Trevo 3 Mm and/or AXS Catalyst 5 for the Treatment of Medium Distal Vessel Occlusion Stroke-results from the ASSIST Registry.

BACKGROUND: The effect of endovascular therapy (EVT) on the outcome of stroke patients with a medium distal vessel occlusion (MDVO) is unclear. We report the results of MDVO patients treated with the 3 mm Trevo stent retriever (SR) and/or the AXS Catalyst 5 distal access catheter. METHODS: Data was derived from a prospective, multicenter global registry (ASSIST registry) which enrolled patients treated with operator preferred EVT technique at 71 sites from January 2019 to January 2022. Three techniques were assessed: SR classic, direct aspiration, and a combined approach. Additional inclusion criteria were (a) EVT performed with the 3 mm Trevo SR and/or AXS Catalyst 5 distal access catheter on the first pass and (b) an occlusion of the M2 segment or M3 segment of the middle cerebral artery or the A1, A2 or A3 segment of the anterior cerebral artery. The primary outcome was achieving an expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (eTICI) score of 2c or 3 on the first pass, with the primary technique as adjudicated by core lab. The primary clinical outcome measure was a 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-2. RESULTS: A total of 155 patients (10.4% of the ASSIST population) were included. Most patients had an M2 occlusion (93.5%). First pass eTICI reperfusion was achieved in 43.1% of the patients. No modifying effect of the frontline technique was found. The rate of mRS 0-2 (overall 65.0%) did not significantly differ between groups. CONCLUSION: The data suggests that the Trevo 3 mm SR and/or the AXS Catalyst 5 may be an option to treat medium distal vessel occlusion, but more data is needed to demonstrate safety and efficacy in this patient cohort. Further improvements are needed regarding materials and techniques to improve reperfusion results in this patient cohort in the future.

Hemorrhagic transformation in acute ischemic stroke: hemorrhagic subtypes and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Few clinical studies perform detailed analyses of subtypes of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) used to treat acute ischemic stroke. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) is a formidable complication of MT and is widely used in clinical trials as a safety outcome. However, variable definitions of sICH are used across clinical studies. OBJECTIVE: To radiographically subcategorize post-MT ICH development within this large cohort and examine overlap with sICH. Second, to examine the agreement of this definition of sICH with local site-reported occurrences of sICH to see how sICH rates change with modifications of the definitions used. METHODS: A large cohort of patients treated with MT for acute ischemic stroke (n=1395) was analyzed to (1) radiographically characterize hemorrhagic subtypes of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) occurring after MT; (2) examine associations of hemorrhagic subtypes with sICH; and (3) compare core laboratory-adjudicated occurrences of sICH with site-reported sICH. RESULTS: The overall rate of ICH was 552/1395 patients (39.6%), and the overall rate of sICH was 47/1395 (3.4%). The most common type of ICH was hemorrhagic infarction type 1 (HI1), which represented 45.3% of all ICH cases- followed by HI2 (31.5%) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH, 29.2%). Parenchymal hematoma 2 (PH2) represented only 3.3% of all ICH cases. Of the PH2 hemorrhages, only 33.3% were determined to be symptomatic. Of sICH cases, the most common ICH subtypes were HI2 (48.9%) and SAH (38.3%). Comparison of sICH rates as determined by core laboratory adjudication versus local site-reported results showed that only 14 patients were identified as having sICH with both definitions, with 47 patients total with sICH according to one definition, but not the other. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this analysis demonstrate the radiographic subtypes of ICH and also highlight the limitations of variable criteria used to define sICH, suggesting that it might be appropriate to revisit how sICH is defined post-MT. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinical trial NCT03845491.

Placing the balloon-guide catheter in the high cervical segment of the internal carotid artery is associated with improved recanalization.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is part of the standard of care for stroke treatment, and improving its efficacy is one of the main objectives of clinical investigation. Of importance is placement of the distal end of balloon-guided catheters (BGC). We aim to determine if this influences outcomes. METHODS: We analyzed data from the ASSIST Registry, an international, multicenter prospective study of 1492 patients. We divided patients treated with BGC according to the placement of the BGC: low cervical (LCG (the lower 2/3 of cervical internal carotid artery (ICA)) or high cervical (HCG (upper 1/3 of cervical ICA, petro-lacerum or higher)). We analyzed characteristics and outcomes overall and stratified on the primary MT technique: Stent-Retriever only (SR Classic), Combined use of aspiration catheter and SR (Combined), and Direct Aspiration (ADAPT). RESULTS: Our study included 704 subjects -323 in the low cervical and 381 in the high cervical groups. Statistical differences were seen in the proportion of females and tandem lesions (both higher for LCG). Placing the BGC in the high cervical segment is associated with better recanalization rates (expanded treatment in cerebral infarction (eTICI) score of 2c-3) at the end of the procedure (P<0.0001) and shorter procedures (P=0.0005). After stratifying on the three primary techniques (SR Classic, Combined, and ADAPT), placing the BGC in the high segment is associated with a better first-pass effect (FPE), less distal emboli, and better clinical outcomes in the SR Classic technique. CONCLUSIONS: Placing the distal end of the BGC at the high cervical segment or higher is associated with better recanalization.

Technique and impact on first pass effect primary results of the ASSIST global registry.

BACKGROUND: Patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic strokes from large vessel occlusion (LVO) have better outcomes with effective reperfusion. However, it is unknown which technique leads to better technical and clinical success. We aimed to determine which technique yields the most effective first pass reperfusion during MT. METHODS: In a prospective, multicenter global registry we enrolled patients treated with operator preferred MT technique at 71 hospitals from January 2019 to January 2022. Three techniques were assessed: SR Classic with stent retriever (SR) and balloon guide catheter (BGC); SR Combination which employed SR with contact aspiration with or without BGC; and direct aspiration (DA) with or without BGC. The primary outcome was achieving an expanded Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (eTICI) score of 2c or 3 on the first pass, with the primary technique as adjudicated by core lab. The primary clinical outcome measure was a 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-2. RESULTS: A total of 1492 patients were enrolled. Patients treated with SR Classic or SR Combination were more likely to achieve first pass eTICI 2c or 3 reperfusion (P=0.01). There was no significant difference in mRS 0-2 (P=0.46) or safety endpoints. CONCLUSIONS: The use of SR Classic or SR Combination was more likely to achieve first pass eTICI 2c or 3 reperfusion. There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes and safety endpoints.

Mid-term safety and efficacy in small intracranial aneurysm coiling: results from TARGET® nano prospective independent core lab adjudicated multicenter registry.

Background: The primary objective is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Stryker second generation Target® Nano Coils in the treatment of ruptured and unruptured small (<7 mm) intracranial aneurysms. Methods: The TARGET Registry is a prospective, two-arm study with independent medical event monitoring and core-lab adjudication. This paper describes the second arm of the TARGET registry. Patients with de novo intracranial aneurysms were embolized with 2nd generation TARGET Nano coils in 12 US centers. The primary efficacy outcome was adequate aneurysm occlusion (RR occlusion grade I-II) on follow-up. Primary safety outcome was treatment-related morbidity and mortality. Secondary outcomes included aneurysm packing density immediately post-procedure, immediate adequate occlusion, aneurysm re-access rate, retreatment rate and clinical outcomes using modified ranking scale. A secondary analysis investigated the influence of using Nano-predominant coils (≥2/3 of total coil-length) vs. non-Nano-predominant coils (<2/3 of total length). Results: 150 patients with 155 aneurysms met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. (31%) patients with ruptured and (69%) with unruptured aneurysms were treated using TARGET coils. Median age was 58.8 (SD 12.7), 74.7% were females, and 80% were Caucasians. Mean follow-up was 5.23 (SD 2.27) months. Peri-procedural mortality was seen in 2.0% of patients. Good outcome at discharge (mRS 0-2) was seen in 81.3% of the cohort. The median packing density (SD) was 29.4% (14.9). Mid-term complete/near complete occlusion rate was seen in 96% of aneurysms and complete obliteration was seen in 75.2% of aneurysms. Patients treated predominantly with Nano coils had higher PD (32.6% vs. 26.1%, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in clinical and angiographic outcomes. The mid-term mRS0-2 was achieved in 106/109 (97.2%) patients. All-cause mortality was 5/115 (4.3%). Conclusion: In the multicenter TARGET Registry, 75.8% of aneurysms achieved mid-term complete occlusion, and 96% achieved complete/near complete occlusion with excellent independent functional outcome.

Accuracy of neurovascular fellows' prognostication of outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy and optimal timing of physician prognostication in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, a prototypical neurological disease characterized by variable outcomes and frequent disability. METHODS: From October 2009 to April 2010, treating neurologists at a tertiary care academic medical center made daily predictions of the modified Rankin Scale at 6 months for consecutive patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Actual functional outcomes at 6 months were determined by phone interview and dichotomized into good (modified Rankin Scale 0-2) and poor (modified Rankin Scale 3-6) outcomes. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the accuracy of prognostications. Multiple logistic regression and generalized estimating equations were used to assess changes in prognostication accuracy over time and the relationship between prognostication accuracy and clinical factors. RESULTS: Physicians made 648 prognostications for 66 patients. Overall accuracy ranged from 78% to 88%. Among patients predicted to have a good outcome, 81% (95% CI, 71%-92%) actually had a good outcome, whereas 88% (95% CI, 77%-99%) of patients predicted to do poorly had poor outcomes. No significant trends were seen in prognostication accuracy over time during the hospital course (P=0.72). Increasing age, infection, mechanical ventilation, hydrocephalus, and seizures all significantly worsened physician accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Neurologists were generally but not perfectly accurate in their prognostications of functional outcomes. The accuracy of prognoses did not correlate with the hospital day on which they were made but was affected by clinical factors that can cloud the neurological examination.

Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

A 56-year-old male with recurrent painless focal neuropathies and a family history of peripheral neuropathy of unknown etiology presented with progressively worsening of impaired sensations and weakness in his lower extremities. His initial electrodiagnostic evaluation was suggestive of severe sensory and motor peripheral polyneuropathy. The genetic testing was performed for familial causes of peripheral neuropathy as there was a family history of peripheral neuropathy of unknown etiology. The patient was found to have 1.5-Mb deletion in the PMP22 gene which was confirmatory of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP). He developed progressive upper and lower extremity weakness, bulbar dysfunction and widespread fasciculations during the course of his illness. He was subsequently diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This is the second reported case of HNPP associated with ALS. We discuss significant clinical and electrodiagnostic findings of this interesting case.

Diffusion-weighted imaging: not all that glitters is gold.

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is a sophisticated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique with rapid acquisition time and high sensitivity for depicting acute cerebral ischemia. It is currently part of the routine workup in most medical centers when ischemic stroke is in the differential diagnosis. DWI helps establish a diagnosis of acute ischemic infarct even in cases where the clinical presentation is not typical for ischemic stroke. However, contrary to popular belief, not every hyperintensity on DWI is an ischemic stroke. Consequently, DWI with high intensity signals, commonly called "positive" DWI, is sometimes misinterpreted and leads to incorrect medical management. In this report, we briefly discuss some of the essential, technical aspects of DWI and report various clinical scenarios, which may lead to "positive" DWI findings but are not ischemic strokes. Although the sensitivity of DWI for ischemic stroke is very high, the specificity is not as high, and a "positive" DWI does not exclude other diagnoses that should be considered based on each patient's clinical history and examination, and the appearance of other sequences of MRI scans.

Update on pharmacology of antiplatelets, anticoagulants, and thrombolytics.

Understanding of the pharmacology of thrombolytics, anticoagulants, and antiplatelets is critical to performing safe and effective endovascular therapy for acute ischemic therapy. This is a basic review of the clinical pharmacologic data on the anticoagulants, antiplatelets, and fibrinolytic agents most commonly used in the treatment of stroke and in the neurointerventional suite.

Clinical significance of serum zinc levels in cerebral ischemia.

Background. Zinc mediates several vital physiological, enzymatic and cellular functions. The association between serum zinc and stroke outcome has not been previously evaluated. Methods. This single center retrospective study was conducted on consecutive stroke (n = 158) and TIA (n = 74) patients. We sought to determine whether serum zinc concentrations in patients with acute ischemic strokes were associated with stroke severity and poor functional status at discharge, respectively. Results. Overall, out of the 224 patients analyzed (mean age 67 years), 35.7% patients had low zinc levels (65 mcg/dL). Patients with stroke (n = 152) were more likely to have low zinc levels (OR = 2.62, CI 1.92-3.57, P < .003) compared to patients with TIA (n = 72). For patients with stroke (n = 152), multivariate analysis showed that low serum zinc levels (OR 2.82, CI 1.35-5.91, P = .035) and strokes with admission severe strokes (NIHSS > 8) (OR 2.68, CI 1.1-6.5, P = .03) were independently associated with poor functional status (MRS > 3) at discharge from the hospital. Conclusion. Low serum zinc concentrations are associated with more severe strokes on admission and poor functional status at discharge.

Role of sildenafil in neurological disorders.

Sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor commonly used for erectile dysfunction, may also have a beneficial therapeutic effect in the treatment of stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, dementia, learning, and neurodegenerative disorders by enhancing angiogenesis and neurogenesis. It also favorably influences the nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathways, which are involved in the pathogenesis of a number of neurological diseases. Its potential therapeutic role in the treatment of the neurological disorders mentioned above is still under preclinical investigation. Sildenafil is currently being used to treat erectile dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, multisystem atrophy, and spinal cord injury by improving their neurologically related erectile dysfunction. Conversely, it has been implicated in a number of neurological problems, such as intracerebral hemorrhage, migraine, seizure, transient global amnesia, nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, macular degeneration, branch retinal artery occlusion, and ocular muscle palsies. Thus, preclinical and very limited clinical data suggest that sildenafil may have therapeutic potential in selected neurological disorders. However, numerous reports are available regarding neurological adverse events ascribed to the drug. Although sildenafil shows some promise as a therapeutic agent in selected neurological disorders, well-designed clinical trials are needed before the agent can be recommended for use in any neurological disorder.

IV levetiracetam in the management of non-convulsive status epilepticus.

INTRODUCTION: Status epilepticus (SE) is a medical emergency requiring prompt treatment to try to limit mortality and improve outcome. So far, newer antiepileptic drugs (AED) have not assumed a noticeable role in the treatment of SE. This may be in part due to the lack of IV forms for the newer AEDs. The IV form of Levetiracetam (IV-LEV) has recently become available and has a potential role in the treatment of SE. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report two cases of non-convulsive SE that responded favorably to IV-LEV. The first patient is an 83-year-old male with a history of complex partial seizure disorder who presented with impaired consciousness. The second patient is an 82-year-old male with history of old left middle cerebral artery ischemic infarction, who presented with confusion. Both patients were found to have a non-convulsive status epilepticus on electroencephalography (EEG) and treated with IV-LEV. In both cases, electrographic SE stopped with marked clinical improvement. Both patients tolerated the medication well and no significant side effects occurred. CONCLUSION: IV-LEV may have a potential role in the treatment of non-convulsive status epileptics.