Dual Layer vs Single Layer Woven EndoBridge Device in the Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) devices have been used for treating wide neck bifurcation aneurysms (WNBAs) with several generational enhancements to improve clinical outcomes. The original device dual-layer (WEB DL) was replaced by a single-layer (WEB SL) device in 2013. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of these devices in managing intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: A multicenter cohort study was conducted, and data from 1,289 patients with intracranial aneurysms treated with either the WEB SL or WEB DL devices were retrospectively analyzed. Propensity score matching was utilized to balance the baseline characteristics between the two groups. Outcomes assessed included immediate occlusion rate, complete occlusion at last follow-up, retreatment rate, device compaction, and aneurysmal rupture. RESULTS: Before propensity score matching, patients treated with the WEB SL had a significantly higher rate of complete occlusion at the last follow-up and a lower rate of retreatment. After matching, there was no significant difference in immediate occlusion rate, retreatment rate, or device compaction between the WEB SL and DL groups. However, the SL group maintained a higher rate of complete occlusion at the final follow-up. Regression analysis showed that SL was associated with higher rates of complete occlusion (OR: 0.19; CI: 0.04 to 0.8, p = 0.029) and lower rates of retreatment (OR: 0.12; CI: 0 to 4.12, p = 0.23). CONCLUSION: The WEB SL and DL devices demonstrated similar performances in immediate occlusion rates and retreatment requirements for intracranial aneurysms. The SL device showed a higher rate of complete occlusion at the final follow-up.

Thrombectomy in young adults with embolic stroke of undetermined source: Analysis of the Young ESUS study.

OBJECTIVES: Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source (ESUS) is a distinct stroke entity that disproportionately affects young adults. We sought to describe characteristics, workup and outcomes of young adult ESUS patients who underwent thrombectomy, and compare outcomes to those reported in different age groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Young-ESUS is a multicenter longitudinal cohort study that enrolled consecutive patients aged 21-50 years at 41 stroke centers in 13 countries between 2017- 2019. Between-group comparisons were performed using Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables or Fisher's exact test for binary variables. Distribution of functional outcomes after thrombectomy for our young adult cohort versus pediatric and older adult cohorts reported in the literature were described using the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Of 535 patients enrolled in Young-ESUS, 65 (12.1%) were treated with endovascular thrombectomy. Patients who underwent thrombectomy were more likely to undergo in-depth cardiac testing than those who did not, but cardiac abnormalities were not detected more often in this group. Among thrombectomy patients, 35/63 (55.6%) had minimal to no functional disability at follow up. When adjusted for age, stroke severity and IV alteplase, the odds of achieving favorable outcome did not differ between treated versus untreated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Thrombectomy is not rare in young adults with ESUS. Despite extensive workup, cardiac abnormalities were not more prevalent in the thrombectomy group. More research to determine optimal workup, etiologic factors and favorable outcome of stroke across the lifespan is needed.

Hypoperfusion Intensity Ratio Is Correlated With the Risk of Parenchymal Hematoma After Endovascular Stroke Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Parenchymal hematoma (PH) is a major complication after endovascular treatment (EVT) for ischemic stroke. The hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR) represents a perfusion parameter reflecting arterial collateralization and cerebral microperfusion in ischemic brain tissue. We hypothesized that HIR correlates with the risk of PH after EVT. METHODS: Retrospective multicenter cohort study of patients with large vessel occlusion who underwent EVT between 2013 and 2021 at one of the 2 comprehensive stroke centers (University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany and Stanford University School of Medicine, CA). HIR was automatically calculated on computed tomography perfusion studies as the ratio of brain volume with time-to-max (Tmax) delay >10 s over volume with Tmax >6 s. Reperfusion hemorrhages were assessed according to the Heidelberg Bleeding Classification. Primary outcome was PH occurrence (PH+) or absence (PH-) on follow-up imaging. Secondary outcome was good clinical outcome defined as a 90-day modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2. RESULTS: A total of 624 patients met the inclusion criteria. We observed PH in 91 (14.6%) patients after EVT. PH+ patients had higher HIR on admission compared with PH- patients (median, 0.6 versus 0.4; P<0.001). In multivariable regression, higher admission blood glucose (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.08 [95% CI, 1.04-1.13]; P<0.001), extensive baseline infarct defined as Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score ≤5 (aOR, 2.48 [1.37-4.42]; P=0.002), and higher HIR (aOR, 1.22 [1.09-1.38]; P<0.001) were independent determinants of PH after EVT. Both higher HIR (aOR, 0.83 [0.75-0.92]; P<0.001) and PH on follow-up imaging (aOR, 0.39 [0.18-0.80]; P=0.013) were independently associated with lower odds of achieving good clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Poorer (higher) HIR on admission perfusion imaging was strongly associated with PH occurrence after EVT. HIR as a surrogate for cerebral microperfusion might reflect tissue vulnerability for reperfusion hemorrhages. This automated and quickly available perfusion parameter might help to assess the need for intensive medical care after EVT.

Mechanical Thrombectomy Versus Best Medical Treatment in the Late Time Window in Non-DEFUSE-Non-DAWN Patients: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in adult stroke patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion presenting in the late time window not fulfilling the DEFUSE-3 (Thrombectomy for Stroke at 6 to 16 Hours With Selection by Perfusion Imaging trial) and DAWN (Thrombectomy 6 to 24 Hours After Stroke With a Mismatch Between Deficit and Infarct trial) inclusion criteria. METHODS: Cohort study of adults with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion admitted between 6 and 24 hours after last-seen-well at 5 participating Swiss stroke centers between 2014 and 2021. Mismatch was assessed by computer tomography or magnetic resonance imaging perfusion with automated software (RAPID or OLEA). We excluded patients meeting DEFUSE-3 and DAWN inclusion criteria and compared those who underwent MT with those receiving best medical treatment alone by inverse probability of treatment weighting using the propensity score. The primary efficacy end point was a favorable functional outcome at 90 days, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score shift toward lower categories. The primary safety end point was symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage within 7 days of stroke onset; the secondary was all-cause mortality within 90 days. RESULTS: Among 278 patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion presenting in the late time window, 190 (68%) did not meet the DEFUSE-3 and DAWN inclusion criteria and thus were included in the analyses. Of those, 102 (54%) received MT. In the inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis, patients in the MT group had higher odds of favorable outcomes compared with the best medical treatment alone group (modified Rankin Scale shift: acOR, 1.46 [1.02-2.10]; P=0.04) and lower odds of all-cause mortality within 90 days (aOR, 0.59 [0.37-0.93]; P=0.02). There were no significant differences in symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (MT versus best medical treatment alone: 5% versus 2%, P=0.63). CONCLUSIONS: Two out of 3 patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion presenting in the late time window did not meet the DEFUSE-3 and DAWN inclusion criteria. In these patients, MT was associated with higher odds of favorable functional outcomes without increased rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. These findings support the enrollment of patients into ongoing randomized trials on MT in the late window with more permissive inclusion criteria.

Thrombectomy versus Medical Management for Isolated Anterior Cerebral Artery Stroke: An International Multicenter Registry Study.

Background Evidence supporting a potential benefit of thrombectomy for distal medium vessel occlusions (DMVOs) of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) is, to the knowledge of the authors, unknown. Purpose To compare the clinical and safety outcomes between mechanical thrombectomy (MT) and best medical treatment (BMT) with or without intravenous thrombolysis for primary isolated ACA DMVOs. Materials and Methods Treatment for Primary Medium Vessel Occlusion Stroke, or TOPMOST, is an international, retrospective, multicenter, observational registry of patients treated for DMVO in daily practice. Patients treated with thrombectomy or BMT alone for primary ACA DMVO distal to the A1 segment between January 2013 and October 2021 were analyzed and compared by one-to-one propensity score matching (PSM). Early outcome was measured by the median improvement of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores at 24 hours. Favorable functional outcome was defined as modified Rankin scale scores of 0-2 at 90 days. Safety was assessed by the occurrence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and mortality. Results Of 154 patients (median age, 77 years; quartile 1 [Q1] to quartile 3 [Q3], 66-84 years; 80 men; 94 patients with MT; 60 patients with BMT) who met the inclusion criteria, 110 patients (median age, 76 years; Q1-Q3, 67-83 years; 50 men; 55 patients with MT; 55 patients with BMT) were matched. DMVOs were in A2 (82 patients; 53%), A3 (69 patients; 45%), and A3 (three patients; 2%). After PSM, the median 24-hour NIHSS point decrease was -2 (Q1-Q3, -4 to 0) in the thrombectomy and -1 (Q1-Q3, -4 to 1.25) in the BMT cohort (P = .52). Favorable functional outcome (MT vs BMT, 18 of 37 [49%] vs 19 of 39 [49%], respectively; P = .99) and mortality (MT vs BMT, eight of 37 [22%] vs 12 of 39 [31%], respectively; P = .36) were similar in both groups. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in three (2%) of 154 patients. Conclusion Thrombectomy appears to be a safe and technically feasible treatment option for primary isolated anterior cerebral artery occlusions in the A2 and A3 segment with clinical outcomes similar to best medical treatment with and without intravenous thrombolysis. © RSNA, 2023 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Zhu and Wang in this issue.

Circadian rhythm of ischaemic core progression in human stroke.

INTRODUCTION: Experimental stroke studies suggest an influence of the time of day of stroke onset on infarct progression. Whether this holds true after human stroke is unknown, but would have implications for the design of randomised controlled trials, especially those on neuroprotection. METHODS: We pooled data from 583 patients with anterior large-vessel occlusion stroke from three prospectively recruited cohorts. Ischaemic core and penumbra volumes were determined with CT perfusion using automated thresholds. Core growth was calculated as the ratio of core volume and onset-to-imaging time. To determine circadian rhythmicity, we applied multivariable linear and sinusoidal regression analysis adjusting for potential baseline confounders. RESULTS: Patients with symptom onset at night showed larger ischaemic core volumes on admission compared with patients with onset during the day (median, 40.2 mL vs 33.8 mL), also in adjusted analyses (p=0.008). Sinusoidal analysis indicated a peak of core volumes with onset at 11pm. Core growth was faster at night compared with day onset (adjusted p=0.01), especially for shorter onset-to-imaging times. In contrast, penumbra volumes did not change across the 24-hour cycle. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that human infarct progression varies across the 24-hour cycle with potential implications for the design and interpretation of neuroprotection trials.

Non-contrast computed tomography features predict intraventricular hemorrhage growth.

OBJECTIVES: Non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) markers are robust predictors of parenchymal hematoma expansion in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We investigated whether NCCT features can also identify ICH patients at risk of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) growth. METHODS: Patients with acute spontaneous ICH admitted at four tertiary centers in Germany and Italy were retrospectively included from January 2017 to June 2020. NCCT markers were rated by two investigators for heterogeneous density, hypodensity, black hole sign, swirl sign, blend sign, fluid level, island sign, satellite sign, and irregular shape. ICH and IVH volumes were semi-manually segmented. IVH growth was defined as IVH expansion > 1 mL (eIVH) or any delayed IVH (dIVH) on follow-up imaging. Predictors of eIVH and dIVH were explored with multivariable logistic regression. Hypothesized moderators and mediators were independently assessed in PROCESS macro models. RESULTS: A total of 731 patients were included, of whom 185 (25.31%) suffered from IVH growth, 130 (17.78%) had eIVH, and 55 (7.52%) had dIVH. Irregular shape was significantly associated with IVH growth (OR 1.68; 95%CI [1.16-2.44]; p = 0.006). In the subgroup analysis stratified by the IVH growth type, hypodensities were significantly associated with eIVH (OR 2.06; 95%CI [1.48-2.64]; p = 0.015), whereas irregular shape (OR 2.72; 95%CI [1.91-3.53]; p = 0.016) in dIVH. The association between NCCT markers and IVH growth was not mediated by parenchymal hematoma expansion. CONCLUSIONS: NCCT features identified ICH patients at a high risk of IVH growth. Our findings suggest the possibility to stratify the risk of IVH growth with baseline NCCT and might inform ongoing and future studies. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Non-contrast CT features identified ICH patients at a high risk of intraventricular hemorrhage growth with subtype-specific differences. Our findings may assist in the risk stratification of intraventricular hemorrhage growth with baseline CT and might inform ongoing and future clinical studies. KEY POINTS: • NCCT features identified ICH patients at a high risk of IVH growth with subtype-specific differences. • The effect of NCCT features was not moderated by time and location or indirectly mediated by hematoma expansion. • Our findings may assist in the risk stratification of IVH growth with baseline NCCT and might inform ongoing and future studies.

Impact of edema formation on functional outcome in pediatric stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative lesion net water uptake (NWU) has been described as an imaging biomarker reflecting vasogenic edema as an early indicator of infarct progression. We hypothesized that edema formation measured by NWU is higher in children compared to adults but despite this functional outcome may be better in children. METHODS: This study analyzed children enrolled in the Save ChildS Study who had baseline and follow-up computed tomography available and the data were compared to adult patients. RESULTS: Some 207 patients, of whom 13 were children and 194 were adults, were analyzed. Median NWU at baseline was 7.8% (IQR: 4.3-11.3), and there were no significant differences between children and adults (7.5% vs. 7.8%; p = 0.87). The early edema progression rate was 3.0%/h in children and 2.3%/h in adults. Median ΔNWU was 15.1% in children and 10.5% in adults. Children had significantly more often excellent (mRS 0-1; children 10/13 = 77% vs. adults 28/196 = 14%; p < 0.0001) and favorable clinical outcomes (mRS 0-2, 12/13 = 92% vs. 39/196 = 20%; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, clinical outcomes in children with large vessel occlusion strokes were better than in adults despite similar clinical and imaging characteristics and similar edema formation. This may be impacted by the generally better outcomes of children after strokes but may demonstrate that the degree of early ischemic changes using Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) and edema progression rate may not be a reason for exclusion from endovascular thrombectomy.

Unfavorable cerebral venous outflow is associated with futile recanalization in acute ischemic stroke patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has proven to be the standard of care for patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO). However, high revascularization rates do not necessarily result in favorable functional outcomes. We aimed to investigate imaging biomarkers associated with futile recanalization, defined as unfavorable functional outcome despite successful recanalization in AIS-LVO patients. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter cohort study was made of AIS-LVO patients treated by MT. Successful recanalization was defined as modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score of 2b-3. A modified Rankin Scale score of 3-6 at 90 days was defined as unfavorable functional outcome. Cortical Vein Opacification Score (COVES) was used to assess venous outflow (VO), and the Tan scale was utilized to determine pial arterial collaterals on admission computed tomography angiography (CTA). Unfavorable VO was defined as COVES ≤ 2. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to investigate vascular imaging factors associated with futile recanalization. RESULTS: Among 539 patients in whom successful recanalization was achieved, unfavorable functional outcome was observed in 59% of patients. Fifty-eight percent of patients had unfavorable VO, and 31% exhibited poor pial arterial collaterals. In multivariable regression, unfavorable VO was a strong predictor (adjusted odds ratio = 4.79, 95% confidence interval = 2.48-9.23) of unfavorable functional outcome despite successful recanalization. CONCLUSIONS: We observe that unfavorable VO on admission CTA is a strong predictor of unfavorable functional outcomes despite successful vessel recanalization in AIS-LVO patients. Assessment of VO profiles could help as a pretreatment imaging biomarker to determine patients at risk for futile recanalization.

Aspiration Versus Stent Retriever Thrombectomy for Distal, Medium Vessel Occlusion Stroke in the Posterior Circulation: A Subanalysis of the TOPMOST Study.

BACKGROUND: The optimal endovascular strategy for reperfusing distal medium-vessel occlusions (DMVO) remains unknown. This study evaluates angiographic and clinical outcomes of thrombectomy strategies in DMVO stroke of the posterior circulation. METHODS: TOPMOST (Treatment for Primary Medium Vessel Occlusion Stroke) is an international, retrospective, multicenter, observational registry of patients treated for DMVO between January 2014 and June 2020. This study analyzed endovascularly treated isolated primary DMVO of the posterior cerebral artery in the P2 and P3 segment. Technical feasibility was evaluated with the first-pass effect defined as a modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction Scale score of 3. Rates of early neurological improvement and functional modified Rankin Scale scores at 90 days were compared. Safety was assessed by the occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and intervention-related serious adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 141 patients met the inclusion criteria and were treated endovascularly for primary isolated DMVO in the P2 (84.4%, 119) or P3 segment (15.6%, 22) of the posterior cerebral artery. The median age was 75 (IQR, 62-81), and 45.4% (64) were female. The initial reperfusion strategy was aspiration only in 29% (41) and stent retriever in 71% (100), both achieving similar first-pass effect rates of 53.7% (22) and 44% (44; P=0.297), respectively. There were no significant differences in early neurological improvement (aspiration: 64.7% versus stent retriever: 52.2%; P=0.933) and modified Rankin Scale rates (modified Rankin Scale score 0-1, aspiration: 60.5% versus stent retriever 68.6%; P=0.4). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, the time from groin puncture to recanalization was associated with the first-pass effect (adjusted odds ratio, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.95-0.99]; P<0.001) that in turn was associated with early neurological improvement (aOR, 3.27 [95% CI, 1.16-9.21]; P<0.025). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 2.8% (4) of all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Both first-pass aspiration and stent retriever thrombectomy for primary isolated posterior circulation DMVO seem to be safe and technically feasible leading to similar favorable rates of angiographic and clinical outcome.

Multicenter Study for the Treatment of Sidewall versus Bifurcation Intracranial Aneurysms with Use of Woven EndoBridge (WEB).

Background The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device was explicitly designed for wide-neck intracranial bifurcation aneurysms. Small-scale reports have evaluated the off-label use of WEB devices for the treatment of sidewall aneurysms, with promising outcomes. Purpose To compare the angiographic and clinical outcomes of the WEB device for the treatment of sidewall aneurysms compared with the treatment of bifurcation aneurysms. Materials and Methods A retrospective review of the WorldWideWEB Consortium, a synthesis of retrospective databases spanning from January 2011 to June 2021 at 22 academic institutions in North America, South America, and Europe, was performed to identify patients with intracranial aneurysms treated with the WEB device. Characteristics and outcomes were compared between bifurcation and sidewall aneurysms. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match by age, pretreatment ordinal modified Rankin Scale score, ruptured aneurysms, location of aneurysm, multiple aneurysms, prior treatment, neck, height, dome width, daughter sac, and incorporated branch. Results A total of 683 intracranial aneurysms were treated using the WEB device in 671 patients (median age, 61 years [IQR, 53-68 years]; male-to-female ratio, 1:2.5). Of those, 572 were bifurcation aneurysms and 111 were sidewall aneurysms. PSM was performed, resulting in 91 bifurcation and sidewall aneurysms pairs. No significant difference was observed in occlusion status at last follow-up, deployment success, or complication rates between the two groups. Conclusion No significantly different outcomes were observed following the off-label use of the Woven EndoBridge, or WEB, device for treatment of sidewall aneurysms compared with bifurcation aneurysms. The correct characterization of the sidewall aneurysm location, neck angle, and size is crucial for successful treatment and lower retreatment rate. © RSNA, 2022 See also the editorial by Hetts in this issue.

New imaging score for outcome prediction in basilar artery occlusion stroke.

OBJECTIVE: In ischemic posterior circulation stroke, the utilization of standardized image scores is not established in daily clinical practice. We aimed to test a novel imaging score that combines the collateral status with the rating of the posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early CT score (pcASPECTS). We hypothesized that this score (pcASCO) predicts functional outcome and malignant cerebellar edema (MCE). METHODS: Ischemic stroke patients with acute BAO who received multimodal-CT and underwent thrombectomy on admission at two comprehensive stroke centers were analyzed. The posterior circulation collateral score by van der Hoeven et al was added to the pcASPECTS to define pcASCO as a 20-point score. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to predict functional independence at day 90, assessed using modified Rankin Scale scores, and occurrence of MCE in follow-up CT using the established Jauss scale score as endpoints. RESULTS: A total of 118 patients were included, of which 84 (71%) underwent successful thrombectomy. Based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, pcASCO ≥ 14 classified functional independence with higher discriminative power (AUC: 0.83, 95%CI: 0.71-0.91) than pcASPECTS (AUC: 0.74). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, pcASCO was significantly and independently associated with functional independence (aOR: 1.91, 95%CI: 1.25-2.92, p = 0.003), and MCE (aOR: 0.71, 95%CI: 0.53-0.95, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The pcASCO could serve as a simple and feasible imaging tool to assess BAO stroke patients on admission and might be tested as a complementary tool to select patients for thrombectomy in uncertain situations, or to predict clinical outcome. KEY POINTS: • The neurological assessment of basilar artery occlusion stroke patients can be challenging and there are yet no validated imaging scores established in daily clinical practice. • The pcASCO combines the rating of early ischemic changes with the status of the intracranial posterior circulation collaterals. • The pcASCO showed high diagnostic accuracy to predict functional outcome and malignant cerebellar edema and could serve as a simple and feasible imaging tool to support treatment selection in uncertain situations, or to predict clinical outcome.

Thrombectomy in Extensive Stroke May Not Be Beneficial and Is Associated With Increased Risk for Hemorrhage.

Background and Purpose: This study evaluates the benefit of endovascular treatment (EVT) for patients with extensive baseline stroke compared with best medical treatment. Methods: This retrospective, multicenter study compares EVT and best medical treatment for computed tomography (CT)­based selection of patients with extensive baseline infarcts (Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score ≤5) attributed to anterior circulation stroke. Patients were selected from the German Stroke Registry and 3 tertiary stroke centers. Primary functional end points were rates of good (modified Rankin Scale score of ≤3) and very poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of ≥5) at 90 days. Secondary safety end point was the occurrence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. Angiographic outcome was evaluated with the modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction Scale. Results: After 1:1 pair matching, a total of 248 patients were compared by treatment arm. Good functional outcome was observed in 27.4% in the EVT group, and in 25% in the best medical treatment group (P=0.665). Advanced age (adjusted odds ratio, 1.08 [95% CI, 1.05­1.10], P<0.001) and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (adjusted odds ratio, 6.35 [95% CI, 2.08­19.35], P<0.001) were independently associated with very poor outcome. Mortality (43.5% versus 28.9%, P=0.025) and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (16.1% versus 5.6%, P=0.008) were significantly higher in the EVT group. The lowest rates of good functional outcome (≈15%) were observed in groups of failed and partial recanalization (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction Scale score of 0/1­2a), whereas patients with complete recanalization (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction Scale score of 3) with recanalization attempts ≤2 benefitted the most (modified Rankin Scale score of ≤3:42.3%, P=0.074) compared with best medical treatment. Conclusions: In daily clinical practice, EVT for CT­based selected patients with low Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score anterior circulation stroke may not be beneficial and is associated with increased risk for hemorrhage and mortality, especially in the elderly. However, first- or second-pass complete recanalization seems to reveal a clinical benefit of EVT highlighting the vulnerability of the low Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score subgroup. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03356392.

Additive value of transarterial embolization to systemic sirolimus treatment in kaposiform hemangioendothelioma.

Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is a rare vascular tumor in children, which can be accompanied by life-threatening thrombocytopenia, referred to as Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KMP). The mTOR inhibitor sirolimus is emerging as targeted therapy in KHE. As the sirolimus effect on KHE occurs only after several weeks, we aimed to evaluate whether additional transarterial embolization is of benefit for children with KHE and KMP. Seventeen patients with KHE and KMP acquired from 11 hospitals in Germany were retrospectively divided into two cohorts. Children being treated with adjunct transarterial embolization and systemic sirolimus, and those being treated with sirolimus without additional embolization. Bleeding grade as defined by WHO was determined for all patients. Response of the primary tumor at 6 and 12 months assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), time to response of KMP defined as thrombocyte increase >150 × 103 /µL, as well as rebound rates of both after cessation of sirolimus were compared. N = 8 patients had undergone additive embolization to systemic sirolimus therapy, sirolimus in this group was started after a mean of 6.5 ± 3 days following embolization. N = 9 patients were identified who had received sirolimus without additional embolization. Adjunct embolization induced a more rapid resolution of KMP within a median of 7 days vs 3 months; however, tumor response as well as rebound rates were similar between both groups. Additive embolization may be of value for a more rapid rescue of consumptive coagulopathy in children with KHE and KMP compared to systemic sirolimus only.

Lesion Age Imaging in Acute Stroke: Water Uptake in CT Versus DWI-FLAIR Mismatch.

PURPOSE: In acute ischemic stroke with unknown time of onset, magnetic resonance (MR)-based diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) estimates lesion age to guide intravenous thrombolysis. Computed tomography (CT)-based quantitative net water uptake (NWU) may be a potential alternative. The purpose of this study was to directly compare CT-based NWU to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at identifying patients with lesion age < 4.5 hours from symptom onset. METHODS: Fifty patients with acute anterior circulation stroke were analyzed with both imaging modalities at admission between 0.5 and 8.0 hours after known symptom onset. DWI-FLAIR lesion mismatch was rated and NWU was measured in admission CT. An established NWU threshold (11.5%) was used to classify patients within and beyond 4.5 hours. Multiparametric MRI signal was compared with NWU using logistic regression analyses. The empirical distribution of NWU was analyzed in a consecutive cohort of patients with wake-up stroke. RESULTS: The median time between CT and MRI was 35 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] = 24-50). The accuracy of DWI-FLAIR mismatch was 68.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 53.7-81.3%) with a sensitivity of 58% and specificity of 82%. The accuracy of NWU threshold was 86.0% (95% CI = 73.3-94.2%) with a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 78%. The area under the curve (AUC) of multiparametric MRI signal to classify lesion age <4.5 hours was 0.86 (95% CI = 0.64-0.97), and the AUC of quantitative NWU was 0.91 (95% CI = 0.78-0.98). Among 87 patients with wake-up stroke, 46 patients (53%) showed low NWU (< 11.5%). CONCLUSION: The predictive power of CT-based lesion water imaging to identify patients within the time window of thrombolysis was comparable to multiparametric DWI-FLAIR MRI. A significant proportion of patients with wake-up stroke exhibit low NWU and may therefore be potentially suitable for thrombolysis. ANN NEUROL 2020;88:1144-1152.

Predicting the risk of postoperative recurrence and high-grade histology in patients with intracranial meningiomas using routine preoperative MRI.

Risk factors for prediction of prognosis in meningiomas derivable from routine preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI) remain elusive. Correlations of tumor and edema volume, disruption of the arachnoid layer, heterogeneity of contrast enhancement, enhancement of the capsule, T2-intensity, tumor shape, and calcifications on pMRI with tumor recurrence and high-grade (WHO grade II/III) histology were analyzed in 565 patients who underwent surgery for WHO grade I (N = 516, 91%) or II/III (high-grade histology, N = 49, 9%) meningioma between 1991 and 2018. Edema volume (OR, 1.00; p = 0.003), heterogeneous contrast enhancement (OR, 3.10; p < 0.001), and an irregular shape (OR, 2.16; p = 0.015) were associated with high-grade histology. Multivariate analyses confirmed edema volume (OR, 1.00; p = 0.037) and heterogeneous contrast enhancement (OR, 2.51; p = 0.014) as risk factors for high-grade histology. Tumor volume (HR, 1.01; p = 0.045), disruption of the arachnoid layer (HR, 2.50; p = 0.003), heterogeneous contrast enhancement (HR, 2.05; p = 0.007), and an irregular tumor shape (HR, 2.57; p = 0.001) were correlated with recurrence. Multivariate analyses confirmed tumor volume (HR, 1.01; p = 0.032) and disruption of the arachnoid layer (HR, 2.44; p = 0.013) as risk factors for recurrence, independent of histology. Subgroup analyses revealed disruption of the arachnoid layer (HR, 9.41; p < 0.001) as a stronger risk factor for recurrence than high-grade histology (HR, 5.15; p = 0.001). Routine pMRI contains relevant information about the risk of recurrence or high-grade histology of meningioma patients. Loss of integrity of the arachnoid layer on MRI had a higher prognostic value than the WHO grading, and underlying histological or molecular alterations remain to be determined.

[Border areas of thrombectomy]. / Grenzbereiche der Thrombektomie.

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has become the standard procedure in the treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to occlusion of a large proximal cerebral artery of the anterior circulation. Nevertheless, according to the current guidelines large patient collectives are still excluded from this highly effective treatment method. Therefore, this article gives an overview of possible extensions of the indications for treatment with MT. For example, patients in the extended time window with distal occlusions, with large infarct cores and also for very old (90+ years) or young (0-17 years) patients. Furthermore, we discuss recent developments in the interventional treatment of stroke, such as new triage concepts or the question whether an additional intravenous thrombolysis is necessary in patients with MT. We conclude with our own estimations for the discussed indications for treatment based on our clinical experience and the current literature.

Effect of Pre- and In-Hospital Delay on Reperfusion in Acute Ischemic Stroke Mechanical Thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Post hoc analyses of randomized controlled clinical trials evaluating mechanical thrombectomy have suggested that admission-to-groin-puncture (ATG) delays are associated with reduced reperfusion rates. Purpose of this analysis was to validate this association in a real-world cohort and to find associated factors and confounders for prolonged ATG intervals. METHODS: Patients included into the BEYOND-SWIFT cohort (Bernese-European Registry for Ischemic Stroke Patients Treated Outside Current Guidelines With Neurothrombectomy Devices Using the Solitaire FR With the Intention for Thrombectomy; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03496064) were analyzed (n=2386). Association between baseline characteristics and ATG was evaluated using mixed linear regression analysis. The effect of increasing symptom-onset-to-admission and ATG intervals on successful reperfusion (defined as Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction [TICI] 2b-3) was evaluated using logistic regression analysis adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Median ATG was 73 minutes. Prolonged ATG intervals were associated with the use of magnetic resonance imaging (+19.1 [95% CI, +9.1 to +29.1] minutes), general anesthesia (+12.1 [95% CI, +3.7 to +20.4] minutes), and borderline indication criteria, such as lower National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, late presentations, or not meeting top-tier early time window eligibility criteria (+13.8 [95% CI, +6.1 to +21.6] minutes). There was a 13% relative odds reduction for TICI 2b-3 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.87 [95% CI, 0.79-0.96]) and TICI 2c/3 (aOR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.79-0.95]) per hour ATG delay, while the reduction of TICI 2b-3 per hour increase symptom-onset-to-admission was minor (aOR, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.94-0.99]) and inconsistent regarding TICI 2c/3 (aOR, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.97-1.02]). After adjusting for identified factors associated with prolonged ATG intervals, the association of ATG delay and lower rates of TICI 2b-3 remained tangible (aOR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.76-0.99]). CONCLUSIONS: There is a great potential to reduce ATG, and potential targets for improvement can be deduced from observational data. The association between in-hospital delay and reduced reperfusion rates is evident in real-world clinical data, underscoring the need to optimize in-hospital workflows. Given the only minor association between symptom-onset-to-admission intervals and reperfusion rates, the causal relationship of this association warrants further research. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT03496064.

Does Device Selection Impact Recanalization Rate and Neurological Outcome?: An Analysis of the Save ChildS Study.

Background and Purpose- The recent Save ChildS study provides multicenter evidence for the use of mechanical thrombectomy in children with large vessel occlusion arterial ischemic stroke. However, device selection for thrombectomy may influence rates of recanalization, complications, and neurological outcomes, especially in pediatric patients of different ages. We, therefore, performed additional analyses of the Save ChildS data to investigate a possible association of different thrombectomy techniques and devices with angiographic and clinical outcome parameters. Methods- The Save ChildS cohort study (January 2000-December 2018) analyzed data from 27 European and United States stroke centers and included all pediatric patients (<18 years), diagnosed with arterial ischemic stroke who underwent endovascular recanalization. Patients were grouped into first-line contact aspiration (A Direct Aspiration First Pass Technique [ADAPT]) and non-ADAPT groups as well as different stent retriever size groups. Associations with baseline characteristics, recanalization rates (modified Treatment in Cerebral Infarction), complication rates, and neurological outcome parameters (Pediatric National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale after 24 hours and 7 days; modified Rankin Scale and Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure at discharge, after 6 and 24 months) were investigated. Results- Seventy-three patients with a median age of 11.3 years were included. Currently available stent retrievers were used in 59 patients (80.8%), of which 4×20 mm (width×length) was the most frequently chosen size (36 patients =61%). A first-line ADAPT approach was used in 7 patients (9.6%), and 7 patients (9.6%) were treated with first-generation thrombectomy devices. In this study, a first-line ADAPT approach was neither associated with the rate of successful recanalization (ADAPT 85.7% versus 87.5% No ADAPT) nor with the complication rate or the neurological outcome. Moreover, there were no associations of stent retriever sizes with rates of recanalization, complication rates, or outcome parameters. Conclusions- Our study suggests that neurological outcomes are generally good regardless of any specific device selection and suggests that it is important to offer thrombectomy in eligible children regardless of technique or device selection. Registration- URL: https://www.drks.de/; Unique identifier: DRKS00016528.

Standards for Detecting, Interpreting, and Reporting Noncontrast Computed Tomographic Markers of Intracerebral Hemorrhage Expansion.

Significant hematoma expansion (HE) affects one-fifth of people within 24 hours after acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and its prevention is an appealing treatment target. Although the computed tomography (CT)-angiography spot sign predicts HE, only a minority of ICH patients receive contrast injection. Conversely, noncontrast CT (NCCT) is used to diagnose nearly all ICH, so NCCT markers represent a widely available alternative for prediction of HE. However, different NCCT signs describe similar features, with lack of consensus on the optimal image acquisition protocol, assessment, terminology, and diagnostic criteria. In this review, we propose practical guidelines for detecting, interpreting, and reporting NCCT predictors of HE. ANN NEUROL 2019;86:480-492.