Seizures after ischemic stroke: a matched multicenter study

Publication

Seizures after ischemic stroke: a matched multicenter study

Journal Paper/Review - Sep 9, 2021

Ferreira-Atuesta Carolina, Merlino Giovanni, Valente Mariarosaria, Gregoraci Giorgia, Conrad Julian, Evers Stefan, Lochner Piergiorgio, Roell Frauke, Brigo Francesco, Bentes Carla, Peralta Ana Rita, Pinho E Melo Teresa, Keezer Mark R, Duncan John S, Sander Josemir W, Tettenborn Barbara, Koepp Matthias J, Janes Francesco, Serafini Anna, Gigli Gian Luigi, Döhler Nico, Erdélyi-Canavese Barbara, Felbecker Ansgar, Siebel Philip, Scherrer Natalie, Bicciato Giulio, Schweizer Juliane, Sinka Lucia, Imbach Lukas L, Katan Mira, Abraira Laura, Santamarina Estevo, Álvarez-Sabín José, Winklehner Michael, von Oertzen Tim J, Wagner Judith N, Galovic Marian

Citation

Ferreira-Atuesta C, Merlino G, Valente M, Gregoraci G, Conrad J, Evers S, Lochner P, Roell F, Brigo F, Bentes C, Peralta A, Pinho E Melo T, Keezer M, Duncan J, Sander J, Tettenborn B, Koepp M, Janes F, Serafini A, Gigli G, Döhler N, Erdélyi-Canavese B, Felbecker A, Siebel P, Scherrer N, Bicciato G, Schweizer J, Sinka L, Imbach L, Katan M, Abraira L, Santamarina E, Álvarez-Sabín J, Winklehner M, von Oertzen T, Wagner J, Galovic M. Seizures after ischemic stroke: a matched multicenter study. Ann Neurol 2021

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Ann Neurol 2021

Publication Date

Sep 9, 2021

Issn Electronic

1531-8249

Brief description/objective

OBJECTIVE
To identify risk factors for acute symptomatic seizures and post-stroke epilepsy after acute ischemic stroke and evaluate the effects of reperfusion treatment.

METHODS
We assessed the risk factors for post-stroke seizures using logistic or Cox regression in a multicenter study including adults from eight European referral centers with neuroimaging-confirmed ischemic stroke. We compared the risk of post-stroke seizures between participants with or without reperfusion treatment following propensity score matching to reduce confounding due to treatment selection.

RESULTS
In the overall cohort of 4229 participants (mean age 71 years, 57% male), a higher risk of acute symptomatic seizures was observed in those with more severe strokes, infarcts located in the posterior cerebral artery territory, and strokes caused by large-artery atherosclerosis. Strokes caused by small-vessel occlusion carried a small risk of acute symptomatic seizures. The 6% developed post-stroke epilepsy. Risk factors for post-stroke epilepsy were acute symptomatic seizures, more severe strokes, infracts involving the cerebral cortex, and strokes caused by large-artery atherosclerosis. Electroencephalography findings within 7 days of stroke onset were not independently associated with the risk of post-stroke epilepsy. There was no association between reperfusion treatments in general or only intravenous thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy with the time to post-stroke epilepsy or the risk of acute symptomatic seizures.

INTERPRETATION
Post-stroke seizures are related to stroke severity, etiology, and location, whereas an early electroencephalogram was not predictive of epilepsy. We did not find an association of reperfusion treatment with risks of acute symptomatic seizures or post-stroke epilepsy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.