Safety and efficacy of coated flow diverters in the treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms: a retrospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: This multicenter study evaluated the safety and efficacy of coated flow diverters (cFDs) for the treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: Consecutive patients treated with different cFDs for ruptured aneurysms under tirofiban at eight neurovascular centers between 2016 and 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The majority of patients were loaded with dual antiplatelet therapy after the treatment. Aneurysm occlusion was determined using the O'Kelly-Marotta (OKM) grading scale. Primary outcome measures were major procedural complications and aneurysmal rebleeding during hospitalization. RESULTS: The study included 60 aneurysms (posterior circulation: 28 (47%)) with a mean size of 5.8±4.7 mm. Aneurysm morphology was saccular in 28 (47%), blister-like in 12 (20%), dissecting in 13 (22%), and fusiform in 7 (12%). Technical success was 100% with a mean of 1.1 cFDs implanted per aneurysm. Adjunctive coiling was performed in 11 (18%) aneurysms. Immediate contrast retention was observed in 45 (75%) aneurysms. There was 1 (2%) major procedural complication (a major stroke, eventually leading to death) and no aneurysmal rebleeding. A good outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0-2) was achieved in 40 (67%) patients. At a mean follow-up of 6 months, 27/34 (79%) aneurysms were completely occluded (OKM D), 3/34 (9%) had an entry remnant (OKM C), and 4/34 (12%) had residual filling (OKM A or B). There was 1 (3%) severe in-stent stenosis during follow-up that was treated with balloon angioplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of ruptured aneurysms with cFDs was reasonably safe and efficient and thus represents a valid treatment option, especially for complex cases.

Effect of anesthetic strategies on distal stroke thrombectomy in the anterior and posterior cerebral artery.

BACKGROUND: Numerous questions regarding procedural details of distal stroke thrombectomy remain unanswered. This study assesses the effect of anesthetic strategies on procedural, clinical and safety outcomes following thrombectomy for distal medium vessel occlusions (DMVOs). METHODS: Patients with isolated DMVO stroke from the TOPMOST registry were analyzed with regard to anesthetic strategies (ie, conscious sedation (CS), local (LA) or general anesthesia (GA)). Occlusions were in the P2/P3 or A2-A4 segments of the posterior and anterior cerebral arteries (PCA and ACA), respectively. The primary endpoint was the rate of complete reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score 3) and the secondary endpoint was the rate of modified Rankin Scale score 0-1. Safety endpoints were the occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality. RESULTS: Overall, 233 patients were included. The median age was 75 years (range 64-82), 50.6% (n=118) were female, and the baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 8 (IQR 4-12). DMVOs were in the PCA in 59.7% (n=139) and in the ACA in 40.3% (n=94). Thrombectomy was performed under LA±CS (51.1%, n=119) and GA (48.9%, n=114). Complete reperfusion was reached in 73.9% (n=88) and 71.9% (n=82) in the LA±CS and GA groups, respectively (P=0.729). In subgroup analysis, thrombectomy for ACA DMVO favored GA over LA±CS (aOR 3.07, 95% CI 1.24 to 7.57, P=0.015). Rates of secondary and safety outcomes were similar in the LA±CS and GA groups. CONCLUSION: LA±CS compared with GA resulted in similar reperfusion rates after thrombectomy for DMVO stroke of the ACA and PCA. GA may facilitate achieving complete reperfusion in DMVO stroke of the ACA. Safety and functional long-term outcomes were comparable in both groups.

Clinical outcome and outcome prediction of octogenarians with acute basilar artery occlusion and endovascular stroke treatment compared to younger patients.

Background and aims: Octogenarians are underrepresented in recently published studies that showed the benefit of endovascular stroke treatment (EST) for patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO). We aimed to compare the clinical outcome of octogenarians with BAO and EST compared to younger patients (YPs) and identify independent outcome predictors. Methods: This is a retrospective, single-center analysis of patients treated for BAO with EST from January 2013 until June 2021 in a tertiary stroke center. Octogenarians (80-89 years) were compared to YPs. A study endpoint was a favorable clinical outcome as per the modified Rankin Scale (mRS 0-3), 90 days after stroke onset. The study groups were compared using univariate analysis, and a multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to define independent predictors for favorable and unfavorable (mRS 5-6) clinical outcomes. Results: In this study cohort, 74/191 (38.7%) octogenarians had a higher pre-stroke mRS [median, interquartile range (IQR): 2, 1-3 octogenarians vs. 0, 0-1 YP, p < 0.001] and a comparable National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) before EST (median, IQR: 21, 10-38 vs. 20, 8-35 in YP, p = 0.487). They showed a comparable rate of favorable outcome (mRS 0-3, 90 days, 23.0 vs. 25.6% in YP, p = 0.725), but were less often functionally independent (mRS 0-2: 10.8% in octogenarians vs. 23.0% in YP, p = 0.049). The rate of unfavorable clinical outcome was comparable (mRS 5-6, n = 40, 54.1% in octogenarians vs. n = 64, 54.7% in YP, p = 0.831). A baseline NIHSS was an independent predictor for clinical outcome in YPs [e.g., for unfavorable clinical outcome: odds ratio (OR) 1.061, confidence interval (CI) 1.027-1.098, p = 0.005] and for favorable clinical outcome in octogenarians. Pre-stroke mRS predicted favorable outcomes in octogenarians (OR 0.54, CI 0.30-0.90, p = 0.0291), while age predicted unfavorable outcomes in YPs (OR 1.045, CI 1.011-1.086, p = 0.0137). Conclusion: Octogenarians with acute BAO eligible for EST are as likely to achieve a favorable outcome as YPs, and the rate of death or severe disability is comparable. The admission NIHSS is an independent predictor for favorable and unfavorable outcomes in YP and for favorable outcomes in octogenarians. In this study cohort, pre-stroke mRS predicted favorable outcomes in octogenarians while age predicted an unfavorable outcome in YPs.

Treatment practice of vasospasm during endovascular thrombectomy: an international survey.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The clinical importance and management of vasospasm as a complication during endovascular stroke treatment (EVT) has not been well studied. We sought to investigate current expert opinions in neurointervention and therapeutic strategies of iatrogenic vasospasm during EVT. METHODS: We conducted an anonymous international online survey (4 April 2023 to 15 May 2023) addressing treatment standards of neurointerventionalists (NIs) practising EVT. Several illustrative cases of patients with vasospasm during EVT were shown. Two study groups were compared according to the NI's opinion regarding the potential influence of vasospasm on patient outcome after EVT using descriptive analysis. RESULTS: In total, 534 NI from 56 countries responded, of whom 51.5% had performed >200 EVT. Vasospasm was considered a complication potentially influencing the patient's outcome by 52.6% (group 1) whereas 47.4% did not (group 2). Physicians in group 1 more often added vasodilators to their catheter flushes during EVT routinely (43.7% vs 33.9%, p=0.033) and more often treated severe large-vessel vasospasm with vasodilators (75.3% vs 55.9%; p<0.001), as well as extracranial vasospasm (61.4% vs 36.5%, p<0.001) and intracranial medium-vessel vasospasm (27.1% vs 11.2%, p<0.001), compared with group 2. In case of a large-vessel vasospasm and residual and amenable medium-vessel occlusion during EVT, the study groups showed different treatment strategies. Group 2 continued the EVT immediately more often, without initiating therapy to treat the vasospasm first (9.6% vs 21.1%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: There is disagreement among NIs about the clinical relevance of vasospasm during EVT and its management. There was a higher likelihood of use of preventive and active vasodilator treatment in the group that perceived vasospasm as a relevant complication as well as differing interventional strategies for continuing an EVT in the presence of a large-vessel vasospasm.

Hyperdense Artery Sign in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke-Automated Detection With Artificial Intelligence-Driven Software.

Background: Hyperdense artery sign (HAS) on non-contrast CT (NCCT) can indicate a large vessel occlusion (LVO) in patients with acute ischemic stroke. HAS detection belongs to routine reporting in patients with acute stroke and can help to identify patients in whom LVO is not initially suspected. We sought to evaluate automated HAS detection by commercial software and compared its performance to that of trained physicians against a reference standard. Methods: Non-contrast CT scans from 154 patients with and without LVO proven by CT angiography (CTA) were independently rated for HAS by two blinded neuroradiologists and an AI-driven algorithm (Brainomix®). Sensitivity and specificity were analyzed for the clinicians and the software. As a secondary analysis, the clot length was automatically calculated by the software and compared with the length manually outlined on CTA images as the reference standard. Results: Among 154 patients, 84 (54.5%) had CTA-proven LVO. HAS on the correct side was detected with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.77 (CI:0.66-0.85) and 0.87 (0.77-0.94), 0.8 (0.69-0.88) and 0.97 (0.89-0.99), and 0.93 (0.84-0.97) and 0.71 (0.59-0.81) by the software and readers 1 and 2, respectively. The automated estimation of the thrombus length was in moderate agreement with the CTA-based reference standard [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 0.73]. Conclusion: Automated detection of HAS and estimation of thrombus length on NCCT by the tested software is feasible with a sensitivity and specificity comparable to that of trained neuroradiologists.

Thrombectomy for secondary distal, medium vessel occlusions of the posterior circulation: seeking complete reperfusion.

BACKGROUND: Whether to approach distal occlusions endovascularly or not in medium-sized vessels secondary to proximal large vessel occlusion stroke remains unanswered. OBJECTIVE: To investigates the technical feasibility and safety of thrombectomy for secondary posterior circulation distal, medium vessel occlusions (DMVO). METHODS: TOPMOST (Treatment fOr Primary Medium vessel Occlusion STroke) is an international, retrospective, multicenter, observational registry of patients treated for distal cerebral artery occlusions. This study subanalysis endovascularly treated occlusions of the posterior cerebral artery in the P2 and P3 segment secondary preprocedural or periprocedural thrombus migration between January 2014 and June 2020. Technical feasibility was evaluated with the modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) scale. Procedural safety was assessed by the occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and intervention-related serious adverse events. RESULTS: Among 71 patients with secondary posterior circulation DMVO who met the inclusion criteria, occlusions were present in 80.3% (57/71) located in the P2 segment and in 19.7% (14/71) in the P3 segment. Periprocedural migration occurred in 54.9% (39/71) and preprocedural migration in 45.1% (32/71) of cases. The first reperfusion attempt led in 38% (27/71) of all cases to mTICI 3. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, increased numbers of reperfusion attempts (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=0.39, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.88, p=0.009) and preprocedural migration (aOR=4.70, 95% CI,1.35 to 16.35, p=0.015) were significantly associated with mTICI 3. sICH occurred in 2.8% (2/71). CONCLUSION: Thrombectomy for secondary posterior circulation DMVO seems to be safe and technically feasible. Even though thrombi that have migrated preprocedurally may be easier to retract, successful reperfusion can be achieved in the majority of patients with secondary DMVO of the P2 and P3 segment.

What is the impact of head movement on automated CT perfusion mismatch evaluation in acute ischemic stroke?

OBJECTIVES: Automated CT perfusion mismatch assessment is an established treatment decision tool in acute ischemic stroke. However, the reliability of this method in patients with head motion is unclear. We therefore sought to evaluate the influence of head movement on automated CT perfusion mismatch evaluation. METHODS: Using a realistic CT brain-perfusion-phantom, 7 perfusion mismatch scenarios were simulated within the left middle cerebral artery territory. Real CT noise and artificial head movement were added. Thereafter, ischemic core, penumbra volumes and mismatch ratios were evaluated using an automated mismatch analysis software (RAPID, iSchemaView) and compared with ground truth simulated values. RESULTS: While CT scanner noise alone had only a minor impact on mismatch evaluation, a tendency towards smaller infarct core estimates (mean difference of -5.3 (-14 to 3.5) mL for subtle head movement and -7.0 (-14.7 to 0.7) mL for strong head movement), larger penumbral estimates (+9.9 (-25 to 44) mL and +35 (-14 to 85) mL, respectively) and consequently larger mismatch ratios (+0.8 (-1.5 to 3.0) for subtle head movement and +1.9 (-1.3 to 5.1) for strong head movement) were noted in dependence of patient head movement. CONCLUSIONS: Motion during CT perfusion acquisition influences automated mismatch evaluation. Potentially treatment-relevant changes in mismatch classifications in dependence of head movement were observed and occurred in favor of mechanical thrombectomy.

Sedation Mode During Endovascular Stroke Treatment in the Posterior Circulation-Is Conscious Sedation for Eligible Patients Feasible?

Background and Purpose: To compare safety and efficacy of conscious sedation (CS) vs. general anesthesia (GA) in endovascular stroke treatment (EST) of the posterior circulation (PC). Methods: Retrospective single-center analysis of patients receiving EST for large-vessel occlusion (LVO) in PC between January 2015 and November 2020. Exclusion criteria were severe stroke syndromes (NIHSS > 20), decreased level of consciousness, intubation for transport, and second stroke within 3 months of follow-up. The primary endpoint was a favorable clinical outcome 90 days after stroke onset (mRS 0-2 or 3 if pre-stroke mRS 3). Secondary endpoints were the rate of EST failure and procedural complications. Results: Of 111 included patients, 45/111 patients (40.5%) were treated under CS and 60/111 (54.0%) under GA. In 6/111 cases (5.4%), sedation mode was changed from CS to GA during EST. Patients treated under CS showed a lower mRS 90 days after stroke onset [mRS, median (IQR): 2.5 (1-4) CS vs. 3 (2-6) GA, p = 0.036] and a comparable rate of good outcome [good outcome, n (%): 19 (42.2) CS vs. 15 (32.6) GA, p = 0.311]. There was no difference in complication rates during EST (6.7% CS vs. 8.3% GA) or intracranial bleeding in follow-up imaging [n (%): 4 (8.9) CS vs. 7 (11.7) GA), p = 0.705]. The rate of successful target vessel recanalization did not differ (84.4% CS vs. 85.0 % GA). Conclusions: In this retrospective study, EST of the posterior circulation under conscious sedation was for eligible patients comparably safe and effective to patients treated under general anesthesia.

Thrombectomy for Primary Distal Posterior Cerebral Artery Occlusion Stroke: The TOPMOST Study.

Importance: Clinical evidence of the potential treatment benefit of mechanical thrombectomy for posterior circulation distal, medium vessel occlusion (DMVO) is sparse. Objective: To investigate the frequency as well as the clinical and safety outcomes of mechanical thrombectomy for isolated posterior circulation DMVO stroke and to compare them with the outcomes of standard medical treatment with or without intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in daily clinical practice. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter case-control study analyzed patients who were treated for primary distal occlusion of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) of the P2 or P3 segment. These patients received mechanical thrombectomy or standard medical treatment (with or without IVT) at 1 of 23 comprehensive stroke centers in Europe, the United States, and Asia between January 1, 2010, and June 30, 2020. All patients who met the inclusion criteria were matched using 1:1 propensity score matching. Interventions: Mechanical thrombectomy or standard medical treatment with or without IVT. Main Outcomes and Measures: Clinical end point was the improvement of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores at discharge from baseline. Safety end point was the occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and hemorrhagic complications were classified based on the Second European-Australasian Acute Stroke Study (ECASSII). Functional outcome was evaluated with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90-day follow-up. Results: Of 243 patients from all participating centers who met the inclusion criteria, 184 patients were matched. Among these patients, the median (interquartile range [IQR]) age was 74 (62-81) years and 95 (51.6%) were female individuals. Posterior circulation DMVOs were located in the P2 segment of the PCA in 149 patients (81.0%) and in the P3 segment in 35 patients (19.0%). At discharge, the mean NIHSS score decrease was -2.4 points (95% CI, -3.2 to -1.6) in the standard medical treatment cohort and -3.9 points (95% CI, -5.4 to -2.5) in the mechanical thrombectomy cohort, with a mean difference of -1.5 points (95% CI, 3.2 to -0.8; P = .06). Significant treatment effects of mechanical thrombectomy were observed in the subgroup of patients who had higher NIHSS scores on admission of 10 points or higher (mean difference, -5.6; 95% CI, -10.9 to -0.2; P = .04) and in the subgroup of patients without IVT (mean difference, -3.0; 95% CI, -5.0 to -0.9; P = .005). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 4 of 92 patients (4.3%) in each treatment cohort. Conclusions and Relevance: This study suggested that, although rarely performed at comprehensive stroke centers, mechanical thrombectomy for posterior circulation DMVO is a safe, and technically feasible treatment option for occlusions of the P2 or P3 segment of the PCA compared with standard medical treatment with or without IVT.

Optimal thresholds to predict long-term outcome after complete endovascular recanalization in acute anterior ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Despite complete endovascular recanalization, a significant percentage of patients with acute anterior stroke do not achieve a good clinical outcome. We analyzed optimal thresholds of relevant parameters to discern functional independence after successful endovascular recanalization and test their predictive performance. METHODS: Patients with acute anterior ischemic stroke undergoing endovascular treatment between April 2015 and November 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Only patients with premorbid modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score <3 and complete recanalization (modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction 2c/3) were included. Optimal thresholds of the most important variables predicting functional independence (mRS 0-2 after 90 days) were calculated using receiver operating characteristic curves and their predictive performance was tested in an independent dataset using machine learning algorithms. RESULTS: Overall, 371 patients met the inclusion criteria. Optimal thresholds for the overall most important variables to predict functional independence were (1) National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≤5 after 24 hours (area under the curve (AUC) 0.88 (95% CI 0.84 to 0.92)); (2) Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) ≥7 on follow-up CT (AUC 0.72 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.77)); and (3) change in NIHSS score ≥8 after 24 hours (AUC 0.70 (95% CI 0.65 to 0.74)). The performance of these thresholds to predict a good outcome using machine learning in the independent dataset was evaluated for (1) NIHSS score ≤5 after 24 hours (AUC 0.76 (95% CI 0.71 to 0.81)); (2) follow-up ASPECTS ≥7 (AUC 0.64 (95% CI 0.58 to 0.70)); (3) change in NIHSS score ≥8 after 24 hours (AUC 0.61 (95% CI 0.55 to 0.67)); and (4) the combination of all three parameters (AUC 0.84 (95% CI 0.80 to 0.88)). CONCLUSIONS: After complete recanalization in acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke, a good long-term outcome could be accurately predicted reaching NIHSS score ≤5 after 24 hours.