Association of Stroke Subtype With Hemorrhagic Transformation Mediated by Thrombectomy Pass: Data From the ANGEL-ACT Registry.

BACKGROUND: The role of stroke etiology subtype in patients with acute large vessel occlusion on the occurrence of hemorrhagic transformation (HT) after endovascular treatment is poorly studied, and which factors mediate their relationship remains largely unknown. We utilized nationwide registry data to explore the association of stroke subtype (cardioembolism versus large artery atherosclerosis) with HT and to identify the possible mediators. METHODS: A total of 1015 subjects were selected from the ANGEL-ACT registry (Endovascular Treatment Key Technique and Emergency Work Flow Improvement of Acute Ischemic Stroke)-a prospective consecutive cohort of acute large vessel occlusion patients undergoing endovascular treatment at 111 hospitals in China between November 2017 and March 2019-and divided into large artery atherosclerosis (n=538) and cardioembolism (n=477) according to the Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment criteria. The types of HT included any intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), parenchymal hematoma, and symptomatic ICH within 24 hours after endovascular treatment. The association between stroke subtype and HT was analyzed using a logistic regression model. Mediation analysis was done to assess how much of the effect of stroke subtype on HT was mediated through the identified mediators. RESULTS: Stroke subtype (cardioembolism versus large artery atherosclerosis) was associated with increased risk of any ICH (29.8% versus 16.5%; odds ratio, 2.03 [95% CI, 1.22-3.36]), parenchymal hematoma (14.3% versus 5.4%; odds ratio, 2.90 [95% CI, 1.38-6.13]), and symptomatic ICH (9.9% versus 4.7%; odds ratio, 2.59 [95% CI, 1.09-6.16]) after adjustment for potential confounders. The more thrombectomy passes in cardioembolism patients had a significant mediation effect on the association of stroke subtype with increased risk of HT (any ICH, 15.9%; parenchymal hematoma, 13.4%; symptomatic ICH, 14.2%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Stroke subtype is an independent risk factor for HT within 24 hours following endovascular treatment among acute large vessel occlusion patients. Mediation analyses propose that stroke subtype contributes to HT partly through thrombectomy pass, suggesting a possible pathomechanistic link. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov; Unique identifier: NCT03370939.

Combined Approach to Eptifibatide and Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke Because of Large Vessel Occlusion: A Matched-Control Analysis.

BACKGROUND: In patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT), adjunctive antithrombotic might improve angiographic reperfusion, reduce the risk of distal emboli and reocclusion but possibly expose patients to a higher intracranial hemorrhage risk. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of combined MT plus eptifibatide for acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: This was a propensity-matched analysis of data from 2 prospective trials in Chinese populations: the ANGEL-ACT trial (Endovascular Treatment Key Technique and Emergency Workflow Improvement of Acute Ischemic Stroke) in 111 hospitals between November 2017 and March 2019, and the EPOCH trial (Eptifibatide in Endovascular Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke) in 15 hospitals between April 2019 and March 2020. The primary efficacy outcome was good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2) at 3 months. Secondary efficacy outcomes included the distribution of 3-month modified Rankin Scale scores and poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 5-6) and successful recanalization. The safety outcomes included any intracranial hemorrhage, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and 3-month mortality. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to account for within-hospital clustering in adjusted analyses. RESULTS: Eighty-one combination arm EPOCH subjects were matched with 81 ANGEL-ACT noneptifibatide patients. Compared with the no eptifibatide group, the eptifibatide group had significantly higher rates of successful recanalization (91.3% versus 81.5%; P=0.043) and 3-month good outcomes (53.1% versus 33.3%; P=0.016). No significant difference was found in the remaining outcome measures between the 2 groups. All outcome measures of propensity score matching were consistent with mixed-effects logistic regression models in the total population. CONCLUSIONS: This matched-control study demonstrated that MT combined with eptifibatide did not raise major safety concerns and showed a trend of better efficacy outcomes compared with MT alone. Overall, eptifibatide shows potential as a periprocedural adjunctive antithrombotic therapy when combined with MT. Further randomized controlled trials of MT plus eptifibatide should be prioritized. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov; Unique identifier: NCT03844594 (EPOCH), NCT03370939 (ANGEL-ACT).

Factors Associated With Decreased Accuracy of Modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarct Scoring Among Neurointerventionalists During Thrombectomy.

Background and Purpose: The modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarct (mTICI) score is used to grade angiographic outcome after endovascular thrombectomy. We sought to identify factors that decrease the accuracy of intraprocedural mTICI. Methods: We performed a 2-center retrospective cohort study comparing operator (n=6) mTICI scores to consensus scores from blinded adjudicators. Groups were also assessed by dichotomizing mTICI scores to 0­2a versus 2b­3. Results: One hundred thirty endovascular thrombectomy procedures were included. Operators and adjudicators had a pairwise agreement in 96 cases (73.8%). Krippendorff α was 0.712. Multivariate analysis showed endovascular thrombectomy overnight (odds ratio [OR]=3.84 [95% CI, 1.22­12.1]), lacking frontal (OR, 5.66 [95 CI, 1.36­23.6]), or occipital (OR, 7.18 [95 CI, 2.12­24.3]) region reperfusion, and higher operator mTICI scores (OR, 2.16 [95 CI, 1.16­4.01]) were predictive of incorrectly scoring mTICI intraprocedurally. With dichotomized mTICI scores, increasing number of passes was associated with increased risk of operator error (OR, 1.93 [95 CI, 1.22­3.05]). Conclusions: In our study, mTICI disagreement between operator and adjudicators was observed in 26.2% of cases. Interventions that took place between 22:30 and 4:00, featured frontal or occipital region nonperfusion, higher operator mTICI scores, and increased number of passes had higher odds of intraprocedural mTICI inaccuracy.

Thrombectomy Versus Combined Thrombolysis and Thrombectomy in Patients With Acute Stroke: A Matched-Control Study.

A recent randomized controlled trial DIRECT-MT (Direct Intra-Arterial Thrombectomy to Revascularize AIS Patients With Large Vessel Occlusion Efficiently in Chinese Tertiary Hospitals) compared the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) versus combined intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and MT for acute large vessel occlusion. The current study utilized a prospective, nationwide registry to validate the results of the DIRECT-MT trial in a real-world practice setting. Subjects were selected from a prospective cohort of acute large vessel occlusion patients undergoing endovascular treatment at 111 hospitals from 26 provinces in China (ANGEL-ACT registry [Endovascular Treatment Key Technique and Emergency Work Flow Improvement of Acute Ischemic Stroke]) between November 2017 and March 2019. All patients eligible for IVT and receiving MT were reviewed and then grouped according to whether prior IVT or not (MT and combined IVT+MT). After a 1:1 propensity score matching, the outcome measures including the 90-day modified Rankin Scale, successful recanalization, door-to-puncture time, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and intraprocedural embolization were compared. A total of 1026 patients, 600 in the MT group and 426 in the combined group, were included. Among 788 patients identified after matching, there were no significant differences in the 90-day modified Rankin Scale (median, 3 versus 3 points; P=0.82) and successful recanalization (86.6% versus 89.3%; P=0.23) between the two groups; however, patients of the MT group had a shorter door-to-puncture time (median, 112 versus 136 minutes; ß=−45.02 [95% CI, −68.31 to −21.74]), lower rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (5.5% versus 10.1%; odds ratio, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.30­0.91]), and embolization (4.6% versus 8.1%; odds ratio, 0.54 [95% CI, 0.30­0.98]) than those of the combined group. This matched-control study largely confirmed the findings of the DIRECT-MT trial in a real-world practice setting, suggesting that MT may carry similar effectiveness to combined IVT+MT for acute large vessel occlusion patients, despite MT alone seems to be associated with a shorter in-hospital delay until procedure, lower risks of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and embolization. URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03370939

Current Status of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Large Vessel Occlusion in China: A Real-World Nationwide Registry.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The benefit of endovascular treatment (EVT) for large vessel occlusion in clinical practice in developing countries like China needs to be confirmed. The aim of the study was to determine whether the benefit of EVT for acute ischemic stroke in randomized trials could be generalized to clinical practice in Chinese population. METHODS: We conducted a prospective registry of EVT at 111 centers in China. Patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by imaging-confirmed intracranial large vessel occlusion and receiving EVT were included. The primary outcome was functional independence at 90 days defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2. Outcomes of specific subgroups in the anterior circulation were reported and logistic regression was performed to predict the primary outcome. RESULTS: Among the 1793 enrolled patients, 1396 (77.9%) had anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (median age, 66 [56-73] years) and 397 (22.1%) had posterior circulation large vessel occlusion (median age, 64 [55-72] years). Functional independence at 90 days was reached in 45% and 44% in anterior and posterior circulation groups, respectively. For anterior circulation population, underlying intracranial atherosclerotic disease was identified in 29% of patients, with higher functional independence at 90 days (52% versus 44%; P=0.0122) than patients without intracranial atherosclerotic disease. In the anterior circulation population, after adjusting for baseline characteristics, procedure details, and early outcomes, the independent predictors for functional independence at 90 days were age <66 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.733 [95% CI, 1.213-2.476]), time from onset to puncture >6 hours (OR, 1.536 [95% CI, 1.065-2.216]), local anesthesia (OR, 2.194 [95% CI, 1.325-3.633]), final modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b/3 (OR, 2.052 [95% CI, 1.085-3.878]), puncture-to-reperfusion time ≤1.5 hours (OR, 1.628 [95% CI, 1.098-2.413]), and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 24 hours after the procedure <11 (OR, 9.126 [95% CI, 6.222-13.385]). CONCLUSIONS: Despite distinct characteristics in the Chinese population, favorable outcome of EVT can be achieved in clinical practice in China. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03370939.

Endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke in patients with versus without atrial fibrillation: a matched-control study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The effect of atrial fibrillation (AF) on outcomes of endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association of AF with outcomes after EVT in AIS patients. METHODS: Subjects were selected from ANGEL-ACT registry (Endovascular Treatment Key Technique and Emergency Work Flow Improvement of Acute Ischemic Stroke) - a prospective consecutive cohort of AIS patients undergoing EVT at 111 hospitals in China between November 2017 and March 2019, and then grouped according to having a history of AF or not. After 1:1 propensity score matching, the outcome measures including the 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, successful recanalization after final attempt, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) within 24 h, and death within 90 days were compared. RESULTS: A total of 1755 patients, 550 with AF and 1205 without AF, were included. Among 407 pairs of patients identified after matching, no significant differences were found in the mRS score (median: 3 vs. 3 points; P = 0.29), successful recanalization (87.2 vs. 85.3%; P = 0.42), symptomatic ICH (9. 4 vs. 9.1%; P = 0.86) and death (16.3 vs. 18.4%; P = 0.44) between patients with and without AF. CONCLUSION: The findings of this matched-control study show comparable outcomes of EVT in Chinese AIS patients with and without AF, which do not support withholding EVT in patients with both AIS and AF. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03370939 First registration date: 28/09/2017 First posted date: 13/12/2017.

Emergency surgery is an effective way to improve the outcome of severe spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage patients on long-term oral antiplatelet therapy.

The necessity of emergency surgery for severe spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SSICH) patients on long-term oral antiplatelet therapy (LOAPT) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and safety of emergency surgery for SSICH patients on LOAPT (SSICH-LOAPT patients). In this study, a retrospective review of patients admitted to our institution for SSICH from January 2012 to December 2018 was conducted. The collected data included demographic, clinical, and surgical information. The outcome was recorded at 3 months after primary hemorrhage. The outcome of SSICH-LOAPT patients receiving emergency surgery and conservative treatment were compared. The risk of postoperative intracranial bleeding (PIB) in operated SSICH-LOAPT patients was further investigated. A total of 522 SSICH patients were retrospectively reviewed, including 181 SSICH-LOAPT patients and 269 operated patients. The total mortality and in-hospital mortality were 40.6% and 19.3%, respectively. As compared with SSICH-LOAPT patients receiving conservative treatment, the operated SSICH-LOAPT patients showed a lower total (p = 0.043) and in-hospital mortality (p = 0.024). When compared with operated patients not on LOAPT, the operated patients on LOAPT exhibited a higher rate of PIB (OR, 2.34; 95% CI 1.14-4.79; p = 0.018). As demonstrated by the multivariate logistic analysis, dual antiplatelet therapy were independent risk factors associated with PIB in operated SSICH-LOAPT patients (OR, 3.42; CI, 1.01-11.51; p = 0.047). Despite of increasing risk of PIB, emergency surgery could improve the outcome of SSICH-LOAPT patients as it could be effective in reducing mortality. Dual antiplatelet therapy was the independent risk factor related to the PIB in operated SSICH-LOAPT patients.

Supraorbital keyhole versus pterional craniotomies for ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysms: a propensity score-matched analysis.

The safety and efficacy of the supraorbital keyhole approach for aneurysm surgery have not been well researched through a high-quality controlled study. The objective of the study was to compare the safety and efficacy of the supraorbital and pterional approaches for ruptured anterior communicating aneurysm (AComAn). A total of 140 patients, with 70 patients in each group, were enrolled after 1:1 propensity score matching. Clinical variables, postoperative complications, and long-term outcomes were retrospectively compared. Baseline characteristics were equivalent between the two groups. Significantly shorter operative time and less intraoperative blood loss were observed in the supraorbital group compared to the pterional group (141.9 min vs. 184.5 min, P < 0.001; 160.4 ml vs. 250.7 ml, P = 0.008). The incidence of intraoperative aneurysm rupture was similar between the groups (20% vs. 18.6%, P = 0.830). The rate of procedural complications involving subdural hematoma and intracranial infection was lower in patients treated through the supraorbital (10.0%) vs. the pterional approach (32.9%, P < 0.001), but no significant difference was observed for the incidence of ischemic events (15.7% vs. 18.6%, P = 0.654). Within a median 33.4-month (range, 11-67 months) follow-up, a similar proportion of patients achieved a favorable outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale IV or V) across the two groups (83.6% vs. 80.0%, P = 0.285), while better cosmetic results were observed in the supraorbital group (94.0%) vs. the pterional group (86.2%, P = 0.129). According to our results, we recommend the keyhole approach for AComAn surgery for neurosurgeons who have gained sufficient experience with this technique due to its advantages over the pterional approach.

Clinical and Procedural Predictors of Outcomes From the Endovascular Treatment of Posterior Circulation Strokes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients with posterior circulation strokes have been excluded from recent randomized endovascular stroke trials. We reviewed the recent multicenter experience with endovascular treatment of posterior circulation strokes to identify the clinical, radiographic, and procedural predictors of successful recanalization and good neurological outcomes. METHODS: We performed a multicenter retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with posterior circulation strokes, who underwent thrombectomy with stent retrievers or primary aspiration thrombectomy (including A Direct Aspiration First Pass Technique [ADAPT] approach). We correlated clinical and radiographic outcomes with demographic, clinical, and technical characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were included in the final analysis (mean age, 63.5±14.2 years; mean admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, 19.2±8.2). Favorable clinical outcome at 3 months (modified Rankin Scale score ≤2) was achieved in 35% of patients. Successful recanalization and shorter time from stroke onset to the start of the procedure were significant predictors of favorable clinical outcome at 90 days. Stent retriever and aspiration thrombectomy as primary treatment approaches showed comparable procedural and clinical outcomes. None of the baseline advanced imaging modalities (magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomographic perfusion, or computed tomography angiography assessment of collaterals) showed superiority in selecting patients for thrombectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Time to the start of the procedure is an important predictor of clinical success after thrombectomy in patients with posterior circulation strokes. Both stent retriever and aspiration thrombectomy as primary treatment approaches are effective in achieving successful recanalization.

Bailout intracranial angioplasty or stenting following thrombectomy for acute large vessel occlusion in China (ANGEL-REBOOT): a multicentre, open-label, blinded-endpoint, randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Unsuccessful recanalisation or reocclusion after thrombectomy is associated with poor outcomes in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) acute ischaemic stroke (LVO-AIS). Bailout angioplasty or stenting (BAOS) could represent a promising treatment for these patients. We conducted a randomised controlled trial with the aim to investigate the safety and efficacy of BAOS following thrombectomy in patients with LVO. METHODS: ANGEL-REBOOT was an investigator-initiated, multicentre, prospective, randomised, controlled, open-label, blinded-endpoint clinical trial conducted at 36 tertiary hospitals in 19 provinces in China. Participants with LVO-AIS 24 h after symptom onset were eligible if they had unsuccessful recanalisation (expanded Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction score of 0-2a) or risk of reocclusion (residual stenosis >70%) after thrombectomy. Eligible patients were randomly assigned by the minimisation method in a 1:1 ratio to undergo BAOS as the intervention treatment, or to receive standard therapy (continue or terminate the thrombectomy procedure) as a control group, both open-label. In both treatment groups, tirofiban could be recommended for use during and after the procedure. The primary outcome was the change in modified Rankin Scale score at 90 days, assessed in the intention-to-treat population. Safety outcomes were compared between groups. This trial was completed and registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05122286). FINDINGS: From Dec 19, 2021, to March 17, 2023, 706 patients were screened, and 348 were enrolled, with 176 assigned to the intervention group and 172 to the control group. No patients withdrew from the trial or were lost to follow-up for the primary outcome. The median age of patients was 63 years (IQR 55-69), 258 patients (74%) were male, and 90 patients (26%) were female; all participants were Chinese. After random allocation, tirofiban was administered either intra-arterially, intravenously, or both in 334 [96%] of 348 participants. No between-group differences were observed in the primary outcome (common odds ratio 0·86 [95% CI 0·59-1·24], p=0·41). Mortality was similar between the two groups (19 [11%] of 176 vs 17 [10%] of 172), but the intervention group showed a higher risk of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (eight [5%] of 175 vs one [1%] of 169), parenchymal haemorrhage type 2 (six [3%] of 175 vs none in the control group), and procedure-related arterial dissection (24 [14%] of 176 vs five [3%] of 172). INTERPRETATION: Among Chinese patients with unsuccessful recanalisation or who are at risk of reocclusion after thrombectomy, BAOS did not improve clinical outcome at 90 days, and incurred more complications compared with standard therapy. The off-label use of tirofiban might have affected our results and their generalisability, but our findings do not support the addition of BAOS for such patients with LVO-AIS. FUNDING: Beijing Natural Science Foundation, National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Key R&D Program Beijing Municipal Administration of Hospitals Incubating Program, Shanghai HeartCare Medical Technology, HeMo (China) Bioengineering, Sino Medical Sciences Technology.

Derivation and validation of a predictive scale to expedite endovascular intervention for acute stroke patients with an intervenable vessel occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Early endovascular intervention team mobilization may reduce reperfusion times and improve clinical outcomes for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with a possible intervenable vessel occlusion (IVO). In an emergency department or mobile stroke unit, incorporating rapidly available non-contrast CT (NCCT) information with examination findings may improve the accuracy of arterial occlusion prediction scales. For this purpose, we developed a rapid and straightforward IVO predictive instrument-the T3AM2PA1 scale. METHODS: The T3AM2PA1 scale was retrospectively derived from our 'Get with the Guidelines' database. We included all patients with acute stroke alert between January 2017 and August 2018 with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score between 5 and 25 inclusive. Different pre-intervention variables were collected, including itemized NIHSS and NCCT information. The T3AM2PA1 scale was also compared with other commonly used scales and was validated in a separate sequential retrospective cohort of patients with a full range of NIHSS scores. RESULTS: 574 eligible patients from 2115 acute stroke alerts were identified. The scale was established with five items (CT hyperdense sign, parenchymal hypodensity, lateralizing hemiparesis, gaze deviation, and language disturbance), with a total score of 9. To minimize unnecessary angiography, a cut-off of ≥5 for IVO detection yielded a sensitivity of 52%, a specificity of 90%, and a positive predictive value of 76%. CONCLUSIONS: The T3AM2PA1 scale accurately predicts the presence of clinical IVO in patients with AIS. Adopting the T3AM2PA1 scale could reduce revascularization times, improve treatment outcomes, and potentially reduce disability.

Endovascular therapy in acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusive patients with a large infarct core (ANGEL-ASPECT): protocol of a multicentre randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: The benefit of stroke thrombectomy for large infarct core still lacks robust randomised controlled studies. AIM: To demonstrate the design of a clinical trial on endovascular therapy for acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) patients with large infarct core volume. DESIGN: ANGEL-ASPECT is a multicentre, prospective, randomised, open-label, blinded End-point trial to evaluate whether best medical management (BMM) combined with endovascular therapy improves neurological functional outcomes as compared with BMM alone in acute LVO patients with Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) of 3-5 on non-contrast CT or infarct core volume range of 70-100 mL (defined as rCBF <30% on CT perfusion or ADC <620 on MRI) up to 24 hours from symptom onset or last seen well. STUDY OUTCOMES: The primary efficacy outcome is 90 (±7) days modified Rankin Scale. Symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage within 48 hours from randomisation is the primary safety outcome. DISCUSSION: The ANGEL-ASPECT trial will screen patients with large infarct core (ASPECTS 3-5 or 70-100 mL) through image evaluation criteria within 24 hours and explore the efficacy and safety of endovascular therapy compared with BMM.

Cost-effectiveness of endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke with large infarct in China.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular therapy administered within 24 hours has been shown to improve outcomes for patients with acute ischemic stroke with large infarction, but the data on its cost-effectiveness are limited. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke with large infarction in China, the largest low- and middle-income country. METHODS: A short-term decision tree model and a long-term Markov model were used to analyze the cost-effectiveness of endovascular therapy for patients with acute ischemic stroke with large infarction. Outcomes, transition probability, and cost data were obtained from a recent clinical trial and published literature. The benefit of endovascular therapy was assessed by the cost per quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained in the short and long term. Deterministic one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results. RESULTS: Compared with medical management alone, endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke with large infarction was found to be cost-effective from the fourth year onward and during a lifetime. In the long term, endovascular therapy yielded a lifetime gain of 1.33 QALYs at an additional cost of ¥73 900 (US$ 11 400), resulting in an incremental cost of ¥55 500 (US$ 8530) per QALY gained. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that endovascular therapy was cost-effective in 99.5% of the simulation runs at a willingness-to-pay threshold of ¥243 000 (3 × gross domestic product per capita of China in 2021) per QALY gained. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke with large infarction could be cost-effective in China.

Does MRI add value in selecting patients for thrombectomy beyond the 6 h window? A matched-control analysis.

Background: Controversy exists regarding the need of advanced imaging for patient selection in the extended window. Aims: To analyze the effect of initial imaging modalities on clinical outcomes of patients underwent MT in the extended window. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of a prospective registry, the Endovascular Treatment Key Technique and Emergency Workflow Improvement of Acute Ischemic Stroke (ANGEL-ACT) registry which was conducted at 111 hospitals between November 2017 and March 2019 in China. Primary study cohort and Guideline like cohort were identified, in each cohort, two imaging modalities for patient selection in 6 to 24 h window were defined: (1) NCCT ± CTA, (2) MRI. Guideline-like cohort were further screened based on key features of the DAWN and DEFUSE 3 trials. The primary outcome was 90 day mRS. The safety outcomes were sICH, any ICH and 90-day mortality. Results: After adjusting for covariates, there were no significant differences in 90 day mRS or any safety outcomes between two imaging modalities groups in both cohorts. All outcome measures of mixed-effects logistic regression model were consistent with propensity score matching model. Conclusion: Our results indicate that patients presented with anterior large vessel occlusion in the extended time window can potentially benefit from MT even in the absence of MRI selection. This conclusion needs to be verified by the prospective randomized clinical trials.

Randomised study of bailout intracranial angioplasty following thrombectomy for acute large vessel occlusion (ANGEL-REBOOT): protocol of a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

RATIONALE: Unsuccessful thrombectomy of acute large vessel occlusions (LVOs) has been associated with unfavourable outcomes. Multiple randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have reported a failure rate of 12%-41% for thrombectomy procedures. Various factors contribute to failed thrombectomy, including technical difficulties in accessing the occlusion, unsuccessful thrombus retrieval, thrombotic reocclusion and pre-existing intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. Although some studies have explored balloon dilation or permanent stenting as rescue intracranial angioplasty for failed thrombectomy in individual cases, there is currently no evidence from RCTs on this specific topic. AIM: To evaluate the potential superiority of bailout angioplasty over standard treatment in cases of unsuccessful recanalisation (eTICI 0 to 2a) or residual severe stenosis (>70%) after thrombectomy in acute LVO patients within 24 hours of stroke onset. DESIGN: This study is a multicentre, prospective, randomised, controlled clinical trial designed by investigators. It compares bailout angioplasty with standard therapy and follows an open-label treatment approach while maintaining a blinded outcome assessment (PROBE design). Our objective is to allocate 348 patients in a 1:1 ratio to either receive bailout angioplasty as an intervention or standard therapy as a control, following unsuccessful thrombectomy. OUTCOME: The main measure of interest is the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) Score, which will be assessed in a blinded manner at 90 (±14) days following randomisation. The primary effect size will be determined using ordered logistic regression to calculate the common OR, representing the shift on the six-category mRS Scale at the 90-day mark. Additionally, the safety outcomes will be evaluated, including symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage within 18-36 hours, severe procedure-related complications and mortality within 90 (±14) days, among others. DISCUSSION: The ANGEL-REBOOT study aims to generate substantial evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of bailout intracranial angioplasty as a treatment option for patients with LVO who have experienced unsuccessful thrombectomy. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05122286.

Predictors of parenchymal hemorrhage after endovascular treatment in acute ischemic stroke: data from ANGEL-ACT Registry.

BACKGROUND: Parenchymal hemorrhage (PH) is a troublesome complication after endovascular treatment (EVT). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence, independent predictors, and clinical impact of PH after EVT in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO). METHODS: Subjects were selected from the ANGEL-ACT Registry. PH was diagnosed according to the European Collaborative Acute Stroke Study classification. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the independent predictors of PH, as well as the association between PH and 90-day functional outcome assessed by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. RESULTS: Of the 1227 enrolled patients, 147 (12.0%) were diagnosed with PH within 12-36 hours after EVT. On multivariable analysis, low admission Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (ASPECTS)(adjusted OR (aOR)=1.13, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.26, p=0.020), serum glucose >7 mmol/L (aOR=1.82, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.84, p=0.009), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR; aOR=1.05, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.09, p=0.005) were associated with a high risk of PH, while underlying intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS; aOR=0.42, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.81, p=0.009) and intracranial angioplasty/stenting (aOR=0.37, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.93, p=0.035) were associated with a low risk of PH. Furthermore, patients with PH were associated with a shift towards to worse functional outcome (mRS score 4 vs 3, adjusted common OR (acOR)=2.27, 95% CI 1.53 to 3.38, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In Chinese patients with AIS caused by anterior circulation LVO, the risk of PH was positively associated with low admission ASPECTS, serum glucose >7 mmol/L, and NLR, but negatively related to underlying ICAS and intracranial angioplasty/stenting. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03370939.

Factors associated with in-stent stenosis after cerebral aneurysm embolization using a Pipeline embolization device.

BACKGROUND: Flow-diverting (FD) stents, with or without coiling, are a mainstay in endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms (IAs). One observed complication from flow diverter stent (FDS) insertion has been in-stent stenosis. Though previously studied in the short-term period, the long-term history of this complication has yet to be described. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of consecutive IAs treated with Pipeline Embolization Device (PED), with or without coiling, at our centre between September 2014 and December 2018 that had at least one digital subtraction angiogram (DSA) during follow-up. In-stent stenosis was measured from DSA images, and associated patient and procedural characteristics were analysed. RESULTS: 94 patients treated with PED for IA were identified. On initial DSA during follow-up, 52 patients (55.3%) had in-stent stenosis within the PED. Of these 52 patients, 17 had a second DSA during follow-up. In this 2nd DSA, improvement and/or stable in-stent stenosis was seen 16 patients (94.1%). One patient in this group had worsening in-stent stenosis had a vertebrobasilar junction FD stent. Of the patients without in-stent stenosis on initial DSA, 15 had a second DSA during follow-up. Only one of these patients (6.7%) had new appearance of in-stent stenosis (measuring 5%). Multivariate analysis found statin use to be predictive of in-stent stenosis (p = 0.020, Odds ratio = 0.279 and 95% confidence interval = 0.095-0.821). CONCLUSIONS: In-stent stenosis after FDS placement was seen in 53.2% of cases, which had between 1-50% of stenosis. 82.4% had resolution/improvement of their stenosis. Statin use was protective of in-stent stenosis.

Eloquence-based reperfusion scoring and its ability to predict post-thrombectomy disability and functional status.

BACKGROUND: Angiographic reperfusion after endovascular thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke is commonly graded using volume-based reperfusion scores such as the modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarct score. The location of non-reperfused regions is not included in modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarct score. We studied the predictive ability of an eloquence-based reperfusion score. METHODS: Consecutive cases of endovascular thrombectomy for anterior circulation strokes performed between January 2018 and April 2020 were included. Digital subtraction angiograms were reviewed by two blinded neurointerventionalist operators. Incomplete reperfusion was further classified by lobar regions lacking reperfusion to create various cohorts. Outcomes were graded four to seven days post-procedure with the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and 90 days post-procedure with the modified Rankin Scale. RESULTS: One hundred patients were identified. Via multivariate analysis, we found that frontal lobe non-reperfusion (mean difference (MD) = -1.60, p = 0.002) and occipital lobe non-reperfusion (MD = -1.68, p = 0.001) were associated with worse mental status improvement while left-sided stroke (MD = 2.02, p < 0.001) featured better improvement post-thrombectomy. Occipital lobe non-reperfusion (MD = -0.734, p = 0.009) was associated with the worse improvement of visual fields. The non-reperfusion of the frontal lobe was associated with a 1.732-worse NIHSS hemibody strength score (95% confidence interval (95%CI) = -3.39 to -0.072, p = 0.041). Worse improvement in NIHSS scores was found to be associated with frontal lobe non-reperfusion (MD = -5.34, 95%CI = -9.52 to -1.18, p = 0.013) and occipital lobe non-reperfusion (MD = -6.35, 95%CI = -10.4 to -2.31, p = 0.002). Odds of achieving modified Rankin Scale of 0-2 at 90 days were decreased with frontal lobe non-reperfusion (odds ratio (OR) = 0.279, 95%CI = 0.090-0.869, p = 0.028) and left laterality (OR = 0.376, 95%CI = 0.153-0.922, p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Eloquence-based reperfusion assessment is an important predictor for functional outcomes after thrombectomy.

Time to Endovascular Reperfusion and Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke : A Nationwide Prospective Registry in China.

PURPOSE: The benefit of endovascular reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke is highly time-dependent but the relation of delays in workflow with outcomes and the key determinants of delays remain uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the association between faster endovascular therapy and outcomes in a Chinese population with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: Patients treated with endovascular therapy within 7 h due to anterior large vessel occlusion were enrolled in the ANGEL-ACT registry. Time intervals from hospital arrival to arterial puncture (door-to-puncture), hospital arrival to reperfusion (door-to-reperfusion) and puncture-to-reperfusion were recorded. The outcomes included modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores 0-1, 0-2, mortality at 3 months, substantial reperfusion, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). RESULTS: Of 932 patients receiving endovascular therapy (mean age 65.1 years, 60.1% male), the median door-to-puncture, door-to-reperfusion, and puncture-to-perfusion times were 110min (interquartile range, IQR 72-155min), 200min (IQR, 149-260min), and 76min (IQR, 50-118min). Of the patients 87.4% achieved substantial reperfusion and 9.6% had sICH. The mRS 0-1, 0-2, and mortality at 3 months were 39.8%, 43.2%, and 16.4%. Faster door-to-reperfusion and puncture-to-reperfusion were associated with higher likelihood of mRS 0-1, mRS 0-2, and lower rate of sICH. There was a trend of improved mRS, lower mortality, and fewer ICH with shorter door-to-puncture time; however, most differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Among patients with acute ischemic stroke in routine clinical practice, shorter time to reperfusion was associated with better outcome after endovascular therapy. Standardized workflows and training in endovascular treatment techniques should be promoted nationally to reduce in-hospital delays.

The Safety and Efficacy of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Caused by Large-Vessel Occlusion with Different Etiologies of Stroke: Data from ANGEL-ACT Registry.

This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment (EVT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients caused by large-vessel occlusion (LVO) with different etiologies of stroke. A total of 928 AIS patients were assigned into intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS)-LVO, cardioembolic (CE)-LVO, and artery to artery embolism (ATA)-LVO groups. The safety and efficacy endpoints were symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) at 24 h after EVT, 90-day favorable outcomes (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of 0-2), successful recanalization (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarct (mTICI) 2b/3), and complete recanalization (mTICI 3). The logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associations between the safety and efficacy endpoints. There were 305 (32.9%), 535 (57.6%), and 88 (9.5%) patients in ICAS-LVO, CE-LVO, and ATA-LVO groups, respectively. No significant difference was found in the 90-day mRS and successful recanalization among the three groups. However, compared with the ICAS-LVO group, complete recanalization rate was higher in the CE-LVO (adjusted odds ratio, 4.50; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.37-8.56) and ATA-LVO groups (aOR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.16-5.10). The results of subgroup analysis showed a significant association between CE-LVO stroke etiology and complete recanalization in the age population < 65 years old (aOR, 14.33; 95% CI, 4.39-46.79, P = 0.019). Functional outcomes were similar among different etiologies of stroke. CE-LVO and ATA-LVO could be related to a higher rate of complete recanalization, and there was a trend of the increased risk of parenchymal hemorrhage in the CE-LVO group.