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There are a few accurate predictors of patient outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy (MT).To investigate whether the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score 24 hours after stroke onset could predict favorable outcomes at 90 days in patients with acute stroke treated with MT.Patients from the SKIP study were enrolled in this study. Using receiver operating characteristic curves, the optimal cut-off NIHSS score 24 hours after stroke onset was calculated to distinguish between favorable (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2) and unfavorable (modified Rankin Scale score 3-6) outcomes at 90 days. These receiver operating characteristic curves were compared with those of previously reported predictors of favorable outcomes, such as the ΔNIHSS score (baseline NIHSS score-NIHSS score at 24 h), percent delta (ΔNIHSS score × 100/baseline NIHSS score), and early neurological improvement indices.A total of 177 patients (median age, 72 years; female, 65 [37%]) were enrolled, and 109 (61.9%) had favorable outcomes. The respective sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve values for an NIHSS of 10 were 92.6%, 80.7%, and .906; a ΔNIHSS score of 7 were 70.6%, 76.1%, and .797; and percent delta of 48.3% were 85.3%, 80.7%, and .890.NIHSS score10 at 24 hours after stroke onset is a strong predictor of favorable outcomes at 90 days in patients treated with MT.

Background and Purpose: To assess the actual malignant core volume in endovascular therapy (EVT) eligible patients with large ischemic regions from the RESCUE-Japan LIMIT database. Methods: RESCUE-Japan LIMIT was a multicenter, open-label, randomized clinical trial in large vessel occlusion patients with large ischemic region indicated by an ASPECTS valued from 3 to 5. We assessed the volumetrically measured core volume which identifies an unfavorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale; mRS 4-6 at 90 days) by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis in the endovascular therapy (EVT) group. Predictive marginal probabilities were also assessed to identify the unfavorable outcome. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages and death within 90 days in the EVT group and the medical management (MM) group were compared. Clinical characteristics and radiological values were also compared. Results: Of the 203 cases enrolled, 182 patients (92 in EVT group vs. 90 in MM group) had adequate core volume. The mean age was 75.6±10 years old and 46% of females in the EVT group and 77.0±10 years old and 42% of females in the MM group. Median core volume was 94 (IQR; 65.3-147.5) mL in EVT patients and 110 (IQR; 74.0-140.0) mL in those with MM group (P=0.84). ROC analysis identified a core volume of 120 mL as the unfavorable outcome (61/92) in the EVT group (51% sensitivity and 77% specificity, area under curve=0.65) and 99 mL in the MM group (77/91, 62% sensitivity and 54% specificity, area under curve=0.56). Predictive marginal probabilities indicated 132 mL as an overlay of the two groups for achieving the unfavorable functional outcome. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was seen in 9.8% in the EVT group and 5.6% in the MM group (p=0.28), and death within 90 days was 17.4% in the EVT group and 23.3% in the MM group (p=0.32). Conclusions: The current analysis demonstrates that a core threshold of approximately 130 mL is the upper limit for identifying large ischemic region stroke patients treated with EVT who are unlikely to suffer from unfavorable outcomes. EVT-eligible patients under this threshold may benefit from EVT. Registration: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03702413.

Background and Purpose— The treatment and prognosis of acute large vessel occlusion with mild symptoms have not been sufficiently studied. The present study aimed to investigate the clinical or radiological predictors of clinical outcome in patients with stroke with mild symptoms due to acute large vessel occlusion. Methods— Of 2420 patients with acute large vessel occlusion in the RESCUE-Japan Registry 2 (Recovery by Endovascular Salvage for Cerebral Ultra-Acute Embolism-Japan Registry 2), a multicenter prospective registry in Japan, patients with modified Rankin Scale scores of 0 to 2 before onset and initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores of 0 to 5 were examined in post hoc analysis. We examined the clinical and radiological characteristics associated with a favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score, 0–2 at 90 days) using multivariate analysis, as well as the factors associated with a favorable outcome in patients treated with endovascular therapy. Results— We analyzed 272 patients (median age, 73 years; median NIHSS score on admission, 3). Eighty-six (31.6%) patients were treated with intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator, 54 (19.9%) underwent endovascular therapy, and 208 (76.5%) showed a favorable outcome. In multivariate analysis, age P Conclusions— Younger age, lower initial NIHSS score, intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator, and absence of hyperglycemia were independently associated with a favorable outcome in patients with acute large vessel occlusion with low NIHSS scores. Registration— URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT02419794.

Background Flow diverters (FDs) have marked the beginning of innovations in the endovascular treatment of large unruptured intracranial aneurysms, but no multi-institutional studies have been conducted on these devices from both the clinical and economic perspectives. Objective To compare retreatment rates and healthcare expenditures between FDs and conventional coiling-based treatments in all eligible cases in Japan. Methods We identified patients who had undergone endovascular treatments during the study period (October 2015-March 2018) from a national-level claims database. The outcome measures were retreatment rates and 1-yr total healthcare expenditures, which were compared among patients who had undergone FD, coiling, and stent-assisted coiling (SAC) treatments. The coiling and SAC groups were further categorized according to the number of coils used. Retreatment rates were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models, and total expenditures were analyzed using multilevel mixed-effects generalized linear models. Results The study sample comprised 512 FD patients, 1499 coiling patients, and 711 SAC patients. The coiling groups with ≥10 coils and ≥9 coils had significantly higher retreatment rates than the FD group with hazard ratios of 2.75 (1.30-5.82) and 2.52 (1.24-5.09), respectively. In addition, the coiling group with ≥10 coils and SAC group with ≥10 coils had significantly higher 1-year expenditures than the FD group with cost ratios (95% CI) of 1.30 (1.13-1.49) and 1.31 (1.15-1.50), respectively. Conclusion In this national-level study, FDs demonstrated significantly lower retreatment rates and total expenditures than conventional coiling with ≥ 9 coils.

Background and Purpose— Reperfusion therapy by mechanical thrombectomy is used to treat acute ischemic stroke. However, reactive oxygen species generation after reperfusion therapy causes cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury, which aggravates cerebral infarction. There is limited evidence for clinical efficacy in stroke for antioxidants. Here, we developed a novel core-shell type nanoparticle containing 4-amino-4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (nitroxide radical-containing nanoparticles [RNPs]) and investigated its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species and confer neuroprotection. Methods— C57BL/6J mice underwent transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and then received RNPs (9 mg/kg) through the common carotid artery. Infarction size, neurological scale, and blood-brain barrier damage were visualized by Evans blue extravasation 24 hours after reperfusion. RNP distribution was detected by rhodamine labeling. Blood-brain barrier damage, neuronal apoptosis, and oxidative neuronal cell damage were evaluated in ischemic brains. Multiple free radical-scavenging capacities were analyzed by an electron paramagnetic resonance–based method. Results— RNPs were detected in endothelial cells and around neuronal cells in the ischemic lesion. Infarction size, neurological scale, and Evans blue extravasation were significantly lower after RNP treatment. RNP treatment preserved the endothelium and endothelial tight junctions in the ischemic brain; neuronal apoptosis, O 2 − production, and gene oxidation were significantly suppressed. Reactive oxygen species scavenging capacities against OH, ROO, and O 2 − improved by RNP treatment. Conclusions— An intra-arterial RNP injection after cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury reduced blood-brain barrier damage and infarction volume by improving multiple reactive oxygen species scavenging capacities. Therefore, RNPs can provide neurovascular unit protection.

Introduction: Interhospital transfer to endovascular-capable centers (ECCs) is reported to correlate with worse clinical outcome after endovascular stroke reperfusion therapy (ESRT). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between admission mode and functional outcome after ESRT in real clinical setting in Japan. Methods: The RICOVERY study retrospectively registered 575 patients with large vessel occlusion who were admitted to and underwent ESRT at 16 ECCs in Ibaraki prefecture, located just northeast of Tokyo, within 24 hours of onset between January 2015 and December 2017. We extracted patients without in-hospital stroke onset or recurrence and divided them into two groups: those with interhospital transfer (I group) and with direct admission to ECCs (D group). Favorable outcome (FO) was defined as a mRS of 0-2 at discharge. We additionally performed a subgroup analysis with patients with premorbid mRS of 0-2 and who underwent ESRT within 6 hours of onset. Results: A total of 483 patients (198 women, 75±11 years) was included. Intravenous thrombolysis was performed in 289 patients (60%). In the I group (n=69), median baseline NIHSS score was lower (17 vs 19, p=0.025) and the proportion of large-artery atherosclerosis was higher (19% vs 10%, p=0.025) compared with the D group (n=414). The rates of reperfusion (mTICI grade 2b/3) were similarly high in both groups (88% and 86%, respectively). Although median onset-to-puncture time (OPT) was longer in the I group than in the D group (240 min vs 185 min, p=0.01), no significant difference was shown in the rate of FO between the groups (28% vs 36%, p=0.197). In subgroup analysis, baseline NIHSS scores and stroke subtypes were similar between the I group (n=51) and the D group (n=273). Median OPT was longer in the I group than in the D group (220 min vs 160 min, p=0.005) as with the entire study cohort, and the rate of FO in the I group was lower than in the D group (24% vs 43%, p=0.01). After multivariate adjustment, interhospital transfer was a negative predictor of FO (Odds ratio, 0.343; 95% confidence interval, 0.158-0.747). Conclusion: In this Japanese real-world study, interhospital transfer was associated with delays of ESRT and lower chance of FO within a 6-hour time window.

Background: Improving the quality of stroke care is an urgent issue worldwide. To facilitate the measurement of quality of stroke care in Japan, we aimed to develop the Close The Gap-Stroke initiative in the J-ASPECT Study. Methods and Results: Quality indicators (QIs) were developed by a multidisciplinary board between 2015 and 2017. The process involved a systematic review of domestic and international studies related to primary and comprehensive stroke care. Adherence rates for the defined QIs were calculated for 8,826 patients with acute ischemic stroke from 227 hospitals between 2013 to 2015. Seventeen and 12 measures were identified as QIs for primary and comprehensive stroke care (PSC and CSC), respectively. We analyzed adherence rates of all 17 QIs for PSC and 8 QIs for CSC related with acute ischemic stroke. We found NIHSS documentation (91.0 %), CT/MRI performed within 25min and 24hr (80.9 % and 99.1 %), evaluation of extracranial vascular imaging (90.4 %), treated in stroke unit (57.4 %), tPA administration (89.5 %), tPA performed within 1hr (37.4 %), early and discharge antithrombotics medication (75.1 % and 49.0 %), discharge anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation patients (76.2 %), discharge statin medication (32.7 %), discharge antihypertensive agents (54.3 %), deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis (34.5 %), early rehabilitation (57.0 %), dysphagia screening (76.6 %), smoking cessation (59.8 %) and stroke education (71.4 %) for primary stroke care; and median time to multimodal CT or MR brain and vascular imaging (33 min), proper endovascular recanalization (81.7 %), tPA before endovascular recanalization (65.7 %), TICI grade 2b/3 after endovascular recanalization (73.0 %), median time of door to puncture (105 min), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after thrombolytic or endovascular therapy (7.45 %), 90 days mRS documentation after thrombolytic or endovascular therapy (60.8 %), occurrence of complication within 24 hours of diagnostic neuroangiography (7.27 %) for comprehensive stroke care. Conclusion: This is a promising first step to measure the QIs related to primary and comprehensive stroke care at a national level in Japan.

Purpose: Reperfusion injury after thrombolytic therapy or mechanical thrombectomy would adverse neurological outcome. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to reperfusion is relevant for aggravation. The development of drug therapy for scavenging free radical is expected to lead to better neurological prognosis. We developed a new core-shell type nanoparticle, RNP (radical containing nanoparticle), which consists of micelle containing 4-amino-TEMPO. The purpose of this study is to evaluate an efficacy of intra-arterial injection of RNP after reperfusion using tMCAO mice model. Methods: C57BL/6J mice underwent tMCAO for 60 minutes and received RNP by intra-arterial injection from common carotid artery. We evaluated infarction size, neurological scale, and Evans blue extravasation at 24h after reperfusion. RNP distribution was detected by rhodamine labeling. We further examined immunofluorescense of CD31, Occludin, TUNEL, dihydroethydium, and 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Multiple free radical scavenging capacity of ischemic hemisphere was analyzed by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR). Results: RNPs were detected in endothelial cells and around neuronal cells in the ischemic lesion. The infarction size, neurological scale, Evans blue extravasation of the mice treated by RNP were significantly lower than the mice treated by PBS , control group. Intra-arterial RNP treatment preserved endothelium and expression of occludin in the ischemic brain. Further, apoptosis of neuronal cells and production of superoxide anions and 8OHdG were suppressed. By using EPR, multiple ROS scavenging capacity (•OH, •ROO, •O 2 - ) of the ischemic brain treated by RNP were higher. Conclusions: These results suggest that intra-arterial injection of RNP have efficacy of neurovascular unit protection and reduce infarction volume by improving multiple ROS scavenging capacity.

Background and aim: Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) including intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a serious complication after carotid artery stenting (CAS). Staged angioplasty (SAP), undersized-balloon angioplasty followed by delayed CAS, was reported to be a potential preventable method against CHS. The aim of this study was to clarify the efficacy of SAP to prevent CHS after endovascular carotid revascularization for high-risk patients of CHS. Methods: The STOP CHS study is a multicenter, retrospective study which registered 535 high-risk patients of CHS from 45 Japanese centers, who underwent regular CAS, SAP or angioplasty performed by board-certified neurointerventionists between October 2007 and March 2014. Selection of high-risk patients of CHS was based on imaging tests, such as single-photon emission computed tomography with acetazolamide. We investigated the cumulative periprocedural rates of CHS, ICH and major adverse event (MAE: stroke, myocardial infarction and death) of patients scheduled for regular CAS or SAP (intention-to-treat [ITT] population) and the relationship between SAP and the cumulative incidence of CHS in ITT and as-treated (AT) populations (patients who underwent regular CAS or SAP). Results: A total of 525 patients (532 lesions, 74 women, 72.5±7.5 years old) was included. Angiographic stenosis was 86.2±9.2% and 337 lesions were symptomatic. Scheduled procedures were regular CAS in 419 lesions and SAP in 113 lesions, and final procedures were regular CAS in 428 lesions, SAP in 102 lesions and angioplasty in 2 lesions. The cumulative event rates were CHS in 9.2%, ICH in 4.3% and MAE in 11.5%, and these were higher in patients scheduled for regular CAS than in patients scheduled for SAP(10.5 % vs 4.4%, 5.3% vs 0.9% and 12.9% vs 6.2% with each p-value Conclusion: The cumulative periprocedural event rates of high-risk patients of CHS scheduled for regular CAS or SAP were actually high. SAP was a negative predictor of CHS in both ITT and AT populations.

Study design A case report of aneurysmal bone cyst of the mobile spine. Objective To present a pediatric case of aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) of the mobile spine treated successfully by selective arterial embolization (SAE) with n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA). Summary of background data The endovascular treatment is an important treatment option for the ABC of the mobile spine. However, there are few reported case treated by SAE with NBCA. Methods A 12-year-old healthy boy was introduced with a complaint of back pain. Computed tomography showed an osteolytic expanding mass in the pedicle, lamina, and spinous process on the level of T10. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a multicystic mass with fluid-fluid levels that extended into the spinal canal and compressed the spinal cord from the dorsal side. Digital subtraction angiography showed an abnormal blood supply from the posterior spinal branch of the left T9 artery. An abnormal mass was diagnosed as an ABC based on these neuroradiologic examinations. Result The patient underwent SAE with NBCA (Histoacryl, B. Braun, Melsungen, Germany) diluted with Lipiodol (Laboratorie Guerbet, France) in a rate of 1:4. Computed tomography performed 1 month after treatment revealed partial ossification of the bone cortex. MR imaging showed shrinkage of the cyst and decompression of the spinal cord. Back pain of the patient disappeared and the shrunken cyst was stable without recurrence during the 3-year follow-up period. Conclusion SAE in a pediatric case with ABC of the mobile spine was effective in improving of clinical symptom and shrinking of the cyst.

Background and Purpose: Stroke centers which can provide endovascular therapy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke patients are limited. Patients who considered eligible for EVT need to be transferred to hospitals where EVT available. However, delays for interhospital transfers may reduce the opportunity for good outcomes. Besides we accepted patients from outside hospitals, we formed a neurointerventional team which called “Mobile EVT Team (MET)” to offer EVT at outside hospitals. In this study, we compare elapsed time until the beginning of EVT between patients who performed EVT at outside hospitals and who received EVT in our hospital after they were transferred. Methods: From July 2012 to June 2014, acute ischemic stroke patients who performed EVT by MET (MET group) and received EVT after they were transferred to our hospital (transfer group) were enrolled. We defined the beginning of EVT as the time of injection from guiding catheter for EVT. In MET group, if guiding catheter was indwelled before MET arrival, the beginning of EVT was defined the time of MET arrival. We compared the time from initial imaging to the beginning of EVT (“picture to treatment” time) among two groups. Results: Thirty Patients from one site (distance between hospitals: 16 miles) in MET group and 7 patients from three sites (distance between hospitals: 0.5, 1 and 3 miles) in transfer group were analyzed. There was no difference the frequency of intravenous thrombolysis therapy among two groups. In MET group, time from notification to MET arrival was 72 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 60-81). In transfer group, time from notification to patient arrival and from patient arrival to groin puncture were 55 minutes (IQR, 50-72) and 36 minutes (25-39). Picture to groin puncture time (MET group vs. transfer group: 68minutes [54-81] vs. 139 minutes [127-217], p=0.0004), picture to treatment time (122 minutes [106-165] vs. 168 minutes [154-241], p=0.0105) and notification to treatment time (90 minutes [78-116] vs. 125 minutes [109-140], p=0.0099) were significantly shorter in MET group than in transfer group. Conclusions: MET can provide EVT at outside hospitals without time delay and can be alternative system to patient transfer.

Background and Purpose: Antiplatelet therapy is essential for preventing thrombotic complications in neuro-endovascular treatment (NET). However, it has been clarified that there are poor responders of antiplatelet drugs. The present study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of platelet reactivity monitoring for predicting thrombotic or hemorrhagic event in patients underwent NET. Methods: Between May 2010 and Mar 2013, we enrolled 617 patients who were planning to undergo elective carotid artery stenting or aneurysmal coil embolization in 7 Japanese centers. Antiplatelet therapy was started at least two days before, and platelet reactivity was measured with Verify Now system at beginning of the procedure. Patients were followed for 1 year. Thrombotic events (ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, or systemic embolization) and hemorrhagic events (intracranial or major systemic hemorrhage) were examined. We evaluated the relationships between platelet reactivity and occurrences of thrombotic/hemorrhagic events. Results: A total of 595 patients (270 men, 63.7±11.9 years old) with sufficient data were analyzed. Thrombotic and hemorrhagic events were observed in 38 (6.4%) and 19 (3.2%) patients within 30 days, and additionally observed in 4 (0.6%) and 10 (1.7%) patients between 31 days and 1 year after the procedure. With receiver operating characteristic analysis, optimal cut-off values for predicting thrombotic events were P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) >225 (area under the curve: 0.57). Higher platelet reactivity was related to higher incidence of thrombotic events within 1 year (10.0% vs 4.3%, Log rank P225 (HR 2.55, 95% CI 1.24-4.87, P=0.01) and prior cerebrovascular disease (HR 2.83, 95% CI 1.48-5.40, P Conclusion: High platelet reactivity on P2Y12 (PRU>225) can predict thrombotic events after NET. Safer drugs or tailored strategies may be needed to reduce the complications in patients with cerebrovascular diseases.

OBJECTIVE Symptomatic unruptured aneurysms have been considered at relatively high risk for future rupture, and the majority of aneurysms that cause symptoms of mass effect are large. Unruptured aneurysms smaller than 1 cm in diameter sometimes cause neurological symptoms, but their clinical aspects remain obscure. In this article, we review our experience with small unruptured aneurysms presenting with oculomotor nerve palsy. METHODS Sixteen patients with unruptured aneurysms smaller than 1 cm presenting with oculomotor nerve palsy were included in this study. The patients' clinical profiles were reviewed, and factors affecting the recovery of oculomotor function were determined. RESULTS The mean size of the aneurysms was 5.8 +/- 1.4 mm. Eleven patients (68.8%) had preceding retrobulbar pain. Fifteen patients underwent successful microsurgical clipping or intravascular embolization, but one patient died of aneurysm rupture before surgery. Seven patients (43.8%) had a complete recovery of oculomotor function, six (37.5%) had an incomplete recovery, and two (12.5%) remained unchanged after treatment. The mean interval between the onset of oculomotor nerve palsy and treatment was 4.7 +/- 3.3 days in patients with complete recovery, 24.2 +/- 15.5 days in patients with incomplete recovery, and 41.0 +/- 12.7 days in unchanged patients. Early surgery resulted in more complete recovery of neural function (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Unruptured aneurysms smaller than 1 cm can cause neurological symptoms of mass effect. We recommend timely surgery, preferably within 5 days, to avoid not only aneurysm rupture but also functional disability even in patients with unruptured aneurysms smaller than 1 cm.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE Aneurysms arising from the ophthalmic artery are extremely rare, compared with carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms arising from the wall of the internal carotid artery. We present a very unusual type of aneurysm arising from the ophthalmic artery itself. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 54-year-old man presented with a sudden onset of headache and was transferred to a local hospital. Computed tomography demonstrated subarachnoid hemorrhage around the left anterior clinoid process, but digital subtraction angiography failed to localize the source of the hemorrhage. The patient was referred to our hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Conventional cerebral angiography did not reveal the source of the hemorrhage, but three-dimensional rotational angiography clearly demonstrated an aneurysm arising from the ophthalmic artery trunk, apart from the internal carotid artery. INTERVENTION The patient underwent microsurgical clipping of the aneurysm via a left pterional craniotomy. The aneurysm originated from the bifurcation of the ophthalmic artery and a perforating artery to the optic nerve. The aneurysm was successfully obliterated, and the postoperative course was uneventful. CONCLUSION This report is the first to describe a case of a ruptured aneurysm arising from the ophthalmic artery trunk. We discuss the clinical significance of an aneurysm at this site, as well as the role of three-dimensional rotational angiography in determining the source of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Objective: Although Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) lesions are commonly irreversible, DWI lesion volume reduction (DVR) is occasionally observed. We investigated clinical significance and predictors of DVR in acute stroke patients with major vessel occlusion receiving recanalization therapy (RT). Methods: The Recovery by Endovascular Salvage for Cerebral Ultra-acute Embolism (RESCUE)-Japan registry prospectively registered 1,442 stroke patients with major vessel occlusion who were admitted to 84 Japanese stroke centers within 24 hours after onset from July 2010 to June 2011. We retrospectively analyzed all patients with the internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery (M1 or M2 segments occlusions receiving RT and undergoing MRI both on admission and at 24 hours after onset from the registry. We defined DVR as a 1 or more-point reduction of the DWI-Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS), and CT-DWI mismatch (CTDM) as a 2 or more-point lower DWI-ASPECTS than CT-ASPECTS on admission. Reperfusion was defined as TICI grade 2b-3 on catheter angiography or modified Mori grade 3 on MRA immediately after RT. Dramatic recovery (DR) was defined as a 10 or more-point reduction or a total NIHSS score of 0-1 at 24 hours, and favorable outcome (FO) defined as a mRS score 0-2 at 3 months. Results: A total of 390 patients (215 men, 72 years old,) was included. Median baseline NIHSS score was 16 (IQR 10-19) and median baseline DWI-ASPECTS was 8 (6-9). CTDM was seen in 92 patients (28%) on admission. Intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular therapy were performed in 246 patients (63%) and 223 patients (57%), respectively. Reperfusion was obtained in 170 patients (51%). DVR was seen in 51 patients (13%). Eighty-eight patients (23%) obtained DR and 158 patients (41%) achieved FO. On multivariate analyses, DVR was significantly related to DR (OR 3.8, 95%CI 1.5-10) and FO (4.6, 1.8-12). CTDM was an independent predictor of DVR (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1-5.8). Conclusions: DVR was significantly related to DR and FO. CTDM is a rough predictor of DVR of which area is considered as a “DWI-bright” ischemic penumbra, and might be a useful marker to identify the adequate candidates for RT in spite of relatively large DWI lesions.

Background and Purpose: Identifying the information of occluded distal vessels is quite important for making a suitable selection of treatment strategy and devices in endovascular revascularization therapy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke patients. It has been demonstrated that intra-venous cone-beam CT (IV-CBCT) is able to visualize distally of the occluded vessels. In this study, intra-arterial contrasted high-resolution cone-beam CT from ascending aorta (Ao-CBCT) was newly introduced for the visualization of occluded distal vessels and its clinical values were assessed Methods: Acute ischemic stroke patients with major vessel occlusion planed EVT were evaluated. Adaption of EVT was decided by using MRI/MRA assessment in advance. In endovascular procedure, digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and Ao-CBCT were performed to evaluate occluded site, collaterals and occluded distal vessels with local anesthesia. Ao-CBCT images were acquired in 20 seconds rotational scan. Contrast medium was injected from ascending aorta with 1mL/s for a total of 30 seconds by use of a 4F or 6F catheter and an imaging delay of 10 seconds. We assessed the image quality of Ao-CBCT and compared in the visualization of occluded distal vessels among MRA, DSA and Ao-CBCT. Results: We analyzed 14 patients (mean age, 66 years. 3 female patients), respectively. Stroke subtypes were cardiogenic (n=6), atherothrombotic (n=5) and others/unknown (n=3). Occluded site were MCA M1 (n=8), MCA M2 (n=2), ICA (n=2), MCA M4 (n=1) and BA (n=1). All obtained Ao-CBCT images could evaluate occlusion distal vessels successfully and 11 images (79%) were excellent. In all cases, Ao-CBCT images could depict occluded distal vessels more detailed than MRA and DSA. Conclusions: Ao-CBCT is an efficient method to obtain the detailed information of occluded vessels compared with conventional examination methods. It requires less contrast agent compared to IV-CBCT, while maintaining enough information to determine treatment strategy.

Background and Purpose: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is increasingly used to treat high-grade carotid stenosis, but the impact of medication on carotid in-stent restenosis (ISR) has not been shown. The present study was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory effect of cilostazol on ISR, compared to that of other antiplatelet drugs, in patients scheduled to undergo CAS. Methods: The Carotid Artery Stenting with Cilostazol Addition for Restenosis (CAS-CARE) trial is a multi-center, prospective, randomized, open-label, blind-endpoint trial, designed to compare the efficacy of cilostazol versus other anti-platelet therapy on ISR after CAS. Main inclusion criteria are patients with diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis, scheduled for carotid artery stenting within 30 days of enrolment, and aged at 45 - 80 years at time of consent. Patients who suffered an ischemic stroke within 48 hours prior to enrolment or those with aortic arch syndrome, vasculitis, or collagen disease will be excluded from the study. Diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis is based on angiography (NASCET stenosis ratio > 50% for symptomatic lesion or > 80% for asymptomatic lesion), or carotid ultrasound (peak systolic velocity > 130cm/sec for symptomatic lesion or > 230cm/sec for asymptomatic lesion). Nine hundred patients will be randomized into 2 groups: the first group will receive cilostazol from at least 3 days before CAS and continue for 2 years. The second group will never receive cilostazol during the same period. Use of other antiplatelet agents and concomitant drugs is unrestricted in each group. The allocation adjusting factors are presence or absence of symptoms, presence or absence of diabetes mellitus, type of stent scheduled to be used (open cell vs. closed cell), and test center. Follow-up carotid ultrasound will be examined at 6, 12 and 24 months after CAS, and carotid restenosis ≥50% is diagnosed using velocity criteria. The primary outcome is occurrence of in-stent restenosis within 2 years after CAS and time to occurrence. Secondary outcomes include 1) occurrence of in-stent restenosis, new out-stent stenosis, or re-treatment, 2) occurrence of cardiovascular event or death from any cause, 3) occurrence of a hemorrhagic event, and 4) a composite endpoint of them. Conclusion: CAS-CARE will determine whether cilostazol can prevent restenosis after carotid artery stenting with an acceptable risk profile.

To the Editor: We read with great interest the article by van der Schaaf and colleagues1 in the July 2004 issue of Stroke in which the authors sought to assess the contribution of venous drainage patterns in the etiology of perimesencephalic hemorrhage (PMH). PMH, defined by a negative 4-vessel angiographic study as bleeding in the cisterns around the midbrain, is associated with an excellent outcome.2 Using computed tomography angiography, van der Schaaf and colleagues found that patients with PMH had primitive venous drainage directly into dural sinuses instead of via the vein of Galen, as with patients having aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. They also observed that the side of the PMH related to the side of the primitive drainage. They concluded that these results support the venous origin of PMH. Although van der Schaaf and colleagues found differences in the venous drainage of these patients, they neglected to present direct evidence showing that primitive venous drainage led to hemorrhage around the midbrain. They speculated that direct venous pressure from the dural sinus might cause the rupture of the perimesencephalic veins. However, their speculation is not substantiated because other cerebral veins with direct connection to the dural sinus never rupture under normal circumstances. Moreover, if this variation of venous drainage were a cause of bleeding, it …

To report the usefulness of a side-hole on a guiding catheter for transvenous embolization of transverse-sigmoid sinus (TSS) dural arteriovenous fistulae (DAVF) by a contralateral approach with a reversed Y-shaped confluence.A 66-year-old woman presented after an epileptic seizure. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed venous infarctions of the left temporal area. Angiography showed a DAVF in the left TSS with retrograde drainage toward the superior sagittal sinus and remarkable cortical reflux.A transvenous approach through the right jugular vein was attempted after failure of the approach through the angiographically invisible left jugular vein. Catheterization beyond the confluence failed because the shape of the confluence was a reversed Y. A 5-French catheter with a side-hole was then placed in the superior sagittal sinus from the right TSS, and the microcatheter was successfully navigated into the left TSS through the side-hole. Subsequently, the DAVF was completely occluded by transvenous embolization without any adverse events.A side-hole on a guiding catheter was found to be useful for the navigation of a microcatheter to override a reversed Y-shaped confluence in transvenous embolization of TSS DAVF. This technique could be applicable to difficult configurations for transvenous catheterization, although attention should be paid to disruption of the catheter.