How Clot Composition Influences Fibrinolysis in the Acute Phase of Stroke: A Proteomic Study of Cerebral Thrombi.

BACKGROUND: The dramatic clinical improvement offered by mechanical thrombectomy raised questions about the relevance of prior intravenous thrombolysis in large-vessel occlusion strokes. Hence, studying intravenous thrombolysis susceptibility and its dependence on thrombus composition is crucial. We used an observational proteomic study of whole thrombi retrieved by mechanical thrombectomy to identify factors associated with fibrin content and fibrinolytic activity (FA). METHODS: In 104 stroke patients, the thrombi proteome was established by mass spectrometry coupled to liquid chromatography. FA was estimated in clots both outside (FAout) by measuring D-dimer levels at the blood-thrombus interface and inside (FAin) by evaluating the ratio of fibrinogen α to its plasmin-cleaved forms using proteomics coupled with protein electrophoresis. The factors associated with fibrin content, FAin, and FAout were determined by intravenous thrombolysis-adjusted linear regression. RESULTS: FAout (P<0.0001) and FAin (P=0.0147) were driven by recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (r-tPA) administration (47/104) and thrombus composition. Indeed, FAout was greater with fibrin-rich than erythrocyte-rich thrombi, presumably because of more (r)tPA substrates. Thus, FAout was increased with cardioembolic thrombi (72/104), which are rich in fibrin (P=0.0300). Opposite results were found inside the thrombus, suggesting that (r)tPA penetrability was hampered by the density of the fibrinous cap. Moreover, blood cells had a strong impact on thrombus structure and susceptibility to (r)tPA. Indeed, fibrin content was negatively associated with erythrocyte-specific proteins in the thrombus, admission hematocrit (P=0.0139), and hemoglobin level (P=0.0080), which underlines the key role of erythrocytes in thrombus composition. Also, an increased number of neutrophils impaired FAout (P=0.0225), which suggests that their aggregation around the thrombus prevented the (r)tPA attack. Only FAout was significantly associated with reduced thrombus weight (P=0.0310), increased recanalization rate (P=0.0150), good clinical outcome (P=0.0480), and reduced mortality (P=0.0080). CONCLUSIONS: Proteomics can offer new insights into the close relationship between thrombus composition and susceptibility to fibrinolysis, paving the way for new adjuvant therapies.

Acute and Chronic Kidney Dysfunction and Prognosis following Thrombectomy for Ischemic Stroke.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have an increased risk of stroke, and CKD seems associated with worse outcome after a stroke. The main objective of our study RISOTTO was to evaluate the influence of CKD and acute kidney injury (AKI) on the clinical outcome and mortality of ischemic stroke patients after thrombolysis and/or thrombectomy. METHODS: This multicenter cohort study included patients in the acute phase of ischemic stroke due to large artery occlusion managed by thrombectomy. Functional outcome at 3 months was assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). RESULTS: 280 patients were included in the analysis. Fifty-nine patients (22.6%) had CKD. At 3 months, CKD was associated with similar functional prognosis (mRS 3-6: 50.0% vs. 41.7%, p = 0.262) but higher mortality (24.2% versus 9.5%, p = 0.004). In univariate analysis, patients with CKD had a higher burden of white matter hyperintensities (Fazekas score: 1.7 ± 0.8 vs. 1.0 ± 0.8, p = 0.002), lower initial infarct volume with equivalent severity, and lower recanalization success (86.4% vs. 97.0%, p = 0.008) compared to non-CKD patients. Forty-seven patients (20.0%) developed AKI. AKI was associated with poorer 3-month functional outcome (mRS 3-6: 63.8% vs. 49.0%, p = 0.002) and mortality (23.4% versus 7.7%, p = 0.002). In multivariate analysis, AKI appeared as an independent risk factor for poor functional outcome (mRS 3-6: adjOR 2.79 [1.11-7.02], p = 0.029) and mortality (adjOR 2.52 [1.03-6.18], p = 0.043) at 3 months, while CKD was not independently associated with 3-month mortality and poor neurological outcome. CONCLUSIONS: AKI is independently associated with poorer functional outcome and increased mortality at 3 months. CKD was not an independent risk factor for 3-month mortality or poor functional prognosis.

Virtual diluted cone beam CT for device apposition assessment during endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysm: A technical note.

The increasing use of embolization devices with suboptimal radio-opacity to treat intracranial aneurysm underscores the need for advanced imaging techniques to characterize device-vessel interactions more accurately. Contrast-diluted cone-beam CT is commonly used in neurointervention but requires additional technical refinements to improve endovascular treatment assessment. In this technical note, we describe the virtual dilution cone beam CT (VDCBCT), a technique that synthetizes non-contrast and contrast-enhanced CBCT images to virtually dilute iodinated contrast agents, thereby facilitating a more accurate assessment of embolization device apposition. Through a set of intracranial aneurysms treated with different embolization devices, we describe the VDCBCT protocol and its usefulness for device apposition confidence. VDCBCT may enhance the global understanding of neurovascular embolization treatments by providing improved visualization of target vessels and low-radio-opacity embolization devices, obviating the need for contrast dilution.

Nonaneurysmal perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage on noncontrast head CT: An accuracy, inter-rater, and intra-rater reliability study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate the reliability and accuracy of nonaneurysmal perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage (NAPSAH) on Noncontrast Head CT (NCCT) between numerous raters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 45 NCCT of adult patients with SAH who also had a catheter angiography (CA) were independently evaluated by 48 diverse raters; 45 raters performed a second assessment one month later. For each case, raters were asked: 1) whether they judged the bleeding pattern to be perimesencephalic; 2) whether there was blood anterior to brainstem; 3) complete filling of the anterior interhemispheric fissure (AIF); 4) extension to the lateral part of the sylvian fissure (LSF); 5) frank intraventricular hemorrhage; 6) whether in the hypothetical presence of a negative CT angiogram they would still recommend CA. An automatic NAPSAH diagnosis was also generated by combining responses to questions 2-5. Reliability was estimated using Gwet's AC1 (κG), and the relationship between the NCCT diagnosis of NAPSAH and the recommendation to perform CA using Cramer's V test. Multi-rater accuracy of NCCT in predicting negative CA was explored. RESULTS: Inter-rater reliability for the presence of NAPSAH was moderate (κG = 0.58; 95%CI: 0.47, 0.69), but improved to substantial when automatically generated (κG = 0.70; 95%CI: 0.59, 0.81). The most reliable criteria were the absence of AIF filling (κG = 0.79) and extension to LSF (κG = 0.79). Mean intra-rater reliability was substantial (κG = 0.65). NAPSAH weakly correlated with CA decision (V = 0.50). Mean sensitivity and specificity were 58% (95%CI: 44%, 71%) and 83 % (95%CI: 72 %, 94%), respectively. CONCLUSION: NAPSAH remains a diagnosis of exclusion. The NCCT diagnosis was moderately reliable and its impact on clinical decisions modest.

Kidney disease and stroke: epidemiology and potential mechanisms of susceptibility.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have an increased risk of both ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke compared with the general population. Both acute and chronic kidney impairment are independently associated with poor outcome after the onset of a stroke, after adjustment for confounders. End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is associated with a 7- and 9-fold increased incidence of both ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes, respectively, poorer neurological outcome and a 3-fold higher mortality. Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in 12% of patients with stroke and is associated with a 4-fold increased mortality and unfavourable functional outcome. CKD patients seem to have less access to revascularisation techniques like thrombolysis and thrombectomy despite their poorer prognosis. Even if CKD patients could benefit from these specific treatments in acute ischaemic stroke, their prognosis remains poor. After thrombolysis, CKD is associated with a 40% increased risk of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), a 20% increase in mortality and poorer functional neurological outcomes. After thrombectomy, CKD is not associated with ICH but is still associated with increased mortality, and AKI with unfavourable outcome and mortality. The beneficial impact of gliflozins on the prevention of stroke is still uncertain. Non-traditional risk factors of stroke, like uraemic toxins, can lead to chronic cerebrovascular disease predisposing to stroke in CKD, notably through an increase in the blood-brain barrier permeability and impaired coagulation and thrombosis mechanisms. Preclinical and clinical studies are needed to specifically assess the impact of these non-traditional risk factors on stroke incidence and outcomes, aiming to optimize and identify potential therapeutic targets.

"National survey for preliminary evaluation of neuroradiological protocols in patients with infective endocarditis".

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify imaging protocols in patients with infective endocarditis through a nationwide survey. METHODS: An electronic evolutionary survey was sent to interventional Neuroradiologists among neuroradiological centers, under the aegis of the Société Française de Neuroradiologie. Among 33 contacted centers, 25 completed the survey (21 universitary hospitals and 4 peripheric hospitals). RESULTS: Most of the centers (88%) used systematic imaging screening in IE patients. MRI was the first imaging method used in 66% of cases, while CT was used in 44%. When no IIA was detectable in CT-scan screening, 6 (54,54%) stopped investigations, while 9 (81,81%) continued with MRI exploration in case of hemorrhage, ischemia or enhancement. Sulcal hemorrhage on MRI was an indication of complementary DSA in 25 centers (100%). Regarding IIA characterization, 12 centers (48%) used systematic DSA, whereas for 10 centers (40%), DSA was conditioned by hemorrhage or patient status. CONCLUSION: We highlighted large variations in Neuroimaging exploration and follow-up of IE patients in real-world practices. Expert guidelines able to standardize practices are warranted to improve the management of this serious and often misdiagnosed pathology.

Arterial Spin Labeling for the Etiological Workup of Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Children.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Pediatric nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage accounts for half of stroke in children. Early diagnostic of the causative underlying lesion is the first step toward prevention of hemorrhagic recurrence. We aimed to investigate the performance of arterial spin labeling sequence (ASL) in the acute phase etiological workup for the detection of an arteriovenous shunt (AVS: including malformation and fistula), the most frequent cause of pediatric nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage. METHODS: Children with a pediatric nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage between 2011 and 2019 enrolled in a prospective registry were retrospectively included if they had undergone ASL-magnetic resonance imaging before any etiological treatment. ASL sequences were reviewed using cerebral blood flow maps by 2 raters for the presence of an AVS. The diagnostic performance of ASL was compared with admission computed tomography angiography, other magnetic resonance imaging sequences including contrast-enhanced sequences and subsequent digital subtraction angiography. RESULTS: A total of 121 patients with pediatric nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage were included (median age, 9.9 [interquartile range, 5.8-13]; male sex 48.8%) of whom 76 (63%) had a final diagnosis of AVS. Using digital subtraction angiography as an intermediate reference, visual ASL inspection had a sensitivity and a specificity of, respectively, 95.9% (95% CI, 88.5%-99.1%) and 79.0% (95% CI, 54.4%-94.0%). ASL had a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 90.2%, 97.2%, and 92.5%, respectively for the detection of the presence of an AVS, with near perfect interrater agreement (κ=0.963 [95% CI, 0.912-1.0]). The performance of ASL alone was higher than that of other magnetic resonance imaging sequences, individually or combined, and higher than that of computed tomography angiography. CONCLUSIONS: ASL has strong diagnostic performance for the detection of AVS in the initial workup of intracerebral hemorrhage in children. If our findings are confirmed in other settings, ASL may be a helpful diagnostic imaging modality for patients with pediatric nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifiers: 3618210420, 2217698.

Diabetes is an Independent Growth Factor of Ischemic Stroke During Reperfusion Phase Leading to Poor Clinical Outcome.

OBJECTIVES: Despite the success of recanalization by bridging therapy, about half of treated stroke patients remain disabled. While numerous reports propose clinical predictors of stroke clinical outcome in this context, we originally aimed to study pre-therapeutic factors influencing infarct growth (IG) and poor clinical outcome in strokes due to large vessel occlusion (LVO) successfully recanalized. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 87 consecutive successfully recanalized patients (mTICI: 2b/2c/3) by mechanical thrombectomy (±rt-PA) after stroke due to middle cerebral artery (M1) occlusion within 6 h according to AHA guidelines. IG was defined by subtracting the initial DWI volume to the final 24 h-TDM volume. Statistical associations between poor clinical outcome (mRS≥2), IG and pertinent clinico-radiological variables, were measured using logistic and linear regression models. RESULTS: Among 87 enrolled patients (Age(y): 68.4 ± 17.5; NIHSS: 16.0 ± 5.4), 42/87 (48,28%) patients had a mRS ≥ 2 at 3 months. Diabetic history (OR: 3.70 CI95%[1.03;14.29] and initial NIHSS (/1 point: OR: 1.16 CI95%[1.05;1.27]) were independently associated with poor outcome. IG was significantly higher in stroke patients with poor outcome (+7.57 ± 4.52 vs -7.81 ± 1.67; p = 0.0024). Initial volumes were not significantly different (mRS≥2: 16.18 ± 2.67; mRS[0-1]: 14.70 ± 2.30; p = 0.6771). Explanatory variables of IG in linear regression were diabetic history (ß: 21.26 CI95%[5.43; 37.09]) and NIHSS (ß: 0.83 CI95%[0.02; 1.64]). IG was higher in diabetic stroke patients (23.54 ± 1.43 vs -6.20 ± 9.36; p = 0.0061). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that diabetes leads to continued IG after complete recanalization, conditioning clinical outcome in LVO strokes successfully recanalized by bridging therapy. We suggest that poor tissular reperfusion by diabetic microangiopathy could explain this result.

Hemorrhage Expansion After Pediatric Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Significant hemorrhage expansion (sHE) is a known predictor of poor outcome after an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in adults but remains poorly reported in children. In a large inception cohort, we aimed to explore the prevalence of sHE, its associations with clinical outcomes, and its clinical-imaging predictors in children. METHODS: Children admitted between January 2000 and March 2020 at a quaternary care pediatric hospital were screened for inclusion. Sample was restricted to children with 2 computed tomography scans within 72 hours of ICH onset, and a minimal clinical follow-up of months. sHE was defined as an increase from baseline ICH volume by 6 cc or 33% on follow-up computed tomography. Clinical outcome was assessed at 12 months with the King's Outcome Scale for Childhood Head Injury score and defined as favorable for scores ≥5. RESULTS: Fifty-two children met inclusion criteria, among which 8 (15%) demonstrated sHE, and 18 (34.6%) any degree of expansion. Children with sHE had more frequent coagulation disorders (25.0% versus 2.3%; P=0.022). After multivariable adjustment, only the presence of coagulation disorders at baseline remained independently associated with sHE (adjusted odds ratio, 14.4 [95% CI, 1.04-217]; P=0.048). sHE was independently associated with poor outcome (King's Outcome Scale for Childhood Head Injury <5A, odds ratio, 5.77 [95% CI, 1.01-38.95]; P=0.043). CONCLUSIONS: sHE is a frequent phenomenon after admission for a pediatric ICH and more so in children with coagulation defects. As sHE was strongly associated with poorer clinical outcomes, these data mandate a baseline coagulation work up and questions the need for protocolized repeat head computed tomography in children admitted for pediatric ICH.

Description of morphological evolution of lung tumors treated by percutaneous radiofrequency ablation: long term follow-up of 100 lesions with chest CT.

PURPOSE: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment for pulmonary tumors. Patterns on chest computed tomography (CT) after RFA are classified into five types; however, the follow-up has not been fully described. The objectives of this study were to describe (1) the CT pattern 3 years after RFA and (2) its evolution over 7 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lesions treated with RFA between 2009 and 2017 and with ≥3 years of follow-up CT data were included. Lesions with local recurrences were excluded from the study. The morphology of the ablation zone was classified as nodular, fibrotic, atelectatic, cavitary, and disappeared. Other initial anatomical parameters were recorded. Kruskal-Wallis or Chi-square tests were used to compare the groups. RESULTS: One hundred lung RFA scars were included, and a retrospective longitudinal study was performed. Three years after RFA, nodular, fibrotic, atelectatic, and cavitary scars, and disappearance were observed in 49%, 36%, 5%, 3%, and 6% of the scars, respectively. Evolution over 7 years showed that the fibrosis, atelectasis, and disappearance remained stable over time, whereas 28% of nodular scars evolved into fibrotic scars. Additionally, 45% of cavitary scars evolved into nodular scars. Pleural contact was associated with disappearance, and the use of a 20-mm needle was associated with atelectasis. CONCLUSION: Follow-up after RFA showed that fibrosis, disappearance, and atelectasis remained stable over time. Nodular scars could evolve into fibrotic scars, and cavitary scars could evolve into nodular scars.

Percutaneous lung and liver CT-guided ablation on swine model using microwave ablation to determine ablation size for clinical practice.

PURPOSE: Microwave ablation (MWA) provides an effective treatment of lung and liver tumors but suffers from a lack of reproducibility of ablation size among currently available technologies. In-vitro evaluations are far removed from clinical practices because of uninfused tissue. This study is in-vivo preclinical testing of a new MWA system on swine lungs and liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All ablations were performed under CT guidance and multiple algorithms were tested with a power of 50, 75, and 100 W for durations of 3, 5, 8, 10, and 15 min. A 3 D-evaluation of the ablation zone was carried out using enhanced-CT. The sphericity index, coefficients of variation, and energy efficiency (which corresponds to the volume yield according to the power supplied) were calculated. RESULTS: Fifty liver and 48 lung ablations were performed in 17 swine. The sphericity index varies from 0.50 to 0.80 for liver ablations and from 0.40 to 0.69 for lung ablations. The coefficient of variation was below 15% for 4/5 and 4/8 protocols for lung and liver ablations, respectively. The energy efficiency seems to decrease with the duration of the ablation from 0.60 × 10-3 cm3/J (75 W, 3 min) to 0.26 × 10-3 cm3/J (100 W, 15 min) in the liver and from 0.57 × 10-3 cm3/J (50 W, 10 min) to 0.42 × 10-3 cm3/J (100 W, 12 min) in the lungs. CONCLUSION: A shorter treatment time provides the best energy efficiency, and the best reproducibility is obtained for a 10 min treatment duration. The system tested provides an interesting reproducibility in both lung and liver measurements. Our results may help interventional radiologists in the optimal selection of treatment parameters.

The white test for intraoperative screening of bile leakage: a potential trigger factor for acute pancreatitis after liver resection-a case series.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis after liver resection is a rare but serious complication, and few cases have been described in the literature. Extended lymphadenectomy, and long ischemia due to the Pringle maneuver could be responsible of post-liver resection acute pancreatitis, but the exact causes of AP after hepatectomy remain unclear. CASES PRESENTATION: We report here three cases of AP after hepatectomy and we strongly hypothesize that this is due to the bile leakage white test. 502 hepatectomy were performed at our center and 3 patients (0.6%) experienced acute pancreatitis after LR and all of these three patients underwent the white test at the end of the liver resection. None underwent additionally lymphadenectomy to the liver resection. All patient had a white-test during the liver surgery. We identified distal implantation of the cystic duct in these three patients as a potential cause for acute pancreatitis. CONCLUSION: The white test is useful for detection of bile leakage after liver resection, but we do not recommend a systematic use after LR, because severe acute pancreatitis can be lethal for the patient, especially in case of distal cystic implantation which may facilitate reflux in the main pancreatic duct.

Mechanical thrombectomy practices in France: Exhaustive survey of centers and individual operators.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has dramatically changed the landscape of stroke care as well as stroke care organization. Public health institutions are faced with the challenge of swiftly providing equal access to this high technical level procedure with rapidly broadening indications, and constantly developing techniques. The aim of this study was to present a current nationwide overview of technical MT practices in France as well as local organizations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thrombectomy capable French stroke centers, and physicians performing MT were invited to participate to a nationwide survey, disseminated through an existing trainee-led research network (the JENI-RC) under the aegis of the French Society of Neuroradiology. The survey was composed of 64 questions to collect both individual practices and general center-based information. RESULTS: All French centers (100%) answered the survey, and 74% (110/148) of active interventional neuroradiologists (INR) performing MT completed individual questionnaires. The mean number of INR per center performing MT was 3.7±1.85, and 85% of the centers were organized for 24/7 continuity of care. MRI was the most commonly used imaging modality for stroke diagnosis and patients' selection, and perfusion imaging was routinely available in 85% of the centers. Half of centers performed yearly between 100 and 200 MT. Anesthesiologic, and technical considerations are also developed in the manuscript. CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide survey highlights the impressive response to the challenge of reorganization of stroke care with regards to mechanical thrombectomy in France. Technical and management disparities remain. Most centers remain understaffed to properly function in the long term, but the inflow of INT trainees is substantial.

Short-term outcomes after major hepatic resection in patients with cirrhosis: a 75-case unicentric western experience.

BACKGROUND: The benefit of performing major hepatic resection (MHR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis remains controversial because of its high risk of posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF). This study was conducted to assess the risk of MHR for HCC in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: Patients with Child-Pugh A or B cirrhosis and HCC who underwent MHR from January 2000 to June 2014 were retrospectively identified. Risk factors for postoperative morbidity and mortality using univariate and multivariate analyses were evaluated. RESULTS: Seventy patients with Child-Pugh A (93%) and 5 (7%) with Child-Pugh B cirrhosis underwent MHR for HCC. Thirteen (17%) had Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A, 39 (50%) had BCLC B, and 23 (32%) had BCLC C disease. A perioperative blood transfusion was performed in 18 patients (24%). Ninety-day postoperative mortality was 9% (n=7). Major complications occurred in 16 patients (21%), including PHLF in 9 patients (12%). A multivariate analysis showed that perioperative blood transfusion was the main independent factor associated with mortality (OR= 6.5) and major morbidity (OR=10). CONCLUSION: In selected patients with HCC and cirrhosis, MHR is feasible and has acceptable mortality, but careful perioperative management and limiting blood loss are required.

Traumatic axonal injury: Clinic, forensic and biomechanics perspectives.

Identification of Traumatic axonal injury (TAI) is critical in clinical practice, particularly in terms of long-term prognosis, but also for medico-legal issues, to verify whether the death or the after-effects were attributable to trauma. Multidisciplinary approaches are an undeniable asset when it comes to solving these problems. The aim of this work is therefore to list the different techniques needed to identify axonal lesions and to understand the lesion mechanisms involved in their formation. Imaging can be used to assess the consequences of trauma, to identify indirect signs of TAI, to explain the patient's initial symptoms and even to assess the patient's prognosis. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the skull can highlight fractures suggestive of trauma. Microscopic and immunohistochemical techniques are currently considered as the most reliable tools for the early identification of TAI following trauma. Finite element models use mechanical equations to predict biomechanical parameters, such as tissue stresses and strains in the brain, when subjected to external forces, such as violent impacts to the head. These parameters, which are difficult to measure experimentally, are then used to predict the risk of injury. The integration of imaging data with finite element models allows researchers to create realistic and personalized computational models by incorporating actual geometry and properties obtained from imaging techniques. The personalization of these models makes their forensic approach particularly interesting.

Rescue intracranial permanent stenting for refractory occlusion following thrombectomy: a propensity matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: Rescue intracranial stenting (RIS) can be used in refractory large vessel occlusion (LVO) after mechanical thrombectomy (MT). We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of RIS versus a propensity matched sample of patients with persistent LVO. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed a multicenter retrospective pooled cohort of patients with anterior LVO (2015-2021) treated with MT, and identified patients with at least three passes and a modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) score of 0 to 2a. Propensity score matching was used to account for determinants of outcome in patients with or without RIS. The study outcomes included 3 months modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation (HT). RESULTS: 420 patients with a refractory anterior occlusion were included, of which 101 were treated with RIS (mean age 69 years). Favorable outcome (mRS 0-2) was more frequent in patients with a patent stent at day 1 (53% vs 6%, P<0.001), which was independently associated with an early dual antiplatelet regimen (P<0.05). In the propensity matched sample, patients treated with RIS versus without RIS had similar rates of favorable outcomes (36.8% vs 30.3%, P=0.606). Patients with RIS showed a favorable shift in the overall mRS distributions (common adjusted OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.91, P=0.006). Symptomatic HT was marginally more frequent in the RIS group (9% vs 3%, P=0.07), and there was no difference in 3-month mortality. CONCLUSION: In selected patients with a refractory intracranial occlusion despite at least three thrombectomy passes, RIS may be associated with an overall shift towards more favorable clinical outcome, and no significant increase in the odds of symptomatic HT or death.

Safety and efficacy of stent retrievers plus contact aspiration in patients with acute ischaemic anterior circulation stroke and positive susceptibility vessel sign in France (VECTOR): a randomised, single-blind trial.

BACKGROUND: Positive susceptibility vessel sign (SVS) in patients with acute ischaemic stroke has been associated with friable red blood cell-rich clots and more effective recanalisation using stent retrievers versus contact aspiration. We compared the safety and efficacy of stent retrievers plus contact aspiration (combined technique) versus contact aspiration alone as the first-line thrombectomy technique in patients with acute ischaemic anterior circulation stroke and SVS-positive occlusions. METHODS: Adaptive Endovascular Strategy to the Clot MRI in Large Intracranial Vessel Occlusion (VECTOR) was a prospective, randomised, open-label study with blinded evaluation. Patients with SVS-positive anterior circulation occlusions on pretreatment MRI and arterial puncture within 24 h of symptom onset were enrolled from 22 centres in France. A centralised web-based method was used by interventional neuroradiologists for dynamic randomisation by minimisation. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to the combined technique or contact aspiration alone. The primary outcome was expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (eTICI) grade 2c or 3 reperfusion after three or fewer passes on post-treatment angiogram, adjudicated by a blinded independent central imaging core laboratory. The intention-to-treat population was used to assess the primary and secondary outcomes. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04139486) and is complete. FINDINGS: Between Nov 26, 2019, and Feb 14, 2022, 526 patients were enrolled, of whom 521 constituted the intention-to-treat population (combined technique, n=263; contact aspiration alone, n=258). The median age of participants was 74·9 years (IQR 64·4-83·3); 284 (55%) were female and 237 (45%) male. The primary outcome did not differ significantly between groups (152 [58%] of 263 patients for the combined technique vs 135 [52%] of 258 for contact aspiration; odds ratio [OR] 1·27; 95% CI 0·88-1·83; p=0·19). Procedure-related adverse events occurred in 32 (12%) of 263 patients in the combined technique group and 27 (11%) of 257 in the contact aspiration group (OR 1·14; 0·65-2·00; p=0·65). The most common adverse event was intracerebral haemorrhage (146 [56%] of 259 patients for the combined technique vs 123 [49%] of 251 for contact aspiration; OR 1·32; 0·91-1·90; p=0·13). All-cause mortality at 3 months occurred in 57 (23%) of 251 patients in the combined technique group and 48 (19%) of 247 in the contact aspiration group (OR 1·19; 0·76-1·86; p=0·45), none of which was treatment-related. INTERPRETATION: The results of the VECTOR trial do not show superiority of the combined stent retriever plus contact aspiration technique over contact aspiration alone in patients with SVS-positive occlusion with respect to achieving eTICI 2c-3 within three passes. These findings support the use of either the combined technique or contact aspiration alone as the initial thrombectomy strategy in patients with acute anterior circulation stroke with SVS on pretreatment MRI. FUNDING: Cerenovus.