Seizures Do Not Increase In-Hospital Mortality After Intracerebral Hemorrhage in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample

Background

Seizures are common after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) but their impact on outcome is uncertain and prophylactic anti-convulsant use is controversial. We hypothesized that seizures would not increase the risk of in-hospital mortality in a large administrative database.

Methods

The study population included patients in the 2006 Nationwide Inpatient Sample over the age of 18 with a principal diagnosis of ICH (ICD9 = 431). Subjects with a secondary diagnosis of aneurysm, arterio-venous malformation, brain tumor, or traumatic brain injury were excluded. Seizures were defined by ICD9 codes (345.0x–345.5x, 345.7x–345.9x, 780.39). Logistic regression was used to quantify the relationship between seizures and in-hospital mortality. Pre-specified subgroups included age strata, length of stay, and invasive procedures.

Results

13,033 subjects met all eligibility criteria, of which 1,430 (11.0 %) had a secondary diagnosis of seizure. Subjects with seizure were younger (64 vs. 70 years, p < 0.001), more likely to get craniectomy (2.1 vs. 1.2 %, p = 0.006), ventriculostomy (8.5 vs. 6.0 %, p < 0.001), intubation (32.2 vs. 25.9 %, p < 0.001), and tracheostomy (6.4 vs. 4.2 %, p < 0.001). Seizure patients had lower in-hospital mortality (24.3 vs. 28.0 %, p = 0.003). In a multivariable model incorporating patient and hospital level variables, seizures were associated with reduced odds of in-hospital death (OR = 0.62, 95 % CI 0.52–0.75).

Conclusions

A secondary diagnosis of seizure after ICH was not associated with increased in-hospital death overall or in any of the pre-specified subgroups; however, there may be residual confounding by severity. These findings do not support a need for routine prophylactic anti-epileptic drug use after ICH.     

The Prevalence and Impact of Status Epilepticus Secondary to Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Results from the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample

Background

Status epilepticus (SE) has been identified as a predictor of morbidity and mortality in many acute brain injury patient populations. We aimed to assess the prevalence and impact of SE after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in a large patient sample to overcome limitations in previous small patient sample studies.

Methods

We queried the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for patients admitted for ICH from 1999 to 2011, excluding patients with other acute brain injuries. Patients were stratified into SE diagnosis and no SE diagnosis cohorts. We identified independent risk factors for SE and assessed the impact of SE on morbidity and mortality with multivariable logistic regression models. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the trend in SE diagnoses over time as well.

Results

SE was associated with significantly increased odds of both mortality and morbidity (odds ratios (OR) 1.18 [confidence intervals (CI) 1.01–1.39], and OR 1.53 [CI 1.22–1.91], respectively). Risk factors for SE included female sex (OR 1.17 [CI 1.01–1.35]), categorical van Walraven score (vWr 5–14: OR 1.68 [CI 1.41–2.01]; vWr > 14: OR 3.77 [CI 2.98–4.76]), sepsis (OR 2.06 [CI 1.58–2.68]), and encephalopathy (OR 3.14 [CI 2.49–3.96]). Age was found to be associated with reduced odds of SE (OR 0.97 [CI 0.97–0.97]). From 1999 to 2011, prevalence of SE diagnosis increased from 0.25 to 0.61% (p < 0.001). Factors associated with SE were female sex, medium and high risk vWr score, sepsis, and encephalopathy. Independent predictors associated with increased mortality from SE were increased age, pneumonia, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and sepsis.

Conclusions

SE is a significant, likely underdiagnosed, predictor of morbidity and mortality after ICH. Future studies are necessary to better identify which patients are at highest risk of SE to guide resource utilization.

     

Impact of Ruptured Aneurysm Circulation on Mortality: A Nationwide Inpatient Sample Analysis

ObjectiveThis study investigates the effect of aneurysm circulation on mortality and patient outcomes after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) within the United States.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), a part of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), with ICD-10 codes for non-traumatic SAH between 2015-2016. Aneurysms were stratified as either anterior or posterior circulation. Multivariate logistic regression was used to find the impact of selected variables on the odds of mortality.ResultsThe NIS reported 1,892 cases of non-traumatic SAH within the study period that were predominantly anterior circulation (82.6%), female (68.6%), white (57.7%), with mean age of 59.07 years, and in-hospital mortality of 21.4%. Anterior circulation aneurysms were associated with lower severity of initial illness (p = 0.014) but higher likelihood of vasospasm (p = 0.0006) than those of the posterior circulation. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, mortality was associated with posterior circulation aneurysms (OR: 1.42; CI 95% 1.005-20.10, p = 0.047), increasing age (OR: 1.035; 95% CI 1.022-1.049; p < 0.0001), and shorter hospital stays (OR: 0.7838; 95% CI 0.758-0.811; p < 0.0001). Smoking history (OR: 0.825; 95% CI 0.573-1.187, p > 0.05) and vasospasm (OR: 1.005; 95% CI 0.648-1.558; p > 0.05) were not significantly associated with higher odds of mortality.ConclusionsMortality following aneurysmal SAH is associated with posterior circulation aneurysms, and increasing age, but not smoking history or vasospasm. These findings may be useful for prognostication and counseling patients and families.     

The Epidemiology of Intracerebral Hemorrhage in the United States from 1979 to 2008

Background

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) causes 15 % of strokes annually in the United States.

Methods

Using the National Hospital Discharge Survey, we studied the disposition and mortality trends of ICH admissions from 1979 to 2008. Cases were identified using the International Classification of Disease, 9th Revision, Clinical-Modification code 431.

Results

There was an annualized increase in the admission rate of ICH from about an average of 24,000 cases (12.9 per 100,000 persons per year) during the first epoch to 40,600 cases (17.0 per 100,000 persons per year) during the second epoch. Thereafter, the annual admission rate after ICH remained stable with about 63,000 cases (21 per 100,000 persons per year) during the last epoch. Nonwhites experienced higher growth rates than whites, and the risk of ICH was higher across all age subgroups, in men than women, and nonwhites compared with whites. In-hospital mortality after ICH fell significantly from 45 % (95 % CI, 31–59 %) during the first epoch (1979–1983) to 34 % (95 % CI, 20–38 %) during the second epoch (1984–1988) (p = 0.03) but did not change significantly after that. Groups with higher in-hospital mortality were whites, women, and persons older than 65 years, black women younger than 45 years, and middle-aged black men. Average days of care for ICH hospitalizations decreased significantly.

Conclusion

Though the ICH admission rate increased and the in-hospital mortality decreased during the first epochs of the study, these have not significantly changed over the last two decades. ICH remains the most severe form of stroke with limited options to improve survival. More research targeting novel therapies to improve outcomes after ICH is desperately needed.     

Trends in Surgical Management and Mortality of Intracerebral Hemorrhage in the United States Before and After the STICH Trial

Background  

The Surgical Trial in Intracerebral Hemorrhage (STICH) showed no overall benefit from early surgery compared with initial conservative treatment for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We hypothesized that the STICH trial findings would lead to a reduction in the rates of surgery for ICH in the United States. Using a national hospital database, we determined trends in surgery for ICH before and after publication of STICH. We also determined trends in ICH mortality during the study period.     

The Timing of Tracheostomy and Outcomes After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Nationwide Inpatient Sample Analysis

Background

The goal of this study was to investigate the association of tracheostomy timing with outcomes after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in a national population.

Methods

Poor-grade aneurysmal SAH patients were extracted from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2002–2011). Multivariable linear regression was used to analyze predictors of tracheostomy timing and multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of timing of intervention with mortality, complications, and discharge to institutional care. Covariates included patient demographics, comorbidities, severity of subarachnoid hemorrhage (measured using the NIS-SAH severity scale), hospital characteristics, and other complications and length of stay.

Results

The median time to tracheostomy among 1380 poor-grade SAH admissions was 11 (interquartile range: 7–15) days after intubation. The mean number of days from intubation to tracheostomy in SAH patients at the hospital (p?<?0.001) was the strongest predictor of tracheostomy timing for a patient, while comorbidities and SAH severity were not significant predictors. Mortality, neurologic complications, and discharge disposition did not differ significantly by tracheostomy time. However, later tracheostomy (when evaluated continuously) was associated with greater odds of pulmonary complications (p?=?0.004), venous thromboembolism (p?=?0.04), and pneumonia (p?=?0.02), as well as a longer hospitalization (p?<?0.001). Subgroup analysis only found these associations between tracheostomy timing and medical complications in patients with moderately poor grade (NIS-SAH severity scale 7–9), while there were no significant differences by timing of intervention in very poor-grade patients (NIS-SAH severity scale?>?9).

Conclusions

In this analysis of a large, national data set, variation in hospital practices was the strongest predictor of tracheostomy timing for an individual. In patients with moderately poor grade, later tracheostomy was independently associated with pulmonary complications, venous thromboembolism, pneumonia, and a longer hospitalization, but not with mortality, neurological complications, or discharge disposition. However, tracheostomy timing was not significantly associated with outcomes in very poor-grade patients.

     

Risk Factors for Hemorrhagic and Cardioembolic Complications of Intracerebral Hemorrhage Associated with Anticoagulants

Background: Patients with intracerebral hemorrhage taking anticoagulants are increasingly common in Japan due to the aging population. The clinical benefit of restarting anticoagulants is established, but the optimal timing of resumption is controversial. Risk factors for hemorrhagic and cardioembolic events in the acute phase are also unknown. This study investigated hemorrhagic and cardioembolic events and risk factors in intracerebral hemorrhage patients taking anticoagulants. Methods: The clinical data of 65 consecutive intracerebral hemorrhage patients taking anticoagulants were retrospectively reviewed. Hemorrhagic and cardioembolic complications and risk factors were analyzed. Results: Lobar hemorrhage was the most frequent (21 of 65 cases, 32.3%). At discharge, 31 patients (47.7%) showed severe disability or had died. Eight (18.6%) of 43 patients who restarted anticoagulants after initial treatment developed hemorrhagic events, including recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage in 3. HAS-BLED score was 2-3 in these 3 patients. Six (15.8%) of 38 patients who took anticoagulants for cardiogenic factors suffered cardioembolism. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome was significantly more common in the cardioembolic group (66.7%) compared with the noncardioembolic group (21.9%, P < .05). CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was paradoxically high in the noncardioembolic group (3 versus 5, P < .05). Conclusion: HAS-BLED score and CHA₂DS₂-VASc score were not useful for risk assessment for hemorrhagic events, recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage, and cardioembolism in the acute phase. Inflammatory response might be important in the occurrence of cardioembolic events.     

Patient Age and the Outcomes after Decompressive Hemicraniectomy for Stroke: A Nationwide Inpatient Sample Analysis

Background

This 3-year prospective study examined the association between red blood cell transfusion (RBCT) and 1-year neurocognitive and disability levels in 309 patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) admitted to the neurological intensive care unit (NICU).

Methods

Using a telephone interview-based survey, functional outcomes were assessed by the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), Rancho Los Amigos Levels of Cognitive Functioning Scale (RLCFS), and Disability Rating Scale (DRS) and dichotomized as favorable and unfavorable (dependent variable). The adjusted influence of RBCT on unfavorable results was assessed by conventional logistic regression, controlling for illness severity and propensity score (introduced as a continuous variable and by propensity score-matched patients).

Results

Overall, 164 (53 %) patients received ≥1 unit of RBCT during their NICU stay. One year postinjury, transfused patients exhibited significantly higher unfavorable GOS (46.0 vs. 22.0 %), RLCFS (37.4 vs. 15.4 %), and DRS (39.6 vs. 18.7 %) scores than nontransfused patients. Although transfused patients were more severely ill upon admission, their adjusted odds ratios (95 % confidence intervals) for unfavorable GOS, RLCFS, and DRS scores were 2.5 (1.2–5.1), 3.0 (1.4–6.3), and 2.3 (1.1–4.8), respectively. These odds ratios remained largely unmodified when the calculated propensity score was incorporated as an independent continuous variable into the multivariate analysis. Furthermore, in 76 pairs of propensity score-matched patients, the rate of an unfavorable RLCFS score at the 1-year (but not 6-month) follow-up was significantly higher in transfused than nontransfused patients [3.0 (1.1–8.2)].

Conclusion

Our results strongly suggest an independent association between RBCT and unfavorable long-term functional outcomes of patients with TBI.

     

Variability in Intensive Care Utilization for Intracerebral Hemorrhage in the United States: Retrospective Cohort Study

ObjectivesThere are urban-rural geographic health disparities in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) outcomes. However, there is limited data regarding the relationship between intensive care (ICU) availability and ICH outcomes. We examined whether ICU availability was a significant contributor to ICH outcomes by US geographic region.Materials and methodsWe used de-identified Medicare inpatient datasets from January 2016 to December 2019 and identified all index ICH admissions, stratifying by ICU care received during the hospitalization. Distributions of teaching hospital status, quartile of ICH volume, hospital urban-rural designation, and ICU availability were obtained using chi-square test. Propensity-score matching was utilized to compare outcomes of more favorable outcome, inpatient mortality, and 30-day all-cause readmissions by ICU availability at each hospital.ResultsOut of a total of 119,891 hospitalizations for ICH, 66,306 (55.3%) received ICU-level care. Of hospitals that treated at least one ICH, 42.6% did not provide ICU level care for any ICH admission during the study period. Teaching hospitals (48.0% vs 7.0%; p<0.0001), hospitals with higher ICH case volumes (p<0.0001) and in larger metropolitan areas (p<0.0001) were more likely to have an ICU available. Propensity score-matched models showed that hospital ICU availability was associated with a lower likelihood of inpatient mortality (29.4% vs 33.7%; p=0.0016)ConclusionsRural-urban disparities in ICH outcomes are likely multifactorial, but ICU availability likely contributes to the disparity. Additional studies are necessary to elucidate other contributing mechanisms.     

Outcomes Associated With Infection of Chronic Pain Spinal Implantable Electronic Devices: Insights From a Nationwide Inpatient Sample Study

ObjectivesChronic pain spinal implantable electronic devices (CPSIEDs) include devices that provide spinal cord stimulation and intrathecal drug therapy. In this study, we sought to evaluate the trends of CPSIED infections, related complications, and outcomes following the treatment of infection.Materials and MethodsThe Nationwide Inpatient Sample database contains data from 48 states, and the District of Columbia was used to identify patients with a primary diagnosis of CPSIED infection during the years 2005–2014. Patients with intrathecal pumps for the treatment of spasticity were excluded to limit the study population to patients with chronic pain disorders. Treatments were categorized as: 1) without device removal, 2) pulse generator or pump only removal, 3) intrathecal pump system removal, and 4) spinal cord stimulation system removal. Complications associated with CPSIED infections were identified using administrative billing codes.ResultsDuring the study period 2005–2014, a total of 11,041 patients were admitted to the hospital with CPSIED infections. The majority of the patients were treated without surgical intervention (56%), and a smaller proportion underwent complete system explantation (22.7%). In-hospital mortality or permanent disability due to paralysis after CPSIED infection was around 1.83% and 2.77%, respectively. Infectious complications such as meningitis, abscess formation, and osteomyelitis occurred in 4.93%, 5.08%, and 1.5%, respectively. The median cost of hospitalization was around US $14,118.00, and the median length of stay was approximately six days (interquartile range = 4–13 days).ConclusionsThe complications of CPSIED infection were higher among patients that did not undergo device removal.     

Factors Associated with the Need for Intensive Care Unit Admission Following Supratentorial Intracerebral Hemorrhage: The Triage ICH Model

Background

Providing the correct level of care for patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is crucial, but the level of care needed at initial presentation may not be clear. This study evaluated factors associated with admission to intensive care unit (ICU) level of care.

Methods

This is an observational study of all adult patients admitted to our institution with non-traumatic supratentorial ICH presenting within 72 h of symptom onset between 2009–2012 (derivation cohort) and 2005–2008 (validation cohort). Factors associated with neuroscience ICU admission were identified via logistic regression analysis, from which a triage model was derived, refined, and retrospectively validated.

Results

For the derivation cohort, 229 patients were included, of whom 70 patients (31 %) required ICU care. Predictors of neuroscience ICU admission were: younger age [odds ratio (OR) 0.94, 95 % CI 0.91–0.97; p = 0.0004], lower Full Outline of UnResponsiveness (FOUR) score (0.39, 0.28–0.54; p < 0.0001) or Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score (0.55, 0.45–0.67; p < 0.0001), and larger ICH volume (1.04, 1.03–1.06; p < 0.0001). The model was further refined with clinician input and the addition of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). GCS was chosen for the model rather than the FOUR score as it is more widely used. The proposed triage ICH model utilizes three variables: ICH volume ≥30 cc, GCS score <13, and IVH. The triage ICH model predicted the need for ICU admission with a sensitivity of 94.3 % in the derivation cohort [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.88; p < 0.001] and 97.8 % (AUC = 0.88) in the validation cohort.

Conclusions

Presented are the derivation, refinement, and validation of the triage ICH model. This model requires prospective validation, but may be a useful tool to aid clinicians in determining the appropriate level of care at the time of initial presentation for a patient with a supratentorial ICH.

     

幕上自发性脑出血患者痫性发作的发生率及其相关因素分析——来自中国国家卒中登记数据库

【摘要】 目的 评价幕上自发性脑出血患者伴发痫性症状的发生率以及其相关危险因素。 方法 本研究为前瞻性队列研究,纳入2007年9月～2008年8月中国国家卒中登记数据库的2862例既 往无癫痫病史的发病14 d内住院的幕上自发性脑出血患者。住院时记录患者发病时或住院期间是否 合并痫性发作症状,根据是否合并痫性发作分为合并痫性发作组和未合并痫性发作组,比较两组 患者的基本特征。采用多因素回归模型评价患者的人口学特征、既往史、入院时格拉斯哥昏迷量表 （Glasgow Coma Scale,GCS）评分、幕上脑出血累及部位和体积、住院合并症与痫性发作的相关性。 结果 2862例幕上自发性脑出血患者,年龄中位数62.0岁（四分位间距53.0～72.0）,1115例（39.0%）为 女性,1921例（67.1%）既往有高血压病史。133例（4.6%）患者合并痫性发作。与未合并痫性发作患者相 比,合并痫性发作患者GCS平均评分低（9.5 vs 12.5,P =0.006）,合并脑积水（5.3% vs 1.5%,P =0.050） 和肺炎（30.1% vs 17.0%,P＜0.001）的比例高。在多因素回归分析中,下列因素与幕上自发性脑出血 患者伴发痫性发作独立相关：入院时GCS评分每降低2分［比值比（odds ratio,OR）1.32,95%可信区间 （confidence interval,CI）1.21～1.45］、血肿累及皮层（OR 5.82,95%CI 3.88～8.72）、合并脑积水（OR 2.73, 95%CI 1.14～6.56）和合并肺炎（OR 1.65,95%CI 1.09～2.52）。 结论 痫性发作是幕上自发性脑出血患者较为常见的神经系统并发症。昏迷程度、血肿累及皮层, 以及合并脑积水和肺炎是并发痫性发作症状的危险因素。     

Symptomatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage after Intravenous Thrombolysis: Predictive Factors and Validation of Prediction Models

Objective: Thrombolytic therapy with intravenous alteplase (IV-rtPA) has a known risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH). We aim to identify factors with a significant association with the development of sICH post-IV-rtPA. We also aim to perform an external validation of sICH predicting scores in our patient population. Material and Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients who received IV-rtPA at our tertiary care hospital. We excluded patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy. We analyzed various factors recorded at presentation such as presenting mean arterial pressure (MAP), blood glucose, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, verify Aspirin, verify Plavix, age, sex, platelet count, international normalized ratio, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, hemoglobin A1c, low-density lipoprotein, onset to treatment time, weight, sex, and early infarct signs on computed tomography (CT) head and compared them between sICH and non-sICH groups. For validation of sICH scores, we used documented variables to calculate the following scores for each patient: stroke prognostication using age and NIH stroke scale-100 (SPAN-100), DRAGON, CUCCHIARA, hemorrhage after thrombolysis (HAT), SEDAN, totaled health risks in vascular events, and safe implementation of thrombolysis in stroke-symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. Results: sICH rate in our cohort of 89 patients was 5.62% according to the European-Australasian Cooperative Acute Stroke Study-II (ECASS-II) criteria and 7.86% according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) criteria. In the multivariate regression analysis, MAP (95% CI, .001-.01; P .002), blood glucose greater than or equal to 185 mg/dL (95% CI, .12-.45; P .001) and presence of early infarct signs (95% CI, .06-.25; P .002) had a significant association with the development of sICH with the ECASS-II definition of sICH post-IV-rtPA, whereas, only MAP (95% CI, 1.01-1.18; P .025) and verify Aspirin less than 500 (95% CI, .01-.80; P .032) had a significant association with the development of sICH with the NINDS definition of sICH post-IV-rtPA. Our study found that HAT (95% CI, .58-.96; P .044) and DRAGON (95% CI, .61-.96; P .012) scores had the highest area under the curve (AUC) with respect to ECASS-II and NINDS criteria of sICH, respectively. Conclusions: We found that presenting MAP, presence of early infarct signs on CT Head and blood glucose greater than or equal to 185 mg/dL upon a patient's presentation have a significant association with sICH post-IV-rtPA when the ECASS-II definition was used, while presenting MAP and verify Aspirin less than 500 upon a patient's presentation have a significant association with sICH post-IV-rtPA when the NINDS definition was used. Our study found that HAT and DRAGON scores had the highest AUC, and they were the most valid in predicting the development of sICH in our independent cohort. Patients with these risk factors should receive more intensive neurological monitoring.     

Spontaneous Cerebellar Hemorrhage with the Fourth Ventricular Hemorrhage : Risk Factors Associated with Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

Objective

The purposes of this study are to investigate the factors that may be related to ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt in patients with cerebellar hematoma and the effect of severe fourth ventricular hemorrhage, causing obstructive hydrocephalus on subsequent VP shunt performance.

Methods

This study included 31 patients with spontaneous cerebellar hematoma and concomitant fourth ventricular hemorrhage, who did not undergo a surgical evacuation of hematoma. We divided this population into two groups; the VP shunt group, and the non-VP shunt group. The demographic data, radiologic findings, and clinical factors were compared in each group. The location of the hematoma (whether occupying the cerebellar hemisphere or the vermis) and the degree of the fourth ventricular obstruction were graded respectively. The intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) score was used to assess the IVH severity.

Results

Ten out of 31 patients underwent VP shunt operations. The midline location of cerebellar hematoma, the grade of fourth ventricle obstruction, and IVH severity were significantly correlated with that of VP shunt operation (p=0.015, p=0.013, p=0.028). The significant variables into a logistic regression multivariate model resulted in statistical significance for the location of cerebellar hemorrhage [p=0.05; odds ratio (OR), 8.18; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.00 to 67.0], the grade of fourth ventricle obstruction (p=0.044; OR, 19.26; 95% CI, 1.07 to 346.6).

Conclusion

The location of the cerebellar hematoma on CT scans and the degree of fourth ventricle obstruction by IVH were useful signs for the selection of VP shunt operation in patients with spontaneous cerebellar hematoma and concomitant acute hydrocephalus.     

Classical Risk Factors for Ischemic Stroke are not Associated with Inpatient Post-Stroke Mortality in Sickle Cell Disease

ObjectivesSickle cell disease is a common haemoglobinopathy that significantly increases the risk of ischemic stroke. Because the risk factors for ischemic stroke onset and mortality in non-sickle cell disease patients have been largely elucidated, this paper aims to analyze risk factors for ischemic stroke mortality in sickle cell disease patients, which remain largely unknown.Materials/MethodsThe National Inpatient Sample database (2016–2017) was used to develop a multivariable regression model for risk quantification of known ischemic stroke risk factors for in-hospital mortality in ischemic stroke patients with and without sickle cell disease.ResultsClassical risk factors for ischemic stroke onset, including ischemic heart disease, carotid artery disease, lipidemias, hypertension, obesity, tobacco use, atrial fibrillation, personal or family history of stroke, congenital heart defects, congestive heart failure, cardiac valve disorder, peripheral vascular disease, and diabetes mellitus are associated with in-hospital mortality in non-sickle cell patients (p < 0.05). However, no significant association was found between these stroke risk factors and in-hospital mortality in sickle cell disease patients presenting with ischemic stroke (p > 0.05).ConclusionsWhile the classical risk factors for stroke onset are associated with in-hospital mortality in non-sickle cell stroke patients, they are not associated with in-hospital mortality in sickle cell stroke patients.