Lucas Ramirez

Trends in Acute Ischemic Stroke Hospitalizations in the United States

Background Population‐based studies have revealed declining acute ischemic stroke (AIS) hospitalization rates in the United States, but no study has assessed recent temporal trends in race/ethnic‐, age‐, and sex‐specific AIS hospitalization rates. Methods and Results Temporal trends in hospitalization for AIS from 2000 to 2010 were assessed among adults ≥25 years using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Age‐, sex‐, and race/ethnic‐specific and age‐adjusted stroke hospitalization rates were calculated using the weighted number of hospitalizations and US census data. From 2000 to 2010, age‐adjusted stroke hospitalization rates decreased from 250 to 204 per 100 000 (overall rate reduction 18.4%). Age‐specific AIS hospitalization rates decreased for individuals aged 65 to 84 years (846 to 605 per 100 000) and ≥85 years (2077 to 1618 per 100 000), but increased for individuals aged 25 to 44 years (16 to 23 per 100 000) and 45 to 64 years (149 to 156 per 100 000). Blacks had the highest age‐adjusted yearly hospitalization rates, followed by Hispanics and whites (358, 170, and 155 per 100 000 in 2010). Age‐adjusted AIS hospitalization rates increased for blacks but decreased for Hispanics and whites. Age‐adjusted AIS hospitalization rates were lower in women and declined more steeply compared to men (272 to 212 per 100 000 in women versus 298 to 245 per 100 000 in men). Conclusions Although overall stroke hospitalizations declined in the United States, the reduction was more pronounced among older individuals, women, Hispanics, and whites. Renewed efforts at targeting risk factor control among vulnerable individuals may be warranted.

Hospital and Demographic Characteristics Associated With Advanced Primary Stroke Center Designation

Background and Purpose— Despite evidence that primary stroke center (PSC) certification is associated with improvements in care and outcome, only a minority of hospitals have achieved this certification. We sought to determine hospital-based factors associated with achievement of PSC certification. Methods— We used the 2011 American Hospital Association survey and the 2010 national census for population and household data to identify potential hospital and demographic factors influencing certification as a PSC by the Joint Commission, Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program, and DNV Healthcare. Results— Of the 3696 hospitals to complete the survey, 3069 fulfilling study criteria included 908 PSC (31%) and 2161 non-PSC. Independent hospital characteristics associated with PSC certification were Joint Commission accreditation (odds ratio [OR], 3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.4–5.0), increasing size (per quartile in number of beds; OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 2.1–3.1) and inpatient neurological services (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 2.4–4.6), number of households per zip code (per 1000 households; OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0–1.2), increasing Hispanic population (by 10% increase; OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0–1.2), and income per household (per

Trends in Transient Ischemic Attack Hospitalizations in the United States

10 000; OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1–1.3). Designation as a sole community provider (OR, 0.22; 0.10–0.47) or governmental hospital control (0.61; 0.44–0.84) was associated with noncertification. Conclusions— Less than 1 in 3 hospitals has achieved certification as an PSC. Potential areas of improvement include increasing certification of governmental-controlled hospitals.

Vascular Neurologists as Directors of Stroke Centers in the United States

Background Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a major predictor of subsequent stroke. No study has assessed nation‐wide trends in hospitalization for TIA in the United States. Methods and Results Temporal trends in hospitalization for TIA (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision code 435.0–435.9) from 2000 to 2010 were assessed among adults aged ≥25 years using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Age‐, sex‐, and race/ethnic‐specific TIA hospitalization rates were calculated using the weighted number of hospitalizations as the numerator and the US population as the denominator. Age‐adjusted rates were standardized to the 2000 US Census population. From 2000 to 2010, age‐adjusted TIA hospitalization rates decreased from 118 to 83 per 100 000 (overall rate reduction, −29.7%). Age‐specific TIA hospitalization rates increased for individuals aged 24 to 44 years (10–11 per 100 000), but decreased for individuals aged 45 to 64 (74 to 65 per 100 000), 65 to 84 (398 to 245 per 100 000), and ≥85 years (900 to 619 per 100 000). Blacks had the highest age‐adjusted yearly hospitalization rates, followed by Hispanics and whites (124, 82, and 67 per 100 000 in 2010). Rates slightly increased for blacks, but decreased for Hispanics and whites. Compared to women, age‐adjusted TIA hospitalization rates were lower and declined more steeply in men (132 to 89 per 100 000 versus 134 to 97 per 100 000). Conclusions Although overall TIA hospitalizations have decreased in the United States, the reduction has been more pronounced among older individuals, men, whites, and Hispanics. These findings highlight the need to target risk‐factor control among women, blacks, and individuals aged <45 years.

Bilateral Vision Loss Secondary to Pachymeningitis in a Patient with IgG4-Related Disease.

Background and Purpose— Hospital certification as primary and comprehensive stroke center is associated with improvement in care. We aimed to characterize the leadership at stroke centers nationwide to determine the proportion led by vascular neurologists, a board-recognized subspecialty focusing on stroke care. Methods— We identified hospitals in the United States holding primary and comprehensive stroke center designation as of September 2013. We contacted each hospital to identify the medical director and used data from relevant medical boards to determine specialization. Sex and date of medical school graduation were obtained from an online physician database. Results— Of the 1167 primary and 50 comprehensive stroke center hospitals certified by the Joint Commission (n=1114), Det Norske Veritas (n=68), and Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (n=35), we identified the director in 940 (77%). Leadership was most often by a neurologist (n=745; 79%) followed by physicians in emergency medicine (n=58; 6%) and internal medicine (n=17; 2%). Vascular neurologists (n=319) led about one-third of stroke centers. Directors were mostly men (n=764; 81%), with a median number of years after medical school graduation of 25 (interquartile range, 18–34). Comprehensive stroke centers were more likely than primary stroke centers to have leadership by vascular neurologist (77%, n=37 versus 32%, n=282; P<0.001). Conclusions— Vascular neurologist led about one-third of stroke centers. There is opportunity for vascular neurologists to increase their role in stroke center directorship.

Abstract WP250: Transport Times and Door to Needle Times for Stroke Patients Transported by EMS

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a recently recognized fibroinflammatory condition associated with disease in nearly every organ, including the meninges. A proportion of idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis cases may involve a component of meningeal IgG4-RD. We present a patient with severe bilateral vision loss found to have thickening of the dura mater on MRI, and subsequently diagnosed with IgG4-RD after dural biopsy.