Arterial Recanalization During Interhospital Transfer for Thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute ischemic stroke harboring a large vessel occlusion admitted to nonendovascular-capable centers often require interhospital transfer for thrombectomy. We evaluated the incidence and predictors of arterial recanalization during transfer, as well as the relationship between interhospital recanalization and clinical outcomes. METHODS: We analyzed data from 2 cohorts of patients with an anterior circulation large vessel occlusion transferred for consideration of thrombectomy to a comprehensive center, with arterial imaging at the referring hospital and on comprehensive stroke center arrival. Interhospital recanalization was determined by comparison of the baseline and posttransfer arterial imaging and was defined as revised arterial occlusive lesion (rAOL) score 2b to 3. Pretransfer variables independently associated with interhospital recanalization were studied using multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 520 included patients (Montpellier, France, n=237; Stanford, United States, n=283), 111 (21%) experienced interhospital recanalization (partial [rAOL=2b] in 77% and complete [rAOL=3] in 23%). Pretransfer variables independently associated with recanalization were intravenous thrombolysis (adjusted odds ratio, 6.8 [95% CI, 4.0-11.6]), more distal occlusions (intracranial carotid occlusion as reference: adjusted odds ratio, 2.0 [95% CI, 0.9-4.5] for proximal first segment of the middle cerebral artery, 5.1 [95% CI, 2.3-11.5] for distal first segment of the middle cerebral artery, and 5.0 [95% CI, 2.1-11.8] for second segment of the middle cerebral artery), and smaller clot burden (clot burden score 0-4 as reference: adjusted odds ratio, 3.4 [95% CI, 1.5-7.6] for 5-7 and 5.6 [95% CI, 2.4-12.7] for 8-9). Recanalization on arrival at the comprehensive center was associated with less interhospital infarct growth (rAOL, 0-2a: 11.6 mL; rAOL, 2b: 2.2 mL; rAOL, 3: 0.6 mL; Ptrend<0.001) and greater interhospital National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score improvement (0 versus -5 versus -6; Ptrend<0.001). Interhospital recanalization was associated with reduced 3-month disability (adjusted common odds ratio, 2.51 [95% CI, 1.68-3.77]) with greater benefit from complete than partial recanalization. CONCLUSIONS: Recanalization is frequently observed during interhospital transfer for thrombectomy and is strongly associated with favorable outcomes, even when partial. Broadening thrombolysis indications in primary centers, and developing therapies that increase recanalization during transfer, will likely improve clinical outcomes.

Management of patients with diffusion-weighted imaging-negative acute ischemic stroke: Retrospective analysis of 47 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: Few studies with a limited number of patients focused on the outcomes of patients with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)-negative acute ischemic stroke (AIS) after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and/or endovascular treatment (EVT). METHODS: This retrospective observational, single-center study included all consecutive patients admitted for AIS involving the anterior circulation and treated with IVT and/or EVT between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2023. The collected data were used to identify the characteristics of patients with negative DWI and to compare outcomes in patients with negative and positive DWI. RESULTS: Among the 1210 patients included, 47 (3.9 %) had negative (DWI-negative group) and 1163 had increased DWI signal (DWI-positive group). In the DWI-negative group, the mean age was 69 years (SD=19.4), 55.3 % were men, and 27 (57.4 %) had a large vessel occlusion. Thirty eight (80.9 %) were treated with IVT alone, 7 (14.9 %) with EVT alone, and 2 (4.3 %) with both. Fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences were the most sensitive to detect predictive factors of cerebral ischemia, such as vessel thrombosis and the spaghetti sign that were found in 68.1 % and 83 %, of patients, respectively. Oxyhemoglobin-sensitive (T2*) and susceptibility-weighted angiography (SWAN) sequences were less sensitive: vessel thrombosis and the brush sign were detected in 55.3 % and 19.1 % of patients, respectively. Comparison of the two DWI groups showed that M2 occlusion was more frequent (31.9 % vs 13 %, p<0.001) and M1 occlusion rarer (19.1 % vs 36 %, p<0.02) in the DWI-negative than DWI-positive group. At admission, the median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was lower in the DWI-negative than DWI-positive group (2 vs 6, p=0.0001), but the median symptom onset-to-MRI time was similar in both groups (108 vs 111 min, p=0.88). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with DWI-negative AIS, symptoms are less severe. Large vessel occlusions, notably in the M2 segment, are more distal at the expense of the M1 segment of MCA. The spaghetti sign remains the most predictive feature of AIS that should be specifically searched in the absence of DWI lesions.

Endovascular Therapy or Medical Management Alone for Isolated Posterior Cerebral Artery Occlusion: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Whether endovascular therapy (EVT) added on best medical management (BMM), as compared to BMM alone, is beneficial in acute ischemic stroke with isolated posterior cerebral artery occlusion is unknown. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter international observational study of consecutive stroke patients admitted within 6 hours from symptoms onset in 26 stroke centers with isolated occlusion of the first (P1) or second (P2) segment of the posterior cerebral artery and treated either with BMM+EVT or BMM alone. Propensity score with inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to account for baseline between-groups differences. The primary outcome was 3-month good functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score 0-2 or return to baseline modified Rankin Scale). Secondary outcomes were 3-month excellent recovery (modified Rankin Scale score 0-1), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and early neurological deterioration. RESULTS: Overall, 752 patients were included (167 and 585 patients in the BMM+EVT and BMM alone groups, respectively). Median age was 74 (interquartile range, 63-82) years, 329 (44%) patients were female, median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 6 (interquartile range 4-10), and occlusion site was P1 in 188 (25%) and P2 in 564 (75%) patients. Baseline clinical and radiological data were similar between the 2 groups following propensity score weighting. EVT was associated with a trend towards lower odds of good functional outcome (odds ratio, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.66-1.01]; P=0.06) and was not associated with excellent functional outcome (odds ratio, 1.17 [95% CI, 0.95-1.43]; P=0.15). EVT was associated with a higher risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (odds ratio, 2.51 [95% CI, 1.35-4.67]; P=0.004) and early neurological deterioration (odds ratio, 2.51 [95% CI, 1.64-3.84]; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this observational study of patients with proximal posterior cerebral artery occlusion, EVT was not associated with good or excellent functional outcome as compared to BMM alone. However, EVT was associated with higher rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and early neurological deterioration. EVT should not be routinely recommended in this population, but randomization into a clinical trial is highly warranted.

Should Patients With Acute Minor Ischemic Stroke With Isolated Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion Be Thrombolysed?

BACKGROUND: We recently reported a worrying 30% rate of early neurological deterioration (END) occurring within 24 hours following intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in minor stroke with isolated internal carotid artery occlusion (ie, without additional intracranial occlusion), mainly due to artery-to-artery embolism. Here, we hypothesize that in this setting IVT-as compared to no-IVT-may foster END, in particular by favoring artery-to-artery embolism from thrombus fragmentation. METHODS: From a large multicenter retrospective database, we compared minor stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score <6) isolated internal carotid artery occlusion patients treated within 4.5 hours of symptoms onset with either IVT or antithrombotic therapy between 2006 and 2020 (inclusion date varied among centers). Primary outcome was END within 24 hours (≥4 National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale points increase within 24 hours), and secondary outcomes were END within 7 days (END7d) and 3-month modified Rankin Scale score 0 to 1. RESULTS: Overall, 189 patients were included (IVT=95; antithrombotics=94 [antiplatelets, n=58, anticoagulants, n=36]) from 34 centers. END within 24 hours and END7d occurred in 46 (24%) and 60 (32%) patients, respectively. Baseline clinical and radiological variables were similar between the 2 groups, except significantly higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (median 3 versus 2) and shorter onset-to-imaging (124 versus 149min) in the IVT group. END within 24 hours was more frequent following IVT (33% versus 16%, adjusted hazard ratio, 2.01 [95% CI, 1.07-3.92]; P=0.03), driven by higher odds of artery-to-artery embolism (20% versus 9%, P=0.09). However, END7d and 3-month modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 1 did not significantly differ between the 2 groups (END7d: adjusted hazard ratio, 1.29 [95% CI, 0.75-2.23]; P=0.37; modified Rankin Scale score of 0-1: adjusted odds ratio, 1.1 [95% CI, 0.6-2.2]; P=0.71). END7d occurred earlier in the IVT group: median imaging-to-END 2.6 hours (interquartile range, 1.9-10.1) versus 20.4 hours (interquartile range, 7.8-34.4), respectively, P<0.01. CONCLUSIONS: In our population of minor strokes with iICAO, although END rate at 7 days and 3-month outcome were similar between the 2 groups, END-particularly END due to artery-to-artery embolism-occurred earlier following IVT. Prospective studies are warranted to further clarify the benefit/risk profile of IVT in this population.

Predictive value of DWI posterior-circulation lesion volume for 90-day clinical outcome after endovascular treatment of acute basilar artery occlusion: a retrospective single-center study.

PURPOSE: The relationship between posterior-circulation lesion volume (PCLV) and clinical outcomes is poorly investigated. We aimed to analyze, in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (ABAO), if pre-endovascular treatment (EVT) PCLV was a predictor of outcomes. METHODS: We analyzed consecutive MRI selected, endovascularly treated ABAO patients. Baseline PCLV was measured in milliliters on apparent diffusion-coefficient map reconstruction. Univariable and multivariable logistic models were used to test if PCLV was a predictor of 90-day outcomes. After the received operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the optimal cut-off was determined to evaluate the prognostic value of PCLV. RESULTS: A total of 110 ABAO patients were included. The median PCLV was 4.4 ml (interquartile range, 1.3-21.2 ml). Successful reperfusion was achieved in 81.8% of cases after EVT. At 90 days, 31.8% of patients had a modified Rankin scale ≤ 2, and the mortality rate was 40.9%. PCLV was an independent predictor of functional independence and mortality (odds ratio [OR]:0.57, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.34-0.93 and 1.84, 95% CI, 1.23-2.76, respectively). The ROC analysis showed that a baseline PCLV ≤ 8.7 ml was the optimal cut-off to predict the 90-day functional independence (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.68, 95% CI, 0.57-0.79, sensitivity 88.6%, and specificity 49.3%). In addition, a PCLV ≥ 9.1 ml was the optimal cut-off for the prediction of 90-day mortality (AUC = 0.71, 95% CI, 0.61-0.82, sensitivity 80%, and specificity 60%). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-treatment PCLV was an independent predictor of 90-day outcomes in ABAO. A PCLV ≤ 8.7 and ≥ 9.1 ml may identify patients with a higher possibility to achieve independence and a higher risk of death at 90 days, respectively.

Intended Bridging Therapy or Intravenous Thrombolysis Alone in Minor Stroke With Basilar Artery Occlusion.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Whether bridging therapy (intravenous thrombolysis [IVT] followed by mechanical thrombectomy) is superior to IVT alone in minor stroke with basilar artery occlusion remains uncertain. METHODS: Multicentric retrospective observational study of consecutive minor stroke patients (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≤5) with basilar artery occlusion intended for IVT alone or bridging therapy. Propensity-score weighting was used to reduce baseline between-groups differences, and residual imbalance was addressed through adjusted logistic regression, with excellent outcome (3-month modified Rankin Scale score 0-1) as the dependent variable. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients were included (28 and 29 in the bridging therapy and IVT alone groups, respectively). Following propensity-score weighting, the distribution of baseline clinical and radiological variables was similar across the 2 patient groups, except age, posterior circulation Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, history of hypertension and smoking, and onset-to-IVT time. Compared with IVT alone, bridging therapy was associated with excellent outcome (adjusted odds ratio=3.37 [95% CI, 1.13-10.03]; P=0.03). No patient experienced symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that bridging therapy may be superior to IVT alone in minor stroke with basilar artery occlusion.

Bridging Therapy or IV Thrombolysis in Minor Stroke with Large Vessel Occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: Whether bridging therapy (intravenous thrombolysis [IVT] followed by endovascular treatment) is superior to IVT alone in minor stroke with large vessel occlusion (LVO) is unknown. METHODS: Multicentric retrospective observational study including, in intention-to-treat, consecutive IVT-treated minor strokes (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] ≤ 5) with LVO, with or without additional mechanical thrombectomy. Propensity-score (inverse probability of treatment weighting) was used to reduce baseline between-groups differences. The primary outcome was excellent outcome, that is, modified Rankin score 0 to 1 at 3 months follow-up. RESULTS: Overall, 598 patients were included (214 and 384 in the bridging therapy and IVT groups, respectively). Following propensity-score weighting, the distribution of baseline clinical and radiological variables was similar across the two patient groups. Compared with IVT alone, bridging therapy was not associated with excellent outcome (odds ratio [OR] = 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.75-1.24; p = 0.76), but was associated with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR = 3.01; 95% CI = 1.77-5.11; p < 0.0001). Occlusion site was a strong modifier of the effect of bridging therapy on outcome (pinteraction < 0.0001), with bridging therapy associated with higher odds of excellent outcome in proximal M1 (OR = 3.26; 95% CI = 1.67-6.35; p = 0.0006) and distal M1 (OR = 1.69; 95% CI = 1.01-2.82; p = 0.04) occlusions, but with lower odds of excellent outcome for M2 (OR = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.38-0.75; p = 0.0003) occlusions. Bridging therapy was associated with higher rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in M2 occlusions only (OR = 4.40; 95% CI = 2.20-8.83; p < 0.0001). INTERPRETATION: Although overall outcomes were similar in intended bridging therapy as compared to intended IVT alone in minor strokes with LVO, our results suggest that intended bridging therapy may be beneficial in M1 occlusions, whereas the benefit-risk profile may favor IVT alone in M2 occlusions. ANN NEUROL 2020 ANN NEUROL 2020;88:160-169.

Patent foramen ovale closure in stroke patients with migraine in the CLOSE trial. The CLOSE-MIG study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The efficacy of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks remains controversial. METHODS: This was a planned sub-study in migraine patients enrolled in a randomized, clinical trial designed to assess the superiority of PFO closure plus antiplatelet therapy over antiplatelet therapy alone to prevent stroke recurrence in patients younger than 60 years with a PFO-associated cryptogenic ischaemic stroke. The main outcome was the mean annual number of migraine attacks in migraine patients with aura and in those without aura, as recorded at each follow-up visit by study neurologists. RESULTS: Of 473 patients randomized to PFO closure or antiplatelet therapy, 145 (mean age 41.9 years; women 58.6%) had migraine (75 with aura and 70 without aura). Sixty-seven patients were randomized to PFO closure and 78 to antiplatelet therapy. During a mean follow-up of about 5 years, there were no differences between antiplatelet-only and PFO closure groups in the mean annual number of migraine attacks, both in migraine patients with aura (9.2 [11.9] vs. 12.0 [19.1], p = 0.81) and in those without aura (12.1 [16.1] vs. 11.8 [18.4], p > 0.999). There were no differences between treatment groups regarding cessation of migraine attacks, migraine-related disability at 2 years and use of migraine-preventive drugs during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In young and middle-aged adults with PFO-associated cryptogenic stroke and migraine, PFO closure plus antiplatelet therapy did not reduce the mean annual number of migraine attacks compared to antiplatelet therapy alone, in migraine patients both with and without aura.

Patent Foramen Ovale Closure or Anticoagulation vs. Antiplatelets after Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Trials of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure to prevent recurrent stroke have been inconclusive. We investigated whether patients with cryptogenic stroke and echocardiographic features representing risk of stroke would benefit from PFO closure or anticoagulation, as compared with antiplatelet therapy. METHODS: In a multicenter, randomized, open-label trial, we assigned, in a 1:1:1 ratio, patients 16 to 60 years of age who had had a recent stroke attributed to PFO, with an associated atrial septal aneurysm or large interatrial shunt, to transcatheter PFO closure plus long-term antiplatelet therapy (PFO closure group), antiplatelet therapy alone (antiplatelet-only group), or oral anticoagulation (anticoagulation group) (randomization group 1). Patients with contraindications to anticoagulants or to PFO closure were randomly assigned to the alternative noncontraindicated treatment or to antiplatelet therapy (randomization groups 2 and 3). The primary outcome was occurrence of stroke. The comparison of PFO closure plus antiplatelet therapy with antiplatelet therapy alone was performed with combined data from randomization groups 1 and 2, and the comparison of oral anticoagulation with antiplatelet therapy alone was performed with combined data from randomization groups 1 and 3. RESULTS: A total of 663 patients underwent randomization and were followed for a mean (±SD) of 5.3±2.0 years. In the analysis of randomization groups 1 and 2, no stroke occurred among the 238 patients in the PFO closure group, whereas stroke occurred in 14 of the 235 patients in the antiplatelet-only group (hazard ratio, 0.03; 95% confidence interval, 0 to 0.26; P<0.001). Procedural complications from PFO closure occurred in 14 patients (5.9%). The rate of atrial fibrillation was higher in the PFO closure group than in the antiplatelet-only group (4.6% vs. 0.9%, P=0.02). The number of serious adverse events did not differ significantly between the treatment groups (P=0.56). In the analysis of randomization groups 1 and 3, stroke occurred in 3 of 187 patients assigned to oral anticoagulants and in 7 of 174 patients assigned to antiplatelet therapy alone. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients who had had a recent cryptogenic stroke attributed to PFO with an associated atrial septal aneurysm or large interatrial shunt, the rate of stroke recurrence was lower among those assigned to PFO closure combined with antiplatelet therapy than among those assigned to antiplatelet therapy alone. PFO closure was associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. (Funded by the French Ministry of Health; CLOSE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00562289 .).

Complications During Inter-Hospital Transfer of Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke for Endovascular Therapy.

Purpose: Few data are available on complications occurring during inter-hospital transfer from a primary stroke center (PSC) to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) for endovascular treatment (EVT) after large vessel occlusion (LVO). Therefore, we prospectively studied data from consecutive patients transferred from our PSC to the next CSC during 4 years to determine the incidence and risk factors of complications during transfer. Methods: This observational, single-center study included consecutive patients transferred from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018. During inter-hospital transfer, all medical incidents were systematically recorded. A new complete clinical examination was performed on arrival at the CSC. Results: Among the 253 patients transferred to the CSC during the study period, 68 (26.9%) had one or more complications. In 11 patients (4.3%) these were life-threatening and required emergency intervention by a physician. Baseline characteristics were not different between patients with and without complications, except for the LVO location. Specifically, basilar artery (BA) occlusion was strongly associated with complications during the transport (p < 0.0005). Conclusion: Complications occurred in 26.9% of patients during transfer. Only BA occlusion could predict complication during transfer. Future studies should identify variables to help stratifying patients at high and low risk of complications during transportation.

Which Patients Require Physician-Led Inter-Hospital Transport in View of Endovascular Therapy?

INTRODUCTION: The current guidelines advocate the implementation of stroke networks to organize endovascular treatment (ET) for patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO) after transfer from a Primary Stroke Centre (PSC) to a Comprehensive Stroke Centre (CSC). In France and in many other countries around the world, these transfers are carried out by a physician-led mobile medical team. However, with the recent broadening of ET indications, their availability is becoming more and more critical. Here, we retrospectively analysed data of patients transferred from a PSC to a CSC for potential ET to identify predictive factors of major complications (MC) at departure and during transport that absolutely require the presence of a physician during interhospital transfer. METHODS: This observational, single-centre study included patients with evidence of intracranial LVO transferred for ET from Perpignan to a 156 km-distant CSC between January 1, 2015 and -December 31, 2018. We compared 2 groups: MC group (patients who required emergency intervention by the medical team due to life-threatening complications, including need of mechanical ventilation at departure) and non-MC group (all other patients who experienced no or only minor complications that could be managed by the emergency paramedics alone). RESULTS: Among the 253 patients who were transferred to the CSC, 185 (73.1%) had no complication, 57 (22.6%) minor complications, and 11 (4.3%) had MC. In multivariate analysis, MC was associated with basilar artery (BA) occlusion (p < 0.0001), initial National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score >22 (p < 0.005), and history of atrial fibrillation (p < 0.04). Among the 168 patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), only 1 patient (0.6%) had MC due to an IVT-related adverse event during transfer. CONCLUSIONS: Physician-led inter-hospital transports are warranted for patients with BA occlusion, initial NIHSS score >22, or history of atrial fibrillation. For the other patients, transfer without a physician may be considered, even if treated with IVT.

A Regional Network Organization for Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Anterior Circulation; Timing, Safety, and Effectiveness.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in association with intravenous thrombolysis is recommended for treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), with large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the anterior circulation. Because MT is only available in comprehensive stroke centers (CSC), the challenge of stroke organization is to ensure equitable access to the fastest endovascular suite. Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of MT in patients initially managed in 1 CSC (mothership), compared with patients first managed in primary stroke center (PSC), and then transferred to the CSC for MT (drip-and-ship). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 179 consecutive patients (93 in the mothership group and 86 in the drip-and-ship group), with AIS secondary to LVO in the anterior cerebral circulation and a clinical-radiological mismatch (NIHSS ≥ 8 and DWI-ASPECT score ≥5), up to 6 hours after symptoms onset. We evaluated 3-month functional modified Rankin scale (mRS), periprocedural time management, mortality, and symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH). RESULTS: Despite significant longer process time in the drip-and-ship group, mRS ≤ 2 at 3 months (39.8% versus 44.1%, P = .562), Thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2b-3 (85% versus 78%, P = .256), and sICH (7.0% versus 9.7%, P = .515) were similar in both group regardless of baseline clinical or radiological characteristics. After multivariate logistic regression, the predictive factors for favorable outcome were age (odds ratio [OR] -5years= 1.32, P < .001), initial NIHSS (OR -5points = 1.59, P = .010), absence of diabetes (OR = 3.35, P = .075), and the delay magnetic resonance imagining-puncture (OR -30min = 1.16, P = .048). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed encouraging results from a regional protocol of MT comparing patients transferred from PSC or brought directly in CSC.

Mechanical Recanalization after Transfer from a Distant Primary Stroke Center: Effectiveness and Future Directions.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about the effectiveness of endovascular treatment (EVT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion (LVO) admitted to a primary stroke center (PSC). The aim of this study was to assess EVT effectiveness after transfer from a PSC to a distant (156 km apart; 1.5 hour by car) comprehensive stroke center (CSC), and to discuss perspectives to improve access to EVT, if indicated. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Analysis of the data collected in a 6-year prospective registry of patients admitted to a PSC for AIS due to LVO and selected for transfer to a distant CSC for EVT. The rate of transfer, futile transfer, EVT, reperfusion (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score ≥2b-3), and relevant time measures were determined. RESULTS: Among the 529 patients eligible, 278 (52.6%) were transferred and 153 received EVT (55% of transferred patients) followed by reperfusion in 115 (overall reperfusion rate: 21.7%). Median times (interquartile range) were: 90 minutes (76-110) for PSC-door-in to PSC-door-out, 88 minutes (65-104) for PSC-door-out to CSC-door-in, 262 minutes (239-316) for PSC-imaging to reperfusion, and 393 minutes (332-454) for symptom onset to reperfusion. At 3 months, rates of favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0-2) were not significantly different between patients eligible for EVT (42.4%), transferred patients (49.1%) and patients who underwent EVT (34.1%). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that transfer to a distant CSC is associated with reduced access to early EVT. These results argue in favor of on-site EVT at high volume PSCs that are distant from the CSC.

Target Door-to-Needle Time for Tissue Plasminogen Activator Treatment with Magnetic Resonance Imaging Screening Can Be Reduced to 45 min.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that the median door-to-needle (DTN) time for intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment can be reduced to 45 min in a primary stroke centre with MRI-based screening for acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). METHODS: From February 2015 to February 2017, the stroke unit of Perpignan general hospital, France, implemented a quality-improvement (QI) process. During this period, patients who received tPA within 4.5 h after AIS onset were included in the QI cohort. Their clinical characteristics and timing metrics were compared each semester and also with those of 135 consecutive patients with AIS treated by tPA during the 1-year pre-QI period (pre-QI cohort). RESULTS: In the QI cohort, 274 patients (92.5%) underwent MRI screening. While the demographic and baseline characteristics were not significantly different between cohorts, the median DTN time was significantly lower in the QI than in the pre-QI cohort (52 vs. 84 min; p < 0.00001). Within the QI cohort, the median DTN time for each semester decreased from 65 to 44 min (p < 0.00001) and the proportion of treated patients with a DTN time ≤45 min increased from 25 to 58.9% (p < 0.0001). Overall, DTN time improvement was associated with a better outcome at 3 months (patients with a modified Rankin Scale score between 0 and 2: 61.8% in the QI vs. 39.3% in the pre-QI cohort; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A QI process can reduce the DTN within 45 min with MRI as a screening tool.

Long-term follow-up study of endarterectomy versus angioplasty in patients with symptomatic severe carotid stenosis trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We aimed at comparing the long-term benefit-risk balance of carotid stenting versus endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis. METHODS: Long-term follow-up study of patients included in Endarterectomy Versus Angioplasty in Patients With Symptomatic Severe Carotid Stenosis (EVA-3S), a randomized, controlled trial of carotid stenting versus endarterectomy in 527 patients with recently symptomatic severe carotid stenosis, conducted in 30 centers in France. The main end point was a composite of any ipsilateral stroke after randomization or any procedural stroke or death. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 7.1 years (interquartile range, 5.1-8.8 years; maximum 12.4 years), the primary end point occurred in 30 patients in the stenting group compared with 18 patients in the endarterectomy group. Cumulative probabilities of this outcome were 11.0% (95% confidence interval, 7.9-15.2) versus 6.3% (4.0-9.8) in the endarterectomy group at the 5-year follow-up (hazard ratio, 1.85; 1.00-3.40; P=0.04) and 11.5% (8.2-15.9) versus 7.6% (4.9-11.8; hazard ratio, 1.70; 0.95-3.06; P=0.07) at the 10-year follow-up. No difference was observed between treatment groups in the rates of ipsilateral stroke beyond the procedural period, severe carotid restenosis (≥70%) or occlusion, death, myocardial infarction, and revascularization procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term benefit-risk balance of carotid stenting versus endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis favored endarterectomy, a difference driven by a lower risk of procedural stroke after endarterectomy. Both techniques were associated with low and similar long-term risks of recurrent ipsilateral stroke beyond the procedural period. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00190398.

Clinical change during inter-hospital transfer for thrombectomy: Incidence, associated factors, and relationship with outcome.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute ischemic stroke with a large vessel occlusion (LVO) admitted to non endovascular-capable centers often require inter-hospital transfer for thrombectomy. We aimed to describe the incidence of substantial clinical change during transfer, the factors associated with clinical change, and its relationship with 3-month outcome. METHODS: We analyzed data from two cohorts of acute stroke patients transferred for thrombectomy to a comprehensive center (Stanford, USA, November 2019 to January 2023; Montpellier, France, January 2015 to January 2017), regardless of whether thrombectomy was eventually attempted. Patients were included if they had evidence of an LVO at the referring hospital and had a National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score documented before and immediately after transfer. Inter-hospital clinical change was categorized as improvement (⩾4 points and ⩾25% decrease between the NIHSS score in the referring hospital and upon comprehensive center arrival), deterioration (⩾4 points and ⩾25% increase), or stability (neither improvement nor deterioration). The stable group was considered as the reference and was compared to the improvement or deterioration groups separately. RESULTS: A total of 504 patients were included, of whom 22% experienced inter-hospital improvement, 14% deterioration, and 64% were stable. Pre-transfer variables independently associated with clinical improvement were intravenous thrombolysis use, more distal occlusions, and lower serum glucose; variables associated with deterioration included more proximal occlusions and higher serum glucose. On post-transfer imaging, clinical improvement was associated with arterial recanalization and smaller infarct growth and deterioration with larger infarct growth. As compared to stable patients, those with clinical improvement had better 3-month functional outcome (adjusted common odds ratio (cOR) = 2.43; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.59-3.71; p < 0.001), while those with deterioration had worse outcome (adjusted cOR = 0.60; 95% CI = 0.37-0.98; p = 0.044). CONCLUSION: Substantial inter-hospital clinical changes are frequently observed in LVO-related ischemic strokes, with significant impact on functional outcome. There is a need to develop treatments that improves the clinical status during transfer. DATA ACCESS STATEMENT: The data that support the findings of this study are available upon reasonable request.

Becoming a thrombectomy-capable stroke center: Clinical and medico-economical effectiveness at the hospital level.

INTRODUCTION: Too few patients benefit from endovascular therapy (EVT) in large vessel occlusion acute stroke (LVOS), and various acute stroke care paradigms are currently investigated to reduce these inequalities in health access. We aimed to investigate whether newly set-up thrombectomy-capable stroke centers (TSC) offered a safe, effective and cost-effective procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This French retrospective study compared the outcomes of LVOS patients with an indication for EVT and treated at the Perpignan hospital before on-site thrombectomy was available (Primary stroke center), and after formation of local radiology team for neurointervention (TSC). Primary endpoints were 3-months functional outcomes, assessed by the modified Rankin scale. Various safety endpoints for ischemic and hemorragic procedural complications were assessed. We conducted a medico-economic analysis to estimate the cost-benefit of becoming a TSC for the hospital. RESULTS: The differences between 422 patients in the PSC and 266 in the TSC were adjusted by the means of weighted logistic regression. Patients treated in the TSC had higher odds of excellent functional outcome (aOR 1.77 [1.16-2.72], p = 0.008), with no significant differences in the rates of procedural complications. The TSC setting shortened onset-to-reperfusion times by 144 min (95% CI [131-155]; p < 0.0001), and was cost-effective after 21 treated LVOS patients. On-site thrombectomy saves 10.825€ per patient for the hospital. DISCUSSION: Our results demonstrate that the TSC setting improves functional outcomes and reduces intra-hospital costs in LVOS patients. TSCs could play a major public health role in acute stroke care and access to EVT.

Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy-Related Inflammation and Biopsy-Positive Primary Angiitis of the CNS: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation (CAA-RI) and biopsy-positive primary angiitis of the CNS (BP-PACNS) have overlapping clinicoradiologic presentations. It is unknown whether clinical and radiologic features can differentiate CAA-RI from BP-PACNS and whether both diseases have different relapse rates. The objectives of this study were to compare clinicoradiologic presentations and relapse rates in patients with CAA-RI vs BP-PACNS. METHODS: Patients with CAA-RI and BP-PACNS were enrolled from 2 retrospective multicenter cohorts. Patients with CAA-RI were biopsy-positive or met probable clinicoradiologic criteria. Patients with BP-PACNS had histopathologic confirmation of CNS angiitis, with no secondary etiology. A neuroradiologist read brain MRIs, blinded to the diagnosis of CAA-RI or BP-PACNS. Clinicoradiologic features were compared using univariable logistic regression models. Relapse rates were compared using a univariable Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard model, with death as a competing risk. RESULTS: This study enrolled 104 patients with CAA-RI (mean age 73 years, 48% female sex) and 52 patients with BP-PACNS (mean age 45 years, 48% female sex). Patients with CAA-RI more often had white matter hyperintense lesions meeting the probable CAA-RI criteria (93% vs 51%, p < 0.001), acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (15% vs 2%, p = 0.02), cortical superficial siderosis (27% vs 4%, p < 0.001), ≥1 lobar microbleed (94% vs 26%, p < 0.001), past intracerebral hemorrhage (17% vs 4%, p = 0.04), ≥21 visible centrum semiovale perivascular spaces (34% vs 4%, p < 0.01), and leptomeningeal enhancement (70% vs 27%, p < 0.001). Patients with BP-PACNS more often had headaches (56% vs 31%, p < 0.01), motor deficits (56% vs 36%, p = 0.02), and nonischemic parenchymal gadolinium enhancement (82% vs 16%, p < 0.001). The prevalence of acute ischemic lesions was 18% in CAA-RI and 22% in BP-PACNS (p = 0.57). The features with the highest specificity for CAA-RI were acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (98%), cortical superficial siderosis (96%), past intracerebral hemorrhage (96%), and ≥21 visible centrum semiovale perivascular spaces (96%). The probable CAA-RI criteria had a 71% sensitivity (95% CI 44%-90%) and 91% specificity (95% CI 79%-98%) in differentiating biopsy-positive CAA-RI from BP-PACNS. The rate of relapse in the first 2 years after remission was lower in CAA-RI than in BP-PACNS (hazard ratio 0.46, 95% CI 0.22-0.96, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Clinicoradiologic features differed between patients with CAA-RI and those with BP-PACNS. Specific markers for CAA-RI were hemorrhagic signs of subarachnoid involvement, past intracerebral hemorrhage, ≥21 visible centrum semiovale perivascular spaces, and the probable CAA-RI criteria. A biopsy remains necessary for diagnosis in some cases of CAA-RI. The rate of relapse in the first 2 years after disease remission was lower in CAA-RI than in BP-PACNS.

Symptomatic isolated internal carotid artery occlusion with initial medical management: a monocentric cohort.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic isolated carotid artery occlusions (ICAO) can lead to disability, recurrent stroke, and mortality, but natural history and best therapeutic management remain poorly known. The objective of this study was to describe our cohort of ICAO patients with an initial medical management. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study including consecutive patients admitted to our Comprehensive Stroke Center for ICAO within 24 h after stroke onset between January 2016 and September 2018. Patients with immediate endovascular therapy (EVT) were excluded. Medical treatment was based on anticoagulation (delayed by 24 h if intravenous thrombolysis was performed). 'Rescue' EVT was considered if first-week neurological deterioration (FWND) occurred. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were included, with a median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) of 3. Eleven patients (20%) had FWND during the first week, four benefited from rescue EVT. A mismatch volume > 40 cc on initial perfusion imaging and FLAIR vascular hyperintensities were associated with FWND (p = 0.007 and p = 0.009, respectively). Thirty-eight patients (69%) had a good outcome (modified Rankin Scale mRS 0-2) at 3 months, 36 (69%) had an excellent outcome (mRS 0-1). Seventeen patients (38%) had carotid patency on 3-month control imaging. Recurrences occurred in six (13%) of the survivors (mean follow-up: 13.6 months). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the prognosis of patients with acute ICAO was favorable with a medical strategy, albeit a substantial rate of FWND and recurrence. FWND was well predicted by a core-perfusion mismatch volume > 40 cc. Randomized controlled trials are necessary to assess the benefit of EVT in ICAO.

Usefulness of a single-parameter tool for the prediction of large vessel occlusion in acute stroke.

BACKGROUND: In acute stroke, large vessel occlusion (LVO) should be promptly identified to guide patient's transportation directly to comprehensive stroke centers (CSC) for mechanical thrombectomy (MT). In many cases, prehospital multi-parameter scores are used by trained emergency teams to identify patients with high probability of LVO. However, in several countries, the first aid organization without intervention of skilled staff precludes the on-site use of such scores. Here, we assessed the accuracy of LVO prediction using a single parameter (i.e. complete hemiplegia) obtained by bystander's telephone-based witnessing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This observational, single-center study included consecutive patients who underwent intravenous thrombolysis at the primary stroke center and/or were directly transferred to a CSC for MT, from January 1, 2015 to March 1, 2020. We defined two groups: patients with initial hemiplegia (no movement in one arm and leg and facial palsy) and patients without initial hemiplegia, on the basis of a bystander's witnessing. RESULTS: During the study time, 874 patients were included [mean age 73 years (SD 13.8), 56.7% men], 320 with initial hemiplegia and 554 without. The specificity of the hemiplegia criterion to predict LVO was 0.88, but its sensitivity was only 0.53. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the presence of hemiplegia as witnessed by a bystander can predict LVO with high specificity. This single criterion could be used for decision-making about direct transfer to CSC for MT when the absence of emergency skilled staff precludes the patient's on-site assessment, especially in regions distant from a CSC.