Background Oral anticoagulation is highly effective in preventing ischemic events in patients with atrial fibrillation. Still, a considerable number of patients have an acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack despite anticoagulation. In this study, we investigated the association of prior antithrombotic regimens with stroke severity, volume, and hemorrhagic transformation. Methods and Results This is a post hoc analysis of the prospective, multicenter, observational PRODAST (Prospective Record of the Use of Dabigatran in Patients With Acute Stroke or TIA) study, which was conducted in 86 stroke units in Germany between July 2015 and November 2020. In 9030 patients with atrial fibrillation who had an acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack within 7 days before enrollment, we analyzed the association of anticoagulants in comparison to lack of prevalent antithrombotic treatment with clinical stroke severity, infarct size, and risk for hemorrhagic transformation. A total of 4479 patients had prior anticoagulation at the time of index event. After adjustment for confounders (arterial hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, age, and sex), patients with prior anticoagulation had less severe strokes (−2.5 National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale points [95% CI, −2.8 to −2.2]), smaller infarct sizes (−23 mL [95% CI, −44 mL to −2 mL], n=4041), and reduced odds for hemorrhagic transformation (5% versus 10%; odds ratio, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.40–0.57]) compared with patients without antithrombotic treatment. These findings were confirmed using sensitivity analyses accounting for thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy, as well as timing of brain imaging. Antiplatelet therapy had hardly any association with the end points compared with no antithrombotic pretreatment. Conclusions Prior anticoagulation was not only associated with less severe stroke and smaller infarct size but also with a reduced risk of hemorrhagic transformation compared with no antithrombotic pretreatment. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02507856.

BACKGROUND:Hematoma expansion after intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in anticoagulated patients significantly influences clinical outcomes and mortality, emphasizing the need for effective reversal agents. Andexanet alfa is a specific reversal agent for factor Xa-associated major bleeding. AIMS:The Andexanet alfa: non-interventional study at STROke centers in Germany (Deutschland, DE) (ASTRO-DE) study collected real-world evidence on the effect of andexanet alfa on mitigating hematoma expansion and altering prognosis in rivaroxaban- or apixaban-treated patients with ICH. METHODS:ASTRO-DE was a prospective non-interventional cohort study conducted at 25 certified stroke centers in Germany. The primary outcome was the hematoma volume change and the proportion of patients with hematoma growth ⩽33% within 12-72 h or until first control imaging. Secondary endpoints included in-hospital thromboembolic events and mortality up to 90 days. RESULTS:A total of 137 patients (47.4% male, mean age = 80.0 years) with ICH (92.6% spontaneous, 87.4% intracerebral), mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on admission of 11.2 points, and mean initial hematoma volume of 26.5 mL (median = 14.1 mL) were analyzed. Ninety patients (65.7%) suffered ICH while treated with apixaban and 47 (34.3%) with rivaroxaban. The median time between symptom onset and application of andexanet alfa was 3.3 h, door-to-needle time was 1.1 h. The mean change in hematoma volume until the first control imaging, conducted after a median of 15.6 h, was 2.3 mL (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.4-4.2), while the change within 12-72 h was 1.8 mL (95% CI = 0.4-3.2). Hematoma growth ⩽33% was achieved in 90.3% of the 93 evaluable patients based on first control imaging and in 90.5% of the 63 evaluable patients, considering only imaging performed within the 12-72 h window. During hospitalization, death occurred in 30/137 patients (21.9%) and 17 thromboembolic events in 11/137 (8.0%) patients. The 90-day mortality was 47/128 (36.7%). CONCLUSION:ASTRO-DE is the first prospective observational study systematically collecting standardized clinical routine data with andexanet alfa treatment. The study demonstrated favorable hemostasis and minimal mean hematoma volume growth in patients with ICH associated with apixaban or rivaroxaban treatment.Data access statement:Data are available upon reasonable request by contacting the corresponding author.

AbstractINTRODUCTIONThe aim of the study was to estimate the population‐based dementia incidence in Germany over a period of two decades.METHODSWe analyzed data from 4814 participants of the population‐based Heinz Nixdorf Recall study (49.8% men, 45–75 years at baseline period 2000–2003), who have been monitored for the occurrence of cognitive decline and dementia. We calculated the cumulative incidence of dementia and its major subtypes and the incidence rate per 1000 person‐years over two decades.RESULTSDuring a median follow‐up of 18.2 (Q1–Q3: 11.3–20.6) years, a total of 298 participants (6.2%) developed dementia (22.1% Alzheimer´s disease, 23.5% vascular dementia, 15.1% mixed dementia, 9.1% other dementia, 30.2% unspecified). The overall incidence rate was 3.9 per 1000 person‐years.DISCUSSIONOur study is the only current population‐based study in Germany that estimates the incidence of dementia. In order to reduce the high proportion of unspecific dementia diagnoses, diagnostics urgently need to be improved.Highlights New data on the incidence of dementia in Germany in participants ≥45 years of age. Participants have been monitored for dementia incidence over two decades. The overall incidence in our cohort was 3.9 per 1000 person‐years. Many patients had unspecific dementia diagnoses in their medical records. Further diagnostic evaluation should be available for all dementia patients.

5016 Background: Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen Positron-Emission-Tomography (PSMA-PET) was introduced for prostate cancer staging in 2012. PSMA-PET reported by standardized PROMISE criteria delivers accurate staging with potential prognostic value. Here we assess the prognostic value of PSMA-PET including tumor volume in a large prostate cancer dataset with overall survival follow-up and compare it head-to-head to clinical risk scores. Methods: Prostate cancer patients, who underwent PSMA-PET between October 2014 and December 2019 at the Essen University Hospital, were analyzed retrospectively. We collected PSMA-PET stage using the molecular imaging TNM system (miTNM), tumor volume, SUVmean and overall survival follow-up. The dataset was split into development and validation cohorts (2:1). We created a visual and quantitative nomogram based on Cox regression models with LASSO penalty using the development cohort. Performance of nomograms in the validation cohort were measured using C-index and calibration plots. Head-to-head comparison to clinical risk scores for each staging group was examined using ROC-curves and C-index. Results: The cohort includes 1612 prostate cancer patients across all disease stages with 567 (35.2%) recorded deaths. PSMA-PET based predictors included into the quantitative PSMA-PET nomogram were locoregional lymph node metastases (miN2), distant metastases (miM1a, miM1b pattern, miM1c), tumor volume and tumor SUVmean (Table). The visual nomogram includes distant metastases and total tumor lesion count. Overall C-indices were 0.81 or 0.78 for the quantitative or visual nomogram, respectively. The quantitative PSMA-PET nomogram was superior to STARCAP at initial staging (AUC: 0.72 vs. 0.53; p=0.02), to EAU risk score at BCR (AUC: 0.69 vs. 0.52; p<0.001), and to NCCN groups at any timepoint (AUC: 0.81 vs. 0.73; p<0.001). The visual PSMA-PET nomogram was superior to EAU risk score (AUC: 0.64 vs. 0.52; p<0.001) and NCCN groups (AUC: 0.79 vs. 0.73 p<0.001). Conclusions: Our prognostic PSMA-PET nomograms based on PROMISE criteria were accurate in early and late stages of prostate cancer. Prediction of overall survival was superior when compared to clinical risk tools. Multi-center validation in the PROMISE registry is ongoing. Development cohort (n=1110 patients) univariate regression findings for PROMISE variables included in the quantitative PSMA-PET nomogram for prediction of overall survival.[Table: see text]

Background Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-PET was introduced into clinical practice in 2012 and has since transformed the staging of prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer Molecular Imaging Standardized Evaluation (PROMISE) criteria were proposed to standardise PSMA-PET reporting. We aimed to compare the prognostic value of PSMA-PET by PROMISE (PPP) stage with established clinical nomograms in a large prostate cancer dataset with follow-up data for overall survival. Methods In this multicentre retrospective study, we used data from patients of any age with histologically proven prostate cancer who underwent PSMA-PET at the University Hospitals in Essen, M & uuml;nster, Freiburg, and Dresden, Germany, between Oct 30, 2014, and Dec 27, 2021. We linked a subset of patient hospital records with patient data, including mortality data, from the Cancer Registry North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany. Patients from Essen University Hospital were randomly assigned to the development or internal validation cohorts (2:1). Patients from M & uuml;nster, Freiburg, and Dresden University Hospitals were included in an external validation cohort. Using the development cohort, we created quantitative and visual PPP nomograms based on Cox regression models, assessing potential PPP predictors for overall survival, with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator penalty for overall survival as the primary endpoint. Performance was measured using Harrell's C-index in the internal and external validation cohorts and compared with established clinical risk scores (International Staging Collaboration for Cancer of the Prostate [STARCAP], European Association of Urology [EAU], and National Comprehensive Cancer Network [NCCN] risk scores) and a previous nomogram defined by Gafita et al (hereafter referred to as GAFITA) using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the ROC curve (AUC) estimates. Findings We analysed 2414 male patients (1110 included in the development cohort, 502 in the internal cohort, and 802 in the external validation cohort), among whom 901 (37%) had died as of data cutoff (June 30, 2023; median follow-up of 52 center dot 9 months [IQR 33 center dot 9-79 center dot 0]). Predictors in the quantitative PPP nomogram were locoregional lymph node metastases (molecular imaging N2), distant metastases (extrapelvic nodal metastases, bone metastases [disseminated or diffuse marrow involvement], and organ metastases), tumour volume (in L), and tumour mean standardised uptake value. Predictors in the visual PPP nomogram were distant metastases (extrapelvic nodal metastases, bone metastases [disseminated or diffuse marrow involvement], and organ metastases) and total tumour lesion count. In the internal and external validation cohorts, C-indices were 0 center dot 80 (95% CI 0 center dot 77-0 center dot 84) and 0 center dot 77 (0 center dot 75-0 center dot 78) for the quantitative nomogram, respectively, and 0 center dot 78 (0 center dot 75-0 center dot 82) and 0 center dot 77 (0 center dot 75-0 center dot 78) for the visual nomogram, respectively. In the combined development and internal validation cohort, the quantitative PPP nomogram was superior to STARCAP risk score for patients at initial staging (n=139 with available staging data; AUC 0 center dot 73 vs 0 center dot 54; p=0 center dot 018), EAU risk score at biochemical recurrence (n=412; 0 center dot 69 vs 0 center dot 52; p<0 center dot 0001), and NCCN pan-stage risk score (n=1534; 0 center dot 81 vs 0 center dot 74; p<0 center dot 0001) for the prediction of overall survival, but was similar to GAFITA nomogram for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC; n=122; 0 center dot 76 vs 0 center dot 72; p=0 center dot 49) and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC; n=270; 0 center dot 67 vs 0 center dot 75; p=0 center dot 20). The visual PPP nomogram was superior to EAU at biochemical recurrence (n=414; 0 center dot 64 vs 0 center dot 52; p=0 center dot 0004) and NCCN across all stages (n=1544; 0 center dot 79 vs 0 center dot 73; p<0 center dot 0001), but similar to STARCAP for initial staging (n=140; 0 center dot 56 vs 0 center dot 53; p=0 center dot 74) and GAFITA for mHSPC (n=122; 0 center dot 74 vs 0 center dot 72; p=0 center dot 66) and mCRPC (n=270; 0 center dot 71 vs 0 center dot 75; p=0 center dot 23). Interpretation Our PPP nomograms accurately stratify high-risk and low-risk groups for overall survival in early and late stages of prostate cancer and yield equal or superior prediction accuracy compared with established clinical risk tools. Validation and improvement of the nomograms with long-term follow-up is ongoing (NCT06320223). Copyright (c) 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Introduction: Factor Xa (FXa) inhibitors are superior to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in terms of avoiding hemorrhagic complications. However, no robust data are available to date as to whether this also applies to the early phase after stroke. In this prospective registry study, we aimed to investigate whether anticoagulation with FXa inhibitors in the early phase after acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) is associated with a lower risk of major bleeding events compared with VKAs. Materials and methods: The Prospective Record of the Use of Dabigatran in Patients with Acute Stroke or TIA (PRODAST) study is a prospective, multicenter, observational, post-authorization safety study at 86 German stroke units between July 2015 and November 2020. Primary outcome was a major bleeding event during hospital stay. Secondary endpoints were recurrent strokes, recurrent ischemic strokes, TIA, systemic/pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, death and the composite endpoint of stroke, systemic embolism, life-threatening bleeding and death. Results: In total, 10,039 patients have been recruited. 5,874 patients were treated with FXa inhibitors and 1,050 patients received VKAs and were eligible for this analysis. Overall, event rates were low. We observed 49 major bleeding complications during 33,297 treatment days with FXa-inhibitors (rate of 14.7 cases per 10,000 treatment days) and 16 cases during 7,714 treatment days with VKAs (rate of 20.7 events per 10,000 treatment days), translating into an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 0.70 (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.37–1.32) in favor of FXa inhibitors. Hazards for ischemic endpoints (63 vs 17 strokes, aHR: 0.96 (95% CI: 0.53–1.74), mortality (33 vs 6 deaths, aHR: 0.87 (95% CI: 0.33–2.34)) and the combined endpoint (154 vs 39 events, aHR: 0.99 (95% CI: 0.65–1.41) were not substantially different. Discussion and conclusion: This large real-world study shows that FXa inhibitors appear to be similarly effective in terms of bleeding events and ischemic endpoints compared to VKAs in the early post-stroke phase of hospitalization. However, the results need to be interpreted with caution due to the low precision of the estimates.

Introduction: Several respiratory viruses have been shown to have seasonal patterns. The aim of our study was to evaluate and compare these patterns in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients for five different respiratory viruses. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of results for 13,591 respiratory tract samples for human metapneumovirus (HMPV), influenza virus, parainfluenza virus (PIV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients. A seasonal pattern was aligned to the data of immunocompetent patients through a logistic regression model of positive and negative test results. Results: A narrow seasonal pattern (January to March) was documented for HMPV. Most RSV infections were detected in the winter and early spring months, from December to March, but occasional cases of RSV could be found throughout the year. The peak season for PIV-3 was during the summer months, and that for PIV-4 was mostly in autumn. A narrow seasonal pattern emerged for influenza virus as most infections were detected in the winter, in January and February. The seasonal patterns of HMPV, RSV, PIV, and influenza virus were similar for both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Conclusions: We found no difference in the seasonality of HMPV, RSV, PIV, and influenza virus infections between immunosuppressed and immunocompetent hosts.

PURPOSE:The interaction of gut microbiome and immune system is being studied with increasing interest. Disturbing factors, such as antibiotics may impact the immune system via gut and interfere with tumor response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). METHODS:In this multicenter retrospective cohort study exclusively treatment-naïve patients with cutaneous or mucosal melanoma treated with first-line anti-PD-1 based ICB for advanced, non-resectable disease between 06/2013 and 09/2018 were included. Progression-free (PFS), and overall survival (OS) according to antibiotic exposure (within 60 days prior to ICB and after the start of ICB vs. no antibiotic exposure) were analyzed. To account for immortal time bias, data from patients with antibiotics during ICB were analyzed separately in the time periods before and after start of antibiotics. RESULTS:Among 578 patients with first-line anti-PD1 based ICB, 7% of patients received antibiotics within 60 days prior to ICB and 19% after starting ICB. Antibiotic exposure prior to ICB was associated with worse PFS (adjusted HR 1.75 [95% CI 1.22-2.52]) and OS (adjusted HR 1.64 [95% CI 1.04-2.58]) by multivariate analysis adjusting for potential confounders. The use of antibiotics after the start of ICB had no effect on either PFS (adjusted HR 1.19; 95% CI 0.89-1.60) or OS (adjusted HR 1.08; 95% CI 0.75-1.57). CONCLUSIONS:Antibiotic exposure within 60 days prior to ICB seems to be associated with worse PFS and OS in melanoma patients receiving first-line anti-PD1 based therapy, whereas antibiotics after the start of ICB do not appear to affect PFS or OS.

C-statistics by tumor histology for variable lag-times since blood donation

Spearman coefficients of correlation between detection markers

OBJECTIVE:To assess the prevalence of acute mountain sickness (AMS) in 1370 mountaineers at four different altitudes in the Western Alps. We also examined the influence of potential risk factors and the knowledge about AMS on its prevalence.METHODS:In this observational cross-sectional study AMS was assessed on the day of ascent by the Lake Louise score (LLS, cut-off ≥3, version 2018) and the AMS-Cerebral (AMS-C) score of the environmental symptom questionnaire (cut-off ≥0,70). The latter was also obtained in the next morning. Knowledge regarding AMS and high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) and the potential risk factors for AMS were evaluated by questionnaires.RESULTS:On the day of ascent, the prevalence of AMS assessed by the LLS and AMS-C score was 5.8 and 3.9% at 2850 m, 2.1 and 3.1% at 3050 m, 14.8 and 10.1% at 3650 m, and 21.9 and 15% at 4559 m, respectively. The AMS prevalence increased overnight from 10.1 to 14.5% and from 15 to 25.2% at 3650 m and 4559 m, respectively, and was unchanged at 2850 m and 3050 m. A history of AMS, higher altitude, lower degree of pre-acclimatization, and younger age were identified as risk factors for developing AMS. Slow ascent was weakly associated with AMS prevalence, and sex and knowledge about AMS and HACE were indistinct.CONCLUSION:AMS is common at altitudes ≥ 3650 m and better knowledge about AMS and HACE was not associated with less AMS in mountaineers with on average little knowledge.

ROC curves and C-statistics by tumor stage for diagnosis {less than or equal to}6 months, {less than or equal to}12 months, 1-2 years and 2-3 years after blood collection

Evaluation of added discriminatory ability of each biomarker using Net Reclassification Improvement (NRI)

Background: The aim of the long-term Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study (observation period 20 years) was to establish the extent to which computed tomography (CT) improves the predictability of cardiovascular events relative to determination of risk factors alone. Methods: In the period 2000-2003, study staff examined 4355 probands (53% of them female) aged 45-75 years with no signs of cardiovascular disease. The Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) score was calculated on the basis of demographic data and cardiovascular risk factors. Cardiac CT was carried out over the same period and coronary artery calcification (CAC) was graded according to the Agatston score. Results: The median duration of follow-up was 18.2 years for men and 17.8 years for women. Myocardial infarction or stroke occurred in 458 (11%) of the 4154 participants with complete data. Overall, estimation of risk using a combination of ASCVD score and CAC grade was superior to the ASCVD score alone-even after 10 and 20 years. Classification into established risk categories improved by 12.2% (95% confidence interval: [5.3%; 18.1%]). In the highest ASCVD risk category, we observed occurrence of a cardiovascular event over 20 years for 14% [5.0%; 23.1%] of probands with a CAC score = 0 but for 34.2% [27.5%; 41.4%] of those with a CAC score 400. In the lowest ASCVD risk category, an event occurred in 2.4% [1.4%; 3.7%] of probands with a CAC score = 0 and in 23.5% [2.3%; 35.8%] of those with a CAC score >= 400. Conclusion: Even after 20 years, individual risk prediction is improved by addition of CT-based determination of coronary artery calcification to the ASCVD score. Therefore, assessment of ASCVD risk factors should be complemented more widely by cardiac CT in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Background: The optimal timing of initiating or resuming anticoagulation after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is debated. Dabigatran, a non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC), has shown superiority against vitamin K antagonists (VKA) regarding hemorrhagic complications. Aims: In this registry study, we investigated the initiation of dabigatran in the early phase after AIS or TIA. Methods: PRODAST (Prospective Record of the Use of Dabigatran in Patients with Acute Stroke or TIA) is a prospective, multicenter, observational, post-authorization safety study. We recruited 10,039 patients at 86 German stroke units between July 2015 and November 2020. A total of 3,312 patients were treated with dabigatran or VKA and were eligible for the analysis that investigates risks for major hemorrhagic events within 3 months after early (⩽ 7 days) or late (> 7 days) initiation of dabigatran or VKA initiated at any time. Further endpoints were recurrent stroke, ischemic stroke, TIA, systemic embolism, myocardial infarction, death, and a composite endpoint of stroke, systemic embolism, life-threatening bleeding and death. Results: Major bleeding event rates per 10,000 treatment days ranged from 1.9 for late administered dabigatran to 4.9 for VKA. Early or late initiation of dabigatran was associated with a lower hazard for major hemorrhages as compared to VKA use. The difference was pronounced for intracranial hemorrhages with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 0.47 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.10–2.21) for early dabigatran use versus VKA use and an adjusted HR of 0.09 (95% CI: 0.00–13.11) for late dabigatran use versus VKA use. No differences were found between early initiation of dabigatran versus VKA use regarding ischemic endpoints. Conclusions: The early application of dabigatran appears to be safer than VKA administered at any time point with regards to the risk of hemorrhagic complications and in particular for intracranial hemorrhage. This result, however, must be interpreted with caution in view of the low precision of the estimate.

Supplemental Table 1 shows associations between candidate biomarkers and breast cancer risk in women postmenopausal at blood collection using 5-year risk from Pfeiffer's model as a regression offset. ORs are estimated per doubling of concentration (from log2-transformed measurements) Supplemental Table 2 shows the estimated biomarker effects on risk of breast cancer, per doubling of concentration, in women postmenopausal at blood collection. The estimates provided are adjusted for Pfeiffer's risk score from the common model (i.e. mutually adjusted) and in the selected model. Supplemental Table 3 shows the performance of the full and selected models in women postmenopausal at blood collection in terms of concordance-statistic ("C"), integrated discrimination improvement index (IDI), and net-reclassification improvement (NRI continuous), each with 95%-Confidence interval and optimism-correction from 1000 bootstrap-samples.

Background:Despite the high incidence of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in cancer patients, there is still no consensus about the safety of recanalization therapies in this cohort.Objectives:In this observational study, our aim was to investigate the bleeding risk after acute recanalization therapy in AIS patients with active malignancy.Methods and Study Design:We retrospectively analyzed observational data of 1016 AIS patients who received intravenous thrombolysis with rtPA (IVT) and/or endovascular therapy (EVT) between January 2017 and December 2020 with a focus on patients with active malignancy. The primary safety endpoint was the occurrence of stroke treatment-related major bleeding events, that is, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) and/or relevant systemic bleeding. The primary efficacy endpoint was neurological improvement during hospital stay (NI).Results:None of the 79 AIS patients with active malignancy suffered from stroke treatment-related systemic bleeding. The increased rate (7.6% versus 4.7%) of SICH after therapy compared to the control group was explained by confounding factors. A total of nine patients with cerebral tumor manifestation received acute stroke therapy, two of them suffered from stroke treatment-related intracranial hemorrhage remote from the tumor, both asymptomatic. The group of patients with active malignancy and the control group showed comparable rates of NI.Conclusion:Recanalization therapy in AIS patients with active malignancy was not associated with a higher risk for stroke treatment-related systemic or intracranial bleeding. IVT and/or EVT can be regarded as a safe therapy option for AIS patients with active malignancy.

Supplementary Table 1, Figures 1-4. Supplementary Table 1. Pairwise kappa before and after overlapping age range was applied (the lower triangle) and the net reclassification index (NRI, %, the upper triangle). Supplementary Figure 1. Participants selected for LDCT screening using different eligibility criteria among ever smokers in the EPIC-Germany cohort (N = 20,700). Supplementary Figure 2. ROC curves of the lung cancer risk prediction models applied to ever smokers in the EPIC-Germany cohort (N = 20,700). Supplementary Figure 3. The cumulative distribution of 5-year absolute risk estimates in the EPIC-Germany cohort (N = 20,700) and the LUSI study (N = 33,621). Supplementary Figure 4. The cumulative distribution of 5-year absolute risk estimates before and after missing risk factors were simulated (ever smokers in EPIC-Germany, N = 20,700).

Case characteristics (median (min-max) or n (%)) by histologic subtypes in the EPIC cohort

Background Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a rare but serious side effect associated with the use of oral anticoagulants, such as dabigatran. The specific reversal agent for dabigatran, idarucizumab, is available for the management of individuals with ICH. The aim of this study was to provide real-world evidence on patients with ICH and effective treatment with dabigatran and reversal with idarucizumab in clinical routine compared to those under effective treatment with vitamin-K-antagonist (VKA). Methods Registration of Idarucizumab for Patients with IntraCranial Hemorrhage (RIC-ICH) is a non-interventional study conducted in 22 German stroke units that prospectively enrolled dabigatran patients treated with idarucizumab. Retrospective data from VKA patients served as reference population. Main objective was in-hospital mortality. Further objectives included change in bleeding volume, stroke severity, and functional status. Result In-hospital mortality was 26.7% in 15 dabigatran and 27.3% in 88 VKA patients (hazard ratio 1.00, 95% CI 0.29–2.60). In patients with bleeding volume > 60 ml, mortality was lower in the dabigatran group (N = 6, 33%) compared to the VKA group (N = 15, 67%; HR 0.24, 95% CI 0.04–0.96). No differences were observed in secondary endpoints between dabigatran and VKA patients. Conclusion These results, based on data from routine clinical practice, suggest that in-hospital mortality after idarucizumab treatment is comparable to that in patients pretreated with VKA. Due to the low precision of estimates, the results must be interpreted with caution.