scholarly journals Mechanical Thrombectomy Is Now the Gold Standard for Acute Ischemic Stroke: Implications for Routine Clinical Practice

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 18-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murugan Palaniswami ◽  
Bernard Yan

Background: This review aims to summarize the findings of the recently published randomized controlled studies which provide overwhelming evidence in support of mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke with large artery occlusion. The five studies, Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands (MR CLEAN), Endovascular Revascularization with Solitaire Device versus Best Medical Therapy in Anterior Circulation Stroke within 8 h (REVASCAT), Endovascular Treatment for Small Core and Proximal Occlusion Ischemic Stroke (ESCAPE), Solitaire™ FR as Primary Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke (SWIFT PRIME) and Extending the Time for Thrombolysis in Emergency Neurological Deficits with Intra-Arterial Therapy (EXTEND IA) have demonstrated the critical role of selecting patients by advanced neuroimaging, the superior recanalization capacity of stent retrievers and the effects of minimization of work processes delay. Summary: This review outlines lessons gained from the 5 positive studies which assessed mechanical thrombectomy as part of endovascular therapy for patients with proximal artery occlusion in the internal carotid and middle cerebral arteries. It discusses the role of age and stroke severity on treatment while also comparing the unique trial designs and selection criteria used amongst the 5 studies. In addition to examining the importance of unique imaging parameters such as collateral circulation, mismatch ratio and ischemic core volume, the review outlines differences in workflow parameters within the context of outcome. Finally the benefit of neuroimaging to broaden treatment eligibility and the issues associated with general anesthesia will be discussed in this review. Key Messages: Questions remain over the applicability of mechanical thrombectomy to stroke subgroups including wake-up strokes and basilar artery thrombosis. The role of imaging is integral to this process and can lead to broadening eligibility criteria in the future. Workflow practices have been streamlined in the 5 positive randomized controlled studies, but guidelines will need to be revised accordingly if similar patient outcomes are to be replicated in a wider population.

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yonggang Hao ◽  
Wenhua Liu ◽  
Huaiming Wang ◽  
Wenjie Zi ◽  
Dong Yang ◽  
...  

ObjectiveAsymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (aSICH) is a common phenomenon after endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke, but its prognostic impacts remain unclear. This study evaluated functional outcomes of thrombectomy in patients with and without aSICH.MethodsPatients with acute ischemic stroke due to large artery occlusion in the anterior circulation who were treated with thrombectomy were enrolled in 21 centers. According to CT scans performed within 72 hours of endovascular procedures, patients with aSICH or without intracranial hemorrhage were included while patients with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) were excluded. Baseline data and functional outcomes were compared between patients with aSICH and those without intracranial hemorrhage. Logistic regression analysis was applied to evaluate the impacts of aSICH on functional outcomes.ResultsOf the 632 patients with endovascular treatment, 101 (16.0%) were classified as having SICH, 212 (33.5%) as having aSICH, and 319 (50.5%) as being without intracranial hemorrhage. Patients with aSICH after endovascular treatment had a lower ratio of excellent outcome (mRS 0–1, OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.33 to 0.84, P=0.007) than those without intracranial hemorrhage. There were no significant differences concerning favorable outcome (mRS 0–2, OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.50 to 1.14, P=0.185) or mortality (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.38 to 1.09, P=0.101) between patients with aSICH and those without intracranial hemorrhage.ConclusionsIn an Asian population, aSICH after thrombectomy may decrease the likelihood of an excellent functional outcome but does not influence a favorable outcome and mortality in patients with ischemic stroke due to large artery occlusion in the anterior circulation.


Author(s):  
Arturs Balodis ◽  
Maija Radziņa ◽  
Evija Miglāne ◽  
Ramona Valante ◽  
Andrejs Millers ◽  
...  

Abstract Mechanical thrombectomy as an active treatment method has recently been chosen for patients with large artery occlusions and thrombolysis beyond a time window. The aim of our study was to evaluate the results of endovascular treatment in patients with proximal vessel occlusion, compare this group with the intravenous thrombolysis group, and to identify possible criteria of active treatment. The prospective study included 81 patients hospitalised in the Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital due to acute ischemic stroke; 48 of them received mechanical thrombectomy and 33 - intravenous thrombolysis. Thrombectomy (TE) was performed using Solitaire FR stent retrievers. The NIHSS score was used for evaluation of early therapy results and mRS (modified Rankin Scale) was used for late therapy results. ASPECTS was used to define the lesion size using imaging on admission and after treatment. Median NIHSS on admission was higher in the TE group - 16 (range 12 to 19) than in the TL group - 12 (range 8 to 15) (p < 0.05). Ninety days after treatment, mRS (0-2) was seen in 67% of patients in the TE group (n = 29), and 34% of patients in the TL group (n = 9) patients (p < 0.05). Median ASPECTS was lower in TE group - 5, in comparison to the TL group - 7 (p < 0.01) Mortality frequency was higher in the TL group (p > 0.05). Frequency of symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhages was similar in the groups. Mechanical thrombectomy can achieve better late functional outcome than thrombolysis in a selected patients group.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 348-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce S Balami ◽  
Philip M White ◽  
Peter J McMeekin ◽  
Gary A Ford ◽  
Alastair M Buchan

Endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for the treatment of acute stroke due to large vessel occlusion has evolved significantly with the publication of multiple positive thrombectomy trials. MT is now a recommended treatment for acute ischemic stroke. Mechanical thrombectomy is associated with a number of intra-procedural or post-operative complications, which need to be minimized and effectively managed to maximize the benefits of thrombectomy. Procedural complications include: access-site problems (vessel/nerve injury, access-site hematoma and groin infection); device-related complications (vasospasm, arterial perforation and dissection, device detachment/misplacement); symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage; subarachnoid hemorrhage; embolization to new or target vessel territory. Other complications include: anesthetic/contrast-related, post-operative hemorrhage, extra-cranial hemorrhage and pseudoaneurysm. Some complications are life-threatening and many lead to increased length of stay in intensive care and stroke units. Complications increase costs and delay the commencement of rehabilitation. Some may be preventable; the impact of others can be minimized with early detection and appropriate management. Both neurointerventionists and stroke specialists need to be aware of the risk factors, strategies for prevention, and management of these complications. With the increasing use of mechanical thrombectomy for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke, incidence and outcome of complications will need to be carefully monitored by stroke teams. In this narrative review, we examine the frequency of complications of MT in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke with an emphasis on periprocedural complications. Overall, from recent randomized controlled trials, the risk of complications with sequelae for patient from mechanical thrombectomy is ∼15%. We discuss the management of complications and identify areas with limited evidence, which need further research. Search strategy and selection criteria Relevant evidence was found by searches of Medline and Cochrane Library, reference list, cross-referencing and main journal content pages. Search terms included “brain ischemia”, “acute ischemic stroke”, “cerebral infarction” AND “mechanical thrombectomy”, “endovascular therapy”, “endovascular treatment”, “endovascular embolectomy”, “intra-arterial” AND “randomized controlled trial”, “non-randomised trials”, “observational studies” AND “complications”, “procedural complications”, “peri-procedural complications”, “device-related complications”, “management”, “treatment”, “outcome”. The search included only human studies, and was limited to studies published in English between January 2014 and November 2016. The final reference list was selected on the basis of relevance to the topics covered in the Review. Guidelines for management of acute ischaemic stroke by the American Heart Association, the European Stroke Organisation, multi-disciplinary guidelines and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) were also reviewed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoying Cai ◽  
Xianhui Ding ◽  
Wenbin Wang ◽  
Ke Yang ◽  
Zhiming Zhou ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Mechanical thrombectomy is recommended for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with large artery occlusion. Radiation during the endovascular procedure would increase the risk of skin diseases. We sought to identify radiation outcomes during mechanical thrombectomy. Methodology We prospectively collected and analyzed radiation parameters during mechanical thrombectomy in 41 patients affected with acute cerebral artery occlusion. Results There were 41 cases (68.73 ± 11.05 years) in this study, with a National Institute Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 15.66 ± 5.94. The time parameters were recorded as following: 84.45 ± 31.66 min (operation duration), 129.71 ± 81.14 s (angiographic run), 16.02 ± 11.03 min (fluoroscopy) and 18.19 ± 11.14 min (angiographic exposure). The doses produced in the procedure were: 1276.43 ± 1647.56 mGy (shot dose), 607.26 ± 412.34 mGy (fluoroscopy) and 1635.52 ± 593.65 mGy (angiographic exposure). Further analysis discovered no association between NIHSS and these time and radiation parameters (P > 0.05). Conclusion This study provided the description of radiation details during mechanical thrombectomy for acute cerebral artery occlusion. The stroke severity would not influence the procedure parameters.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 991-997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuming Peng ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Minyu Jian ◽  
Xiaoyuan Liu ◽  
Jian Sun ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 0271678X2199298
Author(s):  
Chao Li ◽  
Chunyang Wang ◽  
Yi Zhang ◽  
Owais K Alsrouji ◽  
Alex B Chebl ◽  
...  

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.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen W English ◽  
David Landzberg ◽  
Nirav Bhatt ◽  
Michael Frankel ◽  
Digvijaya Navalkele

Introduction: Ticagrelor with aspirin has been recently shown to reduce the risk of stroke or death compared to aspirin alone in patients with high risk TIAs and mild strokes. However, this benefit is offset by increased risk of severe bleeding. We sought to evaluate the safety of ticagrelor in patients with moderate to severe ischemic stroke. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of adults discharged on ticagrelor after presenting with acute ischemic stroke and NIHSS > 5 from January 2016 to December 2019 at a large, urban, academic comprehensive stroke center. Patients were excluded if they underwent carotid or intracranial angioplasty and/or stenting, or carotid endarterectomy during admission. Baseline clinical characteristics, imaging, and outcomes were reviewed. Data was organized into continuous and categorical variables. Results: Sixty-one patients met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Median age was 61 (IQR, 52-68) years; 33 (54%) were men, and 33 (54%) were African American. Median NIHSS was 11 (IQR, 8-15). Fourteen (23%) patients received IV Alteplase and 35 (57%) patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy. Five (8%) patients received both IV Alteplase and mechanical thrombectomy. Median ticagrelor start date was hospital day 1 (IQR, 0-3). Large artery atherosclerosis was presumed etiology in 53 (87%) patients. No patients experienced neurologic worsening, recurrent stroke, sICH, or major bleeding during inpatient stay. Sixty (98%) patients were on aspirin and ticagrelor at discharge. Follow-up information was available for 53 (87%) patients for a median duration of 3 (IQR, 2-6) months. Following discharge, 3 (5%) patients experienced recurrent ischemic stroke despite being compliant. One (2%) patient experienced major bleeding—gastrointestinal hemorrhage requiring transfusion—two months after hospital discharge. Conclusions: This study highlights the potential expanding role for ticagrelor in secondary stroke prevention in patients with moderate to severe stroke. Early ticagrelor use did not result in sICH during inpatient stay—and only 1 major bleeding event on follow-up—in our cohort. While further research in this area is needed, these findings present an exciting opportunity for future prospective studies.


Stroke ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yahia M Lodi ◽  
Varun Reddy ◽  
George Petro ◽  
Anas Hourani ◽  
Chun-An Chou

Background: Based on recent trials, AIS due to large artery occlusion (LAO) is resistant to IV thrombolysis and adjunctive stent retriever thrombectomy (SRT) is associated with better recanalization rates and outcomes.Despite the benefit with endovascular therapy 39% to 68% of patients were either disabled or dead.Thrombectomy in AIS with LAO within 3 hours (IV t-PA window) is performed as secondary therapy after IV thrombolysis, which may be associated with delay in enrollment and recanalization. Objective: Primary objective is to evaluate the safety, feasibility and recanalization rate of primary SRT (without IV tPA) within 3 hours in AIS with NIHSS >10 from LAO.Secondary objective is to determine the functional outcome in 30-days and 90-days. Methods: Based on institutionally approved protocol patients with LAO with LCB within 3 hours were offered primary SRT alone as an alternative to IV rtPA, after informed consent.Consecutive patients who underwent primary SRT for LAO within 3 hours from 2012 to 2014 were enrolled.Outcomes were measured using modified Rankin Scale. Results: 18 patients with LAO; mean age 62.8±15.3 years and mean NIHSS 16±5; chose primary SRT after informed consent.Thrombectomy was performed using new generation stent-retriever device in addition to small intra-arterial rtPA (2-10 mg).Number of passes was 1.6±0.9.Near complete (TICI2b in 1) and complete (TICI3 in 17) recanalization was observed in all (100%) patients.Mean time to recanalization from symptoms onset was 188.5±82.7 and from groin puncture was 64.61±40.14 minutes.Immediate post-thrombectomy, 24 hour and 30 day NIHSS score was 4.4±3.7, 1.9±3.2 and 0.3±0.9 respectively.There was no procedure related complication.Asymptomatic perfusion related hemorrhage developed in 6 patients (33%).30 days good outcome was observed in all cases (mRS0= 38.9%, mRS1=44.4%, mRS2=16.7%). 90 days good outcome was observed as follows (mRS0= 50.0%, mRS1=44.4%, mRS2=5.6%). Conclusion: Our pilot study demonstrates that primary SRT in AIS due LAO occlusion with LCB is not only safe and feasible, but associated with complete recanalization and good functional outcome.Larger randomized controlled studies are needed.


Stroke ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxim Mokin ◽  
Tareq Kass-Hout ◽  
Omar Kass-Hout ◽  
Erol Veznedaroglu ◽  
Fadi Nahab ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion is associated with a poor prognosis. With no consensus about the best treatment option, various treatment modalities including conservative management, intravenous tissue plasminogen activator, and endovascular approach are currently being used. Methods: Retrospective data including demographic information, baseline NIHSS score, site of occlusion (based on CTA, MRA or angiogram), type of treatment and clinical outcomes were collected from 4 centers in the United States during the period of 2010-2011. Results: A total of 423 were included in final analysis: 175 patients received conservative medical management, 54 patients received intravenous (IV) thrombolysis alone, and 194 patients had endovascular treatment (with or without prior IV tPA). Younger patients were more likely to receive endovascular treatment (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference among the sex and co-morbid conditions among the three groups. Proximal middle cerebral artery was the most commonly involved vessel. Strokes due to basilar artery occlusion or internal carotid artery occlusion were associated with worst outcomes in all three groups. Conservative medical management had the lowest rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage but also the highest mortality rates at 3 months. Patients who received endovascular treatment within the first 3 hrs had better outcome and lower mortality rates as compared to patients with intervention during 3-8 hours or beyond 8 hrs. Conclusions: Our study represents real world experience on the management and outcomes of acute ischemic strokes due to large vessel occlusion. Our results help understand natural history of strokes with large vessel occlusion, as well as modern trends in managing these patients with intravenous and intraarterial treatment approaches.


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