Endovascular Treatment of Large Vessel Occlusion Strokes Due to Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease / 대한뇌졸중학회지

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has become the gold-standard for patients with acute large vessel occlusion strokes (LVOS). MT is highly effective in the treatment of embolic occlusions; however, underlying intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) represents a therapeutic challenge, often requiring pharmacological and/or mechanical rescue treatment. Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors have been suggested as the best initial approach, if reperfusion can be achieved after thrombectomy, with angioplasty and/or stenting being reserved for the more refractory cases. In this review, we focus on the therapeutic considerations surrounding the endovascular treatment of ICAD-related acute LVOS.

Endovascular Treatment for Posterior Circulation Stroke: Ways to Maximize Therapeutic Efficacy / 대한뇌졸중학회지

The efficacy of endovascular treatment (EVT) in patients with posterior circulation stroke has not been proven. Two recent randomized controlled trials failed to show improved functional outcomes after EVT for posterior circulation stroke (PC-EVT). However, promising results for two additional randomized controlled trials have also been presented at a recent conference. Studies have shown that patients undergoing PC-EVT had a higher rate of futile recanalization than those undergoing EVT for anterior circulation stroke. These findings call for further identification of prognostic factors beyond recanalization. The significance of baseline clinical severity, infarct volume, collaterals, time metrics, core-penumbra mismatch, and methods to accurately measure these parameters are discussed. Furthermore, their interplay on EVT outcomes and the potential to individualize patient selection for PC-EVT are reviewed. We also discuss technical considerations for improving the treatment efficacy of PC-EVT.

Clinical Impact of Intracerebral Hemorrhage after Hyperacute Extracranial Stenting in Patients with Ischemic Stroke / 신경중재치료의학

PURPOSE: Emergent intracranial occlusions causing acute ischemic stroke are often related to extracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. This study aimed to investigate the association between post-procedure intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and emergent extracranial artery stenting and assess their effects on clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing hyperacute endovascular treatment for cervicocephalic vascular occlusion in three Korean hospitals between January 2011 and February 2016. Patients who had extracranial artery involvement and were treated from 24 hours of symptom onset to puncture were included in this study, and they were divided into the extracranial stenting (ES) and non-ES groups. Any type of petechial hemorrhages and parenchymal hematoma was defined as ICH for the current study. RESULTS: In total, 76 patients were included in this study. Among them, 56 patients underwent ES, and 20 patients did not. Baseline characteristics, risk factors, laboratory data, treatment methods, successful reperfusion rates, and baseline stenotic degrees of extracranial internal carotid artery did not differ between these two groups. However, atrial fibrillation was more frequent in patients without than with ES (P=0.002), and post-procedure ICH was more frequent in patients with than without ES (P=0.035). Logistic regression models revealed that ES was independently associated with post-procedure ICH (odds ratio [OR], 7.807; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.213–50.248; P=0.031), and ICH was independently associated with poor clinical outcomes (OR, 0.202; 95% CI, 0.054–0.759; P=0.018); however, ES itself was not associated with clinical outcomes (OR, 0.530; 95% CI, 0.117–2.395; P=0.409). Notably, ICH and ES had interaction for predicting good outcomes (P=0.041). CONCLUSION: Post-procedure ICH was associated with ES and poor clinical outcomes. Therefore, ES should be cautiously considered in patients with hyperacute stroke.

Primary neurocritical care involving therapeutic hypothermia for acute ischemic stroke patients with malignant infarct cores

BACKGROUND: Acute ischemic stroke patients with malignant infarct cores were primarily treated with neurocritical care based on reperfusion and hypothermia. We evaluated the predictors for malignant progression and functional outcomes. METHODS: From January 2010 to March 2015 ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion of the anterior circulation with infarct volume >82 mL on baseline diffusion weighted image (DWI) within 6 hours from onset, with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale ≥15 were included. All patients were managed with intent for reperfusion and neurocritical care. Malignant progression was defined as clinical signs of progressive herniation. Predictive factors for malignant progression and outcomes of decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) were evaluated. RESULTS: In total, 49 patients were included in the study. Among them, 33 (67.3%) could be managed with neurocritical care and malignant progression was observed in the remainder. Decompressive surgery was performed in nine patients (18.4%). Factors predictive of malignant progression were initial DWI volumes (odds ratio [OR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00 to 1.02; P=0.046) and parenchymal hematoma (OR, 6.77; 95% CI, 1.50 to 30.53; P=0.013) on computed tomography taken at Day 1. Infarct volume of >210 mL predicted malignant progression with 56.3% sensitivity and 90.9% specificity. Among the malignant progressors, 77.7% resulted in grave outcomes even with DHC, while all patients who declined surgery died. CONCLUSION: Acute ischemic stroke patients with malignant cores between 82 to 209 mL can be primarily treated with neurocritical care based on reperfusion and hypothermia with feasible results. In patients undergoing surgical decompression due to malignant progression, the functional outcomes were not satisfactory.

Prognosis of Acute Intracranial Atherosclerosis-Related Occlusion after Endovascular Treatment / 대한뇌졸중학회지

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Little is known about prognosis after endovascular therapy (EVT) for acute large artery occlusion (LAO) caused by underlying intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). Therefore, we investigated the prognosis following EVT according to the underlying etiology of LAO. METHODS: Patients from the Acute Stroke due to Intracranial Atherosclerotic occlusion and Neurointervention-Korean Retrospective (ASIAN KR) registry (n=720) were included if their occlusion was in the intracranial anterior circulation and their onset-to-puncture time was < 24 hours. Occlusion was classified according to etiology as follows: no significant stenosis after recanalization (Embolic group), and fixed significant focal stenosis in the occlusion site with flow impairment or re-occlusion observed during EVT (ICAS group). Patients were excluded when significant extracranial carotid lesions existed, and when the intracranial occlusion was intractable to EVT so that the etiology was undetermined. The effect of angiographic etiologic classification on outcomes was evaluated using multivariable analysis that was adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Among eligible patients (n=520), 421 and 99 were classified in the Embolic and ICAS groups, respectively. Patients in the Embolic and ICAS groups had similar successful reperfusion rates with EVT (79.6% vs. 76.8%, P=0.537) and 3-month functional independence (54.5% vs. 45.5%, P=0.104). In multivariable analysis, ICAS-related occlusion (odds ratio, 0.495; 95% confidence interval, 0.269 to 0.913; P=0.024) showed poorer 3-month functional independence compared to embolic occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: After EVT, patients with acute ICAS-related occlusion have relatively poor functional outcomes compared to those with embolic occlusion. Novel strategies need to be developed to improve EVT outcomes for ICAS occlusion.

Temporal Changes in Care Processes and Outcomes for Endovascular Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke: Retrospective Registry Data from Three Korean Centers / 신경중재치료의학

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the influence of temporal patterns related to the availability of new endovascular treatment (EVT) devices on care processes and outcomes among patients with AIS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 720 consecutive patients (January 2011 to May 2016) in a retrospective registry, ASIAN KR, from three Korean hospitals, who received EVT for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by cervicocephalic arterial occlusions. We performed period-to-period analyses based on stent retriever reimbursement and the availability of second-generation direct-aspiration devices (Period 1: January 2011–July 2014 vs. Period 2: August 2014–May 2016); time metrics and outcomes were compared when the onset-to-puncture time was <720 min among patients with EVT for intracranial occlusion. RESULTS: Period 2 had better post-EVT outcomes (3-month modified Rankin Scale 0–2 or equal to prestroke score, 48.3% vs. 60.2%, P=0.004), more successful reperfusion rates (modified Treatment In Cerebral Ischemia 2b–3, 74.2% vs. 82.2%, P=0.019), fewer subarachnoid hemorrhages (modified Fisher grade 3–4, 5.5% vs. 2.0%, P=0.034) and lower hemorrhagic transformation rates (any intracerebral hemorrhage, 35.3 vs. 22.7%, P=0.001) than Period 1. Compared to Period 1, Period 2 had a shorter door-to-puncture time (median 109 vs. 90 min, P<0.001), but longer onset-to-door time (129 vs. 143 min, P=0.057). CONCLUSION: Recent temporal improvements in post-EVT AIS outcomes in Korea are likely due to a combination of enhanced hospital care processes and administration of newer thrombectomy devices.

Cerebral Arterial Calcification Is an Imaging Prognostic Marker for Revascularization Treatment of Acute Middle Cerebral Arterial Occlusion / 대한뇌졸중학회지

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To study the significance of intracranial artery calcification as a prognostic marker for acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing revascularization treatment after middle cerebral artery (MCA) trunk occlusion. METHODS: Patients with acute MCA trunk occlusion, who underwent intravenous and/or intra-arterial revascularization treatment, were enrolled. Intracranial artery calcification scores were calculated by counting calcified intracranial arteries among major seven arteries on computed tomographic angiography. Patients were divided into high (HCB; score > or =3) or low calcification burden (LCB; score <3) groups. Demographic, imaging, and outcome data were compared, and whether HCB is a prognostic factor was evaluated. Grave prognosis was defined as modified Rankin Scale 5-6 for this study. RESULTS: Of 80 enrolled patients, the HCB group comprised 15 patients, who were older, and more commonly had diabetes than patients in the LCB group. Initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores did not differ (HCB 13.3+/-2.7 vs. LCB 14.6+/-3.8) between groups. The final good reperfusion after revascularization treatment (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score 2b-3, HCB 66.7% vs. LCB 69.2%) was similarly achieved in both groups. However, the HCB group had significantly higher NIHSS scores at discharge (16.0+/-12.3 vs. 7.9+/-8.3), and more frequent grave outcome at 3 months (57.1% vs. 22.0%) than the LCB group. HCB was proven as an independent predictor for grave outcome at 3 months when several confounding factors were adjusted (odds ratio 4.135, 95% confidence interval, 1.045-16.359, P=0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial HCB was associated with grave prognosis in patients who have undergone revascularization for acute MCA trunk occlusion.

Sulfasalazine-induced Reversible Leukoencephalopathy

A 50-year-old woman presented with a 4-day history of apathy, perseveration, and confusion. These symptoms appeared 16 days after she had started taking sulfasalazine for rheumatoid arthritis. Brain MRI showed bilateral symmetrical discoid lesions involving the corona radiata. She fully recovered 7 days after stopping the medications. Follow-up brain MRI revealed remarkable improvement of the lesions. The pathomechanisms related to sulfasalazine-induced leukoencephalopathy may be demyelinating processes due to impaired T-cell-mediated immunity.

The Association of Postsurgical Gastritis with Duodenogastric Reflux in Patients with Billroth-II Gastrectomy / 대한소화관운동학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It is suggested that postsurgical gastritis is mainly caused by the enterogastric reflux, but the pathogenesis and association with symptoms are not clearly established. The aims of this study were to investigate the role of duodenogastric reflux in postsurgical gastritis and to evaluate the relationship between an intragastric pH study and an intragastric bile reflux study. METHODS: The 33 patients with Billroth-II gastrectomy and 10 healthy volunteers were enrolled. After the endoscopy, we performed a simultaneous intragastric pH and a bile reflux study. RESULTS: The symptomatic patients with Billroth-II gastrectomy showed a greater increase in bilirubin reflux than the asymptomatic patients and normal controls. There was a significant association of gastritis with the presence of symptoms, but not with duodenogastric reflux. Intragastric bile reflux(% time> bilirubin absorbance 0.14) was not closely related with intragastric pH(% time> pH 4). CONCLUSIONS: The duodenogastric reflux was associated with symptoms but not with postsurgical gastritis. There was no close relationship between the intragastric pH study and the intragastric bile reflux study.

Anesthesia Induction with Propofol Using a Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) is designed to achieve a predicted target blood concentration based on population pharmacokinetics and it provides the closest approximation for any individual patients. This study determined which target is appropriate for propofol induction using a TCI in korean adullt patients premedicated with midazolam. METHODS: Sixty six patients (ASA I or II, 18~55 years) premedicated with midazolam were allocated randomly to receive an infusion to achieve and maintain a target blood concentration of 3, 4, 5 and 6 microgram/ml using a TCI. Induction time was measured as the interval from the start of the infusion to loss of verbal contact and induction within 3 min was considered as successful. Calculated concentration, induction dose, context sensitive decrement time, vital signs, pain score and side effects were checked and compared each other during induction period. RESULTS: The success rate when the target was 3 microgram/ml was 25%, 58.8%, 77.8% and 100% when targets were 4 microgram/ml, 5 microgram/ml and 6 microgram/ml respectively. EC50 for induction was 3.87 microgram/ml and EC95 was 5.71 microgram/ml. Calculated concentration, induction dose, context sensitive decrement time in 3, 4, 5 microgram/ml group showed no differences among groups, but 6 microgram/ml group showed statistically significant differences compared with other groups. Vital signs, pain score and side effects showed no differences among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Target concentration of 5~6 microgram/ml would successfully induce anesthesia in the majority of patients premedicated with midazolam without major hemodynamic changes.