The second day of the ESOC 2025 brought scientific inquiry to life, thanks to the remarkable contributions of our presenters, that showcased an exceptional standard of scientific work reflecting depth, innovation, and clinical relevance that define the forefront of stroke research. All the posters showcased excellent work, making the selection truly challenging but here are some of the most interesting ones.
In the acute ischemic stroke management section, Thomas Meinel and his collaborators presented the data for the DO-IT trial regarding Intravenous Thrombolysis in patients with recent intake of direct oral anticoagulants. The authors observed that IVT in patients with DOAC treatment didn’t significantly increase the risk of sICH and presented a better functional outcome. At the same time, the authors observed that among IVT patients, higher DOAC plasma levels or recent intake of DOAC medication was not associated with higher bleeding risk. In the same section Lina Palaiodimou et al. made a systematic review and meta-analysis regarding the use of Tenecteplase for acute ischaemic stroke in the extended time window. The authors concluded that evidence from the RCTs included suggest that TNK improves the likelihood of an excellent functional outcome and reduces disability at 3 months in patients treated in extended window, without significant safety concerns. Pinckaers et al. presented data from the Select2 trial regarding the Effect of time form last known well to randomization on EVT outcomes across witnessed, wake-up and unwitnessed strokes. The authors observed that there were no statistically significant heterogeneity in EVT effect estimates between wake-up, witnessed and unwitnessed strokes.
In the intracerebral hemorrhage section Kaindl et al. presented data about frequency and outcome and outcome effects of antagonizing anticoagulant-related intracerebral hemorrhage. From the total of 1469 ICH associated with oral anticoagulants, more than 500 patients received antagonization therapies, The authors concluded that the use of antagonization did not significantly reduce odds of early neurological deterioration, but it was associated with reduced mortality and better functional outcomes at 90 days
In the Pre-hospital service organisation, QoL, Recovery, Rehabilitation & Outcome section, Carmen Montalvo Olmedo presented a poster regarding socioeconomic deprivation among patients with stroke treated with EVT in Catalonia, in which they observed that socioeconomic deprivation is associated with worse functional outcome and the differences are driven mainly by within-center disparities between provincial region and center disparities in the metropolitan region. In the same section Karisik et al. presented data regarding the impact of dysphagia on early psychosocial consequences after acute ischemic stroke and observed that post-stroke dysphagia has severe psychosocial consequences including increased dependency in daily living and a higher risk of being unable to return to work.
In the Digital transformation, AI & Robotics, Diagnosis and Imaging, Biomarkers & Pathophysiology, Etiology section, had some interesting posters, full of promising studies. Alexander Nelde and his colleagues presented a poster about AI for prediction of Atrial Fibrilation in the Stroke Unit and observed that alteration of heart rate variability are the strongest predictors of AF in patients with acute ischemic stroke. At the same time, they observed that the model used may enable AF risk stratification immediately after admission to the stroke unit and support the decision on prolonged cardiac monitoring. Felix Nagele and his colleagues presented data regarding linking vascular risk factors with the topology of enlarged perivascular spaces in the Hamburg city health study and observed that among individuals aged between 45-74 years a multivariate low-dimensional association between vascular risk factors and perivascular space enlargement burden, predominantly in the anterior circulation was found and that this relationship was mediated by white matter microstructural injury.
The Risk Factors, Primary & Secondary prevention section was full of very interesting studies. A poster that caught my attention was presented by Ramon Luengo-Fernandez and his colleagues and touched a important topic regarding the Economic Burden of Stroke in 37 European countries and showed that stroke costs European countries more than their combined foreign aid expenditure (96 bn euro vs 71 bn euro), 51 bn euros of this total cost being spent on health and health related social care. Gabriele Prandin et al. evaluated the impact of inflammation biomarkers in mechanical thrombectomy outcomes and observed that the 24-hours-neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR)is a powerful predictor of stroke outcomes post MT, with a threshold of 4.30 strongly associated with poor prognosis. Xiao et al. evaluated the possibility that Statin prevents Radiation-Induced Carotid Artery Stenosis after Radiotherpy for head and neck malignant tumors and observed that statin treatment was associated with lower risk of RICS in these patients, regardless of baseline LDL-C levels.
In the Late Abstract section, Menglu Ouyang and his colleagues from the OPTIMIST trial published the data regarding Acceptability and fesability of low-intensity post-thrombolysis monitoring after acute ischemic stroke and observed that low-intensity monitoring was found acceptable, feasible and health professionals recognised the advantages of intervention such as reduced disturbances to the patients, fewer time constrains, free-up ICU beds and reduced nurse workload. The authors observed that the time saved was redirected toward patient education and other nursing duties. Koji Tanaka and his colleagues from the ANNEXA-I trial evaluate the usage of Non-Contrast Computed Tomography (NCCT) markers of hematoma expansion and response to Andexanet in FXa inhibitor- associated intracranial hemorrhage and observed that NCCT markers of hematoma expansion (HE) were associated with HE in patients with FXa associated ICH and the efficacy of Andexanet was largely consistent regardless of the NCCT markers. The authors observed that the Blend sign may help identifying patients that obtain greater benefit from Andexanet.
This year’s poster walk featured a diverse range of topics and impressive contributions and collaborations. A showcase of high-quality research and fresh perspectives in stroke care.
