| 1. |
- Andersson, Jenny, et al.
(author)
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Patient´s description of onset stroke symptoms : Oral Presentations. ESOC 2023 Abstract Book
- 2023
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In: European Stroke Journal. - : Sage Publications. - 2396-9873 .- 2396-9881. ; 8:2, s. 427-427
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and aims: Stroke symptoms vary and could be hard to recognize. In addition, stroke severity has decreased according to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NISSH), with less pronounced symptoms expression. Knowledge on the patient’s description of stroke symptoms is therefore needed. The aim was to describe patient’s symptoms at stroke onset.Methods: A qualitative content analysis was used. Data were collected through individual interviews with 27 patients (16 men and 11 women, median age 70.4 years). All patients were hospitalized with a first-time stroke. The interviews were conducted within 4 weeks of symptoms onset and before hospital discharge.Results: All patients had symptoms that affected their daily life. Some patients described having multiple symptoms at the same time, others had symptoms that began insidiously and worsened over time. Symptoms such as overwhelming fatigue or nausea were described as Premonition of becoming ill, feeling unwell or that something was wrong. Motoric bodily changes were multifaceted as slurred speech or dizziness, balance difficulties and losing control of the body or motor dysfunction. But also, that the surroundings were distorted, and solid objects moved around. Symptoms of Dazed and affected senses included confusion and visual impairment or headache.Conclusions: Stroke is a complex disease with several different symptoms’ expressions and could be difficult to recognize, especially when symptoms are less typical or perceived as not serious. Increased awareness of stroke symptoms among caregivers and among members of the community is important and needed.
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| 2. |
- Bager, Johan-Emil, et al.
(author)
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Long-term risk-factor control and secondary prevention are insufficient after first TIA: Results from QregPV.
- 2023
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In: European stroke journal. - 2396-9873 .- 2396-9881. ; 9:1, s. 154-161
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Long-term risk-factor control and secondary prevention are not well characterized in patients with a first transient ischemic attack (TIA). With baseline levels as reference, we compared primary-care data on blood pressure (BP), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), smoking, and use of antihypertensives, statins and antiplatelet treatment/oral anticoagulation (APT/OAC) during 5years after a first TIA.Patients in QregPV, a Swedish primary-care register for the Region of Västra Götaland, with a first TIA discharge diagnosis from wards proficient in stroke care 2010 to 2012 were identified and followed up to 5years. BP, LDL-C, smoking, use of antihypertensives, statins, APT/OAC, and achievement of target levels were calculated. We used logistic mixed-effect models to analyze the effect of follow-up over time on risk-factor control and secondary prevention treatment.We identified 942 patients without prior cerebrovascular disease who had a first TIA. Compared to baseline, the first year of follow-up was associated with improvements in concomitant attainment of BP <140/90mmHg, LDL-C<2.6mmol/L and non-smoking, which rose from 20% to 33% (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.38-3.13), but then stagnated in years 2-5. In the first year of follow-up, 47% of patients had complete secondary prevention treatment (antihypertensives, APT/OAC and statin), but continued follow-up was associated with a yearly decrease in secondary prevention treatment (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.94-0.98).Risk-factor control was inadequate, leaving considerable potential for improved secondary prevention treatment after a first TIA in Swedish patients followed up to 5years.
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| 3. |
- Ben-Shabat, Ilan, et al.
(author)
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Characteristics of in-hospital stroke patients in Sweden : a nationwide register-based study
- 2023
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In: European Stroke Journal. - : Sage Publications. - 2396-9873 .- 2396-9881. ; 8:3, s. 777-783
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Few studies have reported the characteristics of patients with in-hospital stroke (IHS) including the reason for hospitalization and invasive procedures before the stroke. We aimed to extend current knowledge.PATIENTS AND METHODS: All adult patients with IHS in Sweden during 2010-2019 registered in the Swedish Stroke Register (Riksstroke) were included. The cohort was cross-linked to the National Patient Register and data extracted on background diagnoses, main discharge diagnoses, and procedure codes for the hospitalization when IHS occurred and any hospital-based healthcare contacts within 30 days before IHS.RESULTS: 231,402 stroke cases were identified of which 12,551 (5.4%) were in-hospital and had corresponding entries in the National Patient Register. Of the IHS patients, 11,420 (91.0%) had ischemic stroke and 1131 (9.0%) hemorrhagic stroke; 5860 (46.7%) of the IHS patients had at least one invasive procedure prior to ictus. 1696 (13.5%) had a cardiovascular procedure and 560 (4.5%) a neurosurgical procedure. 1319 (10.5%) patients only had minimally invasive procedures such as blood product transfusion, hemodialysis, or central line insertion. Common discharge diagnosis in patients with no invasive procedures were cardiovascular disorders, injuries, and respiratory disorders.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: One in every 17 strokes in Sweden occur in a hospital. In this unselected large cohort the previously reported major causes for in-hospital stroke, cardiovascular and neurosurgical procedures, preceded IHS in only 18.0% of cases suggesting that other etiologies are more common than previously reported. Future studies should aim at determining absolute risks of stroke after surgical procedures and ways of risk reduction.
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| 4. |
- Caso, Valeria, et al.
(author)
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ESO EAST Editorial
- 2023
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In: European Stroke Journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 2396-9873 .- 2396-9881. ; 8:1, s. 3-4
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)
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| 5. |
- Escudero-Martnez, I, et al.
(author)
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Association of cholesterol levels with hemorrhagic transformation and cerebral edema after reperfusion therapies
- 2023
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In: European stroke journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 2396-9881 .- 2396-9873. ; 8:1, s. 294-300
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The association between cholesterol levels and cerebral edema (CED) or hemorrhagic transformation (HT) as an expressions of blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction after ischemic stroke is not well established. The aim of this study is to determine the association of total cholesterol (TC) levels with the incidence of HT and CED after reperfusion therapies. Methods: We analyzed SITS Thrombolysis and Thrombectomy Registry data from January 2011 to December 2017. We identified patients with data on TC levels at baseline. TC values were categorized in three groups (reference group ⩾200 mg/dl). The two primary outcomes were any parenchymal hemorrhage (PH) and moderate to severe CED on follow up imaging. Secondary outcomes included death and functional independence (mRS 0–2) at 3 months. Multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for baseline factors including statin pretreatment was used to assess the association between TC levels and outcomes. Results: Of 35,314 patients with available information on TC levels at baseline, 3372 (9.5%) presented with TC levels ⩽130 mg/dl, 8203 (23.2%) with TC 130–200 mg/dl and 23,739 (67.3%) with TC ⩾ 200 mg/dl. In the adjusted analyses, TC level as continuous variable was inversely associated with moderate to severe CED (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.99–1.00, p = 0.025) and as categorical variable lower TC levels were associated with a higher risk of moderate to severe CED (aOR 1.24, 95% CI 1.10–1.40, p = 0.003). TC levels were not associated with any PH, functional independence, and mortality at 3 months. Conclusions: Our findings indicate an independent association between low levels of TC and higher odds of moderate/severe CED. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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| 6. |
- Kopczak, Anna, et al.
(author)
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The EffecTs of Amlodipine and other Blood PREssure Lowering Agents on Microvascular FuncTion in Small Vessel Diseases (TREAT-SVDs) trial : Study protocol for a randomised crossover trial
- 2023
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In: European Stroke Journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 2396-9873 .- 2396-9881. ; 8:1, s. 387-397
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Hypertension is the leading modifiable risk factor for cerebral small vessel diseases (SVDs). Yet, it is unknown whether antihypertensive drug classes differentially affect microvascular function in SVDs. Aims: To test whether amlodipine has a beneficial effect on microvascular function when compared to either losartan or atenolol, and whether losartan has a beneficial effect when compared to atenolol in patients with symptomatic SVDs. Design: TREAT-SVDs is an investigator-led, prospective, open-label, randomised crossover trial with blinded endpoint assessment (PROBE design) conducted at five study sites across Europe. Patients aged 18 years or older with symptomatic SVD who have an indication for antihypertensive treatment and are suffering from either sporadic SVD and a history of lacunar stroke or vascular cognitive impairment (group A) or CADASIL (group B) are randomly allocated 1:1:1 to one of three sequences of antihypertensive treatment. Patients stop their regular antihypertensive medication for a 2-week run-in period followed by 4-week periods of monotherapy with amlodipine, losartan and atenolol in random order as open-label medication in standard dose. Outcomes: The primary outcome measure is cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) as determined by blood oxygen level dependent brain MRI signal response to hypercapnic challenge with change in CVR in normal appearing white matter as primary endpoint. Secondary outcome measures are mean systolic blood pressure (BP) and BP variability (BPv). Discussion: TREAT-SVDs will provide insights into the effects of different antihypertensive drugs on CVR, BP, and BPv in patients with symptomatic sporadic and hereditary SVDs. Funding: European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme. Trial registration: NCT03082014.
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| 7. |
- Ranjan, R., et al.
(author)
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Age of onset of cerebral venous thrombosis: the BEAST study
- 2023
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In: European Stroke Journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 2396-9873 .- 2396-9881. ; 8:1, s. 344-350
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is an uncommon cause of stroke in young adults. We aimed to determine the impact of age, gender and risk factors (including sex-specific) on CVT onset. Methods: We used data from the BEAST (Biorepository to Establish the Aetiology of Sinovenous Thrombosis), a multicentre multinational prospective observational study on CVT. Composite factors analysis (CFA) was performed to determine the impact on the age of CVT onset in males and females. Results: A total of 1309 CVT patients (75.3% females) aged > 18 years were recruited. The overall median (IQR-interquartile range) age for males and females was 46 (35-58) years and 37 (28-47) years (p < 0.001), respectively. However, the presence of antibiotic-requiring sepsis (p = 0.03, 95% CI 27-47 years) among males and gender-specific risk factors like pregnancy (p < 0.001, 95% CI 29-34 years), puerperium (p < 0.001, 95% CI 26-34 years) and oral contraceptive use (p < 0.001, 95% CI 33-36 years) were significantly associated with earlier onset of CVT among females. CFA demonstrated a significantly earlier onset of CVT in females, similar to 12 years younger, in those with multiple (> 1) compared to '0' risk factors (p < 0.001, 95% CI 32-35 years). Conclusions: Women suffer CVT 9 years earlier in comparison to men. Female patients with multiple (> 1) risk factors suffer CVT similar to 12 years earlier compared to those with no identifiable risk factors.
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| 8. |
- Ratajczak-Tretel, B., et al.
(author)
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Atrial fibrillation in cryptogenic stroke and TIA patients in the nordic atrial fibrillation and stroke The Nordic Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke (NOR-FIB) Study : Main results
- 2023
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In: European Stroke Journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 2396-9873 .- 2396-9881. ; 8:1, s. 148-156
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Secondary stroke prevention depends on proper identification of the underlying etiology and initiation of optimal treatment after the index event. The aim of the NOR-FIB study was to detect and quantify underlying atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with cryptogenic stroke (CS) or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) using insertable cardiac monitor (ICM), to optimise secondary prevention, and to test the feasibility of ICM usage for stroke physicians. Patients and methods: Prospective observational international multicenter real-life study of CS and TIA patients monitored for 12 months with ICM (Reveal LINQ) for AF detection. Results: ICM insertion was performed in 91.5% by stroke physicians, within median 9 days after index event. Paroxysmal AF was diagnosed in 74 out of 259 patients (28.6%), detected early after ICM insertion (mean 48 ± 52 days) in 86.5% of patients. AF patients were older (72.6 vs 62.2; p < 0.001), had higher pre-stroke CHA₂DS₂-VASc score (median 3 vs 2; p < 0.001) and admission NIHSS (median 2 vs 1; p = 0.001); and more often hypertension (p = 0.045) and dyslipidaemia (p = 0.005) than non-AF patients. The arrhythmia was recurrent in 91.9% and asymptomatic in 93.2%. At 12-month follow-up anticoagulants usage was 97.3%. Discussion and conclusions: ICM was an effective tool for diagnosing underlying AF, capturing AF in 29% of the CS and TIA patients. AF was asymptomatic in most cases and would mainly have gone undiagnosed without ICM. The insertion and use of ICM was feasible for stroke physicians in stroke units.
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| 9. |
- Toh, KZX, et al.
(author)
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Distal medium vessel occlusions in acute ischaemic stroke - Stent retriever versus direct aspiration: A systematic review and meta-analysis
- 2023
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In: European stroke journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 2396-9881 .- 2396-9873. ; 8:2, s. 434-447
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Acute ischaemic stroke due to distal medium vessel occlusion (AIS-DMVO) causes significant morbidity. Endovascular thrombectomy advancement has made treating AIS-DMVO with stent retrievers (SR) and aspiration catheters (AC) possible, however the optimal technique remains unknown. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and safety of SR use compared to purely AC use in patients with AIS-DMVO. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane Library and EMBASE, from inception to 2nd September 2022, for studies comparing SR or primary combined (SR/PC) against AC in AIS-DMVO. We adopted the Distal Thrombectomy Summit Group’s definition of DMVO. Efficacy outcomes were functional independence (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0–2 at 90 days), first pass effect (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction scale (mTICI) 2c-3 or expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction scale (eTICI) 2c-3 at first pass), successful final recanalisation (mTICI or eTICI 2b-3), and excellent final recanalisation (mTICI or eTICI 2c-3). Safety outcomes were symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH) and 90-day mortality. Results 12 cohort studies and 1 randomised-controlled trial were included, involving 1881 patients with 1274 receiving SR/PC and 607 receiving AC only. SR/PC achieved higher odds of functional independence (odds ratio (OR) 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–1.67) and lower odds of mortality (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.50–0.94) than AC. Odds of successful/excellent recanalisation and sICH were similar between both groups. Stratified to compare only SR and only AC, the use of only SR, achieved significantly higher odds of successful recanalisation as compared to only AC (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.17–2.78). Conclusion There is potential for efficacy and safety benefits in SR/PC use as compared to AC only in AIS-DMVO. Further trials are necessary to validate the efficacy and safety of SR use in AIS-DMVO.
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| 10. |
- Aguiar de Sousa, Diana, et al.
(author)
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Delivery of acute ischaemic stroke treatments in the European region in 2019 and 2020
- 2023
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In: European Stroke Journal. - 2396-9873. ; 8:3, s. 618-628
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: We assessed best available data on access and delivery of acute stroke unit (SU) care, intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and endovascular treatment (EVT) in the European region in 2019 and 2020. Patients and methods: We compared national data per number of inhabitants and per 100 annual incident first-ever ischaemic strokes (AIIS) in 46 countries. Population estimates and ischaemic stroke incidence were based on United Nations data and the Global Burden of Disease Report 2019, respectively. Results: The estimated mean number of acute SUs in 2019 was 3.68 (95% CI: 2.90–4.45) per one million inhabitants (MIH) with 7/44 countries having less than one SU per one MIH. The estimated mean annual number of IVTs was 21.03 (95% CI: 15.63–26.43) per 100,000 and 17.14% (95% CI: 12.98–21.30) of the AIIS in 2019, with highest country rates at 79.19 and 52.66%, respectively, and 15 countries delivering less than 10 IVT per 100,000. The estimated mean annual number of EVTs in 2019 was 7.87 (95% CI: 5.96–9.77) per 100,000 and 6.91% (95% CI: 5.15–8.67) of AIIS, with 11 countries delivering less than 1.5 EVT per 100,000. Rates of SUs, IVT and EVT were stable in 2020. There was an increase in mean rates of SUs, IVT and EVT compared to similar data from 2016. Conclusion: Although there was an increase in reperfusion treatment rates in many countries between 2016 and 2019, this was halted in 2020. There are persistent major inequalities in acute stroke treatment in the European region. Tailored strategies directed to the most vulnerable regions should be prioritised.
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