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.

Medical demography at stroke centers: Current situation in France.

Introduction: Following the 2010-2014 French national stroke action plan, the number of stroke center (SC) has gradually increased in France, allowing a homogeneous coverage and access to neurovascular care in organized and territorially defined structures. However, operational difficulties within SCs have been progressively reported over the last few years. The objective of this study was to identify the medical staff shortages in SC that may contribute to these difficulties.

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.

Tenecteplase in acute ischemic stroke: Review of the literature and expert consensus from the French Neurovascular Society.

Background: Intravenous alteplase is the only thrombolytic treatment approved for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Although no randomized controlled trial (RCT) has shown the superiority of tenecteplase over alteplase in AIS, tenecteplase is increasingly used off-label in Stroke Units. The purpose of the present work was to provide an up-to-date set of expert consensus statements on the use of tenecteplase in AIS.

Is off-label thrombolysis safe and effective in a real-life primary stroke center? A retrospective analysis of data from a 5-year prospective database.

Background: Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) use for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) varies among countries, partly due to guidelines and product labeling changes. The study aim was to identify the characteristics of patients with AIS treated with off-label IVT and to determine its safety when performed in a primary stroke center (PSC).

Methods: This observational, single-center study included all consecutive patients admitted to Perpignan PSC for AIS and treated with IVT and patients transferred for EVT, between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2019.

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.

A regional strategy to decrease the time to thrombectomy in patients with low probability of treatment by thrombolysis.

Background And Purpose: The best transportation strategy for patients with suspected large vessel occlusion (LVO) is unknown. Here, we evaluated a new regional strategy of direct transportation to a Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) for patients with suspected LVO and low probability of receiving intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) at the nearest Primary Stroke Center (PSC).

Methods: Patients could be directly transported to the CSC (bypass group) if they met our pre-hospital bypass criteria: high LVO probability (i.

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.

Endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke at a primary stroke center: First results of the Perpignan center.

Introduction: Converting a high-volume primary stroke center (PSC) into a stroke center that can perform emergency endovascular treatment (EVT) could reduce the time to thrombectomy. We report the first results of a newly established EVT facility at the Perpignan PSC and their comparison with the targets defined by the established guidelines.

Patients And Method: For this comprehensive observational study, data of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to proximal large vessel occlusion (LVO) and treated by EVT at the Perpignan PSC from December 5, 2019 to September 15, 2020 were extracted from an ongoing prospective database.

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.

Predictors of Favorable Outcome after Endovascular Thrombectomy in MRI: Selected Patients with Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion.

Background And Purpose: Clinical outcomes after endovascular treatment for acute basilar artery occlusions need further investigation. Our aim was to analyze predictors of a 90-day good functional outcome defined as mRS 0-2 after endovascular treatment in MR imaging-selected patients with acute basilar artery occlusions.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed consecutive MR imaging-selected patients with acute basilar artery occlusions endovascularly treated within the first 24 hours after symptom onset.

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.