Stroke services in the Middle East and adjacent region: A survey of 34 hospital-based stroke services.

Background: Acute stroke care is complex and requires multidisciplinary networking. There are insufficient data on stroke care in the Middle East and adjacent regions in Asia and Africa. Objective: Evaluate the state of readiness of stroke programs in the Middle East North Africa and surrounding regions (MENA+) to treat acute stroke. Method: Online questionnaire survey on the evaluation of stroke care across hospitals of MENA+ region between April 2021 and January 2022. Results: The survey was completed by 34/50 (68%) hospitals. The median population serviced by participating hospitals was 2 million. The median admission of patients with stroke/year was 600 (250-1,100). The median length of stay at the stroke units was 5 days. 34/34 (100%) of these hospitals have 24/7 CT head available. 17/34 (50%) have emergency guidelines for prehospital acute stroke care. Mechanical thrombectomy with/without IVT was available in 24/34 (70.6%). 51% was the median (IQR; 15-75%) of patients treated with IVT within 60 min from arrival. Thirty-five minutes were the median time to reverse warfarin-associated ICH. Conclusion: This is the first large study on the availability of resources for the management of acute stroke in the MENA+ region. We noted the disparity in stroke care between high-income and low-income countries. Concerted efforts are required to improve stroke care in low-income countries. Accreditation of stroke programs in the region will be helpful.

Cerebral arteriovenous malformations during pregnancy: a management dilemma.

The rupture of a brain cranial arteriovenous malformation (bAVM) has been associated with pregnancy; however, due to scarcity of data about this rare condition, management still remains a dilemma both for obstetricians and neurophysicians. The management plan is decided after weighing the benefits of bAVM treatment against the risk of bleeding in pregnancy. There is consensus on deciding the treatment of ruptured brain AVM during pregnancy based on neurological and not obstetrical indications. The management is decided using a multidisciplinary approach.We report the case of a primigravida who presented at 15 weeks of gestation with intracranial haemorrhage secondary to ruptured bAVM, which was managed by glue embolisation. However, she presented again after 9 days in a moribund condition with fever, vomiting and malaise. The family was very concerned about the patient. The multidisciplinary team after evaluation of patient decided for hysterotomy based on the deteriorating maternal condition.

Carotid Revascularization with and without the Use of an Embolic Protection Device: A Single-Center Experience from Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: To assess the safety and clinical efficacy of carotid artery stenting with and without an embolic protection device (EPD) in both symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid disease cases. METHODS: Retrospective data of 55 symptomatic (≥50% occlusion by digital subtraction angiography [DSA], ≥70% by ultrasound, computed tomography angiography [CTA], and magnetic resonance angiography [MRA]) and asymptomatic (≥60% by DSA, ≥70% by ultrasound, ≥80% by CTA and MRA) carotid disease cases undergoing carotid stenting/angioplasty revascularization from February 2014 to October 2017 was reviewed. All symptomatic patients either experienced recurrent transient ischemic attacks or one or more stroke attacks. An EPD protocol was designed for its selective use based on plaque morphologies and working diameters. The primary end points at 30 days of follow-up were a periprocedural incidence of any stroke, myocardial infarction or death, and ipsilateral stroke during the follow-up period. RESULTS: Of the 55 cases, 39 were males and 16 females; mean age was 64.8 years. Fifty-one patients (92.7%) were symptomatic, with a mean stenosis of 80.1%. EPD was used in only 11 cases (20%). Minor stroke rate during the first 30 postoperative days was 1.8% (1 case) with EPD; no myocardial infarction or mortality. No stroke occurred during the median 1.5 years' follow-up. CONCLUSION: Based on our single-center experience and findings of a relatively small sample size, carotid revascularization with stenting and angioplasty without EPD in experienced hands was found to be safe and efficacious. In addition, it proves cost-effective for patients by limiting the use of unnecessary disposables. These results are comparable to those reported in major trials and are well within the complication thresholds suggested in current guidelines. These results also show promise and illustrate the need for a larger, randomized controlled trial in order to thoroughly address this aspect of carotid revascularization.

Safety of Diagnostic Cerebral and Spinal Digital Subtraction Angiography in a Developing Country: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) remains the gold standard imaging modality for cerebrovascular disorders. In contrast to developed countries, the safety of the procedure is not extensively reported from the developing countries. Herein, we present a retrospective analysis of the basic technique, indications, and outcomes in 286 patients undergoing diagnostic cerebral and spinal angiography in a developing country, Pakistan. METHODS: A retrospective review of patient demographics, procedural technique and complication rates of 286 consecutive patients undergoing the diagnostic cerebral/spinal angiography procedure at one institution from May 2013 to December 2015 was performed. Neurological, systemic, or local complications occurring within and after 24 h of the procedure were recorded. RESULTS: Mean age reported for all patients was 49.7 years. Of all the 286 cases, 175 were male (61.2%) and the rest female (111, 38.8%). Cerebral DSA was performed in 279 cases (97.6%), with 7 cases of spinal DSA (2.4%). Subarachnoid hemorrhage was the most common indication for DSA accounting for 88 cases (30.8%), closely followed by stroke (26.6%) and arteriosclerotic vascular disease (23.1%). No intra- or post-procedural neurological complications of any severity were seen in any of the 286 cases. One case of asymptomatic aortic dissection was reported (0.3%) in the entire cohort of patient population. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic cerebral/spinal digital subtraction angiography was found to be safe in Pakistan, with complication rates at par with and comparable to those reported in the developed world.

Non-moyamoya bilateral middle cerebral artery agenesis mimicking multiple sclerosis.

We present a case of a 41-year-old woman who carried the misdiagnosis of multiple sclerosis for 13 years while on disease modifying therapy [DMT]. Her neurologic work-up showed an extremely rare type of bilateral middle cerebral arteryocclusive disease, a basilar apex aneurysm and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. A thorough search for alternative neurologic diagnosis is recommended before patients are given a definitive diagnosis and committed to DMT.

Endovascular techniques for stroke prevention.

The endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment alternative to surgical management. Technologic advances in coil design, stents, and liquid embolic agents may revolutionize such treatment. Cerebral arteriovenous malformation obliteration rates have increased with the advent of newer embolic agents and devices but complications exist, related to the angioarchitecture of the arteriovenous malformations, the types of agents used, and operator experience. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach with combination therapy should be used. As for understanding the natural history of intracranial atherosclerosis disease, it is to be hoped that the results of recently launched and future randomized clinical trials will clarify the role of intracranial percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting.

Drug-eluting stents for the treatment of intracranial atherosclerosis: initial experience and midterm angiographic follow-up.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracranial stenting is associated with a 32% rate of restenosis. Drug-eluting stents (DES) have revolutionized the treatment of coronary artery disease and have greatly reduced the risk of in-stent stenosis. We present our experience with the feasibility and safety of using DES for patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis. METHODS: All of the patients had >70% stenoses and had failed maximal medical therapy. They were pretreated with aspirin, clopidogrel, and intraprocedural heparin. All of the lesions were predilated, and balloons and stents were slightly undersized. Clopidogrel and aspirin were continued for 1 year, and patients had clinical follow-up and vascular imaging at 30 days, 6 months, and 1 year. RESULTS: Eight patients with intracranial internal carotid artery (3), middle cerebral (2), basilar (2), and vertebral artery (1) stenoses were successfully treated with 4 Cypher (Cordis Corp) and 4 Taxus (Boston Scientific Inc) stents. The mean stenosis severity was reduced from 84.4%+/-10.2% to 2.5%+/-4.6%. One patient had an intraprocedural retinal embolism, but there were no other complications. Over a mean follow-up of 11.1+/-4.9 months (range, 2 to 17.3 months), patients have had repeat angiography (5) or transcranial Doppler with or without CT angiography (3). None of the patients have had clinical or significant angiographic restenosis or required target vessel revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: Elective intracranial stenting with DES appears to be feasible and safe, but additional clinical experience is required to assess its efficacy.

Follow-up angiography of intracranial aneurysms treated with endovascular placement of Guglielmi detachable coils.

OBJECTIVE: The success of endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs) is dependent on the long-term exclusion of the aneurysm from the circulation. We reviewed our experience with the long-term angiographic follow-up monitoring of aneurysms that had been treated with GDCs. METHODS: All patients whose aneurysms had been treated with GDCs between January 1995 and August 1999 and who subsequently underwent follow-up angiography at 6 months or more were included in this study. We reviewed all of the angiographic findings, to determine the percentage of aneurysm occlusion on the initial angiograms and on the last available follow-up angiograms. The categories of aneurysm occlusion used were 100%, >or=95%, and less than 95% occlusion. RESULTS: One hundred thirty patients with 141 aneurysms underwent 143 endovascular coiling procedures and subsequently underwent angiographic follow-up monitoring of 6 months or more. There were 102 female and 28 male patients. The mean angiographic follow-up period was 16.7 months (range, 6-62 mo). The initial rates of occlusion were 100% for 56 aneurysms (39%), >or=95% for 65 aneurysms (46%), and less than 95% for 22 aneurysms (15%). Recurrence of one aneurysm (1.8%) was observed. Of the 87 aneurysms that were incompletely occluded initially, there was progressive thrombosis in 40 (46%), stable neck remnants in 23 (26%), and enlargement of the residual neck in 24 (28%). The final occlusion rates, determined on the last available angiograms, were 100% for 88 aneurysms (61%), >or=95% for 31 aneurysms (22%), and less than 95% for 24 aneurysms (17%). No patient experienced repeat or new subarachnoid hemorrhage more than 6 months after the initial treatment. CONCLUSION: Late angiographic follow-up monitoring of aneurysms that have been treated with GDCs demonstrates the durability of the treatment. Aneurysms with large residual neck remnants were subjected to further treatment, whereas aneurysms with small residual neck remnants remain under observation.