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ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that IV thrombolysis (IVT) treatment before endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is associated with better outcomes in patients with anterior circulation large artery occlusion (LAO) stroke, we examined a large real-world database, the Safe Implementation of Treatment in Stroke–International Stroke Thrombectomy Register (SITS-ISTR).MethodsWe identified centers recording ≥10 consecutive patients in the SITS-ISTR, with at least 70% available modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at 3 months during 2014 to 2019. We defined LAO as intracranial internal carotid artery, first and second segment of middle cerebral artery, and first segment of anterior cerebral artery. Main outcomes were functional independence (mRS score 0–2) and death at 3 months and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) per modified SITS–Monitoring Study. We performed propensity score–matched (PSM) and multivariable logistic regression analyses.ResultsOf 6,350 patients from 42 centers, 3,944 (62.1%) received IVT. IVT + EVT–treated patients had less frequent atrial fibrillation, ongoing anticoagulation, previous stroke, heart failure, and prestroke disability. PSM analysis showed that IVT + EVT–treated patients had a higher rate of functional independence than patients treated with EVT alone (46.4% vs 40.3%,p< 0.001) and a lower rate of death at 3 months (20.3% vs 23.3%,p= 0.035). SICH rates (3.5% vs 3.0%,p= 0.42) were similar in both groups. Multivariate adjustment yielded results consistent with PSM.ConclusionPretreatment with IVT was associated with favorable outcomes in EVT-treated LAO stroke in the SITS-ISTR. These findings, while indicative of international routine clinical practice, are limited by observational design, unmeasured confounding, and possible residual confounding by indication.Classification of EvidenceThis study provides Class II evidence that IVT before EVT increases the probability of functional independence at 3 months compared to EVT alone.

ObjectiveTo undertake an effectiveness and safety analysis of EVT in patients with LVO and NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≤6 using datasets of multicenter and multinational nature.MethodsWe pooled patients with anterior circulation occlusion from 3 prospective international cohorts. Patients were eligible if presentation occurred within 12 hours from last known well and baseline NIHSS ≤6. Primary outcome was modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0–1 at 90 days. Secondary outcomes included neurologic deterioration at 24 hours (change in NIHSS of ≥2 points), mRS 0–2 at 90 days, and 90-day all-cause mortality. We used propensity score matching to adjust for nonrandomized treatment allocation.ResultsAmong 236 patients who fit inclusion criteria, 139 received EVT and 97 received medical management. Compared to medical management, the EVT group was younger (65 vs 72 years; p < 0.001), had more proximal occlusions (p < 0.001), and less frequently received concurrent IV thrombolysis (57.7% vs 71.2%; p = 0.04). After propensity score matching, clinical outcomes between the 2 groups were not significantly different. EVT patients had an 8.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] −8.8% to 26.1%) higher rate of excellent 90-day outcome, despite a 22.3% (95% CI, 3.0%–41.6%) higher risk of neurologic deterioration at 24 hours.ConclusionsEVT for LVO in patients with low NIHSS score was associated with increased risk of neurologic deterioration at 24 hours. However, both EVT and medical management resulted in similar proportions of excellent clinical outcomes at 90 days.Classification of evidenceThis study provides Class III evidence that for patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic strokes and LVO with NIHSS < 6, EVT and medical management result in similar outcomes at 90 days.

[Backgroun] Statins have an important role in stroke prevention, especially in high-risk populations and may also affect the initial stroke severity and outcomes in patients taking them before an ischemic stroke., [Aims] Our aim was to evaluate the association of statin pre-treatment with the severity in acute ischemic stroke (AIS)., [Methods] We analyzed AIS patients received intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and/or endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) and recorded in the SITS International Thrombolysis and Thrombectomy Registry from 2011 to 2017. We identified patients with statin information at baseline. The primary outcome was baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score. Secondary outcomes were NIHSS score at 24 h, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) and functional outcome at 90 days after acute intervention. Multivariable linear and logistic regression and propensity score matching (PSM) was used to quantify the effect of statin pre-treatment., [Results] Of 93,849 patients, 23,651 (25.2%) were treated with statins prior the AIS. Statin pre-treatment group was older and had higher comorbidity. Median NIHSS at baseline was similar between groups. In the adjusted and PSM analysis, statin pre-treatment was inversely associated with baseline NIHSS (odds ratio (OR) = 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.6–0.99 and OR for PSM 0.73, 95% CI = 0.54–0.99, p = 0.004) and independently associated with mild stroke defined as NIHSS ⩽8 in adjusted and PSM analysis (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.1–1.34, p, [Conclusion] Prior treatment with statins was associated with lower NIHSS at baseline. However, this association did not translate into any difference regarding functional outcome at 90 days. No association was found regarding SICH. These findings indicate the need of further studies to assess the effect on statin pre-treatment on initial stroke severity.

Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked disorder of glycosphingolipid metabolism caused by pathogenic variants within the alpha-galactosidase A (GLA) gene, often leading to neurological manifestations including stroke. Multiple screening programs seeking GLA variants among stroke survivors lacked detailed phenotype description, making the interpretation of the detected variant’s pathogenicity difficult. Here, we describe detailed clinical characteristics of GLA variant carriers identified by a nationwide stroke screening program in the Czech Republic. A total of 23 individuals with 8 different GLA variants were included in the study. A comprehensive diagnostic workup was performed by a team of FD specialists. The investigation led to the suggestion of phenotype reclassification for the G325S mutation from late-onset to classical. A novel variant R30K was found and was classified as a variant of unknown significance (VUS). The typical manifestation in our FD patients was a stroke occurring in the posterior circulation with an accompanying pathological finding in the cerebrospinal fluid. Moreover, we confirmed that cornea verticillata is typically associated with classical variants. Our findings underline the importance of detailed phenotype description and data sharing in the correct identification of pathogenicity of gene variants detected by high-risk-population screening programs.

[Background and objective] We aimed to evaluate the safety and outcomes of thrombectomy in anterior circulation acute ischaemic stroke recorded in the SITS–International Stroke Thrombectomy Register (SITS-ISTR) and compare them with pooled randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and two national registry studies., [Methods] We identified centres recording ≥10 consecutive patients in the SITS-ISTR with at least 70% of available modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3 months during 2014–2019. We defined large artery occlusion as intracranial internal carotid artery, first and second segment of middle cerebral artery and first segment of anterior cerebral artery. Outcome measures were functional independence (mRS score 0-2) and death at 3 months and symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (SICH) per modified SITS-MOST., [Results] Results are presented in the following order: SITS-ISTR, RCTs, MR CLEAN Registry and German Stroke Registry (GSR). Median age was 73, 68, 71 and 75 years; baseline NIHSS score was 16, 17, 16 and 15; prior intravenous thrombolysis was 62%, 83%, 78% and 56%; onset to reperfusion time was 289, 285, 267 and 249 min; successful recanalization (mTICI score 2b or 3) was 86%, 71%, 59% and 83%; functional independence at 3 months was 45.5% (95% CI: 44–47), 46.0% (42–50), 38% (35–41) and 37% (35–41), respectively; death was 19.2% (19–21), 15.3% (12.7–18.4), 29.2% (27–32) and 28.6% (27–31); and SICH was 3.6% (3–4), 4.4% (3.0–6.4), 5.8% (4.7–7.1) and not available., [Conclusion] Thrombectomy in routine clinical use registered in the SITS-ISTR showed safety and outcomes comparable to RCTs, and better functional outcomes and lower mortality than previous national registry studies., SITS (Safe Implementation of Treatment in Stroke) is financed directly and indirectly by grants from Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm County Council, the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation, the Swedish Order of St. John, Friends of Karolinska Institutet and private donors, as well as from an unrestricted sponsorship from Boehringer Ingelheim. SITS has previously received grants from the European Union Framework 7, the European Union Public Health Authority, Ferrer International and EVER Pharma. SITS is currently conducting studies supported by Boehringer Ingelheim and Biogen, as well as in collaboration with Karolinska Institutet, supported by Stryker, Covidien and Phenox. N Ahmed is supported by grants provided by the Stockholm County Council and the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation. S Holmin is supported by grants provided by the Söderberg Foundations, the Stockholm County Council, the Erling Persson Foundation, VINNOVA and HMT. Irene Escudero-Martínez has received a grant from ‘Fundación Progreso y Salud, Junta de Andalucía’ (grant EF-0437-2018). RM has been supported by the project no. LQ1605 from the National Program of Sustainability II (MEYS CR). RH has been supported by the grants no. DRO–UHHK 00179906 from the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic and no. PROGRES Q40 from Charles University, Czech Republic.

Background Cryptogenic strokes can be estimated to ∼3500 patients in the Czech (CZ) and 2000 patients in Slovak (SK) republics. Systematic screening in these patients and methods of ECG monitoring are generally uneven across different hospitals and districts. Purpose Assessment of integrated screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) after cryptogenic stroke was launched in collaboration with Czech Society of Cardiology and stroke centers in the year 2016. Methods Patients with stroke of unknown source within the last 3 weeks, and without AF/atrial tachycardia (AT) detected during in-hospital ECG monitoring, were referred by stroke centers into integrated database of the MDT center, who subsequently contacted the patients and shipped the loop/continuous ECG recorder (Vitaphone, Faros, ECGPocket) with automatic data transmission over cell phone to them directly home or into aftercare unit. ECG monitoring was scheduled for 3 weeks, and the data were regularly edited and evaluated to inform the referring stroke centers in case of AF detection. Upon termination of ECG monitoring, the device was returned to the MDT center, and the final report was sent to the referring physician for eventual treatment decision. Results The project involved 36 stroke centers in the CZ and 11 centers in SK. A total of 3.120 patients (65±17 years, 46% females) were monitored for 21.6±5.3 days. AF was detected in 308 (9.9%) patients. Additional findings included: AV block II-III in 62 (2%), NSVT over 5 QRS complexes in 249 (8%), sinus pauses over 4 seconds in 17 (0.5%), and regular SVT over 5 minutes in 69 (2.2%) patients. Total monitoring costs amounted to 374 400 € (120 €/patient). In CZ, the counts of monitored patients in 2016, 2017, 2018 were 302, 754, and 1148, which accounted for ∼10%, 21%, and 32%, respectively, of eligible patients. Conclusion Systematic screening of patients after cryptogenic stroke with integrated ECG monitoring has become adopted within 3 years to cover 39% of eligible patients in CZ. Besides approximately 10% AF/AT detection, clinically significant arrhythmias were identified in another 13% of patients.

Available data from observational studies on the association of admission hyperglycemia (aHG) with outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) are contradictory, especially when stratified by diabetes mellitus (DM) history. We assessed the association of aHG (≥144 mg/dL) with outcomes stratified by DM history using propensity score–matched (PSM) data from the SITS-ISTR. The primary safety outcome was symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH); 3-month functional independence (FI) (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] scores 0–2) represented the primary efficacy outcome. Patients with and without aHG did not differ in baseline characteristics both in the non-DM (n = 12,318) and DM (n = 6,572) PSM subgroups. In the non-DM group, patients with aHG had lower 3-month FI rates (53.3% vs. 57.9%, P < 0.001), higher 3-month mortality rates (19.2% vs. 16.0%, P < 0.001), and similar symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) rates (1.7% vs. 1.8%, P = 0.563) compared with patients without aHG. Similarly, in the DM group, patients with aHG had lower rates of 3-month favorable functional outcome (mRS scores 0–1, 34.1% vs. 39.3%, P < 0.001) and FI (48.2% vs. 52.5%, P < 0.001), higher 3-month mortality rates (23.7% vs. 19.9%, P < 0.001), and similar SICH rates (2.2% vs. 2.7%, P = 0.224) compared with patients without aHG. In conclusion, aHG was associated with unfavorable 3-month clinical outcomes in patients with and without DM and AIS treated with IVT.

Background and purposeTriage tools to identify candidates for thrombectomy are of utmost importance in acute stroke. No prognostic tool has yet gained any widespread use. We compared the predictive value of various models based on National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) subitems, ranging from simple to more complex models, for predicting large artery occlusion (LAO) in anterior circulation stroke.MethodsPatients registered in the SITS international Stroke Register with available NIHSS and radiological arterial occlusion data were analysed. We compared 2042 patients harbouring an LAO with 2881 patients having no/distal occlusions. Using binary logistic regression, we developed models ranging from simple 1 NIHSS-subitem to full NIHSS-subitems models. Sensitivities and specificities of the models for predicting LAO were examined.ResultsThe model with highest predictive value included all NIHSS subitems for predicting LAO (area under the curve (AUC) 0.77), yielding a sensitivity and specificity of 69% and 76%, respectively. The second most predictive model (AUC 0.76) included 4-NIHSS-subitems (level of consciousness commands, gaze, facial and arm motor function) yielding a sensitivity and specificity of 67% and 75%, respectively. The simplest model included only deficits in arm motor-function (AUC 0.72) for predicting LAO, yielding a sensitivity and specificity of 67% and 72%, respectively.ConclusionsAlthough increasingly more complex models yield a higher discriminative performance for predicting LAO, differences between models are not large. Assessing grade of arm dysfunction along with an established stroke-diagnosis model may serve as a surrogate measure of arterial occlusion-status, thereby assisting in triage decisions.

Background: In randomized clinical trials (RCTs) mechanical thrombectomy (MT) was proved to be a highly effective and safe treatment in acute ischemic stroke. Its efficacy and safety in routine practice needs to be documented. Methods: Available nationwide 2016 data for the Czech Republic (CR) from SITS-TBY registry of patients with terminal internal carotid artery (ICA) and/or middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion were compared with data from HERMES meta-analysis. Categorical variables were compared by Pearson′s Chi-squared test, ordinal/continuous variables by Mann-Whitney test. Results: Fourteen/15 comprehensive stroke centres reported data to SITS-TBY. From 1,053 MTs performed in the CR, 845 (80%) patients were reported to SITS-TBY. From these patients, 605 (72%) patients were involved in analyses (available outcome data in Tab.). CR and HERMES patients were comparable in: age, sex, baseline NIHSS. Occlusion locations were as follows (CR vs. HERMES): ICA 22% vs. 21% (p=0.16), M1 MCA 62% vs. 69% (p=0.004), M2 MCA 16% vs. 8% (p Conclusions: This nationwide experience on mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke documents safety, efficacy and logistics comparable with HERMES data. Tab. Comparison on available demographic characteristics, past medical history, clinical and radiological characteristics, treatment details and outcomes in SITS-TBY versus HERMES.

BackgroundRandomized clinical trials have proven mechanical thrombectomy (MT) to be a highly effective and safe treatment in acute stroke. The purpose of this study was to compare neurothrombectomy data from the Czech Republic (CR) with data from the HERMES meta-analysis.MethodsAvailable nationwide data for the CR from 2016 from the Safe Implementation of Treatments in Stroke–Thrombectomy (SITS-TBY) registry for patients with terminal internal carotid artery (ICA) and/or middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusions were compared with data from HERMES. CR and HERMES patients were comparable in age, sex, and baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores.ResultsFrom a total of 1053 MTs performed in the CR, 845 (80%) were reported in the SITS-TBY. From these, 604 (72%) were included in this study. Occlusion locations were as follows (CR vs HERMES): ICA 22% versus 21% (P=0.16), M1 MCA 62% versus 69% (P=0.004), and M2 MCA 16% versus 8% (PConclusionsData on efficacy, safety, and logistics of MT from the CR were similar to data from the HERMES collaboration.