Mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke in the posterior circulation: assessment of efficacy and outcome and identification of prognostic factors

Background Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is well-established in the treatment of acute ischemic anterior circulation stroke. However, there is no evidence from randomized trials or meta-analyses that MT is safe and effective in the treatment of patients with acute ischemic posterior circulation stroke (PCS). Purpose To evaluate the clinical and procedural factors associated with recanalization and outcome of patients with PCS treated with MT. Material and Methods Forty-three patients with PCS (median age 73 years) who underwent treatment with MT were included. Data including demographics, baseline stroke severity, radiological imaging, procedure and post-procedure complications were documented. Clinical outcome was evaluated using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). The patients were classified into two groups based on clinical outcome (favorable vs. unfavorable mRS after 90 days). Results Median baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was 17. Twenty patients were eligible for intravenous thrombolysis and received recombinant tissue plasminogen activator before MT. Successful recanalization was observed in 88.4% of patients. After 90 days, favorable outcome (defined as mRS 0–2) was achieved in 26 patients; six patients had an unfavorable outcome (mRs >2). Final mortality rate was 25.5%. Baseline NIHSS, onset to reperfusion time, procedure duration, and successful recanalization had a statistically significant association with outcome. Failed recanalization and occurrence of intracranial hemorrhage were found to be associated with a higher mortality rate. Conclusion MT is feasible and effective method in treatment of PCS. Baseline NIHSS and onset to reperfusion time were found to be independent predictive factors of clinical outcome.

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In-Hospital Intravenous Thrombolysis Offers No Benefit in Mechanical Thrombectomy in Optimized Tertiary Stroke Center Setting

CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology ◽

10.1007/s00270-020-02727-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Juha-Pekka Pienimäki ◽

Jyrki Ollikainen ◽

Niko Sillanpää ◽

Sara Protto

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcome ◽

Acute Stroke ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Ordinal Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Stroke Center

Abstract Purpose Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is the first-line treatment in acute stroke patients presenting with large vessel occlusion (LVO). The efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) prior to MT is being contested. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of MT without IVT in patients with no contraindications to IVT presenting directly to a tertiary stroke center with acute anterior circulation LVO. Materials and Methods We collected the data of 106 acute stroke patients who underwent MT in a single high-volume stroke center. Patients with anterior circulation LVO eligible for IVT and directly admitted to our institution who subsequently underwent MT were included. We recorded baseline clinical, laboratory, procedural, and imaging variables and technical, imaging, and clinical outcomes. The effect of intravenous thrombolysis on 3-month clinical outcome (mRS) was analyzed with univariate tests and binary and ordinal logistic regression analysis. Results Fifty-eight out of the 106 patients received IVT + MT. These patients had 2.6-fold higher odds of poorer clinical outcome in mRS shift analysis (p = 0.01) compared to MT-only patients who had excellent 3-month clinical outcome (mRS 0–1) three times more often (p = 0.009). There were no significant differences between the groups in process times, mTICI, or number of hemorrhagic complications. A trend of less distal embolization and higher number of device passes was observed among the MT-only patients. Conclusions MT without prior IVT was associated with an improved overall three-month clinical outcome in acute anterior circulation LVO patients.

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Thrombolysis related symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in estimated versus measured body weight

International Journal of Stroke ◽

10.1177/1747493019851285 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 159-166

Author(s):

T Truc My Nguyen ◽

Stephanie IW van de Stadt ◽

Adrien E Groot ◽

Marieke JH Wermer ◽

Heleen M den Hertog ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Clinical Outcome ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator ◽

Weight Group ◽

Tissue Plasminogen ◽

Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage

Background and aim In acute ischemic stroke, under- or overestimation of body weight can lead to dosing errors of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator with consequent reduced efficacy or increased risk of hemorrhagic complications. Measurement of body weight is more accurate than estimation of body weight but potentially leads to longer door-to-needle times. Our aim was to assess if weight modality (estimation of body weight versus measurement of body weight) is associated with (i) symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rate, (ii) clinical outcome, and (iii) door-to-needle times. Methods Consecutive patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis between 2009 and 2016 from 14 hospitals were included. Baseline characteristics and outcome parameters were retrieved from medical records. We defined symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage according to the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study (ECASS)-III definition and clinical outcome was assessed with the modified Rankin Scale. The association of weight modality and outcome parameters was estimated with regression analyses. Results A total of 4801 patients were included. Five hospitals used measurement of body weight (n = 1753), six hospitals used estimation of body weight (n = 2325), and three hospitals (n = 723) changed from estimation of body weight to measurement of body weight during the study period. In 2048 of the patients (43%), measurement of body weight was used and in 2753 (57%), estimation of body weight. In the measurement of body weight group, an inbuilt weighing bed was used in 1094 patients (53%) and a patient lift scale in 954 patients (47%). In the estimation of body weight group, policy regarding estimation was similar. Estimation of body weight was not associated with increased symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage risk (adjusted odds ratio = 1.16; 95% confidence interval 0.83–1.62) or favorable outcome (adjusted odds ratio = 0.99; 95% confidence interval 0.82–1.21), but it was significantly associated with longer door-to-needle times compared to measurement of body weight using an inbuilt weighing bed (adjusted B = 3.57; 95% confidence interval 1.33–5.80) and shorter door-to-needle times compared to measurement of body weight using a patient lift scale (−3.96; 95% confidence interval −6.38 to −1.53). Conclusion We did not find evidence that weight modality (estimation of body weight versus measurement of body weight) to determine recombinant tissue plasminogen activator dose in intravenous thrombolysis eligible patients is associated with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage or clinical outcome. We did find that estimation of body weight leads to longer door-to-needle times compared to measurement of body weight using an inbuilt weighing bed and to shorter door-to-needle times compared to measurement of body weight using a patient lift scale.

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Microbleeds, Cerebral Hemorrhage, and Functional Outcome after Endovascular Thrombectomy

Neurology ◽

10.1212/wnl.0000000000011566 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 10.1212/WNL.0000000000011566

Author(s):

Imad DERRAZ ◽

Federico CAGNAZZO ◽

Nicolas GAILLARD ◽

Riccardo MORGANTI ◽

Cyril DARGAZANLI ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcome ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Confounding Factors ◽

Poor Functional Outcome ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy ◽

Poor Outcome ◽

Increased Risk

Objective—To determine whether pre-treatment cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) presence and burden are correlated with an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) or poor functional outcome following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS).Methods—Consecutive patients treated by EVT for anterior circulation AIS were retrospectively analyzed. Experienced neuroradiologists blinded to functional outcomes rated CMBs on T2*-MRI using a validated scale. We investigated associations of CMB presence and burden with ICH and poor clinical outcome at 3 months (modified Rankin score >2).Results—Among 513 patients, 281 (54.8%) had a poor outcome and 89 (17.3%) had ≥1 CMBs. A total of 190 (37%) patients experienced ICH, in which 66 (12.9%) were symptomatic. CMB burden was associated with poor outcome in a univariable analysis (odds ratio [OR], 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–1.36 per 1-CMB increase; P=0.02), but significance was lost after adjustment for sex, age, stroke severity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, prior antithrombotic medication, intravenous thrombolysis, and reperfusion status (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.92–1.20 per 1-CMB increase; P=0.50). Results remained nonsignificant when taking into account CMB location or presumed underlying pathogenesis. CMB presence, burden, location, nor presumed pathogenesis was independently correlated with ICH.Conclusions—Poor functional outcome or ICH were not correlated with CMB presence or burden on pre–EVT MRI after adjustment for confounding factors. Excluding such patients from reperfusion therapies is unwarranted.Classification of Evidence—This study provides Class II evidence that in patients with AIS undergoing EVT, after adjustment for confounding factors, the presence of CMBs is not significantly associated with clinical outcome or the risk of ICH.

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Renal Impairment Is Associated with Intracerebral Hemorrhage after Mechanical Thrombectomy in Vertebrobasilar Stroke

Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽

10.1159/000497070 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 47 (1-2) ◽

pp. 48-56 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Mona Laible ◽

Ekkehart Jenetzky ◽

Markus A. Möhlenbruch ◽

Ulf Neuberger ◽

Martin Bendszus ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcome ◽

Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Posterior Circulation ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Poor Clinical Outcome ◽

Treatment Results ◽

Risk Of Mortality ◽

Vertebrobasilar Stroke

Background and Purpose: Renal dysfunction (RD) is overall associated with unfavorable functional outcome and higher risk of mortality after acute ischemic stroke. Associations between RD and outcome in patients with acute vertebrobasilar stroke treated with thrombectomy have not been evaluated so far. Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients with vertebrobasilar stroke treated with mechanical thrombectomy between October 2010 and July 2017 at our center were analyzed. RD was defined as glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 at admission. Endpoints were (I) poor clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale > 2) at 3 months, (II) 3-month mortality, and (III) intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) after treatment. Results: Overall, 106 patients were included. Median age was 73.0 years (interquartile range 62.0–80.0), and RD was present in 20.8%. Multivariate analysis revealed that RD was associated with a higher risk for any ICH (OR 3.54; 95% CI 1.09–11.49; p = 0.035). Stroke severity at onset predicted poor clinical outcome (OR 1.08; 95% CI 1.03–1.14; p = 0.003). Neither low GFR nor any ICH, but stroke severity (OR 1.08; 95% CI 1.03–1.14; p = 0.002) and poor recanalization results (OR 11.38; 95% CI 2.01–64.41; p = 0.006) were associated with a higher risk for mortality. Conclusions: Patients with RD and acute vertebrobasilar stroke should be thoroughly monitored to prevent ICH after thrombectomy. Our results support performing mechanical thrombectomy in acute stroke patients with large vessel occlusions of the posterior circulation, irrespective of their renal function.

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Acute Recanalization of Large Vessel Occlusion in the Anterior Circulation Stroke: Is Mechanical Thrombectomy Alone Better in Patients over 80 Years of Age? Findings from a Retrospective Observational Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10184266 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (18) ◽

pp. 4266

Author(s):

Dagmar Krajíčková ◽

Antonín Krajina ◽

Roman Herzig ◽

Oldřich Vyšata ◽

Libor Šimůnek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcome ◽

Elderly Patients ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Lower Probability ◽

Good Clinical Outcome ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Female Sex ◽

Symptomatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽

Negative Predictor

Real-world data report worse 3-month clinical outcomes in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT). The aim was to identify factors influencing clinical outcome in elderly patients with anterior circulation AIS treated with MT (±intravenous thrombolysis (IVT)). In a retrospective, monocentric study, analysis of prospectively collected data of 138 patients (≥80 years) was performed. IVT was an independent negative predictor (OR 0.356; 95% CI: 0.134–0.942) and female sex an independent positive predictor (OR 4.179, 95% CI: 1.300–13.438) of 3-month good clinical outcome (modified Rankin scale 0–2). Female sex was also an independent negative predictor of 3-month mortality (OR 0.244, 95% CI: 0.100–0.599). Other independent negative predictors of 3-month good clinical outcome were older age, lower pre-stroke self-sufficiency, more severe neurological deficit and longer procedural intervals. Mortality was also independently predicted by longer procedural interval and by the occurrence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (p < 0.05 in all cases). Our results demonstrated, that in patients aged ≥80 years with anterior circulation AIS undergoing MT (±IVT), IVT reduced the chance of 3-month good clinical outcome and female sex was associated with a greater likelihood of 3-month good clinical outcome and lower probability of 3-month mortality.

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Transcirculation Embolization to New Territory During Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke

The Neurohospitalist ◽

10.1177/19418744211041284 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 194187442110412

Author(s):

Devin J. Burke ◽

Yasmin N. Aziz ◽

Kavit Shah ◽

Ashutosh P. Jadhav

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Clinical Outcome ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Posterior Circulation ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Aspiration Thrombectomy

Embolization in new territories (ENT) is a known complication of mechanical thrombectomy with incidence dependent upon a variety of procedural factors. We present 2 cases of anterior circulation to posterior circulation ENT. These cases were managed with manual aspiration thrombectomy with excellent radiographic and clinical outcome. We present the available literature involving ENT along with our experience in management.

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Interventional Mechanical thrombectomy Indications and limitations A Mini-Review

Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery ◽

10.31579/2578-8868/206 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 01-04

Author(s):

Sheila Fatehpur

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Time Window ◽

Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator ◽

Posterior Circulation ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Arterial Ischemic Stroke ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Tissue Plasminogen

The endovascular clot retrieval in combination with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) has been established as the 1st choice therapy for the treatment of acute arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in case of large vessel occlusion. While the results of this therapy in ischemic insults in the anterior stromal region are clearly positive, the results for mechanical thrombectomy in posterior circulation are controversially discussed. In addition, the indication is made by the time window, sizing of the ischemic area, and various scores. The aim of the article is to review the available reports on the use of thromboelastography in acute ischemic stroke patients.

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Internal Carotid Artery and the Proximal M1 Segment Are Optimal Targets for Mechanical Thrombectomy

Interventional Neurology ◽

10.1159/000475606 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (3-4) ◽

pp. 207-218 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Niko Sillanpää ◽

Sara Protto ◽

Jukka T. Saarinen ◽

Juha-Pekka Pienimäki ◽

Janne Seppänen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcome ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Statistical Tests ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Good Clinical Outcome ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Outcome Differences

Background and Purpose: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is an established treatment of acute anterior circulation stroke caused by large vessel occlusion (LVO). We compared the clinical outcome (3-month modified Rankin Scale, mRS) in hyperacute (<3h from the onset of symptoms) ischemic stroke between an MT and an intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) cohort in proximal (ICA and the proximal M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery) and distal (the distal M1 and the M2 segment) LVOs. Methods: We prospectively reviewed 67 patients who underwent MT with newer-generation stent retrievers. The IVT cohort consisted of 98 patients who received IVT without MT. We recorded baseline clinical, procedural and imaging variables, technical outcome, 24-h imaging outcome, and the clinical outcome. Differences between the groups were studied with theoretically appropriate statistical tests and binary logistic regression analysis. Results: The proportion of patients who had a proximal LVO and experienced good (mRS ≤2) or excellent (mRS ≤1) clinical outcome was significantly larger in the MT group (62 vs. 7%, p < 0.001; 47 vs. 3%, p < 0.001, respectively). In a regression model including relevant confounding variables, good clinical outcome was seen significantly more often among patients with proximal occlusions (OR = 6.0, CI 95% 1.9-18.3, p = 0.002). In a similar model, no statistically significant differences were observed in patients with more distal occlusions. Conclusions: MT is superior to IVT in achieving good clinical outcome in hyperacute anterior circulation stroke in the most proximal occlusions (ICA and proximal M1 segment). In the distal M1 and M2 segments neither of these therapies clearly outperforms the other.

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