The role of intravenous thrombolysis before mechanical Thrombectomy: A subgroup analysis of the RESILIENT trial.

BACKGROUND: Randomized trials have recently evaluated the non-inferiority of direct thrombectomy versus intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) followed by endovascular therapy in anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke in patients eligible for IVT within 4.5 h from stroke onset with controversial results. We aimed to assess the effect of IVT on the clinical outcome of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in the RESILIENT trial. METHODS: RESILIENT was a randomized, prospective, multicenter, controlled trial assessing the safety and efficacy of thrombectomy versus medical treatment alone. A total of 221 patients were enrolled. The trial showed a substantial benefit of MT when added to medical management. All eligible patients received intravenous tPA within the 4.5-h-window. Ordinal logistic and binary regression analyses using intravenous tPA as an interaction term were performed with adjustments for potential confounders, including age, baseline NIHSS score, occlusion site, and ASPECTS. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Among 221 randomized patients (median NIHSS, 18 IQR [14-21]), 155 (70%) were treated with IVT. There was no difference in the mRS ordinal shift and frequency of functional independence between patients who received or not IV tPA; the odds ratio for the ordinal mRS shift was 2.63 [1.48-4.69] for the IVT group and 1.54 [0.63-3.74] for the no IVT group, with a p-value of 0.42. IVT also did not affect the frequency of good recanalization (TICI 2b or higher) and hemorrhagic transformation. CONCLUSIONS: The large effect size of MT on LVO outcomes was not significantly affected by IVT. TRIAL REGISTRATION: RESILIENT ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02216643.

Reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke: where are we in 2023? / Terapia de reperfusão para o acidente vascular isquêmico agudo: onde estamos em 2023?

Abstract Over the last three decades, stroke care has undergone significant transformations mainly driven by the introduction of reperfusion therapy and the organization of systems of care. Patients receiving treatment through a well-structured stroke service have a much higher chance of favorable outcomes, thereby decreasing both disability and mortality. In this article, we reviewed the scientific evidence for stroke reperfusion therapy, including thrombolysis and thrombectomy, and its implementation in the public health system in Brazil.

Resumo Nas últimas três décadas, o tratamento do AVC sofreu transformações significativas, impulsionadas principalmente pela introdução das terapias de reperfusão e pela organização dos serviços de AVC. Os pacientes que recebem tratamento em um serviço de AVC bem estruturado têm uma probabilidade muito maior de resultados favoráveis, diminuindo assim a incapacidade funcional e a mortalidade. Neste artigo, revisamos as evidências científicas para as terapias de reperfusão do AVC, incluindo trombólise e trombectomia e sua implementação no sistema público de saúde no Brasil.

Reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke: where are we in 2023?

Over the last three decades, stroke care has undergone significant transformations mainly driven by the introduction of reperfusion therapy and the organization of systems of care. Patients receiving treatment through a well-structured stroke service have a much higher chance of favorable outcomes, thereby decreasing both disability and mortality. In this article, we reviewed the scientific evidence for stroke reperfusion therapy, including thrombolysis and thrombectomy, and its implementation in the public health system in Brazil.

Nas últimas três décadas, o tratamento do AVC sofreu transformações significativas, impulsionadas principalmente pela introdução das terapias de reperfusão e pela organização dos serviços de AVC. Os pacientes que recebem tratamento em um serviço de AVC bem estruturado têm uma probabilidade muito maior de resultados favoráveis, diminuindo assim a incapacidade funcional e a mortalidade. Neste artigo, revisamos as evidências científicas para as terapias de reperfusão do AVC, incluindo trombólise e trombectomia e sua implementação no sistema público de saúde no Brasil.

Cost-effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke in Brazil: Results from the RESILIENT trial.

BACKGROUND: The RESILIENT trial demonstrated the clinical benefit of mechanical thrombectomy in patients presenting acute ischemic stroke secondary to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion in Brazil. AIMS: This economic evaluation aims to assess the cost-utility of mechanical thrombectomy in the RESILIENT trial from a public healthcare perspective. METHODS: A cost-utility analysis was applied to compare mechanical thrombectomy plus standard medical care (n = 78) vs. standard medical care alone (n = 73), from a subset sample of the RESILIENT trial (151 of 221 patients). Real-world direct costs were considered, and utilities were imputed according to the Utility-Weighted modified Rankin Score. A Markov model was structured, and probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the robustness of results. RESULTS: The incremental costs and quality-adjusted life years gained with mechanical thrombectomy plus standard medical care were estimated at Int$ 7440 and 1.04, respectively, compared to standard medical care alone, yielding an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of Int$ 7153 per quality-adjusted life year. The deterministic sensitivity analysis demonstrated that mRS-6 costs of the first year most affected the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. After 1000 simulations, most of results were below the cost-effective threshold. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention's clear long-term benefits offset the initially higher costs of mechanical thrombectomy in the Brazilian public healthcare system. Such therapy is likely to be cost-effective and these results were crucial to incorporate mechanical thrombectomy in the Brazilian public stroke centers.

Management of acute stroke and urgent neurointerventional procedures during COVID-19 pandemic: recommendations on the Scientific Department on Cerebrovascular Diseases of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology, Brazilian Society of Cerebrovascular Diseases and Brazilian Society of Neuroradiology / Tratamento do acidente vascular cerebral agudo e realização de procedimentos de neurointervenção urgentes durante a pandemia de COVID-19: recomendações do Departamento Científico de Doenças Cerebrovasculares da Academia Brasileira de Neurologia, Sociedade Brasileira de Doenças Cerebrovasculares e Sociedade Brasileira de Neurorradiologia

ABSTRACT Introduction: Although the 2019 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) pandemic poses new challenges to the healthcare system to provide support for thousands of patients, there is special concern about common medical emergencies, such as stroke, that will continue to occur and will require adequate treatment. The allocation of both material and human resources to fight the pandemic cannot overshadow the care for acute stroke, a time-sensitive emergency that with an inefficient treatment will further increase mortality and long-term disability. Objective: This paper summarizes the recommendations from the Scientific Department on Cerebrovascular Diseases of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology, the Brazilian Society of Cerebrovascular Diseases and the Brazilian Society of Neuroradiology for management of acute stroke and urgent neuro-interventional procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic, including proper use of screening tools, personal protective equipment (for patients and health professionals), and patient allocation.

RESUMO Introdução: A pandemia causada pelo novo coronavírus da síndrome respiratória aguda grave 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) apresenta novos e importantes desafios à gestão de saúde no Brasil. Além da difícil missão de prestar atendimento aos milhares de pacientes infectados pelo COVID-19, os sistemas de saúde têm que manter a assistência às emergências médicas comuns em períodos sem pandemia, tais como o acidente vascular cerebral (AVC), que continuam ocorrendo e requerem tratamento com presteza e eficiência. A alocação de recursos materiais e humanos para o enfrentamento à pandemia não pode comprometer o atendimento ao AVC agudo, uma emergência cujo tratamento é tempo-dependente e se não realizado implica em importante impacto na mortalidade e incapacitação a longo prazo. Objetivo: Este trabalho resume as recomendações do Departamento Científico de Doenças Cerebrovasculares da Academia Brasileira de Neurologia, da Sociedade Brasileira de Doenças Cerebrovasculares e da Sociedade Brasileira de Neurorradiologia para o tratamento do AVC agudo e para a realização de procedimentos de neurointervenção urgentes durante a pandemia de COVID-19, incluindo o uso adequado de ferramentas de triagem e equipamentos de proteção pessoal (para pacientes e profissionais de saúde), além da alocação apropriada de pacientes.

Early Manipulation of Arterial Blood Pressure in Acute Ischemic Stroke (MAPAS): Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: There is uncertainty over the optimal level of systolic blood pressure (SBP) in the setting of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of the early manipulation of SBP in non-thrombolised patients. The key hypothesis under investigation was that clinical outcomes vary across ranges of SBP in AIS. METHODS: 218 patients were randomized within 12 h of AIS to maintain the SBP during 24 h within three ranges: Group 1 140-160 mmHg, Group 2 161-180 mmHg or Group 3 181-200 mmHg. Vasoactive drugs and fluids were used to achieve these targets. Good outcome was defined as a modified Rankin score 0-2 at 90-days. RESULTS: The median SBP in the three groups in 24 h was: 153 mmHg, 163 mmHg, and 178 mmHg, respectively, P < 0.0001. Good clinical outcome did not differ among the different groups (51% vs 52% vs 39%, P = 0.27). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) was more frequent in the higher SBP range (1% vs 2.7% vs 9.1%, P = 0.048) with similar mortality rates. No patient had acute neurological deterioration related to the SBP reduction in the first 24 h. In our logistic regression analysis, the odds of having good clinical outcome was higher in Group 2 (OR 2.83) after adjusting for important confounders. Regardless of the assigned group, the probability of good outcome was 47% in patients who were manipulated to increase the BP, 42% to decrease and 62% in non-manipulated (P = 0.1). Adverse effects were limited to Group 2 (4%) and Group 3 (7.6%) and were associated with the use of norepinephrine (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Good outcome in 90 days was not significantly different among the 3 blood pressure ranges. After logistic regression analysis, the odds of having good outcome was greater in Group 2 (SBP 161-180 mmHg). SICH occurred more frequently in Group 3 (181-200 mmHg).

Early mobilization in ischemic stroke: a pilot randomized trial of safety and feasibility in a public hospital in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The effect of early mobilization after acute stroke is still unclear, although some studies have suggested improvement in outcomes. We conducted a randomized, single-blind, controlled trial seeking to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and benefit of early mobilization for patients with acute ischemic stroke treated in a public teaching hospital in Southern Brazil. This report presents the feasibility and safety findings for the pilot phase of this trial. METHODS: The primary outcomes were time to first mobilization, total duration of mobilization, complications during early mobilization, falls within 3 months, mortality within 3 months, and medical complications of immobility. We included adult patients with CT- or MRI-confirmed ischemic stroke within 48 h of symptom onset who were admitted from March to November 2012 to the acute vascular unit or general emergency unit of a large urban emergency department (ED) at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. The severity of the neurological deficit on admission was assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The NIHSS and modified Rankin Scale (mRS, functional outcome) scores were assessed on day 14 or at discharge as well as at 3 months. Activities of daily living (ADL) were measured with the modified Barthel Index (mBI) at 3 months. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients (mean age 65 years, mean NIHSS score 11) were randomly allocated to an intervention group (IG) or a control group (CG). The IG received earlier (p = 0.001) and more frequent (p < 0.0001) mobilization than the CG. Of the 19 patients in the CG, only 5 (26%) underwent a physical therapy program during hospitalization. No complications (symptomatic hypotension or worsening of neurological symptoms) were observed in association with early mobilization. The rates of complications of immobility (pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis) and mortality were similar in the two groups. No statistically significant differences in functional independence, disability, or ADL (mBI ≥85) were observed between the groups at the 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot trial conducted at a public hospital in Brazil suggests that early mobilization after acute ischemic stroke is safe and feasible. Despite some challenges and limitations, early mobilization was successfully implemented, even in the setting of a large, complex ED, and without complications. Patients from the IG were mobilized much earlier than controls receiving the standard care provided in most Brazilian hospitals.

Tromboflebite séptica de seio cavernoso com espessamento meníngeo de base de crânio / Cavernous sinus septic thrombophlebitis with skull base meningitis

O seio cavernoso é um sítio frequente de ocorrência de trombose séptica, frequentemente secundária a infecções de seios da face, órbitas, tonsilas, palato, dentes, seios esfenoidal e etmoidal. Este artigo relata o caso de uma paciente de 25 anos com sinusopatia que evoluiu com complicações após um mês apresentando anisocoria, ptose palpebral incompleta à direita, paralisia do olhar horizontal, paralisia facial central, queda de véu palatino, ausência de reflexo nauseoso à direita e desvio de língua para esquerda. Realizou exame de imagem que identificou acometimento de seio cavernoso e espessamento meníngeo adjacente. A tromboflebite do seio cavernoso (TSC) comumente afeta os nervos cranianos que o cruzam, constituindo-se em uma complicação incomum de infecções de pele, órbitas ou seios da face. A singularidade deste caso esteve na dificuldade de tratamento, no acometimento contínuo das meninges da base de crânio e, consequentemente, dos nervos cranianos dessa topografia (VII, IX e XII). O tratamento com anticoagulantes não é consenso na literatura, devido a complicações hemorrágicas que podem ocorrer no sítio do trombo. A importância do tratamento adequado e precoce das infecções dos seios esfenoidal e etmoidal, além de infecções de face, nariz, tonsilas, dentes e ouvidos evita disseminação bacteriana e complicações, como as descritas neste caso

The cavernous sinus is a rare site of septic thrombosis. It is associated with significant morbidity or mortality and is often related to local infection of the paranasal sinuses, orbits, tonsils, palate and teeth. This article presents a 25-year-old woman presented to our clinic with a history of anisocoria, right incomplete ptosis, horizontal gaze palsy, central facial palsy, right absence of garg reflex and left tongue deviation. Further work up with cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed a meningeal enhancement at the skull base and signal alteration at the cavernous sinus suggestive of septic thrombosis. Cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis is a complication of skin, orbits or sinuses infections that typically causes cranial nerve palsies. We would like to emphasize that meningeal involvement at skull base can complicate the clinical course especially when there is involvement of multiple cranial nerves. Anticoagulation theraphy is not a consensus in the literature due to the risk of hemorrhagic complications that may occur on the site of the thrombus. The adequate and early treatment of infections of the sphenoid and ethmoidal sinuses, infections of nose, tonsils, teeth and ears can avoid bacterial disseminations and prevents complications, as described in this case.

Treatment of ischemic stroke with r-tPA: implementation challenges in a tertiary hospital in Brazil.

PURPOSE: This paper presents the initial experience with thrombolysis for acute ischaemic stroke at Hospital de Base do Distrito Federal (HBDF), Brazil, and the difficulties associated with the implementation of this treatment. METHOD: A retrospective study was performed using the medical records of all patients with acute stroke who were treated with intravenous alteplase in our department, between May 2011 and April 2012. RESULTS: The thrombolytic therapy was administered to 32 patients. The mean time between the ictus and the start of stroke therapy start was 195 (60-270) minutes. Sixteen patients demonstrated a significant clinical improvement (decrease in National Institute Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score≥4 points in 24 hours); 6 patients were discharged with an NIHSS score of 0 and 2 demonstrated haemorrhagic transformation. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study are similar to those reported in the literature, although we have been dealing with difficulties, such as the lack of a stroke unit.

Treatment of ischemic stroke with r-tPA: implementation challenges in a tertiary hospital in Brazil / Tratamento do acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico com r-tPA: o desafio da implantação em um hospital terciário no Brasil

Purpose: This paper presents the initial experience with thrombolysis for acute ischaemic stroke at Hospital de Base do Distrito Federal (HBDF), Brazil, and the difficulties associated with the implementation of this treatment. Method: A retrospective study was performed using the medical records of all patients with acute stroke who were treated with intravenous alteplase in our department, between May 2011 and April 2012. Results: The thrombolytic therapy was administered to 32 patients. The mean time between the ictus and the start of stroke therapy start was 195 (60-270) minutes. Sixteen patients demonstrated a significant clinical improvement (decrease in National Institute Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score≥4 points in 24 hours); 6 patients were discharged with an NIHSS score of 0 and 2 demonstrated haemorrhagic transformation. Conclusions: The results of our study are similar to those reported in the literature, although we have been dealing with difficulties, such as the lack of a stroke unit. .

Introdução: O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar a experiência inicial em trombólise para o acidente vascular encefálico isquêmico (AVC) no Hospital de Base do Distrito Federal (HBDF) e as dificuldades encontradas na implementação do serviço. Método: Foi realizado estudo retrospectivo através da análise de prontuário de todos os pacientes submetidos à terapia trombolítica no período de maio de 2011 a abril de 2012. Resultados: A terapia trombolítica foi administrada a 32 pacientes. O tempo médio do ictus até o início da terapia foi de 195 (60-270) minutos. Dezesseis pacientes apresentaram uma melhora clínica significativa (queda do National Institute Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] maior ou igual a 4 pontos em 24 horas). Seis pacientes receberam alta com NIHSS 0. Dois pacientes apresentaram transformação hemorrágica. Conclusão: Apesar das dificuldades encontradas, como a ausência de uma Unidade de AVC, o desfecho da nossa série é semelhante aos resultados descritos na literatura. .