Publications by authors named "Laetitia de Villiers"

Background: The efficacy and safety of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) beyond 6 hours from stroke onset for patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) selected without CT perfusion(CTP) or MR imaging(MRI) is undetermined. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the current literature comparing outcomes for late presenting patients with LVO treated by best medical management (BMM) with those selected for EVT based only on non-contrast CT(NCCT)/CT angiography(CTA) (without CTP or MRI).

Methods: PRISMA guidelines were employed.

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Introduction: The aim of this study is to quantify the association of temporary epilation following interventional neuroradiology (INR) procedures and compare the peak skin dose (D) threshold to published values.

Methods: Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) is a major centre for INR with over 500 primarily interventional procedures performed every year. D is calculated when the reference air kerma (K) exceeds 3 Gy.

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Introduction: This research evaluates the budget impact of treating acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) using a combination of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) with stent retrievers (SR) and intravenous tissue-plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) in Australia.

Methods: This study examined the economic impact over five years for a patient cohort based on the number of patients treated with MT+ IV-tPA in Australia 2021, versus treatment with IV-tPA alone. A budget impact (BI) model was developed to project direct medical costs (economic impact) of IV-tPA+ MT with SR vs.

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Background: The frequency of clinically symptomatic and asymptomatic diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) hyperintense lesions and their correlation with the transradial artery (TRA) approach is unclear.

Objective: To assess the frequency of abnormal diffusion restriction foci on DWI following cerebral angiography (digital subtraction angiography (DSA)) with the TRA or transfemoral artery (TFA) approach and identify predictors of DWI restriction foci.

Methods: We analysed data from consecutive diagnostic cerebral angiograms obtained between January 2021 and October 2023 at a single tertiary center.

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Background: Half of patients who achieve successful recanalization following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke experience poor functional outcome. We aim to investigate whether the use of adjunctive intra-arterial antithrombotic therapy (AAT) during EVT is safe and efficacious compared with standard therapy (ST) of EVT with or without prior intravenous thrombolysis.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched (PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library) from 2010 until October 2023.

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Article Synopsis
  • The Pipeline Vantage Flow Diverter (PVFD) is a new, fourth-generation device designed for treating intracranial aneurysms and incorporates advanced Shield Technology that aims to improve safety and effectiveness compared to earlier models.
  • A clinical study conducted from April 2021 to April 2023 involved 101 patients with unruptured aneurysms, evaluating device deployment success, adverse events, and aneurysm occlusion rates, finding a 100% deployment success.
  • Results indicated significant occlusion rates over time (81.7% at 6 months) and a low complication rate, suggesting that the PVFD performs well in safely managing unruptured intracranial aneurysms.
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Background: Current neurointerventional procedures are expanding the use of large bore microcatheters, of up to 0.033" inner diameters, to accommodate intrasaccular flow disruptors or neck-bridging devices, including flow diverters. The use of large bore microwires may mitigate the ledge gap between wire and catheter, facilitate navigation and offer support in distal tortuous anatomy.

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Background: Robotic-assisted neurointervention was recently introduced, with implications that it could be used to treat neurovascular diseases.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the robotic-assisted platform CorPath GRX for treating cerebral aneurysms.

Methods: This prospective, international, multicenter study enrolled patients with brain aneurysms that required endovascular coiling and/or stent-assisted coiling.

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Over the last 10 years, there has been a rise in neurointerventional case complexity, device variety and physician distractions. Even among experienced physicians, this trend challenges our memory and concentration, making it more difficult to remember safety principles and their implications. Checklists are regarded by some as a redundant exercise that wastes time, or as an attack on physician autonomy.

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Background: Flow diverters (FDs) are neuroendovascular stents indicated for the management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Due to their composition, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is essential during the peri- and post-operative periods to prevent thromboembolic events. However, there is limited consensus within the scientific community regarding which antiplatelets to use and dosing following neuroendovascular treatment of aneurysms.

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Background: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) access in remote areas is limited. Preliminary data suggest that long distance transfers for EVT may be beneficial; however, the magnitude and best imaging strategy at the referring center remains uncertain. We hypothesized that patients transferred >300 miles would benefit from EVT, achieving rates of functional independence (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score of 0-2) at 3 months similar to those patients treated at the comprehensive stroke center in the randomized EVT extended window trials and that the selection of patients with computed tomography perfusion (CTP) at the referring site would be associated with ordinal shift toward better outcomes on the mRS.

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Background: The use of balloon microcatheters in interventional neuroradiology is well documented. However, their use is sometimes limited by the small diameter and excessive tortuosity of the vasculature. The Scepter Mini dual-lumen balloon microcatheter (SMBM) (Microvention, Aliso Viejo, CA) has been designed to address these challenges by decreasing the distal catheter profile, allowing distal access to the target vessel.

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Background: The radial artery approach has become popular as a 'radial first' strategy for arterial access in neuroangiography and neurointerventions. Recent studies have shown that transradial arterial access (TRA) for cerebral angiography has been associated with reduced access site complication rates and improved patient satisfaction compared with transfemoral access (TFA). The goal of this study was to evaluate the presence of abnormal MRI diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) foci following DSA and correlate their frequency with TRA or TFA.

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Contraceptive implant migration into the pulmonary circulation is an uncommon, but potentially serious complication. We describe an "aspiration" technique for percutaneous retrieval of a contraceptive implant from a subsegmental pulmonary artery, using a Penumbra Neuron MAX 088 guiding catheter and a Merit Medical VacLok Vacuum Pressure Syringe, as an alternative to the previously described snare technique. Our patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged home on the same day.

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Article Synopsis
  • A study found that using a higher dose of tenecteplase (0.40 mg/kg) for patients with ischemic stroke significantly improves blood flow before thrombectomy compared to a lower dose (0.25 mg/kg).
  • Conducted as a randomized clinical trial across 27 hospitals in Australia and 1 in New Zealand, the research involved 300 patients who had large vessel occlusion strokes and were treated within 4.5 hours of symptom onset.
  • Key results showed that a larger percentage of patients experienced more than 50% reperfusion of the affected area before undergoing thrombectomy, along with various outcomes related to disability
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Objective: To describe the results in patients treated with the Surpass Evolve (SE) device, the new generation of Surpass flow diverters.

Methods: Twenty-five consecutive patients (20 women, average age 58 years), with anterior or posterior circulation aneurysms treated with SEs in two early-user centers, were included. Device properties and related technical properties, imaging and clinical follow-up data, and intraprocedural, early (<30 days) and delayed (>30 days) neurological complications, further divided into minor (silent/non-permanent) and major (permanent) complications, were recorded and analyzed.

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Background: Intravenous infusion of alteplase is used for thrombolysis before endovascular thrombectomy for ischemic stroke. Tenecteplase, which is more fibrin-specific and has longer activity than alteplase, is given as a bolus and may increase the incidence of vascular reperfusion.

Methods: We randomly assigned patients with ischemic stroke who had occlusion of the internal carotid, basilar, or middle cerebral artery and who were eligible to undergo thrombectomy to receive tenecteplase (at a dose of 0.

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Background: Endovascular thrombectomy improves functional outcome in large vessel occlusion ischemic stroke. We examined disability, quality of life, survival and acute care costs in the EXTEND-IA trial, which used CT-perfusion imaging selection.

Methods: Large vessel ischemic stroke patients with favorable CT-perfusion were randomized to endovascular thrombectomy after alteplase versus alteplase-only.

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Background and hypothesis Intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase remains standard care prior to thrombectomy for eligible patients within 4.5 h of ischemic stroke onset. However, alteplase only succeeds in reperfusing large vessel arterial occlusion prior to thrombectomy in a minority of patients.

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Background: Trials of endovascular therapy for ischemic stroke have produced variable results. We conducted this study to test whether more advanced imaging selection, recently developed devices, and earlier intervention improve outcomes.

Methods: We randomly assigned patients with ischemic stroke who were receiving 0.

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Background And Hypothesis: Thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator is proven to reduce disability when given within 4·5 h of ischemic stroke onset. However, tissue plasminogen activator only succeeds in recanalizing large vessel arterial occlusion in a minority of patients. We hypothesized that anterior circulation ischemic stroke patients, selected with 'dual target' vessel occlusion and evidence of salvageable brain using computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging 'mismatch' within 4·5 h of onset, would have improved reperfusion and early neurological improvement when treated with intra-arterial clot retrieval after intravenous tissue plasminogen activator compared with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator alone.

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