Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion Presenting With Convulsive Movements: A Systematic Review

Background and Purpose: Convulsive seizures related to posterior circulation stroke are considered rare. However, some patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) can present with convulsive movements. Misdiagnosed as seizures may delay the reperfusion therapy for acute BAO. In this study, we have summarized the clinical features and possible mechanisms of BAO presenting with convulsive movements.Methods: We performed an Institutional Review Board-approved institutional database query from 2015 to 2020 and a literature search of the online database PubMed. Clinical data were collected and analyzed.Results: In total, 14 patients with acute BAO presented with convulsions. There were 10 men and 4 women, with a mean age of 53 (range, 23–77) years. All of these patients had different degrees of impaired consciousness (100.0%, 14/14). Convulsive movements were the initial symptoms in 78.6% (11/14) of patients. Further, 64.3% (9/14) of patients presented with paralysis or cranial nerve abnormalities, and 85.7% (12/14) of patients were treated with reperfusion therapy (thrombolysis, 35.7% [5/14]; endovascular thrombectomy, 64.3% [9/14]). The BAO etiology and mechanism were related to embolism, vessel dissections, and severe stenosis of the right vertebral artery in 57.1% (8/14), 21.4% (3/14), and 7.1% (1/14) of patients, respectively; they were undefined in 14.3% (2/14) of patients. Moreover, 42.9% (6/14) of patients had a 90-day modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2, and the mortality rate was 21.4% (3/14).Conclusions: Acute BAO, especially that related to embolism or vessel dissection, may present with convulsive movements. Acute BAO is a devastating, but treatable disease if diagnosed in time. Considering the possibility of BAO is important when dealing with patients presenting with acute-onset convulsive movements. Prompt diagnosis and reperfusion therapy may help achieve a better prognosis.

Morphology of the Dentate Gyrus in a Large Cohort of Sudden Infant Deaths—Interrelation Between Features but Not Diagnosis

Morphological differences in the dentate gyrus (DG) have been reported in sudden unexpected deaths in infancy (SUDI), with the feature of focal granule cell (GC) bilamination (FGCB) reported as increased in unexplained SUDI, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), compared with explained SUDI (eSUDI). However, it remains to be determined how these morphologies relate to each other and their extent along the anteroposterior length. This retrospective study evaluated the prevalence of FGCB, single or clustered ectopic GCs, granule cell dispersion (GCD), heterotopia, hyperconvolution, gaps, thinning, blood vessel dissection (BVD), and cuffing (BV cuffing), in an Australian SUDI cohort, and compared the prevalence of these features in eSUDI and unexplained SUDI. We analyzed 850 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded serial and subserial sections of the hippocampus at the level of the lateral geniculate nucleus from 90 infants, and identified GCD in 97% of infants, single ectopic cells, hyperconvolution, thinning, and BVD in 60%-80%, heterotopia in 36%, gaps, clusters of ectopic cells and BV cuffing in 9%–15%, and FGCB in 18%. These features are clustered within 3–5 serial sections. The presence of FGCB correlated with single ectopic GCs and hyperconvolution. There were no differences in the prevalence of these features between unexplained SUDI (n = 74) and eSUDI (n = 16). Our findings highlight that DG morphological features are highly localized, extending 14–35 µm at their focal location(s) along the anteroposterior length. Consequently, multiple sections along the longitudinal extent are required to identify them. No feature differentiated SUDI from eSUDI in our cohort, thus we cannot conclude that any of these features are abnormal and it remains to be determined their functional significance.

Abstract 14213: Injury Characteristics of Chest Compressions in a Swine Model of Infant Asphyxial Cardiac Arrest Using Either 1.5 inch or 1/3 Anterior-Posterior Diameter Depth Targets

Background: Current AHA guidelines for the delivery of chest compressions (CC) for infants and children are largely consensus based, and recommended depths of 1.5 inches or 1/3 anterior-posterior chest diameter (APD). It is unclear whether these have equal potential for injury. Objectives: We sought to examine and compare injury characteristics of CC delivered at 1.5 inches or 1/3 APD in an infant-sized model of asphyxial OHCA. Methods: Thirty-six juvenile swine weighing 10.6kg +/- 0.84 (approximating the 50 th percentile for a 12-month-old) were anesthetized, paralyzed, intubated, and mechanically ventilated (FiO2 21%). APD was measured and by two investigators via a sliding T-square. After instrumentation, the endotracheal tube was manually occluded to induce asphyxia, and occlusion was maintained for 9 minutes. Animals with an organized rhythm after 8 minutes 45 seconds of asphyxia received a single, 3-second transthoracic shock to induce ventricular fibrillation. At 9 minutes, each was then randomized to receive CC with a depth of 1.5 inches (Group 1) or 1/3 APD (Group 2), both with a rate of 100 per minute. ALS drugs were administered after 13 minutes, followed by initial defibrillation attempt at 14 minutes. Resuscitation continued until return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) or 20 minutes of failed resuscitation. Survivors were sacrificed with KCl after 20 minutes of observation. Veterinary staff blinded to group assignment conducted necropsies to assess lung injury, rib fracture, hemothorax, airway bleeding, great vessel dissection, and heart/liver/spleen contusion. Characteristics were compared via Chi-Squared test or Mann-Whitney U-test using an alpha = 0.05. Results: Group 1 had n=18 and Group 2 had n=18 animals. Mean (SD) APD overall was 5.58 (0.22) inches, yielding a mean 1/3 APD depth of 1.86 inches. APD did not differ between groups. ROSC rates did not differ between groups (Group 1: 66.7% vs Group 2: 83.33%; p = 0.248. No injury characteristics differed significantly between groups. Airway bleeding rates were noteworthy though not different between groups (Group 1: 18.8% vs Group 2: 42.1%; p = 0.219). Conclusions: In a swine model of infant OHCA and resuscitation, both CC depth strategies had similar injury characteristics.

Abstract 1122‐000049: Safety and Efficacy of Daily Intra‐Arterial Endovascular Therapy for Refractory Cerebral Vasospasm Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Introduction : Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and cerebral infarction (CI) due to vasospasm is a major cause of death and disability after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Transluminal balloon angioplasty (BA) and super‐selective intra‐arterial (IA) infusion of vasodilators are considered for refractory vasospasm. We examined the safety and efficacy of repeated daily IA treatment in vasospasm. Methods : We reviewed records a single center of vasospasm treatment for aSAH from 2016 through 2019. Primary endpoints were rate of cerebral infarctions and safety related to daily treatments. Secondary endpoints were mortality and favorable clinical outcome at hospital discharge defined as modified Rankin scale of scores 0–2. Results : Of 426 patients with SAH, 197 were aneurysmal with 79 with DCI. Forty‐five out of 79 underwent IA treatment, of which 14 underwent 1 or 2 treatments (Group 1) and 31 underwent ≥3 treatments (Group2). Incidence of CI were similar (Group 1: 42.8%; Group 2: 54.8%, p = 0.45) Good clinical outcomes at discharge were seen in 36% in Group 1 and 16% in Group 2 (p = 0.15). Mortality was 7% in group 1 and 26% in group 2 (p = 0.17). Conclusions : Complications including vessel dissection, systemic hypotension and seizures did not increase with repeated treatments. CI was not noted to differ, but the outcomes were worse in group 2 which may relate to severity of SAH rather than DCI.

Abstract 1122‐000105: Does Persistence in Reperfusion Pay Off?

Introduction : Reperfusion with mechanical thrombectomy improves outcomes in patients with Large Vessel Occlusion Acute Ischemic Stroke (LVO‐AIS). The technical goal of thrombectomy is reperfusion to a modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) grade ≥ 2b. Here we investigate if procedures requiring multiple passes to achieve complete reperfusion (MP mTICI 3) result in better outcomes compared to procedures stopped after achieving mTICI 2b‐2c on the first pass (FP mTICI 2b‐2c). Methods : Using data from the COMPLETE registry (a global prospective study of LVO‐AIS patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy using the Penumbra System), we grouped patients into MP mTICI 3 and FP mTICI 2b‐2c. Functional independence (mRS 0–2) at 90 days, all‐cause mortality at 90 days, device‐related serious adverse events (SAE) ≤ 24 hours, procedure‐related SAEs ≤ 24 hours, embolization to new or previously uninvolved territories (ENT), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) ≤ 24 hours, vessel perforation, vessel dissection, and length of stay were compared. Results : Of the 650 patients in the COMPLETE registry, 215 were included in this subgroup analysis; 111 were categorized as MP mTICI 3, and 104 as FP mTICI 2b‐2c. The MP mTICI 3 group has fewer M1 occlusions (48% vs 67%, p = 0.004) and more ICA‐T occlusions (19% vs. 9%, p = 0.032). The groups were otherwise well matched with respect to age, sex, medical history, pre‐procedure ASPECTS, NIHSS, IV tPA use, onset‐to‐puncture time, and occlusion etiology. Outcomes are shown in table 1. Conclusions : In this exploratory subgroup analysis, we found that procedures requiring multiple passes to achieve complete revascularization were not associated with improved outcomes compared to procedures stopping after achieving mTICI 2b‐2c on the first pass.

Early institutional experience using the TracStar Large Distal Platform in endovascular flow diversion

Introduction The delivery of flow-diverting stents (FDS) necessitates a degree of catheter support beyond that required for endovascular coiling. The TracStar Large Distal Platform (LDP) is a novel 0.088″ platform intended for navigation into the intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA). We present an early institutional experience using the TracStar LDP in 44 cases of endovascular aneurysm embolization using FDS. Methods Inclusion criteria for this single-center retrospective review encompassed all patients >18 years of age who were treated for intracranial aneurysms. Procedural success was defined as successful stent deployment using the TracStar LDP. Other outcomes included periprocedural complications, use of an intermediate catheter, length of stay, and discharge disposition. Results The TracStar LDP was utilized in 44 consecutive FDS cases in 42 patients. Cavernous segment aneurysms constituted the majority of cases (12/42; 28.6%), followed by posterior communicating artery (8/42; 19.0%) and supraclinoid aneurysms (8/42; 19.0%). Successful FDS deployment was achieved in 43/44 cases. The LDP achieved stable positioning within the ascending cavernous ICA in 63.6% of cases. A biaxial system was utilized in 54.5% of cases. There was one complication potentially related to use of the TracStar LDP, which was an asymptomatic ICA vessel dissection managed conservatively. Conclusions The TracStar LDP is safe and effective during use in the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms with a FDS. Access to the ascending portion of the cavernous ICA was regularly achieved, and the platform allowed for both biaxial and triaxial configurations.

Pathophysiology of Takotsubo Syndrome as A Bridge to Personalized Treatment

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) consists of transient dysfunction of the left and/or right ventricle in the absence of ruptured plaque; thrombus or vessel dissection. TTS may be divided into two categories. Primary TTS occurs when the cause of hospitalization is the symptoms resulting from damage to the myocardium usually preceded by emotional stress. Secondary TTS occurs in patients hospitalized for other medical; surgical; anesthetic; obstetric or psychiatric conditions who have activation of their sympathetic nervous system and catecholamines release- they develop TTS as a complication of their primary condition or its treatment. There are several hypotheses concerning the cause of the disease. They include a decrease in estrogen levels; microcirculation dysfunction; endothelial dysfunction and the hypothesis based on the importance of the brain-heart axis. More and more research concerns the importance of genetic factors in the development of the disease. To date; no effective treatment or prevention of recurrent TTS has been found. Only when the pathophysiology of the disease is fully known; then personalized treatment will be possible.