Shorter Reperfusion Time in Stroke is Associated with Better Cognition.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive changes that result from cerebrovascular disease contribute to a poor functional outcome with reduced quality of life. Among patients undergoing endovascular therapy (EVT), we aim to assess cognitive function and evaluate the impact of reperfusion time in cognitive performance. METHODS: Patients with acute right anterior circulation strokes that underwent EVT between January 2018 and August 2020 at Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, participated in the study. Modified treatment in cerebral infarction (mTICI) assessed the level of recanalization. Cognitive evaluation was assessed with Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination revised (ACE-R). Multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine the association between time for recanalization and ACE-R. The level of significance adopted was 0.05. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 71.5 (interquartile range [IQR] 62.0-78.2) years, and 50% (22) were women. The median time after stroke was 28.6 months (IQR 18.94-31.55). All patients in our sample had a successful level of recanalization with EVT (mTICI ≥ 2b). Time for recanalization showed an inverse association with the ACE-R (b = -0.0207, P = 0.0203). Also the mRS at 3 months had an inverse association with cognition (b = -5.2803, p = 0.0095). Level of education had a strong and direct relationship with ACE-R results (b = 3.0869, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Longer time between stroke symptoms and recanalization with EVT in patients with right hemisphere ischemic stroke lead to lower ACE-R scores. Measures to improve door-to-recanalization time are also important for cognitive performance after ischemic stroke.

Trombosis venosa cerebral: una etiología rara / Cerebral Venous Thrombosis – A Rare Etiology

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is an immune-mediated disease that courses with thrombocytopenia. Eltrombopag is a thrombopoietin receptor agonist used as a second-line treatment for this disease to increase platelet count. The association of this drug with thrombotic events is known, however, with few cases of venous sinus thrombosis described in the literature. We present a 26-year-old female with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura diagnosed at the of age 14, splenectomized and previously treated with immunoglobulins, corticosteroids, and rituximab, with no response, who was started on oral estroprogestative and eltrombopag, with multiple dose increases, for 3 months. She was admitted to the emergency room with a 3-day history of severe frontal headache, with phono and photophobia, nausea, vomiting, and confusion. Physical examination was remarkable only for mild paraphasias, anomalous pauses, and difficulty in reading. Routine labs showed mild thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, and elevated C-reactive Protein. She performed a brain computerized tomography and magnetic resonance that demonstrated extensive venous sinus thrombosis. She was admitted to the ward with eltrombopag suspension and enoxaparin 1mg/kg bid. Increasing thrombocytosis was observed for nine days, with a subsequent decrease to normal levels. Sequenced cerebral tomography showed hemorrhage reabsorption. At discharge, there was no improvement of neurological deficits and dabigatran 150mg bid was started for secondary prophylaxis. (AU)

La púrpura trombocitopénica idiopática es una enfermedad inmunomediada que cursa con trombocitopenia. Eltrombopag es un agonista del receptor de trombopoyetina que se utiliza como tratamiento de segunda línea de esta enfermedad para aumentar el recuento de plaquetas. Sin embargo, se conoce la asociación de este fármaco con acontecimientos trombóticos, con pocos casos de trombosis del seno venoso descritos en la literatura. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 26 años con púrpura trombocitopénica idiopática diagnosticada a los 14 años, esplenectomizada y tratada previamente con inmunoglobulinas, corticoides y rituximab, sin respuesta, a la que se inició tratamiento con estroprogestativos orales y eltrombopag, con múltiples incrementos de dosis, durante 3 meses. Ingresó en urgencias con un cuadro de 3 días de evolución de cefalea frontal intensa, con fono y fotofobia, náuseas, vómitos y confusión. En la exploración física sólo destacaban parafasias leves,pausas anómalas y dificultad para leer. Los análisis de rutina mostraron trombocitopenia leve, leucocitosis y proteína C reactiva elevada. Se le realizó una tomografía computarizada cerebral y una resonancia magnética que demostraron una extensa trombosis del seno venoso. Fue ingresada en planta con eltrombopag en suspensión y enoxaparina 1mg/kg bid. Se observó un aumento de la trombocitosis durante nueve días, con una disminución posterior a niveles normales. La tomografía cerebral secuenciada mostró reabsorción de la hemorragia. Al alta, no hubo mejoría de los déficits neurológicos y se inició dabigatrán 150mg bid para profilaxis secundaria. (AU)

Mean platelet volume and mechanical thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) is a marker of platelet activity and it is an independent predictor for long-term outcome in stroke patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between baseline MPV value and clinical outcome at 90-days in anterior circulation stroke and large vessel occlusion (LVO) patients submitted to mechanical thrombectomy (MT). METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients submitted to MT between January 2017 and May 2018. MPV was measured at admission. Patients were initially stratified into two groups according to the mean MPV level. We also compared groups that were stratified according to the MPV cut-off obtained by Peng F et al (10,4 fL) and performed analyses among MPV terciles. RESULTS: A total of 129 patients were included. Mean level of MPV was 10,9 fL. Patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) had significantly higher rates of good outcome at 3 months compared with large-artery atherosclerotic disease and cardioembolism [(82,9%) vs (78,3%) vs (55,2%); p=0,009]. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean MPV value (p=0,222), successful recanalization (p=0,464) and mortality (p=0,343) when evaluated for all TOAST etiologies. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups according to the MPV level (10,4 and 10,9 fL) or between the terciles (lowest tertile <10,3 fL, median 10,3 - 11,3 fL, highest >11,3fL) concerning functional outcome at 3 months (p=0,357; p=0,24 and p=0,558, respectively), successful recanalization (p=0,108; p=0,582 and p=0,899, respectively) or mortality at 3 months (p=0,465; p=0,061 and p=0,484, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study did not find an association between elevated MPV and worse outcome at 3 months in patients with acute anterior circulation stroke and LVO treated with MT. Since ischemic strokes have different pathophysiologic mechanisms, MPV may have distinct prognostic value according to each stroke etiology.

Double stenting in T configuration with safety micro-guidewire technique in a complex middle cerebral artery stenosis.

Intracranial arterial stenosis is a frequently misdiagnosed cause of ischemic stroke, associated with high rates of recurrence under medical therapy alone. Endovascular intracranial angioplasty and stenting has increasingly been used worldwide for treatment of symptomatic intracranial stenoses, despite controversial results of the first randomized trials. Lesion morphology and etiology must be considered during endovascular treatment planning. Complex morphologies can lead to serious complications during the endovascular procedure. We present a case of a symptomatic complex middle cerebral artery stenosis that was successfully treated with a double stenting in T configuration, using a safety micro-guidewire technique. During follow-up, intracranial Doppler revealed a non-significant residual stenosis and the patient remained asymptomatic.

Ultra-early improvement after endovascular thrombectomy and long-term outcome in anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: The use of post-treatment measures after acute ischemic stroke is important to predict good functional outcome. The most studied is 24 h National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and existing literature is scarce regarding the use of earlier indicators, namely NIHSS immediately after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). We hypothesized that an immediate neurological improvement after EVT, that we called ultra-early neurological improvement (UENI), would be a reliable functional independence predictor in anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke patients. METHODS: We included 296 anterior circulation stroke patients who received EVT at our institution between January 2015 and December 2017. We obtained post-EVT NIHSS score in the angiography room. UUENI was defined as a ≥ 4 point decrease in post-EVT NIHSS score relatively to baseline or post-EVT NIHSS score of 0-1. Patients' functional outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale at 3 months. The ability of UENI to predict good functional outcome was assessed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 155 (52.4%) patients presented UENI. This group of patients achieved a statistically significant higher rate of functional independence (70.3% vs 46.8%, OR crude 2.69, 95% CI 1.67-4.34). After adjusting for potential confounders, the UENI showed to be an independent predictor of good outcome, with UENI patients having 4.61 times the probability of obtaining good outcome compared to patients without UENI. CONCLUSIONS: UENI is useful in outcome prediction in patients with anterior circulation stroke treated with EVT, with the advantage that it can be assessed at an ultra-early stage.

Primary Thrombectomy Versus Combined Mechanical Thrombectomy and Intravenous Thrombolysis in Large Vessel Occlusion Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in combination with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is the standard of care for patients with acute ischemic stroke with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion. The particular benefit of IVT in these patients is unknown. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients submitted to MT at our center between January 2015 and June 2017. Functional outcome was prospectively assessed using modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 3 months. A total of 234 patients were enrolled, 152 (65%) in the combined treatment group and 82 (35%) in the direct MT group. Patients receiving combined treatment had a higher frequency of intracranial internal carotid artery occlusion (48 [31.6%] versus 16 [19.5%], P = .048) and significantly less strokes of cardioembolic etiology (72 [47.4%] versus 57 [69.5%], P = .01). Other baseline characteristics did not differ between the 2 groups. Good functional outcome at 3 months (mRS 0-2) was trending toward being higher in patients in the combined treatment group (98 [64.9%] versus 42 [52.5%], P = .066). Rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (5 [3.3%] versus 4 [4.9%], P = .723) and mortality (15 [9.9%] versus 14 [17.5%], P = .099) did not differ between groups. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, we did not find a statistically significant association between the use of IVT and any of the outcomes studied. Our results suggest that combined treatment carries similar effectiveness and safety than direct MT. Randomized controlled trials regarding this subject are warranted.

NCCT and CTA-based imaging protocol for endovascular treatment selection in late presenting or wake-up strokes.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, the benefit of selecting patients for endovascular treatment (EVT) beyond the 6-hour time window using a tissue-based approach was demonstrated in two randomized trials. The optimal imaging protocol for selecting patients is under debate, and it is still unknown if a simpler and faster protocol may adequately select patients with wake-up stroke (WUS) and late-presenting stroke (LPS) for EVT. OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes of patients submitted to EVT presenting within 6 hours of symptom onset or 6-24 hours after last seen well, selected using non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) and CT angiography (CTA). METHODS: An observational study was performed, which included consecutive patients with anterior circulation ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion treated with EVT. Patients presenting within 6 hours were treated if their NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was ≥6 and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (ASPECTS) was ≥6, while patients presenting with WUS or 6-24 hours after last seen well (WUS/LPS) were treated if their NIHSSscore was ≥12 and ASPECTS was ≥7. RESULTS: 249 patients were included, 63 of whom were in the WUS/LPS group. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, except for longer symptom-recanalization time, lower admission NIHSS (16 vs 17, P=0.038), more frequent tandem occlusions (25.4% vs 11.8%, P=0.010), and large artery atherosclerosis etiology (22.2% vs 11.8%, P=0.043) in the WUS/LPS group. No differences in symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, peri-procedural complications or mortality were found between groups. Three-month functional independence was similar in both groups (65.1% in WUS/LPS vs 57.0% in ≤6 hours, P=0.259) and no differences were found after adjustment for confounders. CONCLUSIONS: This real-world observational study suggests that EVT may be safe and effective in patients with WUS and LPS selected using clinical-core mismatch (high NIHSS/high ASPECTS in NCCT).

Time to Reset the Definition of Successful Revascularization in Endovascular Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: A 2013 consensus statement recommended the use of the modified Treatment In Cerebral Ischemia (mTICI) scale to evaluate angiographic revascularization after endovascular treatment (EVT) of acute ischemic stroke due to its higher inter-rater agreement and capacity of clinical outcome prediction. The current definition of successful revascularization includes the achievement of grades mTICI 2b or 3. However, mTICI 2b grade encompasses a large heterogeneity of revascularization states, and prior studies suggested that the magnitude of benefit derived from mTICI 2b and mTICI 3 does not seem to be equivalent. In a way to restrain the referred heterogeneity, Goyal et al. [J Neurointerv Surg 2014; 6: 83-86] proposed a revised mTICI scale that includes a 2c grade (rTICI). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from consecutive cases of EVT for anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion, performed between January 2015 and July 2017. Patients with mTICI 2b or 3 grades were reclassified according to the rTICI scale, and the outcomes between the 3 revascularization grades (rTICI 2b, 2c, 3) compared. RESULTS: Our study population of 226 patients (64 rTICI 2b, 30 rTICI 2c, 132 rTICI 3) has a mean age of 71 years, 48.2% males, median baseline NIHSS of 16 (13-19) and ASPECTS of 8 (7-9). The 3 revascularization grades are represented by homogeneous populations. Logistic regression analysis showed statistically significant higher rates of functional independence at 3 months (65.9 vs. 50.0%; adjusted OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.18-0.86), with lower rates of mortality (8.3 vs. 15.6%; adjusted OR 3.54, 95% CI 1.14-10.97) and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in rTICI 3 than 2b groups. When comparing rTICI 3 with 2c groups, there were only statistically significant differences in the total ICH rate (8.3 vs. 26.7%; adjusted OR 7.08, 95% CI 1.80-27.82) but not in symptomatic ICH. CONCLUSIONS: These results corroborate the scarce prior findings suggesting that patients with rTICI 2c grade should be reported separately, since they have similar outcomes to rTICI 3, and better than rTICI 2b patients. Therefore, we suggest resetting the angiographic revascularization endpoint to perfect revascularization (rTICI 2c or 3 grades), a target that neurointerventionalists should strive to achieve.

Is the Efficacy of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke Sex-Related.

BACKGROUND: Several reports refer to differences in stroke between females and males, namely in incidence and clinical outcome, but also in response to treatments. Driven by a recent analysis of the MR CLEAN trial, which showed a higher benefit from acute stroke endovascular treatment (EVT) in males, we intended to determine if clinical outcomes after EVT differ between sexes, in a real-world setting. METHODS: We analyzed 145 consecutive patients submitted to EVT for anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion, between January 2015 and September 2016, and compared the outcomes between sexes. RESULTS: Our population was represented by 81 (55.9%) females, with similar baseline characteristics (pre-stroke disability, baseline NIHSS, and ASPECTS), rate of previous intravenous thrombolysis, time from onset to recanalization, and rate of revascularization; with the exception that women were on average 4 years older and had more hypertension, and men in turn had more tandem occlusions and atherosclerotic etiology (all p < 0.05). Even after adjusting for these statistically significant variables and for intravenous thrombolysis (as some studies advocate a different response to this treatment between sexes), there were no differences in intracranial hemorrhage, functional independence (mRS ≤2 in 60.9% males vs. 66.7% in females, p = 0.48; adjusted p = 0.36), or mortality at 3 months. CONCLUSION: In a real-world setting, we found no sex differences in clinical and safety outcomes after acute stroke EVT. Our results support the idea that women are equally likely to achieve good outcomes as men after acute stroke EVT.

Emergent carotid artery stenting in atherosclerotic disease of the internal carotid artery with tandem intracranial occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Several randomized clinical trials have proven the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in large vessel occlusions; nonetheless, there is still no consensus concerning hyperacute management of tandem occlusions. Recent studies have suggested that emergent carotid artery stenting (eCAS), along with mechanical thrombectomy, is an effective and safe treatment option. AIMS: To characterize the safety and short-term outcome of patients treated with eCAS during endovascular treatment of acute ischaemic stroke. METHODS: Review of the prospective patient registry submitted to MT for anterior circulation acute ischaemic stroke in a single referral centre and selection of patients treated with eCAS for atherosclerotic occlusion or near-occlusion of cervical internal carotid artery during 22 consecutive months. Clinical data was collected, and assessment of procedure safety and 3-month-outcome were performed. RESULTS: Among 156 patients submitted to MT, 16 patients (10.3%) underwent eCAS. Most patients were male (15/16), median age was 64.5 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 57-75), median admission NIHSS was 14 (IQR = 11.5-19) and 10/16 patients had been submitted to intravenous thrombolysis. Successful recanalization was obtained in 93.8% of the patients. One patient (6.3%) experienced symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage, one patient experienced early intra-stent thrombosis and one patient developed cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome. At 3-month follow-up, 11 patients were independent (68.8%) and 1 patient had died (6.3%). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, positive results were obtained using eCAS. Although an optimal intervention for this type of occlusions has not yet been formally established, eCAS has been surging has a feasible and safe treatment option.

Need for refining successful revascularization in endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke: Data from real-world.

INTRODUCTION: Modified TICI (mTICI) score≥2b has been largely used as a definition of successful revascularization in acute stroke endovascular treatment (EVT). However, mTICI 2b encompasses a broad range of different revascularization states and its clinical relevance, comparing to mTICI 3, has been questioned. We aimed to compare clinical outcomes between these two reperfusion groups, in patients submitted to EVT for anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion, in a real-world setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective statistical analysis of our database of consecutive EVTs. RESULTS: Our study population of 178 patients has a mean age of 71years, 46.6% males, median baseline NIHSS of 17 and ASPECTS of 8. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics and interventional procedure data between groups. A significantly higher rate of mRS≤1 at 3months (OR=2.33, 95%CI 1.03-5.25) and lower rate of total (OR=0.18, 95%CI 0.06-0.53) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR=0.08, 95%CI 0.01-0.74) was seen in mTICI 3 group. This group also showed non-significant trend (adjusted p=0.071) toward higher percentages of mRS≤2 (71.8% versus 51.5%) and lower mortality at 3months (6.4% versus 19.1%). CONCLUSIONS: In accordance with previous reports from clinical trials, these real-world data suggest that is probably time to refine the definition of successful revascularization in acute stroke EVT.

Endovascular Stroke Treatment of Patients Over 80 Years Old: Cumulative Evidence from the "Real World".

BACKGROUND: Evidence on stent retriever-based thrombectomy (SRT) efficacy in elderly patients is controversial. This study aimed to analyze safety and efficacy outcomes in octogenarians submitted to SRT. METHODS: Analysis was based on a prospective observational registry of patients with stroke because of anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion treated with SRT at our center between January 2015 and September 2016. Patients were dichotomized into 2 age groups: ≤80 and >80 years old. Outcomes at 90 days were assessed: "excellent outcome" (a modified Rankin scale [mRs] score of 0-1) and "good outcome" (a mRs score of 0-2). RESULTS: A total of 141 patients were included: 35 (24.8%) >80 years old and 106 (71.2%) ≤80 years old; 43.4% of patients in the younger group and 25.7% of patients in the older group achieved an "excellent outcome." A "good outcome" was achieved in 65.1% of patients in the younger group, and 60% of patients in the older group; crude odds ratio (OR) for "excellent outcome" was 0.452 (P = .067). Crude OR for "good outcome" was 0.804 (P = .587). After adjusting for gender, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, and thrombolysis, the OR was 0.450 (P = .100) and 1.217 (P = .686) for "excellent" and "good" outcomes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, 60% of elderly patients regained functional independence at 3 months after SRT. Although age may be a prognostic factor, patients should not be excluded from SRT based on age criteria.

Ecografía neurovascular en urgencias: aspectos diagnósticos y terapéuticos / Neurovascular ultrasound in emergency settings: diagnostic and therapeutic aspects

Introducción. La ecografía neurovascular es una técnica de diagnóstico por imágenes rápida, portátil e incruenta que en manos de un ecografista experimentado aporta información reproducible y fiable acerca del estado hemodinámico y morfológico de los vasos craneales y cervicales. Objetivo. Revisar los datos disponibles sobre el uso de esta herramienta en el abordaje del ictus isquémico agudo. Desarrollo. La ecografía neurovascular se divide en dos modalidades de uso: diagnóstica y terapéutica. A la luz de los bajos porcentajes de recanalización de las oclusiones de la arteria carótida interna y del segmento proximal de la arteria cerebral media logradas por el activador del plasminógeno tisular recombinante (r-tPA) por vía intravenosa, el uso diligente de la ecografía neurovascular en el servicio de urgencias ayuda a dirimir qué pacientes son susceptibles de beneficiarse del tratamiento endovascular. Asimismo, la vigilancia ecográfica durante el curso del tratamiento con el r-tPA permite analizar la evolución de la recanalización arterial. La ecografía cervical permite valorar el grado de estenosis y la composición o la superficie de la placa arterial, extremos que, por ejemplo, pueden indicar la idoneidad de una intervención carotídea. Por último, también se está investigando el potencial terapéutico de la ecografía. La sonotrombólisis y la sonólisis, la primera combinando el r-tPA con las ondas ultrasónicas y la segunda sirviéndose únicamente de ellas como medio para lisar el trombo, han evidenciado hasta el momento resultados alentadores. Conclusión. La ecografía neurovascular ha progresado enormemente hasta adquirir un protagonismo destacado en el estudio de los trastornos cerebrovasculares (AU)

Introduction. Neurovascular ultrasound is a non-invasive, portable and fast imaging method that, when performed by an experienced neurosonologist, offers reliable and reproducible information on the morphological and hemodynamic status of cervical and intracranial vessels. Aim. To review the available evidence regarding the use of this tool in the approach to acute stroke. Development. Neurovascular ultrasound can be used in one of two ways: diagnostic and therapeutic. Considering the low recanalization rates of internal carotid artery and proximal medial cerebral artery occlusions with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA), neurovascular ultrasound used shortly in Emergency Department may help to select patients that could benefit from endovascular therapy. Moreover, ultrasound monitorization during intravenous r-tPA treatment allows the analysis of the pattern of arterial recanalization. Cervical ultrasound allows the assessment of the stenosis degree and the composition/surface of an arterial plaque that could, for instance, reveal earlier a candidate for carotid intervention. Finally, the therapeutic potential of ultrasound is also being investigated. Sonothrombolysis and sonolysis, that combine ultrasound technology with r-tPA and use exclusively the ultrasound to lyse the clot, respectively, showed promising results. Conclusion. Neurovascular ultrasound has greatly expanded to assume an important role in the study of cerebrovascular disorders (AU)

Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Initial Single-Center Experience and Comparison with Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Until recently, intravenous thrombolysis was the only reperfusion therapy with proven efficacy in patients with acute ischemic stroke. However, this treatment option has low recanalization rates in large-vessel occlusions. The search for additional treatments continued until 5 randomized trials (MR CLEAN, ESCAPE, EXTEND-IA, SWIFT PRIME, and REVASCAT) revealed the superiority of mechanical thrombectomy for anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion. After 1 year of performing thrombectomy with stent retrievers in our tertiary hospital, we intended to answer the question: is it possible to achieve similar results in a "real-world" setting? METHODS: We analyzed data from our prospective observational registry, compared it with the trials aforementioned, and concluded that the answer is affirmative. RESULTS: Our study population of 77 patients, with a mean age of 68,2 years and 48,1% men, is comparable with these trials in much of selection criteria, baseline characteristics, and rate of previous intravenous thrombolysis (72,7%). Recovery of functional independence at 90 days was achieved in almost two thirds of patients, similarly to the referred trials. We devoted special emphasis on fast recanalization, keeping a simple image selection protocol (based on non-enhanced and computed tomography angiography) and not waiting for clinical response to thrombolysis in patients eligible for mechanical thrombectomy. We emphasize a successful recanalization rate of 87% and only 2,6% symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: In summary, mechanical thrombectomy seems to be a safe and effective treatment option in a "real-world" scenario, with results similar to those of the recent randomized controlled trials.

Restenosis after carotid artery stenting using a specific designed ultrasonographic protocol.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, the number of patients undergoing carotid artery stenting (CAS) is increasing rapidly, and these patients require follow-up to monitor the patency of the device and the potential development of an in-stent restenosis (ISR). METHODS: Patients undergoing CAS at our institution underwent duplex ultrasound (DUS) at 6 months, 12 months, and yearly thereafter, using a prespecified protocol. Restenosis was defined as a more than 50% diameter-reducing stenosis. Patients with DUS-diagnosed restenosis underwent carotid computerized tomography angiography (CTA) to confirm the presence of ISR. The frequency of restenosis was calculated by Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and was compared during a 2-year follow-up period. Interactions between restenosis and baseline variables were assessed using odds ratio. RESULTS: Between August 2007 and March 2012 were performed 100 procedures in 96 patients, with a median age of 72.9 years. The mean duration of follow-up was 29.2 months (±8.4). Restenosis occurred in 6 carotid arteries. The Kaplan-Meier estimate for the frequency of restenosis in 2 years was 6.0% and for severe restenosis was 3.0%. There were no occlusions. Diabetic patients seem to have a higher risk of ISR (OR=3.23, 95% CI .55-18.9). Carotid CTA was in agreement with the degree of stenosis estimated by DUS in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our results, using a DUS protocol and a specific peak systolic velocity threshold, showed that the frequency of restenosis at 2 years after CAS is 6.0% and so that CAS is probably a durable revascularization procedure. We emphasize the diagnostic agreement achieved between DUS and carotid CTA.

Infarto de la arteria de Percheron: presentación clínica atípica / No disponible

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Combined carotid stenting and urgent coronary artery surgery in unstable angina patients with severe carotid stenosis.

Staged or combined carotid endarterectomy (CEA) offers the potential benefit of decreased neurological morbidity during and after cardiac surgery; however, the strategy for treating unstable high-risk patients, who need urgent coronary artery surgery, remains unresolved. We report in-hospital and 30-day outcomes of 23 consecutive patients admitted with unstable angina, who underwent carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) immediately prior to urgent coronary artery surgery, from October 2007 to October 2008. Aspirin and unfractioned heparin were administrated during carotid stenting and clopidogrel was only started after cardiac surgery. All patients remained event-free during and immediately after the carotid stenting procedure. One patient died due to sepsis 22 days after cardiac surgery. There was neither stroke nor myocardial infarction at follow-up. No patient needed a cardiac or carotid re-intervention. This new approach (combined carotid stenting and coronary artery surgery) provides a less radical intervention, can be performed with a low periprocedural complication rate and may become a valuable alternative in the treatment of high-risk patients with combined carotid and cardiac disease.