Impact of Post-Stroke Recanalization on General and Upper Limb Functioning: A Prospective, Observational Study.

The objective of this study is to assess the impact of recanalization (spontaneous and therapeutic) on upper limb functioning and general patient functioning after stroke. This is a prospective, observational study of patients hospitalized due to acute ischemic stroke in the territory of the middle cerebral artery (n = 98). Patients completed a comprehensive rehabilitation program and were followed-up for 24 weeks. The impact of recanalization on patient functioning was evaluated using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Stroke Upper Limb Capacity Scale (SULCS). General and upper limb functioning improved markedly in the first three weeks after stroke. Age, gender, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission were associated with general and upper limb functioning at 12 weeks. Successful recanalization was associated with better functioning. Among patients who underwent therapeutic recanalization, NIHSS scores ≥16.5 indicate lower general functioning at 12 weeks (sensibility = 72.4%; specificity = 78.6%) and NIHSS scores ≥13.5 indicate no hand functioning at 12 weeks (sensibility = 83.8%; specificity = 76.5%). Recanalization, either spontaneous or therapeutic, has a positive impact on patient functioning after acute ischemic stroke. Functional recovery occurs mostly within the first 12 weeks after stroke, with greater functional gains among patients with successful recanalization. Higher NIHSS scores at admission are associated with worse functional recovery.

Neuroimaging, serum biomarkers, and patient characteristics as predictors of upper limb functioning 12 weeks after acute stroke: an observational, prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential of neuroimaging, serum biomarkers, stroke etiology, and clinical characteristics as predictors of upper limb functioning 12 weeks after stroke. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational study of patients (18-85 years-old) hospitalized due to acute ischemic stroke in the territory of the middle cerebral artery. Patients were hospitalized at a stroke rehabilitation center, where they underwent a standardized rehabilitation program. Clinical, imagiology, laboratory (biomarkers: C-reactive protein, D-dimer, and fibrinogen, and S100 calcium binding protein ß [S100ß]), and functionality assessments were conducted four different times: within 24 hours, and at 48 hours, 3 weeks, and 12 weeks after acute stroke. RESULTS: Upper limb functioning at 12 weeks was significantly associated with Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) score (OR:2.012 [CI:1.349-3.000]; P = 0.001) and S100ß protein levels (OR:0.997 [CI:0.994-0.999]; P = 0.007). Advanced age was associated with poor upper limb functioning. S100ß protein levels < 140.5 ng/L at 48 hours and ASPECTS scores ≥ 7.5 within 24 hours of admission predicted good hand functioning at 12 weeks. Upper limb functioning and general functioning were significantly correlated (P < 0.001), with strong negative correlations (all correlation coefficients ≤-0.586) for all comparisons. CONCLUSION: ASPECTS score ≥ 8 within 24 hours and S100ß protein < 140.5 ng/L at 48 hours predict better upper limb functioning, while advanced age predicts worse upper limb functioning 12 weeks after stroke.

S100ß Protein as a Predictor of Poststroke Functional Outcome: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Early prediction of poststroke disability using clinical models is of great interest, especially in the rehabilitation field. Although some biomarkers and neuroimaging techniques have shown potential predictive value, there are still insufficient data to support their clinical utility in predicting poststroke functional recovery. We aimed to assess the value of serum biomarkers (C-reactive protein [CRP], D-dimer, fibrinogen, and S100ß protein) in predicting medium-term (12 weeks) functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: This is an observational, prospective study in a sample of patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke (N = 131). Peripheral blood levels of biomarkers of interest were determined at admission (CRP, D-dimer, and fibrinogen) or at 48 hours poststroke (S100ß protein). Functional status was accessed at 48 hours and 12 weeks poststroke using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). RESULTS: S100ß protein levels measured at 48 hours were significantly associated with mRS scores at 12 weeks (odds ratio = 1.005, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.005-1.007]; P <.001). This association was not seen for the remaining biomarkers of interest. The S100ß cutoff for poor functionality at 12 weeks was 140.5 ng/L or more (sensibility 83.8%; specificity 71.4%; area under the curve = .80, 95% CI [.722, .879]). CONCLUSIONS: S100ß levels in peripheral blood at 48 hours poststroke reflect acute stroke severity and predict functional outcome at 12 weeks with a cutoff value of 140.5 ng/dL. The value of S100ß as predictor of functional recovery after stroke should be emphasized in further clinical research and clinical practice.

Assessing upper limb function: transcultural adaptation and validation of the Portuguese version of the Stroke Upper Limb Capacity Scale.

BACKGROUND: Brachial hemiparesis is one of the most frequent sequelae of stroke, leading to important functional disability given the role of the upper limb in executing activities of daily living (ADL). The Stroke Upper Limb Capacity Scale (SULCS) is a stroke-specific assessment instrument that evaluates functional capacity of the upper limb based on the execution of 10 tasks. The objective of this study is the transcultural adaptation and psychometric validation of the Portuguese version of the SULCS. METHODS: A Portuguese version of the SULCS was developed, using the process of forward-backward translation, after authorisation from the author of the original scale. Then, a multicentre study was conducted in Portuguese stroke patients (n = 122) to validate the psychometric properties of the instrument. The relationship between sociodemographic and clinical characteristics was used to test construct validity. The relationship between SULCS scores and other instruments was used to test criterion validity. RESULTS: Semantic and linguistic adaptation of the SULCS was executed without substantial issues and allowed the development of a Portuguese version. The application of this instrument suggested the existence of celling effect (19.7% of participants with maximum score). Reliability was demonstrated through the intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.98. As for construct validity, SULCS was sensible to muscle tonus and aphasia. SULCS classification impacted the scores of the Motor Evaluation Scale for Upper Extremity in Stroke (MESUPES) and the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS). CONCLUSIONS: The present version of SULCS shows valid and reliable cultural adaptation, with good reliability and stability.

[Neuroimaging and Blood Biomarkers in Functional Prognosis after Stroke]. / Neuroimagem e Biomarcadores no Prognóstico Funcional de Doentes com Acidente Vascular Cerebral.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality around the world and it is associated with an important long-term functional disability. Some neuroimaging resources and certain peripheral blood or cerebrospinal fluid proteins can give important information about etiology, therapeutic approach, follow-up and functional prognosis in acute ischemic stroke patients. However, among the scientific community, there is currently more interest in the stroke vital prognosis over the functional prognosis. Predicting the functional prognosis during acute phase would allow more objective rehabilitation programs and better management of the available resources. The aim of this work is to review the potential role of acute phase neuroimaging and blood biomarkers as functional recovery predictors after ischemic stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of the literature published between 2005 and 2015, in English, using the terms "ischemic stroke", "neuroimaging" e "blood biomarkers". RESULTS: We included nine studies, based on abstract reading. DISCUSSION: Computerized tomography, transcranial doppler ultrasound and diffuse magnetic resonance imaging show potential predictive value, based on the blood flow study and the evaluation of stroke's volume and localization, especially when combined with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. Several biomarkers have been studied as diagnostic, risk stratification and prognostic tools, namely the S100 calcium binding protein B, C-reactive protein, matrix metalloproteinases and cerebral natriuretic peptide. CONCLUSION: Although some biomarkers and neuroimaging techniques have potential predictive value, none of the studies were able to support its use, alone or in association, as a clinically useful functionality predictor model. All the evaluated markers were considered insufficient to predict functional prognosis at three months, when applied in the first hours after stroke. Additional studies are necessary to identify reliable predictive markers for functional prognosis after ischemic stroke.

Introdução: O acidente vascular cerebral é uma das principais causas de mortalidade e morbilidade em todo o mundo, associando-se a considerável incapacidade funcional. Atualmente sabe-se que tanto técnicas de neuroimagem como determinados biomarcadores fornecem informações úteis acerca da etiologia, decisão terapêutica, follow-up e prognóstico em doentes com acidente vascular cerebral isquémico. Assiste-se, porém, a um interesse particular na previsão do prognóstico vital em detrimento do prognóstico funcional. Antecipar o prognóstico funcional permitiria definir um programa de reabilitação adequado, objetivo e individualizado, com uma alocação de recursos mais eficiente. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo rever o conhecimento atual acerca do papel da neuroimagem e dos biomarcadores sanguíneos em fase aguda na previsão da recuperação funcional dos doentes que sobrevivem a um acidente vascular cerebral isquémico. Material e Métodos: Revisão da literatura publicada entre 2005 e 2015, em língua inglesa, utilizando os termos "ischemic stroke", "neuroimaging" e "blood biomarkers". Resultados: Foram selecionados nove artigos com base na leitura dos resumos. Discussão: Técnicas de neuroimagem como a tomografia computorizada, a ecografia doppler transcraniana, a angiografia cerebrale a imagem de difusão por ressonância magnética apresentam potencial preditivo do prognóstico funcional do acidente vascular cerebral, nomeadamente através da avaliação do fluxo sanguíneo e do volume e localização da lesão, sobretudo quando usados em associação com a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. Vários biomarcadores têm sido estudados como potenciais marcadores de diagnóstico, estratificação de risco e previsão de prognóstico no acidente vascular cerebral, em particular a S100 calcium binding protein B, a proteína C-reativa, as metaloproteinases de matriz e o peptídeo natriurético cerebral. Conclusão: Apesar de alguns biomarcadores e técnicas de neuroimagem revelarem capacidade preditiva, nenhum dos estudos com estas metodologias, isoladamente ou em associação, é capaz de sustentar a validação de um potencial modelo clínico preditivo de funcionalidade, revelando-se assim insuficientes na determinação precisa, nas primeiras horas após o acidente vascular cerebral, do prognóstico funcional aos três meses. Considera-se que são necessários mais estudos nesta área para o seu esclarecimento.