Imagine you’re a captain on a ship, navigating treacherous waters. The 24-hour National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) serves as your trusty compass, guiding you towards short- and long-term outcomes after endovascular treatment (EVT) for basilar artery occlusion (BAO). In this study, researchers evaluated the 24-hour NIHSS’s ability to predict favorable outcomes and mortality rates at 90 days and 1 year. They compared it to other measures like the NIHSS score at admission, NIHSS delta, and NIHSS percentage change. The results were clear – the 24-hour NIHSS reigned supreme as the best predictor of outcomes after EVT for BAO. With a threshold of ≤23 points, it served as a reliable surrogate in predicting both short- and long-term outcomes. So, if you find yourself battling against BAO, the 24-hour NIH Stroke Scale will be your steadfast navigator!
BackgroundThe present study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the 24-h National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) for short- and long-term outcomes of patients with basilar artery occlusion (BAO) after endovascular treatment (EVT) in daily clinical routine.MethodsPatients with EVT for acute basilar artery occlusion study registry with the 24-h NIHSS, and clinical outcomes documented at 90 days and 1 year were included. The NIHSS admission, 24-h NIHSS, NIHSS delta, and NIHSS percentage change, binary definitions of early neurological improvement [ENI; improvement of 4/(common ENI)/8 (major ENI)/10 (dramatic ENI)] NIHSS points were compared to predict the favorable outcomes and mortality at 90 days and 1 year. The primary outcome was defined as favorable if the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was 0–3 at 90 days.ResultsOf the 644 patients treated with EVT, the 24-h NIHSS had the highest discriminative ability for favorable outcome prediction [receiver operator characteristic (ROC)NIHSS 24 h area under the curve (AUC): 0.92 (0.90–0.94)] at 90 days and 1 year [(ROCNIHSS 24 h AUC: 0.91 (0.89–0.94)] in comparison to the NIHSS score at admission [ROCNIHSS admission AUC at 90 days: 0.73 (0.69–0.77); 1 year: 0.74 (0.70–0.78)], NIHSS delta [ROCΔ NIHSS AUC at 90 days: 0.84 (0.81–0.87); 1 year: 0.81 (0.77–0.84)], and NIHSS percentage change [ROC%change AUC at 90 days: 0.85 (0.82–0.89); 1 year: 0.82 (0.78–0.86)].ConclusionThe 24-h NIHSS with a threshold of ≤23 points was the best surrogate for short- and long-term outcomes after EVT for BAO in the clinical routine.
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.