scholarly journals Thrombus Composition, Imaging, and Outcome Prediction in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 97 (20 Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. S68-S78
Author(s):  
Raed A. Joundi ◽  
Bijoy K. Menon

Background and ObjectivesNew imaging techniques have advanced our ability to capture thrombus characteristics and burden in real time. An improved understanding of recanalization rates with thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy based on thrombus characteristics has spurred interest in new therapies for acute stroke.Methods and ResultsThis article reviews the biochemical, structural, and imaging characteristics of intracranial thrombi in acute ischemic stroke; the relationship between thrombus composition and response to lytic and endovascular therapies; and current and future directions for improving outcomes in patients with acute stroke based on thrombus characteristics.DiscussionThrombus composition, size, location, and timing from stroke onset correlate with imaging findings in acute ischemic stroke and are associated with clinical outcome. Further research across multiple domains could assist in better applying our knowledge of thrombi to patient selection and individualization of acute therapies.

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuting Zhang ◽  
Shenqiang Yan ◽  
Wansi Zhong ◽  
Yannan Yu ◽  
Min Lou

Background and Purpose: We aimed to investigate the relationship between early NT-proBNP (N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide) and all-cause death in patients receiving reperfusion therapy, including intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Methods: This study included 1039 acute ischemic stroke patients with early NT-proBNP data at 2 hours after the beginning of alteplase infusion for those with intravenous thrombolysis only or immediately at the end of EVT for those with EVT. We performed natural log transformation for NT-proBNP (Ln(NT-proBNP)). Malignant brain edema was ascertained by using the SITS-MOST (Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-Monitoring Study) criteria. Results: Median serum NT-proBNP level was 349 pg/mL (interquartile range, 89–1250 pg/mL). One hundred twenty-one (11.6%) patients died. Malignant edema was observed in 78 (7.5%) patients. Ln(NT-proBNP) was independently associated with 3-month mortality in patients with intravenous thrombolysis only (odds ratio, 1.465 [95% CI, 1.169–1.836]; P =0.001) and in those receiving EVT (odds ratio, 1.563 [95% CI, 1.139–2.145]; P =0.006). The elevation of Ln(NT-proBNP) was also independently associated with malignant edema in patients with intravenous thrombolysis only (odds ratio, 1.334 [95% CI, 1.020–1.745]; P =0.036), and in those with EVT (odds ratio, 1.455 [95% CI, 1.057–2.003]; P =0.022). Conclusions: An early increase in NT-proBNP levels was related to malignant edema and stroke mortality after reperfusion therapy.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikki Boodt ◽  
Philip R.W. Snouckaert van Schauburg ◽  
Hajo M. Hund ◽  
Behrooz Fereidoonnezhad ◽  
J. Patrick McGarry ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Mechanical properties of thromboemboli play an important role in the efficacy of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke. However, very limited data on mechanical properties of human stroke thrombi are available. We aimed to mechanically characterize thrombi retrieved with EVT, and to assess the relationship between thrombus composition and thrombus stiffness. Methods: Forty-one thrombi from 19 patients with acute stroke who underwent EVT between July and October 2019 were mechanically analyzed, directly after EVT. We performed unconfined compression experiments and determined tangent modulus at 75% strain (E t75 ) as a measure for thrombus stiffness. Thrombi were histologically analyzed for fibrin/platelets, erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets, and we assessed the relationship between histological components and E t75 with univariable and multivariable linear mixed regression. Results: Median E t75 was 560 (interquartile range, 393–1161) kPa. In the multivariable analysis, fibrin/platelets were associated with increased E t75 (aβ, 9 [95% CI, 5 to 13]) kPa, erythrocytes were associated with decreased E t75% (aβ, −9 [95% CI, −5 to −13]) kPa. We found no association between leukocytes and E t75 . High platelet values were strongly associated with increased E t75 (aβ, 56 [95% CI, 38–73]). Conclusions: Fibrin/platelet content of thrombi retrieved with EVT for acute ischemic stroke is strongly associated with increased thrombus stiffness. For thrombi with high platelet values, there was a very strong relationship with thrombus stiffness. Our data provide a basis for future research on the development of next-generation EVT devices tailored to thrombus composition.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangchen He ◽  
Liming Wei ◽  
Haitao Lu ◽  
Yuehua Li ◽  
Yuwu Zhao ◽  
...  

Abstract Recent advances in neuroimaging have demonstrated significant assessment benefits and appropriate triage of patients based on specific clinical and radiological features in the acute stroke setting. Endovascular thrombectomy is arguably the most important aspect of acute stroke management with an extended time window. Imaging-based physiological information may potentially shift the treatment paradigm from a rigid time-based model to a more flexible and individualized, tissue-based approach, increasing the proportion of patients amenable to treatment. Various imaging modalities are routinely used in the diagnosis and management of acute ischemic stroke, including multimodal computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Therefore, these imaging methods should provide information beyond the presence or absence of intracranial hemorrhage as well as the presence and extent of the ischemic core, collateral circulation and penumbra in patients with neurological symptoms. Target mismatch may optimize selection of patients with late or unknown symptom onset who would potentially be eligible for revascularization therapy. The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of the current evidence about efficacy and theoretical basis of present imaging modalities, and explores future directions for imaging in the management of acute ischemic stroke.


Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1486
Author(s):  
Tasneem F. Hasan ◽  
Hunaid Hasan ◽  
Roger E. Kelley

Stroke is a major contributor to death and disability worldwide. Prior to modern therapy, post-stroke mortality was approximately 10% in the acute period, with nearly one-half of the patients developing moderate-to-severe disability. The most fundamental aspect of acute stroke management is “time is brain”. In acute ischemic stroke, the primary therapeutic goal of reperfusion therapy, including intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV TPA) and/or endovascular thrombectomy, is the rapid restoration of cerebral blood flow to the salvageable ischemic brain tissue at risk for cerebral infarction. Several landmark endovascular thrombectomy trials were found to be of benefit in select patients with acute stroke caused by occlusion of the proximal anterior circulation, which has led to a paradigm shift in the management of acute ischemic strokes. In this modern era of acute stroke care, more patients will survive with varying degrees of disability post-stroke. A comprehensive stroke rehabilitation program is critical to optimize post-stroke outcomes. Understanding the natural history of stroke recovery, and adapting a multidisciplinary approach, will lead to improved chances for successful rehabilitation. In this article, we provide an overview on the evaluation and the current advances in the management of acute ischemic stroke, starting in the prehospital setting and in the emergency department, followed by post-acute stroke hospital management and rehabilitation.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingli Liu ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Lin Lin ◽  
Yongli Li ◽  
Feng Yan ◽  
...  

Abstract Backgrounds: Single attempt of stent retrieval during endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) seems to be associated with favorable clinical outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), but the relationship between single attempt and clinical outcomes or complications have not been characterized. In addition, the factors related to single retrieval attempts during EVT are undefined. Here, we investigated the relationship between single attempt of stent retrieval and the clinical outcomes or complications after EVT, and further investigated the factors associated with single attempt of stent retrieval in AIS patients. Methods: This study enrolled consecutive patients with AIS treated by EVT with second-generation stent retriever devices from April 2016 to April 2019. Attempts of EVT were classified as single or multiple attempts of stent retrieval after filtrating all enrolled patients based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. We analyzed the clinical outcomes and complications between single attempt of stent retrieval and multiple attempts of stent retrieval, and the factors independently associated with a single attempt were identified through logistical regression analysis. Results: We enrolled 143 patients, including 69 patients with single attempt of stent retrieval and 74 patients with multiple attempts of stent retrieval. More patients with single attempt of stent retrieval reached favorable clinical outcomes ( p =0.016; adjusted OR [95%CI]: 2.652 [1.204-5.843] ), and patients with single attempts of stent retrieval showed as a lower incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) ( p =0.046; adjusted OR [95%CI]: 0.192 [0.038-0.973] ). Diabetes mellitus ( p =0.026; adjusted OR [95%CI]: 2.871 [1.137-7.249] ) was independently associated with single attempt of EVT with stent retrieval. Conclusions: Single attempt of stent retrieval during EVT can decrease incidence of sICH and improve favorable clinical outcomes of patients with AIS. Those with diabetes mellitus may be more prone to single attempt of stent retrieval during EVT .


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Pezzini ◽  
Mario Grassi ◽  
Giorgio Silvestrelli ◽  
Martina Locatelli ◽  
Nicola Rifino ◽  
...  

Abstract Whether and how SARS-CoV-2 outbreak affected in-hospital acute stroke care system is still matter of debate. In the setting of the STROKOVID network, a collaborative project between the 10 centers designed as hubs for the treatment of acute stroke during SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in Lombardy, Italy, we retrospectively compared clinical features and process measures of patients with confirmed infection (COVID-19) and non-infected patients (non-COVID-19) who underwent reperfusion therapies for acute ischemic stroke. Between March 8 and April 30, 2020, 296 consecutive patients (median age, 74 [interquartile range (IQR), 62–80.75] years; males, 154 [52.0%]; 34 [11.5%] COVID-19) qualified for the analysis. Time from symptoms onset to treatment was longer in the COVID-19 group (230 [IQR, 200.5–270] minutes vs 190 [IQR, 150–245] minutes; p=0.007), especially in the first half of the study period. Patients with COVID-19 who underwent endovascular thrombectomy had more frequently absent collaterals or collaterals filling ≤50% of the occluded territory (50.0% vs 16.6%; OR, 5.05; 95% CI, 1.82–13.80) and a lower rate of good/complete recanalization of the primary arterial occlusive lesion (55.6% vs 81.0%; OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.10–0.80). Post-procedural intracranial hemorrhages were more frequent (35.3% vs 19.5%; OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.04-4.83) and outcome was worse among COVID-19 patients (in-hospital death, 38.2% vs 8.8%; OR, 6.43; 95% CI, 2.85-14.50). Our findings showed longer delays in the intra-hospital management of acute ischemic stroke in COVID-19 patients, especially in the early phase of the outbreak, that likely impacted patients outcome and should be the target of future interventions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuhong Yu ◽  
Yi Luo ◽  
Tan Zhang ◽  
Chenrong Huang ◽  
Yu Fu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background It has been shown that eosinophils are decreased and monocytes are elevated in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), but the impact of eosinophil-to-monocyte ratio (EMR) on clinical outcomes among AIS patients remains unclear. We aimed to determine the relationship between EMR on admission and 3-month poor functional outcome in AIS patients. Methods A total of 521 consecutive patients admitted to our hospital within 24 h after onset of AIS were prospectively enrolled and categorized in terms of quartiles of EMR on admission between August 2016 and September 2018. The endpoint was the poor outcome defined as modified Rankin Scale score of 3 to 6 at month 3 after admission. Results As EMR decreased, the risk of poor outcome increased (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that EMR was independently associated with poor outcome after adjusting potential confounders (odds ratio, 0.09; 95% CI 0.03–0.34; p = 0.0003), which is consistent with the result of EMR (quartile) as a categorical variable (odds ratio, 0.23; 95% CI 0.10–0.52; ptrend < 0.0001). A non-linear relationship was detected between EMR and poor outcome, whose point was 0.28. Subgroup analyses further confirmed these associations. The addition of EMR to conventional risk factors improved the predictive power for poor outcome (net reclassification improvement: 2.61%, p = 0.382; integrated discrimination improvement: 2.41%, p < 0.001). Conclusions EMR on admission was independently correlated with poor outcome in AIS patients, suggesting that EMR may be a potential prognostic biomarker for AIS.


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