ORCID Profile
0000-0001-9447-5338
Current Organisation
Mount Sinai Hospital
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Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 24-01-2020
Abstract: There is a paucity of literature regarding treatment options for extracranial pseudoaneurysms of the internal carotid artery (ICA). To date, Pipeline Embolization Device (PED Medtronic Inc) use for the treatment of extracranial pseudoaneurysms of the ICA has only been reported from single-center case series. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of PED for the treatment of extracranial ICA pseudoaneurysms. This is a multicenter retrospective study involving 6 high-volume tertiary academic institutions in the United States. We analyzed patients with extracranial ICA pseudoaneurysms treated with PED between January 1, 2011, and January 1, 2019. Clinical assessment was performed pre- and postintervention using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and National Institution of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at a minimum of 4-mo follow-up. A total of 28 pseudoaneurysms with a mean diameter of 17.7 mm (range: 4.1-52.5 mm) were treated with PED in 24 patients at 6 participating centers. The mean age was 52.1 yr (17-73) ± 14.3 with 14 females and 10 males. At a mean of 21-mo (range 4-66 mo) follow-up, complete occlusion was achieved in 89% (n = 25/28), with near-complete occlusion (>90% occlusion) in the remainder. There were no periprocedural complications. Postprocedure NIHSS was 0 in 88% (n = 21/24) and 1 in 12% (n = 3/24) of patients, and mRS was 0 in 83% (n = 20/24) and 1 in 17% (n = 4/24) of patients. The treatment of extracranial ICA pseudoaneurysms with PED is safe and effective in selected patients. Randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies are needed to establish the role of flow ersion for ICA pseudoaneurysms.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 08-04-2021
DOI: 10.1177/19714009211008790
Abstract: A ranula is a mucus-filled salivary pseudocyst that forms in the floor of the mouth, commonly arising from the sublingual or submandibular salivary glands following obstruction or trauma. Complete excision of the injured gland and removal of the cyst content is the first-choice therapy, but has the potential for complications related to injury to nearby structures. As such, minimally invasive approaches such as percutaneous sclerotherapy have been investigated. We aim to contribute to the literature by assessing the efficacy and safety of our technique through our experience with 18 patients over the last decade. This retrospective study evaluated 18 patients with intraoral and plunging ranulas treated by percutaneous bleomycin ablation. The primary endpoint was the treatment result. Secondary endpoints included bleomycin dosage and complications. The study evaluated 12 males and six females with a median age of 23.5 years (range 13–39 years). At a final follow-up of at least 2 months (6.5±5.5 months), four patients demonstrated complete response (22%) and 14 patients demonstrated residual presence, recurrence, or regrowth of the lesion (78%). There were no statistically significant associations between outcomes and history of prior treatment, number of treatments, and size or type of ranula. No complications were noted. Our findings indicate that bleomycin, while safe for use in various head and neck malformations, is of limited utility in ranula therapy when the offending gland is not addressed primarily.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 15-02-2021
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 14-12-2020
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2020-016720
Abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) associated ischemic stroke has worse functional outcomes, less effective recanalization, and increased rates of hemorrhagic complications after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). Limited data exist about the effect of AF on procedural and clinical outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy (MT). To determine whether recanalization efficacy, procedural speed, and clinical outcomes differ in AF associated stroke treated with MT. We performed a retrospective cohort study of the Stroke Thrombectomy and Aneurysm Registry (STAR) from January 2015 to December 2018 and identified 4169 patients who underwent MT for an anterior circulation stroke, 1517 (36.4 %) of whom had comorbid AF. Prospectively defined baseline characteristics, procedural outcomes, and clinical outcomes were reported and compared. AF predicted faster procedural times, fewer passes, and higher rates of first pass success on multivariate analysis (p .01). AF had no effect on intracranial hemorrhage (aOR 0.69, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.12) or 90-day functional outcomes (aOR 1.17, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.50) after MT, although patients with AF were less likely to receive IVT (46% vs 54%, p .0001). In patients treated with MT, comorbid AF is associated with faster procedural time, fewer passes, and increased rates of first pass success without increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage or worse functional outcomes. These results are in contrast to the increased hemorrhage rates and worse functional outcomes observed in AF associated stroke treated with supportive care and or IVT. These data suggest that MT negates the AF penalty in ischemic stroke.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 02-2021
DOI: 10.2147/OPTH.S272126
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 16-07-2022
DOI: 10.1177/19714009211030526
Abstract: Acute ischemic stroke has increasingly become a procedural disease following the demonstrated benefit of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) on clinical outcomes and tissue salvage in randomized trials. Given these data and anecdotal experience of decreased numbers of decompressive hemicraniectomies (DHCs) performed for malignant cerebral edema, we sought to correlate the numbers of strokes, thrombectomies, and DHCs performed over the timeline of the 2013 failed thrombolysis/thrombectomy trials, to the 2015 modern randomized MT trials, to post-DAWN and DEFUSE 3. This is a multicenter retrospective compilation of patients who presented with ELVO in 11 US high-volume comprehensive stroke centers. Rates of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), thrombectomy, and DHC were determined by current procedural terminology code, and specificity to acute ischemic stroke confirmed by each institution. Endpoints included the incidence of stroke, thrombectomy, and DHC and rates of change over time. Between 2013 and 2018, there were 55,247 stroke admissions across 11 participating centers. Of these, 6145 received tPA, 4122 underwent thrombectomy, and 662 patients underwent hemicraniectomy. The trajectories of procedure rates over time were modeled and there was a significant change in MT rate ( p = 0.002) without a concomitant change in the total number of stroke admissions, tPA administration rate, or rate of DHC. This real-world study confirms an increase in thrombectomy performed for ELVO while demonstrating stable rates of stroke admission, tPA administration and DHC. Unlike prior studies, increasing thrombectomy rates were not associated with decreased utilization of hemicraniectomy.
Publisher: Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group (JNSPG)
Date: 05-2017
Abstract: Fusiform aneurysms are uncommon compared with their saccular counterparts, yet they remain very challenging to treat and are associated with high rates of rebleeding and morbidity. Lack of a true aneurysm neck renders simple clip reconstruction or coil embolization usually impossible, and more advanced techniques are required, including bypass, stent-assisted coiling, and, more recently, flow ersion. In this article, the authors review posterior circulation fusiform aneurysms, including pathogenesis, natural history, and endovascular treatment, including the role of flow ersion. In addition, the authors propose an algorithm for treatment based on their practice.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 14-11-2022
DOI: 10.1177/15910199221138139
Abstract: Endovascular thrombectomy(EVT) is the standard of care for large vessel occlusion(LVO) stroke. Data on technical and clinical outcome in proximal medium vessel occlusions(pMeVOs) comparing frontline techniques remain limited. We report an international multicenter retrospective study of patients undergoing EVT for stroke at 32 centers between 2015–2021. Patients were ided into LVOs(ICA/M1/Vertebrobasilar) or pMeVOs(M2/A1/P1) and categorized by thrombectomy technique. Primary outcome was 90-day good functional outcome(mRS ≤ 2). Multivariate logistic regressions were used to evaluate the impact of technical variables on clinical outcomes. Propensity score matching was used to compare outcome in patients with pMeVO treated with aspiration versus stent-retriever. In the cohort of 5977 LVO and 1287 pMeVO patients, pMeVO did not independently predict good-outcome(p = 0.55). In pMeVO patients, successful recanalization irrespective of frontline technique(aOR = 3.2,p 0.05), procedure time ≤ 1-h(aOR = 2.2,p 0.05), and thrombectomy attempts ≤ 4(aOR = 2.8,p 0.05) were independent predictors of good-outcomes. In a propensity-matched cohort of aspiration versus stent-retriever pMeVO patients, there was no difference in good-outcomes. The rates of hemorrhage were higher(9%vs.4%,p 0.01) and procedure time longer(51-min vs. 33-min,p 0.01) with stent-retriever, while the number of attempts was higher with aspiration(2.5vs.2,p 0.01). Rates of hemorrhage and good-outcome showed an exponential relationship to procedural metrics, and were more dependent on time in the aspiration group compared to attempts in the stent-retriever group. Clinical outcomes following EVT for pMeVO are comparable to those in LVOs. The golden hour or 3-pass rules in LVO thrombectomy still apply to pMeVO thrombectomy. Different techniques may exhibit different futility metrics SR thrombectomy was more influenced by attempts whereas aspiration was more dependent on procedure time.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 14-10-2022
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 21-01-2021
Publisher: Korean Stroke Society
Date: 30-09-2023
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 08-07-2021
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2021-017888
Abstract: The purpose of this guideline is to summarize the data available for performing mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) stroke in special populations not typically included in large randomized controlled clinical trials, including children, the elderly, pregnant women, patients who have recently undergone surgery, and patients with thrombocytopenia, collagen vascular disorders, and endocarditis. We performed a literature review for studies examining the indications, efficacy, and outcomes for patients undergoing MT for ischemic stroke aged years and years, pregnant patients, patients who have recently undergone surgery, and those with thrombocytopenia, collagen vascular diseases, or endocarditis. We graded the quality of the evidence. MT can be effective for the treatment of ELVO in ischemic stroke for patients over age 80 years and under age 18 years, thrombocytopenic patients, pregnant patients, and patients with endocarditis. While outcomes are worse compared to younger patients and those with normal platelet counts (respectively), there is still a benefit in the elderly (in both mRS and mortality). Data are very limited for patients with collagen vascular diseases although diagnostic cerebral angiography carries increased risks, MT may be appropriate in carefully selected patients in whom untreated ELVO would likely result in disabling or fatal outcome.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 04-07-2015
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2014-011286.REP
Abstract: Cervical-petrous internal carotid artery (CP-ICA) pseudoaneurysms are rare and have different etiologies, presentations, and treatment options. A middle-aged patient with a history of chronic otitis media presented with acute otorrhagia and was found to have a left-sided CP-ICA pseudoaneurysm. The patient was a poor surgical candidate with difficult arterial access. The pseudoaneurysm was treated with stand-alone coiling via a left brachial approach with persistent contrast filling seen only in the aneurysm neck at the end of the procedure. The patient re-presented 12 days later with repeat hemorrhage and rapid enlargement of the neck remnant, and was treated with a covered stent via a transcervical common carotid artery cut-down. A covered stent may provide a more definitive treatment for CP-ICA pseudoaneurysms compared with standalone coiling.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 13-04-2021
DOI: 10.3389/FNEUR.2021.637551
Abstract: Introduction: Penumbra SMART COIL® (SMART) System is a novel generation embolic coil with varying stiffness. The study purpose was to report real-world usage of the SMART System in patients with intracranial aneurysms (ICA) and non-aneurysm vascular lesions. Materials and Methods: The SMART Registry is a post-market, prospective, multicenter registry requiring ≥75% Penumbra Coils, including SMART, PC400, and/or POD coils. The primary efficacy endpoint was retreatment rate at 1-year and the primary safety endpoint was the procedural device-related serious adverse event rate. Results: Between June 2016 and August 2018, 995 patients (mean age 59.6 years, 72.1% female) were enrolled at 68 sites in the U.S. and Canada. Target lesions were intracranial aneurysms in 91.0% of patients 63.5% were wide-neck and 31.8% were ruptured. Adjunctive devices were used in 55.2% of patients. Mean packing density was 32.3%. Procedural device-related serious adverse events occurred in 2.6% of patients. The rate of immediate post-procedure adequate occlusion was 97.1% in aneurysms and the rate of complete occlusion was 85.2% in non-aneurysms. At 1-year, the retreatment rate was 6.8%, Raymond Roy Occlusion Classification (RROC) I or II was 90.0% for aneurysms, and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2 was achieved in 83.1% of all patients. Predictors of 1-year for RROC III or retreatment (incomplete occlusion) were rupture status ( P & 0.0001), balloon-assisted coiling ( P = 0.0354), aneurysm size ( P = 0.0071), and RROC III immediate post-procedure ( P = 0.0086) in a model that also included bifurcation aneurysm ( P = 0.7788). Predictors of aneurysm retreatment at 1-year was rupture status ( P & 0.0001). Conclusions: Lesions treated with SMART System coils achieved low long-term retreatment rates. Clinical Trial Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov/ , identifier NCT02729740.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 09-06-2017
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2017-013147
Abstract: There are few published data evaluating the incidence of mechanical thrombectomy among stroke centers or the times at which they occur. A multicenter retrospective study was performed to identify all patients undergoing emergent thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke during a 3-month period (June through August 2016). Consultations that did not undergo thrombectomy were not included. Ten institutions participated in the study. During the 92-day study period, a total of 189 patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy. The average number of procedures per hospital over the study period was 18.9 (average of 0.2 cases per day per or 75.6 cases per year). This ranged from 0.09 cases per day at the lowest volume center to 0.49 cases per day at the highest volume center. Procedures were more common on weekdays (p .001) and during non-work hours (p .001). The most common period for thrombectomy procedures was between 20:00 and 21:00 hours. The median time from notification to groin puncture was 84 min (IQR 56–145 min) and from puncture to closure was 57 min (IQR 33–80 min). The median time from imaging completion to procedural start was 52 min longer for non-work hours than during work hours (p .001). There were no differences in procedural length based on day of the week or time of day. These findings indicate that the majority of mechanical thrombectomy cases occur during non-work hours, with associated off-hours delays, which has important operational implications for hospitals implementing stroke call coverage.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 12-09-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2023
Publisher: Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group (JNSPG)
Date: 08-2022
DOI: 10.3171/2021.10.JNS211942
Abstract: Numerous techniques have been developed to treat wide-neck aneurysms (WNAs), each with different safety and efficacy profiles. Few studies have compared endovascular therapy (EVT) with microsurgery (MS). The authors’ objective was to perform a prospective multicenter study of a WNA registry using rigorous outcome assessments and to compare EVT and MS using propensity score analysis (PSA). Unruptured, saccular, not previously treated WNAs were included. WNA was defined as an aneurysm with a neck width ≥ 4 mm or a dome-to-neck ratio (DTNR) 2. The primary outcome was modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 1 year after treatment (good outcome was defined as mRS score 0–2), as assessed by blinded research nurses and compared with PSA. Angiographic outcome was assessed using the Raymond scale with core laboratory review (adequate occlusion was defined as Raymond scale score 1–2). The analysis included 224 unruptured aneurysms in the EVT cohort (n = 140) and MS cohort (n = 84). There were no differences in baseline demographic characteristics, such as proportion of patients with good baseline mRS score (94.3% of the EVT cohort vs 94.0% of the MS cohort, p = 0.941). WNA inclusion criteria were similar between cohorts, with the most common being both neck width ≥ 4 mm and DTNR 2 (50.7% of the EVT cohort vs 50.0% of the MS cohort, p = 0.228). More paraclinoid (32.1% vs 9.5%) and basilar tip (7.1% vs 3.6%) aneurysms were treated with EVT, whereas more middle cerebral artery (13.6% vs 42.9%) and pericallosal (1.4% vs 4.8%) aneurysms were treated with MS (p 0.001). EVT aneurysms were slightly larger (p = 0.040), and MS aneurysms had a slightly lower mean DTNR (1.4 for the EVT cohort vs 1.3 for the MS cohort, p = 0.010). Within the EVT cohort, 9.3% of patients underwent stand-alone coiling, 17.1% balloon-assisted coiling, 34.3% stent-assisted coiling, 37.1% flow ersion, and 2.1% PulseRider-assisted coiling. Neurological morbidity secondary to a procedural complication was more common in the MS cohort (10.3% vs 1.4%, p = 0.003). One-year mRS scores were assessed for 218 patients (97.3%), and no significantly increased risk of poor clinical outcome was found for the MS cohort (OR 2.17, 95% CI 0.84–5.60, p = 0.110). In an unadjusted direct comparison, more patients in the EVT cohort achieved a good clinical outcome at 1 year (93.4% vs 84.1%, p = 0.048). Final adequate angiographic outcome was superior in the MS cohort (97.6% of the MS cohort vs 86.5% of the EVT cohort, p = 0.007). Although the treatments for unruptured WNA had similar clinical outcomes according to PSA, there were fewer complications and superior clinical outcome in the EVT cohort and superior angiographic outcomes in the MS cohort according to the unadjusted analysis. These results may be considered when selecting treatment modalities for patients with unruptured WNAs.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2021
DOI: 10.1016/J.WNEU.2021.08.043
Abstract: The Prospective, Multicenter Registry Assessing the Embolization of Neurovascular Lesions Using the Penumbra SMART COIL® System (SMART) is the largest prospective, multicenter, postmarket registry established to gather real-world experience on Penumbra (Alameda, USA) SMART COIL System, PC400, and POD embolization coils. The goal of this study is to report the technical success and efficacy of SMART COIL System coils in treating saccular intracranial aneurysms. This subgroup analysis from the SMART registry included patients with saccular intracranial aneurysms treated using ≥75% SMART COIL System or PC400 coils. Baseline and procedural data, angiographic data, and clinical outcomes were collected. Predictors of catheter kickout, packing density, and postprocedural angiographic outcome were analyzed using multivariable regression models in saccular aneurysm cases. Between June 2016 and August 2018, the SMART registry enrolled 995 patients at 68 sites, of which 851 of 995 (85.5%) were treated for saccular aneurysms (mean age, 59.9 years). Aneurysms had a mean size of 6.8 mm, were wide neck in 63.1%, and ruptured in 31.0% of patients. Mean aneurysm packing density was 32.3%. Postprocedural Raymond-Roy Occlusion Classification (RROC) I-II was achieved in 80.3% of patients smaller aneurysms, non-wide-neck aneurysms, and high packing density were predictive of RROC I-II. Overall, mean fluoroscopic time was 43.4 minutes, rate of reaccess attempts because of catheter kickout was 6.2%, and mean procedure time was 83.2 minutes. SMART COIL System coils achieved good technical success and adequate occlusion in treating saccular intracranial aneurysms in a real-world setting.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 20-11-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2021
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 20-11-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.NIC.2016.03.009
Abstract: Key differences exist in the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation of vascular lesions of the cerebellum in children versus adults. An understanding of these differences and an appreciation of the distinct imaging features of these lesions aid in distinguishing normal vascular variations from pathology, in predicting lesion etiology, and in directing effective treatment strategies. This paper reviews the embryogenesis of the normal vascular system of the cerebellum and brainstem and then discusses the clinical and imaging features of the common vascular lesions affecting these structures in the pediatric population.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 13-11-2020
DOI: 10.1111/JON.12677
Abstract: We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of an ultrafast whole head contrast-enhanced MRA (CE-MRA) in morphometric assessment of intracranial aneurysms in comparison to routinely used time-of-flight (TOF)-MRA. In this prospective single institutional study, patients with known untreated intracranial aneurysm underwent MRA. Routine multislab TOF-MRA was obtained with a 3D voxel sizes of .6 × .6 × 1 (6-minute acquisition time). CE-MRA of whole head was obtained using Differential Subs ling with Cartesian Ordering (DISCO) and 2D Auto-calibrating Reconstruction for Cartesian imaging with a 3D voxel-sizes of .75 × .75 × 1 mm A total of 34 aneurysms in 28 patients were included. Aneurysm size measurements (mean ± SD) were similar between DISCO-MRA (4.1 ± 2.3 mm) and TOF-MRA (4.3 ± 2.8 mm) (P = .27). Bland-Altman analysis showed a mean difference of .4 mm and there was excellent correlation r = .91 (95% CI: .87-.96). In six aneurysms (17.6%), TOF-MRA was nonconfidant to exclude intraluminal thrombosis. In seven aneurysms (20%), TOF-MRA was unable or nonconfidant in depicting aneurysm sac morphology. Described ultrafast high spatial-resolution MRA is superior to routinely used TOF-MRA in assessment of morphometric features of intracranial aneurysms, such as intraluminal thrombosis and aneurysm morphology, and is obtained in a fraction of the time (6 seconds).
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 15-09-2023
Publisher: S. Karger AG
Date: 2021
DOI: 10.1159/000515320
Abstract: b i Background and Purpose: /i /b Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the importance of time to endovascular therapy (EVT) in clinical outcomes in large vessel occlusion (LVO) acute ischemic stroke. Delays to treatment are particularly prevalent when patients require a transfer from hospitals without EVT capability onsite. A computer-aided triage system, Viz LVO, has the potential to streamline workflows. This platform includes an image viewer, a communication system, and an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm that automatically identifies suspected LVO strokes on CTA imaging and rapidly triggers alerts. We hypothesize that the Viz application will decrease time-to-treatment, leading to improved clinical outcomes. b i Methods: /i /b A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was assessed for patients who presented to a stroke center currently utilizing Viz LVO and underwent EVT following transfer for LVO stroke between July 2018 and March 2020. Time intervals and clinical outcomes were compared for 55 patients ided into pre- and post-Viz cohorts. b i Results: /i /b The median initial door-to-neuroendovascular team (NT) notification time interval was significantly faster (25.0 min [IQR = 12.0] vs. 40.0 min [IQR = 61.0] i /i = 0.01) with less variation ( i /i & #x3c 0.05) following Viz LVO implementation. The median initial door-to-skin puncture time interval was 25 min shorter in the post-Viz cohort, although this was not statistically significant ( i /i = 0.15). b i Conclusions: /i /b Preliminary results have shown that Viz LVO implementation is associated with earlier, more consistent NT notification times. This application can serve as an early warning system and a failsafe to ensure that no LVO is left behind.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 07-09-2020
Publisher: American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR)
Date: 27-07-2017
DOI: 10.3174/AJNR.A5309
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 05-2023
DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.122.041488
Abstract: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is associated with high rate of morbidity and mortality. We aimed to assess prognostic impact of sex, race, and ethnicity in these patients. Nationwide Inpatient S le (2000–2019) was used to identify patients presenting with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage as primary diagnosis. Patient age, sex, race/ethnicity, insurance status, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, type of the hospital, and treatment modality used for aneurysm repair were extracted. The previously validated Nationwide Inpatient S le Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Severity Scale was used to estimate the clinical severity. Discharge destination and in-hospital mortality was used as outcome measured. The impact of race/ethnicity and sex on clinical outcome was analyzed using multivariate regression models. A total of 161 086 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were identified. Mean age was 55.0±13.8 years. Sixty-nine percent of the patients were female, 60% White patients, and 17% Black patients. There was no difference in the Nationwide Inpatient S le Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Severity Scale score between the 2 sexes. Women had significantly lower odds of good clinical outcome (defined as discharge to home or acute rehabilitation facility RR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.74–0.94] P =0.004). Hispanic patients (RR, 1.12 [95% CI, 1.07–1.17] P .001) had higher odds of excellent clinical outcome compared with White patients, and lower risk of mortality were observed in Black patients (RR, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.66–0.81]) and Hispanic patients (RR, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.70–0.86]) compared with the White patients. In this nationally representative study, women were less likely to have excellent outcomes following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, and White patients had disproportionately higher likelihood of worse clinical outcomes. Lower rates of mortality were seen among Black and Hispanic patients.
Publisher: Scientific Scholar
Date: 21-04-2023
Abstract: Endovascular aneurysmal coiling is a preventative alternative to clipping to avoid aneurysmal rupture. In the literature and our own experience, some common coiling challenges which arise include: (1) microcatheter kickback, (2) detachment zone rigidity, (3) intrasaccular compartmentalization of coils on deployment, and (4) attainability of high-density and effective packing with as few coils as possible. We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive case series of 15 intracranial aneurysm patients who received Kaneka i-ED Coils since their initial use in our practice (December 2020) till May 2022. Of the 14 saccular aneurysm patients treated with i-ED coils, 2/14 (14.3%) achieved a Raymond-Roy (RR) score of 3A (internal remnant), 4/14 (28.6%) achieved RR 2 (slight neck remnant) and 8/14 (57.1%) achieved RR 1. One MoyaMoya patient (5.9%) with a fusiform aneurysm also achieved a complete occlusion by parent artery takedown in this series. Aneurysm volumes ranged from 8.15 mm 3 to 315.5 mm 3 with an average packing density of 36.23% and a standard deviation 8.87%. At 30 days, most of our cohort scored a 0 on the modified Rankin scale (mRS) (11/15), with two patients scoring at an mRS score of 1, one at an mRS score of 4, and one at an mRS score of 6. Low-memory shape, coil cases achieved a significantly higher packing density ( P 0.01) and PD/Coils-used ratio ( P 0.05) than other cases in our practice. Our initial experience with i-ED coils has shown that they are a feasible strategy in a number of differently sized and shaped aneurysms. While fewer coils overall were not a statistically significant finding in this study, the future studies with larger cohorts are necessary and in progress.
Publisher: Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group (JNSPG)
Date: 07-2022
Abstract: Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the superiority of endovascular therapy (EVT) compared to microsurgery (MS) for ruptured aneurysms suitable for treatment or when therapy is broadly offered to all presenting aneurysms however, wide neck aneurysms (WNAs) are a challenging subset that require more advanced techniques and warrant further investigation. Herein, the authors sought to investigate a prospective, multicenter WNA registry using rigorous outcome assessments and compare EVT and MS using propensity score analysis (PSA). Untreated, ruptured, saccular WNAs were included in the analysis. A WNA was defined as having a neck ≥ 4 mm or a dome/neck ratio (DNR) 2. The primary outcome was the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 1 year posttreatment, as assessed by blinded research nurses (good outcome: mRS scores 0–2) and compared using PSA. The analysis included 87 ruptured aneurysms: 55 in the EVT cohort and 32 in the MS cohort. Demographics were similar in the two cohorts, including Hunt and Hess grade (p = 0.144) and modified Fisher grade (p = 0.475). WNA type inclusion criteria were similar in the two cohorts, with the most common type having a DNR 2 (EVT 60.0% vs MS 62.5%). More anterior communicating artery aneurysms (27.3% vs 18.8%) and posterior circulation aneurysms (18.2% vs 0.0%) were treated with EVT, whereas more middle cerebral artery aneurysms were treated with MS (34.4% vs 18.2%, p = 0.025). Within the EVT cohort, 43.6% underwent stand-alone coiling, 50.9% balloon-assisted coiling, 3.6% stent-assisted coiling, and 1.8% flow ersion. The 1-year mRS score was assessed in 81 patients (93.1%), and the primary outcome demonstrated no increased risk for a poor outcome with MS compared to EVT (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.13–1.45, p = 0.177). The durability of MS was higher, as evidenced by retreatment rates of 12.7% and 0% for EVT and MS, respectively (p = 0.04). EVT and MS had similar clinical outcomes at 1 year following ruptured WNA treatment. Because of their challenging anatomy, WNAs may represent a population in which EVT’s previously demonstrated superiority for ruptured aneurysm treatment is less relevant. Further investigation into the treatment of ruptured WNAs is warranted.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.WNEU.2016.05.029
Abstract: Recent decades have seen a rapid expansion of involvement of medical students in biomedical research during medical school training. Research within medical school has been shown to influence medical students with regard to medical knowledge, career development, and residency specialty choice. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of neurosurgery medical student research grants on neurosurgery residency choice and provide an insight on the demographics of grant awardees. In this retrospective study, a search of award recipients was performed using data available on the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation websites. Searched years included the first cycle of American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (2007) and Council of State Neurosurgical Societies/Congress of Neurological Surgeons (2008-2009) grant awards until the 2015-2016 cycle, which is the latest award cycle to date. The initial search yielded 163 research grants that were awarded to 158 students between the years of 2007 and 2016. Among the 163 grant recipients, 126 (77.3%) were men. Among the 88 recipients who entered postgraduate residency programs, 51% (45 of 88) matched into neurosurgery residency. When considering both neurosurgery and neurology residency programs, the percentage increased to 59.1% (52 of 88). Neurosurgery grants for medical students are highly successful in producing future neurosurgeons with >50% of grant recipients matched into neurosurgery. Women are underrepresented in neurosurgery grants and neurosurgery residency programs. This situation can be improved by providing insight about the field early in medical school, perhaps through increased use of neurosurgery medical student grants.
Publisher: American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR)
Date: 26-08-2021
DOI: 10.3174/AJNR.A7260
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 17-09-2019
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2019-014944
Abstract: Postprocedural thrombosis is a rare complication after flow erting stent (FD) implantation for aneurysm treatment with few reported cases in the literature. Management strategies and outcomes associated with this complication have not been reported. A multicenter retrospective series of cases of acute postprocedural FD thrombosis were compiled and prevalence was calculated based on procedural volumes over a 7 year period. Acute postprocedural FD thrombosis was defined as the development of neurologic deficit with angiographic imaging demonstrating acute thrombus within the index FD stent at least 2 hours following completion of the implantation procedure. A total of 10 cases of postprocedural thrombosis were identified at five participating centers among a total of 768 patients treated (prevalence 1.3%). Thrombosis occurred a median of 5.5 days after implantation (range 0–83 days). 9/10 patients underwent emergent angiography with intent to perform endovascular reperfusion. A variety of different endovascular treatments were used, including aspiration thrombectomy, retrievable stent thrombectomy, balloon angioplasty, and intra-arterial thrombolytic infusion, without any procedural complications. There were no instances of FD migration, stent kinking, or aneurysm rupture. 90% of patients achieved Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2B or greater revascularization. Favorable clinical outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2) at 3 months were achieved in 88% of patients. Acute postprocedural thrombosis of an FD is a rare complication that occurs in approximately 1–2% of patients after aneurysm treatment. Patients presenting with acute postprocedural FD thrombosis should be aggressively managed using large vessel occlusion thrombectomy techniques, as good angiographic and clinical outcomes are possible.
Publisher: American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR)
Date: 14-08-2019
DOI: 10.3174/AJNR.A6170
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 11-04-2019
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2018-014624
Abstract: Thrombectomy for anterior large vessel occlusion less than 24 hours since last known well is now standard of care. Certain aspects of clinical trials may limit generalizability to ’real-world' practice. To compare revascularization rates and outcomes for direct aspiration (ADAPT) and stent retriever thrombectomy following anterior acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in a real-life setting. Data from the most recent 20 consecutive patients with AIS treated with mechanical thrombectomy between 2015 and 2016 were collected from 15 high-volume stroke centers across North America for a total of 300 cases. Patients with proximal anterior large vessel occlusions were dichotomized by primary treatment technique. Ordinal logistic regression assessed the effects of clinical variables on patient disability using 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores. Adequate revascularization (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction ≥2b) was ultimately achieved in 91.2% of first-line direct aspiration (ADAPT) cases with an average of 1.9±1.9 passes and in 87.5% of stent retriever cases with an average of 1.7±1.0 passes. Time from groin puncture to revascularization was shorter for ADAPT cases. The mean 90-day mRS score for both groups was 3.0±2.4. Number of passes using primary technique, and postintervention intracranial hemorrhage, were significant predictors of 90-day mRS scores after ADAPT, while age and preprocedure mRS score were predictive of outcomes following first-line stent retriever. Our data show similar adequate revascularization rates and 90-day functional outcomes for first-line direct aspiration and stent retrievers for anterior large vessel occlusion in a real-world setting. These results support the findings of other prospective trials evaluating the two techniques.
Publisher: American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR)
Date: 06-2022
DOI: 10.3174/AJNR.A7532
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 15-10-2021
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2020-016780.REP
Abstract: Two patients, separated by 1 year, underwent mechanical thrombectomy using next generation, highly navigable 0.088-inch large bore catheters, which were navigated to and aspirated within the M1 middle cerebral artery segment. Case 1 demonstrates the first reported clinical application of this technique used in conjunction with stent retriever and direct aspiration through an intermediate catheter, resulting in modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) score 3 recanalisation, and a 90-day modified Rankin Score of 1. In case 2, direct on-clot aspiration was applied through a 0.088-inch guide catheter in the left M1 segment, resulting in mTICI score 3 recanalisation and a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 1 at discharge. There was no evidence of untoward events in either case. Advancement of a 0.088-inch catheter into the M1 segment offers potential benefits to thrombectomy by improving device-thrombus interaction, inducing local flow arrest and protecting proximal vessels from embolus to new territories.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 09-2020
DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.030397
Abstract: The 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak and its associated disease (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) have created a worldwide pandemic. Early data suggest higher rate of ischemic stroke in severe COVID-19 infection. We evaluated whether a relationship exists between emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) and the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. This is a retrospective, observational case series. Data were collected from all patients who presented with ELVO to the Mount Sinai Health System Hospitals across New York City during the peak 3 weeks of hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Patients’ demographic, comorbid conditions, cardiovascular risk factors, COVID-19 disease status, and clinical presentation were extracted from the electronic medical record. Comparison was made between COVID-19 positive and negative cohorts. The incidence of ELVO stroke was compared with the pre-COVID period. Forty-five consecutive ELVO patients presented during the observation period. Fifty-three percent of patients tested positive for COVID-19. Total patients’ mean (±SD) age was 66 (±17). Patients with COVID-19 were significantly younger than patients without COVID-19, 59±13 versus 74±17 (odds ratio [95% CI], 0.94 [0.81–0.98] P =0.004). Seventy-five percent of patients with COVID-19 were male compared with 43% of patients without COVID-19 (odds ratio [95% CI], 3.99 [1.12–14.17] P =0.032). Patients with COVID-19 were less likely to be White (8% versus 38% [odds ratio (95% CI), 0.15 (0.04–0.81) P =0.027]). In comparison to a similar time duration before the COVID-19 outbreak, a 2-fold increase in the total number of ELVO was observed (estimate: 0.78 [95% CI, 0.47–1.08], P ≤0.0001). More than half of the ELVO stroke patients during the peak time of the New York City’s COVID-19 outbreak were COVID-19 positive, and those patients with COVID-19 were younger, more likely to be male, and less likely to be White. Our findings also suggest an increase in the incidence of ELVO stroke during the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 06-2018
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2018-013771
Abstract: BRANCH (wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms of the middle cerebral artery and basilar apex treated by endovascular techniques) is a multicentre, retrospective study comparing core lab evaluation of angiographic outcomes with self-reported outcomes. Consecutive patients were enrolled from 10 US centres, aged between 18 and 85 with unruptured wide-neck middle cerebral artery (MCA) or basilar apex aneurysms treated endovascularly. Patient demographics, aneurysm morphology, procedural information, mortality and morbidity data and core lab and self-reported modified Raymond Roy (RR) outcomes were obtained. 115 patients met inclusion criteria. Intervention-related mortality and significant morbidity rates were 1.7% (2/115) and 5.8% (6/103) respectively. Core lab adjudicated RR1 and 2 occlusion rates at follow-up were 30.6% and 32.4% respectively. The retreatment rate within the follow-up window was 10/115 (8.7%) and in stent stenosis at follow-up was 5/63 (7.9%). Self-reporting shows a statistically significant direction to angiographic RR one outcomes at follow-up compared with core lab evaluation, with OR 1.75 (95% CI 1.08 to 2.83). Endovascular treatment of wide-neck MCA and basilar apex aneurysms resulted in a core lab adjudicated RR1 occlusion rate of 30.6%. Self-reported results at follow-up favour better angiographic outcomes, with OR 1.75 (95% CI 1.08 to 2.83). These data demonstrate the need for novel endovascular devices specifically designed to treat complex intracranial aneurysms, as well as the importance of core lab adjudication in assessing outcomes in such a trial.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 15-07-2022
DOI: 10.1177/15910199221112200
Abstract: Transradial access (TRA) for diagnostic and interventional neurointerventional procedures has recently gained traction over transfemoral access (TFA) in the neurointerventional community. This meta-analysis aims to assess and summarize the utility of TRA in cerebral angiography and neurointerventional procedures. A systematic literature review was performed utilizing Pubmed, Embase, and Scopus databases. Using PRISMA guidelines, records were extracted with the following search terms: transradial approach, transradial access, radial access, cerebral angiogram, cerebral angiography, neurointervention, and neuroendovascular. The primary outcomes assessed were case success rate, complication rate, and crossover rate from TRA to TFA. Secondary analysis was performed on procedure time, fluoroscopy time, fluoroscopy time per vessel (diagnostic procedures only), contrast dose, radial artery diameter, distal radial artery diameter, and patient preference for TRA over TFA. Sixty-two full-text articles were analyzed for this meta-analysis, representing 12,927 diagnostic and interventional TRA access patients. Our analysis revealed a combined diagnostic and interventional case success rate of 95.9% and complication rate of 3.5%, with crossover to TFA occurring in 4.9% of cases. This meta-analysis demonstrates that TRA access for diagnostic angiography and neurointerventional procedures is a safe and effective approach, though determining a true complication rate is challenging as the definition of TRA complications has changed in various publications over time.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 10-2020
Abstract: Two patients, separated by 1 year, underwent mechanical thrombectomy using next generation, highly navigable 0.088-inch large bore catheters, which were navigated to and aspirated within the M1 middle cerebral artery segment. Case 1 demonstrates the first reported clinical application of this technique used in conjunction with stent retriever and direct aspiration through an intermediate catheter, resulting in modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) score 3 recanalisation, and a 90-day modified Rankin Score of 1. In case 2, direct on-clot aspiration was applied through a 0.088-inch guide catheter in the left M1 segment, resulting in mTICI score 3 recanalisation and a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 1 at discharge. There was no evidence of untoward events in either case. Advancement of a 0.088-inch catheter into the M1 segment offers potential benefits to thrombectomy by improving device-thrombus interaction, inducing local flow arrest and protecting proximal vessels from embolus to new territories.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 23-06-2022
DOI: 10.1177/19714009221111089
Abstract: There is little evidence in scientific literature assessing the safety and efficacy of dual-lumen balloon catheters (DLBCs) and their performance compared to single-lumen catheters (SLCs). In this PROSPERO-registered, PRISMA-compliant systematic review, we identified all MEDLINE and EMBASE single-arm (DLBCs) and double-arm (DLBCs vs SLCs) cohorts where DLBCs were used for the treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) or dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs). Immediate angiographic outcome, vascular complications, technical failures, reflux episodes and entrapment were the primary outcomes. A meta-analysis of the double-arm studies summarized the primary outcomes of total procedural time and immediate angiographic outcome. The authors identified 18 studies encompassing 209 treated lesions with reported outcomes. Complete occlusion was achieved in 108/132 treated dAVFs (81.8%, 95% CI: [74–87.8%]) and in 45/77 treated AVMs (58.4%, [46.7–69.4%]). The proportion of completely occluded dAVFs was statistically significantly higher than that of AVMs, p .001. There were eight reported vascular complications (3.8%, [1.8–7.7%]), five technical failures (2.4%, [0.9–5.8%]), 14 reflux events (6.7%, [3.9–11.2%]), two entrapment events (1%, [0.2–3.8%]) and 0 deaths (mortality rate 0%, [0–2.3%]). In a meta-analysis for the treatment of dAVFs, the total procedural time was significantly less for DLBCs compared to SLCs (64.9 vs 125.7 min, p .0001). The odds of complete immediate occlusion were significantly higher with DLBCs compared to SLCs (odds ratio (OR) 4.6, [1.5–14.3], p = .008). Dual-lumen balloon catheters are safe and effective for the embolization of cerebral AVMs and dAVFs and can achieve faster and potentially superior results compared to SLCs. www.crd.york.ac.uk rospero/ Unique Identifier: CRD42021269096
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 31-01-2022
DOI: 10.1177/19714009211059115
Abstract: Multiple de novo brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVM) have been reported in the literature, raising questions about the contended purely congenital nature of these lesions. We present the 15-year course of a pediatric patient, who initially presented at age 5 with a thalamic cavernous malformation and was treated with radiosurgery, and then subsequently developed a thalamic de novo bAVM immediately adjacent to the initial lesion location, discovered 2 years later. Treatment of the bAVM entailed two transarterial embolizations and one radiosurgery session which ultimately led to complete angiographic resolution. Finally, this patient’s course was complicated by intraparenchymal hemorrhage and acute obstructive hydrocephalus, and further imaging revealed two newly formed cavernous malformations, also associated with the initial lesion’s location, that have remained stable since their formation. This case likely represents the second-hit model for the formation of vascular malformations, as sparsely supported by the current literature. According to this, genetically aberrant, yet quiescent, brain areas might promote the de novo formation of vascular malformations after brain injury, including radiation.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 08-09-2020
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2020-016474
Abstract: The off-hour effect has been observed in the medical care of acute ischemic stroke. However, it remains unclear if time of arrival affects revascularization rates and outcomes after endovascular therapy (EVT) for emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO). We aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of EVT between on-hour and off-hour admissions. Patients who underwent EVT for ELVO from January 2013 to June 2019 from the STAR Registry were included. Patients were grouped based on time of groin puncture: on-hour period (Monday through Friday, 7:00 am–4:59 pm) and off-hour period (overnight 5:00pm–6:59am and the weekends). Primary outcome was final modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days on mRS-shift analysis. A total of 1919 patients were included in the study from six centers. The majority of patients (1169, 60.9%) of patients presented during the off-hour period. The mean age was 68.1 years and 50.5% were women. Successful reperfusion, as defined by a Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (TICI) score of ≥2B, was achieved in 88.8% in the on-hour group and 88.0% in the off-hour group. Good clinical outcome (mRS 0–2) was obtained in 34.4% of off-hour patients and 37.7% of on-hour patients. On multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis, time of presentation was not associated with worsened outcome (OR 1.150 95% CI 0.96 to 1.37 P=0.122). Age, admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), baseline mRS, and final TICI score were significantly associated with worse outcomes. There is no statistical difference in functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients who underwent EVT during on-hours versus off-hours.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 02-05-2019
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2019-014936
Abstract: Treated aneurysms must be followed over time to ensure durable occlusion, as more than 20% of endovascularly treated aneurysms recur. While digital subtraction angiography (DSA) remains the gold standard, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is attractive as a non-invasive follow-up technique. Two different MRA techniques have traditionally been used: time-of-flight (TOF) and contrast-enhanced (CE) MRA. We analysed data from studies comparing MRA techniques with DSA for the follow-up of aneurysms undergoing endovascular treatment. Subgroup analysis of stent-assisted coiling (SAC) and flow ersion (FD) techniques was completed. Comprehensive searches using the Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane databases were performed and updated to November 2018. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were calculated using aneurysm occlusion status as defined by the Raymond–Roy occlusion grading scale. The literature search yielded 1579 unique titles. Forty-three studies were included. For TOF-MRA, sensitivity and specificity of all aneurysms undergoing endovascular therapy were 88% and 94%, respectively. For CE-MRA, the sensitivity and specificity were 88% and 96%, respectively. For SAC and FD techniques, sensitivity and specificity of TOF-MRA were 86% and 95%, respectively. CE-MRA had sensitivity and specificity of 90% and 92%. MRA is a reliable modality for the follow-up of aneurysms treated using endovascular techniques. While the data are limited, MRA techniques can also be used to reliably follow patients undergoing FD and SAC. However, clinical factors must be used to optimize follow-up regimens for in idual patients.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 02-2021
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2020-017042
Abstract: Over the past several years there has been increased interest in the use of the Sofia aspiration system (MicroVention, Tustin, California) as a primary aspiration catheter. To perform a multicenter retrospective study examining the efficacy of the Sofia aspiration catheter as a standalone aspiration treatment for large vessel occlusion. Consecutive cases in which the Sofia catheter was used for aspiration thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion were included. Exclusion criteria were the following: (1) Sofia not used for first pass, and (2) a stent retriever used as an adjunct on the first pass. The primary outcome of the study was first pass recanalization (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) 2c/3). Secondary outcomes included first pass TICI 2b/3, crossover to other thrombectomy devices, number of passes, time from puncture to recanalization, and complications. 323 patients were included. First pass TICI 2c/3 was achieved in 49.8% of cases (161/323). First pass TICI 2b/3 was achieved in 69.7% (225/323) of cases. 74.8% had TICI 2b/3 with the Sofia alone. Crossover to other thrombectomy devices occurred in 29.1% of cases (94/323). The median number of passes was 1 (IQR=1–3). Median time from puncture to recanalization was 26 min (IQR=17–45). Procedure related complications occurred in 3.1% (10/323) of cases. Our study highlights the potential advantage of the Sofia aspiration catheter for primary aspiration thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke. High rates of first pass recanalization with low crossover rates to other thrombectomy devices were achieved. Median procedure time was low, as were procedural complications.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 16-02-2022
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 26-05-2021
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2021-017341
Abstract: Most conventional 0.088 inch guide catheters cannot safely navigate intracranial vasculature. The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety of stroke thrombectomy using a novel 0.088 inch guide catheter designed for intracranial navigation. This is a multicenter retrospective study, which included patients over 18 years old who underwent thrombectomy for anterior circulation large vessel occlusions. Technical outcomes for patients treated using the TracStar Large Distal Platform (TracStar LDP) or earlier generation TRX LDP were compared with a matched cohort of patients treated with other commonly used guide catheters. The primary outcome measure was device-related complications. Secondary outcome measures included guide catheter failure and time between groin puncture and clot engagement. Each study arm included 45 patients. The TracStar group was non-inferior to the control group with regard to device-related complications (6.8% vs 8.9%), and the average time to clot engagement was 8.89 min shorter (14.29 vs 23.18 min p=0.0017). There were no statistically significant differences with regard to other technical outcomes, including time to recanalization (modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) ≥2B). The TracStar was successfully advanced into the intracranial internal carotid artery in 33 cases (73.33%) in three cases (6.67%), it was swapped for an alternate catheter. Successful reperfusion (mTICI 2B-3) was achieved in 95.56% of cases. Ninety-day follow-up data were available for 86.67% of patients, among whom 46.15% had an modified Rankin Score of 0–2%, and 10.26% were deceased. Tracstar LDP is safe for use during stroke thrombectomy and was associated with decreased time to clot engagement. Intracranial access was regularly achieved.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.JOCN.2017.07.026
Abstract: As neurointerventionalists aim to treat occlusions in the ever more distal vasculature, off-label catheters (OLCs) have been adapted for aspiration thrombectomy. This may not be without its attendant risks. Recently issued, a letter from the FDA cautioned providers against using OLCs as substitutes for FDA-cleared aspiration thrombectomy catheters, especially in the distal vasculature. In light of this, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of OLCs used for aspiration thrombectomy in the distal vasculature at our institution. We retrospectively queried all patients who underwent thrombectomy at our institution between January 1, 2016 and March 1, 2017. Patients were screened for: (1) occlusion location in the distal vasculature (M2 or more distal) and (2) direct thrombus aspiration attempt with an OLC. Demographic, clinical, and procedural data were recorded. Eight patients were included for analysis (Table 1). The median admission NIHSS was 17 (IQR 13-23.3). Occlusion locations included left M2 (6/8), right M2 (1/8), and left M3 (1/8). The OLCs employed included the Stryker Catalyst 6 (5/8), Penumbra Velocity (2/8), and the MicroVention Sofia Plus (1/8). Direct thrombus aspiration was successful in 50% (4/8) of cases, though final TICI 2b-3 was achieved in all patients. There were no instances of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Median NIHSS at discharge was 5 (IQR 0.8, 15). Aspiration thrombectomy with OLCs may be safe and effective in the distal vasculature. In light of the recent FDA warning regarding their use, further evaluation of OLCs in this capacity is warranted.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.JOCN.2015.03.002
Abstract: We present a retrospective review of 357 consecutive patients with 419 aneurysms treated with coil embolization. Although incomplete occlusion and recurrence of intracranial aneurysms following coil embolization is a well-known problem, the factors that influence and predict treatment failure are still debated. For this study, we excluded non-coiling endovascular techniques (flow ersion) and non-saccular aneurysms (fusiform). The modified Raymond-Roy occlusion classification (MRRC) was used to grade the aneurysms. Treatment failure was defined as filling of the aneurysm dome (MRRC Class IIIa or IIIb) at the first angiographic follow-up (average 8 months). Univariate statistical tests were employed to select variables for incorporation into a multivariable logistic regression model. Multivariate analysis identified greater aneurysm volume (p<0.001), packing density (PD) less than 31% (p=0.007) and initial MRRC Class IIIb (p<0.001) as predictors of treatment failure. Incomplete neck coverage with coils was associated with treatment failure in univariate but not multivariate analysis. Class IIIb status was more predictive of treatment failure compared to all Class III (odds ratio 168 versus 14.4). Clinical outcomes were similar in both groups except that there were more retreatments in the treatment failure group (p<0.001). Aneurysm volume, PD and initial occlusion class are associated with angiographic outcome, consistent with prior literature. The MRRC is a powerful predictor of treatment failure. These results will be useful in the effort to both prevent and predict treatment failure after coil embolization, however, they should be verified in a prospective study.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 08-01-2016
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2015-012117
Abstract: With a recent surge of clinical trials, the treatment of ischemic stroke has undergone dramatic changes. To evaluate the impact of evidence and a rev ed stroke protocol on a large healthcare system. A retrospective review of 69 patients with ischemic stroke treated with intra-arterial therapy was carried out. Cohort 1 included patients treated before implementation of a new stroke protocol, and cohort 2 after implementation. Angiographic outcome was graded using the Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) score. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Primary outcomes comparing cohorts demonstrated decreased arrival-to-puncture time (cohort 2: 104 vs cohort 1: 181 min, p .001), similar TICI 2b/3 rates (86.5% vs 81.3%, p=0.5530), and similar percentage of patients with discharge mRS 0–2 (18.9% vs 21.9%, p=0.7740). Notable secondary outcomes for cohort 2 included decreased puncture-to-first pass time (34 vs 53 min, p .001), increased TICI 3 rates (37.8% vs 18.8%, p=0.0290), a trend toward greater improvements in NIHSS on postoperative day 1 (6.8 vs 2.6, p=0.0980) and discharge (9.5 vs 6.7, p=0.1130), and a trend toward increased percentage of patients discharged with mRS 0–3 (48.6% vs 34.4%, p=0.3280 NS). There were similar rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (10.8% vs 9.4%, p=0.9570) and death (10.8% vs 15.6%, p=0.5530). An interdisciplinary and rapid response to the emergence of strong clinical evidence can result in dramatic changes in a large healthcare system.
Publisher: American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR)
Date: 14-01-2021
DOI: 10.3174/AJNR.A6971
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 13-11-2019
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2019-015223
Abstract: With the expansion of the interventional time window for stroke from emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO), the rate of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is expected to rise, potentially causing higher burnout rates and requiring hospitals to develop strategies for adequate coverage of these procedures. Neurointerventional physicians at 10 participating stroke centers prospectively recorded time requirements for all MT consultations over 30 consecutive 24-hour call periods, including both false positive consultations and MT procedures, during mid to late 2018. Consult start time, procedure start and end time, and data regarding commute to the hospital and delay in scheduled procedures were collected and compared with those from an identical prospective study performed in 2017. Data were collected from a total of 300 days of call. A total of 166 procedures were performed (mean 0.55 per day), an increase from 0.32 per day in 2017. Overall mean MT direct time burden during each 24-hour call was 124 min (compared with 85 min in 2017). The percentage of consultations for thrombectomy varied based on time of day, with 87% of consults between the hours of midnight and 04:00 proceeding to thrombectomy compared with 37% between the hours of 16:00 and 20:00. MT procedural volumes have increased from one every 5 days in 2016 to one every 2 days in 2018. The highest percentage of consults leading to thrombectomy occur in the early morning hours after midnight. Compared with similar data from 2016 and 2017, call demands continue to escalate, representing a significant demand on neurointerventional teams.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 21-04-2023
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 27-01-2022
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2021-018391
Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) software is increasingly applied in stroke diagnostics. However, the actual performance of AI tools for identifying large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke in real time in a real-world setting has not been fully studied. To determine the accuracy of AI software in a real-world, three-tiered multihospital stroke network. All consecutive head and neck CT angiography (CTA) scans performed during stroke codes and run through an AI software engine (Viz LVO) between May 2019 and October 2020 were prospectively collected. CTA readings by radiologists served as the clinical reference standard test and Viz LVO output served as the index test. Accuracy metrics were calculated. Of a total of 1822 CTAs performed, 190 occlusions were identified 142 of which were internal carotid artery terminus (ICA-T), middle cerebral artery M1, or M2 locations. Accuracy metrics were analyzed for two different groups: ICA-T and M1 ±M2. For the ICA-T/M1 versus the ICA-T/M1/M2 group, sensitivity was 93.8% vs 74.6%, specificity was 91.1% vs 91.1%, negative predictive value was 99.7% vs 97.6%, accuracy was 91.2% vs 89.8%, and area under the curve was 0.95 vs 0.86, respectively. Detection rates for ICA-T, M1, and M2 occlusions were 100%, 93%, and 49%, respectively. As expected, the algorithm offered better detection rates for proximal occlusions than for mid/distal M2 occlusions (58% vs 28%, p=0.03). These accuracy metrics support Viz LVO as a useful adjunct tool in stroke diagnostics. Fast and accurate diagnosis with high negative predictive value mitigates missing potentially salvageable patients.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 17-09-2019
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2019-015182
Abstract: The endovascular stent-assisted coiling approach for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms is evolving rapidly with the availability of new stent devices. It remains unknown how each type of stent affects the safety and efficacy of the stent-coiling procedure. This study compared the outcomes of endovascular coiling of cerebral aneurysms using Neuroform (NEU), Enterprise (EP), and Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS) stents. Patient characteristics, treatment details and angiographic results using the Raymond–Roy grade scale (RRGS), and procedural complications were analyzed in our study. Our study included 659 patients with 670 cerebral aneurysms treated with stent-assisted coiling (NEU, n=182 EP, n=158 LVIS, n=330) that were retrospectively collected from six academic centers. Patient characteristics included mean age 56.3±12.1 years old, female prevalence 73.9%, and aneurysm rupture on initial presentation of 18.8%. We found differences in complete occlusion on baseline imaging, defined as RRGS I, among the three stents: LVIS 64.4%, 210/326 NEU 56.2%, 95/169 EP 47.6%, 68/143 P=0.008. The difference of complete occlusion on 10.5 months (mean) and 8 months (median) angiographic follow-up remained significant: LVIS 84%, 251/299 NEU 78%, 117/150 EP 67%, 83/123 P=0.004. There were 7% (47/670) intra-procedural complications and 11.5% (73/632) post-procedural-related complications in our cohort. Furthermore, procedure-related complications were higher in the braided-stents vs laser-cut, P=0.002. There was a great variability in techniques and choice of stent type for stent-assisted coiling among the participating centers. The type of stent was associated with immediate and long-term angiographic outcomes. Randomized prospective trials comparing the different types of stents are warranted.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 12-08-2020
Abstract: Incomplete aneurysm occlusions and re-treatment rates of 52 and 10–30%, respectively, have been reported following endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms, raising clinical concerns regarding procedural efficacy. We compare residual, recurrence and re-treatment rates subject to different endovascular techniques in both ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms at a comprehensive state-wide tertiary neurovascular centre in Australia. Medical records, procedural and follow-up imaging studies of all patients who underwent endovascular treatment for intracranial aneurysms between July 2010 and July 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Residuals, recurrences and re-treatment rates were assessed regarding initial aneurysm rupture status and applied endovascular technique: primary coiling, balloon- and stent-assisted coiling and flow ersion. Among 233 aneurysms, residual, recurrence and re-treatment rates were 27, 11.2 and 9.4%, respectively. Compared with unruptured aneurysms, similar residual and recurrence (p .05), but higher re-treatment rates (4.5% vs. 19% p .001) were found for ruptured aneurysms. Residual, recurrence and re-treatment rates were: 13.3, 16 and 12% for primary coiling 12, 12 and 10.7% for balloon-assisted coiling 14.9, 7.5 and 4.5% for stent-assisted coiling 91.9, 0 and 5.4% for flow ersion. Stent-assistance and flow- ersion were associated with lower recurrence and re-treatment rates, when compared with primary- and balloon-assisted coiling (p .05). Residuals and recurrences after endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms are less common than previously reported. Stent assistance and flow ersion seem associated with reduced recurrence- and re-treatment rates, when compared with primary- and balloon-assisted coiling. Restrained use of stents in ruptured aneurysms may be a contributing factor for higher recurrence/retreatment rates compared to unruptured aneurysms.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 10-05-2021
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 30-06-2014
Publisher: Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group (JNSPG)
Date: 04-2017
DOI: 10.3171/2017.1.FOCUS16518
Abstract: Endovascular thrombectomy device improvements in recent years have served a pivotal role in improving the success and safety of the thrombectomy procedure. As the intervention gains widespread use, developers have focused on maximizing the reperfusion rates and reducing procedural complications associated with these devices. This has led to a boom in device development. This review will cover novel and emerging technologies developed for endovascular thrombectomy.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 07-09-2022
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2021-017859
Abstract: Cerebral vasospasm (CV) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is linked to worse neurological outcomes. The NeVa VS is a novel cerebral dilation device based on predicate stent retrievers. We report the results of the Vesalio NeVa VS for the Treatment of Symptomatic Cerebral Vasospasm following aSAH (VITAL) Study. This was a single-arm prospective multicenter trial to assess the safety and probable benefit of the NeVa VS device to treat CV. Patients were screened and treated if they had CV % on non-invasive imaging confirmed by cerebral angiography. The vessel diameters were measured before and after treatment by an independent core laboratory. The primary endpoint was ≥50% vessel diameter immediately after treatment with the NeVa VS device. Thirty patients with a mean age of 52±11 years and mean Hunt–Hess grade of 3.1±0.9 were enrolled. A total of 74 vessels were treated with an average of 1.3 deployments per vessel (95 deployments total). The mean pre-treatment narrowing of the target vessel (n=74) was 65.6% with reduction of the narrowing to 29.4% after treatment. The primary endpoint was achieved in 64 of 74 vessels (86.5%). In three of 95 total deployments (3.2%), thrombus at the site of deployment was observed during the procedure without apparent neurological sequelae. The NeVa VS device appears to be a safe treatment to regain vessel diameter in severely narrowed intracranial arteries secondary to CV associated with aSAH. This treatment offers a new tool that allows for controlled vessel expansion to treat CV.
Publisher: AMPCo
Date: 03-2014
DOI: 10.5694/MJA13.00010
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 02-11-2018
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2018-014289
Abstract: The efficacy of endovascular thrombectomy (ET) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in octogenarians is still controversial. To evaluate, using a large multicenter cohort of patients, outcomes after ET in octogenarians compared with younger patients. Data from prospectively maintained databases of patients undergoing ET for AIS at seven US-based comprehensive stroke centers between January 2013 and January 2018 were reviewed. Demographic, procedural, and outcome variables were collected. Outcomes included 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, postprocedural National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, postprocedural hemorrhage, and mortality. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the independent effect of age ≥80 on outcome measures. Subgroup analyses were also performed based on location of stroke, success of recanalization, or ET technique used. Rates of functional independence (mRS score 0–2) after ET in elderly patients were significantly lower than for younger counterparts. Age ≥80 was independently associated with increased mortality and poor outcome. Age ≥80 showed an independent negative prognostic effect on outcome even when patients were ided according to thrombectomy technique, location of stroke, or success of recanalization. Age ≥80 independently predicted higher rate of postprocedural hemorrhage, but not success of recanalization. Baseline deficit and number of reperfusion attempts, but not Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score were associated with lower odds of good outcome. The large effect size of ET on AIS outcomes is significantly diminished in the elderly population when using comparable selection criteria to those used in younger counterparts. This raises concerns about the risk–benefit ratio and the cost-effectiveness of performing this procedure in the elderly before optimizing patient selection.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 21-01-2019
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2021
Publisher: American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR)
Date: 07-12-2017
DOI: 10.3174/AJNR.A5454
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2021
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 03-04-2020
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2020-015825
Abstract: Burnout takes a heavy toll on healthcare providers. We sought to assess the prevalence and risk factors for burnout among neurointerventional (NI) non-physician procedural staff (nurses and technologists) given increasing thrombectomy demands. A 41-question online survey containing questions including the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel was distributed to NI nurses and radiology technologists at 20 US endovascular capable stroke centers. 244 responses were received (64% response rate). Median (IQR) composite scores for emotional exhaustion were 25 (15–35), depersonalization 6 (2–11), and personal accomplishment 39 (35–43). Fifty-one percent of respondents met established criteria for burnout. There was no significant relationship between hospital thrombectomy volume, call frequency, call cases covered, or length of commute. On multiple logistic regression analysis, feeling under-appreciated by hospital leadership (OR 4.1 P .001) and working with difficult/unpleasant physicians (OR 1.2 P=0.05) were strongly associated with burnout. At participating centers, nurse and technologist attrition was 25% over the previous year. Over 50% of respondents indicated they had strongly considered leaving their position over the last 2 years. This survey of US NI non-physician procedural staff demonstrates a self-reported burnout prevalence of 51%. This was driven more by interaction with leadership and physician staff than by thrombectomy procedural volume and stroke call. Attrition among NI non-physician procedural staff is high.
Publisher: American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR)
Date: 14-11-2019
DOI: 10.3174/AJNR.A6303
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 25-06-2020
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2019-015093
Abstract: Thrombectomy is an efficacious treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, relatively few studies to date have specifically examined the impact and clinical implications of age on outcomes for thrombectomy in anterior AIS. To provide a snapshot of patient metrics and outcomes with respect to age following thrombectomy for anterior AIS to supplement the current body of data for predictors of clinical outcomes in a real-world setting. Data were collected for 20 consecutive patients with AIS treated with thrombectomy at 15 high-volume stroke centers across North America between 2015 and 2016. Patients with anterior occlusions were dichotomized based on whether they were older or younger than 80 years. Ordinal logistic regression analyzed how clinical variables impacted disability using 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores. Adequate revascularization (TICI ≥2B) was achieved in 92.3% of patients aged <80 years with an average 1.7±0.1 passes taken with the primary technique and in 88.0% of patients aged ≥80 years with an average 1.7±0.2 passes. Despite similar baseline characteristics, mRS scores were significantly higher in older patients postoperatively and at 90 days after intervention. Age was a significant predictor of 90-day mRS across the study population. This analysis affirms age is a significant determinant of 90-day mRS scores following thrombectomy for large vessel anterior AIS. Further investigation into risks faced by elderly patients during thrombectomy may provide actionable information to help refine patient selection and improve outcomes.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2023
Publisher: S. Karger AG
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1159/000503716
Abstract: b i Introduction: /i /b Endovascular therapy (EVT) has emerged as the standard of care for emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) acute ischemic stroke. An increasing number of patients with suspected ELVO are being transferred to stroke centers with interventional capacity. Not all such inter-hospital transfers result in EVT. b i Aim: /i /b To identify the major causes for not performing EVT following transfer. b i Methods: /i /b An analysis of 222 consecutive patients with suspected ELVO transferred for potential EVT between January 2015 and December 2017 within a New York City health system was performed. About 36% (80/222) were deemed EVT ineligible and compared to an EVT cohort. b i Results: /i /b Major causes for not performing EVT were established infarct (34%), no or recanalized ELVO (31%), and mild or clinically improved symptoms (21%). In the established infarct subgroup, 28% (7/27) arrived at a stroke center with interventional capacity within 5 h of last known well, compared to 61% (83/142) in the EVT cohort ( i /i = 0.003). In the no or recanalized ELVO subgroup, 40% (10/25) received computed tomographic angiography at the primary stroke center (PSC), compared to 73% (104/142) in the EVT cohort ( i /i = 0.001). Among patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis, 6% (6/104) improved from a NIHSS of ≥6 to & #x3c following transfer. b i Conclusions: /i /b Established infarct, no or recanalized ELVO, and mild or clinically improved symptoms were the major causes for not performing EVT for patients transferred for ELVO management. These may be addressed by decreasing stroke onset to treatment times and timely ELVO detection at the PSC and/or pre-hospital triage.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 31-01-2022
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2021-018011
Abstract: Investigations into the effect of previous stroke on thrombectomy outcomes have yielded conflicting results, and are limited by small s le sizes. We present the results of a large single center retrospective study aimed at investigating the effect of chronic stroke laterality on thrombectomy outcomes. A prospectively maintained database was queried for all thrombectomy cases conducted between December 2014 and January 2020, and patient imaging was prospectively reviewed for evidence of prior supratentorial infarction. Procedural, clinical, and demographic characteristics were recorded, and good clinical outcome was defined as a 90 day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of or mRS score unchanged if baseline was . The final analysis cohort included 555 patients, 79 of whom were found to have radiographic evidence of prior chronic infarcts. On univariate analysis, patients with any chronic supratentorial infarct achieved a lower rate of good clinical outcome than patients with no chronic infarct (22.8% vs 41.0%, p=0.0021). With regard to subgroups, this difference remained only in patients with ipsilateral (14.3%, p=0.0018) and bilateral (11.8%, p=0.015) lesions. Patients with chronic contralateral supratentorial infarcts were no less likely to achieve good outcomes (40.7%, p=0.98). After multivariate regression controlling for age, sex, and baseline mRS, chronic ipsilateral infarcts (OR 0.22, CI 0.07 to 0.67) and chronic bilateral infarcts (OR 0.19, CI 0.04 to 0.85) were the only independent predictors of poor outcome in endovascular thrombectomy patients. In this single center retrospective study of thrombectomy patients with chronic supratentorial infarcts, the laterality of the previous stroke significantly affected the likelihood of good clinical outcomes.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 17-06-2016
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2016-012439
Abstract: ADAPT (a direct aspiration first pass technique) has been shown to be fast, cost-effective, and associated with excellent angiographic and clinical outcomes in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). To identify any and all preoperative factors that are associated with successful revascularization using aspiration alone. A retrospective review of 76 patients with AIS treated with thrombectomy was carried out. Cohort 1 included cases in which aspiration alone was successful (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b or 3). Cohort 2 included cases in which aspiration was unsuccessful or could not be performed despite an attempt. There was no difference between cohorts in gender, race, medications, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score, IV tissue plasminogen activator, site or side of the occlusion, dense vessel sign, aortic arch type, severe stenosis, clot length, operator years of experience, and guide/aspiration catheters used. Patients in cohort 1 were on average younger (66.5 vs 74.1 years, p=0.025). There was a trend for more patients in cohort 2 to have atrial fibrillation/arrhythmias (62.5% vs 45.5%, p=0.168) and have a cardiogenic stroke etiology (78.1% vs 56.8%, p=0.086). There was also a trend for more reverse curves (2.3 vs 1.7, p=0.107), larger vessel diameter (3.26 mm vs 2.88 mm, p=0.184), larger vessel-to-catheter ratio (2.09 vs 1.87, p=0.192), and worse clot burden score (5.38 vs 6.68, p=0.104) in cohort 2. Aspiration success was associated with younger age. Our findings suggest that ADAPT can be used for the vast majority of patients but it may be beneficial to use a different method first in the elderly.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 07-02-2022
DOI: 10.3389/FNEUR.2022.830296
Abstract: Wide-necked middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysms pose specific challenges to endovascular management. Surgical clipping remains the standard treatment approach for these aneurysms in many centers. While recent data suggests the endovascular treatment may be comparable, a prospective datapoint has been lacking. The Penumbra SMART registry, a prospective, multi-center, single-arm outcomes registry of Penumbra coil-treated aneurysms, was queried for endovascularly treated MCA bifurcation aneurysms with wide necks (dome:neck ratio & or neck & mm). Safety and efficacy outcomes were summarized for ruptured and unruptured aneurysms, including rupture, complication rate, and 1-year occlusion outcomes. Seventy-two aneurysms across 31 sites were enrolled. Of these, a total of 15 presented as ruptured aneurysms. Serious adverse events were reported in 21 (29.2%) of patients, with 8 (11.1%) attributed to the device rocedure. Immediately postoperatively, 75.0% of cases achieved “adequate” Raymond Roy Class I (40.3%) or II (34.7%) occlusion outcomes. Of the 72 patients treated, 60 (83.3%) underwent follow-up angiography at 1 year, and among these, 95.0% had 1-year occlusion outcomes of Raymond Roy Class I (71.7%) or II (23.3%). A total of 6 aneurysms (10.0%) were required or were planned for retreatment at the last follow-up. This study represents the most significant prospective s le of endovascularly treated wide-neck MCA bifurcation aneurysms conducted to date. It supports the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment of these aneurysms.
Publisher: American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR)
Date: 25-04-2019
DOI: 10.3174/AJNR.A6044
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 02-05-2015
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2014-011226
Abstract: The degree of aneurysm occlusion following coil embolization has an impact on aneurysm recanalization. To explain the natural history of intracranial aneurysms with neck remnant, Raymond-Roy Occlusion Classification (RROC) class II. A single-center, retrospective study of 198 patients with 209 aneurysms treated with coil embolization that were initially either RROC class I or II. The angiographic outcomes at short- and long-term follow-up were compared as well as the complication/re-treatment rates. Atypical aneurysms and those that had been previously treated were excluded. Ninety-nine class I aneurysms were compared with 110 class II aneurysms. There was no difference in recanalization rate between the groups (class I 3.3% vs class II 8.5%, p=0.478) at short-term follow-up (8.2 months) and at subsequent follow-ups (21.7 and 52.1 months). There was also no difference in re-treatment rates (class I 3.3% vs class II 8.5%, p=0.196) or complication rates (class I 9.1% vs class II 4.6%, p=0.12). There were no aneurysm ruptures after treatment in either group. The angiographic outcome of aneurysms with neck remnant following coil embolization is similar to that of completely occluded aneurysms in that most remain stable and few recanalize. This understanding could potentially help the interventional neurosurgeon avoid complications such as coil herniation, vessel compromise, and stroke in selected cases. Further investigation with a larger patient population is warranted.
Publisher: American Medical Association (AMA)
Date: 08-12-2021
Publisher: Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
Date: 07-2023
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-08-2023
DOI: 10.1002/HED.27481
Abstract: Vagus nerve paragangliomas are rare tumors, comprising 0.03% of head and neck neoplasms. These tumors are usually located cephalad to the hyoid bone, and there is only one previously reported case that arose from the lower third of the neck. We describe the second reported case of a lower neck vagus nerve paraganglioma that was managed with a limited sternotomy for access and surgical removal. A 66‐year‐old male presented with a long‐standing lesion of the cervicothoracic junction. CT, MRI, and Ga‐68 DOTATATE PET/CT showed an avidly enhancing 5.2 × 4.2 × 11.5 cm mass extending from C6 to approximately T4 level. FNA confirmed the diagnosis. The patient underwent catheter angiography and embolization via direct puncture technique followed by excision of the mass via a combined transcervical and limited sternotomy approach. We describe an unusual case of vagal paraganglioma at the cervicothoracic junction with retrosternal extension requiring a sternotomy for surgical excision.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 15-06-2021
Abstract: Some emergent large vessel occlusions (ELVOs) are refractory to reperfusion because of underlying intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS), often requiring rescue therapy (RT) with balloon angioplasty, stenting, or both. In this study, we investigate the safety, efficacy, and long‐term outcomes of RT in the setting of mechanical thrombectomy for ICAS‐related ELVO. We queried the databases of 10 thrombectomy‐capable centers in North America and Europe included in STAR (Stroke Thrombectomy and Aneurysm Registry). Patients with ELVO who underwent ICAS‐related RT were included. A matched s le was produced for variables of age, admission National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, onset to groin puncture time, occlusion site, and final recanalization. Out of 3025 patients with MT, 182 (6%) patients required RT because of underlying ICAS. Balloon angioplasty was performed on 122 patients, and 117 patients had intracranial stenting. In the matched analysis, 141 patients who received RT matched to a similar number of controls. The number of thrombectomy passes was higher (3 versus 1, P .001), and procedural time was longer in the RT group (52 minutes versus 36 minutes, P =0.004). There was a higher rate of symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation in the RT group (7.8% versus 4.3%, P =0.211), however, the difference was not significant. There was no difference in 90‐day modified Rankin scale of 0 to 2 (44% versus 47.5%, P =0.543) between patients in the RT and control groups. In patients with ELVO with underlying ICAS requiring RT, despite longer procedure time and a more thrombectomy passes, the 90 days favorable outcomes were comparable with patients with embolic ELVO.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 24-11-2021
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2021-017954
Abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) associated ischemic stroke is associated with worse functional outcomes, less effective recanalization, and increased rates of hemorrhagic complications after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). Conversely, AF is not associated with hemorrhagic complications or functional outcomes in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT). This differential effect of MT and IVT in AF associated stroke raises the question of whether bridging thrombolysis increases hemorrhagic complications in AF patients undergoing MT. This international cohort study of 22 comprehensive stroke centers analyzed patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) undergoing MT between June 1, 2015 and December 31, 2020. Patients were ided into four groups based on comorbid AF and IVT exposure. Baseline patient characteristics, complications, and outcomes were reported and compared. 6461 patients underwent MT for LVO. 2311 (35.8%) patients had comorbid AF. In non-AF patients, bridging therapy improved the odds of good 90 day functional outcomes (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.29, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.60, p=0.025) and did not increase hemorrhagic complications. In AF patients, bridging therapy led to significant increases in symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and parenchymal hematoma type 2 (aOR 1.66, 1.07 to 2.57, p=0.024) without any benefit in 90 day functional outcomes. Similar findings were noted in a separate propensity score analysis. In this large thrombectomy registry, AF patients exposed to IVT before MT had increased hemorrhagic complications without improved functional outcomes, in contrast with non-AF patients. Prospective trials are warranted to assess whether AF patients represent a subgroup of LVO patients who may benefit from a direct to thrombectomy approach at thrombectomy capable centers.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 28-03-2023
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2021-018526
Abstract: In the last few decades there has been development of innovative therapies for the treatment of craniofacial lymphatic malformations. Percutaneous sclerotherapy has demonstrated efficacy in the management of macrocystic lymphatic lesions, but it is less suitable for microcystic lesions given their size. The gravity-dependent technique is a novel augmentation of standard percutaneous sclerotherapy: the technique enables a sclerosing agent to permeate the small microchannels seen in microcystic lesions that would otherwise be difficult to treat. Between 2005 and 2021, 124 patients with microcystic or mixed lymphatic malformations were treated using a novel gravity-dependent sclerotherapy technique. Bleomycin at a maximum dose of 15 IU per session was used as the main sclerosing agent. Fluoroscopy and ultrasound were used to ensure proper positioning of the catheter prior to injecting the sclerosing agent. The response to treatment was assessed clinically and with cross-sectional imaging. Nearly all cases showed significant improvement after the gravity-dependent technique. There have been no permanent complications from sclerotherapy treatment. There was a mild transient adverse effect from bleomycin in one case of erythema and tenderness that lasted several weeks then ameliorated. The gravity-dependent sclerotherapy technique is a suitable treatment option for microcystic lymphatic malformations.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.JACC.2018.11.052
Abstract: Endovascular thrombectomy (ET) for acute ischemic stroke is the current standard of care. Although successful ET has high efficacy in improving functional outcomes, the decision to abort a long procedure remains a challenge. Longer procedure time (PT) has been associated with lower rates of functional independence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of PT on outcomes and complications after ET using different techniques at a multicenter level and to define the risk of procedure extension in different patient cohorts. Patients undergoing ET with a stent retriever (SR) or a direct aspiration at first pass technique at 7 U.S. centers between June 2013 and February 2018 were reviewed from prospectively maintained databases that include baseline variables and technical and clinical outcomes. Multivariate analyses were used to assess impact of PT on 90-day modified Rankin scores, successful recanalization, post-procedural symptomatic hemorrhage (sICH), and complications. The study included 1,359 patients and demonstrated a decreased likelihood of good functional outcomes (modified Rankin score 0 to 2) when PT extended beyond 30 min (p 30 min, fewer attempts predicted the success of ET and good outcomes (p < 0.01). Successful recanalization was achieved faster with the direct aspiration at first pass technique than in SR. The direct aspiration technique was more sensitive to PT than SR, and posterior stroke was more sensitive to PT than anterior stroke. Longer ET procedures lead to lower rates of functional independence and higher rates of sICH and complications. Exceeding 60 min or 3 attempts should trigger careful assessment of futility and risks of continuing the procedure.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 16-02-2021
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2020-016943
Abstract: Using data from the SMART registry, we report on periprocedural safety of the Penumbra SMART Coil System for endovascular coil embolization of saccular intracranial aneurysms. The SMART registry was a prospective, multi-center registry of site standard of care endovascular coiling procedures performed using at least 75% Penumbra SMART Coil, PC400, and/or POD coils. This subset analysis reports on the periprocedural safety outcomes of the saccular intracranial aneurysm cohort. Predictors of rupture/re-rupture or perforation (RRP), thromboembolic complications, and device- or procedure-related adverse events (AEs) were determined in univariate and multivariate analysis. Between June 2016 and August 2018, 851 saccular aneurysm patients (31.0%, 264/851 ruptured) were enrolled across 66 North American centers. Clinically significant (ie, a serious adverse event) RRP occurred in 2.0% (17/851) of cases – 1.9% (5/264) for the ruptured cohort and 2.0% (12/587) for the un-ruptured cohort. Clinically significant thromboembolic events occurred in 3.1% (26/851) of cases – 5.3% (14/264) for the ruptured cohort and 2.0% (12/587) for the un-ruptured cohort. Multivariate predictors of periprocedural RRP were increased packing density and adjunctive treatment with a balloon. For periprocedural thromboembolic events, multivariate predictors were bifurcation location and ruptured status. For device- or procedure-related AEs, multivariate predictors were bifurcation location and adjunctive treatment with stent or balloon. The low rates of thromboembolic complications and RRP events demonstrate the adequate safety profile of the SMART Coil System to treat cerebral aneurysms in routine clinical practice. NCT02729740 .
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 29-10-2021
Publisher: American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR)
Date: 11-03-2021
DOI: 10.3174/AJNR.A7067
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 29-10-2021
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 15-03-2021
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2021-017278
Abstract: The purpose of this publication is to provide a review of social media usage by neurointerventionalists. Using published literature and available local, regional, and national guidelines or laws, we reviewed data on social media usage as it pertains to neurointerventional surgery. Recommendations are provided based on the quality of information and conformity of medico-legal precedent and law. Social media is a growing entity as it is used both promotionally and educationally. Neurointerventionalists may post de-identified radiographic images with discussions, but should be conscientious and adhere to applicable laws and regulations, strict ethical codes, and institutional policies.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 02-08-2022
Abstract: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is the standard-of-care for proximal large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke. Data on technical and clinical outcomes in distal vessel occlusions (DVOs) remain limited. This was a retrospective study of patients undergoing EVT for stroke at 32 international centers. Patients were ided into LVOs (internal carotid artery/M1/vertebrobasilar), medium vessel occlusions (M2/A1/P1) and isolated DVOs (M3/M4/A2/A3/P2/P3) and categorized by thrombectomy technique. Primary outcome was a good functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale ≤2) at 90 days. Secondary outcomes included recanalization, procedure-time, thrombectomy attempts, hemorrhage, and mortality. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to evaluate the impact of technical variables. Propensity score matching was used to compare outcome in patients with DVO treated with aspiration versus stent retriever We included 7477 patients including 213 DVOs. Distal location did not independently predict good functional outcome at 90 days compared with proximal (p=0.467). In distal occlusions, successful recanalization was an independent predictor of good outcome (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5.11, p .05) irrespective of technique. Younger age, bridging therapy, and lower admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were also predictors of good outcome. Procedure time ≤1 hour or ≤3 thrombectomy attempts were independent predictors of good outcomes in DVOs irrespective of technique (aOR 4.5 and 2.3, respectively, p .05). There were no differences in outcomes in a DVO matched cohort of aspiration versus stent retriever. Rates of hemorrhage and good outcome showed an exponential relationship to procedural metrics, and were more dependent on time in the aspiration group and attempts in the stent retriever group. Outcomes following EVT for DVO are comparable to LVO with similar results between techniques. Techniques may exhibit different futility metrics stent retriever thrombectomy was influenced by attempts whereas aspiration was more dependent on procedure time.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 03-06-2022
DOI: 10.1101/2022.06.02.22275917
Abstract: Ruptured intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are catastrophic events associated with a high mortality rate. An estimation of 6 million people in the United States have reported IAs, raising a pressing need for diagnostic tools to assess IAs rupture risks. Current population-based guidelines are imperfect, hence the need for new quantifiable variables and imaging markers. Aneurysm wall motion has been identified as a potential marker of high risk aneurysms, but conventional imaging techniques are challenged by small IAs sizes and limited spatial resolution. Recently, lified Flow (aFlow) has been introduced as an algorithm which allows visualization and quantification of aneurysm wall motion based on lification of 4D flow MRI data. In this work, we used aFlow to assess IAs wall motion in patients with growing aneurysms. The results were compared with a patient cohort with stable aneurysms. Among 118 patients with unruptured IAs who underwent sequential surveillance imaging, 10 patients with growing IAs who had baseline 3D TOF-MRA and 4D flow MR imaging were identified and matched with another cohort of patients with stable IAs based on IAs size and location. aFlow was then applied to the 4D flow MR data to lify the aneurysm wall displacement. Voxel-based values of displacement were extracted for each aneurysm and normalized with respect to the reference parent artery. Following histogram analysis, the highest and lowest IAs displacements were calculated, together with their standard deviation and interquartile ranges. A paired-wise analysis was adopted to assess the differences among clinical variables, demographic data, morphological features, and aFlow parameters between patients with stable versus growing aneurysm. Results demonstrated higher wall motion and higher variability of deformation for the growing aneurysms, possibly due to inhomogeneities of the mechanical characteristics of the vessels walls or to underlying hemodynamics. Computational Fluid Dynamic simulation was also conducted for a subset of 6 stable and 6 growing aneurysms to examine the correlation between hemodynamic parameters, wall motion, and aneurysm stability. The magnitude and variance of directional wall shear stress gradient, in addition to area of colocation of elevated oscillatory shear stress and high variance in pressure, were highly correlated with both wall motion and aneurysm stability. We demonstrated here that the measurement and lification of the aneurysm wall motion achieved with our method has the potential to differentiate stable from growing aneurysms, and potentially act as a substitute for in depth computational fluid dynamic analysis.
Publisher: American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR)
Date: 05-08-2021
DOI: 10.3174/AJNR.A7217
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.NEURAD.2021.11.002
Abstract: Perfusion collateral index (PCI) has been recently defined as a promising measure of collateral status. We sought to compare collateral status assessed via CT-PCI in comparison to single-phase CTA and their relationship to outcome measures including final infarction volume, final recanalization status and functional outcome in ELVO patients. ELVO patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who had baseline CTA and CT perfusion and underwent endovascular treatment were included. Collateral status was assessed on CTA. PCI from CT perfusion was calculated in each patient and an optimal threshold to separate good vs insufficient collaterals was identified using DSA as reference. The collateral status determined by CTA and PCI were assessed against 3 measured outcomes: 1) final infarction volume 2) final recanalization status defined by TICI scores 3) functional outcome measured by 90-day mRS. A total of 53 patients met inclusion criteria. Excellent recanalization defined by TICI ≥2C was achieved in 36 (68%) patients and 23 patients (43%) had good functional outcome (mRS ≤2). While having good collaterals on both CTA and CTP-PCI was associated with significantly (p<0.05) smaller final infarction volume, only good collaterals status determined by CTP-PCI was associated with achieving excellent recanalization (p = 0.001) and good functional outcome (p = 0.003). CTP-based PCI outperforms CTA collateral scores in determination of excellent recanalization and good functional outcome and may be a promising imaging marker of collateral status in patients with delayed presentation of AIS.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 04-05-2022
DOI: 10.1177/15910199221095982
Abstract: Meningiomas with transosseous extension provide opportunities for extensive preoperative embolization, through conventional trans-arterial approaches, and also through less commonly used percutaneous methods. This video demonstrates embolization of a 7.6 × 9.5 × 9.9 cm transosseous WHO grade II meningioma. 1 Trans-arterial embolization was conducted via the left middle meningeal, occipital, and superficial temporal arteries. Only one superficial temporal artery was embolized to preserve vascular supply to the skin flap. To further devascularize the tumor, concomitant percutaneous embolization was performed. Transosseous extension of the tumor facilitated extensive percutaneous embolization of both the intracranial and extracranial components of the mass. Intraoperative bleeding from the scalp and extracranial component of the tumor was minimal. The intracranial tumor was soft and necrotic and was removed with suction and gentle dissection. Residual tumor was left behind within and adjacent to the superior sagittal sinus. The patient recovered without neurological deficit and was referred for radiation of the residual tumor.
Publisher: Massachusetts Medical Society
Date: 14-05-2020
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMC2009787
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 14-10-2021
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2021-017943
Abstract: There is conflicting evidence on the utility of intravenous (IV) alteplase in patients with emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT). This was a post hoc analysis of the COMPASS: a trial of aspiration thrombectomy versus stent retriever thrombectomy as first-line approach for large vessel occlusion. We compared clinical, procedural and angiographic outcomes of patients with and without prior IV alteplase administration. In the COMPASS trial, 235 patients had presented to the hospital within the first 4 hours of stroke symptom onset and were eligible for analysis. On univariate analysis, administration of IV alteplase prior to MT was found to be significantly associated with favorable outcomes (modified Rankin scale (mRS) 0–2 at 3 months 55.6% vs 40.0% in the MT-only group, P=0.037). However, on multivariate analysis, only baseline (pre-stroke) mRS, admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and age were identified as independent predictors of favorable outcomes at 3 months. We found higher final thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) 2b/3 rates in patients without the use of alteplase prior to the aspiration first approach (100.0% vs 87.9% in IV altepase +aspiration first MT, P=0.03). In the stent retriever first group, final TICI 2b/3 rates were identical in patients with and without IV alteplase administration (87.5% and 87.5%, P=1.0). Prior administration of IV alteplase may adversely affect the efficacy of aspiration, but does not seem to influence the stent retriever first approach to MT in patients with anterior circulation ELVO.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 30-03-2023
DOI: 10.1177/15910199231162670
Abstract: The safety and efficacy of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in distal vessel occlusion (DVO) are not well described. We aimed to evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of EVT in patients with DVO. We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive DVOs (defined as M3/M4, A1/A2, and P1/P2 occlusion) who underwent EVT within 24 h since last known well. The primary efficacy outcome was successful reperfusion (mTICI ≥ 2B). Secondary outcomes included successful recanalization with ≤3 passes. The safety outcome measures included the rate of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), all intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and symptomatic ICH (sICH). A total of 72 patients with DVO was identified: 39 (54%) with M3/M4, 13 (18%) with A1/A2, and 20 (28%) with P1/P2 occlusions. Admission NIHSS score median (IQR) was 12 (11), and 90% of the patients had baseline mRS ≤ 2. Thirty-six percent of the patients received intravenous thrombolytic therapy. Successful recanalization was achieved in 90% of the patients. The median number of passes was 2, with successful recanalization achieved with ≤3 passes in 83% of the patients. ICH was seen in 16% of the patients, including three SAHs. However, only one patient (1.4%) had sICH. Among 48 patients in whom 90-day outcome data were available, 33 (53.2%) had favorable clinical outcome (mRS ≤ 3). In a multivariable logistic regression, only baseline NIHSS was identified as an independent predictor of poor outcome. This single-center real-world experience demonstrates that EVT in patients with DVO stroke is safe and feasible and may lead to improved clinical outcome.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2019
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 02-09-2022
DOI: 10.1177/19714009211041520
Abstract: The delivery of flow- erting stents (FDS) necessitates a degree of catheter support beyond that required for endovascular coiling. The TracStar Large Distal Platform (LDP) is a novel 0.088″ platform intended for navigation into the intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA). We present an early institutional experience using the TracStar LDP in 44 cases of endovascular aneurysm embolization using FDS. Inclusion criteria for this single-center retrospective review encompassed all patients years of age who were treated for intracranial aneurysms. Procedural success was defined as successful stent deployment using the TracStar LDP. Other outcomes included periprocedural complications, use of an intermediate catheter, length of stay, and discharge disposition. The TracStar LDP was utilized in 44 consecutive FDS cases in 42 patients. Cavernous segment aneurysms constituted the majority of cases (12/42 28.6%), followed by posterior communicating artery (8/42 19.0%) and supraclinoid aneurysms (8/42 19.0%). Successful FDS deployment was achieved in 43/44 cases. The LDP achieved stable positioning within the ascending cavernous ICA in 63.6% of cases. A biaxial system was utilized in 54.5% of cases. There was one complication potentially related to use of the TracStar LDP, which was an asymptomatic ICA vessel dissection managed conservatively. The TracStar LDP is safe and effective during use in the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms with a FDS. Access to the ascending portion of the cavernous ICA was regularly achieved, and the platform allowed for both biaxial and triaxial configurations.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 12-04-2022
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2021-018632
Abstract: The purpose of this review is to summarize the data available for the role of angiography and embolization in the comprehensive multidisciplinary management of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs We performed a structured literature review for studies examining the indications, efficacy, and outcomes for patients undergoing endovascular therapy in the context of brain AVM management. We graded the quality of the evidence. Recommendations were arrived at through a consensus conference of the authors, then with additional input from the full Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery (SNIS) Standards and Guidelines Committee and the SNIS Board of Directors. The multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment of brain AVMs continues to evolve. Recommendations include: (1) Digital subtraction catheter cerebral angiography (DSA)—including 2D, 3D, and reformatted cross-sectional views when appropriate—is recommended in the pre-treatment assessment of cerebral AVMs. (I, B-NR) . (2) It is recommended that endovascular embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations be performed in the context of a complete multidisciplinary treatment plan aiming for obliteration of the AVM and cure. (I, B-NR) . (3) Embolization of brain AVMs before surgical resection can be useful to reduce intraoperative blood loss, morbidity, and surgical complexity. (IIa, B-NR) . (4) The role of primary curative embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations is uncertain, particularly as compared with microsurgery and radiosurgery with or without adjunctive embolization. Further research is needed, particularly with regard to risk for AVM recurrence. (III equivocal, C-LD) . (5) Targeted embolization of high-risk features of ruptured brain AVMs may be considered to reduce the risk for recurrent hemorrhage. (IIb, C-LD) . (6) Palliative embolization may be useful to treat symptomatic AVMs in which curative therapy is otherwise not possible. (IIb, B-NR) . (7) The role of AVM embolization as an adjunct to radiosurgery is not well-established. Further research is needed. (III equivocal, C-LD) . (8) Imaging follow-up after apparent cure of brain AVMs is recommended to assess for recurrence. Although non-invasive imaging may be used for longitudinal follow-up, DSA remains the gold standard for residual or recurrent AVM detection in patients with concerning imaging and/or clinical findings. (I, C-LD) . (9) Improved national and international reporting of patients of all ages with brain AVMs, their treatments, side effects from treatment, and their long-term outcomes would enhance the ability to perform clinical trials and improve the rigor of research into this rare condition. (I, C-EO) . Although the quality of evidence is lower than for more common conditions subjected to multiple randomized controlled trials, endovascular therapy has an important role in the management of brain AVMs. Prospective studies are needed to strengthen the data supporting these recommendations.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 17-07-2020
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2020-016434
Abstract: Clot density (Hounsfield units, HU) and perviousness (post-contrast increase in the HU of clot) are thought to be associated with clot composition. We evaluate whether these imaging characteristics were associated with angiographic outcomes of aspiration and stent retriever thrombectomy in COMPASS: a trial of aspiration thrombectomy versus stent retriever thrombectomy as first-line approach for large vessel occlusion. Clot density and perviousness were measured by two independent operators who were blind to all the final angiographic and clinical outcomes. The association of clot density and perviousness with the Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (TICI) scale after first pass was assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Among all patients enrolled in COMPASS, 165 were eligible for the post-hoc analysis (81 patients in the aspiration first and 84 in the stent retriever first groups). Overall mean perviousness of clot was significantly higher in patient with mTICI 2b-3 after first pass (28.6±22.9 vs 20.3±19.2, p=0.017). Mean perviousness among patients who achieved TICI 2c/3 versus TICI 2b versus TICI 0-2a in the aspiration first group varied significantly (32.6±26.1, 35.3±24.4, and 17.7±13.1, p=0.013). The association of perviousness with first pass success was not significant in the stent retriever group. Using multivariate analysis, high perviousness (defined as cut-off .6) was an independent predictor of TICI 2b-3 (OR 3.82, 95% CI 1.10 to 13.19 p=0.034). Clot perviousness is associated with first pass angiographic success in patients treated with the aspiration first approach for thrombectomy.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 22-01-2020
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2019-015026
Abstract: No aspect of neurointerventional practice has been associated with as longstanding contention and debate as to its effectiveness as has vertebroplasty (VP). Four blinded randomized controlled trials published since 2009 have demonstrated conflicting results regarding a conferred benefit in pain reduction and functional improvement for patients who undergo VP for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Significant heterogeneity exists between each of these trials, which has resulted in difficulty for interventionalists and surgeons to translate the trial findings into routine clinical practice. In addition, patients and their families are ever more enlightened and enabled via the internet and social media to review both medical literature and websites. Without the proper background and context, their decisions may be lacking appropriate and necessary scientific discussion. This review article summarizes the randomized controlled trial data to date, with particular focus on the aforementioned four blinded studies. We will also evaluate the profound impact of the decrease in vertebral augmentation utilization on short- and long-term patient morbidity and mortality using available national and administrative datasets from both within the USA and internationally. We also consider future trial design to help evaluate this procedure and determine its role in modern neurointerventional practice.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 02-01-2023
Abstract: Recent clinical trials have shown that mechanical thrombectomy is superior to medical management for large vessel occlusion for up to 24 hours from onset. Our objective is to examine the safety and efficacy of thrombectomy beyond the standard of care window. A retrospective review was undertaken of the multicenter Stroke Thrombectomy and Aneurysm Registry (STAR). We identified patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion beyond 24 hours. We selected a matched control group from patients who underwent thrombectomy in the 6–24-hour window. We used functional independence at 3 months as our primary outcome measure. We identified 121 patients who underwent thrombectomy beyond 24 hours and 1824 in the 6–24-hour window. We selected a 2:1 matched group of patients with thrombectomy 6–24 hours as a comparison group. Patients undergoing thrombectomy beyond 24 hours were less likely to be independent at 90 days (18 (18.8%) vs 73 (34.9%), P=0.005). They had higher odds of mortality at 90 days in the adjusted analysis (OR 2.34, P=0.023). Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and other complications were similar in the two groups. In a multivariate analysis only lower number of attempts was associated with good outcomes (OR 0.27, P=0.022). Mechanical thrombectomy beyond 24 hours appears to be safe and tolerable with no more hemorrhages or complications compared with standard of care thrombectomy. Outcomes and mortality in this time window are worse compared with an earlier time window, but the rates of good outcomes may justify this therapy in selected patients.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 23-11-2021
DOI: 10.1136/NEURINTSURG-2020-016826
Abstract: Endovascular thrombectomy has revolutionized the management of acute ischemic stroke from emergent large vessel occlusion. Continued technological advancement in the field, as evidenced by successive introduction of large bore aspiration catheters with enhanced trackability and large inner diameter, has played a major role in achieving fast and robust recanalization and improved clinical outcome. Here, we present three patients with intraprocedural device malfunction related to the JET 7 XTRA Flex reperfusion catheter.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 16-06-2022
DOI: 10.1186/S12873-022-00663-Z
Abstract: The worldwide burden of stroke remains high, with increasing time-to-treatment correlated with worse outcomes. Yet stroke subtype determination, most importantly between stroke/non-stroke and ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke, is not confirmed until hospital CT diagnosis, resulting in suboptimal prehospital triage and delayed treatment. In this study, we survey portable, non-invasive diagnostic technologies that could streamline triage by making this initial determination of stroke type, thereby reducing time-to-treatment. Following PRISMA guidelines, we performed a scoping review of portable stroke diagnostic devices. The search was executed in PubMed and Scopus, and all studies testing technology for the detection of stroke or intracranial hemorrhage were eligible for inclusion. Extracted data included type of technology, location, feasibility, time to results, and diagnostic accuracy. After a screening of 296 studies, 16 papers were selected for inclusion. Studied devices utilized various types of diagnostic technology, including near-infrared spectroscopy (6), ultrasound (4), electroencephalography (4), microwave technology (1), and volumetric impedance spectroscopy (1). Three devices were tested prior to hospital arrival, 6 were tested in the emergency department, and 7 were tested in unspecified hospital settings. Median measurement time was 3 minutes (IQR: 3 minutes to 5.6 minutes). Several technologies showed high diagnostic accuracy in severe stroke and intracranial hematoma detection. Numerous emerging portable technologies have been reported to detect and stratify stroke to potentially improve prehospital triage. However, the majority of these current technologies are still in development and utilize a variety of accuracy metrics, making inter-technology comparisons difficult. Standardizing evaluation of diagnostic accuracy may be helpful in further optimizing portable stroke detection technology for clinical use.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 09-2021
DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.121.034222
Abstract: Endovascular thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion stroke is a time-sensitive intervention. The use of a Mobile Interventional Stroke Team (MIST) traveling to Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers to perform endovascular thrombectomy has been shown to be significantly faster with improved discharge outcomes, as compared with the drip-and-ship (DS) model. The effect of the MIST model stratified by time of presentation has yet to be studied. We hypothesize that patients who present in the early window (last known well of ≤6 hours) will have better clinical outcomes in the MIST model. The NYC MIST Trial and a prospectively collected stroke database were assessed for patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy from January 2017 to February 2020. Patients presenting in early and late time windows were analyzed separately. The primary end point was the proportion with a good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2) at 90 days. Secondary end points included discharge National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and modified Rankin Scale. Among 561 cases, 226 patients fit inclusion criteria and were categorized into MIST and DS cohorts. Exclusion criteria included a baseline modified Rankin Scale score of , inpatient status, or fluctuating exams. In the early window, 54% (40/74) had a good 90-day outcome in the MIST model, as compared with 28% (24/86) in the DS model ( P .01). In the late window, outcomes were similar (35% versus 41% P =0.77). The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at discharge was 5.0 and 12.0 in the early window ( P .01) and 5.0 and 11.0 in the late window ( P =0.11) in the MIST and DS models, respectively. The early window discharge modified Rankin Scale was significantly better in the MIST model ( P .01) and similar in the late window ( P =0.41). The MIST model in the early time window results in better 90-day outcomes compared with the DS model. This may be due to the MIST capturing high-risk fast progressors at an earlier time point. URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov Unique identifier: NCT03048292.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 02-03-2022
Publisher: Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group (JNSPG)
Date: 07-2020
Abstract: Wide-necked aneurysms (WNAs) are a variably defined subset of cerebral aneurysms that require more advanced endovascular and microsurgical techniques than those required for narrow-necked aneurysms. The neurosurgical literature includes many definitions of WNAs, and a systematic review has not been performed to identify the most commonly used or optimal definition. The purpose of this systematic review was to highlight the most commonly used definition of WNAs. The authors searched PubMed for the years 1998–2017, using the terms “wide neck aneurysm” and “broad neck aneurysm” to identify relevant articles. All results were screened for having a minimum of 30 patients and for clearly stating a definition of WNA. Reference lists for all articles meeting the inclusion criteria were also screened for eligibility. The search of the neurosurgical literature identified 809 records, of which 686 were excluded (626 with 30 patients 60 for lack of a WNA definition), leaving 123 articles for analysis. Twenty-seven unique definitions were identified and condensed into 14 definitions. The most common definition was neck size ≥ 4 mm or dome-to-neck ratio 2, which was used in 49 articles (39.8%). The second most commonly used definition was neck size ≥ 4 mm, which was used in 26 articles (21.1%). The rest of the definitions included similar parameters with variable thresholds. There was inconsistent reporting of the precise dome measurements used to determine the dome-to-neck ratio. Digital subtraction angiography was the only imaging modality used to study the aneurysm morphology in 87 of 122 articles (71.3%). The literature has great variability regarding the definition of a WNA. The most prevalent definition is a neck diameter of ≥ 4 mm or a dome-to-neck ratio of 2. Whether this is the most appropriate and clinically useful definition is an area for future study.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 12-2020
DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.030248
Abstract: Triage of patients with emergent large vessel occlusion stroke to primary stroke centers followed by transfer to comprehensive stroke centers leads to increased time to endovascular therapy. A Mobile Interventional Stroke Team (MIST) provides an alternative model by transferring a MIST to a Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center (TSC) to perform endovascular therapy. Our aim is to determine whether the MIST model is more time-efficient and leads to improved clinical outcomes compared with standard drip-and-ship (DS) and mothership models. This is a prospective observational cohort study with 3-month follow-up between June 2016 and December 2018 at a multicenter health system, consisting of one comprehensive stroke center, 4 TSCs, and several primary stroke centers. A total of 228 of 373 patients received endovascular therapy via 1 of 4 models: mothership with patient presentation to a comprehensive stroke center, DS with patient transfer from primary stroke center or TSC to comprehensive stroke center, MIST with patient presentation to TSC and MIST transfer, or a combination of DS with patient transfer from primary stroke center to TSC and MIST. The prespecified primary end point was initial door-to-recanalization time and secondary end points measured additional time intervals and clinical outcomes at discharge and 3 months. MIST had a faster mean initial door-to-recanalization time than DS by 83 minutes ( P .01). MIST and mothership had similar median door-to-recanalization times of 192 minutes and 179 minutes, respectively ( P =0.83). A greater proportion had a complete recovery (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale of 0 or 1) at discharge in MIST compared with DS (37.9% versus 16.7% P .01). MIST had 52.8% of patients with modified Rankin Scale of ≤2 at 3 months compared with 38.9% in DS ( P =0.10). MIST led to significantly faster initial door-to-recanalization times compared with DS, which was comparable to mothership. This decrease in time has translated into improved short-term outcomes and a trend towards improved long-term outcomes. URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT03048292.
No related grants have been discovered for Reade De Leacy.