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Background and purpose Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with a small but clinically significant risk of stroke, the cause of which is frequently cryptogenic. In a large multinational cohort of consecutive COVID-19 patients with stroke, we evaluated clinical predictors of cryptogenic stroke, short-term functional outcomes and in-hospital mortality among patients according to stroke etiology. Methods We explored clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes of consecutively evaluated patients 18 years of age or older with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from 31 hospitals in 4 countries (3/1/20–6/16/20). Results Of the 14.483 laboratory-confirmed patients with COVID-19, 156 (1.1%) were diagnosed with AIS. Sixty-one (39.4%) were female, 84 (67.2%) white, and 88 (61.5%) were between 60 and 79 years of age. The most frequently reported etiology of AIS was cryptogenic (55/129, 42.6%), which was associated with significantly higher white blood cell count, c-reactive protein, and D-dimer levels than non-cryptogenic AIS patients (pp = 0.01). In that model, older age (aOR 2.05 per decade, 95%CI 1.35–3.11, p p = 0.01) were also independently predictive of mortality. Conclusions Our findings suggest that cryptogenic stroke among COVID-19 patients carries a significant risk of early mortality.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text., Background and Purpose: The pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to an unprecedented paradigm shift in medical care. We sought to evaluate whether the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to delays in acute stroke management at comprehensive stroke centers. Methods: Pooled clinical data of consecutive adult stroke patients from 14 US comprehensive stroke centers (January 1, 2019, to July 31, 2020) were queried. The rate of thrombolysis for nontransferred patients within the Target: Stroke goal of 60 minutes was compared between patients admitted from March 1, 2019, and July 31, 2019 (pre–COVID-19), and March 1, 2020, to July 31, 2020 (COVID-19). The time from arrival to imaging and treatment with thrombolysis or thrombectomy, as continuous variables, were also assessed. Results: Of the 2955 patients who met inclusion criteria, 1491 were admitted during the pre–COVID-19 period and 1464 were admitted during COVID-19, 15% of whom underwent intravenous thrombolysis. Patients treated during COVID-19 were at lower odds of receiving thrombolysis within 60 minutes of arrival (odds ratio, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.38–0.98]; P=0.04), with a median delay in door-to-needle time of 4 minutes (P=0.03). The lower odds of achieving treatment in the Target: Stroke goal persisted after adjustment for all variables associated with earlier treatment (adjusted odds ratio, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.35–0.85]; P

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been associated with a significant risk of thrombotic events in critically ill patients. Aims: To summarize the findings of a multinational observational cohort of patients with SARS-CoV-2 and cerebrovascular disease. Methods: Retrospective observational cohort of consecutive adults evaluated in the emergency department and/or admitted with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) across 31 hospitals in 4 countries (2/1/2020 - 06/16/2020). The primary outcome was the incidence rate of cerebrovascular events, inclusive of acute ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhages (ICH), and cortical vein and/or sinus thrombosis (CVST). Results: Of the 14,483 patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2, 172 were diagnosed with an acute cerebrovascular event (1.13% of cohort; 1130/100,000 patients, 95%CI 970-1320/100,000), 68/171 (40.5%) of whom were female and 96/172 (55.8%) were between the ages 60-79 years. Of these, 156 had acute ischemic stroke (1.08%; 1080/100,000 95%CI 920-1260/100,000), 28 ICH (0.19%; 190/100,000 95%CI 130 - 280/100,000) and 3 with CVST (0.02%; 20/100,000, 95%CI 4-60/100,000). The in-hospital mortality rate for SARS-CoV-2-associated stroke was 38.1% and for ICH 58.3%. After adjusting for clustering by site and age, baseline stroke severity, and all predictors of in-hospital mortality found in univariate regression (p Conclusions: COVID-19 is associated with a small but significant risk of clinically relevant cerebrovascular events, particularly ischemic stroke. The mortality rate is high for COVID-19 associated cerebrovascular complications, therefore aggressive monitoring and early intervention should be pursued to mitigate poor outcomes.

Background: We sought to evaluate whether the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have contributed to delays in acute stroke management at Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSCs). Methods: Pooled clinical data of consecutive adult stroke patients from 12 U.S. CSCs (1/1/2019-5/31/2020) were queried. The rate of thrombolysis for non-transferred patients within the Target: Stroke goal of 60min was compared between patients admitted 3/1/2019-5/31/2019 (pre-COVID-19) and 3/1/2020-5/31/2020 (COVID-19). The time from arrival to imaging and treatment with thrombolysis or thrombectomy, as continuous variables, were also assessed. Results: Of the 7906 patients included, 1319 were admitted pre-COVID-19 and 933 were admitted during COVID-19, 15% of whom underwent intravenous thrombolysis. There was no difference in the rate of thrombolysis within 60min during COVID-19 (OR 0.88, 95%CI 0.42-1.86, p=0.74), despite adjustment for variables associated with earlier treatment (adjusted OR 0.82, 95%CI 0.38-1.76, p=0.61). There was no significant overall delay to thrombolysis during the COVID-19 period vs. pe-COVID-19 (p=0.42), even after multivariable adjustment (p=0.63) or after comparison across months leading to COVID-19 (Figure). The only independent predictor of delayed treatment time between periods was the use of emergency medical services (adjusted β=-6.93, 95%CI -12.83 - -1.04, p=0.03). There was no significant delay from hospital arrival to imaging in all patients, or imaging to skin puncture in patients who underwent thrombectomy. Conclusions: There was no independent effect of the COVID-19 period on delays in acute care with respect to thrombolysis or thrombectomy in this multicenter observational cohort. Further studies are warranted to externally validate these findings, and determine if site volume or center accreditation may mediate a collateral effect of the pandemic on stroke care paradigms.

Background and purpose: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with a small but clinically significant risk of stroke, the cause of which is frequently cryptogenic. In a large multinational cohort of consecutive COVID-19 patients with stroke, we evaluated clinical predictors of cryptogenic stroke, short-term functional outcomes and in-hospital mortality among patients according to stroke etiology. Methods: We explored clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes of consecutively evaluated patients 18 years of age or older with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from 31 hospitals in 4 countries (3/1/20-6/16/20). Results: Of the 14.483 laboratory-confirmed patients with COVID-19, 156 (1.1%) were diagnosed with AIS. Sixty-one (39.4%) were female, 84 (67.2%) white, and 88 (61.5%) were between 60-79 years of age. The most frequently reported etiology of AIS was cryptogenic (55/129, 42.6%), which was associated with significantly higher white blood cell count, c-reactive protein, and D-dimer levels than non-cryptogenic AIS patients (p Conclusions: Our findings suggest that cryptogenic stroke among COVID-19 patients may be related to more severe disease and carries a significant risk of early mortality.

Introduction: Following the results of the GAMES-RP trial, which showed intravenous glyburide can safely reduce cerebral edema following stroke, our center implemented a quality improvement (QI) initiative using off-label glyburide (2.5mg PO BID x 3 days) to prevent malignant cerebral edema in patients at risk. Methods: Consecutive adults > 18 years of age with large hemispheric infarction at our center (9/20/2019-6/20/2020) were treated with off-label glyburide per an institutional protocol. In this interim analysis, we report the safety (use of D50 rescue, discontinuation of drug due to hypoglycemia Results: Seventeen patients with anterior hemispheric stroke received glyburide (mean age 71y [SD 14], median NIHSS 19 [IQR 16-24], mean initial infarct volume on head CT 122cc [SD 68]). Demographic, clinical, and radiographic findings were well-matched to GAMES-RP controls (Table), except for internal carotid artery occlusion being twice as common (63% vs 36%, p=0.07). One patient developed hypoglycemia (6%) with the need to discontinue glyburide. Treated patients had numerically less midline shift when compared to historic controls (median 4 vs. 8.5mm). Comfort measures were pursued in 9 patients (47%), permitting long-term follow-up of 8 patients for whom the median 90-day mRS was 5 (IQR 4-6, n=6). Conclusion: In this interim analysis of a single-center QI initiative, glyburide was safe. Treated patients had severe deficits and large infarcts, more than half of whom opted for comfort measures, with poor long-term functional outcomes among remaining patients. Notably, the midline shift decreased by more than 50% compared to well-matched historic controls. Off-label use of glyburide will continue to be used at our center in light of these safety profile findings.

Nilotinib, a BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), has been associated with vascular events and accelerated arterial stenosis, presumably of atherosclerotic etiology. Studies of nilotinib-associated atherosclerosis are mainly associated with progressive peripheral artery occlusive disease (PAOD), and only a few cases of coronary artery disease (CAD), and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) have been reported. The mechanisms by which nilotinib promotes atherosclerosis are poorly understood but endothelial and perivascular factors, mast cell depletion, and metabolic factors such as promotion of dyslipidemia and impaired glucose metabolism are thought to play a role. We present a case of a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) treated with nilotinib who developed intracranial atherosclerosis leading to acute onset of stroke. Our patient had no cardiovascular risk factors prior to treatment with nilotinib and developed accelerated atheromatous cerebrovascular disease with severe left middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis. These findings suggest that nilotinib may be associated with the development of intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) independently of any preexisting vascular risk factors leading to acute stroke. Clinicians should have increased awareness of the association between nilotinib and the development of progressive atheromatous disease and vascular adverse events including PAOD, CAD, and CVD. In certain patients, these events can be severe and life threatening. Thus, screening for vascular risk factors including CVD prior to starting nilotinib and close follow up during treatment is crucial.

© 2020 World Stroke Organization., [Background]: Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been associated with a significant risk of thrombotic events in critically ill patients. [Aim]: To summarize the findings of a multinational observational cohort of patients with SARS-CoV-2 and cerebrovascular disease. [Methods]: Retrospective observational cohort of consecutive adults evaluated in the emergency department and/or admitted with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) across 31 hospitals in four countries (1 February 2020–16 June 2020). The primary outcome was the incidence rate of cerebrovascular events, inclusive of acute ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhages (ICH), and cortical vein and/or sinus thrombosis (CVST). [Results]: Of the 14,483 patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2, 172 were diagnosed with an acute cerebrovascular event (1.13% of cohort; 1130/100,000 patients, 95%CI 970–1320/100,000), 68/171 (40.5%) were female and 96/172 (55.8%) were between the ages 60 and 79 years. Of these, 156 had acute ischemic stroke (1.08%; 1080/100,000 95%CI 920–1260/100,000), 28 ICH (0.19%; 190/100,000 95%CI 130–280/100,000), and 3 with CVST (0.02%; 20/100,000, 95%CI 4–60/100,000). The in-hospital mortality rate for SARS-CoV-2-associated stroke was 38.1% and for ICH 58.3%. After adjusting for clustering by site and age, baseline stroke severity, and all predictors of in-hospital mortality found in univariate regression (p < 0.1: male sex, tobacco use, arrival by emergency medical services, lower platelet and lymphocyte counts, and intracranial occlusion), cryptogenic stroke mechanism (aOR 5.01, 95%CI 1.63–15.44, p < 0.01), older age (aOR 1.78, 95%CI 1.07–2.94, p ¼ 0.03), and lower lymphocyte count on admission (aOR 0.58, 95%CI 0.34–0.98, p ¼ 0.04) were the only independent predictors of mortality among patients with stroke and COVID-19. [Conclusions]: COVID-19 is associated with a small but significant risk of clinically relevant cerebrovascular events, particularly ischemic stroke. The mortality rate is high for COVID-19-associated cerebrovascular complications; therefore, aggressive monitoring and early intervention should be pursued to mitigate poor outcomes.

We hypothesized patients implanted with ILRs for cryptogenic stroke in "real life" clinical practice will show an AF detection rate comparable to prior clinical studies, and that clinical or imaging features may help to identify those at higher risk of AF detection.A retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients who presented with cryptogenic stroke and received an ILR at an academic medical center from 2015 to 2017 with an active inpatient stroke service. The electronic health record and remote monitoring were used to identify occurrence of AF.A total of 178 patients who received ILRs for cryptogenic stroke were included. Overall, after a thorough evaluation for other etiologies of stroke, 35 (19.6%) were found to have AF detected. Mean follow-up was 365 days with a median time to detection of 131 days. Advanced age (p = 0.001), diastolic dysfunction on echo (p = 0.03), as well as ECG findings of premature atrial contractions (PACs) and p wave dispersion (PWD) 40 ms were found to be predictive of AF detection (p = 0.04, p 0.001, respectively). On multiple regression analysis, the only independent predictor of AF detection was PWD 40 ms.After a thorough evaluation to exclude other etiologies for stroke, approximately 20% of patients of our cryptogenic stroke population were found to have AF with ILR surveillance. Advanced age, diastolic dysfunction, as well as ECG findings of PACs and increased PWD may help to predict those at higher risk of AF detection, while PWD was the only independent predictor. This has important clinical implications, as better prediction of AF may help identify those at highest risk and might subsequently aid in guiding therapy.

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a rare inflammatory arteritis that is usually affecting young women and causes ischemic changes in the vessel wall. In this report of TA leading to an acute ischemic stroke, we describe a treatment-resistant case, with short interval flares and the challenge of defining the stroke etiology as a large vessel occlusive disease vs. an arteritis flare. We have used CT and MRI modalities to show the active disease and got diagnostic answers from this tool.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize differences in disposition arrangement among rehab-eligible stroke patients at a Comprehensive Stroke Center before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a prospective registry for demographics, hospital course, and discharge dispositions of rehab-eligible acute stroke survivors admitted 6 months prior to (10/2019-03/2020) and during (04/2020-09/2020) the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary outcome was discharge to an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) as opposed to other facilities using descriptive statistics, and IRF versus home using unadjusted and adjusted backward stepwise logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the 507 rehab-eligible stroke survivors, there was no difference in age, premorbid disability, or stroke severity between study periods (p>0.05). There was a 9% absolute decrease in discharges to an IRF during the pandemic (32.1% vs. 41.1%, p=0.04), which translated to 38% lower odds of being discharged to IRF versus home in unadjusted regression (OR 0.62, 95%CI 0.42-0.92, p=0.016). The lower odds of discharge to IRF persisted in the multivariable model (aOR 0.16, 95%CI 0.09-0.31, p