Incidence, prognosis, and prediction of haemorrhagic transformation after revascularisation for stroke.

INTRODUCTION: Haemorrhagic transformation is a major complication of acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). We sought to determine the predictors and clinical impact of intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) after revascularisation therapy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, single-centre study including 235 patients with AIS who underwent intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV-rtPA) therapy and/or endovascular treatment. A binary logistic regression model was used to determine the variables associated with ICH, parenchymal haematomas (PH), modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores, and mortality. RESULTS: ICH was detected in 57 (30 with PH) of 183 patients included. Mechanical thrombectomy, either alone (OR 3.3 [1.42-7.63], P=.005) or in combination with IV-rtPA (OR 3.39 [1.52-7.56], P=.003), was associated with higher risk of ICH, while higher Alberta Stroke Program Early CT scores (OR 0.71 [0.55-0.91], P=.007) were associated with lower risk. Patients with older age (OR 1.07 [1.02-1.13], P=.006) and occlusion of the terminal branch of the internal carotid artery (OR 4.03 [1.35-11.99], P=.012) had a higher risk of PH, while the use of IV-rtPA alone (OR 0.24 [0.08-0.68], P=.008) was associated with lower risk of PH. Only PH was associated with disability as measured by the mRS (OR 3.2 [1.17-8.76], P=.02) and higher mortality (OR 5.06 [1.65-15.5], P=.005). CONCLUSIONS: Greater understanding about the predictors of ICH, mRS scores, and mortality could enable better selection of patients and treatments.

Treatment of posterior circulation strokes by mechanical thrombectomy with a stent-retriever: a retrospective observational study at a single center. / Tratamiento del ictus de circulación posterior mediante trombectomía mecánica con stent-retriever: un estudio observacional, monocéntrico y retrospectivo.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the rate of recanalization, functional outcome at three months, and independent prognostic factors in patients with posterior circulation strokes treated with stent-retrievers and to compare these results with those of patients in an earlier series treated with "classical methods". MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of consecutive patients with posterior circulation strokes treated with stent-retrievers at our center between December 1, 2011 and May 1, 2018. The main outcome variables were the rate of recanalization according to the Thrombosis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) scale and functional independence score 90 days after treatment according to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). We analyzed demographics, cerebrovascular risk factors, clinical findings, and probable origin. Descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression model were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: We included 75 patients: 27 treated with "classical methods" and 48 treated with stent-retrievers (10 women; mean age, 63.9 years; median National Institute of Health Stroke Score, 15.8 (IQR 9-25); median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), 9.1 (IQR 6-14,5). TICI 2b-3 recanalization was achieved in 46 (95.8%) patients treated with stent-retrievers and in 15 (55.6%) patients treated with "classical methods" (p<0.0001). No significant differences were observed in the rate of patients achieving mRS 0-2 at 90 days (19 (39.6%) of those treated with stent-retrievers vs. 6 (22.2%) of those treated with "classical methods"). Mortality was lower among patients treated with stent-retrievers (14 (29.2% vs. 15 (55.6%) in those treated with "classical methods", p=0.024). GCS score was independently associated with mRS at 90 days (OR:0.67; 95%CI:0.5-0.91; p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with posterior circulation infarcts, treatment with stent-retrievers achieved high rates of recanalization and functional independence at 90 days. The rate of complications was similar to those reported in other studies. GCS is an independent predictor of functional independence at 90 days.

Incidence, prognosis, and prediction of haemorrhagic transformation after revascularisation for stroke. / Incidencia, pronóstico y predicción de la transformación hemorrágica tras el tratamiento revascularizador del ictus.

INTRODUCTION: Haemorrhagic transformation is a major complication of acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). We sought to determine the predictors and clinical impact of intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) after revascularisation therapy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, single-centre study including 235 patients with AIS who underwent intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV-rtPA) therapy and/or endovascular treatment. A binary logistic regression model was used to determine the variables associated with ICH, parenchymal haematomas (PH), modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores, and mortality. RESULTS: ICH was detected in 57 (30 with PH) of 183 patients included. Mechanical thrombectomy, either alone (OR 3.3 [1.42-7.63], P=.005) or in combination with IV-rtPA (OR 3.39 [1,52-7.56], P=.003), was associated with higher risk of ICH, while higher Alberta Stroke Program Early CT scores (OR 0.71 [0.55-0.91], P=.007) were associated with lower risk. Patients with older age (OR 1.07 [1.02-1.13], P=.006) and occlusion of the terminal branch of the internal carotid artery (OR 4.03 [1.35-11.99], P = .012) had a higher risk of PH, while the use of IV-rtPA alone (OR 0.24 [0.08-0.68], P=.008) was associated with lower risk of PH. Only PH was associated with disability as measured by the mRS (OR 3.2 [1.17-8.76], P=.02) and higher mortality (OR 5.06 [1.65-15.5], P=.005). CONCLUSIONS: Greater understanding about the predictors of ICH, mRS scores, and mortality could enable better selection of patients and treatments.