Mechanical thrombectomy in young patients with large vessel occlusion-related ischemic stroke: Data from the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The weight of outcome predictors in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients older than 60 years is not necessarily mirrored in the younger population, posing the question of whether outcome determinants specific for the latter might vary. Very few data are available on predictors of outcome in young AIS patients receiving endovascular treatment (EVT). METHODS: We analyzed data for patients aged between 16 and 55 years from the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke. We divided our population into patients <45 years old and patients aged between 45 and 55 years. After testing the differences between groups in terms of 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2, mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, we looked for predictors of poor outcome (mRS 3-6), death, and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage in the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 438 patients younger than 45 years and 817 aged 45-55 years were included; 284 (34.8%) patients aged 45-55 years and 112 (25.6%) patients younger than 45 years old showed poor 90-day functional outcome (p = 0.001). Predictors of poor outcome in the older group were baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS; p < 0.001), diabetes (p = 0.027), poor collateral status (p = 0.036), and groin puncture-to-recanalization time (p = 0.010), whereas Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) 2b-3 had an inverse association (p < 0.001). Predictors of poor outcome in patients younger than 45 years were baseline NIHSS (p < 0.001) and groin puncture-to-recanalization time (p = 0.015), whereas an inverse association was found for baseline Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (p = 0.010) and TICI 2b-3 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one third of young adults treated with EVT do not reach a good functional outcome. Fast and successful recanalization, rather than common risk factors, has a major role in determining clinical outcome.

Mechanical thrombectomy in patients with heart failure: the Italian registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is the second most important cardiac risk factor for stroke after atrial fibrillation (AF). Few data are available on mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with HF. METHODS: The source of data is the multicentre Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke (IRETAS). All AIS patients ≥ 18 years receiving MT were categorised in two groups: HF and no-HF. Baseline clinical and neuroradiological findings on admission were analysed. RESULTS: Of 8924 patients, 642 (7.2%) had HF. Compared to the no-HF group, HF patients had higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Rate of complete recanalisation (TICI 2b-3) was 76.9% in HF vs 78.1% in no-HF group (p = 0.481). Rate of symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage at 24-h non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) was 7.6% in HF vs 8.3% in no-HF patients (p = 0.520). At 3 months, 36.4% of HF patients and 48.2% of no-HF patients (p < 0.001) had mRS 0-2, and mortality was, respectively, 30.7% and 18.5% (p < 0.001). In multivariate logistic regression, HF was independently associated with mortality at 3 months (OR 1.53, 1.24-1.88 95% CI, p < 0.001). In multivariate ordinal regression, HF patients had a probability of transitioning to a higher mRS level of 1.23 (1.05-1.44 95% CI, p = 0.012). The propensity score analysis of two groups matched for age, sex, and NIHSS at admission yielded the same results. CONCLUSION: MT is safe and effective in HF patients with AIS. Patients with HF and AIS suffered from higher 3-month mortality and unfavourable outcome regardless of acute treatments.

Deciphering impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms on cotranscriptional modification in CCM gene mRNAs.

Novel insights on regulation of gene expression mechanisms highlight the pivotal role of epitranscriptomic modifications on decision about transcript fate. These modifications include methylation of adenosine and cytosine in RNA molecules. Impairment of the normal epitranscriptome profile was observed in several pathological conditions, such as cancer and neurodegeneration. However, it is still unknown if alteration of this regulatory mechanism can be involved in cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) development. CCM is a rare genetic condition affecting brain microvasculature, resulting from mutations in the three genes KRIT1, CCM2, and PDCD10. By data integration of association study, in silico prediction, and gene expression analysis, we evaluated role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) highly recurrent in patients with CCM, on CCM gene expression regulation. Results showed that several of these SNPs lead to a drastic downexpression, in KRIT1 and CCM2 genes and this downregulation can be due to alteration of epitranscriptome profile, occurring these SNPs in gene regions that are subject to epitranscriptome modifications. These data suggest that this novel mechanism of gene expression regulation can be consider to further investigation on CCM pathogenesis.

Editome landscape of CCM-derived endothelial cells.

By regulating several phases of gene expression, RNA editing modifications contribute to maintaining physiological RNA expression levels. RNA editing dysregulation can affect RNA molecule half-life, coding/noncoding RNA interaction, alternative splicing, and circular RNA biogenesis. Impaired RNA editing has been observed in several pathological conditions, including cancer and Alzheimer's disease. No data has been published yet on the editome profile of endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from human cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) lesions. Here, we describe a landscape of editome modifications in sporadic CCM-derived ECs (CCM-ECs) by comparing editing events with those observed in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs). With a whole transcriptome-based variant calling pipeline, we identified differential edited genes in CCM-ECs that were enriched in pathways related to angiogenesis, apoptosis and cell survival, inflammation and, in particular, to thrombin signalling mediated by protease-activated receptors and non-canonical Wnt signalling. These pathways, not yet associated to CCM development, could be a novel field for further investigations on CCM molecular mechanisms. Moreover, enrichment analysis of differentially edited miRNAs suggested additional small noncoding transcripts to consider for development of targeted therapies.

Fusion of magnetic resonance angiography and cisternography in acute ischemic stroke reveals the vessel anatomy ahead of the clot: a technical note to see beyond obstacles.

We describe how the fusion process between magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and cisternography (MRC) promptly reveals vessel anatomy ahead of the clot, in patients affected by acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusion. This technique showed in 100% of subjects (n = 22) a clear tracing of vessel anatomy before and beyond the clot. The duration of the whole process is short and could be considered safe since no outcome differences have been found when compared with a control group (n = 23). This technique could play a relevant role in guiding endovascular therapy, especially in unexpected unfavorable anatomical arteries configurations.

Carotid free-floating thrombus during COVID-19 vaccine era: causality or not?

Carotid free-floating thrombus (FFT) is very rarely diagnosed in patients with acute ischemic stroke. It is a real clinical emergency due to the significant risk of death associated with thromboembolic complications. Herein, we present three patients with ischemic stroke caused by carotid FFT after less than 20 days from administration of mRNA vaccine BNT162b1 (Pfizer/BioNTech) for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-CoronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To our knowledge, these are the first cases reporting carotid FTT following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Ischemic stroke and reperfusion therapies in diabetic patients.

INTRODUCTION: The study aimed to identify the main prognostic factors in diabetic patients with ischemic stroke undergoing reperfusion therapies (RT). METHODS: This retrospective study included 170 diabetic patients: 62 treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) alone and 108 with mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Among MT patients, 29 underwent IVT. We collected clinical, laboratory, and radiological data. The outcomes were 3-month functional impairment (measured by modified Rankin scale, mRs), discharge neurological severity (measured by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, NIHSS), 3-month mortality, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH). We performed a general analysis for all RT and sub-group analyses for IVT and MT. RESULTS: A lower mRs was associated with lower glycemia and admission NIHSS (aNIHSS) in all RT and MT; lower aNIHSS and younger age in IVT. Mortality increased with hyperglycemia, aNIHSS, and age in all RT; age and aNIHSS in IVT; hyperglycemia and systolic pressure in MT. A lower discharge NIHSS was related with lower aNIHSS, thrombolysis, and no thrombectomy in all RT; lower aNIHSS in IVT; lower aNIHSS and thrombolysis in MT. ICH was associated with elevated aNIHSS, older age, and lower platelets in all RT; lower platelets and older age in IVT; higher aNIHSS in MT. SICH depended on longer thrombectomy duration in all RT; no metformin use in IVT; higher weight in MT. CONCLUSION: The study shed light on diabetic patients and stroke RT highlighting the protective effect of metformin in IVT and the role of glycemia, weight, and combined treatment in MT.

Mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation and low baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score: a multicenter retrospective matched analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The benefit of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion (LVO) and baseline mild neurological symptoms remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of MT in this subgroup of patients. METHODS: The databases of 9 high-volume Italian stroke centers were retrospectively screened for patients with LVO in the anterior circulation and a baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≤ 5 that received either immediate MT or best medical management (BMM) with the possibility of rescue MT upon neurological worsening. Primary outcome measure was a modified Rankin Scale score of 0-1 at 90 days. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used to estimate the treatment effect of immediate MT compared to BMM/rescue MT. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy-two patients received immediate MT (MT group). The BMM/rescue MT group included 41 patients. The primary outcome was achieved in 78.6% (n = 246) of overall patients, with a higher proportion in the MT group (80.5% vs. 65.9%, p = 0.03) in unadjusted analysis. After PSM, patients in the MT group had a 19.5% higher chance of excellent outcome at 90 days compared to the BMM/Rescue MT group with a similar risk of death from any cause. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience is in favor of a potential benefit of MT also in patients with LVO and a NIHSS score ≤ 5 at the time of groin puncture. Nonetheless, this issue waits for a clear-cut recommendation in a dedicated clinical trial.

Intracranial aneurysm management in patients with late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD).

Pompe disease is a rare hereditary metabolic disorder caused by α-glucosidase (GAA) deficiency. The late-onset form of the disease (LOPD) is considered a multisystemic disorder which could involve vascular system with cerebrovascular abnormalities such as intracranial aneurysms or dolichoectasia. Intracranial aneurysm rupture may represent a life-threatening emergency. A possible treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) should consider both aneurysm-related (aneurysmal size, shape, localization, numbers and hemodynamic factors) and patient-related risk factors (patient's age and sex, hypertension, smoke exposure). Moreover, UIAs management of LOPD patients needs also to take into account the altered blood vessels integrity and elasticity, whose consistency is likely weakened by the deficient GAA activity as a further potential risk factor. We herein present our approach for of UIAs management in three patients with LOPD. Among them, only one patient with a left saccular UIA of the anterior communicating artery, after careful consideration of risk factors, underwent the endovascular treatment. The other two patients were scheduled for a 1-year follow-up, according to radiological, clinical, and risk evaluation features. Finally, we would like to suggest some general recommendations for UIAs management. In particular, if no risk factors are identified, a cautious yearly follow-up is suggested; otherwise, if risk factors are present, endovascular treatment should be considered.

Efficacy of ADAPT with large-bore reperfusion catheter in anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke: a multicentric Italian experience.

INTRODUCTION: A direct aspiration first pass technique (ADAPT) is an alternative technique as first-line thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion in acute ischemic stroke, still debated when compared to first-line stent retriever. To retrospectively evaluate technical and clinical outcomes of the ADAPT as first-line treatment for anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke with large-bore reperfusion catheters. METHODS: A multicentric data collection from 14 medical centers was retrospectively analyzed. Large-bore catheters had a distal diameter between 0.64 and 0.71 in; stent retriever was added when aspiration alone failed. Baseline characteristics, technical and clinical variables were collected, including NIHSS, thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI), peri-procedural complications, 90-day mRS and 90-day mortality. RESULTS: Overall, 501 patients were treated. No statistically significant difference in terms of baseline features or tPA administration was recorded between patients treated with ADAPT and with additional stent retriever. ADAPT alone was successful in achieving TICI ≥ 2b in 71.8% with a median of 1.55 aspiration attempts. In terms of TICI ≥ 2b, ADAPT alone was better than additional stent retriever (p < 0.001), while no statistical difference was achieved from catheter diameter. Embolization to a new territory was less frequent in ADAPT group (5.2 vs 18%; p = 0.0026). Patients treated with ADAPT alone had better clinical outcomes in terms of mRS ≤ 2 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: ADAPT is a valid technique with respect to the rates of TICI 2b/3 recanalization and 90-day mRS scores. In this series, an attempt at recanalization with ADAPT with larger-bore reperfusion catheter may be warranted prior to stentriever thrombectomy.

Multicentric Experience with an Intermediate Aspiration Catheter for Distal M2 Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: To assess technical and clinical outcomes of an intermediate bore aspiration catheter (AXS Catalyst 5; Stryker) as front-line therapy for M2-M3 acute occlusions. METHODS: A multicentric, retrospective data collection of patients with symptomatic M2-M3 ischemic stroke, treated with direct aspiration first-pass technique was obtained. Time to recanalization, first attempt recanalization, and number of attempts were recorded. Successful recanalization was defined as a modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score ≥2b; incidence of procedure-related complications was recorded. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at discharge and modified Rankin Scale score at 90 days were evaluated by a dedicated neurologist. RESULTS: A total of 44 acute occlusions of distal M2-M3 segment were treated with a direct aspiration first-pass technique using CAT 5 (mean age 68,4 years). Median NIHSS at baseline was 10. Overall modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score ≥2b was obtained in 90,9% of patients with mean time to recanalization of 49,7 minutes and a mean of 1.6 attempts. First-attempt recanalization with CAT 5 was obtained in 52,3% of patients with a mean time to recanalization of 29.2 min. A stent retriever with proximal aspiration was incorporated as a rescue device in 3 cases. No major complications was detected. The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at discharge was 4. At 90 days, a modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2 was achieved in 70,5% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: ADAPT technique with the intermediate aspiration catheter CAT 5 system achieves successful revascularization and functional independence for patients with acute ischemic stroke secondary to distal M2 occlusions.

The low-profile Neuroform Atlas stent in the treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms - immediate and midterm results: An Italian multicenter registry.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Wide-necked brain aneurysms therapy remains a challenge for neurointerventionalists, mainly for the high recurrence rate. Low-profile stents make feasible the treatment of these aneurysms. In our multicenter series we analyzed clinical and angiographic results of Neuroform Atlas stent-assisted coiling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2016 to March 2017, 113 wide-necked aneurysms were discovered with CTA, MRA and DSA. The Atlas stent-assisted coiling procedures were performed under general anesthesia with sequential or jailing techniques. Six months follow-up DSA was performed to assess the recurrence rate through the modified Raymond-Roy occlusion scale (RROC). Moreover, patients were evaluated clinically to analyse the degree of disability according to the mRS. MRI was performed at 12 months evaluating both the cerebral tissue and the vessels. RESULTS: In all the procedures it was feasible to navigate the Neuroform Atlas to the goal vessel and deploy the stent across the aneurysmal neck. Intra-procedural complications account for the 6.2% (7/113). The immediate occlusion rate was RROC 1 in 88%, 2 in 9% and 3 in 3% of cases. The 6 months clinical data showed mRS Score 0-1 in 96.5% of patients; 3 patients died of complications related to SAH. The 12 months follow-up showed RROC of 1 in 82%, 2 in 13% and 3 in 5% of cases. No aneurysm has been retreated. CONCLUSIONS: In our multicenter experience the Neuroform Atlas stent assisted-coiling has shown to be a safe and effective technique for the treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms with encouraging clinical and angiographic results.

MRI patient selection for endovascular thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke: correlation between pretreatment diffusion weighted imaging and outcome scores.

INTRODUCTION: Eligibility for endovascular treatment (EVT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) depends, amongst other factors, on CT- or MR-based scores. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score based on diffusion weighted imaging (MR-ASPECT) in the assessment of brain damage pre-EVT, patient selection for EVT and outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included in this study patients with National Institute of Health stroke score (NIHSS) at admission ≥ 8, MR-ASPECT ≥ 5 and anterior AIS, who were treated with EVT in our hospital. All patients were clinically evaluated at admission, post-EVT, discharge and at 3-month follow-up. We used MR-ASPECT to establish infarct core extension at admission. We evaluated ASPECT score at admission (CT-ASPECT-IN), 24 h after EVT and at discharge, NIHSS, modified Ranking Scale (mRS), Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction scale (TICI), onset-to-intervention-delay (OTID) and Collateral Circulation Score (CCS). RESULTS: 68 patients (mean age 78 ± 11.9 years) were included in this study. 54.4 and 64.7% of patients had strong clinical improvement after 24 h from EVT and at discharge, respectively. NIHSS evaluated 24 h after EVT correlated with CCS, TICI and OTID. We observed a favourable outcome (mRS 0-2) in 52.9% of patients at 3-month follow-up. MR-ASPECT score correlated with post-EVT outcome better than CT-ASPECT-IN scores. CONCLUSION: MR-ASPECT score based on diffusion weighted imaging is useful for the selection of patients with AIS that can have a favourable outcome from EVT. A prompt EVT has huge impact on patient outcome.

Optic radiations evaluation in patients affected by high-grade gliomas: a side-by-side constrained spherical deconvolution and diffusion tensor imaging study.

INTRODUCTION: The need to improve surgical efficacy in patients affected by high-grade gliomas has led to development of advanced pre-surgical MRI-based techniques such as tractography. This study investigates pre-surgical planning of optic radiations (ORs) in patients affected by occipito-temporo-parietal high-grade gliomas, by means of constrained spherical deconvolution (CSD) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography. METHODS: Twelve patients with occipito-temporo-parietal high-grade gliomas were recruited and analyzed using a 3 T MRI scanner. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) was conducted with 64 gradient diffusion directions. OR alterations were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively to evaluate the effectiveness of CSD- and DTI-based pre-surgical planning. RESULTS: CSD-based tractography provided better qualitative evaluation of affected white matter tracts when compared to DTI; by thresholding tractographic probabilistic maps coming from all reconstructions, we detected, at the highest cutoff level, OR involvement in 75 % of patients (vs 41.67 % of patients with probabilistic DTI). Quantitative analysis of diffusion parameters revealed a statistically significant decrease in fractional anisotropy (FA) in the affected side following CSD-based reconstructions; on the contrary, DTI-based reconstructions did not show any significant quantitative alteration. CONCLUSION: Our results showed improvement in pre-surgical planning of high-grade gliomas involving ORs with use of CSD-based tractography. This technique provided more useful information regarding the white matter spatial relationship with brain neoplasm and its involvement in the glioma, when compared to DTI. Using CSD model for OR evaluation may optimize safe surgical resection margins, helping to reduce risk of post-operative visual deficits.

T1 relaxation: Chemo-physical fundamentals of magnetic resonance imaging and clinical applications.

A knowledge of the complex phenomena that regulate T1 signal on Magnetic Resonance Imaging is essential in clinical practice for a more effective characterization of pathological processes. The authors review the physical basis of T1 Relaxation Time and the fundamental aspects of physics and chemistry that can influence this parameter. The main substances (water, fat, macromolecules, methemoglobin, melanin, Gadolinium, calcium) that influence T1 and the different MRI acquisition techniques that can be applied to enhance their presence in diagnostic images are then evaluated. An extensive case illustration of the different phenomena and techniques in the areas of CNS, abdomino-pelvic, and osteoarticular pathology is also proposed. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: T1 relaxation time is strongly influenced by numerous factors related to tissue characteristics and the presence in the context of the lesions of some specific substances. An examination of these phenomena with extensive MRI exemplification is reported. KEY POINTS: The purpose of the paper is to illustrate the chemical-physical basis of T1 Relaxation Time. MRI methods in accordance with the various clinical indications are listed. Several examples of clinical application in abdominopelvic and CNS pathology are reported.

Methylome analysis of endothelial cells suggests new insights on sporadic brain arteriovenous malformation.

Arteriovenous malformation of the brain (bAVM) is a vascular phenotype related to brain defective angiogenesis. Involved vessels show impaired expression of vascular differentiation markers resulting in the arteriolar to venule direct shunt. In order to clarify aberrant gene expression occurring in bAVM, here we describe results obtained by methylome analysis performed on endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from bAVM specimens, compared to human cerebral microvascular ECs. Results were validated by quantitative methylation-specific PCR and quantitative realtime-PCR. Differential methylation events occur in genes already linked to bAVM onset, as RBPJ and KRAS. However, among differentially methylated genes, we identified EPHB1 and several other loci involved in EC adhesion as well as in EC/vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) crosstalk, suggesting that only endothelial dysfunction might not be sufficient to trigger the bAVM phenotype. Moreover, aberrant methylation pattern was reported for many lncRNA genes targeting transcription factors expressed during neurovascular development. Among these, the YBX1 that was recently shown to target the arteridin coding gene. Finally, in addition to the conventional CpG methylation, we further considered the role of impaired CHG methylation, mainly occurring in brain at embryo stage. We showed as differentially CHG methylated genes are clustered in pathways related to EC homeostasis, as well as to VSMC-EC crosstalk, suggesting as impairment of this interaction plays a prominent role in loss of vascular differentiation, in bAVM phenotype.

Predictors of Good Functional Outcome in Patients with Tandem Occlusion After Revascularization Treatment: Single-Center Experience with 12-Month Follow-Up.

OBJECTIVE: The optimal management and procedural strategy for tandem occlusion (TO) in acute ischemic stroke are still unclear, as is the long-term outcome of these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate predictors of good functional outcome in patients with TO through the analysis of demographics, clinical, and radiological data with a 1-year follow-up. METHODS: We collected data on 100 patients with TO who underwent revascularization treatments in our comprehensive stroke center. We divided patients into 2 groups: those with good functional outcome, defined as a modified Rankin Scale 0-2, and those with poor functional outcome, defined as a modified Rankin Scale 3-6 at 3, 6, and 12-month follow-up. Moreover, we investigated which variables were able to influence mortality. RESULTS: At multivariate analysis, endovascular treatment with mechanical thrombectomy combined with emergent cervical carotid artery stenting was an independent predictor of good functional outcome at 6 and 12 months (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.3, confidence interval [CI] 1.49-12.31, P = 0.007) (aOR 3.5, CI 1.25-9.61, P = 0.017) and was associated with a lower rate of mortality at 3 and 6 months follow-up (aOR 0.14, CI 0.04-0.57, P = 0.006 and aOR 0.296, CI 0.97-0.902, P = 0.032, respectively). Furthermore, smoking habit was associated with a better outcome at 3-month follow-up (aOR 10.7, CI 2.2-51.6, P = 0.003) but not at 6- and 12-month. CONCLUSIONS: Our research, conducted in a small sample size of patients with acute ischemic stroke due to TO of anterior circulation, found that acute stent placement seems to be safe, improving clinical outcome, and it is associated with low rate of mortality at long-term follow-up.

Point-Of-Care low-field MRI in acute Stroke (POCS): protocol for a multicentric prospective open-label study evaluating diagnostic accuracy.

INTRODUCTION: Fast and accurate diagnosis of acute stroke is crucial to timely initiate reperfusion therapies. Conventional high-field (HF) MRI yields the highest accuracy in discriminating early ischaemia from haemorrhages and mimics. Rapid access to HF-MRI is often limited by contraindications or unavailability. Low-field (LF) MRI (<0.5T) can detect several types of brain injury, including ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke. Implementing LF-MRI in acute stroke care may offer several advantages, including extended applicability, increased safety, faster administration, reduced staffing and costs. This multicentric prospective open-label trial aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of LF-MRI, as a tool to guide treatment decision in acute stroke. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Consecutive patients accessing the emergency department with suspected stroke dispatch will be recruited at three Italian study units: Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL) Abruzzo 1 and 2, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Humanitas Research Hospital. The estimated sample size is 300 patients. Anonymised clinical and LF-MRI data, along with conventional neuroimaging data, will be independently assessed by two external units: Marche Polytechnic University and 'G. Martino' Polyclinic University Hospital. Both units will independently adjudicate the best treatment option, while the latter will provide historical HF-MRI data to develop artificial intelligence algorithms for LF-MRI images interpretation (Free University of Bozen-Bolzano). Agreement with conventional neuroimaging will be evaluated at different time points: hyperacute, acute (24 hours), subacute (72 hours), at discharge and chronic (4 weeks). Further investigations will include feasibility study to develop a mobile stroke unit equipped with LF-MRI and cost-effectiveness analysis. This trial will provide necessary data to validate the use of LF-MRI in acute stroke care. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Abruzzo Region (CEtRA) on 11 May 2023 (approval code: richyvgrg). Results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and presented in academic conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05816213; Pre-Results.

Effect of General Anesthesia Versus Conscious Sedation/Local Anesthesia on the Outcome of Patients with Minor Stroke and Isolated M2 Occlusion Undergoing Immediate Thrombectomy: A Retrospective Multicenter Matched Analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the impact of general anesthesia (GA) versus conscious sedation/local anesthesia (CS/LA) on the outcome of patients with minor stroke and isolated M2 occlusion undergoing immediate mechanical thrombectomy (iMT). METHODS: The databases of 16 comprehensive stroke centers were retrospectively screened for consecutive patients with isolated M2 occlusion and a baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≤5 who received iMT. Propensity score matching was used to estimate the effect of GA versus CS/LA on clinical outcomes and procedure-related adverse events. The primary outcome measure was a 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-1. Secondary outcome measures were a 90-day mRS score of 0-2 and all-cause mortality, successful reperfusion, procedural-related symptomatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, intraprocedural dissections, and new territory embolism. RESULTS: Of the 172 patients who were selected, 55 received GA and 117 CS/LA. After propensity score matching, 47 pairs of patients were available for analysis. We found no significant differences in clinical outcome, rates of efficient reperfusion, and procedural-related complications between patients receiving GA or LA/CS (mRS score 0-1, P = 0.815; mRS score 0-2, P = 0.401; all-cause mortality, P = 0.408; modified Treatment in Cerebral Infarction score 2b-3, P = 0.374; symptomatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, P = 0.082; intraprocedural dissection, P = 0.408; new territory embolism, P = 0.462). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with minor stroke and isolated M2 occlusion undergoing iMT, the type of anesthesia does not affect clinical outcome or the rate of procedural-related complications. Our results agree with recent data showing no benefit of one specific anesthesiologic procedure over the other and confirm their generalizability also to patients with minor baseline symptoms.

Baseline clinical and neuroradiological predictors of outcome in patients with large ischemic core undergoing mechanical thrombectomy: A retrospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Recent randomized trials have shown the benefit of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) also in patients with an established large ischemic core. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to define baseline predictors of clinical outcome in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the anterior circulation and an Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (ASPECTS) ⩽ 5, undergoing MT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The databases of 16 comprehensive stroke centers were retrospectively screened for patients with LVO and ASPECTS ⩽5 that received MT. Baseline clinical and neuroradiological features, including the differential contribution of all ASPECTS regions to the composite score, were collected. Primary clinical outcome measure was a 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-2. Statistical analysis used a logistic regression model and random forest algorithm. RESULTS: A total of 408 patients were available for analysis. In multivariate model, among baseline features, lower age (odd ratio (OR) = 0.962, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.943-0.982) and lower National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (OR = 0.911, 95% CI = 0.862-0.963) were associated with the mRS score 0-2. Involvement of the M2 (OR = 0.398, 95% CI = 0.206-0.770) or M4 (OR = 0.496, 95% CI = 0.260-0.945) ASPECTS regions was associated with an unfavorable outcome. Random forest analysis confirmed that age and baseline NIHSS score are the most important variables influencing clinical outcome, whereas involvement of cortical regions M5, M4, M2, and M1 can have a negative impact. CONCLUSION: Our retrospective analysis shows that, along with age and baseline clinical impairment, presence of early ischemic changes involving cortical areas has a role in clinical outcome in patients with large ischemic core undergoing MT. DATA ACCESS STATEMENT: The data that support the findings of this study are available upon reasonable request.