Endovascular therapy outcome in isolated posterior cerebral artery occlusion strokes: A multicenter analysis of the Swiss Stroke Registry.

PURPOSE: There is little data on the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment (EVT) in comparison with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in acute ischemic stroke due to isolated posterior cerebral artery occlusion (IPCAO). We aimed to investigate the functional and safety outcomes of stroke patients with acute IPCAO treated with EVT (with or without prior bridging IVT) compared to IVT alone. METHODS: We did a multicenter retrospective analysis of data from the Swiss Stroke Registry. The primary endpoint was overall functional outcome at 3 months in patients undergoing EVT alone or as part of bridging, compared with IVT alone (shift analysis). Safety endpoints were mortality and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. EVT and IVT patients were matched 1:1 using propensity scores. Differences in outcomes were examined using ordinal and logistic regression models. FINDINGS: Out of 17,968 patients, 268 met the inclusion criteria and 136 were matched by propensity scores. The overall functional outcome at 3 months was comparable between the two groups (EVT vs IVT as reference category: OR = 1.42 for higher mRS, 95% CI = 0.78-2.57, p = 0.254). The proportion of patients independent at 3 months was 63.2% in EVT and 72.1% in IVT (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.32-1.37, p = 0.272). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages were overall rare and present only in the IVT group (IVT = 5.9% vs EVT = 0%). Mortality at 3 months was also similar between the two groups (IVT = 0% vs EVT = 1.5%). CONCLUSION: In this multicenter nested analysis, EVT and IVT in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to IPCAO were associated with similar overall good functional outcome and safety. Randomized studies are warranted.

[What do medical students think about functional neurological disorders?] / ¿Qué piensan los estudiantes de Medicina sobre los trastornos neurológicos funcionales?

INTRODUCTION: Functional neurological disorders (FND) are a frequent reason for visits in neurology. However, specific training on these disorders during undergraduate and residency training is limited. This study assesses the knowledge, attitude and exposure of medical students to FNDs before completing their medical degree. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a 15-item survey to explore understanding, exposure and attitudes towards FNDs among sixth-year medical students at four Spanish universities. RESULTS: A total of 118 students (mean age 23.6 ± 1.2 years; 71.2% female) returned the survey. Of these, 88 (74.6%) were aware of the concept of FNDs and 78 (66.1%) had studied them in psychiatry classes. The term 'psychosomatic' was chosen by 54.1% of the students as the most appropriate term to refer to these disorders, and 111 (94.1%) believed that a history of sexual or physical abuse was common among FND patients. Fifty-seven students (48.3%) assumed that the diagnosis of FND was mostly a clinical diagnosis of exclusion and 63 (53.4%) indicated that it is managed only by psychiatry. One hundred and one students (85.6%) considered that adequate training on FNDs is an important aspect of their medical training. CONCLUSIONS: Medical students are aware of the existence of FNDs, but their preferred terminology, as well as the perceived aetiological factors, reflect that the historical view of these disorders is still deeply rooted. Medical students feel that they should receive adequate education on FNDs from specialists in neurology and psychiatry as part of their training.

TITLE: ¿Qué piensan los estudiantes de Medicina sobre los trastornos neurológicos funcionales?Introducción. Los trastornos neurológicos funcionales (TNF) son un motivo de consulta frecuente en neurología. Sin embargo, la formación específica sobre estos trastornos durante la formación universitaria y el período de residencia es limitada. En este estudio se evalúan los conocimientos, la actitud y la exposición de los estudiantes de Medicina a los TNF antes de terminar el grado de Medicina. Sujetos y métodos. Realizamos una encuesta de 15 ítems para explorar la comprensión, la exposición y las actitudes hacia los TNF entre los estudiantes de Medicina de sexto año en cuatro universidades españolas. Resultados. Devolvieron la encuesta 118 estudiantes (edad media 23,6 ± 1,2 años; 71,2%, mujeres). De ellos, 88 (74,6%) conocían el concepto de TNF y 78 (66,1%) los habían estudiado en las clases de psiquiatría. El 54,1% de los estudiantes eligió el término 'psicosomático' como el más adecuado para referirse a estos trastornos, y 111 (94,1%) creían que una historia de abuso sexual o físico era común entre los pacientes con TNF. Cincuenta y siete estudiantes (48,3%) asumieron que el diagnóstico de TNF era mayoritariamente un diagnóstico clínico de exclusión y 63 (53,4%) señalaron que el manejo se realiza únicamente desde psiquiatría. Ciento un estudiantes (85,6%) consideraron que una formación adecuada sobre los TNF es un aspecto importante de su formación médica. Conclusiones. Los estudiantes de Medicina son conscientes de la existencia de los TNF, pero la terminología preferida por ellos, así como los factores etiológicos percibidos, reflejan que la visión histórica acerca de estos trastornos está aún arraigada. Los estudiantes de Medicina consideran que deberían recibir una educación adecuada sobre los TNF como parte de su formación por parte de los especialistas en neurología y psiquiatría.

Mechanical thrombectomy beyond 6 hours in acute ischaemic stroke with large vessel occlusion in the carotid artery territory: experience at a tertiary hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Thrombectomy in the carotid artery territory was recently shown to be effective up to 24 hours after symptoms onset. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of a prospective registry of patients treated at our stroke reference centre between November 2016 and April 2019 in order to assess the safety and effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy performed beyond 6 hours after symptoms onset in patients with acute ischaemic stroke and large vessel occlusion in the carotid artery territory. RESULTS: Data were gathered from 59 patients (55.9% women; median age, 71 years). In 33 cases, stroke was detected upon awakening; 57.6% of patients were transferred from another hospital. Median baseline NIHSS score was 16, and median ASPECTS score was 8, with 94.9% of patients presenting > 50% of salvageable tissue. Satisfactory recanalisation was achieved in 88.1% of patients, beyond 24 hours after onset in 5 cases. At 90 days of follow-up, 67.8% were functionally independent; those who were not were older and presented higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation, greater puncture-to-recanalisation time, and higher NIHSS scores, both at baseline and at discharge. CONCLUSION: In our experience, mechanical thrombectomy beyond 6 hours was associated with good 90-day functional outcomes. Age, NIHSS score, puncture-to-recanalisation time, and presence of atrial fibrillation affected functional prognosis. The efficacy of the treatment beyond 24 hours after onset merits study.

Mechanical thrombectomy beyond 6hours in acute ischaemic stroke with large vessel occlusion in the carotid artery territory: Experience at a tertiary hospital. / Trombectomía mecánica más allá de 6horas en ictus isquémico agudo con oclusión de gran vaso en territorio carotídeo: experiencia en un hospital terciario.

INTRODUCTION: Thrombectomy in the carotid artery territory was recently shown to be effective up to 24hours after symptoms onset. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of a prospective registry of patients treated at our stroke reference centre between November 2016 and April 2019 in order to assess the safety and effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy performed beyond 6hours after symptoms onset in patients with acute ischaemic stroke and large vessel occlusion in the carotid artery territory. RESULTS: Data were gathered from 59 patients (55.9% women; median age, 71 years). In 33 cases, stroke was detected upon awakening; 57.6% of patients were transferred from another hospital. Median baseline NIHSS score was 16, and median ASPECTS score was 8, with 94.9% of patients presenting>50% of salvageable tissue. Satisfactory recanalisation was achieved in 88.1% of patients, beyond 24hours after onset in 5 cases. At 90 days of follow-up, 67.8% were functionally independent; those who were not were older and presented higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation, greater puncture-to-recanalisation time, and higher NIHSS scores, both at baseline and at discharge. CONCLUSION: In our experience, mechanical thrombectomy beyond 6hours was associated with good 90-day functional outcomes. Age, NIHSS score, puncture-to-recanalisation time, and presence of atrial fibrillation affected functional prognosis. The efficacy of the treatment beyond 24hours after onset merits study.