scholarly journals Effect of Operator’s Experience on Proficiency in Mechanical Thrombectomy: A Multicenter Study

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Zhu ◽  
Wagih Ben Hassen ◽  
Nicolas Bricout ◽  
Basile Kerleroux ◽  
Kevin Janot ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: We aimed to evaluate among trained interventional neuroradiologist, whether increasing individual experience was associated with an improvement in mechanical thrombectomy (MT) procedural performance metrics. Methods: Individual MT procedural data from 5 centers of the Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke registry and 2 additional high-volume stroke centers were pooled. Operator experience was defined for each operator as a continuous variable, cumulating the number of MT procedures performed since January 2015, as MT became standard of care or, if later than this date, since the operator started performing mechanical thrombectomies in autonomy. We tested the associations between operator’s experience and procedural metrics. Results: A total of 4516 procedures were included, performed by 36 operators at 7 distinct centers, with a median of 97.5 endovascular treatment procedures per operator (interquartile range, 57–170.2) over the study period. Higher operator’s experience, analyzed as a continuous variable, was associated with a significantly shorter procedural duration (β estimate, −3.98 [95% CI, −5.1 to −2.8]; P <0.001), along with local anesthesia and M1 occlusion location in multivariable models. Increasing experience was associated with better Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction scores (estimate, 1.02 [1–1.04]; P =0.013). Conclusions: In trained interventional neuroradiologists, increasing experience in MT is associated with significantly shorter procedural duration and better reperfusion rates, with a theoretical ceiling effect observed after around 100 procedures. These results may inform future training and practice guidelines to set minimal experience standards before autonomization, and to set-up operators’ recertification processes tailored to individual case volume and prior experience.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e16039-e16039
Author(s):  
Benjamin Walker Fischer-Valuck ◽  
Soumon Rudra ◽  
Prashant Gabani ◽  
Ryan Mueller ◽  
Hiram Alberto Gay ◽  
...  

e16039 Background: There is an association between higher hospital and urologist case volume and improved survival outcomes for patients with bladder cancer. Limited data on facility volume and outcomes exists following trimodality bladder preservation with TURBT followed definitive chemoradiation (CRT). Methods: The National Cancer Database was queried for patients from 2004-2013 with urothelial bladder cancer (cT2-4aN0M0) receiving definitive CRT after TURBT. High-volume bladder preservation case volume (BPCV) was defined as facilities in the > 70th percentile of trimodality bladder preservation cases per ten years examined. We compared OS between high- and low-BPCV using Cox proportional hazard models. CRT was defined as > = 5040cGy pelvic RT with chemotherapy given within 21 days. Propensity matching was performed to match high- and low-volume centers. Results: A total of 666 treatment facilities treating 1,635 patients with bladder preservation were identified with a median follow-up of 26 months (range 2-136 months). A 70th percentile cutoff identified 497 patients that received treatment at 64 high-volume facilities. Median OS of patients treated at high BPCV centers was 37.0 months (95% CI, 27.9-33.6) versus 32.3 months (95% CI, 27.3-46.7) for patients treated at low BPCV centers (P = 0.004). High BPCV facilities were independently associated with a decreased hazard of death (HR, 0.86, 95% CI, 0.75-0.98; P = 0.031). When BPCV was analyzed as a continuous variable, an increasing number of bladder preservation cases per institute was also independently associated with improved OS (HR: 0.98, 95% CI, 0.97-0.99; P = 0.044). In the propensity score matched cohort, median OS of patients treated at high BPCV was 36.1 months (95% CI, 26.5-45.8) versus 28.1 months (95% CI, 23.9-32.3) for patients treated at a low BPCV facility (P = 0.016). Conclusions: In this observational cohort, treatment at a high BPCV facility was associated with improved OS. Causal factors for this finding may include greater institutional expertise in multidisciplinary bladder cancer care and potential advantages in treatment technology.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
xuan sun ◽  
xu tong ◽  
feng gao ◽  
huiting lao ◽  
zhongrong miao

Abstract Background and purpose: Endovascular treatment (EVT) is now considered the gold standard for select patient populations with anterior circulation stroke; however, data on the treatment of posterior circulation stroke are less clear. This study aims to determine the characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of EVT for patients with acute BAO in a high-volume stroke center. Methods: This study included 187 consecutive patients with acute BAO who underwent EVT from January 2012 to July 2018 in Beijing Tiantan Hospital. The baseline characteristics, procedure parameters, and functional outcome were assessed. Results: Among the 187 patients, 138 (73.8%) underwent mechanical thrombectomy with a stent retriever, 33 (17.6%) underwent direct intracranial angioplasty (balloon dilation and/or stent implantation) for underlying severe intracranial atherosclerotic disease, and 91 (48.7%) underwent combined mechanical thrombectomy and angioplasty. Successful recanalization [modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) grade 2b-3] was achieved in 158 patients (84.5%). Overall, the rates of functional independence [modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2] and favorable outcome (mRS 0-3) at 90 days were 36.4% and 49.2%, respectively, and 90- day all-cause mortality was 20.3%. Conclusion􀀌􀀁EVT was effective and safe for treating patients with acute BAO.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (S1) ◽  
pp. 12-18
Author(s):  
U. Ronellenfitsch ◽  
K. Meisenbacher ◽  
M. Ante ◽  
M. Grilli ◽  
D. Böckler

Abstract Background Many surgical interventions show an inverse association between case volume per hospital/surgeon and perioperative mortality. In the first part of this systematic review it was shown that such an association also exists for the open treatment of infrarenal aortic aneurysms. The second part now examines a possible association with endovascular treatment of infrarenal aortic aneurysms. Objective In a systematic review, the data available on the association between the case volume per hospital/surgeon and perioperative mortality in elective endovascular treatment of infrarenal aortic aneurysms are presented. Materials and Methods Systematic research using defined keywords was carried out. All original works comparing elective endovascular treatment of an infrarenal aortic aneurysm in a “high volume” center with a “low volume” center or by a “high volume” surgeon with a “low volume” surgeon, as defined in each study, were included. Results After deduplication, the literature search produced 1,021 hits. Of these, 16 publications fulfilled the inclusion criteria. With regard to the thresholds for the definition of high volume and low volume, there was marked heterogeneity between individual studies. Twelve of the 15 studies showed a significantly lower mortality in high volume than in low volume centers. The effect measures, usually odds ratios, were between 0.43 and 0.91. In the comparison between high volume and low volume surgeons, there was no difference in mortality in any of the five studies included. Discussion The available data on the association between case volume per hospital and surgeon and the perioperative mortality in elective endovascular treatment of infrarenal aortic aneurysms consistently show that patients operated on in high volume centers have a lower mortality. The volume per surgeon seems to have no influence on perioperative mortality. To achieve the lowest perioperative mortality possible in endovascular treatment of infrarenal aortic aneurysms, centralization with high volume per hospital should be aimed for, taking into consideration the context of the health care system.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
xuan sun ◽  
xu tong ◽  
feng gao ◽  
huiting lao ◽  
zhongrong miao

Abstract Background and purpose: Endovascular treatment (EVT) is now considered the gold standard for select patient populations with anterior circulation stroke; however, data on the treatment of posterior circulation stroke are less clear. This study aims to determine the characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of EVT for patients with acute BAO in a high-volume stroke center. Methods: This study included 187 consecutive patients with acute BAO who underwent EVT from January 2012 to July 2018 in Beijing Tiantan Hospital. The baseline characteristics, procedure parameters, and functional outcome were assessed. Results: Among the 187 patients, 138 (73.8%) underwent mechanical thrombectomy with a stent retriever, 33 (17.6%) underwent direct intracranial angioplasty (balloon dilation and/or stent implantation) for underlying severe intracranial atherosclerotic disease, and 91 (48.7%) underwent combined mechanical thrombectomy and angioplasty. Successful recanalization [modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) grade 2b-3] was achieved in 158 patients (84.5%). Overall, the rates of functional independence [modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2] and favorable outcome (mRS 0-3) at 90 days were 36.4% and 49.2%, respectively, and 90- day all-cause mortality was 20.3%. Conclusion􀀌􀀁EVT was effective and safe for treating patients with acute BAO.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1593
Author(s):  
Alejandra Martinez ◽  
Witold Gertych ◽  
Christophe Pomel ◽  
Gwenael Ferron ◽  
Amelie Lusque ◽  
...  

Background: Quality Indicators for ovarian cancer (OC) have been developed by the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) and by the French National Cancer Institute (Institut National du Cancer, INCa). The aim of the study was to characterize OC care distribution in France by case-volume and to prospectively evaluate the adherence of high-volume institutions to INCa/ESGO quality indicators. Methods: The cost-utility of radical surgery in ovarian cancer (CURSOC) trial is a prospective, multicenter, comparative and non-randomized study that includes patients with stage IIIC-IV epithelial OC treated in nine French health care tertiary institutions. Adherence to institutional quality indicators were anonymously assessed by an independent committee. OC care distribution in France were provided by the nationwide database of hospital procedures. Results: More than half of patients are treated in low-volume institutions. Among the nine high-volume centers participating in the study, four (44.4%) met all institutional INCa/ESGO quality indicators. The other five (55.6%) did not fulfil one of the quality indicator criteria. Conclusions: Access to high-volume OC providers in France is restricted to a minority of patients, and yet half of the referral institutions included in this study failed to meet all recommended institutional quality indicators. It is mandatory that national authorities work both to improve OC centralization and to incorporate quality assurance programs into certified centers.


2021 ◽  
pp. 197140092110193
Author(s):  
Mohamad Abdalkader ◽  
Anurag Sahoo ◽  
Julie G Shulman ◽  
Elie Sader ◽  
Courtney Takahashi ◽  
...  

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1802
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Meder ◽  
Paweł Żuchowski ◽  
Wojciech Skura ◽  
Violetta Palacz-Duda ◽  
Milena Świtońska ◽  
...  

Endovascular treatment is a rapidly evolving technique; therefore, there is a constant need to evaluate this method and its modifications. This paper discusses a single-center experience and the results of switching from the stent retriever only (SO) mechanical thrombectomy (MT) to the combined approach (CA), with a stent retriever and aspiration catheters. Methods: The study involved a retrospective analysis of 70 patients undergoing MT with the use of either SO or CA. The primary endpoint was the frequency of perfect reperfusion defined as grade 3 of the modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction scale (mTICI) after the first pass. The secondary endpoints were the procedure success, defined as mTICI grades 2b-3; time of the procedure; clinical outcome, measured by 90 days’ modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score; Δ NIHSS, defined as the difference between National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at patients’ admission and discharge; and the total number of device passes. Results: Out of the 70 patients included, 33 were treated with SO and 37 with CA. In both groups, a total number of 42 patients received intravenous recombined tissue plasminogen activator (iv-rTPA: 20 patients (60.6%) in the SO group and 22 patients (59.5%) in the CA group (p = 1.000). There was a significant difference between the groups regarding first-pass success rate, with 46% in the CA group and 18% in the SO group, (OR 3.83, 95% CI 1.28 to 11.44, p = 0.016). Complete procedure success tended to be more frequent in the CA group than in the SO group—94.6% vs. 84.8% (OR 3.13, 95% CI 0.56 to 17.34, p = 0.193)—and CA tended to require a lower number of passes than SO (mean 1.76 vs. 2.09 passes per procedure, p = 0.114), yet these differences did not reach statistical significance. Mean duration of the procedure was significantly shorter in the CA group than in the SO group (49 min vs. 64 min, p = 0.017). There was a significant difference in clinical outcomes, with higher Δ NIHSS (9.3 in the CA group vs. 6.7 in the SO group, p = 0.025) after the procedure and 90-day mRS (median 2 in the CA group vs. 4 in the SO group, p = 0.031). Conclusions: Combining stent retrievers with aspiration catheters may offer a beneficial effect on angiographic results and clinical outcomes in stroke patients undergoing endovascular treatment.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Errikos Maslias ◽  
Stefania Nannoni ◽  
Federico Ricciardi ◽  
Bruno Bartolini ◽  
Davide Strambo ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Endovascular treatment (EVT) in acute ischemic stroke is effective in the late time window in selected patients. However, the frequency and clinical impact of procedural complications in the early versus late time window has received little attention. Methods: We retrospectively studied all acute ischemic strokes from 2015 to 2019 receiving EVT in the Acute Stroke Registry and Analysis of Lausanne. We compared the procedural EVT complications in the early (<6 hours) versus late (6–24 hours) window and correlated them with short-term clinical outcome. Results: Among 695 acute ischemic strokes receiving EVT (of which 202 were in the late window), 113 (16.3%) had at least one procedural complication. The frequency of each single, and for overall procedural complications was similar for early versus late EVT (16.2% versus 16.3%, P adj =0.90). Procedural complications lead to a significantly less favorable short-term outcome, reflected by the absence of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale improvement in late EVT (delta-National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale-24 hours, −2.5 versus 2, P adj =0.01). Conclusions: In this retrospective analysis of consecutive EVT, the frequency of procedural complications was similar for early and late EVT patients but very short-term outcome seemed less favorable in late EVT patients with complications.


Author(s):  
Adnan Mujanovic ◽  
Christoph Kammer ◽  
Christoph C Kurmann ◽  
Lorenz Grunder ◽  
Morin Beyeler ◽  
...  

Introduction : The value of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in patients eligible for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) remains unclear. We hypothesized that pre‐treatment with and/or ongoing IVT may facilitate reperfusion of distal vessel occlusion after incomplete MT. We evaluated this potential association using follow‐up perfusion imaging. Methods : Retrospective observational analysis of our institution`s stroke registry included patients with incomplete reperfusion after MT, admitted between February 1, 2015 and December 8, 2020. Delayed reperfusion (DR) was defined as the absence of a persistent perfusion deficit on contrast‐enhanced perfusion imaging ⁓24h±12h after the intervention. The association between baseline parameters and the occurrence of DR was evaluated using a logistic regression analyses. To account for possible time‐dependent associations of IVT with DR, additional stratification sets were made based on different time windows between IVT start time and final angiography runs. Results : Among the 378 included patients (median age 73.5, 50.8% female), DR occurred in 226 (59.8%). Atrial fibrillation (aOR 2.53 [95% CI 1.34 ‐ 4.90]), eTICI score (aOR 3.79 [95% CI 2.71 ‐ 5.48] per TICI grade increase), and intervention‐to‐follow‐up time (aOR 1.08 [95% CI 1.04 ‐ 1.13] per hour delay) were associated with DR. Dichotomized IVT strata showed no association with DR (aOR 0.75 [95% CI 0.42 ‐ 1.33]), whereas shorter intervals between IVT start and end of the procedure showed a borderline significant association with DR (OR 2.24 [95% CI 0.98 ‐ 5.43, and OR 2.07 [95% 1.06 – 4.31], for 80 and 100 minutes respectively). Patients with DR had higher rates of functional independence (modified Rankin scale 0–2 at 90 days, DR: 63.3% vs PPD: 38.8%; p<0.01) and longer survival time (at 3 years, DR: 69.2% vs PPD: 45.8%; p = 0.001). Conclusions : There is weak evidence that IVT may favor DR after incomplete MT if the time interval between IVT administration and end of the procedure is short. In general, perfusion follow‐up imaging may constitute a suitable surrogate parameter for evaluating medical rescue strategies after incomplete MT, because a considerable proportion of patients do not experience DR, and there seems to be a close correlation with clinical outcomes.


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