Related Experiment Videos
Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation and Risk of Recurrent Stroke After Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source:
Farhan Khan1, Christoph Stretz1, Skylar Lewis1
1Department of Neurology Brown University Providence RI USA.
Background:
Although the embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) construct was proposed as a unifying concept for embolic-appearing strokes without an identified cause, it includes patients with diverse and often unrecognized underlying mechanisms. This study investigates the differential rate of recurrent stroke according to the completeness of neurodiagnostic testing in a diverse multicenter cohort.
Methods:
This was a retrospective analysis of a multicenter observational cohort study (n=27 sites). ESUS was categorized into 3 groups: (1) established mechanism after further workup (ESUS-E), (2) comprehensive diagnostic workup without an identified cause (ESUS 2.0), and (3) no advanced workup. The primary outcome of recurrent ischemic stroke was compared between ESUS with established mechanism and ESUS 2.0 versus ESUS with no advanced workup and was assessed using adjusted Cox proportional hazards models.
Results:
Among 2281 patients, the mean age was 65 years, and 50.1% were men. 694 (30.4%) classified as ESUS-E, 1,243 (54.5%) classified as ESUS-NAW, and 344 (15.1%) as ESUS 2.0. The ESUS 2.0 group had a significantly lower risk of recurrent stroke than both the group with ESUS with no advanced workup (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.31 [95% CI, 0.13-0.76]) and the group with ESUS with established mechanism (aHR, 0.35 [95% CI, 0.15-0.85]). Within the group with ESUS with established mechanism, cancer (aHR, 5.33 [95% CI, 2.09-13.63]) and nonstenosing atherosclerotic disease or arch atheroma (aHR, 3.40 [95% CI, 1.18-9.83]) were associated with significantly increased risk of recurrence when compared with the group with ESUS 2.0.
Conclusions:
These findings demonstrate a lower risk of recurrent stroke in patients classified as ESUS 2.0 than reported in prior ESUS trials and highlight the importance of age-appropriate advanced diagnostic evaluation.
Registration:
URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT06398366.
Related Concept Videos
Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography
Types of Echocardiography
Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
TTE is the most common type of echocardiogram which involves placing a transducer on the patient's chest, emitting sound waves to create heart images. TTE is invaluable for evaluating the heart's size, structure, and motion, making it particularly useful for diagnosing...
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology