General anesthesia or conscious sedation for endovascular therapy of basilar artery occlusions: ETIS registry results.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Acute basilar artery occlusions (BAO) are associated with poor outcome despite modern endovascular treatment (EVT). The best anesthetic management during EVT is not known and may affect the procedure and clinical outcome. We compared the efficacy and safety of general anesthesia (GA) and conscious sedation/local anesthesia (CS/LA) in a large cohort of stroke patients with BAO treated with EVT in current clinical practice. METHODS: Data from the ongoing prospective multicenter Endovascular Treatment In Ischemic Stroke Registry of consecutive acute BAO patients who had EVT indication from January 1st, 2015, to December 31st, 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. Two groups were compared: patients treated with CS/LA versus GA (both types of anesthesia being performed in the angiosuite). Good outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0-3 at 90 days. RESULTS: Among the 524 included patients, 266 had GA and 246 had CS/LA (67 LA). Fifty-three patients finally did not undergo EVT: 15 patients (5.9%) in the GA group and 38 patients (16.1%) in the CS/LA group (P < 0.001). After matching, two groups of 129 patients each were retained for primary analysis. The two groups were well balanced in terms of baseline characteristics. After adjustment, CS/LA compared to GA was not associated with good outcome (OR=0.90 [95%CI 0.46-1.77] P=0.769) or mortality (OR=0.75 [0.37-1.49] P=0.420) or modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score 2b-3 (OR=0.43 [0.16-1.16] P=0.098). On mixed ordinal logistic regression, the modality of anesthesia was not associated with any significant change in the overall distribution of the 90-day mRS (adjusted OR=1.08 [0.62-1.88] P=0.767). CONCLUSIONS: Safety, outcome and quality of EVT under either CS/LA or GA for stroke due to acute BAO appear similar. Further randomized trials are warranted.

Neurological improvement predicts clinical outcome after acute basilar artery stroke thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is the standard of care for patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion. Early neurological improvement (ENI), defined as a reduction of ≥ 8 on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) compared with baseline score, or an NIHSS score of 0 or 1 at 24 h after MT, is a strong predictor of 3-month favorable outcome in such patients. The impact of ENI after MT in stroke patients with basilar artery occlusion (BAO) on 3-month outcome is not clear. We aimed to study the effects of ENI in patients with BAO. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of a multicenter prospective cohort of all consecutive stroke patients with BAO who underwent MT. We compared clinical outcomes between BAO patient groups according to ENI status. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine the impact of ENI on favorable 90-day outcome (modified Rankin scale score 0-3) and to report factors contributing to ENI. RESULTS: A total of 237 patients were included. ENI was observed in 70 patients (30%). Outcomes were significantly better in ENI-positive patients, with 84% achieving favorable outcome (mRS score 0-3) at 3 months versus 30% for ENI-negative patients (P < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, ENI was an independent predictive factor associated with higher rates of favorable outcome {odds ratio (OR) 18.12 [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.95-83.10]; P = 0.0001}. Higher number of passes [OR 0.62 (95% CI 0.43-0.89); P = 0.010] and need for stenting [OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.07-0.95); P = 0.041] were negatively associated with ENI. CONCLUSION: Early neurological improvement on day 1 following MT for BAO is a strong independent predictor of a favorable 3-month clinical outcome.

Prognosis and risk factors associated with asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after endovascular treatment of large vessel occlusion stroke: a prospective multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (aICH) is a common occurrence after endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The aims of this study were to address its impact on 3-month functional outcome and to identify risk factors for aICH after EVT. METHODS: Patients with AIS attributable to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who underwent EVT were enrolled in a multicenter prospective registry. Based on imaging performed 22-36 h post-EVT, we included patients with no intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) or aICH. Poor outcome defined as a 3-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 4-6 and overall 3-month mRS score distribution were compared according to presence/absence of aICH, and aICH subtype using logistic regression. We assessed the risk factors of aICH using a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: Of the 1526 patients included in the study, 653 (42.7%) had aICH. Patients with aICH had a higher rate of poor outcome: odds ratio (OR) 1.88 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.44-2.44). Shift analysis of mRS score found a fully adjusted OR of 1.79 (95% CI 1.47-2.18). Hemorrhagic infarction (OR 1.63 [95% CI 1.22-2.18]) and parenchymal hematoma (OR 2.99 [95% CI 1.77-5.02]) were associated with higher risk of poor outcome. Male sex, diabetes, coronary artery disease, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score, number of passes and onset to groin puncture time were independently associated with aICH. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with aICH, irrespective of the radiological pattern, have a worse functional outcome at 3 months compared with those without ICH after EVT for AIS. The number of EVT passes and the time from onset to groin puncture are factors that could be modified to reduce deleterious ICH.

Early successful reperfusion after endovascular therapy reduces malignant middle cerebral artery infarction occurrence in young patients with large diffusion-weighted imaging lesions.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (MMI) is a severe complication of acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). The aim of our study was to assess whether successful reperfusion after endovascular therapy (EVT) in AIS with clinical and imaging predictors of MMI decreased its occurrence. METHODS: Data were collected between January 2014 and July 2018 in a monocentric prospective AIS registry of patients treated with EVT. Patients selected were <65 years old with severe anterior circulation AIS with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score >15, baseline Diffusion-Weighted Imaging-Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score ≤ 6 and baseline diffusion-weighted imaging lesion volume >82 mL within 6 h of symptom onset. Successful reperfusion was defined as a Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia score ≥ 2b. Occurrence of MMI was the primary endpoint. RESULTS: A total of 66 EVT-treated patients were included in our study. MMI occurred in 27 patients (41%). In unadjusted analysis, successful reperfusion was associated with fewer MMIs (31.8% vs. 65.0%; P = 0.015) and with more favorable outcome at 3 months (50% vs. 20%; P = 0.023). In multivariate analysis, successful reperfusion was associated with an adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) of 0.35 (0.10-1.12) for MMI and 2.77 (0.84-10.43) for 3-month favorable outcome occurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Early successful reperfusion performed in patients with AIS with clinical and imaging predictors of MMI was associated with decreased MMI occurrence. Reperfusion status might be considered in evaluating the need for craniectomy in patients with early predictors of MMI.

Hypoperfusion intensity ratio correlates with angiographic collaterals in acute ischaemic stroke with M1 occlusion.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Among patients with an acute ischaemic stroke secondary to large-vessel occlusion, the hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR) [time to maximum (TMax) > 10 volume/TMax > 6 volume] is a strong predictor of infarct growth. We studied the correlation between HIR and collaterals assessed with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) before thrombectomy. METHODS: Between January 2014 and March 2018, consecutive patients with an acute ischaemic stroke and an M1 middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion who underwent perfusion imaging and endovascular treatment at our center were screened. Ischaemic core (mL), HIR and perfusion mismatch (TMax > 6 s minus core volume) were assessed through magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography perfusion. Collaterals were assessed on pre-intervention DSA using the American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology (ASITN/SIR) scale. Baseline clinical and perfusion characteristics were compared between patients with good (ASITN/SIR score 3-4) and those with poor (ASITN/SIR score 0-2) DSA collaterals. Correlation between HIR and ASITN/SIR scores was evaluated using Pearson's correlation. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine the optimal HIR threshold for the prediction of good DSA collaterals. RESULTS: A total of 98 patients were included; 49% (48/98) had good DSA collaterals and these patients had significantly smaller hypoperfusion volumes (TMax > 6 s, 89 vs. 125 mL; P = 0.007) and perfusion mismatch volumes (72 vs. 89 mL; P = 0.016). HIR was significantly correlated with DSA collaterals (-0.327; 95% confidence interval, -0.494 to -0.138; P = 0.01). An HIR cut-off of <0.4 best predicted good DSA collaterals with an odds ratio of 4.3 (95% confidence interval, 1.8-10.1) (sensitivity, 0.792; specificity, 0.560; area under curve, 0.708). CONCLUSION: The HIR is a robust indicator of angiographic collaterals and might be used as a surrogate of collateral assessment in patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging. HIR <0.4 best predicted good DSA collaterals.

Improved detection and characterization of arterial occlusion in acute ischemic stroke using contrast enhanced MRA.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy and utility of contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) (CEMRA) to Time of Flight MRA (TOF MRA) during detection and evaluation of occlusions on patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). METHODS: This single-center study was approved by our local institutional research ethics board. From August 2014 to July 2016, 131 consecutive adult patients with confirmed AIS were included. Detection of an arterial occlusion and its characterization were evaluated independently with CEMRA or TOF MRA by two blinded neuroradiologists, then by consensus using all available MR sequences. A Cohen's Kappa coefficient (κ) and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to compare the two techniques. RESULTS: There was substantial concordance in the detection of arterial occlusion between CEMRA and TOF MRA (κ = 0.75). TOF MRA was more likely to show an arterial occlusion than CEMRA (63 versus 52 patients respectively). There were 13 and 1 false positive arterial occlusion with TOF MRA and CEMRA respectively, and 1 false negative with TOF MRA. There was excellent concordance between the location of arterial occlusions and CEMRA and TOF MRA [κ = 0.89 (0.72-0.97)]. CEMRA was significantly more likely to allow measurement of the thrombus than was TOF MRA [38 (75%) versus 14 (22%)] (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that CEMRA imaging detected arterial occlusions better than TOF MRA in AIS patients and more precisely such that thrombus length and location could be known, which improves the patient's management and care.

Hemorrhagic transformation after stroke: inter- and intrarater agreement.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a complication of stroke that can occur spontaneously or after treatment. We aimed to assess the inter- and intrarater reliability of HT diagnosis. METHODS: Studies assessing the reliability of the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study (ECASS) classification of HT or of the presence (yes/no) of HT were systematically reviewed. A total of 18 raters independently examined 30 post-thrombectomy computed tomography scans selected from the Aspiration versus STEnt-Retriever (ASTER) trial. They were asked whether there was HT (yes/no), what the ECASS classification of the particular scan (0/HI1/HI2/PH1/PH2) (HI indicates hemorrhagic infarctions and PH indicates parenchymal hematomas) was and whether they would prescribe an antiplatelet agent if it was otherwise indicated. Agreement was measured with Fleiss' and Cohen's κ statistics. RESULTS: The systematic review yielded four studies involving few (≤3) raters with heterogeneous results. In our 18-rater study, agreement for the presence of HT was moderate [κ = 0.55; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.41-0.68]. Agreement for ECASS classification was only fair for all five categories, but agreement improved to substantial (κ = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.69-0.75) after dichotomizing the ECASS classification into 0/HI1/HI2/PH1 versus PH2. The inter-rater agreement for the decision to reintroduce antiplatelet therapy was moderate for all raters, but substantial among vascular neurologists (κ = 0.70; 95% CI, 0.57-0.84). CONCLUSION: The ECASS classification may involve too many categories and the diagnosis of HT may not be easily replicable, except in the presence of a large parenchymal hematoma.

Intravenous thrombolysis and thrombectomy decisions in acute ischemic stroke: An interrater and intrarater agreement study.

PURPOSE: We aimed to assess agreement on intravenous tissue-plasminogen activator (IV tPA) and mechanical thrombectomy (MT) management decisions in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. Secondary objectives were to assess agreement on Diffusion-Weighted-Imaging-Alberta-Stroke-Program-EArly-CT-Score (DWI-ASPECTS), and clinicians' willingness to recruit patients in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing medical management with or without MT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Studies assessing agreement of IV tPA and MT were systematically reviewed. An electronic portfolio of 41 AIS patients was sent to randomly selected providers at French stroke centers. Raters were asked 4 questions for each case: (1) What is the DWI-ASPECTS? (2) Would you perform IV tPA? (3) Would you perform MT? (4) Would you include the patient in a RCT comparing standard medical therapy with or without MT? Twenty responders were randomly selected to study intrarater agreement. Agreement was assessed using Fleiss' Kappa statistics. RESULTS: The review yielded two single center studies involving 2-5 raters, with various results. The electronic survey was answered by 86 physicians (60 vascular neurologists and 26 interventional neuroradiologists). The interrater agreement was moderate for IV tPA treatment decisions (κ=0.565 [0.420-0.680]), but only fair for MT (κ=0.383 [0.289-0.491]) and for combined treatment decisions (κ=0.399 [0.320-0.486]). The intrarater agreement was at least substantial for the majority of raters. The interrater agreement for DWI-ASPECTS was fair (κ=0.325 [0.276-0.387]). Physicians were willing to include a mean of 14±9 patients (33.1%±21.7%) in a RCT. CONCLUSION: Disagreements regarding the use of IVtPA or MT in the management of AIS patients remain frequent. Further trials are needed to resolve the numerous areas of uncertainty.

Unknown-onset strokes with anterior circulation occlusion treated by thrombectomy after DWI-FLAIR mismatch selection.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The DAWN trial recently showed compelling evidence in treating late window and wake-up stroke patients with thrombectomy using a clinical-imaging mismatch. The aim was to evaluate the results of thrombectomy for unknown-onset strokes (UOS) treated in our centres after a diffusion weighted imaging/fluid attenuated inversion recovery (DWI-FLAIR) mismatch based selection. METHODS: A multicentre, cohort study was performed of consecutive UOS treated by thrombectomy between 2012 and 2016. UOS with proximal anterior circulation occlusion discovered beyond 6 h from 'last seen normal' were compared with known-onset strokes (KOS) for whom thrombectomy was started within 6 h from onset. Time intervals were recorded from first time found abnormal. Results were adjusted for age, diabetes, hypertension, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, site of occlusion, DWI Alberta Stroke Programme Early CT Score, intravenous thrombolysis and use of general anaesthesia. RESULTS: Amongst 1246 strokes with anterior circulation occlusion treated by thrombectomy, 277 were UOS, with a 'last time seen well' beyond 6 h and DWI-FLAIR mismatch, and 865 were KOS who underwent groin puncture within 6 h. Favourable outcome was achieved less often in UOS than KOS patients (45.2% vs. 53.9%, P = 0.022). After pre-specified adjustment, this difference was not significant (adjusted relative risk 0.91; 95% confidence interval 0.80-1.04; P = 0.17). No differences were found in secondary outcomes. Time intervals from first found abnormal were significantly longer in UOS. CONCLUSION: Thrombectomy of UOS with anterior circulation occlusion and DWI-FLAIR mismatch appears to be as safe and efficient as thrombectomy of KOS within 6 h from onset. This pattern of imaging could be used for patient selection when time of onset is unknown.

Application of the DAWN clinical imaging mismatch and DEFUSE 3 selection criteria: benefit seems similar but restrictive volume cut-offs might omit potential responders.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An external validation of the selection criteria of diffusion-weighted imaging or computerized tomography perfusion assessment with clinical mismatch in the triage of wake-up and late-presenting strokes undergoing the Neurointervention with Trevo (DAWN) and the Endovascular Therapy Following Imaging Evaluation for Ischemic Stroke (DEFUSE3) trials was conducted in a cohort of unknown onset stroke (UOS) patients treated with thrombectomy. METHODS: A validation cohort of UOS patients was selected from a prospectively collected thrombectomy database to match the inclusion criteria of DAWN and DEFUSE 3. Patients with an initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) ≥10 were stratified according to the DAWN selection criteria. Patients ≤90 years old with an initial NIHSS ≥6 were stratified according to the DEFUSE 3 selection criteria. The proportions of patients with a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤2 at 3 months follow-up were compared between DAWN-eligible patients and the DAWN trial thrombectomy group, and between DEFUSE 3-eligible patients and the DEFUSE 3 trial thrombectomy group. RESULTS: Of the 60/102 (59%) DAWN-eligible patients, 26 patients (43%) reached a mRS ≤2 at 3 months follow-up [versus 52/107 patients (49%) in the DAWN trial thrombectomy group; P = 0.52]. Of the 100/117 (85%) DEFUSE 3-eligible patients, 48 patients (48%) reached a mRS ≤2 at 3 months follow-up [versus 41/92 patients (45%) in the DEFUSE 3 trial thrombectomy group; P = 0.67]. Of the DAWN-ineligible and DEFUSE 3-ineligible patients who underwent thrombectomy, 38% (16/42) and 41% (7/17) of patients reached a mRS ≤2, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of the DAWN and DEFUSE 3 trials were externally validated in a UOS cohort where the trials' selection criteria identified a similar proportion of responders to thrombectomy.

The Management of Persistent Distal Occlusions after Mechanical Thrombectomy and Thrombolysis: An Inter- and Intrarater Agreement Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The best management of patients with persistent distal occlusion after mechanical thrombectomy with or without IV thrombolysis remains unknown. We sought to evaluate the variability and agreement in decision-making for persistent distal occlusions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A portfolio of 60 cases was sent to clinicians with varying backgrounds and experience. Responders were asked whether they considered conservative management or rescue therapy (stent retriever, aspiration, or intra-arterial thrombolytics) a treatment option as well as their willingness to enroll patients in a randomized trial. Agreement was assessed using κ statistics. RESULTS: The electronic survey was answered by 31 physicians (8 vascular neurologists and 23 interventional neuroradiologists). Decisions for rescue therapies were more frequent (n = 1116/1860, 60%) than for conservative management (n = 744/1860, 40%; P < .001). Interrater agreement regarding the final management decision was "slight" (κ = 0.12; 95% CI, 0.09-0.14) and did not improve when subgroups of clinicians were studied according to background, experience, and specialty or when cases were grouped according to the level of occlusion. On delayed re-questioning, 23 of 29 respondents (79.3%) disagreed with themselves on at least 20% of cases. Respondents were willing to offer trial participation in 1295 of 1860 (69.6%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals did not agree regarding the best management of patients with persistent distal occlusion after mechanical thrombectomy and IV thrombolysis. There is sufficient uncertainty to justify a dedicated randomized trial.

Automated Aortic Anatomy Analysis: from Image to Clinical Indicators.

Most cerebrovascular diseases (including strokes and aneurysms) are treated endovascularly with catheters that are navigated from the groin through the vessels to the brain. Many patients have complex anatomy of the aortic arch and supra-aortic vessels, which can make it difficult to select the best catheters for navigation, resulting in longer procedures and more complications or failures. To this end, we propose a framework dedicated to the analysis of the aortic arch and supra-aortic trunks. This framework can automatically compute anatomical and geometrical features from meshes segmented beforehand via CNN-based pipeline. These features such as arch type, tortuosity and angulations describe the navigational difficulties encountered during catheterization. Quantitative and qualitative validation was performed by experienced neuroradiologists, leading to reliable vessel characterization.Clinical relevance- This method allows clinicians to determine the type and the anatomy of the aortic arch and its supra-aortic trunks before endovascular procedures. This is essential in interventional neuroradiology, such as navigation with catheters in this complex area.

NCCT Markers of Intracerebral Hemorrhage Expansion Using Revised Criteria: An External Validation of Their Predictive Accuracy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Several NCCT expansion markers have been proposed to improve the prediction of hematoma expansion. We retrospectively evaluated the predictive accuracy of 9 expansion markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients admitted for intracerebral hemorrhage within 24 hours of last seen well were retrospectively included from April 2016 to April 2020. The primary outcome was revised hematoma expansion, defined as any of a ≥6-mL or ≥33% increase in intracerebral hemorrhage volume, a ≥ 1-mL increase in intraventricular hemorrhage volume, or de novo intraventricular hemorrhage. We assessed the predictive accuracy of expansion markers and determined their association with revised hematoma expansion. RESULTS: We included 124 patients, of whom 51 (41%) developed revised hematoma expansion. The sensitivity of each marker for the prediction of revised hematoma expansion ranged from 4% to 78%; the specificity, 37%-97%; the positive likelihood ratio, 0.41-7.16; and the negative likelihood ratio, 0.49-1.06. By means of univariable logistic regressions, 5 markers were significantly associated with revised hematoma expansion: black hole (OR = 8.66; 95% CI, 2.15-58.14; P = .007), hypodensity (OR = 3.18; 95% CI, 1.49-6.93; P = .003), blend (OR = 2.90; 95% CI, 1.08-8.38; P = .04), satellite (OR = 2.84; 95% CI, 1.29-6.61; P = .01), and Barras shape (OR = 2.41, 95% CI; 1.17-5.10; P = .02). In multivariable models, only the black hole marker remained independently associated with revised hematoma expansion (adjusted OR = 5.62; 95% CI, 1.23-40.23; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: No single NCCT expansion marker had both high sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of revised hematoma expansion. Improved image-based analysis is needed to tackle limitations associated with current NCCT-based expansion markers.

Stent-Assisted Coiling in the Treatment of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stent-assisted coiling may improve angiographic results of endovascular treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms compared with coiling alone, but this has never been shown in a randomized trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Stenting in the Treatment of Aneurysm Trial was an investigator-led, parallel, randomized (1:1) trial conducted in 4 university hospitals. Patients with intracranial aneurysms at risk of recurrence, defined as large aneurysms (≥10 mm), postcoiling recurrent aneurysms, or small aneurysms with a wide neck (≥4 mm), were randomly allocated to stent-assisted coiling or coiling alone. The composite primary efficacy outcome was "treatment failure," defined as initial failure to treat the aneurysm; aneurysm rupture or retreatment during follow-up; death or dependency (mRS > 2); or an angiographic residual aneurysm adjudicated by an independent core laboratory at 12 months. The primary hypothesis (revised for slow accrual) was that stent-assisted coiling would decrease treatment failures from 33% to 15%, requiring 200 patients. Primary analyses were intent to treat. RESULTS: Of 205 patients recruited between 2011 and 2021, ninety-four were allocated to stent-assisted coiling and 111 to coiling alone. The primary outcome, ascertainable in 203 patients, was reached in 28/93 patients allocated to stent-assisted coiling (30.1%; 95% CI, 21.2%-40.6%) compared with 30/110 (27.3%; 95% CI, 19.4%-36.7%) allocated to coiling alone (relative risk = 1.10; 95% CI, 0.7-1.7; P = .66). Poor clinical outcomes (mRS >2) occurred in 8/94 patients allocated to stent-assisted coiling (8.5%; 95% CI, 4.0%-16.6%) compared with 6/111 (5.4%; 95% CI, 2.2%-11.9%) allocated to coiling alone (relative risk = 1.6; 95% CI, 0.6%-4.4%; P = .38). CONCLUSIONS: The STAT trial did not show stent-assisted coiling to be superior to coiling alone for wide-neck, large, or recurrent unruptured aneurysms.

Parent Artery Straightening after Flow-Diverter Stenting Improves the Odds of Aneurysm Occlusion.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracranial stents for the treatment of aneurysms can be responsible for parent artery straightening, a phenomenon with potential consequences for aneurysmal occlusion. We aimed to evaluate parent artery straightening following flow-diverter stent placement in patients with intracranial aneurysms and explored the association between parent artery straightening and subsequent aneurysm occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients treated with flow-diverter stents for anterior circulation aneurysms located downstream from the carotid siphon between January 2009 and January 2018 were screened for inclusion. Parent artery straightening was defined as the difference (α-ß) in the parent artery angle at the neck level before (α angle) and after flow-diverter stent deployment (ß angle). We analyzed the procedural and imaging factors associated with parent artery straightening and the associations between parent artery straightening and aneurysmal occlusion. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients met the inclusion criteria (n = 64/95 women, 67.4%; mean age, 54.1 [SD, 11.2] years) with 97 flow-diverter stents deployed for 99 aneurysms. Aneurysms were predominantly located at the MCA bifurcation (n = 44/95, 44.4%). Parent artery straightening was found to be more pronounced in patients treated with cobalt chromium stents than with nitinol stents (P = .02). In multivariate analysis, parent artery straightening (P = .04) was independently associated with aneurysm occlusion after flow-diverter stent deployment. CONCLUSIONS: The use of flow-diverter stents for distal aneurysms induces a measurable parent artery straightening, which is associated with higher occlusion rates. Parent artery straightening, in our sample, appeared to be more prominent with cobalt chromium stents than with nitinol stents. This work highlights the necessary trade-off between navigability and parent artery straightening and may help tailor the selection of flow-diverter stents to aneurysms and parent artery characteristics.

Surgical or Endovascular Treatment of MCA Aneurysms: An Agreement Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: MCA aneurysms are still commonly clipped surgically despite the recent development of a number of endovascular tools and techniques. We measured clinical uncertainty by studying the reliability of decisions made for patients with middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A portfolio of 60 MCA aneurysms was presented to surgical and endovascular specialists who were asked whether they considered surgery or endovascular treatment to be an option, whether they would consider recruitment of the patient in a randomized trial, and whether they would provide their final management recommendation. Agreement was studied using κ statistics. Intrarater reliability was assessed with the same, permuted portfolio of cases of MCA aneurysm sent to the same specialists 1 month later. RESULTS: Surgical management was the preferred option for neurosurgeons (n = 844/1320; [64%] responses/22 raters), while endovascular treatment was more commonly chosen by interventional neuroradiologists (1149/1500 [76.6%] responses/25 raters). Interrater agreement was only "slight" for all cases and all judges (κ = 0.094; 95% CI, 0.068-0.130). Agreement was no better within specialties or with more experience. On delayed requestioning, 11 of 35 raters (31%) disagreed with themselves on at least 20% of cases. Surgical management and endovascular treatment were always judged to be a treatment option, for all patients. Trial participation was offered to patients 65% of the time. CONCLUSIONS: Individual clinicians did not agree regarding the best management of patients with MCA aneurysms. A randomized trial comparing endovascular with surgical management of patients with MCA aneurysms is in order.

Unruptured aneurysms: Why observational studies fall short no matter how "Big" the Data.

BACKGROUND: The best management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) remains unknown, despite multiple observational studies. A randomized trial (RCT) is in order. Yet, a National Institute Neurological Disorders and Stroke workshop has once again proposed to use prospective observational studies (POS) of large databases to address such problems. METHODS: We review the historical misconceptions that have been associated with observations of UIAs and their treatments. We critically examine some recent methods that have been proposed to address shortcomings of observational studies. We finally review the ethical principles underlying the use of trial methods in the care of patients. RESULTS: Replacing RCTs with POS submits patients to management options that have never been proven beneficial, while making them involuntary research subjects of studies that are inevitably biased. A science of practice cannot be an outsider's examination of the behavior of clinicians incapable of questioning their practice. The thesis we propose is that a science of practice must not only eventually determine what best practice will be; It must engage agents involved in medical practice to transparently reveal the uncertainty that calls for management options to be offered under the guidance of declared and controlled care research, to optimize patient outcomes in spite of the uncertainty. CONCLUSION: To use POS rather than RCTs in medical practice is to renege on scientific and ethical principles that characterize modern medicine. Instead, we must learn to integrate care research into our practice to provide optimal medical care in real time.

Delayed Contrast-Enhanced MR Angiography for the Assessment of Internal Carotid Bulb Patency in the Context of Acute Ischemic Stroke: An Accuracy, Interrater, and Intrarater Agreement Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: CTA has shown limited accuracy and reliability in distinguishing tandem occlusions and pseudo-occlusions on initial acute stroke imaging. The utility of early and delayed contrast-enhanced MRA in this setting is unknown. We aimed to assess the accuracy and reliability of early and delayed contrast-enhanced MRA for carotid bulb patency in patients with acute ischemic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients who had ICA occlusion and underwent thrombectomy with preprocedural early and delayed contrast-enhanced MRA in a single comprehensive stroke center. During 2 sessions, 10 raters independently assessed 32 cases with early contrast-enhanced MRA (with an additional delayed contrast-enhanced MRA sequence during the second reading session). Their judgments were compared with DSA as a reference standard. Accuracy and interrater agreement were measured. Five raters undertook a third reading session to assess intrarater agreement. RESULTS: Accuracy for the assessment of carotid bulb patency with early contrast-enhanced MRA was limited (69%; 95% CI, 59%-79%), with moderate interrater agreement (κ = 0.42; 95% CI, 0.27-0.55). The second reading with an additional delayed contrast-enhanced MRA sequence improved both accuracy (82%; 95% CI, 73%-91%; P < .001) (raters corrected 43%-77% of incorrect diagnoses with early contrast-enhanced MRA alone; mean = 59%) and interrater agreement (κ = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.41-0.73; P = .07). Intrarater agreement was almost perfect, substantial, and moderate for 3, 1, and 1 raters. CONCLUSIONS: Early contrast-enhanced MRA has limited accuracy and repeatability for the evaluation of carotid bulb patency in acute ischemic stroke. The additional delayed contrast-enhanced MRA sequence may improve accuracy and reliability.