Endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischaemic stroke with established large infarct (TENSION): 12-month outcomes of a multicentre, open-label, randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Long-term data showing the benefits of endovascular thrombectomy for stroke with large infarct are scarce. The TENSION trial showed the safety and efficacy of endovascular thrombectomy in patients with ischaemic stroke and large infarct at 90 days. We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy at 12 months of endovascular thrombectomy in patients who were enrolled in the TENSION trial. METHODS: TENSION was an open-label, blinded endpoint, randomised trial done at 40 hospitals across Europe and one hospital in Canada. We included patients (aged ≥18 years) with acute ischaemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation and who had a large infarct, as indicated by an Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomographic Score (ASPECTS) of 3-5 on standard-of-care stroke imaging. We randomly assigned patients (1:1) to receive either endovascular thrombectomy with medical treatment or medical treatment only up to 12 h from stroke onset. The primary outcome was functional outcome across the entire range of the modified Rankin Scale at 90 days. Here, we report the prespecified 12-month follow-up analyses for functional outcome (using the simplified modified Rankin Scale questionnaire), quality of life (using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 10-item [PROMIS-10] and EQ-5D questionnaires), post-stroke anxiety and depression (using the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 [PHQ-4]), and overall survival. Outcomes (except survival) were assessed in the intention-to-treat population; the survival analysis was based on treatment received. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03094715, and is completed. FINDINGS: We enrolled patients between July 17, 2018, and Feb 21, 2023, when the trial was stopped early for efficacy. 253 patients were randomly assigned, 125 (49%) to endovascular thrombectomy and 128 (51%) to medical treatment only. Median follow-up was 8·36 months (IQR 0·02-12·00). Endovascular thrombectomy was associated with a shift in the distribution of scores on the modified Rankin Scale towards better functional outcome at 12 months (adjusted common odds ratio 2·39 [95% CI 1·47-3·90]). Endovascular thrombectomy was also associated with a better quality of life compared with medical treatment only, as reflected by median scores on the EQ-5D questionnaire index (0·7 [IQR 0·4-0·9] vs 0·4 [0·2-0·7]), median scores for health status on the EQ-5D questionnaire visual analogue scale (50 [IQR 35-70] vs 30 [5-60]), and median global physical health scores on the PROMIS-10 questionnaire (T-score 39·8 [IQR 37·4-50·8] vs 37·4 [32·4-44·9]); although there was not enough evidence to suggest a difference between groups in global mental health scores on PROMIS-10 (41·1 [IQR 36·3-48·3] vs 38·8 [31·3-44·7]) or the numbers of patients reporting anxiety (13 [22%] of 58 vs 15 [42%] of 36) and depression (18 [31%] vs 18 [50%]) on PHQ-4. Overall survival was slightly better in the endovascular thrombectomy group compared with medical treatment only (adjusted hazard ratio 0·70 [95% CI 0·50-0·99]). INTERPRETATION: In patients with acute ischaemic stroke from large vessel occlusion with established large infarct, compared with medical treatment only, endovascular thrombectomy was associated at 12 months after stroke with better functional outcome, quality of life, and overall survival. These findings suggest that the benefits of endovascular thrombectomy in patients with an ischaemic stroke and a large infarct are sustained in the long term and support the use of endovascular thrombectomy in these patients. FUNDING: European Union Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme.

Endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischaemic stroke with established large infarct: multicentre, open-label, randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests a beneficial effect of endovascular thrombectomy in acute ischaemic stroke with large infarct; however, previous trials have relied on multimodal brain imaging, whereas non-contrast CT is mostly used in clinical practice. METHODS: In a prospective multicentre, open-label, randomised trial, patients with acute ischaemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation and a large established infarct indicated by an Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomographic Score (ASPECTS) of 3-5 were randomly assigned using a central, web-based system (using a 1:1 ratio) to receive either endovascular thrombectomy with medical treatment or medical treatment (ie, standard of care) alone up to 12 h from stroke onset. The study was conducted in 40 hospitals in Europe and one site in Canada. The primary outcome was functional outcome across the entire range of the modified Rankin Scale at 90 days, assessed by investigators masked to treatment assignment. The primary analysis was done in the intention-to-treat population. Safety endpoints included mortality and rates of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage and were analysed in the safety population, which included all patients based on the treatment they received. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03094715. FINDINGS: From July 17, 2018, to Feb 21, 2023, 253 patients were randomly assigned, with 125 patients assigned to endovascular thrombectomy and 128 to medical treatment alone. The trial was stopped early for efficacy after the first pre-planned interim analysis. At 90 days, endovascular thrombectomy was associated with a shift in the distribution of scores on the modified Rankin Scale towards better outcome (adjusted common OR 2·58 [95% CI 1·60-4·15]; p=0·0001) and with lower mortality (hazard ratio 0·67 [95% CI 0·46-0·98]; p=0·038). Symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage occurred in seven (6%) patients with thrombectomy and in six (5%) with medical treatment alone. INTERPRETATION: Endovascular thrombectomy was associated with improved functional outcome and lower mortality in patients with acute ischaemic stroke from large vessel occlusion with established large infarct in a setting using non-contrast CT as the predominant imaging modality for patient selection. FUNDING: EU Horizon 2020.

Reactivation of a somatic errantivirus and germline invasion in Drosophila ovaries.

Most Drosophila transposable elements are LTR retrotransposons, some of which belong to the genus Errantivirus and share structural and functional characteristics with vertebrate endogenous retroviruses. Like endogenous retroviruses, it is unclear whether errantiviruses retain some infectivity and transposition capacity. We created conditions where control of the Drosophila ZAM errantivirus through the piRNA pathway was abolished leading to its de novo reactivation in somatic gonadal cells. After reactivation, ZAM invaded the oocytes and severe fertility defects were observed. While ZAM expression persists in the somatic gonadal cells, the germline then set up its own adaptive genomic immune response by producing piRNAs against the constantly invading errantivirus, restricting invasion. Our results suggest that although errantiviruses are continuously repressed by the piRNA pathway, they may retain their ability to infect the germline and transpose, thus allowing them to efficiently invade the germline if they are expressed.

The Intricate Evolutionary Balance between Transposable Elements and Their Host: Who Will Kick at Goal and Convert the Next Try?

Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile DNA sequences that can jump from one genomic locus to another and that have colonized the genomes of all living organisms. TE mobilization and accumulation are an important source of genomic innovations that greatly contribute to the host species evolution. To ensure their maintenance and amplification, TE transposition must occur in the germ cell genome. As TE transposition is also a major threat to genome integrity, the outcome of TE mobility in germ cell genomes could be highly dangerous because such mutations are inheritable. Thus, organisms have developed specialized strategies to protect the genome integrity from TE transposition, particularly in germ cells. Such effective TE silencing, together with ongoing mutations and negative selection, should result in the complete elimination of functional TEs from genomes. However, TEs have developed efficient strategies for their maintenance and spreading in populations, particularly by using horizontal transfer to invade the genome of novel species. Here, we discuss how TEs manage to bypass the host's silencing machineries to propagate in its genome and how hosts engage in a fightback against TE invasion and propagation. This shows how TEs and their hosts have been evolving together to achieve a fine balance between transposition and repression.

An Update on Drug-eluting Technology in Peripheral Arteries to Treat Peripheral Arterial Disease.

For the treatment of peripheral arterial disease, drug-eluting technology is a widely accepted therapeutic option, with significant reduction in intimal hyperplasia and, consequently, use of target lesion revascularization. Nevertheless, the reputation of such devices was damaged after a meta-analysis, published in December 2018, showed increased mortality in patients receiving paclitaxel-eluting devices. Although subsequent studies have failed to establish such correlation, the use of paclitaxel-eluting devices remains heavily restricted. As such, other options and drugs have been developed, for instance sirolimus. In this article we present the available data on drug-eluting technology.

Early prediction of final infarct volume with material decomposition images of dual-energy CT after mechanical thrombectomy.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of water material density images (wMDIm) of dual-energy CT (DECT) for earlier prediction of final infarct volume (fiV) in follow-up single-energy CT (SECT) and correlation with clinical outcome. METHODS: Fifty patients (69 years, ± 12.1, 40-90, 50% female) with middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusions were included. Early infarct volumes were analyzed in monoenergetic images (MonoIm) and wMDIm at 60 keV and compared with the fiV in SECT 4.9 days (± 4) after thrombectomy. Association between infarct volume and functional outcome was tested by linear regression analysis. RESULTS: wMDIm shows a prior visible infarct demarcation (60.7 ml, ± 74.9 ml) compared with the MonoIm (37.57 ml, ± 76.7 ml). Linear regression analysis, Bland-Altman plots and Pearson correlation coefficients show a close correlation of infarct volume in wMDIm to the fiV in SECT (r = 0.86; 95% CI 0.76-0.92), compared with MonoIm and SECT (r = 0.81; 95% CI 0.69-0.89). The agreement with SECT is substantially higher in patients with infarct volumes < 70 ml (n = 33; 66%). Coefficients were smaller with r = 0.59 (95% CI 0.31; 0.78) for MonoIm and SECT compared with r = 0.77 (95% CI 0.57; 0.88) for wMDIm and SECT. At admission, the mean NIHSS score and mRS were 17.02 (± 4.7) and 4.9 (± 0.2). mRS ≤ 2 was achieved in 56% at 90 days with a mean mRS of 2.5 (± 0.8) at discharge. CONCLUSION: Material decomposition allows earlier visibility of the final infarct volume. This promises an earlier evaluation of the dimension and severity of infarction and may lead to faster initiation of secondary stroke prophylaxis.

Conserved Small Nucleotidic Elements at the Origin of Concerted piRNA Biogenesis from Genes and lncRNAs.

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) target transcripts by sequence complementarity serving as guides for RNA slicing in animal germ cells. The piRNA pathway is increasingly recognized as critical for essential cellular functions such as germline development and reproduction. In the Anopheles gambiae ovary, as much as 11% of piRNAs map to protein-coding genes. Here, we show that ovarian mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are processed into piRNAs that can direct other transcripts into the piRNA biogenesis pathway. Targeting piRNAs fuel transcripts either into the ping-pong cycle of piRNA amplification or into the machinery of phased piRNA biogenesis, thereby creating networks of inter-regulating transcripts. RNAs of the same network share related genomic repeats. These repeats give rise to piRNAs, which target other transcripts and lead to a cascade of concerted RNA slicing. While ping-pong networks are based on repeats of several hundred nucleotides, networks that rely on phased piRNA biogenesis operate through short ~40-nucleotides long repeats, which we named snetDNAs. Interestingly, snetDNAs are recurring in evolution from insects to mammals. Our study brings to light a new type of conserved regulatory pathway, the snetDNA-pathway, by which short sequences can include independent genes and lncRNAs in the same biological pathway.

Epigenetic Requirements for Triggering Heterochromatinization and Piwi-Interacting RNA Production from Transgenes in the Drosophila Germline.

Transgenes containing a fragment of the I retrotransposon represent a powerful model of piRNA cluster de novo formation in the Drosophila germline. We revealed that the same transgenes located at different genomic loci form piRNA clusters with various capacity of small RNA production. Transgenic piRNA clusters are not established in piRNA pathway mutants. However, in the wild-type context, the endogenous ancestral I-related piRNAs heterochromatinize and convert the I-containing transgenes into piRNA-producing loci. Here, we address how the quantitative level of piRNAs influences the heterochromatinization and piRNA production. We show that a minimal amount of maternal piRNAs from ancestral I-elements is sufficient to form the transgenic piRNA clusters. Supplemental piRNAs stemming from active I-element copies do not stimulate additional chromatin changes or piRNA production from transgenes. Therefore, chromatin changes and piRNA production are initiated by a minimum threshold level of complementary piRNAs, suggesting a selective advantage of prompt cell response to the lowest level of piRNAs. It is noteworthy that the weak piRNA clusters do not transform into strong ones after being targeted by abundant I-specific piRNAs, indicating the importance of the genomic context for piRNA cluster establishment. Analysis of ovarian transcription profiles suggests that regions facilitating convergent transcription favor the formation of transgenic piRNA clusters.

Trapping a somatic endogenous retrovirus into a germline piRNA cluster immunizes the germline against further invasion.

BACKGROUND: For species survival, the germline must faithfully transmit genetic information to the progeny. Transposable elements (TEs) constitute a significant threat to genome stability due to their mobility. In the metazoan germline, their mobilization is limited by a class of small RNAs called PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) produced by dedicated genomic loci called piRNA clusters. Although the piRNA pathway is an adaptive genomic immunity system, it remains unclear how the germline gains protection from a new transposon invasion. RESULTS: To address this question, we analyze Drosophila melanogaster lines harboring a deletion within flamenco, a major piRNA cluster specifically expressed in somatic follicular cells. This deletion leads to derepression of the retrotransposon ZAM in the somatic follicular cells and subsequent germline genome invasion. In this mutant line, we identify de novo production of sense and antisense ZAM-derived piRNAs that display a germinal molecular signature. These piRNAs originated from a new ZAM insertion into a germline dual-strand piRNA cluster and silence ZAM expression specifically in germ cells. Finally, we find that ZAM trapping in a germinal piRNA cluster is a frequent event that occurs early during the isolation of the mutant line. CONCLUSIONS: Transposons can hijack the host developmental process to propagate whenever their silencing is lost. Here, we show that the germline can protect itself by trapping invading somatic-specific TEs into germline piRNA clusters. This is the first demonstration of "auto-immunization" of a germline endangered by mobilization of a surrounding somatic TE.

Influence of vessel morphology and variations on technical and clinical success in mechanical thrombectomy: -In vivo and in vitro analyses.

PURPOSE: To determine the impact of vessel variation and anatomical features on technical and clinical success. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro blood clots (n=100) were introduced into a silicon carotid-T flow model of 2, 3 or 4mm. The ICA/M1angle varied at 45°, 90°, 135° and 180°. Peripheral embolism was measured. In vivo 50 pat. (73.5 yrs.,±15) with MCA occlusion were examined for siphon variation, ICA morphology, vessel diameter and angles. The patients were divided according to the clinical success (mRS): group A: mRS≤2 after 90 day and group B: mRS≥3. Furthermore the technical success (TICI) and number of retrieval (n) were analysed. RESULTS: In vitro with larger vessel diameter the migrated thrombus load decreased (P=.001). The steeper the M1/ICA angles, the higher thrombus weighs (180°: 2.94mg; 135°: 6.32mg; 90°: 8.65mg, 45°: 10.69mg; P<.001). In vivo patients with mRS≤2 had significantly lower NIHSS (16.5 vs 20, P=.009) and higher ASPECTS (9 vs 6, P<.05). TICI≥2b was more often achieved (86.6 vs 40% P=.002). The procedure time was lower (45 vs. 80min, P<.05) with smaller number of retrieval (1.5 vs 4, P<05). Proximal ICA stenosis offers a trend to unfavourable outcome (P=.073). Siphon variation "D" is associated with less retrieval manoeuvre. CONCLUSION: While in vitro there is a close correlation between embolism and vascular anatomy, in vivo carotid artery stenosis and siphon variation influence clinical and technical success.

sRNAPipe: a Galaxy-based pipeline for bioinformatic in-depth exploration of small RNAseq data.

BACKGROUND: The field of small RNA is one of the most investigated research areas since they were shown to regulate transposable elements and gene expression and play essential roles in fundamental biological processes. Small RNA deep sequencing (sRNA-seq) is now routinely used for large-scale analyses of small RNA. Such high-throughput sequencing typically produces several millions reads. RESULTS: Here we present a computational pipeline (sRNAPipe: small RNA pipeline) based on the Galaxy framework that takes as input a fastq file of small RNA-seq reads and performs successive steps of mapping to categories of genomic sequences: transposable elements, gene transcripts, microRNAs, small nuclear RNAs, ribosomal RNAs and transfer RNAs. It also provides individual mapping and counting for chromosomes, transposable elements and gene transcripts, normalization, small RNA length analysis and plotting of the data along genomic coordinates to build publication-quality graphs and figures. sRNAPipe evaluates 10-nucleotide 5'-overlaps of reads on opposite strands to test ping-pong amplification for putative PIWI-interacting RNAs, providing counts of overlaps and corresponding z-scores. CONCLUSIONS: sRNAPipe is easy to use and does not require command-line or coding knowledge. This pipeline gives quick visual and quantitative results, which are usable for publications. sRNAPipe is freely available as a Galaxy tool and via GitHub.

Eluvia drug-eluting vascular stent system for the treatment of symptomatic femoropopliteal lesions.

Endovascular options are increasingly recognized as primary treatments for lower extremity peripheral arterial disease inadequately responsive to noninvasive therapy. Options include balloon angioplasty and stent implantation, and newer technologies incorporate drug coatings to prevent restenosis and reduce the need for reintervention. The Eluvia drug-eluting vascular stent system (Boston Scientific, MA, USA) was designed with a biocompatible fluoropolymer coating to allow for drug elution over time. Initial clinical results demonstrate promising efficacy in terms of sustained femoropopliteal artery patency along with a good safety profile. This review summarizes the existing clinical literature on treatment of femoropopliteal artery lesions with Eluvia, and outlines the continuing research program.

Transcriptional and chromatin changes accompanying de novo formation of transgenic piRNA clusters.

Expression of transposable elements in the germline is controlled by Piwi-interacting (pi) RNAs produced by genomic loci termed piRNA clusters and associated with Rhino, a heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) homolog. Previously, we have shown that transgenes containing a fragment of the I retrotransposon form de novo piRNA clusters in the Drosophila germline providing suppression of I-element activity. We noted that identical transgenes located in different genomic sites vary considerably in piRNA production and classified them as "strong" and "weak" piRNA clusters. Here, we investigated what chromatin and transcriptional changes occur at the transgene insertion sites after their conversion into piRNA clusters. We found that the formation of a transgenic piRNA cluster is accompanied by activation of transcription from both genomic strands that likely initiates at multiple random sites. The chromatin of all transgene-associated piRNA clusters contain high levels of trimethylated lysine 9 of histone H3 (H3K9me3) and HP1a, whereas Rhino binding is considerably higher at the strong clusters. None of these chromatin marks was revealed at the "empty" sites before transgene insertion. Finally, we have shown that in the nucleus of polyploid nurse cells, the formation of a piRNA cluster at a given transgenic genomic copy works according to an "all-or-nothing" model: either there is high Rhino enrichment or there is no association with Rhino at all. As a result, genomic copies of a weak piRNA transgenic cluster show a mosaic association with Rhino foci, while the majority of strong transgene copies associate with Rhino and are hence involved in piRNA production.

Visuospatial working memory mediates inhibitory and facilitatory guidance in preview search.

Visual search is faster and more accurate when a subset of distractors is presented before the display containing the target. This "preview benefit" has been attributed to separate inhibitory and facilitatory guidance mechanisms during search. In the preview task the temporal cues thought to elicit inhibition and facilitation provide complementary sources of information about the likely location of the target. In this study, we use a Bayesian observer model to compare sensitivity when the temporal cues eliciting inhibition and facilitation produce complementary, and competing, sources of information. Observers searched for T-shaped targets among L-shaped distractors in 2 standard and 2 preview conditions. In the standard conditions, all the objects in the display appeared at the same time. In the preview conditions, the initial subset of distractors either stayed on the screen or disappeared before the onset of the search display, which contained the target when present. In the latter, the synchronous onset of old and new objects negates the predictive utility of stimulus-driven capture during search. The results indicate observers combine memory-driven inhibition and sensory-driven capture to reduce spatial uncertainty about the target's likely location during search. In the absence of spatially predictive onsets, memory-driven inhibition at old locations persists despite irrelevant sensory change at previewed locations. This result is consistent with a bias toward unattended objects during search via the active suppression of irrelevant capture at previously attended locations. (PsycINFO Database Record

Drug-coated balloons: what is the evidence?

Having evolved at a rapid pace, the therapy options for percutaneous treatment of peripheral arterial disease in the lower limbs, especially percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in combination with stent-technology, are able to deliver a rate where at least 80% of the treated patients remain free from reintervention after the first years under ideal study conditions, meaning that defined and often restrict in- and exclusion criteria were fulfilled and mid-term dual platelet therapy is warranted. This is somewhat a huge leap when compared to the 50-60% in the 1980s and 1990s, but we now face an era of an increasingly demanding clientele, where the industry also strives to cover this final 20% with newer technologies. As recent studies with drug-eluting stents (DES) suggests, nowadays it is possible to achieve up to 90% patency in the short- and mid-term, but this comes accompanied by remarkably increased therapy costs, making it almost impossible to most centers to implant it as the standard therapy option. Trying to fill this gap between the low-patency of the plain old balloon angioplasty and the higher costs of the DES, drug-coated balloon technology has found its niche, knowing that reimbursement shows a broad variation across the countries and continents.

Increased production of piRNAs from euchromatic clusters and genes in Anopheles gambiae compared with Drosophila melanogaster.

BACKGROUND: Specific genomic loci, termed Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) clusters, manufacture piRNAs that serve as guides for the inactivation of complementary transposable elements (TEs). The piRNA pathway has been accurately detailed in Drosophila melanogaster, while it remains poorly examined in other insects. This pathway is increasingly recognized as critical for germline development and reproduction. Understanding of the piRNA functions in mosquitoes could offer an opportunity for disease vector control by the reduction of their reproductive potential. RESULTS: To analyze the similarities and differences in this pathway between Drosophila and mosquito, we performed an in-depth analysis of the genomic loci producing piRNAs and their targets in the African malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. We identified 187 piRNA clusters in the An. gambiae genome and 155 piRNA clusters in the D. melanogaster genome. We demonstrate that many more piRNA clusters in the mosquito compared with the fruit fly are uni-directionally transcribed and are located outside pericentromeric heterochromatin. About 11 % of the An. gambiae piRNA population map to gene transcripts. This is a noticeable increase compared with the ~6 % of the piRNA population mapped to genes in D. melanogaster. A subset of the piRNA-enriched genes in An. gambiae has functions related to reproduction and development. At least 24 and 65 % of the mapped piRNAs correspond to genomic TE sequences in An. gambiae and D. melanogaster, respectively. DNA transposons and non-LTR retrotransposons are more abundant in An. gambiae, while LTR retrotransposons are more abundant in D. melanogaster. Yet, piRNAs predominantly target LTR retrotransposons in both species, which may point to a distinct feature of these elements compared to the other classes of TEs concerning their silencing by the piRNA pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we demonstrate that piRNA-producing loci have more ubiquitous distribution in the An. gambiae genome than in the genome of D. melanogaster. Also, protein-coding genes have an increased role in production of piRNAs in the germline of this mosquito. Genes involved in germline and embryonic development of An. gambiae generate a substantial portion of piRNAs, suggesting a role of the piRNA pathway in the epigenetic regulation of the reproductive processes in the African malaria vector.

Initial clinical experience with the micromesh Roadsaver carotid artery stent for the treatment of patients with symptomatic carotid artery disease.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness, technical aspects, handling, and safety of the micromesh Roadsaver Carotid Artery Stent in the treatment of atherosclerotic carotid artery stenosis and tandem lesions in ischemic stroke patients. METHODS: Seven patients (5 men; mean age 75±11.4 years, range 53-86) suffering from symptomatic internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis (mean 76% diameter reduction) were treated with the dual layer closed-cell stent without embolic protection. Postdilation was performed in 6 of 7 patients. Two patients were treated in the context of ischemic stroke and concurrent middle cerebral artery occlusion. Mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission was 12.8±5. RESULTS: All devices were deployed satisfactorily. One wall-adherent thromboembolus in a proximal ICA was covered with the Roadsaver stent in a tandem lesion setting. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) declined from 3.7±0.7 to 2.4±0.8 in hospital, showing an improvement in clinical symptoms. No complications were detected during or after the procedure. The 30-day mRS was 1.7±1.1. At 6 months, ultrasound examination demonstrated patency of stents and the external carotid arteries. CONCLUSION: The Roadsaver double layer micromesh stent seems to be safe and effective in the treatment of extracranial ICA stenosis and in the context of tandem lesions in ischemic stroke. Further studies with larger populations are warranted.

Lesion-Related Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting with Closed-Cell Design without Embolic Protection Devices in High-Risk Elderly Patients-Can This Concept Work Out? A Single Center Experience Focusing on Stent Design.

To compare the performance differences of three carotid artery stents in high-risk elderly patients without embolic protection devices (EPDs) on the basis of stent design, procedure-related complications, conveniences in handling, in-stent restenosis, 30-day outcome, and long-term follow-up. A total of 101 symptomatic internal carotid stenoses of 94 patients were prospectively treated with stent-protected angioplasty to 94 patients. Three closed-cell stents, one of those being hybrid cell design, were chosen depending on vascular anatomy: curved vessel, lesion length > 1 cm: 64 Carotid Wallstent (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA); curved vessel, lesion length < 1 cm: 21 Cristallo Ideale (Invatec, Roncadelle, Italy); straight vessel, lesion length > 1 cm: 16 Xact (Vascular Abbott, Santa Clara, CA). Comparisons of demographics, procedures, and outcomes were performed. The mean age of patients was 73.1 years (standard deviation [SD], ± 7.9; range, 58-87 years), 71% of the patients were older than 70 years and 20% were octogenarians. Male/female ratio was 3.1:1. About 13.9% (14/101) had contralateral internal carotid artery occlusion. Overall peri-interventional complication rate was 2.9% and 30-day mortality rate was 1%. During the long-term follow-up (34 months, range 1-59) no ipsilateral stroke was documented. Ten deaths (three after MI) were recognized. Two in-stent restenosis were detected (> 70% North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial) during follow-up, one patient was detected with previous carotid endarterectomy. Especially, if individual anatomical variance is considered, lesion-related stent-protected carotid angioplasty with lesion-adapted closed-cell design is an effective, reliable, safe, and comprehensible treatment option in symptomatic patients. Even without EPDs, the rate of complications is low, when compared with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis described in the literature. In-stent restenosis seems to play no significant role in follow-up.