Influence of Hospital Type on Outcomes of Patients With Acute Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Population-Based Study.

Background And Objectives: Whether the outcome of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) differs depending on the type of hospital where they are admitted is uncertain. The objective of this study was to determine influence of hospital type at admission (telestroke center [TSC], primary stroke center [PSC], or comprehensive stroke center [CSC]) on outcome for patients with ICH. We hypothesized that outcomes may be better for patients admitted to a CSC.

Sex and gender differences in acute stroke care: metrics, access to treatment and outcome. A territorial analysis of the Stroke Code System of Catalonia.

Introduction: Previous studies have reported differences in the management and outcome of women stroke patients in comparison with men. We aim to analyze sex and gender differences in the medical assistance, access to treatment and outcome of acute stroke patients in Catalonia.

Patients And Methods: Data were obtained from a prospective population-based registry of stroke code activations in Catalonia (CICAT) from January/2016 to December/2019.

Association of Time of Day With Outcomes Among Patients Triaged for a Suspected Severe Stroke in Nonurban Catalonia.

Background: We aim to assess whether time of day modified the treatment effect in the RACECAT trial (Direct Transfer to an Endovascular Center Compared to Transfer to the Closest Stroke Center in Acute Stroke Patients With Suspected Large Vessel Occlusion Trial), a cluster-randomized trial that did not demonstrate the benefit of direct transportation to a thrombectomy-capable center versus nearest local stroke center for patients with a suspected large vessel stroke triaged in nonurban Catalonia between March 2017 and June 2020.

Methods: We performed a post hoc analysis of RACECAT to evaluate if the association between initial transport routing and functional outcome differed according to trial enrollment time: daytime (8:00 am-8:59 pm) and nighttime (9:00 pm-7:59 am). Primary outcome was disability at 90 days, as assessed by the shift analysis on the modified Rankin Scale score, in patients with ischemic stroke.

Workflow Times and Outcomes in Patients Triaged for a Suspected Severe Stroke.

Introduction: Current recommendations for regional stroke destination suggest that patients with severe acute stroke in non-urban areas should be triaged based on the estimated transport time to a referral thrombectomy-capable center.

Methods: We performed a post hoc analysis to evaluate the association of pre-hospital workflow times with neurological outcomes in patients included in the RACECAT trial. Workflow times evaluated were known or could be estimated before transport allocation.

Evolution of quality indicators in acute stroke during the RACECAT Trial: Impact in the general population.

Background: Acute ischemic stroke patients not referred directly to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) have reduced access to endovascular treatment (EVT). The RACECAT trial is a population-based cluster-randomized trial, designed to compare mothership and drip-and-ship strategies in acute ischemic stroke patients outside the catchment area of a CSC.

Aims: To analyze the evolution of performance indicators in the regions that participated in RACECAT.

The Role of Vascular Imaging atReferral Centers in the Drip and Ship Paradigm.

Background: In drip-and-ship protocols, non-invasive vascular imaging (NIVI) at Referral Centers (RC), although recommended, is not consistently performed and its value is uncertain. We evaluated the role of NIVI at RC, comparing patients with (VI+) and without (VI-) vascular imaging in several outcomes.

Methods: Observational, multicenter study from a prospective government-mandated population-based registry of code stroke patients.

Effectiveness of Thrombectomy in Stroke According to Baseline Prognostic Factors: Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting Analysis of a Population-Based Registry.

Background And Purpose:  In real-world practice, the benefit of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is uncertain in stroke patients with very favorable or poor prognostic profiles at baseline. We studied the effectiveness of MT versus medical treatment stratifying by different baseline prognostic factors.

Methods:  Retrospective analysis of 2,588 patients with an ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion nested in the population-based registry of stroke code activations in Catalonia from January 2017 to June 2019.

Impact of COVID-19 Infection on the Outcome of Patients With Ischemic Stroke.

Background And Purpose: We evaluated whether stroke severity, functional outcome, and mortality are different in patients with ischemic stroke with or without coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.

Methods: A prospective, observational, multicentre cohort study in Catalonia, Spain. Recruitment was consecutive from mid-March to mid-May 2020.

A fast reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometry assay for the quantification of clindamycin in plasma and saliva using a rapid resolution package.

A new method for the quantitative analysis of clindamycin in human plasma and saliva by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) has been developed using a rapid resolution C18 column (2.1 mm x 30 mm x 3.5 microm).

Blood-borne tissue factor activity predicts major cerebrovascular events in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy: results from a 1-year follow-up study.

Background: Tissue factor (TF) expression is increased in inflammatory atherosclerotic plaques and has been related to plaque thrombogenicity. Blood-borne TF activity seems to contribute to a procoagulant state in patients with vascular risk factors. The aim of this study was to assess whether the expression of TF in carotid plaques from patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or/and blood-borne ('circulating') TF activity could predict future vascular complications.

D-dimer local expression is increased in symptomatic patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.

Background: Although atherosclerosis is a silent widespread disease, the focal character of the lesions triggering the clinical manifestations is unquestionable. We hypothesized that symptomatic patients with advanced, unstable carotid plaques have increased local intraplaque and circulating levels of fibrin-fibrinogen related products.

Methods: Plaque tissue and plasma samples were studied in 106 patients undergoing endarterectomy for symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid disease.

Intraplaque MMP-8 levels are increased in asymptomatic patients with carotid plaque progression on ultrasound.

Carotid atherosclerotic plaque remodelling and increased risk of symptomatic plaque rupture seem to be partially mediated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In this study, we have investigated whether different MMPs are related to carotid atherosclerosis or to recent ischaemic brain disease. Eighty-four consecutive patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic and asymptomatic disease were studied.