Endovascular thrombectomy for large ischemic strokes: An updated living systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies indicate endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) as a safe, effective treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with large ischemic regions. Our study updates an ongoing living systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing outcomes of EVT to medical management only. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for RCTs comparing EVT to medical management in AIS patients with large ischemic areas. Using fixed-effect models, we conducted a meta-analysis to compare functional independence, mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) between EVT and standard medical management. We evaluated bias risk with the Cochrane tool and graded the certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach. RESULTS: Of 1363 new citations, we included six RCTs with a total of 1876 patients. We found low-certainty evidence of improved functional independence (risk difference [RD] 29.9%, 95% CI 17.2% to 46.9%), increase in sICH (RD 2.6%, 95% CI 0.3% to 6.4%), and a non-significant decrease in mortality (RD -1.8%, 95% CI -3.9% to 0.6%) for AIS patients with large infarcts who underwent EVT compared to medical management only. CONCLUSION: Our revised meta-analysis suggests low-certainty evidence that there is improved functional independence, a non-significant decrease in mortality, and an increase in sICH among AIS patients with large infarcts who undergo EVT compared to those receiving medical management alone. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (CRD42023398742).

Factors Affecting Selection of TraineE for Neurointervention (FASTEN).

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Neurointervention is a very competitive specialty in the United States due to the limited number of training spots and the larger pool of applicants. The training standards are continuously updated to ensure solid training experiences. Factors affecting candidate(s) selection have not been fully established yet. Our study aims to investigate the factors influencing the selection process. METHODS: A 52-question survey was distributed to 93 program directors (PDs). The survey consisted of six categories: (a) Program characteristics, (b) Candidate demographics, (c) Educational credentials, (d) Personal traits, (e) Research and extracurricular activities, and (f) Overall final set of characteristics. The response rate was 59.1%. As per the programs' characteristics, neurosurgery was the most involved specialty in running the training programs (69%). Regarding demographics, the need for visa sponsorship held the greatest prominence with a mean score of 5.9 [standard deviation (SD) 2.9]. For the educational credentials, being a graduate from a neurosurgical residency and the institution where the candidate's residency training is/was scored the highest [5.4 (SD = 2.9), 5.4 (SD = 2.5), respectively]. Regarding the personal traits, assessment by faculty members achieved the highest score [8.9 (SD = 1)]. In terms of research/extracurricular activities, fluency in English had the highest score [7.2 (SD = 1.9)] followed by peer-reviewed/PubMed-indexed publications [6.4 (SD = 2.2)]. CONCLUSION: Our survey investigated the factors influencing the final decision when choosing the future neurointerventional trainee, including demographic, educational, research, and extracurricular activities, which might serve as valuable guidance for both applicants and programs to refine the selection process.

Impact of pre-treatment cerebral microbleeds on the outcomes of endovascular thrombectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE/AIM: To investigate the effect of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) on the functional and safety outcomes of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). METHODS: This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines for systematic review and meta-analysis. We included observational studies that recruited AIS-LVO patients, used susceptibility-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect CMBs, and examined the association between them and predefined outcome events. The extracted data included study and population characteristics, risk of bias domains, and outcome measures. The outcomes of interest included functional independence, revascularization success, procedural and hemorrhagic adverse events. We conducted a meta-analysis using the Mantel-Haenszel method and calculated the risk ratios. RESULTS: Four studies with a total of 1,514 patients were included. A significant reduction in the likelihood of achieving a favorable functional outcome was observed in patients with CMBs (Risk ratio (RR) 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.52 to 0.91, P=0.01). No significant differences were observed between the CMBs and no CMBs groups in terms of successful revascularization, mortality, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and parenchymal hematoma. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of CMBs significantly reduced the likelihood of achieving functional independence post-EVT in AIS-LVO patients. However, CMBs did not impact the rates of successful revascularization, mortality, or the occurrence of various hemorrhagic events. Future research should explore the mechanisms of this association and strategies to mitigate its impact.

Effect of intra-arterial thrombolysis following successful endovascular thrombectomy on functional outcomes in patients with large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke: A post-CHOICE meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is the standard treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). Although > 70% of patients in the trials assessing EVT for AIS-LVO had successful recanalization, only a third ultimately achieved favorable outcomes. A "no-reflow" phenomenon due to distal microcirculation disruption might contribute to such suboptimal outcomes. Combining intra-arterial (IA) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and EVT to reduce the distal microthrombi burden was investigated in a few studies. We present a pooled-data meta-analysis of the existing evidence of this combinatorial treatment. METHODS: We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. We aimed to include all original studies investigating EVT plus IA tPA in AIS-LVO patients. Using R software, we calculated pooled odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). A fixed-effects model was adopted to evaluate pooled data. RESULTS: Five studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Successful recanalization was comparable between the IA tPA and control groups at 82.9% and 82.32% respectively. The 90-day functional independence was similar between both groups (OR= 1.25; 95% CI= 0.92-1.70; P= 0.154). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) was also comparable between both groups (OR= 0.66; 95% CI= 0.34-1.26; P= 0.304). CONCLUSION: Our current meta-analysis does not show significant differences between EVT alone and EVT plus IA tPA in terms of functional independence or sICH. However, with the limited number of studies and included patients, more randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to further investigate the benefits and safety of combined EVT and IA tPA.

Outcomes of Particle versus Liquid Embolic Materials Used in Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization for the Treatment of Chronic Subdural Hematoma.

BACKGROUND: Early evidence suggests that middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization is an efficacious minimally invasive neuroendovascular technique for the management of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH). Particle and liquid embolic materials are commonly used to embolize the MMA; however, studies comparing the safety and outcomes between these 2 materials are limited. METHODS: Patients ≥18 years old who had MMA embolization for cSDH between July 15, 2020 and May 1, 2022 were retrospectively identified from a single-center database. The primary safety, radiation dosage, fluoroscopy time, and radiographic and clinical outcomes were compared between particle and liquid embolization. RESULTS: In a cohort of 116, 48 (41.38%) were treated with liquid embolic material and 68 (58.62%) were treated with particle. The median age of the cohort was 73 years in the particle group and 73.5 years in the liquid embolic group. There was no significant difference in radiation dose or duration among both groups. There was no reported mortality associated with the procedure. One patient experienced nondisabling ischemic stroke in the particle group. Based on imaging follow-up, 3 patients in the particle group and 1 in the liquid embolic group had asymptomatic recurrence. One patient in each group had symptomatic recurrence requiring hematoma evacuation. The index median size of hematoma was 12 mm in the particle group and 11 mm in the liquid embolic group. At approximately 1 month follow-up, the median size of hematoma reduced to 6 mm in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our series shows that liquid embolic and particle embolization are equally safe and effective among patients undergoing MMA embolization for management of cSDH.

Intravenous thrombolysis plus mechanical thrombectomy versus mechanical thrombectomy alone for acute ischemic stroke: A systematic review and updated meta-analysis of clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is the gold standard treatment for large vessel occlusion (LVO). A vital factor that might influence MT outcomes is the use of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). A few clinical trials in this domain thus far have not yielded consistent outcomes. We conducted this meta-analysis to synthesize collective evidence in this regard. METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement guidelines were followed, and we performed a comprehensive literature search of four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL). For outcomes constituting continuous data, the mean difference (MD) and its standard deviation (SD) were pooled. For outcomes constituting dichotomous data, the frequency of events and the total number of patients were pooled as the risk ratio (RR). RESULTS: Seven clinical trials with a total of 2317 patients are included in this meta-analysis. Six trials are randomized, and one trial was nonrandomized. No significant differences were found between MT plus IVT and MT alone in successful recanalization (RR 1.04, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [0.92 to 1.17], P = 0.53), 90-day functional independence (RR 1.03, 95% CI [0.90 to 1.19], P = 0.65), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) (RR 1.22, 95% CI [0.84 to 1.75], P = 0.30), or mortality (RR 0.94, 95% CI [0.76 to 1.18], P = 0.61). CONCLUSION: The current evidence does not favor either MT plus IVT or MT alone for LVO except for the procedural time. More trials are needed in this regard, and certain factors should be considered when comparing the two approaches.

Use of reverse angle guide catheter with trans-radial approach in patients undergoing middle meningeal artery embolization.

Background: Trans-radial access (TRA) for MMA embolization has grown due to lower access site complications and greater patient satisfaction. Here, we describe the feasibility of utilizing a 6F Envoy Simmons 2 (6F-SIM2) as a guide catheter with TRA and compare outcomes with trans-femoral approach (TFA) in a single center case series. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent MMA embolization for management of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH). TRA was performed by utilizing a combination of 6F 90cm Envoy (Codman & Shurtleff, Inc., Rayham, MA) Simmons 2 guide catheter and 5F 125cm Sofia (Microvention, Aliso Viejo, CA) intermediate catheter. Outcomes measured are Modified Rankin Score (mRS) at 90 days, inpatient mortality, post-embolization recurrence, fluoroscopy time and radiation exposure. Results: A total of 71 patients underwent 97 MMA embolization overall with 65 (67%) in trans-femoral access group, 11 (11.3%) in trans-radial access without use of Simmons 2 Guide catheter group and 21 (21.6%) in trans-radial access with use of Simmons 2 Guide catheter group. There were no direct access-related complications in either group. One patient had thromboembolic stroke in trans-femoral group. There was no difference in average procedure-related total fluro time or radiation dose among all three groups. Conclusion: Trans-radial approach using 6F-SIM2 guide catheter coupled with 5F Sofia intermediate catheter is safe and effective. It provides an alternative approach to access distal branches of bilateral anterior circulation in elderly patients with difficult anatomy undergoing MMA embolization.

Outcomes among patients with primary angiitis of the CNS: A Nationwide United States analysis.

BACKGROUND: Primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) is a relapsing-remitting disease with a heterogeneous course. Case series have delineated the long-term disease course but not acute outcomes or their determinants. The national United States hospital burden of PACNS has not been quantified. METHODS: Analysis of the United States Nationwide Readmissions Database (2016-2018) to characterize the frequency of PACNS hospitalizations, demographic features, inpatient mortality, and discharge outcomes. RESULTS: During the 3-year study period, unweighted 1843 (weighted 3409) patients with PACNS were admitted to the 1078 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project HCUP participating hospitals; with weighting, this value indicates that 1136 patients were admitted each year to US hospitals, representing yearly 0.01 cases per 100 000 national hospitalizations. The majority of patients were hospitalized in metropolitan teaching hospitals (81.6%). The median age at admission was 54.9 (IQR: 44.0-66.5) years and 59.4% were women. Neurologic manifestations included ischemic stroke in 38.2%, transient ischemic attack in 20.2%, seizure disorder in 22.8%, and intracranial hemorrhage in 13.0%. Overall, 60.0% of patients were discharged home, 35.0% discharged to a rehabilitation facility or nursing home and 5.0% died before discharge. Patient features independently associated with the discharge to another facility or death included older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.03 [95% CI, [1.03-1.04]]), male sex (OR, 1.22 [1.04-1.43]), intraparenchymal hemorrhage (OR, 1.41 [1.08-1.84]), ischemic stroke (OR, 2.79 [2.38-3.28]), and seizure disorder (OR, 1.57 [1.31-1.89]). CONCLUSION: Our study showed PACNS is still a rare inflammatory disorder of the blood vessels of the central nervous system suggesting an annual hospitalization of 5.1 cases per 1,000,000 person-years in the more diverse and contemporary US population. Overall, 4 in 10 had unfavorable discharge outcome, being unable to be discharged home, and 1 in 20 died before discharge.

Ticagrelor Induced Angioedema Following Carotid Artery Stenting.

Ticagrelor is a frequent component of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) following carotid artery stent placement. Hemorrhagic complications remain the focus of most reports, however, other adverse events must also be known to the prescribing physician. Angioedema is a rare and potentially life-threatening complication reported following ticagrelor administration and we present 1 such case here with a review of the existing literature.

Potential Embolic Sources Differ in Patients With Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source According to Age: A 15-Year Study.

Introduction: Understanding the potential embolic source in young patients with ESUS may improve the diagnosis and treatment of such patients. Hypothesis: Potential embolic sources (PES) differ in young vs. older patients with ESUS, and, therefore, not all patients with ESUS have the same risk profile for stroke recurrence. Methods: Young patients (age 18-49) with ESUS, who were admitted to our stroke center from 2006 to 2019, were identified retrospectively and matched with next consecutive older patients (age 50-99) with ESUS by admission date. PES were categorized as atrial cardiopathy, AFib diagnosed during follow-up, left ventricular disease (LVD), cardiac valvular disease (CVD), PFO or atrial septal aneurysm (ASA), and arterial disease. Patients, who had cancer or thrombophilia, were excluded. The type and number of PES and stroke recurrence rates were determined and compared between young and older patients. Results: In young patients (55.3% women, median age 39 years), the most common PES was PFO/ASA, and the rate of other PES was low (2-7%). Half of the young patients (54.1%) had a single PES, only 10% had multiple PES, and 35.3% of young patients did not have any PES identified. In older patients (41.7% women, median age 74 years), the 3 most common PES were atrial cardiopathy (38.1%), LVD (35.7%), and arterial disease (23.8%). Nearly half of older patients (42.9%) had multiple PES. The rate of stroke recurrence tended to be lower in young patients as compared to older patients (4.9 vs. 11.4%, p = 0.29). During a median follow-up of 3 years, only 3 young patients (4.9%) had a recurrent stroke, and two of them had unclosed PFO. There were no recurrent strokes among young patients with no PES identified. Conclusions: It was noted that PES differ in patients with ESUS according to age and differences in recurrence. PFO is the only common PES in young patients with ESUS. Future studies prospectively evaluating PES in both age groups are needed.

Low-frequency stimulation of a fiber tract in bilateral temporal lobe epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: Pharmacoresistant bilateral mesial temporal lobe epilepsy often implies poor resective surgical candidacy. Low-frequency stimulation of a fiber tract connected to bilateral hippocampi, the fornicodorsocommissural tract, has been shown to be safe and efficacious in reducing seizures in a previous short-term study. Here, we report a single-blinded, within-subject control, long-term deep-brain stimulation trial of low-frequency stimulation of the fornicodorsocommissural tract in bilateral mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Outcomes of interest included safety with respect to verbal memory scores and reduction of seizure frequency. METHODS: Our enrollment goal was 16 adult subjects to be randomized to 2-Hz or 5-Hz low-frequency stimulation of the fornicodorsocommissural tract starting at 2 mA. The study design consisted of four two-month blocks of stimulation with a 50%-duty cycle, alternating with two-month blocks of no stimulation. RESULTS: We terminated the study after enrollment of five subjects due to slow accrual. Fornicodorsocommissural tract stimulation elicited bilateral hippocampal evoked responses in all subjects. Three subjects underwent implantation of pulse generators and long-term low-frequency stimulation with mean monthly seizures of 3.14 ±â€¯2.67 (median 3.0 [IQR 1-4.0]) during stimulation-off blocks, compared with 0.96 ±â€¯1.23 (median 1.0 [IQR 0-1.0]) during stimulation-on blocks (p = 0.0005) during the blinded phase. Generalized Estimating Equations showed that low-frequency stimulation reduced monthly seizure-frequency by 0.71 per mA (p < 0.001). Verbal memory scores were stable with no psychiatric complications or other adverse events. SIGNIFICANCE: The results demonstrate feasibility of stimulating both hippocampi using a single deep-brain stimulation electrode in the fornicodorsocommissural tract, efficacy of low-frequency stimulation in reducing seizures, and safety as regards verbal memory.