Publications by authors named "Nicholas Liaw"

Background: The primary objective is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Stryker second generation Target Nano Coils in the treatment of ruptured and unruptured small (<7 mm) intracranial aneurysms.

Methods: The TARGET Registry is a prospective, two-arm study with independent medical event monitoring and core-lab adjudication. This paper describes the second arm of the TARGET registry.

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Anticoagulation with heparin is the current mainstay treatment for Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST). Endovascular treatment is increasingly being used to treat patients with CVST who are non-responsive to anticoagulation. These more aggressive interventions include catheter-based local chemical thrombolysis, balloon angioplasty and mechanical thrombectomy with uncertain safety and efficacy.

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The pathogenesis and natural history of intracranial aneurysm (IA) remains poorly understood. To this end, animal models with induced cerebral vessel lesions mimicking human aneurysms have provided the ability to greatly expand our understanding. In this review, we comprehensively searched the published literature to identify studies that endogenously induced IA formation in animals.

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Objective: To characterize my experience in the inpatient stroke service in an amusing fashion.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic broke out during my time as a stroke fellow. It was a unique experience.

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Background: Positive pivotal trials followed by guideline endorsement can be a major driver of change in US national medical practice patterns. We therefore analyzed national trends in the use and outcomes of mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion before and after the 2015 publication of pivotal trials and the US guideline update.

Methods: We analyzed the National Inpatient Sample from 2012-2016.

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Thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy have revolutionized the care of patients with acute ischemic stroke. The number of patients who can benefit from these treatments continues to increase as new studies demonstrate that not just time since stroke onset but also collateral circulation influences outcome. Technologies such as telestroke, mobile stroke units, and artificial intelligence are playing an increasing role in identifying and treating stroke.

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Objective: To evaluate trends in prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, and drug abuse) and cardiovascular diseases (carotid stenosis, chronic renal failure [CRF], and coronary artery disease [CAD]) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the United States.

Methods: We used the 2004-2014 National Inpatient Sample to compute weighted prevalence of each risk factor in hospitalized patients with AIS and used joinpoint regression to evaluate change in prevalence over time.

Results: Across the 2004-2014 period, 92.

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Bilateral common carotid artery (CCA) ligation in rabbits is a model for basilar terminus (BT) aneurysm formation. We asked if this model could be replicated in rats. Fourteen female Sprague Dawley rats underwent bilateral CCA ligation (n=8) or sham surgery (n=6).

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Background: Hemodynamic insults at arterial bifurcations are believed to play a critical role in initiating intracranial aneurysms. Recent studies in a rabbit model indicate that aneurysmal damage initiates under specific wall shear stress conditions when smooth muscle cells (SMCs) become pro-inflammatory and produce matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The mechanisms leading to SMC activation and MMP production during hemodynamic aneurysm initiation are unknown.

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Object: Hemodynamic insult has been speculated to be a key factor in intracranial aneurysm formation; however, it is unclear whether a sustained insult is necessary. The authors examined whether aneurysmal degradation would continue despite the normalization of wall shear stress (WSS) by adaptive outward vascular remodeling.

Methods: Twenty-five rabbits underwent either sham operation (5 animals) or bilateral common carotid artery ligation (20 animals) to augment basilar artery (BA) flow.

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