Diagnostic and Therapeutic Strategies in Evans Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Evans syndrome (ES) is characterized by a combination of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Immune dysregulation, which results in the development of antibodies against blood cells, is its defining feature. ES being a diagnosis of exclusion requires a thorough workup to rule out other probable illnesses like lymphoproliferative diseases and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We present the case of a 38-year-old male who experienced shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and generalized weakness. His medical history included recurrent anemia, thrombocytopenia, and pulmonary tuberculosis in remission. Hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, and a large pericardial effusion were discovered during the physical examination and investigations. An initial treatment strategy that included pericardiocentesis was performed. In combination with AIHA and ITP, the clinical and laboratory findings strongly suggested ES, which improved with prednisolone therapy. First-line treatments consist of corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin; refractory cases may also require rituximab, thrombopoietin receptor antagonists, and sirolimus. Achieving remission and lowering relapse rates need careful patient monitoring and customized treatment programs.

Co-localization of NCCT hypodensity and CTA spot sign predicts substantial intracerebral hematoma expansion: The Black-&-White sign.

BACKGROUND: Existing radiological markers of hematoma expansion (HE) show modest predictive accuracy. We aim to investigate a novel radiological marker that co-localizes findings from non-contrast CT (NCCT) and CT angiography (CTA) to predict HE. METHODS: Consecutive acute intracerebral hemorrhage patients admitted at Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, Canada, were included. The Black-&-White sign was defined as any visually identified spot sign on CTA co-localized with a hypodensity sign on the corresponding NCCT. The primary outcome was hematoma expansion (⩾6 mL or ⩾33%). Secondary outcomes included absolute (<3, 3-6, 6-12, ⩾12 mL) and relative (0%, <25%, 25%-50%, 50%-75%, or >75%) hematoma growth scales. RESULTS: Two-hundred patients were included, with 50 (25%) experiencing HE. Forty-four (22%) showed the spot sign, 69 (34.5%) the hypodensity sign, and 14 (7%) co-localized both as the Black-&-White sign. Those with the Black-&-White sign had higher proportions of HE (100% vs 19.4%, p < 0.001), greater absolute hematoma growth (23.37 mL (IQR = 15.41-30.27) vs 0 mL (IQR = 0-2.39), p < 0.001) and relative hematoma growth (120% (IQR = 49-192) vs 0% (0-15%), p < 0.001). The Black-&-White sign had a specificity of 100% (95%CI = 97.6%-100%), a positive predictive value of 100% (95%CI = 76.8%-100%), and an overall accuracy of 82% (95%CI = 76%-87.1%). Among the 14 patients with the Black-&-White sign, 13 showed an absolute hematoma growth ⩾12 mL, and 10 experienced a HE exceeding 75% of the initial volume. The inter-rater agreement was excellent (kappa coefficient = 0.84). CONCLUSION: The Black-&-White sign is a robust predictor of hematoma expansion occurrence and severity, yet further validation is needed to confirm these compelling findings.

Collaterals at angiography guide clinical outcomes after endovascular stroke therapy in HERMES.

BACKGROUND: Robust collateral circulation has been linked with better reperfusion and clinical outcomes. It remains unclear how individual assessments of collateral circulation may be translated into clinical practice. METHODS: The pooled Highly Effective Reperfusion Evaluated in Multiple Endovascular Stroke Trials (HERMES) angiography dataset was analyzed by a centralized, independent imaging core blinded to other clinical data. Conventional angiography was acquired immediately prior to endovascular therapy. Collaterals were graded with the American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology (ASITN) system and associated with baseline patient characteristics, reperfusion, and day 90 modified Rankin Score (mRS). Both 90-day all-cause mortality and day 90 mRS were modeled via multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Angiography was available in 376/605 (62%) patients. Baseline ASPECTS (Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score) (p=0.043), history of diabetes mellitus (p=0.048), site of occlusion (p<0.001), and degree of subsequent Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) reperfusion (p<0.001) were associated with collateral grades. ASITN collateral grade was strongly associated with ordinal mRS from baseline to 90 days in an unadjusted analysis (p<0.001). Multivariable regression demonstrated that collateral status is a strong determinant of mRS outcome in the presence of other predictors (OR=1.37 per grade, 95% CI [1.05 to 1.74], p=0.018). By comparing ORs, 1 unit of ASITN was determined to be approximately equivalent to 4.5 points of NIHSS, 11 years of age, 1.5 points of ASPECTS, or 100 min less delay from onset to puncture, in terms of impact on mRS. CONCLUSIONS: Individual collateral physiology may contribute significantly to reperfusion success and clinical outcomes after acute ischemic stroke. Building a consensus for the role of angiographic collateral assessment in the allocation of adjuvant reperfusion therapies may help galvanize a precision medicine approach in stroke.

Challenges to Widespread Implementation of Stroke Thrombectomy.

Endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke is one of the most efficacious and effective treatments in medicine, yet globally, its implementation remains limited. Patterns of EVT underutilization exist in virtually any health care system and range from a complete lack of access to selective undertreatment of certain patient subgroups. In this review, we outline different patterns of EVT underutilization and possible causes. We discuss common challenges and bottlenecks that are encountered by physicians, patients, and other stakeholders when trying to establish and expand EVT services in different scenarios and possible pathways to overcome these challenges. Lastly, we discuss the importance of implementation research studies, strategic partnerships, and advocacy efforts to mitigate EVT underutilization.

HERMES-24 Score Derivation and Validation for Simple and Robust Outcome Prediction After Large Vessel Occlusion Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Clinicians need simple and highly predictive prognostic scores to assist practical decision-making. We aimed to develop a simple outcome prediction score applied 24 hours after anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke treatment with endovascular thrombectomy and validate it in patients treated both with and without endovascular thrombectomy. METHODS: Using the HERMES (Highly Effective Reperfusion Evaluated in Multiple Endovascular Stroke Trials) collaboration data set (n=1764), patients in the endovascular thrombectomy arm were divided randomly into a derivation cohort (n=430) and a validation cohort (n=441). From a set of candidate predictors, logistic regression modeling using forward variable selection was used to select a model that was both parsimonious and highly predictive for modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤2 at 90 days. The score was validated in validation cohort, control arm (n=893), and external validation cohorts from the ESCAPE-NA1 (Efficacy and Safety of Nerinetide for the Treatment of Acute Ischaemic Stroke; n=1066) and INTERRSeCT (Identifying New Approaches to Optimize Thrombus Characterization for Predicting Early Recanalization and Reperfusion With IV Alteplase and Other Treatments Using Serial CT Angiography; n=614). RESULTS: In the derivation cohort, we selected 2 significant predictors of mRS ≤2 (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at 24 hours and age [ß-coefficient, 0.34 and 0.06]) and derived the HERMES-24 score: age (years)/10+National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at 24 hours. The HERMES-24 score was highly predictive for mRS ≤2 (c-statistic 0.907 [95% CI, 0.879-0.935]) in the derivation cohort. In the validation cohort and the control arm, the HERMES-24 score predicts mRS ≤2 (c-statistic, 0.914 [95% CI, 0.886-0.944] and 0.909 [95% CI, 0.887-0.930]). Observed provability of mRS ≤2 ranged between 3.1% and 3.4% when HERMES-24 score ≥25, while it ranged between 90.6% and 93.0% when HERMES-24 score <10 in the derivation cohort, validation cohort, and control arm. The HERMES-24 score also showed c-statistics of 0.894 and 0.889 for mRS ≤2 in the ESCAPE-NA1 and INTERRSeCT populations. CONCLUSIONS: The post-treatment HERMES-24 score is a simple validated score that predicts a 3-month outcome after anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke regardless of intervention, which helps prognostic discussion with families on day 2.

Endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischaemic stroke with established large infarct (TENSION): 12-month outcomes of a multicentre, open-label, randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Long-term data showing the benefits of endovascular thrombectomy for stroke with large infarct are scarce. The TENSION trial showed the safety and efficacy of endovascular thrombectomy in patients with ischaemic stroke and large infarct at 90 days. We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy at 12 months of endovascular thrombectomy in patients who were enrolled in the TENSION trial. METHODS: TENSION was an open-label, blinded endpoint, randomised trial done at 40 hospitals across Europe and one hospital in Canada. We included patients (aged ≥18 years) with acute ischaemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation and who had a large infarct, as indicated by an Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomographic Score (ASPECTS) of 3-5 on standard-of-care stroke imaging. We randomly assigned patients (1:1) to receive either endovascular thrombectomy with medical treatment or medical treatment only up to 12 h from stroke onset. The primary outcome was functional outcome across the entire range of the modified Rankin Scale at 90 days. Here, we report the prespecified 12-month follow-up analyses for functional outcome (using the simplified modified Rankin Scale questionnaire), quality of life (using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 10-item [PROMIS-10] and EQ-5D questionnaires), post-stroke anxiety and depression (using the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 [PHQ-4]), and overall survival. Outcomes (except survival) were assessed in the intention-to-treat population; the survival analysis was based on treatment received. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03094715, and is completed. FINDINGS: We enrolled patients between July 17, 2018, and Feb 21, 2023, when the trial was stopped early for efficacy. 253 patients were randomly assigned, 125 (49%) to endovascular thrombectomy and 128 (51%) to medical treatment only. Median follow-up was 8·36 months (IQR 0·02-12·00). Endovascular thrombectomy was associated with a shift in the distribution of scores on the modified Rankin Scale towards better functional outcome at 12 months (adjusted common odds ratio 2·39 [95% CI 1·47-3·90]). Endovascular thrombectomy was also associated with a better quality of life compared with medical treatment only, as reflected by median scores on the EQ-5D questionnaire index (0·7 [IQR 0·4-0·9] vs 0·4 [0·2-0·7]), median scores for health status on the EQ-5D questionnaire visual analogue scale (50 [IQR 35-70] vs 30 [5-60]), and median global physical health scores on the PROMIS-10 questionnaire (T-score 39·8 [IQR 37·4-50·8] vs 37·4 [32·4-44·9]); although there was not enough evidence to suggest a difference between groups in global mental health scores on PROMIS-10 (41·1 [IQR 36·3-48·3] vs 38·8 [31·3-44·7]) or the numbers of patients reporting anxiety (13 [22%] of 58 vs 15 [42%] of 36) and depression (18 [31%] vs 18 [50%]) on PHQ-4. Overall survival was slightly better in the endovascular thrombectomy group compared with medical treatment only (adjusted hazard ratio 0·70 [95% CI 0·50-0·99]). INTERPRETATION: In patients with acute ischaemic stroke from large vessel occlusion with established large infarct, compared with medical treatment only, endovascular thrombectomy was associated at 12 months after stroke with better functional outcome, quality of life, and overall survival. These findings suggest that the benefits of endovascular thrombectomy in patients with an ischaemic stroke and a large infarct are sustained in the long term and support the use of endovascular thrombectomy in these patients. FUNDING: European Union Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme.

Time From Hospital Arrival Until Endovascular Thrombectomy and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Importance: The time-benefit association of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in ischemic stroke with patient-reported outcomes is unknown. Objective: To assess the time-dependent association of EVT with self-reported quality of life in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Design, Setting, and Participants: Data were used from the Safety and Efficacy of Nerinetide in Subjects Undergoing Endovascular Thrombectomy for Stroke (ESCAPE-NA1) trial, which tested the effect of nerinetide on functional outcomes in patients with large vessel occlusion undergoing EVT and enrolled patients from March 1, 2017, to August 12, 2019. The ESCAPE-NA1 trial was an international randomized clinical trial that recruited patients from 7 countries. Patients with EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) index values at 90 days and survivors with complete domain scores were included in the current study. Data were analyzed from July to September 2023. Exposure: Hospital arrival to arterial puncture time and other time metrics. Main Outcomes and Measures: EQ-5D-5L index scores were calculated at 90 days using country-specific value sets. The association between time from hospital arrival to EVT arterial-access (door-to-puncture) and EQ-5D-5L index score, quality-adjusted life years, and visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) were evaluated using quantile regression, adjusting for age, sex, stroke severity, stroke imaging, wake-up stroke, alteplase, and nerinetide treatment and accounting for clustering by site. Using logistic regression, the association between door-to-puncture time and reporting no or slight symptoms (compared with moderate, severe, or extreme problems) was determined in each domain (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain or discomfort, and anxiety or depression) or across all domains. Time from stroke onset was also evaluated, and missing data were imputed in sensitivity analyses. Results: Among 1105 patients in the ESCAPE-NA1 trial, there were 1043 patients with EQ-5D-5L index values at 90 days, among whom 147 had died and were given a score of 0, and 1039 patients (mean [SD] age, 69.0 [13.7] years; 527 male [50.7%]) in the final analysis as 4 did not receive EVT. There were 896 survivors with complete domain scores at 90 days. There was a strong association between door-to-puncture time and EQ-5D-5L index score (increase of 0.03; 95% CI, 0.02-0.04 per 15 minutes of earlier treatment), quality-adjusted life years (increase of 0.29; 95% CI, 0.08-0.49 per 15 minutes of earlier treatment), and EQ-VAS (increase of 1.65; 95% CI, 0.56-2.72 per 15 minutes of earlier treatment). Each 15 minutes of faster door-to-puncture time was associated with higher probability of no or slight problems in each of 5 domains and all domains concurrently (range from 1.86%; 95% CI, 1.14-2.58 for pain or discomfort to 3.55%; 95% CI, 2.06-5.04 for all domains concurrently). Door-to-puncture time less than 60 minutes was associated higher odds of no or slight problems in each domain, ranging from odds ratios of 1.49 (95% CI, 1.13-1.95) for pain or discomfort to 2.59 (95% CI, 1.83-3.68) for mobility, with numbers needed to treat ranging from 7 to 17. Results were similar after multiple imputation of missing data and attenuated when evaluating time from stroke onset. Conclusions and Relevance: Results suggest that faster door-to-puncture EVT time was strongly associated with better health-related quality of life across all domains. These results support the beneficial impact of door-to-treatment speed on patient-reported outcomes and should encourage efforts to improve patient-centered care in acute stroke by optimizing in-hospital processes and workflows.

Endovascular treatment to improve outcomes for medium vessel occlusions: The ESCAPE-MeVO trial.

RATIONALE: Clinical outcomes in acute ischemic stroke due to medium vessel occlusion (MeVO) are often poor when treated with best medical management. Data from non-randomized studies suggest that endovascular treatment (EVT) may improve outcomes in MeVO stroke, but randomized data on potential benefits and risks are hitherto lacking. Thus, there is insufficient evidence to guide EVT decision-making in MeVO stroke. AIMS: The primary aim of the ESCAPE-MeVO trial is to demonstrate that acute, rapid EVT in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to MeVO results in better clinical outcomes compared to best medical management. Secondary outcomes are to demonstrate the safety of EVT, its impact on self-reported health-related quality of life, and cost-effectiveness. SAMPLE SIZE ESTIMATES: Based on previously published data, we estimate a sample size of 500 subjects to achieve a power of 85% with a two-sided alpha of 0.05. To account for potential loss to follow-up, 530 subjects will be recruited. METHODS AND DESIGN: ESCAPE-MeVO is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label study with blinded endpoint evaluation (PROBE design), clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05151172. Subjects with acute ischemic stroke due to MeVO meeting the trial eligibility criteria will be allocated in a 1:1 ratio to best medical care plus EVT versus best medical care only. Patients will be screened only at comprehensive stroke centers to determine if they are eligible for the trial, regardless of whether they were previously treated at a primary care center. Key eligibility criteria are (1) acute ischemic stroke due to MeVO that is clinically and technically eligible for EVT, (2) last-known well within the last 12 h, (3) National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale > 5 or 3-5 with disabling deficit, (4) high likelihood of salvageable tissue on non-invasive neuroimaging. STUDY OUTCOMES: The primary outcome is the modified Rankin scale 90 days after randomization (shift analysis), whereby modified Rankin Score 5 and 6 will be collapsed into one category. Secondary outcomes include dichotomizations of the modified Rankin Score at 90 days, 24 h National Institutes of Health Stroke Score, difference between 24 h and baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Score, mortality at 90 days, health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5 L), Lawton scale of instrumental activities of daily living score, reperfusion quality (MeVO expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction Score) and infarct volume at 24 h, and cost-effectiveness of endovascular recanalization. Safety outcomes include symptomatic and asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and procedural complications. DISCUSSION: The ESCAPE-MeVO trial will demonstrate the effect of endovascular thrombectomy in addition to best medical management vis-à-vis best medical management in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to MeVO and provide data for evidence-based treatment decision-making in acute MeVO stroke. DATA ACCESS STATEMENT: The raw data discussed in this mansucript will be made available by the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Infarcts Due to Large Vessel Occlusions Continue to Grow Despite Near-Complete Reperfusion After Endovascular Treatment.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Infarcts in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients may continue to grow even after reperfusion, due to mechanisms such as microvascular obstruction and reperfusion injury. We investigated whether and how much infarcts grow in AIS patients after near-complete (expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction [eTICI] 2c/3) reperfusion following endovascular treatment (EVT), and to assess the association of post-reperfusion infarct growth with clinical outcomes. METHODS: Data are from a single-center retrospective observational cohort study that included AIS patients undergoing EVT with near-complete reperfusion who received diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within 2 hours post-EVT and 24 hours after EVT. Association of infarct growth between 2 and 24 hours post-EVT and 24-hour National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) as well as 90-day modified Rankin Scale score was assessed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Ninety-four of 155 (60.6%) patients achieved eTICI 2c/3 and were included in the analysis. Eighty of these 94 (85.1%) patients showed infarct growth between 2 and 24 hours post-reperfusion. Infarct growth ≥5 mL was seen in 39/94 (41.5%) patients, and infarct growth ≥10 mL was seen in 20/94 (21.3%) patients. Median infarct growth between 2 and 24 hours post-reperfusion was 4.5 mL (interquartile range: 0.4-9.2 mL). Post-reperfusion infarct growth was associated with the 24-hour NIHSS in multivariable analysis (odds ratio: 1.16 [95% confidence interval 1.09-1.24], P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Infarcts continue to grow after EVT, even if near-complete reperfusion is achieved. Investigating the underlying mechanisms may inform future therapeutic approaches for mitigating the process and help improve patient outcome.

How Do Quantitative Tissue Imaging Outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke Relate to Clinical Outcomes?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Infarct volume and other imaging markers are increasingly used as surrogate measures for clinical outcome in acute ischemic stroke research, but how improvements in these imaging surrogates translate into better clinical outcomes is currently unclear. We investigated how changes in infarct volume at 24 hours alter the probability of achieving good clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0-2). METHODS: Data are from endovascular thrombectomy patients from the randomized controlled ESCAPE-NA1 (Efficacy and Safety of Nerinetide for the Treatment of Acute Ischaemic Stroke) trial. Infarct volume at 24 hours was manually segmented on non-contrast computed tomography or diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Probabilities of achieving good outcome based on infarct volume were obtained from a multivariable logistic regression model. The probability of good outcome was plotted against infarct volume using linear spline regression. RESULTS: A total of 1,099 patients were included in the analysis (median final infarct volume 24.9 mL [interquartile range: 6.6-92.2]). The relationship between total infarct volume and good outcome probability was nearly linear for infarct volumes between 0 mL and 250 mL. In this range, a 10% increase in the probability of achieving mRS 0-2 required a decrease in infarct volume of approximately 34.0 mL (95% confidence interval: -32.5 to -35.6). At infarct volumes above 250 mL, the probability of achieving mRS 0-2 probability was near zero. The relationships of tissue-specific infarct volumes and parenchymal hemorrhage volume generally showed similar patterns, although variability was high. CONCLUSION: There seems to be a near-linear association between total infarct volume and probability of achieving good outcome for infarcts up to 250 mL, whereas patients with infarct volumes greater than 250 mL are highly unlikely to have a favorable outcome.

Two-stage convolutional neural network for segmentation and detection of carotid web on CT angiography.

BACKGROUND: Carotid web (CaW) is a risk factor for ischemic stroke, mainly in young patients with stroke of undetermined etiology. Its detection is challenging, especially among non-experienced physicians. METHODS: We included patients with CaW from six international trials and registries of patients with acute ischemic stroke. Identification and manual segmentations of CaW were performed by three trained radiologists. We designed a two-stage segmentation strategy based on a convolutional neural network (CNN). At the first stage, the two carotid arteries were segmented using a U-shaped CNN. At the second stage, the segmentation of the CaW was first confined to the vicinity of the carotid arteries. Then, the carotid bifurcation region was localized by the proposed carotid bifurcation localization algorithm followed by another U-shaped CNN. A volume threshold based on the derived CaW manual segmentation statistics was then used to determine whether or not CaW was present. RESULTS: We included 58 patients (median (IQR) age 59 (50-75) years, 60% women). The Dice similarity coefficient and 95th percentile Hausdorff distance between manually segmented CaW and the algorithm segmented CaW were 63.20±19.03% and 1.19±0.9 mm, respectively. Using a volume threshold of 5 mm3, binary classification detection metrics for CaW on a single artery were as follows: accuracy: 92.2% (95% CI 87.93% to 96.55%), precision: 94.83% (95% CI 88.68% to 100.00%), sensitivity: 90.16% (95% CI 82.16% to 96.97%), specificity: 94.55% (95% CI 88.0% to 100.0%), F1 measure: 0.9244 (95% CI 0.8679 to 0.9692), area under the curve: 0.9235 (95%CI 0.8726 to 0.9688). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed two-stage method enables reliable segmentation and detection of CaW from head and neck CT angiography.

Endovascular Treatment for Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: Applying Lessons Learned from Clinical Trials of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Arterial Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare but severely disabling form of stroke. Acute treatment mainly consists of medical management, since there is no robust evidence suggesting the benefit of endovascular treatment for CVT. Given the relative lack of data to guide acute treatment decision-making, CVT treatment decisions are mostly made on a case-by-case basis. In some ways, the current status quo of endovascular treatment for CVT resembles the state of endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke before the wave of major positive large vessel occlusion endovascular treatment trials in 2015. SUMMARY: The current state of evidence with regard to endovascular CVT treatment is summarized, parallels to acute ischemic stroke are drawn, and it is discussed how the lessons learned from the evolution of acute ischemic stroke endovascular treatment (EVT) trials could be applied to designing a trial of endovascular treatment for CVT. The review ends by outlining possible scenarios for the future of endovascular CVT treatment. KEY MESSAGES: CVT is a serious disease, affecting young patients and their families, and harbors a considerable social and economic burden. Working toward high-level evidence for the best possible treatment strategy and exploring a possible role for EVT to improve outcomes in CVT needs to remain a high priority in stroke research.

Relationship between carotid web morphology on CT angiography and stroke: A pooled multicenter analysis.

BACKGROUND: The Carotid web (CaW) is a cause of stroke, particularly in younger individuals. However, the frequency and the radiological features of the web's morphology associated with stroke risk are uncertain. We determined the CaW radiological features on computed tomography (CT) angiography associated with ipsilateral stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from six studies of patients with acute ischemic stroke were pooled. Identification and measurement of CaWs were performed by experienced readers using baseline neck CT angiography. We assessed six 2D CaW radiological features on sagittal oblique images, namely, main axis length, thickness, height, base width, distance to wall, and angle between the web main axis and carotid wall, and CaW volume on 3D images. CaWs were divided into symptomatic if acute ischemic stroke was in the ipsilateral internal carotid artery territory and its etiology was undetermined and asymptomatic if one condition was unmet. Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted to assess the association between each radiological CaW feature and symptomatic CaW. RESULTS: Of the 3442 patients in the pooled data with assessable CTAs, 60 (1.7%) had CaW. In patients with CaW, median age was 59 (interquartile range [IQR]: 50-68) years, 60% were women, and 3 patients had bilateral CaWs. There were 39 (62%) symptomatic and 24 (38%) asymptomatic CaWs. Patients with symptomatic CaW were younger (55 (IQR: 49-61) years versus 69 (IQR: 52-75) years), had lower rates of hypertension (9 (25.0%) versus 12 (57.1%)) and more intracranial large vessel occlusions compared to patients with asymptomatic CaWs. After adjusting for age, hypertension, and occlusion location, CaW length (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.84 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-3.28)), thickness (aOR: 2.31 (95% CI 1.08-4.97)), volume (aOR: 1.07 per 1 mm3 increment (95% CI: 1.01-1.12)), and angle relative to the carotid wall (aOR: 0.95 (95% CI: 0.91-0.99)) were associated with symptomatic CaW. CONCLUSION: Radiological assessment of CaW morphology may determine its potential causal role in ischemic stroke etiology. Symptomatic CaWs tend to be longer, larger, and oriented at more acute angles relative to the carotid wall as compared to asymptomatic CaWs.

Tenecteplase versus standard of care for minor ischaemic stroke with proven occlusion (TEMPO-2): a randomised, open label, phase 3 superiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with minor ischaemic stroke and intracranial occlusion are at increased risk of poor outcomes. Intravenous thrombolysis with tenecteplase might improve outcomes in this population. We aimed to test the superiority of intravenous tenecteplase over non-thrombolytic standard of care in patients with minor ischaemic stroke and intracranial occlusion or focal perfusion abnormality. METHODS: In this multicentre, prospective, parallel group, open label with blinded outcome assessment, randomised controlled trial, adult patients (aged ≥18 years) were included at 48 hospitals in Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, and the UK. Eligible patients with minor acute ischaemic stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 0-5) and intracranial occlusion or focal perfusion abnormality were enrolled within 12 h from stroke onset. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1), using a minimal sufficient balance algorithm to intravenous tenecteplase (0·25 mg/kg) or non-thrombolytic standard of care (control). Primary outcome was a return to baseline functioning on pre-morbid modified Rankin Scale score in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population (all patients randomly assigned to a treatment group and who did not withdraw consent to participate) assessed at 90 days. Safety outcomes were reported in the ITT population and included symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage and death. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02398656, and is closed to accrual. FINDINGS: The trial was stopped early for futility. Between April 27, 2015, and Jan 19, 2024, 886 patients were enrolled; 369 (42%) were female and 517 (58%) were male. 454 (51%) were assigned to control and 432 (49%) to intravenous tenecteplase. The primary outcome occurred in 338 (75%) of 452 patients in the control group and 309 (72%) of 432 in the tenecteplase group (risk ratio [RR] 0·96, 95% CI 0·88-1·04, p=0·29). More patients died in the tenecteplase group (20 deaths [5%]) than in the control group (five deaths [1%]; adjusted hazard ratio 3·8; 95% CI 1·4-10·2, p=0·0085). There were eight (2%) symptomatic intracranial haemorrhages in the tenecteplase group versus two (<1%) in the control group (RR 4·2; 95% CI 0·9-19·7, p=0·059). INTERPRETATION: There was no benefit and possible harm from treatment with intravenous tenecteplase. Patients with minor stroke and intracranial occlusion should not be routinely treated with intravenous thrombolysis. FUNDING: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the British Heart Foundation.

Effect of Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke on Cognitive Outcomes: A Secondary Analysis of the ESCAPE Trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The effect of endovascular therapy (EVT) for large vessel occlusion stroke on cognitive outcomes is not well understood. We evaluated the effect of EVT on cognitive function in the Endovascular Treatment for Small Core and Anterior Circulation Proximal Occlusion With Emphasis on Minimizing CT to Recanalization Times (ESCAPE) trial. METHODS: Patient data from the ESCAPE randomized trial were analyzed. Cognitive assessments completed at 90 days after stroke were the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Sunnybrook Neglect Assessment Procedure (SNAP), the Boston Naming Test (BNT), Trail-making test A (Trails A), and Trail-making test B (Trails B). We used logistic regression to evaluate the association between EVT and favorable cognitive outcome on the 5 separate tests, adjusting for demographic and clinical factors. We used generalized estimating equations and ordinal regression to determine the odds of favorable outcome with EVT on global cognition incorporating the 5 tests. We added final infarct volume (FIV) to the models to assess the relationship of FIV with cognitive outcome. RESULTS: The ESCAPE trial included 315 patients, 165 randomized to EVT and 150 randomized to control. There was higher odds of favorable outcome with EVT for MoCA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.32, 95% CI 1.30-4.16), SNAP (aOR 3.85, 95% CI 2.00-7.45), BNT (aOR 2.33, 95% CI 1.30-4.17), trails A (aOR 3.50, 95% CI 1.93-6.36), and trails B (aOR 2.56, 95% CI 1.46-4.48). There was higher odds of favorable outcome with EVT on global binary (aOR 2.57, 95% CI 1.67-3.94) and ordinal analyses (aOR 2.83, 95% CI 1.68-4.76) of cognitive function. After adding FIV to the models, both FIV and EVT were significantly associated with cognitive outcome. There was a significant correlation between global cognitive performance and mRS at day 90 (r = -0.78, p < 0.001), with the largest reductions in favorable cognitive outcome from mRS score 4 to 5 and from mRS 2 to 3. DISCUSSION: In this secondary analysis of the ESCAPE trial, EVT was associated with favorable outcome on 5 separate cognitive tests and in global analyses of cognitive benefit. These results provide novel evidence for the effect of EVT on cognition and support the global benefit of treatment with EVT. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) or M1 segment MCA occlusion, including tandem extracranial ICA occlusions, EVT compared with best medical therapy increased odds of favorable cognitive outcome.

Endoscopic management of surgical complications.

While the endoscopic management of surgical complications like leaks, fistulas, and perforations is rapidly evolving, its core principles revolve around closure, drainage, and containment. Effectively managing these conditions relies on several factors, such as the underlying cause, chronicity of the lesion, tissue viability, co-morbidities, availability of devices, and expertise required to perform the endoscopy. In contrast to acute perforation, fistulas and leaks often demand a multimodal approach requiring more than one session to achieve the required results. Although the ultimate goal is complete resolution, these endoscopic interventions can provide clinical stability, enabling enteral feeding to lead to early hospital discharge or elective surgery. In this discussion, we emphasize the current state of knowledge and the prospective role of endoscopic interventions in managing surgical complications.

Timing of Spot Sign Appearance, Spot Sign Volume, and Leakage Rate among Phases of Multiphase CTA Predict Intracerebral Hemorrhage Growth.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The presence of spot sign is associated with a high risk of hematoma growth. Our aim was to investigate the timing of the appearance, volume, and leakage rate of the spot sign for predicting hematoma growth in acute intracerebral hemorrhage using multiphase CTA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-center retrospective study, multiphase CTA in 3 phases was performed in acute intracerebral hemorrhage (defined as intraparenchymal ± intraventricular hemorrhages). Phases of the spot sign first appearance, spot sign volumes (microliter), and leakage rates among phases (microliter/second) were measured. Associations between baseline clinical and imaging variables including spot sign volume parameters (volume and leakage rate divided by median) and hematoma growth (>6 mL) were investigated using regression models. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used as appropriate. RESULTS: Two hundred seventeen patients (131 men; median age, 70 years) were included. The spot sign was detected in 21.7%, 30.0%, and 29.0% in the first, second, and third phases, respectively, with median volumes of 19.7, 31.4, and 34.8 µl in these phases. Hematoma growth was seen in 44 patients (20.3%). By means of modeling, the following variables, namely the spot sign appearing in the first phase, first phase spot sign volume, spot sign appearing in the second or third phase, and spot sign positive and negative leakage rates, were associated with hematoma growth. Among patients with a spot sign, the absolute leakage rate accounting for both positive and negative leakage rates was also associated with hematoma growth (per 1-µl/s increase; OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.04-1.52). Other hematoma growth predictors were stroke history, baseline NIHSS score, onset-to-imaging time, and baseline hematoma volume (all P values < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The timing of the appearance of the spot sign, volume, and leakage rate were all associated with hematoma growth. Development of automated software to generate these spot sign volumetric parameters would be an important next step to maximize the potential of temporal intracerebral hemorrhage imaging such as multiphase CTA for identifying those most at risk of hematoma growth.