Low dose intravenous cangrelor versus glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in endovascular treatment of tandem lesions.

OBJECTIVES: Intravenous (IV) periprocedural antiplatelet therapy (APT) for patients undergoing acute carotid stenting during mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is not fully investigated. We aimed to compare the safety profile of IV low dose cangrelor versus IV glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GP-IIb/IIIa) inhibitors in patients with acute tandem lesions (TLs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified all cases of periprocedural administration of IV cangrelor or GP-IIb/IIIa inhibitors during acute TLs intervention from a multicenter collaboration. Patients were divided in two groups according to the IV APT regimen at the time of MT procedure: 1) cangrelor and 2) GP-IIb/IIIa inhibitors (tirofiban and eptifibatide). Safety outcomes included rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), parenchymal hematoma type 1 and 2 (PH1-PH2), and hemorrhagic infarction type 1 and 2 (HI1-HI2). RESULTS: Sixty-three patients received IV APT during MT, 30 were in the cangrelor group, and 33 were in the GP-IIb/IIIa inhibitors group. There were no significant differences in the rates of sICH (3.3% vs. 12.1%, aOR=0.21, 95%CI 0.02-2.18, p=0.229), HI1-HI2 (21.4% vs 42.4%, aOR=0.21, 95%CI 0.02-2.18, p=0.229), and PH1-PH2 (17.9% vs. 12.1%, aOR=1.63, 95%CI 0.29-9.83, p=0.577) between both treatment groups. However, there was a trend toward reduced hemorrhage rates with cangrelor. Cangrelor was associated with increased odds of complete reperfusion (aOR=5.86; 95%CI 1.57-26.62;p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective non-randomized cohort study, our findings suggest that low dose cangrelor has similar safety and increased rate of complete reperfusion compared to IV GP-IIb/IIIa inhibitors. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm this association.

Outcomes of treatment modalities for ruptured intracranial aneurysms based on age - A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Data comparing the effect of age on outcomes of patients who underwent either endovascular coiling (EVC) or neurosurgical clipping (NSC) for ruptured intracranial aneurysms remains limited. OBJECTIVE: To better elucidate the preferred intervention for ruptured aneurysm management by presenting the results of our systematic review of the literature that evaluated the potential advantages of the two interventions between different age groups. METHODS: Systematic review of PubMed and Embase was performed (2002 - June 10, 2019) following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2013 guidelines. Median ages of EVC and NSC cohorts were 54 and 56, respectively. Ages below the median were used in our "younger" cohort; ages above the median were used in our "older" cohort. RESULTS: We reviewed 13 studies on 7,137 patients. In the younger cohort, there were 2840 (EVC: 1412, NSC: 1428) patients. In the older cohort, there were 4297 (EVC: 2552, NSC: 1745) patients. Overall, there was a significant difference in functionality between EVC (77.70%) and NSC (69.23%) (OR=1.69; 95% C.I.: 1.10-2.60, p = 0.0212). In our younger cohort, functionality was significantly different between EVC (77%) and NSC (69%) (OR=1.54; 95% C.I.: 1.29-1.84, p < 0.001). For the older cohort, there was no significant difference in functionality, complications, or efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: We have highlighted the importance of considering age prior to deciding which intervention is most appropriate for ruptured aneurysms, with higher morbidity and mortality with NSC versus EVC in the younger population.

Functional and Safety Outcomes of Carotid Artery Stenting and Mechanical Thrombectomy for Large Vessel Occlusion Ischemic Stroke With Tandem Lesions.

Importance: Approximately 10% to 20% of large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes involve tandem lesions (TLs), defined as concomitant intracranial LVO and stenosis or occlusion of the cervical internal carotid artery. Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) may benefit patients with TLs; however, optimal management and procedural strategy of the cervical lesion remain unclear. Objective: To evaluate the association of carotid artery stenting (CAS) vs no stenting and medical management with functional and safety outcomes among patients with TL-LVOs. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study included consecutive patients with acute anterior circulation TLs admitted across 17 stroke centers in the US and Spain between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020. Data analysis was performed from August 2021 to February 2022. Inclusion criteria were age of 18 years or older, endovascular therapy for intracranial occlusion, and presence of extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis (>50%) demonstrated on pre-MT computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, or digital subtraction angiography. Exposures: Patients with TLs were divided into CAS vs nonstenting groups. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary clinical and safety outcomes were 90-day functional independence measured by a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0 to 2 and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), respectively. Secondary outcomes were successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score ≥2b), discharge mRS score, ordinal mRS score, and mortality at 90 days. Results: Of 685 patients, 623 (mean [SD] age, 67 [12.2] years; 406 [65.2%] male) were included in the analysis, of whom 363 (58.4%) were in the CAS group and 260 (41.6%) were in the nonstenting group. The CAS group had a lower proportion of patients with atrial fibrillation (38 [10.6%] vs 49 [19.2%], P = .002), a higher proportion of preprocedural degree of cervical stenosis on digital subtraction angiography (90%-99%: 107 [32.2%] vs 42 [20.5%], P < .001) and atherosclerotic disease (296 [82.0%] vs 194 [74.6%], P = .003), a lower median (IQR) National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (15 [10-19] vs 17 [13-21], P < .001), and similar rates of intravenous thrombolysis and stroke time metrics when compared with the nonstenting group. After adjustment for confounders, the odds of favorable functional outcome (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.67; 95% CI, 1.20-2.40; P = .007), favorable shift in mRS scores (aOR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.02-2.10; P = .04), and successful reperfusion (aOR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.02-3.60; P = .002) were significantly higher for the CAS group compared with the nonstenting group. Both groups had similar odds of sICH (aOR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.46-2.40; P = .87) and 90-day mortality (aOR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.50-1.20; P = .27). No heterogeneity was noted for 90-day functional outcome and sICH in prespecified subgroups. Conclusions and Relevance: In this multicenter, international cross-sectional study, CAS of the cervical lesion during MT was associated with improvement in functional outcomes and reperfusion rates without an increased risk of sICH and mortality in patients with TLs.

Safety of Low Dose Intravenous Cangrelor in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Case Series.

Background: Neurointerventional procedures in acute ischemic stroke often require immediate antiplatelet therapy in the cases of acute stenting and occasionally re-occluding vessels. Intravenous cangrelor is a P2Y12 receptor antagonist with short onset and quick offset. The study objective was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous cangrelor in patients with acute ischemic stroke requiring urgent antiplatelet effect. Methods: Patients who received intravenous cangrelor intra-procedurally during acute ischemic stroke treatment were identified from a prospectively collected database. Cangrelor was administered as a bolus of 15 mcg/kg, followed by an infusion rate of 2 mcg/kg/min. A historical control group consisting of anterior circulation tandem occlusions was used to compare to patients with similar lesions who received intravenous cangrelor. Outcomes of interest included in-stent thrombosis, thromboembolic complications, intracranial hemorrhage, and functional outcomes at 90 days. Results: Twelve patients received intravenous cangrelor for acute ischemic stroke between October 2018 and April 2020 at a comprehensive stroke center. Eleven patients had intra or extracranial stenting performed, which included two posterior circulation lesions. No cases of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were reported. At 90 day follow-up, two patients had died and 10 had a good functional outcome. Patients with anterior circulation tandem occlusions who received cangrelor and those who received dual antiplatelets orally had similar radiographic and clinical outcomes. Conclusion: Low dose intravenous cangrelor is similar in safety and efficacy to oral antiplatelets in acute ischemic stroke in a small case series. Larger prospective studies on the efficacy, safety, and effect on procedure times of intravenous cangrelor in neurointervention are warranted.

Co-existence of Double Gallbladder and Choledochal Cyst in a Single Patient.

Additional anatomical structures are rare but can be mistaken for other conditions, causing misdiagnoses and poor outcomes for patients. The presence of concurrent anomalies within the extra structures further complicates a rare situation. We present a case of a patient with two gallbladders and a choledochal cyst diagnosed via radiography and confirmed by exploratory laparotomy. He underwent a cholecystectomy, choledochal cyst resection, and hepaticojejunostomy, and he was doing well as of his last follow-up. This case highlights the need to consider radiological imaging in patients with choledochal cysts carefully.

Trends in interventional stroke device utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: The collateral effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on interventional stroke care is not well described. We studied this effect by utilizing stroke device sales data as markers of interventional stroke case volume in the United States. METHODS: Using a real-time healthcare device sales registry, this observational study examined trends in the sales of thrombectomy devices and cerebral aneurysm coiling from the same 945 reporting hospitals in the U.S. between January 22 and June 31, 2020, and for the same months in 2018 and 2019 to allow for comparison. We simultaneously reviewed daily reports of new COVID-19 cases. The strength of association between the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 and procedural device sales was measured using Spearman rank correlation coefficient (CC). RESULTS: Device sales decreased for thrombectomy (- 3.7%) and cerebral aneurysm coiling (- 8.5%) when comparing 2019-2020. In 2020, thrombectomy device sales were negatively associated with the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 (CC - 0.56, p < 0.0001), with stronger negative correlation during April (CC - 0.97, p < 0.0001). The same negative correlation was observed with aneurysm treatment devices (CC - 0.60, p < 0.001), with stronger correlation in April (CC - 0.97, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The decline in sales of stroke interventional equipment underscores a decline in associated case volumes. Future pandemic responses should consider strategies to mitigate such negative collateral effects.

Risk Factors Associated With Hyperammonemia Following Unprovoked Convulsive Seizures.

This report describes a unique case of recurrent transient hyperammonemia (THA) following a first-time occurrence of generalized tonic-clonic seizure in a young adult, who went on to develop post-stroke epilepsy. Although this phenomenon has been described in recent literature, we report not only the highest initial ammonia level to date, 549 µmol/L, but we also document serial trends of the ammonia levels at multiple admissions for the same patient for the management of breakthrough seizures. Interestingly enough, persistence of the elevation of the ammonia levels was accompanied by no other significant metabolic derangements, unlike reported in similar cases. Of prior studies, high ammonia levels have been reported in the context of alcohol-induced seizures, with resolution of ammonia levels within eight hours. Here, we highlight the importance of medication compliance, as well as the need for serial ammonia levels for improving patient outcomes, with the knowledge that ammonia accumulation leads to potential irreversible neurotoxicity. Additionally, we completed a systematic literature review on data pertaining to the risk factors associated with hyperammonemia following unprovoked convulsive seizures in an effort to analyze our case in the context of the existing literature. Our objective is to ultimately understand the utility of serial ammonia levels for unprovoked convulsive seizures in the context of the patient's initial presentation, and whether treatment of these episodes of hyperammonemia can significantly alter outcomes.

Does the Setting of External Ventricular Drain Placement Affect Morbidity? A Systematic Literature Review Comparing Intensive Care Unit versus Operating Room Procedures.

INTRODUCTION: External ventricular drain (EVD) placement can be performed at the bedside in the neurosurgical intensive care unit (ICU) or in the operating room (OR). Systematic review and meta-analysis may permit stronger recommendations to improve accuracy and complication rates. METHODS: Systematic review of PubMed was performed (inception-December 12, 2019) following PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: Our search yielded 356 articles, of which 37 studies underwent full-text analysis. Nine studies met inclusion criteria. Studies were segregated into OR only (n = 3; 1011 patients), ICU only (n = 3; 325 patients), and OR + ICU (n = 3; 613 patients) cohorts. Studies were in addition divided by outcome measures, including catheter placement accuracy (ICU, 4 studies, n = 280 [68.29%] vs. OR, 2 studies, n = 198 [84.25%]); iatrogenic hemorrhagic complications (ICU, 4 studies, n = 112 [18.16%] vs. OR, 2 studies, n = 35 [17.50%]); and ventriculostomy-related infection rates (ICU, 4 studies, n = 48 [7.28%] vs. OR: 5 studies, n = 92 [8.06%]). CONCLUSIONS: There are likely specific patient populations who would benefit from EVD placement in the ICU versus OR setting. The literature comparing efficacy and morbidity between EVDs placed in the ICU and OR settings is overall inconclusive in both sample size and congruence of methodology. Agreement in outcome metrics and data reporting on this topic is necessary to synthesize high-quality evidence to form practice-changing recommendations for this debated topic.

Neurological Predictors of Clinical Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19.

Introduction: Multiple risk factors of mortality have been identified in patients with COVID-19. Here, we sought to determine the effect of a history of neurological disorder and development of neurological manifestations on mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Methods: From March 20 to May 20, 2020, hospitalized patients with laboratory confirmed or highly suspected COVID-19 were identified at four hospitals in Ohio. Previous history of neurological disease was classified by severity (major or minor). Neurological manifestations during disease course were also grouped into major and minor manifestations. Encephalopathy, ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, and seizures were defined as major manifestations, whereas minor neurological manifestations included headache, anosmia, dysgeusia, dizziness or vertigo, and myalgias. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine significant predictors of mortality in patients with COVID-19 infection. Results: 574/626 hospitalized patients were eligible for inclusion. Mean age of the 574 patients included in the analysis was 62.8 (SD 17.6), with 298 (51.9%) women. Of the cohort, 240(41.8%) patients had a prior history of neurological disease (HND), of which 204 (35.5%) had a major history of neurological disease (HND). Mortality rates were higher in patients with a major HND (30.9 vs. 15.4%; p = 0.00002), although this was not a significant predictor of death. Major neurological manifestations were recorded in 203/574 (35.4%) patients during disease course. The mortality rate in patients who had major neurological manifestations was 37.4% compared to 11.9% (p = 2 × 10-12) in those who did not. In multivariate analysis, major neurological manifestation (OR 2.1, CI 1.3-3.4; p = 0.002) was a predictor of death. Conclusions: In this retrospective study, history of pre-existing neurological disease in hospitalized COVID-19 patients did not impact mortality; however, development of major neurological manifestations during disease course was found to be an independent predictor of death. Larger studies are needed to validate our findings.