Validation of minor stroke definitions for thrombolysis decision making

Tai Hwan Park, Keun Sik Hong, Jay Chol Choi, Pamela Song, Ji Sung Lee, Juneyoung Lee, Jong Moo Park, Kyusik Kang, Kyung Bok Lee, Yong Jin Cho, Gustavo Saposnik, Moon Ku Han, Hee Joon Bae

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Patients with low National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores are frequently excluded from thrombolysis, but more than 25% of them remain disabled. We sought to define a validated minor stroke definition to reduce the inappropriate treatment exclusion. Methods: From an outcome database, untreated patients with an NIHSS score of 5 or less presenting within a 4.5-hour window were identified and 3-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS) outcomes were analyzed according to individual isolated symptoms and total NIHSS scores. The validity of the following minor stroke definitions were assessed: (1) the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Tissue Plasminogen Activator (NINDS-TPA) trials' definition, (2) the total NIHSS score, varying a cutoff point from 0 to 4, and (3) our proposed definition that included an NIHSS score = 0 or an NIHSS score = 1 on the items of level of consciousness (LOC), gaze, facial palsy, sensory, or dysarthria. Results: Of 647 patients, 172 patients (26.6%) had a 3-month unfavorable outcome (mRS score 2-6). Favorable outcome was achieved in more than 80% of patients with an NIHSS score of 1 or less or with an isolated symptom on the LOC, gaze, facial palsy, sensory, or dysarthria item. In contrast, unfavorable outcome proportion was more than 25% in patients with an NIHSS score of 2 or more. When the NINDS-TPA trials' definition, our definition, or the definition of an NIHSS score of 1 or less were applied, more than 75% of patients with an unfavorable outcome were defined as a non-minor stroke and less than 15% of patients with an unfavorable outcome were defined as a minor stroke. Conclusion: Implementation of an optimal definition of minor stroke into thrombolysis decision-making process would decrease the unfavorable outcomes in patients with low NIHSS scores.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)482-490
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases
Volume22
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Funding: This work was supported by the 2013 Inje University research grant (K.-S.H.).

Copyright:
Copyright 2015 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Minor stroke definition
  • NINDS-TPA trials
  • acute ischemic stroke
  • outcome
  • thrombolysis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Rehabilitation
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Validation of minor stroke definitions for thrombolysis decision making'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this