Thrombectomy in ischemic stroke patients with tandem occlusion in the posterior versus anterior circulation.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) was found to be beneficial in acute ischemic stroke patients with anterior tandem occlusion (a-TO). Instead, little is known about the effectiveness of MT in stroke patients with posterior tandem occlusion (p-TO). We aimed to compare MT within 24 h from last known well time in ischemic stroke patients with p-TO versus a-TO. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study on prospectively collected data of patients registered in the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke (IRETAS) who were treated with MT within 24 h from last known well time for acute ischemic stroke with p-TO (n = 275) or a-TO (n = 1853). RESULTS: After adjustment for unbalanced pre-procedure variables (year 2015-2021, age, sex, NIHSS score, ASPECTS, and time strata for puncture groin) and pre-stroke mRS score as pre-defined predictor, p-TO was significantly associated with lower probability of mRS score 0-2 (OR 0.415, 95% CI 0.268-0.644) and with higher risk of death (OR 2.813, 95% CI 2.080-3.805) at 3 months. After adjustment for unbalanced procedural and post-procedure variables (IVT, general anesthesia, TICI 3, and 24-h HT) and pre-stroke mRS score as pre-defined predictor, association between p-TO and lower probability of mRS score 0-2 (OR 0.444, 95% CI 0.304-0.649) and association between p-TO and with higher risk of death (OR 2.971, 95% CI 1.993-4.429) remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: MT within 24 h from last known well time in ischemic stroke patients with p-TO versus a-TO was associated with worse outcomes at 3 months.

Mechanical thrombectomy in young patients with large vessel occlusion-related ischemic stroke: Data from the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The weight of outcome predictors in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients older than 60 years is not necessarily mirrored in the younger population, posing the question of whether outcome determinants specific for the latter might vary. Very few data are available on predictors of outcome in young AIS patients receiving endovascular treatment (EVT). METHODS: We analyzed data for patients aged between 16 and 55 years from the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke. We divided our population into patients <45 years old and patients aged between 45 and 55 years. After testing the differences between groups in terms of 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2, mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, we looked for predictors of poor outcome (mRS 3-6), death, and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage in the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 438 patients younger than 45 years and 817 aged 45-55 years were included; 284 (34.8%) patients aged 45-55 years and 112 (25.6%) patients younger than 45 years old showed poor 90-day functional outcome (p = 0.001). Predictors of poor outcome in the older group were baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS; p < 0.001), diabetes (p = 0.027), poor collateral status (p = 0.036), and groin puncture-to-recanalization time (p = 0.010), whereas Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) 2b-3 had an inverse association (p < 0.001). Predictors of poor outcome in patients younger than 45 years were baseline NIHSS (p < 0.001) and groin puncture-to-recanalization time (p = 0.015), whereas an inverse association was found for baseline Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (p = 0.010) and TICI 2b-3 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one third of young adults treated with EVT do not reach a good functional outcome. Fast and successful recanalization, rather than common risk factors, has a major role in determining clinical outcome.

Stroke with large vessel occlusion in the posterior circulation: IV thrombolysis plus thrombectomy versus IV thrombolysis alone.

Efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for stroke with posterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) is still under debate. We aimed to compare the outcomes of stroke patients with posterior circulation LVO treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) (< 4.5 h after symptom onset) plus MT < 6 h after symptom onset with those treated with IVT alone (< 4.5 h after symptom onset). Patients enrolled in the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke (IRETAS) and in the Italian centers included in the SITS-ISTR were analysed. We identified 409 IRETAS patients treated with IVT plus MT and 384 SITS-ISTR patients treated with IVT alone. IVT plus MT was significantly associated with higher rate of sICH (ECASS II) compared with IVT alone (3.1 vs 1.9%; OR 3.984, 95% CI 1.014-15.815), while the two treatments did not differ significantly in 3-month mRS score ≤ 3 (64.3 vs 74.1%; OR 0.829, 95% CI 0.524-1.311). In 389 patients with isolated basilar artery (BA) occlusion, IVT plus MT was significantly associated with higher rate of any ICH compared with IVT alone (9.4 vs 7.4%; OR 4.131, 95% CI 1.215-14.040), while two treatments did not differ significantly in 3-month mRS score ≤ 3 and sICH per ECASS II definition. IVT plus MT was significantly associated with higher rate mRS score ≤ 2 (69.1 vs 52.1%; OR 2.692, 95% CI 1.064-6.811) and lower rate of death (13.8 vs 27.1%; OR 0.299, 95% CI 0.095-0.942) in patients with distal-segment BA occlusion, while two treatments did not differ significantly in 3-month mRS score ≤ 3 and sICH per ECASS II definition. IVT plus MT was significantly associated with lower rate of mRS score ≤ 3 (37.1 vs 53.3%; OR 0.137, 0.009-0.987), mRS score ≤ 1 (22.9 vs 53.3%; OR 0.066, 95% CI 0.006-0.764), mRS score ≤ 2 (34.3 vs 53.3%; OR 0.102, 95% CI 0.011-0.935), and higher rate of death (51.4 vs 40%; OR 16.244, 1.395-89.209) in patients with proximal-segment BA occlusion. Compared with IVT alone, IVT plus MT was significantly associated with higher rate of sICH per ECASS II definition in patients with stroke and posterior circulation LVO, while two treatment groups did not differ significantly in 3-month mRS score ≤ 3. IVT plus MT was associated with lower rate of mRS score ≤ 3 compared with IVT alone in patients with proximal-segment BA occlusion, whereas no significant difference was found between the two treatments in primary endpoints in patients isolated BA occlusion and in the other subgroups based on site occlusion.

The PRESTO study: awareness of stroke symptoms and time from onset to intervention.

Timely access to medical assistance is the first crucial step to improving clinical outcomes of stroke patients. Many educational campaigns have been organized with the purpose of making people aware of what a stroke is and what is necessary to do after its clinical onset. The PRESTO campaign was organized in Genoa (Italy) to spread easy messages regarding the management of the acute phase of stroke. Educational material was disseminated to educate people to call the emergency medical services as soon as symptoms appear. Data collected were analyzed in three different phases of the campaign: before the beginning, during, and after the end. We enrolled 1,132 patients with ischemic stroke admitted to hospital within 24 hours of symptoms onset. Our data showed a mild reduction in onset-to-door time (24 minutes) during the months following the end of the campaign and a slight increase in number of patients who arrived at hospitals, in particular with milder symptoms and transient ischemic attack, as opposed to the same period before the campaign. Interestingly, in the months after the end of the campaign, we observed a slight reduction of the percentage of patients who accessed hospitals after 4.5 hours from symptoms onset. In conclusion, our results may suggest that an informative campaign can be successful in making people rapidly aware of stroke onset, with the consequent rapid access to hospitals. Considering the changing of way of access to information, we think that an extensive multimedia campaign should be evaluated in the next future.

Fibrinogen Depletion Coagulopathy Predicts Major Bleeding After Thrombolysis for Ischemic Stroke: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) and major bleeding can be fatal complications of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) for acute ischemic stroke. We investigated the impact of early fibrinogen depletion after IVT on major bleeding events. METHODS: This multicenter observational prospective cohort study enrolled 1678 consecutive patients receiving IVT for acute ischemic stroke at 6 Italian centers, undergoing fibrinogen concentration assessment at baseline, 2 hours and 6 hours after IVT. Fibrinogen depletion was defined as a reduction below 200 mg/dL after 2 hours from IVT, or as a reduction below 50% of baseline fibrinogen levels after 2 hours from IVT. Main outcomes were (1) sICH (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke criteria) and (2) major bleeding defined as fatal bleeding, decrease in the hemoglobin level>2 g/dL/>1 unit transfusion, or bleeding at critical site. Additional outcomes were (1) any ICH, (2) any bleeding, (3) fatal ICH, and (4) sICH according to ECASSII definition. Good functional recovery was defined as modified Rankin Scale score 0 to 2 at 3 months. RESULTS: Overall, 1678 patients were included (mean age 72 years, 46% female). sICH (n=116) and major bleeding (n=297) were associated with lower rate of good functional recovery (P<0.001). Despite similar fibrinogen levels at admission, fibrinogen depletion after 2 hours from IVT was more common in people with sICH, major bleeding and all additional bleeding outcomes. In the backward stepwise multivariable logistic regression model, fibrinogen depletion remained a significant predictor of sICH (OR, 1.55 [95% CI, 1.04-2.32]) and major bleeding (OR, 1.36 [95% CI, 1.03-1.8]). Thirty-one percent of sICH could be attributable to fibrinogen depletion. The association between fibrinogen depletion and worse clinical outcome at 3 months after stroke (P=0.012) was attributable to the higher risk of major bleeding/sICH. CONCLUSIONS: Fibrinogen depletion significantly increases the risk of sICH and major bleeding after IVT for acute ischemic stroke. Fibrinogen depletion represents an independent risk factor for bleeding, and routine assessment could be considered to stratify the risk of ICH. Trials on early fibrinogen repletion are needed to investigate mitigation of bleeding risk.

Association of the careggi collateral score with radiological outcomes after thrombectomy for stroke with an occlusion of the middle cerebral artery.

We aimed to examine the association between Careggi Collateral Score (CCS) and radiological outcomes in a large multicenter cohort of patients receiving thrombectomy for stroke with occlusion of middle cerebral artery (MCA). We conducted a study on prospectively collected data from 1785 patients enrolled in the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke. According to the extension of the retrograde reperfusion in the cortical anterior cerebral artery-MCA territories, CCS ranges from 0 (absence of retrograde filling) to 4 (visualization of collaterals until the alar segment of the MCA). Radiological outcomes at 24 h were the presence and severity of infarct growth defined by the absolute change in ASPECTS from baseline to 24 h; presence and severity of cerebral bleeding defined as no ICH, HI-1, HI-2, PH-1, or PH-2; presence and severity of cerebral edema (CED) defined as no CED, CED-1, CED-2, or CED-3. Using CCS = 0 as reference, ORs of CCS grades were significantly associated in the direction of better radiological outcome on infarct growth (0.517 for CCS = 1, 0.413 for CCS = 2, 0.358 for CCS = 3, 0.236 for CCS = 4), cerebral bleeding grading (0.485 for CCS = 1, 0.445 for CCS = 2, 0.400 for CCS = 3, 0.379 for CCS = 4), and CED grading (0.734 for CCS = 1, 0.301 for CCS = 2, 0.295 for CCS = 3, 0.255 for CSS = 4) shift in ordinal regression analysis after adjustment for pre-defined variables (age, NIHSS score, ASPECTS, occlusion site, onset-to-groin puncture time, procedure time, and TICI score). Using CCS = 4 as reference, ORs of CCS grades were significantly associated in the direction of worse radiological outcome on infarct growth (1.521 for CCS = 3, 1.754 for CCS = 2, 2.193 for CCS = 1, 4.244 for CCS = 0), cerebral bleeding grading (2.498 for CCS = 0), and CED grading (1.365 for CCS = 2, 2.876 for CCS = 1, 3.916 for CCS = 0) shift. The CCS could improve the prognostic estimate of radiological outcomes in patients receiving thrombectomy for stroke with MCA occlusion.

General Anesthesia Versus Conscious Sedation and Local Anesthesia During Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: As numerous questions remain about the best anesthetic strategy during thrombectomy, we assessed functional and radiological outcomes in stroke patients treated with thrombectomy in presence of general anesthesia (GA) versus conscious sedation (CS) and local anesthesia (LA). METHODS: We conducted a cohort study on prospectively collected data from 4429 patients enrolled in the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke. RESULTS: GA was used in 2013 patients, CS in 1285 patients, and LA in 1131 patients. The rates of 3-month modified Rankin Scale score of 0-1 were 32.7%, 33.7%, and 38.1% in the GA, CS, and LA groups: GA versus CS: odds ratios after adjustment for unbalanced variables (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]), 0.811 (95% CI, 0.602-1.091); and GA versus LA: aOR, 0.714 (95% CI, 0.515-0.990). The rates of modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2 were 42.5%, 46.6%, and 52.4% in the GA, CS, and LA groups: GA versus CS: aOR, 0.902 (95% CI, 0.689-1.180); and GA versus LA: aOR, 0.769 (95% CI, 0.566-0.998). The rates of 3-month death were 21.5%, 19.7%, and 14.8% in the GA, CS, and LA groups: GA versus CS: aOR, 0.872 (95% CI, 0.644-1.181); and GA versus LA: aOR, 1.235 (95% CI, 0.844-1.807). The rates of parenchymal hematoma were 9%, 12.6%, and 11.3% in the GA, CS, and LA groups: GA versus CS: aOR, 0.380 (95% CI, 0.262-0.551); and GA versus LA: aOR, 0.532 (95% CI, 0.337-0.838). After model of adjustment for predefined variables (age, sex, thrombolysis, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, onset-to-groin time, anterior large vessel occlusion, procedure time, prestroke modified Rankin Scale score of <1, antiplatelet, and anticoagulant), differences were found also between GA versus CS as regards modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2 (aOR, 0.659 [95% CI, 0.538-0.807]) and GA versus LA as regards death (aOR, 1.413 [95% CI, 1.095-1.823]). CONCLUSIONS: GA during thrombectomy was associated with worse 3-month functional outcomes, especially when compared with LA. The inclusion of an LA arm in future randomized clinical trials of anesthesia strategy is recommended.

IER-SICH Nomogram to Predict Symptomatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage After Thrombectomy for Stroke.

Background and Purpose- As a reliable scoring system to detect the risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage after thrombectomy for ischemic stroke is not yet available, we developed a nomogram for predicting symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage in patients with large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation who received bridging of thrombectomy with intravenous thrombolysis (training set), and to validate the model by using a cohort of patients treated with direct thrombectomy (test set). Methods- We conducted a cohort study on prospectively collected data from 3714 patients enrolled in the IER (Italian Registry of Endovascular Stroke Treatment in Acute Stroke). Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage was defined as any type of intracerebral hemorrhage with increase of ≥4 National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score points from baseline ≤24 hours or death. Based on multivariate logistic models, the nomogram was generated. We assessed the discriminative performance by using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results- National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, onset-to-end procedure time, age, unsuccessful recanalization, and Careggi collateral score composed the IER-SICH nomogram. After removing Careggi collateral score from the first model, a second model including Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score was developed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the IER-SICH nomogram was 0.778 in the training set (n=492) and 0.709 in the test set (n=399). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the second model was 0.733 in the training set (n=988) and 0.685 in the test set (n=779). Conclusions- The IER-SICH nomogram is the first model developed and validated for predicting symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage after thrombectomy. It may provide indications on early identification of patients for more or less postprocedural intensive management.

Management of acute ischemic stroke, thrombolysis rate, and predictors of clinical outcome.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Monitoring the quality of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) management is increasingly important since patient outcome could be improved with better access to evidence-based treatments. In this scenario, the aim of our study was to identify thrombolysis rate, reasons for undertreatment, and factors associated with better outcome. METHODS: From January to December 2016, individuals diagnosed with AIS at the Policlinic San Martino Hospital in Genoa, Italy, were prospectively included. Severity of stroke, site of occlusion, rate and time related in-hospital management of systemic thrombolysis, and mechanical thrombectomy were recorded. Safety and clinical outcomes were compared between different subgroups. RESULTS: Of 459 AIS patients (57.3% females, mean age 78.1), 111 received i.v. thrombolysis (24.4%) and 50 received mechanical thrombectomy (10.9%). Apart from arrival behind the therapeutic window, which was the first limitation to thrombolysis, the main reason of undertreatment was minor stroke or stroke in rapid improvement. Baseline NIHSS ≥ 8 was associated with unfavorable clinical outcome (mRS > 2) (OR 20.1; 95% CI, 1.1-387.4, p = 0.047). Age older than 80 years (OR 5.0; 95% CI, 1.4-64.1, p = 0.01), baseline NIHSS ≥ 7 (OR 20.1; 95% CI, 1.1-387.4, p = 0.047), and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR 22.9; 95% CI, 2.0-254.2, p = 0.01) proved independently associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: i.v. thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy rate was higher than that of previous reports. Minor stroke or stroke in rapid improvement was a major reason for exclusion from thrombolysis of eligible patients. Higher NIHSS proved an independent predictor of unfavorable clinical outcome and death. Strategies to avoid in-hospital delays need to be enforced.

National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale in patients with primary intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is able to predict mortality and functional outcome in patients with ischemic stroke. Its role in primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is not clear. The objective of our study was to investigate whether NIHSS is a reliable instrument of clinical monitoring and correlates with mortality and functional outcome in ICH. METHODS: One hundred fifty-six consecutive subjects with primary ICH were included. We evaluated NIHSS at admission. The functional state after a 30-day and a 3-month-long follow-up was assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Spearman's rank correlation coefficient analysis was used for statistics. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, global accuracy, and ROC curve were computed using the median score 7 as NIHSS cutoff and the score 4 as mRS cutoff. RESULTS: Median NIHSS score at admission was 7 (16-4); the mean (± SD) was 10.82 (± 8.27). Thirty-two patients (20.5%) died within 30 days and other 22 (14.1%) within 3 months. The median mRS score at 3 months was 4 (6-1); the mean (± SD) was 3.38 (± 2.42). We found a statistically significant correlation between initial NIHSS score and mRS score after 30 days (0.74) and 3 months (0.66, p < 0.01). Sensitivity was 93.5 and 92.2%, specificity 82.3 and 69.6%, and GA 87.8 and 80.8%, respectively, at 1 and 3 months. The 1- and 3-month ROC curves comparing initial NIHSS and mRS showed a fitted area as 0.914 and 0.833, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: NIHSS is a reliable tool of clinical monitoring and correlates with 30-day and 3-month mortality and functional outcome in subjects with ICH.

Delirium in the acute phase after stroke: comparison between methods of detection.

Delirium is an acute neuropsychiatric syndrome, very common in hospitalized people with medical and neurological conditions. The identification of delirium after stroke is not an easy task and validated psychometric instruments are needed to correctly identify it. We decided to verify if (1) formal training in DSM-V criteria is needed to correctly identify post-stroke delirium, (2) if the use of a brief psychometric instrument such as 4AT improves its identification, (3) the applicability of these scales in the stroke setting. In the first phase of this study we retrospectively studied 102 acute stroke patients in Stroke Units of San Martino Hospital (Genova, Italy) to evaluate delirium with clinical criteria, first by a neurologist without a formal training in DSM-V criteria and after training. Then, we enrolled 100 new acute stroke patients who underwent screening for delirium using 4AT scale and DSM-V criteria. In the first phase, DSM-V criteria training significantly increased the ability to capture delirium (5 vs. 15%). In the second phase, the 4AT was used for delirium screening revealing a 52% of cases of delirium, the same observed by the consensus diagnosis of two senior neurologists (that was 50%). In the second phase, the use of 4AT scale allowed to capture post-stroke delirium as well as the consensus diagnosis by two neurologists. The identification of post-stroke delirium is not an easy task and requires both formal training in DSM-V criteria as well as the application of brief scales, such as the 4AT.

Carotid artery stenting during endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke with tandem occlusion: the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke.

PURPOSE: The management of tandem extracranial internal carotid artery and intracranial large vessel occlusion during endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has been under-investigated. We sought to investigate outcomes of AIS patients with tandem occlusion (TO) treated with carotid artery stenting (CAS) compared to those not treated with CAS (no-CAS) during EVT. METHODS: We performed a cohort study using data from AIS patients enrolled in the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke. Outcomes were 3 months' mortality, functional outcome, complete and successful recanalization, any intracranial hemorrhage, parenchymal hematoma and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. RESULTS: Among 466 AIS patients with TO, CAS patients were 122 and no-CAS patients were 226 (118 excluded). After adjustment for unbalanced variables, CAS was associated with a lower rate of 3 months' mortality (OR 0.407, 95% CI 0.171-0.969, p = 0.042). After adjustment for pre-defined variables, CAS was associated with a lower rate of 3 months' mortality (aOR 0.430, 95% CI 0.187-0.989, p = 0.047) and a higher rate of complete recanalization (aOR 1.986, 95% CI 1.121-3.518, p = 0.019), successful recanalization (aOR 2.433, 95% CI 1.263-4.686, p = 0.008) and parenchymal hematoma (aOR 2.876, 95% CI 1.173-7.050, p = 0.021). CAS was associated with lower 3 months mortality (OR 0.373, 95% CI 0.141-0.982, p = 0.046) and higher rates of successful recanalization (OR 2.082, 95% CI 1.099-3.942, p = 0.024) after adjustment for variables associated with 3 months' mortality and successful recanalization, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Among AIS patients with TO, CAS during EVT was associated with a higher rate of successful reperfusion and a lower rate of 3 months' mortality.

Sex differences in outcome after thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke. A propensity score-matched study.

Background and purpose: We sought to investigate whether there are gender differences in clinical outcome after stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO) after mechanical thrombectomy (EVT) in a large population of real-world patients. Methods: From the Italian Registry of Endovascular Thrombectomy, we extracted clinical and outcome data of patients treated for stroke due to large vessel occlusion. We compared clinical and safety outcomes in men and women who underwent EVT alone or in combination with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in the total population and in a Propensity Score matched set. Results: Among 3422 patients included in the study, 1801 (52.6%) were women. Despite older age at onset (mean 72.4 vs 68.7; p < 0.001), and higher rate of atrial fibrillation (41.7% vs 28.6%; p < 0.001), women had higher probability of 3-month functional independence (adjusted odds ratio-adjOR 1.19; 95% CI 1.02-1.38), of complete recanalization (adjOR 1.25; 95% CI 1.09-1.44) and lower probability of death (adjOR 0.75; 95% CI 0.62-0.90). After propensity-score matching, a well-balanced cohort comprising 1150 men and 1150 women was analyzed, confirming the same results regarding functional outcome (3-month functional independence: OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.04-1.51), and complete recanalization (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.09-1.53). Conclusions: Subject to the limitations of a non-randomized comparison, women with stroke due to LVO treated with mechanical thrombectomy had a better chance to achieve complete recanalization, and 3-month functional independence than men. The results could be driven by women who underwent combined treatment.

Request of hospital care dropped for TIA but remained stable for stroke during COVID-19 pandemic at a large Italian university hospital.

Reduced incidence of stroke during COVID-19 pandemic was sometimes reported. While decrease in stroke incidence and fear of patients to go to the hospitals were sometimes invoked to explain this decrease, reduction in urban pollution was also hypothesized as a possible cause. We investigated statistically the incidence of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, and of transient ischemic attacks, at a large Italian tertiary stroke center during the pandemic. We analyzed statistically the number of transient ischemic attacks (TIA), ischemic strokes (IS) and hemorrhagic strokes (HS) between March 8 and May 2, 2020, the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy, and compared them with the identical period of 2019. We also analyzed the concentration of small particulate matter (PM10) in 2019 and 2020, to see if it could account for modified incidence of strokes or TIA. We found a large, significant drop in TIA (- 51%) during the pandemic compared to the same period of 2019. By contrast, the number of HS was identical, and IS showed a not significant - 24% decrease. PM10 concentration, already low in 2019, did not further decrease in 2020. Patients kept seeking hospital care when experiencing permanent neurological symptoms (stroke), but they tended not go to the hospital when their symptoms were transient (TIA). The fact that we did not observe a significant decrease in strokes may be explained by the fact that in our city the concentration of small particulate matter did not change compared to 2019.

Complications of mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke: Incidence, risk factors, and clinical relevance in the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in acute stroke.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data concerning procedure-related complications of endovascular thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion strokes. AIMS: We evaluated the cumulative incidence, the clinical relevance in terms of increased disability and mortality, and risk factors for complications. METHODS: From January 2011 to December 2017, 4799 patients were enrolled by 36 centers in the Italian Registry of Endovascular Stroke Treatment. Data on demographic and procedural characteristics, complications, and clinical outcome at three months were prospectively collected. RESULTS: The complications cumulative incidence was 201 per 1000 patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy. Ongoing antiplatelet therapy (p < 0.01; OR 1.82, 95% CI: 1.21-2.73) and large vessel occlusion site (carotid-T, p < 0.03; OR 3.05, 95% CI: 1.13-8.19; M2-segment-MCA, p < 0.01; OR 4.54, 95% CI: 1.66-12.44) were associated with a higher risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage/arterial perforation. Thrombectomy alone (p < 0.01; OR 0.50, 95% CI: 0.31-0.83) and younger age (p < 0.04; OR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97-0.99) revealed a lower risk of developing dissection. M2-segment-MCA occlusion (p < 0.01; OR 0.35, 95% CI: 0.19-0.64) and hypertension (p < 0.04; OR 0.77, 95% CI: 0.6-0.98) were less related to clot embolization. Higher NIHSS at onset (p < 0.01; OR 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.06), longer groin-to-reperfusion time (p < 0.01; OR 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.07), diabetes (p < 0.01; OR 1.67, 95% CI: 1.25-2.23), and LVO site (carotid-T, p < 0.01; OR 1.96, 95% CI: 1.26-3.05; M2-segment-MCA, p < 0.02; OR 1.62, 95% CI: 1.08-2.42) were associated with a higher risk of developing symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage compared to no/asymptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. The subgroup of patients treated with thrombectomy alone presented a lower risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (p < 0.01; OR 0.70; 95% CI: 0.55-0.90). Subarachnoid hemorrhage/arterial perforation and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage after endovascular thrombectomy worsen both functional independence and mortality at three-month follow-up (p < 0.01). Distal embolization is associated with neurological deterioration (p < 0.01), while arterial dissection did not affect clinical outcome at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Complications globally considered are not uncommon and may result in poor clinical outcome. Early recognition of risk factors might help to prevent complications and manage them appropriately in order to maximize endovascular thrombectomy benefits.

Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Intracranial Carotid Occlusion with Patent Intracranial Arteries : The Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke.

PURPOSE: Intracranial carotid artery occlusion represents an underinvestigated cause of acute ischemic stroke as well as an indication for mechanical thrombectomy. We investigated baseline and procedural characteristics, outcomes and predictors of outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke secondary to intracranial carotid artery occlusion. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke was performed. Patients with intracranial carotid artery occlusion (infraclinoid and supraclinoid) with or without cervical artery occlusion but with patent intracranial arteries were included. The 3­month functional independence, mortality, successful reperfusion and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were evaluated. RESULTS: Intracranial carotid artery occlusion with patent intracranial arteries was diagnosed in 387 out of 4940 (7.8%) patients. The median age was 74 years and median baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was 18. Functional independence was achieved in 130 (34%) patients, successful reperfusion in 289 (75%) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in 33 (9%), whereas mortality occurred in 111 (29%) patients. In univariate analysis functional independence was associated with lower age, lower NIHSS at presentation, higher rate of successful reperfusion and lower rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Multivariable regression analysis found age (odds ratio, OR:1.03; P = 0.006), NIHSS at presentation (OR: 1.07; P < 0.001), diabetes (OR: 2.60; P = 0.002), successful reperfusion (OR:0.20; P < 0.001) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR: 4.17; P < 0.001) as the best independent predictors of outcome. CONCLUSION: Our study showed a not negligible rate of intracranial carotid artery occlusion with patent intracranial arteries, presenting mostly as severe stroke, with an acceptable rate of 3­month functional independence. Age, NIHSS at presentation and successful reperfusion were the best independent predictors of outcome.

IER-START nomogram for prediction of three-month unfavorable outcome after thrombectomy for stroke.

BACKGROUND: The applicability of the current models for predicting functional outcome after thrombectomy in strokes with large vessel occlusion (LVO) is affected by a moderate predictive performance. AIMS: We aimed to develop and validate a nomogram with pre- and post-treatment factors for prediction of the probability of unfavorable outcome in patients with anterior and posterior LVO who received bridging therapy or direct thrombectomy <6 h of stroke onset. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study on patients data collected prospectively in the Italian Endovascular Registry (IER). Unfavorable outcome was defined as three-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 3-6. Six predictors, including NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, age, pre-stroke mRS score, bridging therapy or direct thrombectomy, grade of recanalization according to the thrombolysis in cerebral ischemia (TICI) grading system, and onset-to-end procedure time were identified a priori by three stroke experts. To generate the IER-START, the pre-established predictors were entered into a logistic regression model. The discriminative performance of the model was assessed by using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC). RESULTS: A total of 1802 patients with complete data for generating the IER-START was randomly dichotomized into training (n = 1219) and test (n = 583) sets. The AUC-ROC of IER-START was 0.838 (95% confidence interval [CI]): 0.816-0.869) in the training set, and 0.820 (95% CI: 0.786-0.854) in the test set. CONCLUSIONS: The IER-START nomogram is the first prognostic model developed and validated in the largest population of stroke patients currently candidates to thrombectomy which reliably calculates the probability of three-month unfavorable outcome.

[The library of an early 17th century physician: the Canevari collection of the Berio Library in Genoa]. / La biblioteca di un medico del primo seicento: il fondo Canevari della Biblioteca Berio di Genova.

The Canevari Collection of the Berio Library in Genoa has about 2,400 works dating from the 1400s to the death of its first owner, the Genoese Demetrio Canevari (Genoa 1559 - Rome 1625), in 1625. The library of Demetrio Canevari was left to us thanks to his will which stipulates how his heirs are to maintain it and who or what institutions could claim ownership of it. The Canevari Collection is a scientific library that contains important medical texts such as the treatises on anatomy by Vesalio and Fabrizi d'Acquapendente or the ancient editions of Galeno and Avicenna. There are also numerous works in the fields of chemistry, botany, zoology and philosophy. The library is a testament of a critical period in the evolution of scientific thought. The catalogue of the Canevari Collection was published by Rodolfo Savelli in 1974. The manuscript catalogue of the library, written by Canevari himself is kept within the Opera Pia "Sussidio Canevari Demetrio" which was founded by Canevari to benefit his descendants.