Rate Of Excellent Results Research Articles

The modified anterior ellipsoidal cap titanium cable tension band for comminuted patellar fractures.

The purpose of this study was to assess the outcomes in a series of patients, who underwent cerclage and figure-of-eight tension band wiring using a single titanium cable for comminuted patellar fractures. We describe a modified tension band technique using a single titanium cable to create an ellipsoidal cap structure that combines the circumferential and figure-of-eight wrapping in the fixation of closed Association for the Study of Internal Fixation/Orthopaedic Trauma Association 34C2 and 34C3 patellar fractures. We retrospectively reviewed 25 patients (16 males and 9 females, mean age 54 years) who underwent the described fixation technique between 2015 and 2017. Postoperative function was evaluated using the Böstman score. At the mean follow-up of 25 months (range 17-39 months), the mean Böstman score was 27.3 ± 2.6 points (range 23-30). Eighteen patients (72%) had excellent results (score ≥28); seven patients (28%) had good results (score 20-27); and no patients had an unsatisfactory result (score < 20). All surgical incisions healed without major wound complications. Two patients reported minor complications (soft tissue irritation, cellulitis). No patients demonstrated loss of reduction or implant failure during the follow-up period. The modified anterior ellipsoidal cap tension band using a single titanium cable created an effective tension band structure in the treatment of comminuted patella fractures. It is a simple operative technique that produced a stable fixation construct, which allowed early functional rehabilitation and weight-bearing with a high rate of excellent outcomes at 2 years after surgery.

An Outcomes-based Analysis of Patients Treated for Arteriovenous Malformation by Frameless LINAC-based Stereotactic Radiosurgery Using 3-Dimensional Rotational Angiography

Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) nidus localization remains a significant radiosurgical challenge. Previous work at our institution utilizing phantom models demonstrated superior nidus visualization and geometric accuracy with use of 3-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA) compared to digital angiography orthogonal image pairs. Incorporation of 3DRA into the radiosurgery (RS) planning process in 2009 has since allowed for a frameless LINAC-based approach to treatment. We evaluated clinical outcomes for patients treated in the time since adopting this technique. Clinical data were queried for all patients treated at our institution for AVM by single-fraction RS from 2010 to present. Post-RS surveillance for nidus obliteration and radiation-induced changes (RIC) consisted of an MRI every six months for two years, then annually. Beyond two years, confirmatory cerebral angiography was recommended for any patient with MRI suggestive of nidus obliteration. Patients were excluded if they lacked sufficient post-RS radiographic assessment, defined as either MRI, CTA, or cerebral angiography at least two years after RS. Maximum diameter (MD) and volume were measured for each lesion and used to calculate a modified Radiosurgery-based AVM Score (mRBAS). RICs were identified and classified as radiologic, symptomatic, or permanent. Excellent outcome was defined as nidus obliteration without intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) or symptomatic/permanent RIC. Clinical predictors of study outcomes were identified through univariate and multivariate (MVA) logistic regression and backwards elimination was used to optimize a predictive model for each outcome. A total of 65 AVMs in 62 patients were included with a median follow-up of 67 months. Median age at treatment was 31 years. Of these lesions, 58% presented with ICH. Prior intervention took place in 23% of cases. Median MD, volume, and mRBAS were 2.3cm, 1.93cc, and 1.16, respectively. 3DRA was utilized during treatment planning in 78% of cases. Treatments were delivered to a median isocenter and periphery dose of 2000 cGy and 1600 cGy, respectively. Obliteration was observed in 63% of cases with 88% confirmed angiographically. Median time-to-obliteration was 32 months. Radiologic, symptomatic, and permanent RICs developed in 40%, 8%, and 3% of cases, respectively. Post-RS ICH occurred in four patients with one ICH-related death. MVA showed that younger age and smaller MD predicted for obliteration. Larger MD predicted for radiologic RIC. Female gender and lower mRBAS predicted for excellent outcome. Incorporation of 3DRA in the RS planning process has allowed for a frameless approach to AVM treatment. Since instituting this technique, we have achieved obliteration and excellent outcome rates comparable to frame-based approaches with minimal treatment-related morbidity.

Rapid Alteplase Administration Improves Functional Outcomes in Patients With Stroke due to Large Vessel Occlusions

Background and Purpose- We report the relation of onset-to-treatment time and door-to-needle time with functional outcomes and mortality among patients with ischemic stroke with imaging-proven large vessel occlusion treated with intravenous alteplase. Methods- Individual patient-level data from the HERMES (Highly Effective Reperfusion Evaluated in Multiple Endovascular Stroke Trials) collaboration were pooled from 7 trials that randomized patients to mechanical thrombectomy added to best medical therapy versus best medical therapy alone. Analysis was restricted to patients who received alteplase directly at the endovascular hospital. The primary outcome was disability defined on the modified Rankin Scale at 3 months. Results- Among 601 patients, mean age was 66.0 years (SD, 13.9), 50% were women, and median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 17. Onset-to-treatment time was median 125 minutes (interquartile range, 90-170). Door-to-treatment time was median 38 minutes (interquartile range, 26-55). Each 60-minute onset-to-treatment time delay was associated with greater disability at 90 days; the odds of functional independence (modified Rankin Scale, 0-2) at 90 days was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.66-1.03). With each 60-minute delay in door-to-needle time; the odds of functional independence was 0.55 (95% CI, 0.37-0.81) at 90 days. The absolute decline in the rate of excellent outcome (modified Rankin Scale, 0-1 at 90 days) was 20.3 per 1000 patients treated per 15-minute delay in door-to-needle time. The adjusted absolute risk difference for a door-to-needle time <30 minutes versus 30 to 60 minutes was 19.3% for independent outcome (number-needed-to-treat ≈5 to gain 1 additional good outcome). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 3.4% of patients, without a significant time dependency: odds ratio, 0.74 (95% CI, 0.43-1.28). Conclusions- Faster intravenous thrombolysis delivery is associated with less disability at 3 months among patients with large vessel occlusion.

Assessing the real benefits of surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis without instability and spondylolisthesis: a single surgeon experience with a mean 8-year follow-up

BackgroundThe degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis is one of the most commonly treated spinal disorders in older adults; despite its increasing frequency, it is not yet clear what the most effective therapy might be. The aim of this study is to investigate the very long term results of a homogenized cohort of patients suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis: the first subset of patients operated on with laminectomy and the second subset of patients was also advised to undergo laminectomy but never operated on.MethodsPatients from both subgroups were advised to undergo surgery, according to the same criteria, in the period between 2000 and 2010 and were re-evaluated in the period between January and December 2016.ResultsComparing the two subsets of patients, both suffering from clinically relevant LSS, the first subset returns a statistically significant clinical improvement at follow-up. The rate of excellent results decreases over years. Iatrogenic spinal instability incidence was found to be 3.8% in the present cohort.ConclusionsAlthough the improvement of the first postoperative years decreases over time and despite the lack of general consensus, the lack of established shared guidelines and the limitations of this research, the results support the utilisation of surgery for the management of this condition.Level of Evidence3.

Direct Thrombectomy versus Bridging for Patients with Emergent Large-Vessel Occlusions

Background and Aims: Patients with emergent large-vessel occlusion (ELVO) that present earlier than 4 h from onset are usually treated with bridging systemic thrombolysis followed by endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Whether direct EVT (dEVT) could improve the chances of favorable outcome remains unknown. Methods: Consecutively, prospectively enrolled patients with ELVO presenting within 4 h of onset were entered into a National Acute Stroke Registry of patients undergoing revascularization. Patients treated with bridging were compared to those treated with dEVT. Excellent outcome was defined as having a modified Rankin Scale score ≤1 at 90 days following stroke. Results: Out of 392 patients that underwent thrombectomy, 270 (68%) presented within 4 h and were included. Of those, 159 (59%) underwent bridging and 111 (41%) underwent dEVT. Atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure were more common in the dEVT group (43 vs. 30%, p = 0.04 and 20 vs. 8%, p = 0.009, respectively), but other risk factors, demographics, stroke severity and subtypes as well as baseline vessel patency state and time metrics did not differ. Excellent target vessel recanalization defined as TICI 3 (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score) was more common in the dEVT group (75 vs. 61%, p = 0.03), but in-hospital mortality, discharge destinations, short- and long-term excellent outcome rates did not differ. On multivariate regression analysis, treatment modality did not significantly modify the chances of excellent outcome at discharge (OR 0.7; 95% CI 0.3–1.5) or at 3 months (OR 0.78 95% CI 0.4–1.4). Conclusions: The chances of attaining excellent functional outcomes are similar in ELVO patients undergoing dEVT or bridging.

The silver effect of admission glucose level on excellent outcome in thrombolysed stroke patients

Higher admission glucose levels (AGL) are associated with less favorable outcome in thrombolysis. But, could AGL’s impact on outcome vary by onset-to-treatment (OTT) time? Is hyperglycemia associated with a shorter therapeutic time window for excellent outcome for thrombolysed stroke patients? We assessed predictive values of AGL, baseline NIHSS, age, and OTT time quartiles on excellent outcome (3-month modified Rankin score of 0–1) in 773 patients treated by rt-Pa. We added the AGL × OTT time quartile interaction in the model and separately analyzed the predictive values of AGL, age, and NIHSS for each OTT time quartile if the interaction was significant. AGL, baseline NIHSS, age, and OTT time quartiles were significant predictors. When added in the model, the AGL × OTT interaction was significant (OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94–0.99, p: 0.0009). AGL was predictive only during the third OTT time quartile (181–224 min). During this period, the predicted rate of excellent outcome was 16% for AGL = 6.5 mmol/L and 8% for AGL = 8 mmol/L. The rate of excellent outcome was not decreased in hyperglycemic patients for OTT time ≤ 180 min (20 vs. 24.5% p: 0.37), but was decreased for OTT time > 180 min (9.6 vs. 26.7% p: 0.00001). Similar results were found in patients with MCA recanalization, but not in patients without recanalization. The therapeutic time window for excellent outcome is shortened in hyperglycemic patients. This would support the design of “freezing penumbra” randomized trials based on ultra-early AGL control.

Microvascular Decompression for Classical Trigeminal Neuralgia Caused by Venous Compression: Novel Anatomic Classifications and Surgical Strategy

Microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve is the most effective treatment for trigeminal neuralgia. However, when encountering classical trigeminal neuralgia caused by venous compression, the procedure becomes much more difficult, and failure or recurrence because of incomplete decompression may become frequent. This study aimed to investigate the anatomic variation of the culprit veins and discuss the surgical strategy for different types. We performed a retrospective analysis of 64 consecutive cases in whom veins were considered as responsible vessels alone or combined with other adjacent arteries. The study classified culprit veins according to operative anatomy and designed personalized approaches and decompression management according to different forms of compressive veins. Curative effects were assessed by the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain intensity score and BNI facial numbness score. The most commonly encountered veins were the superior petrosal venous complex (SPVC), which was artificially divided into 4 types according to both venous tributary distribution and empty point site. We synthetically considered these factors and selected an approach to expose the trigeminal root entry zone, including the suprafloccular transhorizontal fissure approach and infratentorial supracerebellar approach. The methods of decompression consist of interposing and transposing by using Teflon, and sometimes with the aid of medical adhesive. Nerve combing (NC) of the trigeminal root was conducted in situations of extremely difficult neurovascular compression, instead of sacrificing veins. Pain completely disappeared in 51 patients, and the excellent outcome rate was 79.7%. There were 13 patients with pain relief treated with reoperation. Postoperative complications included 10 cases of facial numbness, 1 case of intracranial infection, and 1 case of high-frequency hearing loss. The accuracy recognition of anatomic variation of the SPVC is crucial for the management of classical trigeminal neuralgia caused by venous compression. Selecting an appropriate approach and using reasonable decompression methods can bring complete postoperative pain relief for most cases. NC can be an alternative choice for extremely difficult cases, but it could lead to facial numbness more frequently.

Apophyseal avulsion fractures of the pelvis. A review.

Background and aim of the work: Fractures of the pelvis classically occur in adolescent during sports activities with forceful and repetitive contractions or passive lengthening acting on not yet ossified growth plates. Their misdiagnosis lead to disability, chronic pain and decrease of performances. Evidence based treatment guidelines do not exist; aim of this paper is to point out clinical outcomes, return to sport rates and complications of surgical and conservative approach. Methods: A systematic search based on MEDLINE database was performed in August 2017 to identify all published articles from 2010 to 2017 reporting outcomes, return to sport and complications rates after surgical and non-operative treatment of avulsion fractures of the pelvis. Results: Mean age was 14,5 years with anterior inferior iliac spine avulsion representing the most common injury (46%), followed by anterior superior iliac spine avulsion (32%), ischial tuberosity avulsion (12%) and iliac crest avulsion (11%). Rates of excellent outcome and return to sports at pre-injury levels were higher after surgical treatment; surgery has a higher risk of heterotopic ossification (9%) compared to conservative treatment (1,8%), whereas the risk of non-unions is lower (0% versus 2,5%). Conclusions: Surgery is preferred for major dislocations and fragment sizes, providing a faster return to pre-injury level of activity, decreasing the risk of pseudoarthrosis. Conservative treatment is advisable for minimally displaced fractures when a rapid recovery is not required; patient and his family should be informed on the risk of non-unions and the eventuality of a delayed surgical approach. (www.actabiomedica.it)

The Using of "Guided Growth" for Correction of Coronal Deformities around the Knee in Skeletally Immature Children (Systematic review and Metaanalysis)

Introduction: Angular deformities of the lower limbs are common during childhood. The concept of guided growth using a tension band plate is a breakthrough in the surgical correction of angular deformities. This approach has yielded satisfactory results and has low complication rates. Patients and methods: We reviewed 210 papers with overall 433 patients and 809 deformities. Inclusion criteria included papers published from 2010 to 2017 in English literature. A Meta-analysis was done on 16 papers with seven outcomes: Change in mechanical axis deviation, Tibiofemoral angle, rate of excellent outcomes, implant breakage, implant migration, inadequate reduction and rebound phenomenon. Results: Thirty two studies were included. Fifteen of them studied treatment of angular deformities by guided growth, three of them discussed the complications of using guided growth and five studies discussed Biomechanics of using guided growth. Sixteen studies were included in our cumulative meta-analysis. Conclusion: Guided growth is effective in treating coronal deformities around the knee in skeletally immature children wither the cause was idiopathic or pathological. There is no limitation except if physeal bar is developed or the patient near maturity. Few complications are associated with guided growth techniques including rebound phenomenon, inadequate reduction, implant breakage and implant migration. Level of Evidence: 3 (systematic review of type 1, 2, 3 studies).

Mechanical Thrombectomy for Minor and Mild Stroke Patients Harboring Large Vessel Occlusion in the Anterior Circulation

Proximal large vessel occlusion (LVO) is present in up to 30% of minor strokes. The effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in the subgroup of minor stroke with LVO in the anterior circulation is still open to debate. Data about MT in this subgroup of patients are sparse, and their optimal management has not yet been defined. The purpose of this multicenter cohort study was to evaluate the effectiveness of MT in patients experiencing acute ischemic stroke (AIS) because of LVO in the anterior circulation, presenting with minor-to-mild stroke symptoms (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of <8). Multicenter cohort study involving 4 comprehensive stroke centers having 2 therapeutic approaches (urgent thrombectomy associated with best medical treatment [BMT] versus BMT first and MT if worsening occurs) about management of patients with minor and mild acute ischemic stroke harboring LVO in the anterior circulation. An intention-to-treat analysis was conducted. The primary end point was the rate of excellent outcome defined as the achievement of a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 1 at 3 months. Three hundred one patients were included, 170 with urgent MT associated with BMT, and 131 with BMT alone as first-line treatment. Patients treated with MT were younger, more often received intravenous thrombolysis, and had shorter time to imaging. Twenty-four patients (18.0%) in the medical group had rescue MT because of neurological worsening. Overall, excellent outcome was achieved in 64.5% of patients, with no difference between the 2 groups. Stratified analysis according to key subgroups did not find heterogeneity in the treatment effect size. Minor-to-mild stroke patients with LVO achieved excellent and favorable functional outcomes at 3 months in similar proportions between urgent MT versus delayed MT associated with BMT. There is thus an urgent need for randomized trials to define the effectiveness of MT in this patient subgroup.

Suprafloccular approach via the petrosal fissure and venous corridors for microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve: technique notes and clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE Surgical exposure and decompression of the entire trigeminal nerve in a conventional lateral supracerebellar approach can be challenging because of blockages from the superior petrosal vein complex, cerebellum, and vestibulocochlear nerve. The authors demonstrate a novel suprafloccular approach via the petrosal fissure and venous corridors that can be used as a substitute for the conventional route used to treat trigeminal neuralgia and present a consecutive series of patients and their clinical outcomes. METHODS Preoperative and postoperative clinical data from 420 patients who underwent this modified approach at Hangzhou First People's Hospital between March 2012 and May 2014 were reviewed. The technique expands the working space by opening the petrosal fissure and dissecting adhesions between the vein of the cerebellopontine fissure and the simple lobule as needed. Via 3 surgical corridors, the entire trigeminal nerve is exposed and decompressed thoroughly with minimal retraction of the surrounding vital structures. RESULTS The medial one-third of the trigeminal nerve accounted for the majority (275 [65.5%] cases) of neurovascular conflict sites. The lateral corridor was used in 219 (52.1%) cases, the medial corridor was used in 175 (41.7%) cases, and the intermediate corridor was used in 26 (6.2%) cases. The entire trigeminal nerve in each patient was accessed directly and decompressed properly. At the end of the 24-month follow-up period, the rate of excellent results (Kondo score of T0 or T1) was stable at approximately 90.5%. No complications were related directly to petrosal vein or vestibulocochlear nerve injury. CONCLUSIONS Based on data from the large patient series, the authors found this suprafloccular approach via the petrosal fissure and venous corridors provides full exposure and decompression of the entire trigeminal nerve, a high cure rate, and a low neurovascular morbidity rate.

Trans-cerebellar-fissure approach and via-venous corridor in microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia

Objective To summarize the efficacy and experience of trans-cerebellar-fissure approach and via-venous corridor in microvascular decompression (MVD) of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Methods The clinical data, operation videos and outcomes of 420 patients with TN treated between March 2014 and September 2015 at Department of Neurosurgery, Hangzhou First People's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Results Among all patients, 219 cases (52.1%) had a sufficient exposure of trigeminal nerve after dissection through cerebellar petrosal fissure and lateral venous corridor. An extra opening of medial or intermediate venous corridor was needed for the other 201 cases (47.9%) to fully expose and decompress the fifth cranial nerve. No severe complications including death, disability, petrosal vein injures, hearing disturbance or facial paralysis directly caused by cerebellar retraction occurred. There were 3 (0.7%) patients developing severe facial numbness, 1 patient (0.2%) undergoing reoperation to evacuate cerebellar hematoma and 1 patient (0.2%) reporting permanent hearing loss post surgery by erroneous coagulation of a labyrinth artery. All patients were followed up for 9-30 months with an average of 24.0±8.5 months. At 1 month post operation, the rate of excellent outcomes (T0+ T1) was 94.0% (395 cases) and increased to 96.0% (403 cases) after 3 months with the remission of some non-specific symptoms. Pain recurrence was reported in 5.5% (23 cases) of all patients (23 case), and the overall rate of excellent outcomes was 91.0% (382 cases) at the end of follow-up. Conclusions Trans-cerebellar-fissure approach and via-venous corridor could be beneficial supplements for conventional approach of MVD in helping provide sufficient exposure of decompression of trigeminal nerve and reduce injuries of the petrous vein, facial and trigeminal nerves. Key words: Trigeminal neuralgia; Microvascular decompression; Vein; Petrosal fissure

Outcomes of Nonagenarians with Acute Ischemic Stroke Treated with Intravenous Thrombolytics

Nonagenarians are under-represented in thrombolytic trials for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The effectiveness of intravenous thrombolytics in nonagenarians in terms of safety and outcome is not well established. We used a multinational registry to identify patients aged 90 years or older with good baseline functional status who presented with AIS. Differences in outcomes-disability level at 90 days, frequency of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), and mortality-between patients who did and did not receive thrombolytics were assessed using multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for prespecified prognostic factors. Coarsened exact matching (CEM) was utilized before evaluating outcome by balancing both groups in the sensitivity analysis. We identified 227 previously independent nonagenarians with AIS; 122 received intravenous thrombolytics and 105 did not. In the unmatched cohort, ordinal analysis showed a significant treatment effect (adjusted common odds ratio [OR]: .61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .39-.96). There was an absolute difference of 8.1% in the rate of excellent outcome in favor of thrombolysis (17.4% versus 9.3%; adjusted ratio: .30, 95% CI: .12-.77). Rates of sICH and in-hospital mortality were not different. Similarly, in the matched cohort, CEM analysis showed a shift in the primary outcome distribution in favor of thrombolysis (adjusted common OR: .45, 95% CI: .26-.76). Nonagenarians treated with thrombolytics showed lower stroke-related disability at 90 days than those not treated, without significant difference in sICH and in-hospital mortality rates. These observations cannot exclude a residual confounding effect, but provide evidence that thrombolytics should not be withheld from nonagenarians because of age alone.

Minor Stroke Syndromes in Large-Vessel Occlusions: Mechanical Thrombectomy or Thrombolysis Only?

While mechanical thrombectomy for large-vessel occlusions is now an evidence-based treatment, its efficacy and safety in minor stroke syndromes (NIHSS ≤ 5) is not proved. We identified, in our prospective data base, 378 patients with minor strokes in the anterior circulation; 54 (14.2%) of these had proved large-vessel occlusions. Eight of 54 (14.8%) were immediately treated with mechanical thrombectomy, 6/54 (11.1%) after early neurologic deterioration, and the rest were treated with standard thrombolysis only. Rates of successful recanalization were similar between the 2 mechanical thrombectomy groups (75% versus 100%). Rates of excellent outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0-1) were higher in patients with immediate thrombectomy (75%) compared with patients with delayed thrombectomy (33.3%) and thrombolysis only (55%). No symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in either group. These descriptive data are encouraging, and further analysis of large registries or even randomized controlled trials in this patient subgroup should be performed.

Mechanical thrombectomy for minor and mild stroke patients harboring large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation: A multicenter case control study

Background and purpose Proximal large vessel occlusion (LVO) is present in up to 30% of minor strokes. There is no proven effectiveness of MT in the subgroup of minor stroke with LVO in the anterior circulation and data about mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in this subgroup of patients are sparse, with optimal management of these patients being yet not definitely addressed. The purpose of this case-control study was to evaluate MT in patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and LVO in the anterior circulation, presenting with minor to mild stroke symptoms (NIHSS Material and methods Case-control study involving 4 comprehensive stroke centers, having two approaches regarding management of minor and mild AIS patients harboring LVO in the anterior circulation. An intention-to-treat analysis was conducted. The primary end point was the rate of excellent outcome defined as the achievement of a modified Rankin Scale score of 0–1 at 3 months. Results In total, 301 patients were included, 170 with MT associated to best medical management (BMM, case group) and 131 with BMM alone as first line treatment (control group). Patients treated with MT were younger, more often received intravenous thrombolysis, and had shorter time to imaging. Twenty-four patients (18.3%) belonging to the medical group had rescue MT due to neurologic worsening. Overall, excellent outcome was achieved in 64.5% of patients, with no difference between the two groups. Stratified analysis according to key subgroups did not find heterogeneity in the treatment effect size. Conclusion Patients having underwent MT or BMM achieve excellent and favorable functional outcome at 3 months in similar proportions. However, baseline characteristics were different between the 2 groups, highlighting the urgent need for randomized clinical trials in this subset of patients.

Abstract WMP9: Endovascular Thrombectomy Impact in the First Three “Golden” Hours

Background: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) substantially increases the likelihood of good outcome in acute ischemic strokes due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). Expediting EVT to achieve faster reperfusion is an important factor that correlates with good outcome. Ultra-early intervention in the first 3 “golden” hours from onset was not well characterized in recent trials. Objective: We sought to assess the impact of early treatment within the first 3 hours on clinical outcomes in large, real life, world-wide practice. Methods: We analyzed a multicenter international prospective cohort study of LVO patients treated with stent retriever thrombectomy (TREVO Registry) between11/2013 and 4/2016. We stratified patients based on treatment time, onset to groin puncture (GP), into 3 groups: 0-3, 3-6, &gt;6 hrs. 90 day mRS was the primary outcome (0-2 good outcome). Logistic regression modeling was performed to evaluate the impact of treatment within the golden 3 hours on outcomes and to determine the independent factors associated with EVT initiation within 3 hours. Results: In the 905 patients, GP occurred in: 23.1% 0-3 hrs, 44.3% 3-6 hrs and 32.6% &gt;6 hrs. Table 1 shows similar baseline characteristics among the groups. Patient-level predictors of treatment within 3 hrs were age (aOR 1.1 per decade of age ≥18) and good ASPECTS (aOR 1.2 per point). No hospital-level predictors of early treatment were found. Patients treated within 3 hrs have a higher likelihood of good outcome as compared to those treated &gt;3 hrs (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.4-2.9; p &lt;0.001) after adjustment for age, NIHSS, IV tPA and mTICI ≥2b (Table 2). No differences were found in mortality and sICH. Treatment in the golden hours had the highest impact on excellent outcome rates (mRS 0-1) (Fig 1). Conclusion: Early thrombectomy of LVO strokes, within the first three hours provides the highest impact compared with later time windows. Streamlining processes to deliver rapid intervention within 3 hours would improve clinical outcomes.

Embolization Followed by Radiosurgery for the Treatment of Brain Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs).

Embolization has been proposed to reduce the size of the arteriovenous malformation (AVM) nidus in advance of radiosurgical treatment. Embolization followed by radiosurgery for brain AVMs, however, is controversial. We assessed the impact of embolization on nidal size before radiosurgical treatment and evaluated cure rates and complications by using embolization followed by radiosurgery. A retrospective review of our institutional AVM database identified 91 patients treated from 1995 to 2009 with embolization followed by radiosurgery. Pre- and postembolization AVM volumes were measured with angiography, and the modified radiation-based AVM scores (RBAS) also were calculated pre- and postembolization. RBAS determined from pre-embolization volumes were correlated with postradiosurgical obliteration. Median AVM volume declined from 18.8 mL (interquartile range, 10.2-32.2 mL) to 9.9 mL (3.1-19.2 mL) after embolization, P < 0.00003. Median RBAS scores decreased from 2.6 mL (1.8-3.9 mL) to 1.8 mL (1.0-2.8 mL), P < 0.00003. Two of 91 (2.2%) had new fixed deficits after embolization; however, no patient had new disabling deficits (modified Rankin Scale score >2). A total of 71 of 91 (79%) have had >3 years' follow-up, and 40 (56%) had complete obliteration, with 38 (53%) having excellent outcomes (complete obliteration without neurologic decline). Excellent outcome was seen in 90% of patients with modified RBAS score <1, 66% of patients with score 1-1.5, 50% patients with score 1.5-2, and 43% of patients with score >2. These data suggest that embolization of brain AVMs can safely and effectively reduce the treatment volume before radiosurgery. Combined therapy with embolization and radiosurgery does not appear to adversely affect rates of excellent outcome.

Administration of Uric Acid in the Emergency Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Oxidative stress is one of the main mechanisms implicated in the pathophysiology of inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). Uric acid (UA) is the end product of purine catabolism in humans, and it is the main endogenous antioxidant in blood. Low circulating UA levels have been associated with an increased prevalence and worse clinical course of several neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases of the CNS, including Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. Moreover, the exogenous administration of UA exerts robust neuroprotective properties in experimental models of CNS disease, including brain ischemia, spinal cord injury, meningitis, and experimental allergic encephalitis. In experimental brain ischemia, exogenous UA and the thrombolytic agent alteplase exert additive neuroprotective effects when administered in combination. UA is rapidly consumed following acute ischemic stroke, and higher UA levels at stroke admission are associated with a better outcome and reduced infarct growth at follow-up. A recent phase II trial demonstrated that the combined intravenous administration of UA and alteplase is safe and prevents an early decrease of circulating UA levels in acute ischemic stroke patients. Moreover, UA prevents the increase in the circulating levels of the lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde and of active matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9, a marker of blood-brain barrier disruption. The moderately sized URICOICTUS phase 2b trial showed that the addition of UA to thrombolytic therapy resulted in a 6% absolute increase in the rate of excellent outcome at 90 days compared to placebo. The trial also showed that UA administration resulted in a significant increment of excellent outcome in patients with pretreatment hyperglycemia, in females and in patients with moderate strokes. Overall, the encouraging neuroprotective effects of UA therapy in acute ischemic stroke warrants further investigation in adequately powered clinical trials.

Uric Acid Therapy Improves Clinical Outcome in Women With Acute Ischemic Stroke

It is unknown whether women and men with acute ischemic stroke respond similar to an antioxidant regimen administered in combination with thrombolysis. Here, we investigated the independent effect of sex on the response to uric acid (UA) therapy in patients with acute stroke treated with alteplase. In the Efficacy Study of Combined Treatment With Uric Acid and rtPA in Acute Ischemic Stroke (URICO-ICTUS) trial, 206 women and 205 men were randomized to UA 1000 mg or placebo. In this reanalysis of the trial, the primary outcome was the rate of excellent outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale, 0-1, or 2, if premorbid score of 2) in women and men using regression models adjusted for confounders associated with sex. The interaction of UA levels by treatment on infarct growth was assessed in selected patients. Excellent outcome occurred in 47 of 111 (42%) women treated with UA, and 28 of 95 (29%) treated with placebo, and in 36 of 100 (36%) men treated with UA and 38 of 105 (34%) treated with placebo. Treatment and sex interacted significantly with excellent outcome (P=0.045). Thus, UA therapy doubled the effect of placebo to attain an excellent outcome in women (odd ratio [95% confidence interval], 2.088 [1.050-4.150]; P=0.036), but not in men (odd ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.999 [0.516-1.934]; P=0.997). The interactions between treatment and serum UA levels (P<0.001) or allantoin/UA ratio (P<0.001) on infarct growth were significant only in women. In women with acute ischemic stroke treated with alteplase, the administration of UA reduced infarct growth in selected patients and was better than placebo to reach excellent outcome. URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00860366.

Uric acid improves glucose-driven oxidative stress in human ischemic stroke.

A study was undertaken to test in a subgroup reanalysis of the URICO-ICTUS trial whether uric acid is superior to placebo in improving the functional outcome in patients with acute stroke and hyperglycemia. Patients were part of the URICO-ICTUS trial, a double-blind study that compared the administration of uric acid versus placebo in stroke patients treated with alteplase within 4.5 hours of onset. The effect of therapy on the rate of excellent outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale ≤ 2) in each tertile of admission glucose was assessed with multivariate adjusted models in 409 of the 421 randomized patients who had available pretreatment glucose levels. The effect of therapy on infarct growth was assessed in 72 patients who had longitudinal multimodal brain imaging. Uric acid was associated with an increased rate of excellent outcome in patients with glucose levels in the upper tertile range (odds ratio [OR] = 2.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0-8.3). However, the effect was not apparent for patients in the middle tertile (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 0.8-3.6) or lower tertile of glucose (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.5-2.6). Uric acid therapy was more effective than placebo in limiting infarct growth in the upper tertile range (Mann-Whitney U test, p = 0.04) but not in the middle tertile (p = 0.95) or lower tertile of glucose (p = 0.30). Uric acid also proved superior to placebo in reducing infarct growth in patients with early recanalization. Uric acid therapy was associated with reduced infarct growth and improved outcome in patients with hyperglycemia during acute stroke.