Meniscus Sign in Patients with Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke does not Predict Outcome

Modified treatment in cerebral ischemia 1 versus modified treatment in cerebral ischemia 0 before endovascular stroke treatment in middle cerebral artery's M1-occlusion: Predictor for revascularization success and outcome?

BackgroundLittle is known about the implications for revascularization success of target vessel occlusions (TVOs) with persisting antegrade perfusion before initiation of endovascular stroke treatment (EST) (modified treatment in cerebral ischemia (mTICI 1)) compared to a complete occlusion (mTICI 0). Here, we compared these two states of TVO.MethodsRetrospective, single-center analysis of patients treated for M1-segment middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion with EST from January 2015 until May 2020 in a tertiary stroke center. Primary study endpoint was successful recanalization (mTICI 2c-3) after one thrombectomy attempt. Secondary endpoints were clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 90 days after stroke onset), complication rate, and rate of underlying atherosclerotic disease. The two study groups were compared in univariate analysis including patient characteristics and procedural details.ResultsIn this study, 422/581 patients (72.6%) presented with complete M1-occlusion compared to 159/581 (27.4%) with incomplete M1-occlusion. Neither did the recanalization success rate differ between the study groups nor the rate of complications (mTICI 0: 2.4%, mTICI 1: 0.6%, p = 0.304) or underlying atherosclerotic disease. Patients with incomplete initial occlusion showed a lower mRS at discharge (median interquartile range (IQR) mTICI 0: 4 (3-5) vs. mTICI 1: 3 (2-6), p = 0.014), but a comparable mRS 90 days after stroke onset (mTICI 0: 3 (2-6) vs. mTICI 1: 4 (2-6), p = 0.479).ConclusionComplete M1-occlusions (mTICI 0) and incomplete occlusions (mTICI 1) show the same recanalization success, comparable complication rate, and clinical outcome as well as the same rate of underlying atherosclerotic disease. Thus, incomplete M1-occlusions do not allow for an individualized interventional approach.

Can the clot meniscus and claw signs predict thrombectomy and clinical outcomes in patients with stroke? A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The angiographic shape of an occlusion, like the clot meniscus sign and the claw sign, has been reported to potentially impact the recanalization rate and clinical outcome in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic strokes.

METHOD

Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Web of Science databases. Patients were grouped into clot meniscus/claw sign positive and negative groups based on the definitions obtained from each study. Primary outcomes included technical success, with a meta-analysis performed using a random-effects model to calculate proportions and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (Cl).

RESULTS

We included seven studies recruiting 1572 patients. The results indicated that the positive and negative groups had comparable first-pass effect (OR 1.95; 95% CI 0.76 to 5.01; P=0.167) and final recanalization (OR 1.36; 95% CI 0.81 to 2.27; P=0.248) rates. However, the rate of having a favorable functional outcome was significantly higher in the positive group than in the negative sign group (OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.25 to 2.92; P<0.003). Within the sign-positive population, the use of contact aspiration was associated with a significantly higher rate of recanalization compared with using a stent retriever (OR 0.18; 95% CI 0.07 to 0.49; P<0.001). This result did not translate into a clinical impact, as both stent retriever and contact aspiration showed comparable rates of functional independence at 3 months (OR 0.22; 95% CI 0.02 to 2.33; P=0.210).

CONCLUSION

The presence of the clot meniscus/claw sign is not associated with recanalization outcomes after thrombectomy. However, it might be a good sign to predict which thrombectomy technique might be associated with better recanalization, although current evidence may need further confirmation.

Pre-treatment radiological factors associated with poor functional outcome in an Asian cohort of large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy

Background and aims

Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is the current standard of care for large vessel occlusion (LVO) acute ischemic stroke (AIS); however, up to two-thirds of EVT patients have poor functional outcomes despite successful reperfusion. Many radiological markers have been studied as predictive biomarkers for patient outcomes in AIS. This study seeks to determine which clinico-radiological factors are associated with outcomes of interest to aid selection of patients for EVT for LVO AIS.

Methods

A retrospective study of patients who underwent EVT from 2016 to 2020 was performed. Data on various radiological variables, such as anatomical parameters, clot characteristics, collateral status, and infarct size, were collected alongside traditional demographic and clinical variables. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed for the primary outcomes of functional independence at 3 months post-stroke (modified Rankin Scale 0-2) and secondary outcomes of in-hospital mortality and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage.

Results

The study cohort comprised 325 consecutive patients with anterior circulation LVO AIS (54.5% male) with a median age of 68 years (interquartile range 57-76). The median NIHSS was 19. Age, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Alberta mCTA score, ASPECTS, clot length, thrombus HU and mTICI score and the angle between ICA and CCA were associated with functional outcomes at 3 months on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, age, Alberta mCTA collaterals and NIHSS were significantly associated with functional outcomes, while ASPECTS approached significance.

Conclusion

Among the many proposed radiological markers for patients in the hyperacute setting undergoing EVT, the existing well-validated clinico-radiological measures remain strongly associated with functional status.

Angiographic demonstration of a cutoff sign as an unfavorable prognostic indicator for patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing mechanical thrombectomy

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to investigate whether the angiographic demonstration of a cutoff sign on the initial angiogram could predict recanalization and prognosis in acute ischemic stroke patients treated by endovascular thrombectomy.

METHODS

The angiographic and clinical data of patients who underwent endovascular treatment from October 2018 to April 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. The pretreatment angiographic appearance of the thrombus's proximal part was assessed and classified as either the cutoff sign (+) or (-). Patients' baseline characteristics and angiographic and clinical outcomes between the two groups were analyzed using propensity score matching. Then, the two commonly used techniques, stent retrieval and contact aspiration, were compared in terms of successful reperfusion and clinical outcome in patients with the cutoff sign.

RESULTS

The cutoff sign was observed in 77 (36.2%) of 213 patients. Patients with the cutoff sign were younger and were less likely to have involvement of the anterior circulation. Compared with the cutoff sign (-) group, the cutoff sign (+) group had a significantly longer procedure time (103 versus 80 min, P =0.002) and a lower percentage of 3-month good functional outcomes (18.2% versus 36%, P =0.006). After propensity score matching, the procedure time (100 versus 75 min, P =0.002) and the 3-month good outcome (19.2% versus 41.4%, P =0.004) remained significantly different. No significant differences were observed in the radiological (OR 0.758, 95% CI 0.157 to 3.658; P =0.730) and clinical (OR 0.747, 95% CI 0.147 to 3.787; P =0.725) outcomes between the two techniques.

CONCLUSIONS

The cutoff sign might be an unfavorable prognostic indicator in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy, and the efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy techniques does not differ in patients positive for the cutoff sign.