scholarly journals Number of passes in mechanical thrombectomy: where is your limit?

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 78-82
Author(s):  
A. Filioglo ◽  
J.E. Cohen ◽  
N. Simaan ◽  
A. Honig ◽  
R.R. Leker

Background and aims. Stent retriever based thrombectomy is the mainstay of treatment of acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion. However, recanalization is sometimes not achieved even after multiple passes of the thrombectomy device. Whether revascularization becomes futile or harmful with an increasing number of passes as well as criteria for when to halt attempting recanalization remain unknown. The purpose of our work is to analyze literature data on this issue. Materials and methods. We performed a short review of the literature and summarized evidence on the impact of repeated stentriever attempts on outcome.Results. Despite some controversies, the published data indicate that up to 30 % of patients still reach favorable outcome even when ≥5 stentriever passes are performed. Probability of obtaining functional independence after multiple stentriever attempts is even higher in patients with lower baseline NIHSS score. Patients who achieve successful reperfusion after ≥5 passes have significantly higher rates of functional independence and significantly lower rates of hemorrhagic transformation compared with those who do not achieve reperfusion. Rate of target recanalization after ≥4 passes may reach 19 %. Number of passes alone is not an independent negative predictor of functional independence. The impact of multiple stentriever attempts on hemorrhagic transformation has not been well-established.Conclusions. Target vessel recanalization is an essential goal of mechanical thrombectomy, which should be pursued despite the additional number of passes and procedural time required. Number of stentriver attempts is not a game- changing factor in the decision to abort the procedure for technical futility. Treatment decisions need to be individualized for each patient based on operator’s experience and preferences, patient and clot-specific characteristics.

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ameer E Hassan ◽  
Mahmoud Dibas ◽  
Amr Ehab El-Qushayri ◽  
Sherief Ghozy ◽  
Adam A Dmytriw ◽  
...  

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has significantly improved outcomes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). The first-pass effect (FPE), defined as achieving complete reperfusion (mTICI3/2c) with a single pass, was reported to be associated with higher functional independence rates following EVT and has been emphasized as an important procedural target. We compared MT outcomes in patients who achieved FPE to those who did not in a real world large database. Method: A retrospective analysis of LVO pts who underwent MT from a single center prospectively collected database. Patients were stratified into those who achieved FPE and non-FPE. The primary outcome (discharge and 90 day mRS 0-2) and safety (sICH, mortality and neuro-worsening) were compared between the two groups. Results: Of 580 pts, 261 (45%) achieved FPE and 319 (55%) were non-FPE. Mean age was (70 vs 71, p=0.051) and mean initial NIHSS (16 vs 17, p=0.23) and IV tPA rates (37% bs 36%, p=0.9) were similar between the two groups. Other baseline characteristics were similar. Non-FPE pts required more stenting (15% vs 25%, p=0.003), and angioplasty (19% vs 29%, p=0.01). The FPE group had significantly more instances of discharge (33% vs 17%, p<0.001), and 90-day mRS score 0-2 (29% vs 20%, p<0.001), respectively. Additionally, the FPE group had a significant lower mean discharge NIHSS score (12 vs 17, p<0.001). FPE group had better safety outcomes with lower mortality (14.2% vs 21.6%, p=0.03), sICH (5.7% vs 13.5, p=0.004), and neurological worsening (71.3% vs 78.4%, p=0.02), compared to the non-FPE group. Conclusion: Patients with first pass complete or near complete reperfusion with MT had higher functional independence rates, reduced mortality, symptomatic hemorrhage and neurological worsening. Improvement in MT devices and techniques is vital to increase first pass effect and improve clinical outcomes.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Chen ◽  
David McCarthy ◽  
Vasu Saini ◽  
Marie Brunet ◽  
Eric Peterson ◽  
...  

Background: Obesity is an established risk factor for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), but its impact on clinical outcomes and mortality after AIS remains controversial. In this study, we evaluate the association of body mass index (BMI) on outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke (LVOS). Methods: We reviewed our prospective MT database for LVOS between 2015 and 2018. BMI was analyzed as a continuous and categorical variable with underweight BMI <18.5, normal BMI 18.5-24.9, overweight BMI 25-29.9, and obese BMI>30. Multivariate analysis was used to determine predictors of outcome. Results: 335 patients underwent MT with 7 (2.1%) patients classified as underweight, 107 (31.9%) normal, 141 (42.1%) overweight, and 80 (23.9%) obese. Compared to normal weight (reference), obese patients had higher rates of hypertension and hyperlipidemia, while underweight patients had higher rates of previous stroke and presentation NIHSS. The time from symptom onset to puncture, procedural techniques, and reperfusion success (>TICI 2b) was not significantly different between BMI categories. There was a significant inverse linear correlation between BMI and symptomatic hemorrhagic. In patients with successful reperfusion (>TICI 2b), there was also a significant bell-shaped relationship between BMI and functional independence (mRS < 3) with both low and high BMIs associated with worse outcomes. In patients without post-procedural symptomatic hemorrhage, there was a significant linear correlation between BMI and inpatient mortality. Conclusion: In LVOS patients treated with MT, BMI is inversely related with post-procedural symptomatic hemorrhage. Yet in those whom reperfusion is achieved, both lower and higher than normal BMI were associated with worse functional outcomes. Thus, the obesity paradox does not appear to pertain to mechanical thrombectomy, although larger prospective studies are necessary.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Chang ◽  
Elham Beheshtian ◽  
Edward J. Llinas ◽  
Oluwatoyin R. Idowu ◽  
Elisabeth B. Marsh

Purpose: Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is indicated prior to mechanical thrombectomy (MT) to treat large vessel occlusion (LVO). However, administration takes time, and rates of clot migration complicating successful retrieval and hemorrhagic transformation may be higher. Given time-to-effectiveness, the benefit of tPA may vary significantly based on whether administration occurs at a thrombectomy-capable center or transferring hospital.Methods: We prospectively evaluated 170 individuals with LVO involving the anterior circulation who underwent MT at our Comprehensive Stroke Center over a 3.5 year period. Two thirds (n = 114) of patients were admitted through our Emergency Department (ED). The other 33% were transferred from outside hospitals (OSH). Patients meeting criteria were bridged with IV tPA; the others were treated with MT alone. Clot migration, recanalization times, TICI scores, and hemorrhage rates were compared for those bridged vs. treated with MT alone, along with modified Rankin scores (mRS) at discharge and 90-day follow-up. Multivariable regression was used to determine the relationship between site of presentation and effect of tPA on outcomes.Results: Patients presenting to an OSH had longer mean discovery to puncture/recanalization times, but were actually more likely to receive IV tPA prior to MT (70 vs. 42%). The rate of clot migration was low (11%) and similar between groups, though slightly higher for those receiving IV tPA. There was no difference in symptomatic ICH rate after tPA. TICI scores were also not significantly different; however, more patients achieved TICI 2b or higher reperfusion (83 vs. 67%, p = 0.027) after tPA, and TICI 0 reperfusion was seen almost exclusively in patients who were not treated with tPA. Those bridged at an OSH required fewer passes before successful recanalization (2.4 vs. 1.6, p = 0.037). Overall, mean mRS scores on discharge and at 90 days were significantly better for those receiving IV tPA (3.9 vs. 4.6, 3.4 vs. 4.4 respectively, p ~ 0.01) and differences persisted when comparing only patients recanalized in under 6 h.Conclusion: Independent of site of presentation, IV tPA before MT appears to lead to better radiographic outcomes, without increased rates of clot migration or higher intracranial hemorrhage risk, and overall better functional outcomes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 548-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel A Tonetti ◽  
Shashvat M Desai ◽  
Stephanie Casillo ◽  
Jeremy Stone ◽  
Merritt Brown ◽  
...  

IntroductionFor patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy, numerous (>3) thrombectomy passes may be harmful. However, non-recanalization leads to poor outcomes. For patients requiring multiple thrombectomy passes to achieve reperfusion, it remains unclear if the risk/benefit ratio favors recanalization.ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that the benefits afforded by successful reperfusion outweigh the risk conveyed by the numerous passes required.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data for patients presenting to a comprehensive stroke center with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (ACLVO) and undergoing thrombectomy requiring more than one pass over 24 months. We stratified patients into three groups: group 1 (successful reperfusion in 2–3 passes), group 2 (successful reperfusion in ≥4 passes), and group 3 (unsuccessful reperfusion).Results250 patients with ACLVO constituted the study cohort. Despite similar demographics, group 2 patients had better clinical outcomes than those in group 3 at 24 hours (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score 13.5 vs 19.1, p<0.001) and at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale score 0–2 rates of 31.1% vs 0.0%, p=0.006) On multivariate logistic regression analysis, age (p=0.034), Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (p<0.01), NIHSS score (p=0.02), and parenchymal hematoma type 2 (p=0.015) were significant predictors of functional independence among those who achieved successful reperfusion, but the number of passes required did not predict outcome for these patients (p=0.74).ConclusionPatients who achieve successful reperfusion after many passes have better clinical outcomes than those who do not, despite the number of passes and procedural time required. The number of passes required to achieve successful reperfusion beyond the first pass is not a predictor of functional independence.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1073-1079 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitin Goyal ◽  
Georgios Tsivgoulis ◽  
Abhi Pandhi ◽  
Konark Malhotra ◽  
Rashi Krishnan ◽  
...  

IntroductionWe sought to evaluate the impact of pretreatment with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) on the rate and speed of successful reperfusion (SR) in patients with emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in a high-volume tertiary care stroke center.MethodsConsecutive patients with ELVO treated with MT were evaluated. Outcomes were compared between patients who underwent combined IVT and MT (IVT+MT) and those treated with direct MT (dMT). The elapsed time between groin puncture to beginning of reperfusion (GPTBRT) and the numbers of device passes required to achieve SR were also documented.ResultsA total of 287 and 132 patients were treated with IVT+MT and dMT, respectively. The IVT+MT group had higher SR (73.8% vs 62.9%; p=0.023) and 3-month functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score 0–2;51.6% vs 38.2%; p=0.008) rates. The median GPTBRT was shorter in the IVT+MT group (48 (IQR 33–70) vs 70 (IQR 44–98) min; p<0.001). Among patients who achieved SR (n=292), the median number of required device passes was lower in the IVT+MT subgroup (1 (IQR 1–1) vs 2 (IQR 1–2); p<0.001), while the rate of patients requiring ≤2 device passes was higher (98% vs 77%; p<0.001). IVT+MT was independently related to higher odds of SR (OR 1.64; 95% CI 1.03 to 2.61; p=0.036) and shorter GPTBRT (unstandardized linear regression coefficient −20.39; 95% CI −27.56 to –13.22; p<0.001) on multivariable analyses adjusting for potential confounders. Among patients with SR, IVT+MT was independently associated with a higher likelihood of ≤2 device passes (OR 14.63; 95% CI 4.46 to 48.00; p<0.001).ConclusionsIVT pretreatment appears to increase the rates of SR and shortens the duration of the endovascular procedure by requiring fewer device passes in patients with ELVO treated with MT.


Author(s):  
F. Flottmann ◽  
N. van Horn ◽  
M. E. Maros ◽  
H. Leischner ◽  
M. Bechstein ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose In mechanical thrombectomy, it has been hypothesized that multiple retrieval attempts might the improve reperfusion rate but not the clinical outcome. In order to assess a potential harmful effect of a mechanical thrombectomy on patient outcome, the number of retrieval attempts was analyzed. Only patients with a thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) score of 0 were reviewed to exclude the impact of eventual successful reperfusion on the mechanical hazardousness of repeated retrievals. Methods In this study 6635 patients who underwent endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute large vessel occlusion (LVO) from the prospectively administered multicenter German Stroke Registry were screened. Insufficient reperfusion was defined as no reperfusion (TICI score of 0), whereas a primary outcome was defined as functional independence (modified Rankin scale [mRS] 0–2 at day 90). Propensity score matching and multivariable logistic regressions were then performed to adjust for confounders. Results A total of 377 patients (7.8%) had a final TICI score of 0 and were included in the study. After propensity score matching functional independence was found to be significantly more frequent in patients who underwent ≤ 2 retrieval attempts (14%), compared to patients with > 2 retrieval attempts (3.9%, OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.07–0.73, p = 0.009). After adjusting for age, sex, admission NIHSS score, and location of occlusion, more than two retrieval attempts remained significantly associated with lower odds of functional independence at 90 days (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.07–0.52, p = 0.002). Conclusion In patients with failure of reperfusion, more than two retrieval attempts were associated with a worse clinical outcome, therefore indicating a possible harmful effect of multiple retrieval attempts.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiangshan Deng ◽  
Guangchen He ◽  
Haitao Lu ◽  
Liming Wei ◽  
Minghua Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Periprocedural antithrombotic medication after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute intracranial large vessel occlusion (LVO) is still controversial. Recent studies have indicated that majority of stroke with undetermined etiology (SUE), as defined by the TOAST classification, showed strong overlap with cardioembolic stroke (CE). We intended to determine the efficacy of the mono antiplatelet (MA) therapy in both stroke types after receiving successful MT recanalization in the acute stage. Methods 178 consecutive stroke patients who received MT treatment were retrospectively analyzed. CE and SUE type stroke patients were chosed to received MA therapy. Aspirin 100mg or clopidogrel 75 mg was added immediate for patients who didn`t received intravenously recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV-rtPA) and after 24 hours for those received IV-rtPA if symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) was not found. MA treatment outcomes included recanalized artery patency, subsequent sICH and functional independence (mRS score of 0-2) were compared between two stroke types. Results Successful recanalization (TICI 2b/3) was achieved in 75 CE stroke patients and 50 SUE patients without hemorrhagic transformation were included into final analysis. Target artery at 7 days after recanalization was confirmed 100% patency in the CE group and 97.5% in the SUE group. Hemorrhagic transformation after 24h was found in 26% patients in the SUE group and in 26.7% patients in the CE group (P > 0.05). sICH was confirmed in 3 patients in the SUE group and in 10 patients in the CE group. At 90 days, 45.8% in the SUE group and 46.5% in the CE group of patients had achieved good outcomes (mRs 0-2) (P=1.00). However, accumulative death was higher in the CE group than in the SUE group (21% vs. 15%; P=0.47) Conclusion Mono antiplatelet strategy for the treatment of accurate stage of cardioembolic stroke received mechanical thrombectomy is safe and effective. Meanwhile, for patients considered SUE stroke type, mono antiplatelet therapy after thrombectomy achieved similar treatment outcomes as compared to cardioembolic stroke patients.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 925-931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitin Goyal ◽  
Georgios Tsivgoulis ◽  
Abhi Pandhi ◽  
Kira Dillard ◽  
Diana Alsbrook ◽  
...  

ObjectivePermissive hypertension may benefit patients with non-recanalized large vessel occlusion (nrLVO) post mechanical thrombectomy (MT) by maintaining brain perfusion. Data evaluating the impact of post-MT blood pressure (BP) levels on outcomes in nrLVO patients are scarce. We investigated the association of the post-MT BP course with safety and efficacy outcomes in nrLVO.MethodsHourly systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) values were prospectively recorded for 24 hours following MT in consecutive nrLVO patients. Maximum, minimum, and mean BP levels were documented. Three-month functional independence (FI) was defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores of 0–2.ResultsA total of 88 nrLVO patients were evaluated post MT. Patients with FI had lower maximum SBP (160±19 mmHg vs 179±23 mmHg; P=0.001) and higher minimum SBP levels (119±12 mmHg vs 108±25 mmHg; P=0.008). Maximum SBP (183±20 mmHg vs 169±23 mmHg; P=0.008) and DBP levels (105±20 mmHg vs 89±18 mmHg; P=0.001) were higher in patients who died at 3 months while minimum SBP values were lower (102±28 mmHg vs 115±16 mmHg; P=0.007). On multivariable analyses, both maximum SBP (OR per 10 mmHg increase: 0.55, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.79; P=0.001) and minimum SBP (OR per 10 mmHg increase: 1.64, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.60; P=0.033) levels were independently associated with the odds of FI. Maximum DBP (OR per 10 mmHg increase: 1.61; 95% CI 1.10 to 2.36; P=0.014) and minimum SBP (OR per 10 mmHg increase: 0.65, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.90; P=0.009) values were independent predictors of 3-month mortality.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that wide BP excursions from the mean during the first 24 hours post MT are associated with worse outcomes in patients with nrLVO.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Parra-Farinas ◽  
Jose Danilo Diestro ◽  
Noora Almusalam ◽  
Rebecca Phillips ◽  
Abdullah Alqabbani ◽  
...  

Introduction: Timely restoration of cerebral blood flow using mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke is constantly evolving. We evaluated the impact of combining distal access catheter with proximal balloon guiding catheter and stentriever technique for mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke patients. Methods: In accordance with our institutional review board approval, we retrospectively analyzed all the patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy with stentriever between May 2011 and June 2019. The patients were divided by the techniques adopted, the combined technique: proximal balloon guiding catheter, distal access catheter and stentriever and the conventional approach: proximal balloon guiding catheter and stentriever. Analysis and outcome parameters: complete recanalization (TICI ≥2b), procedural time, early independent functional outcome (mRS ≤2 at discharge). Results: Among the 267 patients included, in 58.8% the combined technique was performed. Mean age at treatment was 68.4±13.3, 55.4% male. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the treatment groups. Median NIHSS score was 16 (6-34) on arrival. The overall complete recanalization rate was 68.5%. The combined technique group achieved higher complete recanalization rate; TICI ≥2b: 75.6% vs. 66.3% (p=0.001). In addition, the distal access catheter group achieved lower non-reperfusion rate; TICI=0: 15.4% vs. 26.5% (p=0.001). No significant differences were observed in first-pass successful reperfusion rate: 70.5% vs. 64.2% (p=0.333). The distal aspiration approach was not associated with longer procedural time: 67.4±28.4 min vs. 31.8±74.9 min (p=0.467). There were no significant differences regarding procedural complications: 8.3% vs. 7.3% (p=0.763); SICH: 8.5% vs. 12.2% (p=0.333). There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes; early functional independence rate: 45.0% vs. 54.3% (p=0.256), mortality rate: 12.8% vs. 15.2% (p=0.256). Conclusions: The combined techniquefor mechanical thrombectomy is associated with higher complete recanalization rate. The use of aspiration system does not seem to increase the procedural time or influence in complications development.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sami Al Kasab ◽  
Eyad Almallouhi ◽  
Ali Alawieh ◽  
Christine A Holmstedt ◽  
Reda M Chalhub ◽  
...  

Introduction: Clinical trials have proven the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) with intravenous alteplase (tPA) compared to tPA alone in patients presenting with large vessel occlusion (LVO). The impact of tPA prior to MT on procedural metrics, successful revascularization, symptomatic hemorrhage and long-term functional outcome has not been established from large scale real-world studies. In this study we evaluate the impact of tPA prior to MT on procedural times, immediate and long-term outcomes. Methods: The STAR registry combined prospectively maintained databases of 11 thrombectomy-capable stroke centers in the US, Europe and Asia. Patients who received mechanical thrombectomy with or without intravenous tPA prior to MT were included in these analyses. Baseline characteristics, procedural time, successful revascularization (TICI ≥ 2B), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (PH2), and long-term functional outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: Total of 1869 patients were included in this analysis. Of those, 907 received tPA prior to MT. Baseline features and outcomes are summarized in table 1. There were more white patients in the non-tPA group, and more patients in this group had atrial fibrillation and hyperlipidemia; otherwise there were no differences in baseline features between the two groups. Median NIHSS on admission was 16 in both groups, median ASPECTS was 9 in the tPA group versus 8 in the non-tPA group, p=0.208. Patients in the tPA group had higher rate of successful revascularization, lower number of revascularizations attempts and were more likely to achieve excellent long-term functional outcome. There was no difference in procedural time, rate of symptomatic hemorrhage or length of hospital stay. Conclusion: Bridging therapy with intravenous tPA prior to mechanical thrombectomy may facilitate MT and yield to better long-term functional outcome.


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