The technique of endovascular intracranial revascularization.

Intracranial atherosclerosis was traditionally believed to carry a risk of stroke of 8% to 22% per annum. The annualized stroke rate in the recent stenting and aggressive medical management for preventing stroke in intracranial stenosis (SAMMPRIS) trial medical management arm was 12.2%. This trial was halted due to excessive periprocedural events in the stent arm. This stroke rate is still unacceptably, high and a treatment strategy is still needed. SAMMPRIS has no bearing on angioplasty alone. Angioplasty alone has always been our primary intervention for intracranial atherosclerosis and remains so to this day due to its relative simplicity, low complication rate, and efficacy. We have, however, made adjustments to our patient management regimen based on the results of SAMMPRIS. This paper outlines our current patient selection, procedural technique, and post-procedure management. The complications we have encountered while developing our technique are described along with how to avoid them and how to manage them. Our most recent results (since previous publications) are also discussed.

Endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke patients: implications and interpretation of IMS III, MR RESCUE, and SYNTHESIS EXPANSION trials: A report from the Working Group of International Congress of Interventional Neurology.

OBJECTIVE: The results of Interventional Management of Stroke (IMS) III, Magnetic Resonance and REcanalization of Stroke Clots Using Embolectomy (MR RESCUE), and SYNTHESIS EXPANSION trials are expected to affect the practice of endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke. The purpose of this report is to review the components of the designs and methods of these trials and to describe the influence of those components on the interpretation of trial results. METHODS: A critical review of trial design and conduct of IMS III, MR RESCUE, and SYNTHESIS EXPANSION is performed with emphasis on patient selection, shortcomings in procedural aspects, and methodology of data ascertainment and analysis. The influence of each component is estimated based on published literature including multicenter clinical trials reporting on endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction. RESULTS: We critically examined the time interval between symptom onset and treatment and rates of angiographic recanalization to differentiate between "endovascular treatment" and "parameter optimized endovascular treatment" as it relates to the IMS III, MR RESCUE, and SYNTHESIS EXPANSION trials. All the three trials failed to effectively test "parameter optimized endovascular treatment" due to the delay between symptom onset and treatment and less than optimal rates of recanalization. In all the three trials, the magnitude of benefit with endovascular treatment required to reject the null hypothesis was larger than could be expected based on previous studies. The IMS III and SYNTHESIS EXPANSION trials demonstrated that rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhages subsequent to treatment are similar between IV thrombolytics and endovascular treatment in matched acute ischemic stroke patients. The trials also indirectly validated the superiority/equivalence of IV thrombolytics (compared with endovascular treatment) in patients with minor neurological deficits and those without large vessel occlusion on computed tomographic/magnetic resonance angiography. CONCLUSIONS: The results do not support a large magnitude benefit of endovascular treatment in subjects randomized in all the three trials. The possibility that benefits of a smaller magnitude exist in certain patient populations cannot be excluded. Large magnitude benefits can be expected with implementation of "parameter optimized endovascular treatment" in patients with ischemic stroke who are candidates for IV thrombolytics.

Capillary Index Score in the Interventional Management of Stroke trials I and II.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Capillary Index Score (CIS) is a simple angiography-based scale for assessing viable tissue in the ischemic territory. We retrospectively applied it to Interventional Management of Stroke (IMS) trials I and II to evaluate the predictive value for good outcomes. METHODS: CIS was calculated from pretreatment diagnostic cerebral angiograms blinded to outcome. IMS I and II diagnostic cerebral angiogram images of sufficient quality were reviewed and CIS calculated for treated subjects with internal carotid artery or M1 occlusion. CIS scoring (0-3) was dichotomized into favorable (f CIS; 2 or 3) and poor (p CIS; 0 or 1). Modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score 2b or 3 was considered good revascularization. CIS and modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction scores were compared with good outcome, defined as modified Rankin Scale score≤2 at 90 days. RESULTS: Twenty-eight of 161 subjects met the inclusion criteria. Thirteen (46%) had f CIS. Good clinical outcome was significantly different between the 2 CIS groups (62% for f CIS versus 7% for p CIS; P=0.004). Good reperfusion correlated to good outcome (P=0.04). No significant differences in time to intravenous or intra-arterial treatment were identified between f CIS and p CIS groups (P>0.25). CONCLUSIONS: A f CIS was found in ≈50% of subjects and was a virtual prerequisite for good outcome in this study subgroup of IMS I and II. We call this the 50% barrier.

Multisociety consensus quality improvement guidelines for intraarterial catheter-directed treatment of acute ischemic stroke, from the American Society of Neuroradiology, Canadian Interventional Radiology Association, Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Interventional Radiology, Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery, European Society of Minimally Invasive Neurological Therapy, and Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology.

PURPOSE: In this international multispecialty document, quality benchmarks for processes of care and clinical outcomes are defined. It is intended that these benchmarks be used in a quality assurance program to assess and improve processes and outcomes in acute stroke revascularization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Members of the writing group were appointed by the American Society of Neuroradiology, Canadian Interventional Radiology Association, Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe, Society of Cardiac Angiography and Interventions, Society of Interventional Radiology, Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery, European Society of Minimally Invasive Neurological Therapy, and Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology. The writing group reviewed the relevant literature from 1986 through February 2012 to create an evidence table summarizing processes and outcomes of care. Performance metrics and thresholds were then created by consensus. The guideline was approved by the sponsoring societies. It is intended that this guideline be fully updated in 3 years. RESULTS: In this international multispecialty document, quality benchmarks for processes of care and clinical outcomes are defined. These include process measures of time to imaging, arterial puncture, and revascularization and measures of clinical outcome up to 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: Quality improvement guidelines are provided for endovascular acute ischemic stroke revascularization procedures.

Multisociety Consensus Quality Improvement Guidelines for Intraarterial Catheter-directed Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke, from the American Society of Neuroradiology, Canadian Interventional Radiology Association, Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Interventional Radiology, Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery, European Society of Minimally Invasive Neurological Therapy, and Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology.

PURPOSE: In this international multispecialty document, quality benchmarks for processes of care and clinical outcomes are defined. It is intended that these benchmarks be used in a quality assurance program to assess and improve processes and outcomes in acute stroke revascularization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Members of the writing group were appointed by the American Society of Neuroradiology, Canadian Interventional Radiology Association, Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe, Society of Cardiac Angiography and Interventions, Society of Interventional Radiology, Society of Neuro Interventional Surgery, European Society of Minimally Invasive Neurological Therapy, and Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology. The writing group reviewed the relevant literature from 1986 through February 2012 to create an evidence table summarizing processes and outcomes of care. Performance metrics and thresholds were then created by consensus. The guideline was approved by the sponsoring societies. It is intended that this guideline be fully updated in 3 years. RESULTS: In this international multispecialty document, quality benchmarks for processes of care and clinical outcomes are defined. These include process measures of time to imaging, arterial puncture, and revascularization and measures of clinical outcome up to 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: Quality improvement guidelines are provided for endovascular acute ischemic stroke revascularization procedures.

Primary balloon angioplasty for symptomatic, high-grade intracranial stenosis.

BACKGROUND: In light of recent controversy about the safety and efficacy of intracranial stenting, we sought to evaluate our experience with primary balloon angioplasty for symptomatic, high-grade intracranial stenosis. METHODS: All intracranial angioplasty cases performed at Vanderbilt University Medical Center from 2006 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed for degree of stenosis pre- and post-procedure. Immediate peri-procedural complications were evaluated as well as one-month and long-term outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients were included in the study with a mean age of 63.0 years and a mean follow-up of 350.2 days. The average pre-procedure stenosis was 71.2%. The immediate, average post-procedure stenosis was 46.6%, and the average post-procedure stenosis at last angiographic follow-up was 44.5%. Retreatment was required in only 3.8% of patients. The primary end-point of major stroke or death at 30 days was observed in 11.5%, and the overall intra-procedural complication rate was 7.7%. The incidence of stroke or death at last follow-up was 15.4%, which is comparable to the one-year stroke or death rate in the medical arm of the SAMPRISS trial. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective series, primary balloon angioplasty was found to be effective as a treatment option for symptomatic intracranial stenosis with the risk of stroke or death at 30 days higher than the medical arm of SAMPRIS but lower than the stenting arm. The one-year risk of stroke was comparable to that reported for the one-year outcomes in the SAMPRISS medical arm.

Multisociety consensus quality improvement guidelines for intraarterial catheter-directed treatment of acute ischemic stroke, from the American Society of Neuroradiology, Canadian Interventional Radiology Association, Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Interventional Radiology, Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery, European Society of Minimally Invasive Neurological Therapy, and Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology.

PURPOSE: In this international multispecialty document, quality benchmarks for processes of care and clinical outcomes are defined. It is intended that these benchmarks be used in a quality assurance program to assess and improve processes and outcomes in acute stroke revascularization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Members of the writing group were appointed by the American Society of Neuroradiology, Canadian Interventional Radiology Association, Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe, Society of Cardiac Angiography and Interventions, Society of Interventional Radiology, Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery, European Society of Minimally Invasive Neurological Therapy, and Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology. The writing group reviewed the relevant literature from 1986 through February 2012 to create an evidence table summarizing processes and outcomes of care. Performance metrics and thresholds were then created by consensus. The guideline was approved by the sponsoring societies. It is intended that this guideline be fully updated in 3 years. RESULTS: In this international multispecialty document, quality benchmarks for processes of care and clinical outcomes are defined. These include process measures of time to imaging, arterial puncture, and revascularization and measures of clinical outcome up to 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: Quality improvement guidelines are provided for endovascular acute ischemic stroke revascularization procedures.

Angioplasty for symptomatic intracranial stenosis: clinical outcome.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Medical treatment of symptomatic intracranial stenosis carries a high risk of stroke. This study was done to evaluate the clinical and angiographic outcomes after intracranial angioplasty for this disease. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with 124 intracranial stenoses were treated by primary angioplasty. All patients had neurologic symptoms (stroke or transient ischemic attack) attributable to intracranial stenoses > or =50%. Angiograms were evaluated before and after angioplasty for the degree of stenosis. RESULTS: Pretreatment stenoses varied from 50% to 95% (mean 82.2+/-10.2). Post-treatment stenoses varied from 0% to 90% (mean 36.0+/-20.1). There were 3 strokes and 4 deaths (all neurological) within 30 days of the procedure, giving a combined periprocedural stroke and death rate of 5.8%. A total of 116 patients (96.7%) were available for a mean follow-up time of 42.3 months. There were 6 patients who had a stroke in the territory of treatment and 5 additional patients with stroke in other territories. Ten deaths occurred during the follow-up period, none of which were neurological. Including the periprocedural stroke and deaths, this yielded an annual stroke rate of 3.2% in the territory of treatment and a 4.4% annual rate for all strokes. CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial angioplasty can be performed with a high degree of technical success and a low risk of complications. Long-term clinical follow-up of intracranial angioplasty patients demonstrates a risk of future strokes that compares favorably to patients receiving medical therapy.