Intravenous Thrombolysis Prior to Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Silver Bullet or Useless Bystander?

Background: As is seen in the early door-to-needle times of intravenous thrombolysis in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), prior endovascular management trials have demonstrated early revascularization can lead to improved outcomes. We aimed to study the relationship of the time from acute stroke onset to the time of arterial groin puncture (OTP) as a possible predictor of successful revascularization. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 149 patients who presented to our hospital with AIS and underwent emergent endovascular treatment from January 1, 2008 to March 31, 2011. Charts were reviewed for baseline characteristics, OTP times, and endovascular therapies employed. Primary outcomes included successful revascularization (TIMI 2 to 3 flow), improvement of baseline NIHSS ≥ 4, symptomatic ICH (increase of NIHSS ≥ 4), in-hospital mortality, and mRS two or less at discharge. We excluded patients with OTP times greater than eight hours to ensure consistency with approved usage of mechanical thrombectomy devices. Independent samples T-tests were performed to determine relationships of OTP with our primary outcomes. Results: Of the 149 patients who underwent endovascular therapy, 120 had OTP times less than eight hours. Of these 120, 44% were male, median age was 73 years (range 17, 93), median baseline NIHSS was 18 (range 5, 28), 53% received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), 69% received intra-arterial tPA, and mechanical thrombectomy was performed in 69%. Internal carotid artery occlusions were seen in 32% of patients, 50% had M1 segment occlusions, and only five patients had posterior circulation occlusions. Successful revascularization was achieved in 70% of interventions, 10% of patients had mRS ≤ 2 at discharge, symptomatic hemorrhage was 18%, and in-hospital mortality was 24%. Patients with TIMI 2 to 3 flow had significantly shorter mean OTP times (3.9 vs 4.5 hours; p=0.024). No significant associations of mean OTP times were found with symptomatic hemorrhage rate (4.4 vs 4.0; p=0.628), in-hospital mortality (4.0 vs 4.0; p=0.677), improvement in NIHSS (3.9 vs 4.2; p=0.283), or a mRS ≤ 2 at discharge (3.7 vs 4.1; p=0.185). Conclusions: The recanalization rate in our study is comparable to prior endovascular trials. Patients with OTP times less than 3.9 hours were more likely to result in successful revascularization. Onset to groin puncture did not predict in-hospital mortality, symptomatic hemorrhage, or condition at discharge in our study. Further study is needed to determine if advanced perfusion imaging prior to intervention may impact treatment time and ultimately clinical outcome.

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Treatment Efficacy Analysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Using In Silico Modeling Based on Machine Learning: A Proof-of-Principle

Biomedicines ◽

10.3390/biomedicines9101357 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 1357

Author(s):

Anthony Winder ◽

Matthias Wilms ◽

Jens Fiehler ◽

Nils D. Forkert

Keyword(s):

Machine Learning ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

In Silico ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

New Devices

Interventional neuroradiology is characterized by engineering- and experience-driven device development with design improvements every few months. However, clinical validation of these new devices requires lengthy and expensive randomized controlled trials. This contribution proposes a machine learning-based in silico study design to evaluate new devices more quickly with a small sample size. Acute diffusion- and perfusion-weighted MRI, segmented one-week follow-up imaging, and clinical variables were available for 90 acute ischemic stroke patients. Three treatment option-specific random forest models were trained to predict the one-week follow-up lesion segmentation for (1) patients successfully recanalized using intra-arterial mechanical thrombectomy, (2) patients successfully recanalized using intravenous thrombolysis, and (3) non-recanalizing patients as an analogue for conservative treatment for each patient in the sample, independent of the true group membership. A repeated-measures analysis of the three predicted follow-up lesions for each patient revealed significantly larger lesions for the non-recanalizing group compared to the successful intravenous thrombolysis treatment group, which in turn showed significantly larger lesions compared to the successful mechanical thrombectomy treatment group (p < 0.001). A groupwise comparison of the true follow-up lesions for the three treatment options showed the same trend but did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.19). We conclude that the proposed machine learning-based in silico trial design leads to clinically feasible results and can support new efficacy studies by providing additional power and potential early intermediate results.

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Abstract WMP1: Cost Effectiveness Analysis of Mechanical Thrombectomy: the THRACE Randomized Trial

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.48.suppl_1.wmp1 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Hamza Achit ◽

Francis guillemin ◽

Marc Soudant ◽

Kossar Hosseini ◽

Aurelie Bannay ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Randomized Trial ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Quality Adjusted Life Year ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Quality Adjusted Life

Background and purpose: The benefit of mechanical thrombectomy added to intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke has been largely demonstrated. However, evidence on economic incentive of this strategy is still limited, especially in the context of randomized trial. The purpose of this study is to analyze whether the combination of mechanical thrombectomy with intravenous thrombolysis is more cost-effective than implementing intravenous thrombolysis alone. Patients and methods: Individual-level cost and outcome data were collected in the THRACE randomized clinical trial, including patients with acute ischaemic stroke and proximal cerebral artery occlusion. Patients were assigned to either intravenous thrombolysis (IVT; n = 208) or intravenous thrombolysis plus intra-arterial thrombectomy (IVMT; n=204). The primary outcomes were both modified Rankin scale of functional independence at 90 days (score 0-2) and the EuroQol-5D score of quality of life. This study considered the perspective of the National Health Security System in France. Results: Bridging therapy increased by 10.9% the rate of functional independence compared to IVT (53% vs 42,1%) at an increased cost of 1909 є, with no significant difference in mortality (12% vs 13%) or symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (2% vs 2%). Cost per one averted case of disability was consequently estimated at 17,480 є. The incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year gained was 13,423 є. Sensitivity analysis showed that combined approach had 84.1% probability of being cost-effective regarding cases of averted disability and 92.2% probability regarding quality-adjusted life year outcome. The national implementation of this new strategy would result in additional cost of 12.9 million є and avoid about 737 cases of death or disability. Conclusions: Based on randomized trial, this study demonstrates that intravenous thrombolysis plus mechanical intra-arterial thrombectomy for treating acute ischemic stroke is more cost-effective than intravenous thrombolysis alone.

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Assessment of computed tomography perfusion software in predicting spatial location and volume of infarct in acute ischemic stroke patients: a comparison of Sphere, Vitrea, and RAPID

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2020-015966 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. neurintsurg-2020-015966 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ryan A Rava ◽

Kenneth V Snyder ◽

Maxim Mokin ◽

Muhammad Waqas ◽

Xiaoliang Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Conservative Treatment ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Ct Perfusion ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Spatial Location ◽

Endovascular Intervention ◽

Vessel Occlusion

BackgroundCT perfusion (CTP) infarct and penumbra estimations determine the eligibility of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) for endovascular intervention. This study aimed to determine volumetric and spatial agreement of predicted RAPID, Vitrea, and Sphere CTP infarct with follow-up fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) MRI infarct.Methods108 consecutive patients with AIS and large vessel occlusion were included in the study between April 2019 and January 2020 . Patients were divided into two groups: endovascular intervention (n=58) and conservative treatment (n=50). Intervention patients were treated with mechanical thrombectomy and achieved successful reperfusion (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b/2 c/3) while patients in the conservative treatment group did not receive mechanical thrombectomy or intravenous thrombolysis. Intervention and conservative treatment patients were included to assess infarct and penumbra estimations, respectively. It was assumed that in all patients treated conservatively, penumbra converted to infarct. CTP infarct and penumbra volumes were segmented from RAPID, Vitrea, and Sphere to assess volumetric and spatial agreement with follow-up FLAIR MRI.ResultsMean infarct differences (95% CIs) between each CTP software and FLAIR MRI for each cohort were: intervention cohort: RAPID=9.0±7.7 mL, Sphere=−0.2±8.7 mL, Vitrea=−7.9±8.9 mL; conservative treatment cohort: RAPID=−31.9±21.6 mL, Sphere=−26.8±17.4 mL, Vitrea=−15.3±13.7 mL. Overlap and Dice coefficients for predicted infarct were (overlap, Dice): intervention cohort: RAPID=(0.57, 0.44), Sphere=(0.68, 0.60), Vitrea=(0.70, 0.60); conservative treatment cohort: RAPID=(0.71, 0.56), Sphere=(0.73, 0.60), Vitrea=(0.72, 0.64).ConclusionsSphere proved the most accurate in patients who had intervention infarct assessment as Vitrea and RAPID overestimated and underestimated infarct, respectively. Vitrea proved the most accurate in penumbra assessment for patients treated conservatively although all software overestimated penumbra.

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Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke due to Large Vessel Occlusion With COVID-19

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.120.030574 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (8) ◽

pp. 2540-2543 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Simon Escalard ◽

Benjamin Maïer ◽

Hocine Redjem ◽

François Delvoye ◽

Solène Hébert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Stroke Onset ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Neurological Improvement ◽

Poor Outcomes

Background and Purpose: Higher rates of strokes have been observed in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but data regarding the outcomes of COVID-19 patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO) are lacking. We report our initial experience in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke with LVO in patients with COVID-19. Methods: All consecutive patients with COVID-19 with acute ischemic stroke due to LVO treated in our institution during the 6 first weeks of the COVID-19 outbreak were included. Baseline clinical and radiological findings, treatment, and short-term outcomes are reported. Results: We identified 10 patients with confirmed COVID-19 treated for an acute ischemic stroke due to LVO. Eight were men, with a median age of 59.5 years. Seven had none or mild symptoms of COVID-19 at stroke onset. Median time from COVID-19 symptoms to stroke onset was 6 days. All patients had brain imaging within 3 hours from symptoms onset. Five patients had multi-territory LVO. Five received intravenous alteplase. All patients had mechanical thrombectomy. Nine patients achieved successful recanalization (mTICI2B-3), none experienced early neurological improvement, 4 had early cerebral reocclusion, and a total of 6 patients (60%) died in the hospital. Conclusions: Best medical care including early intravenous thrombolysis, and successful and prompt recanalization achieved with mechanical thrombectomy, resulted in poor outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Although our results require further confirmation, a different pharmacological approach (antiplatelet or other) should be investigated to take in account inflammatory and coagulation disorders associated with COVID-19.

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Enhancing performance of a computed tomography perfusion software for improved prediction of final infarct volume in acute ischemic stroke patients

The Neuroradiology Journal ◽

10.1177/1971400920988668 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 197140092098866

Author(s):

Ryan A Rava ◽

Kenneth V Snyder ◽

Maxim Mokin ◽

Muhammad Waqas ◽

Alexander R Podgorsak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Conservative Treatment ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Infarct Volume ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Computed Tomography Perfusion

Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) is crucial for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patient diagnosis. To improve infarct prediction, enhanced image processing and automated parameter selection have been implemented in Vital Images’ new CTP+ software. We compared CTP+ with its previous version, commercially available software (RAPID and Sphere), and follow-up diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Data from 191 AIS patients between March 2019 and January 2020 was retrospectively collected and allocated into endovascular intervention ( n = 81) and conservative treatment ( n = 110) cohorts. Intervention patients were treated for large vessel occlusion, underwent mechanical thrombectomy, and achieved successful reperfusion of thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2b/2c/3. Conservative treatment patients suffered large or small vessel occlusion and did not receive intravenous thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy. Infarct and penumbra were assessed using intervention and conservative treatment patients, respectively. Infarct and penumbra volumes were segmented from CTP+ and compared with 24-h DWI along with RAPID, Sphere, and Vitrea. Mean infarct differences (95% confidence intervals) and Spearman correlation coefficients (SCCs) between DWI and each CTP software product for intervention patients are: CTP+ = (5.8 ± 5.9 ml, 0.62), RAPID = (10.0 ± 5.2 ml, 0.73), Sphere = (3.0 ± 6.0 ml, 0.56), Vitrea = (7.2 ± 4.9 ml, 0.66). For conservative treatment patients, mean infarct differences and SCCs are: CTP+ = (–8.0 ± 5.4 ml, 0.64), RAPID = (–25.6 ± 11.5 ml, 0.60), Sphere = (–25.6 ± 8.0 ml, 0.66), Vitrea = (1.3 ± 4.0 ml, 0.72). CTP+ performed similarly to RAPID and Sphere in addition to its semi-automated predecessor, Vitrea, when assessing intervention patient infarct volumes. For conservative treatment patients, CTP+ outperformed RAPID and Sphere in assessing penumbra. Semi-automated Vitrea remains the most accurate in assessing penumbra, but CTP+ provides an improved workflow from its predecessor.

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