Functional recovery after ischemic stroke: Impact of different sleep health parameters.

Sleep disturbances after ischaemic stroke include alterations of sleep architecture, obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, daytime sleepiness and insomnia. Our aim was to explore their impacts on functional outcomes at month 3 after stroke, and to assess the benefit of continuous positive airway pressure in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea. Ninety patients with supra-tentorial ischaemic stroke underwent clinical screening for sleep disorders and polysomnography at day 15 ± 4 after stroke in a multisite study. Patients with severe obstructive apnea (apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 30 per hr) were randomized into two groups: continuous positive airway pressure-treated and sham (1:1 ratio). Functional independence was assessed with the Barthel Index at month 3 after stroke in function of apnea-hypopnea index severity and treatment group. Secondary objectives were disability (modified Rankin score) and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale according to apnea-hypopnea index. Sixty-one patients (71.8 years, 42.6% men) completed the study: 51 (83.6%) had obstructive apnea (21.3% severe apnea), 10 (16.7%) daytime sleepiness, 13 (24.1%) insomnia, 3 (5.7%) depression, and 20 (34.5%) restless legs syndrome. Barthel Index, modified Rankin score and Stroke Scale were similar at baseline and 3 months post-stroke in the different obstructive sleep apnea groups. Changes at 3 months in those three scores were similar in continuous positive airway pressure versus sham-continuous positive airway pressure patients. In patients with worse clinical outcomes at month 3, mean nocturnal oxygen saturation was lower whereas there was no association with apnea-hypopnea index. Poorer outcomes at 3 months were also associated with insomnia, restless legs syndrome, depressive symptoms, and decreased total sleep time and rapid eye movement sleep.

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in early central retinal artery occlusion.

INTRODUCTION: Restricted retinal diffusion (RDR) has recently been recognized as a frequent finding on standard diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). However, data on early DWI signal evolution are missing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive CRAO patients with DWI performed within 24 h after onset of visual impairment were included in a bicentric, retrospective cross-sectional study. Two blinded neuroradiologists assessed randomized DWI scans for the presence of retinal ischemia. RDR detection rates, false positive ratings, and interrater agreement were evaluated for predefined time groups. RESULTS: Sixty eight CRAO patients (68.4 ± 16.8 years; 25 female) with 72 DWI scans (76.4% 3 T, 23.6% 1.5 T) were included. Mean time-delay between onset of CRAO and DWI acquisition was 13.4 ± 7.0 h. Overall RDR detection rates ranged from 52.8% to 62.5% with false positive ratings in 4.2%-8.3% of cases. RDR detection rates were higher in DWI performed 12-24 h after onset, when compared with DWI acquired within the first 12 h (79.5%vs 39.3%, p < 0.001). The share of false positive ratings was highest for DWI performed within the first 6 h of symptom onset (up to 14.3%). Interrater reliability was "moderate" for DWI performed within the first 18 h (κ = 0.57-0.58), but improved for DWI acquired between 18 and 24 h (κ = 0.94). CONCLUSION: DWI-based detection of retinal ischemia in early CRAO is likely to be time-dependent with superior diagnostic accuracy for DWI performed 12-24 h after onset of visual impairment.

Angioplasty, stenting, or both - rescue maneuvers and reperfusion after endovascular therapy for intracranial atherosclerosis-related occlusion.

PURPOSE: Data concerning reperfusion strategies of intracranial atherosclerosis-related occlusion (ICARO) and clinico-angiographic outcomes remain scarce, particularly in Caucasians. We aim to compare the reperfusion rate and functional outcome between reperfusion strategies in the setting of the ICARO. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) registries at three high-volume stroke centers were retrospectively analyzed for consecutive ICARO patients from January 2015 to December 2019. We defined ICARO as any fixed high-degree (> 70%) focal narrowing or stenosis of any degree with a perpetual tendency for reocclusion. We categorized reperfusion strategies into four groups: EVT [group 1], balloon angioplasty [(BAp), group 2], placement of self-expandable stents [(SES), group 3], and BAp combined with implantation of SES; or direct placement of balloon mounted stents (BMS) [(BAp-SES/BMS), group 4]. We evaluated the association with the successful reperfusion [mTICI 2b - 3] and favorable outcome [mRS 0-2] with logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Out of 2550 EVT, 124 patients (median age, 70 (61-80) years; 76 men) with ICARO and 130 reperfusion attempts [36 EVT, 38 BAp, 17 SES, and 39 BAp + SES/BMS] were analyzed. SES implantation showed the highest frequency of post-procedural symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage [(18%, 3/17), p = .03]; however, we observed no significant differences in the mortality rate. Overall, we achieved successful reperfusion in 71% (92/130) and favorable outcomes in 42% (52/124) of the patients. BAp + SES/BMS was the only independent predictor of the final successful reperfusion [aOR, 4.488 (95% CI, 1.364-14.773); p = .01], which was significantly associated with the 90-day favorable outcome [aOR, 10.837 (95% CI, 3.609-32.541); p = < .001] after adjustment for confounding variables between the reperfusion strategies. CONCLUSION: Among patients with ICARO, the rescue angioplasty stenting effectively contributed to higher odds of successful reperfusion with no increased risk for intracranial hemorrhage.

Complete recanalization predicts favorable outcome in patients with distal M2-M3 middle cerebral artery occlusions following endovascular thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND: - scanty articles illustrate the prognostic factors for favorable outcome after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in distal vessel occlusion (DMVO). Moreover, the current literature is diversified; conglomerating both primary, secondary, and anterior, posterior circulations embolic strokes in the same shell. PURPOSE: to identify the association between complete reperfusion and favorable outcome following EVT for DMVO in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory. METHODS: -we performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained EVT registries at two comprehensive stroke centers between January 2015 and December 2019 for consecutive stroke patients with MCA-DMVO. DMVO was defined as an occlusion of distal M2 and M3 segments of the MCA. Only patients with primary isolated occlusions were included. A multivariate logistic regression was utilized to identify clinical and procedural-related factors associated with the 90-day favorable clinical outcome [defined as modified Rankin score (mRS) 0-2] after EVT. RESULTS: -Out of 1823 within the registries; 66 patients (median age was 72 (60-78) and 59% were males) with primary isolated DMVO of the MCA were eligible for inclusion in the current study. Complete reperfusion was achieved in 56% (37/66) of the patients with no difference among the reperfusion strategies while the favorable outcome was observed in 68% (45/66). In the multivariate analysis, final complete reperfusion [modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) score 2c-3] was significantly associated with favorable outcome [aOR=7.69; (95% CI 1.73-34.17); p=.01], while higher baseline NIHSS score [aOR=0.82; (95% CI 0.69-0.98); p=.03] and increased imaging to puncture interval [aOR=0.99; (95% CI 0.98, 1.00); p=.01] decreased the probability of the favorable outcome. CONCLUSION: according to our results, complete reperfusion was the most significant predictor of the favorable outcome, while higher baseline NIHSS and longer imaging to puncture interval decreased the probability of the favorable outcome.

Primary acute convexity subarachnoid hemorrhage in older patients: analysis of baseline, clinical and MRI characteristics including quantitative surface study and topographical probabilistic mapping of convexity subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVES: Primary acute convexity subarachnoid hemorrhage (cSAH) in older patients can be observed in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) or idiopathic (with cSAH as potential initial manifestation of suspected CAA). We aimed to analyze baseline, clinical and MRI (including quantitative cSAH surface analysis and topographical probabilistic cSAH mapping) characteristics in elderly cSAH patients with CAA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Baseline/clinical/MRI characteristics of 50 consecutive primary acute cSAH patients ≥ 55 years with suspected/possible/probable CAA were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Median age was 74, with 26% of patients showing suspected, 22% possible and 52% probable CAA. Transient focal neurological episode (TFNE) was observed in 78%, with spreading symptoms in 79% (median spreading speed five minutes), a median of two episodes before cSAH diagnosis, and similar symptoms in 91% when multiple TFNE, with a median duration of 15 min. Motor/sensory/speech/visual symptoms were observed in 85%/69%/46%/8%, respectively, and brachiofacial/brachial was the most frequent distribution for sensory-motor symptoms. Positive clinical-radiological correlation was observed in 84%, headache in 22%, and antiepileptics started in 78%. MRI showed chronic intracerebral hemorrhage in 10%, cortical superficial siderosis in 68%, cerebral microbleeds in 48%, median total Fazekas score of 3, lacunes in 6% and DWI lesion (all unique/cortical/ < 10 mm) in 6%. cSAH involved a median of 1 sulcus, with central sulcus as most frequently (47.5%) involved followed by precentral sulcus (17%). Median cSAH surface was 2170 mm2. No baseline, clinical or MRI characteristics were associated with cSAH surface extent in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline, clinical, or MRI features seem not to influence CAA-related cSAH extent. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov . Unique identifier: NCT04825808.

Negative susceptibility vessel sign might be predictive of complete reperfusion in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion managed with thrombectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Negative susceptibility vessel sign (SVS) on pre-thrombectomy MRI has been linked to fibrin-rich thrombus and difficult retrieval in anterior ischemic stroke. However, its impact in posterior circulation-large vessel occlusion stroke (PC-LVOS) has not yet been elucidated. We aim to investigate the relationship of SVS parameters with stroke subtypes and their influence on angiographic and functional outcomes. METHODS: Prospective thrombectomy registries at two-comprehensive stroke centers were retrospectively reviewed between January 2015 and December 2019 for consecutive MRI-selected patients with PC-LVOS. Two groups were assigned by two independent readers, based on the presence or absence of the SVS (SVS +, SVS -) on MRI-GRE sequence. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to study primarily the impact of the SVS on the rate of complete recanalization (defined as mTICI 2c/3) at the final series following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) and whether or not it might influence the efficacy of the frontline EVT strategy. Secondarily, we studied whether the absence of the SVS was predictive of the rate of 90-day functional independence (defined as mRS score < 2). Lastly, both qualitative (SVS +, SVS-) and quantitative (SVS length and diameter) parameters of the SVS were analyzed in association with the puncture to recanalization interval and various stroke etiological subtypes based on TOAST criteria. RESULTS: Among 1823 patients, 116 were qualified for final analysis (median age, 68 (59-75) years; male, 65%); SVS was detected in 62.9% (73/116) of cases. SVS length was an independent predictor of procedural duration (p = .01) whilst two-layered SVS was inversely associated with the atherosclerosis etiological subtype (aOR = 0.27, 95% CI 0.08-0.89; p = .03). Successful recanalization was achieved in 82% (60/73) vs. 86% (37/43), p = .80 of patients with SVS (+, -) respectively. Only in SVS (+), stentriever (RR 0.59 (0.4-0.88), p = .009), and contact-aspiration (RR 0.82 (0.7-0.96), p = .01) achieved a lower rate of successful recanalization compared to combined technique. SVS (-) was significantly associated with a higher rate of mTICI 2c/3 (aOR = 4.444; 95% CI 1.466-13.473; p = .008) and showed an indirect effect of 9% towards functional independence mediated by mTICI 2c/3. CONCLUSION: SVS parameters in PC-LVOS might predict stroke subtype and indirectly influence the functional outcome by virtue of complete recanalization. KEY POINTS: • Negative susceptibility vessel sign (SVS) in patients with basilar occlusion independently predict complete recanalization that indirectly instigated a 3-month favorable outcome following thrombectomy. • The longer the SVS, the higher likelihood of large artery atherosclerosis and the longer the thrombectomy procedure. • Two-layered SVS might be negatively associated with the presence of atherosclerosis, yet already-known limitations of TOAST classification and the absence of pathological analysis should be taken into consideration.

Frontline thrombectomy strategy and outcome in acute basilar artery occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Novel thrombectomy strategies emanate expeditiously day-by-day counting on access system, clot retriever device, proximity to and integration with the thrombus, and microcatheter disengagement. Nonetheless, the relationship between native thrombectomy strategies and revascularization success remains to be evaluated in basilar artery occlusion (BAO). PURPOSE: To compare the safety and efficacy profile of key frontline thrombectomy strategies in BAO. METHODS: Retrospective analyses of prospectively maintained stroke registries at two comprehensive stroke centers were performed between January 2015 and December 2019. Patients with BAO selected after MR imaging were categorized into three groups based on the frontline thrombectomy strategy (contact aspiration (CA), stent retriever (SR), or combined (SR+CA)). Patients who experienced failure of clot retrieval followed by an interchanging strategy were categorized as a fourth (switch) group. Clinicoradiological features and procedural variables were compared. The primary outcome measure was the rate of complete revascularization (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) grade 2c-3). Favorable outcome was defined as a 90 day modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2. RESULTS: Of 1823 patients, we included 128 (33 underwent CA, 35 SR, 35 SR +CA, and 25 switch techniques). Complete revascularization was achieved in 83/140 (59%) primarily analyzed patients. SR +CA was associated with higher odds of complete revascularization (adjusted OR 3.04, 95% CI 1.077 to 8.593, p=0.04) which was an independent predictor of favorable outcome (adjusted OR 2.73. 95% CI 1.152 to 6.458, p=0.02). No significant differences were observed for symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, functional outcome, or mortality rate. CONCLUSION: Among BAO patients, the combined technique effectively contributed to complete revascularization that showed a 90 day favorable outcome with an equivalent complication rate after thrombectomy.

Outcomes Following Mechanical Thrombectomy in Different Etiological Subtypes of Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion : Stroke Etiology and Outcome after EVT in BAO.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Vertebrobasilar occlusion stroke (VBOS) is innately associated with high morbimortality despite advances in endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Nonetheless, notable outcome dissimilarities exist between angiographically categorized stroke subtypes. We aim to evaluate potential differences concerning clinical angiographic outcomes among etiological subtypes of VBOS based on the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) criteria. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed prospective EVT databases at two tertiary care stroke centers for consecutive patients with VBOS who had preinterventional MRI and underwent EVT from January 2015 to December 2019. We identified three groups: large artery atherosclerosis (LAA), cardioembolic stroke (CES), and embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). The primary endpoints were the rates of poor outcome (identified as 90-day modified Rankin scale score of 3-6) and mortality, while the secondary endpoint included the rates of incomplete reperfusion (identified as modified treatment in cerebral infarction scale mTICI 0-2b), and periprocedural symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. We evaluated the association between the etiology and clinical angiographic outcomes through stepwise logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Out of 1823 patients, 139 (91 men; median age, 69 (61-76) years) with VBOS were qualified for the final analysis with incidence as follows: LAA (41%, n = 57), CES (35%, n = 48), and ESUS (24%, n = 34). Overall, incomplete reperfusion was realized in 41% (57/139) of the patients, a poor outcome in 65% (90/139), and mortality in 40% (55/139). Longer puncture to reperfusion interval (aOR 1.0182 [95% CI: 1.008-1.029]; p < 0.001) and utilization of combined aspiration-retriever technique (aOR 0.1998 [95% CI: 0.066-0.604]; p = 0.004) were associated with a greater likelihood of incomplete reperfusion (mTICI 0-2b) irrespective of the stroke etiology. After adjustment for confounding factors in the regression analysis, ESUS was an independent predictor of poor outcome (aOR 5.315 [95% CI: 1.646-17.163]; p = 0.005) and mortality (aOR 4.667 [95% CI: 1.883-11.564]; p < 0.001) at 90 days following EVT. CONCLUSION: The functional outcome following EVT for VBOS might depend on stroke etiology. According to our results, ESUS seems to be associated with the worst outcome, which needs further investigation to tailor the appropriate therapeutic plan.

MRI Outcomes Achieved by Simple Flow Blockage Technique in Symptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis Stenting.

In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency and clinical impact of new ischemic lesions detected with diffusion-weighted-imaging-MRI (DWI-MRI) as well as the clinical outcomes after carotid artery stenting (CAS) using the simple flow blockage technique (SFB). This is a retrospective study with data extraction from a monocentric prospective clinical registry (from 2017 to 2019) of consecutive patients admitted for symptomatic cervical ICA stenosis or web. Herein, patients benefited from DWI-MRI before and within 48 h of CAS for symptomatic ICA stenosis or web. The primary endpoint was the frequency of new DWI-MRI ischemic lesions and the secondary (composite) endpoint was the rate of mortality, symptomatic stroke or acute coronary syndrome within 30 days of the procedure. All of the 82 CAS procedures were successfully performed. Among the 33 patients (40.2%) with new DWI-MRI ischemic lesions, 30 patients were asymptomatic (90.9%). Irregular carotid plaque surface with (n = 13, 44.8%) or without ulceration (n = 12, 60.0%) was associated with higher rates of new DWI-MRI lesions by comparison to patients with a regular plaque (n = 7, 25%) (p = 0.048) using the univariate analysis. Less than half of this CAS cohort using the SFB technique had new ischemic lesions detected with DWI-MRI. Among these patients, more than 90% were asymptomatic. Irregularity of the plaque seems to increase the risk of peri-procedural DWI-MRI lesions.

FLAIR vascular hyperintensities predict functional outcome after endovascular thrombectomy in patients with large ischemic cores.

OBJECTIVES: To establish whether collateral circulation was associated with functional outcome in stroke patients with large infarct size (Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score [ASPECTS] ≤ 5) undergoing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) METHODS: Consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation and an ASPECTS of ≤ 5 were analyzed. Quantification of collateral circulation was performed using a fluid-attenuated inversion recovery vascular hyperintensity (FVH)-ASPECTS rating system (score ranging from 0 [no FVH] to 7 [FVHs abutting all ASPECTS cortical areas]) by two independent neuroradiologists. Good functional outcome was defined by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0 to 3 at 3 months. We determined the association between FVH score and clinical outcome using multivariable regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 139 patients (age, 63.1 ± 20.8 years; men, 51.8%) admitted between March 2012 and December 2017 were included. Good functional outcome (mRS 0-3) was observed in 65 (46.8%) patients, functional independence (mRS 0-2) was achieved in 43 (30.9%) patients, and 33 (23.7%) patients died at 90 days. The median FVH score was 4 (IQR, 3-5). FVH score was independently correlated with good outcome (adjusted OR = 1.41 [95% CI, 1.03-1.92]; p = 0.03 per 1-point increase). CONCLUSIONS: In stroke patients with large-volume infarcts, good collaterals as measured by the FVH-ASPECTS rating system are associated with improved outcomes and may help select patients for reperfusion therapy. KEY POINTS: • Endovascular thrombectomy can allow almost 1 in 2 patients with large infarct cores to achieve good functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] of 0-3) and 1 in 3 patients to regain functional independence (mRS 0-2) at 3 months. • The extent of FVH score (as reflected by FLAIR vascular hyperintensity [FVH]-Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score [ASPECTS] values) is associated with functional outcome at 3 months in this patient group.

Impact of White Matter Hyperintensity Burden on Outcome in Large-Vessel Occlusion Stroke.

Background White matter hyperintensity (WMH) has been linked to poor clinical outcomes after acute ischemic stroke. Purpose To assess whether the WMH burden on pretreatment MRI scans is associated with an increased risk for symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) or poor functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Materials and Methods In this retrospective study, consecutive patients treated with EVT for anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke at a comprehensive stroke center (where MRI was the first-line pretreatment imaging strategy; January 2015 to December 2017) were included and analyzed. WMH volumes were assessed with semiautomated volumetric analysis at fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI by readers who were blinded to clinical data. The associations of WMH burden with sICH and 3-month functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score) were assessed. Results A total of 366 patients were included (mean age, 69 years ± 19 [SD]; 188 women [51%]). Median total WMH volume was 3.61 cm3 (IQR, 1.10-10.83 cm3). Patients demonstrated higher mRS scores with increasing WMH volumes (odds ratio [OR], 1.020 [95% CI: 1.003, 1.037] per 1.0-cm3 increase for each mRS point increase; P = .018) after adjustment for patient and clinical variables. There were no significant associations between WMH severity and 90-day mortality (OR, 1.007 [95% CI: 0.990, 1.024]; P = .40) or the occurrence of sICH (OR, 1.001 [95% CI: 0.978, 1.024]; P = .94). Conclusion Higher white matter hyperintensity burden was associated with increased risk for poor 3-month functional outcome after endovascular thrombectomy for large-vessel occlusive stroke. © RSNA, 2022 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Mossa-Basha and Zhu in this issue.

Risk of intracranial haemorrhage and ischaemic stroke after convexity subarachnoid haemorrhage in cerebral amyloid angiopathy: international individual patient data pooled analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency, time-course and predictors of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), recurrent convexity subarachnoid haemorrhage (cSAH), and ischemic stroke after cSAH associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). METHODS: We performed a systematic review and international individual patient-data pooled analysis in patients with cSAH associated with probable or possible CAA diagnosed on baseline MRI using the modified Boston criteria. We used Cox proportional hazards models with a frailty term to account for between-cohort differences. RESULTS: We included 190 patients (mean age 74.5 years; 45.3% female) from 13 centers with 385 patient-years of follow-up (median 1.4 years). The risks of each outcome (per patient-year) were: ICH 13.2% (95% CI 9.9-17.4); recurrent cSAH 11.1% (95% CI 7.9-15.2); combined ICH, cSAH, or both 21.4% (95% CI 16.7-26.9), ischemic stroke 5.1% (95% CI 3.1-8) and death 8.3% (95% CI 5.6-11.8). In multivariable models, there is evidence that patients with probable CAA (compared to possible CAA) had a higher risk of ICH (HR 8.45, 95% CI 1.13-75.5, p = 0.02) and cSAH (HR 3.66, 95% CI 0.84-15.9, p = 0.08) but not ischemic stroke (HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.17-1.82, p = 0.33) or mortality (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.16-1.78, p = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cSAH associated with probable or possible CAA have high risk of future ICH and recurrent cSAH. Convexity SAH associated with probable (vs possible) CAA is associated with increased risk of ICH, and cSAH but not ischemic stroke. Our data provide precise risk estimates for key vascular events after cSAH associated with CAA which can inform management decisions.

Predictive value of DWI posterior-circulation lesion volume for 90-day clinical outcome after endovascular treatment of acute basilar artery occlusion: a retrospective single-center study.

PURPOSE: The relationship between posterior-circulation lesion volume (PCLV) and clinical outcomes is poorly investigated. We aimed to analyze, in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (ABAO), if pre-endovascular treatment (EVT) PCLV was a predictor of outcomes. METHODS: We analyzed consecutive MRI selected, endovascularly treated ABAO patients. Baseline PCLV was measured in milliliters on apparent diffusion-coefficient map reconstruction. Univariable and multivariable logistic models were used to test if PCLV was a predictor of 90-day outcomes. After the received operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the optimal cut-off was determined to evaluate the prognostic value of PCLV. RESULTS: A total of 110 ABAO patients were included. The median PCLV was 4.4 ml (interquartile range, 1.3-21.2 ml). Successful reperfusion was achieved in 81.8% of cases after EVT. At 90 days, 31.8% of patients had a modified Rankin scale ≤ 2, and the mortality rate was 40.9%. PCLV was an independent predictor of functional independence and mortality (odds ratio [OR]:0.57, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.34-0.93 and 1.84, 95% CI, 1.23-2.76, respectively). The ROC analysis showed that a baseline PCLV ≤ 8.7 ml was the optimal cut-off to predict the 90-day functional independence (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.68, 95% CI, 0.57-0.79, sensitivity 88.6%, and specificity 49.3%). In addition, a PCLV ≥ 9.1 ml was the optimal cut-off for the prediction of 90-day mortality (AUC = 0.71, 95% CI, 0.61-0.82, sensitivity 80%, and specificity 60%). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-treatment PCLV was an independent predictor of 90-day outcomes in ABAO. A PCLV ≤ 8.7 and ≥ 9.1 ml may identify patients with a higher possibility to achieve independence and a higher risk of death at 90 days, respectively.

White Matter Hyperintensity Burden and Collateral Circulation in Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: White matter hyperintensity (WMH), a marker of chronic cerebral small vessel disease, might impact the recruitment of leptomeningeal collaterals. We aimed to assess whether the WMH burden is associated with collateral circulation in patients treated by endovascular thrombectomy for anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: Consecutive acute ischemic stroke due to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion and treated with endovascular thrombectomy from January 2015 to December 2017 were included. WMH volumes (periventricular, deep, and total) were assessed by a semiautomated volumetric analysis on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery-magnetic resonance imaging. Collateral status was graded on baseline catheter angiography using the American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology grading system (good when ≥3). We investigated associations of WMH burden with collateral status. RESULTS: A total of 302 patients were included (mean age, 69.1±19.4 years; women, 55.6%). Poor collaterals were observed in 49.3% of patients. Median total WMH volume was 3.76 cm3 (interquartile range, 1.09-11.81 cm3). The regression analyses showed no apparent relationship between WMH burden and the collateral status measured at baseline angiography (adjusted odds ratio, 0.987 [95% CI, 0.971-1.003]; P=0.12). CONCLUSIONS: WMH burden exhibits no overt association with collaterals in large vessel occlusive stroke.

Microbleeds, Cerebral Hemorrhage, and Functional Outcome After Endovascular Thrombectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether pretreatment cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) presence and burden are correlated with an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) or poor functional outcome following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). METHODS: Consecutive patients treated by EVT for anterior circulation AIS were retrospectively analyzed. Experienced neuroradiologists blinded to functional outcomes rated CMBs on T2*-MRI using a validated scale. We investigated associations of CMB presence and burden with ICH and poor clinical outcome at 3 months (modified Rankin Scale score >2). RESULTS: Among 513 patients, 281 (54.8%) had a poor outcome and 89 (17.3%) had ≥1 CMBs. A total of 190 (37%) patients experienced ICH; 66 (12.9%) were symptomatic. CMB burden was associated with poor outcome in a univariable analysis (odds ratio [OR], 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.36 per 1-CMB increase; p = 0.02), but significance was lost after adjustment for sex, age, stroke severity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, prior antithrombotic medication, IV thrombolysis, and reperfusion status (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.92-1.20 per 1-CMB increase; p = 0.50). Results remained nonsignificant when taking into account CMB location or presumed underlying pathogenesis. CMB presence, burden, location, or presumed pathogenesis were not independently correlated with ICH. CONCLUSIONS: Poor functional outcome or ICH were not correlated with CMB presence or burden on pre-EVT MRI after adjustment for confounding factors. Excluding such patients from reperfusion therapies is unwarranted. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that in patients with AIS undergoing EVT, after adjustment for confounding factors, the presence of CMBs is not significantly associated with clinical outcome or the risk of ICH.

Neurological manifestations of patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2: a systematic review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: To perform an updated review of the literature on the neurological manifestations of COVID-19-infected patients METHODS: A PRISMA-guideline-based systematic review was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, and SCOPUS. Series reporting neurological manifestations of COVID-19 patients were studied. RESULTS: 39 studies and 68,361 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients were included. Up to 21.3% of COVID-19 patients presented neurological symptoms. Headache (5.4%), skeletal muscle injury (5.1%), psychiatric disorders (4.6%), impaired consciousness (2.8%), gustatory/olfactory dysfunction (2.3%), acute cerebrovascular events (1.4%), and dizziness (1.3%), were the most frequently reported neurological manifestations. Ischemic stroke occurred among 1.3% of COVID-19 patients. Other less common neurological manifestations were cranial nerve impairment (0.6%), nerve root and plexus disorders (0.4%), epilepsy (0.7%), and hemorrhagic stroke (0.15%). Impaired consciousness and acute cerebrovascular events were reported in 14% and 4% of patients with a severe disease, respectively, and they were significantly higher compared to non-severe patients (p < 0.05). Individual patient data from 129 COVID-19 patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) were extracted: mean age was 64.4 (SD ± 6.2), 78.5% had anterior circulation occlusions, the mean NIHSS was 15 (SD ± 7), and the intra-hospital mortality rate was 22.8%. Admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) was required among 63% of patients. CONCLUSION: This updated review of literature, shows that headache, skeletal muscle injury, psychiatric disorders, impaired consciousness, and gustatory/olfactory dysfunction were the most common neurological symptoms of COVID-19 patients. Impaired consciousness and acute cerebrovascular events were significantly higher among patients with a severe infection. AIS patients required ICU admission in 63% of cases, while intra-hospital mortality rate was close to 23%.

Symptomatic isolated internal carotid artery occlusion with initial medical management: a monocentric cohort.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic isolated carotid artery occlusions (ICAO) can lead to disability, recurrent stroke, and mortality, but natural history and best therapeutic management remain poorly known. The objective of this study was to describe our cohort of ICAO patients with an initial medical management. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study including consecutive patients admitted to our Comprehensive Stroke Center for ICAO within 24 h after stroke onset between January 2016 and September 2018. Patients with immediate endovascular therapy (EVT) were excluded. Medical treatment was based on anticoagulation (delayed by 24 h if intravenous thrombolysis was performed). 'Rescue' EVT was considered if first-week neurological deterioration (FWND) occurred. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were included, with a median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) of 3. Eleven patients (20%) had FWND during the first week, four benefited from rescue EVT. A mismatch volume > 40 cc on initial perfusion imaging and FLAIR vascular hyperintensities were associated with FWND (p = 0.007 and p = 0.009, respectively). Thirty-eight patients (69%) had a good outcome (modified Rankin Scale mRS 0-2) at 3 months, 36 (69%) had an excellent outcome (mRS 0-1). Seventeen patients (38%) had carotid patency on 3-month control imaging. Recurrences occurred in six (13%) of the survivors (mean follow-up: 13.6 months). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the prognosis of patients with acute ICAO was favorable with a medical strategy, albeit a substantial rate of FWND and recurrence. FWND was well predicted by a core-perfusion mismatch volume > 40 cc. Randomized controlled trials are necessary to assess the benefit of EVT in ICAO.

DWI cerebellar infarct volume as predictor of outcomes after endovascular treatment of acute basilar artery occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Preprocedural predictors of outcome in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (ABAO) who have undergone endovascular treatment (EVT) remain controversial. Our aim was to determine if pre-EVT diffusion-weighted imaging cerebellar infarct volume (CIV) is a predictor of 90-day outcomes. METHODS: We analyzed consecutive MRI-selected endovascularly treated patients with ABAO within the first 24 hours after symptom onset. Successful reperfusion was defined as a modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score of 2b-3. Using the initial MRI, baseline CIV was calculated in mL on an apparent diffusion coefficient map reconstruction (Olea Sphere software). CIV was analyzed in univariate and multivariable models as a predictor of 90-day functional independence (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2) and mortality. According to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the optimal cut-off was determined by maximizing the Youden index to evaluate the prognostic value of CIV. RESULTS: Of the 110 MRI-selected patients with ABAO, 64 (58.18%) had a cerebellar infarct. The median CIV was 9.6 mL (IQR 2.7-31.4). Successful reperfusion was achieved in 81.8% of the cases. At 90 days the proportion of patients with mRS ≤2 was 31.8% and the overall mortality rate was 40.9%. Baseline CIV was significantly associated with 90-day mRS 0-2 (p=0.008) in the univariate analysis and was an independent predictor of 90-day mortality (adjusted OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.54, p=0.001). The ROC analysis showed that a CIV ≥4.7 mL at the initial MRI was the optimal cut-off to discriminate patients with a higher risk of death at 90 days (area under the ROC curve (AUC)=0.74, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.87, sensitivity and specificity of 87.9% and 58.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In our series of MRI-selected patients with ABAO, pre-EVT CIV was an independent predictor of 90-day mortality. The risk of death was increased for baseline CIV ≥4.7 mL.

Usefulness of a single-parameter tool for the prediction of large vessel occlusion in acute stroke.

BACKGROUND: In acute stroke, large vessel occlusion (LVO) should be promptly identified to guide patient's transportation directly to comprehensive stroke centers (CSC) for mechanical thrombectomy (MT). In many cases, prehospital multi-parameter scores are used by trained emergency teams to identify patients with high probability of LVO. However, in several countries, the first aid organization without intervention of skilled staff precludes the on-site use of such scores. Here, we assessed the accuracy of LVO prediction using a single parameter (i.e. complete hemiplegia) obtained by bystander's telephone-based witnessing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This observational, single-center study included consecutive patients who underwent intravenous thrombolysis at the primary stroke center and/or were directly transferred to a CSC for MT, from January 1, 2015 to March 1, 2020. We defined two groups: patients with initial hemiplegia (no movement in one arm and leg and facial palsy) and patients without initial hemiplegia, on the basis of a bystander's witnessing. RESULTS: During the study time, 874 patients were included [mean age 73 years (SD 13.8), 56.7% men], 320 with initial hemiplegia and 554 without. The specificity of the hemiplegia criterion to predict LVO was 0.88, but its sensitivity was only 0.53. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the presence of hemiplegia as witnessed by a bystander can predict LVO with high specificity. This single criterion could be used for decision-making about direct transfer to CSC for MT when the absence of emergency skilled staff precludes the patient's on-site assessment, especially in regions distant from a CSC.

Angiographic Patterns and Outcomes Achieved by Proximal Balloon Occlusion in Symptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis Stenting.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The best embolic protection strategy has not yet been established for carotid artery stenting (CAS). This article reports a new simplified approach using a balloon guide catheter inspired by stroke therapy, in patients harboring a symptomatic ICA atherosclerotic stenosis or web. In addition, the three angiographic patterns and clinical outcomes associated with this technique, called the simple flow blockage (SFB) technique are described. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study with data extraction from a monocentric prospective clinical registry of consecutive patients admitted for symptomatic ICA stenosis or web. The primary study outcome (composite endpoint) was the rate of occurrence of death, symptomatic stroke or acute coronary syndrome within 30 days of the intervention. RESULTS: In this study 75 symptomatic patients with >50% carotid artery atherosclerotic stenosis or web were included. All procedures were successfully performed. The composite endpoint occurred in 3 patients (4.0%, 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.0-11.3): 1 had symptomatic ischemic stroke, 1 had reperfusion syndrome with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and 1 had acute coronary syndrome. After proximal balloon inflation three angiographic patterns were observed: complete contrast column stagnation in the ICA (38.7%), retrograde washout of the ICA from the intracranial circulation towards the external carotid artery (35.5%) and antegrade washout of contrast medium towards the intracranial circulation (25.8%). The median procedure length was 40 min. New asymptomatic ischemic lesions were observed in 22.5% on DWI-MRI. CONCLUSION: The SFB technique enables fast and safe procedures in CAS. A favorable angiographic pattern after proximal balloon inflation was observed in 74.2% of cases.