Endovascular therapy for acute vertebrobasilar occlusion (VERITAS): a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis.

Background: Trials of endovascular therapy for basilar artery occlusion, including vertebral occlusion extending into the basilar artery, have shown inconsistent results. We aimed to pool data to estimate safety and efficacy and to explore the benefit across pre-specified subgroups through individual patient data meta-analysis.

Methods: VERITAS was a systematic review and meta-analysis that pooled patient-level data from trials that recruited patients with vertebrobasilar ischaemic stroke who were randomly assigned to treatment with either endovascular therapy or standard medical treatment alone.

The doctor-patient perception mismatch: Improving approaches to assessing outcomes after ischemic stroke treated with reperfusion therapy.

The long-term effects of ischemic stroke on cognition and mental health are not reflected in traditional outcome metrics, like the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) for functional independence. Consequently, this may lead to mismatches in perceptions of overall recovery, despite otherwise qualifying as having good functional outcomes (mRS 0-2). In our multicenter, multinational analysis, we aim to describe the prevalence of, and factors associated with, patient-reported cognitive impairment despite achieving good functional outcomes.

EXCELLENT Registry: A Prospective, Multicenter, Global Registry of Endovascular Stroke Treatment With the EMBOTRAP Device.

Background: The EXCELLENT registry aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the EMBOTRAP Revascularization Device in an all-comer population in a real-world setting, with a focus on the composition of retrieved clots.

Methods: EXCELLENT is a prospective, global registry of patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with EMBOTRAP as the first-line mechanical thrombectomy device conducted at 34 sites (25 sites contributing clot) from September 2018 to March 2021, utilizing core imaging and central histology laboratories blinded to clinical data, independent 90-day modified Rankin Scale assessment and Clinical Events Committee.

Results: After screening 3799 patients, a total of 997 subjects (mean age, 70.

"Chopperlysis": The effect of helicopter transport on reperfusion and outcomes in large vessel occlusion strokes.

Background: In large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke patients transferred to a comprehensive stroke center for thrombectomy, spontaneous reperfusion may occur during transport, and anecdotally more frequently in patients transferred via helicopter than by ground. This pattern has been more often observed in conjunction with tenecteplase (TNK) treatment prior to helicopter transport. We aim to explore the "chopperlysis" effect-how helicopter transport, particularly with thrombolytics, may affect reperfusion and clinical outcomes.