Trial of Early Minimally Invasive Removal of Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Trials of surgical evacuation of supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhages have generally shown no functional benefit. Whether early minimally invasive surgical removal would result in better outcomes than medical management is not known. METHODS: In this multicenter, randomized trial involving patients with an acute intracerebral hemorrhage, we assessed surgical removal of the hematoma as compared with medical management. Patients who had a lobar or anterior basal ganglia hemorrhage with a hematoma volume of 30 to 80 ml were assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, within 24 hours after the time that they were last known to be well, to minimally invasive surgical removal of the hematoma plus guideline-based medical management (surgery group) or to guideline-based medical management alone (control group). The primary efficacy end point was the mean score on the utility-weighted modified Rankin scale (range, 0 to 1, with higher scores indicating better outcomes, according to patients' assessment) at 180 days, with a prespecified threshold for posterior probability of superiority of 0.975 or higher. The trial included rules for adaptation of enrollment criteria on the basis of hemorrhage location. A primary safety end point was death within 30 days after enrollment. RESULTS: A total of 300 patients were enrolled, of whom 30.7% had anterior basal ganglia hemorrhages and 69.3% had lobar hemorrhages. After 175 patients had been enrolled, an adaptation rule was triggered, and only persons with lobar hemorrhages were enrolled. The mean score on the utility-weighted modified Rankin scale at 180 days was 0.458 in the surgery group and 0.374 in the control group (difference, 0.084; 95% Bayesian credible interval, 0.005 to 0.163; posterior probability of superiority of surgery, 0.981). The mean between-group difference was 0.127 (95% Bayesian credible interval, 0.035 to 0.219) among patients with lobar hemorrhages and -0.013 (95% Bayesian credible interval, -0.147 to 0.116) among those with anterior basal ganglia hemorrhages. The percentage of patients who had died by 30 days was 9.3% in the surgery group and 18.0% in the control group. Five patients (3.3%) in the surgery group had postoperative rebleeding and neurologic deterioration. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients in whom surgery could be performed within 24 hours after an acute intracerebral hemorrhage, minimally invasive hematoma evacuation resulted in better functional outcomes at 180 days than those with guideline-based medical management. The effect of surgery appeared to be attributable to intervention for lobar hemorrhages. (Funded by Nico; ENRICH ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02880878.).

Rescue Therapy for Failed Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Pooled Analysis of the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology Registry.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the association between rescue therapy (RT) and functional outcomes compared to medical management (MM) in patients presenting after failed mechanical thrombectomy (MT). METHODS: This cross-sectional study utilized prospectively collected and maintained data from the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology Registry, spanning from 2011 to 2021. The cohort comprised patients with large vessel occlusions (LVOs) with failed MT. The primary outcome was the shift in the degree of disability, as gauged by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days. Additional outcomes included functional independence (90-day mRS score of 0-2), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and 90-day mortality. RESULTS: Of a total of 7,018 patients, 958 presented failed MT and were included in the analysis. The RT group comprised 407 (42.4%) patients, and the MM group consisted of 551 (57.5%) patients. After adjusting for confounders, the RT group showed a favorable shift in the overall 90-day mRS distribution (adjusted common odds ratio = 1.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.32-2.45, p < 0.001) and higher rates of functional independence (RT: 28.8% vs MM: 15.7%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.21-3.07, p = 0.005) compared to the MM group. RT also showed lower rates of sICH (RT: 3.8% vs MM: 9.1%, aOR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.28-0.97, p = 0.039) and 90-day mortality (RT: 33.4% vs MM: 45.5%, aOR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.42-0.89, p = 0.009). INTERPRETATION: Our findings advocate for the utilization of RT as a potential treatment strategy for cases of LVO resistant to first-line MT techniques. Prospective studies are warranted to validate these observations and optimize the endovascular approach for failed MT patients. ANN NEUROL 2024.

Direct Versus Indirect Revascularization for Moyamoya: a Large Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Moyamoya is a chronic occlusive cerebrovascular disease of unknown etiology causing neovascularization of the lenticulostriate collaterals at the base of the brain. Although revascularization surgery is the most effective treatment for moyamoya, there is still no consensus on the best surgical treatment modality as different studies provide different outcomes. OBJECTIVE: In this large case series, we compare the outcomes of direct (DR) and indirect revascularisation (IR) and compare our results to the literature in order to reflect on the best revascularization modality for moyamoya. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology guidelines of moyamoya affected hemispheres treated with DR and IR surgeries across 13 academic institutions predominantly in North America. All patients who underwent surgical revascularization of their moyamoya-affected hemispheres were included in the study. The primary outcome of the study was the rate of symptomatic strokes. RESULTS: The rates of symptomatic strokes across 515 disease-affected hemispheres were comparable between the two cohorts (11.6% in the DR cohort vs 9.6% in the IR cohort, OR 1.238 (95% CI 0.651 to 2.354), p=0.514). The rate of total perioperative strokes was slightly higher in the DR cohort (6.1% for DR vs 2.0% for IR, OR 3.129 (95% CI 0.991 to 9.875), p=0.052). The rate of total follow-up strokes was slightly higher in the IR cohort (8.1% vs 6.6%, OR 0.799 (95% CI 0.374 to 1.709) p=0.563). CONCLUSION: Since both modalities showed comparable rates of overall total strokes, both modalities of revascularization can be performed depending on the patient's risk assessment.

Safety and efficacy of the Pipeline Flex embolization device with Shield Technology for the acute treatment of ruptured internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysms: a multi-institution case series.

OBJECTIVE: Ruptured blister, dissecting, and iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms are rare pathologies that pose significant challenges from a treatment standpoint. Endovascular treatment via flow diversion represents an increasingly popular option; however, drawbacks include the requirement for dual antiplatelet therapy and the potential for thromboembolic complications, particularly acute complications in the ruptured setting. The Pipeline Flex embolization device with Shield Technology (PED-Shield) offers reduced material thrombogenicity, which may aid in the treatment of ruptured internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysms. METHODS: The authors conducted a multi-institution, retrospective case series to determine the safety and efficacy of PED-Shield for the treatment of ruptured blister, dissecting, and iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms of the internal carotid artery. Clinical, radiographic, treatment, and outcomes data were collected. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were included in the final analysis. Seventeen underwent placement of a single device, and 16 underwent placement of two devices. No thromboembolic complications occurred. Four patients were maintained on aspirin alone, and all others were treated with long-term dual antiplatelet therapy. Among patients with 3-month follow-up, 93.8% had a modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2. Complete occlusion at follow-up was observed in 82.6% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: PED-Shield represents a new option for the treatment of ruptured blister, dissecting, and iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms of the internal carotid artery. The reduced material thrombogenicity appeared to improve the safety of the PED-Shield device, as this series demonstrated no thromboembolic complications even among patients treated with only single antiplatelet therapy. The efficacy of PED-Shield reported in this series, particularly with placement of two devices, demonstrates its potential as a first-line treatment option for these pathologies.

Diffuse Angiogram-Negative Subarachnoid Hemorrhage is Associated with an Intermediate Clinical Course.

BACKGROUND: The cerebral angiography result is negative for an underlying vascular lesion in 15-20% of patients with nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Patients with angiogram-negative SAH include those with perimesencephalic SAH and diffuse SAH. Consensus suggests that perimesencephalic SAH confers a more favorable prognosis than diffuse SAH. Limited data exist to contextualize the clinical course and prognosis of diffuse SAH in relation to aneurysmal SAH in terms of critical care complications, neurologic complications, and functional outcomes. Here we compare the clinical course and functional outcomes of patients with perimesencephalic SAH, diffuse SAH, and aneurysmal SAH to better characterize the prognostic implications of each SAH subtype. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study that included all patients with nontraumatic SAH admitted to a tertiary care referral center between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2017. Bleed patterns were radiographically adjudicated, and patients were assigned to three groups: perimesencephalic SAH, diffuse SAH, and aneurysmal SAH. Patient demographics, complications, and clinical outcomes were reported and compared. RESULTS: Eighty-six patients with perimesencephalic SAH, 174 with diffuse SAH, and 998 with aneurysmal SAH presented during the study period. Patients with aneurysmal SAH were significantly more likely to be female, White, and active smokers. There were no significant differences between patients with diffuse SAH and perimesencephalic SAH patterns. Critical care complications were compared across all three groups, with significant between-group differences in hypotension and shock (3.5% vs. 16.1% vs. 38.4% for perimesencephalic SAH vs. diffuse SAH vs. aneurysmal SAH, respectively; p < 0.01) and endotracheal intubation (0% vs. 26.4% vs. 48.8% for perimesencephalic SAH vs. diffuse SAH vs. aneurysmal SAH, respectively; p < 0.01). Similar trends were noted with long-term supportive care with tracheostomy and gastrostomy tubes and length of stay. Cerebrospinal fluid diversion was increasingly required across bleed types (9.3% vs. 54.6% vs. 76.3% for perimesencephalic SAH vs. diffuse SAH vs. aneurysmal SAH, respectively, p < 0.001). Vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia were comparable between perimesencephalic SAH and diffuse SAH but significantly lower than aneurysmal SAH. Patients with diffuse SAH had intermediate functional outcomes, with significant rates of nonhome discharge (23.0%) and poor functional status on discharge (26.4%), significantly higher than patients with perimesencephalic SAH and lower than patients with aneurysmal SAH. Diffuse SAH similarly conferred an intermediate rate of good functional outcomes at 1-6 months post discharge (92.3% vs. 78.6% vs. 47.3% for perimesencephalic SAH vs. diffuse SAH vs. aneurysmal SAH, respectively; p < 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: We confirm the consensus data that perimesencephalic SAH is associated with a more benign clinical course but demonstrate that diffuse SAH confers an intermediate prognosis, more malignant than perimesencephalic SAH but not as morbid as aneurysmal SAH. These results highlight the significant morbidity associated with diffuse SAH and emphasize need for vigilance in the acute care of these patients. These patients will likely benefit from continued high-acuity observation and potential support to avert significant risk of morbidity and neurologic compromise.

Endovascular treatment of anterior cranial fossa dural arteriovenous fistula: a multicenter series.

PURPOSE: We report a multicenter experience using endovascular embolization as the first line approach for treatment of anterior cranial fossa (ACF) dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF). METHODS: All patients with DAVFs located in the anterior cranial fossa who were treated with endovascular technique as a first line approach were included. Demographics, clinical presentation, angioarchitecture, strategy, complications, immediate angiographic, and follow-up results were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients met the inclusion criteria (18 male and 5 female). Age ranged from 14 to 79 years (mean 53 years). Twelve patients presented with hemorrhage. Twenty-eight endovascular procedures were performed. The overall immediate angiographic cure rate after endovascular treatment was 82.6% (19/23 patients). The angiographic cure rate of the transvenous strategy was significantly superior to the transarterial strategy (p ≤ 0.001). There was 1 complication in 28 total procedures (3.6%). Angiographic follow-up was available in 21 out of the 23 patients with a mean of 25 months (range 2 to 108 months). In these 21 patients, the DAVF was completely cured in 20 (95%). At last follow-up, all patients had a modified Rankin scale (mRS) 0 to 2. CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that endovascular treatment for ACF DAVFs has an acceptable safety profile with high rates of complete occlusion, particularly with transvenous approach. Whenever possible, transvenous approach should be preferred over transarterial approach as first line strategy.

Successful Endovascular Therapy in COVID-19 Associated Pediatric Ischemic Stroke.

Cerebrovascular diseases attributed to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are uncommon but can result in devastating outcomes. Pediatric acute ischemic strokes are themselves rare and with very few large vessel occlusion related acute ischemic strokes attributed to COVID-19 described in the literature as of date. COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to acute stroke care delays across the world and with pediatric endovascular therapy still in its infancy, it poses a great challenge in facilitating good outcomes in children presenting with acute ischemic strokes in the setting of COVID-19. We present a pediatric patient who underwent endovascular therapy for an internal carotid artery occlusion related acute ischemic stroke in the setting of active COVID-19 and had an excellent outcome thanks to a streamlined stroke pathway involving the vascular neurology, neuro-interventional, neurocritical care, and anesthesiology teams.

Management of Post-Traumatic Maxillofacial Pseudoaneurysms: Review of the Literature and Suggested Algorithm.

A pseudoaneurysm (PA) is a collection of blood caused by an incomplete tear in the vessel wall. PA can be arterial or venous in origin. In the maxillofacial region, arterial PA can result from surgical interventions. Venous PAs in the maxillofacial region have never been described. A standardized protocol for management of post-traumatic PAs in the maxillofacial region would help clinicians make treatment decisions. On the basis of the available literature and our institutional experience, we present an algorithm for management of post-traumatic maxillofacial PAs. We also present patients from our institution who illustrate some of the management options in the algorithm.

The use of contrast-enhanced, time-resolved magnetic resonance angiography in cerebrovascular pathology.

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) has long been the imaging gold standard in the evaluation, treatment, and follow-up of cerebro- and spinovascular disorders. However, DSA has the disadvantages of invasiveness, contrast allergy or nephropathy, the impracticality of procedural preparation and recovery, and expense. Contrast-enhanced (CE), time-resolved (TR) magnetic resonance angiography (CE TR-MRA) is a sophisticated, relatively novel imaging modality that provides multiphasic contrast-enhanced visualization of the neurovasculature. Given the crucial role of angiography in all aspects of care for patients with complex neurovascular disorders, it is incumbent on those who care for these patients to understand the usefulness and pitfalls of novel imaging in this arena to ensure best practices, and to deliver cutting edge care to these patients in a way that minimizes cost, but does not compromise quality. CE TR-MRA has the potential to play an expanded role in the workup and follow-up across the spectrum of neurovascular disease, and this review is aimed to help neurosurgeons better understand how CE TR-MRA can be used to better manage patients in this cohort.

Combined reconstructive and deconstructive endovascular approach for bilateral vertebral artery dissection with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

The video highlights a challenging case of bilateral vertebral artery dissection presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage. The patient was found to have a critical flow-limiting stenosis in his dominant right vertebral artery and a ruptured pseudoaneurysm in his left vertebral artery. A single-stage endovascular treatment with stent reconstruction of the right vertebral artery and coil embolization sacrifice of the left side was performed. The case highlights the rationale for treatment and potential alternative strategies.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/e0U_JE2jISw.

Beyond Large Vessel Occlusion Strokes: Distal Occlusion Thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endovascular therapy is the standard of care for the treatment of proximal large vessel occlusion strokes. Its safety and efficacy in the treatment of distal intracranial occlusions has not been well studied. METHODS: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Retrospective review of a prospectively collected endovascular database (2010-2015, n=949) for all patients with distal intracranial occlusions treated endovascularly. Distal occlusions were defined as any segment of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA), posterior cerebral artery, or occlusion at or distal to the middle cerebral artery (MCA)-M3 opercular segment. RESULTS: Distal occlusions were treated in 69 patients. The mean age was 66.7±15.8 and 57% were male. Patients (29 [42%]) received intravenous tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator). The median preprocedure National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 18 (interquartile range, 13-23). The distal occlusion was the primary treatment location in 45 patients, in 23 patients the distal occlusion was treated as a rescue strategy after successful treatment of a proximal large vessel occlusion strokes, and 1 patient had both primary and rescue treatment. The locations of the primary cases were MCA-M3 (n=21), ACA alone (n=8), ACA with a concomitant MCA-M1 or MCA-M2 (n=10), ACA with a concomitant MCA-M3 (n=3), and posterior cerebral artery (n=3). The locations of the rescue cases were MCA-M3 (n=11), ACA (n=7), posterior cerebral artery (n=4), and both MCA-M3 and ACA (n=1). There was a single patient with primary ACA and MCA-M2 occlusions treated, who then had a rescue MCA-M3 thrombectomy addressed after initial reperfusion. The most common treatment modalities used were stent-retrievers (n=37, 54%), intra-arterial tPA (n=36, 52%), and thromboaspiration (n=31, 45%). Near complete or complete reperfusion of the distal territory (modified Treatment In Cerebral Ischemia [mTICI] 2b-3) was achieved in 57 cases (83%). Three parenchymal hematomas (4%) occurred in the territory of the treated distal occlusion with 2 of these patients also receiving intravenous tPA. At 90 days, 21 patients (30%) had a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2 and 14 (20%) had died. CONCLUSIONS: Distal intracranial occlusions can be treated safely and successfully with endovascular therapy. These results need to be corroborated by larger prospective controlled studies.

Primary Results of the Multicenter ARISE II Study (Analysis of Revascularization in Ischemic Stroke With EmboTrap).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: EmboTrap is a novel stent retriever designed to achieve rapid and substantial flow restoration in acute ischemic stroke secondary to large-vessel occlusions. Here, we evaluated EmboTrap's safety and efficacy compared with established stent retrievers. METHODS: ARISE II (Analysis of Revascularization in Ischemic Stroke With EmboTrap) was a single-arm, prospective, multicenter study, comparing the EmboTrap device to a composite performance goal criterion derived using a Bayesian meta-analysis from the pivotal SWIFT (Solitaire device) and TREVO 2 (Trevo device) trials. Patients at 11 US and 8 European sites were eligible for inclusion if they had large-vessel occlusions and moderate-to-severe neurological deficits within 8 hours of symptom onset. The primary efficacy end point was achievement of modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia (mTICI) reperfusion scores of ≥2b within 3 EmboTrap passes as adjudicated by the core laboratory. The primary safety end point was a composite of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and serious adverse device effects. Secondary end points included functional independence (modified Rankin Scale, 0-2) and all-cause mortality at 90 days. RESULTS: Between October 2015 and February 2017, 227 patients were enrolled and treated with the EmboTrap device. The primary efficacy end point (mTICI ≥2b within 3 passes) was achieved in 80.2% (95% confidence interval, 74%-85% versus 56% performance goal criterion; P value, <0.0001), and mTICI 2c/3 was 65%. After all interventions, mTICI 2c/3 was achieved in 76%, and mTICI ≥2b was 92.5%. The rate of first pass (mTICI ≥2b following a single pass) was 51.5%. The primary safety end point composite rate of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage or serious adverse device effects was 5.3%. Functional independence and all-cause mortality at 90 days were 67% and 9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The EmboTrap stent-retriever mechanical thrombectomy device demonstrated high rates of substantial reperfusion and functional independence in patients with acute ischemic stroke secondary to large-vessel occlusions. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02488915.

Carotid Web (Intimal Fibromuscular Dysplasia) Has High Stroke Recurrence Risk and Is Amenable to Stenting.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Carotid webs have been increasingly recognized as a cause of recurrent stroke, but evidence remains scarce. We aim to report the clinical outcomes and first series of carotid stenting in a cohort of patients with strokes from symptomatic carotid webs. METHODS: Prospective and consecutive data of patients <65 years old with cryptogenic stroke admitted within September 2014 to May 2017. Carotid web was defined by a shelf-like/linear filling defect in the posterior internal carotid artery bulb by computed tomographic angiography. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were identified (91.6% strokes/8.4% transient ischemic attacks [TIAs]). Median age was 46 (41-59) years, 61% were female, and 75% were black. Median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 10.5 (3.0-16.0) and ASPECTS (Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score) was 8 (7-8). There were no parenchymal hemorrhages, and 96% of patients were independent at 3 months. All webs caused <50% stenosis. In patients with bilateral webs (58%), median ipsilateral web length was larger than contralateral (3.1 [3.0-4.5] mm versus 2.6 [1.85-2.9] mm; P=0.01), respectively. Twenty-nine percent of patients had thrombus superimposed on the symptomatic carotid web. A recurrent stroke/TIA involving the territory of the previously symptomatic web occurred in 7 (32%; 6 strokes/1 TIA) patients: 3 <1 week, 2 1 year of follow-up. Two recurrences occurred on dual antiplatelet therapy, 3 on antiplatelet monotherapy, 1 within 24 hours of thrombolysis, and 1 off antithrombotics. Median follow-up was 12.2 (8.0-18.0) months. Sixteen (66%) patients were stented at a median 12.2 (7.0-18.7) days after stroke with no periprocedural complications. No recurrent strokes/TIAs occurred in stented individuals (median follow-up of 4 [2.4-12.0] months). CONCLUSIONS: Carotid web is associated with high recurrent stroke/TIA risk, despite antithrombotic use, and is amenable to carotid stenting.

Utilization of a Smartphone Platform for Electronic Informed Consent in Acute Stroke Trials.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The informed consent process is a major limitation for enrollment in acute stroke clinical investigations. We aim to describe the novel application of smartphone electronic informed consenting (e-Consent) in trials of cerebral thrombectomy. METHODS: The e-Consent tool consists of a secure/Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliant smartphone platform based on REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture; Vanderbilt University, TN) that uses a survey project located on a static webpage. A link to the webpage is sent via text message or email to the legally authorized representative. The e-Consent form is filled and a freehand electronic signature added in the smartphone browser; a record ID and an e-Consent Process Attestation form are automatically generated. The e-Consent application was piloted in a randomized trial comparing endovascular versus medical therapy in late presenting patients (DAWN [Clinical Mismatch in the Triage of Wake Up and Late Presenting Strokes Undergoing Neurointervention With Trevo]). Trial enrollment began in January 2015; e-Consent was approved by the local institutional review board in December 2016, and the study was stopped in February 2017. RESULTS: During the trial period, Grady Memorial Hospital performed 273 thrombectomies with 47 patients being consented and 38 patients enrolled in the DAWN trial. Of the randomized patients, 29 (76%) were transferred from outside hospitals. A total of 6 surrogates were e-Consented, with 2 patients being screen failures. Enrolled e-Consented patients (n=4) had similar age (73±14 versus 69±12 years; P=0.65) and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (16±5 versus 16±5; P=0.88) as compared with conventionally consented (n=25). Time from door-to-randomization was decreased with e-Consenting (28±9 versus 57±24 minutes; P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: e-Consenting streamlined the consenting process in a randomized trial of patients with emergent large vessel occlusion strokes.

Predictors of Good Outcome After Endovascular Therapy for Vertebrobasilar Occlusion Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endovascular therapy is increasingly used in acute ischemic stroke treatment and is now considered the gold standard approach for selected patient populations. Prior studies have demonstrated that eventual patient outcomes depend on both patient-specific factors and procedural considerations. However, these factors remain unclear for acute basilar artery occlusion stroke. We sought to determine prognostic factors of good outcome in acute posterior circulation large vessel occlusion strokes treated with endovascular therapy. METHODS: We reviewed our prospectively collected endovascular databases at 2 US tertiary care academic institutions for patients with acute posterior circulation strokes from September 2005 to September 2015 who had 3-month modified Rankin Scale documented. Baseline characteristics, procedural data, and outcomes were evaluated. A good outcome was defined as a 90-day modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2. The association between clinical and procedural parameters and functional outcome was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 214 patients qualified for the study. Smoking status, creatinine levels, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, anesthesia modality (conscious sedation versus general anesthesia), procedural length, and reperfusion status were significantly associated with good outcomes in the univariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that only smoking (odds ratio=2.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-5.56; P=0.013), low baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (odds ratio=1.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.13; P<0.0001), and successful reperfusion status (odds ratio=10.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.36-85.96; P=0.025) were associated with good outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In our retrospective case series, only smoking, low baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, and successful reperfusion status were associated with good outcome in patients with posterior circulation stroke treated with endovascular therapy.

Cervical Carotid Pseudo-Occlusions and False Dissections: Intracranial Occlusions Masquerading as Extracranial Occlusions.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Pseudo-occlusion (PO) of the cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) refers to an isolated occlusion of the intracranial ICA that appears as an extracranial ICA occlusion on computed tomography angiography (CTA) or digital subtraction angiography because of blockage of distal contrast penetration by a stagnant column of unopacified blood. We aim to better characterize this poorly recognized entity. METHODS: Retrospective review of an endovascular database (2010-2015; n=898). Only patients with isolated intracranial ICA occlusions as confirmed by angiographic exploration were included. CTA and digital subtraction angiography images were categorized according to their apparent site of occlusion as (1) extracranial ICA PO or (2) discernible intracranial ICA occlusion. RESULTS: Cervical ICA PO occurred in 21/46 (46%) patients on CTA (17 proximal cervical; 4 midcervical). Fifteen (71%) of these patients also had PO on digital subtraction angiography. A flame-shaped PO mimicking a carotid dissection was seen in 7 (33%) patients on CTA and in 6 (29%) patients on digital subtraction angiography. Patients with and without CTA PO had similar age (64.8±17.1 versus 60.2±15.7 years; P=0.35), sex (male, 47% versus 52%; P=1.00), and intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator use (38% versus 40%; P=1.00). The rates of modified Treatment In Cerebral Ischemia 2b-3 reperfusion were 71.4% in the PO versus 100% in the non-PO cohorts (P<0.01). The rates of parenchymal hematoma, 90-day modified Rankin Scale score 0-2, and 90-day mortality were 4.8% versus 8% (P=0.66), 40% versus 66.7% (P=0.12), and 25% versus 21% (P=0.77) in PO versus non-PO patients, respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that PO patients had lower chances of modified Treatment In Cerebral Ischemia 3 reperfusion (odds ratio 0.14; 95% confidence interval 0.02-0.70; P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Cervical ICA PO is a relatively common entity and may be associated with decreased reperfusion rates.

Computed Tomographic Perfusion Selection and Clinical Outcomes After Endovascular Therapy in Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Different imaging paradigms have been used to select patients for endovascular therapy in stroke. We sought to determine whether computed tomographic perfusion (CTP) selection improves endovascular therapy outcomes compared with noncontrast computed tomography alone. METHODS: Review of a prospectively collected registry of anterior circulation stroke patients undergoing stent-retriever thrombectomy at a tertiary care center between September 2010 and March 2016. Patients undergoing CTP were compared with those with noncontrast computed tomography alone. The primary outcome was the shift in the 90-day modified Rankin scale (mRS). RESULTS: A total of 602 patients were included. CTP-selected patients (n=365, 61%) were younger (P=0.02) and had fewer comorbidities. CTP selection (n=365, 61%) was associated with a favorable 90-day mRS shift (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-2.09; P=0.02), higher rates of good outcomes (90-day mRS score 0-2: 52.9% versus 40.4%; P=0.005), modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction-3 reperfusion (54.8% versus 40.1%; P<0.001), smaller final infarct volumes (24.7 mL [9.8-63.1 mL] versus 34.6 mL [13.1-88 mL]; P=0.017), and lower mortality (16.6% versus 26.8%; P=0.005). When matched on age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and glucose (n=424), CTP remained associated with a favorable 90-day mRS shift (P=0.016), lower mortality (P=0.02), and higher rates of reperfusion (P<0.001). CTP better predicted functional outcomes in patients presenting after 6 hours (as assessed by comparison of logistic regression models: Akaike information criterion: 199.35 versus 287.49 and Bayesian information criterion: 196.71 versus 283.27) and those with an Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score ≤7 (Akaike information criterion: 216.69 versus 334.96 and Bayesian information criterion: 213.6 versus 329.94). CONCLUSIONS: CTP selection is associated with a favorable mRS shift in patients undergoing stent-retriever thrombectomy. Future prospective studies are warranted.

The FAST-ED App: A Smartphone Platform for the Field Triage of Patients With Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Emergency Medical Services field triage to stroke centers has gained considerable complexity with the recent demonstration of clinical benefit of endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke. We sought to describe a new smartphone freeware application designed to assist Emergency Medical Services professionals with the field assessment and destination triage of patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: Review of the application's platform and its development as well as the different variables, assessments, algorithms, and assumptions involved. RESULTS: The FAST-ED (Field Assessment Stroke Triage for Emergency Destination) application is based on a built-in automated decision-making algorithm that relies on (1) a brief series of questions assessing patient's age, anticoagulant usage, time last known normal, motor weakness, gaze deviation, aphasia, and hemineglect; (2) a database of all regional stroke centers according to their capability to provide endovascular treatment; and (3) Global Positioning System technology with real-time traffic information to compute the patient's eligibility for intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator or endovascular treatment as well as the distances/transportation times to the different neighboring stroke centers in order to assist Emergency Medical Services professionals with the decision about the most suitable destination for any given patient with acute ischemic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: The FAST-ED smartphone application has great potential to improve the triage of patients with acute ischemic stroke, as it seems capable to optimize resources, reduce hospital arrivals times, and maximize the use of both intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator and endovascular treatment ultimately leading to better clinical outcomes. Future field studies are needed to properly evaluate the impact of this tool in stroke outcomes and resource utilization.