Thrombectomy Outcomes in Acute Basilar Artery Occlusions Due to Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease.

Background And Objectives: Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) large vessel occlusion (LVO) is responsible for up to 30% of LVO. In this study, we aimed to determine the likelihood of favorable functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale 0-3) in acute ICAD-LVO basilar occlusion compared with embolic basilar occlusion.

Methods: This is an analysis of the Posterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke Evaluation: Analyzing Radiographic and Intraprocedural Predictors for Mechanical Thrombectomy Registry in which patients with acute basilar artery occlusions from 8 comprehensive stroke centers were included from 2015 to 2021.

Predictors of outcome and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in acute basilar artery occlusions: Analysis of the PC-SEARCH thrombectomy registry.

Introduction: Recent randomized controlled trials demonstrated superiority of mechanical thrombectomy compared to medical therapy in acute basilar artery occlusions, however, little data is available to guide clinicians in functional prognosis and risk stratification.

Patients And Methods: Data from the retrospectively established PC-SEARCH Thrombectomy registry, which included patients with basilar artery occlusion from eight sites from January 2015 to December 2021, was interrogated. Outcomes were dichotomized into 90-day favorable (mRS ⩽ 3) and unfavorable (mRS > 3).

Early and late basilar artery thrombectomy time window outcomes.

Importance: Stroke-to-recanalization time is a strong predictor of outcomes in anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion (LVO). The authors aimed to evaluate functional outcomes in early (<6 h) vs. late (6-24 h) time windows for thrombectomy-treated basilar artery occlusions.

Comparing Functional Outcomes and Safety Profiles of First-Line Aspiration Thrombectomy Versus Stentriever for Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion: Propensity Analysis of the PC-SEARCH Thrombectomy Registry.

Background: Aspiration catheters (ASPs) and stentriever thrombectomy devices have comparable safety and efficacy in anterior circulation ischemic strokes. However, there is lack of high-quality comparative data in acute basilar artery occlusions. Our objective is to compare the outcomes and safety of ASPs and stentriever devices in acute basilar artery occlusions.

COManeci MechANical Dilation for vasospasm (COMMAND): multicenter experience.

Background: We report the largest multicenter experience to date of utilizing the Comaneci device for endovascular treatment of refractory intracranial vasospasm.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing Comaneci mechanical dilatation for vasospasm were extracted from prospectively maintained registries in 11 North American centers (2020-2022). Intra-arterial vasodilators (IAV) were allowed, with the Comaneci device utilized after absence of vessel dilation post-infusion.

Association of distal hyperintense vessel sign and recurrent stroke in patients with symptomatic intracranial stenosis.

Objective: The distal hyperintense vessel sign (DHV) on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance image (MRI) is an imaging biomarker of slow leptomeningeal collateral flow in the presence of large artery stenosis or occlusion reflecting impaired cerebral hemodynamics. In this study, we aim to investigate the significance of the DHV sign in patients with symptomatic ≥ 70% intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack admitted to a single center from January 2010 to December 2017.

First Pass Effect and Location of Occlusion in Recanalized MCA M1 Occlusions.

Background: The first pass effect has been shown to improve clinical outcomes in patients with middle cerebral artery (MCA) M1 occlusions.

Objective: To determine the rates of first pass effect in MCA M1 occlusions and determine if proximal or distal location of occlusion modified clinical outcomes.

Methods: Patients with recanalized MCA M1 occlusions who underwent endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) were reviewed to determine the effect of first pass effect (FPE) and location of occlusion on clinical outcomes.

The Future of Endovascular Therapy.

Purpose Of The Review: This article summarizes a broad range of the most recent advances and future directions in stroke diagnostics, endovascular robotics, and neuromodulation.

Recent Findings: In the past 5 years, the field of interventional neurology has seen major technological advances for the diagnosis and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. Several new technologies became available to aid in complex prehospital stroke triage, stroke diagnosis, and interpretation of radiologic findings.

Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome in Patients with Coronavirus Disease: A Multicenter Case Series.

Background And Objectives: RCVS (Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstrictive Syndrome) is a condition associated with vasoactive agents that alter endothelial function. There is growing evidence that endothelial inflammation contributes to cerebrovascular disease in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In our study, we describe the clinical features, risk factors, and outcomes of RCVS in a multicenter case series of patients with COVID-19.

Middle Cerebral Artery M2 Thrombectomy in the STRATIS Registry.

Background And Purpose: The safety and benefit of mechanical thrombectomy in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke patients with M2 segment middle cerebral artery occlusions remain uncertain. Here, we compare clinical and angiographic outcomes in M2 versus M1 occlusions in the STRATIS (Systematic Evaluation of Patients Treated With Neurothrombectomy Devices for Acute Ischemic Stroke) Registry.

Methods: The STRATIS Registry was a prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized, observational study of acute ischemic stroke large vessel occlusion patients treated with the Solitaire stent-retriever as the first-choice therapy within 8 hours from symptoms onset.

Successful Mechanical Thrombectomy for Basilar Artery Occlusion in a Seven-Year-Old Male.

Acute arterial strokes in children are rare but can potentially cause lasting and often permanent neurological deficits. Mechanical thrombectomy has a well-established efficacy and safety profile in adult stroke management, but in the pediatric population, it is yet to be proven efficacious and safe. We present a case of a seven-year-old male who presented with multiple episodes of generalized tonic-clonic seizures after sustaining a neck injury by falling from a trampoline.

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

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. From March 20 to May 20, 2020, hospitalized patients with laboratory confirmed or highly suspected COVID-19 were identified at four hospitals in Ohio.

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.

Interventional Stroke Care in the Era of COVID-19.

The current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has led to immense strain on healthcare systems and workers. Patients with severe symptoms of COVID-19 may also present with acute neurological emergencies such as ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke in these patients may result from COVID-19 related complications or decompensation of previously asymptomatic cerebrovascular disorders, or concurrent ischemic stroke from common stroke risk factors in a patient with COVID-19.

Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Cerebral Microbleeds in Moyamoya Disease and Syndrome in the American Population.

Background And Purpose: Cerebral microbleeds (CMB) are reported to be frequent in moyamoya disease (MMD) and moyamoya syndrome (MMS) in the Asian population. It is associated with an increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. The significance of CMB in MMD/MMS in non-Asian populations has not been well established.

Insights Into Intra-arterial Thrombolysis in the Modern Era of Mechanical Thrombectomy.

The role of intra-arterial (IA) thrombolysis in modern endovascular therapy is not well-understood. Here, we surveyed neurointerventionalists to understand their current clinical practices and opinions of IA thrombolysis in the new era of mechanical thrombectomy (MT). A 24-question anonymous survey was distributed via email to the members of the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology.

Monitored Anesthesia Care by Sedation-Trained Providers in Acute Stroke Thrombectomy.

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for ischemic stroke can be performed under local anesthesia (LA), conscious sedation (CS), or general anesthesia (GA). The need for monitoring by anesthesia providers may be resource intensive. We sought to determine differences in outcomes of MT when sedation is performed by an anesthesia team compared to sedation-trained providers.

Recent Trends in Electively Treated Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms.

Background And Purpose: To determine recent treatment and outcome trends in patients undergoing elective surgical clipping (SC) or endovascular therapy (EVT) for unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) in the United States.

Methods: Data were extracted and analyzed from the National Inpatient Sample, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality for all patients admitted for elective EVT or SC of UIAs between 2011 and 2014. Treatment trends, in-hospital mortality, complication rates, length of stay (LOS) and total hospital costs were evaluated and analyzed.

Ischemic Stroke After Plasmapheresis.

Plasmapheresis involves the separation of all cellular elements of blood with the help of an extracorporeal semipermeable membrane. Even though plasmapheresis is generally considered safe, there have been anecdotal reports of thrombosis related to this exchange. We present 2 cases of healthy young males developing ischemic strokes within 24 hours of plasmapheresis.

Emergent carotid endarterectomy versus stenting in acute stroke patients with tandem occlusion.

Objective: Acute stroke due to tandem cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) and intracranial large-vessel occlusion (ILVO) has a high rate of morbidity and mortality. The most appropriate treatment strategy for the extracranial culprit lesion remains unclear. In this study, we report our institutional outcomes with two approaches: emergent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS).