scholarly journals Lack of Reperfusion Rather Than Number of Passes Defines Futility in Stroke Thrombectomy: A Matched Case-Control Study

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud H. Mohammaden ◽  
Diogo C. Haussen ◽  
Leonardo Pisani ◽  
Alhamza R. Al-Bayati ◽  
Nicolas Bianchi ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: There is a robust relationship between the duration of ischemia and functional outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy. Higher number of mechanical thrombectomy passes strongly correlate with lower chances of favorable outcomes. Indeed, previous studies have suggested that after multiple passes the procedure may be futile. However, using uncontrolled thresholds to define thrombectomy futility might be misleading. We aim to compare the outcome of successful reperfusion after 4 to 5 passes and ≥6 passes with those of failed reperfusion. Methods: A prospectively acquired mechanical thrombectomy database from January 2012 to October 2019 was reviewed. Patients were included if they had intracranial internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery-M1/M2 occlusions and either achieved successful reperfusion after ≥4 passes or failed reperfusion. Reperfused patients (mTICI2b-3) were divided into 2 subgroups; (1) 4 to 5 passes and (2) ≥6 passes. Each subgroup was compared with a matched group of mechanical thrombectomy failure (mTICI0-2a). The primary outcome was the shift in the degree of disability at 90-day as measured by the modified Rankin Scale. Results: A total of 273 patients were included. As compared with matched failed reperfusion patients (n=62), those reperfused after 4 to 5 passes (n=62) had a favorable shift in the overall modified Rankin Scale score distribution (adjusted odds ratio, 3.992 [95% CI, 1.807–8.512], P =0.001] and higher rates of functional independence (31% versus 8.9%, P =0.004, adjusted odds ratio; 9.860 [95% CI, 2.323–41.845], P =0.002) at 90 days. Similarly, when compared with a matched group of failed reperfusion (n=42), patients reperfused after ≥6 passes (n=42) demonstrated a favorable shift in the overall modified Rankin Scale score distribution (adjusted odds ratio, 2.640 [95% CI, 1.073–6.686], P =0.037) and had higher rates of functional independence (36.8% vs 11.1%, P =0.004, adjusted odds ratio, 5.392 [95% CI, 1.185–24.530], P =0.029) at 90 day. Rates of parenchymal hematoma type-2 and 90-day mortality were comparable in the reperfused and nonreperfused groups. Conclusions: Achieving reperfusion despite multiple passes leads to improved outcomes compared with failed procedures. Arbitrary uncontrolled thresholds for a maximum number of passes to predict futile recanalization may lead to inappropriate early termination of procedures.

Neurology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (15) ◽  
pp. 1561-1568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niaz Ahmed ◽  
Kennedy R. Lees ◽  
Peter A. Ringleb ◽  
Christopher Bladin ◽  
David Collas ◽  
...  

Objective:To determine outcomes and risks of IV thrombolysis (IVT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) >80 years of age within 3 hours compared to >3 to 4.5 hours recorded in the Safe Implementation of Treatment in Stroke (SITS) International Stroke Thrombolysis Registry.Methods:A total of 14,240 (year 2003–2015) patients >80 years of age with AIS were treated with IVT ≤4.5 hours of stroke onset (3,558 in >3–4.5 hours). Of these, 8,658 (2,157 in >3–4.5 hours) were treated otherwise according to the European Summary of Product Characteristics (EU SmPC) criteria for alteplase. Outcomes were 3-month functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score 0–2), mortality, and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH)/SITS. Results were compared between the groups treated in >3 to 4.5 and ≤3 hours.Results:Median age was 84 years; 61% were female in both groups. Median NIH Stroke Scale score was 12 vs 14 in the >3- to 4.5- and ≤3-hour group, respectively. Three-month functional independence was 34% vs 35% (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69–0.89, p < 0.001); mortality was 31% vs 32% (aOR 1.10, 95% CI 0.97–1.25, p = 0.13); and SICH/SITS was 2.7% vs 1.6% (aOR 1.72, 95% CI 1.25–2.35, p = 0.001). In EU SmPC–compliant patients, 3-month functional independence was 36 vs 37% (aOR 0.79, 95% CI 0.68–0.92, p = 0.002), mortality was 29% vs 29.6% (aOR 1.10, 95% CI 0.95–1.28, p = 0.20), and SICH/SITS was 2.7% vs 1.6% (aOR 1.62, 95% CI 1.12–2.34, p = 0.01).Conclusions:In this observational study, unselected patients >80 years of age treated with IVT after 3 hours vs earlier had a slightly higher rate of SICH and similar unadjusted functional outcome but poorer adjusted outcome. The absolute difference between the treatment groups is small, and elderly patients should not be denied IVT in the later time window solely because of age without other contraindications.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomas Dobrocky ◽  
Eike I. Piechowiak ◽  
Bastian Volbers ◽  
Nedelina Slavova ◽  
Johannes Kaesmacher ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Treatment in stroke patients with M2 segment occlusion of the middle cerebral artery presenting with mild neurological deficits is a matter of debate. The main purpose was to compare the outcome in patients with a minor stroke and a M2 occlusion. Methods: Consecutive intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) eligible patients admitted to the Bernese stroke center between January 2005 and January 2020 with acute occlusion of the M2 segment and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≤5 were included. Outcome was compared between IVT only versus endovascular therapy (EVT) including intra-arterial thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy (MT; ±IVT) and between IVT only versus MT only. Results: Among 169 patients (38.5% women, median age 70.2 years), 84 (49.7%) received IVT only and 85 (50.3%) EVT (±IVT), the latter including 39 (45.9%) treated with MT only. Groups were similar in sex, age, vascular risk factors, event cause, or preevent independency. Compared with IVT only, there was no difference in favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score, 0−2) for EVT (adjusted odds ratio, 0.96; adjusted P =0.935) or for MT only (adjusted odds ratio, 1.12; adjusted P =0.547) groups. Considering only patients treated after 2015, there was a significantly better 3-month modified Rankin Scale shift (adjusted P =0.032) in the EVT compared with the IVT only group. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates similar effectiveness of IVT only versus EVT (±IVT), and of IVT only versus MT only in patients with peripheral middle cerebral artery occlusions and minor neurological deficits and indicates a possible benefit of EVT considering only patients treated after 2015. There is an unmet need for randomized controlled trials in this stroke field, including imaging parameters, and more sophisticated evaluation of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score subitems, neurocognition, and quality of life neglected by the standard outcome scales such as modified Rankin Scale and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Kaesmacher ◽  
Mirjam Kaesmacher ◽  
Maria Berndt ◽  
Christian Maegerlein ◽  
Sebastian Mönch ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusions impede blood flow to the noncollateralized lenticulostriate artery territory. Previous work has shown that this almost inevitably leads to infarction of the dependent gray matter territories in the striate even if perfusion is restored by mechanical thrombectomy. Purpose of this analysis was to evaluate potential sparing of neighboring fiber tracts, ie, the internal capsule. Methods: An observational single-center study of patients with proximal MCA occlusions treated with mechanical thrombectomy and receiving postinterventional high-resolution diffusion-weighted imaging was conducted. Patients were classified according to internal capsule ischemia (IC+ versus IC−) at the postero-superior level of the MCA lenticulostriate artery territory (corticospinal tract correlate). Associations of IC+ versus IC− with baseline variables as well as its clinical impact were evaluated using multivariable logistic or linear regression analyses adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Of 92 included patients with proximal MCA territory infarctions, 45 (48.9%) had an IC+ pattern. Longer time from symptom-onset to groin-puncture (adjusted odds ratio, 2.12 [95% CI, 1.19–3.76] per hour), female sex and more severe strokes were associated with IC+. Patients with IC+ had lower rates of substantial neurological improvement and functional independence (adjusted odds ratio, 0.26 [95% CI, 0.09–0.81] and adjusted odds ratio, 0.25 [95% CI, 0.07–0.86]) after adjustment for confounders. These associations remained unchanged when confining analyses to patients without ischemia in the corona radiata or the motor cortex and here, IC+ was associated with higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale motor item scores (β, +2.8 [95% CI, 1.5 to 4.1]) without a significant increase in nonmotor items (β, +0.8 [95% CI, −0.2 to 1.9). Conclusions: Rapid mechanical thrombectomy with successful reperfusion of the lenticulostriate arteries often protects the internal capsule from subsequent ischemia despite early basal ganglia damage. Salvage of this eloquent white matter tract within the MCA lenticulostriate artery territory seems strongly time-dependent, which has clinical and pathophysiological implications.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 482-490
Author(s):  
Fabian Flottmann ◽  
Caspar Brekenfeld ◽  
Gabriel Broocks ◽  
Hannes Leischner ◽  
Rosalie McDonough ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Endovascular therapy is the standard of care in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion. Often, more than one retrieval attempt is needed to achieve reperfusion. We aimed to quantify the influence of endovascular therapy on clinical outcome depending on the number of retrievals needed for successful reperfusion in a large multi-center cohort. Methods: For this observational cohort study, 2611 patients from the prospective German Stroke Registry included between June 2015 and April 2018 were analyzed. Patients who received endovascular therapy for acute anterior circulation stroke with known admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, final Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score, and number of retrievals were included. Successful reperfusion was defined as a Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score of 2b or 3. The primary outcome was defined as functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2) at day 90. Multivariate mixed-effects models were used to adjust for cluster effects of the participating centers and confounders. Results: The inclusion criteria were met by 1225 patients. The odds of good clinical outcome decreased with every retrieval attempt required for successful reperfusion: the first retrieval had the highest odds of good clinical outcome (adjusted odds ratio, 6.45 [95% CI, 4.0–10.4]), followed by the second attempt (adjusted odds ratio, 4.56 [95% CI, 2.7–7.7]), and finally the third (adjusted odds ratio, 3.16 [95% CI, 1.8–5.6]). Conclusions: Successful reperfusion within the first 3 retrieval attempts is associated with improved clinical outcome compared with patients without reperfusion. We conclude that at least 3 retrieval attempts should be performed in endovascular therapy of anterior circulation strokes. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT03356392.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karim Mahawish ◽  
John Gommans ◽  
Timothy Kleinig ◽  
Bhavesh Lallu ◽  
Alicia Tyson ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Due to practical advantages, increasing trial safety data, recent Australian Guideline endorsement and local population needs we switched to tenecteplase for stroke thrombolysis from alteplase. We describe our change process and real-world outcome data. Methods: Mixed-methods including stakeholder engagement, preimplementation and postimplementation surveys, and assessment of patient treatment rates, metrics, and clinical outcomes preimplementation and postimplementation adjusting regression analyses for age, sex, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, premorbid modified Rankin Scale score, and thrombectomy using New Zealand National Stroke Registry data. Results: Preswitch consultation involved stroke and emergency clinicians, pharmacists, national regulatory bodies, and hospital legal teams. All survey responders (90% response rate) supported the proposed change and remained satisfied 12 months postimplementation. Between January 2018 and February 2021, we treated 555 patients with alteplase and 283 with tenecteplase. Patients treated with tenecteplase had greater odds of a favorable modified Rankin Scale using both shift (adjusted odds ratio, 1.60 [95% CI, 1.15–2.22]) and dichotomous analyses (modified Rankin Scale score, 0–2; adjusted odds ratio, 2.17 [95% CI, 1.31–3.59]) and shorter median (interquartile range) door-to-needle time (median, 53 [38–73.5] versus 61 minutes [45–85], P =0.0002). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rates (tenecteplase 1.8% versus 3.4%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.13–1.64]), death by day 7 (tenecteplase 7.5% versus 11.8%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.21–0.99]), and median (interquartile range) needle to groin time for the 42 transferred regional patients (tenecteplase 155 [113–248] versus 200 [158–266]; P =0.27) did not significantly differ. Conclusions: Following stakeholder endorsement, a region-wide switch from alteplase to tenecteplase was successfully implemented. We found evidence of benefit and no evidence of harm.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 2817-2824
Author(s):  
Johanna M. Ospel ◽  
Petra Cimflova ◽  
Martha Marko ◽  
Arnuv Mayank ◽  
Moiz Hafeez ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: The prognosis of medium vessel occlusions (MeVOs), that is, M2/3 middle cerebral artery, A2/3 anterior cerebral artery, and P2/3 posterior cerebral artery occlusions, is generally better compared with large vessel occlusions, since brain ischemia is less extensive. However, in some MeVO patients, infarcts are seen outside the territory of the occluded vessel (MeVO with discrepant infarcts). This study aims to determine the prevalence and clinical impact of discrepant infarct patterns in acute ischemic stroke due to MeVO. Methods: We pooled data of MeVO patients from INTERRSeCT (Identifying New Approaches to Optimize Thrombus Characterization for Predicting Early Recanalization and Reperfusion With IV Alteplase and Other Treatments Using Serial CT Angiography) and PRove-IT (Precise and Rapid Assessment of Collaterals Using Multi-Phase CTA in the Triage of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke for IA Therapy)—2 prospective cohort studies of patients with acute ischemic stroke. The combination of occlusion location on baseline computed tomography angiography and infarct location on follow-up computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging was used to identify MeVOs with discrepant infarct patterns. Two definitions for discrepant infarcts were applied; one was more restrictive and purely based on infarct patterns of the basal ganglia, whereas the second one took cortical infarct patterns into account. Clinical outcomes of patients with versus without discrepant infarcts were summarized using descriptive statistics. Logistic regression was performed to obtain adjusted effect size estimates for the association of discrepant infarcts and good outcome, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2, and excellent outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–1). Results: Two hundred sixty-two patients with MeVO were included in the analysis. The prevalence of discrepant infarcts was 39.7% (definition 1) and 21.0% (definition 2). Patients with discrepant infarcts were less likely to achieve good outcome (definition 1: adjusted odds ratio, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.25–0.91]; definition 2: adjusted odds ratio, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.22–0.99]). When definition 1 was applied, patients with discrepant infarcts were also less likely to achieve excellent outcome (definition 1: adjusted odds ratio, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.31–0.99]; definition 2: adjusted odds ratio, 0.62 [95% CI, 0.31–1.25]). Conclusions: MeVO patients with discrepant infarcts are common, and they are associated with more severe deficits and poor outcomes.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (11) ◽  
pp. 3232-3240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna M. Ospel ◽  
Bijoy K. Menon ◽  
Andrew M. Demchuk ◽  
Mohammed A. Almekhlafi ◽  
Nima Kashani ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Available data on the clinical course of patients with acute ischemic stroke due to medium vessel occlusion (MeVO) are mostly limited to those with M2 segment occlusions. Outcomes are generally better compared with more proximal occlusions, but many patients will still suffer from severe morbidity. We aimed to determine the clinical course of acute ischemic stroke due to MeVO with and without intravenous alteplase treatment. Methods: Patients with MeVO (M2/M3/A2/A3/P2/P3 occlusion) from the INTERRSeCT (The Identifying New Approaches to Optimize Thrombus Characterization for Predicting Early Recanalization and Reperfusion With IV Alteplase and Other Treatments Using Serial CT Angiography) and PRoveIT (Precise and Rapid Assessment of Collaterals Using Multi-Phase CTA in the Triage of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke for IA Therapy) studies were included. Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes were summarized using descriptive statistics. The primary outcome was a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 1 at 90 days, describing excellent functional outcome. Secondary outcomes were the common odds ratio for a 1-point shift across the modified Rankin Scale and functional independence, defined as modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2. We compared outcomes between patients with versus without intravenous alteplase treatment and between patients who did and did not show recanalization on follow-up computed tomography angiography. Logistic regression was used to provide adjusted effect-size estimates. Results: Among 258 patients with MeVO, the median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 7 (interquartile range: 5–12). A total of 72.1% (186/258) patients were treated with intravenous alteplase and in 41.8% (84/201), recanalization of the occlusion (revised arterial occlusive lesion score 2b/3) was seen on follow-up computed tomography angiography. Excellent functional outcome was achieved by 50.0% (129/258), and 67.4% (174/258) patients gained functional independence, while 8.9% (23/258) patients died within 90 days. Recanalization was observed in 21.4% (9/42) patients who were not treated with alteplase and 47.2% (75/159) patients treated with alteplase ( P =0.003). Early recanalization (adjusted odds ratio, 2.29 [95% CI, 1.23–4.28]) was significantly associated with excellent functional outcome, while intravenous alteplase was not (adjusted odds ratio, 1.70 [95% CI, 0.88–3.25]). Conclusions: One of every 2 patients with MeVO did not achieve excellent clinical outcome at 90 days with best medical management. Early recanalization was strongly associated with excellent outcome but occurred in <50% of patients despite intravenous alteplase treatment.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud H. Mohammaden ◽  
Diogo C. Haussen ◽  
Leonardo Pisani ◽  
Alhamza R. Al-Bayati ◽  
Nicolas Bianchi ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Despite the lower rates of good outcomes and higher mortality in elderly patients, age does not modify the treatment effect of mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion strokes. We aimed to study whether racial background influences the outcome after mechanical thrombectomy in the elderly population. Methods: We reviewed a prospectively maintained database of patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with mechanical thrombectomy from October 2010 through June 2020 to identify all consecutive patients with age ≥80 years and anterior circulation large vessel occlusion strokes. The patients were categorized according to their race as Black and White. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to define the predictors of 90-day modified Rankin Scale and mortality in the overall population and in each race separately. Results: Among 2241 mechanical thrombectomy, a total of 344 patients (median [interquartile range]; age 85 [82–88] years, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 19 [15–23], Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score 9 [7–9], 69.5% females) were eligible for the analysis. White patients (n=251; 73%) had significantly lower median body mass index (25.37 versus 26.89, P =0.04) and less frequent hypertension (78.9% versus 90.3%, P =0.01) but more atrial fibrillation (64.5% versus 44.1%, P =0.001) compared with African Americans (n=93; 27%). Other clinical, imaging, and procedural characteristics were comparable between groups. The rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, 90-day modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2, and mortality were comparable among both groups. On multivariable analysis, race was neither a predictor of 90-day modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2 (White race: odds ratio, 0.899 [95% CI, 0.409–1.974], P =0.79) nor 90-day mortality (White race: odds ratio, 1.368; [95% CI, 0.715–2.618], P =0.34). Conclusions: In elderly patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke, there was no racial difference in terms of outcome.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenchen Wei ◽  
Jeffrey Wang ◽  
Lydia D. Foster ◽  
Sharon D. Yeatts ◽  
Claudia Moy ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Hematoma volume (HV) is a powerful determinant of outcome after intracerebral hemorrhage. We examined whether the effect of the iron chelator, deferoxamine, on functional outcome varied depending on HV in the i-DEF trial (Intracerebral Hemorrhage Deferoxamine). Methods: A post hoc analysis of the i-DEF trial; participants were classified according to baseline HV (small <10 mL, moderate 10–30 mL, and large >30 mL). Favorable outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2 at day-180; secondarily at day-90. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the differential treatment effect according to HV. Results: Two hundred ninety-one subjects were included in the as-treated analysis; 121 with small, 114 moderate, and 56 large HV. Day-180 modified Rankin Scale scores were available for 270/291 subjects (111 with small, 105 moderate, and 54 large HV). There was a differential effect of treatment according to HV on day-180 outcomes ( P -for-interaction =0.0077); 50% (27/54) of deferoxamine-treated patients with moderate HV had favorable outcome compared with 25.5% (13/51) of placebo-treated subjects (adjusted odds ratio, 2.7 [95% CI, 1.13–6.27]; P =0.0258). Treatment effect was not significant for small (adjusted odds ratio, 1.37 [95% CI, 0.62–3.02]) or large (adjusted odds ratio, 0.12 [95% CI, 0.01–1.05]) HV. Results for day-90 outcomes were comparable ( P -for-interaction =0.0617). Sensitivity analyses yielded similar results. Conclusions: Among patients with moderate HV, a greater proportion of deferoxamine- than placebo-treated patients achieved modified Rankin Scale score 0–2. The treatment effect was not significant for small or large HVs. These findings have important trial design and therapeutic implications. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT02175225.


2021 ◽  
pp. 197140092110344
Author(s):  
Kyle Cilia ◽  
Reuben Grech ◽  
Maria Mallia

Introduction The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of endovascular treatment for acute ischaemic stroke in Mater Dei Hospital, Malta and compare them with international data. Methods A prospective review of all patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy from 2015 to the end of 2019 was performed. Eligible patients had large vessel occlusion confirmed on computed tomography angiography. Demographical data, the National Institutes of Health stroke scale at presentation, endovascular procedure details and process times were analysed. The thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score was used to assess the degree of reperfusion. A thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score of 2b–3 was considered as successful recanalisation. Functional outcome (modified Rankin scale score) and mortality at 90 days were measured. Functional independence was defined as a modified Rankin scale score of 2 or less. Results A total of 132 patients underwent endovascular treatment, one patient was excluded due to incomplete data. The mean age was 71 (range 25–94) years, and the mean National Institutes of Health stroke scale at presentation was 14. Of the 131 patients treated, 69 received intravenous thrombolysis. Successful recanalisation (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score 2b–3) was achieved in 80% of patients (105/131); 53% of patients (69/131) achieved functional independence at 90 days, with a mortality of 21% at 90 days. Symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage was recorded in 16 patients (12%) There was a statistical difference in the functional independence and mortality rate in favour of the successful recanalisation group. Conclusion Our data are consistent with a favourable clinical outcome after successful recanalisation. Service in Malta is achieving favourable outcomes for patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischaemic stroke.


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