Self-reported attention and hyperactivity symptoms among adults with epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Patients with epilepsy (PWE) frequently have comorbid psychiatric disorders, the most common of which are depression and anxiety. Attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADHD) is also more frequent among PWE, though that condition has been scarcely studied among the adult PWE population. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the presence of ADHD symptoms between adult PWE and the general population. METHODS: This was an observational case-control study. Ninety-five adult PWE from a tertiary center in southern Brazil were compared with 100 healthy controls. All subjects were submitted to three structured scales: 1) the World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale version 1.1 (ASRS); 2) the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); and 3) the Adverse Events Profile (AEP). Dichotomic variables were analyzed through chi-square test and Fisher's exact test, as appropriate, and non-parametric variables were analyzed through the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Medians and interquartile ranges (IR) were: 1) ASRS: 26.00 (IR: 18 to 38) among PWE versus 17.00 (IR: 11 to 24) among controls, p < 0.001; 2) HADS: 14.00 (IR: 8 to 21) among PWE versus 11.00 (IR: 8 to 16) among controls, p = 0.007; 3) AEP: 3800 (IR: 31 to 49) among PWE versus 33.00 (IR: 23 to 43) among controls, p = 0.001. CONCLUSION: PWE showed a higher burden of symptoms of ADHD, depression, and anxiety when compared with controls, which replicates in the Brazilian population the findings of current literature that point toward a higher prevalence of such disorders among PWE.

ANTECEDENTES: Pacientes com epilepsia (PCE) frequentemente apresentam comorbidades psiquiátricas, principalmente depressão e ansiedade. O transtorno do déficit de atenção e hiperatividade (TDAH) também é mais frequente nos PCE, porém foi pouco estudado na população adulta de PCE. OBJETIVO: Comparar a presença de sintomas de TDAH entre PCE adultos e a população geral. MéTODOS: Noventa e cinco PCE adultos de um centro terciário no Sul do Brasil foram comparados a 100 controles saudáveis. Todos os sujeitos foram submetidos a três escalas estruturadas: 1) a Escala Autorrelatada de TDAH em Adultos da Organização Mundial da Saúde, versão 1.1 (ASRS); 2) a Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão (HADS); e 3) o Perfil de Eventos Adversos (AEP). Variáveis dicotômicas foram analisadas através dos testes chi-quadrado e exato de Fisher, conforme apropriado, e as variáveis não paramétricas foram analisadas através do teste U de Mann-Whitney. RESULTADOS: As medianas e os intervalos interquartis (IIQ) foram: 1) ASRS: 26.00 (IIQ: 18 a 38) em PCE versus 17.00 (IIQ: 11 a 24) nos controles, p < 0,001; 2) HADS: 14.00 (IIQ: 8 a 21) em PCE versus 11.00 (IIQ: 8 a 16) nos controles, p = 0,007; 3) AEP: 38.00 (IIQ: 31 a 49) em PCE versus 33.00 (IIQ: 23 a 43) nos controles, p = 0,001. CONCLUSãO: PCE apresentaram uma maior carga de sintomas de TDAH, depressão e ansiedade quando comparados aos controles, o que replica na população brasileira os achados da literatura atual, que apontam para uma maior prevalência de tais transtornos entre PCE.

Self-reported attention and hyperactivity symptoms among adults with epilepsy / Sintomas de desatenção e hiperatividade autorrelatados entre adultos com epilepsia

Abstract Background Patients with epilepsy (PWE) frequently have comorbid psychiatric disorders, the most common of which are depression and anxiety. Attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADHD) is also more frequent among PWE, though that condition has been scarcely studied among the adult PWE population. Objective This study aimed to compare the presence of ADHD symptoms between adult PWE and the general population. Methods This was an observational case-control study. Ninety-five adult PWE from a tertiary center in southern Brazil were compared with 100 healthy controls. All subjects were submitted to three structured scales: 1) the World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale version 1.1 (ASRS); 2) the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); and 3) the Adverse Events Profile (AEP). Dichotomic variables were analyzed through chi-square test and Fisher's exact test, as appropriate, and non-parametric variables were analyzed through the Mann-Whitney U test. Results Medians and interquartile ranges (IR) were: 1) ASRS: 26.00 (IR: 18 to 38) among PWE versus 17.00 (IR: 11 to 24) among controls, p< 0.001; 2) HADS: 14.00 (IR: 8 to 21) among PWE versus 11.00 (IR: 8 to 16) among controls, p= 0.007; 3) AEP: 3800 (IR: 31 to 49) among PWE versus 33.00 (IR: 23 to 43) among controls, p= 0.001. Conclusion PWE showed a higher burden of symptoms of ADHD, depression, and anxiety when compared with controls, which replicates in the Brazilian population the findings of current literature that point toward a higher prevalence of such disorders among PWE.

Resumo Antecedentes Pacientes com epilepsia (PCE) frequentemente apresentam comorbidades psiquiátricas, principalmente depressão e ansiedade. O transtorno do déficit de atenção e hiperatividade (TDAH) também é mais frequente nos PCE, porém foi pouco estudado na população adulta de PCE. Objetivo Comparar a presença de sintomas de TDAH entre PCE adultos e a população geral. Métodos Noventa e cinco PCE adultos de um centro terciário no Sul do Brasil foram comparados a 100 controles saudáveis. Todos os sujeitos foram submetidos a três escalas estruturadas: 1) a Escala Autorrelatada de TDAH em Adultos da Organização Mundial da Saúde, versão 1.1 (ASRS); 2) a Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão (HADS); e 3) o Perfil de Eventos Adversos (AEP). Variáveis dicotômicas foram analisadas através dos testes chi-quadrado e exato de Fisher, conforme apropriado, e as variáveis não paramétricas foram analisadas através do teste U de Mann-Whitney. Resultados As medianas e os intervalos interquartis (IIQ) foram: 1) ASRS: 26.00 (IIQ: 18 a 38) em PCE versus 17.00 (IIQ: 11 a 24) nos controles, p< 0,001; 2) HADS: 14.00 (IIQ: 8 a 21) em PCE versus 11.00 (IIQ: 8 a 16) nos controles, p= 0,007; 3) AEP: 38.00 (IIQ: 31 a 49) em PCE versus 33.00 (IIQ: 23 a 43) nos controles, p= 0,001. Conclusão PCE apresentaram uma maior carga de sintomas de TDAH, depressão e ansiedade quando comparados aos controles, o que replica na população brasileira os achados da literatura atual, que apontam para uma maior prevalência de tais transtornos entre PCE.

Identifying ex vivo acute ischemic stroke thrombus composition using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

BACKGROUND: Intra-procedural characterization of stroke thromboemboli might guide mechanical thrombectomy (MT) device choice to improve recanalization rates. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been used to characterize various biological tissues in real time but has not been used in thrombus. OBJECTIVE: To perform a feasibility study of EIS analysis of thrombi retrieved by MT to evaluate: (1) the ability of EIS and machine learning to predict red blood cell (RBC) percentage content of thrombi and (2) to classify the thrombi as "RBC-rich" or "RBC-poor" based on a range of cutoff values of RBC. METHODS: ClotbasePilot was a multicentric, international, prospective feasibility study. Retrieved thrombi underwent histological analysis to identify proportions of RBC and other components. EIS results were analyzed with machine learning. Linear regression was used to evaluate the correlation between the histology and EIS. Sensitivity and specificity of the model to classify the thrombus as RBC-rich or RBC-poor were also evaluated. RESULTS: Among 514 MT,179 thrombi were included for EIS and histological analysis. The mean composition in RBC of the thrombi was 36% ± 24. Good correlation between the impedance-based prediction and histology was achieved (slope of 0.9, R2 = 0.53, Pearson coefficient = 0.72). Depending on the chosen cutoff, ranging from 20 to 60% of RBC, the calculated sensitivity for classification of thrombi ranged from 77 to 85% and the specificity from 72 to 88%. CONCLUSION: Combination of EIS and machine learning can reliably predict the RBC composition of retrieved ex vivo AIS thrombi and then classify them into groups according to their RBC composition with good sensitivity and specificity.

Falsely normal CT perfusion ischemic core readings are common and often associated with deep infarcts.

BACKGROUND: Proper identification of infarct extent is crucial for thrombectomy and prognostication. We sought to study the frequency and topographic aspects of those cases in which CT perfusion (CTP) misses a core lesion that is present on initial non-contrast CT (NCCT). METHODS: A review was carried out of a prospectively collected database of endovascular patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion strokes from January 2014 to November 2018. Patients with an e-ASPECTS <10 and adequate CTP maps were included. Total missed ischemic core (TMC) was defined as a CTP core lesion (relative cerebral blood flow <30%) <1 mL with a visualized hypodensity on NCCT. RESULTS: In total, 629 patients were analyzed of which 161 (25.6%) had a TMC. On univariate analysis, TMC was associated with isolated deep middle cerebral artery (MCA) strokes (77.6% vs 56.6%, p<0.001), lower National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (9 (15-20) vs 17 (13-21), p=0.007) and longer times to treatment (452 (288-652) min vs 355 (236-655) min, p=0.03). After adjusting for identifiable confounders, isolated deep MCA stroke was an independent predictor of TMC (OR 2.49 (95% CI 1.63 to 3.8), p<0.001). There were no differences between patients presenting with a TMC and those not with good outcomes (modified Rankin Scale 0-2) (50.8% vs 47.6%, p=0.53) or 90-day mortality (23% vs 17.6%, p=0.17). However, TMC was associated with lower rates of any parenchymal hematomas (5.2% vs 14.6%, p=0.02; aOR 0.11 (95% CI 0.01 to 0.91), p=0.04) and smaller final infarct volumes (20.5 (11.3-42.9) mL vs 47.5 (20.3-85) mL, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CTP may completely fail to detect ischemic core in as many as 25% of cases, especially in isolated deep MCA strokes. Technical refinements of the post-processing algorithms are therefore warranted. TMC infarcts may have a lower risk of reperfusion hemorrhage, potentially due to greater preservation of the neurovascular unit structure in face of delayed recovery of cerebral blood flow.

Correlation of von Willebrand factor and platelets with acute ischemic stroke etiology and revascularization outcome: an immunohistochemical study.

BACKGROUND: Platelets and von Willebrand factor (vWF) are key components of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) emboli. We aimed to investigate the CD42b (platelets)/vWF expression, its association with stroke etiology and the impact these components may have on the clinical/procedural parameters. METHODS: CD42b/vWF immunostaining was performed on 288 emboli collected as part of the multicenter STRIP Registry. CD42b/VWF expression and distribution were evaluated. Student's t-test and χ2 test were performed as appropriate. RESULTS: The mean CD42b and VWF content in clots was 44.3% and 21.9%, respectively. There was a positive correlation between platelets and vWF (r=0.64, p<0.001**). We found a significantly higher vWF level in the other determined etiology (p=0.016*) and cryptogenic (p=0.049*) groups compared with cardioembolic etiology. No significant difference in CD42b content was found across the etiology subtypes. CD42b/vWF patterns were significantly associated with stroke etiology (p=0.006*). The peripheral pattern was predominant in atherosclerotic clots (36.4%) while the clustering (patchy) pattern was significantly associated with cardioembolic and cryptogenic origin (66.7% and 49.8%, respectively). The clots corresponding to other determined etiology showed mainly a diffuse pattern (28.1%). Two types of platelets were distinguished within the CD42b-positive clusters in all emboli: vWF-positive platelets were observed at the center, surrounded by vWF-negative platelets. Thrombolysis correlated with a high platelet content (p=0.03*). vWF-poor and peripheral CD42b/vWF pattern correlated with first pass effect (p=0.03* and p=0.04*, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The vWF level and CD42b/vWF distribution pattern in emboli were correlated with AIS etiology and revascularization outcome. Platelet content was associated with response to thrombolysis.

Quantification of clot spatial heterogeneity and its impact on thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND: Compositional and structural features of retrieved clots by thrombectomy can provide insight into improving the endovascular treatment of ischemic stroke. Currently, histological analysis is limited to quantification of compositions and qualitative description of the clot structure. We hypothesized that heterogeneous clots would be prone to poorer recanalization rates and performed a quantitative analysis to test this hypothesis. METHODS: We collected and did histology on clots retrieved by mechanical thrombectomy from 157 stroke cases (107 achieved first-pass effect (FPE) and 50 did not). Using an in-house algorithm, the scanned images were divided into grids (with sizes of 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6 mm) and the extent of non-uniformity of RBC distribution was computed using the proposed spatial heterogeneity index (SHI). Finally, we validated the clinical significance of clot heterogeneity using the Mann-Whitney test and an artificial neural network (ANN) model. RESULTS: For cases with FPE, SHI values were smaller (0.033 vs 0.039 for grid size of 0.4 mm, P=0.028) compared with those without. In comparison, the clot composition was not statistically different between those two groups. From the ANN model, clot heterogeneity was the most important factor, followed by fibrin content, thrombectomy techniques, red blood cell content, clot area, platelet content, etiology, and admission of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA). No statistical difference of clot heterogeneity was found for different etiologies, thrombectomy techniques, and IV-tPA administration. CONCLUSIONS: Clot heterogeneity can affect the clot response to thrombectomy devices and is associated with lower FPE. SHI can be a useful metric to quantify clot heterogeneity.

Age-adjusted infarct volume cut-off points improve stroke outcome prognostication beyond modeling with age and infarct volume.

BACKGROUND: Age and infarct volume are among the most powerful predictors of outcome after large vessel occlusion acute strokes (LVOS). OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of age-adjusted final infarct volume (FIV) on functional outcomes. METHODS: Review of a prospectively collected thrombectomy database at a tertiary care center between September 2010 and February 2018. Consecutive patients with anterior circulation LVOS who achieved full reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 3) were categorized into four age groups: (G1) <60 years, (G2) 60-69, (G3) 70-79, (G4) ≥80 years. The Youden Index was used to identify the optimal FIV cut-off point for good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2) discrimination in each group and the overall population. The predictive ability of these specific thresholds was evaluated using binary logistic regressions and compared with the non-age-adjusted cut-off point. RESULTS: 516 patients were analyzed (G1: n=171, G2: n=130, G3: n=103, G4: n=112). Patients with poor outcome had a larger FIV in each group (p<0.01 for all). The target FIV cut-off point decreased with increased age: G1: 45.7 mL (sensitivity 56%, specificity 80%); G2: 30.4 mL (sensitivity 63%, specificity 75%); G3: 20.2 mL (sensitivity 76%, specificity 65%); G4: 16.9 mL (sensitivity 68%, specificity 70%). The non-age-adjusted cut-off point was 19.2 mL (sensitivity 70%, specificity 59%).In multivariate analysis, adjusting for confounders including age and FIV, achieving a FIV less than the age-adjusted threshold was an independent predictor of good outcome (aOR=2.72, 95% CI 1.41 to 5.24, p<0.001). In contrast, a similar model including the non-age-adjusted target cut-off point failed to reveal an association with good outcome (aOR=1.72, 95% CI 0.93 to 3.19, p<0.085). Furthermore, the latter model had a weaker outcome predictive ability as assessed by the Akaike information criterion (409 vs 403). CONCLUSIONS: Age-adjusted infarct volume represents a strong outcome discriminator beyond age and infarct volume in isolation and might help to refine patient selection and improve outcome prognostication in stroke thrombectomy.

Endovascular reperfusion outcomes in patients with a stroke and low ASPECTS is highly dependent on baseline infarct volumes.

BACKGROUND: Patients with large vessel occlusion stroke (LVOS) and a low Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) are often not offered endovascular therapy (ET) as they are thought to have a poor prognosis. OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of patients with low and high ASPECTS undergoing ET based on baseline infarct volumes. METHODS: Review of a prospectively collected endovascular database at a tertiary care center between September 2010 and March 2020. All patients with anterior circulation LVOS and interpretable baseline CT perfusion (CTP) were included. Subjects were divided into groups with low ASPECTS (0-5) and high ASPECTS (6-10) and subsequently into limited and large CTP-core volumes (cerebral blood flow 30% >70 cc). The primary outcome measure was the difference in rates of 90-day good outcome as defined by a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0 to 2 across groups. RESULTS: 1248 patients fit the inclusion criteria. 125 patients had low ASPECTS, of whom 16 (12.8%) had a large core (LC), whereas 1123 patients presented with high ASPECTS, including 29 (2.6%) patients with a LC. In the category with a low ASPECTS, there was a trend towards lower rates of functional independence (90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0-2) in the LC group (18.8% vs 38.9%, p=0.12), which became significant after adjusting for potential confounders in multivariable analysis (aOR=0.12, 95% CI 0.016 to 0.912, p=0.04). Likewise, LC was associated with significantly lower rates of functional independence (31% vs 51.9%, p=0.03; aOR=0.293, 95% CI 0.095 to 0.909, p=0.04) among patients with high ASPECTS. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes may vary significantly in the same ASPECTS category depending on infarct volume. Patients with ASPECTS ≤5 but baseline infarct volumes ≤70 cc may achieve independence in nearly 40% of the cases and thus should not be excluded from treatment.

Histological evaluation of acute ischemic stroke thrombi may indicate the occurrence of vessel wall injury during mechanical thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND: Several animal studies have demonstrated that mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) may cause vessel wall injury (VWI). However, the histological changes in human cerebral arteries following MT are difficult to determine. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occurrence of VWI during MT by histological and immunohistochemical evaluation of AIS clots. METHODS: As part of the multicenter STRIP registry, 277 clots from 237 patients were analyzed using Martius Scarlett Blue stain and immunohistochemistry for CD34 (endothelial cells) and smooth muscle actin (smooth muscle cells). RESULTS: MT devices used were aspiration catheters (100 cases), stentriever (101 cases), and both (36 cases). VWI was found in 33/277 clots (12%). There was no significant correlation between VWI and MT device. The degree of damage varied from grade I (mild intimal damage, 24 clots), to grade II (relevant intimal and subintimal damage, 3 clots), and III (severe injury, 6 clots). VWI clots contained significantly more erythrocytes (p=0.006*) and less platelets/other (p=0.005*) than non-VWI clots suggesting soft thrombus material.Thrombolysis correlated with a lower rate of VWI (p=0.04*). VWI cases showed a significantly higher number of passes (2 [1-4] vs 1 [1-3], p=0.028*) and poorer recanalization outcome (p=0.01*) than cases without VWI. CONCLUSIONS: Histological markers of VWI were present in 12% of AIS thrombi, suggesting that VWI might be related to MT. VWI was associated with soft thrombus consistency, higher number of passes and poorer revascularization outcome. There was no significant correlation between VWI and MT device.

Association between clot composition and stroke origin in mechanical thrombectomy patients: analysis of the Stroke Thromboembolism Registry of Imaging and Pathology.

BACKGROUND: We retrospectively evaluated the composition of retrieved clots from ischemic stroke patients to study the association between histological composition and stroke etiology METHODS: Consecutive patients enrolled in the Stroke Thromboembolism Registry of Imaging and Pathology (STRIP) were included in this study. All patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy and retrieved clots were sent to a central core lab for processing. Histological analysis was performed using martius scarlet blue (MSB) staining, and quantification for red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), fibrin and platelets was performed using Orbit Image Software. A Wilcoxon test was used for continuous variables and χ2 test for categorical variables. RESULTS: 1350 patients were included in this study. The overall rate of Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (TICI) 2c/3 was 68%. 501 patients received tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) (37%). 267 patients (20%) had a large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) source, 662 (49%) a cardioembolic (CE) source, 301 (22%) were cryptogenic, and the remainder had other identifiable sources including hypercoagulable state or dissection. LAA thrombi had a higher mean RBC density (46±23% vs 42±22%, p=0.01) and a lower platelet density (24±18% vs 27±18%, p=0.03) than CE thrombi. Clots from dissection patients had the highest mean RBC density (50±24%) while clots from patients with a hypercoagulable state had the lowest mean RBC density (26±21%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study found statistically significant but clinically insignificant differences between clots of CE and LAA etiologies. Future studies should emphasize molecular, proteomic and immunohistochemical characteristics to determine links between clot composition and etiology.

Legal authorized representative experience with smartphone-based electronic informed consent in an acute stroke trial.

BACKGROUND: The pilot use of a smartphone platform for electronic informed consent (e-Consent) in large vessel occlusion acute stroke (LVOS) trials has recently been reported. The degree of satisfaction from Legal Authorized Representatives (LARs) with regard to this process remains to be established. METHODS: A single-center study evaluating the experience of LARs with the use of e-Consent in a LVOS randomized trial of an investigational drug administered within 12 hours of last known normal was carried out. A structured survey was used to evaluate the experience of the LARs with the e-consenting process. RESULTS: From February to November 2018, 60 consecutive patients were e-Consented. Of these, 53 LARs completed the survey. The median (IQR) age of the patients was 63 (53-70) years, baseline/discharge National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 17 (12-20)/3(1-12), and 45% were independent at discharge. The survey was applied in person in 43% of cases and via telephone in 57%. Median LAR age was 48 (39-59) years, 64% were female, and a multi-ethnic composition was observed. Forty percent of LARs had less than tertiary level of education (high-school or less). Regarding the e-Consent, 98% of LARs reported to be 'clear' and 83% felt 'very comfortable' in signing. The overall experience was 'excellent/good' in 91%. Despite the positive general impression regarding the use of e-Consent, 12 LARs (22%) would have preferred paper consent. Multivariable regression indicated that lower educational status (tertiary education or less: OR 5.09, 95% CI 1.02 to 25.48; p=0.04) and lower baseline ASPECTS score (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.96; p=0.03) were independently associated with preference for paper consent. CONCLUSIONS: e-Consent was overall very well perceived by LARs in a randomized clinical trial of LVOS. A minority of proxies, who were more commonly less formally educated, would have preferred paper consenting.

Blind exchange with mini-pinning technique for distal occlusion thrombectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Technical improvements to enhance distal occlusion thrombectomy are desirable. We describe the blind catheter exchange technique and report the pinning technique with small devices ('mini-pinning') for distal occlusions. METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospective database from January 2015 to August 2018 was performed for cases of distal occlusion in which the 'blind exchange/mini-pinning' (BEMP) techniques were used. The technique involves the deployment of a 3 mm Trevo retriever followed by microcatheter removal and blind advancement of a 3MAX aspiration catheter over the bare retriever delivery wire ('blind exchange') until clot contact under aspiration. The retriever is subsequently partially recaptured in order to 'cork' the thrombus ('mini-pinning') and the system pulled as a unit. Patients with distal occlusions treated with BEMP and standard techniques (either 3 mm Trevo or 3MAX) were compared. RESULTS: Twenty-five vessels were treated in 22 patients. The majority of patients had isolated distal occlusions predominantly in the distal middle cerebral artery (MCA) segments, half of which involved the superior division. The comparison between BEMP (n=25 vessels) and standard techniques (n=144 vessels) revealed balanced groups. One of the highlighted differences was the more distal MCA occlusions among those who underwent BEMP (M3 occlusions 52% vs 22%; p=0.001). Otherwise, the vessel, segments, divisions and luminal diameter were comparable. There was a higher rate of first-pass modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b-3 (80% vs 56%; p=0.03) and a trend towards higher rates of first-pass full reperfusion (60% vs 40%; p=0.07) with BEMP compared with standard techniques. Final reperfusion and clinical outcomes were comparable. CONCLUSION: BEMP appears to be a safe and effective technique for the treatment of distal occlusions. Additional studies are warranted.

A comparative analysis of 3MAX aspiration versus 3 mm Trevo Retriever for distal occlusion thrombectomy in acute stroke.

BACKGROUND: Although aspiration and stent retriever thrombectomy perform similarly in proximal occlusions, no comparative series are available in distal occlusions. We aimed to compare the 3 mm Trevo Retriever against the 3MAX thromboaspiration catheter in distal arterial occlusions. METHODS: A single-center retrospective review of a prospectively maintained databank for patients treated with the 3 mm Trevo stent retriever or 3MAX thromboaspiration as the upfront approach for distal occlusions (middle cerebral artery mid/distal M2/M3, anterior cerebral artery A1/A2/A3 or posterior cerebral artery P1/P2) from January 2014 to July 2018 was performed. The primary outcome was the rate of distal occlusion first-pass reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) 2b-3). RESULTS: Of 1100 patients treated within the study period, 137 patients/144 different arteries were treated with the 3 mm Trevo (n=92) or 3MAX device (n=52). The groups had comparable demographics and baseline characteristics. There was a higher rate of first-pass mTICI 2b-3 reperfusion (62% vs 44%; p=0.03), a trend towards a higher rate of final mTICI 2b-3 reperfusion (84% vs 69%; p=0.05), and lower use of adjuvant therapy (15% vs 31%; p=0.03) with the 3 mm Trevo compared with the 3MAX. The median number of passes (p=0.46), frequency of arterial spasm (p=1.00), rates of parenchymal hematomas (p=0.22)/subarachnoid hemorrhage (p=0.37) in the territory of the approached vessel were similar across the two groups. The 90-day rate of good outcomes (45% vs 46% in the 3 mm Trevo and 3MAX groups, respectively; p=0.84) was comparable. Multivariable regression identified baseline NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (OR 0.9; 95% CI 0.8 to 0.97; p<0.01) and use of 3 mm Trevo (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.1 to 4.6; p=0.02) independently associated with first-pass mTICI 2b-3 reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of distal arterial occlusions, the 3 mm Trevo may lead to higher rates of first-pass reperfusion than direct 3MAX thromboaspiration. Lower NIHSS was found to be associated with improved reperfusion rates as observed in more proximal lesions. Further studies are warranted.

Estimating the social value of mechanical thrombectomy randomized trials on an established stroke network.

BACKGROUND: Given the relative strength of prior mechanical thrombectomy (MT) data in face of the perceived poor natural history of emergent large vessel occlusion strokes, randomization to medical therapy during the recent clinical MT trials raised ethical challenges at individual and institutional levels despite overall clinical equipoise. METHODS: In a thrombectomy stroke registry, we compared treatment rates preceding and following the SWIFT-PRIME and DAWN trials. Based on effect sizes of treatment in both trials, we estimated missed opportunities due to randomization to medical therapy and estimated the societal benefit resulting from additional patients who benefited as a result of these studies. RESULTS: The average monthly thrombectomy rate in the SWIFT-PRIME time window increased from 14.1±4 patients-per-month (ppm) to 23.8±6 ppm (p<0·001). Twelve subjects were enrolled in SWIFT-PRIME and we estimated a missed opportunity of benefiting 2.3 of six subjects randomized to medical therapy. This was offset by providing treatment to an additional 9.7 ppm, resulting in an additional functional benefit to 3.7 ppm. Similarly, the thrombectomy rate in the DAWN window increased from 8.6±4 ppm pre-DAWN to 11.9±3.6 ppm post-DAWN (p<0.01). 38 subjects were enrolled in the DAWN trial with a missed opportunity to benefit eight of 16 subjects randomized to medical therapy. This was offset by the ability to offer MT to an additional 3.3 ppm, bringing definite benefit to an additional 1.65 ppm. CONCLUSION: Completion of recent trials resulted in observable increases in rates of thrombectomy, translating to functional benefits that rapidly offset any missed opportunities due to randomization to medical therapy arms.