Search

Background Acute ischemic stroke arising from medium vessel occlusions (MeVO) poses substantial challenges in treatment and management. This study aims to elucidate the outcomes and factors contributing to achieving excellent recanalization (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction [mTICI] 2c–3) versus successful recanalization (mTICI 2b) in patients with MeVO stroke undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Methods We conducted a multinational study analyzing data from the MAD‐MT (Multicenter Analysis of Distal Medium Vessel Occlusions: Effect of Mechanical Thrombectomy) registry, encompassing 37 centers across North America, Asia, and Europe, collected between September 2017 and July 2023. The study included acute ischemic stroke patients with MeVO treated with MT, with or without intravenous thrombolysis, who achieved mTICI 2b–3 post‐MT. Results Among 1463 patients with successful recanalization (mTICI 2b–3), 523 achieved mTICI 2b recanalization, and 940 achieved mTICI 2c–3. Distal occlusions exhibited higher odds of excellent recanalization compared with proximal MeVO vessel occlusions (odds ratio, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.17–2.15; P = 0.003). Cardioembolic stroke pathogenesis was associated with a higher likelihood of excellent recanalization (1.67; 95% CI, 1.07–2.59; P = 0.018). Patients achieving mTICI 2c–3 recanalization demonstrated lower initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores, significant improvements in postprocedural National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale shift, and a higher percentage of favorable 90‐day outcomes compared with those with mTICI 2b. However, no significant difference in 90‐day mortality rates was observed. Conclusion This study underscores that among patients with MeVO stroke with successful recanalization (mTICI 2b–3) there is higher likelihood of achieving excellent recanalization (mTICI 2c–3) in distal occlusions and cardioembolic pathogenesis. mTICI 2c–3 scores post‐MT correlate with improved clinical outcomes compared with mTICI 2b, affirming the superiority of excellent recanalization over successful recanalization in patients with MeVO stroke. Further prospective studies and randomized controlled trials are warranted for validation.

Background For acute proximal intracranial artery occlusions, contact aspiration may be more effective than stent‐retriever for first‐line reperfusion therapy. Due to the lack of data regarding medium vessel occlusion thrombectomy, we evaluated outcomes according to first‐line technique in a large, multicenter registry. Methods Imaging, procedural, and clinical outcomes of patients with acute proximal medium vessel occlusions (M2, A1, or P1) or distal medium vessel occlusions (M3, A2, P2, or further) treated at 37 sites in 10 countries were analyzed according to first‐line endovascular technique (stent‐retriever versus aspiration). Multivariable logistic regression and propensity‐score matching were used to estimate the odds of the primary outcome, expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score of 2b–3 (“successful recanalization”), as well as secondary outcomes (first‐pass effect, expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2c‐3, intracerebral hemorrhage, and 90‐day modified Rankin scale, 90‐day mortality) between treatment groups. Results Of the 440 included patients (44.5% stent‐retriever versus 55.5% aspiration), those treated with stent‐retriever had lower baseline Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Scale scores (median 8 versus 9; P

Introduction Transradial access (TRA) for neuroendovascular interventions has been associated with multiple benefits, including decreased risk of complications, faster recovery times, and improved overall patient satisfaction in comparison to transfemoral access (TFA). We sought to assess the safety and suitability of an 088 catheter, in this case the Infinity guide catheter, to understand the optimal patient population for utilization in neurointerventions. To our knowledge, this is the first prospective study to investigate procedural characteristics and complications associated with the use of an 088 catheter. Methods After obtaining approval from our Institutional Review Board, prospective patients undergoing neurointerventional procedures at our institution, beginning from December 2020 to present, were serially enrolled after evaluation for suitability for TRA by ultrasound visualization and measurement of vessel diameter. A prospective Excel database was generated on an encrypted and password‐protected computer, with variables including patient demographics, co‐morbidities, procedure type, catheter specifics, vessel diameter, procedural characteristics, TRA to TFA conversion, and complications. Results 78 patients were enrolled over a 1.5 year study period (Table 1). The average patient age was 62.4 ± 16.1 years, with a moderate male predilection (46/78 (59%)). Procedure subtypes for enrolled patients included 36 (46.2%) patients who underwent stroke intervention, 6 (7.7%) aneurysm coil embolization, 9 (11.5%) aneurysm flow diversion, 5 (6.4%) carotid stenting, 5 (6.4%) AVM/AVF embolization, 4 (5.1%) tumor embolization, and 13 other procedures (9 (11.5%) MMA embolization, 3 (3.8%) vessel embolization, 1 (1.3%) aneurysm Onyx embolization). All procedures were performed via right radial access under direct ultrasound visualization. Average radial diameter was 2.97 ± 0.46mm and average fluoroscopy time was 48.99 ± 23.54 minutes. Parent vessel spasm was noted in 25/78 (32.1%) of cases and guide catheter kinking was noted in 4/78 (5.1%). TRA to TFA conversion was noted in 14/78 (17.9%) patients, primarily due to vessel tortuosity (57.1%; 8/14 cases). Minor complications included post‐procedural hand/wrist pain in 14/78 (17.9%) patients, and hand bruising in 6/78 (7.7%). Post‐operative vessel patency was noted in 71/78 (91%) of cases via ultrasound, with 57/78 (73.1%) having good pulsation noted on reverse Barbeau testing. No serious radial artery complications were noted. The overall rate of major complications was 7.7%, with two cases of ischemic stroke, contrast extravasation/intracerebral hemorrhage, and vessel rupture noted. Conclusions This prospective pilot study demonstrates the safety and suitability of the 088 Infinity guide catheter via TRA radial approach for neuroendovascular interventions. Further studies will be needed to assess the efficacy of the 088 Infinity in comparison to other 088 catheters, as well as the optimal settings by which we can minimize rates of TFA conversion and TRA‐related complications.

Introduction Management of acute large vessel occlusion due to intracranial stenosis remains challenging with high complication and poor recanalization rates. Morbidity is also related to the intracranial exchange that is required for stent placement after the rescue angioplasty. We aim to present our initial experience of deployment of Neuroform Atlas stent through the lumen of a Gateway angioplasty balloon to avoid microcatheter exchange. Methods Patients were identified from prospectively collected mechanical thrombectomy stroke database from Feb 2019 to July 2021. Demographic and clinical information was collected. Primary outcomes were favorable functional outcome at hospital discharge (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0–3), and the rate of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Good angiographic recanalization (TICI ≥ 2b), and mortality at 30 days were other outcomes. Results We identified 5 patients treated with this approach [mean age 54 ± 14 years, all were men] who presented with large vessel occlusion of middle cerebral artery. Initial median NIHSS was 8 (range 6–16) with one patient received IV t‐PA. Patient initially underwent mechanical thrombectomy using the Solumbra technique. Due to reocclusion or impending occlusion with evidence of atherosclerotic plaque, rescue angioplasty with stent placement was performed. Patients were loaded with 650 mg of aspirin and 180 mg of ticagrelor through nasogastric tube prior. Balloon angioplasty was performed using the gateway balloon size ranging from 1.5 to 3 mm which was inflated to subnominal pressures over 1 minutes. This was followed by placing Neuroform atlas stent through the gateway balloon with size ranging from 3 to 4 mm diameter and length ranges from 21–24 mm. TICI ≥ 2b was achieved in 4 patients. Mean time from symptoms onset to revascularization was (336 ± 90) minutes. One patient had asymptomatic ICH. 2 patients had mRs 0–3 at the time of discharge and one patient was dead at 1 month Conclusions Our preliminary experience showed lower risk of guidewire perforation as well as potentially decreased operative time and early reperfusion by deploying the Neuroform stent through a compatible gateway balloon microcatheter. This should be investigated further in a large multicenter study