Sensitivity of prehospital stroke scales for different intracranial large vessel occlusion locations

Introduction Prehospital stroke scales have been proposed to identify stroke patients with a large vessel occlusion to allow direct transport to an intervention centre capable of endovascular treatment (EVT). It is unclear whether these scales are able to detect not only proximal, but also more distal treatable occlusions. Our aim was to assess the sensitivity of prehospital stroke scales for different EVT-eligible occlusion locations in the anterior circulation. Patients and methods The MR CLEAN Registry is a prospective, observational study in all centres that perform EVT in the Netherlands. We included adult patients with an anterior circulation stroke treated between March 2014 and November 2017. We used National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores at admission to reconstruct previously published prehospital stroke scales. We compared the sensitivity of each scale for different occlusion locations. Occlusions were assessed with CT angiography by an imaging core laboratory blinded to clinical findings. Results We included 3021 patients for the analysis of 14 scales. All scales had the highest sensitivity to detect internal carotid artery terminus occlusions (ranging from 0.21 to 0.97) and lowest for occlusions of the M2 segment (0.08 to 0.84, p-values < 0.001). Discussion and conclusion: Although prehospital stroke scales are generally sensitive for proximal large vessel occlusions, they are less sensitive to detect more distal occlusions.

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Rescue of Neglect and Language Impairment After Stroke Thrombectomy

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.121.034243 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Shashvat M. Desai ◽

Konark Malhotra ◽

Guru Ramaiah ◽

Daniel A. Tonetti ◽

Waqas Haq ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Language Impairment ◽

Functional Independence ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Lower Mortality ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores provide an objective measure of clinical deficits, data regarding the impact of neglect or language impairment on outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is lacking. We assessed the frequency of neglect and language impairment, rate of their rescue by MT, and impact of rescue on clinical outcomes. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database from a comprehensive stroke center. We assessed right (RHS) and left hemispheric strokes (LHS) patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion undergoing MT to assess the impact of neglect and language impairment on clinical outcomes, respectively. Safety and efficacy outcomes were compared between patients with and without rescue of neglect or language impairment. Results: Among 324 RHS and 210 LHS patients, 71% of patients presented with neglect whereas 93% of patients had language impairment, respectively. Mean age was 71±15, 56% were females, and median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 16 (12–20). At 24 hours, MT resulted in rescue of neglect in 31% of RHS and rescue of language impairment in 23% of LHS patients, respectively. RHS patients with rescue of neglect (56% versus 34%, P <0.001) and LHS patients with rescue of language impairment (64 % versus 25%, P <0.01) were observed to have a higher rate of functional independence compared to patients without rescue. After adjusting for confounders including 24-hour National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, rescue of neglect among RHS patients was associated with functional independence ( P =0.01) and lower mortality ( P =0.01). Similarly, rescue of language impairment among LHS patients was associated with functional independence ( P =0.02) and lower mortality ( P =0.001). ConclusionS: Majority of LHS-anterior circulation large vessel occlusion and of RHS-anterior circulation large vessel occlusion patients present with the impairment of language and neglect, respectively. In comparison to 24-hour National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, rescue of these deficits by MT is an independent and a better predictor of functional independence and lower mortality.

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Door-in-Door-Out Time at Primary Stroke Centers May Predict Outcome for Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion Patients

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.118.021936 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 49 (12) ◽

pp. 2969-2974 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Ryan A. McTaggart ◽

Krisztina Moldovan ◽

Lori A. Oliver ◽

Eleanor L. Dibiasio ◽

Grayson L. Baird ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scale Score ◽

Primary Outcome Measure ◽

Performance Measure ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Arterial Puncture ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Stroke Center

Background and Purpose— Interfacility transfers for thrombectomy in stroke patients with emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) are associated with longer treatment times and worse outcomes. In this series, we examined the association between Primary Stroke Center (PSC) door-in to door-out (DIDO) times and outcomes for confirmed ELVO stroke transfers and factors that may modify the interaction. Methods— We retrospectively identified 160 patients transferred to a single Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) with anterior circulation ELVO between July 1, 2015 and May 30, 2017. We included patients with acute occlusions of the internal carotid artery or proximal middle cerebral artery (M1 or M2 segments), with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of ≥6. Workflow metrics included time from onset to recanalization, PSC DIDO, interfacility transfer time, CSC arrival to arterial puncture, and arterial puncture to recanalization. Primary outcome measure was National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at discharge and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days. Results— The median (Q1–Q3) age and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale of the 130 ELVO transfers analyzed was 75 (64–84) and 17 (11–22). Intravenous alteplase was administered to 64% of patients. Regarding specific workflow metrics, median (Q1–Q3) times (in minutes) were 241 (199–332) for onset to recanalization, 85 (68–111) for PSC DIDO, 26 (17–32) for interfacility transport, 21 (16–39) for CSC door to arterial puncture, and 24 (15–35) for puncture to recanalization. Median discharge National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 5 (2–16), and 46 (35%) patients had a favorable outcome at 90 days. Complete reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia 2c/3) modified the deleterious association of DIDO on outcome. Conclusions— For patients diagnosed with ELVO at a PSC who are being transferred to a CSC for thrombectomy, longer DIDO times may have a deleterious effect on outcomes and may represent the single biggest modifiable factor in onset to recanalization time. PSCs should make efforts to decrease DIDO and routine use of DIDO as a performance measure is encouraged.

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Abstract 60: Impact of Monthly Testing and Tutorials on Accuracy and Confidence of Telestroke Nurse Recognition of Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion CT Perfusion Patterns

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.60 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Emily K Snider ◽

Brenda Chang ◽

Anna Maria Helms ◽

Laura Williams ◽

Sam Singh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Good Accuracy ◽

Internal Carotid ◽

Ct Perfusion ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Confidence Levels ◽

Lower Confidence ◽

The Impact

Introduction: A distinguishing feature of our Stroke Network is Telestroke (TS) nurses (RNs) who remotely facilitate TS evaluations. To facilitate expeditious transfer the TS RNs, need to immediately identify CT perfusion (CTP) studies demonstrating patterns consistent with internal carotid artery (ICA), middle cerebral artery (M1), and first branch of the M1 (M2) large vessel occlusion (LVO) acute ischemic strokes (AIS). Methods: We developed a 6-month series of tutorials and tests (12 CTP scans/month) for 16 TS RNs to recognize CTP patterns consistent with ICA, M1 or M2 LVO AIS. We simultaneously conducted a prospective cohort study of these nurses on the impact of these tutorials and tests. Results: TS nurses demonstrated good accuracy in detecting ICA, M1 or M2 LVO presence during the first three months of teaching (83-94% accurate).This improved to excellent during the last three months (99-100%), during which the likelihood of correctly identifying the presence of any one of these LVOs was greater than in the first three months (OR 1.99, 95% CI: 1.83-2.17, p<0.001). The probability of correctly identifying ICA or M1 occlusions was much higher than correctly identifying all other LVOs (OR 68, 95% CI: 45-102, p<0.001). The likelihood of being at a higher confidence level compared to lower confidence levels in identifying any LVOs as being ICA or M1 was higher than in identifying other LVOs (OR 2.14, 95% CI: 1.6-2.8, p<0.001), but over time confidence for determining LVO presence did not differ significantly after controlling for subject variation. Conclusion: A series of structured tutorials significantly increased the odds of TS nurses correctly identifying anterior circulation LVOs, with the benefit of these tutorials and test reviews peaking and plateauing at four months. Participating in TS nurse tutorials was associated with high odds and confidence for correctly identifying LVOs as being ICA or M1.

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Association between age and outcomes following thrombectomy for anterior circulation emergent large vessel occlusion is determined by degree of recanalisation

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2018-013964 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 114-118 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mahesh V Jayaraman ◽

Thomas Kishkovich ◽

Grayson L Baird ◽

Morgan L Hemendinger ◽

Eric L Tung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Patients ◽

Internal Carotid ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Single Centre ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Improved Outcomes ◽

The Relationship

BackgroundOlder patients undergoing thrombectomy for emergent large vessel occlusion have worse outcomes. However, complete or near-complete reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia (mTICI) score of 2 c/3) is associated with improved outcomes compared with partial recanalisation (mTICI 2b).ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between outcomes and age separately for the mTICI 2c/3, 2b and 0-2a groups in patients undergoing thrombectomy for anterior circulation emergent large vessel occlusion.MethodsRetrospective review of 157 consecutive patients undergoing thrombectomy at a single centre with an occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA), M1 or proximal M2 segments of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Angiograms were graded in a blinded fashion. Patients were divided into three groups: mTICI 0-2a, mTICI 2b, and mTICI 2c/3. Demographics and workflow parameters were compared. Outcomes at 90 days were compared as a function of age, using both the conventional modified Rankin scale (mRs) and utility weighted mRs (UWmRs).ResultsThere were 72, 61 and 24 patients in the mTICI 2c/3, 2b and 0-2a groups, respectively. Outcomes were significantly worse with increasing age for the mTICI 2b group, but not for the mTICI 0-2a and 2c/3 groups (P=0.0002). With increasing age, outcomes of the mTICI 2b group approached those of the mTICI 0-2a group. However, outcomes of the mTICI 2c/3 groups were similar for all ages. This association was present for both the original mRs and UWmRs.ConclusionIncreasing age was associated with worse outcomes for those with partial (mTICI 2b) recanalisation, not in patients with complete (mTICI 2c/3) recanalisation.

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Stroke and mechanical thrombectomy in patients with COVID-19: technical observations and patient characteristics

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2020-016220 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 648-653 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Arthur Wang ◽

Grace K Mandigo ◽

Peter D Yim ◽

Philip M Meyers ◽

Sean D Lavine

Keyword(s):

Internal Carotid ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Consecutive Series ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Coagulation Abnormalities ◽

Basilar Arteries

BackgroundCOVID-19 infections have been shown to be associated with a range of thromboembolic disease.ObjectiveTo describe our endovascular experience in a consecutive series of patients with COVID-19 who presented with large vessel occlusions, and to describe unique findings in this population.MethodsMechanical thrombectomy was performed on five consecutive patients with COVID-19 with large vessel occlusions. A retrospective study of these patients was performed. Patient demographics, laboratory values, mechanical thrombectomy technique, and clinical and angiographic outcomes were reviewed.ResultsFour patients with COVID-19 presented with anterior circulation occlusions and one patient with COVID-19 presented with both anterior and posterior circulation occlusions. All patients had coagulation abnormalities. Mean patient age was 52.8 years. Three patients presented with an intracranial internal carotid artery occlusion. Two patients presented with an intracranial occlusion and a tandem thrombus in the carotid bulb. One patient presented with an occlusion in both the internal carotid and basilar arteries. Clot fragmentation and distal emboli to a new vascular territory were seen in two of five (40%) patients, and downstream emboli were seen in all five (100%) patients. Patient clinical outcome was generally poor in this series of patients with COVID-19 large vessel occlusion.ConclusionOur series of patients with COVID-19 demonstrated coagulation abnormalities, and compared with our previous experience with mechanical thrombectomy in large vessel occlusion, this group of patients were younger, had tandem or multiple territory occlusions, a large clot burden, and a propensity for clot fragmentation. These patients present unique challenges that make successful revascularization difficult.

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ASPECTS decay during inter-facility transfer in patients with large vessel occlusion strokes

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2016-012331 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 442-444 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Maxim Mokin ◽

Rishi Gupta ◽

Waldo R Guerrero ◽

David Z Rose ◽

William S Burgin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Hospital Transfer ◽

Stroke Evolution ◽

Selection Of Patients ◽

Selection Of

BackgroundFavorable imaging profile according to the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) on non-contrast head CT is a key criterion for the selection of patients with ischemic stroke from large vessel occlusion (LVO) for IA revascularization therapies.ObjectiveTo analyze factors associated with changes in ASPECTS during inter-hospital transfer and to determine how deterioration of ASPECTS affects eligibility for endovascular procedures.MethodsWe analyzed factors associated with changes in ASPECTS during inter-hospital transfer and their potential impact on eligibility for IA stroke therapies in patients with anterior circulation ischemic strokes. Clinical and demographic characteristics between patients with favorable (ASPECTS ≥6) and unfavorable (ASPECTS <6) imaging on repeat CT were compared.ResultsStroke evolution towards unfavorable ASPECTS occurred in 13/42 (31%) patients who initially had a favorable imaging profile at outside hospitals. A higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was the only significant predictor of ASPECTS decay, whereas other clinical characteristics, such as the use of IV thrombolysis and site of LVO, were similar between the two groups.ConclusionsIn our cohort, one out of three patients became ineligible for IA thrombectomy because of unfavorable ASPECTS ‘decay’ following inter-hospital transfer. Except for NIHSS severity, baseline clinical factors could not identify which patients were at risk for ASPECTS deterioration.

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Tandem stents thrombectomy as a rescue treatment for refractory large vessel occlusions

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2020-015822 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 33-38

Author(s):

Haowen Xu ◽

Shanling Peng ◽

Tao Quan ◽

Yongjie Yuan ◽

Zibo Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcome ◽

Internal Carotid ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Good Clinical Outcome ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Nihss Score ◽

Rescue Treatment

BackgroundMechanical thrombectomy with a stent retriever (SR) and/or aspiration is the 'gold standard' for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). However, sometimes clots may not be retrievable with a single SR alone or combined with aspiration.ObjectiveTo assess the safety and efficacy of a novel tandem stents thrombectomy (TST) technique as a rescue treatment for acute LVO that is refractory to conventional attempts.MethodsAll patients treated with the TST technique as rescue treatment after failure of conventional attempts were retrospectively reviewed. The postprocedural angiographic and clinical outcome, including modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral infarction (mTICI) grade, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, was assessed.ResultsNine patients (mean age, 65.2 years; median NIHSS score 18) with middle cerebral artery M1 segment (n=6) and terminal internal carotid artery (n=3) occlusions were included in the study. The TST technique was performed as a rescue treatment after unsuccessful stent thrombectomy alone (four cases) and stent thrombectomy plus aspiration (five cases). Successful recanalization (mTICI 2b/3) was achieved in all patients. No procedure-related complications occurred except reversible vasospasms were observed in three patients and one patient developed hemorrhage transformation after the procedure, but was asymptomatic. Three patients had good clinical outcome (mRS score 0–2 at 90 days). Two patients (22.2%) died.ConclusionsThe TST technique seems to be a safe and effective rescue treatment for acute LVO that is refractory to conventional attempts.

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A direct aspiration first pass technique with the new ARC catheter for thrombectomy of large vessel occlusion strokes: A multicenter study

Interventional Neuroradiology ◽

10.1177/1591019918803962 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 187-193 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Pierre De Marini ◽

Sanjeev Nayak ◽

François Zhu ◽

Serge Bracard ◽

René Anxionnat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Large Vessel ◽

University Hospitals ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Symptomatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽

First Pass ◽

Scale Scores ◽

Reperfusion Rate

Background and purpose A direct aspiration first pass technique involves first-line aspiration to remove the thrombus through a large-bore aspiration catheter in large vessel strokes. The aim of this study was to assess safety and clinical outcomes with a direct aspiration first pass technique using the new ARC catheter. Methods A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from three university hospitals was performed between June 2016 and May 2018. The following parameters of all acute ischemic stroke interventions using the ARC catheter were analyzed: use of intravenous thrombolysis, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores at presentation and discharge, successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b–3), procedure duration, procedure-related complications and 90-day clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale score). Results In total, 41 patients were included in the study and anterior circulation occlusion was noted in 35 (85%). The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at admission was 18 and prior intravenous thrombolysis was administered in 35 patients (85%). Only six (15%) patients required the use of a rescue stent retriever. Successful reperfusion was achieved in 40 patients (98%) with a median procedure time of 32 minutes. No catheter-related complications were observed. Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in one patient (2%). Median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at discharge was 3; 49% were independent and 10% died at 90 days. Conclusions In the present study, the ARC catheter allowed a 98% successful reperfusion rate. The complication rate was in line with those of previous a direct aspiration first pass technique publications.

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Factors associated with prominent vessel sign on susceptibility-weighted imaging in acute ischemic stroke

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-84269-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hai-fei Jiang ◽

Yi-qun Zhang ◽

Jiang-xia Pang ◽

Pei-ning Shao ◽

Han-cheng Qiu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Susceptibility Weighted Imaging ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Univariate Analyses

AbstractThe prominent vessel sign (PVS) on susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is not displayed in all cases of acute ischemia. We aimed to investigate the factors associated with the presence of PVS in stroke patients. Consecutive ischemic stroke patients admitted within 24 h from symptom onset underwent emergency multimodal MRI at admission. Associated factors for the presence of PVS were analyzed using univariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression analyses. A total of 218 patients were enrolled. The occurrence rate of PVS was 55.5%. Univariate analyses showed significant differences between PVS-positive group and PVS-negative group in age, history of coronary heart disease, baseline NIHSS scores, total cholesterol, hemoglobin, anterior circulation infarct, large vessel occlusion, and cardioembolism. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that the independent factors associated with PVS were anterior circulation infarct (odds ratio [OR] 13.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.5–53.3), large vessel occlusion (OR 123.3; 95% CI 33.7–451.5), and cardioembolism (OR 5.6; 95% CI 2.1–15.3). Anterior circulation infarct, large vessel occlusion, and cardioembolism are independently associated with the presence of PVS on SWI.

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