scholarly journals Values of Baseline Posterior Circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early Computed Tomography Score for Treatment Decision of Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongfei Sang ◽  
Fengli Li ◽  
Junjie Yuan ◽  
Shuai Liu ◽  
Weidong Luo ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the impact of baseline posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early Computed Tomography Score (pc-ASPECTS) on the efficacy and safety of endovascular therapy (EVT) for patients with acute basilar artery occlusion. Methods: The BASILAR was a nationwide prospective registry of consecutive patients with a symptomatic and radiologically confirmed acute basilar artery occlusion within 24 hours of symptom onset. We estimated the effect of standard medical therapy alone (SMT group) versus SMT plus EVT (EVT group) for patients with documented pc-ASPECTS on noncontrast CT, both as a categorical (0–4 versus 5–7 versus 8–10) and as a continuous variable. The primary outcomes included favorable functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale ≤3) at 90 days and mortality within 90 days. Results: In total, 823 cases were included: 468 with pc-ASPECTS 8 to 10 (SMT: 71; EVT: 397), 317 with pc-ASPECTS 5 to 7 (SMT: 85; EVT: 232), and 38 with pc-ASPECTS 0 to 4 (SMT: 13; EVT: 25). EVT was associated with higher rate of favorable outcomes (adjusted relative risk with 95% CI, 4.35 [1.30–14.48] and 3.20 [1.68–6.09]; respectively) and lower mortality (60.8% versus 77.6%, P =0.005 and 35.0% versus 66.2%, P< 0.001; respectively) than SMT in the pc-ASPECTS 5 to 7 and 8 to 10 subgroups. Continuous benefit curves also showed the superior efficacy and safety of EVT over SMT in patients with pc-ASPECTS ≥5. Furthermore, the prognostic effect of onset to puncture time on favorable outcome with EVT was not significant after adjustment for pc-ASPECTS (adjusted odds ratio, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.94–1.02]). Conclusions: Patients of basilar artery occlusion with pc-ASPECTS ≥5 could benefit from EVT. The baseline pc-ASPECTS appears more important for decision making and predicting prognosis than time to EVT. REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn . Unique identifier: ChiCTR1800014759.

2021 ◽  
pp. 174749302110522
Author(s):  
Gabriel Broocks ◽  
Tobias D Faizy ◽  
Lukas Meyer ◽  
Maximilian Groffmann ◽  
Sarah Elsayed ◽  
...  

Background In basilar artery occlusion stroke, the impact of the collateral circulation on infarct progression in the context of endovascular treatment is yet poorly studied. Aim This study investigates the impact of the posterior circulation collateral score (PCCS) on functional outcome according to the extent of early ischemic changes and treatment. We hypothesized that the presence of collaterals, quantified by the PCCS, mediates the effect of endovascular treatment on functional outcome in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion. Methods In this multicenter observational study, patients with basilar artery occlusion and admission computed tomography were analyzed. At baseline, Posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early Computed Tomography score (pcASPECTS) was assessed and PCCS was quantified using an established 10-point grading system. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with good functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale scores 0–2 at day 90). Results A total of 151 patients were included, of which 112 patients (74%) underwent endovascular treatment. In patients with a better PCCS (>5), the rate of good outcome was significantly higher (55% vs. 11%; p = 0.001). After adjusting for PCCS, vessel recanalization was significantly associated with improved functional outcome (aOR: 4.53, 95%CI: 1.25–16.4, p = 0.02), while there was no association between recanalization status and outcome in univariable analysis. Patients with low pcASPECTS generally showed very poor outcomes (mean modified Rankin Scale score 5.3, 95%CI: 4.9–5.8). Conclusion PCCS modified the effect of recanalization on functional outcome, particularly in patients with less pronounced ischemic changes in admission computed tomography. These results should be validated to improve patient selection for endovascular treatment in basilar artery occlusion, particularly in uncertain indications, or to triage patients at risk for very poor outcomes.


Author(s):  
Christopher R. Pasarikovski ◽  
Houman Khosravani ◽  
Leodante da Costa ◽  
Chinthaka Heyn ◽  
Stefano M. Priola ◽  
...  

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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars P Pallesen ◽  
Andrei Khomenko ◽  
Imanuel Dzialowski ◽  
Jessica Barlinn ◽  
Kristian Barlinn ◽  
...  

Background Coma is associated with poor outcome in patients with basilar artery occlusion. Aims We sought to assess whether the posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early CT Score and the Pons-Midbrain Index applied to CT angiography source images predict the outcome of comatose patients in the Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study. Methods Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study was a prospective, observational registry of patients with acute basilar artery occlusion with 48 recruiting centers worldwide. We applied posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early CT Score and Pons-Midbrain Index to CT angiography source images of Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study patients who presented with coma. We calculated adjusted risk ratios to assess the association of dichotomized posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early CT Score (≥8 vs. <8) and Pons-Midbrain Index (<3 vs. ≥3) with mortality and favourable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–3) at one month. Results Of 619 patients in the Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study registry, CT angiography source images were available for review in 158 patients. Among these, 78 patients (49%) presented with coma. Compared to non-comatose patients, comatose patients were more likely to die (risk ratios 2.34; CI 95% 1.56–3.52) and less likely to have a favourable outcome (risk ratios 0.44; CI 95% 0.24–0.80). Among comatose patients, a Pons-Midbrain Index < 3 was related to reduced mortality (adjusted RR 0.66; 95% CI 0.46–0.96), but not to favourable outcome (adjusted RR 1.19; 95% CI 0.39–3.62). Posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early CT Score dichotomized at ≥ 8 vs. <8 was not significantly associated with death (adjusted RR 0.70; 95% CI 0.46–1.05). Conclusion In comatose patients with basilar artery occlusion, the extent of brainstem ischemia appears to be related to mortality but not to favourable outcome.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fana Alemseged ◽  
Darshan G Shah ◽  
Marina Diomedi ◽  
Andrew Bivard ◽  
Gagan Sharma ◽  
...  

Background: CT perfusion (CTP) increases diagnostic confidence in ischaemic stroke. Despite bone-related artefacts, CTP has been shown to improve diagnostic sensitivity compared to non contrast-CT (NCCT) and Computed Tomography Angiography source images (CTA-SI) in posterior circulation strokes. The posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early CT score (pcASPECTS) on CTA-SI predicts clinical outcome in patients with basilar artery occlusion (BAO). We assessed the prognostic value of pcASPECTS on CTP in BAO patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with BAO diagnosed on CT angiography was performed. pcASPECTS was assessed as evident hypoattenuation on CTA-SI, focally reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF) or cerebral blood volume (CBV), focally increased time to peak of the residue function (Tmax) or mean transit time (MTT). Two investigators independently reviewed the images blinded to clinical outcome. Reliability was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Good outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale≤3 at 3 months. Results: We included 43 BAO patients with whole-brain CTP images. In receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) analysis, the area-under-curve (AUC) was 0.79 (95% CI 0.6-0.9) for pcASPECTS on CBF, 0.77 (95% CI 0.6-0.9) on Tmax, 0.73 (95% CI 0.6-0.9) on MTT, 0.72 (95% CI 0.6-0.9) on CBV, 0.67 (95% CI 0.5-0.8) on CTA-SI. In logistic regression adjusted for age and clinical severity, pcASPECTS<8 was associated with poor outcome on Tmax (OR 14.6, 95% CI 2.3-115; p=0.007) and CBF (OR 15.1, 95% CI 1.3-121; p=0.02). Although CTP AUC did not show higher accuracy in comparison with CTA-SI AUC (p=0.2), in logistic regression, CTA-SI pcASPECTS was not significantly associated with clinical outcome (OR 6.9, 95% CI 0.7-70; p=0.1, adjusted for age, NHSS). Higher pcASPECTS on CBF (OR 0.5 95%CI 0.2-0.9, p=0.04) and Tmax (OR 0.5 95% 0.3-0.9; p=0.02) were associated with lower mortality. Interrater reliability was good for CTP maps (ICC between 0.74 and 0.86 95% CI 0.6-0.9 versus 0.66 for CTA-SI 95% CI 0.4-0.8). Conclusions: The CTP pcASPECTS may identify BAO patients at higher risk of disability and mortality.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. 2045-2050 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyo Sung Kwak ◽  
Jung Soo Park

Background and Purpose: Basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is associated with a high risk of disability and mortality. The objective of this study was to investigate prognostic factors in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion treated with mechanical thrombectomy, focusing on collateral status and recanalization time from symptom onset. Methods: Eligible patients from January 2012 to October 2019 who underwent endovascular treatment due to acute BAO were reviewed. The baseline posterior circulation collateral status was assessed with the basilar artery on computed tomography angiography score and posterior circulation collateral score. Good outcomes were defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of ≤2 at 3 months and successful recanalization as Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction grades 2b, 3. The associations between baseline and clinical parameters and favorable outcomes were evaluated with logistic regression. Results: Our sample included a total of 81 eligible patients (49 males, mean age 70.3 years) with a median baseline and discharge National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 12. Patients with good outcomes showed a lower baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, a greater proportion of distal BAO, and a higher basilar artery on computed tomography angiography and posterior circulation collateral score ( P <0.001). According to subgroup analysis of patients within and over 6 or 12 hours, the time from symptom onset to recanalization was not correlated with good outcomes. Multivariable logistic analysis showed baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale <15 (odds ratio, 8.49 [95% CI, 2.01–35.82]; P =0.004), posterior circulation collateral score ≥6 (odds ratio, 3.79 [95% CI, 1.05–13.66]; P =0.042), and distal BAO (odds ratio, 3.67 [95% CI, 1.10–12.26]; P =0.035) were independent predictors of good outcomes. Conclusions: This study suggested that good collateral circulation and distal BAO are independent predictors of clinical outcome after endovascular treatment in patients with acute BAO. In particular, patients with good initial collateral status and distal BAO may consider endovascular treatment even if the treatment is started beyond the standard time limits.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lian Liu ◽  
Meiping Wang ◽  
Yiming Deng ◽  
Gang Luo ◽  
Xuan Sun ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Prognostic factors for outcome of endovascular treatment remains to be investigated in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion. We aimed to assess the prognostic value of a novel pretreatment diffusion-weighted imaging score: The Pons-Midbrain and Thalamus (PMT) score. Methods: Eligible patients who underwent endovascular treatment due to acute basilar artery occlusion were reviewed. The PMT score was a diffusion-weighted imaging–based semiquantitative scale in which the infarctions of pons, midbrain, and thalamus were fully considered. The PMT score was assessed as well as the posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early Computed Tomography Score and Brain Stem Score. Good outcomes were defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of ≤3 at 90-day and successful reperfusion as Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction grades 2b/3. The associations between baseline clinical parameters and good outcomes were evaluated with logistic regression. Results: A total of 107 patients with pretreatment magnetic resonance imaging were included in this cohort. The baseline PMT score (median [interquartile range], 3 [1–5] versus 7 [5–9]; P <0.001) and Brain Stem Score (median [interquartile range], 2 [1–4] versus 3 [2–5]; P =0.001) were significantly lower in good outcome group; the posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early Computed Tomography Score was higher in good outcome group without statistical significance. As a result of receiver operating characteristic curve analyses, the posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early Computed Tomography Score showed poor prognostic accuracy for good outcome (area under the curve, 0.60 [95% CI, 0.49–0.71]; P =0.081); The baseline PMT score showed significantly better prognostic accuracy for 90-day good outcome than the Brain Stem Score and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (area under the curve, 0.80 versus 0.68 versus 0.78, P =0.003). In addition, favorable PMT score <7 (odds ratio, 22.0 [95% CI, 6.0–80.8], P <0.001), Brain Stem Score <3 (odds ratio, 4.65 [95% CI, 2.05–10.55], P <0.001) and baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale <23 (odds ratio, 8.0 [95% CI, 2.5–25.6], P <0.001) were associated with improved good outcome. Conclusions: In patients with acute basilar artery occlusion following endovascular treatment, the pretreatment diffusion-weighted imaging based PMT score showed good prognostic value for clinical outcome.


Stroke ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
pp. 3454-3459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Volker Puetz ◽  
Andrei Khomenko ◽  
Michael D. Hill ◽  
Imanuel Dzialowski ◽  
Patrik Michel ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose— The posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early CT Score (pc-ASPECTS) quantifies the extent of early ischemic changes in the posterior circulation with a 10-point grading system. We hypothesized that pc-ASPECTS applied to CT angiography source images predicts functional outcome of patients in the Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study (BASICS). Methods— BASICS was a prospective, observational registry of consecutive patients with acute symptomatic basilar artery occlusion. Functional outcome was assessed at 1 month. We applied pc-ASPECTS to CT angiography source images of patients with CT angiography for confirmation of basilar artery occlusion. We calculated unadjusted and adjusted risk ratios (RRs) of pc-ASPECTS dichotomized at ≥8 versus <8. Primary outcome measure was favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale scores 0–3). Secondary outcome measures were mortality and functional independence (modified Rankin Scale scores 0–2). Results— Of 158 patients included, 78 patients had a CT angiography source images pc-ASPECTS ≥8. Patients with a pc-ASPECTS ≥8 more often had a favorable outcome than patients with a pc-ASPECTS <8 (crude RR, 1.7; 95% CI, 0.98–3.0). After adjustment for age, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, and thrombolysis, pc-ASPECTS ≥8 was not related to favorable outcome (RR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.8–2.2), but it was related to reduced mortality (RR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.5–0.98) and functional independence (RR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1–3.8). In post hoc analysis, pc-ASPECTS dichotomized at ≥6 versus <6 predicted a favorable outcome (adjusted RR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.2–7.5). Conclusions— pc-ASPECTS on CT angiography source images independently predicted death and functional independence at 1 month in the CT angiography subgroup of patients in the BASICS registry.


2018 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. 355-357
Author(s):  
Francisco Antunes Dias ◽  
Daniel Giansante Abud ◽  
Octavio Marques Pontes-Neto

ABSTRACT Basilar artery occlusion (BAO) ischemic stroke is a relatively rare condition with high morbidity and mortality rates. To date, the best acute reperfusion therapy for BAO has still not been established, mainly due to the lack of randomized controlled trials in this field. In this article, we review the history of BAO diagnosis and treatment, and the impact of modern technological resources on the clinical evolution and prognosis of BAO over time. Furthermore, we describe historical events and nonmedical literature descriptions related to BAO. We conclude that BAO is a singular example of how art may help medical sciences with accurate descriptions of medical conditions.


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