Placing the balloon-guide catheter in the high cervical segment of the internal carotid artery is associated with improved recanalization.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is part of the standard of care for stroke treatment, and improving its efficacy is one of the main objectives of clinical investigation. Of importance is placement of the distal end of balloon-guided catheters (BGC). We aim to determine if this influences outcomes. METHODS: We analyzed data from the ASSIST Registry, an international, multicenter prospective study of 1492 patients. We divided patients treated with BGC according to the placement of the BGC: low cervical (LCG (the lower 2/3 of cervical internal carotid artery (ICA)) or high cervical (HCG (upper 1/3 of cervical ICA, petro-lacerum or higher)). We analyzed characteristics and outcomes overall and stratified on the primary MT technique: Stent-Retriever only (SR Classic), Combined use of aspiration catheter and SR (Combined), and Direct Aspiration (ADAPT). RESULTS: Our study included 704 subjects -323 in the low cervical and 381 in the high cervical groups. Statistical differences were seen in the proportion of females and tandem lesions (both higher for LCG). Placing the BGC in the high cervical segment is associated with better recanalization rates (expanded treatment in cerebral infarction (eTICI) score of 2c-3) at the end of the procedure (P<0.0001) and shorter procedures (P=0.0005). After stratifying on the three primary techniques (SR Classic, Combined, and ADAPT), placing the BGC in the high segment is associated with a better first-pass effect (FPE), less distal emboli, and better clinical outcomes in the SR Classic technique. CONCLUSIONS: Placing the distal end of the BGC at the high cervical segment or higher is associated with better recanalization.

Prospective evaluation to characterize the real-world performance of the EMBOVAC aspiration catheter for neurothrombectomy: a post-market clinical follow-up trial.

BACKGROUND: A direct aspiration first pass technique (ADAPT) is an effective alternative to stent retriever thrombectomy for patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO). The PERFECT study evaluated direct aspiration with the EMBOVAC large bore aspiration catheter in patients with LVO strokes. METHODS: PERFECT was a prospective, post-market, single-arm, multicenter, observational study of patients enrolled across 11 European centers between October 2020 and July 2022. Three direct aspiration passes with EMBOVAC were mandated before switching strategy. The primary endpoint was core-lab assessed successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) ≥2b) post-procedure. Other outcomes included first pass mTICI ≥2c, independent 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) evaluation, and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) at 24 hours by a clinical events committee. RESULTS: EMBOVAC was used in 100 patients (mean age 70.4±14.0 years, 59.0% (59/100) female). Final mTICI ≥2b was achieved in 98.0% (97/99), final mTICI ≥2b with no change in frontline therapy or thrombolytics use during the procedure was achieved in 87.9% (87/99), final mTICI ≥2c in 86.9% (86/99), and first pass mTICI ≥2c in 53.5% (53/99). sICH at 24 hours was 0%. The 90-day mRS ≤2 rate was 56.6% (56/99) and all-cause mortality was 12.9%. One device-related serious adverse event occurred within 90 days (1.0%). CONCLUSIONS: PERFECT demonstrates that EMBOVAC achieves successful reperfusion rates and favorable clinical outcomes when used in the endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) using a direct aspiration technique as first line therapy in a real-world setting in patients with AIS secondary to large vessel occlusion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov Unique identifier: NCT04531904.

Value of intravenous alteplase before thrombectomy among patients with tandem lesions and emergent carotid artery stenting: A subgroup analysis of the SWIFT DIRECT trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The value of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in eligible tandem lesion patients undergoing endovascular treatment (EVT) is unknown. We investigated treatment effect heterogeneity of EVT + IVT versus EVT-only in tandem lesion patients. Additional analyses were performed for patients undergoing emergent internal carotid artery (ICA) stenting. METHODS: SWIFT DIRECT randomized IVT-eligible patients to either EVT + IVT or EVT-only. Primary outcome was 90-day functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2) after the index event. Secondary endpoints were reperfusion success, 24 h intracranial hemorrhage rate, and 90-day all-cause mortality. Interaction models were fitted for all predefined outcomes. RESULTS: Among 408 included patients, 63 (15.4%) had a tandem lesion and 33 (52.4%) received IVT. In patients with tandem lesions, 20 had undergone emergent ICA stenting (EVT + IVT: 9/33, 27.3%; EVT: 11/30, 36.7%). Tandem lesion did not show treatment effect modification of IVT on rates of functional independence (tandem lesion EVT + IVT vs. EVT: 63.6% vs. 46.7%, non-tandem lesion EVT + IVT vs. EVT: 65.6% vs. 58.2%; p for interaction = 0.77). IVT also did not increase the risk of intracranial hemorrhage  among tandem lesion patients (tandem lesion EVT + IVT vs. EVT: 34.4% vs. 46.7%, non-tandem lesion EVT + IVT vs. EVT: 33.5% vs. 26.3%; p for interaction = 0.15). No heterogeneity was noted for other endpoints (p for interaction > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: No treatment effect heterogeneity of EVT + IVT versus EVT-only was observed among tandem lesion patients. Administering IVT in patients with anticipated emergent ICA stenting seems safe, and the latter should not be a factor to consider when deciding to administer IVT before EVT.

Technique and impact on first pass effect primary results of the ASSIST global registry.

BACKGROUND: Patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic strokes from large vessel occlusion (LVO) have better outcomes with effective reperfusion. However, it is unknown which technique leads to better technical and clinical success. We aimed to determine which technique yields the most effective first pass reperfusion during MT. METHODS: In a prospective, multicenter global registry we enrolled patients treated with operator preferred MT technique at 71 hospitals from January 2019 to January 2022. Three techniques were assessed: SR Classic with stent retriever (SR) and balloon guide catheter (BGC); SR Combination which employed SR with contact aspiration with or without BGC; and direct aspiration (DA) with or without BGC. The primary outcome was achieving an expanded Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (eTICI) score of 2c or 3 on the first pass, with the primary technique as adjudicated by core lab. The primary clinical outcome measure was a 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-2. RESULTS: A total of 1492 patients were enrolled. Patients treated with SR Classic or SR Combination were more likely to achieve first pass eTICI 2c or 3 reperfusion (P=0.01). There was no significant difference in mRS 0-2 (P=0.46) or safety endpoints. CONCLUSIONS: The use of SR Classic or SR Combination was more likely to achieve first pass eTICI 2c or 3 reperfusion. There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes and safety endpoints.

The DERIVO®2 Embolization Device in the treatment of ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms: A multicenter analysis.

BACKGROUND: Flow diverters are an increasingly used treatment option for intracranial aneurysms. A recent addition to the European market is the DERIVO®2 Embolization Device (DED2), promising improved radiopacity. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of the DED2 regarding angiographic and clinical outcomes in ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms. METHODS: We performed a multicenter trial at six interventional centers. Data were prospectively collected and all patients treated with the DED2 were included. The primary endpoint was angiographic aneurysm occlusion at 6 months as assessed by the O'Kelly Marotta (OKM) grading scale with a favorable outcome definition of OKM C + D. Clinical outcome was evaluated according to the modified Rankin scale (mRS). RESULTS: Between August 2020 and July 2021, 37 patients were treated with the DED2 and were included in our analysis. Five patients presented with ruptured aneurysms. Median age was 60 years, 27 patients were female, and 10 male. Median mRS was 0 (range 0-4). Mean aneurysm size was 8.9 ± 7.1 mm with a mean neck size of 6.5 ± 6.1. The DED2 fully opened at deployment in all cases. Clinical follow-up was available for 30 patients (81%). Twenty-five (83%) had an mRS of 0 or 1. Three patients with ruptured aneurysms died during the follow-up period. No treatment-related major morbidity was observed. Follow-up imaging was available in 27 (90%) patients, with 23 patients (85%) showing satisfactory aneurysm occlusion OKM grade C-D. CONCLUSION: In this small cohort, the DED2 provided safe and effective treatment of ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke in COVID-19 patients: multicenter experience in 111 cases.

BACKGROUND: Data on the frequency and outcome of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for large vessel occlusion (LVO) in patients with COVID-19 is limited. Addressing this subject, we report our multicenter experience. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed of consecutive acute stroke patients with COVID-19 infection treated with MT at 26 tertiary care centers between January 2020 and November 2021. Baseline demographics, angiographic outcome and clinical outcome evaluated by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge and 90 days were noted. RESULTS: We identified 111 out of 11 365 (1%) patients with acute or subsided COVID-19 infection who underwent MT due to LVO. Cardioembolic events were the most common etiology for LVO (38.7%). Median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score were 16 (IQR 11.5-20) and 9 (IQR 7-10), respectively. Successful reperfusion (mTICI ≥2b) was achieved in 97/111 (87.4%) patients and 46/111 (41.4%) patients were reperfused completely. The procedure-related complication rate was 12.6% (14/111). Functional independence was achieved in 20/108 (18.5%) patients at discharge and 14/66 (21.2%) at 90 days follow-up. The in-hospital mortality rate was 30.6% (33/108). In the subgroup analysis, patients with severe acute COVID-19 infection requiring intubation had a mortality rate twice as high as patients with mild or moderate acute COVID-19 infection. Acute respiratory failure requiring ventilation and time interval from symptom onset to groin puncture were independent predictors for an unfavorable outcome in a logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Our study showed a poor clinical outcome and high mortality, especially in patients with severe acute COVID-19 infection undergoing MT due to LVO.

Results of the pToWin Study: Using the pCONUS Device for the Treatment of Wide-Neck Intracranial Aneurysms.

Coil embolization has become a well-established option for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Yet, wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms (WNBAs) remain a challenge. The pCONUS is the first generation of a stent-like implant for the bridging of WNBAs to enable coiling. The pToWin study was a prospective, single-arm, multicenter study conducted to analyze the safety and efficacy of the pCONUS in the treatment of WNBAs. The primary effectiveness endpoint was the rate of adequate occlusion of the aneurysm at 3-6 and 7-12 months. The primary safety endpoint was the occurrence of major ipsilateral stroke or neurological death during the follow-up. A total of 115 patients were included. Aneurysm locations were the middle cerebral artery in 52 (45.2%), the anterior communicating artery in 35 (30.4%), the basilar artery in 23 (20%), the internal carotid artery terminus in three (2.6%), and the pericallosal artery in two (1.7%) patients. Treatment was successfully performed in all but one patient. The morbi-mortality rate was 1.9% and 2.3% at 3-6 and 7-12 months, respectively. Of the aneurysms, 75.0% and 65.6% showed adequate occlusion at 3-6 and 7-12 months, respectively. pCONUS offers a safe and reasonably effective treatment of WNBAs, demonstrated by acceptable adequate aneurysm occlusion and low rates of adverse neurologic events.

Diversion-p64: results from an international, prospective, multicenter, single-arm post-market study to assess the safety and effectiveness of the p64 flow modulation device.

BACKGROUND: The use of flow diversion to treat intracranial aneurysms has increased in recent years. OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and angiographic efficacy of the p64 flow modulation device. METHODS: Diversion-p64 is an international, prospective, multicenter, single-arm, study conducted at 26 centers. The p64 flow modulation device was used to treat anterior circulation aneurysms between December 2015 and January 2019. The primary safety endpoint was the incidence of major stroke or neurologic death at 3-6 months, with the primary efficacy endpoint being complete aneurysm occlusion (Raymond-Roy Occlusion Classification 1) on follow-up angiography. RESULTS: A total of 420 patients met the eligibility criteria and underwent treatment with the p64 flow modulation device (mean age 55±12.0 years, 86.2% female). Mean aneurysm dome width was 6.99±5.28 mm and neck width 4.47±2.28 mm. Mean number of devices implanted per patient was 1.06±0.47, with adjunctive coiling performed in 14.0% of the cases. At the second angiographic follow-up (mean 375±73 days), available for 343 patients (81.7%), complete aneurysm occlusion was seen in 287 (83.7%) patients. Safety data were available for 413 patients (98.3%) at the first follow-up (mean 145±43 days) with a composite morbidity/mortality rate of 2.42% (n=10). CONCLUSIONS: Diversion-p64 is the largest prospective study using the p64 flow modulation device. The results of this study demonstrate that the device has a high efficacy and carries a low rate of mortality and permanent morbidity.

Severe homocysteinemia in two givosiran-treated porphyria patients: is free heme deficiency the culprit?

Givosiran is a novel approach to treat patients with acute intermittent porphyrias (AIP) by silencing of ∂-ALA-synthase 1, the first enzyme of heme biosynthesis in the liver. We included two patients in the Envision study who responded clinically well to this treatment. However, in both patients, therapy had to be discontinued because of severe adverse effects: One patient (A) developed local injection reactions which continued to spread all over her body with increasing number of injections and eventually caused a severe systemic allergic reaction. Patient B was hospitalized because of a fulminant pancreatitis. Searching for possible causes, we also measured the patients plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels in fluoride-containing collection tubes: by LC-MS/MS unexpectedly, plasma Hcy levels were 100 and 200 in patient A and between 100 and 400 µmol/l in patient B. Searching for germline mutations in 10 genes that are relevant for homocysteine metabolism only revealed hetero- and homozygous polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene. Alternatively, an acquired inhibition of cystathionine-beta-synthase which is important for homocysteine metabolism could explain the plasma homocysteine increase. This enzyme is heme-dependent: when we gave heme arginate to our patients, Hcy levels rapidly dropped. Hence, we conclude that inhibition of ∂-ALA-synthase 1 by givosiran causes a drop of free heme in the hepatocyte and therefore the excessive increase of plasma homocysteine. Hyperhomocysteinemia may contribute to the adverse effects seen in givosiran-treated patients which may be due to protein-N-homocysteinylation.

Frontline ADAPT therapy to treat patients with symptomatic M2 and M3 occlusions in acute ischemic stroke: initial experience with the Penumbra ACE and 3MAX reperfusion system.

BACKGROUND: After a series of positive studies for mechanical thrombectomy in large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke, the question remains, can symptomatic patients with distal vessel occlusion benefit from mechanical thrombectomy? PURPOSE: To assess the safety and efficacy of the 3MAX reperfusion system as frontline therapy for M2 and M3 occlusions. METHODS: This study retrospectively collected data on 58 patients treated for M2 and M3 occlusions between January and September 2016. Of these 58 patients, 31 had an isolated M2 or M3 occlusion. Eligible patients were treated with 3MAX by adirect first pass aspiration (ADAPT) technique within 6 hours following stroke onset. Effectiveness was defined by functional independence (90-day modified Rankin Scale core 0-2) and revascularization to modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) 2b-3 scores adjudicated by a core laboratory, while complication rates were used to determine safety of the device and the procedure. RESULTS: Patients with an isolated M2 or M3 occlusion had a mean age of 68.6±13.3 years (range 18-90 years), a median National Institutes of Health Stroke Score of 15 (IQR 9-19), and ASPECTS score of 9 (IQR 8-10). After intervention, 100% (31/31) of patients were revascularized to mTICI 2b-3; 77.4% (24/31) of patients showed revascularization to mTICI 3. Aspiration alone led to revascularization in 83.9% (26/31) of patients. At 90 days, 96.8% (30/31) of patients had achieved functional independence. The incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was 0% (0/31). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that the 3MAX reperfusion system is safe and effective in achieving successful revascularization and functional independence for patients with acute ischemic stroke secondary to M2 and M3 occlusions using ADAPT, either as frontline monotherapy, or in combination with adjunctive devices.

Strategies in the treatment of distal cerebellar aneurysms: report of a series of 11 patients.

BACKGROUND: Distal cerebellar artery aneurysms are rare entities and treatment modalities technically challenging. In recent years, new therapeutic options have emerged through microsurgical and endovascular means. OBJECTIVE: Based on a series of 11 cases, we describe combined interdisciplinary treatment strategies and report the outcome in a midterm follow-up interval of 12 months. METHODS: Collection of clinical case data during acute phase and follow-up including standardized angiographic control intervals during follow-up and assessment of the outcome. RESULTS: 7 of 11 reported cases had flow-related aneurysms based on an underlying arteriovenous malformation (AVM) or dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF); we found multiple aneurysms in four cases. All patients with flow-related aneurysms presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Only one of four patients in this series without an underlying AVM or DAVF presented with SAH that was attributable to a distal cerebellar aneurysm. In one case, we observed a de novo formation of two flow-associated distal aneurysms (10 years interval). Two patients were treated conservatively, five patients were treated endovascularly, one patient was treated surgically and three patients were treated with combined methods. 9 of 11 patients with initial SAH had a good outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Distal cerebellar aneurysms associated with AVM or DAVF are rare but characterized by a high risk of hemorrhage. The present series indicates that an experienced interdisciplinary team and the combination of available techniques may lead to a reduction of complications and to a better outcome.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty in vertebral compression fractures of benign or malignant origin: a prospective study of 1188 patients with follow-up of 12 months.

BACKGROUND: Vertebral body fractures are a source of high costs for the health care system and will continue to be one as the population ages. Cost-effective treatment is thus all the more important. In this study, we evaluated patients' quality of life during the first 12 months after they had undergone percutaneous vertebroplasty for vertebral body fractures which were refractory to conservative treatment. Our analysis took the causes of the fractures into account. METHODS: Pain, mobility, and need for analgesics were assessed prospectively on verbal rating scales one day before and one day after vertebroplasty, as well as over a follow-up period of up to 12 months. The same examiner interviewed each patient at all time points to obtain this information. RESULTS: 1188 patients underwent vertebroplasty for 1980 vertebral body fractures; the most common etiology was osteoporosis (75%). There was statistically relevant improvement in all three of the variables studied from the day before the procedure to the last follow-up, regardless of the cause of fracture (p<0.01). Most of the clinical benefit was already evident on the day after the procedure. Patients with fractures due to osteoporosis experienced further statistically relevant improvement by 6 months after treatment. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous vertebroplasty immediately relieves the pain of vertebral body fractures, improves patients' mobility, and lowers their consumption of analgesics. There can be further clinical improvement up to 6 months after the procedure, particularly in patients with fractures due to osteoporosis. As osteoporosis is the most common cause of vertebral body fractures, this patient group is important not just clinically, but economically as well.