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Background: Endovascular therapy (EVT) for distal medium vessel occlusions requires prioritizing effectiveness and safety. We developed a technique combining the deployment of only the distal basket segment of the EMBOTRAP III and an aspiration catheter (AC) for M2 occlusions, called the "ONE-SEG technique," and evaluated its clinical and technical impacts. Methods: This was a retrospective review of 30 consecutive patients with M2 segment middle cerebral artery occlusion treated using the ONE-SEG technique. This method involves deploying the EMBOTRAP III through a microcatheter in only one segment and guiding the AC to the M2 origin or distal M1. The rates of final-pass expanded thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (eTICI) scores of 2c/3 or 2b/2c/3, safety (symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage [sICH]), and clinical outcomes (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score 0-2, 0-3 at 90 days, and mortality at 90 days) were evaluated. Results: Of the 30 cases, 36.7% were female, and the mean age was 75.6 ± 11.0 years. The ONE-SEG technique was used for 17 cases (56.7%, median NIHSS 10 [5-15.5]) with primary M2 occlusion and 13 cases (43.3%, median NIHSS 20 [14-22.5]) with secondary M2 occlusion after proximal thrombus removal. The successful final reperfusion rate (eTICI 2b/2c/3) was 90% overall (27/30 cases). One case (3.3%) developed sICH with secondary M2 occlusion. At 3 months, mRS scores 0-2 were seen in 64.7% of patients with primary M2 occlusion (11/17 cases) and in 23.1% (3/13 cases) with secondary M2 occlusion. Conclusion: EVT using the ONE-SEG technique appears to be safe and effective for M2 occlusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for proximal large vessel occlusion after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) have been demonstrated. Clinical investigations of endovascular approaches for treating AIS due to M2 occlusions have been ongoing. Purpose: To assess the outcomes of M2 occlusions according to treatment modality and anatomical division. Methods: A total of 113 consecutive M2 occlusions treated with endovascular treatment (EVT) at our tertiary stroke center between January 2019 and December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups: mechanical thrombectomy (MT); intravenous thrombolysis plus MT (IVT + MT); and IVT alone. The primary outcomes were good prognosis (mRS = 0–2) and mortality (mRS = 6) on day 90. The secondary outcome was to determine the differences in outcomes between lesions in the superior and inferior branches of M2. Results: In total, 55 (48.7%) patients underwent MT. In 42 (37.2%) patients, bridging IVT was performed with MT, and IVT alone was applied in 16 (14.2%) patients. Neither the prognosis at 90 days nor the mortality rate significantly differed among the groups. The outcomes did not significantly differ between occlusions in the superior and inferior branches of M2. Conclusion: MT was found to be safe and effective for treating M2 occlusions in this series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The lack of randomized evidence makes it difficult to establish reliable treatment recommendations for patients with M2 occlusion. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of endovascular treatment (EVT) with best medical management (BMM) in patients with M2 occlusion, and to investigate whether the optimal treatment varies according to stroke severity. Methods: Comprehensive literature retrieval was conducted to identify studies that directly compared the outcomes of EVT and BMM. According to stroke severity, the study population were classified into those with moderate-severe stroke and those with mild stroke. National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores ≥ 6 was defined as moderate-severe stroke, and NIHSS scores 0–5 as mild stroke. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to measure the symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) within 72 h, and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores 0–2 and the mortality at 90 days. Results: Totally, 20 studies were identified, including 4358 patients. In the moderate-severe stroke population, the EVT had 82% higher odds for mRS scores 0–2 (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.34–2.49) and a 43% lower odds for mortality (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.39–0.82) compared with the BMM. However, no difference was found in the sICH rate (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.44–1.77). In the mild stroke population, no differences were observed in the mRS scores 0–2 (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.59–1.10) or mortality (OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.72–2.10) between EVT and BMM, whereas EVT was associated with higher sICH rate (OR 4.21, 95% CI 1.86–9.49). Conclusion: EVT may be only beneficial for patients with M2 occlusion and high stroke severity, but not for those with NIHSS scores 0–5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The usefulness of the blind exchange with mini-pinning (BEMP) technique has recently been reported for mechanical thrombectomy in patients with stroke owing to medium vessel occlusion (MeVO). The Tron stent retriever can be delivered and deployed through a 0.0165-inch microcatheter. This retriever has potential as an effective and safe treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to occlusion of the M2 segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Here, we report the outcomes of the BEMP technique using Tron stent retrievers for M2 occlusion thrombectomy. Methods: Consecutive patients with AIS owing to M2 occlusion who underwent the BEMP technique using 2 × 15-mm or 4 × 20-mm Tron stent retrievers were included. The technique involves deploying a Tron stent retriever through a 0.0165-inch microcatheter, followed by microcatheter removal and blind navigation of a 3MAX or 4MAX aspiration catheter over the bare Tron delivery wire until the aspiration catheter reaches the clot. A Tron stent retriever is inserted into the aspiration catheter like a cork and subsequently pulled as a unit. We assessed procedural outcomes [first-pass expanded thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (eTICI) score 2c/3 and 2b/2c/3], safety outcomes [symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH)], and clinical outcomes (good outcome rate defined as modified Rankin Scale score 0–2 at 90 days and mortality at 90 days). Results: Eighteen M2 vessels were treated in 15 patients (six female, median age: 80 years, and median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score: 18). The BEMP technique was performed successfully in all cases. Whether to use a 3MAX or 4MAX catheter was determined by considering one of the following target vessels: dominant, non-dominant, or co-dominant M2 (3MAX, n = 9; 4MAX, n = 9). The first-pass eTICI 2c/3 and 2b/2c/3 rates were 47 (7/15) and 60% (9/15), respectively; sICH was not observed. Seven patients (47%) achieved good outcomes, and one patient (7%) died within 90 days. Conclusions: The Tron stent retriever was safely and effectively used in the BEMP technique for acute MCA M2 occlusion and can be combined with a 0.0165-inch microcatheter, which may be useful for treating MeVO, in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Mechanical thrombectomy is an effective recanalization technique in acute ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusions; however, it is unclear to what extent stent retriever thrombectomy may be applicable to occlusions of smaller peripheral cerebral vessels. The outcome of patients with isolated M2 occlusions treated with the Mindframe Capture low profile (LP) stent retriever was reviewed. Material and Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data on all consecutive patients treated for isolated M2 occlusions between June 2013 and December 2017 using the Mindframe Capture LP was performed. Technical aspects of the recanalization procedure, recanalization rate, complication rate, and clinical outcome were analyzed. Results: Mechanical thrombectomy with the Mindframe Capture LP was performed in 38 patients (median age 79 years) with an isolated M2 occlusion. The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission was 7.5 (interquartile range, IQR 5–12) and successful reperfusion modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI 2b or 3) was achieved in 28 patients (74%). A compensated/adjusted modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0–2 at 3 months was observed in 65% when taking pre-stroke disability into account. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) occurred in 1 patient (2.6%). Asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (aICH) was noted in 8 patients (21%) and a small subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in the immediate vicinity of the target vessel was apparent in 8 patients (21%). Conclusion: The Mindframe Capture LP is a technically effective thrombectomy device for the treatment of isolated M2 occlusions. The lower profile of the device is advantageous when targeting peripheral intracranial occlusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The benefits of thrombectomy for occlusion of M2 segments remain controversial. The aim of this study is to assess thrombectomy's efficacy and safety in patients with M2 segment occlusion and associations between occlusion sites and anatomic variations of M1 division. Materials and methods: A prospective series of 30 patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) resulting from M2 segment occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) who underwent thrombectomy was analyzed. The primary endpoint was assessed by the Extended Treatment in Cerebral Infarction scale (eTICI). The secondary endpoints were the incidence of symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation (sICH), mortality and good functional outcome at three months. Results: The mean patient age was 69.2 years. The mean National Institutes Health Stroke Scale score (NIHSS) upon hospital admission was 16. The recanalization rates were eTICI 2b/3 in 90% and 2c/3 in 60% of the patients. Total recanalization of the M2 branch was achieved in 53% of patients. sICH incidence was 6.6%, the mortality rate was 30%, and a good functional outcome (mRS ≤2) was observed in 50% of the patients. Twenty-seven patients (90%) had a dominant M2 branch and all were occluded. Regarding the site of M2 occlusions, 74% of patients had proximal M2 occlusions. Conclusions: Thrombectomy appears to be a safe and effective method for the treatment of acute M2 segment occlusions of the MCA. Most of the cases had a dominant M2 branch, and all of them were occluded. Larger studies are needed to verify the benefits of thrombectomy for different settings of M2 occlusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]