Predictors of bleeding complications during catHeter-dirEcted thrombolysis for peripheral arterial occlusions (POCHET).

INTRODUCTION: The risk of major bleeding complications in catheter directed thrombolysis (CDT) for acute limb ischemia (ALI) remains high, with reported major bleeding complication rates in up to 1 in every 10 treated patients. Fibrinogen was the only predictive marker used for bleeding complications in CDT, despite the lack of high quality evidence to support this. Therefore, recent international guidelines recommend against the use of fibrinogen during CDT. However, no alternative biomarkers exist to effectively predict CDT-related bleeding complications. The aim of the POCHET biobank is to prospectively assess the rate and etiology of bleeding complications during CDT and to provide a biobank of blood samples to investigate potential novel biomarkers to predict bleeding complications during CDT. METHODS: The POCHET biobank is a multicentre prospective biobank. After informed consent, all consecutive patients with lower extremity ALI eligible for CDT are included. All patients are treated according to a predefined standard operating procedure which is aligned in all participating centres. Baseline and follow-up data are collected. Prior to CDT and subsequently every six hours, venous blood samples are obtained and stored in the biobank for future analyses. The primary outcome is the occurrence of non-access related major bleeding complications, which is assessed by an independent adjudication committee. Secondary outcomes are non-major bleeding complications and other CDT related complications. Proposed biomarkers to be investigated include fibrinogen, to end the debate on its usefulness, anti-plasmin and D-Dimer. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The POCHET biobank provides contemporary data and outcomes of patients during CDT for ALI, coupled with their blood samples taken prior and during CDT. Thereby, the POCHET biobank is a real world monitor on biomarkers during CDT, supporting a broad spectrum of future research for the identification of patients at high risk for bleeding complications during CDT and to identify new biomarkers to enhance safety in CDT treatment.

Ruptured aneurysm in collateral arteries with blood-flow impairment of posterior inferior cerebellar artery: a report of three cases.

Herein, we report three cases of cerebellar hemorrhage due to a ruptured small aneurysm located on a collateral artery compensating for one or more stenotic or occluded major cerebellar arteries. In each case, endovascular distant parent artery occlusion of both the collateral artery and aneurysm was performed to prevent rebleeding. A ruptured small aneurysm in a collateral artery may be observed in patients with hemorrhage in an atypical cerebellar region, especially in cases of stenosis or occlusion of the vertebral artery or posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Thus, cerebral angiography is recommended to rule out collateral artery aneurysm.

IV Thrombolysis in Basilar Artery Occlusion: Outcomes and Comparison With Endovascular Thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recanalization is considered a prerequisite for favorable outcome in basilar artery occlusion (BAO). Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) has been successfully used for eligible patients with BAO well beyond the 4.5-hour time window but has been largely underrepresented in the best medical management arms in recent randomized controlled trials of recanalization therapy in BAO. We aimed to analyze the outcomes of patients with BAO treated with IVT only and to compare IVT with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). METHODS: This observational single-center, retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients with BAO treated with IVT and/or EVT up to 48 hours of symptom onset during 1995-2022. The primary outcome was favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0-3) at 3 months collected by a stroke physician by phone. In the first part, we described the outcomes and factors associated with functional outcome in the IVT-only cohort during 1995-2022. In the second part, we used doubly robust inverse probability-weighted regression adjustment models to compare functional outcome of patients treated with IVT vs EVT+/-IVT during 2010-2022. RESULTS: In the whole cohort of 376 patients with acute BAO treated with recanalization therapy, 245 (65.2%) received only IVT. In the IVT-only cohort, most patients had moderate-to-severe clinical presentation (median NIH Stroke Scale 18) but no extensive early ischemic changes in the posterior circulation on admission. Half of them had onset-to-treatment time over 6 hours. 46.5% of the IVT-treated patients achieved 3-month favorable functional outcome, whereas mortality was 35.9%. sICH occurred in 11.1%. In a multivariable analysis, younger age, milder symptom severity, and less baseline ischemic changes predicted favorable functional outcome. In the 2010-2022 cohort, when compared with patients treated with EVT+/-IVT (n = 121), the IVT-only cohort (n = 122) had higher odds for favorable functional outcome (IVT 58.2% vs EVT 43.0% (aOR 2.82 [95% CI 1.31-6.05]). DISCUSSION: IVT alone produced outcomes comparable with those in recent trials of endovascular BAO recanalization. Furthermore, in head-to-head comparison in our cohort, the IVT-only approach was more often associated with favorable outcome than EVT+/-IVT. Thus, it should not be overlooked as the first-line recanalization therapy in acute BAO, even in longer time windows. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class IV evidence that tPA is as effective as thrombectomy for basilar artery thrombosis.

Technical Risk Stratification Nomogram Model for 90-Day Mortality Prediction in Patients With Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion Undergoing Endovascular Thrombectomy: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to establish and validate a nomogram model for predicting 90-day mortality in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion receiving endovascular thrombectomy. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 242 patients with basilar artery occlusion undergoing endovascular thrombectomy were enrolled in our study, in which 172 patients from 3 stroke centers were assigned to the training cohort, and 70 patients from another center were assigned to the validation cohort. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were adopted to screen prognostic predictors, and those with significance were subjected to establish a nomogram model in the training cohort. The discriminative accuracy, calibration, and clinical usefulness of the nomogram model was verified in the internal and external cohorts. Six variables, including age, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, Posterior Circulation-Alberta Stroke Program Early CT (Computed Tomography) score, Basilar Artery on Computed Tomography Angiography score, recanalization failure, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, were identified as independent predictors of 90-day mortality of patients with basilar artery occlusion and were subjected to develop a nomogram model. The nomogram model exhibited good discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness in both the internal and the external cohorts. Additionally, patients were divided into low-, moderate-, and high-risk groups based on the risk-stratified nomogram model. CONCLUSIONS: Our study proposed a novel nomogram model that could effectively predict 90-day mortality of patients with basilar artery occlusion after endovascular thrombectomy and stratify patients with high, moderate, or low risk, which has a potential to facilitate prognostic judgment and clinical management of stroke.

Trials of endovascular thrombectomy of basilar-artery occlusion compared to real-life data.

BACKGROUND: Two recent clinical trials showed mechanical thrombectomy (MT) of basilar-artery occlusions (BAO) in stroke to be safe and effective: Endovascular Treatment for Acute BAO (ATTENTION) and BAO Chinese Endovascular (BAOCHE). The trials restricted patient inclusion on both age and pre-stroke mRS, and with both trials conducted in China, population differences may affect generalisability of the trial results. METHODS: Consecutive patients with BAO undergoing MT were registered from 2017 to 2021 with retrospective data collection at a single centre with a predominantly Caucasian catchment population of 2.7 million. Age and pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were not absolute contraindications for MT. We present functional outcome as mRS at 90 days, patient characteristics and procedural safety compared to the trial intervention groups. RESULTS: Of the 108 included patients, 50 % achieved mRS 0-3 at 90 days and mortality was 32 %, which was no different from ATTENTION (46 %, p = 0.40, 37 %, p = 0.31, respectively) and BAOCHE (46 %, p = 0.50, 31 %, p = 0.93). Pre-stroke mRS 0 was seen in 62 %, 89 %, and 77 % of the study patients, ATTENTION, and BAOCHE, respectively. Proximal segment BAO was less common (22 % vs. 31 %, p = 0.04, and 65 %, p < 0.01) and intracranial stenting less frequently used (9 % vs. 40 % and 55 %, p < 0.01) in study patients compared to ATTENTION and BAOCHE, respectively. CONCLUSION: Outcome of MT in BAO stroke in a clinical patient cohort was similar to recent trials, despite broader patient inclusion and differences in both occluded BAO segment and use of stenting. Our study suggest that MT is safe and effective in a Caucasian population.

Acute aortic occlusion: A narrative review for emergency clinicians.

INTRODUCTION: Acute aortic occlusion (AAO) is a rare but serious condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: This review provides an emergency medicine focused evaluation of AAO, including presentation, assessment, and emergency department (ED) management based on current evidence. DISCUSSION: AAO refers to obstruction of blood flow through the aorta due to either thrombosis or embolism. This condition primarily affects older adults ages 60-70 with cardiovascular comorbidities and most commonly presents with signs and symptoms of acute limb ischemia, though the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and spinal cord may be affected. The first line imaging modality includes computed tomography angiography of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. ED resuscitative management consists of avoiding extremes of blood pressure or heart rate, maintaining normal oxygen saturation and euvolemic status, anticoagulation with heparin, and pain control. Emergent consultation with the vascular surgery specialist is recommended to establish a plan for restoration of perfusion to ischemic tissues via endovascular or open techniques. High rates of baseline comorbidities present in the affected population as well as ischemic and reperfusion injuries place AAO patients at high risk for complications in an immediate and delayed fashion after surgical management. CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of AAO can assist emergency clinicians in diagnosing and managing this rare but devastating disease.

Distal Versus Proximal Radial Arterial Access for Percutaneous Coronary Angiography and Intervention: Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Radial artery occlusion (RAO) is a major impediment to reintervention in patients who underwent proximal transradial access (p-TRA) for coronary catheterization. Distal transradial access (d-TRA) at the level of snuffbox distal to the radial artery bifurcation is a novel alternative to p-TRA. We conducted an updated meta-analysis of all available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the incidence of RAO between p-TRA and d-TRA, along with access site-related complications. PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for RCTs published since 2017 to October 2023 comparing d-TRA and p-TRA for coronary angiography and/or intervention. Risk ratios (RRs) and mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the random-effects model for procedural and clinical outcomes for the 2 approaches. A total of 18 RCTs with 8,205 patients (d-TRA n = 4,096, p-TRA n = 4,109) were included. The risk of RAO (RR 0.31, 0.21 to 0.46, p ≤0.001) and time to hemostasis (minutes) (MD -51.18, -70.62 to -31.73, p <0.001) was significantly lower in the d-TRA group. Crossover rates (RR 2.39, 1.71 to 3.32, p <0.001), access time (minutes) (MD 0.93, 0.50 to 1.37, p <0.001), procedural pain (MD 0.46, 0.13 to 0.79, p = 0.006), and multiple puncture attempts (RR 2.13, 1.10 to 4.11, p = 0.03) were significantly higher in the d-TRA group. The use of d-TRA for coronary angiography and/or intervention is associated with a lower risk of RAO at the forearm and may preserve p-TRA site for reintervention in selective patients by reducing the incidence of RAO.

Improving duplex ultrasound methods for diagnosing functional popliteal artery entrapment syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is a rare condition where musculoskeletal structures compress the popliteal artery (POPA) leading to vascular compromise. This study investigates the effect of dynamic plantar- and dorsi-flexion loading on POPA hemodynamic parameters to develop a robust diagnostic ultrasound-based protocol for diagnosing functional PAES. METHODS: Healthy individuals (n = 20), recreational athletes (n = 20), and symptomatic (n = 20) PAES patients were consented. Triplex ultrasound imaging of lower limb arteries was performed (n = 120 limbs). Proximal and distal POPA's in dorsi-/plantar-flexion, in prone and erect positions, were imaged at rest and flexion. Peak systolic velocities (cm/s) and vessel diameter (antero-posterior, cm) was measured. RESULTS: Distal vessel occlusion was noted across all three groups whilst prone during plantar-flexion (62.7%). POPA occlusion was only noted in the proximal vessel within the patient group (15.8%). When prone, 50% of control (n = 40 limbs), 70% of athletes (n = 40 limbs), and 65% of patients (n = 40 limbs) had distal POPA occlusion in plantar-flexion. When prone, recreational athletes (5%), and patients (12.5%) had distal POPA compression under dorsi-flexion. POPA occlusions with the patient in erect position were only noted in the symptomatic patient group under both dorsi-flexion (15.8%) and plantar-flexion (23.7%). CONCLUSION: Compression of the POPA on ultrasound should not be the sole diagnostic criteria for PAES. POPA compression exists in asymptomatic individuals, primarily under prone plantar-flexion. To reduce false positives, ultrasound-based protocols should focus on scanning patients in the erect position only to diagnose PAES, rather than asymptomatic POPA compression. A distinction should be made between the two.

Exploring the incidence of peripheral arterial occlusive disease following COVID-19 infection: A retrospective cohort study.

Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) is a clinical manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis and is always associated with cerebrovascular disease and various complications. The aim of our study is to evaluate the relationship between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and the subsequent PAOD development. A retrospective cohort study was conducted and individuals with COVID-19 infection were identified from the TriNetX analytics platform. A total of 2 206 065 patients with COVID-19 infection and 2 206 065 patients without COVID-19 infection were recruited after exclusion and matching. The primary outcome was the development of PAOD after the COVID-19 infection. The Cox proportional hazard regression was adopted to yield the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of PAOD between groups. After the whole follow-up period, the incidence of PAOD was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group at both the 3-month follow-up (HR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.24-1.30) and the 12-month follow-up (HR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.31-1.35) The Kaplan-Meier analysis with the log-rank test demonstrated a higher cumulative probability of PAOD in the COVID-19 group compared to the non-COVID-19 group (p < 0.001). In stratified analysis using 65 years as the threshold, both age groups in the COVID-19 group exhibited a higher risk of PAOD. Similarly, in the sex and race stratified analysis, the COVID-19 group performed a higher risk of PAOD in both subgroups. In conclusion, the COVID-19 infections are strongly associated with an increment of PAOD incidence.

Detection of femoropopliteal arterial steno-occlusion at MR angiography: initial experience with artificial intelligence.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated a deep learning (DL) algorithm for detecting vessel steno-occlusions in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). It utilised a private dataset, which was acquired and annotated by the authors through their institution and subsequently validated by two blinded readers. METHODS: A single-centre retrospective study analysed 105 magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) images using an EfficientNet B0 DL model. Initially, inter-reader variability was assessed using the complete dataset. For a subset of these images (29 from the left side and 35 from the right side) where digital subtraction angiography (DSA) data was available as the ground truth, the model's accuracy and the area under the curve at receiver operating characteristics analysis (ROC-AUC) were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 105 patient examinations (mean age, 75 years ±12 [mean ± standard deviation], 61 men) were evaluated. Radiologist-DL model agreement had a quadratic weighted Cohen κ ≥ 0.72 (left side) and ≥ 0.66 (right side). Radiologist inter-reader agreement was ≥ 0.90 (left side) and ≥ 0.87 (right side). The DL model achieved a 0.897 accuracy and a 0.913 ROC-AUC (left side) and 0.743 and 0.830 (right side). Radiologists achieved 0.931 and 0.862 accuracies, with 0.930 and 0.861 ROC-AUCs (left side), and 0.800 and 0.799 accuracies, with 0.771 ROC-AUCs (right side). CONCLUSION: The DL model provided valid results in identifying arterial steno-occlusion in the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries on MRA among PAD patients. However, it did not reach the inter-reader agreement of two radiologists. RELEVANCE STATEMENT: The tested DL model is a promising tool for assisting in the detection of arterial steno-occlusion in patients with PAD, but further optimisation is necessary to provide radiologists with useful support in their daily routine diagnostics. KEY POINTS: • This study focused on the application of DL for arterial steno-occlusion detection in lower extremities on MRA. • A previously developed DL model was tested for accuracy and inter-reader agreement. • While the model showed promising results, it does not yet replace human expertise in detecting arterial steno-occlusion on MRA.

[Choice of hybrid interventions for iliac-femoral arterial lesions]. / Vybor ob"ema gibridnogo vmeshatel'stva pri porazhenii arterii podvzdoshno-bedrennogo segmenta.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term and long-term outcomes of hybrid interventions after various infrainguinal reconstructions (restoration of blood flow through superficial femoral artery and pulsatile blood flow through deep femoral artery) in patients with iliac-femoral arterial disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis included patients after hybrid iliac-femoral interventions between 2014 and 2018. These interventions included stenting of iliac arteries and various open infrainguinal reconstructions. The first group (n=41) consisted of patients who underwent reconstruction of superficial femoral artery, the second group (n=88) - restoration of pulsatile blood flow in deep femoral artery. We analyzed the Rutherford score, perioperative complications, primary patency rates and limb salvage rates after 12 months in both groups. RESULTS: Significant improvement (Rutherford score +3) was achieved in 28 (70%) and 14 (15.9%) patients, respectively (p<0.05). There were no significant between-group differences in the number of postoperative complications. Surgery time was longer in the first group (median 160 and 130 min, respectively, p<0.05). However, intraoperative blood loss was similar. Primary patency rates after 12 months were 82.4% and 95.1%, respectively (p=0.054). Limb salvage rates after 12 months were 94.7% and 100%, respectively (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study highlights the potential advantages of restoring pulsatile blood flow through the deep femoral artery in hybrid interventions. Higher primary patency and limb salvage rates in the second group indicate better long-term outcomes after restoration of blood flow through the deep femoral artery. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these results and determine the underlying mechanisms of differences.

Influencing factors of futile recanalization after endovascular intervention in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion. / æ€¥æ€§åŸºåº•åŠ¨è„‰é—­å¡žæ‚£è€ è¡€ç®¡å† æ²»ç–—åŽå‘ç”Ÿæ— æ•ˆå†é€šçš„å½±å“å› ç´ .

OBJECTIVES: To explore the influence factors for futile recanalization following endovascular treatment (EVT) in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO). METHODS: Clinical data of patients with acute BAO, who underwent endovascular treatment within 24 h of onset from January 2017 to November 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. The futile recanalization was defined as modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) grade ≥2b or 3 after successful reperfusion, but the modified Rankin Scale score >2 at 3 months after EVT. Binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of futile recanalization. RESULTS: A total of 471 patients with a median age of 68 (57, 74) years were included and 68.9% were males, among whom 298 (63.27%) experienced futile recanalization. Multivariate analysis revealed that concomitant atrial fibrillation (OR=0.456, 95%CI: 0.282-0.737, P<0.01), bridging thrombolysis (OR=0.640, 95%CI: 0.416-0.985, P<0.05), achieving mTICI grade 3 (OR=0.554, 95%CI: 0.334-0.918, P<0.05), arterial occlusive lesion (AOL) grade 3 (OR=0.521, 95%CI: 0.326-0.834, P<0.01), and early postoperative statin therapy (OR=0.509, 95%CI: 0.273-0.948, P<0.05) were protective factors for futile recanalization after EVT in acute BAO patients. High baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (OR=1.068, 95%CI: 1.049-1.087, P<0.01), coexisting hypertension (OR=1.571, 95%CI: 1.017-2.427, P<0.05), multiple retrieval attempts (OR=1.237, 95%CI: 1.029-1.488, P<0.05) and postoperative hemorrhagic transformation (OR=8.497, 95%CI: 2.879-25.076, P<0.01) were risk factors. For trial of ORG 10172 in acute stroke treatment (TOAST) classification, cardiogenic embolism (OR=0.321, 95%CI: 0.193-0.534, P<0.01) and other types (OR=0.499, 95%CI: 0.260-0.961, P<0.05) were related to lower incidence of futile recanalization. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of futile recanalization after EVT in patients with acute BAO is high. Bridging venous thrombolysis before operation and an early postoperative statin therapy may reduce the incidence of futile recanalization.

Stem cell factor protects against chronic ischemic retinal injury by modulating on neurovascular unit.

Retinal ischemia is a significant factor in various vision-threatening diseases, but effective treatments are currently lacking. This study explores the potential of stem cell factor (SCF) in regulating the neurovascular unit as a therapeutic intervention for retinal ischemic diseases. A chronic retinal ischemia model was established in Brown Norway rats using bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO). Subsequent SCF treatment resulted in a remarkable recovery of retinal function, as indicated by electroretinogram, light/dark transition test, and optokinetic head tracking test results. Histological examination demonstrated a significant increase in the number of retinal neurons and an overall thickening of the retina. Immunofluorescence confirmed these findings and further demonstrated that SCF treatment regulated retinal remodeling. Notably, SCF treatment ameliorated the disrupted expression of synaptic markers in the control group's BCCAO rats and suppressed the activation of Müller cells and microglia. Retinal whole-mount analysis revealed a significant improvement in the abnormalities in retinal vasculature following SCF treatment. Transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that SCF-induced transcriptome changes were closely linked to the Wnt7 pathway. Key members of the Wnt7 pathway, exhibited significant upregulation following SCF treatment. These results underscore the protective role of SCF in the neurovascular unit of retinal ischemia rats by modulating the Wnt7 pathway. SCF administration emerges as a promising therapeutic strategy for retinal ischemia-related diseases, offering potential avenues for future clinical interventions.

Adjunct Intraarterial or Intravenous Tirofiban Versus No Tirofiban After Successful Recanalization of Basilar Artery Occlusion Stroke: The BASILAR Registry.

BACKGROUND: Approximately half of patients who achieve successful reperfusion do not achieve functional independence. The present study sought to investigate the clinical outcomes and safety of intraarterial or intravenous tirofiban as adjunct therapy in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion who had achieved successful recanalization with endovascular treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the national, prospective BASILAR (Endovascular Treatment for Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion Study) registry, 458 patients who met inclusion criteria were divided into 3 groups based on tirofiban administration (no tirofiban, n=262; intravenous tirofiban, n=101; intraarterial+intravenous tirofiban, n=95). Their clinical outcomes were compared with 90-day modified Rankin Scale scores. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% CIs were obtained by logistic regression models and propensity score matching. Safety outcomes included any intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), symptomatic ICH, and mortality. Among 458 included patients, 184 (40.2%) achieved a favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0-3). There were no differences between the intravenous tirofiban group and the no tirofiban group in terms of safety and clinical outcomes (all P>0.05). Compared with the no tirofiban group, the intraarterial+intravenous tirofiban group had higher odds of 90-day modified Rankin Scale score 0 to 3 (aOR, 2.44 [95% CI, 1.30-4.64], P=0.006) and lower 3-month mortality (aOR, 0.38 [95% CI, 0.19-0.71], P=0.002) without an increase in any ICH (aOR, 0.34 [95% CI, 0.09-1.01], P=0.07) or symptomatic ICH (aOR, 0.23 [95% CI, 0.03-0.90], P=0.05). Similar results of intraarterial+intravenous tirofiban on improving clinical outcomes were detected in novel cohorts constructed by propensity score matching. CONCLUSIONS: Intraarterial+intravenous rather than intravenous tirofiban improved clinical outcomes without increasing the frequency of symptomatic ICH among patients with basilar artery occlusion after successful endovascular treatment. Further studies are needed to delineate the roles of intraarterial+intravenous tirofiban in patients with basilar artery occlusion receiving endovascular treatment.

Neurological Improvement by One-Thirds Is Associated With Early Recanalization in Stroke With Large Vessel Occlusion.

BACKGROUND: A proportion of large vessel occlusion strokes demonstrate early recanalization, obviating the initial intention to proceed to endovascular thrombectomy. Neurological improvement is a possible surrogate marker for reperfusion. We aimed to determine the optimal threshold of neurological improvement, as defined by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), which best associates with early recanalization. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients with large vessel occlusion transferred from primary stroke centers to a tertiary comprehensive stroke center in Melbourne, Australia, for possible endovascular thrombectomy from January 2018 to December 2022. Absolute and percentage changes in NIHSS between transfer, as well as other definitions of neurological improvement, were compared using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for association with recanalization as defined by the absence of occlusion in the internal carotid artery, middle cerebral artery (M1 or M2 segments), or basilar artery on repeat vascular imaging. RESULTS: Six hundred and fifty-four transferred patients with large vessel occlusion were included in the analysis: mean age was 68.8±14.0 years, 301 (46.0%) were women, and 338 (52%) received intravenous thrombolytics. The proportion of extracranial internal carotid artery, intracranial internal carotid artery, M1, proximal M2, and basilar artery occlusion was 18.8%, 13.6%, 48.3%, 15.0%, and 4.3%, respectively, on initial computed tomography angiogram. Median NIHSSprimary stroke center and NIHSScomprehensive stroke center scores were 15 (interquartile range, 9-18) and 13 (interquartile range, 8-19), respectively. Early recanalization occurred in 82 (13%) patients. NIHSS reduction of ≥33% was the best tradeoff between sensitivity (64%) and specificity (83%) for identifying recanalization. NIHSS reduction of ≥33% had the highest discriminative ability to predict recanalization (area under the curve, 0.735) in comparison with other definitions of neurological improvement. CONCLUSIONS: One-third neurological improvement between the primary hospital and tertiary center was the best predictor of early recanalization.

Sex Differences in Prehospital Identification of Large Vessel Occlusion in Patients With Suspected Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Differences in clinical presentation of acute ischemic stroke between men and women may affect prehospital identification of anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (aLVO). We assessed sex differences in diagnostic performance of 8 prehospital scales to detect aLVO. METHODS: We analyzed pooled individual patient data from 2 prospective cohort studies (LPSS [Leiden Prehospital Stroke Study] and PRESTO [Prehospital Triage of Patients With Suspected Stroke Study]) conducted in the Netherlands between 2018 and 2019, including consecutive patients ≥18 years suspected of acute stroke who presented within 6 hours after symptom onset. Ambulance paramedics assessed clinical items from 8 prehospital aLVO detection scales: Los Angeles Motor Scale, Rapid Arterial Occlusion Evaluation, Cincinnati Stroke Triage Assessment Tool, Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale, Prehospital Acute Stroke Severity, gaze-face-arm-speech-time, Conveniently Grasped Field Assessment Stroke Triage, and Face-Arm-Speech-Time Plus Severe Arm or Leg Motor Deficit. We assessed the diagnostic performance of these scales for identifying aLVO at prespecified cut points for men and women. RESULTS: Of 2358 patients with suspected stroke (median age, 73 years; 47% women), 231 (10%) had aLVO (100/1114 [9%] women and 131/1244 [11%] men). The area under the curve of the scales ranged from 0.70 (95% CI, 0.65-0.75) to 0.77 (95% CI, 0.73-0.82) in women versus 0.69 (95% CI, 0.64-0.73) to 0.75 (95% CI, 0.71-0.79) in men. Positive predictive values ranged from 0.23 (95% CI, 0.20-0.27) to 0.29 (95% CI, 0.26-0.31) in women versus 0.29 (95% CI, 0.24-0.33) to 0.37 (95% CI, 0.32-0.43) in men. Negative predictive values were similar (0.95 [95% CI, 0.94-0.96] to 0.98 [95% CI, 0.97-0.98] in women versus 0.94 [95% CI, 0.93-0.95] to 0.96 [95% CI, 0.94-0.97] in men). Sensitivity of the scales was slightly higher in women than in men (0.53 [95% CI, 0.43-0.63] to 0.76 [95% CI, 0.68-0.84] versus 0.49 [95% CI, 0.40-0.57] to 0.63 [95% CI, 0.55-0.73]), whereas specificity was lower (0.79 [95% CI, 0.76-0.81] to 0.87 [95% CI, 0.84-0.89] versus 0.82 [95% CI, 0.79-0.84] to 0.90 [95% CI, 0.88-0.91]). Rapid arterial occlusion evaluation showed the highest positive predictive values in both sexes (0.29 in women and 0.37 in men), reflecting the different event rates. CONCLUSIONS: aLVO scales show similar diagnostic performance in both sexes. The rapid arterial occlusion evaluation scale may help optimize prehospital transport decision-making in men as well as in women with suspected stroke.

Aortobifemoral Bypass in Kidney Transplant Candidates: A Ten-Year Experience.

In patients with severe aorto-iliac calcifications, vascular reconstructions can be performed in order to allow kidney transplantation. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of kidney transplant candidates who underwent an aortobifemoral bypass (ABFB) for aorto-iliac calcifications. A retrospective study including all kidney transplant candidates who underwent an ABFB between 2012 and 2022 was performed. Primary outcome was 30-day morbidity-mortality after ABFB. Secondary outcome was accessibility to kidney transplant waiting list. Twenty-two ABFBs were performed: 10 ABFBs in asymptomatic patients presenting severe aorto-iliac circumferential calcifications without hemodynamic consequences, and 12 ABFBs in symptomatic patients in whom aorto-iliac calcifications were responsible for claudication or critical limb threatening ischemia. Overall 30-day mortality was 0%. Overall 30-day morbidity was 22.7%: 1 femoral hematoma and 1 retroperitoneal hematoma requiring surgical drainage in the asymptomatic group, and 2 digestive ischemia requiring bowel resection and 1 femoral hematoma requiring surgical drainage in the symptomatic group. Among the 22 patients, 20 patients could access to kidney waiting list and 8 patients underwent a kidney transplantation, including 3 living-donor transplantations. Aorto-iliac revascularization can be an option to overcome severe calcifications contraindicating kidney transplantation.