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. 2016 Jan;47(1):53-9.
doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.115.011173. Epub 2015 Nov 10.

Risk of Recurrent Arterial Ischemic Stroke in Childhood: A Prospective International Study

Heather J Fullerton  1 , Max Wintermark  2 , Nancy K Hills  2 , Michael M Dowling  2 , Marilyn Tan  2 , Mubeen F Rafay  2 , Mitchell S V Elkind  2 , A James Barkovich  2 , Gabrielle A deVeber  2 ; VIPS Investigators
Collaborators, Affiliations

Risk of Recurrent Arterial Ischemic Stroke in Childhood: A Prospective International Study

Heather J Fullerton et al. Stroke. 2016 Jan.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Published cohorts of children with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in the 1990s to early 2000s reported 5-year cumulative recurrence rates approaching 20%. Since then, utilization of antithrombotic agents for secondary stroke prevention in children has increased. We sought to determine rates and predictors of recurrent stroke in the current era.

Methods: The Vascular Effects of Infection in Pediatric Stroke (VIPS) study enrolled 355 children with AIS at 37 international centers from 2009 to 2014 and followed them prospectively for recurrent stroke. Index and recurrent strokes underwent central review and confirmation, as well as central classification of causes of stroke, including arteriopathies. Other predictors were measured via parental interview or chart review.

Results: Of the 355 children, 354 survived their acute index stroke, and 308 (87%) were treated with an antithrombotic medication. During a median follow-up of 2.0 years (interquartile range, 1.0-3.0), 40 children had a recurrent AIS, and none had a hemorrhagic stroke. The cumulative stroke recurrence rate was 6.8% (95% confidence interval, 4.6%-10%) at 1 month and 12% (8.5%-15%) at 1 year. The sole predictor of recurrence was the presence of an arteriopathy, which increased the risk of recurrence 5-fold when compared with an idiopathic AIS (hazard ratio, 5.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-14). The 1-year recurrence rate was 32% (95% confidence interval, 18%-51%) for moyamoya, 25% (12%-48%) for transient cerebral arteriopathy, and 19% (8.5%-40%) for arterial dissection.

Conclusions: Children with AIS, particularly those with arteriopathy, remain at high risk for recurrent AIS despite increased utilization of antithrombotic agents. Therapies directed at the arteriopathies themselves are needed.

Keywords: child; pediatrics; risk factor; stroke; vaccination.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram demonstrating how recurrent strokes were identified and confirmed in the VIPS cohort of 355 children with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrating recurrent stroke-free survival in (A) all 355 children with AIS, and (B) the same children stratified by stroke subtype.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrating recurrent stroke-free survival in (A) all 355 children with AIS, and (B) the same children stratified by stroke subtype.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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