Management of patients with diffusion-weighted imaging-negative acute ischemic stroke: Retrospective analysis of 47 consecutive patients.

Background: Few studies with a limited number of patients focused on the outcomes of patients with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)-negative acute ischemic stroke (AIS) after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and/or endovascular treatment (EVT).

Methods: This retrospective observational, single-center study included all consecutive patients admitted for AIS involving the anterior circulation and treated with IVT and/or EVT between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2023. The collected data were used to identify the characteristics of patients with negative DWI and to compare outcomes in patients with negative and positive DWI.

Becoming a thrombectomy-capable stroke center: Clinical and medico-economical effectiveness at the hospital level.

Introduction: Too few patients benefit from endovascular therapy (EVT) in large vessel occlusion acute stroke (LVOS), and various acute stroke care paradigms are currently investigated to reduce these inequalities in health access. We aimed to investigate whether newly set-up thrombectomy-capable stroke centers (TSC) offered a safe, effective and cost-effective procedure.

Patients And Methods: This French retrospective study compared the outcomes of LVOS patients with an indication for EVT and treated at the Perpignan hospital before on-site thrombectomy was available (Primary stroke center), and after formation of local radiology team for neurointervention (TSC).

Arterial Recanalization During Interhospital Transfer for Thrombectomy.

Background: Patients with acute ischemic stroke harboring a large vessel occlusion admitted to nonendovascular-capable centers often require interhospital transfer for thrombectomy. We evaluated the incidence and predictors of arterial recanalization during transfer, as well as the relationship between interhospital recanalization and clinical outcomes.

Methods: We analyzed data from 2 cohorts of patients with an anterior circulation large vessel occlusion transferred for consideration of thrombectomy to a comprehensive center, with arterial imaging at the referring hospital and on comprehensive stroke center arrival.

Endovascular Therapy or Medical Management Alone for Isolated Posterior Cerebral Artery Occlusion: A Multicenter Study.

Background: Whether endovascular therapy (EVT) added on best medical management (BMM), as compared to BMM alone, is beneficial in acute ischemic stroke with isolated posterior cerebral artery occlusion is unknown.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter international observational study of consecutive stroke patients admitted within 6 hours from symptoms onset in 26 stroke centers with isolated occlusion of the first (P1) or second (P2) segment of the posterior cerebral artery and treated either with BMM+EVT or BMM alone. Propensity score with inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to account for baseline between-groups differences.

Should Patients With Acute Minor Ischemic Stroke With Isolated Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion Be Thrombolysed?

Background: We recently reported a worrying 30% rate of early neurological deterioration (END) occurring within 24 hours following intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in minor stroke with isolated internal carotid artery occlusion (ie, without additional intracranial occlusion), mainly due to artery-to-artery embolism. Here, we hypothesize that in this setting IVT-as compared to no-IVT-may foster END, in particular by favoring artery-to-artery embolism from thrombus fragmentation.

Methods: From a large multicenter retrospective database, we compared minor stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score <6) isolated internal carotid artery occlusion patients treated within 4.

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

Purpose: The relationship between posterior-circulation lesion volume (PCLV) and clinical outcomes is poorly investigated. We aimed to analyze, in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (ABAO), if pre-endovascular treatment (EVT) PCLV was a predictor of outcomes.

Methods: We analyzed consecutive MRI selected, endovascularly treated ABAO patients.

Patent foramen ovale closure in stroke patients with migraine in the CLOSE trial. The CLOSE-MIG study.

Background And Purpose: The efficacy of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks remains controversial.

Methods: This was a planned sub-study in migraine patients enrolled in a randomized, clinical trial designed to assess the superiority of PFO closure plus antiplatelet therapy over antiplatelet therapy alone to prevent stroke recurrence in patients younger than 60 years with a PFO-associated cryptogenic ischaemic stroke. The main outcome was the mean annual number of migraine attacks in migraine patients with aura and in those without aura, as recorded at each follow-up visit by study neurologists.

Prediction of Early Neurological Deterioration in Individuals With Minor Stroke and Large Vessel Occlusion Intended for Intravenous Thrombolysis Alone.

Importance: The best reperfusion strategy in patients with acute minor stroke and large vessel occlusion (LVO) is unknown. Accurately predicting early neurological deterioration of presumed ischemic origin (ENDi) following intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in this population may help to select candidates for immediate transfer for additional thrombectomy.

Objective: To develop and validate an easily applicable predictive score of ENDi following IVT in patients with minor stroke and LVO.

Intended Bridging Therapy or Intravenous Thrombolysis Alone in Minor Stroke With Basilar Artery Occlusion.

Background And Purpose: Whether bridging therapy (intravenous thrombolysis [IVT] followed by mechanical thrombectomy) is superior to IVT alone in minor stroke with basilar artery occlusion remains uncertain.

Methods: Multicentric retrospective observational study of consecutive minor stroke patients (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≤5) with basilar artery occlusion intended for IVT alone or bridging therapy. Propensity-score weighting was used to reduce baseline between-groups differences, and residual imbalance was addressed through adjusted logistic regression, with excellent outcome (3-month modified Rankin Scale score 0-1) as the dependent variable.

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

Background: In acute stroke, large vessel occlusion (LVO) should be promptly identified to guide patient's transportation directly to comprehensive stroke centers (CSC) for mechanical thrombectomy (MT). In many cases, prehospital multi-parameter scores are used by trained emergency teams to identify patients with high probability of LVO. However, in several countries, the first aid organization without intervention of skilled staff precludes the on-site use of such scores.

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

Background: Symptomatic isolated carotid artery occlusions (ICAO) can lead to disability, recurrent stroke, and mortality, but natural history and best therapeutic management remain poorly known. The objective of this study was to describe our cohort of ICAO patients with an initial medical management.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study including consecutive patients admitted to our Comprehensive Stroke Center for ICAO within 24 h after stroke onset between January 2016 and September 2018.

Bridging Therapy or IV Thrombolysis in Minor Stroke with Large Vessel Occlusion.

Objective: Whether bridging therapy (intravenous thrombolysis [IVT] followed by endovascular treatment) is superior to IVT alone in minor stroke with large vessel occlusion (LVO) is unknown.

Methods: Multicentric retrospective observational study including, in intention-to-treat, consecutive IVT-treated minor strokes (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] ≤ 5) with LVO, with or without additional mechanical thrombectomy. Propensity-score (inverse probability of treatment weighting) was used to reduce baseline between-groups differences.

Complications During Inter-Hospital Transfer of Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke for Endovascular Therapy.

Few data are available on complications occurring during inter-hospital transfer from a primary stroke center (PSC) to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) for endovascular treatment (EVT) after large vessel occlusion (LVO). Therefore, we prospectively studied data from consecutive patients transferred from our PSC to the next CSC during 4 years to determine the incidence and risk factors of complications during transfer. This observational, single-center study included consecutive patients transferred from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018.

Shortening time to reperfusion after transfer from a primary to a comprehensive stroke center.

Background: This study assessed whether a quality improvement (QI) process to streamline transfer from a primary stroke center (PSC) to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) could reduce the delay of reperfusion by mechanical thrombectomy (MT).

Methods: From 2015 to 2017, a QI process was implemented with specific interventions to reduce door-in-to-door-out (DIDO) time in a high volume PSC, and speed up interhospital transfer and inhospital processes at the CSC. Clinical characteristics and time metrics were compared in the QI (2015-2017; n = 157) and pre-QI cohorts (2012-2014; n = 121).

Which Patients Require Physician-Led Inter-Hospital Transport in View of Endovascular Therapy?

Introduction: The current guidelines advocate the implementation of stroke networks to organize endovascular treatment (ET) for patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO) after transfer from a Primary Stroke Centre (PSC) to a Comprehensive Stroke Centre (CSC). In France and in many other countries around the world, these transfers are carried out by a physician-led mobile medical team. However, with the recent broadening of ET indications, their availability is becoming more and more critical.

Pathologic and MRI analysis in acute atypical inflammatory demyelinating lesions.

Background: The diagnosis of atypical inflammatory demyelinating lesions can be difficult. Brain biopsy is often required to exclude neoplasms. Moreover, the relationship between these lesions and multiple sclerosis and NMOSD is not clear.

A Regional Network Organization for Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Anterior Circulation; Timing, Safety, and Effectiveness.

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in association with intravenous thrombolysis is recommended for treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), with large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the anterior circulation. Because MT is only available in comprehensive stroke centers (CSC), the challenge of stroke organization is to ensure equitable access to the fastest endovascular suite. Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of MT in patients initially managed in 1 CSC (mothership), compared with patients first managed in primary stroke center (PSC), and then transferred to the CSC for MT (drip-and-ship).

Futile inter-hospital transfer for mechanical thrombectomy in a semi-rural context: analysis of a 6-year prospective registry.

Background And Purpose: Inter-hospital transfer for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) might result in the transfer of patients who finally will not undergo MT (ie, futile transfers [FT]). This study evaluated FT frequency in a primary stroke center (PSC) in a semi-rural area and at 156 km from the comprehensive stroke center (CSC).

Methodology: Retrospective analysis of data collected in a 6-year prospective registry concerning patients admitted to our PSC within 4.

Target Door-to-Needle Time for Tissue Plasminogen Activator Treatment with Magnetic Resonance Imaging Screening Can Be Reduced to 45 min.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that the median door-to-needle (DTN) time for intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment can be reduced to 45 min in a primary stroke centre with MRI-based screening for acute ischaemic stroke (AIS).

Methods: From February 2015 to February 2017, the stroke unit of Perpignan general hospital, France, implemented a quality-improvement (QI) process. During this period, patients who received tPA within 4.

Controlled Education of patients after Stroke (CEOPS)- nurse-led multimodal and long-term interventional program involving a patient's caregiver to optimize secondary prevention of stroke: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Setting up a follow-up secondary prevention program after stroke is difficult due to motor and cognitive impairment, but necessary to prevent recurrence and improve patients' quality of life. To involve a referent nurse and a caregiver from the patient's social circle in nurse-led multimodal and long-term management of risk factors after stroke could be an advantage due to their easier access to the patient and family. The aim of this study is to compare the benefit of optimized follow up by nursing personnel from the vascular neurology department including therapeutic follow up, and an interventional program directed to the patient and a caregiving member of their social circle, as compared with typical follow up in order to develop a specific follow-up program of secondary prevention of stroke.

Patent Foramen Ovale Closure or Anticoagulation vs. Antiplatelets after Stroke.

Background: Trials of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure to prevent recurrent stroke have been inconclusive. We investigated whether patients with cryptogenic stroke and echocardiographic features representing risk of stroke would benefit from PFO closure or anticoagulation, as compared with antiplatelet therapy.

Methods: In a multicenter, randomized, open-label trial, we assigned, in a 1:1:1 ratio, patients 16 to 60 years of age who had had a recent stroke attributed to PFO, with an associated atrial septal aneurysm or large interatrial shunt, to transcatheter PFO closure plus long-term antiplatelet therapy (PFO closure group), antiplatelet therapy alone (antiplatelet-only group), or oral anticoagulation (anticoagulation group) (randomization group 1).