D-dimer level and outcome of minor ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion

To determine the predictors of unfavorable outcomes in acute minor ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion.

The derivation cohort included ischemic stroke patients admitted to a comprehensive stroke center within 7 days after onset with large vessel occlusion and an initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 5 or less. An unfavorable outcome was defined as dependency (modified Rankin Scale score of 3 to 6) at 3 months from the onset. The predictive values of factors related to an unfavorable outcome were evaluated. External validation was performed from a stroke registry of a tertiary medical center.

In the derivation cohort, 3839 consecutive patients were screened; a total of 130 patients were included. Twenty-four (18%) patients had unfavorable outcomes. In multivariate analysis, D-dimer ≥1900 μg/l (odds ratio (OR) 3.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14-9.61, p = .028) and age (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.05-3.86, p = .035) were independently associated with an unfavorable outcome. No significant differences were observed regarding occluded vessel sites. In the validation cohort, 850 consecutive patients were screened; a total of 74 patients were included. D-dimer ≥1900 μg/l (OR 8.78, 95% CI 1.41-54.61, p = .020) was the only factor independently associated with an unfavorable outcome, as in the derivation cohort.

A high D-dimer level on admission could help predict unfavorable outcomes in patients with a minor ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion.