Angiographical Identification of Intracranial, Atherosclerosis-Related, Large Vessel Occlusion in Endovascular Treatment

Earlier or preprocedural identification of occlusion pathomechanism is crucial for effective endovascular treatment. As leptomeningeal collaterals tend to develop well in chronic ischemic conditions such as intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS), we investigated whether leptomeningeal collaterals can be a preprocedural marker of ICAS-related large vessel occlusion (ICAS-LVO) in endovascular treatment. A total of 226 patients who underwent endovascular treatment were retrospectively reviewed. We compared the pattern of leptomeningeal collaterals between patients with ICAS-LVO and without. Leptomeningeal collaterals were assessed by preprocedural computed tomography angiography (CTA) and basically categorized by three different collateral assessment methods. Better leptomeningeal collaterals were significantly associated with ICAS-LVO, although they were not independent for ICAS-LVO. When leptomeningeal collaterals were dichotomized to incomplete (<100%) and complete (100%), the latter was significantly more frequent in patients with ICAS-LVO (52.5% versus 20.4%) and remained an independent factor for ICAS-LVO (odds ratio, 3.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.52–7.26; p = 0.003). The area under the curve (AUC) value of complete leptomeningeal collateral supply was 0.660 for discrimination of ICAS-LVO. Incomplete leptomeningeal collateral supply was not likely ICAS-LVO, based on the high negative predictive value (88.6%). Considering its negative predictive value and the independent association between complete leptomeningeal collateral supply and ICAS-LVO, leptomeningeal collaterals could be helpful in the preprocedural determination of occlusion pathomechanism.

Download Full-text

Outcomes of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Intracranial Atherosclerosis–Related Large Vessel Occlusion

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.118.022327 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 49 (11) ◽

pp. 2699-2705 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Jang-Hyun Baek ◽

Byung Moon Kim ◽

Ji Hoe Heo ◽

Dong Joon Kim ◽

Hyo Suk Nam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Intracranial Atherosclerosis ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text

Acute occlusion of the fetal posterior cerebral artery: diagnosis and management paradigms

The Neuroradiology Journal ◽

10.1177/19714009211019383 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 197140092110193

Author(s):

Mohamad Abdalkader ◽

Anurag Sahoo ◽

Julie G Shulman ◽

Elie Sader ◽

Courtney Takahashi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Cerebral Artery ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Posterior Cerebral Artery ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Cerebral Artery Occlusion

Background and purpose The diagnosis and management of acute fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion are challenging. While endovascular treatment is established for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke, little is known about the course of acute fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusions. We report the clinical course, radiological findings and management considerations of acute fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion stroke. Methods We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients presenting with acute large vessel occlusion who underwent cerebral angiogram and/or mechanical thrombectomy between January 2015 and January 2021. Patients diagnosed with fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion were included. Demographic data, clinical presentation, imaging findings and management strategies were reviewed. Results Between January 2015 and January 2021, three patients with fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion were identified from 400 patients who underwent angiogram and/or mechanical thrombectomy for acute stroke (0.75%). The first patient presented with concomitant fetal posterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery occlusions. Thrombectomy was performed with recanalisation of the fetal posterior cerebral artery but the patient died from malignant oedema. The second patient presented with isolated fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion. No endovascular intervention was performed and the patient was disabled from malignant posterior cerebral artery infarct. The third patient presented with carotid occlusion and was found to have fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion after internal carotid artery recanalisation. No further intervention was performed. The patient was left with residual contralateral homonymous hemianopia and mild left sided weakness. Conclusion Fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion is a rare, but potentially disabling, cause of ischaemic stroke. Endovascular treatment is feasible. Further investigation is needed to compare the efficacy of medical versus endovascular management strategies.

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text

Abstract TP1: The Promising System to Support Rural Area Where No Intervenitionists to Perform Embolectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke "Drive and Retrieve Method"

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.48.suppl_1.tp1 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Toshiya Osanai

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Rural Area ◽

Median Time ◽

Prospective Trial ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Full Time ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion

Introduction: In Japan, endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke from large vessel occlusion should be performed by neurointerventionists. However, most hospitals in rural area , that offer treatment for cerebral vascular disease do not have access to a neurointerventionist; the rural areas are especially affected. Thus, Our University has offered support to institutions without a neurointerventionist, to perform endovascular treatment. The neurointerventionists stationed in other hospitals drive to retrieve the resultant clot since the acute ischemic stroke from large vessel occlusion. We called this the “drive and retrieve system” method, and launched the prospective trial to evaluate the validity and efficacy of this method. Herein, we report the initial results of this trial. Methods: Nine institutes across our affiliated hospitals within a one-hour drive from Sapporo City took part in this trial. Three of these 9 institutes that have a full-time neurointerventionist were registered as the source. When an episode of acute ischemic stroke requiring intervention occurred in the other 6 hospitals, the available neurointerventionist provided treatment based on the drive and retrieve method. The neurointerventionists’ schedules was updated and distributed to all participating units twice a week, so that the supported hospitals could immediately make contact when required. We analysis the data of 44 cases in this trial from July 2015 to April 2016. Results: For 41 out of 44 cases (93%), Neurointerventionaists were able to respond immediately. The median time from door-to-puncture was 90 min (interquartile range [IQR]: 72-125). The median time from puncture to recanalization was also 76 min (IQR: 57.5-99.5). The recanalization rate (TICI 2b/3) was 77 %. mRS 0-2 was 39%. Conclusion: The drive and retrieve system has the potential to support rural medical institutes that do not have access to a full-time neurointerventionist.

Download Full-text

Abstract TP19: Clinical Outcomes In Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke Due To Large Vessel Occlusion In The Modern Era: 2010-2011 Experience With 423 Patients.

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.44.suppl_1.atp19 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Maxim Mokin ◽

Tareq Kass-Hout ◽

Omar Kass-Hout ◽

Erol Veznedaroglu ◽

Fadi Nahab ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Medical Management ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion

Background and Purpose: Acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion is associated with a poor prognosis. With no consensus about the best treatment option, various treatment modalities including conservative management, intravenous tissue plasminogen activator, and endovascular approach are currently being used. Methods: Retrospective data including demographic information, baseline NIHSS score, site of occlusion (based on CTA, MRA or angiogram), type of treatment and clinical outcomes were collected from 4 centers in the United States during the period of 2010-2011. Results: A total of 423 were included in final analysis: 175 patients received conservative medical management, 54 patients received intravenous (IV) thrombolysis alone, and 194 patients had endovascular treatment (with or without prior IV tPA). Younger patients were more likely to receive endovascular treatment (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference among the sex and co-morbid conditions among the three groups. Proximal middle cerebral artery was the most commonly involved vessel. Strokes due to basilar artery occlusion or internal carotid artery occlusion were associated with worst outcomes in all three groups. Conservative medical management had the lowest rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage but also the highest mortality rates at 3 months. Patients who received endovascular treatment within the first 3 hrs had better outcome and lower mortality rates as compared to patients with intervention during 3-8 hours or beyond 8 hrs. Conclusions: Our study represents real world experience on the management and outcomes of acute ischemic strokes due to large vessel occlusion. Our results help understand natural history of strokes with large vessel occlusion, as well as modern trends in managing these patients with intravenous and intraarterial treatment approaches.

Download Full-text

Abstract 3314: The Role of Bridging with Intravenous Thrombolysis in Endovascular Therapy of Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.43.suppl_1.a3314 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Omar Kass-Hout ◽

Tareq Kass-Hout ◽

Maxim Mokin ◽

David Orion ◽

Shadi Jahshan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Endovascular Therapy ◽

Combined Therapy ◽

Large Vessel ◽

P Value ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Nihss Score

Background: Large vessel occlusions with a high clot burden are less likely to improve with the FDA-approved IV strategy. Endovascular therapy within the first 3 h of stroke symptom onset provides an effective alternative treatment in patients with large vessel occlusion. It is not clear if combination of IV thrombolysis and endovascular approach is superior to endovascular treatment alone. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all cases of acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion treated within the first 3 h stroke onset during the 2005-2010 period. First group received endovascular therapy within the first 3 h of stroke onset. Second group consisted of patients who received IV thrombolysis within the first 3 h followed by endovascular therapy. We compared the following outcomes: revascularization rates, NIHSS score at discharge, mRS at discharge and 3months, symptomatic hemorrhage rates and mortality. Results: Among 104 patients identified, 42 received combined therapy, and 62 received endovascular therapy only. The two groups had similar demographic (age and sex distribution) and vascular risk factors distribution, as well as NIHSS score on admission (14.8±4.7 and 16.0±5.3; p=0.23). We found no difference in TIMI recanalization rates (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction scale score of 2 or 3) following combined or endovascular therapy alone (83.3% and 79.0%; p=0.59). A preferred outcome, defined as a mRS of 2 or less at 90 days also did not differ between the combined therapy group and the endovascular only group (37.5% and 34.5%; p=0.76). There was no difference in mortality rate (22.5% and 31.0%; p=0.36) and the rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (9.5% and 8.1%; p=0.73). There was a significant difference in mean time from symptom onset to endovascular treatment between the combined group (227±88 min) and endovascular only group (125±40 min; p<0.0001).Patients with good TIMI recanalization rate of 2 or 3 showed a trend of having a better mRS at 90 days in both bridging (16.67% vs. 41.18%, p-value: 0.3813) and endovascular groups (25% vs. 34.78%, p-value: 0.7326).When analyzing the correlation of mRS at 90 days with the site of occlusion, patients in the bridging group showed a trend of a better outcome when the site of occlusion was ICA (33.3% vs 30%) and MCA (66.67% vs. 27.59%) and worse outcome when the site of occlusion was in the posterior circulation (26.32% vs. 50%), however, these results were not statistically significant (p-values: 0.1735& 0.5366). Conclusion: Combining IV thrombolysis and endovascular therapy achieves similar rates of clinical outcomes, revascularization rates, complications and mortality rates, when compared with endovascular treatment alone. The combined therapy, however, significantly delays initiation of endovascular treatment. A randomized prospective trial comparing both treatment strategies in acute ischemic stroke is warranted

Download Full-text

Is concurrent intravenous alteplase in patients undergoing endovascular treatment for large vessel occlusion stroke cost-effective even if the cost of alteplase is only US$1?

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2021-017817 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. neurintsurg-2021-017817

Author(s):

Johanna Maria Ospel ◽

Rosalie McDonough ◽

Wolfgang G Kunz ◽

Mayank Goyal

Keyword(s):

Sensitivity Analysis ◽

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Societal Perspective ◽

Probabilistic Sensitivity Analysis ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Healthcare Perspective ◽

Life Years

BackgroundThe added value of intravenous (IV) alteplase in large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke over and beyond endovascular treatment (EVT) is controversial. We compared the long-term costs and cost-effectiveness of a direct-to-EVT paradigm in LVO stroke patients presenting directly to the mothership hospital to concurrent EVT and IV alteplase.MethodsWe used a decision model consisting of a short-run model to analyze costs and functional outcomes within 90 days after the index stroke and a long-run Markov state transition model (cycle length of 12 months) to estimate expected lifetime costs and outcomes. Outcome data were from the DIRECT-MT trial (NCT03469206). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios and net monetary benefits were calculated and probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed. Analysis was performed from a healthcare perspective and a societal perspective using both a minimal assumed alteplase cost of US$1 and true alteplase cost.ResultsWhen assuming a minimal cost of alteplase of $1, EVT with concurrent IV alteplase resulted in incremental lifetime cost of $5664 (healthcare perspective)/$4804 (societal perspective) and a decrement of 0.25 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) compared with EVT only, indicating dominance of the EVT only approach. Net monetary benefits were consistently higher for EVT only compared with EVT with concurrent alteplase. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed increased costs without an increase in QALYs for EVT and concurrent IV alteplase compared with EVT only. Results were even more in favor of EVT when the true cost of alteplase was used for analysis.ConclusionEVT without concurrent alteplase is the preferred strategy from a health economic standpoint.

Download Full-text