Endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke in patients with tandem lesion in the anterior circulation: analysis from the METRICS study.

BACKGROUND: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to anterior circulation tandem lesion (TL) remains a technical and clinical challenge for endovascular treatment (EVT). Conflicting results from observational studies and missing evidence from the randomized trials led us to report a recent real-world multicenter clinical experience and evaluate possible predictors of good outcome after EVT. METHODS: We analyzed all AIS patients with TL enrolled in the prospective national study METRICS (Mechanical Thrombectomy Quality Indicators Study in Czech Stroke Centers). A good 3-month clinical outcome was scored as 0-2 points in modified Rankin Scale (mRS), achieved recanalization using the Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (TICI) scale and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) according to the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-Monitoring Study (SITS-MOST) criteria. RESULTS: Of 1178 patients enrolled in METRICS, 194 (19.2%) (59.8% males, mean age 68.7±11.5 years) were treated for TL. They did not differ in mRS 0-2 (48.7% vs 46.7%; p=0.616), mortality (17.3% vs 22.7%; p=0.103) and sICH (4.7% vs 5.1%; p=0.809) from those with single occlusion (SO). More TL patients with prior intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) reached TICI 3 (70.3% vs 50.8%; p=0.012) and mRS 0-2 (55.4% vs 34.4%; p=0.007) than those without IVT. No difference was found in the rate of sICH (6.2% vs 1.6%; p=0.276). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed prior IVT as a predictor of mRS 0-2 after adjustment for potential confounders (OR 3.818, 95% CI 1.614 to 9.030, p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Patients with TL did not differ from those with SO in outcomes after EVT. TL patients with prior IVT had more complete recanalization and mRS 0-2 and IVT was found to be a predictor of good outcome after EVT.

Mechanical Thrombectomy Quality Indicators Study in Czech Stroke Centers: Results of the METRICS Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Rigorous and regular evaluation of defined quality indicators is crucial for further improvement of both technical and clinical results after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Following the recent international multi-society consensus quality indicators, we aimed to assess trend in these indicators on national level. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The prospective multicenter study (METRICS) was conducted in Czech Republic (CR) in year 2019. All participating centers collected technical and clinical data including defined quality indicators and results were subsequently compared with those from year 2016. RESULTS: In the 2019, 1375 MT were performed in the CR and 1178 (86%) patients (50.3% males, mean age 70.5 ± 13.0 years) were analyzed. Recanalization (TICI 2b-3) was achieved in 83.7% of patients and 46.2% of patients had good 3-month clinical outcome. Following time intervals were shortened in comparison to 2016: "hospital arrival - GP" (77 vs. 53 min; p<0.0001), "hospital arrival - maximal achieved recanalization" (122 vs. 93 min; p<0.0001), and "stroke onset - maximal achieved recanalization" (240 vs. 229 min; p p<0.0001). More patients with tandem occlusion were treated in 2019 (7.8 vs. 16.5%; p<0.0001) and more secondary transports were in 2019 (31.3 vs. 37.8%; p=0.002). No difference was found in 3-month clinical outcome and in the rate of periprocedural complications. Results of the METRICS study met all criteria of multi-society consensus quality indicators. CONCLUSION: Nationwide comparison between 2016 and 2019 showed improvement in the key time intervals, but without better overall clinical outcomes after MT.

Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Czech Republic: Technical Results from the Year 2016.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Experienced multidisciplinary stroke team and well-organized hospital management are considered necessary to achieve good results after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke patients. We analyzed the technical results of MT performed in the Czech Republic in the year 2016 to provide relevant data for further quality improvement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All centers performing MT in the CR were called for detailed technical and clinical data from year 2016, which were anonymously analyzed and relevant technical key time intervals were compared. Clinical outcomes were assessed according to the HERMES meta-analysis. RESULTS: In the 2016, 1053 MTs were performed in the CR. Of 15 dedicated centers, the data from 12 centers and from 886 (84%) patients (49.2% males, mean age 69.8 ± 12.3 years) were analyzed. The overall median of time from hospital arrival to groin puncture (GP) was 77 min with a range from 40 to 109 min among individual hospitals, from GP to first passage of stent retriever 20 (15-40) min and from GP to maximal reached recanalization 42 (33-80) min. The median of recanalization time was 240 (219-320) min. The recanalization (TICI 2b-3) was achieved in 81.7% of patients, 44.1% of patients had a good 3-month clinical outcome and 6.3% suffered from symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. Peri-procedural complications were recorded in 89 (10%) patients. CONCLUSION: Despite achieved good overall results, a great variability in some of the analyzed key time intervals among individual centers performing MT warrants further quality improvement.

"Coil mainly" policy in management of intracranial ACoA aneurysms: single-centre experience with the systematic review of literature and meta-analysis.

Endovascular techniques are still expanding in their capability by introducing novel technologies. Nevertheless, anterior communicating artery (ACoA) remains the region with high propensity for aneurysm (AN) re-growth after endovascular intervention. The purpose of this study is to highlight the ongoing importance for microsurgical treatment. The authors conducted a single-institution retrospective study of ACoA AN treatment between January 2000 and December 2016 maintaining "coil mainly" policy. The results are supplied with a systematic review of the literature. A total of n = 398 ACoA ANs were treated in n = 398 consecutive patients (207 females, 191 males). Microsurgical treatment was performed for 79 AN patients (54 ruptured, 25 unruptured), and 319 AN patients (250 ruptured, 69 unruptured) underwent coiling procedure. Treatment-related morbidity and mortality (MM) for unruptured ANs was 0% in the microsurgical and 1.5% in the endovascular group (p = 1.000). The percentage of patients with none or minor permanent deficits after subarachnoid hemorrhage was 74% in the microsurgical and 70% in the endovascular group (p = 0.693). The re-treatment rate was 3.8% in microsurgical group and 9.2% in endovascular group (p = 0.883). A literature review identified 39 studies concerning ACoA AN treatment. Clinical results of both modalities were comparable, with microsurgery being superior regarding radiological outcomes. This study demonstrates that both treatment techniques bring comparable clinical benefit to the patient. Microsurgery seemed superior regarding radiological outcomes. The decision about the treatment strategy should be made by a multi-disciplinary team consisting of specialists from both teams, bearing in mind the higher occlusion rate and longevity of the surgical treatment.

Treatment of thoracolumbar trauma by short-segment percutaneous transpedicular screw instrumentation: prospective comparative study with a minimum 2-year follow-up.

OBJECT: The main aim of this study was to compare clinical and radiological outcomes after stabilization by a percutaneous transpedicular system and stabilization from the standard open approach for thoracolumbar spine injury. METHODS: Thirty-seven consecutive patients were enrolled in the study over a period of 16 months. Patients were included in the study if they experienced 1 thoracolumbar fracture (A3.1-A3.3, according to the AO/Magerl classification), had an absence of neurological deficits, had no other significant injuries, and were willing to participate. Eighteen patients were treated by short-segment, minimally invasive, percutaneous pedicle screw instrumentation. The control group was composed of 19 patients who were stabilized using a short-segment transpedicular construct, which was performed through a standard midline incision. The pain profile was assessed by a visual analog scale (VAS), and overall satisfaction by a simple 4-stage scale relating to performance of daily activities. Working ability and return to original occupation were also monitored. Radiographic follow-up was defined by the vertebral body index (VBI), vertebral body angle (VBA), and bisegmental Cobb angle. The accuracy of screw placement was examined using CT. RESULTS: The mean surgical duration in the percutaneous screw group was 53 ± 10 minutes, compared with 60 ± 9 minutes in the control group (p = 0.032). The percutaneous screw group had a significantly lower perioperative blood loss of 56 ± 17 ml, compared with 331 ± 149 ml in the control group (p < 0.001). Scores on the VAS in patients in the percutaneous screw group during the first 7 postoperative days were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between groups in VBI, VBA, and Cobb angle values during follow-up. There was no significant difference in screw placement accuracy between the groups and no patients required surgical revision. There was no significant difference between groups in overall satisfaction at the 2-year follow-up (p = 0.402). Working ability was insignificantly better in the percutaneous screw group; previous working position was achieved in 17 patients in this group and in 12 cases in the control group (p = 0.088). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that the percutaneous transpedicular screw technique represents a viable option in the treatment of preselected thoracolumbar fractures. A significant reduction in blood loss, postoperative pain, and surgical time were the main advantages associated with this minimally invasive technique. Clinical, functional, and radiological results were at least the same as those achieved using the open technique after a 2-year follow-up. The short-term benefits of the percutaneous transpedicular screw technique are apparent, and long-term results have to be studied in other well-designed studies evaluating the theoretical benefit of the percutaneous technique and assessing whether the results of the latter are as durable as the ones achieved by open surgery.

Anterior interbody fusion of the cervical spine with Zero-P spacer: prospective comparative study-clinical and radiological results at a minimum 2 years after surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare clinical and radiological efficacy of anterior cervical microdiscectomy and fusion done by the newly designed low-profile interbody spacer in cases of symptomatic cervical spine spondylosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There are basically 2 ways to provide interbody fusion in the degenerative cervical spine; the first is by way of an unanchored "stand-alone" bone graft or cage, and the second is with bone graft or a cage anchored with a plate. Both concepts have their own benefits as well as potential drawbacks. Low-profile angle-stable spacer Zero-P is an implant that can potentially limit the drawbacks of both these procedures. METHODS.: Prospective study collecting clinical and radiological data of 77 patients undergoing anterior cervical interbody fusion of 1 or 2 motion segments from C3-C7 was performed. Zero-P spacer was used in 44 patients (55 segments) and in 33 cases (41 segments), stabilization was done using interbody spacer and dynamic anterior cervical plate. Patients were followed a minimum of 2 years after surgery. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in neck disability index values, presence of dysphagia (P = 0.308), and Cobb C values during follow-up (P = 0.051) between both groups. A significant difference in the first 2 values of Cobb S was found (P < 0.001), but the next course of Cobb S changes showed no difference in either group. No difference was found in the radiological stability during follow-up, and no revision surgery was done. CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirm biomechanical assumptions associated with the Zero-P spacer. Implantation of this new cage results in setting required biomechanical conditions in the treated segment that are comparable with those when the segment is treated with a dynamic plate. However, the potential of the mentioned implant to reduce the incidence of postoperative dysphagia was not proven on this sample of patients.