An automated flowchart for the Modified Rankin Scale assessment: A multicenter inter-rater agreement analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) is a widely adopted scale for assessing stroke recovery. Despite limitations, the mRS has been adopted as primary outcome in most recent clinical acute stroke trials. Designed to be used by multidisciplinary clinical staff, the congruency of this scale is not consistent, which may lead to mistakes in clinical or research application. We aimed to develop and validate an interactive and automated digital tool for assessing the mRS-the iRankin. METHODS: A panel of five board-certified and mRS-trained vascular neurologists developed an automated flowchart based on current mRS literature. Two international experts were consulted on content and provided feedback on the prototype platform. The platform contained five vignettes and five real video cases, representing mRS grades 0-5. For validation, we invited neurological staff from six comprehensive stroke centers to complete an online assessment. Participants were randomized into two equal groups usual practice versus iRankin. The participants were randomly allocated in pairs for the congruency analysis. Weighted kappa (kw) and proportions were used to describe agreement. RESULTS: A total of 59 professionals completed the assessment. The kw was dramatically improved among nurses, 0.76 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.55-0.97) × 0.30 (0.07-0.67), and among vascular neurologists, 0.87 (0.72-1) × 0.82 (0.66-0.98). In the accuracy analysis, after the standard mRS values for the vignettes and videos were determined by a panel of experts, and considering each correct answer as equivalent to 1 point on a scale of 0-15, it revealed a higher mean of 10.6 (±2.2) in the iRankin group and 8.2 (±2.3) points in the control group (p = 0.02). In an adjusted analysis, the iRankin adoption was independently associated with the score of congruencies between reported and standard scores (beta coefficient = 2.22, 95% CI = 0.64-3.81, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: The iRankin adoption led to a substantial or near-perfect agreement in all analyzed professional categories. More trials are needed to generalize our findings. Our user-friendly and free platform is available at https://www.irankinscale.com/.

Prognostic value of scales for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: Report of a reference center in Peru.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple scales have been designed to stratify the severity and predict the prognosis in the initial evaluation of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Our study aimed to validate the most commonly used prognostic scales for aSAH in our population: Hunt-Hess, modified Hunt-Hess, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS), Prognosis on Admission of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (PAASH), and Barrow Aneurysm Institute (BAI) scales. METHODS: This study includes all aSAH cases treated at our institution between June 2019 and December 2020. We developed a retrospective cohort by reviewing medical records and radiologic images performed during hospitalization. The outcome was evaluated using the modified Rankin scale (mRS). It was defined as a poor outcome (mRS 4-5) and mortality (mRS 6). The ROC curves and the area under the curve (AUC) of each of the prognostic scales were calculated to evaluate their prognostic prediction capacity. RESULTS: A total of 142 patients were diagnosed with aSAH. A poor outcome occurred in 52.1% of the patients, whereas mortality was 27.5%. The AUC of the scales studied was similar and no significant difference was found between them for predicting a poor outcome (P = .709) or mortality (P = .715). CONCLUSION: We determined that the prognostic scales for aSAH had a similar predictive value for poor clinical outcomes and mortality in our institution, with no significant difference. Thus, we recommend the most simple and well-known scale used institutionally.

Independência funcional após acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) isquêmico em relação à fisiopatologia de acordo com TOAST / Functional independence after ischemic stroke in relation to pathophysiology according to TOAST

FUNDAMENTO: O Acidente Vascular Cerebral é uma das principais causas de morte no Brasil. O conhecimento sobre a etiologia do AVC é fundamental para uma adequada abordagem dessa doença. OBJETIVO: Avaliar se existe relação entre o subtipo de AVC isquêmico com o prognóstico dele e os fatores de risco. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 86 casos de AVC isquêmico no Ambulatório de Neurologia do Hospital Universitário da cidade de Canoas-RS, no período de outubro de 2018 a novembro de 2019. Foi analisada a relação do prognóstico (mRankinS) com fatores de risco de AVC e TOAST. RESULTADOS: Avaliando 86 pacientes com 60.5 (±10.1) anos (40 homens), identificamos que oclusão de pequenos vasos apresentou melhor prognóstico (p: 0.031) e cardioembolia um pior prognóstico de acordo com mRankinS (p< 0.001). Diabetes mellitus também apresentou um pior prognóstico (p: 0.021). CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes com AVC isquêmico secundário a oclusão de pequenos vasos apresentam melhor prognóstico de acordo com mRs. Mecanismos cardioembólicos e a presença de DM estão associados com o pior prognóstico neurológico

BACKGROUND: Stroke is one of the main causes of death in Brazil. Knowledge about the etiology of stroke is essential for an adequate approach to this disease. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether there is a relationship between the ischemic stroke subtype and its prognosis and risk factors. METHODS: 86 cases of ischemic stroke were evaluated at the Neurology Outpatient Clinic of the University Hospital in the city of Canoas-RS, from October 2018 to November 2019. The relationship between prognosis (mRankinS) and stroke risk factors and TOAST. RESULTS: Evaluating 86 patients aged 60.5 (±10.1) years (40 men), we identified that small vessel occlusion had a better prognosis (p: 0.031) and cardioembolism a worse prognosis according to mRankinS (p <0.001). Diabetes mellitus also had a worse prognosis (p: 0.021). CONCLUSION: Patients with secondary ischemic stroke small vessel occlusion have a better prognosis according to mRs. Cardioembolic mechanisms and the presence of DM are associated with a worse neurological prognosis

Immune-Inflammatory, Metabolic, Oxidative, and Nitrosative Stress Biomarkers Predict Acute Ischemic Stroke and Short-Term Outcome.

Immune-inflammatory, metabolic, oxidative, and nitrosative stress (IMO&NS) pathways and, consequently, neurotoxicity are involved in acute ischemic stroke (IS). The simultaneous assessment of multiple IMO&NS biomarkers may be useful to predict IS and its prognosis. The aim of this study was to identify the IMO&NS biomarkers, which predict short-term IS outcome. The study included 176 IS patients and 176 healthy controls. Modified Rankin scale (mRS) was applied within 8 h after IS (baseline) and 3 months later (endpoint). Blood samples were obtained within 24 h after hospital admission. IS was associated with increased white blood cell (WBC) counts, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin (IL-6), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs), nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), homocysteine, ferritin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), glucose, insulin, and lowered iron, 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. We found that 89.4% of the IS patients may be correctly classified using the cumulative effects of male sex, systolic blood pressure (SBP), glucose, NOx, LOOH, 25(OH)D, IL-6, and WBC with sensitivity of 86.2% and specificity of 93.0%. Moreover, increased baseline disability (mRS ≥ 3) was associated with increased ferritin, IL-6, hsCRP, WBC, ESR, and glucose. We found that 25.0% of the variance in the 3-month endpoint (mRS) was explained by the regression on glucose, ESR, age (all positively), and HDL-cholesterol, and 25(OH)D (both negatively). These results show that the cumulative effects of IMO&NS biomarkers are associated with IS and predict a poor outcome at 3-month follow-up.

Safety and Efficacy of Surgical Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms: The Experience of a Single Brazilian Center.

BACKGROUND: The use of microsurgery for aneurysm clipping has decreased considerably in recent years. This study was conducted to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of surgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms even in less-developed countries. METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of the medical records of 320 patients with 416 aneurysms treated with microsurgical clipping at a single neurosurgical center in Brazil between 2008 and 2016. We evaluated postoperative outcomes using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at the time of hospital discharge, treatment efficacy by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) performed postoperatively, and mortality. RESULTS: The 320 patients with aneurysms included 228 patients with ruptured aneurysms and 92 with unruptured aneurysms. Overall, 81 (26.3%) had a poor outcome (mRS score >2), and the other 227 (73.4%) had a good outcome. The presence of a ruptured aneurysm was a statistically significant factor for poor outcome (P < 0.001) and mortality (P < 0.015). Giant and large aneurysms were also associated with poor outcome (P = 0.004). When analyzed separately, unruptured aneurysms with poor outcome were only associated with aneurysm size. Among the patients with ruptured aneurysms, those with Hunt and Hess (HH) grade >2 on hospital admission had unfavorable outcomes (P < 0.0001). Among the patients who underwent postoperative DSA, 207 (89.8%) had complete aneurysm occlusion and 24 (10.2%) had residual aneurysms, with reoperation required in 8 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Microsurgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms is an effective and safe method.

Stroke After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Incidence, Definitions, Etiologies and Management Options.

Neurologic complications after transcatheter aortic valve replacement are devastating. The etiologies of stroke in this setting are best addressed in an integrated fashion during each phase of the perioperative pathway. The conduct of this triphasic approach will continue to be refined to reduce the stroke risks even further, given the major focus on aspects such as embolic protection devices and valve thrombosis. This neurologic focus in transcatheter aortic valve replacement has transformed the investigational approach to neurologic events in cardiovascular clinical trials, resulting in novel guidelines for the diagnosis and assessment of neurologic injury after cardiovascular interventions.

Responses to ARUBA: a systematic review and critical analysis for the design of future arteriovenous malformation trials.

OBJECTIVE The ARUBA study (A Randomized Trial of Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformations [AVMs]) on unruptured brain AVMs has been the object of comments and editorials. In the present study the authors aim to systematically review critiques, discuss design issues, and propose a framework for future trials. METHODS The authors performed a systematic review of the French and English literature on the ARUBA study published between January 2006 and February 2015. The electronic search, including the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (PubMed and Ovid), CINAHL, and EMBASE databases, was complemented by hand searching and cross-referencing. The comments were categorized as items related to the design, the conduct, and the analysis and interpretation of the trial. RESULTS Thirty-one articles or letters were identified. The pragmatic design, with heterogeneity of patients and lack of standardization of the treatment arm, were frequently stated concerns. The choice of outcome measures was repeatedly criticized. During the trial, low enrollment rates, selection bias, and premature interruption of enrollment were frequent comments. The short follow-up period, the lack of subgroup analyses, the lack of details on the results of the various treatments, and a contentious interpretation of results were noted at the analysis stage. A fundamental problem was the primary hypothesis testing conservative management. The authors believe that other trials are needed. Future trials could be pragmatic, test interventions stratified at the time of randomization, and look for long-term, hard clinical outcomes in a large number of patients. CONCLUSIONS In the authors' view, the ARUBA trial is a turning point in the history of brain AVM management; future trials should aim at integrating trial methodology and clinical care in the presence of uncertainty.

Metabolic syndrome increases oxidative stress but does not influence disability and short-time outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients.

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease and MetS and it may be one of molecular mechanisms involved in stroke. The aims of the present study were to verify differences in oxidative stress markers in acute ischemic stroke patients with and without MetS and to verify whether MetS influences disability and short time outcome of the patients. 148 patients with acute ischemic stroke were divided in two groups: with MetS (n = 92) and without MetS (n = 56). The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was used for measuring the functional disability after 3-month follow-up. The study assessed the metabolic profile and oxidative stress markers. Stroke patients with MetS had higher levels of lipid hydroperoxides (p < 0.0001) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP, p = 0.0302) than those without MetS. Hydroperoxides were directly and independently associated with MetS (OR: 1.000, 95 % IC = 1.000-1.000, p = 0.005). Linear regression demonstrated that AOPP levels (R(2) = 0.281, p < 0.0001) and oxidative stress index (OSI, R(2) = 0.223, p < 0.0001) were directly associated with triglycerides levels and hydroperoxides levels was also directly associated with glucose levels (R(2) = 0.080, p = 0.013. The mRS and short-come outcome did not differ after 3 months in both groups. In conclusion, an increase in oxidative stress markers was shown in acute ischemic stroke patients with MetS and this elevation seems to be involved mainly with changes in lipid profile, but the presence of MetS did not influence short-time disability and survival of the acute ischemic stroke patients.

Treatment and outcomes of ARUBA-eligible patients with unruptured brain arteriovenous malformations at a single institution.

OBJECT: Management of unruptured arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is controversial. In the first randomized trial of unruptured AVMs (A Randomized Trial of Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformations [ARUBA]), medically managed patients had a significantly lower risk of death or stroke and had better outcomes. The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) was one of the participating ARUBA sites. While 473 patients were screened for eligibility, only 4 patients were enrolled in ARUBA. The purpose of this study is to report the treatment and outcomes of all ARUBA-eligible patients at UCSF. METHODS: The authors compared the treatment and outcomes of ARUBA-eligible patients using prospectively collected data from the UCSF brain AVM registry. Similar to ARUBA, they compared the rate of stroke or death in observed and treated patients and used the modified Rankin Scale to grade outcomes. RESULTS: Of 74 patients, 61 received an intervention and 13 were observed. Most treated patients had resection with or without preoperative embolization (43 [70.5%] of 61 patients). One of the 13 observed patients died after AVM hemorrhage. Nine of the 61 treated patients had a stroke or died. There was no significant difference in the rate of stroke or death (HR 1.34, 95% CI 0.12-14.53, p = 0.81) or clinical impairment (Fisher's exact test, p > 0.99) between observed and treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of stroke or death and degree of clinical impairment among treated patients was lower than reported in ARUBA. The authors found no significant difference in outcomes between observed and treated ARUBA-eligible patients at UCSF. Results in ARUBA-eligible patients managed outside that trial led to an entirely different conclusion about AVM intervention, due to the primary role of surgery, judicious surgical selection with established outcome predictors, and technical expertise developed at high-volume AVM centers.

Predictors of functional outcome among stroke patients in Lima, Peru.

BACKGROUND: Because of the aging population in low- and middle-income countries, cerebrovascular disease is expected to remain a leading cause of death. Little has been published about stroke in Peru. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of hospitalized stroke patients at a referral center hospital in Lima, Peru to explore factors associated with functional outcome among stroke patients. METHODS: We identified 579 patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage stroke at the National Institute of Neurologic Sciences in Lima, Peru in 2008 and 2009. A favorable outcome was defined as a modified Rankin scale score of ≤ 2 at discharge. RESULTS: The mean age was 63.3 years; 75.6% had ischemic stroke; the average duration of stay was 17.3 days. At hospital discharge, 231 (39.9%) had a favorable outcome. The overall mortality rate was 5.2%. In multivariate models, the likelihood of having a favorable outcome decreased linearly with increasing age (P = .02) and increasing National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (P = .02). Favorable outcome was also associated with male gender (relative risk [RR] 1.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0-1.5) and divorced status (RR 1.3; 95% CI 1.1-1.7). Patients on Salud Integral de Salud (SIS; public assistance-type insurance; RR 0.7; 95% CI 0.5-1.0) were also less likely to have a favorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Favorable outcome after stroke was independently associated with younger age, a lower NIHSS score, male gender, being divorced, and not being on SIS insurance. These findings suggest that additional study of worse functional outcomes in patients with SIS insurance be conducted and confirm the importance of risk adjustment for age, stroke severity (according to the NIHSS scale), and other socioeconomic factors in outcomes studies. Future studies should preferentially assess outcome at 30 days and 6 months to provide more reliable comparisons and allow additional study of Peruvian end-of-life decision-making and care.

Presión arterial sistólica y pronóstico funcional en pacientes con enfermedad vascular cerebral aguda: Registro mexicano de enfermedad vascular cerebral / Systolic blood pressure and functional outcome in patients with acute stroke: A Mexican registry of acute cerebrovascular disease (RENAMEVASC)

Objetivo: Analizar la asociación de la presión arterial sistólica (PAS) al ingreso hospitalario y la evolución clínica a 30 días en pacientes con enfermedad vascular cerebral (EVC) aguda. Métodos: El REgistro NAcional Mexicano de Enfermedad VAScular Cerebral (RENAMEVASC) es un registro hospitalario multicéntrico realizado de noviembre de 2002 a octubre de 2004. Se registraron 2000 pacientes con distintos síndromes clínicos de EVC aguda confirmados por neuroimagen. La estratificación de la evolución clínica se realizó mediante la escala de Rankin modificada. Resultados: Se analizaron 1721 pacientes con registro de la PAS: 78 (4.5%) con isquemia cerebral transitoria, 894 (51.9%) con infarto cerebral, 534 (30.9%) con hemorragia intracerebral, 165 (9.6%) con hemorragia subaracnoidea y 50 (2.9%) con trombosis venosa cerebral. De los 1036 (60.2%) pacientes con el antecedente de hipertensión, sólo 32.4% tenía un tratamiento regular. La tasa de mortalidad a 30 días presentó un patrón en J con respecto a la PAS, de tal manera que el riesgo de muerte fue máximo en <100 mmHg (37.5%), descendió entre 100 mmHg y 139 mmHg, para alcanzar gradualmente un nuevo cenit en >220 mmHg (35.3%). El mejor desenlace funcional correspondió a los pacientes que tuvieron una PAS entre 100 mmHg y 159 mmHg. Mediante un modelo de riesgos proporcionales de Cox se encontró que una PAS <100 mmHg o >220 mmHg fue un factor independiente de riesgo de muerte a 30 días (RR: 1.52, IC 95%: 1.07 - 2.15), al igual que el antecedente de hipertensión (RR: 1.33, IC 95%: 1.06 - 1.65) y edad >65 años (RR: 2.16, IC 95%: 1.74 - 2.67). Conclusión: Tanto la hipotensión como la hipertensión arterial significativa al ingreso hospitalario se asocian a un pronóstico adverso en la EVC aguda. No obstante, un buen pronóstico funcional se puede lograr en un amplio rango de cifras de PAS.

Objective: To analyze the association between the admission systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 30-day outcome in patients with acute cerebrovascular disease. Methods: The REgistro NAcional Mexicano de Enfermedad VAScular Cerebral (RENAMEVASC) is a hospital-based multicenter registry performed between November 2002 and October 2004. A total of 2000 patients with clinical syndromes of acute cerebrovascular disease confirmed by neuroimaging were registered. The modified Rankin scale was used for outcome stratification. Results: We analyzed 1721 patients who had registered their SBP: 78 (4.5%) had transient ischemic attack, 894 (51.9%) brain infarction, 534 (30.9%) intracerebral hemorrhage, 165 (9.6%) subarachnoid hemorrhage and 50 (2.9%) cerebral venous thrombosis. Among 1036 (60.2%) patients with the antecedent of hypertension, only 32.4% had regular treatment. The 30-day case fatality rate presented a J pattern with respect to SBP, so that the risk of death was highest in <100 mmHg (37.5%), decreased between 100 and 139, and reached gradually a new zenith in >220 mmHg (35.3%). The best functional outcome corresponded to patients who had SBP between 100 mmHg and 159 mmHg. In a Cox proportional hazards model, SBP <100 mmHg or >220 mmHg was an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality (RR: 1.52, IC 95%: 1.07 - 2.15), as well as the antecedent of hypertension (RR: 1.33, IC 95%: 1.06 - 1.65) and age >65 years (RR: 2.16, IC 95%: 1.74 - 2.67). Conclusion: Both hypotension and significant arterial hypertension at hospital admission are associated with an adverse outcome after acute cerebrovascular disease. Nevertheless, a good functional outcome can be attained in a wide range of SBP.