Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Review of Imaging, Patient Selection, and Management in the Endovascular Era. Part I: Initial Management and Imaging

AbstractTill recently, the mainstay of management of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has been intravenous thrombolysis. However, response to treatment and outcomes in the presence of a large vessel occlusion (LVO) were largely suboptimal. Endovascular thrombectomy techniques with stentrievers and aspiration catheters have revolutionized stroke treatment significantly, improving outcomes in this once untreatable disease. The interventional radiologist must play an active role in the stroke team in streamlining imaging as well as endovascular management. The focus of this review article is on initial management and imaging. Initial measures consist of patient resuscitation, basic investigations and assessment of stroke severity using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), all of which have therapeutic and prognostic implications to be considered by the neurointerventionist. Imaging must aim to be swift and efficient. Choice of a modality must be based on available infrastructure as well as clinical-radiologic factors such as the time since ictus or posterior circulation involvement. Computed tomography (CT) is the preferred modality for its speed, whereas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains the gold standard problem solving technique for detection of stroke. Exclusion of hemorrhagic stroke and other stroke mimics is the first objective. Thereafter, imaging is targeted toward assessing the parenchyma and vasculature. Defining the core and penumbra is the most important goal of parenchymal imaging. The core may be defined by the presence of early ischemic changes on CT, CT angiographic source images, or diffusion restriction on MRI. The penumbra is approximated by collateral status or perfusion methods. The prime directive of vascular imaging, either CT or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is to establish the presence of an LVO. Once confirmed, the decision for thrombolysis and/or thrombectomy is based on clinical and imaging criteria, the most ideal being that of a moderately severe stroke with a small core and LVO on imaging.

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Abstract WP110: Intravenous Thrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients With Large Vessel Occlusion and Mild Stroke Severity

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.wp110 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Georgios Tsivgoulis ◽

Nitin Goyal ◽

Aristeidis H Katsanos ◽

Konark Malhotra ◽

Michael T Frohler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Neurological Deficits ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Safety Outcomes

Introduction: We investigated the effectiveness of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) and mild neurological deficits defined as National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores <6 points (mELVO). Methods: The primary efficacy outcome was three-month functional independence (FI; mRS-scores of 0-2) that was compared between patients with and without IVT treatment. Other efficacy outcomes of interest included three-month favorable functional outcome (FFO; mRS-scores of 0-1) and mRS-scores distribution at discharge and at 3 months. The safety outcomes comprised all-cause 3-month mortality, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), asymptomatic ICH and severe systemic bleeding. Results: We evaluated 336 AIS patients with mELVO (mean age: 63±15 years, 45% women). Patients treated with IVT (n=162) had higher FI (85.6% vs. 74.8%, p=0.027) with lower mRS scores at hospital discharge (p=0.034) compared to the rest. Three-month mRS-scores tended to be lower in the IVT group (p=0.069). No differences were detected in any of the safety outcomes including symptomatic ICH, asymptomatic ICH, severe systemic bleeding and 3-month mortality (p>0.1). IVT was associated with higher likelihood of 3-month FI (OR=2.19, 95%CI: 1.09-4.42), 3-month FFO (OR=1.99, 95%CI: 1.10-3.57) and functional improvement at discharge [cOR (per 1-point decrease in mRS-score)=2.94, 95%CI: 1.67-5.26] and at 3 months (cOR=1.72, 95%CI: 1.06-2.86) on multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for potential confounders including mechanical thrombectomy. Conclusion: IVT is independently associated with higher odds of improved discharge and three-month functional outcomes in AIS patients with mELVO. IVT does not increase the risk of systemic or intracranial bleeding.

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Acute ischemic stroke with cervical internal carotid artery steno-occlusive lesion: multicenter analysis of endovascular approaches

10.21203/rs.3.rs-380804/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Luigi Cirillo ◽

Daniele Giuseppe Romano ◽

Gianfranco Vornetti ◽

Giulia Frauenfelder ◽

Chiara Tamburrano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Carotid Artery ◽

Internal Carotid Artery ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Internal Carotid ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Poor Response ◽

Response To Treatment ◽

Vessel Occlusion

Abstract Background Occlusions of internal carotid artery (ICA), whether isolated or in tandem lesions (TL) have a poor response to treatment with intravenous thrombolysis. Previous studies have demonstrated the superiority of mechanical thrombectomy in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) following large vessel occlusion, compared to standard intravenous fibrinolysis. The aim of our study was to describe endovascular treatment (EVT) in AIS due to ICA occlusion, whether isolated or in TL. Methods we assessed the association between 90-day outcome and clinical, demographic, imaging and procedure data in 51 consecutive patients with acute isolated ICA or TL occlusion who underwent endovascular treatment (EVT). We evaluated baseline NIHSS and mRS, ASPECTS, type of occlusion, stent placement, use of stent retrievers and/or thromboaspiration, duration of the procedure, mTICI, procedural therapy and complications. Results A favorable 90-day outcome (mRS 0–2) was achieved in 34 patients (67%) and was significantly associated with the use of dual antiplatelet therapy after the procedure (p = 0.008), shorter procedure duration (p = 0.031), TICI 2b-3 (p < 0.001) and lack of post-procedural hemorrhagic transformation (p = 0.001). Four patients did not survive, resulting in a mortality rate of 8% Conclusions EVT in the treatment of AIS due to ICA occlusion is safe and effective; mortality rates are in agreement with the current literature. The use of the stent is safe and promotes good angiographic results, as well as therapy with a GpIIb / IIIa inhibitor immediately after stent release which is also associated with better 3-month outcome and good revascularization.

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Abstract TP29: Endovascular Thrombectomy and Medical Therapy Versus Medical Therapy Alone in Acute Stroke (EASI): a Randomized Care Trial

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.47.suppl_1.tp29 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Naim N Khoury ◽

Tim E Darsaut ◽

Jimmy Ghostine ◽

Yan Deschaintre ◽

Nicole Daneault ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Medical Therapy ◽

Standard Care ◽

Primary Outcome ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Control Group ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Stroke Treatment

Background: Until recently, clinical benefits of endovascular stroke treatment remained unproven. Care trials can be used to simultaneously offer yet-to-be validated interventions and verify treatment outcomes. Our aim was to implement care trial methodology for patients with severe acute ischemic stroke. Methods: The study was offered to all patients considered for endovascular management of acute ischemic stroke in one Canadian hospital. Inclusion criteria were broad: onset of symptoms ≤ 5h or at any time in the presence of clinical-imaging mismatch; suspected anterior or posterior circulation large vessel occlusion; patients eligible or ineligible for intravenous thrombolysis. Exclusion criteria were few: established infarction or hemorrhagic transformation of the target symptomatic territory; poor 3-month prognosis from comorbidities. The primary outcome was mRS ≤ 2 at three months. Patients were randomly allocated to standard care (control) or standard care plus endovascular treatment (intervention group). Analyses were by intention-to-treat. (Identifier NCT02157532) Findings: Seventy-seven patients were recruited in 19 months (March 2013 - October 2014) at a single center. Randomized allocation was interrupted when other trials showed the benefits of endovascular therapy. At three months, 20 of 40 patients (50·0 %; 95% C.I.: 35%-65%) in the intervention group had reached the primary outcome, compared to 14 of 37 patients (37·8%; 95% C.I.: 24%-54%) in the control group arm (P=0·36). Eleven patients in the intervention arm died within 3 months compared to 9 patients in the standard care arm. Interpretation: EASI met all the characteristics of a care trial: inclusion of all eligible patients, no extra risk, no extra test, no extra cost, simple case report forms filled by care personnel, normal follow-up, involvement of all regular practitioners, and flexible care. The trial was prematurely interrupted, but this approach offers a promising means to manage clinical dilemmas and guide uncertain practices in the care of patients. Funding: There was no funding source for this study.

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Implications of the use of mechanical thrombectomy on outcome in large vessel occlusion following the 2015 landmark trials

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2020-015903 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 4-7

Author(s):

Okkes Kuybu ◽

Vijayakumar Javalkar ◽

Abdallah Amireh ◽

Arshpreet Kaur ◽

Roger E Kelley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Standard Of Care ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Stroke Treatment ◽

Before And After

BackgroundThe effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) was demonstrated in five landmark trials published in2015.Mechanical thrombectomy is now standard of care for acute ischemic stroke and has been growing in popularity after publication of landmark trials.ObjectiveTo analyze outcomes and trends of the use of MT and intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke in US hospitals before and after publication of these trials.MethodsPatients discharged with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke between 2012 to 2017 were diagnosed using ICD codes from the National Inpatient Sample. Thereafter, patients given acute stroke treatment were identified using the corresponding procedure codes for IVT and MT. The primary clinical outcomes of in-hospital mortality and disability were then compared between two time periods: 2012–2014 (pre-landmark trials) and 2015–2017 (post-landmark trials). Binary logistic regression and Χ2 tests were used for statistical analysis.ResultsA total of 57 675 patients (median age 68.9 years (range 18-90), 50.1% female) were identified with acute procedures. Of these patients, 57.6% were from the post-landmark trials time period. Despite an increased number of cases, the rate of IVT decreased from 84.3% to 75.9% and the rate of IVT+MT decreased from 7.1% to 6.3%. After publication of the pivotal trials in 2015, the rates of MT increased from 8.7% to 17.8%. Significant reductions of in-hospital mortality (7.1% vs 8.7%, p<0.001) and disability (64% vs 66.2%, p<0.001) were noted.ConclusionThe analysis showed a significant increase in the proportion of patients receiving MT after 2015. This has translated into reduction of in-hospital mortality and improvement in disability.

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Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke: Review of 97 Patients

Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice ◽

10.4103/0976-3147.193558 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 08 (01) ◽

pp. 038-043 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Anish Mehta ◽

Rohan Mahale ◽

Kiran Buddaraju ◽

Anas Majeed ◽

Suryanarayana Sharma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Symptom Onset ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Favorable Outcome ◽

Small Vessel ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Large Artery ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Poor Outcome

ABSTRACT Background: Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) has now become a standard treatment in eligible patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) who present within 4.5 h of symptom onset. Objective: To determine the usefulness of IVT and the subset of patients who will benefit from IVT in AIS within 4.5 h. Materials and Methods: Patients with AIS within 4.5 h of symptom onset who underwent IVT were studied prospectively. The study period was from October 2011 to October 2015. Results: A total of 97 patients were thrombolysed intravenously. The mean onset to needle time in all patients was 177.2 ± 62 min (range: 60–360). At 3 months follow-up, favorable outcome was seen in 65 patients (67.1%) and poor outcome including death in the remaining 32 patients (32.9%). Factors predicting favorable outcome was age <65 years (P = 0.02), the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) <15 (P < 0.001), small vessel occlusion (P = 0.006), cardioembolism (P = 0.006), and random blood sugar (RBS) <250 mg/dl (P < 0.001). Factors predicting poor outcome was diabetes mellitus (P = 0.01), dyslipidemia (P = 0.01), NIHSS at admission >15 (P = 0.03), RBS >250 mg/dl (P = 0.01), Dense cerebral artery sign, age, glucose level on admission, onset-to-treatment time, NIHSS on admission score >5 (P = 0.03), and occlusion of large artery (P = 0.02). Conclusion: Milder baseline stroke severity, blood glucose <250 mg/dL, younger patients (<65 years), cardioembolic stroke, and small vessel occlusion benefit from recombinant tissue plasminogen activator.

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Revascularization and functional outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke in elderly patients

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/2018.12.jns182399 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 132 (4) ◽

pp. 1182-1187 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Carrie E. Andrews ◽

Nikolaos Mouchtouris ◽

Evan M. Fitchett ◽

Fadi Al Saiegh ◽

Michael J. Lang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Elderly Patients ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Standard Of Care ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Younger Patients ◽

Success Of Treatment

OBJECTIVEMechanical thrombectomy (MT) is now the standard of care for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) secondary to large-vessel occlusion, but there remains a question of whether elderly patients benefit from this procedure to the same degree as the younger populations enrolled in the seminal trials on MT. The authors compared outcomes after MT of patients 80–89 and ≥ 90 years old with AIS to those of younger patients.METHODSThe authors retrospectively analyzed records of patients undergoing MT at their institution to examine stroke severity, comorbid conditions, medical management, recanalization results, and clinical outcomes. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to compare patients < 80 years, 80–89 years, and ≥ 90 years old.RESULTSAll groups had similar rates of comorbid disease and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) administration, and stroke severity did not differ significantly between groups. Elderly patients had equivalent recanalization outcomes, with similar rates of readmission, 30-day mortality, and hospital-associated complications. These patients were more likely to have poor clinical outcome on discharge, as defined by a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 3–6, but this difference was not significant when controlled for stroke severity, tPA administration, and recanalization results.CONCLUSIONSOctogenarians, nonagenarians, and centenarians with AIS have similar rates of mortality, hospital readmission, and hospital-associated complications as younger patients after MT. Elderly patients also have the capacity to achieve good functional outcome after MT, but this potential is moderated by stroke severity and success of treatment.

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Cerebral endothelial cell-derived small extracellular vesicles enhance neurovascular function and neurological recovery in rat acute ischemic stroke models of mechanical thrombectomy and embolic stroke treatment with tPA

Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism ◽

10.1177/0271678x21992980 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 0271678X2199298

Author(s):

Chao Li ◽

Chunyang Wang ◽

Yi Zhang ◽

Owais K Alsrouji ◽

Alex B Chebl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Extracellular Vesicles ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Infarct Volume ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Healthy Human ◽

Stroke Treatment

Treatment of patients with cerebral large vessel occlusion with thrombectomy and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) leads to incomplete reperfusion. Using rat models of embolic and transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (eMCAO and tMCAO), we investigated the effect on stroke outcomes of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) derived from rat cerebral endothelial cells (CEC-sEVs) in combination with tPA (CEC-sEVs/tPA) as a treatment of eMCAO and tMCAO in rat. The effect of sEVs derived from clots acquired from patients who had undergone mechanical thrombectomy on healthy human CEC permeability was also evaluated. CEC-sEVs/tPA administered 4 h after eMCAO reduced infarct volume by ∼36%, increased recanalization of the occluded MCA, enhanced cerebral blood flow (CBF), and reduced blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage. Treatment with CEC-sEVs given upon reperfusion after 2 h tMCAO significantly reduced infarct volume by ∼43%, and neurological outcomes were improved in both CEC-sEVs treated models. CEC-sEVs/tPA reduced a network of microRNAs (miRs) and proteins that mediate thrombosis, coagulation, and inflammation. Patient-clot derived sEVs increased CEC permeability, which was reduced by CEC-sEVs. CEC-sEV mediated suppression of a network of pro-thrombotic, -coagulant, and -inflammatory miRs and proteins likely contribute to therapeutic effects. Thus, CEC-sEVs have a therapeutic effect on acute ischemic stroke by reducing neurovascular damage.

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Dabigatran Reversal Before Intravenous Tenecteplase in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.119.028327 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (5) ◽

pp. 1616-1619 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

James Beharry ◽

Michael J. Waters ◽

Roy Drew ◽

John N. Fink ◽

Duncan Wilson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Scale Score ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Interquartile Range ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion

Background and Purpose— Reversal of dabigatran before intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke has been well described using alteplase but experience with intravenous tenecteplase is limited. Tenecteplase seems at least noninferior to alteplase in patients with intracranial large vessel occlusion. We report on the experience of dabigatran reversal before tenecteplase thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke. Methods— We included consecutive patients with ischemic stroke receiving dabigatran prestroke treated with intravenous tenecteplase after receiving idarucizumab. Patients were from 2 centers in New Zealand and Australia. We reported the clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics and their functional outcome. Results— We identified 13 patients receiving intravenous tenecteplase after dabigatran reversal. Nine (69%) were male, median age was 79 (interquartile range, 69–85) and median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 6 (interquartile range, 4–21). Atrial fibrillation was the indication for dabigatran therapy in all patients. All patients had a prolonged thrombin clotting time (median, 80 seconds [interquartile range, 57–113]). Seven patients with large vessel occlusion were referred for endovascular thrombectomy, 2 of these patients (29%) had early recanalization with tenecteplase abrogating thrombectomy. No patients had parenchymal hemorrhage or symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation. Favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score, 0–2) occurred in 8 (62%) patients. Two deaths occurred from large territory infarction. Conclusions— Our experience suggests intravenous thrombolysis with tenecteplase following dabigatran reversal using idarucizumab may be safe in selected patients with acute ischemic stroke. Further studies are required to more precisely estimate the efficacy and risk of clinically significant hemorrhage.

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‘Stroke Room': Diagnosis and Treatment at a Single Location for Rapid Intraarterial Stroke Treatment

Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽

10.1159/000440850 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 40 (5-6) ◽

pp. 251-257 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Andreas Ragoschke-Schumm ◽

Umut Yilmaz ◽

Panagiotis Kostopoulos ◽

Martin Lesmeister ◽

Matthias Manitz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Treatment Time ◽

Diagnosis And Treatment ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Stroke Treatment ◽

Single Location ◽

Before And After ◽

Therapeutic Procedures ◽

Therapeutic Measures

Background: For patients with acute ischemic stroke, intra-arterial treatment (IAT) is considered to be an effective strategy for removing the obstructing clot. Because outcome crucially depends on time to treatment (‘time-is-brain' concept), we assessed the effects of an intervention based on performing all the time-sensitive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures at a single location on the delay before intra-arterial stroke treatment. Methods: Consecutive acute stroke patients with large vessel occlusion who obtained IAT were evaluated before and after implementation (April 26, 2010) of an intervention focused on performing all the diagnostic and therapeutic measures at a single site (‘stroke room'). Result: After implementation of the intervention, the median intervals between admission and first angiography series were significantly shorter for 174 intervention patients (102 min, interquartile range (IQR) 85-120 min) than for 81 control patients (117 min, IQR 89-150 min; p < 0.05), as were the intervals between admission and clot removal or end of angiography (152 min, IQR 123-185 min vs. 190 min, IQR 163-227 min; p < 0.001). However, no significant differences in clinical outcome were observed. Conclusion: This study shows for the, to our knowledge, first time that for patients with acute ischemic stroke, stroke diagnosis and treatment at a single location (‘stroke room') saves crucial time until IAT.

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