Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke Research Articles

CT after interhospital transfer in acute ischemic stroke: Imaging findings and impact of prior intravenous contrast administration.

Large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke patients routinely undergo interhospital transfer to endovascular thrombectomy capable centers. Imaging is often repeated with residual intravenous (IV) iodine contrast at post-transfer assessment. We determined imaging findings and the impact of residual contrast on secondary imaging. Anterior circulation LVO stroke patients were selected out of a consecutive cohort. Directly admitted patients were contrast naïve, and transferred patients had previously received IV iodine contrast for stroke assessment at the referring hospital. Two independent readers rated the visibility of residual contrast on non-contrast computed tomography (CT) after transfer and assessed the hyperdense vessel sign. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to investigate the association of the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (ASPECTS) with prior contrast administration, time from symptom onset (TFSO), and CTP ischemic core volume in both directly admitted and transferred patients. We included 161 patients, with 62 (39%) transferred and 99 (62%) directly admitted patients. Compared between these groups, transferred patients had a longer TFSO-to-imaging at our institution (median: 212 vs. 75 min, p < 0.001) and lower ASPECTS (median: 8 vs. 9, p < 0.001). Regression analysis presented an independent association of ASPECTS with prior contrast administration (β = -0.25, p = 0.004) but not with TFSO (β = -0.03, p = 0.65). Intergroup comparison between transferred and directly admitted patients pointed toward a stronger association between ASPECTS and CTP ischemic core volume in transferred patients (β = -0.39 vs. β = -0.58, p = 0.06). Detectability of the hyperdense vessel sign was substantially lower after transfer (66 vs. 10%, p < 0.001). Imaging alterations due to residual IV contrast are frequent in clinical practice and render the hyperdense vessel sign largely indetectable. Larger studies are needed to clarify the influence on the association between ASPECTS and ischemic core.

A comparative study between direct mechanical thrombectomy and bridging therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation associated anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke

From January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2021, 94 patients who were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) associated anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke and underwent mechanical thrombectomy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University were retrospectively collected, including 52 patients in the direct mechanical thrombectomy (dMT) group and 42 patients in the bridging therapy (BT) group. All patients received stent thrombectomy, and the BT group received intravenous thrombolytic therapy with alteplase within 4.5 hours.There were no significant differences in 7 d National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score[12.0 (5.2, 42.0) vs 10.0 (6.0, 25.8)], incidence of hemorrhage transformation [44.2%(23/52) vs 45.2%(19/42)], symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage[11.5%(6/52) vs 11.9%(5/42)],90 d mortality[34.6% (18/52) vs 38.1% (16/42)]between the two groups(all P>0.05). The rate of 90 d good prognosis in dMT and BT groups was 36.5% (19/52) and 35.7% (15/42), respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant(OR=1.45, 95%CI: 0.39-3.37, P=0.805). The number of stent passes[2(1,3) vs 1(1,2)] and the vessel recanalization time [(81±41)min vs (57±29)min] in the BT subgroup of middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion were longer than those in the dMT group (both P<0.05).Therefore, direct thrombectomy has similar efficacy and safety as bridging therapy in the treatment of AF related anterior circulation large vessel occlusive stroke, which is worthy of further research and verification.

Mechanical Thrombectomy in the Late Presentation of Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke: A Guideline From the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology Guidelines and Practice Standards Committee.

Recent clinical trials investigating endovascular therapy (EVT) in the extended time window have opened new treatment paradigms for late-presenting patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke. The aim of this guideline is to provide up to date recommendations for the diagnosis, selection, and medical or endovascular treatment of patients with LVO presenting in the extended time window. The Society of Vascular & Interventional Neurology (SVIN) Guidelines and Practice Clinical Standards (GAPS) committee assembled a writing group and recruited interdisciplinary experts to review and evaluate the current literature. Recommendations were assigned by the writing group using the SVIN-GAPS Class of Recommendation/Level of Evidence algorithm and SVIN GAPS guideline format. The final guideline was approved by all members of the writing group, the GAPS committee, and the SVIN board of directors. Literature review yielded three high quality randomized trials and several observational studies that have been extracted to derive the enclosed summary recommendations. In patients with LVO presenting in the 6-to-24-hour window, and with clinical imaging mismatch as defined by the DAWN and DEFUSE 3 studies, EVT is recommended. Non contrast CT can be used to evaluate infarct size as sole imaging modality for patient selection, particularly when access to CT perfusion or MRI is limited, or if their performance would incur substantial delay to treatment. In addition, several clinical questions were reviewed based on the available evidence and consensus grading. These guidelines provide practical recommendations based on recent evidence on the diagnosis, selection, and treatment of patients with LVO stroke presenting in the extended time window.

Etiologic and prognostic value of external carotid artery thrombus detection during endovascular therapy for anterior circulation proximal occlusions.

An early understanding of stroke mechanism may improve treatment and outcome in patients presenting with large vessel occlusion stroke (LVOS) treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT). We aimed to investigate whether spontaneous external carotid artery (ECA) embolism detection during MT is associated with stroke etiology and clinical outcome. We retrospectively reviewed our prospectively maintained institutional database including consecutive patients with anterior circulation LVOS treated with MT between January 2015 and August 2020. An ECA embolus was detected in 68 of 1298 patients (5.2%). The kappa coefficient for interobserver agreement was 0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.82-0.95). ECA embolism was significantly associated with intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion (p< 0.001), cardioembolic etiology (p< 0.001) and a lower clot burden score (p< 0.001). Day-1 variation of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (adjusted odds ratio [OR] -2.7, 95% CI -4.9 to 0.3; p= 0.021) and delta Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (adjusted OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.2 to 1.5; p= 0.004) were worse among patients with ECA emboli. There was no significant difference in 90-day functional outcome between groups (adjusted OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.52; p= 0.50). In patients with anterior circulation LVOS treated with MT, ECA embolism was significantly associated with cardioembolic etiology, high thrombus burden and proximal intracranial ICA occlusions. This underexplored angiographic pattern might provide a valuable etiologic clue to the underlying cause of anterior circulation LVOS and may also help determine the appropriate revascularization strategy.

General anesthesia versus conscious sedation during endovascular treatment in posterior circulation large vessel occlusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The optimal anesthetic approach in the endovascular treatment (EVT) of patients with posterior circulation large vessel occlusion (PC-LVO) strokes is not clear. Little data has been published and no randomized clinical trials have been conducted so far. We aimed to perform an updated meta-analysis to compare clinical and procedural outcomes between conscious sedation (CS) and general anesthesia (GA). We reviewed the literature of the studies reporting CS and GA in patients with endovascularly-treated PC-LVO. The primary outcome was the functional outcome at 3 months measured using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). A good functional outcome was defined as having a mRS 0-2. Secondary outcomes were mortality at 3 months, final successful recanalization (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) scale from 2b to 3) and complete recanalization (mTICI of 3) and times from stroke onset to EVT completion. Random-effects models were completed to pool the outcomes and the I 2 value was calculated to assess heterogeneity. Eight studies with a total of 1351 patients were included. The pooled results reveal that CS use was associated with higher rates of good outcome (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.58-3.64, I 2 = 49.67%) and with lower mortality at 3 months (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.28-0.82, I 2 =57.11%). No significant differences were observed in the final reperfusion rates, procedural duration, and time from stroke onset to EVT completion. In this meta-analysis, GA was associated with significantly lower rates of functional independence at 3 months in patients with PC-LVO strokes.

September 2022 Stroke Highlights

September 2022 <i>Stroke</i> Highlights

Clinical Outcomes in Basal Ganglia Strokes Treated With Mechanical Thrombectomy

Background Basal ganglia infarcts are thought to carry worse clinical outcomes compared with other infarct patterns. We aimed to investigate whether pretreatment topographic infarct patterns including complete basal ganglia involvement versus other infarct patterns help predict mechanical thrombectomy outcomes. Methods This was a review of a prospectively collected database of consecutive mechanical thrombectomy patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion strokes between January 2014 and November 2018. Patients were categorized into the following 2 groups: (1) total basal ganglia (TBG) strokes defined as infarcts affecting both the caudate and lentiform nuclei regardless of cortical involvement and (2) other infarct patterns. Infarct location was assessed on preprocedure noncontrast computed tomography using an automated software (e‐ASPECTS). Baseline characteristics and outcome measures were compared. Results A total of 1011 patients were analyzed of which 234 (23.12%) had TBG strokes. Patients with TBG strokes were younger ( P =0.01); had higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) ( P =0.006), lower e‐ASPECTS ( P &lt;0.001), and lower systolic blood pressure ( P =0.024); and had diabetes less often ( P =0.01). Baseline characteristics were otherwise comparable between groups. Involvement of the caudate or lentiform nucleus alone was observed in 237 (30.5%) and 21 (2.7%) patients, respectively, in the other infarct patterns group. No internal capsule involvement was detected in either group. There were no differences in terms of 90‐day functional outcomes whether dichotomized (modified Rankin Scale score≤2: TBG=44.6% versus other=50.1%; P =0.14) or looking at the entire spectrum of the scale (shift analysis; P =0.74). However, TBG strokes had significantly higher rates of any parenchymal hematomas (15.4% versus 8.2%; P =0.001), an association that held true in multivariable analysis (adjusted odds ratio, 2.57 [95% CI, 1.41–4.62]; P =0.002). Conclusions Despite increased rates of hemorrhagic transformation, ganglionic infarcts carry similar functional outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy compared with other stroke patterns.

Association between blood pressure variability and clinical outcomes after successful recanalization in patients with large vessel occlusion stroke after mechanical thrombectomy.

ObjectiveNearly half of patients who undergo mechanical thrombectomy (MT) do not experience a favorable outcome. The association between blood pressure fluctuation and clinical outcomes after successful MT is controversial. We evaluated the influence of blood pressure variability (BPV) on the clinical outcomes of stroke patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) who underwent successful recanalization after MT.MethodsPatients with anterior circulation LVO stroke who underwent successful emergency MT (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction, mTICI ≥ 2b) at the Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University from 2017 to 2021 were enrolled. Multivariate logistic models were used to investigate the association between BPV (mean arterial pressure [MAP] assessed using the standard deviation [SD]) and clinical outcomes. The primary outcome was 90-day modified Rankin Scale scores (mRS), and the secondary outcomes were 30-day mortality and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH).ResultsA total of 458 patients (56.8% men), with a mean age of 72 ± 1 years, were enrolled. Among them, 207 (45.2%) patients had unfavorable functional outcomes (mRS score 3–6) at 90 days, 61 (13.3%) patients died within 30 days, and 20 (4.4%) patients had sICH. In a fully adjusted model, BPV was associated with a higher risk of a 90-day mRS score of 3–6 (P = 0.04), 30-day mortality (P < 0.01), and sICH (P < 0.01). A significant interaction between MAP SD and rescue futile recanalization treatment was observed (P < 0.01).ConclusionsAmong patients with LVO stroke who underwent successful recanalization, higher BPV was associated with worse functional outcomes, especially in those who underwent rescue treatment.

Stenting and Angioplasty in Neurothrombectomy: Matched Analysis of Rescue Intracranial Stenting Versus Failed Thrombectomy.

Successful reperfusion is one of the strongest predictors of functional outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Despite continuous advancements in MT technology and techniques, reperfusion failure still occurs in ≈15% to 30% of patients with large vessel occlusion strokes undergoing MT. We aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of rescue intracranial stenting for large vessel occlusion stroke after failed MT. The SAINT (Stenting and Angioplasty in Neurothrombectomy) Study is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 14 comprehensive stroke centers through January 2015 to December 2020. Patients were included if they had anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke due to intracranial internal carotid artery and middle cerebral artery-M1/M2 segments and failed MT. The cohort was divided into 2 groups: rescue intracranial stenting and failed recanalization (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia score 0-1). Propensity score matching was used to balance the 2 groups. The primary outcome was the shift in the degree of disability as measured by the modified Rankin Scale at 90 days. Secondary outcomes included functional independence (90-day modified Rankin Scale score 0-2). Safety measures included symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and 90-day mortality. A total of 499 patients were included in the analysis. Compared with the failed reperfusion group, rescue intracranial stenting had a favorable shift in the overall modified Rankin Scale score distribution (acOR, 2.31 [95% CI, 1.61-3.32]; P<0.001), higher rates of functional independence (35.1% versus 7%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 6.33 [95% CI, 3.14-12.76]; P<0.001), and lower mortality (28% versus 46.5%; aOR, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.31-0.96]; P=0.04) at 90 days. Rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage were comparable across both groups (7.1% versus 10.2%; aOR, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.42-2.34]; P=0.98). The matched cohort analysis demonstrated similar results. Specifically, rescue intracranial stenting (n=107) had a favorable shift in the overall modified Rankin Scale score distribution (acOR, 3.74 [95% CI, 2.16-6.57]; P<0.001), higher rates of functional independence (34.6% versus 6.5%; aOR, 10.91 [95% CI, 4.11-28.92]; P<0.001), and lower mortality (29.9% versus 43%; aOR, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.25-0.94]; P=0.03) at 90 days with similar rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (7.5% versus 11.2%; aOR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.31-2.42]; P=0.79) compared with patients who failed to reperfuse (n=107). There was no heterogeneity of treatment effect across the prespecified subgroups for improvement in functional outcomes. Acute intracranial stenting appears to be a safe and effective rescue strategy in patients with large vessel occlusion stroke who failed MT. Randomized multicenter trials are warranted.

Meniscus Sign in Patients with Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke does not Predict Outcome

PurposeThe angiographic appearance of the occlusion site was suggested to influence outcomes of stroke patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) who undergo endovascular treatment (EVT). We aimed to study the impact of the meniscus sign (MS) on outcomes of stroke patients with anterior circulation LVO.MethodsBased on two prospective registries of acute ischemic stroke, we selected patients with carotid‑T, M1 or M2 occlusion who underwent EVT. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were collected from the registries or from individual records. Two independent observers blinded to outcomes assessed the presence of MS in digital subtraction angiography before thrombectomy. Angiographic and clinical outcomes of patients with and without MS were compared.ResultsWe included 903 patients, with median age of 78 years, 59.8% were male, median baseline NIHSS was 14 and 39.5% received intravenous thrombolysis. Patients with MS (n = 170, 18.8%) were more frequently female, presented with higher NIHSS scores and more frequently underwent intravenous thrombolysis. Presence of MS was significantly associated with cardioembolic etiology. Successful reperfusion, number of passes, first pass effect, procedural time, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, in-hospital mortality and favorable 3‑month functional outcome were similar in the groups of patients with and without MS. In the multivariable analyses, MS was not associated with successful reperfusion (odds ratio, OR = 1.08, 95% confidence interval, CI = 0.76–1.55), first pass effect (OR = 0.96, 95%CI = 0.48–1.92) or favorable 3‑month outcome (OR = 1.40, 95%CI = 0.88–2.24).ConclusionThe presence of MS in acute ischemic stroke patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who undergo EVT does not appear to influence angiographic or clinical outcomes.

Mechanical thrombectomy failure in anterior circulation strokes: Outcomes and predictors of favorable outcome.

Background and purposeDespite continuous improvement and growing knowledge in the endovascular therapy of large vessel occlusion stroke (LVOS), mechanical thrombectomy (MT) still fails to obtain satisfying intracranial recanalization in 10% to 15% of cases. However, little is known regarding clinical and radiological outcomes among this singularly underexplored subpopulation undergoing failed MT. We aimed to investigate the outcome after failed MT and identify predictive factors of favorable outcome despite recanalization failure.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients prospectively included in the ongoing observational multicenter Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke registry from January 2015 to September 2020. Patients presenting with anterior circulation LVOS treated with MT but experiencing failed intracranial recanalization defined as final modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) score of 0, 1 and 2a were included. Clinical and radiological outcomes were assessed along with the exploration of predictive factors of Day‐90 favorable outcome.ResultsThe study population comprised 533 patients. Mean age was 68.8 ± 16 years, and median admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) were 17 (IQR 12–21) and 7 (IQR 5–8), respectively. Favorable outcomes were observed in 85 patients (18.2%) and 186 died (39.0%). The rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was 14.1%. In multivariable analysis, younger age (odds ratio [OR] 0.96, 95% CI 0.94–0.98, p < 0.001), a lower admission NIHSS (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.83–0.91, p < 0.001), a lower number of MT passes (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.77–0.87, p < 0.001), a lower delta ASPECTS between initial and Day‐1 imaging (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.71–0.98, p = 0.026) and stroke etiology [significant difference among etiological subtypes (p = 0.024) with a tendency toward more favorable outcomes for dissection (OR 2.01, 95% CI 0.71–5.67)] were significantly associated with a 90‐day favorable outcome.ConclusionsIn this large retrospective analysis of a multicenter registry, we quantified the poor outcome after MT failure. We also identified factors associated with favorable outcome despite recanalization failure that might influence therapeutic management.

Editors' Note: Prestroke Disability and Outcome After Thrombectomy for Emergent Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke

In “Prestroke Disability and Outcome After Thrombectomy for Emergent Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke,” de Havenon et al. reported that of 407 patients with anterior circulation strokes, premorbid disability (defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≥2) was associated with a higher likelihood that the 90-day mRS score would not be increased from the premorbid mRS score compared with patients without premorbid disability. However, those with premorbid disability had a higher risk of death. Feng et al. suggest that it would be helpful to evaluate the relationship between the etiology of prestroke disability and postthrombectomy outcome, but de Havenon notes that data are not included in the TRACK registry. Siegler et al. question the use of accumulated disability as the outcome measure in this study given that patients with prestroke disability are more likely to have zero functional decline than patients with no prestroke disability. They note that the results of this study could be interpreted to mean patients who do not have prestroke disability benefit less from thrombectomy, but that this conclusion would be inaccurate given that the absence of prestroke disability is associated with a lower risk of death. They suggest that the lack of new disability or an mRS score 0–2 might have been a better outcome. de Havenon responds that these end points would not be optimal either. They further comment that it would be ideal for a future study to compare outcomes among patients with premorbid disability via matched analysis of medical management vs thrombectomy. Additional research may facilitate a better understanding of factors associated with postthrombectomy outcome and impact selection criteria. Furthermore, this exchange demonstrates the fact that there are limitations of the scales that we use to assess disability following stroke. In “Prestroke Disability and Outcome After Thrombectomy for Emergent Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke,” de Havenon et al. reported that of 407 patients with anterior circulation strokes, premorbid disability (defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≥2) was associated with a higher likelihood that the 90-day mRS score would not be increased from the premorbid mRS score compared with patients without premorbid disability. However, those with premorbid disability had a higher risk of death. Feng et al. suggest that it would be helpful to evaluate the relationship between the etiology of prestroke disability and postthrombectomy outcome, but de Havenon notes that data are not included in the TRACK registry. Siegler et al. question the use of accumulated disability as the outcome measure in this study given that patients with prestroke disability are more likely to have zero functional decline than patients with no prestroke disability. They note that the results of this study could be interpreted to mean patients who do not have prestroke disability benefit less from thrombectomy, but that this conclusion would be inaccurate given that the absence of prestroke disability is associated with a lower risk of death. They suggest that the lack of new disability or an mRS score 0–2 might have been a better outcome. de Havenon responds that these end points would not be optimal either. They further comment that it would be ideal for a future study to compare outcomes among patients with premorbid disability via matched analysis of medical management vs thrombectomy. Additional research may facilitate a better understanding of factors associated with postthrombectomy outcome and impact selection criteria. Furthermore, this exchange demonstrates the fact that there are limitations of the scales that we use to assess disability following stroke.

Reader Response: Prestroke Disability and Outcome After Thrombectomy for Emergent Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke.

We applaud the TRACK Registry investigators for their evaluation of outcomes after thrombectomy in patients with prestroke disability.1

Reader Response: Prestroke Disability and Outcome After Thrombectomy for Emergent Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke.

We read with interest the article by de Havenon et al.1 In this study, the authors performed a post hoc analysis in patients with thrombectomy to examine the relationship between premorbid disability and outcome of endovascular therapy by using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). They found that patients without premorbid disability were more likely to accumulate further disability than those patients with premorbid disability, but patients with premorbid disability had a higher mortality. The modified Rankin Scale is used to evaluate the neurologic recovery of patients with stroke2 and is also widely used in clinical practice including cerebral infarction,2 cerebral hemorrhage,3 and cardiac arrest.4 However, the reasons for patients' prestroke disability and death after 90-day follow-up were unclear. Epidemiologic studies show that primary causes of disability vary across different age populations. Ischemic heart diseases and stroke are the primary causes of disability in 50–74-year-olds and those who are aged 75 years and over, respectively.5 In this study, it was unclear whether ischemic heart diseases or other noncerebrovascular causes were the main cause of prestroke disability and death. Additional investigations are needed to identify the indications and contraindications for endovascular therapy in patients with anterior circulation occlusion, which will benefit treatment of patients with stroke.

Author Response: Prestroke Disability and Outcome After Thrombectomy for Emergent Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke

We thank Feng et al. for their insightful comment regarding the importance of understanding why patients in our study had prestroke disabilities, such as cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or other morbidities, and the causes of death in the 90-day follow-up period.1 Unfortunately, these data were not available in the TRACK Registry. Given the renewed interest in this subject area, specifically both endovascular thrombectomy and IV thrombolysis, we hope that more granular data will be available in the near future.

Asymptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage Is Associated With Poor Outcomes After Mechanical Thrombectomy for Large Vessel Occlusion

Asymptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage Is Associated With Poor Outcomes After Mechanical Thrombectomy for Large Vessel Occlusion

Etiology of Large Vessel Occlusion Posterior Circulation Stroke: Results of the MR CLEAN Registry.

In patients with large vessel occlusion stroke of the anterior circulation, underlying cause is a determinant of outcome. Whether this is the case for posterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke has yet to be determined. We aimed to report on cause in patients with posterior circulation stroke treated with endovascular thrombectomy and to analyze the association with functional outcome. We used data of patients with posterior circulation stroke included in the MR CLEAN (Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands) registry, a prospective multicenter observational study, between 2014 and 2018. Stroke cause was categorized into large artery atherosclerosis (LAA), cardioembolism, arterial dissection, embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS), other determined cause, or undetermined cause. For primary analysis on the association between cause and outcome, we used multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis to estimate the adjusted common odds ratio for a shift towards a better functional outcome on the modified Rankin Scale at 90 days with LAA as a reference group. Secondary outcomes included favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0-3), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at 24 to 48 hours, reperfusion on digital subtraction angiography, and stroke progression. Of 264 patients with posterior circulation stroke, 84 (32%) had LAA, 48 (18%) cardioembolism, 31 (12%) dissection, and 14 (5%) ESUS. Patients with a dissection were younger (48 [interquartile range, 43-60] years) and had a lower National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at baseline (12 [interquartile range, 6-31]) than patients with other cause. Functional outcome was better for patients with cardioembolism and ESUS compared to LAA (modified Rankin Scale adjusted common odds ratio, 2.4 [95% CI, 1.1-5.2], respectively adjusted common odds ratio, 3.1 [95% CI, 1.0-9.3]). Patients with a dissection had a lower chance of successful reperfusion compared with LAA (adjusted odds ratio, 0.20 [95% CI, 0.06-0.70]). Unlike the anterior circulation, most frequent cause in our posterior large vessel occlusion stroke cohort is LAA followed by cardioembolism, dissection, and ESUS. Patients with cardioembolism and ESUS have a better prognosis for functional outcome after endovascular thrombectomy than patients with LAA.

Temporal Evaluation of MicroRNA Expression profile in Acute Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke (S33.009)

Temporal Evaluation of MicroRNA Expression profile in Acute Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke (S33.009)

Outcomes of Symptomatic Anterior Large Vessel Occlusion by Initial Imaging Assessment Using Diffusion‐Weighted Imaging Versus Noncontrast Computed Tomography

Background We aimed to compare outcomes after stroke due to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion with initial imaging assessments using diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) or noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT). Methods Among 2399 patients with large vessel occlusion stroke in a prospective, multicenter registry, patients with (1) prestroke modified Rankin Scale scores 0 to 1, (2) occlusion of the internal carotid artery or M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery, and (3) onset‐to‐hospital‐arrival time &lt;6 hours were included. The primary effectiveness outcome was good functional outcome, defined as modified Rankin Scale scores 0 to 2 at 3 months. Safety outcomes included symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Intergroup biases were accounted for by mixed‐effects multivariable modeling and inverse probability of treatment weighting. Results A total of 343 patients (130 women [37.9%]; median age, 74 years [interquartile range, IQR, 66–82 years]) were analyzed. DWI‐based assessment was performed in 217 patients, and NCCT‐based assessment was performed in 126 patients. The DWI group showed a lower baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ( P &lt;0.01) and lower Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score ( P &lt;0.01) than the NCCT group. Frequency of endovascular therapy was lower in the DWI group (71.9%) than in the NCCT group (84.1%; P &lt;0.01). Median hospital‐arrival‐to‐arterial‐puncture time was 55 minutes (IQR, 40–77.5 minutes) in the DWI group and 55 minutes (IQR, 35–80 minutes) in the NCCT group ( P =0.89), with similar rates of successful recanalization (77.6% versus 76.4%, respectively; P =0.88). Frequency of good functional outcome was 47.0% in the DWI group and 41.3% in the NCCT group (adjusted odds ratio, 1.32; 95% CI, 0.49–3.55). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was encountered in 2.8% in the DWI group and 1.6% in the NCCT group ( P =0.71). Conclusions Potential difference in accuracy of ischemic damage assessment between the 2 modalities did not seem to affect outcomes of anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT02419794.

Characterizing Fast and Slow Progressors in Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Strokes.

Infarct growth rate (IGR) in acute ischemic stroke is highly variable. We sought to evaluate impact of symptom-reperfusion time on outcomes in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT). A prospectively maintained database from January,2012-August,2020 was reviewed. All patients with isolated MCA-M1 occlusion who achieved complete reperfusion(mTICI2C-3), had a witnessed symptom onset and follow-up MRI were included. IGR was calculated as final infarct volume (FIV)(ml)/symptom onset to reperfusion time(hours) and was dichotomized according to the median value into slow-(SP) versus fast-progressors (FP). The primary analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of symptom-reperfusion time on 90-day mRS in SP and FP. Secondary analysis was performed to identify predictors of IGR. A total of 137 patients were eligible for analysis. Mean age was 63 ± 15.4 years and median IGR was 5.13ml/hour. SP(n = 69) had higher median ASPECTS, lower median rCBF<30% lesion volume, higher proportion of favorable collaterals and hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR)<0.4, higher minimal mean arterial blood pressure before reperfusion, and lower rates of general anesthesia compared to FP(n = 68). Symptom-reperfusion time was comparable between both groups. SP had higher rates of 90-day mRS0-2(71.9%vs.38.9%,aOR;7.226,95%CI[2.431-21.482],p < 0.001) and lower median FIV. Symptom-reperfusion time was associated with 90-day mRS0-2 in FP (aOR;0.541,95%CI[0.309-0.946],p = 0.03) but not in SP (aOR;0.874,95%CI[0.742-1.056],p = 0.16). On multivariable analysis, high ASPECTS and favorable collaterals in the NCCT/CTA model, and low rCBF<30% and HIR<0.4 in the CTP model were independent predictors of SP. The impact of symptom-reperfusion time on outcomes significantly varies across slow-versus fast-progressors. ASPECTS, collateral score, rCBF<30%, and HIR define stroke progression profile.