Treatment outcomes for ARUBA-eligible brain arteriovenous malformations: a comparison of real-world data from the NVQI-QOD AVM registry with the ARUBA trial.

BACKGROUND: Significant controversy exists about the management of unruptured cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Results from A Randomized Trial of Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformations (ARUBA) suggested that intervention increases the risk of stroke/death compared with medical management. However, numerous study limitations raised concerns about the trial's generalizability. OBJECTIVE: To assess the rate of stroke/death and functional outcomes in ARUBA-eligible patients from a multicenter database, the Neurovascular Quality Initiative-Quality Outcomes Database (NVQI-QOD). METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of ARUBA-eligible patients who underwent intervention at 18 participating centers. The primary endpoint was stroke/death from any cause. Secondary endpoints included neurologic, systemic, radiographic, and functional outcomes. RESULTS: 173 ARUBA-eligible patients underwent intervention with median follow-up of 269 (25-722.5) days. Seventy-five patients received microsurgery±embolization, 37 received radiosurgery, and 61 received embolization. Baseline demographics, risk factors, and general AVM characteristics were similar between groups. A total of 15 (8.7%) patients experienced stroke/death with no significant difference in primary outcome between treatment modalities. Microsurgery±embolization was more likely to achieve AVM obliteration (P<0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated no difference in overall death/stroke outcomes between the different treatment modalities' 5-year period (P=0.087). Additionally, when compared with the ARUBA interventional arm, our patients were significantly less likely to experience death/stroke (8.7% vs 30.7%; P<0.001) and functional impairment (mRS score ≥2 25.4% vs 46.2%; P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that intervention for unruptured brain AVMs at comprehensive stroke centers across the United States is safe.

Unraveling the mechanisms of deep-brain stimulation of the internal capsule in a mouse model.

Deep-brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for patients suffering from otherwise therapy-resistant psychiatric disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder. Modulation of cortico-striatal circuits has been suggested as a mechanism of action. To gain mechanistic insight, we monitored neuronal activity in cortico-striatal regions in a mouse model for compulsive behavior, while systematically varying clinically-relevant parameters of internal-capsule DBS. DBS showed dose-dependent effects on both brain and behavior: An increasing, yet balanced, number of excited and inhibited neurons was recruited, scattered throughout cortico-striatal regions, while excessive grooming decreased. Such neuronal recruitment did not alter basic brain function such as resting-state activity, and only occurred in awake animals, indicating a dependency on network activity. In addition to these widespread effects, we observed specific involvement of the medial orbitofrontal cortex in therapeutic outcomes, which was corroborated by optogenetic stimulation. Together, our findings provide mechanistic insight into how DBS exerts its therapeutic effects on compulsive behaviors.

The Utility of Remote Video Technology in Continuing Neurosurgical Care in the COVID-19 Era: Reflections from the Past Year.

OBJECTIVE: In 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic exposed existing stressors in the neurosurgical care infrastructure in the United States. We aimed to detail innovative technologic solutions inspired by the pandemic-related restrictions that augmented neurosurgical education and care delivery. METHODS: Several digital health and audiovisual innovations were implemented, including use of remote video technology to facilitate inpatient consultations and outpatient ambulatory virtual visits, optimize regional hospital neurosurgical coverage, expand interdisciplinary patient management conferences (i.e., tumor board), and further enhance the neurosurgical resident education program. Enterprise patient experience data were queried to evaluate patient satisfaction following the switch to virtual visits. RESULTS: Between January 2020 and April 2021, use of virtual visits more than doubled in the Department of Neurosurgery. A survey of 10,772 patients following ambulatory visits showed that virtual visits were equal if not better in providing satisfactory patient care than in-person visits. After switching our interdisciplinary spine tumor board to a virtual meeting, we increased surgeon participation and attendance by 49.29%. Integration of remote audiovisual technology in resident didactics and clinical training improved our ability to provide comprehensive and personalized educational experiences our trainees. CONCLUSIONS: Digital health technology has improved neurosurgical care and comprehensive training at our institution. Investment in the technologic infrastructure required for these remote audiovisual services during the COVID-19 pandemic will facilitate the expansion of neurosurgical care provision for patients across the United States in the future. Governing bodies within organized neurosurgery should advocate for the continued financial and licensing support of these service on a national fiscal and policy level.

The Need for Digital Health Solutions in Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease in the Time of COVID-19 and Beyond.

OBJECTIVES: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a well-established therapy for the management of patients with advanced Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. Patients implanted with DBS require life-long management of the medical device as well as medications. Patients are often challenged to frequently visit the specialized DBS centers and such challenges are aggravated depending on geography, socioeconomic factors, and support systems. We discuss the need for digital health solutions to overcome these barriers to better and safely take care of patients, especially in the current COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of the literature was conducted for technology and logistics necessary in forming a digital health program. RESULTS: Digital health encounters can take place in both a synchronous and asynchronous manner. Factors involving patients include cognitive capacity, physical safety, physical capacity, connectivity, and technological security. Physician factors include examining the patient, system diagnostics, and adjusting stimulation or medications. Technology is focused on bridging the gap between patient and physician through integrating the DBS lead, implantable pulse generator (IPG), programmer, novel devices/applications to grade motor function, and teleconference modalities. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with Parkinson's disease, digital health has the potential to drastically change the landscape after DBS surgery. Furthermore, technology is fundamental in connectivity, diagnostic evaluation, and security in order to create stable and useful patient-focused care.

Use of virtual visits for the care of the arrhythmia patient.

BACKGROUND: Virtual visits (VVs) are a modality for delivering health care services remotely through videoconferencing tools. Data about patient and physician experience in using VVs are limited. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess patient and physician experience with the use of VVs in cardiac electrophysiology. METHODS: We performed a prospective survey of cardiac electrophysiology patients and physicians who participated in an outpatient VV from December 2018 to July 2019. RESULTS: One-hundred consecutive VVs were included. Sixty-four patients elected to complete a survey. Patients rated their experience as either excellent/very good in scheduling a VV (87%), seeing their physician of choice (100%), transmitting arrhythmia data (88%), rating their physician's ability to communicate (98%), asking all questions (98%), rating the level of care received (98%), paying for the cost of a VV (67%), and rating their overall level of satisfaction (98%). Thirty-eight of 64 patients (59.4%) preferred a VV for their next visit, 12 of 64 (18.8%) preferred an in-office visit, 13 of 64 (20.3%) responded that their decision for a virtual or office visit depended on indication, and 1 of 64 (1.6%) had no preference. A total of 14 cardiac electrophysiologists participated in 100 VVs. Nine visits were not included due to technical difficulty. Physician responses to survey questions were rated as excellent/very good in the ability to communicate (92%), accessing monitoring data (95%), and overall level of satisfaction (98%). CONCLUSION: In our small study population, most patients and physicians prefer VVs. Convenience, cost, and reason for follow-up were important determinants that affected both patient and physician preference.

Early post-Humanitarian Device Exemption experience with the Neuroform Atlas stent.

INTRODUCTION: The low-profile Neuroform Atlas stent received FDA Humanitarian Device Exemption status (HDE) in January 2018 for stent-assisted coil embolization of wide-necked saccular aneurysms. We review and report our results with the Atlas stent in our institution within the first year after its HDE approval. METHODS: Our retrospective chart review identified patients treated with the Atlas stent. We analyzed the patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, stent parameters and configuration, complications, angiographic, and clinical outcomes at discharge. RESULTS: From January to December 2018, 76 Atlas stents were deployed in 58 patients (average 1.3 stents/patient). Median patient age was 63.5 (IQR 56-71) years. Fifty-six (96.6%) patients had elective embolization of unruptured aneurysms, while two (3.4%) patients underwent embolization of a ruptured aneurysm within 2 weeks of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Forty (69.0%) patients were treated with a single stent, 15 (25.9%) with a Y-stent, and three (5.2%) with X-stent configuration. All stent deployments were technically successful. Most stents (82.9%) were the smallest 3 mm diameter devices. Procedural complications included transient stent-associated thrombosis in three (5.2%) patients and aneurysm rupture in one (1.7%). None had distal embolization, associated cerebral infarction, or permanent neurological deficits. Immediate Raymond-Roy 1 occlusion was achieved in 41 (70.7%) patients. Median hospital length of stay for elective aneurysm embolization was 1 day. Excellent outcomes with median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score 0 (IQR 0-0) and modified Rankin Score 0 (IQR 0-1) were seen for elective patients at discharge. CONCLUSION: The Neuroform Atlas stent provided a reliable technical and safety profile for the treatment of intracranial wide-neck aneurysms. Further experience is needed to determine long-term durability and safety of this device.

Endovascular Treatment in the DEFUSE 3 Study.

Background and Purpose- Endovascular therapy in an extended time window has been shown to be beneficial in selected patients. This study correlated angiographic outcomes of patients randomized to endovascular therapy with clinical and imaging outcomes in the DEFUSE 3 study (Endovascular Therapy Following Imaging Evaluation for Ischemic Stroke 3). Methods- Angiograms were assessed for the primary arterial occlusive lesion and the modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) score at baseline and the final modified TICI score. Clinical outcomes were assessed using an ordinal analysis of 90-day modified Rankin Scale and a dichotomous analysis for functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2). TICI scores were correlated with outcome, types of device used for thrombectomy, and 24-hour follow-up imaging. Results- TICI 2B-3 reperfusion was achieved in 70 of 92 patients (76%). TICI 2B-3 reperfusion showed a more favorable distribution of Rankin scores compared with TICI 0-2A; odds ratio, 2.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-6.56; P=0.019. Good functional outcome (90-day modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2) increased with better TICI scores ( P=0.0028). There was less disability comparing TICI 3 patients to TICI 2B patients ( P=0.037). Successful reperfusion (TICI 2B-3) was independent of the device used, the site of occlusion (internal carotid artery or M1) or adjunctive use of carotid angioplasty and stenting. Significantly less infarct growth at 24 hours was seen in TICI 3 patients compared with TICI 0-2A ( P=0.0015) and TICI 2B ( P=0.0002) patients. Conclusions- Thrombectomy in an extended time window demonstrates similar rates of TICI 2B-3 reperfusion to earlier time window studies. Successful reperfusion was independent of the device used, the site of occlusion or adjunctive use of carotid angioplasty and stenting. TICI 3 reperfusion was more likely to result in low rates of infarct growth at 24 hours and good functional outcome at 90 days. Clinical Trial Registration- URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02586415.

The Emergence of Distance Health Technologies.

Removing the geographic barriers to health care and extending care to the home has been the goal of the health-care system for decades as the introduction of new information technology capabilities has driven operational efficiencies in our daily lives. Patient demand for convenience and access continues to surge as these technologies are used for their personal lives. Coupled with the need to lower our health-care cost structure, distance health technologies are emerging as a care facilitator for our arthroplasty patients. A critical aspect of introducing distance health technologies is the requirement to define the entire episode of care. Once defined, metrics to assess success can be measured, and clinical and technical outcomes can be determined. Distance health technologies are emerging in the management of the arthroplasty episode of care through the preponderance of connectivity coupled with the adoption of mobile technologies, ushering in a new era of improved efficiency, efficacy, satisfaction, and outcomes while providing greater value for our patients.

Treatment Outcomes of A Randomized Trial of Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformation-Eligible Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformation Patients.

BACKGROUND: The guideline for treating unruptured brain arteriovenous malformations (ubAVMs) remains controversial. A Randomized Trial of Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformations (ARUBA) reported lower risk of stroke or death with conservative management compared to interventional treatment. There were numerous limitations to the study, including short follow-up period and disproportionate number of patients treated with surgery and embolization. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether treatment of ARUBA-eligible patients have acceptable outcomes at our institution. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on 673 patients with brain AVMs treated at our institution between 2001 and 2014. One hundred five patients were ARUBA eligible and included in the study. Patients were divided into the microsurgery or Gamma Knife Radiosurgery (GKS; Elekta, Stockholm, Sweden) arm depending on their final treatment. Mean follow-up period was 43 mo (range 4-136 mo). Primary outcome was stroke or death. RESULTS: A total of 8 (7.6%) patients had a stroke or died. The overall risk of stroke or death was 11.4% (5 of 44 patients) for the microsurgery arm and 4.9% (3 of 61 patients) for the GKS arm. The annual rates of stroke or death were 2.1%, 4.0%, and 1.2% for the entire patient cohort, microsurgery arm, and GKS arm, respectively. AVM obliteration rates at the end of the follow-up period were 95.5% and 47.5% for the microsurgery and GKS arms, respectively. CONCLUSION: We report a lower overall risk of stroke or death in our ARUBA-eligible patients following treatment than ARUBA. Our results suggest that microsurgery and GKS may be appropriate treatments for patients with ubAVM.

Initial Single-Center Technical Experience With the BrainPath System for Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage Evacuation.

BACKGROUND: Surgical intervention has been proposed as a means of reducing the high morbidity and mortality associated with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), but many previously reported studies have failed to show a clinically significant benefit. Newer, minimally invasive approaches have shown some promise. OBJECTIVE: We report our early single-center technical experience with minimally invasive clot evacuation using the BrainPath system. METHODS: Prospective data were collected on patients who underwent ICH evacuation with BrainPath at the Cleveland Clinic from August 2013 to May 2015. RESULTS: Eighteen patients underwent BrainPath evacuation of ICH at our center. Mean ICH volume was 52.7 mL ± 22.9 mL, which decreased to 2.2 mL ± 3.6 mL postevacuation, resulting in a mean volume reduction of 95.7% ± 5.8% (range 0-14 mL, P < .001). In 65% of patients, a bleeding source was identified and treated. There were no hemorrhagic recurrences during the hospital stay. In this cohort, only 1 patient (5.6%) died in the first 30 days of follow-up. Median Glasgow Coma Score improved from 10 (interquartile range 5.75-12) preoperation to 14 (interquartile range 9-14.25) postoperation. Clinical follow-up in this cohort is ongoing. CONCLUSION: Evacuation of ICH using the BrainPath system is safe and technically effective. The volume of clot removed compares favorably with other published studies. Early improved clinical outcomes are suggested by improvement in Glasgow Coma Score and reduced 30-day mortality. Ongoing analysis is necessary to elucidate long-term clinical outcomes and the subsets of patients who are most likely to benefit from surgery.

A brief history of carotid-cavernous fistula.

Carotid-cavernous fistula was one of the first intracranial vascular lesions to be recognized. This paper focuses on the historical progression of our understanding of the condition and its symptomatology-from the initial hypothesis of ophthalmic artery aneurysm as the cause of pulsating exophthalmos to the recognition and acceptance of fistulas between the carotid arterial system and cavernous sinus as the true etiology. The authors also discuss the advancements in treatment from Benjamin Travers' early common carotid ligation and wooden compression methods to today's endovascular approaches.

Initial hospital management of patients with emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO): report of the standards and guidelines committee of the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the current literature regarding the initial hospital management of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) secondary to emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO), and to offer recommendations designed to decrease the time to endovascular treatment (EVT) for appropriately selected patients with stroke. METHODS: Using guidelines for evidenced-based medicine proposed by the Stroke Council of the American Heart Association, a critical review of all available medical literature supporting best initial medical management of patients with AIS secondary to ELVO was performed. The purpose was to identify processes of care that most expeditiously determine the eligibility of a patient with an acute stroke for interventions including intravenous fibrinolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) and EVT using mechanical embolectomy. RESULTS: This review identifies four elements that are required to achieve timely revascularization in ELVO. (1) In addition to non-contrast CT (NCCT) brain scan, CT angiography should be performed in all patients who meet an institutional threshold for clinical stroke severity. The use of any advanced imaging beyond NCCT should not delay the administration of IV tPA in eligible patients. (2) Activation of the neurointerventional team should occur as soon as possible, based on either confirmation of large vessel occlusion or a prespecified clinical severity threshold. (3) Additional imaging techniques, particularly those intended to physiologically select patients for EVT (CT perfusion and diffusion-perfusion mismatch imaging), may provide additional value, but should not delay EVT. (4) Routine use of general anesthesia during EVT procedures, should be avoided if possible. These workflow recommendations apply to both primary and comprehensive stroke centers and should be tailored to meet the needs of individual institutions. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ELVO are at risk for severe neurologic morbidity and mortality. To achieve the best possible clinical outcomes stroke centers must optimize their triage strategies. Strategies that provide patients with ELVO with the fastest access to reperfusion depend upon detail-oriented process improvement.

Surfer's Myelopathy: A Rare Form of Spinal Cord Infarction in Novice Surfers: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Surfer's myelopathy is a rare, acute, atraumatic myelopathy that occurs in novice surfers. OBJECTIVE: To review the literature and to present an illustrative case. METHODS: Medical literature was queried for all reports of this condition, systematically abstracted, and analyzed. An illustrative case that provides the most definitive support for a vascular cause is presented. Treatment considerations based on prior cases and expert opinions are provided. RESULTS: Sixty-four cases of surfer's myelopathy have been reported to date. This atraumatic thoracic/conus medullaris myelopathy with only a 42% neurological recovery rate almost uniformly affects young, healthy, novice surfers who have no pre-existent spinal disease. Symptoms usually start with back pain and rapidly progress to complete or incomplete myelopathy. T2 magnetic resonance images show increased signal in the central spinal cord within 24 to 72 hours. Gadolinium enhancement and diffusion-weighted imaging are not helpful. Angiography has been underused. Angiogram in our case showed the absence of a right T12 radicular artery and no artery of Adamkiewicz, which, along with clinical findings, support the vascular origin theory. Incomplete cases often improve within 24 hours of onset, whereas no improvement has been reported for American Spinal Injury Association class A cases. Several acute interventions have been tried. Steroids are most common, and patients receiving steroids improved 55% of the time with no reported adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Surfer's myelopathy is a clinical entity associated with complete deficit in >50% of cases. Its prognosis is almost exclusively dictated by severity at presentation/nadir. Thus, publicizing this rare but serious condition (within and outside the medical literature) may be an effective intervention.

Long-term Follow-up of In-stent Stenosis After Pipeline Flow Diversion Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: There is scant information on in-stent stenosis after flow diversion treatment of intracranial aneurysms with the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED). OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence, severity, nature, and clinical consequences of in-stent stenosis on angiographic follow-up after treatment with the PED. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients who underwent aneurysm treatment with the PED was conducted. In-stent stenosis was assessed on subsequent follow-up angiography. Intimal hyperplasia was defined as a uniform growth process beyond the limits of the metallic mesh at <25%. In-stent stenosis represented an area of parent vessel narrowing, most often focal, graded as mild (25%-50%), moderate (50%-75%), or severe (>75%). RESULTS: Between June 2011 and April 2015, 80 patients were treated with the PED. Angiographic follow-up was available for 51 patients (representing 76% of available or 64% of all patients). Mean follow-up was 12.5 months. In-stent stenosis was detected in 5 patients (9.8%) at a median of 6 months. Stenosis was mild in 4 of 5 (80%) and moderate in 1 of 5 (20%) patients. There were no cases of severe stenosis. No stenosis caused flow limitation, clinical symptoms, or required re-treatment. Additional follow-up angiography was available in 2 of 5 stenosis patients showing marked improvement. Sixteen patients (31%) had intimal hyperplasia, and 28 patients (55%) had no stenosis. Asymptomatic stent occlusion occurred in 2 patients (4%) related to medication noncompliance. CONCLUSION: Treatment with the PED was associated with a 9.8% rate of in-stent stenosis, detected on first angiographic follow-up, at a median of 6 months. None were symptomatic or required re-treatment, and they showed significant improvement on follow-up. ABBREVIATION: FD, flow diverter.

Stroke management and the impact of mobile stroke treatment units.

Stroke remains the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, despite declining morbidity and mortality rates. Patients who receive timely care provided by mobile stroke treatment unit staffs have dramatically improved outcomes compared with patients who receive initial treatment in an emergency department. Portable imaging technology and wireless communication devices have contributed significantly to shorter time to treatment, which is a key factor in improved outcomes.

Onyx resorbtion with AVM recanalization after complete AVM obliteration.

Brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVM) are some of the most complex lesions treated by clinical neuroscientists. The recent publication of the ARUBA trial, showing higher complication rates with treatment compared with the natural history over a short period of follow-up, puts even more pressure on the physician to achieve complete BAVM eradication without complication. These lesions are often treated by multimodality therapy with some combination of endovascular embolization, radiosurgery, and microsurgical resection; however, multimodality therapy involves the additive risk of procedural complication with each procedure. While surgical resection has long been accepted as monotherapy with good cure rates, staged pre-operative endovascular embolization has facilitated microsurgical resection with lower blood loss. Endovascular embolization is more often utilized in conjunction with surgical resection, and often the portions of the AVM and feeders that are completely embolized with Onyx or glue may not be surgically resected since they have been "internally obliterated." We present a case where the AVM was preoperatively embolized with Onyx and subsequently partially surgically resected. Post-operative angiography showed complete obliteration or "cure" of the AVM with no filling of the nidus or early venous drainage. The patient presented 12 months later with seizures and imaging showed volume loss in the residual Onyx cast and recanalization of the AVM nidus. The patient subsequently underwent repeat resection with complete removal of the residual AVM and Onyx cast. To our knowledge this is the first published report of volume loss within the Onyx cast leading to recanalization of the AVM nidus. This suggests that extreme care should be taken with partial resection of the AVM nidus or with embolization for cure, as late recanalization may occur.

Chronic Cerebral Ischemia: Where "Evidence-Based Medicine" Fails Patients.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: The publication of the COSS (Carotid Occlusion Surgery Study) trial in 2011 concluded that the addition of external carotid to internal carotid (EC-IC) bypass to a medical regimen "did not reduce the risk of ipsilateral ischemic stroke at 2 years" for patients with symptomatic internal carotid artery occlusion. This has resulted in decreasing referrals for surgical management under the guise of "evidence-based" medicine. The conclusions drawn from a study can only be as good as the selected end points. COSS did not consider important end points such as the effects of long-term cerebral ischemia or recurrent debilitating transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). However, the study is often quoted as "proof" that EC-IC bypass has no role in the treatment of these patients. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A middle-aged patient presented to a primary neurologist with left-sided weakness and 2 months of personality changes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed small watershed infarcts in the right hemisphere. An angiogram showed right carotid occlusion. Perfusion scans confirmed hypoperfusion. The patient was managed medically. Without any further clinical stroke events, the patient progressed to complete hemispheric infarction on MRI over the next 5 months. CONCLUSION: The public perception of the results of large randomized clinical trials is significantly altered by their ubiquitous dissemination and broad generalization without adequate understanding of the details. Careful assessment of the methodology and end points of a trial are essential when applying the results for evidence-based medicine to individual patients. This patient would have been considered a medical "success" in COSS, but her outcome with surgical intervention will never be known.