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Possible Diagnostic Error in Cervical Artery Dissection: Analysis of STOP-CAD Study
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Possible Diagnostic Error in Cervical Artery Dissection: Analysis of STOP-CAD Study

Ekaterina Bakradze, Liqi Shu, Shadi Yaghi, Thanh Lam Ngoc Tran, Ross Curtiss Crandal, Evan Lester, Daniel M Mandel, James Ernest Siegler, Mary Penckofer, Ava Leigh Liberman, …
Journal of the American Heart Association, Vol.15(10), e046408
05/14/2026
DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.125.046408
PMID: 42132166
url
https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.125.046408View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Background Cervical artery dissection (CeAD) is a common cause of stroke in young adults but is frequently misdiagnosed due to its nonspecific symptoms. This study examines factors associated with possible diagnostic error in CeAD and evaluates its impact on patient outcomes. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of the STOP‐CAD (Antithrombotic Therapy for Stroke Prevention in Cervical Artery Dissection) study, which is a multicenter international study of adult patients admitted with CeAD. Possible diagnostic error was defined as the presence of CeAD symptoms within 30 days before the index CeAD diagnosis. The comparison group included patients diagnosed on their first medical encounter. Multivariable regression was used to identify factors associated with possible diagnostic error. Primary and secondary outcomes included ischemic stroke, death, and modified Rankin Scale score <2. Results Of 4012 patients (mean age 47.5 years, 44.6% female), 663 (16.5%) experienced possible diagnostic error. Among these, 224 (33.8%) reported to have ischemic stroke before CeAD diagnosis. Patients with possible diagnostic error were younger (odds ratio [OR], 0.89, P<0.001), more likely to have a history of migraines (OR, 1.35, P=0.007), and more likely to present with headaches (OR, 1.43, P<0.001), but less likely to show focal neurologic signs (OR, 0.68, P<0.001). There was no significant difference between groups in ischemic stroke after diagnosis (adjusted OR, 0.96, P=0.86), 90‐day modified Rankin Scale score <2 (adjusted OR, 1.04, P=0.80), or death (adjusted OR, 0.58, P=0.34). Conclusions One in 6 patients with CeAD experienced a possible diagnostic error, particularly those who were younger, had migraines, or presented with headaches and nonfocal symptoms.
 Stroke misdiagnosis dissection

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