Ballast and NeuronMax in stroke thrombectomy

BackgroundComparative evaluation of long sheath performance in stroke thrombectomy has not been performed.ObjectiveTo review an initial experience with the new Ballast 6F long sheath compared with the NeuronMax, to evaluate comparative benchmarks in trackability, navigability, and procedural outcomes.MethodsA prospectively maintained thrombectomy database was evaluated over a 6-month period to compare procedural and angiographic results between a cohort of patients treated with the historical institutional standard long sheath (NeuronMax) and another with the new Ballast long sheath via a transfemoral approach.ResultsOf 156 stroke thrombectomy cases, 69 were performed using NeuronMax and 40 using Ballast via a transfemoral approach; the remainder of cases employed alternative long sheaths or were performed via initial radial access. There was no significant difference in patient age, medical history, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, arch type, tissue plasminogen activator use, and clot location between the two groups. Single-pass case frequency (41% for NeuronMax vs 44% for Ballast, p=0.84), and final successful revascularization (TICI 2b or greater) were similar between the two cohorts (91% vs 98%, p=0.42). Good 90-day outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–2) was also similar (33% for NeuronMax, 43% for Ballast, p=0.41). Excluding tandem occlusions, mean procedural time was 31 min for NeuronMax and 25 min for Ballast (p=0.09). Puncture to long sheath access and angiography in the base target vessel was faster for Ballast than NeuronMax (6.5 min vs 9.2 min, p=0.04).ConclusionAmong a cohort of practitioners with historical, preferential experience with NeuronMax for stroke thrombectomy, faster procedural times were achieved with Ballast with similar final angiographic results.

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Safety and feasibility of intraarterial eptifibatide as a revascularization tool in acute ischemic stroke

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/2010.8.jns10318 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 114 (4) ◽

pp. 1008-1013 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Muhammad Zeeshan Memon ◽

Sabareesh K. Natarajan ◽

Jitendra Sharma ◽

Marlon S. Mathews ◽

Kenneth V. Snyder ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Plasminogen Activator ◽

Tissue Plasminogen Activator ◽

Scale Score ◽

Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Tissue Plasminogen ◽

Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage

Object Experience with the use of platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb–IIIa inhibitor eptifibatide in patients with ischemic stroke is limited. The authors report the off-label use of intraarterial eptifibatide during endovascular ischemic stroke revascularization procedures for reocclusion after documented recanalization or formed fresh thrombi in distal vessels that were inaccessible to endovascular devices. Methods Patients who received intraarterial eptifibatide were identified from a prospectively collected database of patients in whom endovascular revascularization for acute ischemic stroke was attempted between 2005 and 2008. Data were analyzed retrospectively. The intraarterial eptifibatide dose was a single-bolus dose of 180 μg/kg body weight. Primary outcome measures were angiographic recanalization (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Grade 2 or 3), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rate, overall mortality rate, and favorable 3-month modified Rankin Scale score (≤ 2). Results The study included 35 patients (mean age 62 years, range 18–85 years). The median presenting National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 13. Two patients received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator before endovascular therapy. The median time from symptom onset to therapy initiation was 230 minutes (range 90–1370 minutes). Twelve patients (34%) received intraarterial tissue plasminogen activator without mechanical measures. Mechanical revascularization measures used were Merci retriever in 19 (54%), Penumbra device in 1 (3%), balloon angioplasty in 15 (43%), and stent placement in 22 (63%) patients. The mean dose of intraarterial eptifibatide was 11.6 mg (range 5–16.6 mg). Partial-to-complete recanalization (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Grade 2 or 3) was achieved in 27 patients (77%). Postprocedure intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 13 patients (37%), causing symptoms in 5 (14%). In the 5 symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage cases, all patients but one presented more than 8 hours after symptom onset and all received intraarterial recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. The median discharge National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 7 (range 0–17). At 3 months postprocedure, 21 patients (60%) had a modified Rankin Scale score ≤ 2, and 8 patients (23%) had died. Conclusions Adjunctive intraarterial eptifibatide is a feasible option for salvage of reocclusion and thrombolysis of distal inaccessible thrombi during endovascular stroke revascularization. Its safety and efficacy need to be studied further in larger, multicenter, controlled studies.

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Initial Clinical Experience of Repeat Thrombectomy with a Retrieval Stent (RTRS) with Continuous Proximal Flow Arrest by Balloon Guide Catheter for Acute Intracranial Carotid Occlusion

Behavioural Neurology ◽

10.1155/2021/7607324 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Wen-huo Chen ◽

Tingyu Yi ◽

Yan-Min Wu ◽

Zhi-nan Pan ◽

Xiu-fen Zheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Internal Carotid ◽

Anterior Cerebral Artery ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Initial Experience ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Nihss Score ◽

Guide Catheter ◽

Procedural Time ◽

Stent Retrievers ◽

Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage

Background. Balloon guide catheters (BGCs) have good performance in terms of radiological outcomes in acute ischemic thrombectomy. It is not uncommon for BGCs to be blocked by thrombi, especially in cases with acute intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion. Our initial experience using repeat thrombectomy with a retrieval stent (RTRS) with continuous proximal flow arrest by BGC for acute intracranial ICA occlusion is presented. Methods. In patients with acute intracranial ICA occlusion treated with RTRS, clinical data, including the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days, and procedural data, including the Extended treatment in Cerebral Infarction (eTICI) score, procedural time, and complications, were analyzed. Results. Thirty-two consecutive patients (12 men (37.5%); mean age: 73 years) were treated with RTRS using a BGC. The median NIHSS score was 19. The median puncture-to-reperfusion time was 46 minutes (range: 22-142 minutes). All patients were successfully revascularized; eTICI 2c or better recanalization was achieved in 30 (93.8%) patients. No procedure-related complications or symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred. Two cases (6.3%) had distal emboli, but none had emboli to the anterior cerebral artery. Fourteen patients (43.8%) achieved a good outcome with an mRS score of 0–2 at 90 days, and 8 patients (25.0%) died. Conclusions. In patients with intracranial ICA occlusion, RTRS with proximal flow arrest by BGC is effective and safe, achieving good clinical and angiographic outcomes. This method may reduce the incidence of distal emboli in thrombectomy with stent retrievers.

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Hemodynamic Status During Endovascular Stroke Treatment: Association of Blood Pressure with Functional Outcome

Neurocritical Care ◽

10.1007/s12028-021-01229-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Min Chen ◽

Dorothea Kronsteiner ◽

Johannes Pfaff ◽

Simon Schieber ◽

Laura Jäger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Standard Deviation ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Scale Score ◽

Endovascular Therapy ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Stroke Treatment ◽

The Mean

Abstract Background Optimal blood pressure (BP) management during endovascular stroke treatment in patients with large-vessel occlusion is not well established. We aimed to investigate associations of BP during different phases of endovascular therapy with reperfusion and functional outcome. Methods We performed a post hoc analysis of a single-center prospective study that evaluated a new simplified procedural sedation standard during endovascular therapy (Keep Evaluating Protocol Simplification in Managing Periinterventional Light Sedation for Endovascular Stroke Treatment). BP during endovascular therapy in patients was managed according to protocol. Data from four different phases (baseline, pre-recanalization, post recanalization, and post intervention) were obtained, and mean BP values, as well as changes in BP between different phases and reductions in systolic BP (SBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) from baseline to pre-recanalization, were used as exposure variables. The main outcome was a modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2 three months after admission. Secondary outcomes were successful reperfusion and change in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score after 24 h. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used for statistical analysis. Results Functional outcomes were analyzed in 139 patients with successful reperfusion (defined as thrombolysis in cerebral infarction grade 2b–3). The mean (standard deviation) age was 76 (10.9) years, the mean (standard deviation) National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 14.3 (7.5), and 70 (43.5%) patients had a left-sided vessel occlusion. Favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–2) was less likely with every 10-mm Hg increase in baseline (odds ratio [OR] 0.76, P = 0.04) and pre-recanalization (OR 0.65, P = 0.011) SBP. This was also found for baseline (OR 0.76, P = 0.05) and pre-recanalization MAP (OR 0.66, P = 0.03). The maximum Youden index in a receiver operating characteristics analysis revealed an SBP of 163 mm Hg and MAP of 117 mm Hg as discriminatory thresholds during the pre-recanalization phase to predict functional outcome. Conclusions In our protocol-based setting, intraprocedural pre-recanalization BP reductions during endovascular therapy were not associated with functional outcome. However, higher intraprocedural pre-recanalization SBP and MAP were associated with worse functional outcome. Prospective randomized controlled studies are needed to determine whether BP is a feasible treatment target for the modification of outcomes.

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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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Smoking Paradox in Stroke Survivors?

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.119.027012 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (4) ◽

pp. 1248-1256

Author(s):

Hao-Kuang Wang ◽

Chih-Yuan Huang ◽

Yuan-Ting Sun ◽

Jie-Yuan Li ◽

Chih-Hung Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scale Score ◽

Screening Program ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Fold Increase ◽

Functional Independence ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Age Difference ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Stroke Incidence ◽

Stroke Registry

Background and Purpose— The observation that smokers with stroke could have better outcome than nonsmokers led to the term “smoking paradox.” The controversy of such a complex claim has not been fully settled, even though different case mix was noted. Analyses were conducted on 2 independent data sets to evaluate and determine whether such a paradox truly exists. Methods— Taiwan Stroke Registry with 88 925 stroke cases, and MJ cohort with 541 047 adults participating in a medical screening program with 1630 stroke deaths developed during 15 years of follow-up (1994–2008). Primary outcome for stroke registry was functional independence at 3 months by modified Rankin Scale score ≤2, for individuals classified by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission. For MJ cohort, mortality risk by smoking status or by stroke history was assessed by hazard ratio. Results— A >11-year age difference in stroke incidence was found between smokers and nonsmokers, with a median age of 60.2 years for current smokers and 71.6 years for nonsmokers. For smokers, favorable outcome in mortality and in functional assessment in 3 months with modified Rankin Scale score ≤2 stratified by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was present but disappeared when age and sex were matched. Smokers without stroke history had a ≈2-fold increase in stroke deaths (2.05 for ischemic stroke and 1.53 for hemorrhagic stroke) but smokers with stroke history, 7.83-fold increase, overshadowing smoking risk. Quitting smoking at earlier age reversed or improved outcome. Conclusions— “The more you smoke, the earlier you stroke, and the longer sufferings you have to cope.” Smokers had 2-fold mortality from stroke but endured stroke disability 11 years longer. Quitting early reduced or reversed the harms.

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Treatment and Outcome in Stroke Patients With Acute M2 Occlusion and Minor Neurological Deficits

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.120.031672 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tomas Dobrocky ◽

Eike I. Piechowiak ◽

Bastian Volbers ◽

Nedelina Slavova ◽

Johannes Kaesmacher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Middle Cerebral Artery ◽

Scale Score ◽

Cerebral Artery ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Adjusted Odds Ratio ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Neurological Deficits ◽

Minor Stroke ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Stroke Patients

Background and Purpose: Treatment in stroke patients with M2 segment occlusion of the middle cerebral artery presenting with mild neurological deficits is a matter of debate. The main purpose was to compare the outcome in patients with a minor stroke and a M2 occlusion. Methods: Consecutive intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) eligible patients admitted to the Bernese stroke center between January 2005 and January 2020 with acute occlusion of the M2 segment and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≤5 were included. Outcome was compared between IVT only versus endovascular therapy (EVT) including intra-arterial thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy (MT; ±IVT) and between IVT only versus MT only. Results: Among 169 patients (38.5% women, median age 70.2 years), 84 (49.7%) received IVT only and 85 (50.3%) EVT (±IVT), the latter including 39 (45.9%) treated with MT only. Groups were similar in sex, age, vascular risk factors, event cause, or preevent independency. Compared with IVT only, there was no difference in favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score, 0−2) for EVT (adjusted odds ratio, 0.96; adjusted P =0.935) or for MT only (adjusted odds ratio, 1.12; adjusted P =0.547) groups. Considering only patients treated after 2015, there was a significantly better 3-month modified Rankin Scale shift (adjusted P =0.032) in the EVT compared with the IVT only group. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates similar effectiveness of IVT only versus EVT (±IVT), and of IVT only versus MT only in patients with peripheral middle cerebral artery occlusions and minor neurological deficits and indicates a possible benefit of EVT considering only patients treated after 2015. There is an unmet need for randomized controlled trials in this stroke field, including imaging parameters, and more sophisticated evaluation of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score subitems, neurocognition, and quality of life neglected by the standard outcome scales such as modified Rankin Scale and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score.

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Adiposity and Outcome After Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.119.027900 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (1) ◽

pp. 144-151

Author(s):

Zuolu Liu ◽

Nerses Sanossian ◽

Sidney Starkman ◽

Gilda Avila-Rinek ◽

Marc Eckstein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Scale Score ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Related Quality ◽

Severely Obese

Background and Purpose: A survival advantage among individuals with higher body mass index (BMI) has been observed for diverse acute illnesses, including stroke, and termed the obesity paradox. However, prior ischemic stroke studies have generally tested only for linear rather than nonlinear relations between body mass and outcome, and few studies have investigated poststroke functional outcomes in addition to mortality. Methods: We analyzed consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke enrolled in a 60-center acute treatment trial, the NIH FAST-MAG acute stroke trial. Outcomes at 3 months analyzed were (1) death; (2) disability or death (modified Rankin Scale score, 2–6); and (3) low stroke-related quality of life (Stroke Impact Scale<median). Relations with BMI were analyzed univariately and in multivariate models adjusting for 14 additional prognostic variables. Results: Among 1033 patients with acute ischemic stroke, average age was 71 years (±13), 45.1% female, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale 10.6 (±8.3), and BMI 27.5 (±5.6). In both unadjusted and adjusted analysis, increasing BMI was linearly associated with improved 3-month survival ( P =0.01) odds ratios in adjusted analysis for mortality declined across the BMI categories of underweight (odds ratio, 1.7 [CI, 0.6–4.9]), normal (odds ratio, 1), overweight (0.9 [CI, 0.5–1.4]), obese (0.5, [CI, 0.3–1.0]), and severely obese (0.4 [CI, 0.2–0.9]). In unadjusted analysis, increasing BMI showed a U-shaped relation to poststroke disability or death (modified Rankin Scale score, 2–6), with odds ratios of modified Rankin Scale score, 2 to 6 for underweight, overweight, and obese declined initially when compared with normal weight patients, but then increased again in severely obese patients, suggesting a U-shaped or J-shaped relation. After adjustment, including for baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, modified Rankin Scale score 2 to 6 was no longer related to adiposity. Conclusions: Mortality and functional outcomes after acute ischemic stroke have disparate relations with patients’ adiposity. Higher BMI is linearly associated with increased survival; and BMI has a U-shaped or J-shaped relation to disability and stroke-related quality of life. Potential mechanisms including nutritional reserve aiding survival during recovery and greater frequency of atherosclerotic than thromboembolic infarcts in individuals with higher BMI.

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Is Endovascular Treatment Still Good for Ischemic Stroke in Real World?

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.120.029742 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (11) ◽

pp. 3250-3263

Author(s):

Zixu Zhao ◽

Jiarui Zhang ◽

Xin Jiang ◽

Li Wang ◽

Zixiao Yin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Scale Score ◽

Real World ◽

Observational Studies ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Severe Stroke ◽

Stroke Group ◽

Mild Stroke

Background and Purpose: Although endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke is classified as I evidence, outcomes after EVT in real-world practice appear to be less superior than those in randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Additionally, the effect of EVT is unclear compared with medical treatment (MT) for patients with mild symptoms defined by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score <6 or with severe symptoms defined by Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score <6. Methods: Literatures were searched in big databases and major meetings from December 6, 2009, to December 6, 2019, including RCTs and observational studies comparing EVT against MT for patients with acute ischemic stroke. Observational studies were precategorized into 3 groups based on imaging data on admission: mild stroke group with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score <6, severe stroke group with Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score <6 or ischemic core ≥50 mL, and normal stroke group for all others. Outcome was measured as modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2, mortality at 90 days, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) at 24 hours. Results: Fifteen RCTs (n=3694) and 37 observational studies (n=9090) were included. EVT was associated with higher modified Rankin Scale 0 to 2 rate and lower mortality in RCTs and normal stroke group, whereas EVT was associated with higher sICH rate in normal stroke group, and no difference of sICH rate appeared between EVT and MT in RCTs. In severe stroke group, EVT was associated with higher modified Rankin Scale 0 to 2 rate and lower mortality, whereas no difference of sICH rate was found. In mild stroke group, there was no difference in modified Rankin Scale 0 to 2 rate between EVT and MT, whereas EVT was associated with higher mortality and sICH rate. Conclusions: Evidence from RCTs and observational studies supports the use of EVT as the first-line choice for eligible patients corresponding to the latest guideline. For patients with Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score <6, EVT showed superiority over MT, also in line with the guidelines. On the contrary to the guideline, our data do not support EVT for patients with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score <6.

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Intra-arterial Thrombectomy with Stent Retriever for Acute Ischemic Stroke – a Retrospective, Single-centered Study from Brazil

Arquivos Brasileiros de Neurocirurgia Brazilian Neurosurgery ◽

10.1055/s-0037-1607062 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 36 (04) ◽

pp. 213-216

Author(s):

Luana Gatto ◽

Viviane Zétola ◽

Zeferino Demartini Junior ◽

Fábio Nascimento ◽

Gelson Koppe

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Mean Value ◽

Posterior Circulation ◽

Stent Retriever ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Initial Experience ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

The Mean

Objective To report our initial experience with intra-arterial thrombectomy (IAT) with stent retriever for acute ischemic stroke. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent IAT from September 2010 to August 2016. Results Forty-one patients were included; mean age was 57 years (range: 29–85), and 54% were women. There were 32 anterior circulation occlusions, and 11 posterior circulation occlusions. The mean value of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) upon admission (available in 9/41 patients) was 14 (range: 6–20). Nineteen patients had favorable outcomes (modified Rankin Scale [mRS]: 0–2 at 6 months), and 22 had unfavorable outcomes (mRS: 3–6 at 6 months). The mortality rate was 37% (15/41). Favorable outcomes were associated with revascularization within the first 360 minutes of the onset of symptoms (p = 0.000001), and satisfactory revascularization (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction [TICI] scale: 2b or 3) (p = 0.0018). Conclusion It is of paramount importance to educate stroke teams on the benefits of IAT for acute ischemic stroke and the population on identifying stroke and seeking immediate care following symptom onset.

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Intraarterial Thrombolytic Therapy within 3 Hours of the Onset of Stroke

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1227/01.neu.0000097197.61376.05 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 54 (1) ◽

pp. 39-46 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Eric C. Bourekas ◽

Andrew P. Slivka ◽

Rajul Shah ◽

Robert W. Tarr ◽

Jeffrey Sunshine ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mortality Rate ◽

Plasminogen Activator ◽

Tissue Plasminogen Activator ◽

Scale Score ◽

Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽

Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator ◽

Stroke Onset ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Tissue Plasminogen ◽

Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage

Abstract OBJECTIVE The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator Stroke Study Group showed that recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) administered intravenously within 3 hours of the onset of ischemic stroke can improve clinical outcome. Intraarterial (IA) thrombolysis has been shown to offer advantages over intravenous (IV) thrombolysis, but experience with this type of therapy within 3 hours of the onset of symptoms has not been reported previously. This study is the first retrospective analysis of a two-institution experience with IA thrombolysis within 3 hours of stroke onset. METHODS A total of 36 patients with angiographically demonstrated occlusions were treated with urokinase or rt-PA within 3 hours of stroke onset. Outcome measures included the percentage of patients with no or minimal neurological disability at 30 to 90 days as measured by the modified Rankin Scale, percentage recanalization, incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and mortality rate. The results were compared with those of the NINDS rt-PA study. RESULTS The median admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 14. Fifty percent of treated patients had a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 or 1 indicating no or little disability at 1 to 3 months compared with 39% of treated patients in the NINDS trial. Recanalization was 75%, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was 11% (versus 6.4% with IV rt-PA in the NINDS trial), and the mortality rate was 22% (versus 17% with IV rt-PA in the NINDS trial). CONCLUSION The results suggest that IA thrombolysis administered within 3 hours of stroke onset is a feasible and viable alternative to IV rt-PA on the basis of improved clinical outcomes, high recanalization percentage, and comparable mortality rate and despite increased symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Whether IA thrombolysis is superior to IV therapy awaits further study.

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