Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and post-epidemic periods on the process of endovascular treatment for acute anterior circulation ischaemic stroke

Abstract Background and purpose The purpose of our study was to analyse endovascular treatment (EVT) in patients presenting acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke with large-vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO) during the pandemic and post-epidemic periods. Methods Patients with AIS-LVO of the anterior circulation who underwent EVT were enrolled. According to the times of Wuhan closure and reopening, patients were divided into a pre-pandemic group (from November 8, 2019, to January 22, 2020), pandemic group (from January 23, 2020, to April 8, 2020) and post-epidemic group (from April 9, 2020, to June 24, 2020). The primary endpoints were the time delay among symptom onset to arriving hospital door, to groining puncture and to vascular reperfusion. Secondary endpoints were the functional outcomes evaluated by 90-day modified Rankin scale (mRS) score. Results In total, the times from onset to reperfusion (OTR, median 356 min vs. 310 min, p = 0.041) and onset to door (OTD, median 238 min vs. 167 min, p = 0.017) were prolonged in the pandemic group compared to the pre-pandemic group, and the delay continue in the post-epidemic period. In the subgroup analysis, the time from door to imaging (DTI) was significantly prolonged during the pandemic period. Interestingly, the prolonged DTI was corrected in the directly admitted subgroup during post-epidemic period. In addition, the functional outcomes showed no significant differences across the three periods. Conclusions Total time and prehospital time were prolonged during the pandemic and post-epidemic periods. Urgent public education and improved in-hospital screening processes are necessary to decrease time delays.

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Outcome of endovascular treatment within and beyond 6 h without perfusion software

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-84857-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Zhen Jing ◽

Hao Li ◽

Shengming Huang ◽

Min Guan ◽

Yongxin Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

General Anesthesia ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Symptom Onset ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Group A ◽

Group B

AbstractEndovascular treatment (EVT) has been accepted as the standard of care for patients with acute ischemic stroke. The aim of the present study was to compare clinical outcomes of patients who received EVT within and beyond 6 h from symptom onset to groin puncture without perfusion software in Guangdong district, China. Between March 2017 and May 2018, acute ischemic stroke patients who received EVT from 6 comprehensive stroke centers, were enrolled into the registry study. In this subgroup study, we included all patients who had acute proximal large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation. The demographic, clinical and neuroimaging data were collected from each center. A total of 192 patients were included in this subgroup study. They were divided into two groups: group A (n = 125), within 6 h; group B (n = 67), 6–24 h from symptom onset to groin puncture. There were no substantial differences between these two groups in terms of 90 days favorable outcome (modified Rankin scale [mRS] ≤ 2, P = 0.051) and mortality (P = 0.083), and the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage at 24 h (P = 0.425). The NIHSS (median 16, IQR12-20, group A; median 12, IQR8-18, group B; P = 0.009) and ASPECTS (median 10, IQR8-10, group A; median 9, IQR8-10, group B; P = 0.034) at baseline were higher in group A. The anesthesia method (general anesthesia, 21.3%, group A vs. 1.5% group B, P = 0.001) were also statistically different between the two groups. The NIHSS and ASPECTS were higher, and general anesthesia was also more widely used in group A. Clinical outcomes were not significantly different within 6 h versus 6–24 h from symptom onset to groin puncture in this real world study.

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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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Feasibility and safety of the strategy of first stenting without retrieval using Solitaire FR as a treatment for emergent large-vessel occlusion due to underlying intracranial atherosclerosis

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/2020.8.jns202504 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Jong-Hoon Kim ◽

Young-Jin Jung ◽

Chul-Hoon Chang

Keyword(s):

Functional Outcomes ◽

Medical Center ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Intracranial Atherosclerosis ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Stent Retrieval ◽

First Pass ◽

Solitaire Fr

OBJECTIVEThe optimal treatment for underlying intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) in patients with emergent large-vessel occlusion (ELVO) remains unclear. Reocclusion during endovascular treatment (EVT) occurs frequently (57.1%–77.3%) after initial recanalization with stent retriever (SR) thrombectomy in ICAS-related ELVO. This study aimed to compare treatment outcomes of the strategy of first stenting without retrieval (FRESH) using the Solitaire FR versus SR thrombectomy in patients with ICAS-related ELVO.METHODSThe authors retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke and intracranial ELVO of the anterior circulation who underwent EVT between January 2017 and December 2019 at Yeungnam University Medical Center. Large-vessel occlusion (LVO) of the anterior circulation was classified by etiology as follows: 1) no significant stenosis after recanalization (embolic group) and 2) remnant stenosis > 70% or lesser degree of stenosis with a tendency toward reocclusion and/or flow impairment during EVT (ICAS group). The ICAS group was divided into the SR thrombectomy group (SR thrombectomy) and the FRESH group.RESULTSA total of 105 patients (62 men and 43 women; median age 71 years, IQR 62.5–79 years) were included. The embolic, SR thrombectomy, and FRESH groups comprised 66 (62.9%), 26 (24.7%), and 13 (12.4%) patients, respectively. There were no significant differences between the SR thrombectomy and FRESH groups in symptom onset–to-door time, but puncture-to-recanalization time was significantly shorter in the latter group (39 vs 54 minutes, p = 0.032). There were fewer stent retrieval passes but more first-pass recanalizations in the FRESH group (p < 0.001). Favorable functional outcomes were significantly more frequent in the FRESH group (84.6% vs 42.3%, p = 0.017).CONCLUSIONSThis study’s findings suggest that FRESH, rather than rescue stenting, could be a treatment option for ICAS-related ELVO.

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Abstract P499: The Effect of Small Vessel Disease Burden on Core/Penumbra Mismatch and Outcomes in Extended Window Thrombectomy

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.52.suppl_1.p499 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Destiny Hooper ◽

Tariq Nisar ◽

Meryim Poursheykhi ◽

Andy Lin ◽

C. David McCane ◽

...

Keyword(s):

White Matter ◽

Perfusion Imaging ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

Time Window ◽

Small Vessel Disease ◽

Small Vessel ◽

Collateral Flow ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Disease

Objective: Recent studies have shown the benefit of revascularization in select patients with extended window large vessel occlusion (EWLVO). We sought to assess the effect of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) burden on eligibility for intervention with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) and functional outcomes in patients with EWLVO. Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center study of 135 patients with anterior circulation LVO who presented in the extended time window, 6 to 24 hours from LKW, between August 2018 and March 2020. All patients underwent perfusion imaging at initial presentation and those with target ischemic core to penumbra mismatch profiles, as defined by DAWN/DEFUSE3 criteria, were treated with MT. Included patients were evaluated for CSVD burden using T2-FLAIR MRI. The Fazekas scale (0-3) was used to quantify the amount of white matter T2 hyperintense lesions in both the periventricular (PVWM) and deep white matter (DWM). Patients’ functional outcomes were assessed at 90 days using the mRS. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression models were used and adjusted for age, gender, thrombus location and LKW to perfusion imaging time. Patient information was collected from the Houston Methodist Hospital Outcomes Based Prospective Endpoints in Stroke (HOPES) registry. Results: Of the 135 patients, 111 met imaging inclusion criteria for revascularization with MT for EWLVO. MT was deferred in 44 of these patients due to other clinical exclusions or patient refusal. Patients ineligible for MT were approximately 13 times more likely to have a higher PVWM Fazekas grade (OR =13.53, 95% CI. [2.94 - 62.39], p=0.001) and 17 times more likely to have a higher DWM Fazekas grade (OR =17.54, 95% CI. [4.20 - 73.17], p<0.001), when compared to patients who were eligible for MT. Patients who did not meet criteria for MT were nearly 7 times more likely to have poor functional outcomes at 90 days (OR =6.85, 95% CI. [2.09 - 22.44], p=0.001). Conclusion: Based on our analytical cohort of EWLVO patients, those with severe CSVD burden were more likely to be excluded from MT and had worse functional outcomes. Poor cerebrovascular reserve and diminished collateral flow leading to rapid infarct progression in patients with greater CSVD burden may be a potential explanation.

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Predictors of parenchymal hemorrhage after endovascular treatment in acute ischemic stroke: data from ANGEL-ACT Registry

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2021-018292 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. neurintsurg-2021-018292

Author(s):

Dapeng Sun ◽

Baixue Jia ◽

Xu Tong ◽

Peter Kan ◽

Xiaochuan Huo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Serum Glucose ◽

Chinese Patients ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Atherosclerotic Stenosis

BackgroundParenchymal hemorrhage (PH) is a troublesome complication after endovascular treatment (EVT).ObjectiveTo investigate the incidence, independent predictors, and clinical impact of PH after EVT in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO).MethodsSubjects were selected from the ANGEL-ACT Registry. PH was diagnosed according to the European Collaborative Acute Stroke Study classification. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the independent predictors of PH, as well as the association between PH and 90-day functional outcome assessed by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score.ResultsOf the 1227 enrolled patients, 147 (12.0%) were diagnosed with PH within 12–36 hours after EVT. On multivariable analysis, low admission Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (ASPECTS)(adjusted OR (aOR)=1.13, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.26, p=0.020), serum glucose >7 mmol/L (aOR=1.82, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.84, p=0.009), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR; aOR=1.05, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.09, p=0.005) were associated with a high risk of PH, while underlying intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS; aOR=0.42, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.81, p=0.009) and intracranial angioplasty/stenting (aOR=0.37, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.93, p=0.035) were associated with a low risk of PH. Furthermore, patients with PH were associated with a shift towards to worse functional outcome (mRS score 4 vs 3, adjusted common OR (acOR)=2.27, 95% CI 1.53 to 3.38, p<0.001).ConclusionsIn Chinese patients with AIS caused by anterior circulation LVO, the risk of PH was positively associated with low admission ASPECTS, serum glucose >7 mmol/L, and NLR, but negatively related to underlying ICAS and intracranial angioplasty/stenting.Trial registration numberNCT03370939.

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Abstract TP18: Endovascular Treatment in the Elderly with Acute Ischemic Stroke - Is it Safe in Clinical Practice?

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.48.suppl_1.tp18 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Thabele M Leslie-Mazwi ◽

Syed F Ali ◽

Sanjeeva R Onteddu ◽

Adewumi D Amole ◽

Mehmet S Akdol ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

The Elderly ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Younger Patients

Introduction: An overwhelming benefit from endovascular treatment (EVT) of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has been shown in recent trials, making it the new evidence-based standard of care for ischemic stroke due to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion. We sought to determine usage, safety and efficacy of EVT in patients ≥80 years of age. Methods: Using GWTG stroke registry data from MGH and UAMS, we analyzed 7,505 consecutive stroke admissions from 01/2009 - 06/2016. Univariate analysis was carried out to compare AIS patients < 80 vs. those ≥ 80yr. Results: Of the total 7,505 AIS patients, 3,722 presented within 12 hr of last known well and of these 334 (334/3722, 9%) underwent EVT. The majority of AIS patients undergoing EVT were younger than 80yr of age (264/334, 79%). Of the patients who underwent EVT, younger patients were more often male, Caucasian, and had stroke risk factors of atrial fibrillation, CAD, hypertension and smokers. The two groups were similar in NIHSS, initial clinical presentation, modified pre-stroke Rankin scale of ≤ 3, and initiation of tPA as a drip and ship or stroke center front-door administration. Higher rates of pneumonia were observed in younger patients while rates of sICH were similar. Younger patients were more often discharged to home/inpatient rehabilitation facility. On univariate analysis, in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients ≥ 80yr [Unadj. OR 2.50 (1.24, 5.03), p=0.01], however the strength of the association attenuated substantially after adjusting for significant covariates [Adj. OR 2.34 (0.99, 5.47), p=0.05] (Table). Conclusion: Elderly stroke patients are largely excluded from clinical trials and data are limited on the effectiveness of EVT in this cohort. Our results showed that rate of sICH and adjusted in-hospital mortality was not statistically different between those < 80yr vs. ≥ 80yr. Further studies are needed to explore the functional outcome of the elderly stroke patients undergoing EVT.

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Workflow Intervals of Endovascular Acute Stroke Therapy During On- Versus Off-Hours

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.119.025381 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 50 (10) ◽

pp. 2842-2850 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Wouter H. Hinsenveld ◽

Inger R. de Ridder ◽

Robert J. van Oostenbrugge ◽

Jan A. Vos ◽

Adrien E. Groot ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Significant Difference

Background and Purpose— Endovascular treatment (EVT) of patients with acute ischemic stroke because of large vessel occlusion involves complicated logistics, which may cause a delay in treatment initiation during off-hours. This might lead to a worse functional outcome. We compared workflow intervals between endovascular treatment–treated patients presenting during off- and on-hours. Methods— We retrospectively analyzed data from the MR CLEAN Registry, a prospective, multicenter, observational study in the Netherlands and included patients with an anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who presented between March 2014 and June 2016. Off-hours were defined as presentation on Monday to Friday between 17:00 and 08:00 hours, weekends (Friday 17:00 to Monday 8:00) and national holidays. Primary end point was first door to groin time. Secondary end points were functional outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale) and workflow time intervals. We stratified for transfer status, adjusted for prognostic factors, and used linear and ordinal regression models. Results— We included 1488 patients of which 936 (62.9%) presented during off-hours. Median first door to groin time was 140 minutes (95% CI, 110–182) during off-hours and 121 minutes (95% CI, 85–157) during on-hours. Adjusted first door to groin time was 14.6 minutes (95% CI, 9.3–20.0) longer during off-hours. Door to needle times for intravenous therapy were slightly longer (3.5 minutes, 95% CI, 0.7–6.3) during off-hours. Groin puncture to reperfusion times did not differ between groups. For transferred patients, the delay within the intervention center was 5.0 minutes (95% CI, 0.5–9.6) longer. There was no significant difference in functional outcome between patients presenting during off- and on-hours (adjusted odds ratio, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.74–1.14). Reperfusion rates and complication rates were similar. Conclusions— Presentation during off-hours is associated with a slight delay in start of endovascular treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke. This treatment delay did not translate into worse functional outcome or increased complication rates.

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Incidence and Prognostic Impact of Intracranial Hemorrhage after Endovascular Treatment for Acute Large Vessel Occlusion

Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽

10.1159/000510970 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (5) ◽

pp. 540-549

Author(s):

Norito Kinjo ◽

Shinichi Yoshimura ◽

Kazutaka Uchida ◽

Nobuyuki Sakai ◽

Hiroshi Yamagami ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Prognostic Impact ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Scale Scores ◽

The Impact

Introduction: Endovascular treatment (EVT) is effective against acute cerebral large vessel occlusion (LVO). However, it has been associated with a high incidence of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Because the incidence of ICH and prognostic impact of ICH were not scrutinized in general patients, we investigated the impact of ICH after EVT on functional outcome at 90 days in patients with acute LVO. Methods: RESCUE-Japan Registry 2 was a multicenter registry that enrolled 2,420 consecutive patients with acute LVO within 24 h of onset. We analyzed 1,281 patients who received EVT and compared the functional outcomes between those with and without ICH (ICH and no-ICH groups, respectively) within 24 h after EVT. We explored the factors associated with ICH and prognostic impact of symptomatic ICH (SICH) among patients with ICH. We estimated the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for good functional outcome as modified Rankin Scale scores 0–2 and mortality. We also explored the prognostic impact of symptomatic ICH (SICH) among patients with ICH. Results: ICH occurred in 333 patients (26.0%). Several factors such as perioperative edaravone, stent retriever, and baseline glucose were associated with development of ICH within 24 h. A good outcome was observed in 80 (24.0%) and 454 (47.9%) patients in the ICH and no-ICH groups, respectively, and the adjusted OR was 0.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.2–0.5, p < 0.0001). Incidence of mortality within 90 days was not significantly different between the groups (adjusted OR 1.2; 95% CI: 0.7–1.9, p = 0.5). SICH was observed in 36 (10.8%) of 333 patients with ICH, and the good outcomes were 8.3 and 25.9% in patients with SICH and asymptomatic ICH (AICH), respectively (p = 0.02). Mortality at 90 days was 30.6 and 7.1% in patients with SICH and AICH, respectively (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The functional outcomes at 90 days were significantly worse in patients who developed ICH after receiving EVT for acute LVO, but the mortality was generally similar.

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Combined use of contact aspiration and the stent retriever technique versus stent retriever alone for recanalization in acute cerebral infarction: the randomized ASTER 2 study protocol

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2019-014735 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 471-476 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Bertrand Lapergue ◽

Julien Labreuche ◽

Raphaël Blanc ◽

Gaultier Marnat ◽

Arturo Consoli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Cerebral Infarction ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Scale Score ◽

Stent Retriever ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

First Line ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Combined Use

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.

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Intravenous Thrombolysis Is Not Associated with Increased Time to Endovascular Treatment

Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽

10.1159/000508898 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (3) ◽

pp. 321-327

Author(s):

Wouter H. Hinsenveld ◽

Inger R. de Ridder ◽

Robert J. van Oostenbrugge ◽

Wim H. van Zwam ◽

Jan Albert Vos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Ct Imaging ◽

Digital Subtraction ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Time Intervals ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Increase Risk ◽

Mr Clean

Background: Endovascular treatment (EVT) with or without intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is effective and safe in ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion, but IVT might delay time to EVT or increase risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). We assessed the influence of prior IVT on time to treatment and risk of ICH in patients treated with EVT. Methods: We analyzed data from the MR CLEAN Registry and included patients with an anterior circulation occlusion treated with EVT who presented directly to an intervention center, between 2014 and 2017. Primary endpoint was the door to groin time. Secondary outcomes were workflow time intervals and safety outcomes. We compared patients who received EVT only with patients who received IVT prior to EVT. Results: We included 1,427 patients directly referred to an intervention center of whom 1,023 (72%) received IVT + EVT. Adjusted door to CT imaging and door to groin time were shorter in IVT + EVT patients (difference 5.7 min [95% CI: 4.6–6.8] and 7.0 min [95% CI: 2.4–12], respectively) while CT imaging to groin time was similar between the groups. Early recanalization on digital subtraction angiography before EVT was seen more often after prior IVT (11 vs. 5.2%, aOR 2.4 [95% CI: 1.4–4.2]). Rates of symptomatic ICH were similar. Conclusion: Prior IVT did not delay door to groin times and was associated with higher rates of early recanalization, without increasing the risk of ICH. Our results do not warrant withholding IVT prior to EVT.

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