Repeated mechanical thrombectomy in short-term large vessel occlusion recurrence: multicenter study and systematic review of the literature

Recurrent Large Vessel Occlusion After Successful Recanalization From Mechanical Thrombectomy: Risk Factors and Outcomes After Repeat Mechanical Thrombectomy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is the standard of care in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO). Despite successful recanalization, about 5% of patients are at risk for developing recurrent LVO. Our study identifies predictors of recurrent LVO and outcomes after repeat MT.

METHODS

This was a retrospective multicenter study of patients who underwent MT for LVO. Cases were patients who developed recurrent LVO after successful recanalization (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction ≥2b) and controls were patients who did not develop recurrent LVO. Descriptive statistics and univariate analyses were used to compare both cohorts.

RESULTS

Six hundred twenty nine patients achieved successful recanalization after MT. A total of 13 patients developed recurrent LVO. On univariate analysis, age (odds ratio [OR]: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-0.99), initiation of antithrombotics (OR: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.03-0.30), number of attempts (OR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96-0.99; P < .05), and postoperative statin use (OR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.06-0.70) were significantly associated with decreased odds of recurrent LVO. Presence of underlying disease in target vessel (OR: 3.23, 95% CI: 1.03-10.06) and thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 3 revascularization (OR: 5.08, 95% CI: 1.54-16.71) were associated with increased odds of recurrent LVO. Ten patients (76.9%) who developed recurrent LVO had a thrombus in the same vessel as the initial occlusion. Most patients developed reocclusion within 24 hours of the initial MT (n = 8, 61.5%). Five patients (38.5%) were functionally independent on discharge (modified Rankin Score 0-2).

CONCLUSION

Our study identified predictors of recurrent LVO after successful recanalization from MT. Further validation of risk factors of recurrent LVO could help cater antithrombotic regimen in this cohort.

Repeat thrombectomy after large vessel re-occlusion: a propensity score matched analysis of technical and clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND

Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) remains the standard of care for acute large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke. However, the safety and efficacy of repeat thrombectomy (rEVT) in recurrent LVO remains unclear. This study uses a large real-world patient cohort to study technical and clinical outcomes after rEVT.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study including patients who underwent thrombectomy between January 2013 and December 2022. Data were included from 21 comprehensive stroke centers globally through the Stroke Thrombectomy and Aneurysm Registry (STAR). Patients undergoing single EVT or rEVT within 30 days of LVO stroke were included in the study. Propensity score matching was used to compare patients undergoing single EVT versus rEVT.

RESULTS

Out of a total of 7387 patients who underwent thrombectomy for LVO stroke, 90 (1.2%) patients underwent rEVT for the same vascular territory within 30 days. The median (IQR) time to re-occlusion was 2 (1-7) days. Compared with a matched cohort of patients undergoing a single EVT procedure, patients undergoing rEVT had a comparable rate of good functional outcome and mortality rate, but a higher rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). There was a significant reduction in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of patients who underwent rEVT at discharge compared with baseline (-4.8±11.4; P=0.006). The rate of successful recanalization was similar in the single thrombectomy and rEVT groups (78% vs 80%, P=0.171) and between index and rEVT performed on the same patient (79% vs 80%; P=0.593).

CONCLUSION

Short-interval rEVT is associated with an improvement in the NIHSS score following large vessel re-occlusion. Compared with single thrombectomy, there was a higher rate of sICH with rEVT, but without a significant impact on rates of functional independence or mortality.

Two mechanical thrombectomies in acute ischemic stroke within 48 hours: A case report on a patient with atrial fibrillation

Mechanical thrombectomy is the gold standard in treating acute ischemic stroke complicated by large vessel occlusion. However, there are limited studies on repeated mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke. In this case, we report a 68-year-old male with atrial fibrillation who developed sudden left limb weakness and motor aphasia for 6 hours, and his National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 10. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed occlusion of the right internal carotid artery, and mechanical thrombectomy was performed immediately. The patient's neurologic disability was utterly relieved, and the NIHSS score returned to 0. At 30 hours postoperatively, he again developed left limb weakness with motor aphasia. The NHISS Score was 11, and the CTA showed that the right internal carotid artery was re-occluded. After computed tomography perfusion evaluation, the patient underwent mechanical thrombectomy again, and the etiological examination confirmed Cardioembolism. Anticoagulation therapy was commenced 1 week post-thrombectomy. The prognosis of the patients was good.

Mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke in COVID-19 patients: multicenter experience in 111 cases

BACKGROUND

Data on the frequency and outcome of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for large vessel occlusion (LVO) in patients with COVID-19 is limited. Addressing this subject, we report our multicenter experience.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed of consecutive acute stroke patients with COVID-19 infection treated with MT at 26 tertiary care centers between January 2020 and November 2021. Baseline demographics, angiographic outcome and clinical outcome evaluated by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge and 90 days were noted.

RESULTS

We identified 111 out of 11 365 (1%) patients with acute or subsided COVID-19 infection who underwent MT due to LVO. Cardioembolic events were the most common etiology for LVO (38.7%). Median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score were 16 (IQR 11.5-20) and 9 (IQR 7-10), respectively. Successful reperfusion (mTICI ≥2b) was achieved in 97/111 (87.4%) patients and 46/111 (41.4%) patients were reperfused completely. The procedure-related complication rate was 12.6% (14/111). Functional independence was achieved in 20/108 (18.5%) patients at discharge and 14/66 (21.2%) at 90 days follow-up. The in-hospital mortality rate was 30.6% (33/108). In the subgroup analysis, patients with severe acute COVID-19 infection requiring intubation had a mortality rate twice as high as patients with mild or moderate acute COVID-19 infection. Acute respiratory failure requiring ventilation and time interval from symptom onset to groin puncture were independent predictors for an unfavorable outcome in a logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed a poor clinical outcome and high mortality, especially in patients with severe acute COVID-19 infection undergoing MT due to LVO.

Repeated Endovascular Thrombectomy in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke in a Single Center

BACKGROUND

Patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with endovascular thrombectomy may be treated with repeat endovascular thrombectomy (rEVT) in case of recurrent large vessel occlusion (LVO). The purpose of this study is to report the frequency, timing, and outcomes of rEVT in a single center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed our databases for anterior or posterior circulation rEVT cases. Patient characteristics, procedural data, and functional outcomes (modified Rankin scale at 90 days) were analyzed. Early and late recurrence of stroke was divided at 30 days.

RESULTS

Of 1025 patients treated between January 2011 and January 2020, 23 (2.2%) underwent rEVT. The median time between the first and second procedure was 185 days; 7 (30.4%) patients were re-treated within 30 days. Eleven patients (47.8%) had different occlusion sites between the two procedures. Good clinical outcome of patients with late ipsilateral recurrence was significantly higher than that of patients with late contralateral recurrence (83.3% vs. 16.7, p = 0.027). Overall good functional outcome after the second procedure was 43.5% (10/23). Overall good functional outcome of early and late recurrence groups were similar (57.1% vs. 37.5%, p = 0.650). One patient died due to an underlying cardiac problem.

CONCLUSION

rEVT can be performed in patients with recurrent stroke of LVO. Ipsilateral recurrence of stroke was associated with good clinical outcome after rEVT.