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Objectives: Carotid artery calcification (CAC) is occasionally detected in panoramic radiographs (PRs). Bilateral vessel-outlining (BVO) CACs are independent risk markers for future vascular events and have been associated with large plaque area. If accounting for plaque area, BVO CACs may no longer be an independent risk marker for vascular events. The aim of this study was to explore the association between BVO CACs and vascular events and its relationship with carotid ultrasound plaque area.

Methods: In this cohort study we prospectively included 212 consecutive participants with CACs detected in PR that were performed to plan and evaluate odontologic treatment. Of these 212, 43 (20%) had BVO CACs. Plaque area was assessed with ultrasound at baseline. Primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) during follow-up.

Results: Vessel-outlining CAC was associated with larger plaque area on the same side (P = .03) and BVO CACs were associated with larger total plaque area (both sides summed) than other CAC features (P = .004). Mean follow-up was 7.0 years and 72 (34%) participants had more than 1 MACE. In bivariable analyses, both BVO CACs (HR 2.5, P < .001) and total plaque area (HR 1.8 per cm², P = .008) were associated with MACE. When entering BVO CACs, plaque area and other relevant co-variates in a multivariable model, BVO CACs were virtually unchanged (HR 2.4, P = .001), but total plaque area was no longer significant (HR 1.0, P = .92).

Conclusion: Present results support the contention that BVO CACs are a stronger predictor for future vascular events than carotid ultrasound plaque area.

Purpose: Aortic stiffness, assessed as estimated aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) are markers of vascular age, and carotid plaques are a marker of early atherosclerosis. In this cross-sectional study we aimed to investigate the association between aPWV, cIMT and plaques across different age groups and in women and men, in a middle-aged healthy population.

Materials and methods: Participants in the 6.5-year follow-up of the VIPVIZA trial who were aged 47, 57 and 67 underwent an oscillometric measurement which estimates aPWV between 2020 and 2023. Carotid ultrasound examinations were also performed. Linear and ordinal regression models were used to investigate how aPWV associates with cIMT and with carotid plaques, for the overall study group and stratified for age groups and sex.

Results: A total of 1046 subjects were included in the analyses. Linear associations between aPWV and cIMT (β = 0.018, 95% CI: 0.006–0.030, p = 0.003), and between aPWV and plaques (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.03–1.38, p = 0.018), were seen in the 57-year-olds. In the 47-year-olds a significant association was seen between aPWV and plaques (OR: 2.98 95% CI: 1.44–6.14, p = 0.003). No significant associations were seen in the 67-year-olds. For women, a significant association between aPWV and cIMT (β = 0.011, 95% CI: 0.004–0.017, p = 0.002) was shown.

Conclusion: Estimated aPWV was positively associated with increasing cIMT and the presence of carotid plaques in younger middle-aged individuals, and with cIMT in women, suggesting that measurement of estimated aPWV may improve cardiovascular risk assessment in younger middle-aged individuals and women.

Clinical Trial Registration date 8 May 2013: URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01849575.

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy has emerged as standard of care in treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke attributable to large-vessel occlusion. Efforts to reduce the time from symptom onset to treatment initiation remain critically important to improve functional outcomes in patients treated with either intravenous thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy, or both. The use of ambulance helicopters in prehospital acute stroke care could potentially reduce symptom onset to treatment time to mechanical thrombectomy. This study aims to optimize the use of ambulance helicopters in prehospital transportation of patients with presumed acute stroke attributable to large-vessel occlusion given economic constraints in health care budget.

Methods: By means of an economic model within a decision-analytical framework, this study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of complementary ambulance helicopters compared with road ambulances only for prehospital acute transportation of patients with presumed stroke and potential eligibility for mechanical thrombectomy, in regard to the number and locations of ambulance helicopters in Sweden.

Results: A single, optimally located complementary ambulance helicopter was cost-effective compared with road ambulances only. The most cost-effective solution in the base-case scenario with the current 8 thrombectomy centers comprised 13 optimally located helicopters. It reduced mean onset to treatment time with intravenous thrombolysis and onset to treatment time with mechanical thrombectomy by 7.9 and 32.1 minutes, respectively, and produced health gains equal to 91 quality-adjusted life-years per year. When the willingness to pay per quality-adjusted life-years gained was set at Euro (EUR) 80 000, the incremental net monetary benefit per patient reached EUR 2240. The solution with 13 optimally located helicopters prevailed as the most cost-effective in the extended scenario analysis with 11 thrombectomy centers, reaching an estimated incremental net monetary benefit per patient at EUR 1754. Furthermore, mean incremental net monetary benefit per patient reached global maximum (EUR 6046) at the geodesic distance of 165.2 km between patient location and the nearest thrombectomy center in the base-case scenario, and at 238.5 km in the extended scenario with an estimated incremental net monetary benefit per patient at EUR 7994.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates the cost-effectiveness of ambulance helicopters as a complementary mode of transportation to road ambulances. The most cost-effective solution of complementary ambulance helicopters comprises 13 optimally located heliports across Sweden.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) screening after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) is given high priority in clinical guidelines. However, patient selection, electrocardiogram (ECG) modality and screening duration remains undecided and current recommendations vary.

Methods: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical practice of AF screening after ischemic stroke or TIA at Swedish stroke units. In collaboration with the stakeholders of the Swedish Stroke Register (Riksstroke) a digital survey was drafted, then tested and revised by three stroke consultants. The survey consisted of 17 multiple choice/ free text questions and was sent by e-mail to the medical directors at all stroke units in Sweden.

Results: All 72 stroke units in Sweden responded to the survey. Most stroke units reported that ≥ 75% of ischemic stroke (69/72 stroke units) or TIA patients (67/72 stroke units), without previously known AF, were screened for AF. Inpatient telemetry ECG was the method of first-choice in 81% of the units, but 7% reported lack of access. A variety of standard monitoring durations were used for inpatient telemetry ECG. The second most common choice was Holter ECG (17%), also with considerable variations in monitoring duration. Other AF screening modalities were used as a first-choice method (handheld and patch ECG) but less frequently.

Conclusions: Clinical practice for AF screening after ischemic stroke or TIA differed between Swedish stroke units, both in choice of AF screening methods as well as in monitoring durations. There is an urgent need for evidence and evidence-based recommendations in this field. 

Background: Despite the proven cost effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion, treatment within 6 hours from symptom onset remains inaccessible for many patients. We aimed to find the optimal number and location of treatment facilities with respect to the cost effectiveness of MT in patients with AIS, first by the most cost effective implementation of comprehensive stroke centers (CSCs), and second by the most cost effective addition of complementary thrombectomy capable stroke centers (TSCs).

Methods: This study was based on nationwide observational data comprising 18 793 patients with suspected AIS potentially eligible for treatment with MT. The most cost effective solutions were attained by solving the p median facility location-allocation problem with the objective function of maximizing the incremental net monetary benefit (INMB) of MT compared with no MT in patients with AIS. Deterministic sensitivity analysis (DSA) was used as the basis of the results analysis.

Results: The implementation strategy with seven CSCs produced the highest annual INMB per patient of all possible solutions in the base case scenario. The most cost effective implementation strategy of the extended scenario comprised seven CSCs and four TSCs. DSA revealed sensitivity to variability in MT rate and the maximum willingness to pay per quality adjusted life year gained.

Conclusion: The combination of optimization modeling and cost effectiveness analysis provides a powerful tool for configuring the extent and locations of CSCs (and TSCs). The most cost effective implementation of CSCs in Sweden entails 24/7 MT services at all seven university hospitals.

Objective: To investigate whether high-intensity lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy can improve balance, leg strength, and dual-task ability.

Design: A longitudinal cohort study in a real-world outpatient clinic.

Patients: 147 community-dwelling participants in the subacute and chronic poststroke phases.

Methods: Participants received lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy for 6 hours/day during 2 consecutive weeks, including balance, strength, and functional training. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Single-Leg-Stance (SLS) bilaterally, one Repetition Maximum (1RM) in a leg press, symmetry of leg strength (Diff-1RM), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and the TUG Manual test were assessed before, after, and 3 months after lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy.

Results: Compared with preintervention data, statistically significant improvements after lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy (p < 0.001) were demonstrated for balance with an absolute value in BBS at 1.9 points (effect size 0.38) and SLS at 2.4 s (effect size 0.24), and for leg strength at 10.2 kg (effect size 0.54) for the affected leg. Diff 1RM decreased significantly at 5.8 kg (effect size 0.39) and improvements on dual-task ability at 2.7 s were significant (effect size 0.14). The effects persisted at the 3-month follow-up.

Conclusions: High-intensity lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy may be a feasible treatment option for middle-aged stroke patients to affect balance, leg strength, and dual-task ability positively in an out-patient clinical setting.

Objective: To assess if intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) affects the risk of recurrent preoperative cerebrovascular events before carotid surgery or stenting in patients with symptomatic ≥ 50% carotid stenosis.

Methods: Three cohorts of symptomatic ≥ 50% carotid stenosis patients were merged. To make the control group relevant, we excluded patients not presenting with stroke on the day of symptom onset. The risk of preoperative cerebrovascular events up to 30 days were compared between the IVT-treated and non-IVT-treated.

Results: 316 patients were included, 64 (20%) treated with IVT. Those treated with IVT had similar risk of recurrent ipsilateral ischemic stroke or retinal artery occlusion (12% at day 7, 12% at day 30) as those not treated (9% at day 7, 15% at day 30; adjusted HR 0.9, 95%CI 0.4-2.2). There was a tendency (p=0.09) towards time-dependency in the data where the recurrence risk was higher in IVT treated at day 0 (6% in IVT-treated, 1% in non-IVT-treated, OR 5.5, 95%CI 1.2-25.4, p=0.03). This was not significant when adjusting for co-factors (adjusted OR 4.4, 95%CI 0.9-21.8, p=0.07) and was offset by a later risk decrease, with no remaining risk difference between IVT-treated and non-IVT treated at day 7.

Conclusions: IVT treatment does not seem to affect the risk of recurrent ipsilateral ischemic stroke in patients with symptomatic ≥ 50% carotid stenosis: The risk is high in both IVT-treated and non-IVT-treated. However, there might be a risk increase on the day of IVT treatment that is offset by a risk decrease during the first week.

The purpose of this study was to cross-culturally validate the Swedish version of the Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS-S) for use in the acute phase of stroke. Further, to evaluate the inter-rater reliability between different healthcare professionals. GUSS was translated into Swedish using a forward-backward method followed by expert rating to obtain content validity. For criterion validity, the GUSS-S score was compared with Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) assessed with the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) in acute stroke patients (≤ 96 h after stroke onset). Convergent validity was calculated by comparison with the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) as per the comprehensive FEES assessment, the Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA), and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). To evaluate inter-rater reliability, a nurse and a speech-language pathologist (SLP) independently assessed 30 patients. In total, 80 patients (32 women, median age 77 years (range 29–93) were included, mean 1.7 ± 0.9 days after admission. With a cut-off value of 14 points, the GUSS-S identified aspiration with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 73% (area under the curve: 0.87, 95% CI 0.78–0.95). Spearman rank correlation showed very strong correlation between the GUSS-S and PAS (rs=-0.718, P = < 0.001) and FOIS (rs=0.720, P = 0.001) and strong correlation between the GUSS-S and SSA (rs=0.545, P = < 0.001) and NIHSS (rs=-0.447, P = 0.001). The inter-rater agreement for GUSS-S was substantial (Kw=0.67, P = < 0.001). The results indicate that the GUSS-S is a valid and reliable tool for the assessment of dysphagia in acute stroke patients by different healthcare professionals.

Background and Aims: It is unclear whether patients with previous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) should receive antithrombotic treatment to prevent ischemic events. We assessed stroke physicians' opinions about this, and their views on randomizing patients in trials assessing this question.

Methods: We conducted three web-based surveys among stroke physicians in Scandinavia and the United Kingdom.

Results: Eighty-nine of 205 stroke physicians (43%) responded to the Scandinavian survey, 161 of 180 (89%) to the UK antiplatelet survey, and 153 of 289 (53%) to the UK anticoagulant survey. In Scandinavia, 19 (21%) stroke physicians were uncertain about antiplatelet treatment after ICH for ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and 21 (24%) for prior myocardial infarction. In the United Kingdom, 116 (77%) were uncertain for ischemic stroke or TIA and 115 (717%) for ischemic heart disease. In Scandinavia, 32 (36%) were uncertain about anticoagulant treatment after ICH for atrial fibrillation, and 26 (29%) for recurrent deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. In the United Kingdom, 145 (95%) were uncertain about anticoagulants after ICH in at least some cases. In both regions combined, 191 of 250 (76%) would consider randomizing ICH survivors in a trial of starting versus avoiding antiplatelets, and 176 of 242 (73%) in a trial of starting versus avoiding anticoagulants.

Conclusion: Considerable proportions of stroke physicians in Scandinavia and the United Kingdom were uncertain about antithrombotic treatment after ICH. A clear majority would consider randomizing patients in trials assessing this question. These findings support the need for such trials.

Ultrasonic echolucent carotid intima-media (IM) complex and accelerated progression of carotid intima mediathickness (cIMT) have both separately been shown to predict future cardiovascular events. The aim of this studywas to evaluate if the echogenicity of the IM-complex is associated with the 3-year progression of cIMT. B-modeultrasound images captured at baseline and 3-year follow-up in the ‘Visualization of asymptomatic atherosclerotic disease for optimum cardiovascular prevention’ (VIPVIZA) trial were included (n: 3154). The bilateral mean cIMT and IM-echogenicity by greyscale median (GSM) were measured in the common carotid artery. Associations between IM-GSM at baseline and the 3-year cIMT progression were investigated using linear regression models for the whole population and stratified by sex, age and VIPVIZA study group (intervention versus control). In addition, adjusted analyses for confounding factors were performed. Unadjusted analysis showed that decreased IM-GSM at baseline was associated with increased progression of cIMT (p < 0.001). Stratified by age, the association was significant among 40 (p < 0.001) and 60 years old (p < 0.001). The association was statistically significant in both sexes and on comparison of VIPVIZA study subgroups. Adjustments for confounding factors did not alter the estimated relationship between IM-GSM and cIMT progression. Echolucent carotid intima media at baseline associates with increased 3-year cIMT progression among an asymptomatic, middle-aged population. Echogenicity of the intima media may identify individuals at risk for accelerated vascular aging.