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Background: Neurologic complications of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be associated with neurotropism of the virus or secondary brain injury from systemic inflammation. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with cerebrovascular injury, including both ischemia and hemorrhage. We aimed to compare brain MRI findings of COVID-19 associated ARDS with non-COVID-19 ARDS. Methods: A registry of patients with COVID-19 from March 2020 through July 2021 from a hospital network was reviewed. Patients who met criteria for ARDS by Berlin definition and underwent MRI during their hospitalization were included. These patients were matched 1:1 by age and sex with patients who underwent MRI from another registry of patients of ARDS in the same hospital between 2010 and 2018. Cerebrovascular injury was classified as either acute cerebral ischemia (ischemic infarct or hypoxic ischemic brain injury) or intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) including intraparenchymal hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs). Results: Of 13,319 patients with COVID-19 infection, 26 patients had ARDS and MRI. Sixty-six of 678 non-COVID-19 ARDS patients had an MRI and were matched 1:1 by age and sex resulting in 23 matched pairs. The median age was 66 and 59% of patients were male. Patients with COVID-19 ARDS were more likely to have hypertension and chronic kidney disease but otherwise baseline medical characteristics were similar. ARDS severity as determined by PaO2/FiO2 ratio at ICU admission was similar between both groups. No difference was seen in the prevalence of cerebrovascular injury (52% vs 61%, p=0.8), cerebral ischemia (35% vs 43%, p=0.8), ICH (43% vs 48%, p=1.0), or CMBs (43% vs 39% p=1.0) on MRI between the COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 cohorts. However, two unique patterns of injury were seen only among COVID-19 patients: hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (3 patients, 12%) and bilateral cerebral peduncular ischemia with microhemorrhage (2 patients, 8%). Conclusion: Cerebrovascular injury was common in both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 ARDS without significant frequency difference. However, COVID-19 ARDS had unique neuroimaging patterns that may indicate distinct patterns of brain injury of COVID-19.

Background: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is an acute inflammatory respiratory failure condition that may be associated with secondary cerebrovascular injury. We aimed to describe the prevalence and types of cerebrovascular injuries detected by brain MRI among ARDS patients. Methods: We reviewed a single-center ARDS registry data from a tertiary medical center from January 2010 to October 2018. Patients who underwent brain MRI during their index hospitalization were identified. MRIs were reviewed by two independent reviewers. Acute cerebrovascular injuries were classified as acute cerebral ischemia (ischemic infarct and hypoxic ischemic brain injury [HIBI]) or intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) including intraparenchymal hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs). Descriptive statistics were conducted. Results: Of the 678 ARDS patients, 66 (9.7%) underwent brain MRI during their ARDS illness. The median time from hospital admission to MRI was 10 days (interquartile range 4-17). Of 66, 31 (47%) had MRI evidence of acute cerebrovascular injuries including acute cerebral ischemia in 33% (22/66) and ICH in 21% (14/66). Among those with cerebral ischemia, common findings were bilateral globus pallidus infarcts (n=7), multifocal ischemic infarcts (n=5), and HIBI (n=3). Twelve (86%) with CMBs constituted the most common type of ICH, followed by intraparenchymal hemorrhage (14%). Patient demographics, Charlson Comorbidity Index, or disease severity as measured by the presence of sepsis/sepsis shock, cardiac arrest, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use, admission Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III Score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score, or admission PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratio did not differ among patients with and without cerebrovascular injury including cerebral ischemia or ICH. In-hospital mortality was significantly greater in ARDS patients with acute cerebral ischemia compared to those without ischemia (55% vs 27%, p=0.03). Conclusion: Among selected patients with ARDS who underwent brain MRI, a half had secondary cerebrovascular injury including acute cerebral ischemia and CMBs.

Background: Decline in presentations of acute stroke during the early period of COVID-19 pandemic have been reported. We aimed to investigate the stroke presentations during the subsequent months as the pandemic evolved into a second wave. Methods: Data was obtained from a health system with 19 emergency departments (EDs) in northeast Ohio in the United States. Baseline period from January 1 to February 29, 2020, was compared with the individual months during COVID-19 period from March through July. Variables included were numbers of daily stroke alerts across the EDs, thrombolysis, thrombectomy, time to presentation, stroke severity, time from door-to-needle in thrombolysis, and door-to puncture in thrombectomy. The time periods were compared using nonparametric statistics and Poisson regression with month, weekend, and daily COVID cases as independent variables. Results: A total of 2264 stroke alerts from EDs were analyzed between January 1 to July 31, 2020. Total daily stroke alerts decreased from a median of 10 (interquartile range [IQR]:10-13) in January and February to 9 (IQR:6-11, p=0.001) in March, 8(IQR:7-10, p=0.0001) in April, 10 (IQR:8-11, p=0.04) in May, and returned similar to baseline in June (12, IQR:10-13, p=0.5) and July (13, IQR:11-14,p=0.1). In Poisson regression, stroke alert numbers showed no significant association with daily COVID-19 counts, but significant association with months, with rate ratios of 0.74 (95%CI 0.64-0.85) for March, 0.71 (95%CI 0.61-0.82) for April, and 0.86 (95%CI 0.75-0.98) for May, but not with June and July. Time to presentation and stroke severity were unchanged throughout the study period. Thrombolysis volume decreased in March and May but thrombectomy volume was unchanged. Conclusion: We observed a decrease in stroke presentations across emergency departments by about 30% during the early period of COVID-19 pandemic, followed by return to baseline frequency despite a second wave of COVID-19 cases.

Background: MRI features such as cerebral microbleeds and sulcal susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) or gradient-echo T2* (GRE-T2*) lesions have been reported to be associated with the presence of infectious intracranial aneurysm (IIA) in infective endocarditis (IE). We aimed to describe the MRI imaging features that predict the presence of IIA. Methods: The derivation cohort comprised 116 IE patients with neurological evaluation at a single tertiary referral center from January 2015 to July 2016. The MRI predictors associated with IIA was evaluated, and we developed the MRI imaging predictors and assessed sensitivity and specificity. External validation was performed in a cohort of 129 IE patients who underwent digital subtraction angiogram (DSA) at the same center from 2010-2014. We assessed the validity using a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results: Of 116 IE patients in the derivation cohort, 10 (9%) had IIAs. Of 129 in the validation cohort, 19 (15%) IIAs were identified. The MRI imaging predictors for IIA consist of 1) contrast enhancement with SWI lesions, 2) cerebral microbleeds > 5mm plus sulcal SWI lesions, and 3) any MRI hemorrhages. The sensitivity for the presence of IIA in each group of the derivation cohort was: 90%, 80%, and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity in the validation cohort was: 47%, 68%, and 94% respectively. The specificity in the derivation cohort was: 87%, 85%, and 18%. In the validation cohort, the specificity was similar (87%, 75%, and 27%). Conclusions: The suggested MRI imaging predictors can be used as a sensitive and specific tool to support clinical decision-making, especially when invasive DSA is considered for assessment for presence of IIA. The absence of MRI hemorrhages may not necessitate the need for DSA.

Introduction: Prehospital evaluation and response is vital to effective and early delivery of acute stroke treatment. We aimed to compare the times across various prehospital times among stroke patients arriving by municipal EMS and MSTU. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 107 patients with a final diagnosis of ischemic stroke within our hospital system from June 2014 to July 2015. We compared on scene arrival, hospital arrival, and time of physician assessment of patients evaluated on MSTU to traditional municipal EMS. Times are reported as medians and groups were compared by Rank-Sum Test. Results: Of 107 patients, 49 patients were evaluated by traditional EMS and 58 evaluated by MSTU. Time from dispatch to scene arrival was median 9 min (IQR 5.5 - 12min) in EMS group and median 12 min (IQR 8-16 min) n MSTU (p&lt0.01). Time on scene was 17 min (IQR 14 - 24min) in EMS group and median 42 min (IQR 36-48 min) in MSTU. There was no difference within the MSTU group in time on-scene among those treated with IV tpA (43 min) and those without (41 min, p=.08 ). After dispatch, patients arrived in hospital by EMS earlier (median 40 min, IQR 33-49min) than by MSTU (median 72 min, IQR 58-81min, p&lt.01), but patients on MSTU were evaluated by a physician at median 28 (IQR 21.5-34.5) min after dispatch. Conclusion: Early evaluation of ischemic stroke patients with MSTU, doubles the time on scene compared to municipal EMS.

Intro: Recent clinical trials suggest that intensive blood pressure lowering in acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) does not result in a lower rate of death or disability. We aimed to compare the incidence of restricted diffusion and acute neurological deterioration in patients after an institutional protocol change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) target from Hypothesis: Intensive blood pressure lowering in acute ICH increases chance of silent and symptomatic acute cerebral ischemia. Methods: We retrospectively compared persons with acute, primary ICH from 2013 to 2014 before and after a protocol change in SBP target from Results: Of 286 primary ICH patients in the study period, 119 underwent MRI and met the study criteria (median age 72, interquartile range (IQR) 59-83, median ICH volume 5.7 cc, IQR 1.3-17.6), 62 patients with target SBP Conclusions: Intensive lowering of SBP in acute ICH patients can result in increased cerebral ischemia on MRI and higher rates of neurological deterioration.

Intro: There have been case reports of ischemic infarcts after treatment with prothrombotics for anticoagulation reversal following spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), though there have been no systematic studies evaluating MRI infarction following prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) or factor eight inhibitor bypassing activity (FEIBA) administration. We evaluated the prevalence of ischemic infarcts on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in ICH patients who received prothrombotics compared to those who did not. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients admitted with ICH between January 2013 and April 2016 in whom MRI brain with DWI imaging was performed within 2 weeks of admission and prior to digital subtraction angiography. PCC (4-factor Kcentra, weight, and INR based dosing) was administered to patients on warfarin at the time of ictus with a INR≥1.4 and FEIBA (50 u/kg) was given to patients exposed to an oral Factor Xa inhibitor or direct thrombin inhibitor if ICH occurred within 3-5 half lives of the last dose. Acute ischemia was defined as DWI hyperintensity with corresponding apparent diffusion coefficient hypointensity. Perihematoma lesions, and procedure-related infarctions were excluded from analysis. Groups were compared using chi-square and Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests. Results: A total of 254 patients were enrolled. Of these, 41 (16%) received either 4-factor PCC (n=33) or FEIBA (n=8). Comparing those who received prothrombotics to those who did not, there was no difference in age (median 68 with prothrombotics and without; p=0.724), sex (44% female in both groups; p=0.977), initial NIH Stroke Scale (median 6 versus 8, p=0.838), or hematoma volume (median 15ml versus 10ml; p=0.207). Patients who received prothrombotics were more likely to have lobar ICH than deep ICH (71% versus 47%; p=0.005). DWI infarctions were found in 16% of patients who receive PCC or FEIBA compared with 22% who did not (p=0.404). Conclusions: Our data suggests prothrombotics do not increase the risk of acute ischemic infarcts within two weeks of administration.

Introduction: Despite studies of aggressive blood pressure reduction in primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), the potential for inducing ischemia remains a concern. The primary objective of this study is to determine the relationship between blood pressure and acute cerebral ischemia following ICH. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with primary ICH admitted between January 2013 and December 2014 in whom MRI brain with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) was performed within 2 weeks of admission. Acute ischemia was defined as DWI hyperintensity with corresponding apparent diffusion coefficient hypointensity. Lesions adjacent to the ICH or after an invasive procedure were excluded and all MRIs were performed prior to digital subtraction angiography. Serial blood pressure measurements were collected from admission to 72h post ictus. Clinical deterioration was defined as any acute exam change not explained by seizure, hematoma expansion or other medical causes. Results: Among 119 patients with primary ICH (mean age 69.3 years, 58% males, 65% Caucasians), 28 (23.5%) had acute ischemia. Acute ischemia was associated with lower mean 24-hour SBP (132 mmHg in DWI+ versus 141 mmHg in DWI-, p Conclusions: Aggressive SBP reduction, particularly SBP

Introduction: The Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit (MSTU) is a novel onsite pre-hospital treatment team with all basic infra-structure to diagnose, emergently treat and hence timely triage acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients to either the primary stroke center (PSCs) or comprehensive stroke centers (CSCs). Recent evidence supports outcome benefits in favor of intra-arterial therapy (IAT) in large vessel strokes and transfers to neuro-critical care units for managing large strokes. This has resulted in a surge in transfers to CSCs summing additional transfer costs for patients not initially presenting to a CSC. This is the first ever study in the United States that utilizes a basic cost generation model to measure the economic benefits of MSTU triage directly to the CSCs by-passing PSCs, for the those patients requiring higher-level care. Method: Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit database was used to identify patients that stroke neurologists triaged to CSCs. These included all acute ICH, IAT candidates and severe strokes with ICU needs. We calculated the average costs of a typical primary stroke center emergency room visit and the cost of a critical care transport, generating a cost savings model. Result: Fifty two patients who were evaluated by stroke neurologists in the mobile stroke unit from July 2014 to October 2015 were adjudged candidates for comprehensive stroke centers. Twenty four (46%) of these were intra-cerebral hemorrhage (ICH) confirmed on portable head CT while the other 28 (54%) presented with major strokes with possible IA thrombectomy candidacy or anticipated Neuro ICU needs due to stroke severity. Eleven ICH and 13 ischemic stroke patients (46%) of the 52 patients by-passed PSC to be taken directly to comprehensive stroke centers with a potential of saving millions of dollars in costs and critical time. Conclusion: Even in a city with dense presence of comprehensive stroke centers, a large cohort of patients by-passed primary stroke centers with a potential of saving millions of dollars in costs and critical time. Future goals include evaluating for difference in outcome in this group of patients that by-passed PSC courtesy MSTU. Additionally, this needs to be replicated in other counties and cities before policy changes are proposed.

Background: A Mobile stroke treatment unit (MSTU) with on-site treatment team can provide thrombolysis successfully in a pre-hospital setting more quickly than traditional treatment in the hospital. We compared our experience of patients treated with the mobile stroke unit to treatment of patients brought to emergency department via a traditional ambulance Methods: We implemented a MSTU at our institution starting July 18, 2014. The unit includes a registered nurse, paramedic, emergency medical personnel, and CT technologist. A stroke physician evaluated each patient via telemedicine and a neuroradioloigst and stroke physician remotely assessed images obtained by CereTom mobile CT (Neurologica, Danvers, USA). Data were entered in medical records and a prospective registry. The evaluation and treatment in the first 3 weeks of implementation of MSTU was compared to a control group of patients brought to the emergency department via a traditional ambulance in the preceding 3 months. The time of alarm was the dispatch time by the city emergency medical service. Results: 23 patients were treated in the MSTU group and 34 in the control group. There were no significant differences in age or gender between the groups. The median time for alarm-to-MSTU-arrival-at-scene was 13 minutes (Interquartile range 9-17). There was a significant reduction of median alarm-to-CT scan completion times (41 min in MSTU vs 62 min in controls, p Conclusion: Compared with traditional ambulance model, ambulance-based thrombolysis resulted in decreased time to imaging and treatment.

We are describing a case of 55-year-old obese female with significant history of uncontrolled rheumatoid arthritis, who recently had decreased her immune-suppression medications. She presented with extensive acral gangrene involving multiple fingers and toes. Clinical picture and laboratory findings were suggestive of vasculitis; however, skin biopsy established diagnosis of calciphylaxis, in settings of normal kidney function. Patient was treated with sodium thiosulfate with gradual improvement in her skin lesions.