| 1. |
- Aarnio, Karoliina, et al.
(author)
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Etiologic subtypes of first and recurrent ischemic stroke in young patients using A-S-C-O and TOAST classification criteria: A retrospective follow-up study
- 2024
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In: EUROPEAN STROKE JOURNAL. - 2396-9873 .- 2396-9881.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Scarce data exist on the etiology of recurrent ischemic strokes (ISs) among young adults. We analyzed the etiology of first-ever and recurrent events and the differences between them.Patients and methods: Patients aged 15-49 years with a first-ever IS in 1994-2007 were included in the Helsinki Young Stroke Registry. In this retrospective cohort study, data on recurrent ISs were identified from Care Register for Health Care until the end of 2017 and Causes of Death Register and from patient records until the end of 2020. All first-ever and recurrent ISs were classified using Atherosclerosis-Small vessel disease-Cardioembolism-Other Cause (A-S-C-O) and Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classifications.Results: A total of 970 patients were included (median age at index IS 46 years, interquartile range 43-48, 33% women), of which 155 (16.0%) patients had recurrent IS, with 8 (5.2%) fatal cases and 5 (3.2%) unverifiable cases. The median follow-up was 17.4 (IQR 13.9-21.7) years. Median time from the index event to the first recurrent event was 4.5 (interquartile range [IQR] 1.6-10.2) years. Recurrence was more often due to definite cardioembolism (10.7% vs 18.0%, p = 0.013), while the proportion of other definite A-S-C-O subgroups remained the same. With TOAST classification, the proportion of true cryptogenic ISs decreased (16.7% vs 6.7%, p = 0.003), while those with incomplete evaluation increased (9.3% vs 19.3%, p = 0.015). Other TOAST phenotypes remained the same.Conclusion: The proportion of definite cardioembolism increased at recurrence using the A-S-C-O classification and the number of cryptogenic ISs decreased using the TOAST classification, while cases with incomplete evaluation increased. Most etiologies remained the same.
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| 2. |
- Aarnio, Karoliina, et al.
(author)
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Outcome of pregnancies and deliveries before and after ischaemic stroke
- 2017
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In: European Stroke Journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 2396-9873 .- 2396-9881. ; 2:4, s. 346-355
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Limited data exist on the outcome of pregnancies and deliveries in women with ischaemic stroke. We investigated the incidence of pregnancy- and delivery-related complications in women with ischaemic stroke before and after pregnancy compared with stroke-free matched controls. Patients and methods: Of our 1008 consecutive patients aged 15–49 years with first-ever ischaemic stroke, 1994– 2007, we included women with pregnancy data before or after stroke recorded in the Medical Birth Register (MBR) (n¼152), and for them searched stroke-free controls matched by age, parity, year of birth, residential area and multiplicity (n¼608). Data on hospital admissions and deaths (1987–2014) came from national health registries. Poisson regression mixed models allowed comparison of the incidence of complications. Results: A total of 124 stroke mothers had 207 singleton pregnancies before and 45 mothers 68 pregnancies after stroke. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) for the composite outcome of pregnancy and delivery complications adjusted for socioeconomic status and maternal smoking was 1.43 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00–2.03, p¼0.05) for pre-stroke mothers, and 1.09 (95% CI 0.66–1.78) for post-stroke mothers, compared with matched controls. Similarly, the adjusted IRR for post-stroke hospital admission during pregnancy was 1.85 (95% CI 1.03–3.31). The IRR for perinatal death of the child was 3.43 (95% CI 0.57–20.53) before and 8.88 (95% CI 0.81–97.95) after stroke. Discussion and conclusions: Compared with stroke-free mothers, we found a higher incidence of pregnancy- and delivery-related complications in mothers with ischaemic stroke. Larger studies are needed to verify our results.
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| 3. |
- Ekker, Merel, et al.
(author)
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Global Outcome Assessment Life-long after stroke in young adults initiative-the GOAL initiative: study protocol and rationale of a multicentre retrospective individual patient data meta-analysis.
- 2019
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In: BMJ open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 9:11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Worldwide, 2 million patients aged 18-50 years suffer a stroke each year, and this number is increasing. Knowledge about global distribution of risk factors and aetiologies, and information about prognosis and optimal secondary prevention in young stroke patients are limited. This limits evidence-based treatment and hampers the provision of appropriate information regarding the causes of stroke, risk factors and prognosis of young stroke patients.The Global Outcome Assessment Life-long after stroke in young adults (GOAL) initiative aims to perform a global individual patient data meta-analysis with existing data from young stroke cohorts worldwide. All patients aged 18-50 years with ischaemic stroke or intracerebral haemorrhage will be included. Outcomes will be the distribution of stroke aetiology and (vascular) risk factors, functional outcome after stroke, risk of recurrent vascular events and death and finally the use of secondary prevention. Subgroup analyses will be made based on age, gender, aetiology, ethnicity and climate of residence.Ethical approval for the GOAL study has already been obtained from the Medical Review Ethics Committee region Arnhem-Nijmegen. Additionally and when necessary, approval will also be obtained from national or local institutional review boards in the participating centres. When needed, a standardised data transfer agreement will be provided for participating centres. We plan dissemination of our results in peer-reviewed international scientific journals and through conference presentations. We expect that the results of this unique study will lead to better understanding of worldwide differences in risk factors, causes and outcome of young stroke patients.
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| 4. |
- Jacob, Mina A, et al.
(author)
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Global Differences in Risk Factors, Etiology, and Outcome of Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults: A Worldwide Meta-analysis: The GOAL-Initiative.
- 2022
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In: Neurology. - 1526-632X. ; 98:6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is a worldwide increase in the incidence of stroke in young adults, with major regional and ethnic differences. Advancing knowledge of ethnic and regional variation in causes and outcomes will be beneficial in implementation of regional healthcare services. To study the global distribution of risk factors, causes and 3-month mortality of young ischemic stroke patients, by performing a patient data meta-analysis form different cohorts worldwide.We did a pooled analysis of individual patient data from cohort studies which included consecutive ischemic stroke patients aged 18-50 years. We studied differences in prevalence of risk factors and causes between different ethnic and racial groups, geographic regions and countries with different income levels. We investigated differences in 3-month mortality by mixed-effects multivariable logistic regression.We included 17,663 patients from 32 cohorts in 29 countries. Hypertension and diabetes were most prevalent in Blacks (hypertension, 52.1%; diabetes, 20.7%) and Asians (hypertension 46.1%, diabetes, 20.9%). Large vessel atherosclerosis and small vessel disease were more often cause of stroke in high-income countries (HICs; both p<0.001), whereas ''other determined stroke'' and ''undetermined stroke'' were higher in low and middle-income countries (LMICs; both p<0.001). Patients in LMICs were younger, had less vascular risk factors, and despite this, more often died within 3 months than those from HICs (OR 2.49; 95% CI 1.42-4.36).The ethnoracial and regional differences in risk factors and causes of stroke at young age provide an understanding of ethnic and racial, and regional differences in incidence of ischemic stroke. Our results also visualize the dissimilarities in outcome after stroke in young adults that exist between LMICs and HICs, which should serve as call to action to improve healthcare facilities in LMICs.
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| 5. |
- Pirinen, Jani, et al.
(author)
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Are 12-lead ECG findings associated with the risk of cardiovascular events after ischemic stroke in young adults?
- 2016
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In: Annals of medicine. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1365-2060 .- 0785-3890. ; 48:7, s. 532-540
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ischemic stroke (IS) in a young patient is a disaster and recurrent cardiovascular events could add further impairment. Identifying patients with high risk of such events is therefore important. The prognostic relevance of ECG for this population is unknown.A total of 690 IS patients aged 15-49 years were included. A 12-lead ECG was obtained 1-14 d after the onset of stroke. We adjusted for demographic factors, comorbidities, and stroke characteristics, Cox regression models were used to identify independent ECG parameters associated with long-term risks of (1) any cardiovascular event, (2) cardiac events, and (3) recurrent stroke.Median follow-up time was 8.8 years. About 26.4% of patients experienced a cardiovascular event, 14.5% had cardiac events, and 14.6% recurrent strokes. ECG parameters associated with recurrent cardiovascular events were bundle branch blocks, P-terminal force, left ventricular hypertrophy, and a broader QRS complex. Furthermore, more leftward P-wave axis, prolonged QTc, and P-wave duration>120ms were associated with increased risks of cardiac events. No ECG parameters were independently associated with recurrent stroke.A 12-lead ECG can be used for risk prediction of cardiovascular events but not for recurrent stroke in young IS patients. KEY MESSAGES ECG is an easy, inexpensive, and useful tool for identifying young ischemic stroke patients with a high risk for recurrent cardiovascular events and it has a statistically significant association with these events even after adjusting for confounding factors. Bundle branch blocks, P-terminal force, broader QRS complex, LVH according to Cornell voltage duration criteria, more leftward P-wave axis, prolonged QTc, and P-wave duration >120ms are predictors for future cardiovascular or cardiac events in these patients. No ECG parameters were independently associated with recurrent stroke.
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| 6. |
- Pirinen, Jani, et al.
(author)
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Twelve-lead electrocardiogram and mortality in young adults after ischaemic stroke
- 2017
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In: European Stroke Journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 2396-9873 .- 2396-9881. ; 2:1, s. 77-86
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Ischaemic stroke at young age carries an increased risk for mortality in comparison to the general population, but factors associated with mortality have been poorly studied. We studied the role of electrocardiogram in mortality risk stratification in young stroke patients. Patients and methods: The Helsinki Young Stroke Registry encompasses 1008 patients aged <50 years with ischaemic stroke. We included 690 patients for this electrocardiogram substudy. Our endpoints were all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Cox regression models – adjusted for clinical and demographic characteristics – were used to identify the electrocardiogram parameters associated with these endpoints. Results: At a mean follow-up of 8.8 years, cumulative all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were 16.1 and 9.1%, respectively. Factors associated with both endpoints included diabetes (type 1 for all-cause, type 2 for cardiovascular mortality), heavy drinking, malignancy, as well as stroke severity and aetiology. Of the electrocardiogram parameters, higher heart rate (hazard ratio 1.35 per 10/min, 95% confidence interval 1.21–1.49), a shorter P-wave (hazard ratio 0.78 per 10 ms decrement, 0.64–0.92) and longer QTc interval (1.09 per 10 ms, 1.03–1.16) were associated with increased all-cause mortality. Only a higher heart rate (1.42 per 10/min, 1.24–1.60) was associated with death from cardiovascular causes. Conclusions: A higher heart rate during the subacute phase after stroke is associated with an elevated risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in young adults. A longer QTc interval is associated only with higher all-cause mortality. P-wave characteristics and their possible association with mortality need further studies.
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| 7. |
- van Dongen, Myrna Marita Elisabeth, et al.
(author)
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Use of Statins After Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults and Its Association With Long-Term Outcome.
- 2019
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In: Stroke. - 1524-4628. ; 50:12, s. 3385-3392
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and Purpose- Knowledge of the use of secondary preventive medication in young adults is limited. We studied the use of statins and its association with subsequent vascular events in young adults with ischemic stroke-a patient group with a known low burden of atherosclerosis. Methods- The study population included 935 first-ever 30-day ischemic stroke survivors aged 15 to 49 years from the Helsinki Young Stroke Registry, 1994 to 2007. Follow-up data until 2012 were obtained from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Drug Prescription Register), the Finnish Care Register, and Statistics Finland. The association of the use of statins (defined as at least 2 purchases) with all-cause mortality, recurrent stroke, and other recurrent vascular events was assessed through adjusted Cox regression analyses. We further compared propensity score-matched statin users with nonusers. Results- Of our 935 patients, 46.8% used statins at some point during follow-up. Higher age, dyslipidemia, heavy alcohol use, and hypertension were significantly associated with purchasing statins. Statin users exhibited lower risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 0.38 [95% CI, 0.25-0.58]) and recurrent stroke (hazard ratio, 0.29 [95% CI, 0.19-0.44]) than nonusers, after adjustment for dyslipidemia, stroke subtype, and other confounders. These results remained unchanged after propensity score-matched comparison. Conclusions- Less than half of young ischemic stroke patients used statins; use was affected by age and risk factor profile. Statin use was independently associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality and recurrent stroke.
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