Predictors of Early Neurological Deterioration in Stroke Due to Vertebrobasilar Occlusion

Background and Aims: This study explores the predictors of early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with vertebrobasilar occlusion (VBO) in both primary endovascular therapy (EVT) and medical management (MM) groups.Methods: Patients diagnosed with VBO from 2010 to 2018 were included. Comparative and multivariate analyses were used to identify predictors of all-cause END in the EVT group, and END due to ischemia progression (END-IP) in the MM group.Results: In 174 patients with VBO, 43 had END. In the primary EVT group (N = 66), 17 all-cause END occurred. Distal basilar occlusion (odds ratio (OR), 14.5 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.4–154.4]) and reperfusion failure (eTICI < 2b67 (OR, 5.0 [95% CI, 1.3–19.9]) were predictive of END in multivariable analysis. In the MM group (N=108), 17 END-IP occurred. Higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) at presentation (per 10 mmHg increase, OR, 1.5 [95% CI, 1.1–2.0]), stroke onset-to-door time <24 h (OR, 5.3 [95% CI, 1.1–2.0]), near-total occlusions (OR, 4.9 [95% CI, 1.2–19.6]), lower posterior circulation-Alberta Stroke Program Early CT scores (OR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.0–2.5]), and lower BATMAN collateral scores (OR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.1–2.2]) were predictive of END-IP.Conclusions: In patients with stroke due to VBO, potential predictors of END can be identified. In the primary EVT group, failure to achieve reperfusion and distal basilar occlusion were associated with all-cause END. In the MM group, higher SBP at presentation, onset-to-door time less than 24 h, incomplete occlusions, larger infarct cores, and poorer collaterals were associated with END-IP.

Endovascular Therapy for Stroke due to Basilar Artery Occlusion: A BASIC Challenge at BEST

Basilar artery occlusion stroke is known to have poor outcome with a high rate of morbidity and mortality despite best medical therapy. Since the original report of intra-arterial therapy for basilar artery occlusion in 1983, two recent randomized trials comparing endovascular therapy versus best medical management were completed on a large scale, BASICS (Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study) and the BEST trial (Basilar Artery Occlusion Endovascular Intervention Versus Standard Medical Treatment), both of which demonstrated equivocal benefit of the two modalities. In this commentary, we comment and highlight important lessons related to basilar occlusion stroke as learned from the BASICS and BEST randomized trials.

Thrombectomy Technique Predicts Outcome in Posterior Circulation Stroke—Insights from the STAR Collaboration

BACKGROUND Randomized controlled trials evaluating mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke predominantly studied anterior circulation patients. Both procedural and clinical predictors of outcome in posterior circulation patients have not been evaluated in large cohort studies. OBJECTIVE To investigate technical and clinical predictors of functional independence after posterior circulation MT while comparing different frontline thrombectomy techniques. METHODS In a retrospective multicenter international study of 3045 patients undergoing MT for stroke between 06/2014 and 12/2018, 345 patients had posterior circulation strokes. MT was performed using aspiration, stent retriever, or combined approach. Functional outcomes were assessed using the 90-d modified Rankin score dichotomized into good (0-2) and poor outcomes (3-6). RESULTS We included 2700 patients with anterior circulation and 345 patients with posterior circulation strokes. Posterior patients (age: 60 ± 14, 46% females) presented with mainly basilar occlusion (80%) and were treated using contact aspiration or ADAPT (39%), stent retriever (31%) or combined approach (19%). Compared to anterior strokes, posterior strokes had delayed treatment (500 vs 340 min, P < .001), higher national institute of health stroke scale (NIHSS) (17.1 vs 15.7, P < .01) and lower rates of good outcomes (31% vs 43%, P < .01). In posterior MT, diabetes (OR = 0.28, 95%CI: 0.12-0.65), admission NIHSS (OR = 0.9, 95%CI: 0.86-0.94), and use of stent retriever (OR = 0.26, 95%CI: 0.11-0.62) or combined approach (OR = 0.35, 95%CI: 0.12-1.01) vs ADAPT were associated with lower odds of good outcome. Stent retriever use was associated with lower odds of good outcomes compared to ADAPT even when including patients with only basilar occlusion or with successful recanalization only. CONCLUSION Despite similar safety profiles, use of ADAPT is associated with higher rates of functional independence after posterior circulation thrombectomy compared to stent retriever or combined approach in large “real-world” retrospective study.

HYPERDENSE BASILAR ARTERY – EARLY SIGN OF STROKE

Hyperdense artery sign is presumed to represent acute thrombus or clot, and is an early indicator of posterior circulation stroke. This sign if detected, in proper clinical scenario can help the clinician to detect the basilar occlusion and to intervene early. We are presenting a case of 30 yr. old female, normotensive, nondiabetic presented with sudden onset focal left sided seizure, central vertigo, diplopia and decreased vision in left eye to emergency department. On examination, ptosis and anisocoria, Left facial nerve palsy. Patient was advised NCCT Head, which showed hyperdense basilar artery , seen retrospectively after MRI.

Abstract TMP5: Vessel Status Findings in Patient Candidates Transferred for Endovascular Treatment. Data From Catalonia’s Code Stroke Registry

The aim of this study was to determine changes in vessel status between PSC and CSC according to site and occlusion level, rtPA-treatment, and pre-specified time intervals. Methods: Observational, multicenter study, from a prospective, government-mandated, population-based registry. We selected data from candidates to EVT with documented LVO at PSC who were transferred to CSC from January 2017 to June 2019. We used clinical variables and time intervals as the Symptom-Onset to Vascular-Imaging at CSC (SOTVI2). The primary endpoint was defined as no-occlusion/distal occlusion ineligible for EVT at CSC arrival (NOEVTatCSC) as was utilized. Results: From 589 patients, 37% received rtPA. Rate of NOEVTatCSC was 10.5% (n: 62) and 87% were treated with rtPA, being 35.8% of causes to exclude EVT at CSC arrival. In univariate analysis, lower baseline-NIHSS (median 12 vs. 16 p<0.01), RACE-scale (median 5 vs. 6; p=0.04) and SOTVI2-time (mean-minutes 268.7 vs. 317.2; p=0.04), rtPA treatment (13.7% Vs. 5.0%; p<0.01), and M2 occlusion (16.8% Vs. 9%; p= 0.02) were associated with NOEVTatCSC. In multivariate analysis, only rtPA-treatment was associated with NOEVTatCSC (OR: 4.65, 95%CI: 1.73-12.4, p= 0.003). In the rtPA subgroup, Basilar occlusion (28% Vs. 12%; p=0.04), lower baseline-NIHSS (13 Vs. 16; p<0.01) and SOTVI2 times ≤240 minutes (28.9% Vs. 15.4%; p=0.02) were associated with NOEVTatCSC. In Multivariate analysis SOVI2 ≤240 minutes (OR: 2.109 95%CI: 1.008-4.401, p=0.04) emerged as the only predictor of NOEVTatCSC. Changes in the vessel status according to initial occlusion at PSC in anterior circulation were observed, and occurred in both; proximal and distal direction. In 11.2% of cases, occlusion site at CSC was more proximal than at PSC. Conclusion: In patient candidates for EVT transferred from PSC to CSC, NOEVTatCSC is infrequent making the need of a second vascular study before the angiogram at CSC arguable. Despite of its modest effect, tPA-treatment at PSC is the only factor associated with NOEVTatCSC. This could be most relevant in basilar occlusions and in the first 4-hours. Changes in the vessel status according to initial occlusion in PSC occur in anterior circulation. Future studies addressed to determine factors related to these changes are warranted.

Abstract WP84: MRI Based Scores Outperform CTA Based Scores in Predicting Outcome After Basilar Artery Occlusion

Introduction: Clinical outcomes in patients with acute basilar occlusion (BAO) vary widely; several prognostic scores based on noninvasive imaging have been proposed. We aimed to compare the predictive value of several noninvasive neuroimaging scores in patients with BAO. Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study including all patients with acute BAO from 2015-2019. Using available clinical radiographic data, we calculated the following scores based on computed tomography (CT) and CT angiogram: Goyal posterior communicating artery score, posterior circulation collateral score, Basilar Artery on Computed Tomography Angiography (BATMAN) score, pc-ASPECTS score, and pons-midbrain index. We also calculated the following scores based on diffusion-weighted (DWI) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Bern DWI score, MRI pc-ASPECTS, and pons-midbrain index on DWI. We then used logistic regression with area under the ROC curve analysis to determine the accuracy of each score in predicting favorable 3-month outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0-2). Results: Of 39 patients in our cohort, 92.3% underwent endovascular treatment (n=36) and 35.8% (n=14) had a favorable 3-month outcome. The Bern DWI score (AUC 0.790, 95% CI 0.619-0.960), pc-ASPECTS on MRI (AUC 0.880, 95% CI 0.601-0.958), and pons-midbrain index on MRI (AUC 0.764, 95% CI 0.594-0.934) accurately predicted 3-month outcome when analyzed as raw scores (Figure 1).: Conclusion: MRI scores more strongly predict outcome in BAO as compared to CTA collateral scores. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.