Long-term outcome of endovascular treatment for indirect carotid-cavernous fistulas.

OBJECTIVE: Endovascular treatment (EVT) is the primary approach used to treat indirect carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs). In this study, the authors evaluated the immediate and long-term efficacy and safety of different endovascular techniques for indirect CCFs. METHODS: The databases of two endovascular centers were retrospectively reviewed to collect the patients with indirect CCFs treated using endovascular techniques between 2013 and 2023. Demographics, clinical presentation, CCF features, EVT characteristics, and clinical and radiological outcomes were evaluated and analyzed. The analysis was performed to compare the clinical and radiological data between different endovascular approaches and different embolic materials. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients were included in the study. EVT was successful in 95 patients (96.9%). Immediate complete obliteration of the CCF was achieved in 93.9% of patients, with 98% undergoing embolization with liquid embolic agents (LEAs) and 95.6% undergoing coiling alone. Complete CCF obliteration was higher in the transvenous than in the transarterial approach (94.3% vs 75%, p = 0.010). At ≥ 6 months follow-up, complete CCF obliteration was achieved in all patients (100%). The rate of procedure-related complications was higher following LEAs than with coiling alone (32.0% vs 15.6%). New cranial nerve (CN) palsy was diagnosed in 26.0% and 2.2% after embolization with LEAs and coiling alone, respectively (p = 0.001), with complete CN palsy recovery in 78.6%. Procedure-related intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 3 patients (3.1%). Two patients experienced an ischemic stroke following Onyx migration into the internal carotid artery. Ocular symptoms improved in 93% (83/89) of the patients who were followed. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, complete obliteration of an indirect CCF was achieved in more than 90% of patients. Despite the occurrence of some new postprocedural ocular CN palsy, ocular symptoms improved in most patients in long-term follow-up. The transvenous approach was the most effective method for treating the indirect CCF. Coiling was safer than LEAs for the embolization of the indirect CCF.

Mechanical thrombectomy in basilar artery occlusions: impact of first-line strategy as a function of the occlusion level.

BACKGROUND: Retrospective studies suggest the superiority of first-line contact aspiration (CA) thrombectomy over stent-retriever (SR) in basilar artery occlusions (BAO). We aimed to investigate the impact of first-line mechanical thrombectomy per the occlusion level, considering differences in stroke etiology prevalence between proximal and distal BAO. METHODS: A retrospective, multicentric analysis of the Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke Registry (ETIS) included consecutive BAO patients treated from January 2016 to May 2022. Patients were categorized into SR (±aspiration) and CA alone groups. Occlusion levels were determined through digital subtraction angiography. Favorable clinical outcome was defined as 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-3. RESULTS: A total of 380 patients were analyzed (251 CA alone, 129 SR±aspiration). Globally, first-line SR showed lower recanalization rates (89.1% vs 94.8%, OR=0.29, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.53; p<0.001) and worse clinical outcomes (mRS 0-3: 46.0% vs 52.2%, OR=0.62, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.87; p=0.006) compared with CA. In proximal occlusions, SR was significantly associated with poorer clinical outcomes (mRS 0-3: 20.9% vs 37.1%; OR=0.40, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.83; p=0.014) despite similar recanalization rates. Conversely, in distal occlusions there was no difference in clinical outcomes although recanalization rates were higher with CA (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score (mTICI 2b/3): 97.7% vs 91.7%; OR=0.17, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.66; p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In our BAO population, CA demonstrated better angiographic outcomes in middle and distal occlusions and better clinical outcomes in proximal occlusions. This translated into better angiographic and clinical results in the global study population. Clinical results were particularly influenced by the negative impact of SR on 90-day mRS, independently of recanalization rates in proximal BAO.

Embolization of the middle meningeal artery for the prevention of chronic subdural hematoma recurrence in high-risk patients: a randomized controlled trial-the EMPROTECT study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization has been proposed as a treatment of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). The benefit of the procedure has yet to be demonstrated in a randomized controlled trial. We aim to assess the efficacy of MMA embolization in reducing the risk of CSDH recurrence 6 months after burr-hole surgery compared with standard medical treatment in patients at high risk of postoperative recurrence. METHODS: The EMPROTECT trial is a multicenter open label randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 12 French centers. Adult patients (≥18 years) operated for CSDH recurrence or for a first episode with a predefined recurrence risk factor are randomized 1:1 to receive either MMA embolization within 7 days of the burr-hole surgery (experimental group) or standard medical care (control group). The number of patients to be included is 342. RESULTS: The primary outcome is the rate of CSDH recurrence at 6 months. Secondary outcomes include the rate of repeated surgery for a homolateral CSDH recurrence during the 6-month follow-up period, the rate of disability and dependency at 1 and 6 months, defined by a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≥4, mortality at 1 and 6 months, total cumulative duration of hospital stay during the 6-month follow-up period, directly or indirectly related to the CSDH and embolization procedure-related complication rates. CONCLUSIONS: The EMPROTECT trial is the first RCT evaluating the benefit of MMA embolization as a surgical adjunct for the prevention of CSDH recurrence. If positive, this trial will have a significant impact on patient care. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04372147.

Treated unruptured cerebral aneurysm in elderly patients: a single center study.

INTRODUCTION: The increase in life expectancy raises the question of the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in extremely old patients (>80 years). We present results in terms of occlusion and complications in both symptomatic and asymptomatic aneurysm. METHODS: All patients aged >80 years admitted to the Foundation Adolphe de Rothschild between January 1, 2005 and March, 2023 were included. Aneurysms were grouped as compressive and non-compressive. Procedural complications were grouped as symptomatic (i.e., leading to any temporary or permanent neurological deficit) and severe (defined by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≥3 at follow-up). RESULTS: Forty-two aneurysms were treated in the study period. Coiling (with or without remodeling) was the treatment of choice in 30 patients. Eighteen patients had compressive aneurysm. Six complications occurred (14.2%), all ischemic. The majority of complications occurred in symptomatic aneurysms, in 4 patients (66.6%). One of the patients treated by flow-diverter had severe complications (mRs ≥3) with hemiplegia. CONCLUSION: In extremely specific cases, treatment of unruptured aneurysm in people older than 80 years may be considered. Compressive aneurysm is associated with a high risk of complications. Treatments can be endovascular. Further prospective studies are required to confirm this hypothesis.

Longitudinal radiological follow-up of individual level non-ischemic cerebral enhancing lesions following endovascular aneurysm treatment.

BACKGROUND: Non-ischemic cerebral enhancing (NICE) lesions following aneurysm endovascular therapy are exceptionally rare, with unknown longitudinal evolution. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the radiological behavior of individual NICE lesions over time. METHODS: Patients included in a retrospective national multicentric inception cohort were analyzed. NICE lesions were defined, using MRI, as delayed onset punctate, nodular, or annular foci enhancements with peri-lesion edema, distributed in the vascular territory of the aneurysm treatment, with no other confounding disease. Lesion burden and the longitudinal behavior of individual lesions were assessed. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were included, with a median initial lesion burden of 36 (IQR 17-54) on the first MRI scan. Of the 22 patients with at least one follow-up MRI scan, 16 (73%) had new lesions occurring mainly within the first 200 weeks after the date of the procedure. The median number of new lesions per MRI was 6 (IQR 2-16). Among the same 22 patients, 7 (32%) had recurrent lesions. The median persistent enhancement of a NICE lesion was 13 weeks (IQR 6-30). No factor was predictive of early regression of enhancement activity with lesion regression kinetics mainly being patient-dependent. CONCLUSIONS: The behavior of individual NICE lesions was found to be highly variable with an overall patient-dependent regression velocity.

Complication of Ear Impression: Foreign Body in the Eustachian Tube Eroding the Carotid Canal.

The realization of customized earing plugs and earmolds for hearing aids requires an impression of the external auditory canal to obtain a siliconized mold. Silicone used for ear impressions is known to be safe and inert but deposition of silicone in the middle ear can middle and inner ear damages. We present a case of accidental injection of silicone in the middle ear and the Eustachian tube resulting in an erosion of the carotid canal. Laryngoscope, 133:3358-3360, 2023.

Safety and efficacy of intensive systolic blood pressure lowering after successful endovascular therapy: a post hoc analysis of the BP TARGET trial.

BACKGROUND: The Safety and Efficacy of Intensive Blood Pressure Lowering after Successful Endovascular Therapy in Acute Ischaemic Stroke (BP TARGET) trial demonstrated no benefit from intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) treatment after successful reperfusion with endovascular therapy. However, it remains unknown if the response to blood pressure treatment is modified by other factors. OBJECTIVE: To carry out a post hoc analysis of the BP TARGET trial data to determine if the response to blood pressure treatment is modified by factors such as age, history of hypertension, recanalization status, location of occlusion, diabetes, hyperglycemia, or pretreatment with intravenous thrombolysis. METHODS: This is a post hoc analysis of the BP TARGET trial. Patients were divided into groups based on age, diabetes, blood glucose, site of occlusion, history of hypertension, and pretreatment with intravenous thrombolysis. The primary outcome was any intraparenchymal hemorrhage. RESULTS: 318 patients were included. Diabetes modified the treatment effect on favorable functional outcome (Pheteogenity=0.041). There was a trend towards benefit from intensive SBP treatment in diabetic patients (OR=2.81; 95% CI 0.88 to 8.88; p=0.08) but not in non-diabetic patients (OR=0.75; 95% 0.45 to 126; p 0.28). Age, location of occlusion, admission SBP, pretreatment with intravenous thrombolysis, and history of hypertension did not modify the effect of intensive SBP treatment on any of the outcomes. CONCLUSION: The effect of SBP lowering treatment was not modified by age, location of occlusion history of hypertension, intravenous thrombolysis, and admission SBP. Diabetes modified the effect of intensive SBP lowering treatment, and there was a trend towards benefit from intensive SBP treatment in diabetic patients. This finding is hypothesis generating and requires further validation.

High thrombus platelet content is associated with a lower rate of first pass effect in stroke treated by endovascular therapy.

Background and purpose: First pass effect (FPE), the occurrence of complete reperfusion after one pass with no rescue attempt during endovascular therapy (EVT), is associated with the best clinical outcome after an acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Previous studies evaluating FPE occurrence according to EVT technical strategies, occlusion locations, or thrombus composition have provided controversial results. Here, we performed a correlation analysis between FPE occurrence and AIS thrombus cellular composition, as assessed using quantitative biochemical assays. Patients and methods: Homogenates of AIS thrombi from 250 patients were prepared by mechanical grinding. Platelet, red blood cell (RBC), and leukocyte contents of AIS thrombi were respectively estimated by quantification of GP (glycoprotein) VI, heme, and DNA in thrombus homogenates. FPE was defined as a modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infraction (mTICI) score of 2C or 3 after a single EVT device pass. Results: AIS thrombi successfully removed after a single pass were poorer in GPVI (0.098 ± 0.023 vs 0.111 ± 0.024 ng/mg, p < 0.001) compared to those whose removal had required several passes. GPVI content was also significantly associated with a higher number of device passes and a longer procedure time. No such significant correlation was found with DNA and heme content. Discussion and conclusion: Thrombus platelet content may hamper thrombus removal by EVT. This result suggests that adjunctive therapies or functionalization of retrieval devices targeting platelets may improve EVT efficacy.

Association of Contrast Enhancement After Reperfusion With Outcomes According to Blood Pressure Lowering in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Observational studies described associations between higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) values and intracranial hemorrhages (ICHs) and worse outcomes after successful reperfusion by endovascular therapy (EVT). However, the BP-TARGET trial [BP-Target in Acute Ischemic Stroke to Reduce Hemorrhage after EVT] found that an intensive SBP target did not reduce ICH rates after successful EVT. The presence of contrast enhancement (CE) immediately after reperfusion is also associated with higher odds of ICH and worse outcomes. Our research question was to investigate the effect of 2 SBP strategies after reperfusion on ICH rates and functional outcomes according to the presence of CE in the BP-TARGET trial. We hypothesized that patients with CE could benefit from an intensive SBP control. METHODS: We included BP-TARGET patients in whom a brain flat panel was performed immediately after reperfusion. We described CE as present or absent, ICH consisted of any radiographic ICH 24 hours after EVT, and unfavorable outcome consisted of a modified Rankin Scale score between 3 and 6 at 3 months. RESULTS: Among the 324 patients randomized in BP-TARGET, 164 were included in this analysis, of whom 113 (68.9%) presented CE after reperfusion. The 24-hour mean SBP was significantly lower in the intensive SBP group compared with the standard group (129.7 vs 138.3 mm Hg, p < 0.001). Patients with CE and randomized in the intensive and standard SBP group had increased ICH rates: aOR = 11.26, 95% CI 4.59-27.63, and aOR = 4.08, 95% CI 1.75-9.50, respectively. However, the test of heterogeneity did not reach the significant level (aOR = 2.76, 95% CI 0.80 to 9.48, p = 0.11). Patients with CE and randomized in the intensive SBP group had also higher odds of unfavorable outcomes (aOR = 2.91, 95% CI 1.24-6.82), but this association was not significant in the standard SBP group (aOR = 1.89, 95% CI 0.85-4.23). No significant heterogeneity was found between the 2 groups (aOR, 1.54, 95% CI 0.48 to 4.97, p = 0.47). DISCUSSION: Altogether, patients with CE and randomized in the intensive SBP group did not have lower rates of ICH or improved outcomes compared with the standard SBP group, as CE was associated with higher odds of ICH in both groups, without significant heterogeneity. TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION: NCT03160677. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class IV evidence that for adults with contrast-enhancing lesions after successful EVT of an AIS, intensive blood pressure management did not significantly increase the risk of ICH.

International controlled study of revascularization and outcomes following COVID-positive mechanical thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Previous studies suggest that mechanisms and outcomes in patients with COVID-19-associated stroke differ from those in patients with non-COVID-19-associated strokes, but there is limited comparative evidence focusing on these populations. The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine if a significant association exists between COVID-19 status with revascularization and functional outcomes following thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion (LVO), after adjustment for potential confounding factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional, international multicenter retrospective study was conducted in consecutively admitted COVID-19 patients with concomitant acute LVO, compared to a control group without COVID-19. Data collected included age, gender, comorbidities, clinical characteristics, details of the involved vessels, procedural technique, and various outcomes. A multivariable-adjusted analysis was conducted. RESULTS: In this cohort of 697 patients with acute LVO, 302 had COVID-19 while 395 patients did not. There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the mean age (in years) and gender of patients, with younger patients and more males in the COVID-19 group. In terms of favorable revascularization (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction [mTICI] grade 3), COVID-19 was associated with lower odds of complete revascularization (odds ratio 0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23-0.48; p < 0.001), which persisted on multivariable modeling with adjustment for other predictors (adjusted odds ratio 0.30, 95% CI 0.12-0.77; p = 0.012). Moreover, endovascular complications, in-hospital mortality, and length of hospital stay were significantly higher among COVID-19 patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 was an independent predictor of incomplete revascularization and poor functional outcome in patients with stroke due to LVO. Furthermore, COVID-19 patients with LVO were more often younger and had higher morbidity/mortality rates.

Characteristics of a COVID-19 Cohort With Large Vessel Occlusion: A Multicenter International Study.

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms and outcomes in coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-associated stroke are unique from those of non-COVID-19 stroke. OBJECTIVE: To describe the efficacy and outcomes of acute revascularization of large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the setting of COVID-19 in an international cohort. METHODS: We conducted an international multicenter retrospective study of consecutively admitted patients with COVID-19 with concomitant acute LVO across 50 comprehensive stroke centers. Our control group constituted historical controls of patients presenting with LVO and receiving a mechanical thrombectomy between January 2018 and December 2020. RESULTS: The total cohort was 575 patients with acute LVO; 194 patients had COVID-19 while 381 patients did not. Patients in the COVID-19 group were younger (62.5 vs 71.2; P < .001) and lacked vascular risk factors (49, 25.3% vs 54, 14.2%; P = .001). Modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 3 revascularization was less common in the COVID-19 group (74, 39.2% vs 252, 67.2%; P < .001). Poor functional outcome at discharge (defined as modified Ranklin Scale 3-6) was more common in the COVID-19 group (150, 79.8% vs 132, 66.7%; P = .004). COVID-19 was independently associated with a lower likelihood of achieving modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 3 (odds ratio [OR]: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.7; P < .001) and unfavorable outcomes (OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.4-4.5; P = .002). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 was an independent predictor of incomplete revascularization and poor outcomes in patients with stroke due to LVO. Patients with COVID-19 with LVO were younger, had fewer cerebrovascular risk factors, and suffered from higher morbidity/mortality rates.

Magnitude of Blood Pressure Change After Endovascular Therapy and Outcomes: Insight From the BP-TARGET Trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To assess the association between systolic blood pressure change (ΔSBP) at different time intervals after successful reperfusion with radiographic and clinical outcomes. METHODS: This is a post hoc analysis of the BP-TARGET multicenter trial (Blood Pressure Target in Acute Stroke to Reduce Hemorrhage After Endovascular Therapy). ΔSBP was defined as end of procedure SBP minus mean SBP at different time intervals (15-60 minutes, 1-6 hours, and 6-24 hours postprocedure). The primary outcome was the poor functional outcome (90-day modified Rankin Scale score 3-6). RESULTS: We included a total of 267 patients (130 in the intensive treatment group). Compared with patients with favorable outcome, patients with poor outcome had lower ΔSBP (less SBP reduction) at all times intervals. After adjusting for potential confounders including baseline SBP, both ΔSBP15-60M and ΔSBP6-24H were associated with lower odds of poor outcome (adjusted odds ratio per 5 mm Hg SBP reduction, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.81-0.99], and adjusted odds ratio 0.82 [95% CI, 0.73-0.92], respectively). Concerning safety outcomes, patients with intraparenchymal hemorrhage had lower ΔSBP at all time intervals. ΔSBP15-60M was associated with lower odds of any intraparenchymal hemorrhage (adjusted odds ratio per 5 mm Hg SBP reduction 0.91 [95% CI, 0.83-0.99]). Conversely, ΔSBP was not associated with mortality or neurological deterioration at any time interval. CONCLUSIONS: After successful reperfusion, ΔSBP had a linear relationship with poor outcome and the risk of poor outcome was higher with less reduction from the baseline SBP. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03160677.

Non-ischemic cerebral enhancing lesions after thrombectomy: a multicentric retrospective French national registry.

To report the occurrence of non-ischemic cerebral enhancing (NICE) lesions following mechanical thrombectomy (MT) through the retrospective French nationwide registry of NICE lesions. All thrombectomy capable stroke centers (TSC) in France were invited to fill out a questionnaire disseminated through a trainee-led research network (JENI-RC: Jeunes en Neuroradiologie Interventionnelle-Research Collaborative). NICE lesions were defined according to previous literature as delayed onset punctate, nodular, or annular foci enhancements with peri-lesion edema and vascular distribution in the territory of the MT with no other confounding disease. All 43 TSC French centers responded. Three patients were reported by 3 different centers over a total of 34,824 MT (2015-2020). Patient no. 1 developed symptomatic NICE lesions 8 weeks after MT with combination of aspiration and stentriever for a right middle cerebral artery occlusion. Patient no. 2 developed asymptomatic NICE lesions 5 weeks after MT with direct thromboaspiration for a right middle cerebral artery occlusion. Patient no. 3 developed symptomatic NICE lesions 6 weeks after MT with direct thromboaspiration, and combination of aspiration and stentriever for a basilar artery occlusion. This study provides evidence that NICE lesions following MT are a possible rare complication with a similar presentation as previously described following endovascular aneurysm treatment. Both radiologists and neurologists should be aware of this adverse event and make use of MRI contrast agents in case of unexplained symptoms/images during follow-up after MT.

Impact of COVID-19 on thrombus composition and response to thrombolysis: Insights from a monocentric cohort population of COVID-19 patients with acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Resistance to fibrinolysis, levels of procoagulant/antifibrinolytic neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and the severity of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) are increased by COVID-19. Whether NETs are components of AIS thrombi from COVID-19 patients and whether COVID-19 impacts the susceptibility of these thrombi to thrombolytic treatments remain unknown, however. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to characterize AIS thrombi from COVID-19 patients by immunohistology and to compare their response to thrombolysis to that of AIS thrombi from non-COVID-19 patients. PATIENTS/METHODS: For this monocentric cohort study, 14 thrombi from COVID-19 AIS patients and 16 thrombi from non-COVID-19 patients, all recovered by endovascular therapy, were analyzed by immunohistology or subjected to ex vivo thrombolysis by tissue-type plasminogen (tPA)/plasminogen. RESULTS: COVID-19 AIS thrombi were rich in neutrophils and contained NETs, but not spike protein. Thrombolysis assays revealed a mean resistance profile to tPA/plasminogen of COVID-19 AIS thrombi similar to that of non-COVID-19 AIS thrombi. The addition of DNase 1 successfully improved thrombolysis by potentiating fibrinolysis irrespective of COVID-19 status. Levels of neutrophil, NETs, and platelet markers in lysis supernatants were comparable between AIS thrombi from non-COVID-19 and COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that COVID-19 does not impact NETs content or worsen fibrinolysis resistance of AIS thrombi, a therapeutic hurdle that could be overcome by DNase 1 even in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Carotid artery direct access for mechanical thrombectomy: the Carotid Artery Puncture Evaluation (CARE) study.

BACKGROUND: In acute ischemic stroke due to anterior large vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO), accessing the target occluded vessel for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is sometimes impossible through the femoral approach. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of direct carotid artery puncture (DCP) for MT in patients with failed alternative vascular access. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 45 stroke centers in France, Switzerland and Germany through two research networks from January 2015 to July 2019. We collected physician-centered data on DCP practices and baseline characteristics, procedural variables and clinical outcome after DCP. Uni- and multivariable models were conducted to assess risk factors for complications. RESULTS: From January 2015 to July 2019, 28 149 MT were performed, of which 108 (0.39%) resulted in DCP due to unsuccessful vascular access. After DCP, 77 patients (71.3%) had successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) score ≥2b) and 28 (25.9%) were independent (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0-2) at 3 months. 20 complications (18.5%) attributed to DCP occurred, all of them during or within 1 hour of the procedure. Complications led to extension of the intubation time in the intensive care unit in 7 patients (6.4%) and resulted in death in 3 (2.8%). The absence of use of a hemostatic closure device was associated with a higher complication risk (OR 3.04, 95% CI 1.03 to 8.97; p=0043). CONCLUSION: In this large multicentric study, DCP was scantly performed for vascular access to perform MT (0.39%) in patients with AIS-LVO and had a high rate of complications (18.5%). Our results provide arguments for not closing the cervical access by manual compression after MT.

Effect of blood pressure variability in the randomized controlled BP TARGET trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Blood Pressure Target in Acute Ischemic Stroke to Reduce Hemorrhage After Endovascular Therapy (BP TARGET) trial evaluated whether an intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) target resulted in reduced rates of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) after successful endovascular therapy (EVT) but did not assess the effect of blood pressure variability (BPV) on functional outcomes and ICH occurrence. We sought to evaluate this question in the BP TARGET trial. METHODS: We performed a post hoc analysis of the BP TARGET trial and included patients with at least 50% of blood pressure (BP) recordings during the first 24 h after EVT. BPV parameters were SBP and diastolic BP (DBP) coefficient of variation (CV), standard deviation (SD), maximum-minimum (max-min), successive variation (SV), and time rate. The primary outcome was favorable functional outcome (3-month modified Rankin Scale between 0 and 2); the secondary outcome was the rate of ICH at 24 h. RESULTS: We included 290 patients (mean number of BP measures = 30.4, SD = 8.0). BPV parameters (SBPSD , SBPmax-min , SBPCV ) were higher in the intensive SBP target group. Only DBP BPV parameters were associated with worse functional outcomes in the unadjusted model (DBPSD , DBPmax-min , DBPCV , and DBPSV ), but not after adjustment. Higher SBPmax-min was associated with worse functional outcomes in Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2B patients (odds ratio [OR] = 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.38-1.02), but not in patients with complete reperfusion (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 0.80-2.02, p for heterogeneity (phet =0.037). None of the BPV parameters was associated with ICH, regardless of the randomization group or the reperfusion grade. CONCLUSIONS: BPV was significantly higher in the intensive SBP target group but was not associated with functional outcome or ICH.

Intravenous abciximab as a rescue therapy for immediate reocclusion after successful mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke patients.

Immediate reocclusion after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a rare but devastating condition associated with poor functional outcome. The aim of this study was to gain insights into the mechanisms underlying immediate reocclusion, and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonist abciximab, for its treatment. Clinical data were collected from April 2015 to April 2019 in a monocentric prospective registry of AIS patients treated by MT. All patients with immediate reocclusion were retrospectively selected and subdivided into 2 groups according to abciximab treatment status. In vitro, the separate and combined effects of abciximab and alteplase on clot formation in whole blood under flow conditions were further investigated in microfluidic chambers. From 929 MT-treated patients, 21 had post-MT immediate reocclusion. Abciximab treatment in reocclusion patients (n = 10) led to higher rate of final recanalization (p < .001) while it did not increase bleeding complications. Flow chamber experiments revealed that, in contrast to alteplase, abciximab efficiently limits thrombus accretion from flowing blood by blocking platelet aggregation. Our results underscore a key role for platelet aggregation and the potential of Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists as a rescue therapy in post-MT immediate reocclusion.

The ARTISSE intrasaccular device for intracranial aneurysm treatment: short-term, mid-term and long-term clinical and angiographic results.

BACKGROUND: The concept of intra-aneurysmal flow disruption has emerged as a new paradigm for the treatment of primarily bifurcation aneurysms. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical and angiographic outcomes of patients treated with the new ARTISSE intrasaccular device (ISD). METHODS: Selected patients with bifurcation aneurysms that matched the indications of the ARTISSE ISD defined by the manufacturer were treated in a single center. Clinical and angiographic follow-up was conducted at 6 and 36 months. Aneurysm occlusion was assessed using the Raymond-Roy classification scale. RESULTS: Nine subjects with nine unruptured bifurcation aneurysms were enrolled. Mean aneurysm size was 7.2±1.2 mm (range 5.5-9.7 mm). An adequate aneurysm occlusion (defined as a complete occlusion or a neck remnant) was achieved in 6/9 patients (66.7%) at 6 months and 4/7 patients (57.1%) at 36 months follow-up. Two of the nine subjects experienced a major stroke (22.2%), including one on postoperative day 1 due to a procedure-related parent vessel occlusion and subsequent ischemic stroke. The other major stroke occurred within the 36-month follow-up period during treatment of a separate aneurysm with coils, leading to perforation with hemorrhagic stroke causing a permanent neurological deficit. CONCLUSION: The ARTISSE ISD was successfully deployed in all nine cases. There were, however, several procedure-related complications and results in terms of angiographic aneurysm occlusion were modest.

Effect of Operator's Experience on Proficiency in Mechanical Thrombectomy: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate among trained interventional neuroradiologist, whether increasing individual experience was associated with an improvement in mechanical thrombectomy (MT) procedural performance metrics. METHODS: Individual MT procedural data from 5 centers of the Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke registry and 2 additional high-volume stroke centers were pooled. Operator experience was defined for each operator as a continuous variable, cumulating the number of MT procedures performed since January 2015, as MT became standard of care or, if later than this date, since the operator started performing mechanical thrombectomies in autonomy. We tested the associations between operator's experience and procedural metrics. RESULTS: A total of 4516 procedures were included, performed by 36 operators at 7 distinct centers, with a median of 97.5 endovascular treatment procedures per operator (interquartile range, 57-170.2) over the study period. Higher operator's experience, analyzed as a continuous variable, was associated with a significantly shorter procedural duration (ß estimate, -3.98 [95% CI, -5.1 to -2.8]; P<0.001), along with local anesthesia and M1 occlusion location in multivariable models. Increasing experience was associated with better Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction scores (estimate, 1.02 [1-1.04]; P=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: In trained interventional neuroradiologists, increasing experience in MT is associated with significantly shorter procedural duration and better reperfusion rates, with a theoretical ceiling effect observed after around 100 procedures. These results may inform future training and practice guidelines to set minimal experience standards before autonomization, and to set-up operators' recertification processes tailored to individual case volume and prior experience.