4.598, 95% CI 1.143-18.495, p = 0.032) and initial infarct volume (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.001-1.019, p = 0.032) as independent predictors of GIC. At 24 h, clinical improvement was more frequent in patients with GIC (80 vs. 49%, p = 0.01).

Conclusions

CTP CBF < 30% may overestimate infarct core volume, especially in patients imaged in the very early time window and with fast complete reperfusion. Therefore, the CTP CBF technique may exclude patients who would benefit from endovascular treatment.

Abstract WMP40: A Comparison of Three Different Endovascular Approaches for Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Lesions in the Setting of Tandem Occlusions

Background: Endovascular treatment (EVT) of extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) lesions in the setting of tandem occlusions is a challenge, being angioplasty alone (AA) or angioplasty+stenting (AS) the two current approaches. Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a major problem when a conventional [self-expanding (SX)] stent is placed, regarding the need of early double antiplatelet therapy. Interestingly, balloon-expanding (BX) stents, due to their less thrombogenicity, may constitute an alternative, so they do not need early antiplatelets. We aimed to study differences in ICA restenosis, HT, clinical outcome and stroke recurrence between patients treated with AA or AS.

Methods: Prospective study of consecutive patients with non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke and tandem occlusions, who underwent <6hours EVT from April 2013 to April 2017. We compared rate of ICA high-degree stenosis/occlusion at 24h, HT, clinical outcome (change in NIHSS at 24h and at discharge over NIHSS at admission, and mRS≥2 at 3 months) and stroke recurrence within 3 months between AA and AS (SX and BX stents) groups.

Results: Ninety-two patients fulfilled inclusion criteria: mean age 64.6±12.6 years. Forty (43.5%) received AA and 52 (56.5%) AS (61.5% SX stents, 38.5% BX stents). Both groups were comparable in baseline characteristics. Fifty (54.3%) received IV rtPA. Patients who underwent AA presented ICA high-degree stenosis/occlusion at 24h more frequently than those who underwent AS (86.5% vs. 21.2%, p <0.001). No differences were found in HT, clinical outcome and stroke recurrence ( p >0.05 for all comparisons). In the AS group, all SX stents received antiplatelets after EVT, whereas in 75% of cases in the BX group no antiplatelets were started within 24h. However, no differences were found in ICA high-degree stenosis /occlusion at 24h, clinical outcome and stroke recurrence ( p >0.05). We neither found differences in HT. Nevertheless, all cases were asymptomatic in the BX stents group.

Conclusions: Emergent ICA stenting seems to have a lower risk of restenosis compared to AA, without a significant increase of HT and stroke recurrence or a worse clinical outcome. BX stents, without early antiplatelet therapy, are a promising alternative to conventional carotid stents.

Prehospital Systolic Blood Pressure Is Related to Intracerebral Hemorrhage Volume on Admission

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Ultra-early blood pressure (BP) management in the prehospital setting could improve the efficacy of this treatment on attenuating intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) expansion. We aimed to determine the association of prehospital systolic BP (SBP) with ICH volume, ultra-early hematoma growth, and the spot sign on admission.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of a prospective database of 219 consecutive patients with spontaneous ICH admitted to the emergency department of a tertiary stroke center during a 3-year period. Prehospital SBP and ICH volume, ultra-early hematoma growth (ICH volume/onset-to-imaging time), and presence of the spot sign on admission were prospectively recorded. Primary outcome was ICH volume on admission. Secondary outcomes included ultra-early hematoma growth and frequency of the spot sign in patients scanned within 6 hours from symptom onset (hyperacute group).

RESULTS

Prehospital SBP was positively correlated with both SBP (r=0.552; P<0.001) and ICH volume (ρ=0.189; P=0.006) on admission. Patients with ICH volume above the median value presented higher prehospital SBP (172.3±35.0 versus 163.7±27.8 mm Hg; P=0.049). This association remained significant in adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis (odds ratio, 1.01 for a 1-U increase in SBP; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.02; P=0.018). In the hyperacute group (n=126), prehospital SBP was unrelated to ultra-early hematoma growth (ρ=0.115; P=0.203) nor the presence of the spot sign (172.2±27.6 versus 171.8±31.6 mm Hg; P=0.959).

CONCLUSIONS

Prehospital SBP is correlated with SBP on admission and independently associated with ICH volume on admission. These findings support the rationale of testing whether prehospital initiation of BP-lowering attenuates ICH expansion.