Increased blood pressure variability after endovascular thrombectomy for acute stroke is associated with worse clinical outcome.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Blood pressure variability has been found to contribute to worse outcomes after intravenous tissue plasminogen activator, but the association has not been established after intra-arterial therapies. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with an ischemic stroke treated with intra-arterial therapies from 2005 to 2015. Blood pressure variability was measured as standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV), and successive variation (SV). Ordinal logistic regression models were fitted to the outcome of the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) with univariable predictors of systolic blood pressure variability. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression models were fitted to the outcome of mRS with covariates that showed independent predictive ability (P<0.1). RESULTS: There were 182 patients of mean age 63.2 years and 51.7% were female. The median admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scalescore was 16 and 47.3% were treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator. In a univariable ordinal logistic regression analysis, systolic SD, CV, and SV were all significantly associated with a 1-point increase in the follow-up mRS (OR 2.30-4.38, all P<0.002). After adjusting for potential confounders, systolic SV was the best predictor of a 1-point increase in mRS at follow-up (OR 2.63-3.23, all P<0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Increased blood pressure variability as measured by the SD, CV, and SV consistently predict worse neurologic outcomes as measured by follow-up mRS in patients with ischemic stroke treated with intra-arterial therapies. The SV is the strongest and most consistent predictor of worse outcomes at all time intervals.

Tissue Plasminogen Activator Prescription and Administration Errors within a Regional Stroke System.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) utilization in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) requires weight-based dosing and a standardized infusion rate. In our regional network, we have tried to minimize tPA dosing errors. We describe the frequency and types of tPA administration errors made in our comprehensive stroke center (CSC) and at community hospitals (CHs) prior to transfer. METHODS: Using our stroke quality database, we extracted clinical and pharmacy information on all patients who received IV tPA from 2010-11 at the CSC or CH prior to transfer. All records were analyzed for the presence of inclusion/exclusion criteria deviations or tPA errors in prescription, reconstitution, dispensing, or administration, and for association with outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 131 AIS cases treated with IV tPA: 51% female; mean age 68; 32% treated at the CSC, and 68% at CHs (including 26% by telestroke) from 22 CHs. tPA prescription and administration errors were present in 64% of all patients (41% CSC, 75% CH, P < .001), the most common being incorrect dosage for body weight (19% CSC, 55% CH, P < .001). Of the 27 overdoses, there were 3 deaths due to systemic hemorrhage or ICH. Nonetheless, outcomes (parenchymal hematoma, mortality, modified Rankin Scale score) did not differ between CSC and CH patients nor between those with and without errors. CONCLUSION: Despite focus on minimization of tPA administration errors in AIS patients, such errors were very common in our regional stroke system. Although an association between tPA errors and stroke outcomes was not demonstrated, quality assurance mechanisms are still necessary to reduce potentially dangerous, avoidable errors.

Reproducibility of ABC/2 method to determine infarct volume and mismatch percentage with CT perfusion.

BACKGROUND: Our aim is to implement a simple, rapid, and reliable method using computed tomography perfusion imaging and clinical judgment to target patients for reperfusion therapy in the hyper-acute stroke setting. We introduce a novel formula (1-infarct volume [CBV]/penumbra volume [MTT] × 100%) to quantify mismatch percentage. METHODS: Twenty patients with anterior circulation strokes who underwent CT perfusion and received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) were analyzed retrospectively. Nine blinded viewers determined volume of infarct and ischemic penumbra using the ABC/2 method and also the mismatch percentage. RESULTS: Interrater reliability using the volumetric formula (ABC/2) was very good (intraclass correlation [ICC] = .9440 and ICC = .8510) for hemodynamic parameters infarct (CBV) and penumbra (MTT). ICC coefficient using the mismatch formula (1-MTT/CBV × 100%) was good (ICC of .635). CONCLUSIONS: The ABC/2 method of volume estimation on CT perfusion is a reliable and efficient approach to determine infarct and penumbra volumes. The 1-CBV/MTT × 100% formula produces a mismatch percentage assisting providers in communicating the proportion of salvageable brain and guides therapy in the setting of patients with unclear time of onset with potentially salvageable tissue who can undergo mechanical retrieval or intraarterial thrombolytics.