MRI software for diffusion-perfusion mismatch analysis may impact on patients’ selection and clinical outcome

Abstract Objective Impact of different MR perfusion software on selection and outcome of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and large vessel occlusion (LVO) treated by endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is unclear. We aimed at comparing two commercial MRI software, semi-automated with unadjusted (method A) and adjusted mask (method B), and fully automated (method C) in this setting. Methods MRI from 144 consecutive AIS patients with anterior circulation LVO was retrospectively analysed. All diffusion- and perfusion-weighted images (DWI-PWI) were post-processed with the three methods using standard thresholds. Concordance for core and hypoperfusion volumes was assessed with Lin’s test. Clinical outcome was compared between groups in patients who underwent successful EVT in the early and late time window. Results Mean core volume was higher and mean hypoperfusion volume was lower in method C than in methods A and B. In the early time window, methods A and B found fewer patients with a mismatch ratio ≤ 1.2 than method C (1/67 [1.5%] vs. 12/67 [17.9%], p = 0.0013). In the late time window, methods A and B found fewer patients with a mismatch ratio < 1.8 than method C (3/46 [6.5%] and 2/46 [4.3%] vs. 18/46 [39.1%], p ≤ 0.0002). More patients with functional independence at 3 months would not have been treated using method C versus methods A and B in the early (p = 0.0063) and late (p ≤ 0.011) time window. Conclusions MRI software for DWI-PWI analysis may influence patients’ selection before EVT and clinical outcome. Key Points • Method C detects fewer patients with favourable mismatch profile. • Method C might underselect more patients with functional independence at 3 months. • Software used before thrombectomy may influence patients’ outcome.

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Mobile Interventional Stroke Teams Improve Outcomes in the Early Time Window for Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.121.034222 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jacob R. Morey ◽

Xiangnan Zhang ◽

Naoum Fares Marayati ◽

Stavros Matsoukas ◽

Emily Fiano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scale Score ◽

Time Window ◽

Early Time ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Late Time ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy

Background and Purpose: Endovascular thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion stroke is a time-sensitive intervention. The use of a Mobile Interventional Stroke Team (MIST) traveling to Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers to perform endovascular thrombectomy has been shown to be significantly faster with improved discharge outcomes, as compared with the drip-and-ship (DS) model. The effect of the MIST model stratified by time of presentation has yet to be studied. We hypothesize that patients who present in the early window (last known well of ≤6 hours) will have better clinical outcomes in the MIST model. Methods: The NYC MIST Trial and a prospectively collected stroke database were assessed for patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy from January 2017 to February 2020. Patients presenting in early and late time windows were analyzed separately. The primary end point was the proportion with a good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2) at 90 days. Secondary end points included discharge National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and modified Rankin Scale. Results: Among 561 cases, 226 patients fit inclusion criteria and were categorized into MIST and DS cohorts. Exclusion criteria included a baseline modified Rankin Scale score of >2, inpatient status, or fluctuating exams. In the early window, 54% (40/74) had a good 90-day outcome in the MIST model, as compared with 28% (24/86) in the DS model ( P <0.01). In the late window, outcomes were similar (35% versus 41%; P =0.77). The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at discharge was 5.0 and 12.0 in the early window ( P <0.01) and 5.0 and 11.0 in the late window ( P =0.11) in the MIST and DS models, respectively. The early window discharge modified Rankin Scale was significantly better in the MIST model ( P <0.01) and similar in the late window ( P =0.41). Conclusions: The MIST model in the early time window results in better 90-day outcomes compared with the DS model. This may be due to the MIST capturing high-risk fast progressors at an earlier time point. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT03048292.

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Abstract WP57: Acute Carotid Stenting Following Intracranial Thrombectomy Has Comparable Safety and Efficacy in Early versus Late Time Window Stroke

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.wp57 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Amer Mitchelle ◽

Fiona S Lau ◽

Andrew Cheung ◽

Jason Wenderoth ◽

Alexander McQuinn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Symptom Onset ◽

Time Window ◽

Time Windows ◽

Early Time ◽

Carotid Stenting ◽

Late Time ◽

Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy

Introduction: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is beneficial in late time window stroke. However, patients with tandem extracranial carotid and intracranial occlusions are under-represented in previous trials. We analysed our acute anterior circulation strokes with tandem occlusions treated with EVT and extracranial internal carotid artery stenting. Methods: A prospectively maintained database of EVT patients treated in two Australian comprehensive stroke centres between January 2016 and May 2019 was screened for acute anterior circulation ischaemic stroke patients treated with EVT and extracranial internal carotid artery stenting. The cohort was divided into patients treated in early ( < 6 hours from symptom onset) and late (>6 hours from symptom onset) time windows. Results: Endovascular thrombectomy with acute carotid stenting was performed in 96 patients (mean age 71years, 78.3% male, mean time to reperfusion 13.5 +/- 10.1 hours, median NIHSS 15). Treatment >6hours after symptom onset occurred in 61 (63.5%) patients. No significant difference was seen between the two groups with respect to age, sex, presenting NIHSS, or mTICI score. At 90-day follow-up, good functional outcome (mRS 0-2) was similar for patients treated in the late versus early time windows, 19 (54.3%) vs 34 (55.7%), p=0.89 respectively. No difference was seen for symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage, 5 (7.2%) vs 3 (8.1%) p=0.87, or mortality at 90-day follow-up, 15 (24.6%) vs 6 (17.1%) p=0.40. Conclusion: Carotid stenting in late time window has comparable safety and efficacy to early time window stroke.

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Abstract TP28: Intravenous Thrombolysis is Associated With Better Functional Outcomes in Endovascular Thrombectomy Patients Requiring Multiple-Passes to Achieve Reperfusion

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.tp28 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Christopher Blair ◽

Cecilia Cappelen-Smith ◽

Dennis Cordato ◽

Leon Edwards ◽

Amer Mitchelle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Outcomes ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Independent Effect ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy ◽

Multiple Pass ◽

First Pass

Introduction: In patients with anterior circulation stroke with large vessel occlusion (LVO), recent data suggest that successful reperfusion (mTICI≥2b) after a single device pass results in more favourable functional outcomes in comparison to patients requiring multiple passes. It is unclear if this effect represents an epiphenomenon or a true independent effect. Methods: A prospectively maintained database of EVT was interrogated for patients presenting with anterior circulation LVO with onset to groin puncture times of ≤ 6 hours from January 2016 to March 2019. Three-month functional outcomes were compared between first-pass reperfusion and multiple-pass reperfusion patients using logistic regression. Results: A total of 169 patients were identified (mean age 71 yrs, 44% female, median NIHSS 17, intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in 47%). Successful reperfusion (mTICI≥2b) was achieved with the first-pass (FP) in 80 patients (47%) and multiple-passes (MP) in 89 patients (53%). First pass patients had better outcomes when compared to MP patients (mRS 0-2 71% vs 31%, p < 0.001). No difference in functional outcomes was seen between FP patients who received IVT and those that did not (mRS 0-2 68% vs 75%, p = 0.459). Multiple-pass patients who received IVT achieved higher rates of functional independence than those who did not (mRS 0-2 40% vs 27%, p = 0.035). Conclusion: Intravenous thrombolysis may improve functional recovery in EVT patients requiring multiple-passes to achieve reperfusion. Prospective studies should be considered.

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Thrombectomy 6-24 hours after stroke in trial ineligible patients

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2018-013915 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1033-1037 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Shashvat M Desai ◽

Marcelo Rocha ◽

Bradley J Molyneaux ◽

Matthew Starr ◽

Cynthia L Kenmuir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Time Window ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Off Label ◽

Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center

Background and purposeThe DAWN and DEFUSE-3 trials demonstrated the benefit of endovascular thrombectomy (ET) in late-presenting acute ischemic strokes due to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (ACLVO). Strict criteria were employed for patient selection. We sought to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of patients treated outside these trials.MethodsA retrospective review of acute ischemic stroke admissions to a single comprehensive stroke center was performed during the DAWN trial enrollment period (November 2014 to February 2017) to identify all patients presenting in the 6–24 hour time window. These patients were further investigated for trial eligibility, baseline characteristics, treatment, and outcomes.ResultsApproximately 70% (n=142) of the 204 patients presenting 6–24 hours after last known well with NIH Stroke Scale score ≥6 and harboring an ACLVO are DAWN and/or DEFUSE-3 ineligible, most commonly due to large infarct burden (38%). 26% (n=37) of trial ineligible patients with large vessel occlusion strokes received off-label ET and 30% of them achieved functional independence (modified Rankin Scale 0–2) at 90 days. Rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality were 8% and 24%, respectivelyConclusionTrial ineligible patients with large vessel occlusion strokes receiving off-label ET achieved outcomes comparable to DAWN and DEFUSE-3 eligible patients. Patients aged <80 years are most likely to benefit from ET in this subgroup. These data indicate a larger population of patients who can potentially benefit from ET in the expanded time window if more permissive criteria are applied.

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Good Clinical Outcome Decreases With Number of Retrieval Attempts in Stroke Thrombectomy

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.120.029830 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (2) ◽

pp. 482-490

Author(s):

Fabian Flottmann ◽

Caspar Brekenfeld ◽

Gabriel Broocks ◽

Hannes Leischner ◽

Rosalie McDonough ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcome ◽

Cerebral Infarction ◽

Scale Score ◽

Endovascular Therapy ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Adjusted Odds Ratio ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Good Clinical Outcome ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion

Background and Purpose: Endovascular therapy is the standard of care in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion. Often, more than one retrieval attempt is needed to achieve reperfusion. We aimed to quantify the influence of endovascular therapy on clinical outcome depending on the number of retrievals needed for successful reperfusion in a large multi-center cohort. Methods: For this observational cohort study, 2611 patients from the prospective German Stroke Registry included between June 2015 and April 2018 were analyzed. Patients who received endovascular therapy for acute anterior circulation stroke with known admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, final Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score, and number of retrievals were included. Successful reperfusion was defined as a Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score of 2b or 3. The primary outcome was defined as functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2) at day 90. Multivariate mixed-effects models were used to adjust for cluster effects of the participating centers and confounders. Results: The inclusion criteria were met by 1225 patients. The odds of good clinical outcome decreased with every retrieval attempt required for successful reperfusion: the first retrieval had the highest odds of good clinical outcome (adjusted odds ratio, 6.45 [95% CI, 4.0–10.4]), followed by the second attempt (adjusted odds ratio, 4.56 [95% CI, 2.7–7.7]), and finally the third (adjusted odds ratio, 3.16 [95% CI, 1.8–5.6]). Conclusions: Successful reperfusion within the first 3 retrieval attempts is associated with improved clinical outcome compared with patients without reperfusion. We conclude that at least 3 retrieval attempts should be performed in endovascular therapy of anterior circulation strokes. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT03356392.

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Sex-Related Differences in Outcomes After Endovascular Treatment of Patients With Late-Window Stroke

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.121.037127 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Fouzi Bala ◽

Ilaria Casetta ◽

Stefania Nannoni ◽

Darragh Herlihy ◽

Mayank Goyal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Scale Score ◽

Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽

Time Window ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Early Time ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Late Time ◽

Individual Patient Level ◽

Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose: Sex-related differences exist in many aspects of acute stroke and were mainly investigated in the early time window with conflicting results. However, data regarding sex disparities in late presenters are scarce. Therefore, we sought to investigate differences in outcomes between women and men treated with endovascular treatment in the late time window. Methods: Analyses were based on the SOLSTICE Consortium (Selection of Late-Window Stroke for Thrombectomy by Imaging Collateral Extent), which was an individual-patient level analysis of seven trials and registries. Baseline characteristics, 90-day functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score ≤2), mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were compared between women and men. Effect of sex on the association of age and successful reperfusion (final Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b–3) with outcomes was assessed using multivariable logistic regression adjusted for age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, time from onset to puncture, occlusion location, intravenous thrombolysis, and successful reperfusion, with interaction terms. Results: Among 608 patients treated with endovascular treatment, 50.5% were women. Women were older than men (median age of 72 versus 68 years, P =0.02) and had a lower prevalence of tandem occlusions (14.0% versus 22.9%, P =0.005). Workflow times were similar between sexes. Adjusted outcomes did not differ between women and men. Functional independence at 90 days was achieved by 127 out of 292 women (43.5%) and 135 out of 291 men (46.4%). Mortality at 90 days (54 [18.5%] versus 48 [16.5%]) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (37 [13.3%] versus 33 [11.6%]) were similar between women and men. There was no sex-by-age interaction on functional outcomes. However, men had higher likelihood of mortality ( P interaction =0.003) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage ( P interaction =0.017) with advancing age. Sex did not influence the relation between successful reperfusion and outcomes. Conclusions: In this multicenter analysis of late patients treated with endovascular treatment, sex was not associated with functional outcome. However, sex influenced the association between age and safety outcomes, with men experiencing worse outcomes with advancing age.

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Abstract P559: Sex Differences in Clinical Outcomes After Endovascular Thrombectomy for Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke: A Sub-Analysis of the SELECT Study

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.52.suppl_1.p559 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Johanna T Fifi ◽

Thanh Nguyen ◽

Sarah Song ◽

Anjail Z Sharrief ◽

Deep Pujara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Repeated Measure ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Post Discharge ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy ◽

Discharge Disposition

Background: Women have been shown to have greater disability than men after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treated by thrombolysis. Whether endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) outcomes differ by sex with AIS from large vessel occlusion (LVO) is controversial. We compared sex differences in EVT outcomes and assessed relationship to post-discharge improvement. Methods: In SELECT prospective cohort, EVT treated anterior circulation LVOs (ICA, MCA M1/M2) ≤24 hrs from LKW were stratified by sex. Discharge, 90-day mRS were compared in all patients and a propensity matched cohort. We evaluated mRS improvement (discharge to 90-day) using repeated measure mixed regression with linear approximation of mRS. Results: Of 285 patients, 139 (48.8%) were women, and older (mean IQR 69 years (57,81) vs 65 (56,75), p=0.04) with similar NIHSS (17 (11,22) vs 16 (12,20), p=0.44). Women had smaller perfusion lesion 109 (66,151) vs 154 (104,198) cc, p<0.001) and better collaterals on CTA/CTP but similar ischemic core size 8 (0,25) vs 11 (0,38) cc, p=0.22. Discharge functional independence rates, mean (IQR) mRS were similar (women 39% vs men 46%, p=0.14, and mRS: 3 vs 3, p=0.43). 90-day mRS 0-2 did not differ between women and men (50% vs 55%, aOR 0.77, 95% CI 0.39-1.50, p=0.39) and mean (IQR) mRS: 2 (1,4) vs 2 (0,4). Larger predicted mRS score improvement trend seen in men (2.62 vs 2.21, reduction 0.41) than women (2.65 vs 2.46, reduction: 0.19, p=0.21), Fig 2A. In propensity matched 65 pairs, women exhibited worse 90-day mRS 0-2 (46% vs 60%, aOR 0.41, 95% CI 0.16-1.00, p=0.05). mRS improvement from discharge to 90-day was significantly larger in men (2.49 vs 1.88, reduction 0.61 vs women 2.52 vs 2.44, reduction 0.08, p=0.04), despite similar discharge disposition Fig 2B. Conclusion: Women had similar discharge outcomes as men following EVT, but improvement at 90 days was significantly worse in women. Further exploration of the influence of post-discharge factors to identify target interventions is warranted.

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NCCT and CTA-based imaging protocol for endovascular treatment selection in late presenting or wake-up strokes

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2018-014051 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 200-203 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Telma Santos ◽

Andreia Carvalho ◽

André Almeida Cunha ◽

Marta Rodrigues ◽

Tiago Gregório ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Observational Study ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Time Window ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Large Artery ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Imaging Protocol ◽

Procedural Complications ◽

Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage

IntroductionRecently, the benefit of selecting patients for endovascular treatment (EVT) beyond the 6-hour time window using a tissue-based approach was demonstrated in two randomized trials. The optimal imaging protocol for selecting patients is under debate, and it is still unknown if a simpler and faster protocol may adequately select patients with wake-up stroke (WUS) and late-presenting stroke (LPS) for EVT.ObjectiveTo compare outcomes of patients submitted to EVT presenting within 6 hours of symptom onset or 6–24 hours after last seen well, selected using non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) and CT angiography (CTA).MethodsAn observational study was performed, which included consecutive patients with anterior circulation ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion treated with EVT. Patients presenting within 6 hours were treated if their NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was ≥6 and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (ASPECTS) was ≥6, while patients presenting with WUS or 6–24 hours after last seen well (WUS/LPS) were treated if their NIHSSscore was ≥12 and ASPECTS was ≥7.Results249 patients were included, 63 of whom were in the WUS/LPS group. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, except for longer symptom-recanalization time, lower admission NIHSS (16 vs 17, P=0.038), more frequent tandem occlusions (25.4% vs 11.8%, P=0.010), and large artery atherosclerosis etiology (22.2% vs 11.8%, P=0.043) in the WUS/LPS group. No differences in symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, peri-procedural complications or mortality were found between groups. Three-month functional independence was similar in both groups (65.1% in WUS/LPS vs 57.0% in ≤6 hours, P=0.259) and no differences were found after adjustment for confounders.ConclusionsThis real-world observational study suggests that EVT may be safe and effective in patients with WUS and LPS selected using clinical-core mismatch (high NIHSS/high ASPECTS in NCCT).

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More Retrieval Attempts are Associated with Poorer Functional Outcome After Unsuccessful Thrombectomy

Clinical Neuroradiology ◽

10.1007/s00062-021-01054-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

F. Flottmann ◽

N. van Horn ◽

M. E. Maros ◽

H. Leischner ◽

M. Bechstein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Propensity Score ◽

Clinical Outcome ◽

Propensity Score Matching ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Harmful Effect ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy ◽

Stroke Registry ◽

The Impact

Abstract Purpose In mechanical thrombectomy, it has been hypothesized that multiple retrieval attempts might the improve reperfusion rate but not the clinical outcome. In order to assess a potential harmful effect of a mechanical thrombectomy on patient outcome, the number of retrieval attempts was analyzed. Only patients with a thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) score of 0 were reviewed to exclude the impact of eventual successful reperfusion on the mechanical hazardousness of repeated retrievals. Methods In this study 6635 patients who underwent endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute large vessel occlusion (LVO) from the prospectively administered multicenter German Stroke Registry were screened. Insufficient reperfusion was defined as no reperfusion (TICI score of 0), whereas a primary outcome was defined as functional independence (modified Rankin scale [mRS] 0–2 at day 90). Propensity score matching and multivariable logistic regressions were then performed to adjust for confounders. Results A total of 377 patients (7.8%) had a final TICI score of 0 and were included in the study. After propensity score matching functional independence was found to be significantly more frequent in patients who underwent ≤ 2 retrieval attempts (14%), compared to patients with > 2 retrieval attempts (3.9%, OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.07–0.73, p = 0.009). After adjusting for age, sex, admission NIHSS score, and location of occlusion, more than two retrieval attempts remained significantly associated with lower odds of functional independence at 90 days (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.07–0.52, p = 0.002). Conclusion In patients with failure of reperfusion, more than two retrieval attempts were associated with a worse clinical outcome, therefore indicating a possible harmful effect of multiple retrieval attempts.

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Comparison of Prior Bridging Intravenous Thrombolysis With Direct Endovascular Thrombectomy for Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Frontiers in Neurology ◽

10.3389/fneur.2021.602370 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Zhao-Ji Chen ◽

Xiao-Fang Li ◽

Cheng-Yu Liang ◽

Lei Cui ◽

Li-Qing Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Meta Analysis ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Bridging Therapy ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy ◽

Significant Difference

Background: Whether bridging treatment combining intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is superior to direct EVT alone for emergent large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the anterior circulation is unknown. A systematic review and a meta-analysis were performed to investigate and assess the effect and safety of bridging treatment vs. direct EVT in patients with LVO in the anterior circulation.Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library were searched to assess the effect and safety of bridging treatment and direct EVT in LVO. Functional independence, mortality, asymptomatic and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (aICH and sICH, respectively), and successful recanalization were evaluated. The risk ratio and the 95% CI were analyzed.Results: Among the eight studies included, there was no significant difference in the long-term functional independence (OR = 1.008, 95% CI = 0.845–1.204, P = 0.926), mortality (OR = 1.060, 95% CI = 0.840–1.336, P = 0.624), recanalization rate (OR = 1.015, 95% CI = 0.793–1.300, P = 0.905), and the incidence of sICH (OR = 1.320, 95% CI = 0.931–1.870, P = 0.119) between bridging therapy and direct EVT. After adjusting for confounding factors, bridging therapy showed a lower recanalization rate (effect size or ES = −0.377, 95% CI = −0.684 to −0.070, P = 0.016), but there was no significant difference in the long-term functional independence (ES = 0.057, 95% CI = −0.177 to 0.291, P = 0.634), mortality (ES = 0.693, 95% CI = −0.133 to 1.519, P = 0.100), and incidence of sICH (ES = −0.051, 95% CI = −0.687 to 0.585, P = 0.875) compared with direct EVT. Meanwhile, in the subgroup analysis of RCT, no significant difference was found in the long-term functional independence (OR = 0.927, 95% CI = 0.727–1.182, P = 0.539), recanalization rate (OR = 1.331, 95% CI = 0.948–1.867, P = 0.099), mortality (OR = 1.072, 95% CI = 0.776–1.481, P = 0.673), and sICH incidence (OR = 1.383, 95% CI = 0.806–2.374, P = 0.977) between patients receiving bridging therapy and those receiving direct DVT.Conclusion: For stroke patients with acute anterior circulation occlusion and who are eligible for intravenous thrombolysis, there is no significant difference in the clinical effect between direct EVT and bridging therapy, which needs to be verified by more randomized controlled trials.

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