Effect of atrial fibrillation on endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke. A meta-analysis of individual patient data from six randomised trials: Results from the HERMES collaboration.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation is an important risk factor for ischemic stroke, and is associated with an increased risk of poor outcome after ischemic stroke. Endovascular thrombectomy is safe and effective in acute ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion of the anterior circulation. This meta-analysis aims to investigate whether there is an interaction between atrial fibrillation and treatment effect of endovascular thrombectomy, and secondarily whether atrial fibrillation is associated with worse outcome in patients with ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion. METHODS: Individual patient data were from six of the recent randomised clinical trials (MR CLEAN, EXTEND-IA, REVASCAT, SWIFT PRIME, ESCAPE, PISTE) in which endovascular thrombectomy plus standard care was compared to standard care alone. Primary outcome measure was the shift on the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 90 days. Secondary outcomes were functional independence (mRS 0-2) at 90 days, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at 24 h, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality at 90 days. The primary effect parameter was the adjusted common odds ratio, estimated with ordinal logistic regression (shift analysis); treatment effect modification of atrial fibrillation was assessed with a multiplicative interaction term. RESULTS: Among 1351 patients, 447 patients had atrial fibrillation, 224 of whom were treated with endovascular thrombectomy. We found no interaction of atrial fibrillation with treatment effect of endovascular thrombectomy for both primary (p-value for interaction: 0.58) and secondary outcomes. Regardless of treatment allocation, we found no difference in primary outcome (mRS at 90 days: aOR 1.11 (95% CI 0.89-1.38) and secondary outcomes between patients with and without atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSION: We found no interaction of atrial fibrillation on treatment effect of endovascular thrombectomy, and no difference in outcome between large vessel occlusion stroke patients with and without atrial fibrillation.

Emergent Premedication for Contrast Allergy Prior to Endovascular Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Management of contrast media allergies may lead to treatment delays in patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing endovascular therapy. The optimal premedication strategy remains unclear. The aim of this report was to analyze our experience with emergent administration of premedication regimens before endovascular therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed prospective data for all patients undergoing endovascular therapy from 2012 to 2019 at an academic comprehensive stroke center. Records of patients with documented contrast allergy were reviewed and analyzed. Data collected included stroke risk factors and characteristics, historical contrast reaction details, premedication regimens administered, and signs or symptoms of allergic reaction developing post-endovascular therapy. Hospital arrival time to endovascular therapy was compared with that in those who did not have a history of contrast allergy. RESULTS: We analyzed 1521 patients undergoing endovascular therapy; 60 (4%) had documented contrast allergies and constituted the study cohort. The median age was 73 years (interquartile range, 66-81 years), and 65% were women. The median time from premedication to contrast was 24 minutes (interquartile range, 0-36 minutes). Forty-three patients (72%) proceeded directly to endovascular therapy; in 17 patients, the first contrast exposure was CTA. Time from hospital arrival to endovascular therapy was not slower for patients with documented allergies (96 versus 134 minutes, P = .32). No patients experienced a contrast media reaction. CONCLUSIONS: In a single-institution cohort study of 60 consecutive patients with documented contrast allergies undergoing endovascular therapy with emergent premedication en route to (or in) the neuroangiography suite, no patients experienced allergic symptoms. This pragmatic approach may be safe for patients who have documented contrast media allergies.

Falling stroke rates during COVID-19 pandemic at a comprehensive stroke center.

INTRODUCTION: Although there is evidence to suggest a high rate of cerebrovascular complications in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, anecdotal reports indicate a falling rate of new ischemic stroke diagnoses. We conducted an exploratory single-center analysis to estimate the change in number of new stroke diagnoses in our region, and evaluate the proximate reasons for this change during the COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary care center in New Jersey. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A Comprehensive Stroke Center prospective cohort was retrospectively analyzed for the number of stroke admissions, demographic features, and short-term outcomes 5 months prior to 3/1/2020 (pre-COVID-19), and in the 6 weeks that followed (COVID-19 period). The primary outcome was the number of new acute stroke diagnoses before and during the COVID-19 period, as well as the potential reasons for a decline in the number of new diagnoses. RESULTS: Of the 328 included patients, 53 (16%) presented in the COVID-19 period. There was a mean fall of 38% in new stroke diagnoses (mean 1.13/day [SD 1.07] from 1.82/day [SD 1.38], p<0.01), which was related to a 59% decline in the number of daily transfers from referral centers (p<0.01), 25% fewer telestroke consultations (p=0.08), and 55% fewer patients presenting directly to our institution by private vehicle (p<0.01) and 29% fewer patients through emergency services (p=0.09). There was no significant change in the monthly number of strokes due to large vessel occlusion (LVO), however the proportion of new LVOs nearly doubled in the COVID-19 period (38% vs. 21%, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The observations at our tertiary care center corroborate anecdotal reports that the number of new stroke diagnoses is falling, which seems related to a smaller proportion of patients seeking healthcare services for milder symptoms. These preliminary data warrant validation in larger, multi-center studies.

Predicting outcomes after acute reperfusion therapy for basilar artery occlusion.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Basilar artery occlusion (BAO) leads to high rates of morbidity and mortality, despite successful recanalization. The discordance between flow restoration and long-term functional status clouds clinical decision-making regarding further aggressive care. We sought to develop and validate a practical, prognostic tool for the prediction of 3-month favorable outcome after acute reperfusion therapy for BAO. METHODS: This retrospective, multicenter, observational study was conducted at four high-volume stroke centers in the USA and Europe. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of favorable outcome (90-day modified Rankin scale scores 0-2) and derive a clinically applicable prognostic model (the Pittsburgh Outcomes after Stroke Thrombectomy-Vertebrobasilar (POST-VB) score). The POST-VB score was evaluated and internally validated with regard to calibration and discriminatory ability. External validity was assessed in patient cohorts at three separate centers. RESULTS: In the derivation cohort of 59 patients, independent predictors of favorable outcome included smaller brainstem infarct volume on post-procedure magnetic resonance imaging (P < 0.01) and younger age (P = 0.01). POST-VB score was calculated as: age + (10 × brainstem infarct volume). POST-VB score demonstrated excellent discriminatory ability [area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.91] and adequate calibration (P = 0.88) in the derivation cohort (Center A). It performed equally well across the three external validation cohorts (Center B, AUC = 0.89; Center C, AUC = 0.78; Center D, AUC = 0.80). Overall, a POST-VB score < 49 was associated with an 88% likelihood of favorable outcome, as compared to 4% with a score ≥ 125. CONCLUSIONS: The POST-VB score effectively predicts 3-month functional outcome following acute reperfusion therapy for BAO and may aid in guiding post-procedural care.

Infarct Volume Predicts Hospitalization Costs in Anterior Circulation Large-Vessel Occlusion Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion stroke, one of the most devastating stroke subtypes, is associated with substantial economic burden. We aimed to identify predictors of increased acute care hospitalization costs associated with anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comprehensive cost-tracking software was used to calculate acute care hospitalization costs for patients with anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion stroke admitted July 2012 to October 2014. Patient demographics and stroke characteristics were analyzed, including final infarct volume on follow-up neuroimaging. Predictors of hospitalization costs were determined using multivariable linear regression including subgroup cost analyses by treatment technique (endovascular, IV tPA-only, and no reperfusion therapy) and sensitivity analyses incorporating patients initially excluded due to early withdrawal of care. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-one patients (median age, 69 years; interquartile range, 57-80 years; median NIHSS score, 16; interquartile range, 13-21) were included in our primary analysis. Final infarct volume, parenchymal hematoma, baseline NIHSS score, ipsilateral carotid stenosis, age, and obstructive sleep apnea were significant predictors of acute care hospitalization costs. Final infarct volume alone accounted for 20.87% of the total cost variance. Additionally, final infarct volume was consistently the strongest predictor of increased cost in primary, subgroup, and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Final infarct volume was the strongest predictor of increased hospitalization costs in anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion stroke. Acute stroke therapies that reduce final infarct volume may not only improve clinical outcomes but may also prove cost-effective.

Posttreatment Infarct Volumes when Compared with 24-Hour and 90-Day Clinical Outcomes: Insights from the REVASCAT Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endovascular therapy has become the standard of care for patients with disabling anterior circulation ischemic stroke due to proximal intracranial thrombi. Our aim was to determine whether the beneficial effect of endovascular treatment on functional outcome could be explained by a reduction in posttreatment infarct volume in the Endovascular Revascularization With Solitaire Device Versus Best Medical Therapy in Anterior Circulation Stroke Within 8 Hours (REVASCAT) trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The REVASCAT trial was a multicenter randomized open-label trial with blinded outcome evaluation. Among 206 enrolled subjects (endovascular treatment, n = 103; control, n = 103), posttreatment infarct volume was measured in 204 subjects. Posttreatment infarct volumes were compared with treatment assignment and recanalization status. Appropriate statistical models were used to assess the relationship among baseline clinical and imaging variables, posttreatment infarct volume, the 24-hour NIHSS score, and functional status with the 90-day modified Rankin Scale score. RESULTS: The median posttreatment infarct volume in all subjects was 23.7 mL (interquartile range = 68.9 mL) and 16.3 mL (interquartile range = 50.2 mL) in the endovascular treatment arm and 38.6 mL (interquartile range = 74.9 mL) in the control arm (P = .02 for endovascular treatment versus control subjects). Baseline NIHSS (P < .01), site of occlusion (P < .03), baseline NCCT ASPECTS (P < .01), and recanalization status (P = .02) were independently associated with posttreatment infarct volume. Baseline NIHSS (P < .01), time from symptom onset to randomization (P = .02), treatment type (P = .04), and recanalization status (P < .01) were independently associated with the 24-hour NIHSS scores. The 24-hour NIHSS score strongly mediated the relationship between treatment type and 90-day mRS (P < .01 for indirect effect when adjusted for age), while posttreatment infarct volume did not (P = .26). CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment saves brain and improves 90-day clinical outcomes primarily through a beneficial effect on the 24-hour stroke severity.

Time for a Time Window Extension: Insights from Late Presenters in the ESCAPE Trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The safety and efficacy of endovascular therapy for large-artery stroke in the extended time window is not yet well-established. We performed a subgroup analysis on subjects enrolled within an extended time window in the Endovascular Treatment for Small Core and Proximal Occlusion Ischemic Stroke (ESCAPE) trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-nine of 315 subjects (33 in the intervention group and 26 in the control group) were randomized in the ESCAPE trial between 5.5 and 12 hours after last seen healthy (likely to have groin puncture administered 6 hours after that). Treatment effect sizes for all relevant outcomes (90-day mRS shift, mRS 0-2, mRS 0-1, and 24-hour NIHSS scores and intracerebral hemorrhage) were reported using unadjusted and adjusted analyses. RESULTS: There was no evidence of treatment heterogeneity between subjects in the early and late windows. Treatment effect favoring intervention was seen across all clinical outcomes in the extended time window (absolute risk difference of 19.3% for mRS 0-2 at 90 days). There were more asymptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage events within the intervention arm (48.5% versus 11.5%, P = .004) but no difference in symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with an extended time window could potentially benefit from endovascular treatment. Ongoing randomized controlled trials using imaging to identify late presenters with favorable brain physiology will help cement the paradigm of using time windows to select the population for acute imaging and imaging to select individual patients for therapy.

Correlation between Clinical Outcomes and Baseline CT and CT Angiographic Findings in the SWIFT PRIME Trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patient selection for endovascular therapy remains a great challenge in clinic practice. We sought to determine the effect of baseline CT and angiography on outcomes in the Solitaire With the Intention for Thrombectomy as Primary Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke (SWIFT PRIME) trial and to identify patients who would benefit from endovascular stroke therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The primary end point was a 90-day modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2. Subgroup and classification and regression tree analysis was performed on baseline ASPECTS, site of occlusion, clot length, collateral status, and onset-to-treatment time. RESULTS: Smaller baseline infarct (n = 145) (ASPECTS 8-10) was associated with better outcomes in patients treated with thrombectomy versus IV tPA alone (66% versus 41%; rate ratio, 1.62) compared with patients with larger baseline infarcts (n = 44) (ASPECTS 6-7) (42% versus 21%; rate ratio, 1.98). The benefit of thrombectomy over IV tPA alone did not differ significantly by ASPECTS. Stratification by occlusion location also showed benefit with thrombectomy across all groups. Improved outcomes after thrombectomy occurred in patients with clot lengths of ≥8 mm (71% versus 43%; rate ratio, 1.67). Outcomes stratified by collateral status had a benefit with thrombectomy across all groups: none-fair collaterals (33% versus 0%), good collaterals (58% versus 44%), and excellent collaterals (82% versus 28%). Using a 3-level classification and regression tree analysis, we observed optimal outcomes in patients with favorable baseline ASPECTS, complete/near-complete recanalization (TICI 2b/3), and early treatment (mean mRS, 1.35 versus 3.73), while univariate and multivariate logistic regression showed significantly better results in patients with higher ASPECTS. CONCLUSIONS: While benefit was seen with endovascular therapy across multiple subgroups, the greatest response was observed in patients with a small baseline core infarct, excellent collaterals, and early treatment.

SOLITAIRE™ with the intention for thrombectomy (SWIFT) trial: design of a randomized, controlled, multicenter study comparing the SOLITAIRE™ Flow Restoration device and the MERCI Retriever in acute ischaemic stroke.

RATIONALE: Self-expanding stent retrievers are a promising new device class designed for rapid flow restoration in acute cerebral ischaemia. The SOLITAIRE™ Flow Restoration device (SOLITAIRE) has shown high rates of recanalization in preclinical models and in uncontrolled clinical series. AIMS: (1) To demonstrate non-inferiority of SOLITAIRE compared with a legally marketed device, the MERCI Retrieval System®; (2) To demonstrate safety, feasibility, and efficacy of SOLITAIRE in subjects requiring mechanical thrombectomy diagnosed with acute ischaemic stroke. DESIGN : Multicenter, randomized, prospective, controlled trial with blinded primary end-point ascertainment. STUDY PROCEDURES: Key entry criteria include: age 22-85; National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) ≥8 and <30; clinical and imaging findings consistent with acute ischaemic stroke; patient ineligible or failed intravenous tissue plasminogen activator; accessible occlusion in M1 or M2 middle cerebral artery, internal carotid artery, basilar artery, or vertebral artery; and patient able to be treated within 8 h of onset. Sites first participate in a roll-in phase, treating two patients with the SOLITAIRE device, before proceeding to the randomized phase. In patients unresponsive to the initially assigned therapy, after the angiographic component of the primary end-point is ascertained (reperfusion with the initial assigned device), rescue therapy with other reperfusion techniques is permitted. OUTCOMES: The primary efficacy end-point is successful recanalization with the assigned study device (no use of rescue therapy) and with no symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage. Successful recanalization is defined as achieving Thrombolysis In Myocardial Ischemia 2 or 3 flow in all treatable vessels. The primary safety end-point is the incidence of device-related and procedure-related serious adverse events. A major secondary efficacy end-point is time to achieve initial recanalization. Additional secondary end-points include clinical outcomes at 90 days and radiologic haemorrhagic transformation.

Endovascular treatment of carotid embolic occlusions has a higher recanalization rate compared with cardioembolic occlusions.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Treatment of large artery cerebral occlusions is rapidly evolving. We hypothesized that patients with intracranial embolic occlusions secondary to an extracranial carotid artery stenosis or occlusion have a higher probability of successful endovascular recanalization compared with those with cardioembolic occlusions. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the databases of three institutions (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Michigan State University (MSU) and Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF)) for acute anterior circulation ischemic strokes treated with endovascular therapies from January 2006 to July 2008. After collection of demographic, radiographic and angiographic variables, two groups were identified: artery to artery embolic occlusions and cardioembolic/cryptogenic intracranial occlusions. We defined recanalization as TIMI 2 or 3 flow. A binary logistic regression model was constructed to determine which characteristics were unique to patients with carotid embolic occlusions. RESULTS: A total of 207 patients were identified (UPMC=100, CCF=71, MSU=36) with a mean age of 69±11 years and mean NIHSS of 17±5. Of these, 157 (75%) were due to a cardiac or cryptogenic source and 50 (25%) were from a carotid embolic source. The use of multimodal therapy (OR 2.6 (1.2-5.6), p<0.009) and the presence of a carotid embolic intracranial occlusion (OR 3.6 (1.2-7.1), p<0.012) were associated with successful recanalization, while carotid terminus occlusions were associated with unsuccessful recanalization (OR 0.35 (0.18-0.68), p<0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with intracranial occlusions secondary to an extracranial carotid stenosis or total occlusion appear to have more successful recanalization rates when treated with endovascular therapy compared with those with cardioembolic occlusions.

Anatomic results and complications of stent-assisted coil embolization of intracranial aneurysms.

SUMMARY: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and report our anatomic results and complications associated with stent-assisted coil embolization of intracranial aneurysms using the Neuroform stent. From September 2003 to August 2007, 127 consecutive patients (ruptured 50, 39.4%; unruptured 77, 60.6%) underwent 129 stent-assisted coil embolization procedures to treat 136 aneurysms at our institution. Anatomic results at follow-up, procedure-related complications, and morbidity/mortality were retrospectively reviewed. Stent deployment was successful in 128 out of 129 procedures (99.2%). Forty-seven patients presented with 53 procedure-related complications (37.0%, 47/127). Thromboembolic events (n=17, 13.4%) were the most common complications, followed by intraoperative rupture (n=8, 6.3%), coil herniation (n=5, 3.9%), and postoperative rupture (n=4, 3.1%). For thromboembolic events, acute intra-procedural instent thromboses were observed in two patients and subacute or delayed in-stent thromboses in three patients. Overall mortality rate was 16.5% (21/127) and procedure-related morbidity and mortality rates were 5.5% (7/127) and 8.7% (11/127) retrospectively. Patients with poor grade subarachnoid hemorrhage (Hunt and Hess grade IV or V; 25/127, 19.7%) exhibited 56% (14/25) overall mortality rate and 24% (6/25) procedure-related mortality rate. Immediate angiographic results showed complete occlusion in 31.7% of aneurysms, near-complete occlusion in 45.5%, and partial occlusion in 22.8%. Sixty nine patients in 70 procedures with 77 aneurysms underwent angiographic followup at six months or later. Mean follow-up period was 13.7 months (6 to 45 months). Complete occlusion was observed in 57 aneurysms (74.0%) and significant in-stent stenosis was not found. Thromboembolism and intra/postoperative aneurysm ruptures were the most common complications and the main causes of procedure-related morbidity and mortality. Patients with poor grade subarachnoid hemorrhage showed poor clinical outcomes. Since most complications were induced by stent manipulation and deployment, it is mandatory to utilize these devices selectively and cautiously. While the follow- up angiographic results are promising, further studies are essential to evaluate safety, efficacy, and durability of the Neuroform stent.

Factors predicting hemorrhagic complications after multimodal reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We sought to find predictors for hemorrhagic complications in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with multimodal endovascular therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with multimodal endovascular therapy from May 1999 to March 2006. We reviewed clinical and angiographic data, admission CT Alberta Stroke Programme Early CT Score (ASPECTS), and the therapeutic endovascular interventions used. Posttreatment CT scans were reviewed for the presence of a parenchymal hematoma or hemorrhagic infarction based on defined criteria. Predictors for these types of hemorrhages were determined by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: We identified 185 patients with a mean age of 65+/-13 years and mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 17+/-4. Sixty-nine patients (37%) developed postprocedural hemorrhages: 24 (13%) parenchymal hematomas and 45 (24%) hemorrhagic infarctions. Patients with tandem occlusions (odds ratio [OR] 4.6 [1.4-6.5], P<.016), hyperglycemia (OR 2.8 [1.1-7.7], P<.043), or treated concomitantly with intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and intra-arterial (IA) urokinase (OR 5.1 [1.1-25.0], P<.041) were at a significant risk for a parenchymal hematoma. Hemorrhagic infarction occurred significantly more in patients presenting with an ASPECTS

Self-expanding stents for recanalization of acute cerebrovascular occlusions.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stent-assisted revascularization increases prevailing recanalization rates ( congruent with 50%-69%) for vessel occlusions recalcitrant to thrombolytics. Although balloon-mounted coronary stents can displace thrombus (via angioplasty) and retain clot along vessel walls, intracranial self-expanding stents are more flexible and exert less radial outward force during deployment, increasing deliverability and safety. To understand the effectiveness of self-expanding stents for recanalization of acute cerebrovascular occlusions, we retrospectively reviewed our preliminary experience with these stents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients (19 lesions) presenting with a clinical diagnosis of acute stroke underwent catheter-based angiography documenting focal occlusion of an intracranial artery. A self-expanding stent was delivered to the occlusion and deployed. Stent placement was the initial mechanical maneuver in 6 cases; others involved a combination of pharmacologic and/or mechanical maneuvers prestenting. GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors were administered in 10 cases intraprocedurally or immediately postprocedurally to avoid acute in-stent thrombosis. RESULTS: Stent deployment at the target occlusion (technical success) was achieved in all cases. Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia (TICI)/Thrombolysis in Myocardial Ischemia (TIMI) 2/3 recanalization (angiographic success) was achieved in 15 of 19 lesions (79%). All single-vessel lesions (n=8) were recanalized, but only 7 of 11 combination internal carotid artery and middle cerebral artery lesions were recanalized. No intraprocedural complications occurred. Seven in-hospital deaths occurred: stroke progression, 4; intracranial hemorrhage, 2; respiratory failure, 1. Seven patients had >or=4-point National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale improvement within 24 hours after the procedure, 6 had modified Rankin Score (mRS)

Pretreatment ipsilateral regional cortical blood flow influences vessel recanalization in intra-arterial thrombolysis for MCA occlusion.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of acute stroke interventions is to achieve recanalization of the target occluded artery. We sought to determine whether pretreatment cortical cerebral blood flow (CBF) was associated with vessel recanalization in patients undergoing intra-arterial therapy. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent a quantitative xenon CT blood flow study and were noted to have a documented M1 middle cerebral artery (MCA) or carotid terminus occlusion less than 6 hours from symptom onset between January 1997 and April 2001. Twenty-three patients who underwent intra-arterial thrombolysis were included in the analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine whether pretherapy CBF was correlated to the likelihood of recanalization. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients were studied in this analysis with a median age of 69 (range 32-81) and median National Institutes of Health Stroke Score of 19 (range, 8-22). Twelve patients (52%) underwent combined intravenous/intra-arterial therapy, and 11 patients (48%) were treated with intra-arterial thrombolytics alone. Successful vessel recanalization (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction classification 2 or 3 flow) occurred in 13 patients (57%). The only variable associated with recanalization in multivariate modeling was mean ipsilateral MCA CBF (odds ratio, 1.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.54; P = .035). A receiver operating characteristic curve was generated, and a mean ipsilateral MCA CBF threshold of 18 mL/100 g/min was found to be the threshold for successful recanalization. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that patients with higher mean ipsilateral MCA CBF are more likely to recanalize. The threshold for successful revascularization may be 18 mL/100 g/min. Further study is required to determine whether pretreatment CBF is related to recanalization success.

Stenting and angioplasty of the symptomatic chronically occluded carotid artery.

Patients with hemodynamic impairment ipsilateral to a carotid occlusion are at a high risk of subsequent stroke, and currently 2 surgical options have been studied: extracranial-to-intracranial bypass and direct thromboendarterectomy. We report the successful revascularization of 2 symptomatic chronically occluded carotid arteries with stenting and angioplasty.

Warfarin vs aspirin for symptomatic intracranial stenosis: subgroup analyses from WASID.

The WASID trial showed no advantage of warfarin over aspirin for preventing the primary endpoint of ischemic stroke, brain hemorrhage, or vascular death. In analyses of selected subgroups, there was no definite benefit from warfarin. Warfarin reduced the risk of the primary endpoint among patients with basilar artery stenosis, but there was no reduction in stroke in the basilar artery territory or benefit for vertebral artery stenosis or posterior circulation disease in general.

Initial experience with the use of intravenous eptifibatide bolus during endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Despite systemic heparinization, thromboembolic complications remain a major concern related to endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. We assessed the safety of intravenous eptifibatide administered during aneurysm coiling procedures to prevent such complications. METHODS: From August 2001 to November 2004, 298 coil embolization procedures were performed to treat intracranial aneurysms; eptifibatide was used in 84 endovascular coil embolization procedures to treat 79 aneurysms in 74 patients. We retrospectively reviewed medical charts, radiographic images, and procedure notes to evaluate periprocedural complications related to eptifibatide. RESULTS: The mean age of the 74 patients in our cohort was 55 +/- 9 years (range, 31-84) harboring 79 aneurysms (32 ruptured/47 unruptured). Eptifibatide was given prophylactically in 77 procedures, whereas in 7 procedures, it was given for treatment of a thromboembolic event (visualization of an arterial branch occlusion). A total of 5 (5.9% [total cohort]) bleeding complications related to eptifibatide occurred during 84 procedures. Two patients (2.4% [total cohort]/6.3% [ruptured group]) developed intracerebral hemorrhagic complications exacerbated by eptifibatide. The other 3 (3.6% [total cohort]) patients had groin hematomas requiring blood transfusions but had no surgical intervention. One thromboembolic event occurred in the 77 patients receiving eptifibatide prophylactically. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous infusion of eptifibatide seems to be safe to administer in patients undergoing endovascular repair of an unruptured cerebral aneurysm. Caution must be used in patients harboring ruptured aneurysms as intracranial bleeding complications may occur. Further study is required to delineate the group of patients most likely to benefit from this therapy.

Urgent stenting of the M2 (superior) division of the middle cerebral artery after systemic thrombolysis in acute stroke.

We report a case of a 54-year-old man who presented with a right middle cerebral artery territory infarct and was treated with systemic thrombolytics. He continued to fluctuate neurologically and, with the use of angiography, was found to have an occlusion of the right M2 artery (superior division). This occlusion was successfully revascularized with a coronary stent.

High titers of CA-125 may be associated with recurrent ischemic strokes in patients with cancer.

In addition to etiologies common in the general population, strokes in cancer patients may be caused by hypercoagulable states, hyperviscosity, cardiogenic embolism, and neoplastic vessel infiltration. Intravascular mucins were reported in patients with recurrent thromboembolism. The authors report four patients with metastatic cancer, brain infarcts, and other thromboembolic disease with markedly elevated levels of the tumor marker CA-125 and explore possible associations between this mucinous protein and strokes.

Evolution of temporal lobe hypoperfusion in transient global amnesia: a serial single photon emission computed tomography study.

Previous functional neuroimaging studies performed during transient global amnesia (TGA) have not answered the central question regarding the etiology of TGA, namely: whether the observed hypoperfusion in the mesial temporal lobe structures reflects a primarily ischemic process or whether it represents a secondary phenomenon resulting from locally decreased metabolism. The authors performed Tc 99-m-bicisate brain single photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) scanning in a 66-year-old man during an episode of TGA, 24 hours after the episode and 3 months after the episode. To the authors' knowledge, this is the only reported study in which a follow-up SPECT scan was performed within 24 hours. The initial study showed bilateral mesial temporal lobe hypoperfusion that partially resolved after 24 hours and returned to normal at 3 months. Resolution of the SPECT scan abnormalities correlated well with resolution of the memory loss. These findings agree with previously reported SPECT, positron-emission tomography (PET), and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies that indicate the mesial temporal lobe structures as the major site of pathology in TGA. The authors suggest that a process causing decreased local metabolism, such as cortical spreading depression, constitutes the primary pathophysiologic mechanism in this case.