EXPRESS: Stent Retriever Alone vs. Aspiration and Stent-Retriever Combination in Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke: A Matched Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 174749302110192
Author(s):  
Mahmoud H Mohammaden ◽  
Diogo C. Haussen ◽  
Leonardo Pisani ◽  
Alhamza Al-Bayati ◽  
Aaron Anderson ◽  
...  

Background Three randomized clinical trials have reported similar safety and efficacy for contact aspiration (CA) and Stent-retriever (SR) thrombectomy. Aim We aimed to determine whether the Combined Technique (SR+CA) was superior to SR alone as first-line thrombectomy strategy in a patient cohort where balloon-guide catheter was universally used. Methods A prospectively maintained mechanical thrombectomy database from January 2018-December 2019 was reviewed. Patients were included if they had anterior circulation proximal occlusion ischemic stroke (intracranial ICA or MCA-M1/M2 segments) and underwent SR alone thrombectomy or SR+CA as first-line therapy. The primary outcome was the first-pass effect (FPE) (mTICI2c-3). Secondary outcomes included modified FPE (mTICI2b-3), successful reperfusion (mTICI2b-3) prior to and after any rescue strategy, and 90-day functional independence (mRS ≤2). Safety outcomes included rate of parenchymal hematoma (PH) type-2 and 90-day mortality. Sensitivity analyses were performed after dividing the overall cohort according to first-line modality into two matched groups. Results A total of 420 patients were included in the analysis (mean age 64.4 years; median baseline NIHSS 16[11-21]). As compared to first-line SR alone, first-line SR+CA resulted in similar rates of FPE (53% vs. 51%,aOR 1.122, 95%CI[0.745-1.691],p=0.58), mFPE (63% vs. 60.4%,aOR1.250, 95%CI[0.782-2.00],p=0.35), final successful reperfusion (97.6% vs. 98%,p=0.75) and higher chances of successful reperfusion prior to any rescue strategy (81.8% vs. 72.5%,aOR 2.033, 95%CI[1.209-3.419],p=0.007). Functional outcome and safety measures were comparable between both groups. Likewise, the matched analysis (148 patient-pairs) demonstrated comparable results for all clinical and angiographic outcomes except for significantly higher rates of successful reperfusion prior to any rescue strategies with the first-line SR+CA treatment (81.8% vs. 73.6%,aOR 1.881, 95%CI[1.039-3.405],p=0.037). Conclusions Our findings reinforce the findings of ASTER-2 trial in that the first-line thrombectomy with a Combined Technique did not result in increased rates of first-pass reperfusion or better clinical outcomes. However, addition of contact aspiration after initial SR failure might be beneficial in achieving earlier reperfusion.

2020 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2020-016005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud H Mohammaden ◽  
Diogo C Haussen ◽  
Catarina Perry da Camara ◽  
Leonardo Pisani ◽  
Marta Olive Gadea ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe first-pass effect (FPE) has emerged as a key metric for efficacy in mechanical thrombectomy (MT). The hyperdense vessel sign (HDVS) on non-contrast head CT (NCCT) indicates a higher clot content of red blood cells.ObjectiveTo assess whether the HDVS could serve as an imaging biomarker for guiding first-line device selection in MT.MethodsA prospective MT database was reviewed for consecutive patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke who underwent thrombectomy with stent retriever (SR) or contact aspiration (CA) as first-line therapy between January 2012 and November 2018. Pretreatment NCCT scans were evaluated for the presence of HDVS. The primary outcome was FPE (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score 2c/3). The primary analysis was the interaction between HDVS and thrombectomy modality on FPE. Secondary analyses aimed to evaluate the predictors of FPE.ResultsA total of 779 patients qualified for the analysis. HDVS and FPE were reported in 473 (60.7%) and 286 (36.7%) patients, respectively. The presence of HDVS significantly modified the effect of thrombectomy modality on FPE (p=0.01), with patients with HDVS having a significantly higher rate of FPE with a SR (41.3% vs 22.2%, p=0.001; adjusted OR 2.11 (95% CI 1.20 to 3.70), p=0.009) and non-HDVS patients having a numerically better response to CA (41.4% vs 33.9%, p=0.28; adjusted OR 0.58 (95% CI 0.311 to 1.084), p=0.088). Age (OR 1.01 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.02), p=0.04) and balloon guide catheter (OR 2.08 (95% CI 1.24 to 3.47), p=0.005) were independent predictors of FPE in the overall population.ConclusionOur data suggest that patients with HDVS may have a better response to SRs than CA for the FPE. Larger confirmatory prospective studies are warranted.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 979-983 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong-Hun Kang ◽  
Jin Woo Kim ◽  
Byung Moon Kim ◽  
Ji Hoe Heo ◽  
Hyo Suk Nam ◽  
...  

BackgroudThe need for rescue treatment (RT) may differ depending on first-line modality (stent retriever (SR) or contact aspiration (CA)) in endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). We aimed to investigate whether the type of first-line modality in EVT was associated with the need for RT.MethodsWe identified all patients who underwent EVT for anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion from prospectively maintained registries of 17 stroke centers. Patients were dichotomized into SR-first and CA-first. RT involved switching to the other device, balloon angioplasty, permanent stenting, thrombolytics, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonist, or any combination of these. We compared clinical characteristics, procedural details, and final recanalization rate between the two groups and assessed whether first-line modality type was associated with RT requirement and if this affected clinical outcome.ResultsA total of 955 patients underwent EVT using either SR-first (n=526) or CA-first (n=429). No difference occurred in the final recanalization rate between SR-first (82.1%) and CA-first (80.2%). However, recanalization with the first-line modality alone and first-pass recanalization rates were significantly higher in SR-first than in CA-first. CA-first had more device passes and higher RT rate. The RT group had significantly longer puncture-to-recanalization time (93±48 min versus 53±28 min). After adjustment, CA-first remained associated with RT (OR, 1.367; 95% CI, 1.019 to 1.834). RT was negatively associated with good outcome (OR, 0.597; 95% CI, 0.410 to 0.870).ConclusionCA was associated with requiring RT, while recanalization with first-line modality alone and first-pass recanalization rates were higher with SR. RT was negatively associated with good outcome.


2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-284
Author(s):  
Hanna Styczen ◽  
Elvin Huseynov ◽  
Nuran Abdullayev ◽  
Volker Maus ◽  
Jan Borggrefe ◽  
...  

Background: Stent retriever technology has evolved, and significantly longer devices have become available for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) of large cerebral vessel occlusions in ischemic stroke. We hypothesized that increased stent retriever length may improve the rate of complete angiographic reperfusion and decrease the respective number of attempts, resulting in a better clinical outcome. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients with large vessel occlusion in the anterior and posterior circulation treated with stent retriever MT. The study group was dichotomized into short (20 mm) and long (>20 mm) retrievers using propensity matching. In the anterior circulation, the clot burden score was evaluated. Primary end points were first-pass modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) 3 reperfusion and first-pass mTICI ≥ 2b reperfusion, and the secondary end point was functional independence (defined as modified Rankin Scale score 0–2) at discharge and 90 days. Results: Overall, 394 patients were included in the analysis. In the anterior circulation, short stent retrievers had a significantly higher rate of first-pass reperfusion in cases with low clot burden (mTICI 3: 27% vs. 17%; p = 0.009; mTICI ≥ 2b: 42 vs. 30%; p = 0.005) and in middle cerebral artery occlusions (mTICI ≥ 2b: 51 vs. 41%; p = 0.024). Higher rates of favorable outcome at discharge and 90 days were observed for the short stent retriever group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Stent retriever length should be adjusted to clot burden score and vessel occlusion site.


2021 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2021-017497
Author(s):  
Gengfan Ye ◽  
Xuebin Wen ◽  
Hongcai Wang ◽  
Chengfeng Sun ◽  
Zhihao Pan ◽  
...  

BackgroundBoth stent retriever (SR) and contact aspiration (CA) are widely used as first-line strategies for acute posterior circulation strokes (PCS). However, it is still unclear how CA and SR compare as the first-line treatment of acute PCS. Several new studies have been published recently, so we aimed to perform an updated meta-analysis.MethodsThe meta-analysis was conducted according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) statement. Random-effects models were performed to pool the outcomes and the value of I2 was calculated to assess the heterogeneity.ResultsTen observational studies with 1189 patients were included, among whom 492 received first-line CA and 697 received first-line SR. The pooled results revealed that first-line CA could achieve a significantly higher proportion of modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) 2b/3 (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.33 to 2.71, I2=0%), mTICI 3 (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.15 to 3.31, I2=59.6%), first-pass effect (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.51 to 5.58, I2=0%), lower incidence of new-territory embolic events (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.83, I2=0%), and shorter procedure time (mean difference −29.4 min, 95% CI −46.8 to −12.0 min, I2=62.8%) compared with first-line SR. At 90-day follow-up, patients subjected to first-line CA showed a higher functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score 0–2; OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.87, I2=23.5%) and a lower mortality (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.00, p=0.050, I2=0%) than those subjected to first-line SR.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis suggests that the first-line CA strategy could achieve better recanalization and clinical outcomes for acute PCS than first-line SR. Limited by the quality of included studies, this conclusion should be drawn with caution.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 471-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bertrand Lapergue ◽  
Julien Labreuche ◽  
Raphaël Blanc ◽  
Gaultier Marnat ◽  
Arturo Consoli ◽  
...  

RationaleMechanical thrombectomy (MT) using a stent retriever (SR) device is currently the recommended treatment in ischemic stroke due to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion. Combining contact aspiration (CA) with SR is a promising new treatment, although it was not found to be superior to SR alone as first-line treatment for achieving successful reperfusion.AimTo determine whether endovascular treatment combining first-line use of CA and SR is more efficient than SR alone.MethodsThe ASTER 2 clinical trial is a prospective, randomized, multicenter, open-label trial with a blinded endpoint. We included patients admitted with suspected anterior circulation ischemic stroke secondary to large vessel occlusion <8 hours from symptom onset. They were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to one of two treatment groups (combined CA and SR or SR alone). In the case of failure of the assigned technique after three attempts, other adjunctive techniques were applied.Study outcomeThe primary outcome is the rate of successful/complete reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) score 2c/3) after the entire endovascular procedure. Secondary outcomes include reperfusion rates after the assigned first-line intervention alone and at the end of the procedure, procedural times, change in NIH Stroke Scale score at 24 hours, intracerebral hemorrhage at 24 hours, procedure-related serious adverse events, the modified Rankin Scale score, and all-cause mortality at 90 days and 1 year. The cost effectiveness of the two procedures will also be analyzed.DiscussionThis is the first head-to-head randomized trial to directly compare the efficacy of the combined use of CA and SR versus SR alone. This prospective trial aims to demonstrate the synergistic effects of CA and SR devices in first-line endovascular treatment.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 525-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amélie Carolina Hesse ◽  
Daniel Behme ◽  
André Kemmling ◽  
Antonia Zapf ◽  
Nils Große Hokamp ◽  
...  

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.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Blair ◽  
Cecilia Cappelen-Smith ◽  
Dennis Cordato ◽  
Leon Edwards ◽  
Amer Mitchelle ◽  
...  

Introduction: In patients with anterior circulation stroke with large vessel occlusion (LVO), recent data suggest that successful reperfusion (mTICI≥2b) after a single device pass results in more favourable functional outcomes in comparison to patients requiring multiple passes. It is unclear if this effect represents an epiphenomenon or a true independent effect. Methods: A prospectively maintained database of EVT was interrogated for patients presenting with anterior circulation LVO with onset to groin puncture times of ≤ 6 hours from January 2016 to March 2019. Three-month functional outcomes were compared between first-pass reperfusion and multiple-pass reperfusion patients using logistic regression. Results: A total of 169 patients were identified (mean age 71 yrs, 44% female, median NIHSS 17, intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in 47%). Successful reperfusion (mTICI≥2b) was achieved with the first-pass (FP) in 80 patients (47%) and multiple-passes (MP) in 89 patients (53%). First pass patients had better outcomes when compared to MP patients (mRS 0-2 71% vs 31%, p < 0.001). No difference in functional outcomes was seen between FP patients who received IVT and those that did not (mRS 0-2 68% vs 75%, p = 0.459). Multiple-pass patients who received IVT achieved higher rates of functional independence than those who did not (mRS 0-2 40% vs 27%, p = 0.035). Conclusion: Intravenous thrombolysis may improve functional recovery in EVT patients requiring multiple-passes to achieve reperfusion. Prospective studies should be considered.


2021 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2021-017760
Author(s):  
Jordi Blasco ◽  
Josep Puig ◽  
Antonio López-Rueda ◽  
Pepus Daunis-i-Estadella ◽  
Laura Llull ◽  
...  

BackgroundBalloon guide catheter (BGC) in stent retriever based thrombectomy (BGC+SR) for patients with large vessel occlusion strokes (LVOS) improves outcomes. It is conceivable that the addition of a large bore distal access catheter (DAC) to BGC+SR leads to higher efficacy. We aimed to investigate whether the combined BGC+DAC+SR approach improves angiographic and clinical outcomes compared with BGC+SR alone for thrombectomy in anterior circulation LVOS.MethodsConsecutive patients with anterior circulation LVOS from June 2019 to November 2020 were recruited from the ROSSETTI registry. Demographic, clinical, angiographic, and outcome data were compared between patients treated with BGC+SR alone versus BGC+DAC+SR. The primary outcome was first pass effect (FPE) rate, defined as near complete/complete revascularization (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) 2c–3) after single device pass.ResultsWe included 401 patients (BGC+SR alone, 273 (66.6%) patients). Patients treated with BGC+SR alone were older (median age 79 (IQR 68–85) vs 73.5 (65–82) years; p=0.033) and had shorter procedural times (puncture to revascularization 24 (14–46) vs 37 (24.5–63.5) min, p<0.001) than the BGC+DAC+SR group. Both approaches had a similar FPE rate (52% in BGC+SR alone vs 46.9% in BGC+DAC+SR, p=0.337). Although the BGC+SR alone group showed higher rates for final successful reperfusion (mTICI ≥2b (86.8% vs 74.2%, p=0.002) and excellent reperfusion, mTICI ≥2 c (76.2% vs 55.5%, p<0.001)), there were no significant differences in 24 hour National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score or rates of good functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2) at 3 months across these techniques.ConclusionsOur data showed that addition of distal intracranial aspiration catheters to BGC+SR based thrombectomy in patients with acute anterior circulation LVO did not provide higher rates of FPE or improved clinical outcomes.


2021 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2021-017494
Author(s):  
Gustavo M Cortez ◽  
Raymond D Turner ◽  
Andre Monteiro ◽  
Ajit S Puri ◽  
Adnan H Siddiqui ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe use of a balloon-guide catheter (BGC) in acute stroke treatment has been widely adopted after demonstrating optimized procedure metrics and outcomes. Initial technical constraints of previous devices included catheter stiffness and smaller inner diameters. We aim to evaluate the performance and safety of the Walrus BGC, a variable stiffness catheter with a large bore 0.087 inch inner diameter (ID), via the the WICkED study (Walrus Large Bore guide Catheter Impact on reCanalization first pass Effect anD outcomes).MethodsThis is a retrospective, site adjudicated, multicenter study on consecutive patients with large vessel occlusion treated with the Walrus BGC. Baseline characteristics, procedural outcomes and functional outcomes were analyzed.ResultsA total of 338 patients met the inclusion criteria. The Walrus was successfully tracked into distal vasculature and allowed therapeutic device delivery in all but 3 cases (0.9%). Large aspiration catheters ≥0.070 inch ID were used in 71.9% of cases. Stent retriever thrombectomy was used as the first-line modality in 59.2% and thromboaspiration in 40.8% of cases. The successful recanalization rate (modified treatment in cerebral ischemia (mTICI) 2b/3) was 94.4%, with 64.8% of the patients achieving mTICI 2b/3 after the first pass. The Walrus-related adverse event rate was 0.6%, corresponding to two vessel dissections. Functional independence was 50% (126/252) and mortality 25% (63/252). Unfavorable outcomes were more likely in older patients, who had unsuccessful reperfusion, longer procedure times, and a higher mean number of passes.ConclusionIn acute ischemic stroke patients presenting with large vessel occlusion, the Walrus BGC demonstrated excellent navigability and safety profile, allowed the accommodation of leading large bore aspiration catheters, and demonstrated high vessel recanalization rates.


2020 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2020-016434
Author(s):  
Maxim Mokin ◽  
Muhammad Waqas ◽  
Johanna Fifi ◽  
Reade De Leacy ◽  
David Fiorella ◽  
...  

BackgroundClot density (Hounsfield units, HU) and perviousness (post-contrast increase in the HU of clot) are thought to be associated with clot composition. We evaluate whether these imaging characteristics were associated with angiographic outcomes of aspiration and stent retriever thrombectomy in COMPASS: a trial of aspiration thrombectomy versus stent retriever thrombectomy as first-line approach for large vessel occlusion.MethodsClot density and perviousness were measured by two independent operators who were blind to all the final angiographic and clinical outcomes. The association of clot density and perviousness with the Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (TICI) scale after first pass was assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis.ResultsAmong all patients enrolled in COMPASS, 165 were eligible for the post-hoc analysis (81 patients in the aspiration first and 84 in the stent retriever first groups). Overall mean perviousness of clot was significantly higher in patient with mTICI 2b-3 after first pass (28.6±22.9 vs 20.3±19.2, p=0.017). Mean perviousness among patients who achieved TICI 2c/3 versus TICI 2b versus TICI 0-2a in the aspiration first group varied significantly (32.6±26.1, 35.3±24.4, and 17.7±13.1, p=0.013). The association of perviousness with first pass success was not significant in the stent retriever group. Using multivariate analysis, high perviousness (defined as cut-off >27.6) was an independent predictor of TICI 2b-3 (OR 3.82, 95% CI 1.10 to 13.19; p=0.034).ConclusionsClot perviousness is associated with first pass angiographic success in patients treated with the aspiration first approach for thrombectomy.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document