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Background and purpose: Early neurological deterioration (END) after stroke onset may predict severe outcomes. Estimated rates of END after intravenous thrombolysis among small patient samples have been reported up to 29.8%. We studied the incidence and factors associated with END among patients following intravenous thrombolysis. Methods: We analyzed SITS-International Stroke Thrombolysis registry patients with known outcomes enrolled in 2010 to 2017. END was defined as an increase in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥4 or death within 24 hours from baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. We determined the incidence of END and used logistic regression models to inspect its associated factors. We adjusted for variables found significant in univariate analyses ( P Results: We excluded 53 539 patients and included 50 726 patients. The incidence of END was 3415/50 726 (6.7% [95% CI, 6.5%–7.0%]). Factors independently associated with END on multivariate analysis were intracerebral hemorrhage (OR, 3.23 [95% CI, 2.96–3.54], P P P P P P Conclusions: The routinely observed rate of END reflected by real-world data is low, but END greatly increases risk of disability and mortality. Readily identifiable factors predict END and may help with understanding causal mechanisms to assist prevention of END.

Background and Purpose— The length of large vessel occlusion is considered a major factor for therapy in patients with ischemic stroke. We used 4D-CT angiography evaluation of middle cerebral artery occlusion in prediction of recanalization and favorable clinical outcome and after intravenous thrombolysis (IV-tPA). Methods— In 80 patients treated with IV-tPA for acute complete middle cerebral artery/M1 occlusion determined using CT angiography and temporal maximum intensity projection, calculated from 4D-CT angiography, the length of middle cerebral artery proximal stump, occlusion in M1 or M1 and M2 segment were measured. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to define independent predictors of successful recanalization after 24 hours and favorable outcome after 3 months. Results— The length of occlusion was measureable in all patients using temporal maximum intensity projection. Recanalization thrombolysis in myocardial infarction 2 to 3 was achieved in 37 individuals (46%). The extension to M2 segment as a category (odds ratio, 4.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.39–15.05; P =0.012) and the length of M1 segment occlusion (odds ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.73–0.92; P =0.0007) with an optimal cutoff value of 12 mm (sensitivity 0.67; specificity 0.71) were significant independent predictors of recanalization. Favorable outcome (modified Rankin scale 0–2) was achieved in 25 patients (31%), baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (odds ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.72–0.93; P =0.003) and the length of occlusion M1 in segment (odds ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.69–0.91; P =0.0008) with an optimal cutoff value of 11 mm (sensitivity 0.74; specificity 0.76) were significant independent predictors of favorable outcome. Conclusions— The length of middle cerebral artery occlusion is an independent predictor of successful IV-tPA treatment.

Background and Purpose— Temporal variations of thrombolysis delivery and their influence on outcome have been reported with controversial results. In this large cohort study, we evaluated whether thrombolytic treatment has a within-day and weekly variability corresponding to circadian and weekly patterns of ischemic stroke onset, and whether these have impact on clinical outcome. Methods— We retrospectively analyzed patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving intravenous alteplase, prospectively included in the Safe Implementation of Treatments in Stroke-International Stroke Thrombolysis Register. Patients were grouped by treatment on day hours (08:00–19:59) or night hours (20:00–07:59) and treatment on weekdays and weekends. For each subgroup, we analyzed frequency of thrombolytic treatments, time intervals, and outcomes (3-month modified Rankin Scale score 0–2 as good functional outcome, mortality, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage). Results— We included 21 513 patients. Considering the mean expected number of patients treated per hour (0.4) and per day of the week (9.8), if no temporal variations were present, patients were significantly treated more during day hours and weekdays ( P P P =0.004), and patients treated during weekdays were at risk of higher mortality (odds ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.28; P =0.008). Conclusions— Frequency of thrombolytic treatment seems to follow the same circadian pattern of stroke incidence, whereas its correspondence to a weekly pattern is less clear. Time of treatment is an independent predictor of outcome.