Failure to Impact Prevalence of Arterial Ischemic Stroke in Pediatric Cardiac Patients over Three Decades

Introduction. Over the past three decades, significant advances in treatment have improved the mortality of children with cardiac disease. The effect of these advances on the prevalence of arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) is unknown. We describe AIS in children with cardiac disease in the modern era. Design. The prospectively enrolled Intermountain Pediatric Stroke Database (including Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Nevada) was queried for all patients less than 18 years old with new‐onset AIS between January 1, 2003 and August 31, 2009. Medical records of patients with AIS and cardiac disease were reviewed for cardiac diagnosis, age at AIS, anticoagulant therapy, diuretics, hematocrit, bolus fluids, and ongoing morbidity. Data were analyzed using chi‐square test and a mixed‐effects Poisson regression growth curve model. Results. AIS incidence in our catchment area was 0.01% (10.7/100 000; N = 97). The incidence of AIS in patients with cardiac disease was higher compared with AIS in the total population (incidence 0.13% [132/100 000], odds ratio [OR] 16.1, 95% confidence interval [CI; 9.7–25.9], P < 0.001). Of the 97 patients with AIS, 24 had cardiac disease (25%). The most common cardiac diagnosis was single ventricle (SV; 8/24, 33%). The incidence of AIS in patients with SV cardiac disease was higher compared with those with other cardiac diagnoses (incidence 1.38% [1380/100 000], OR 15.3, 95% CI [5.7–38.2], P < 0.001). Modeling the prevalence estimates reported since 1978, the prevalence of cardiac disease in AIS patients has remained unchanged across time (prevalence increase per each additional year, 0.5%, 95% CI [?2.1%, 3.1%], P= 0.71). Conclusion. Children with cardiac disease (particularly those with SV) have increased risk for AIS. The prevalence is unchanged from reports over previous decades. AIS occurred in SV patients despite compliance with current anticoagulation recommendations. Future efforts should focus on best practices to prevent AIS in cardiac patients.