Multiple predictors of in-stent restenosis after stent implantation in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis

Residual inflammatory risk predicts long-term outcomes following stenting for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Residual inflammatory risk (RIR) can predict the unfavourable outcomes in patients with minor ischaemic stroke. However, the impact of preprocedural RIR on long-term outcomes in patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (sICAS) who underwent stenting remains understudied.

METHODS

This retrospective, single-centre cohort study evaluated consecutive patients with severe sICAS who underwent intracranial stenting. Patients were categorised into four groups based on preprocedural high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C): residual cholesterol inflammatory risk (RCIR, hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L), RIR (hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L), residual cholesterol risk (RCR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L) and no residual risk (NRR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L). The long-term clinical outcomes included recurrent ischaemic stroke and death. The long-term imaging outcomes consisted of in-stent restenosis (ISR) and symptomatic ISR (sISR) after stenting.

RESULTS

In this study, 952 patients were included, with 751 (78.9%) being male. Forty-six cases were categorised into the RCIR group, 211 into the RIR group, 107 into the RCR group and 588 into the NRR group. Patients with RCIR (adjusted HR 6.163; 95% CI 2.603 to 14.589; p<0.001) and RIR (adjusted HR 2.205; 95% CI 1.294 to 3.757; p=0.004) had higher risks of recurrent ischaemic stroke than those with NRR during the 54 months of median follow-up time. Patients with RCIR (adjusted HR 3.604; 95% CI 1.431 to 9.072; p=0.007) were more likely to occur ISR, and patients in the RIR group showed a significant increase in the risk of sISR (adjusted HR 2.402; 95% CI 1.078 to 5.351; p=0.032) compared with those in the NRR group with a median follow-up time of 11.9 months.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with sICAS, preprocedural RIR may predict long-term recurrent ischaemic stroke, ISR and sISR following intracranial stenting.

Correlation Between Risk Factors, Degree of Vascular Restenosis, and Inflammatory Factors After Interventional Treatment for Stroke: A Two-Center Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

To study the correlation between risk factors, degree of vascular restenosis, and inflammatory factors after interventional treatment for stroke.

METHODS

The clinical data of 96 stroke patients who received interventional therapy in our hospital from April 2020 to June 2021 were selected for retrospective study, and the postoperative follow-up was 1 year. Univariate and multivariate regression were used to analyze identified factors associated with interventional stroke efficacy. At the same time, the value of inflammatory factor levels in predicting vascular restenosis after interventional stroke was analyzed.

RESULTS

According to our findings, several risk factors, including body mass index ≥ 25.51 kg/m 2 , smoking, drinking, hypertension, and diabetes, were identified as contributors to poor postoperative efficacy following stroke intervention ( P <0.05). Furthermore, a notable association was observed between the severity of vascular stenosis ( P <0.001) and the levels of interleukin 6, interleukin 2, TNF-α, and C-reactive protein. The combined assessment of these serum inflammatory factors exhibited excellent predictive capability for postoperative vascular restenosis and stenosis severity, yielding a sensitivity of 84.30%, a specificity of 81.20%, and an area under the curve of 0.882.

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension, and diabetes have been found to be associated with suboptimal outcomes following interventional treatment for stroke. The assessment of preoperative levels of inflammatory factors holds promise in predicting the likelihood of postoperative restenosis to a certain degree.

Evaluation of paclitaxel-coated balloon angioplasty for the treatment of symptomatic intracranial in-stent restenosis

Background

Symptomatic intracranial in-stent restenosis (sISR) poses a major challenge in the management of cerebrovascular diseases, often requiring effective and safe treatment options.

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of paclitaxel-coated balloon (PCB) angioplasty for treating sISR.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of five patients aged 49-74 years, who were treated with PCB angioplasty between January 2017 and June 2022. Treatment procedures included pre-operative digital subtraction angiography, antiplatelet therapy, and the use of the SeQuent Please balloon. Patients received aspirin and clopidogrel prior to and after the procedure.

Results

The procedure achieved a 100% success rate. The degree of ISR was significantly reduced from an average pre-operative rate of 72±18.9% to a post-operative rate of 34±8.22%. Long-term follow-up showed that the majority of patients did not experience restenosis, confirming the long-term effectiveness of the treatment.

Conclusions

PCB angioplasty demonstrates significant potential as an effective and safe treatment option for patients with sISR, especially those considered to be at high risk. This study supports further investigation into PCB angioplasty as a standard treatment for sISR.

Development and validation of a clinical prediction model for ischemic stroke recurrence after successful stent implantation in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the risk factors for recurrent ischemic stroke in patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) who underwent successful stent placement and to establish a nomogram prediction model.

METHODS

We utilized data from a prospective collection of 430 consecutive patients at Jining NO.1 People's Hospital from November 2021 to November 2022, conducting further analysis on the subset of 400 patients who met the inclusion criteria. They were further divided into training (n=321) and validation (n=79) groups. In the training group, we used univariate and multivariate COX regression to find independent risk factors for recurrent stroke and then created a nomogram. The assessment of the nomogram's discrimination and calibration was performed through the examination of various measures including the Consistency index (C-index), the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (AUC), and the calibration plots. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate the clinical utility of the nomogram by quantifying the net benefit to the patient under different threshold probabilities.

RESULTS

The nomogram for predicting recurrent ischemic stroke in symptomatic ICAS patients after stent placement utilizes six variables: coronary heart disease (CHD), smoking, multiple ICAS, systolic blood pressure (SBP), in-stent restenosis (ISR), and fasting plasma glucose. The C-index (0.884 for the training cohort and 0.87 for the validation cohort) and the time-dependent AUC (>0.7) indicated satisfactory discriminative ability of the nomogram. Furthermore, DCA indicated a clinical net benefit from the nomogram.

CONCLUSIONS

The predictive model constructed includes six predictive factors: CHD, smoking, multiple ICAS, SBP, ISR and fasting blood glucose. The model demonstrates good predictive ability and can be utilized to predict ischemic stroke recurrence in patients with symptomatic ICAS after successful stent placement.

Incidence and predictors of restenosis following successful recanalization of non-acute internal carotid artery occlusion in 252 cases

BACKGROUND

Data concerning restenosis following successful recanalization of non-acute internal carotid artery occlusion (ICAO) are scarce. This study was conducted to identify the incidence and predictors of restenosis following successful recanalization of non-acute ICAO.

METHODS

We reviewed the incidence of restenosis (defined as >70% restenosis or reocclusion) among 252 consecutive patients with successful recanalization of non-acute ICAO. Baseline, imaging, and surgery-related characteristics were analyzed to assess their association with restenosis. A scoring system was developed to identify high-risk patients for restenosis.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 12.6 months, restenosis occurred in 56 patients (22.2%), including 39 with reocclusion and 17 with >70% restenosis. The cumulative restenosis rate was 18.0% at 12 months and 24.1% at 24 months. The incidence of stroke was higher in patients with restenosis (25.0% vs 1.5%, P<0.01). Multivariate analysis showed occlusion length (5-10 cm vs <5 cm (hazard ratio (HR) 3.15, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.07 to 9.29); ≥ 10 cm vs <5 cm (HR 5.01, 95% CI 1.73 to 14.49)), residual stenosis ≥30% (HR 3.08, 95% CI 1.79 to 5.30), and internal carotid artery (ICA) wall collapse (HR 1.96, 95% CI 1.12 to 3.44) as independent predictors of restenosis. Point scores proportional to model coefficients were assigned, with scores ranging from 0 to 6. Patients scoring 3-6 had a 4.00 times higher chance of developing restenosis (95% CI 2.35 to 6.79) compared with those scoring 0-2.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly one in five patients experienced restenosis following successful recanalization of non-acute ICAO. Occlusion length, residual stenosis ≥30%, and ICA wall collapse were independently associated with restenosis.

Endovascular recanalization for symptomatic chronic internal carotid artery occlusion: proposal of a modified angiographic classification and clinical outcomes

PURPOSE

To stratify angiographic images of chronic internal carotid artery occlusion (CICAO) into a newly modified angiographic classification, and identify suitable candidates for endovascular recanalization.

METHODS

This study included 51 consecutive patients with symptomatic CICAO who underwent endovascular recanalization at our institution. Patients' clinical information, angiographic findings, procedural results, and outcomes were recorded. We attempted to stratify all angiographic images into categories based on morphological occlusive patterns and distal internal carotid artery (ICA) lumen reconstitution on digital subtraction angiography (DSA).

RESULTS

Four types (I-IV) of CICAO were identified based on angiographic characteristics. We defined type I as having a tapered (IA) or blunt stump (IB) and distal ICA lumen reconstitution with collateral filling; type II as having no stump but with distal ICA lumen reconstitution; type III as having a tapered (IIIA) or blunt stump (IIIB) but no distal ICA lumen reconstitution; type IV as having no stump and no distal ICA lumen reconstitution. The rate of successful recanalization was 90.3 % for type I, 60.0 % for type II, 50.0 % for type III, 0 % for type IV, respectively (P = 0.002). The overall intraoperative complication rate was 11.8 %, and none of them led to severe neurological damage or death. The follow-up modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores were significantly decreased in successfully revascularized patients, whilst there were no significant changes in the other failed patients.

CONCLUSION

For symptomatic CICAO, our newly modified angiographic classification may be comprehensive and useful in selecting suitable patients for recanalization and grading the difficulty of the procedures.

Identifying risk factors for in-stent restenosis in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

In-stent restenosis (ISR) is an adverse and notable event in the treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS). The incidence and contributing factors have not been fully defined. This study was performed to evaluate factors associated with ISR after PTAS.

Data source

We identified studies on ISR after PTAS from an electronic search of articles in PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Central Database (dated up to July 2022).

Results

A total of 19 studies, including 452 cases of ISR after 2,047 PTAS, were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled incidence rate of in-stent restenosis was 22.08%. ISR was more likely to occur in patients with coronary artery disease (OR = 1.686; 95% CI: 1.242-2.288; p = 0.0008), dissection (OR = 6.293; 95% CI: 3.883-10.197; p < 0.0001), and higher residual stenosis (WMD = 3.227; 95% CI: 0.142-6.311; p = 0.0404). Patients treated with Wingspan stents had a significantly higher ISR rate than those treated with Enterprise stents (29.78% vs. 14.83%; p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The present study provides the current estimates of the robust effects of some risk factors for in-stent restenosis in intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. The Enterprise stent had advantages compared with the Wingspan stent for ISR. The significant risk factors for ISR were coronary artery disease, dissection, and high residual stenosis. Local anesthesia was a suspected factor associated with ISR.

Thirty-Day Outcomes of Resolute Onyx Stent for Symptomatic Intracranial Stenosis: A Multicenter Propensity Score-Matched Comparison With Stenting Versus Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis Trial

BACKGROUND

Symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease (sICAD) is estimated to cause 10% of strokes annually in the United States. However, treatment remains a challenge with several different stenting options studied in the past with unfavorable results.

OBJECTIVE

To report the 30-day stroke and/or death rate associated with intracranial stent placement for sICAD using Resolute Onyx Zotarolimus-Eluting Stent (RO-ZES) and provide a comparison with the results of Stenting Versus Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis (SAMMPRIS) trial.

METHODS

Prospectively maintained databases across 8 stroke centers were used to identify adult patients treated with RO-ZES for sICAD between January 2019 and December 2021. Primary end point was composite of 30-day stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and/or death. Propensity score matching was performed using age, hypertension, lipid disorder, cigarette smoking, and symptomatic target vessel to create a matched group for comparison between RO-ZES and the SAMMPRIS medical management and treatment groups (SAMMPRIS percutaneous angioplasty and stenting [S-PTAS]).

RESULTS

A total of 132 patients met the inclusion criteria for analysis (mean age: 64.2 years). Mean severity of stenosis was 81.4% (±11.4%). A total of 4 (3.03%) stroke and/or deaths were reported within 30 days of treatment in the RO-ZES group compared with 6.6% in the SAMMPRIS medical management group (OR [odds ratio] 2.26, 95% CI 0.7-9.56, P = .22) and 15.6% in the S-PTAS group (OR 5.9, 95% CI 2.04-23.4, P < .001). Propensity score match analysis of 115 patients in each group demonstrated 30-day stroke and/or death rate of 2.6% in the RO-ZES group and 15.6% in the S-PTAS group (OR 6.88, 95% CI 1.92-37.54, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Patients treated with RO-ZES had a relatively low 30-day stroke and/or death rate compared with the S-PTAS group. Further large-scale prospective studies are warranted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RO-ZES for the treatment of sICAD.

Impact of cerebral small vessel disease on symptomatic in-stent restenosis in intracranial atherosclerosis

OBJECTIVE

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) commonly coexists with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). In-stent restenosis (ISR) affects the nonprocedural outcome of severe symptomatic ICAS after intracranial stenting. However, only 8%-27% of ISR patients are symptomatic, which highlights the importance of the investigation of risk factors associated with symptomatic ISR (SISR) to improve long-term functional outcome. Whether CSVD is associated with SISR remains unclear. The authors tested the hypothesis that CSVD is associated with SISR in ICAS patients after intracranial stenting.

METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled 97 patients who were symptomatic due to severe anterior circulation ICAS treated with intracranial stenting. SISR was evaluated with clinical and vascular imaging follow-up. CSVD subtypes, including white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), enlarged perivascular spaces, and chronic lacunar infarctions, were evaluated. Cox regression analysis was used to compare the incidence of SISR between patients with and without CSVD.

RESULTS

Of the enrolled patients, 58.8% had CSVD. The 1- and 2-year ISR rates were 24.7% and 37.1%, respectively. Of the CSVD subtypes, SISR was associated with deep WMHs (DWMHs; HR 5.39, 95% CI 1.02-28.44). DWMH Fazekas scale grades 2 (HR 85.54, 95% CI 2.42-3018.93) and 3 (HR 66.24, 95% CI 1.87-2352.32) were associated with SISR, but DWMH Fazekas grades 0 and 1 were not. The proportions of SISR in patients with DWMH Fazekas grades 0, 1, 2, and 3 were 16.7%, 33.3%, 50%, and 100%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with CSVD have a higher risk of SISR than those without CSVD. Of the CSVD subtypes, patients with DWMHs are associated with SISR. The DWMH Fazekas scale score is considered to be a predictor for SISR.

Peri-therapeutic multi-modal hemodynamic assessment and detection of predictors for symptomatic in-stent restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting

Backgrounds

This study performed multi-modal hemodynamic analysis including quantitative color-coded digital subtraction angiography (QDSA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to delineate peri-therapeutic hemodynamic changes and explore the risk factors for in-stent restenosis (ISR) and symptomatic ISR (sISR).

Methods

Forty patients were retrospectively reviewed. Time to peak (TTP), full width at half maximum (FWHM), cerebral circulation time (CCT), angiographic mean transit time (aMTT), arterial stenosis index (ASI), wash-in gradient (WI), wash-out gradient (WO) and stasis index were calculated with QDSA and translesional pressure ratio (PR) and wall shear stress ratio (WSSR) were quantified from CFD analysis. These hemodynamic parameters were compared between before and after stent deployment and multivariate logistic regression model was established to detect predictors for ISR and sISR at follow-up.

Results

It was found that stenting generally reduced TTP, stasis index, CCT, aMTT and translesional WSSR while significantly increased translesional PR. ASI decreased after stenting, and during the mean follow-up time of 6.48 ± 2.86 months, lower ASI (<0.636) as well as larger stasis index were corroborated to be independently associated with sISR. aMTT showed a linear correlation with CCT before and after stenting.

Conclusion

PTAS not only improved cerebral circulation and blood flow perfusion but also changed local hemodynamics significantly. ASI and stasis index derived from QDSA were proved to play a prominent role in risk stratification for sISR. Multi-modal hemodynamic analysis could facilitate intraoperative real-time hemodynamic monitoring and help the determination of the end point of intervention.

Association of periprocedural perfusion non-improvement with recurrent stroke after endovascular treatment for Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis

Background

Predictors of recurrent stroke after endovascular treatment for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) remain uncertain.

Objectives

Among baseline characteristics, lesion features, and cerebral perfusion changes, we try to explore which factors are associated with the risk of recurrent stroke in symptomatic ICAS after endovascular treatment.

Design

Consecutive patients with symptomatic ICAS of 70-99% receiving endovascular treatment were enrolled. All patients underwent whole-brain computer tomography perfusion (CTP) within 3 days before and 3 days after the endovascular treatment. Baseline characteristics, lesion features, and cerebral perfusion changes were collected.

Methods

Cerebral perfusion changes were evaluated with RAPID software and calculated as preprocedural cerebral blood flow (CBF) < 30%, time to maximum of the residue function (Tmax) > 6 s, and Tmax > 4 s volumes minus postprocedural. Cerebral perfusion changes were divided into periprocedural perfusion improvement (>0 ml) and non-improvement (⩽ 0 ml). Recurrent stroke within 180 days was collected. The Cox proportional hazards analysis analyses were performed to evaluate factors associated with recurrent stroke.

Results

From March 2021 to December 2021, 107 patients with symptomatic ICAS were enrolled. Of the 107 enrolled patients, 30 (28.0%) patients underwent balloon angioplasty alone and 77 patients (72.0%) underwent stenting. The perioperative complications occurred in three patients. Among CBF < 30%, Tmax > 6 s, and Tmax > 4 s volumes, Tmax > 4 s volume was available to evaluate cerebral perfusion changes. Periprocedural perfusion improvement was found in 77 patients (72.0%) and non-improvement in 30 patients (28.0%). Nine patients (8.4%) suffered from recurrent stroke in 180-day follow-up. In Cox proportional hazards analysis adjusted for age and sex, perfusion non-improvement was associated with recurrent stroke [hazards ratio (HR): 4.472; 95% CI: 1.069-18.718; p = 0.040].

Conclusion

In patients with symptomatic ICAS treated with endovascular treatment, recurrent stroke may be related to periprocedural cerebral perfusion non-improvement.

Registration

http://www.chictr.org.cn. Unique identifier: ChiCTR2100052925.

Joint High Level of Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein are Associated With Recurrent Stroke and Poor Functional Outcome in Minor Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack

Background

Oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and hs‐CRP (high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein) plays an important role in cardiovascular diseases though inflammation and oxidative stress, etc. However, evidence on their combined effects on stroke prognosis is still limited. We aimed to explore the joint association of oxLDL and hs‐CRP with outcomes of minor stroke or transient ischemic attack.

Methods and Results

A subgroup of 3019 patients from the CHANCE trial (Clopidogrel in High‐Risk Patients With Acute Nondisabling Cerebrovascular Events) were analyzed. Baseline oxLDL and hs‐CRP levels were measured. The primary outcome was any stroke within 90 days. The secondary outcomes included any stroke within 1 year, and ischemic stroke, combined vascular events, and poor functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale 2–6 or 3–6) at 90 days and 1 year. Vascular events outcomes were analyzed with Cox proportional hazards and poor functional outcomes with logistic models. Elevated oxLDL (>28.81 μg/dL) and hs‐CRP (>4.20 mg/L) was observed in 624 (20.67%) of the 3019 patients. Patients with oxLDL >28.81 μg/dL and hs‐CRP >4.20 mg/L had a higher risk of recurrent stroke within 90 days (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.17–1.97), compared with those with oxLDL ≤28.81 μg/dL and hs‐CRP ≤4.20 mg/L, after adjusting relevant confounding factors (P=0.002). Similar results were observed for secondary outcomes (P<0.05 for all).

Conclusions

In patients with minor stroke or transient ischemic attack, joint high levels of oxLDL and hs‐CRP was associated with increased risk of recurrent stroke, combined vascular events, and poor functional outcome.