Drip-and-Ship Model for Thrombectomy in Stroke Patients with Large-Vessel Occlusion

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Zhichao Huang ◽  
Guojie Zhai ◽  
Shoujiang You ◽  
Zhijie Ou ◽  
Xueyu Mao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endovascular Treatment ◽  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Large Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Anterior Circulation ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Ship Model ◽  
Front Door ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of the “drip-and-ship” model in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients treated with intravenous (IV) thrombolysis. We investigated and report the outcomes of the safety and efficacy of the “drip-and-ship” model in AIS patients with acute large-vessel occlusion (LVO) in the anterior circulation who underwent endovascular treatment. Methods: A total of 92 AIS patients with LVO who underwent endovascular treatment enrolled from April 2017 to July 2018 at a single academic comprehensive stroke center (CSC) were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups: a front-door group (directly admitted to the CSC) and a drip-and-ship group (transferred to the CSC from other hospital). Logistic regression model was used to evaluate the functional outcome, mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) at 90 days. Results: After adjusting for age, gender, occlusion site, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and other potential covariates, we did not see difference in modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score between the 2 groups at 90 days. The rate of excellent functional outcome (defined as mRS 0–1) in the drip-and-ship group is lower than the front-door group (p = 0.017); however, functional outcomes (defined as mRS 0–2) have no difference (p = 0.117). There was no significant difference in sICH (p = 0.909) and mortality (p = 0.319) between the 2 groups. Conclusions: The “drip-and-ship” model has the potential to be a feasible model for patients with LVO in the anterior circulation to undergo endovascular treatment. Further large-scale prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

scholarly journals Workflow Intervals of Endovascular Acute Stroke Therapy During On- Versus Off-Hours

Stroke ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (10) ◽  
pp. 2842-2850 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter H. Hinsenveld ◽  
Inger R. de Ridder ◽  
Robert J. van Oostenbrugge ◽  
Jan A. Vos ◽  
Adrien E. Groot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Endovascular Treatment ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Complication Rates ◽  
Large Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Anterior Circulation ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Significant Difference

Background and Purpose— Endovascular treatment (EVT) of patients with acute ischemic stroke because of large vessel occlusion involves complicated logistics, which may cause a delay in treatment initiation during off-hours. This might lead to a worse functional outcome. We compared workflow intervals between endovascular treatment–treated patients presenting during off- and on-hours. Methods— We retrospectively analyzed data from the MR CLEAN Registry, a prospective, multicenter, observational study in the Netherlands and included patients with an anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who presented between March 2014 and June 2016. Off-hours were defined as presentation on Monday to Friday between 17:00 and 08:00 hours, weekends (Friday 17:00 to Monday 8:00) and national holidays. Primary end point was first door to groin time. Secondary end points were functional outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale) and workflow time intervals. We stratified for transfer status, adjusted for prognostic factors, and used linear and ordinal regression models. Results— We included 1488 patients of which 936 (62.9%) presented during off-hours. Median first door to groin time was 140 minutes (95% CI, 110–182) during off-hours and 121 minutes (95% CI, 85–157) during on-hours. Adjusted first door to groin time was 14.6 minutes (95% CI, 9.3–20.0) longer during off-hours. Door to needle times for intravenous therapy were slightly longer (3.5 minutes, 95% CI, 0.7–6.3) during off-hours. Groin puncture to reperfusion times did not differ between groups. For transferred patients, the delay within the intervention center was 5.0 minutes (95% CI, 0.5–9.6) longer. There was no significant difference in functional outcome between patients presenting during off- and on-hours (adjusted odds ratio, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.74–1.14). Reperfusion rates and complication rates were similar. Conclusions— Presentation during off-hours is associated with a slight delay in start of endovascular treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke. This treatment delay did not translate into worse functional outcome or increased complication rates.

scholarly journals Early recanalization in large-vessel occlusion stroke patients transferred for endovascular treatment

2021 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2021-017441
Author(s):  
Nerea Arrarte Terreros ◽  
Agnetha A E Bruggeman ◽  
Isabella S J Swijnenburg ◽  
Laura C C van Meenen ◽  
Adrien E Groot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endovascular Treatment ◽  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Clinical Improvement ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Large Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Anterior Circulation ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Imaging Characteristics

BackgroundWe performed an exploratory analysis to identify patient and thrombus characteristics associated with early recanalization in large-vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke patients transferred for endovascular treatment (EVT) from a primary (PSC) to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC).MethodsWe included patients with an LVO stroke of the anterior circulation who were transferred to our hospital for EVT and underwent repeated imaging between January 2016 and June 2019. We compared patient characteristics, workflow time metrics, functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale at 90 days), and baseline thrombus imaging characteristics, which included: occlusion location, thrombus length, attenuation, perviousness, distance from terminus of intracranial carotid artery to the thrombus (DT), and clot burden score (CBS), between early-recanalized LVO (ER-LVO), and non-early-recanalized LVO (NER-LVO) patients.ResultsOne hundred and forty-nine patients were included in the analysis. Early recanalization occurred in 32% of patients. ER-LVO patients less often had a medical history of hypertension (31% vs 49%, P=0.04), and more often had clinical improvement between PSC and CSC (ΔNIHSS −5 vs 3, P<0.01), compared with NER-LVO patients. Thrombolysis administration was similar in both groups (88% vs 78%, P=0.18). ER-LVO patients had no ICA occlusions (0% vs 27%, P<0.01), more often an M2 occlusion (35% vs 17%, P=0.01), longer DT (27 mm vs 12 mm, P<0.01), shorter thrombi (17 mm vs 27 mm, P<0.01), and higher CBS (8 vs 6, P<0.01) at baseline imaging. ER-LVO patients had lower mRS scores (1 vs 3, P=0.02).ConclusionsEarly recanalization is associated with clinical improvement between PSC and CSC admission, more distal occlusions and shorter thrombi at baseline imaging, and better functional outcome.

EXPRESS: Off-hour effect on time metrics and clinical outcomes in endovascular treatment for large vessel occlusion, a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 174749302110125
Author(s):  
Mingming Zha ◽  
Qingwen Yang ◽  
Shuo Liu ◽  
Min Wu ◽  
Kangmo Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endovascular Treatment ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Good Prognosis ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Large Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Significant Difference

Background There is an ongoing debate on the off-hour effect on endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute large vessel occlusion (LVO). Aims This meta-analysis aimed to compare time metrics and clinical outcomes of acute LVO patients who presented/were treated during off-hour with those during working hours. Summary of review Structured searches on the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were conducted through February 23rd, 2021. The primary outcomes were onset to door, door to imaging, door to puncture, puncture to recanalization, procedural time, successful recanalization, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH), mortality in hospital, good prognosis (90-day modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score 0-2), and 90-day mortality. The secondary outcomes were imaging to puncture, onset to puncture, onset to recanalization, door to recanalization time, mRS 0-2 at discharge, and consecutive 90-day mRS score. The odds ratio (OR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of the outcomes were calculated using random-effect models. Heterogenicity and publication bias were analyzed. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted as appropriate. Nineteen studies published between 2014 and 2021 with a total of 14185 patients were eligible for quantitative synthesis. Patients in the off-hour group were significantly younger than those in the on-hour group and with comparable stroke severity and intravenous thrombolysis rate. The off-hour group had longer onset to door (WMD [95%CI], 12.83 [1.84-23.82] min), door to puncture (WMD [95%CI], 11.45 [5.93-16.97] min), imaging to puncture (WMD [95%CI], 10.39 [4.61-16.17] min), onset to puncture (WMD [95%CI], 25.30 [13.11-37.50] min), onset to recanalization (WMD [95%CI], 25.16 [10.28-40.04] min), and door to recanalization (WMD [95%CI], 18.02 [10.01-26.03] min) time. Significantly lower successful recanalization rate (OR [95%CI], 0.85 [0.76-0.95]; P=0.004; I2=0%) was detected in the off-hour group. No significant difference was noted regarding SICH and prognosis. But a trend towards lower OR of good prognosis was witnessed in the off-hour group (OR [95%CI], 0.92 [0.84-1.01]; P=0.084; I2=0%). Conclusions Patients who presented/were treated during off-hour were associated with excessive delays before the initiation of EVT, lower successful reperfusion rate, and a trend towards worse prognosis when compared with working hours. Optimizing the workflows of EVT during off-hour is needed.

Abstract TP74: Aspects Scoring Applied to CTA Source Images is Predictive of Final Infarct Volume and Good Functional Outcome

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph F Carrera ◽  
Joseph H Donahue ◽  
Prem P Batchala ◽  
Andrew M Southerland ◽  
Bradford B Worrall
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Infarct Volume ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Large Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Anterior Circulation ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Good Outcome ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: CTP and MRI are increasingly used to assess endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) candidacy in large vessel occlusion stroke. Unfortunately, availability of these advanced neuroimaging techniques is not widespread and this can lead to over-triage to EVT-capable centers. Hypothesis: ASPECTS scoring applied to computed tomography angiography source images (CTA-SI) will be predictive of final infarct volume (FIV) and functional outcome. Methods: We reviewed data from consecutive patients undergoing EVT at our institution for anterior circulation occlusion between 01/14 - 01/19. We recorded demographics, comorbidities, NIHSS, treatment time parameters, and outcomes as defined by mRS (0-2 = good outcome). Cerebrovascular images were assessed by outcome-blinded raters and collateral score, TICI score, FIV, and both CT and CTA-SI ASPECTS scores were noted. Patients were grouped by ASPECTS score into low (0-4), intermediate (5-7), and high (8-10) for some analyses. FIV was predicted using a linear regression with NIHSS, good reperfusion (TICI 2b/3), collateral score, CT to groin puncture, CT and CTA-SI ASPECTS as independent variables. After excluding those with baseline mRS≥2, a binary logistic regression was performed including covariates of age, NIHSS, good reperfusion, and diabetes (factors significant at p<0.05 on univariate analysis) to assess the impact of CTA-SI ASPECTS group on outcome. Results: Analysis included 137 patients for FIV and 102 for outcome analysis (35 excluded for baseline mRS≥ 2). Linear regression found CTA-SI ASPECTS (Beta -10.8, p=0.002), collateral score (Beta -42.9, p=0.001) and good reperfusion (Beta 72.605, p=0.000) were independent predictors of FIV. Relative to the low CTA-SI ASPECTS group, the high CTA-SI ASPECTS group was more likely to have good outcome (OR 3.75 [95% CI 1.05-13.3]; p=0.41). CT ASPECTS was not predictive of FIV or good outcome. Outcomes: In those undergoing EVT for anterior circulation occlusion, CTA-SI ASPECTS is predictive of both FIV and functional outcome, while CT ASPECTS predicts neither. CTA-SI ASPECTS holds promise as a lower-cost, more widely available option for triage of patients with large vessel occlusion. Further study is needed comparing CTA-SI ASPECTS to CTP parameters.

Abstract WP26: Validation of Predictive Scales of Functional Outcome After Endovascular Therapy Using the REVASCAT Data

Stroke ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Perez de la Ossa ◽  
Srikant Rangaraju ◽  
Tudor Jovin ◽  
Anoni Dávalos ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Endovascular Therapy ◽  
Predictive Accuracy ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Large Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Anterior Circulation ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Good Outcome ◽  
Best Medical Treatment

Introduction: Various scales have been developed to predict long-term clinical outcome after endovascular therapy (EVT) in stroke patients. The objective of this study was to validate and compare five well-validated scales in terms of predictive accuracy for functional independence in a recent endovascular stroke trial (REVASCAT). Hypothesis: We hypothesize that predictive scales (PRE, THRIVE, HIAT2, SPAN-100, FAR) have good-excellent (AUC>0.7) predictive accuracy for good functional outcome and can predict the beneficial effect of EVT demonstrated in randomized clinical trials. Methods: REVASCAT (Randomized Trial of Revascularization with Solitaire-FR Device versus Best Medical Therapy in the Treatment of Acute Stroke Due to Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Presenting within Eight Hours of Symptom Onset) enrolled 206 patients who were randomized to receive EVT or best medical treatment. Five scores (PRE-score, THRIVE, HIAT2, SPAN-100 and FAR-score) were retrospectively calculated on patients who received EVT. Receiver-operator characteristics (ROC) for good outcome (mRS 0-2 at 90 days) for each scale were compared. Using the highest predictive scales, the proportion of patients with good outcome by the score categorized in quartiles was analyzed. Results: 103 patients received EVT in the REVASCAT trial (mean age 65.7, median NIHSS 17). Baseline NIHSS, baseline CT-ASPECTS, age and atrial fibrillation, but not previous iv tPA or DM, were associated with good outcome in multivariable analysis. AUC for good outcome was ≥0.70 for FAR (0.74) and PRE (0.70) scores while SPAN-100 (0.67), HIAT2 (0.65) and THRIVE (0.64) had lower AUCs although differences were not statistically significant. The higher the score on the PRE and FAR scores, the lower the proportion of patients with good outcome (PRE-score: 1QT 44.4%, 2QT 24.4%, 3QT 22.2%, 4 QT 8.9%; FAR-score: 1QT 57.8%, 2QT 22.2%, 3QT 6.7%, 4QT 3.3%). Benefit of EVT accordingly to the score on the different scales will be also presented. Conclusions: Of the 5 stroke scales, FAR and PRE had better predictive accuracy for functional independence after EVT. These tools may facilitate decision making for EVT in anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke.

Incidence and Prognostic Impact of Intracranial Hemorrhage after Endovascular Treatment for Acute Large Vessel Occlusion

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 540-549
Author(s):  
Norito Kinjo ◽  
Shinichi Yoshimura ◽  
Kazutaka Uchida ◽  
Nobuyuki Sakai ◽  
Hiroshi Yamagami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endovascular Treatment ◽  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Prognostic Impact ◽  
Large Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
The Impact

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Endovascular treatment (EVT) is effective against acute cerebral large vessel occlusion (LVO). However, it has been associated with a high incidence of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Because the incidence of ICH and prognostic impact of ICH were not scrutinized in general patients, we investigated the impact of ICH after EVT on functional outcome at 90 days in patients with acute LVO. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> RESCUE-Japan Registry 2 was a multicenter registry that enrolled 2,420 consecutive patients with acute LVO within 24 h of onset. We analyzed 1,281 patients who received EVT and compared the functional outcomes between those with and without ICH (ICH and no-ICH groups, respectively) within 24 h after EVT. We explored the factors associated with ICH and prognostic impact of symptomatic ICH (SICH) among patients with ICH. We estimated the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for good functional outcome as modified Rankin Scale scores 0–2 and mortality. We also explored the prognostic impact of symptomatic ICH (SICH) among patients with ICH. <b><i>Results:</i></b> ICH occurred in 333 patients (26.0%). Several factors such as perioperative edaravone, stent retriever, and baseline glucose were associated with development of ICH within 24 h. A good outcome was observed in 80 (24.0%) and 454 (47.9%) patients in the ICH and no-ICH groups, respectively, and the adjusted OR was 0.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.2–0.5, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.0001). Incidence of mortality within 90 days was not significantly different between the groups (adjusted OR 1.2; 95% CI: 0.7–1.9, <i>p</i> = 0.5). SICH was observed in 36 (10.8%) of 333 patients with ICH, and the good outcomes were 8.3 and 25.9% in patients with SICH and asymptomatic ICH (AICH), respectively (<i>p</i> = 0.02). Mortality at 90 days was 30.6 and 7.1% in patients with SICH and AICH, respectively (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.0001). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The functional outcomes at 90 days were significantly worse in patients who developed ICH after receiving EVT for acute LVO, but the mortality was generally similar.

scholarly journals Comparing different thrombectomy techniques in five large-volume centers: a ‘real world’ observational study

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 525-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amélie Carolina Hesse ◽  
Daniel Behme ◽  
André Kemmling ◽  
Antonia Zapf ◽  
Nils Große Hokamp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Volume ◽  
Stent Retriever ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Combined Approach ◽  
Large Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Primary Analysis ◽  
Anterior Circulation ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
First Pass

Background and purposeThrombectomy has become the standard of care for acute ischaemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion. Aim of this study was to compare the radiological outcomes and time metrics of the various thrombectomy techniques.MethodsIn this retrospective, multicenter study we analysed the data of 450 patients with occlusion of the anterior circulation, treated in five high-volume center from 2013 to 2016. The treatment techniques were divided in three categories: first-pass use of a large-bore aspiration-catheter; first-pass use of a stent-retriever; and primary combined approach (PCA) of an aspiration-catheter and stent-retriever. Primary endpoints were successful reperfusion and groin to reperfusion time. Secondary endpoints were the number of attempts and occurrence of emboli in new territory (ENT). The primary analysis was based on the intention to treat groups (ITT).ResultsThe ITT-analysis showed significantly higher reperfusion rates, with 86% of successful reperfusion in the PCA-group compared with 73% in the aspiration group and 65% in the stent-retriever group. There was no significant difference in groin to reperfusion time regarding the used technique. The secondary analysis showed an impact of the technique on the number of attempts and the occurrence of ENTs. Lowest ENT rates and attempts were reported with the combined approach.ConclusionsThe combined first-pass deployment of a stent-retriever and an aspiration-catheter was the most effective technique for reperfusion of anterior circulation large vessel occlusion. Our results correlate with the latest single-centrere studies, reporting very high reperfusion rates with PCA variations.

scholarly journals Association of Admission Hyperglycemia with Clinical Outcomes in Japanese Patients with Acute Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke: A post hoc Analysis of the Recovery by Endovascular Salvage for Cerebral Ultra-Acute Embolism Japan Registry 2

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Yukako Yazawa ◽  
Tetsuya Ohira ◽  
Ryo Itabashi ◽  
Kazutaka Uchida ◽  
Nobuyuki Sakai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Asian Population ◽  
Japanese Patients ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Favorable Outcome ◽  
Large Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Multicenter Registry

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Admission hyperglycemia is an indicator of poor functional prognosis in acute stroke, but investigations of its prevalence and effects on the outcomes of acute large vessel occlusion in real-world, large-scale studies are limited, especially in Asian population. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> We aimed to elucidate the relationship between admission hyperglycemia and outcomes in a prospective multicenter registry in Japan. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We analyzed data from the Recovery by Endovascular Salvage for Cerebral Ultra-Acute Embolism (RESCUE) Japan Registry 2, which was a prospective, multicenter registry that enrolled patients from 46 centers in Japan. Admission hyperglycemia was defined as blood glucose level &#x3e;140 mg/dL. The relationships between clinical outcomes and admission hyperglycemia were analyzed in all 1,932 assessable patients. A favorable functional outcome, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2 at day 90, as well as mortality within 90 days and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) within 72 h, was analyzed. We performed subgroup analyses of the adjusted variables to investigate the association between hyperglycemia and favorable outcome in relation to each variable. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Admission hyperglycemia was present in 687 (35.6%) of the assessable patients and in 420 (26.9%) of the 1,561 patients without diabetes. A favorable outcome was significantly less frequent in the hyperglycemia group than in the no-hyperglycemia group (33.2% vs. 47.6%, adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.60, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.47–0.76). The mortality rates were 12.8% and 6.8% in the hyperglycemia and no-hyperglycemia groups, respectively. The incidence of SICH within 72 h was higher in the hyperglycemia group than in the no-hyperglycemia group (4.4% vs. 1.9%, adjusted OR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.36–4.82). Hyperglycemia was associated with unfavorable outcomes in almost all subgroups. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Admission hyperglycemia in Japanese patients with large vessel occlusion stroke is associated with an unfavorable functional outcome at 90 days, mortality within 90 days, and the occurrence of SICH within 72 h.

Abstract W P112: Natural History and Outcomes of Ischemic Stroke Patients with Mild Presenting Symptoms and Large Vessel Occlusion

Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cerejo Russell ◽  
Esteban Cheng-Ching ◽  
M Shazam Hussain ◽  
Ken Uchino ◽  
Ferdinand Hui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Large Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Acute Therapy ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Significant Difference

Introduction: Large vessel occlusion (LVO) is thought to be an independent predictor of clinical outcome in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Despite various available treatment modalities, optimal therapy for LVO patients presenting with mild symptoms is not known. These patients remain a significant challenge in clinical practice. Methods: Retrospective chart review of AIS patients admitted between January 2010 and August 2012 at a large tertiary care center. Inclusion criteria: symptom onset within 8 hours, LVO as cause of symptoms, initial NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) < 8. Patients with bilateral lesions, distal small vessel involvement or single vertebral artery disease were excluded. Tandem lesions were included. Patient demographics, administered therapies and short term clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results: A total of 51 patients (56.9% male; mean age 66.4±14.5) fulfilled our strict criteria for inclusion. MCA involvement was seen in 31 (60.8%), ICA 13 (25.5%), basilar 3 (5.9%) and tandem ICA-MCA in 4 (7.8%). A total of 15 (29.4%) received acute therapy with IV t-PA and/or endovascular intervention (TX); both were used only in 6 (11.8%). Follow-up at 30 days was available in 64.7% of patients: 58.3% with TX and 80% without. Mean NIHSS remained relatively stable showing 4.3±2.1 on admission, and 2.6±3.4 on discharge (NS), with 75.8% of patients having same or better NIHSS on follow-up. There was a significant difference in functional outcome: mRS≤2 was present in 98% of patients on admission, but only in 63.6% at follow-up. If extended the mRS range, 90.9% of patients had mRS≤3 on follow-up. Only 33.3% at follow-up had same or better mRS than on admission. Results were consistent, irrespective of receiving acute therapy. Conclusion: Acute LVO with mild presenting symptoms remains a difficult therapeutic challenge. Our data shows that despite stable gross clinical examination (by NIHSS) on follow-up, a large proportion of patients experience mild to moderately worse functional outcome, irrespective of receiving acute therapy. Our study limitations include retrospective analysis and suboptimal patient follow-up, especially in untreated patient population. We believe that a prospective, larger cohort is warranted to find optimal treatment approach.

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