Background Elevation of factor VIII is associated with higher risk of large vessel arterial occlusions including stroke. Methods Factor VIII levels were examined in consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) presenting to a single center between July 2008 and May 2012. Factor VIII levels exceeding the laboratory reference range were considered elevated (>150%). Results Factor VIII level was elevated in 72.4% (84 of 116) of the patients. Elevated factor VIII level was more frequent in blacks, diabetics, and patients who were anemic. Patients with elevated factor VIII had higher median baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS; 5 vs 2, P = .0295) and twice the frequency of neuroworsening (21.4% vs 9.4%), but discharge NIHSS and modified Rankin Scale were similar in the groups. Conclusions High factor VIII level was found in the majority of tested patients with AIS. Several baseline differences were found between patients with normal and high factor VIII levels, but no differences were identified in outcome.

Introduction The use of a medical data registry allows institutions to effectively manage information for many different investigations related to the registry, as well as evaluate patient's trends over time, with the ultimate goal of recognizing trends that may improve outcomes in a particular patient population. Methods The purpose of this article is to illustrate our experience with a stroke patient registry at a comprehensive stroke center and highlight advantages, disadvantages, and lessons learned in the process of designing, implementing, and maintaining a stroke registry. We detail the process of stroke registry methodology, common data element (CDE) definitions, the generation of manuscripts from a registry, and the limitations. Advantages The largest advantage of a registry is the ability to prospectively add patients, while allowing investigators to go back and collect information retrospectively if needed. The continuous addition of new patients increases the sample size of studies from year to year, and it also allows reflection on clinical practices from previous years and the ability to investigate trends in patient management over time. Limitations The greatest limitation in this registry pertains to our single-entry technique where multiple sites of data entry and transfer may generate errors within the registry. Lessons Learned To reduce the potential for errors and maximize the accuracy and efficiency of the registry, we invest significant time in training competent registry users and project leaders. With effective training and transition of leadership positions, which are continuous and evolving processes, we have attempted to optimize our clinical research registry for knowledge gain and quality improvement at our center.

Background To date, few studies have assessed the influence of infections present on admission (POA) compared with hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) on neurologic deterioration (ND) and other outcome measures in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods Patients admitted with AIS to our stroke center (July 2010 to December 2010) were retrospectively assessed. The following infections were assessed: urinary tract infection, pneumonia, and bacteremia. Additional chart review was performed to determine whether the infection was POA or HAI. We assessed the relationship between infections in ischemic stroke patients and several outcome measures including ND and poor functional outcome. A mediation analysis was performed to assess the indirect effects of HAI, ND, and poor functional outcome. Results Of the 334 patients included in this study, 77 had any type of infection (23 POA). After adjusting for age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at baseline, glucose on admission, and intravenous tissue plasminogen activator, HAI remained a significant predictor of ND (odds ratio [OR] = 8.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.2–18.7, P < .0001) and poor functional outcome (OR = 41.7, 95% CI: 5.2–337.9, P = .005), whereas infections POA were no longer associated with ND or poor functional outcome. In an adjusted analysis, we found that 57% of the effect from HAI infections on poor functional outcome is because of mediation through ND (P <.0001). Conclusions Our data suggests that HAI in AIS patients increases the odds of experiencing ND and subsequently increases the odds of being discharged with significant disability. This mediated effect suggests a preventable cause of ND that can thereby decrease the odds of poor functional outcomes after an AIS.

Objective: We sought to determine the proportion of patients with elevated factor VIII (FVIII) levels whose FVIII levels remain elevated after the acute phase of stroke, and the patient characteristics that predict sustained elevation of FVIII levels. Background: Factor VIII plays a major role in the fluid phase of blood coagulation. Elevated FVIII has been shown to increase risk of venous and arterial thrombosis. The importance of screening for elevated FVIII after a first thrombotic event especially acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has not been adequately investigated. Design/Methods: We reviewed FVIII levels taken at baseline and follow-up in patients with AIS treated at our stroke center from July 2008 to June 2012. Elevated FVIII was defined as >150%. Baseline demographics, laboratory data, clinical course, outcomes, and time to follow-up were collected in patients with elevated FVIII at baseline and data was compared in patients who had normalized FVIII with patients whose FVIII remained elevated at least 7 days later. Results: Repeat FVIII levels were available for 34/111 patients with elevated FVIII level with AIS. FVIII remained elevated in 68% after a median interval of 110 days. Factors associated with persistent elevation included higher baseline FVIII level (239 vs 185%, p=0.015), elevated CRP (73.3 vs 12.5%, p=0.008), lower baseline NIHSS (4 vs 8, p=0.046), and longer length of hospital stay (8 vs. 3, p=0.0063). Normalization of FVIII was associated with tPA use (54.5% vs 13%, p=0.016). No relationship was found between persistently elevated FVIII and baseline demographics, clinical course and outcomes. Conclusion: Persistently elevated FVIII after AIS may be predicted by higher baseline levels and elevations in CRP. Despite worse baseline stroke severity, patient with normalization of FVIII had similar outcomes as those with persistent elevation, which may be explained by the higher use of tPA in the normalized group. The relevance of elevated FVIII in stroke is not well understood. Our preliminary results suggest elevations persist in the majority and may not merely represent an acute phase reactant.

Introduction: To date, few studies have assessed the influence of infection on neurological deterioration (ND) and other outcome measures in acute ischemic stroke. Methods: Patients admitted to our stroke center (07/08-12/10) were retrospectively assessed. Patients were excluded if they had an in-hospital stroke, unknown time of symptom onset, or delay from symptom onset to hospital arrival >48 hours. Positive blood or urine culture, or chest x-ray consistent with pneumonia were classified as infection and stratified according to whether the infection was diagnosed within the first 24 hours of admission or after 24 hours. ND was defined as an increase ≥2 points on the NIHSS score within a 24hr period. Poor functional outcome was defined as a mRS score of 3-6 on discharge. Results: Of the 334 patients included in this study, 78 had an infection (19 on admission). The majority of infections were found in the urinary tract (64%), while pneumonia (37%) and bacteremia (24%) were also common. Infection on admission was predictive of ND (Table 1; OR=2.79, 95% CI 1.18-6.64, p=0.0211) and poor functional outcome (OR=3.0, 95% CI 1.1-7.9, p=0.0182). Developing an infection during acute hospitalization was an even stronger predictor of ND (OR=11.9, 95% CI 5.8-24.5, p<0.0001) and poor functional outcome (OR=56.4, 95% CI 7.7-414, p<0.0001). After adjusting for age, NIHSS at baseline and glucose on admission, the development of an infection during acute hospitalization remained a significant predictor of ND (OR=8.9, 95% CI 4.2-18.6, p<0.0001) and poor functional outcome (OR=41.7, 95% CI 5.2-337.9, p=0.005) while an infection on admission was no longer predictive of ND (OR=1.5, 95%CI 0.59-3.99, p=0.3738) or poor functional outcome (OR=1.09, 95%CI 0.3-3.9, p=0.8984). Conclusion: Our data suggest that ischemic stroke patients who develop an infection during their acute hospitalization are at increased odds of experiencing ND and of being discharged with significant disability.