Intracranial vascular calcification is protective from vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage was noted in some studies to be less frequent and less severe in older age. One hypothesis is that atherosclerosis makes arteries too stiff to spasm. The objective of this study was to assess the association between intracranial calcification, a marker for atherosclerosis, and vasospasm. Charts and nonenhanced computed tomography scans of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage were retrospectively reviewed. Transcranial Doppler studies were used to categorize vasospasm using mean flow velocity: mild vasospasm 120-199 cm/second and severe ≥ 200 cm/second. Calcification of the intracranial internal carotid artery was quantified by calculating the volume and density of the calcified lesions. A total of 172 patients met study criteria (mean age, 54 ± 13 years; 88 women). Patients who had calcification (n = 90; 52%) were significantly older (61 ± 12 years vs. 46 ± 10 years; P < .0001). Mean calcification score was 532 ± 853. Calcification score was directly associated with age (P < .0001) and inversely associated with mean flow velocity (P = .0027). Only the highest tertile was independently associated with less vasospasm (odds ratio, .34; 95% confidence interval, .12-.93). There was an interaction between calcification score and age in which age greater than 65 years was only protective of vasospasm when combined with the highest calcification tertile. We conclude that intracranial calcification is associated with lower rates of vasospasm. The amount of visualized calcification inversely influences the severity of vasospasm. Calcification, and the underlying presumed atherosclerosis, maybe 1 mechanism by which vasospasm has lower frequency and severity in older age.

Should ischemic stroke patients with aphasia or high National Institutes of Health stroke scale score undergo preprocedural intubation and endovascular treatment?

BACKGROUND: Presence of aphasia or severe neurologic deficits is considered an indication for preprocedural intubation (PPI) for endovascular treatment (ET) in acute ischemic stroke patients. We determined the feasibility, technical success rates, and outcomes of ET without PPI in 2 groups of patients: those with aphasia and those with an admission NIHSS score of 20 or more. METHODS: The rates of intraprocedural intubation (IPI), good functional outcome at discharge (modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2), mortality, and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) were compared between those who did or did not undergo PPI in the above-mentioned patient groups. RESULTS: A total of 60 (50%) of 120 patients with aphasia underwent ET without PPI; 6 of 60 patients required IPI. The odds of any ICH (odds ratio [OR] 6.3) and in-hospital mortality (OR 9.3) were significantly higher in those undergoing PPI. In the second analysis, 36 (39%) of 93 patients with an NIHSS score of 20 or more underwent ET without PPI; 6 of 57 patients required IPI. The risk of any ICH (OR 7.6) and in-hospital mortality (OR 5.0) was higher among patients who underwent PPI. The rates of good outcome at discharge were significantly lower among patients with aphasia (OR .1, 95% confidence interval [CI] .04-.2) or those with an NIHSS score of 20 or more (OR .07, 95% CI .005-.9) with PPI compared with those without PPI. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the risk of IPI, patients with aphasia or an admission NIHSS score of 20 or more who underwent ET with PPI had lower rates of good outcomes and higher rates of ICH and death.

Factors associated with length of hospitalization in patients admitted with transient ischemic attack in United States.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Approximately 70% of all patients presenting with transient ischemic attack are admitted to the hospital in United States. The duration and cost of hospitalization and associated factors are poorly understood. This article seeks to identify the proportion and determinants of prolonged hospitalization and to determine the impact on hospital charges using nationally representative data. METHODS: We determined the national estimates of length of stay, mortality, and charges incurred in patients admitted with transient ischemic attack (diagnosis-related code 524 or 069) using Nationwide Inpatient Sample data from 2002 to 2010. Nationwide Inpatient Sample is the largest all-payer inpatient care database in the United States and contains data from ≈1000 hospitals, which is a 20% stratified sample of US community hospitals. All the variables pertaining to hospitalization were compared in 3 groups on the basis of length of hospital stay (≤ 1, 2-6, and ≥ 7 days). RESULTS: A total of 949 558 patients were admitted with the diagnosis of transient ischemic attack during the study period. The length of hospitalization was ≤ 1, 2 to 6, and ≥ 7 days in 232 732 (24.4%), 662 909 (70%), and 53 917 (5.6%) patients, respectively. The mean hospitalization charges were $10 876, $17 187, and $38 200 for patients hospitalized for ≤ 1, 2 to 6, and ≥ 7 days, respectively. The use of thrombolytics (0.03%, 0.09%, and 0.1%; P<0.0001) for ischemic stroke was very low among the 3 strata defined by length of hospitalization. In the multivariate analysis, the following factors were associated with length of hospitalization of ≥ 2 days: age >65 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.5), women (OR, 1.2), admission to teaching hospitals (OR, 1.1), renal failure (OR, 1.7), hypertension (OR, 1.1), diabetes mellitus (OR, 1.2), chronic lung disease (OR, 1.4), congestive heart failure (OR, 1.4), atrial fibrillation (OR, 1.5), ischemic stroke occurrence (OR, 1.4), Medicare/Medicaid insurance (OR, 1.3), and hospital location in Northeast US region (OR, 1.5; all P values <0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 75% of patients admitted with transient ischemic attack stay in the hospital for ≥ 2 days, with the most important determinants being pre-existing medical comorbidities. Longer duration of hospital stay is associated with 2- to 5-fold greater hospitalization charges.

Combination of noninvasive neurovascular imaging modalities in stroke patients: patterns of use and impact on need for digital subtraction angiography.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic work-up of acute stroke relies on the use of proper imaging studies. We sought to determine the use of a combination of 2 noninvasive tests, namely magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and computed tomographic angiography (CTA) in diagnosing vascular lesions and the necessity for a subsequent digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for the definitive diagnosis. METHODS: Patients admitted to 2 comprehensive stroke centers between January 2008 and July 2010 who had an equivocal initial noninvasive test were reviewed. The proportions of patients who underwent CTA and MRA in combination and those who required additional DSA for definitive diagnosis were determined. The diagnostic yield and impact on management in patients with CTA and MRA combination was compared with patients who underwent CTA and MRA followed by DSA. RESULTS: Among a total of 1063 patients (mean age ± SD 63 ± 16), 384 (36%) underwent >1 vascular imaging study. There was no difference in the rates of cardiovascular risk factors and stroke subtype between different combination groups. The agreement between CTA and MRA was high (concordance 81%). Among the 164 patients who underwent both CTA and MRA, a DSA was required for resolution/confirmation in only 27 (16%) patients. Among these 27, DSA findings changed the clinical decision-making in 22 (82%) patients (11 stenotic severities and 11 diagnoses of arteriovenous fistula, aneurysm, or dissection). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, a combination of CTA and MRA was frequently used in patients in whom the initial noninvasive imaging was determined insufficient. The combination of findings from CTA and MRA were considered adequate in a large portion of patients resulting in a lower requirement for DSA and higher treatment impact from DSA.

Comparison of single versus multiple spontaneous extra- and/or intracranial arterial dissection.

BACKGROUND: Anecdotal data suggest that approximately 20% of patients with a spontaneous extra- and/or intracranial arterial dissection have multiple arterial involvement. Limited data exist regarding the clinical and angiographic characteristics of patients with multiple arterial dissections. We compared the clinical and angiographic features of patients with spontaneous multiple extra- and/or intracranial arterial dissections with those who have a single arterial dissection. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of the consecutive ischemic stroke database over a 7-year period, maintained at 2 institutions, was conducted to identify patients with spontaneous extra- and/or intracranial arterial dissection. The patients' clinical characteristics and angiographic features (including the artery affected, presence of pseudoaneurysm, fibromuscular dysplasia, and degree of stenosis) were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 76 patients were admitted with spontaneous extra- and/or intracranial arterial dissection; 46 dissections were confirmed with 4-vessel cerebral angiography. Multiple arterial dissections were found in a total of 10 (22%) patients. Involvement of multiple arteries was more prevalent in the young, when compared to a single spontaneous arterial dissection (7 [70%] in patients <45 years of age v 11 [31%]; P = .03). Patients with multiple arterial dissections had a higher proportion of pseudoaneurysms (9 [90%] v 11 [31%]; P = .001), a higher prevalence of underlying fibromuscular dysplasia (3 [30%] v 3 [8%]; P = .11), and were more likely to involve the posterior circulation (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of multiple, simultaneous spontaneous extra- and/or intracranial arterial dissections must be considered when a single spontaneous arterial dissection is identified.

Determinants of neurologic deterioration and stroke-free survival after spontaneous cervicocranial dissections: a multicenter study.

Patients with spontaneous cervicocranial dissection (SCCD) may experience new or recurrent ischemic events despite antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy. Treatment with stent placement is an available option; however, the literature on patient selection is limited. Thus, identifying patients at high risk for neurologic deterioration after SCCD is of critical importance. The present study examined the rate of neurologic deterioration in medically treated patients with SCCD and evaluated demographic, clinical, and radiologic factors affecting this deterioration. We retrospectively identified consecutive patients with SCCD over a 7-year period from 3 medical institutions, and evaluated the relationships between demographic data, clinical characteristics, and angiographical findings and subsequent neurologic outcomes. Neurologic deterioration was defined as transient ischemic attack (TIA), ischemic stroke, or death occurring during hospitalization or within 1 year of diagnosis. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to determine neurologic event-free survival up to 12 months. A total of 69 patients (mean age, 47.8 ± 14 years; 45 males) with SCCD were included in the study. Eleven patients (16%) experienced in-hospital neurologic deterioration (TIA in 9, ischemic stroke in 1) or death (1 patient). An additional 8 patients developed neurologic deterioration within 1 year after discharge (TIA in 5, ischemic stroke in 2, and death in 1). The overall 1-year event-free survival rate was 72%. Women (P = .046), patients with involvement of both vertebral arteries (P = .02), and those with intracranial arterial involvement (P = .018) had significantly higher rates of neurologic deterioration. Our findings indicate that neurologic deterioration is relatively common after SCCD despite medical treatment in women, patients with bilateral vertebral artery involvement, and those with intracranial vessel involvement.

A Novel Case of Deep Temporal Artery (DTA) Embolization for Recurrent Subacute-Chronic Subdural Hematoma.

Subdural hemorrhage (SDH) is a common neurological disease. In past, SDHs were managed either conservatively (non-surgically) or with surgical evacuation (burr hole versus craniotomy) depending on the severity. Surgical evacuation has major challenges including high recurrence rate, stoppage and reversal of antiplatelet or anticoagulation agents, risk of general anesthesia and surgery in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities. Given the above challenges, embolization of the distal branches of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) has recently emerged as an excellent alternate to surgical evacuation or conservative management. To the best of our knowledge, there is no literature on the embolization of the deep temporal artery (DTA) for subacute-chronic SDH. We report the first case of recurrent subdural hematoma post MMA embolization that was successfully treated with embolization of DTA.

Internal Carotid Artery Agenesis: A Rare Entity.

Congenital absence of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is an extremely rare entity that occurs due to insult during the embryonic development of the ICA. Various intracranial collateral pathways develop to compensate for the ICA agenesis. Patients can present with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, stroke-like symptoms, or other neurological symptoms due to compression of brain structures from enlarged collateral pathways/aneurysms. We present two cases of ICA agenesis along with an extensive review of the literature. A 67-year-old man presented with fluctuating right-sided hemiparesis and aphasia, found to have left ICA agenesis. The left middle cerebral artery (MCA) is supplied by the basilar artery through the well-developed posterior communicating artery (PCOM). Left ophthalmic artery coming from the proximal left MCA. A 44-year-old woman presented with severe headaches, found to have right ICA agenesis with bilateral MCAs and anterior cerebral arteries (ACA) supplied by left ICA. A 17-mm anterior communicating artery (ACOM) aneurysm was discovered.

Retrieval of Migrated Coils From Distal Cerebral Vasculature Using Stent Retriever: A Case Series.

The incidence of coil dislocation during an endovascular embolization of intracranial aneurysm is low but it can lead to serious thrombo-embolic complications. Therefore, coil displacement/migration often requires either retrieval or fixation of the errant coil with a stent. There are no standard recommended methods of coil retrieval. We present a series of three cases in which off-label application of a stent retriever allowed successful retrieval of herniated coils.

Comparison of acute nonthrombolytic and thrombolytic treatments in ischemic stroke patients 80 years or older.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of acute ischemic stroke patients 80 years or older treated with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (i.v. rt-PA), or endovascular intervention with or without i.v. rt-PA, or nonthrombolytic medical treatment. METHODS: This study was a retrospective, nonrandomized, observational study of patients, admitted within 9 hours of symptom onset, at 3 academic, university-affiliated hospitals. The main outcome measures were neurologic improvement, defined by improvement in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at 7 days or discharge of 4 or more, or achieving a score of 0; symptomatic and asymptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage; favorable outcome (discharge modified Rankin score 0-2); and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 44 patients received i.v. rt-PA, 46 received endovascular intervention with or without i.v. rt-PA, and 66 received nonthrombolytic medical treatment. I.v. rt-PA-treated patients had a significantly clinically higher chance of favorable outcome (odds ratio [OR], 5.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-17.5), when compared with nonthrombolytic medical treatment. A significantly higher rate of neurologic improvement was observed among the i.v. rt-PA (7.2; 95% CI, 2.7-19.5) and endovascularly treated patients (5.8; 95% CI, 2-16.8) when compared with nonthrombolytic medical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A prominently higher rate of neurologic improvement and favorable clinical outcome was observed among acute ischemic stroke patients 80 years or older treated with i.v. rt-PA or endovascular intervention when compared with nonthrombolytic medical treatment, supporting the use of acute thrombolytic therapies in this patient population when contraindications are not present.

Increased rate of aspiration pneumonia and poor discharge outcome among acute ischemic stroke patients following intubation for endovascular treatment.

BACKGROUND: An increased risk of aspiration pneumonia among acute ischemic stroke patients following intubation for endovascular treatment may explain the higher rates of poor outcomes among patients requiring general anesthesia compared with those performed under local sedation. METHODS: Rates of aspiration pneumonia and its contribution to poor outcome at discharge (modified Rankin score ≥ 3), and in-hospital mortality were analyzed among endovascularly treated acute ischemic stroke patients at two university-affiliated comprehensive stroke centers. Logistic regression model was used to assess the contribution of intubation and aspiration pneumonia on poor outcome after adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: There were 136 acute ischemic stroke patients who received endovascular treatment: 83 patients received local sedation without intubation and 53 patients were intubated. The rates of aspiration pneumonia were 12 (14%) in endovascularly treated patients not intubated, and 12 (23%) in endovascularly treated intubated patients. Rates of poor outcomes were 46 (55%) in the non-intubated endovascularly treated patients, and 44 (83%) in intubated endovascularly treated patients. After adjusting for age, gender, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score strata, poor outcome at discharge (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.2-7.4) (P = 0.0243) and in-hospital mortality (OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.5-12.5) (P = 0. 0.0046) were significantly higher among intubated patients. After adjusting for pneumonia, the effect of intubation on poor outcome at discharge (OR 2.7, CI 1.1-7.1) (P = 0.0006) and in-hospital mortality (OR 4.4, CI 1.6-12.5) (P = 0.00051) remained significant in the multivariate model. CONCLUSIONS: Careful consideration should be exercised when emergently intubating acute ischemic stroke patients for endovascular treatment, because the rate of death and disability appears to be high. This increased rate is not explained by higher rates of subsequent aspiration pneumonia.

Agreement in endovascular thrombolysis patient selection based on interpretation of presenting CT and CT-P changes in ischemic stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the agreement in patient selection based on computed tomography (CT) and CT-perfusion (CT-P) imaging interpretation between stroke specialists in stroke patients considered for endovascular treatment. METHODS: All endovascular-treated acute ischemic stroke patients were identified through a prospective database from two comprehensive stroke centers; 25 consecutively treated patients were used for this analysis. Initial CT images and CT-P data were independently interpreted by five board eligible/certified vascular neurologists with additional endovascular training to decide whether or not to select the patient for endovascular treatment. The CT/CT-P images were evaluated separately and used as the sole imaging decision making criteria, 2 weeks apart from each other (memory wash-out period). For each set of imaging data inter-rater and intra-rater agreement scores were obtained using Cohen's kappa statistic to assess the proportion of agreement beyond chance. RESULTS: Kappa values for the treatment decisions based on CT images was 0.43 (range 0.14-0.8) (moderate agreement), and for the decisions based on CTP images was 0.29 (range 0.07-0.67) (fair agreement) among the five subjects. There was substantial variability within the group and between images interpretation. Observed agreement on decision to treat with endovascular therapy was found to be 75% with CT images and 59% with CT-P images (with no adjustment for chance). Kappa values for intra-rater agreement were -0.14 (ranged -0.27-0.27) (poor agreement). CONCLUSIONS: There is considerable lack of agreement, even among stroke specialists, in selecting acute ischemic stroke patients for endovascular treatment based on CT-P changes. This mandates a careful evaluation of CT-P for patient selection before widespread adoption.

Impact of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for treatment of cerebral vasospasm on subarachnoid hemorrhage patient outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) has been introduced for treatment of symptomatic cerebral vasospasm in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). While angiographic improvement is consistently reported, clinical improvement following the procedure varies, and limited data is available regarding overall impact on outcome. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective analysis of all hospital admissions with aneurysmal SAH over a 6 year period. The length of stay, discharge outcomes (measured by modified Rankin scale [mRS] at discharge), and 1-year mortality among patients with SAH before (4 year period) and after (2 year period) institution of PTA for cerebral vasospasm were compared. Embolization for intracranial aneurysm was used as a therapeutic option throughout the study duration. The effect of institution of PTA for vasospasm after adjusting for age, clinical severity, and use of aneurysm embolization on both discharge outcomes and 1-year mortality in multivariate analysis was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 146 patients with aneurysmal SAH were admitted during the study duration. There was no difference between the 89 patients admitted in pre-angioplasty period and 57 patients admitted in post-angioplasty period in regards to age, medical co-morbidities, and admission clinical severity of patients (measured by Hunt and Hess grade and Glasgow coma scale). A total of 18 (32%) patients underwent PTA with or without intra-arterial vasodilator treatment in the second period of the study. There was a non significant decrease in rates of severe disability and death (mRS 5-6) at discharge (45 vs. 33%, P = 0.09) and 1-year mortality (32 vs. 22%, P = 0.26) after introduction of PTA for cerebral vasospasm after adjusting for potential confounders. There was no significant difference between the two time periods in regards to length of stay. CONCLUSION: A non significant trend was noted with reduced rate of severe disability and mortality at discharge and 1-year mortality after the introduction of PTA for cerebral vasospasm associated with SAH without increasing the length of hospital stay.

A comparison of Computed Tomography perfusion-guided and time-guided endovascular treatments for patients with acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The role of CT perfusion (CT-P) imaging for the selection of patients with acute ischemic stroke who may benefit from endovascular treatment is not defined. The objective of this study was to determine whether CT-P-guided endovascular treatment improves clinical outcomes compared with standard endovascular treatment based on the time interval between symptom onset and presentation and noncontrast cranial CT imaging. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed comparing the clinical characteristics, complications, and clinical outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke who were treated using endovascular modalities based on either CT-P imaging (CT-P-guided) or time interval between symptom onset and presentation and absence of intracerebral hemorrhage or extensive ischemic changes on noncontrast cranial CT scan (time-guided). RESULTS: The rates of partial and complete recanalization were similar between the CT-P- and time-guided treatment groups (n=61 [88%] versus n=103 [81%]; P=0.52) regardless of whether they received intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator before endovascular treatment. Comparing the CT-P-guided with the time-guided patients, favorable discharge outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0 to 2) was observed in 23 (32%) versus 41 (33%) of the patients, respectively (P=0.9). In-hospital mortality was observed in 15 (21%) of CT-P- and 29 (23%) of time-guided patients (P=0.74). CONCLUSIONS: CT-P-guided endovascular treatment did not increase the rate of short-term favorable outcomes among patients with acute ischemic stroke. Prospective studies are required to validate the CT-P criteria and protocols currently in use before incorporating CT-P as a routine modality for patient selection for endovascular treatment.

Does mild deficit for patients with stroke justify the use of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator?

Intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) is an effective medication currently used to treat acute ischemic stroke within 3 hours of symptom onset in patients with an identifiable clinical deficit measured using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Some reports suggest that patients with milder acute ischemic stroke may improve spontaneously and may not benefit additionally from IV thrombolysis. The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the outcomes of patients at our stroke center who received IV t-PA treatment for acute ischemic stroke, within 3 hours of symptom onset, outside the setting of a clinical trial and had a NIHSS score of less than or equal to 10 compared with historic control subjects. There were 52 patients who received IV t-PA for acute ischemic stroke. Of those, 31 (male 44% [n = 14]) had a NIHSS score of 10 or less (mean NIHSS score 6 +/- 2). The mean age was 61 +/- 14 years, the mean NIHSS score was 6 +/- 2, and the mean modified Rankin scale (mRS) score was 1.4 +/- 1.5. We identified 98 patients (male 74% [n = 73]) in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke IV recombinant t-PA study placebo group. The mean age was 65 +/- 13 years, the mean NIHSS score was 7 +/- 2, and the mean mRS score was 2.5 +/- 1.7. Assuming equal variances, the mRS score at discharge, for the IV t-PA-treated group, demonstrated a better clinical outcome that was statistically significant (P < .009). This retrospective study demonstrates that administering IV t-PA to patients with a mild stroke, measuring 10 or less by the NIHSS, can lead to improved clinical outcome when compared with patients with similar NIHSS score who have not received similar treatment.

Safety and Clinical Outcomes after Transverse Venous Sinus Stenting for Treatment of Refractory Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: Single Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a syndrome of elevated intracranial pressure of unknown etiology. Unilateral or bilateral transverse sinus (TS) or transverse-sigmoid junction stenosis is present in about 30%-93% of these patients. There is an ongoing debate on whether venous sinus stenosis is the cause of IIH or a result of it. The subset of IIH patients who continue to have clinical deterioration despite maximum medical therapy is termed as "refractory IIH." Traditionally, cerebrospinal fluid diversion surgeries (ventriculoperitoneal shunt and lumboperitoneal shunt) and optic nerve sheath fenestration (ONSF) were the mainstays of treatment for refractory IIH. In the last decade, venous sinus stenting (VSS) has emerged as a safe and effective option for treating refractory IIH patients with venous sinus stenosis. Through this study, we want to share our experience with venous stenting in refractory IIH patients with venous sinus stenosis associated with a significant pressure gradient (≥10 mm Hg). METHODS: Retrospective chart review of all the patients diagnosed with refractory IIH who underwent VSS or angioplasty at our comprehensive stroke center from November 2016 to March 2019. RESULTS: A total of seven refractory IIH patients underwent VSS or angioplasty within the specified period. The mean age was 39 years. Eighty-five percent of the patients were women (n = 6). The mean body mass index (BMI) was 37 kg/m2. Headache was the most common symptom (85%, n = 6) followed by transient visual obscurations (71%, n = 5) and pulsatile tinnitus (57%; n = 4). All patients had papilledema. Fifty-seven percent of patients (n = 4) had impaired visual field. Mean lumbar opening pressure was 40.6 cm H2O (SD = 9.66; 95% CI = 33.5-47.7). All patients were on maximum doses of acetazolamide ± furosemide. Six patients (85%) had dominant right transverse-sigmoid sinus. Fifty-seven percent of the patients had severe right transverse ± sigmoid sinus stenosis (n = 4) and the rest (43%) had bilateral TS stenosis (n = 3). Prestenting mean trans-stenosis pressure gradient was 18 mm Hg (SD = 6.16; 95% CI = 13.43-22.57). Six patients (85%) were treated with TS stenting and one (15%) with only angioplasty. Poststenting mean trans-stenosis pressure gradient was 4.8 mm Hg (SD = 6.6; 95% CI = -0.1-9.7). All patients were able to come off their medications with significant improvement in neurological and ophthalmological signs and symptoms. No procedure-related complications occurred. CONCLUSION: TS stenting ± angioplasty is a safe and effective means of treating refractory IIH with venous sinus stenosis associated with a significant pressure gradient (≥10 mm Hg).

Prospective Endovascular Treatment in Acute Ischemic Stroke Evaluating Non-Contrast Head CT versus CT Perfusion (PLEASE No CTP).

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown a lack of agreement of computed tomography perfusion (CTP) in the selection of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients for endovascular treatment. PURPOSE: To demonstrate whether non-contrast computed tomography (CT) within 8 h of symptom onset is comparable to CTP imaging. METHODS: Prospective study of consecutive anterior circulation AIS patients with a National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score > 7 presenting within 8 h of symptom onset with endovascular treatment. All patients had non-contrast CT, CT angiography, and CTP. The neuro-interventionalist was blinded to the results of the CTP and based the treatment decision using the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (ASPECTS). Baseline demographics, co-morbidities, and baseline NIHSS scores were collected. Outcomes were modified Rankin scale (mRS) score at discharge and in-hospital mortality. Good outcomes were defined as a mRS score of 0-2. RESULTS: 283 AIS patients were screened for the trial, and 119 were enrolled. The remaining patients were excluded for: posterior circulation stroke, no CTP performed, could not obtain consent, and NIHSS score < 7. Mean -NIHSS score at admission was 16.8 ± 3, and mean ASPECTS was 8.4 ± 1.4. There was no statistically significant correlation with CTP penumbra and good outcomes: 50 versus 47.8% with no penumbra present (p = 0.85). In patients without evidence of CTP penumbra, there was 22.5% mortality compared to 22.1% mortality in patients with a CTP penumbra. If ASPECTS ≥7, 64.6% had good outcome versus 13.3% if ASPECTS < 7 (p < 0.001). Patients with an ASPECTS ≥7 had 10% mortality versus 51.4% in patients with an ASPECTS < 7 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CTP penumbra did not identify patients who would benefit from endovascular treatment when patients were selected with non-contrast CT ASPECTS ≥7. There is no correlation of CTP penumbra with good outcomes or mortality. Larger prospective trials are warranted to justify the use of CTP within 6 h of symptom onset.

Open-Label Phase I Clinical Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Cilostazol in Patients Undergoing Internal Carotid Artery Stent Placement.

BACKGROUND: One-month dual antiplatelet treatment, with aspirin and clopidogrel, following internal carotid artery stent placement is the current standard of care to prevent in-stent thrombosis. Cilostazol, an antiplatelet drug, has been demonstrated to have a safety profile comparable to aspirin and clopidogrel. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of cilostazol and aspirin therapy following internal carotid artery stent placement up to 1 month postprocedure. METHODS: A phase I open-label, nonrandomized two-center prospective study was conducted. All subjects received aspirin (325 mg/day) and cilostazol (200 mg/day) 3 days before extracranial stent placement. Two antiplatelet agents were continued for 1 month postprocedure followed by aspirin daily monotherapy. The primary efficacy end point was the 30-day composite occurrence of death, cerebral infarction, transient ischemic attack, and in-stent thrombosis. The primary safety end point was bleeding. RESULTS: Twelve subjects (mean age ± SD, 66 ± 12 years; 9 males) were enrolled and underwent internal carotid artery angioplasty and stent placement. None of the subjects who successfully followed the study protocol experienced any complications at the 1- and 3-month follow-ups. One patient had a protocol deviation due to concurrent use of enoxaparin (1 mg/kg twice daily) in addition to aspirin and cilostazol, resulting in a fatal symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage following successful stent placement on postprocedure day 1. One patient discontinued cilostazol after the first dose secondary to dizziness. CONCLUSION: The use of cilostazol and aspirin for internal carotid artery stent placement appears to be safe, but protocol compliance needs to be emphasized.

Endovascular management of a vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation in an infant with challenging femoral arterial access.

A 5-month-old infant was to be treated with elective transarterial embolization for a vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (VGAM). A team of endovascular surgical neuroradiologists, pediatric interventional radiologists, and pediatric cardiologists attempted conventional femoral arterial access, which was unsuccessful given the small caliber of the femoral arteries and superimposed severe vasospasm. Thereafter, eventual arterial access was achieved by navigating from the venous to the arterial system across the patent foramen ovale following a right femoral venous access. Embolization was then successfully performed. At a later date, the child underwent successful transvenous balloon-assisted embolization and eventual arterial embolization with cure of the VGAM.

Long-term clinical and angiographic outcomes in patients with cervico-cranial dissections treated with stent placement: a meta-analysis of case series.

Limited clinical and angiographic data exists for patients with spontaneous or traumatic cervico-cranial dissections treated with stent placement. We reviewed clinical and angiographic data on consecutive patients admitted to our hospital with spontaneous, traumatic, and iatrogenic cervico-cranial dissections treated with stent placement to study immediate and long-term clinical and angiographic outcomes. Additional patients were identified using pertinent studies published between 1980 and 2009, using a search of the PubMed, Cochrane, and Ovid libraries. Post-procedure complications and clinical outcomes were documented. Angiographic abnormalities collected at follow-up included presence of in-stent restenosis or pseudoaneurysm. After applying our strict search criteria, four studies including our series were used in the meta-analysis, representing 46 patients (mean age [standard deviation] 47 ± 14 years; 24 [52%] male) treated with stent placement for dissection. Overall, 72 stents were placed to treat 28 spontaneous, 11 traumatic, and 7 iatrogenic dissection patients with 51 dissections, involving 51 vessels; with a mean pre-stent stenosis of 71 ± 26% and mean post-stent stenosis of 6 ± 15%. The immediate and follow-up post-procedure complication rates per stent placed was 8 (11%) and 8 (11%), respectively. Among the 36 patients who underwent follow-up angiography, in-stent restenosis or pseudoaneurysms were present in 3 (8%) and 2 (6%) patients, respectively. A high rate of sustained resolution of angiographic abnormalities during long-term follow-up was noted, with a low rate of new transient ischemic attack, ischemic stroke, or death, supporting the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of endovascular stent reconstruction.