Endovascular Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke Due to Intracranial Atherosclerotic Large Vessel Occlusion : A Systematic Review

Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion due to Intracranial Stenosis: Identification, Management, Challenges, and Future Directions

This comprehensive literature review focuses on acute stroke related to intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS), with an emphasis on ICAS-large vessel occlusion. ICAS is the leading cause of stroke globally, with high recurrence risk, especially in Asian, Black, and Hispanic populations. Various risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and advanced age lead to ICAS, which in turn results in stroke through different mechanisms. Recurrent stroke risk in patients with ICAS with hemodynamic failure is particularly high, even with aggressive medical management. Developments in advanced imaging have improved our understanding of ICAS and ability to identify high-risk patients who could benefit from intervention. Herein, we focus on current management strategies for ICAS-large vessel occlusion discussed, including the use of perfusion imaging, endovascular therapy, and stenting. In addition, we focus on strategies that aim at identifying subjects at higher risk for early recurrent risk who could benefit from early endovascular intervention The review underscores the need for further research to optimize ICAS-large vessel occlusion treatment strategies, a traditionally understudied topic.

Tigertriever in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke with underlying intracranial atherosclerotic disease

BACKGROUND

The Tigertriever device offers a unique feature that enables gradual control of the radial expansion. We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Tigertriever device in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) and underlying intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD). The patients were part of the TIGER trial.

METHODS

The presence of underlying ICAD was determined by a core imaging laboratory using CT angiography and digital subtraction angiography. The primary outcomes included successful reperfusion, puncture to reperfusion time, and complications associated with the use of the Tigertriever device. Patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy with the Tigertriever device for up to three passes, and alternative devices were employed for subsequent passes.

RESULTS

A total of 160 patients were enrolled in the TIGER trial, and 32 patients had ICAD. Among the patients with ICAD, 78% achieved successful reperfusion within three passes of the Tigertriever device, without requiring rescue therapy. Additionally, a first pass effect was observed in 46.8%. The median time from puncture to reperfusion was 22 minutes. There were no device-related complications. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at 24 hours was significantly reduced, from an average of 17 at baseline to 8. At the 3 month follow-up, 50% of patients achieved a modified Rankin Scale score of ≤2.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular therapy (EVT) with the Tigertriever device for LVO in patients with underlying ICAD is effective and safe. When compared with historical data from other devices employed in similar cases, we observed a high rate of successful reperfusion, along with a shorter puncture to reperfusion time.

Short-term efficacy of stenting as a rescue therapy for acute atherosclerotic occlusion in anterior cerebral circulation

Purpose

The study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of the Neuroform EZ stent in treating acute anterior circulation large artery occlusion.

Methods

The clinical data of 42 consecutive patients with acute anterior circulation large atherosclerotic occlusion who were treated with the Neuroform EZ stent from January 2018 to August 2019 in our stroke care center, including baseline characteristics, images, therapeutic condition, and follow-up data were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

There were 42 mechanical thrombectomy (MT) failure cases of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis with rescue Neuroform EZ stent implantation, of which 78.6% (33/42) had a good prognosis and 88.1% (37/42) showed no re-stenosis at follow-up. The average time from puncture to recanalization is 79.50 ± 14.19 min. The successful rate of intraoperative stent release is 97.6%, while there is one case of stent displacement, three cases of thrombus escape, and six cases of hemorrhage.

Conclusion

Rescue therapy of the Neuroform EZ stent for acute anterior circulation large atherosclerotic occlusion can archive good short-term imaging and clinical results, while long-term follow-up is still needed to verify.

Rescue therapy after thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion due to underlying atherosclerosis: review of literature

In this review article, we summarized the current advances in rescue management for reperfusion therapy of acute ischemic stroke from large vessel occlusion due to underlying intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). It is estimated that 24-47% of patients with acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion have underlying ICAS and superimposed in situ thrombosis. These patients have been found to have longer procedure times, lower recanalization rates, higher rates of reocclusion and lower rates of favorable outcomes than patients with embolic occlusion. Here, we discuss the most recent literature regarding the use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, angioplasty alone, or angioplasty with stenting for rescue therapy in the setting of failed recanalization or instant/imminent reocclusion during thrombectomy. We also present a case of rescue therapy post intravenous tPA and thrombectomy with intra-arterial tirofiban and balloon angioplasty followed by oral dual antiplatelet therapy in a patient with dominant vertebral artery occlusion due to ICAS. Based on the available literature data, we conclude that glycoprotein IIb/IIIa is a reasonably safe and effective rescue therapy for patients who have had a failed thrombectomy or have residual severe intracranial stenosis. Balloon angioplasty and/or stenting may be helpful as a rescue treatment for patients who have had a failed thrombectomy or are at risk of reocclusion. The effectiveness of immediate stenting for residual stenosis after successful thrombectomy is still uncertain. Rescue therapy does not appear to increase the risk of sICH. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to prove the efficacy of rescue therapy.

The REMIT scale: A novel prediction scale for embolism in hyperacute stroke with large vessel occlusion

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Large vessel occlusion (LVO) in hyperacute ischemic stroke occurs mainly by one of two mechanisms, embolism or atherosclerosis. However, the mechanism is difficult to identify prior to treatment. We aimed to investigate the factors associated with embolic LVO in hyperacute ischemic stroke, and to develop a preoperative predictive scale for the event.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective multicenter study was conducted with consecutive ischemic stroke patients with LVO who underwent thrombectomy, thrombolysis, or both. The embolic LVO was defined as an occlusion that underwent recanalization with no residual stenosis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis for embolic LVO was performed to identity the independent risk factors. With this approach, a novel prediction scale (Rating of Embolic Occlusion for Mechanical Thrombectomy [REMIT] scale) was developed.

RESULTS

A total of 162 patients (104 men; median age 76 years; interquartile range 68-83) were included in this study. Embolic LVO was observed in 121 patients (75%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that embolic LVO was independently associated with high brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), high National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on admission, and absence of non-culprit stenosis (NoCS). The REMIT scale comprises high BNP (>100 pg/dL), high NIHSS (>14) and absence of NoCS, with one point for each risk factor. The frequencies of embolic LVO for the REMIT scale scores were as follows: score 0, 25%; score 1, 60%; score 2, 87%; score 3, 97% (C-statistic 0.80, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The novel REMIT scale has predictive value for embolic LVO.

Clinical characteristics of endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke with atherosclerotic etiology: factors associating its clinical outcome

OBJECTIVE

Clinical characteristics of endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) secondary to atherosclerosis are not fully delineated. An optimal treatment strategy with considerations of stroke etiology has not yet been established. Here-in, we performed retrospective analysis of EVT for atherosclerotic AIS.

METHODS

Data from patients with AIS who underwent EVT between 2017 and 2022 were analyzed. Clinical characteristics, procedural data, and outcomes were assessed. Further analysis was conducted to elucidate the factors associated with clinical outcomes. And data of patients with poor clinical outcomes (mRS, 5 or 6) were evaluated further to determine the primary cause.

RESULTS

Among 194 patients who received EVT, 40 (20.6%) were diagnosed with AIS with an atherosclerotic etiology. The rates of successful reperfusion (TICI 2b or 3) and good clinical outcomes (mRS, 0-2) were 95.0% and 45.0%, respectively. No procedure-related complications were noted. Older age (p = 0.007), more severe baseline NIHSS score (p = 0.004), lesion in the posterior circulation (p = 0.025), and recanalization failure (p = 0.027) were more frequently observed in patients with poor clinical outcomes. Brainstem infarction and postprocedural intracerebral hemorrhage were the main reasons for poor clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The EVT for atherosclerotic AIS were effective and safe. Older age, more severe NIHSS score, lesions in the posterior circulation, and recanalization failure were the factors associated with poor clinical outcomes. It is important to recognize that these factors may aggravate the clinical response to this promising therapy, even in patient successful recanalization was attained.

Emergency Angioplasty or Stenting for Stroke Patients with Intracranial Atherosclerotic Large Vessel Occlusion

AIM

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has become the gold standard for the treatment of large vessel occlusion (LVO) in acute ischemic stroke. However, it remains controversial whether emergency angioplasty or stenting in patients with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) should be adopted. Thus, we performed a retrospective analysis of clinical data to determine whether emergency angioplasty or stenting is necessary.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data from patients undergoing MT with ICAS-related LVO of the acute anterior circulation between 2017 and 2019. Eligible patients were divided into two treatment groups: those who received rescue angioplasty or stenting [Patients treated with rescue angioplasty or stenting (PTAS) group] and those who received thrombectomy alone (non-PTAS group). The primary outcomes were good prognosis at 90 days (mRS: 0-2). Mortality, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and reocclusion rate were evaluated as secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 184 patients with severe stenosis after MT were enrolled, including 64 patients receiving rescue angioplasty or stenting and 120 patients without rescue angioplasty or stenting. Compared with the non-PTAS group, a better functional outcome (mRS0-2) (51.6% vs. 35.0%, adjusted odds ratio: 2.11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-4.29; P=0.02), lower 7-day National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [6 (3-12.75) vs. 10 (4-16); P=0.04], lower 24-h neurological deterioration rate (7.8% vs. 21.7%, P=0.02), and lower 24-h reocclusion rate were observed in the PTAS group (6.3% vs. 17.5%, P=0.03). There were no significant differences in mortality or incidence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

Emergency angioplasty or stenting could be a safe and feasible therapeutic option with better outcomes for stroke patients with ICAS-related LVO.

Endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke with a fully radiopaque retriever: A randomized controlled trial

Objective

The Neurohawk retriever is a new fully radiopaque retriever. A randomized controlled non-inferiority trial was conducted to compare the Neurohawk and the Solitaire FR in terms of safety and efficacy. In order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endovascular treatment in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) larger vessel occlusion (LVO), a sub-analysis was performed.

Methods

Acute ischemic stroke patients aged 18-80 years with LVO in the anterior circulation were randomly assigned to undergo thrombectomy with either the Neurohawk or the Solitaire FR. The primary efficacy endpoint was successful reperfusion (mTICI 2b-3) rate by the allocated retriever. A relevant non-inferiority margin was 12.5%. Safety outcomes were symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and all-cause mortality within 90 days. Secondary endpoints included first-pass effect (FPE), modified FPE, and favorable outcomes at 90 days. In subgroup analysis, the patients were divided into the ICAD group and non-ICAD group according to etiology, and baseline characteristics, angiographic, and clinical outcomes were compared.

Results

A total of 232 patients were involved in this analysis (115 patients in the Neurohawk group and 117 in the Solitaire group). The rates of successful reperfusion with the allocated retriever were 88.70% in the Neurohawk group and 90.60% in the Solitaire group (95%CI of the difference, -9.74% to 5.94%; p = 0.867). There were similar results in FPE and mFPE in both groups. The rate of sICH seemed higher in the Solitaire group (13.16% vs. 7.02%, p = 0.124). All-cause mortality and favorable outcome rates were comparable as well. In subgroup analysis, 58 patients were assigned to the ICAD group and the remaining 174 to the non-ICAD group. The final successful reperfusion and favorable outcome rates showed no statistically significant differences in two groups. Mortality within 90 days was relatively lower in the ICAD group (6.90% vs. 17.24%; p = 0.054).

Conclusion

The Neurohawk retriever is non-inferior to the Solitaire FR in the mechanical thrombectomy of large vessel occlusion-acute ischemic stroke (LVO-AIS). The sub-analysis suggested that endovascular treatment including thrombectomy with the retriever and essential rescue angioplasty is effective and safe in AIS patients with intracranial atherosclerotic disease-larger vessel occlusion (ICAD-LVO).

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04995757, number: NCT04995757.

Novel predictors and a predictive model of cerebrovascular atherosclerotic ischemic stroke based on clinical databases

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Early identification of cerebrovascular atherosclerotic ischemic stroke is necessary for accurate treatment and clinical research.

AIMS

To identify novel predictors and build a predictive model of ischemic strokes due to cerebrovascular atherosclerosis.

METHOD

MIMIC-IV database was used to search for clinical data of patients with ischemic stroke. Included patients were divided into two groups according to their etiologies. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to build the predictive model, and the model reliability parameters were calculated. The cut-off value for the model was selected according to the Youden index. Clinical data from the Neurovascular Center of Changhai Hospital were used to verify the predictive model.

RESULTS

Logistical regressions showed a positive correlation between advanced age, peripheral atherosclerosis, history of transient ischemia, and the diagnosis of ischemic strokes due to cerebrovascular atherosclerosis. The history of atrial fibrillation, levels of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, serum potassium, and activated partial thromboplastin time were negatively correlated to the diagnosis of cerebrovascular atherosclerotic ischemic stroke. The predictive model was constructed from logistic regression results, and the area under the curve was 0.764. The cut-off value for the model was set at 0.089 to achieve the highest Youden index, with sensitivity and specificity of 75.9% and 64.1%. Clinical verification of the model revealed that the sensitivity and specificity of the model were 52.5% and 93.0% respectively.

CONCLUSION

The efficacy of the predictive model was acceptable as an aid in predicting cerebrovascular atherosclerotic ischemic stroke.

Early diagnosis of intracranial atherosclerotic large vascular occlusion: A prediction model based on DIRECT-MT data

AIMS

This study aimed to build a prediction model to early diagnose intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS)-related large vascular occlusion (LVO) in acute ischemic stroke patients before digital subtractive angiography.

METHODS

Patients enrolled in the DIRECT-MT trial (NCT03469206) were included in our secondary analysis and distributed into ICAS-LVO and non-ICAS-LVO groups. We also retrieved demographic data, medical histories, clinical characteristics, and pre-operative imaging data. Hypothesis testing was used to compare data of the two groups, and univariate logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of ICAS-LVO primarily. Then, we used multivariate logistic regression to determine the independent predictors and formulate the prediction model. Model efficacy was estimated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) and diagnostic parameters generated from internal and external validations.

RESULTS

The subgroup analysis included 45 cases in the ICAS-LVO group and 611 cases in the non-ICAS-LVO group. Variates with p < 0.1 in the comparative analysis were used as inputs in the univariate logistic regression. Next, variates with p < 0.1 in the univariate logistic regression were used as inputs in the multivariate logistic regression. The multivariate logistic regression indicated that the atrial fibrillation history, hypertension and smoking, occlusion located at the proximal M1 and M2, hyperdense artery sign, and clot burden score were related to the diagnosis of ICAS-LVO. Then, we constructed a prediction model based on multivariate logistics regression. The sensitivity and specificity of the model were 84.09 and 74.54% in internal validation and 73.11 and 71.53% in external validation.

CONCLUSION

Our current prediction model based on clinical data of patients from the DIRECT-MT trial might be a promising tool for predicting ICAS-LVO.

Endovascular treatment of acute M1 occlusions due to underlying intracranial atherosclerotic severe stenosis

Background

Endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke with an occlusion of the M1 segment due to intracranial atherosclerotic severe stenosis (ICASS) remains challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of EVT for ICASS-related M1 acute occlusion.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all patients with an ICASS-related M1 acute occlusion who underwent EVT at our institution between January 2015 and December 2020. Clinical presentation, baseline characteristics, angiographic and clinical results, technical feasibility, perioperative complications, and follow-up results were evaluated.

Results

Twenty-two patients with ICASS-related M1 acute occlusion were included. Eight patients (36.4%) received bridging therapy, and the other 14 patients (63.6%) directly underwent EVT. Fifteen patients (68.2%) treated with balloon dilations and stenting as rescue treatment. Six patients (27.3%) received single balloon angioplasty, and 5 of these patients were treated with staged stenting. One case (4.5%) failed recanalization at the first EVT, and successful revascularization was achieved a month later. The mean procedure time was 67.2 ± 20.8 min. Successful revascularization (mTICI ≥ 2b) was achieved in 95.5% (21/22) of patients. Perioperative complications developed in two patients (9.1%) including one hemorrhagic event and one thromboembolic event. Angiographic follow-up was available in 20 patients (90.9%) at an average of 8.6 ± 3.0 months. The degree of stenosis was worse (10–30%) in 6 cases (30%) compared with the initial outcomes. The favorable outcomes (mRS ≤ 2) at 3-month follow-up was achieved in 19 patients (86.4%).

Conclusions

ICASS-related occlusion in the M1 segment often required a rescue therapy including balloon angioplasty with/without stenting, and this treatment strategy was safe and effective. But single balloon angioplasty at the first EVT generally cannot achieve satisfactory results and often needed staged stenting treatment.

A comparison between different endovascular treatment strategies for acute large vessel occlusion due to intracranial artery atherosclerosis: data from ANGEL-ACT Registry

PURPOSE

The aim of our study is to compare the characteristics and clinical outcomes among the different endovascular treatment (EVT) strategies for large vessel occlusion underlying intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS-LVO) in a recent nationwide registry.

METHODS

Patients with isolated ICAS-LVO were enrolled in our analysis and were categorized into three groups: first-line mechanical thrombectomy (MT) with rescue angioplasty and/or stenting (MT + RS), direct angioplasty and/or stenting without thrombectomy (DA), and MT alone. Baseline and periprocedural characteristics, successful recanalization, and 90-day functional outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

Of 396 patients with isolated ICAS-LVO in our study, successful recanalization was achieved in 94.5%, 100%, and 90.9% of patients in the MT + RS, DA, and MT groups, respectively. The 90-day functional independence in the three groups was 50.8%, 59.0%, and 45.1%. The main efficacy and safety outcomes showed no significant differences among the groups. First-pass recanalization (FPR) was more observed in the MT group (43.4%), the recanalization rate per attempt in the MT group gradually decreased until the fourth attempt, and further maneuvers showed recanalization rates of ≈0% per attempt. MT + RS (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.10, p < 0.0001) and DA (aOR 0.18, p = 0.0013) were associated with lower FPR rate than MT alone in the multivariable logistic regression.

CONCLUSIONS

The technical feasibility and favorable outcomes of several EVT strategies for ICAS-LVO were established in our study. First-line MT with a bailout angioplasty is a reasonable option for ICAS-LVO, and DA is an effective option for the cases when ICAS-LVO is strongly suspected before EVT procedure.

Prestroke Glucose Control and Functional Outcome in Patients With Acute Large Vessel Occlusive Stroke and Diabetes After Thrombectomy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether prestroke glucose control is associated with functional outcomes in patients with acute large vessel occlusive stroke and diabetes who underwent intra-arterial thrombectomy (IAT).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

From the Clinical Research Center for Stroke-Korea registry, we included patients with emergent large vessel occlusive stroke with diabetes who underwent IAT between January 2009 and March 2020. The association between the HbA_1c level at admission and functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale at 3 months after the index stroke) was assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 1,351 patients were analyzed. Early neurological deterioration was more common in patients with higher levels of HbA_1c at admission (P = 0.02 according to HbA_1c quintiles, P = 0.003 according to an HbA_1c cutoff value of 7.0%) than in those with lower HbA_1c levels. Higher HbA_1c levels at admission were significantly associated with decreased odds of favorable functional outcomes at a threshold of 7.0-7.1%. The association was consistently observed in subgroups divided according to age, sex, stroke subtype, occlusion site, degree of recanalization, thrombolysis modalities, time from symptom onset to groin puncture, and treatment period.

CONCLUSIONS

Prestroke glucose control with a target HbA_1c of ≤7.0% may be beneficial for neurological recovery in patients with diabetes undergoing IAT for large vessel occlusive stroke, regardless of stroke subtype, bridging intravenous thrombolysis, occlusion site, degree of recanalization, and treatment period.

A Multicenter Preliminary Study of Cangrelor following Thrombectomy Failure for Refractory Proximal Intracranial Occlusions

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Rescue endovascular and pharmacologic approaches are increasingly being adopted after recanalization failure of acute large-vessel occlusion strokes with mechanical thrombectomy, with encouraging results. The safety and efficacy of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in ischemic stroke have been investigated, though cangrelor, a recent intravenous P2Y12-receptor inhibitor with a rapid onset/offset of action and a short half-life, may be a valuable option. We compared the safety and efficacy of cangrelor with those of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors for refractory occlusions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of the ongoing prospective, multicenter, observational Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke Registry in France between May 2012 and February 2020. Refractory intracranial occlusions of the anterior and posterior circulation were included and defined as recanalization failure of large-vessel occlusion stroke, perioperative target artery reocclusion, or high risk of early reocclusion related to an arterial wall lesion. The primary end point was a favorable outcome, defined as a 90-day mRS of 0-2. Secondary end points were reperfusion, intracranial hemorrhage, and procedural complications.

RESULTS

Among 69 patients, 15 were treated with cangrelor, and 54, with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. The favorable outcome (adjusted OR = 2.22; 95% CI, 0.42-11.75; P = .348) and mortality (adjusted OR = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.06-3.16; P = .411) rates were similar in both groups. There was no difference in the rates of any intracranial hemorrhage (adjusted OR = 0.40; 95% CI, 0.08-2.09; P = .280), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (6.7% versus 0.0%, P = .058), or procedural complications (6.7% versus 20.4%, P = .215). Reperfusion rates were higher in the cangrelor group, though the difference did not reach statistical significance (93.3% versus 75.0% for modified TICI 2b-3; adjusted OR =10.88; 95% CI, 0.96-123.84; P = .054).

CONCLUSIONS

Cangrelor seems to be as safe as glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors for managing refractory intracranial occlusion and leads to satisfactory brain reperfusion. Cangrelor is a promising agent in this setting, and additional studies are warranted to confirm our findings.

Factors Contributing to an Efficacious Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Asian Population

Although randomized control trials about endovascular treatment (EVT) of emergent large vessel occlusion (LVO) have demonstrated the success of mechanical thrombectomy as the choice of treatment, a wide range of caveats remain unaddressed. Asian patients were rarely included in the trials, thereby raising the question of whether the treatment could be generalized. In addition, there remains a concern on the feasibility of the method with respect to its application against intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS)-related LVO, frequently observed in the Asian population. It is important to include evidence on ICAS LVO from Asian countries in the future for a comprehensive understanding of LVO etiology. Besides the issues with EVT, prognostic concerns in diabetes patients, acute kidney injury following EVT, neuroprotective management against reperfusion injury, and other peri-EVT issues should be considered in clinical practice. In the current article, we present an in-depth review of the literature that revises information pertaining to such concerns.

Association Between Occlusion Type and Etiology of Acute Intracranial Large Artery Occlusion

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic efficiency of truncal-type occlusion and branching-site occlusion in determining the etiology of intracranial large artery occlusion related acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods: Patients with intracranial large artery occlusion related AIS who received stent retriever (SR) thrombectomy from November 2014 to June 2019 were included in the study. All patients underwent angiography before SR thrombectomy, which was used to evaluate the occlusion type. Differences in the distribution of occlusion types in intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) and embolism were assessed, and the diagnostic indicators, including the area under the ROC curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity were calculated.

Results: Of the 115 AIS patients with intracranial large artery occlusion, 42 were classified as having ICAS, and 73 having an embolism. In the ICAS group, branching-site occlusion was responsible for 3 (7%) cases and truncal-type occlusion for 39 (93%) cases, while in the embolism group, branching-site occlusion was responsible for 66 (90%) cases and truncal-type occlusion for 7 (10%) cases; the difference was statistically significant (all P < 0.01). The AUC for ICAS predicted by truncal-type occlusion was 0.916, with a sensitivity of 92.86%, and specificity of 90.41%.

Conclusion: Truncal-type occlusion showed a high predictability of ICAS. Determine the etiology of intracranial large artery occlusion related AIS before SR thrombectomy may be most helpful in setting up optimal endovascular treatment strategies.

Current knowledge of large vascular occlusion due to intracranial atherosclerosis: focusing on early diagnosis

Intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS)-related large vascular occlusion (LVO) was an intractable subtype of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), which always needed rescue angioplasty and stenting and complicated the procedure of endovascular recanalization. Diagnosing ICAS-LVO accurately and early was helpful for both clinical treatment and trials. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was unable to provide an early and rapid diagnosis of ICAS-LVO based on current studies. A variety of pre-DSA methods had been used to distinguish ICAS-LVO with other subtypes of ischemic stroke, such as medical histories, clinical presentations, computed tomography or angiography (CT/CTA), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI/MRA). This article briefly reviewed the status quo of the diagnosis and treatment of ICAS-LVO and summarized early diagnostic methods of ICAS-LVO from different aspects.

Differences in Safety and Efficacy of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke : A Propensity Score Analysis of Intracranial Atherosclerosis-Related Occlusion versus Embolism

PURPOSE

The prognosis after endovascular treatment (EVT) of acute arterial occlusions due to intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) may differ from those due to embolism. The aim was to evaluate whether safety and efficacy of EVT differ among patients with middle cerebral artery (MCA) M1 occlusion from ICAD or embolism.

METHODS

A database review was conducted to identify EVT patients with acute MCA M1 occlusion from November 2013 to December 2018.The patients were divided into the ICAD group and embolic group according to the etiology of occlusion. Using propensity score analysis, patients with ICAD-related occlusion and embolism underwent 1:1 matching. Angiographic results, complications, and clinical outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 217 patients (ICAD: 51; embolism: 166) were identified. After propensity score matching, 45 patients with ICAD-related occlusion and 45 with embolism were matched. All baseline covariates except atrial fibrillation were statistically indistinguishable. The rate of successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction [mTICI] 2b-3) was similar between the two groups, while the rate of mTICI 3 in the ICAD group was higher. No statistical difference was observed in the rate of postprocedural intracranial hemorrhage. The rate of favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] ≤2) and mortality at 90 days was comparable.

CONCLUSION

This propensity score analysis demonstrated that the EVT patients with acute ICAD-related MCA M1 occlusion had similar angiographic and clinical outcomes compared to those with M1 embolism on a similar baseline condition.

Rescue stenting versus medical care alone in refractory large vessel occlusions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) failure is associated with very poor prognosis. Permanent intracranial stenting (PIS) may be useful in such refractory occlusions. However, this strategy requires an aggressive antithrombotic regimen that may be harmful in extended strokes. The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes between patients with refractory acute large vessel occlusions (LVOs) treated by PIS versus patients for whom the procedure was stopped without recanalization.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review by searching for articles in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov from January 2015 to September 2019. Two reviewers independently selected studies comparing PIS after failed MT in addition to usual care versus usual care only. A comparative meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models to estimate odds ratios of favorable clinical outcome at 90 days, defined as a modified Rankin scale 0-2, mortality and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH).

RESULTS

Four comparative studies were included for a total of 352 patients: 149 in the PIS group versus 203 in the control group. PIS was associated with significantly higher rates of 90-day favorable clinical outcome (odds ratio [OR], 2.87 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.77-4.66]; p < 0.001; I², 0%) and lower mortality (OR, 0.39 [0.16-0.93]; p = 0.03; I², 43%), whereas SICH rates did not significantly differ (OR, 0.68 [0.37-1.27]; p = 0.23; I², 0%).

CONCLUSION

From observational study results, attempting PIS after failed MT seems to improve clinical outcomes without increasing the risk of intracranial bleeding. Randomized trials are needed to confirm these results.