The Basilar Artery on Computed Tomography Angiography Score for Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion Treated with Mechanical Thrombectomy

Background: Basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is associated with high risk of disability and mortality. This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of a new radiological score: the “Basilar Artery on Computed Tomography Angiography score (BATMANs)”. Methods: A retrospective analysis of consecutive stroke patients with a diagnosis of BAO on CT angiography (CTA) was performed. BATMANs is a 10 point CTA-based grading system. We allocated 1 point for each patent segment (proximal, middle and distal) of the basilar artery, 1 point for any patent intracranial vertebral arteries (VA), 1 point for each posterior cerebral artery (PCA) and 2 points for each posterior communicating artery (PcoM) or 1 point for hypoplastic PcoM (<1 mm diameter). Two investigators reviewed the CTA images blinded to clinical outcome. Reliability was assessed with intraclass coefficient correlation (ICC). Good outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale≤3 at 3 months; successful reperfusion as thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2b-3. BATMANs was externally validated and compared with the Posterior Circulation Collateral score (PC-CS). Results: The derivation cohort (DC) included 83 patients with 41 in the validation cohort (VC). In receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) analysis, BATMANs had an area-under-curve (AUC) of 0.81 (95%CI 0.7-0.9) in DC and an AUC of 0.74 (95%CI 0.6-0.9) in VC. BATMANs<7 was the optimal threshold for poor outcome in DC (sensitivity=84%, specificity=76%). In logistic regression adjusted for age and clinical severity, BATMANs<7 was associated with poor outcome in DC (OR 5.5, 95% CI 1.4 -21; p=0.01), in VC (OR 6.9, 95% CI 1.4-33; p=0.01) and among endovascular patients (OR 3.8, 95%CI 1.0-14; p=0.05). BATMANs was independently associated with functional outcome after adjustment for revascularization and time to treatment (OR 4.8, 95%CI 1-18; p=0.01); however, it was not associated with recanalization. Inter-rater agreement was excellent (ICC 0.85, 95% CI 0.76-0.89). BATMANs showed higher accuracy in comparison with PC-CS (p=0.03). Conclusions: The addition of collateral quality to clot burden in BATMANs appears to improve prognostic accuracy in BAO patients.

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The Basilar Artery on Computed Tomography Angiography Prognostic Score for Basilar Artery Occlusion

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.116.015492 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (3) ◽

pp. 631-637 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Fana Alemseged ◽

Darshan G. Shah ◽

Marina Diomedi ◽

Fabrizio Sallustio ◽

Andrew Bivard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Basilar Artery ◽

Computed Tomography Angiography ◽

Prognostic Score ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Basilar Artery Occlusion

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Mechanical Thrombectomy in Basilar Artery Occlusion

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.120.029861 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (7) ◽

pp. 2045-2050 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hyo Sung Kwak ◽

Jung Soo Park

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Scale Score ◽

Basilar Artery ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Posterior Circulation ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Basilar Artery Occlusion

Background and Purpose: Basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is associated with a high risk of disability and mortality. The objective of this study was to investigate prognostic factors in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion treated with mechanical thrombectomy, focusing on collateral status and recanalization time from symptom onset. Methods: Eligible patients from January 2012 to October 2019 who underwent endovascular treatment due to acute BAO were reviewed. The baseline posterior circulation collateral status was assessed with the basilar artery on computed tomography angiography score and posterior circulation collateral score. Good outcomes were defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of ≤2 at 3 months and successful recanalization as Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction grades 2b, 3. The associations between baseline and clinical parameters and favorable outcomes were evaluated with logistic regression. Results: Our sample included a total of 81 eligible patients (49 males, mean age 70.3 years) with a median baseline and discharge National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 12. Patients with good outcomes showed a lower baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, a greater proportion of distal BAO, and a higher basilar artery on computed tomography angiography and posterior circulation collateral score ( P <0.001). According to subgroup analysis of patients within and over 6 or 12 hours, the time from symptom onset to recanalization was not correlated with good outcomes. Multivariable logistic analysis showed baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale <15 (odds ratio, 8.49 [95% CI, 2.01–35.82]; P =0.004), posterior circulation collateral score ≥6 (odds ratio, 3.79 [95% CI, 1.05–13.66]; P =0.042), and distal BAO (odds ratio, 3.67 [95% CI, 1.10–12.26]; P =0.035) were independent predictors of good outcomes. Conclusions: This study suggested that good collateral circulation and distal BAO are independent predictors of clinical outcome after endovascular treatment in patients with acute BAO. In particular, patients with good initial collateral status and distal BAO may consider endovascular treatment even if the treatment is started beyond the standard time limits.

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Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion: Early Computed Tomography Finding Predicts Catastrophic Outcome

Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice ◽

10.4103/jnrp.jnrp_40_18 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 09 (04) ◽

pp. 653-654

Author(s):

Chen Fei Ng ◽

Chia Yin Chong

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Basilar Artery ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Basilar Artery Occlusion ◽

Tomography Finding

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Basilar Artery Occlusion Chinese Endovascular Trial: Protocol for a prospective randomized controlled study

International Journal of Stroke ◽

10.1177/17474930211040923 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 174749302110409

Author(s):

Chuanhui Li ◽

Chuanjie Wu ◽

Longfei Wu ◽

Wenbo Zhao ◽

Jian Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sample Size ◽

Basilar Artery ◽

Symptom Onset ◽

Primary Outcome ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Infarct Volume ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Basilar Artery Occlusion ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Randomized Controlled

Rationale There are no randomized trials examining the best treatment for acute basilar artery occlusion in the 6–24-hour time window. Aims To assess the safety and efficacy of thrombectomy for stroke due to basilar artery occlusion in patients randomized within 6–24 h from symptom onset or time last seen well. Sample size For an estimated difference of 20% in proportions of the primary outcome between the two groups, 318 patients will be included for 5% significance and 90% power with a planned interim analysis after two-thirds of the sample size (212 patients) have achieved the 90 days follow-up. Methods and design A prospective, multi-center, randomized, controlled, open-label and blinded-endpoint trial. The randomization employs a 1:1 ratio of mechanical thrombectomy with the detachable Solitaire thrombectomy device and best medical therapy (BMT) vs. BMT alone. Study outcomes The primary outcome will be the proportion of patients achieving modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0–3 at 90 days. Key secondary outcomes are: dramatic early favorable response, dichotomized mRS score (0–2 vs. 3–6 and 0–4 vs. 5–6) at 90 days, ordinal (shift) mRS analysis at 90 days, infarct volume at 24 h, vessel recanalization at 24 h in both treatment arms, and successful recanalization in the thrombectomy arm according to the modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) classification defined as mTICI 2 b or 3. Safety variables are mortality at 90 days, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rates at 24 h, and procedure-related complications. Discussion Results from this trial will indicate whether mechanical thrombectomy is superior to medical management alone in achieving favorable outcomes in subjects with acute stroke caused by basilar artery occlusion presenting within 6–24 h from symptom onset. Trial registration: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02737189.

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Correction to: Mechanical Thrombectomy in Basilar Artery Occlusion

Clinical Neuroradiology ◽

10.1007/s00062-017-0661-1 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 161-162 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Volker Maus ◽

Alev Kalkan ◽

Christoph Kabbasch ◽

Nuran Abdullayev ◽

Henning Stetefeld ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Basilar Artery ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Basilar Artery Occlusion

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Abstract 1122‐000147: Factors associated with the Delayed Door to Puncture Time for the Basilar Artery Occlusion patient

Stroke: Vascular and Interventional Neurology ◽

10.1161/svin.01.suppl_1.000147 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (S1) ◽

Author(s):

Brandon Nguyen ◽

Ichiro Yuki ◽

Dana Stradling ◽

Jordan C Xu ◽

Kiarash Golshani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Basilar Artery ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Medical Center ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Basilar Artery Occlusion ◽

P Value ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Delayed Initiation

Introduction : Performing mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is currently not evidence‐based. In the real‐world practice, it is also often encountered that the delayed initiation of the MT happens for this particular patient groups due to lack of cortical signs and other medical confounding factors. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the angiographical and clinical outcomes of consecutive BAO patient who underwent MT in single institution. Onset to treatment (OTT), Door to Puncture (DTP) time were compared with those in anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (ACLVO) group who underwent MT in the same time period. For those showed significantly longer DTP time, the factors associated with the delayed initiation of the MT were analyzed. Results : A total of 271 patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy at UCI Medical Center between Jan 2016 and June 2021. Of these, 32 patients diagnosed as BAO by CTA and underwent MT were included in the study. Successful recanalization was achieved in 28 cases (87.5%), and symptomatic ICH occurred in 3 cases (9.4%). Nine patients (28.1%) showed good clinical outcomes (mRS 0–3) at 3 months. The median Onset to Puncture Time (OTT) was 340 min. The median DTP time (145 min) was significantly longer as compared to the ACLVO patients (99 min) (p value = 0.04). Of the 6 patients who showed significant delay in the initiation of intervention (DTP>300 min), 5 patients (83.3%) did not have the initial “stroke‐code activation” at the time of ED arrival. The cause of the delay was due to lack of cortical sign (3), bilateral spontaneous sustained clonus, which misinterpreted as seizure (1), AMS with non‐focal neurological signs interpreted as encephalopathy (2). Conclusions : DTP of the patients who underwent MT for BAO was significantly longer than that in ACLAO. Lack of cortical sings which are markers of ACLVO were associated with delayed activation of stroke code. Establishment of BAO screening in the ED assessment and prompt activation of Stroke code may contribute to the improvement of MT treatment for the BAO patients.

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Endovascular treatment for acute basilar artery occlusion: descriptive analysis of the experience in a comprehensive stroke centre

10.22514/sv.2021.038 ◽

2021 ◽

Keyword(s):

General Anaesthesia ◽

Basilar Artery ◽

Endovascular Therapy ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Basilar Artery Occlusion ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics

Objectives: To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with basilar artery occlusion (BAO) treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in Aragón, and to compare its anaesthetic management, technical effectivity, security, and prognosis with those of anterior circulation. Methods: 322 patients from the prospective registry of mechanical thrombectomies from Aragon were assessed: 29 with BAO and 293 with an anterior circulation large vessel occlusion. Baseline characteristics, procedural, clinical and safety outcomes variables were compared. Results: Out of 29 patients with BAO that underwent endovascular therapy (62.1% men; average age 69.8 ± 14.05 years) 18 (62.1%) received endovascular therapy (EVT) alone and 11 (37.9%) EVT plus intravenous thrombolysis. Atherothrombotic stroke was the most common etiology (41%). The BAO group had longer Door-to-groin (160 vs 141 min; P = 0.043) and Onset-to-reperfusion times (340 vs 297 min; P = 0.005), and higher use of general anaesthesia (60.7% vs 14.7%; P < 0.01). No statistically significant difference was found for Procedure time (60 vs 50 min; P = 0.231) nor the rate of successful recanalization (72.4% vs 82.7%; P = 0.171). Functional independence at 90 days was significantly worse in the BAO group (17.9% vs 38.2%; P < 0.01). Conclusions: Patients with basilar artery occlusion had higher morbimortality despite similar angiographic results. Mechanical thrombectomy for BAOs is a safe and effective procedure in selected patients. A consensus about the effect of anaesthesia has yet to be reached, for BAO general anaesthesia remains the most frequently used technique.

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Outcomes of Endovascular Thrombectomy for Basilar Artery Occlusion

Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien des Sciences Neurologiques ◽

10.1017/cjn.2020.51 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 47 (4) ◽

pp. 479-485

Author(s):

Christopher R. Pasarikovski ◽

Houman Khosravani ◽

Leodante da Costa ◽

Chinthaka Heyn ◽

Stefano M. Priola ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Basilar Artery ◽

Treatment Time ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Posterior Circulation ◽

Basilar Artery Occlusion ◽

Related Complication ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy

ABSTRACT:Background and Purpose:Large prospective observational studies have cast doubt on the common assumption that endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is superior to intravenous thrombolysis for patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO). The purpose of this study was to retrospectively review our experience for patients with BAO undergoing EVT with modern endovascular devices.Methods:All consecutive patients undergoing EVT with either a second-generation stent retriever or direct aspiration thrombectomy for BAO at our regional stroke center from January 1, 2013 to March 1, 2019 were included. The primary outcome measure was functional outcome at 1 month using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between patient characteristics and dichotomized mRS.Results:A total of 43 consecutive patients underwent EVT for BAO. The average age was 67 years with 61% male patients. Overall, 37% (16/43) of patients achieved good functional outcome. Successful reperfusion was achieved in 72% (31/43) of cases. The median (interquartile range) stroke onset to treatment time was 420 (270–639) minutes (7 hours) for all patients. The procedure-related complication rate was 9% (4/43). On multivariate analysis, posterior circulation Alberta stroke program early computed tomography score and Basilar Artery on Computed Tomography Angiography score were associated with improved functional outcome.Conclusion:EVT appears to be safe and feasible in patients with BAO. Our finding that time to treatment and successful reperfusion were not associated with improved outcome is likely due to including patients with established infarcts. Given the variability of collaterals in the posterior circulation, the paradigm of utilizing a tissue window may assist in patient selection for EVT. Magnetic resonance imaging may be a reasonable option to determine the extent of ischemia in certain situations.

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