Carotid Stenting and Mechanical Thrombectomy in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke and Tandem Occlusions: Antithrombotic Treatment and Functional Outcome.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is no consensus on the optimal antithrombotic medication for patients with acute ischemic stroke with anterior circulation tandem occlusions treated with emergent carotid stent placement and mechanical thrombectomy. The identification of factors influencing hemorrhagic risks can assist in creating appropriate therapeutic algorithms for such patients. This study aimed to investigate the impact of medical therapy on functional and safety outcomes in patients treated with carotid stent placement and mechanical thrombectomy for tandem occlusions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study on prospectively collected data was conducted. Only patients treated with carotid stent placement and mechanical thrombectomy for tandem occlusions of the anterior circulation were included. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed on preprocedural, procedural, and postprocedural variables to assess factors influencing clinical outcome, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, stent patency, and successful intracranial vessel recanalization. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients with acute ischemic stroke and tandem occlusions were included. Good clinical outcome (mRS ≤ 2) at 3 months was reached by 33 (39.3%) patients and was associated with baseline ASPECTS ≥ 8 (OR = 1.53; 95% CI, 1.16-2.00), ≤2 mechanical thrombectomy attempts (OR = 0.71; 95% CI, 0.55-0.99), and the absence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR = 0.13; 95% CI , 0.03-0.51). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was associated with a higher amount of intraprocedural heparin, ASPECTS ≤ 7, and ≥3 mechanical thrombectomy attempts. No relationships among types of acute antiplatelet regimen, intravenous thrombolysis, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were observed. Patients receiving dual-antiplatelet therapy after hemorrhagic transformation had been ruled out on 24-hour CT were more likely to achieve functional independence and had a lower risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: During carotid stent placement and mechanical thrombectomy for tandem occlusion treatment, higher intraprocedural heparin dosage (≥3000 IU) increased symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage risk when the initial ASPECTS was ≤7, and mechanical thrombectomy needs more than one passage for complete recanalization. Antiplatelets antiplatelets use were safe, and dual-antiaggregation therapy was related to better functional outcomes.

Should posterior cerebral artery occlusions be recanalized? Insights from the Trevo Registry.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with acute ischaemic stroke related to isolated and primary posterior cerebral artery (PCA) occlusions amongst the patients enrolled in the multicentre post-market Trevo Registry. METHOD: Amongst the 2008 patients enrolled in the Trevo Registry with acute ischaemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion treated by MT, 22 patients (1.1%) [10 females (45.5%), mean age 66.2 ± 14.3 years (range 28-91)] had a PCA occlusion [17 P1 (77.3%) and five P2 occlusions (22.7%)]. Recanalization after the first Trevo (Stryker, Fremont, CA, USA) pass and at the end of the procedure was rated using the modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) score. Procedure-related complications (i.e. groin puncture complication, perforation, symptomatic haemorrhage, embolus in a new territory) were also recorded. The modified Rankin Scale at 90 days was assessed. RESULTS: Median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at admission was 14 (interquartile range 8-16). Stroke aetiology was cardio-embolic in 68.2% of cases. Half of the patients (11/22) received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator. 54.5% of the patients were treated under general anaesthesia. Reperfusion (i.e. mTICI 2b or 3) after first pass was obtained in 65% of cases. Final mTICI 2b-3 reperfusion was obtained in all cases. Only one (4.5%) procedure-related complication was recorded (puncture site) that resolved after surgery. At 90-day follow-up, modified Rankin Scale 0-2 was obtained in 59% of the patients and 9.1% died within the first 3 months after MT. CONCLUSION: Mechanical thrombectomy for PCA occlusions seems to be safe (<5% procedure-related complications) and effective. Larger repository datasets are needed.