Stroke-mimics in stroke-units. Evaluation after changes imposed by randomized trials

Abstract

A larger therapeutic window for stroke treatment requires a significant change in the organization of emergency services, avoiding the increase in number of imaging exams and indirectly the time to treatment. Objective: To highlight the relation between faster clinical evaluation and stroke over-suspicion and consequently excessive imaging acquisition. To identify predictors of ischemic stroke and stroke mimics (SM), aiming for better patient selection for comprehensive neuroimaging and reperfusion therapies. Methods: Retrospective, cohort, observational, single-center study that reviewed all consecutive files of patients presenting with acute neurological symptoms who underwent CT scan or MRI from July 1, 2016 to July 1, 2017. Results: 736 patient files were reviewed. 385 patients (52.3%) presented with confirmed acute ischemic infarct, 93 (12.6%) had another brain lesion mimicking acute ischemia, and 258 (35.1%) had normal imaging. Acute stroke was more frequent in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation, arterial hypertension, or dysarthria or right motor impairment. Stroke mimic was associated with female patients with low vascular risk factors, low NIHSS, and patients with decreased level of consciousness or symptoms suggestive of posterior circulation. Discussion: 47.7% of all patients seen at the stroke unit did not have acute stroke lesions. Clinical assessment data have been used to provide indicators of acute stroke and stroke mimic patients, and symptoms corresponding to acute stroke and stroke mimic seem to be similar in the literature. Conclusion: Considering that the number of patients admitted for stroke treatment will increase even further with a larger therapeutic window for mechanical thrombectomy and for thrombolysis, a diagnostic decision-making algorithm for stroke patients is required in order to reinforce the suspicion of stroke indicating an urgent MRI.

Resumo

Uma janela terapêutica maior para o tratamento do AVC exige uma mudança significativa na organização dos serviços de emergência, para evitar o aumento do número de exames de imagem e indiretamente o tempo de tratamento. Objetivo: destacar a relação entre avaliação clínica mais rápida e suspeita de acidente vascular cerebral e, consequentemente, aquisição de imagem excessiva, e identificar preditores de acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico e imitações de acidente vascular cerebral (SM), visando uma melhor seleção de pacientes para terapias abrangentes de neuroimagem e reperfusão. Métodos: estudo observacional de coorte retrospectivo, em centro único, que revisou todos os arquivos consecutivos de pacientes com sintomas neurológicos agudos submetidos à tomografia computadorizada ou ressonância magnética de 1 de julho de 2016 a 1 de julho de 2017. Resultados: Foram revisados 736 prontuários. 385 pacientes (52,3%) apresentaram infarto isquêmico agudo confirmado, 93 (12,6%) apresentaram outra lesão cerebral imitando isquemia aguda e 258 (35,1%) apresentaram imagem normal. O AVC agudo foi mais frequente em pacientes idosos com fibrilação atrial, hipertensão arterial, ou disartria ou comprometimento motor direito. A imitação de acidente vascular cerebral foi associada a pacientes do sexo feminino com baixos fatores de risco vascular, NIHSS baixo e pacientes com diminuição do nível de consciência ou sintomas sugestivos de circulação posterior. Discussão: 47,7% de todos os pacientes atendidos na unidade de AVC não apresentaram lesões agudas de AVC. Conclusão: Considerando que o número de pacientes admitidos para tratamento de AVC aumentará ainda mais com uma janela terapêutica maior para trombectomia e trombólise IV, é necessário um algoritmo de tomada de decisão diagnóstica para pacientes com AVC, a fim de reforçar a suspeita de AVC indicando uma imagem cerebral urgente.

Keywords:

stroke - stroke mimic - thrombectomy - thrombolysis

Palavras-chave:

acidente vascular cerebral - imitação de acidente vascular cerebral - trombectomia - trombólise

Publication History

Received: 26 August 2019

Accepted: 18 September 2019

Article published online:
13 June 2023

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