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Ischemic Stroke
Original research
Early neurologic decline in acute ischemic stroke patients receiving thrombolysis with large vessel occlusion and mild deficits
  1. Vivien H Lee1,
  2. Gaurav Thakur1,
  3. Shahid M Nimjee2,
  4. Patrick P Youssef2,
  5. Sushil Lakhani1,
  6. Sharon Heaton1,
  7. Ciaran J Powers2
  1. 1 Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
  2. 2 Department of Neurosurgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Vivien H Lee, Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; vivien.lee{at}osumc.edu

Abstract

Background We sought to determine the rate of early neurologic decline (END) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with large vessel occlusion (LVO) who presented with mild deficits and received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IVtPA).

Methods Among 1022 patients with AIS who received IVtPA from 2014 to 2019, we identified 313 (30.6%) with LVO, of which 94 (30%) presented with National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≤7. Thirteen patients were excluded, leaving 81 for analysis. END was defined as NIHSS worsening of ≥4 points within 24 hours.

Results Among 81 patients with LVO and low NIHSS score, the mean age was 65.8 years (range 25–93) and 41% were female. The mean time to IVtPA from last known well was 2.5 hours (range 0.8–7). LVO sites were as follows: 5 (6%) carotid, 23 (28%) M1, and 53 (65%) M2 occlusions. Among the 81 patients, 28 (34.6%) had END, and these patients were older (70.8 vs 63.2 years, p=0.036). The mean change in NIHSS score at 24 hours in those with END was 10.4 (range 4–22). Patients with END were less likely to be discharged home (25% vs 66%, p=0.004).

Conclusions Among patients with LVO AIS who received IVtPA, 30% presented with initial mild deficits. END occurred in one-third of LVO patients with initial mild deficits despite receiving IVtPA. Clinicians should be aware that the natural history of LVO with initial mild deficits is not benign and these patients are eligible for rescue thrombectomy in the 24-hour window if they deteriorate.

  • stroke
  • thrombolysis
  • thrombectomy

https://doi.org/10.1136/neurintsurg-2020-015871

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    Footnotes

    • Twitter @VivienHLee

    • Contributors VHL designed the data collection tools, collected and analyzed the data, and drafted and revised the paper. GT analyzed the data and drafted and revised the paper. SMN analyzed the data and drafted and revised the paper. PPY analyzed the data and drafted and revised the paper. SL analyzed the data and drafted and revised the paper. SH analyzed the data and drafted and revised the paper. CJP analyzed the data and drafted and revised the paper.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient consent for publication Not required.

    • Ethics approval The OSUMC IRB approved this research project.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

    • Data availability statement Data are available upon reasonable request.