Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Potential Embolic Sources and Outcomes in Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source in the NAVIGATE-ESUS Trial.
Background and Purpose- Emboli in embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) may originate from various potential embolic sources (PES), some of which may respond better to anticoagulation, whereas others to antiplatelets. We analyzed whether rivaroxaban is associated with reduction of recurrent stroke compared with aspirin in patients with ESUS across different PES and by number of PES. Methods- We assessed the presence/absence of each PES (atrial cardiopathy, atrial fibrillation, arterial atherosclerosis, left ventricular dysfunction, cardiac valvulopathy, patent foramen ovale, cancer) in NAVIGATE-ESUS (New Approach Rivaroxaban Inhibition of Factor Xa in a Global Trial Versus ASA to Prevent Embolism in Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source) participants. ⋯ Conclusions- A large proportion of patients with ESUS had multiple PES which could explain the neutral results of NAVIGATE-ESUS. Recurrence rates between rivaroxaban- and aspirin-assigned patients were similar across the spectrum of PES. Registration- URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02313909.
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Multicenter Study
Regional Variation in Transient Ischemic Attack and Minor Stroke in Alberta Emergency Departments.
Background and Purpose- Multiple studies have shown the 90-day risk of stroke following an emergency department (ED) diagnosis of transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke is significant, with the greatest risk of recurrence being within the first 24 to 48 hours following initial symptom onset. This study explored regional differences in ED disposition, neuroimaging, and subsequent 90-day stroke risk of patients diagnosed with TIA or minor stroke in Alberta. Methods- We used administrative databases to identify ED visits, neuroimaging, and 90-day return visits for TIA or minor stroke in Alberta from April 2011 to March 2016 among adults ≥20 years of age and stratified them based on regions of presentation (Edmonton, Calgary, or nonmajor urban). ⋯ All 3 regions had a similar number of ED visits for TIA/minor stroke; however, on index ED visit, Calgary had a higher proportion of computed tomographic angiography imaging (48.8%; P<0.0001) compared with Edmonton (6.7%) and nonmajor urban region (5.7%) and higher proportion of discharged patients (83%; P<0.0001) compared with Edmonton (77.7%) and nonmajor urban region (73.5%). The risk of admission for stroke within 90 days of discharge after index ED visit for TIA/minor stroke in Calgary (3.4%) was lower than Edmonton (4.5%) and the nonmajor urban region (4.6%; P=0.002). Conclusions- This study demonstrates regional variation in computed tomographic angiography for neurovascular imaging of patients presenting to the ED for TIA/minor stroke and a possible association with frequency of index visit admission and 90-day readmission for the same problem.