Abstract WMP5: Predictors and Outcome of Eligible Patients for Late Endovascular Treatment: Real Life Analysis From a Comprehensive Stroke Center

Background and purposeThe real-life application of DAWN and DEFUSE-3 trials has been poorly investigated. We aimed to identify the proportion of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) eligible for late endovascular treatment (EVT) in our stroke center based on trial and more liberal selection criteria.MethodsAll consecutive patients in our stroke registry (2003–2017) admitted within 5–23 hours of last proof of good health were selected if they had complete clinical and radiological datasets. We calculated the proportion of patients eligible for late EVT according to trial (DAWN and/or DEFUSE-3) and more liberal clinical/imaging mismatch criteria (including lower admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score for core estimation).ResultsOf 1705 patients with AIS admitted to our comprehensive stroke center in the late time window, we identified 925 patients with complete clinical and radiological data. Among them, the proportions of late EVT eligibility were 2.5% (n=23) with DAWN, 5.1% (n=47) with DEFUSE-3, and 11.1% (n=103) with more liberal criteria. Considering late-arriving patients with large vessel occlusion (n=221), the percentages of eligible patients were 10.4%, 21.3%, and 46.6%, respectively. A favorable outcome was observed at comparable rates in treated patients selected by trial or liberal criteria (67% vs 58%, p=0.49).ConclusionsIn a long-term stroke registry, the proportion of late EVT eligibility varied greatly according to selection criteria and referral pattern. Among late-arriving patients referred to our comprehensive stroke center, we found 5.6% eligible according to trial (DAWN/DEFUSE-3) and 11.1% according to liberal criteria. These data indicate that late EVT could be offered to a larger population of patients if more liberal criteria are applied.

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Value of repeated imaging in patients with a stroke who are transferred for endovascular treatment

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2020-017050 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. neurintsurg-2020-017050

Author(s):

Laura C C van Meenen ◽

Nerea Arrarte Terreros ◽

Adrien E Groot ◽

Manon Kappelhof ◽

Ludo F M Beenen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Clinical Improvement ◽

Treatment Delay ◽

Clinical Deterioration ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Intracranial Hemorrhages ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Quality Outcomes ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center

BackgroundPatients with a stroke who are transferred to a comprehensive stroke center for endovascular treatment (EVT) often undergo repeated neuroimaging prior to EVT.ObjectiveTo evaluate the yield of repeating imaging and its effect on treatment times.MethodsWe included adult patients with a large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke who were referred to our hospital for EVT by primary stroke centers (2016–2019). We excluded patients who underwent repeated imaging because primary imaging was unavailable, incomplete, or of insufficient quality. Outcomes included treatment times and repeated imaging findings.ResultsOf 677 transferred LVO stroke, 551 were included. Imaging was repeated in 165/551 patients (30%), mostly because of clinical improvement (86/165 (52%)) or deterioration (40/165 (24%)). Patients who underwent repeated imaging had higher door-to-groin-times than patients without repeated imaging (median 43 vs 27 min, adjusted time difference: 20 min, 95% CI 15 to 25). Among patients who underwent repeated imaging because of clinical improvement, the LVO had resolved in 50/86 (58%). In patients with clinical deterioration, repeated imaging led to refrainment from EVT in 3/40 (8%). No symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages (sICH) were identified. Ultimately, 75/165 (45%) of patients with repeated imaging underwent EVT compared with 326/386 (84%) of patients without repeated imaging (p<0.01).ConclusionsNeuroimaging was repeated in 30% of patients with an LVO stroke and resulted in a median treatment delay of 20 minutes. In patients with clinical deterioration, no sICH were detected and repeated imaging rarely changed the indication for EVT. However, in more than half of patients with clinical improvement, the LVO had resolved, resulting in refrainment from EVT.

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Effect of “drip-and-ship” and “drip-and-drive” on endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion: a single-center retrospective study

Acta Radiologica ◽

10.1177/02841851211006897 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 028418512110068

Author(s):

Yu Hang ◽

Zhen Yu Jia ◽

Lin Bo Zhao ◽

Yue Zhou Cao ◽

Huang Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Primary Stroke Center ◽

Secondary Endpoints ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center

Background Patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large vessel occlusion (LVO) were usually transferred from a primary stroke center (PSC) to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) for endovascular treatment (drip-and-ship [DS]), while driving the doctor from a CSC to a PSC to perform a procedure is an alternative strategy (drip-and-drive [DD]). Purpose To compare the efficacy and prognosis of the two strategies. Material and Methods From February 2017 to June 2019, 62 patients with LVO received endovascular treatment via the DS and DD models and were retrospectively analyzed from the stroke alliance based on our CSC. Primary endpoint was door-to-reperfusion (DTR) time. Secondary endpoints included puncture-to-recanalization (PTR) time, modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) rates at the end of the procedure, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days. Results Forty-one patients received the DS strategy and 21 patients received the DD strategy. The DTR time was significantly longer in the DS group compared to the DD group (315.5 ± 83.8 min vs. 248.6 ± 80.0 min; P < 0.05), and PTR time was shorter (77.2 ± 35.9 min vs. 113.7 ± 69.7 min; P = 0.033) compared with the DD group. Successful recanalization (mTICI 2b/3) was achieved in 89% (36/41) of patients in the DS group and 86% (18/21) in the DD group ( P = 1.000). Favorable functional outcomes (mRS 0–2) were observed in 49% (20/41) of patients in the DS group and 71% (15/21) in the DD group at 90 days ( P = 0.089). Conclusion Compared with the DS strategy, the DD strategy showed more effective and a trend of better clinical outcomes for AIS patients with LVO.

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Primary to comprehensive stroke center transfers: Appropriateness, not futility

International Journal of Stroke ◽

10.1177/1747493018764072 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 550-553 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Mayank Goyal ◽

Bijoy K Menon ◽

Alexis T Wilson ◽

Mohammed A Almekhlafi ◽

Ryan McTaggart ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Patient Outcomes ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy ◽

Nuanced Understanding ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center ◽

Post Hoc ◽

Transfer Decisions

Background and purpose Ischemic stroke patients must be transferred to comprehensive stroke centers for endovascular treatment, but this transfer can be interpreted post hoc as “futile” if patients do not ultimately undergo the procedure or have a poor outcome. We posit that transfer decisions must instead be evaluated in terms of appropriateness at the time of decision-making. Methods We propose a classification schema for Appropriateness of Transfer for Endovascular Thrombectomy based on patient, logistic, and center characteristics. Results The classification outline characteristics of patients that are 1. Appropriate for transfer for endovascular treatment; 2. Inappropriate for transfer; and 3. Appropriate for transfer for higher level of care. Conclusions Appropriate transfer decisions for endovascular treatment are significant for patient outcomes. A more nuanced understanding of transfer decision-making and a classification for such transfers can help minimize inappropriate transfers in acute stroke.

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Abstract P263: Do Different Sites of Vessel Occlusion Dictate the Need for Intubation Prior to Endovascular Treatment and Have an Effect on Outcome?

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.52.suppl_1.p263 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Ameer E Hassan ◽

Victor M Ringheanu ◽

Raul G Nogueira ◽

Laurie Preston ◽

Adnan I Qureshi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Baseline Characteristics ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center ◽

Proven Method ◽

Morbid Conditions

Introduction: Endovascular treatment (EVT) is a widely proven method to treat patients diagnosed with intracranial large vessel occlusion. In order to ensure patients safety prior to and during EVT, preprocedural intubation has been adopted in many centers as a means for airway protection and immobilization. However, the correlation between site of vessel occlusion, need for intubation, and outcomes, has not yet been established. Methods: Through the utilization of a prospectively collected database at a comprehensive stroke center between 2012-2020, demographics, co-morbid conditions, intracerebral hemorrhage, mortality rate, and functional independence outcomes were examined. The outcomes and sites of occlusion between patients receiving mechanical thrombectomy (MT) treated while intubated versus those treated under conscious sedation (CS) were compared. Results: Out of 625 patients treated with MT, a total of 218 (34.9%) were treated while intubated (average age 70.3 ± 13.7, 37.2% women), and 407 (65.1%) were treated while under CS (average age 70.3 ± 13.7, 47.7% women); see Table 1 for baseline characteristics and outcomes. A higher number of patients requiring intubation had an occlusion in the basilar versus those only requiring CS. No differences were noted in regard to the proportion of patients receiving intubation or CS when treated for RMCA, LMCA, or internal carotid artery occlusions. Conclusion: Intubation + MT was associated with significantly worsened outcomes in regard to recanalization rates, functional outcome, and mortality. In anterior circulation strokes, intubation in RMCA patients were found to have poorer clinical outcome. Higher rates of intubation were also found to be needed in patients with basilar occlusions. Further research is required to determine whether site of occlusion dictates the need for intubation, and whether intubation allows for favorable outcome between R and LMCA occlusions.

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Abstract 3531: Clinical Outcomes Following Endovascular Stroke Treatment Facilitated via Telestroke Evaluation

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.43.suppl_1.a3531 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Stacie Demel ◽

Amin Aghaebrahim ◽

Vivek Reddy ◽

Maxim Hammer ◽

Lori Massaro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Medical Center ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Favorable Outcome ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Model ◽

Small Community ◽

Stroke Treatment ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center

BACKGROUND: Most stroke patients present to small community hospitals without established stroke pathways or interventional stroke treatment capability. The advent of 2 way audiovisual telestroke systems gives such patients the opportunity to be assessed rapidly by stroke neurologists. Patients who are not candidates for systemic IV tPA or have failed thrombolytic treatment can be identified and transferred to a comprehensive stroke center for potential endovascular treatment. We compared the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing endovascular stroke treatment at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center triaged either through telestroke or non-telestroke means. METHODS: Prospective data including demographics, co-morbidities, baseline Alberta Stroke Program Early CT (ASPECT) and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, intervention modality (pharmacological, mechanical or both), time to treatment, clinical outcome, and hemorrhage and mortality rates were compared. Favorable outcome was defined as modified rankin score (mRS) of 2 or less. RESULTS: Between 3/2007 and 5/2011, thirty four patients underwent endovascular stroke treatment following telestroke evaluation versus 354 patients who were triaged through other means. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. Time to endovascular treatment (595 vs. 767 minutes; p = 0.5), pretreatment with systemic tPA (51.6 vs. 56.9%, p=0.6), recanalization (TIMI ≥ 2; 91.2% vs. 84.8%; p = 0.31), favorable outcome (modified rankin score ≤ 2; 50% vs. 40.4%; p = 0.29) and mortality rates (28.1% vs. 34.9%, p=0.44) were comparable. Multivariate logistic regression model identified young age (OR 0.91, CI 0.88-0.95, p<0.01), successful recanalization (OR 3.3, CI 1.8-6.2, p<0.01), and baseline ASPECT score (OR 6.5, CI 2.4-17.4, p<0.01) as predictors of favorable outcome. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that telestroke guided endovascular stroke treatment is feasible and the outcomes are similar to those patients who were triaged by traditional means. Future randomized studies which specifically compare triage via telemedicine vs. telephone or direct emergency department presentation are needed to substantiate these findings.

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Abstract T P3: Safety of Eptifibatide after Full Dose IV tPA and Endovascular Treatment for Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.46.suppl_1.tp3 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Jawad F Kirmani ◽

Daniel Korya ◽

Grace Choi ◽

Jaskiran Brar ◽

Harina Chahal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Favorable Outcome ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Categorical Data Analysis ◽

Exact Test ◽

Full Dose ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center ◽

Iv Tpa

Background and Objective: The safety of eptifibatide in combination with IV tPA for ischemic stroke has recently been demonstrated in the CLEAR-ER trial which used .6 mg/kg IV tPA plus eptifibatide (135 mcg/kg bolus and .75mcg/kg/min two-hour infusion) versus standard tPA (.9 mg/kg). Prior studies have also looked into the combination of intra-arterial (IA) tPA and eptifibatide at dosing and duration similar to cardiology literature. Our aim was to compare the safety and efficacy of eptifibatide after full dose IV tPA and endovascular treatment versus full dose IV tPA and endovascular treatment alone. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records and procedure reports of patients who underwent endovascular treatment for ischemic stroke from 2010-2013 at a university affiliated comprehensive stroke center. Patients who received full dose IV tPA (.9 mg/kg) followed by endovascular treatment were compared with those who had the same treatment, but also received a bolus of 135 mcg/kg of eptifibatide followed by a .5 mcg/kg/min for 20 hours (based on IMPACT-II trial protocol). The initial and discharge NIH Stroke Scale as well as the discharge mRS (DCmRS) were evaluated. A DCmRS of 0 or 1 was considered a favorable outcome, and 2 or more was considered as a unfavorable. Initial stroke severity (NIHSS) was analyzed with logistic regression for baseline comparison and Fisher’s exact test were used for categorical data analysis. Results: We evaluated 2,016 patients with ischemic stroke, of which 230 received IV tPA and 91 (55% female) underwent endovascular treatment, 44 of them also received eptifibatide. Of the 44 patients who received eptifibatide (bolus and 20 hour infusion), 18% (n=8) had a favorable outcome, and in the group that did not receive eptifibatide , 9% (n=4) had a favorable outcome (OR=2.389, 95% CI 0.6645 to 8.589, p= 0.2217). Conclusion: Eptifibatide in combination with full dose IV tPA and endovascular treatment did not increase morbidity in our patient population, and may have improved outcome. Further, larger trials need to be conducted for more definitive results.

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Abstract WP244: Review Criteria For Transfer Elderly Patient From Community Hospital To Comprehensive Stroke Center

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.48.suppl_1.wp244 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Pedro Cardona ◽

Helena Quesada ◽

Blanca Lara ◽

Nuria Cayuela ◽

Paloma Mora ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Elderly Patient ◽

Elderly Patients ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Community Hospital ◽

Ct Perfusion ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Radiological Findings ◽

Younger Patients ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center

Background: Recent guidelines recommend thrombectomy to treat stroke due to large vessel occlusions within first six hours after onset stroke time. There is no age limit, however elderly patients (>=80 years old) transferred from community hospital (CH) to comprehensive stroke center (CSC) possibly present different radiological findings in comparison with younger patients, that finally exclude them of endovascular treatment and could avoid unnecessary transfers to CSC. Method: We reviewed consecutive patients transferred from five CH to our CSC from January 2012 to July 2016. We analyzed radiological findings in ASPECTS (Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Scale) and segment of occluded artery in NonContrastCT (NCCT) and CT-angiography, both realized in CH (pre-transfer) and CSC. We evaluated the changes in NCCT between both centers related to onset stroke time, time of transfer, vascular occlusion segment and other epidemiological variables. Results: A total of 3825 patients were evaluated in our CSC as stroke code (24% elderly and increasing annually); 21% were transferred from CH to CSC with large vessel occlusion diagnosis and NIHSS>8. Subgroup of elderly patients presented worse score in ASPECTS-NCCT evaluated at CSC previous to endovascular treatment than younger patients (mean 6.8 vs 8.4;p: 0.001). An ASPECT score <8 in NCCT performed at CH pre-transfer was significant associated to important ASPECT score decay of respective NCCT performed at CSC for endovascular treatment assessment. This age-association was not demonstrated in younger patients. The occluded segments TICA and M1 were associated to lower ASPECTS. As a result less than 30% elderly patients transferred to CSC for thrombectomy were treated due to low ASPECT score in NCCT performed in CSC; confirmed by CT-perfusion. In ROC analysis we found a cut-off of 83 years for patients with good ASPECTS (dichotomized as ASPECTS>6) in NCCT at CSC (AUC: 0.69; S: 61%, E: 85%). Conclusions: Patients over 83 years old and low score in ASPECT (score<8) evaluated in CH presents low benefit when they are transferred to CSC in our area. Criteria to transfer elderly patient from CH to CSC for possible endovascular treatment must be reviewed according new guidelines to get efficient our Emergency Departments.

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Predictors of Unexplained Early Neurological Deterioration After Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.120.029494 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (10) ◽

pp. 2943-2950 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jean-Baptiste Girot ◽

Sébastien Richard ◽

Florent Gariel ◽

Igor Sibon ◽

Julien Labreuche ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Scale Score ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Neurological Deterioration ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Early Neurological Deterioration ◽

Direct Admission ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center

Background and Purpose: Although the efficacy of endovascular treatment (EVT) in patients with anterior circulation ischemic stroke (AIS) is well documented, early neurological deterioration after EVT remains a serious issue associated with poor outcome. Besides obvious causes, such as lack of reperfusion, procedural complications, or parenchymal hemorrhage, early neurological deterioration may remain unexplained (UnEND). Our aim was to investigate predictors of UnEND after EVT in patients with AIS. Methods: Patients who underwent EVT for AIS, with an initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score >5, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score ≥6, and included in a multicenter prospective observational registry were analyzed. Predictors of UnEND, defined as ≥4-point increase in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score between baseline and day 1 after EVT, were determined via center-adjusted analyses. Results: Among the 1925 included in the analysis, 128 UnEND (6.6%) were recorded. In multivariate analysis, predictors of UnEND were diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR], 2.17 [95% CI, 1.32–3.56]), prestroke modified Rankin Scale score ≥2 (OR, 2.22 [95% CI, 1.09–4.55]), general anesthesia (OR, 2.55 [95% CI, 1.51–4.30]), admission systolic blood pressure (OR, 1.10 [95% CI, 1.01–1.20]), age (OR, 1.38 [95% CI, 1.14–1.67]), number of passes (OR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.04–1.28]), direct admission or not to a comprehensive stroke center (OR, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.30–0.81]), and initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (OR, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.52–0.81]). Conclusions: Severely impaired AIS patients with nonmodifiable factors are more likely to develop UnEND. Some modifiable predictors of UnEND such as the number of EVT passes could be the object of improvement in AIS management.

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Clinical and neuroimaging criteria to improve the workflow in transfers for endovascular treatment evaluation

International Journal of Stroke ◽

10.1177/1747493019874725 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (9) ◽

pp. 988-994 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Manuel Requena ◽

Marta Olivé-Gadea ◽

Sandra Boned ◽

Anna Ramos ◽

Pere Cardona ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Treatment Success ◽

Population Based ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Infarct Core ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center

Background Transfer protocols from primary to comprehensive stroke centers are crucial for endovascular treatment success. Aim To evaluate clinical and neuroimaging data of transferred patients and their likelihood of presenting a large infarct core at comprehensive stroke center arrival. Methods Retrospective analysis of population-based mandatory prospective registry of acute stroke patients evaluated for endovascular treatment. Consecutive patients evaluated at primary stroke center with suspected large vessel occlusion and PSC-ASPECTS ≥ 6 transferred to a comprehensive stroke center were included. PSC and CSC-ASPECTS, time-metrics, and clinical data were analyzed. Results During 28 months, 1185 endovascular treatment candidates were transferred from PC to comprehensive stroke center in our public stroke network, 477 had an anterior circulation syndrome and available neuroimaging information and were included. Median baseline NIHSS was 13 (8–19). On arrival to comprehensive stroke center, large vessel occlusion was confirmed in 60.2% patients, and 41.2% received endovascular treatment. Median interfacility ASPECTS decay was 1 (0–2) after a median of 150.7 (SD 101) min between both CT-acquisitions. A logistic regression analysis adjusted by age, time from symptoms to PC-CT, and time from PC-CT to CSC-CT showed that only a baseline NIHSS and PSC-ASPECTS independently predicted a CSC-ASPECTS < 6. ROC curves identified baseline NIHSS ≥ 16 and PSC-ASPECTS ≤ 7 as the best cut-off points. The rate of CSC-ASPECTS < 6 increased from 7% to 57% among patients with NIHSS ≥ 16 and PSC-ASPECS ≤ 7. Conclusion After a median transfer time >2 h, only 11.9% showed ASPECTS < 6 at the comprehensive stroke center. Activation of endovascular treatment teams should not require confirming neuroimaging on arrival and repeating neuroimaging at comprehensive stroke center should only be performed in selected cases.

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