Neurología (English Edition) (Apr 2022)
Ischaemic stroke as a complication of cardiac catheterisation. Clinical and radiological characteristics, progression, and therapeutic implications
Abstract
Introduction: Ischaemic stroke is the most common neurological complication of cardiac catheterisation. This study aims to analyse the clinical and prognostic differences between post-catheterisation stroke code (SC) and all other in-hospital and prehospital SC. Methods: We prospectively recorded SC activation at our centre between March 2011 and April 2016. Patients were grouped according to whether SC was activated post-catheterisation, in-hospital but not post-catheterisation, or before arrival at hospital; groups were compared in terms of clinical and radiological characteristics, therapeutic approach, functional status, and three-month mortality. Results: The sample included 2224 patients, of whom 31 presented stroke post-catheterisation. Baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was lower for post-catheterisation SC than for other in-hospital SC and pre-hospital SC (5, 10, and 7, respectively; P = .02), and SC was activated sooner (50, 100, and 125 minutes, respectively; P < .001). Furthermore, post-catheterisation SC were more frequently due to transient ischaemic attack (38%, 8%, and 9%, respectively; P < .001) and less frequently to proximal artery occlusion (17.9%, 31.4%, and 39.2%, respectively; P = .023). The majority of patients with post-catheterisation strokes (89.7%) did not receive reperfusion therapy; 60% of the patients with proximal artery occlusion received endovascular treatment. The mortality rate was 12.95% for post-catheterisation strokes and 25% for all other in-hospital strokes. Although patients with post-catheterisation stroke had a better functional prognosis, the adjusted analysis showed that this effect was determined by their lower initial severity. Conclusions: Post-catheterisation stroke is initially less severe, and presents more often as transient ischaemic attack and less frequently as proximal artery occlusion. Most post-catheterisation strokes are not treated with reperfusion; in case of artery occlusion, mechanical thrombectomy is the preferred treatment. Resumen: Introducción: El ictus es la complicación neurológica más frecuente tras una coronariografía. Nuestro objetivo fue estudiar las diferencias clínicas y pronósticas entre los códigos ictus (CI) poscateterismo y el resto de CI intra y extrahospitalarios. Métodos: Registro prospectivo de activación de CI entre marzo de 2011 y abril de 2016 en nuestro centro. Comparamos características clínicas, radiológicas, tratamiento administrado, situación funcional y mortalidad a 3 meses dependiendo de si se trató de un CI poscateterismo, del resto de CI intrahospitalarios o extrahospitalarios. Resultados: De 2.224 activaciones de CI 31 fueron poscateterismo. Los CI poscateterismo presentaron una NIHSS basal menor respecto al resto de CI intrahospitalarios y extrahospitalarios (5 vs. 10 vs. 7 respectivamente, p = 0,02), mayor rapidez en la activación (50 min vs. 100 min vs. 125 min, p < 0,001), mayor presentación en forma de AIT (38% vs. 8% vs. 9%, p < 0,001) y menor tasa de oclusión arterial proximal (17,9% vs. 31.4% vs. 39.2%, p = 0,023). El 89,7% de ictus poscateterismo no recibieron tratamiento de reperfusión. En caso de oclusión arterial proximal el 60% recibió tratamiento endovascular. La mortalidad fue del 12,95% en los CI poscateterismo y del 25% en el resto de CI intrahospitalarios. Aunque los ictus poscateterismo presentaron mejor pronóstico funcional, el análisis ajustado mostró que este efecto estaba determinado por su menor gravedad inicial. Conclusiones: El ictus poscateterismo tiene una menor gravedad inicial, aparece más frecuentemente como AIT y presenta menor incidencia de oclusión arterial proximal. La mayoría no recibe tratamiento de reperfusión, pero cuando existe oclusión arterial, la mayor parte de ellos son tratados mediante trombectomía.