We sought to determine the prevalence of fetal posterior cerebral artery (fPCA) and if fPCA was associated with specific stroke etiology and vessel territory affected. This paper is a retrospective review of prospectively identified patients with acute ischemic stroke from July 2008 to December 2010. We defined complete fPCA as absence of a P1 segment linking the basilar with the PCA and partial fPCA as small segment linking the basilar with the PCA. Patients without intracranial vascular imaging were excluded. We compared patients with complete fPCA, partial fPCA, and without fPCA in terms of demographics, stroke severity, distribution, and etiology and factored in whether the stroke was ipsilateral to the fPCA. Of the 536 included patients, 9.5% (n = 51) had complete fPCA and 15.1% (n = 81) had partial fPCA. Patients with complete fPCA were older and more often female than partial fPCA and no fPCA patients, and significant variation in TOAST classification was detected across groups (P = 0.023). Patients with complete fPCA had less small vessel and more large vessel strokes than patients with no fPCA and partial fPCA. Fetal PCA may predispose to stroke mechanism, but is not associated with vascular distribution, stroke severity, or early outcome.

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Background and Purpose The need for surgical feeding tube placement after acute stroke can be uncertain and associated with further morbidity. Methods Retrospective data were recorded and compared across patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We identified all feeding tubes placed as percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes (PEG). A prediction score for PEG tube placement was developed separately for AIS and ICH patients using logistic regression models of variables known by 24 hours from admission. Results Of 407 patients included, 51 (12.5%) underwent PEG tube placement (25 AIS and 26 ICH). The odds of an AIS patient with PEG score ≥3 of getting a PEG are greater than those with PEG score <3 (Odds Ratio 15.68, 95% CI 4.55-54.01). The odds of an ICH patient with PEG score ≥3 of getting a PEG are greater than those with PEG score <3 (Odds Ratio 12.49, 95% CI 1.54-101.29). Conclusions The PEG score, comprised by variables known within the first day of admission, may be a powerful predictor of PEG placement in patients with acute stroke.

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.

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Introduction: Cervical artery dissection (CeAD) is a major cause of ischemic stroke in young adults. Our understanding of the specific risk factors and clinical course of CeAD is still evolving. In this study, we evaluated the differential risk factors and outcomes of CeAD-related strokes among young adults. Methods: The study population consisted of young patients 15–45 years of age consecutively admitted with acute ischemic stroke to our comprehensive stroke center between January 1, 2010, and November 30, 2016. Diagnosis of CeAD was based on clinical and radiological findings. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess the risk factors and clinical outcomes associated with CeAD-related strokes. Results: Of the total 333 patients with acute ischemic stroke included in the study (mean ± SD age: 36.4 ± 7.1 years; women 50.8%), CeAD was identified in 79 (23.7%) patients. As compared to stroke due to other etiologies, patients with CeAD were younger in age, more likely to have history of migraine and recent neck manipulation and were less likely to have hypertension, diabetes, and previous history of stroke. Clinical outcomes of CeAD were comparable to strokes due to other etiologies. Within the CeAD group, higher initial stroke severity and history of tobacco use were associated with higher modified Rankin Scale score at follow-up. Conclusions: While history of migraine and neck manipulation are significantly associated with CeAD, most of the traditional vascular risk factors for stroke are less prevalent in this group when compared to strokes due to other etiologies. For CeAD-related strokes, higher initial stroke severity and history of tobacco use may be associated with higher stroke-related disability, but overall, patients with CeAD have similar outcomes as compared to strokes due to other etiologies.

ObjectiveTo determine predictors of early recovery of functional swallow in patients who had gastrostomy (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy [PEG]) placement for dysphagia and were discharged to inpatient rehabilitation (IPR) after stroke.MethodsA retrospective study of prospectively identified patients with acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke from July 2008 to August 2012 was conducted. Patients who had PEG during stroke admission and were discharged to IPR, were studied. We compared demographics, stroke characteristics, severity of dysphagia, stroke admission events and medications in patients who remained PEG-dependent after IPR with those who recovered functional swallow.ResultsPatients who remained PEG dependent were significantly older (73 vs. 54 years, p=0.009). Recovery of swallow was more frequent for hemorrhagic stroke patients (80% vs. 47%, p=0.079). Age, adjusting for side of stroke (odds ratio [OR], 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82-0.98; p=0.016) and left-sided strokes, adjusting for age (OR, 15.15; 95% CI, 1.32-173.34; p=0.028) were significant predictors of swallow recovery. Patients who recovered swallowing by discharge from IPR were more likely to be discharged home compared to those who remained PEG-dependent (90% vs. 42%, p=0.009).ConclusionYounger age and left-sided stroke may be predictive factors of early recovery of functional swallow in patients who received PEG. Prospective validation is important as avoidance of unnecessary procedures could reduce morbidity and healthcare costs.

BackgroundWhile diffuse atherosclerotic disease affecting the posterior circulation has been described extensively, the prevalence, natural history and angiographic characteristics of isolated symptomatic basilar artery stenosis (ISBAS) remain unknown.MethodsWe reviewed our prospective institutional database to identify patients with ≥50% symptomatic basilar artery (BA) stenosis without significant atherosclerotic burden in the vertebral or posterior cerebral arteries. Stroke mechanism, collateral circulation, and degree and length of stenosis were analysed. The primary outcome was time from index event to new transient ischaemic attack (TIA), acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) or death. Other outcome variables included modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score on discharge and last follow-up.ResultsOf 6369 patients with AIS/TIA, 91 (1.43%) had ISBAS. Seventy-three (80.2%) patients presented with AIS and 18 (19.8%) with TIA. Twenty-nine (31.9%) were women and the median age was 66.8±13.6 years. The mean follow-up time was 2.7 years. The most common stroke mechanism was artery-to-artery thromboembolism (45.2%), followed by perforator occlusion (28.7%) and flow-dependent/hypoperfusion (15.1%). The percentage of stenosis was lower in patients who had favourable outcome compared with those with mRS 3–6 on discharge (78.3±14.3 vs 86.9±14.5, p=0.007). Kaplan-Meier curves showed higher recurrence/death rates in patients with ≥80% stenosis, mid-basilar location and poor collateral circulation. Approximately 13% of patients with ISBAS presented with complete BA occlusion.ConclusionISBAS is an uncommon (1.43%) cause of TIA and AIS. Men in their 60s are mostly affected, and artery-to-artery embolism is the most common stroke mechanism. Mid-basilar location, ≥80% stenosis and poor collateral circulation are important factors associated with worse prognosis.