Tandem Occlusions: A Tale of Two Treatments

Intravenous thrombolysis with tenecteplase versus alteplase in acute ischemic stroke tandem occlusions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of current available literature

Tandem occlusions, characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of both extracranial and ipsilateral intracranial arterial occlusions, represents a challenging subset of large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes. Currently, the treatment choice for tandem infarcts involves intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) followed by endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). In current literature, direct head-to-head comparisons between Alteplase and Tenecteplase for IVT in patients with tandem occlusions remain limited. The goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to synthesize the currently available data comparing the efficacy and safety profiles of alteplase and tenecteplase specifically in patients with tandem occlusions. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane from inception to June 2024 for studies enrolling patients with tandem lesions in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treated with IVT involving Tenecteplase or Alteplase. The primary outcomes of interest were (1) modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-1, (2) modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2, (3) successful recanalization (TICI 2b-3), (4) symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and (5) overall mortality. We compared the results using Risk Ratio (RR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). A random effects model was applied for all outcomes. The Mantel-Haenszel method was used to pool results from individual studies. We also used I2 statistics and Cochran Q test to verify heterogeneity. Three studies published between 2023 and 2024 were included, two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one observational study, comprising 917 patients. Tenecteplase was administered for 230 (25,1%) patients. The age ranged from 57 to 82 years, the baseline NIHSS ranged from 10 to 24 points and there were 314 (34.2%) female patients in total. There was no statistically significant difference between groups for the outcomes of mRS 0-1 (RR 0.80; 95% CI 0.35 to 1.83; p = 0.597; I2 = 86%), mRS 0-2 (RR 1.04; 95% CI 0.88 to 1.23; p = 0.630; I2 = 0%), TICI 2b-3 (RR 1.00; 95% CI 0.93 to 1.09; p = 0.909; I2 = 0%), sICH (RR 1.09; 95% CI 0.64 to 1.84; p = 0.756; I2 = 0%), and overall mortality (RR 0.68; 95% CI 0.45 to 1.05; p = 0.081; I2 = 17%). This meta-analysis found that tenecteplase achieved similar outcomes to alteplase in improving functional outcomes and recanalization rates. Additionally, there was no significant difference between tenecteplase and alteplase in terms of rates of sICH and mortality. Further large-scale randomized studies are urgently needed to provide a definitive conclusion on the comparative efficacy and safety of tenecteplase versus alteplase in tandem occlusions.

Rendezvous intervention using combined surgical carotid endarterectomy followed by endovascular thrombectomy in patients with acute tandem occlusions: a proof-of-concept experience at a tertiary care center

BACKGROUND

Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is highly effective in acute stroke patients with intracranial large vessel occlusion (LVO), however, presence of concomitant cervical occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) may limit the endovascular access. This study describes feasibility and efficacy of a surgical carotid access (cutdown) to perform interdisciplinary recanalization therapy including carotid endarterectomy (CEA) followed by EVT for recanalization of intracranial LVO in stroke patients with tandem occlusions.

METHODS

We identified stroke patients with tandem occlusions who underwent a combined surgical-endovascular approach over a 5-year period. Surgical cutdown was provided by a cardiovascular surgery team at the angio-suite followed by EVT performed by the neuroradiological team. Demographics, stroke characteristics, treatments including antithrombotic management, procedure times, and clinical follow-up were assessed.

RESULTS

Four patients with acute stroke because of tandem occlusions received CEA followed by EVT (two patients after frustrating femoral catheterization, two as first-line approach). Successful recanalization (TICI ≥ 2b) via endovascular thrombectomy was achieved in all patients at a median of 28 min after successful surgical CEA. Intraprocedural complication was observed in one case (25%; i.e. ICA dissection).

CONCLUSIONS

This small study provides evidence that a combined interdisciplinary approach of CEA followed by EVT in the angio-suite in acute stroke patients with tandem occlusions is a feasible procedure in patients otherwise not accessible to endovascular recanalizing therapy and, therefore, high likelihood of developing large hemispheric infarction. Prospective data are warranted to identify patients who benefit from this combined approach as first-line therapy.