Effect of Hispanic Status in Mechanical Thrombectomy Outcomes After Ischemic Stroke: Insights From STAR.

Background and Purpose: Epidemiological studies have shown racial and ethnic minorities to have higher stroke risk and worse outcomes than non-Hispanic Whites. In this cohort study, we analyzed the STAR (Stroke Thrombectomy and Aneurysm Registry) database, a multi-institutional database of patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy for acute large vessel occlusion stroke to determine the relationship between mechanical thrombectomy outcomes and race. Methods: Patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy between January 2017 and May 2020 were analyzed. Data included baseline characteristics, vascular risk factors, complications, and long-term outcomes. Functional outcomes were assessed with respect to Hispanic status delineated as non-Hispanic White (NHW), non-Hispanic Black (NHB), or Hispanic patients. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify variables associated with unfavorable outcome or modified Rankin Scale ≥3 at 90 days. Results: Records of 2115 patients from the registry were analyzed. Median age of Hispanic patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy was 60 years (72­84), compared with 63 years (54­74) for NHB, and 71 years (60­80) for NHW patients (P<0.001). Hispanic patients had a higher incidence of diabetes (41%; P<0.001) and hypertension (82%; P<0.001) compared with NHW and NHB patients. Median procedure time was shorter in Hispanics (36 minutes) compared to NHB (39 minutes) and NHW (44 minutes) patients (P<0.001). In multivariate analysis, Hispanic patients were less likely to have favorable outcome (odds ratio, 0.502 [95% CI, 0.263­0.959]), controlling for other significant predictors (age, admission National Institutes Health Stroke Scale, onset to groin time, number of attempts, procedure time). Conclusions: Hispanic patients are less likely to have favorable outcome at 90 days following mechanical thrombectomy compared to NHW or NHB patients. Further prospective studies are required to validate our findings.

Brain Atrophy and Leukoaraiosis Correlate with Futile Stroke Thrombectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Although mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is a proven therapy for acute large vessel occlusion strokes, futile recanalization in the elderly is common and costly. Strategies to minimize futile recanalization may reduce unnecessary thrombectomy transfers and procedures. We evaluated whether a simple and rapid visual assessment of brain atrophy and leukoaraiosis on a plain head CT correlates with futile stroke recanalization in the elderly. METHODS: Consecutive stroke patients admitted for thrombectomy, older than 65 years of age, all with TICI 2b/3 recanalization rates were retrospectively studied from multiple comprehensive stroke centers. Brain atrophy and leukoaraiosis were visually analyzed from pre-intervention plain head CTs using a simplified scheme based on validated scales. Baseline demographics were collected and the primary outcome measure was 90-day modified Rankin score (mRS). Cochran-Armitage trend test was applied in analyzing the association of the severity of brain atrophy and leukoaraiosis with 90-day mRS. RESULTS: Between 2017 and 2019, 175 patients > 65 years who underwent thrombectomy with TICI 2b/3 recanalization from two comprehensive stroke centers were evaluated. The median age was 77 years. IV-tPA was given in 59% of patients, average initial NIHSS was 19, average baseline mRS was 0.77 and median time to recanalization was 300 minutes. Age and severity of atrophy/leukoaraiosis was categorized into three groups of increasing severity and associated with 90 day mRS 0-3 rates of 62%, 49% and 41% (p=0.037) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A simplified, visual assessment of the degree of brain atrophy and leukoaraiosis measured on plain head CT correlates with futile recanalization in patients age >65 years. Although additional validation is needed, these findings suggest that brain atrophy and leukoaraiosis may have value as a surrogate marker of prestroke functional status. In doing so, simplified visual plain head CT grading scales may minimize elderly futile recanalization.

Incidence of Unreliable Automated Computed Tomography Perfusion Maps.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the increasing national adoption of automated computed tomography perfusion (CTP) to select thrombectomy patients 6 hours after last known well, reliability issues have been anecdotally reported. Unreliable diagnostic tests add time and confusion to a process that requires efficiency. Our study aims to critically assess an automated CTP program in a contemporary cohort of patients presenting with large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the extended time window by evaluating the rate of unreliable automated CTP maps and whether this influences clinical outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective review of consecutive thrombectomy candidates undergoing CTP imaging in the extended time window was performed. All automated CTP maps using RAPID software (iSchemaView, Menlo Park, CA) were assessed for reliability. Clinical outcomes were compared between patients with and without reliable RAPID reports. RESULTS: Ninety-nine consecutive thrombectomy candidates underwent automated CTP imaging from February 2017 to December 2018. Of these, 78 (79%) had LVO determined by CT angiographyand were included in the study population. Automated CTP maps were unreliable in 13% of cases as a result of motion artifact (n = 3) and contrast bolus flow issues (n = 7). Heart failure was more frequent in patients with unreliable studies. Clinical outcomes did not significantly differ between patients with and without unreliable studies. CONCLUSIONS: Thirteen percent of CTP maps generated by automated software were unreliable, with an increased frequency among patients with heart failure. Given the rate of unreliable automated CTP maps, further studies are warranted to not only establish the true necessity of currently available CTP software, but also more reliable methods to select patients for thrombectomy presenting in the extended time window.

Utility of a Y-configured stentriever technique as a rescue method of thrombectomy for an intractable rooted thrombus located on the middle cerebral artery bifurcation: technical note.

Mechanical thrombectomy with stentriever and/or aspiration is the new gold standard for the treatment of acute strokes with large-vessel occlusion. As many as 20% of cases remain refractory to current stentriever and/or aspiration devices. "Saddle clots" obstructing a bifurcation may be a particular challenge for recanalization with conventional techniques and devices. The authors describe an alternative technique to bifurcation occlusions resistant to the conventional mechanical thrombectomy approach in which they simultaneously deployed 2 stentrievers into both branches of an occluded bifurcation. This stentriever Y-configuration was very effective in managing a challenging intracranial bifurcation occlusion.

Combined microsurgical PICA-PICA bypass and endovascular parent artery occlusion for a ruptured dissecting vertebral artery aneurysm.

Dissecting vertebral artery (VA) aneurysms are difficult to obliterate when the parent artery cannot be safely occluded. In this video, we demonstrate a combined microsurgical and endovascular treatment technique for a ruptured, dissecting VA aneurysm incorporating the origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). We first performed a PICA-PICA side-to-side bypass to preserve flow through the right PICA. An endovascular approach was then utilized to embolize the proximal portion of the aneurysm from the right VA and the distal portion of the aneurysm from the left VA. The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/dkkKsX2BiJI .

Endovascular Treatment of Venous Sinus Stenosis in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: Complications, Neurological Outcomes, and Radiographic Results.

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) may result in a chronic debilitating disease. Dural venous sinus stenosis with a physiologic venous pressure gradient has been identified as a potential etiology in a number of IIH patients. Intracranial venous stenting has emerged as a potential treatment alternative. METHODS: A systematic review was carried out to identify studies employing venous stenting for IIH. RESULTS: From 2002 to 2014, 17 studies comprising 185 patients who underwent 221 stenting procedures were reported. Mean prestent pressure gradient was 20.1 mmHg (95% CI 19.4-20.7 mmHg) with a mean poststent gradient of 4.4 mmHg (95% CI 3.5-5.2 mmHg). Complications occurred in 10 patients (5.4%; 95% CI 4.7-5.4%) but were major in only 3 (1.6%). At a mean clinical follow-up of 22 months, clinical improvement was noted in 130 of 166 patients with headaches (78.3%; 95% CI 75.8-80.8%), 84 of 89 patients with papilledema (94.4%; 95% CI 92.1-96.6%), and 64 of 74 patients with visual symptoms (86.5%; 95% CI 83.0-89.9%). In-stent stenosis was noted in six patients (3.4%; 95% CI 2.5-4.3%) and stent-adjacent stenosis occurred in 19 patients (11.4%; 95% CI 10.4-12.4), resulting in restenting in 10 patients. CONCLUSION: In IIH patients with venous sinus stenosis and a physiologic pressure gradient, venous stenting appears to be a safe and effective therapeutic option. Further studies are necessary to determine the long-term outcomes and the optimal management of medically refractory IIH.

Venous stenting with concurrent intracranial pressure monitoring for the treatment of pseudotumor cerebri.

Increasing evidence supports dural venous sinus stenosis as the patho-etiology of pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) in a subset of affected patients. In this video, we demonstrate our technique for 1) diagnostic venous manometry to identify a flow-limiting stenosis of the transverse sinus in a PTC patient; and 2) successful treatment of the patient with venous stenting across the structural and physiological stricture in the dural sinus. The pressure gradient decreased from 20 mmHg pre-stent to 3 mmHg post-stent. In order to further quantify the effect of our intervention, concurrent intracranial pressure monitoring was performed. The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/auxRg17F8yI .

Comparison of Radial Versus Femoral Access for Neuroendovascular Procedures in Very High Body Mass Index Individuals.

BACKGROUND: Femoral access (TFA) for neuroendovascular procedures may present a challenge in very high body mass index (BMI) individuals. Whether radial access (TRA) confers a comparative benefit in this specific population has not been studied. METHODS: We retrospectively identified all patients undergoing neuroendovascular procedures at our center between 2017 and 2021 with BMI ≥35 kg/m2. A total of 335 patients met our inclusion criteria, with 224 undergoing femoral access and 111 undergoing radial access. Electronic medical records were reviewed for baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes. RESULTS: The primary outcome of any bleeding complication occurred in 7% of the femoral group and 2% of the radial group (odds ratio 4.2, 95% confidence interval 1.0-18.6, P = 0.0421). Radial access was also associated with significantly shorter mean procedure times (median 43 minutes for radial, median 58 minutes for femoral, P = 0.0009) and mean fluoroscopy exposure times (median 15 minutes for radial, median 20 minutes for femoral, P = 0.0003). There were no significant differences in nonaccess site complications, procedural failure, length of stay, or deaths during hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: When compared to TRA, TFA was associated with a significantly greater rate of bleeding complications in very high BMI patients undergoing neuroendovascular procedures. Procedure time and fluoroscopy time were both significantly longer when using TFA compared to TRA in this patient population.

Femoral access site complications following neurointerventional procedures: economic implications at a single center.

OBJECTIVE: Transfemoral access (TFA) has been the traditional route of arterial access for neurointerventional procedures. Femoral access site complications may occur in 2%-6% of patients. Management of these complications often requires additional diagnostic tests or interventions, each of which may increase the cost of care. The economic impact of a femoral access site complication has not yet been described. The objective of this study was to evaluate the economic consequences of femoral access site complications. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective review of patients undergoing neuroendovascular procedures at their institute and identified those who experienced femoral access site complications. The subset of patients experiencing these complications during elective procedures was matched in a 1:2 fashion to a control group undergoing similar procedures and not experiencing an access site complication. RESULTS: Femoral access site complications were identified in 77 patients (4.3%) over a 3-year period. Thirty-four of these complications were considered major, requiring blood transfusion or additional invasive treatment. There was a statistically significant difference in total cost ($39,234.84 vs $23,535.32, p = 0.001), total reimbursement ($35,500.24 vs $24,861.71, p = 0.020) and reimbursement minus cost (-$3734.60 vs $1326.39, p = 0.011) between the complication and control cohorts in elective procedures, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although occurring relatively infrequently, femoral artery access site complications increase the cost of care for patients undergoing neurointerventional procedures; how this influences the cost effectiveness of neurointerventional procedures warrants further investigation.

Recurrence of a large intracranial fusiform aneurysm treated with overlapping Pipeline embolization devices: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Flow diversion, specifically with the Pipeline embolization device (PED), represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Several studies have demonstrated its efficacy and at times superiority to conventional treatment modalities for aneurysms with a fusiform morphology, giant size, or wide neck. However, there may be a nonsignificant risk of recurrence after flow diversion of these historically difficult-to-treat aneurysms, relative to aneurysms with a more favorable morphology and size (i.e., saccular, narrow necked). To date, only three papers in the literature have demonstrated the recurrence of a completely occluded aneurysm on follow-up. OBSERVATIONS: The authors describe a patient with a giant middle cerebral artery fusiform aneurysm treated with multiple telescoping PEDs. On the 3-month follow-up angiogram, there was complete occlusion of the aneurysm. The patient was lost to follow-up and presented 4 years later with a recurrence of the aneurysm between PED segments, requiring retreatment. The patient represented 3 years posttreatment with the need for repeat treatment of the fusiform aneurysm due to separation of the existing PEDs along with stent reconstruction. At the 20-month follow-up after the third treatment, the initial aneurysm target was found to be occluded. LESSONS: This case illustrates the need for long-term follow-up, specifically for patients with giant wide-necked or fusiform aneurysms treated with overlapping PEDs.

Multicenter investigation of technical and clinical outcomes after thrombectomy for distal vessel occlusion by frontline technique.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is the standard-of-care for proximal large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke. Data on technical and clinical outcomes in distal vessel occlusions (DVOs) remain limited. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients undergoing EVT for stroke at 32 international centers. Patients were divided into LVOs (internal carotid artery/M1/vertebrobasilar), medium vessel occlusions (M2/A1/P1) and isolated DVOs (M3/M4/A2/A3/P2/P3) and categorized by thrombectomy technique. Primary outcome was a good functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale ≤2) at 90 days. Secondary outcomes included recanalization, procedure-time, thrombectomy attempts, hemorrhage, and mortality. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to evaluate the impact of technical variables. Propensity score matching was used to compare outcome in patients with DVO treated with aspiration versus stent retriever RESULTS: We included 7477 patients including 213 DVOs. Distal location did not independently predict good functional outcome at 90 days compared with proximal (p=0.467). In distal occlusions, successful recanalization was an independent predictor of good outcome (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5.11, p<0.05) irrespective of technique. Younger age, bridging therapy, and lower admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were also predictors of good outcome. Procedure time ≤1 hour or ≤3 thrombectomy attempts were independent predictors of good outcomes in DVOs irrespective of technique (aOR 4.5 and 2.3, respectively, p<0.05). There were no differences in outcomes in a DVO matched cohort of aspiration versus stent retriever. Rates of hemorrhage and good outcome showed an exponential relationship to procedural metrics, and were more dependent on time in the aspiration group and attempts in the stent retriever group. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes following EVT for DVO are comparable to LVO with similar results between techniques. Techniques may exhibit different futility metrics; stent retriever thrombectomy was influenced by attempts whereas aspiration was more dependent on procedure time.

The Rist radial access system: a multicenter study of 152 patients.

BACKGROUND: Transradial access (TRA) for neurointervention is becoming increasingly popular as experience with the technique grows. Despite reasonable efficacy using femoral catheters off-label, conversion to femoral access occurs in approximately 8.6-10.3% of TRA cases, due to an inability of the catheter to track into the vessel of interest, lack of support, or radial artery spasm. METHODS: This is a multicenter, retrospective case series of patients undergoing neurointerventions using the Rist Radial Access System. We also present our institutional protocol for using the system. RESULTS: 152 patients were included in the cohort. The most common procedure was flow diversion (28.3%). The smallest radial diameter utilized was 1.9 mm, and 44.1% were performed without an intermediate catheter. A majority of cases (96.1%) were completed successfully; 3 (1.9%) required conversion to a different radial catheter, 2 (1.3%) required conversion to femoral access, and 1 (0.7%) was aborted. There was 1 (0.7%) minor access site complication and 4 (2.6%) neurological complications. CONCLUSIONS: The Rist catheter is a safe and effective tool for a wide range of complex neurointerventions, with lower conversion rates than classically reported.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Cranial Neuropathy: 2022 Update.

Cranial neuropathy can result from pathology affecting the nerve fibers at any point and requires imaging of the entire course of the nerve from its nucleus to the end organ in order to identify a cause. MRI with and without intravenous contrast is often the modality of choice with CT playing a complementary role. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer-reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances in which peer-reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

Is a picture-perfect thrombectomy necessary in acute ischemic stroke?

BACKGROUND: The benefit of complete reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) 3) over near-complete reperfusion (≥90%, mTICI 2c) remains unclear. The goal of this study is to compare clinical outcomes between mechanical thrombectomy (MT)-treated stroke patients with mTICI 2c versus 3. METHODS: This is a retrospective study from the Stroke Thrombectomy and Aneurysm Registry (STAR) comprising 33 centers. Adults with anterior circulation arterial vessel occlusion who underwent MT yielding mTICI 2c or mTICI 3 reperfusion were included. Patients were categorized based on reperfusion grade achieved. Primary outcome was modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2 at 90 days. Secondary outcomes were mRS scores at discharge and 90 days, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at discharge, procedure-related complications, and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. RESULTS: The unmatched mTICI 2c and mTICI 3 cohorts comprised 519 and 1923 patients, respectively. There was no difference in primary (42.4% vs 45.1%; p=0.264) or secondary outcomes between the unmatched cohorts. Reperfusion status (mTICI 2c vs 3) was also not predictive of the primary outcome in non-imputed and imputed multivariable models. The matched cohorts each comprised 191 patients. Primary (39.8% vs 47.6%; p=0.122) and secondary outcomes were also similar between the matched cohorts, except the 90-day mRS which was lower in the matched mTICI 3 cohort (p=0.049). There were increased odds of the primary outcome with mTICI 3 in patients with baseline mRS ≥2 (36% vs 7.7%; p=0.011; pinteraction=0.014) and a history of stroke (42.3% vs 15.4%; p=0.027; pinteraction=0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Complete and near-complete reperfusion after MT appear to confer comparable outcomes in patients with acute stroke.

Pivotal trial of the Neuroform Atlas stent for treatment of posterior circulation aneurysms: one-year outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Stent-assisted coiling of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms (IAs) using the Neuroform Atlas Stent System (Atlas) has shown promising results. OBJECTIVE: To present the primary efficacy and safety results of the ATLAS Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) trial in a cohort of patients with posterior circulation IAs. METHODS: The ATLAS trial is a prospective, multicenter, single-arm, open-label study of unruptured, wide-necked, IAs treated with the Atlas stent and adjunctive coiling. This study reports the results of patients with posterior circulation IAs. The primary efficacy endpoint was complete aneurysm occlusion (Raymond-Roy (RR) class I) on 12-month angiography, in the absence of re-treatment or parent artery stenosis >50%. The primary safety endpoint was any major ipsilateral stroke or neurological death within 12 months. Adjudication of the primary endpoints was performed by an imaging core laboratory and a Clinical Events Committee. RESULTS: The ATLAS trial enrolled and treated 116 patients at 25 medical centers with unruptured, wide-necked, posterior circulation IAs (mean age 60.2±10.5 years, 81.0% (94/116) female). Stents were placed in all patients with 100% technical success rate. A total of 95/116 (81.9%) patients had complete angiographic follow-up at 12 months, of whom 81 (85.3%) had complete aneurysm occlusion (RR class I). The primary effectiveness outcome was achieved in 76.7% (95% CI 67.0% to 86.5%) of patients. Overall, major ipsilateral stroke and secondary persistent neurological deficit occurred in 4.3% (5/116) and 1.7% (2/116) of patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the ATLAS IDE posterior circulation cohort, the Neuroform Atlas Stent System with adjunctive coiling demonstrated high rates of technical and safety performance. Trial registration number https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02340585.

Angiographic vasospasm is strongly correlated with cerebral infarction after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The long-standing concept that delayed cerebral infarction after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage results exclusively from large artery vasospasm recently has been challenged. We used data from the CONSCIOUS-1 trial to determine the relationship between angiographic vasospasm and cerebral infarction after subarachnoid hemorrhage. METHODS: We performed a post hoc exploratory analysis of the CONSCIOUS-1 data. All patients underwent catheter angiography before treatment and 9±2 days after subarachnoid hemorrhage. CT was performed before and after aneurysm treatment, and 6 weeks after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Angiograms and CT scans were assessed by centralized blinded review. Angiographic vasospasm was classified as none/mild (0%-33% decrease in arterial diameter), moderate (34%-66%), or severe (≥67%). Infarctions were categorized as secondary to angiographic vasospasm, other, or unknown causes. Logistic regression was conducted to determine factors associated with infarction. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 381 of 413 patients (92%). Angiographic vasospasm was none/mild in 209 (55%) patients, moderate in 118 (31%), and severe in 54 (14%). Infarcts developed in 6 (3%) of 209 with no/mild, 12 (10%) of 118 patients with moderate, and 25 (46%) of 54 patients with severe vasospasm. Multivariate analysis found a strong association between angiographic vasospasm and cerebral infarction (OR, 9.3; 95% CI, 3.7-23.4). The significant association persisted after adjusting for admission neurological grade and aneurysm size. Method of aneurysm treatment was not associated with a significant difference in frequency of infarction. CONCLUSIONS: A strong association exists between angiographic vasospasm and cerebral infarction. Efforts directed at further reducing angiographic vasospasm are warranted.

Pre-operative embolization followed by clipping of Cognard type V dural arteriovenous fistula.

This article has been retracted because it describes the use of an investigative agent that has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

The Use of Antiplatelet Agents and Heparin in the 24-Hour Postintravenous Alteplase Window for Neurointervention.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous (IV) alteplase with mechanical thrombectomy has been found to be superior to alteplase alone in select patients with intracranial large vessel occlusion. Current guidelines discourage the use of antiplatelet agents or heparin for 24 h following alteplase. However, their use is often necessary in certain circumstances during thrombectomy procedures. OBJECTIVE: To study the safety and outcomes in patients who received blood thinning medications for thrombectomy after IV Tissue-Type plasminogen activator (tPA). METHODS: This is a multicenter retrospective review of the use of antiplatelet agents and/or heparin in patients within 24 h following tPA administration. Patient demographics, comorbidities, bleeding complications, and discharge outcomes were collected. RESULTS: A series of 88 patients at 9 centers received antiplatelet medications and/or heparin anticoagulation following IV alteplase for revascularization procedures requiring stenting. The mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on admission was 14.6. Reasons for use of a stent included internal carotid artery occlusion in 74% of patients. Thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) 2b-3 revascularization was accomplished in 90% of patients. The rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) was 8%; this was not significantly different than the sICH rate for a matched group of patients not receiving antiplatelets or heparin during the same time frame. Functional independence at 90 d (modified Rankin Scale 0-2) was seen in 57.8% of patients. All-cause mortality was 12%. CONCLUSION: The use of antiplatelet agents and heparin for stroke interventions following IV alteplase appears to be safe without significant increased risk of hemorrhagic complications in this group of patients when compared to control data and randomized controlled trials.

Mechanical Thrombectomy for Distal Occlusions: Efficacy, Functional and Safety Outcomes: Insight from the STAR Collaboration.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is the standard of care for the treatment of proximal anterior circulation large vessel occlusions. However, little is known about its efficacy and safety in the treatment of distal intracranial occlusions. METHODS: This is a multicenter retrospective study of patients treated with MT at 15 comprehensive centers between January 2015 and December 2018. The study cohort was divided into 2 groups based on the location of occlusion (proximal vs. distal). Distal occlusion was defined as occlusion of M3 segment of the middle cerebral artery, any segment of the anterior cerebral artery, or any segment of the posterior cerebral artery. Only isolated distal occlusion was included. Good outcome was defined as 90-day modified Rankin scale score 0-2. RESULTS: A total of 4710 patients were included in this study, of whom 189 (4%) had MT for distal occlusions. Compared with the proximal occlusion group, distal occlusion group had a higher rate of good outcome (45% vs. 36%; P = 0.03) and a lower rate of successful reperfusion (78% vs. 84%; P = 0.04). However, the differences did not retain significance in adjusted models. Otherwise there was no difference in the rate of hemorrhagic complications, mortality, or procedure-related complications between the 2 groups. Successful reperfusion, age, and admission stroke severity emerged as predictors of good functional outcome in the distal occlusion group. CONCLUSIONS: Thrombectomies of distal vessels achieve high rate of successful reperfusion with similar safety profile to those in more proximal locations.

Upper extremity transvenous access for neuroendovascular procedures: an international multicenter case series.

BACKGROUND: Radial artery access for transarterial procedures has gained recent traction in neurointerventional due to decreased patient morbidity, technical feasibility, and improved patient satisfaction. Upper extremity transvenous access (UETV) has recently emerged as an alternative strategy for the neurointerventionalist, but data are limited. Our objective was to quantify the use of UETV access in neurointerventions and to measure failure and complication rates. METHODS: An international multicenter retrospective review of medical records for patients undergoing UETV neurointerventions or diagnostic procedures was performed. We also present our institutional protocol for obtaining UETV and review the existing literature. RESULTS: One hundred and thirteen patients underwent a total of 147 attempted UETV procedures at 13 centers. The most common site of entry was the right basilic vein. There were 21 repeat puncture events into the same vein following the primary diagnostic procedure for secondary interventional procedures without difficulty. There were two minor complications (1.4%) and five failures (ie, conversion to femoral vein access) (3.4%). CONCLUSIONS: UETV is safe and technically feasible for diagnostic and neurointerventional procedures. Further studies are needed to determine the benefit over alternative venous access sites and the effect on patient satisfaction.