Predictors for Mortality after Mechanical Thrombectomy of Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion

Background: Modern endovascular thrombectomy (MET), using stent retrievers or large-bore distal aspiration catheters in stroke patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO), is routinely performed to date. However, more than 35% of BAO patients treated with MET die within 90 days despite high recanalization rates. The purpose of this study is to investigate the parameters associated with 90-day mortality in patients with BAO after MET. Methods: We analyzed 117 consecutive BAO patients included in the Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke prospective clinical registry of consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients treated with MET (60 patients [51.3%] treated with a stent retriever as first-line technique) between March 2010 and April 2017. Successful recanalization was defined as modified thrombolysis In cerebral infarction scores 2b-3 at the end of MET, and mortality was defined as modified Rankin Scale 6 at 90 days. Associations of baseline characteristics (patient and treatment characteristics) and intermediate outcomes (recanalization, complications) with 90-day mortality were investigated in univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Overall successful recanalization rate was 79.5, and 41.9% (95% CI 32.8–51.0%) of patients died within 90 days after MET. Patients with successful recanalization had a lower mortality rate (32.9 vs. 74.4%; p < 0.001). Failure of successful recanalization was an independent predictor of mortality (OR 5.1; 95% CI 1.34–19.33). In multivariate analysis, age ≥60 years (OR 6.37; 95% CI 1.74–23.31), admission National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) ≥13 (OR 4.62; 95% CI 1.42–15.03), lower posterior circulation-Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (pc-ASPECTS; OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.19–2.44), use of antithrombotic medication prior to stroke onset (OR 3.38; 95% CI 1.03–11.08), absence of intravenous thrombolysis (OR 3.36; 95% CI 1.12–10.03), and angioplasty/stenting of the basilar artery (OR 4.71; 95% CI 1.34–16.54) were independent predictors for mortality after MET. Conclusions: Failure of successful recanalization was a strong predictor for mortality. In the setting of recanalization, age, admission NIHSS, pc-ASPECTS, absence of intravenous thrombolysis, and angioplasty/stenting of the basilar artery were also independent predictors for mortality after MET of BAO patients.

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Republished: Acute ischemic stroke in a child due to basilar artery occlusion treated successfully with a stent retriever

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2015-011821.rep ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. e33-e33 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Luis Savastano ◽

Joseph J Gemmete ◽

Aditya S Pandey ◽

Christopher Roark ◽

Neeraj Chaudhary

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Basilar Artery ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Safety Data ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Stent Retriever ◽

Basilar Artery Occlusion ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Tissue Plasminogen

Ischemic strokes in childhood are rare. Thrombolytic therapy with intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has been the main intervention for the management of pediatric stroke patients, but safety data are lacking and efficacy has been questioned. Recently, successful endovascular treatments for acute ischemic stroke in children have been reported with increasing frequency, suggesting that mechanical thrombectomy can be a safe and effective treatment. We present the case of a 22-month-old child with acute ischemic stroke due to basilar artery occlusion that was successfully treated with a stent retriever.

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First-Pass Effect in Basilar Artery Occlusions: Insights From the Endovascular Treatment of Ischemic Stroke Registry

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.120.030237 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mathilde Aubertin ◽

David Weisenburger-Lile ◽

Benjamin Gory ◽

Sébastien Richard ◽

Raphael Blanc ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Basilar Artery ◽

Rescue Therapy ◽

Strong Predictor ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Basilar Artery Occlusion ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Unique Identifier ◽

First Pass Effect ◽

Improved Outcomes ◽

First Pass

Background and Purpose: In the settings of thrombectomy, the first-pass effect (FPE), defined by a complete recanalization after one pass with no rescue therapy, has been shown to be associated with an improved outcome. As this phenomenon has been predominantly described in anterior circulation strokes, we aimed to study the prevalence, outcomes, and predictors of FPE in patients with a basilar artery occlusion. Methods: From a prospective multicentric registry, we collected the data of all consecutive basilar artery occlusion patients who underwent thrombectomy and compared the outcomes of patients who achieved FPE and those who did not. We also compared FPE patients with those who achieved a complete recanalization with >1 pass. Finally, a multivariate analysis was performed to determine the predictors of FPE. Results: Data from 280 patients were analyzed in our study, including 84 of 280 patients (30%) with an atheromatous etiology. An FPE was achieved in 93 patients (33.2%), with a significantly higher proportion of good outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2 at 3 months) and lower mortality than non-FPE patients. An FPE was also associated with improved outcomes compared with patients who went on to have full recanalization with >1 pass. Contact aspiration as first-line strategy was a strong predictor of FPE, whereas baseline antiplatelets and atheromatous etiology were negative predictors. Conclusions: In our study, an FPE was achieved in approximately one-third of patients with a basilar artery occlusion and was associated with improved outcomes. More research is needed to improve devices and techniques to increase the incidence of FPE. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT03776877.

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Intravenous Versus Intra-arterial Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke Secondary to Basilar Artery Occlusion

Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery ◽

10.7461/jcen.2014.16.1.39 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 39 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dale Ding

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Basilar Artery ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Basilar Artery Occlusion ◽

Arterial Thrombolysis

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Abstract TMP13: Tenecteplase versus Alteplase Before Endovascular Therapy in Basilar Artery Occlusion

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.tmp13 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Fana Alemseged ◽

Volker Puetz ◽

Gregoire Boulouis ◽

Alessandro Rocco ◽

Timothy Kleinig ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Basilar Artery ◽

Endovascular Therapy ◽

Primary Outcome ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Basilar Artery Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Repeat Imaging

Background: Tenecteplase (TNK) is a genetically modified variant of alteplase with greater fibrin specificity and longer half-life than alteplase. The recent Tenecteplase versus Alteplase before Endovascular Therapy for Ischemic Stroke (EXTEND-IA TNK) trial demonstrated that increased reperfusion with TNK compared to alteplase prior to endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in large vessel occlusion ischaemic strokes. However, only 6 patients with basilar artery occlusion (BAO) were included. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of TNK versus alteplase before EVT in patients with basilar artery occlusion (BAO). Methods: Clinical and procedural data of consecutive BAO diagnosed on CT Angiography or MR Angiography from the multisite international Basilar Artery Treatment and MANagement (BATMAN) collaboration were retrospectively analysed. The primary outcome was reperfusion of greater than 50% of the involved ischemic territory or absence of retrievable thrombus at the time of the initial angiographic assessment. Results: We included 119 BAO patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis prior to EVT; mean age 68 (SD 14), median NIHSS 16 (IQR 7-32). Eleven patients were treated with TNK (0.25mg/kg or 0.4mg/kg) and 108 with alteplase (0.9mg/kg). Overall, 113 patients had catheter angiography or early repeat imaging after thrombolysis. Reperfusion of greater than 50% of the ischemic territory or absence of retrievable thrombus occurred in 4/11 (36%) of patients treated with TNK vs 8/102 (8%) treated with alteplase (p=0.02). Onset-to-needle time did not differ between the two groups (p=0.4). Needle-to-groin-puncture time was 61 (IQR 33-100) mins in patients reperfused with TNK vs 111 (IQR 86-198) mins in patients reperfused with alteplase (p=0.048). Overall, the rate of symptomatic haemorrhage was 3/119 (2.5%). No differences were found in the rate of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (p=0.3) between the two thrombolytic agents. Conclusions: Despite shorter needle-to-groin-puncture times, tenecteplase was associated with an increased rate of reperfusion in comparison with alteplase before EVT in BAO. Randomized controlled trials to compare tenecteplase with alteplase in BAO patients before endovascular thrombectomy are warranted.

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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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Primary acute stroke thrombectomy within 3 h for large artery occlusion (PAST3-LAO): a pilot study

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2015-012172 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 352-356 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yahia Lodi ◽

Varun Reddy ◽

Gorge Petro ◽

Ashok Devasenapathy ◽

Anas Hourani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Large Artery ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Nihss Score ◽

Tissue Plasminogen ◽

Poor Outcomes

Background and purposeIn recent trials, acute ischemic stroke (AIS) from large artery occlusion (LAO) was resistant to intravenous thrombolysis and adjunctive stent retriever thrombectomy (SRT) was associated with better perfusion and outcomes. Despite benefit, 39–68% of patients had poor outcomes. Thrombectomy in AIS with LAO within 3 h is performed secondary to intravenous thrombolysis, which may be associated with delay. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the safety, feasibility, recanalization rate, and outcome of primary SRT within 3 h without intravenous thrombolysis in AIS from LAO.MethodsBased on an institutionally approved protocol, stroke patients with LAO within 3 h were offered primary SRT as an alternative to intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. Consecutive patients who underwent primary SRT for LAO within 3 h from 2012 to 2014 were enrolled. Outcomes were measured using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).Results18 patients with LAO of mean age 62.83±15.32 years and median NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score 16 (10–23) chose primary SRT after giving informed consent. Near complete (TICI 2b in 1 patient) or complete (TICI 3 in 17 patients) recanalization was observed in all patients. Time to recanalization from symptom onset and groin puncture was 188.5±82.7 and 64.61±40.14 min, respectively. NIHSS scores immediately after thrombectomy, at 24 h and 30 days were 4 (0–12), 1 (0–12), and 0 (0–4), respectively. Asymptomatic perfusion-related hemorrhage developed in four patients (22%). 90-day outcomes were mRS 0 in 50%, mRS 1 in 44.4%, and mRS 2 in 5.6%.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that primary SRT in AIS from LAO is safe and feasible and is associated with complete recanalization and good outcome. Further study is required.

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Timing of Recanalization After Microbubble-Enhanced Intravenous Thrombolysis in Basilar Artery Occlusion

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.107.487454 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 38 (11) ◽

pp. 2931-2934 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Jorge Pagola ◽

Marc Ribo ◽

José Alvarez-Sabín ◽

Marcos Lange ◽

Marta Rubiera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Basilar Artery ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Basilar Artery Occlusion

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Initial factors affecting the clinical outcome after successful recanalization via MR-based mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to basilar artery occlusion

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2015-011912 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. 889-893 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Seungnam Son ◽

Yong-Won Kim ◽

Min Kyun Oh ◽

Soo-Kyoung Kim ◽

Ki-Jong Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Clinical Outcome ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Basilar Artery ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Basilar Artery Occlusion ◽

Nihss Score ◽

Diffusion Weighted Images ◽

Outcome Group

Background and purposeTo determine the initial factors, including patient characteristics, stroke etiology and severity, time factors, and imaging findings, that could affect the clinical outcome of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by basilar artery occlusion (BAO) where successful recanalization was achieved via mechanical thrombectomy.MethodsBetween March 2011 and December 2014, 35 patients with AIS caused by BAO received MRI/MR angiography-based mechanical thrombectomies, and recanalization was achieved with a Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction score of >2b. The patients were divided into a good outcome group (n=19), defined as those with a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0–2 at 3 months after stroke onset, and a poor outcome group (n=16), defined as a mRS score of 3–6. The differences between the groups were analyzed.ResultsInitial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (good vs poor: 17.9±8.9 vs 27.6±8.5, p=0.003), posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early CT Score (pc-ASPECTS) based on initial diffusion-weighted images (DWI) (good vs poor: 7.8±1.6 vs 5.4±1.8, p=0.001), pc-ASPECTS based on contrast staining on the post-thrombectomy control CT (good vs poor: 9.2±1.5 vs 6.3±2.2, p<0.001), and presence of contrast staining in the brainstem on that CT (good vs poor: 15.8% vs 81.6%, p<0.001) were significantly different between the groups.ConclusionsPatients with AIS caused by BAO with a lower initial NIHSS score, fewer lesions on initial DWI, and less contrast staining on the post-thrombectomy control CT have higher probabilities of a good clinical outcome after successful recanalization via a mechanical thrombectomy.

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