Risk of poststroke epilepsy after reperfusion therapies: A national cohort study

• Background and purpose: The risk of poststroke epilepsy (PSE) after endovascular treatment (EVT) is not well characterized. In this nationwide study, we assessed the risk of PSE after EVT and identified associated predictors.Methods: We included all individuals (n = 3319) treated with EVT (& PLUSMN;intravenous thrombolysis [IVT]) between 2015 and 2019 in the Swedish National Quality Register for EVT. Two control groups were identified from the Swedish Stroke Register: the first treated with IVT alone (n = 3132) and the second with no treatment (n = 3184), both matched for age, sex, stroke severity, and time of stroke.Results: PSE developed in 7.9% (n = 410). The survival-adjusted 2-year risk was 6.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.28-7.70) after EVT, 10.0% (95% CI = 8.25-11.75) after IVT, and 12.3% after no revascularization (95% CI = 10.33-14.25). The hazard ratio (HR) of PSE after EVT was almost half compared to no treatment (HR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.41-0.64). The risk of PSE after EVT was lower compared to no treatment in a multivariable Cox model that adjusted for age, sex, hemicraniectomy, and stroke severity (HR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.60-0.96). Multivariable predictors of PSE after EVT were large infarction on computed tomography Day 1, high posttreatment National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, and need of assistance 3 months after stroke. IVT before EVT was associated with a lower risk of PSE (HR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.46-0.94).Conclusions: This nationwide study identified a reduced risk of PSE after EVT. Markers of severe infarction after EVT were associated with PSE, whereas IVT given before EVT was protective.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Neurologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Neurology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

endovascular treatment

intravenous thrombolysis

postepilepsy

reperfusion therapies

seizure

stroke

acute ischemic-stroke

hemorrhagic transformation

endovascular

thrombectomy

seizures

association

death

Neurosciences & Neurology

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)