Search Results (958)

Background/Objectives: Platelet activity contributes to myocardial infarction; inadequate inhibition is a risk factor for stent thrombosis and mortality. Inadequate platelet inhibition during treatment is an important risk factor for stent thrombosis and may be associated with increased mortality. This study assessed platelet and coagulation activity in post-MI patients, identifying parameters associated with adverse ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) outcomes over 3 years, to identify patients needing intensive secondary prevention. Methods: From 57 admitted patients, 19 STEMI patients were analyzed. Thromboelastography (TEG) and Total Thrombus Formation Analysis System (T-TAS) were used to assess hemostasis and coagulation. Selected laboratory parameters were measured for correlations. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) were defined as ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, thrombosis, and death from cardiovascular causes. Results: The group with MACEs was characterized by a faster time to initial clot formation and greater reflection of clot strength. T-TAS parameters, such as area under the curve at 10 min (T-TAS AUC10), showed lower values in the same group of patients. A moderate positive correlation suggested that as white blood cell count increases, T-TAS AUC10 values also tend to increase. A strong negative correlation (rho = −1.000, p < 0.01) was observed between low-density lipoprotein and kinetics in the TEG using the kaolin test at baseline in patients with MACEs. Conclusions: Some of the parameters suggest they are associated with adverse outcomes of STEMI, indicate the existence of an inflammatory state, and may contribute to risk stratification of STEMI patients and identify who will require ongoing monitoring. Full article

Background/Objectives: While intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is the standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) within 4.5 h of symptom onset, many patients present beyond this time window. Recent trials suggest that IVT may be both effective and safe in selected patients treated after the standard time window. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov for randomized-controlled clinical trials (RCTs) and individual patient-data meta-analyses (IPDMs) of RCTs comparing IVT plus best medical treatment (BMT) to BMT alone in AIS patients who were last-known-well more than 4.5 h earlier. The primary efficacy outcome was a 90-day excellent functional outcome [modified Rankin Scale (mRS)-scores of 0–1]. Secondary efficacy outcomes included good functional outcome (mRS-scores 0–2) and reduced disability (≥1-point reduction across all mRS-strata). The primary safety outcome was symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH); secondary safety outcomes were any ICH and 3-month all-cause mortality. Subgroup analyses were performed stratified by different thrombolytics, time-windows, imaging modalities, and affected circulation. Results: Nine studies were included, comprising 1660 patients in the IVT-group and 1626 patients in the control-group. IVT significantly improved excellent functional outcome (RR = 1.24; 95%CI:1.14–1.34; I² = 0%) and good functional outcome (RR = 1.18; 95%CI:1.05–1.33; I² = 70%). IVT was associated with increased odds of reduced disability (common OR = 1.3; 95%CI:1.15–1.46; I² = 0%) and increased risk of sICH (RR = 2.75; 95%CI:1.49–5.05; I² = 0%). The rates of any ICH and all-cause mortality were similar between the two groups. No significant subgroup differences were documented. Conclusions: IVT in the extended time window improved functional outcomes without increasing mortality, despite a higher rate of sICH. Full article

Background/Objectives: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are now the guideline-recommended alternative to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for long-term anticoagulation in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. However, accurately assessing their impact on ischemic stroke outcomes remains challenging, primarily due to uncertainty regarding anticoagulation status at the time of hospital admission. This preliminary study addresses this gap by using point-of-care testing (POCT) to confirm DOAC activity at bedside, allowing for a more accurate comparison of 90-day functional outcomes between anticoagulated and non-anticoagulated stroke patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 786 ischemic stroke patients admitted to the University of Pécs between February 2023 and February 2025. Active DOAC therapy was confirmed using the ClotPro^® viscoelastic testing platform, with ecarin Clotting Time (ECT) employed for thrombin inhibitors and Russell’s Viper Venom (RVV) assays for factor Xa inhibitors. Patients were categorized as non-anticoagulated (n = 767) or DOAC-treated with confirmed activity (n = 19). Mahalanobis distance-based matching was applied to account for confounding variables including age, sex, pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores at admission and 72 h post-stroke. The primary outcome was the change in mRS from baseline to 90 days. Statistical analysis included ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and principal component analysis (PCA). Results: After matching, 90-day functional outcomes were comparable between groups (mean mRS-shift: 2.00 in DOAC-treated vs. 1.78 in non-anticoagulated; p = 0.745). OLS regression showed no significant association between DOAC status and recovery (p = 0.599). In contrast, NIHSS score at 72 h (p = 0.004) and age (p = 0.015) were significant predictors of outcome. PCA supported these findings, identifying stroke severity as the primary driver of outcome. Conclusions: This preliminary analysis suggests that ischemic stroke patients with confirmed active DOAC therapy at admission may achieve 90-day functional outcomes comparable to those of non-anticoagulated patients. The integration of bedside POCT enhances the reliability of anticoagulation assessment and underscores its clinical value for real-time management in acute stroke care. Larger prospective studies are needed to validate these findings and to further refine treatment strategies. Full article

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a promising neuromodulatory tool for language rehabilitation in chronic aphasia. However, the effects of bi-hemispheric, multisite stimulation remain largely unexplored, especially in people with chronic and treatment-resistant language impairments. The goal of this study is to look at the effects on behavior and brain activity of an individualized language training program that combines bi-hemispheric multisite anodal tDCS with personalized language training for Albert, a patient with long-standing, treatment-resistant non-fluent aphasia. Methods: Albert, a right-handed retired physician, had transcortical motor aphasia (TCMA) subsequent to a left-hemispheric ischemic stroke occurring more than six years before the operation. Even after years of traditional treatment, his expressive and receptive language deficits remained severe and persistent despite multiple rounds of traditional therapy. He had 15 sessions of bi-hemispheric multisite anodal tDCS aimed at bilateral dorsal language streams, administered simultaneously with language training customized to address his particular phonological and syntactic deficiencies. Psycholinguistic evaluations were performed at baseline, immediately following the intervention, and at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months post-intervention. Resting-state fMRI was conducted at baseline and following the intervention to evaluate alterations in functional connectivity (FC). Results: We noted statistically significant enhancements in auditory sentence comprehension and oral reading, particularly at the 1- and 3-month follow-ups. Neuroimaging showed decreased functional connectivity (FC) in the left inferior frontal and precentral regions (dorsal stream) and in maladaptive right superior temporal regions, alongside increased FC in left superior temporal areas (ventral stream). This pattern suggests that language networks may be reorganizing in a more efficient way. There was no significant improvement in phonological processing, which may indicate reduced connectivity in the left inferior frontal areas. Conclusions: This case underscores the potential of combining individualized, network-targeted language training with bi-hemispheric multisite tDCS to enhance recovery in chronic, treatment-resistant aphasia. The convergence of behavioral gains and neuroplasticity highlights the importance of precision neuromodulation approaches. However, findings are preliminary and warrant further validation through controlled studies to establish broader efficacy and sustainability of outcomes. Full article

Background: The implementation of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has proven effective, offering significant benefits for patient outcomes. We therefore investigated trends in the implementation of IVT and MT in Germany between 2015 and 2023. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis using German Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) statistics from 2015 to 2023. Treatment numbers were analyzed annually based on OPS codes. We examined the age and sex distribution of patients undergoing these treatments. Additionally, we analyzed all hospital cases coded with ICD-10 for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Results: Between 2015 and 2023, the number of AIS cases in Germany slightly declined from 250,802 to 248,107 (−1.1%), with the largest annual decrease (−4.3%) occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019–2020). Despite this, the use of IVT increased from 40,766 cases (16.25%) in 2015 to 48,378 (19.50%) in 2023. MT usage rose even more sharply, from 7840 cases (3.13%) to 22,445 (9.05%). Among MT recipients, the proportion of patients aged ≥80 years rose significantly, from 27.2% to 42.1%. In this age group, women consistently comprised the majority of MT patients—65.4% in 2015 and 65.5% in 2023. Conclusions: Despite a stable stroke incidence, the use of IVT—and particularly MT—continued to increase in Germany from 2015 to 2023, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. MT usage nearly tripled, especially among patients aged ≥80 years. These trends highlight a resilient stroke care system and underscore the need for future planning to meet the rising demand for endovascular treatment in an aging population. Full article

Background and Objectives: Ischemic stroke (IS) is a critical health issue, affecting individuals of all ages, sexes, and backgrounds. Mounting evidence suggests that sex indeed could play some distinct role in shaping the incidence, outcomes, and treatment of IS. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, contradictory findings from previous studies that also addressed sex differences in cerebrovascular diseases demonstrate the need for further focused research. This study aimed to evaluate the sex discrepancies in the clinical presentation of IS and its outcomes in patients admitted to Kaunas Hospital of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LUHS), Lithuania. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective record-based single-center study. All the study patients—727 men and 1082 women—enrolled between 1 January 2020, and 27 February 2022; suffered from acute IS; and had absolute contraindications against interventional IS treatment. These patients received a conservative non-interventional IS treatment at the neurological department of the LUHS’s Kaunas Hospital. The sociodemographic data; laboratory findings; comorbidities, including COVID-19; in-hospital complications; and outcome factors were obtained from the patients’ medical records and evaluated by deploying appropriate statistical tests. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by the Cox proportional hazards regression for in-hospital lethality. Results: The mean age of IS patients was significantly higher in women compared to men (p < 0.001), as was the proportion of in-hospital deaths (19.10% and 15.36%, respectively; p < 0.05). The mean total number of in-hospital complications was again significantly higher in the group of women compared to men (p < 0.05). The prevalence of COVID-19 was higher in men compared to women (p < 0.05). COVID-19 diagnosis (HR = 1.53; p = 0.02) and acute in-hospital pulmonary complications (HR = 1.91; p = 0.008) significantly increased the risk of in-hospital lethality in men. The risk of in-hospital lethality was significantly higher in women with comorbid diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM) compared to those with comorbid isolated arterial hypertension (AH) (HR = 2.25, p = 0.007). Increased C-reactive protein elevated the risk of in-hospital lethality by more than twice in both men and women (HR = 2.46; p < 0.001 and HR = 2.28; p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: The following differences between men and women with IS were determined: Acute in-hospital pulmonary complications, including COVID-19, significantly increased the risk of in-hospital lethality in the male group, but not in women. However, women suffering from DM had a significantly increased risk of in-hospital lethality compared with those women IS patients with AH or chronic ischemic heart disease (IHD). Increased C-reactive protein was associated with an elevated risk of in-hospital lethality both in male and female groups. Full article

Background: Stress hyperglycemia (SH), a transient elevation in blood glucose levels during acute stress such as stroke, has been increasingly recognized as a critical determinant of clinical outcomes. This review aims to evaluate the association between SH and clinical outcomes across different stroke subtypes and its role as a prognostic indicator. Methods: The current literature review was conducted through a comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases. Initial title and abstract screening was conducted by two independent reviewers depending on the relevance to the topic of interest. Final study inclusion was based on the clinical relevance and agreement between reviewers. Results: Current evidence links SH with higher stroke severity (Higher national institutes of health stroke scale (NIHSS)), larger infarct volumes, increased risk of hemorrhagic transformation, and worse functional recovery (Lower modified rankin scale (mRS)), especially in ischemic stroke. In hemorrhagic stroke, SH is associated with hematoma expansion, perihematomal edema, and worsening neurological function. Although SH has been shown to be a reliable stroke outcome predictor, there is no scientific consensus regarding the most reliable measurement method. The use of absolute blood glucose values may not accurately reflect SH, particularly in diabetic patients, where chronic baseline hyperglycemia complicates interpretation. This underscores the necessity for individualized assessment rather than a uniform interpretation. Clinically, the early detection of SH may provide enhanced monitoring and supportive care; however, rigorous glucose management remains contentious due to the risk of hypoglycemia. Conclusions: This review synthesizes evidence from recent studies and supports SH as a prognostic marker of both short- and long-term adverse outcomes in stroke patients. Further research is warranted to evaluate the efficacy of targeted glycemic treatments on such outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Endovascular thrombectomy has become a mainstay in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion. Among the multiple factors that influence outcomes, the choice of anesthetic technique—general anesthesia (GA), conscious sedation (CS), or local anesthesia (LA)—remains controversial. This narrative review aims to critically examine and synthesize current evidence comparing the efficacy and safety of different anesthetic strategies in endovascular stroke treatment. Methods: A structured search of the PubMed^® database was conducted using the terms “stroke treatment”, “endovascular stroke treatment”, “anesthesia”, “general anesthesia”, “conscious sedation”, and “local anesthesia”. The search focused on clinical trials involving human subjects published in English. Studies were included if they compared at least two anesthetic techniques during thrombectomy and reported outcomes such as neurological recovery, mortality, or complication rates. Reviews, case reports, and animal studies were excluded. Results: Several randomized controlled trials and observational studies show comparable functional outcomes between GA and CS, though CS may confer advantages in early neurological recovery and reduced complications. Local anesthesia, though less studied, may offer favorable outcomes in selected patients. General anesthesia appears to be associated with greater hemodynamic variability and a higher risk of post-procedural infections, particularly in unsuccessful interventions. Maintaining stable blood pressure and minimizing ventilation duration are crucial to improving patient prognosis. Conclusions: While both GA and CS are viable options during thrombectomy, CS and LA may provide a safer profile in selected patients by preserving hemodynamic stability and reducing infectious risk. Personalized anesthetic strategies and further high-quality trials are warranted. Full article

Bruton Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) has emerged as a critical mediator in the pathophysiology of neuroinflammation associated with neurodegenerative diseases. BTK, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase predominantly expressed in cells of the hematopoietic lineage, modulates B-cell receptor signaling and innate immune responses, including microglial activation. Recent evidence implicates aberrant BTK signaling in the exacerbation of neuroinflammatory cascades contributing to neuronal damage in disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, ischemic stroke, and Huntington’s disease. Pharmacological inhibition of BTK has shown promise in attenuating microglial-mediated neurotoxicity, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine release, and promoting neuroprotection in preclinical models. BTK inhibitors, originally developed for hematological malignancies, demonstrate favorable blood–brain barrier penetration and immunomodulatory effects relevant to central nervous system pathology. This therapeutic approach may counteract detrimental neuroimmune interactions without broadly suppressing systemic immunity, thus preserving host defense. Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating the safety and efficacy of BTK inhibitors in patients with neurodegenerative conditions, with preliminary results indicating potential benefits in slowing disease progression and improving neurological outcomes. This review consolidates current knowledge on BTK signaling in neurodegeneration and highlights the rationale for BTK inhibition as a novel, targeted therapeutic strategy to modulate neuroinflammation and mitigate neurodegenerative processes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most significant modifying risk factor for the development of cardioembolic stroke, which is associated with worse outcomes and higher intrahospital mortality compared to other types of ischemic stroke. Antithrombotic medications are administered as prophylactic treatment in patients with a risk of stroke. The aim of this study was to determine outcome measures in patients with first-ever ischemic stroke and AF regarding prior antithrombotic therapy. Methods: We collected data on stroke risk factors, CHADS₂ score, and international normalized ratio (INR) value in the context of warfarin therapy, as well as data related to localization, stroke severity, and functional outcome at discharge. Results: A total of 754 subjects with first-ever ischemic stroke and AF were included in this cross-sectional study (122 on warfarin, 210 on acetylsalicylic acid, and 422 without prior antithrombotic therapy). The diagnosis of AF was previously unknown in 31% of the subjects. Stroke risk factors (arterial hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and cardiomyopathy) were significantly lower in the group without prior antithrombotic therapy. The anticoagulant group was significantly younger (p = 0.001). Overall, 45.4% of subjects with a previously known AF event and a high risk of developing stroke received anticoagulant therapy. Participants on warfarin had a significantly better functional outcome than those on antiplatelet therapy or without prior antithrombotic therapy (median mRS 4 vs. 5 vs. 5; p = 0.025) and lower NIHSS scores, although the difference was not statistically significant (median 10 vs. 12 vs. 12; p = 0.09). There was no difference between stroke localization among groups (p = 0.116). Conclusions: Our study showed that, in our cohort, first-ever ischemic stroke due to AF was more common in women. Subjects on prior anticoagulant therapy had more favorable outcomes at discharge. Full article

Ischemic stroke is a complex, multifactorial disorder with a significant heritable component. Recent developments in genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified several common variants associated with clinical outcomes, stroke subtypes, and overall risk. Key loci implicated in biological pathways related to vascular integrity, lipid metabolism, inflammation, and atherogenesis include 9p21 (ANRIL), HDAC9, SORT1, and PITX2. Although polygenic risk scores (PRSs) hold promise for early risk prediction and stratification, their clinical utility remains limited by Eurocentric bias and missing heritability. Integrating multiomics approaches, such as functional genomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics, enhances our understanding of stroke pathophysiology and paves the way for precision medicine. This review summarizes the current genetic landscape of ischemic stroke, emphasizing how evolving methodologies are shaping its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Full article

Background: Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is the standard treatment for ischemic stroke within 4.5 h of symptom onset. However, a significant proportion of patients present beyond this window. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IVT beyond the 4.5 h window in selected patients. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar from inception to April 2025. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using a random-effects model. Results: A total of 12 RCTs were included, with 3236 patients. Compared to controls, IVT significantly improved excellent functional outcomes [OR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.21–1.62] and good functional outcomes [OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.06–1.50] at 90 days. IVT also improved recanalization [OR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.96–3.12], reperfusion [OR: 2.20; 95% CI: 1.26–3.84], and early neurological improvement [OR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.12–3.26]. However, it was associated with a significantly higher risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) [OR: 2.17; 95% CI: 1.25–3.79], any ICH [OR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.09–2.04], and type-II parenchymal hemorrhage (PH) [OR: 2.14; 95% CI: 1.19–3.83]. No significant difference was observed in systemic hemorrhage, 90-day all-cause mortality, 7-day mortality, or 90-day intervention-related mortality (p > 0.05). Conclusions: IVT beyond 4.5 h improves neurological outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke without increasing overall mortality or systemic bleeding, though it raises the risk of sICH, any ICH, and type-II PH. Further large RCTs are needed to confirm these findings and guide clinical practice. Full article

Background: Stroke recovery is influenced not only by clinical but also sociodemographic factors (SDFs). However, data on how variables such as age, sex, marital status, education, and employment status affect rehabilitation outcomes remain limited, particularly in structured inpatient settings. This study aimed to analyze the impact of key SDFs on functional recovery after stroke. Methods: A retrospective cohort of 289 stroke patients undergoing structured inpatient rehabilitation was analyzed. Functional status was assessed at admission, after three weeks, and at discharge using five standardized outcomes: gait speed (primary outcome), Barthel Index, Berg Balance Scale, Action Research Arm Test, and Ashworth scale. Repeated measures ANOVA and multivariable logistic regression were used to evaluate within-subject changes and associations with SDFs. Results: The cohort consisted predominantly of middle-aged to older adults (58% female, 62% married, 60% retired, 60% with primary education or less). Most patients (88%) had ischemic strokes of moderate severity. Significant improvements were observed across all functional measures. Employed, married, younger, and male patients achieved better outcomes. Interaction models indicated that older and female patients with moderate stroke severity demonstrated greater improvement than younger and male counterparts with milder strokes. Mean gait speed increased by +0.32 m/s, exceeding the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of 0.16 m/s. Conclusions: Age, sex, marital status, education, and employment status are relevant predictors of stroke rehabilitation outcomes. These findings emphasize the importance of incorporating sociodemographic profiles into individualized rehabilitation planning to optimize functional recovery and reduce disparities among stroke survivors. Full article

Background: Intracerebral hemorrhage management presents clinicians with a significant therapeutic challenge. Maintaining antiplatelet therapy potentially increases the risk of recurrent bleeding, while discontinuation heightens susceptibility to ischemic stroke, particularly during the critical first month after hemorrhage. In contemporary practice, physicians demonstrate considerable hesitancy regarding early antiplatelet reinitiation, complicated by the absence of clear evidence-based treatment guidelines. Aim: This meta-analysis assesses the safety of early antiplatelet resumption following ICH. Methods: We conducted a systematic review by searching Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane Library from inception to April 2025. Articles were independently screened and data extracted by two reviewers who also assessed study quality. The inclusion criteria are enrollment of adults (≥18 years) with imaging-confirmed intracerebral hemorrhage surviving >24 h, comparing early vs. delayed or withheld antiplatelet therapy. Randomized trials underwent separate evaluation using Cochrane’s Risk of Bias. Statistical analysis was performed using R software (version 4.4.2), with categorical outcomes pooled as risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals. Statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. The evidence is limited by the availability of few RCTs, variable antiplatelet regiments, male predominance, and other confounding factors. The review was registered in SFO. Results: Our meta-analysis included 10 studies (8 observational, 2 RCTs) with 5554 patients. Early antiplatelet therapy significantly reduced recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage by 46% (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.37–0.78, p = 0.001). All-cause mortality showed a non-significant difference (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.65–1.01, p = 0.06). No significant differences were found for ischemic stroke (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.60–1.63, p = 0.96), major hemorrhagic events (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.49–1.13, p = 0.17), or ischemic vascular outcomes (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.49–1.02, p = 0.60). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis reveals that early antiplatelet therapy following intracerebral hemorrhage significantly reduces recurrent hemorrhagic events (46% reduction) without increasing major ischemic or hemorrhagic complications. Full article

Background/Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with more grave and fatal outcomes than the other stroke etiologies. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is prevalent in elderly people and is associated with AF risk. We investigated whether higher preadmission CHA₂DS₂-VASc score is related to LVDD severity and functional outcome among stroke patients with nonvalvular AF. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of data on consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients with AF within a week of onset was conducted from March 2015 to February 2018. Patients were compared by median LVDD value (13.0). CHA₂DS₂-VASc was assessed by score, with three categories (low risk [a CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 0–2], moderate risk [3,4], and high risk [≥5]), and its individual component. Functional outcome was measured with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3 months poststroke, and unfavorable outcome was defined as mRS ≥ 3. Results: A total of 256 patients (mean age, 73.3 ± 10.2; male, 51.6%) were included. In multivariable regression analysis, CHA₂DS₂-VASc was associated with LVDD (OR 1.70, 95% CI: 1.31–2.21 for score and 9.92, 2.99–32.88 for high risk ≥ 5 versus low risk 0–2). Increasing CHA₂DS₂-VASc score and high risk ≥ 5 versus low risk 0–2 was associated with mRS ≥ 3 (1.72, 1.27–2.33 and 6.48, 1.37–30.60, respectively). The C-statistic of the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was 0.75 (0.70–0.80) for LVDD and 0.80 (0.75–0.85) for mRS ≥ 3. The sensitivity of the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score for mRS ≥ 3 was higher than for LVDD. Conclusions: Higher preadmission CHA₂DS₂-VASc score can be a cumulative determinant of short-term functional outcome more than LVDD severity among stroke patients with nonvalvular AF. Full article