Endovascular thrombectomy versus medical treatment for large vessel occlusion stroke with mild symptoms: A meta-analysis

ABSTRACT:Background:The current American Heart Association guidelines for acute ischemic stroke reserve Grade 1A recommendation for the use of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for patients with an Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) of ≥6.Objective:We aim to determine the safety and efficacy of EVT for large vessel occlusion ischemic stroke patients with low ASPECTS (5 or less).Methods:Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for studies appraising the outcomes of EVT for low ASPECTS ischemic stroke. A meta-analysis of proportions compared the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing EVT and those receiving best medical therapy only.Results:Nine studies (1,196 patients) were included. There was a trend (p = 0.11) toward a higher rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) in the EVT group (9.2%; 95% CI 6.1–13.6; I2 53.37%) compared to the medical group (5.5%; 95% CI 3.7–8.1; I2 0%). There was no difference (p = 0.41) in the pooled 90-day mortality of EVT patients (30.7%; 95% CI 21.7–41.5; I2 84.23%) and medical patients (36.6%; 95% CI 26.4–48.1; I2 76.2%). EVT patients had better (p = 0.001) 90-day outcomes, with 27.7% (95% CI 21.8–34.5; I2 62.08%) of patients attaining a modified Rankin Scale of 0–2 compared to only 3.7% (95% CI 2.3–5.9; I2 87.21%) in the medical group.Conclusions:This meta-analysis demonstrates a trend in higher sICH among low ASPECTS patients undergoing EVT. Despite this, a significant proportion of this subset of patients still achieved good functional outcomes at 90 days. Randomized trials are necessary to substantiate this result as significant bias is inherent in the observational studies included in this review.

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Effect of atrial fibrillation on endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke. A meta-analysis of individual patient data from six randomised trials: Results from the HERMES collaboration

European Stroke Journal ◽

10.1177/2396987320923447 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 245-251 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

JA Smaal ◽

IR de Ridder ◽

A Heshmatollah ◽

WH van Zwam ◽

DWJ Dippel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Treatment Effect ◽

Primary Outcome ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy ◽

Secondary Outcomes

Background Atrial fibrillation is an important risk factor for ischemic stroke, and is associated with an increased risk of poor outcome after ischemic stroke. Endovascular thrombectomy is safe and effective in acute ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion of the anterior circulation. This meta-analysis aims to investigate whether there is an interaction between atrial fibrillation and treatment effect of endovascular thrombectomy, and secondarily whether atrial fibrillation is associated with worse outcome in patients with ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion. Methods Individual patient data were from six of the recent randomised clinical trials (MR CLEAN, EXTEND-IA, REVASCAT, SWIFT PRIME, ESCAPE, PISTE) in which endovascular thrombectomy plus standard care was compared to standard care alone. Primary outcome measure was the shift on the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 90 days. Secondary outcomes were functional independence (mRS 0–2) at 90 days, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at 24 h, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality at 90 days. The primary effect parameter was the adjusted common odds ratio, estimated with ordinal logistic regression (shift analysis); treatment effect modification of atrial fibrillation was assessed with a multiplicative interaction term. Results Among 1351 patients, 447 patients had atrial fibrillation, 224 of whom were treated with endovascular thrombectomy. We found no interaction of atrial fibrillation with treatment effect of endovascular thrombectomy for both primary ( p-value for interaction: 0.58) and secondary outcomes. Regardless of treatment allocation, we found no difference in primary outcome (mRS at 90 days: aOR 1.11 (95% CI 0.89–1.38) and secondary outcomes between patients with and without atrial fibrillation. Conclusion We found no interaction of atrial fibrillation on treatment effect of endovascular thrombectomy, and no difference in outcome between large vessel occlusion stroke patients with and without atrial fibrillation.

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Changes in Stroke Hospital Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.121.034601 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Aristeidis H. Katsanos ◽

Lina Palaiodimou ◽

Ramin Zand ◽

Shadi Yaghi ◽

Hooman Kamel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Mean Difference ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy

Background and Purpose: We systematically evaluated the impact of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on stroke care across the world. Methods: Observational studies comparing characteristics, acute treatment delivery, or hospitalization outcomes between patients with stroke admitted during the COVID-19 pandemic and those admitted before the pandemic were identified by Medline, Scopus, and Embase databases search. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for all outcomes. Results: We identified 46 studies including 129 491 patients. Patients admitted with stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic were found to be younger (mean difference, −1.19 [95% CI, −2.05 to −0.32]; I 2 =70%) and more frequently male (odds ratio, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.01–1.22]; I 2 =54%) compared with patients admitted with stroke in the prepandemic era. Patients admitted with stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic, also, had higher baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores (mean difference, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.12–0.98]; I 2 =90%), higher probability for large vessel occlusion presence (odds ratio, 1.63 [95% CI, 1.07–2.48]; I 2 =49%) and higher risk for in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.05–1.52]; I 2 =55%). Patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted during the COVID-19 pandemic had higher probability of receiving endovascular thrombectomy treatment (odds ratio, 1.24 [95% CI, 1.05–1.47]; I 2 =40%). No difference in the rates of intravenous thrombolysis administration or difference in time metrics regarding onset to treatment time for intravenous thrombolysis and onset to groin puncture time for endovascular thrombectomy were detected. Conclusions: The present systematic review and meta-analysis indicates an increased prevalence of younger patients, more severe strokes attributed to large vessel occlusion, and higher endovascular treatment rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients admitted with stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic had higher in-hospital mortality. These findings need to be interpreted with caution in view of discrepant reports and heterogeneity being present across studies.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Bridging Thrombolysis Achieved Better Outcomes Than Direct Thrombectomy After Large Vessel Occlusion: An Updated Meta-Analysis.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.739199878.793581167 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Stephan Mayer

Keyword(s):

Meta Analysis ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion

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SOFIA catheter for direct aspiration of large vessel occlusion stroke: A single-center cohort and meta-analysis

Interventional Neuroradiology ◽

10.1177/15910199211005328 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 159101992110053

Author(s):

Federico Bolognini ◽

Pablo A Lebedinsky ◽

Mariano Musacchio ◽

Mariette Delaitre ◽

Abdoulaye M Traoré ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rescue Therapy ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Study Cohort ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

First Line ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Global Rate ◽

Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose Direct aspiration (DA) using large-bore distal aspiration catheters is an established strategy for the endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) of large-vessel occlusion stroke (LVOS). However, the performance of individual catheters like SOFIA has yet to be examined. Methods We present a cohort of 144 consecutive patients treated with first-line DA and SOFIA 6 F Plus catheter for LVOS. We also conducted a systematic review of the literature searching multiple databases for reports on thrombectomy with DA and SOFIA catheters and performed a meta-analysis of recanalization, safety, and clinical outcomes. Results In the study cohort a successful recanalization (mTICI 2b-3) rate of 75.7% was achieved with DA alone, the global rate for functional independence (90-day mRS 0-2) was 40.3%. For the metanalysis we selected nine articles that included a total of 758 patients treated with first-line thrombectomy with the SOFIA catheters. The mTICI 2b-3 rate was 71.6% (95%CI, 66.3-76.5%) while a rescue stent-retriever was used in 24.1% (95%CI, 17.7-31.9%) of cases. The overall mTICI2b-3 rate after DA and rescue therapy was 88.9% (95%CI, 82.6-93.1%). We found a pooled estimate of 45.6% (95%CI, 38.6-52.8%) for functional independence, a mortality within 90 days of 19% (95%CI, 14.1-25.0%) and a rate of 5.8% (95%CI, 4.2-8.0%) of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Conclusion The DA approach for LVOS with the SOFIA catheters is highly effective with an efficacy and safety profile comparable to those found in contemporary thrombectomy trials and observational studies that use other devices or approaches.

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Early detection of large‐vessel occlusion stroke after cardiac surgery using CT angiography leading to early recanalization with endovascular thrombectomy

Clinical Case Reports ◽

10.1002/ccr3.4246 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Kiyoshi Takemoto ◽

Masaaki Sakuraya ◽

Michitaka Nakamura ◽

Hidetsugu Maekawa ◽

Kazuo Yamanaka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Surgery ◽

Early Detection ◽

Ct Angiography ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy

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EXPRESS: Off-hour effect on time metrics and clinical outcomes in endovascular treatment for large vessel occlusion, a systematic review and meta-analysis

International Journal of Stroke ◽

10.1177/17474930211012545 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 174749302110125

Author(s):

Mingming Zha ◽

Qingwen Yang ◽

Shuo Liu ◽

Min Wu ◽

Kangmo Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Working Hours ◽

Good Prognosis ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Significant Difference

Background There is an ongoing debate on the off-hour effect on endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute large vessel occlusion (LVO). Aims This meta-analysis aimed to compare time metrics and clinical outcomes of acute LVO patients who presented/were treated during off-hour with those during working hours. Summary of review Structured searches on the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were conducted through February 23rd, 2021. The primary outcomes were onset to door, door to imaging, door to puncture, puncture to recanalization, procedural time, successful recanalization, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH), mortality in hospital, good prognosis (90-day modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score 0-2), and 90-day mortality. The secondary outcomes were imaging to puncture, onset to puncture, onset to recanalization, door to recanalization time, mRS 0-2 at discharge, and consecutive 90-day mRS score. The odds ratio (OR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of the outcomes were calculated using random-effect models. Heterogenicity and publication bias were analyzed. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted as appropriate. Nineteen studies published between 2014 and 2021 with a total of 14185 patients were eligible for quantitative synthesis. Patients in the off-hour group were significantly younger than those in the on-hour group and with comparable stroke severity and intravenous thrombolysis rate. The off-hour group had longer onset to door (WMD [95%CI], 12.83 [1.84-23.82] min), door to puncture (WMD [95%CI], 11.45 [5.93-16.97] min), imaging to puncture (WMD [95%CI], 10.39 [4.61-16.17] min), onset to puncture (WMD [95%CI], 25.30 [13.11-37.50] min), onset to recanalization (WMD [95%CI], 25.16 [10.28-40.04] min), and door to recanalization (WMD [95%CI], 18.02 [10.01-26.03] min) time. Significantly lower successful recanalization rate (OR [95%CI], 0.85 [0.76-0.95]; P=0.004; I2=0%) was detected in the off-hour group. No significant difference was noted regarding SICH and prognosis. But a trend towards lower OR of good prognosis was witnessed in the off-hour group (OR [95%CI], 0.92 [0.84-1.01]; P=0.084; I2=0%). Conclusions Patients who presented/were treated during off-hour were associated with excessive delays before the initiation of EVT, lower successful reperfusion rate, and a trend towards worse prognosis when compared with working hours. Optimizing the workflows of EVT during off-hour is needed.

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Differences in Acute Ischemic Stroke Management and Prognosis between Multiple Large-Vessel Occlusion and Single Large-Vessel Occlusion: Subanalysis of the RESCUE-Japan Registry 2

Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽

10.1159/000514369 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 50 (4) ◽

pp. 397-404

Author(s):

Kotaro Tatebayashi ◽

Kazutaka Uchida ◽

Hiroto Kageyama ◽

Hirotoshi Imamura ◽

Nobuyuki Ohara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy ◽

Tandem Occlusion ◽

The Mean ◽

Patient Prognosis

Introduction: The management and prognosis of acute ischemic stroke due to multiple large-vessel occlusion (LVO) (MLVO) are not well scrutinized. We therefore aimed to elucidate the differences in patient characteristics and prognosis of MLVO and single LVO (SLVO). Methods: The Recovery by Endovascular Salvage for Cerebral Ultra-Acute Embolism Japan Registry 2 (RESCUE-Japan Registry 2) enrolled 2,420 consecutive patients with acute LVO who were admitted within 24 h of onset. We compared patient prognosis between MLVO and SLVO in the favorable outcome, defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤2, and in mortality at 90 days by adjusting for confounders. Additionally, we stratified MLVO patients into tandem occlusion and different territories, according to the occlusion site information and also examined their characteristics. Results: Among the 2,399 patients registered, 124 (5.2%) had MLVO. Although there was no difference between the 2 groups in terms of hypertension as a risk factor, the mean arterial pressure on admission was significantly higher in MLVO (115 vs. 107 mm Hg, p = 0.004). MLVO in different territories was more likely to be cardioembolic (42.1 vs. 10.4%, p = 0.0002), while MLVO in tandem occlusion was more likely to be atherothrombotic (39.5 vs. 81.3%, p < 0.0001). Among MLVO, tandem occlusion had a significantly longer onset-to-door time than different territories (200 vs. 95 min, p = 0.02); accordingly, the tissue plasminogen activator administration was significantly less in tandem occlusion (22.4 vs. 47.9%, p = 0.003). However, interestingly, the endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) was performed significantly more in tandem occlusion (63.2 vs. 41.7%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–5.0). The type of MLVO was the only and significant factor associated with EVT performance in multivariate analysis. The favorable outcomes were obtained less in MLVO than in SLVO (28.2 vs. 37.1%; aOR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.30–0.76). The mortality rate was not significantly different between MLVO and SLVO (8.9 vs. 11.1%, p = 0.42). Discussion/Conclusion: The prognosis of MLVO was significantly worse than that of SLVO. In different territories, we might be able to consider more aggressive EVT interventions.

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Penumbra Consumption Rates Based on Time-to-Maximum Delay and Reperfusion Status: A Post Hoc Analysis of the DEFUSE 3 Trial

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.120.033806 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Shadi Yaghi ◽

Eytan Raz ◽

Seena Dehkharghani ◽

Howard Riina ◽

Ryan McTaggart ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Infarct Volume ◽

Interquartile Range ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy ◽

Post Hoc Analysis ◽

Consumption Rates ◽

Post Hoc

Background and Purpose: In patients with acute large vessel occlusion, the natural history of penumbral tissue based on perfusion time-to-maximum (T max ) delay is not well established in relation to late-window endovascular thrombectomy. In this study, we sought to evaluate penumbra consumption rates for T max delays in patients with large vessel occlusion evaluated between 6 and 16 hours from last known normal. Methods: This is a post hoc analysis of the DEFUSE 3 trial (The Endovascular Therapy Following Imaging Evaluation for Ischemic Stroke), which included patients with an acute ischemic stroke due to anterior circulation occlusion within 6 to 16 hours of last known normal. The primary outcome is percentage penumbra consumption, defined as (24-hour magnetic resonance imaging infarct volume–baseline core infarct volume)/(T max 6 or 10 s volume–baseline core volume). We stratified the cohort into 4 categories based on treatment modality and Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI score; untreated, TICI 0-2a, TICI 2b, and TICI3) and calculated penumbral consumption rates in each category. Results: We included 141 patients, among whom 68 were untreated. In the untreated versus TICI 3 patients, a median (interquartile range) of 53.7% (21.2%–87.7%) versus 5.3% (1.1%–14.6%) of penumbral tissue was consumed based on T max >6 s ( P <0.001). In the same comparison for T max >10 s, we saw a difference of 165.4% (interquartile range, 56.1%–479.8%) versus 25.7% (interquartile range, 3.2%–72.1%; P <0.001). Significant differences were not demonstrated between untreated and TICI 0-2a patients for penumbral consumption based on T max >6 s ( P =0.52) or T max >10 s ( P =0.92). Conclusions: Among extended window endovascular thrombectomy patients, T max >10-s mismatch volume may comprise large volumes of salvageable tissue, whereas nearly half the T max >6-s mismatch volume may remain viable in untreated patients at 24 hours.

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Abstract 1122‐000223: Direct to Angiography Suite versus Conventional Imaging in Suspected Large Vessel Occlusion Strokes: A Meta‐Analysis

Stroke: Vascular and Interventional Neurology ◽

10.1161/svin.01.suppl_1.000223 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (S1) ◽

Author(s):

Mahmoud H Mohammaden ◽

Mohamed Elfil ◽

Mohamed Fahmy Doheim ◽

Agostinho Camara Pinheiro ◽

Alhamza R Al‐Bayati ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Clinical Trials ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Conventional Imaging ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Angiography Suite ◽

Significant Difference

Introduction : Direct transfer to angiography suite (DTAS) for patients with suspected large vessel occlusion strokes potentially requiring mechanical thrombectomy has been shown to shorten treatment times and improve outcomes compared to conventional imaging (CI) selection. This meta‐analysis compares both approaches to build more concrete evidence. Methods : The potentially relevant studies that were published in four electronic databases/search engines (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus) till August 2021 were reviewed. Eligible studies were included if they enrolled >10 patients in both groups, were published in English and reported baseline and procedural characteristics and 90‐day outcomes. Relevant data were then extracted and analyzed. Results : Among 4514 searched studies, six qualified for the analysis. Time from door to puncture (MD = ‐26.76minutes, 95 % CI [‐39.48, ‐14.03], P< 0.0001) as well as door to reperfusion (MD = ‐27.21 minutes,95% CI [‐47.42, ‐7.01], P = 0.008) were significantly shorter and the rates of functional independence(mRS0‐2: RR = 1.28, 95% CI [1.03, 1.60], P = 0.03) at 90‐days were significantly higher in the DTAS versus the CI approach. There was no statistically significant difference between DTAS and CI groups in terms of successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infraction [mTICI] score2B‐3: RR = 0.99, 95% CI [0.93, 1.06], P = 0.86), near complete/ full reperfusion (mTICI 2C‐3: RR = 0.84,95% CI [0.68, 1.04], P = 0.11), or fair outcomes at 90‐days (mRS 0–3: RR = 1.05, 95% CI [0.67, 1.64],P = 0.84). Moreover, there was no difference between groups regarding symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (RR = 0.81, 95% CI [0.55, 1.17], P = 0.26) or 90 day‐mortality (RR = 0.85, 95% CI [0.59, 1.24],P = 0.41). Conclusions : Our meta‐analysis showed that DTAS significantly improves time metrics and functional outcome with comparable safety to the CI approach. Multicenter randomized clinical trials are ongoing to confirm these results.

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