Safety of full-dose intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator followed by multimodal endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke

Comprehensive analysis of bioinformatics identification TST, SQOR and NRDC is mitochondria-related biomarkers of ischemic cerebral apoplexy

Mitochondria are an important organelle affecting the occurrence and development of ischemic stroke (IS). Although the role of mitochondria in IS has been paid attention to, the relevant biomarkers have not been identified, and the targeted treatment is still lacking. To further solve these problems, in this study, we combined and standardized GSE16561 and GSE58294 datasets in the GEO database as the test set, and GSE22255 as the training set. The mitochondria-related gene set was obtained from MitoCarta3.0 for study. R language was used to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to obtain the intersection genes. KEGG pathway enrichment and gene ontology (GO) analysis were performed. LASSO and Logistic methods were used to determine the diagnostic markers of mitochondrial-related IS. The correlation between it and the main immune cells and immune-related factors was analysed. The ROC curve was used to determine the diagnostic efficacy. The protein co-expression network, transcription factor, and miRNA prediction, and drug prediction by cMAP were performed against these markers. Molecular docking tested the binding energy. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the structure and morphology of mitochondria in cerebral microvascular endothelial cells of MCAO/R rats. Biochemical kits were used to detect the levels of MDA and SOD in blood and tissues. Elisa was used to detect the changes of the above targets in blood and tissues. In this study, a total of 38 intersection genes were obtained, and a diagnostic model composed of 3 genes (TST, SQOR, NRDC) was further established. KEGG and GO analysis showed that these genes were highly related to immunity and were involved in the immune activities related to neutrophils, CD4+T cells, CD8+T cells, and macrophages. In addition, a total of 42 proteins, 601 transcription factors, and 99 miRNAs related to TST, SQOR, and NRDC were predicted, and the interaction map was constructed. cMAP predicted 5 potential small molecule drugs and molecular docking suggested that W.13 had the best binding energy. In MCAO/R rats, the mitochondria in BMECs were severely damaged and fragmented, accompanied by a decrease in SOD activity and an increase in MDA level. In addition, the levels of TST and SQOR in blood and tissues were increased, and the levels of NRDC were decreased. Our study provides new insights into further understanding of IS from a mitochondrial perspective.

Reperfusion therapy in acute ischemic stroke: dawn of a new era?

Following the success of recent endovascular trials, endovascular therapy has emerged as an exciting addition to the arsenal of clinical management of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). In this paper, we present an extensive overview of intravenous and endovascular reperfusion strategies, recent advances in AIS neurointervention, limitations of various treatment paradigms, and provide insights on imaging-guided reperfusion therapies. A roadmap for imaging guided reperfusion treatment workflow in AIS is also proposed. Both systemic thrombolysis and endovascular treatment have been incorporated into the standard of care in stroke therapy. Further research on advanced imaging-based approaches to select appropriate patients, may widen the time-window for patient selection and would contribute immensely to early thrombolytic strategies, better recanalization rates, and improved clinical outcomes.

Rescue Thrombectomy in Large Vessel Occlusion Strokes Leads to Better Outcomes than Intravenous Thrombolysis Alone: A 'Real World' Applicability of the Recent Trials

BACKGROUND

The Interventional Management of Stroke III (IMS-III) trial demonstrated no benefit for intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV rt-PA) followed by endovascular therapy versus IV rt-PA alone. However, IMS-III mostly included earlier generation devices. The recent thrombectomy trials have incorporated the stent-retriever technology, but their generalizability remains unknown.

METHODS

The North American Solitaire Acute Stroke (NASA) registry recruited patients treated with the Solitaire FR™ device between March 2012 and February 2013. The NASA-IMS-III-Like Group (NILG baseline NIHSS score ≥10 who received IV rt-PA) was compared to the IV rt-PA and IV + intra-arterial (IA)-IMS-III groups and the MR CLEAN, ESCAPE, SWIFT Prime, and REVASCAT trial controls to assess the stent-retriever treatment in the 'real-world' setting. The NILG was also compared to non-IV rt-PA NASA patients to evaluate the impact of IV rt-PA on thrombectomy.

RESULTS

A total of 136 of the 354 NASA patients fulfilled criteria for the NILG. Baseline characteristics were well balanced across groups. Time from onset to puncture was higher in NILG than IV+IA-IMS-III patients (274 ± 112 vs. 208 ± 47 min, p < 0.0001). Occlusions involving the intracranial ICA, MCA-M1, or basilar arteries were more common in NILG than IV+IA-IMS-III patients (91.2 vs. 47.2%, p < 0.00001). Modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction ≥2b reperfusion was higher in NILG than IV+IA-IMS-III patients (74.3 vs. 39.6%, p < 0.00001). A 90-day modified Rankin Scale score ≤2 was more frequent in the NILG than IV+IA-IMS-III patients (51.9 vs. 40.8%, p = 0.03) and MR CLEAN (51.9 vs. 19.1%, p < 0.00001), ESCAPE (51.9 vs. 29.3%, p = 0.0002), SWIFT Prime (51.9 vs. 35.5%, p = 0.02), and REVASCAT (51.9 vs. 28.2%, p = 0.0003) controls. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage definitions varied across the different studies with rates ranging from 2.7% (ESCAPE) to 11.9% (NILG). The NILG 90-day mortality (24.4%) was higher than in SWIFT Prime but comparable to all other groups. IV rt-PA was an independent predictor of good outcome in NASA (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.2-4.7).

CONCLUSION

Our results support the 'real-world' applicability of the recent thrombectomy trials.

A Four-Year Experience of Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage Following Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator at a Comprehensive Stroke Center

BACKGROUND

To describe the 4-year experience of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) rate at a high-volume comprehensive stroke center.

METHODS

All admitted adult (≥18 years) patients presenting with an ischemic stroke from 2010 to 2013 were included in this study. The primary outcome was sICH, defined as any hemorrhage with neurological deterioration (change in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥4) within 36 hours of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) treatment, or any hemorrhage resulting in death. Secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and having a favorable modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score (≤2).

RESULTS

A total of 1925 did not receive intravascular (IV) or intra-arterial (IA) therapy; only 451 received IV therapy; and 175 received both IV and IA therapies. In IV-only patients, the overall rate of sICH was 2.2%; in IV and IA patients, the rate was 5.7%; and in patients who received no therapy, the rate was .4%. The IV-only group had an sICH rate of .9% in 2013. There were no differences in the adjusted odds of dying in the hospital between the study groups. IV-only treatment offered significantly better odds of achieving a favorable functional outcome, compared to no therapy, among patients with moderate stroke severity, whereas IV and IA treatments offered significantly better odds among patients with severe strokes. The odds of achieving a favorable functional outcome by discharge were decreased by 97% if patients suffered an sICH (OR = .03, 95%CI = .004, .19).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite an increased risk of sICH with IV-tPA, treatment with IV-tPA continues to be associated with increased odds of a favorable discharge mRS.

Endovascular stroke therapy

BACKGROUND

Following the development of intravenous thrombolysis as a successful treatment for ischaemic stroke, advances in neurointerventional radiology have facilitated endovascular approaches to treatment. This article reviews the available endovascular therapeutic options and their evidence-base.

SUMMARY

Initial studies demonstrated that endovascular treatment of ischaemic stroke with intra-arterial thrombolysis and/or the use of clot-retrieval, thrombus aspiration and stent-retriever devices produced early recanalisation and reperfusion and improved neurological outcome. More recent randomised trials, however, have failed to show translation of recanalisation into successful clinical outcome with 'time to treatment' proving crucial. In this rapidly evolving field, combined therapy incorporating intravenous and intra-arterial thrombolysis in combination with endovascular clot-retrieval has been developed and further studies are expected to yield better evidence to guide the optimal treatment of acute cerebral ischaemia.

Predictors and clinical relevance of hemorrhagic transformation after endovascular therapy for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion strokes: a multicenter retrospective analysis of 1122 patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Endovascular techniques are frequently employed to treat large artery occlusion in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We sought to determine the predictors and clinical impact of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) after endovascular therapy.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients presenting to 13 high volume stroke centers with AIS due to proximal occlusion in the anterior circulation who underwent endovascular treatment within 8 h from symptom onset. Logistic regression was performed to determine the variables associated with ICH, hemorrhagic infarction (HI), and parenchymal hematomas (PHs), as well as 90 day poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≥3) and mortality.

RESULTS

There were a total of 363 ICHs (overall rate 32.3%; HI=267, 24%; PH=96, 8.5%) among the 1122 study patients (mean age 67±15 years; median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 17 (IQR 13-20)). Independent predictors for HI included diabetes mellitus (OR 2.27, 95% CI (1.58 to 3.26), p<0.0001), preprocedure IV tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) (1.43 (1.03 to 2.08), p<0.037), Merci thrombectomy (1.47 (1.02 to 2.12), p<0.032), and longer time to puncture (1.001 (1.00 to 1.002), p<0.026). Patients with atrial fibrillation (1.61 (1.01 to 2.55), p<0.045) had a higher risk of PH while the use of IA tPA (0.57 (0.35 to 0.90), p<0.008) was associated with lower chances of PH. Both the presence of HI (2.23 (1.53 to 3.25), p<0.0001) and PH (6.24 (3.06 to 12.75), p<0.0001) were associated with poor functional outcomes; however, only PH was associated with higher mortality (3.53 (2.19 to 5.68), p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Greater understanding about the predictors and consequences of ICH post endovascular stroke therapy is essential to improve risk assessment, patient selection/clinical outcomes, and early prognostication. Our data suggest that patients with atrial fibrillation are particularly prone to severe ICH and question the 'benign' nature of HI suggested by earlier studies.

Endovascular therapy in hyperacute ischaemic stroke: history and current status

This is a literature review on to the use of endovascular therapy in hyperacute ischaemic stroke secondary to large vessel occlusion (LVO). The prognosis for LVO is generally poor and the efficacy of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV TPA) in the treatment of this subtype of stroke is questionable. It is well documented that recanalisation is associated with improved outcomes but IV TPA has limited efficacy in LVO recanalisation and the complication rates are higher for IV TPA in this stroke subset. Improved recanalisation rates have been demonstrated with intra-arterial TPA and first and second generation mechanical techniques but the rate of favourable outcome has not overtly mirrored this improvement. Several controversial trials using these early techniques have recently been published but fail to reflect modern practice which centres on the use of stent-retriever technology. This has been proven to be superior to older techniques. Not only are recanalisation rates higher, but the speed of recanalisation is greater and clinical results are improved. Multiple observational studies demonstrate consistently high rates of LVO recanalisation; TICI 2b/3 in the order of 65-95% and, rates of favourable outcome (mRS 0-2) in the order of 55% (42.5-77%) in clinically moderate to severe stroke with complicating symptomatic haemorrhage in the order of 1.5-15%. A major factor determining outcome is time to treatment but success has been demonstrated using these devices with bridging therapy, after IV TPA failure or as a stand-alone treatment.