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Background and Purpose: Patients with suspected stroke are referred to the nearest hospital and are managed either in a spoke center (SC), a primary stroke center (PSC), or a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) in order to benefit from early intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). In case of large vessel occlusion (LVO), mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is only performed in the CSC, whereas the effectiveness of MT is highly time-dependent. There is a debate about the best management model of patients with suspected LVO. Therefore, we aimed to compare functional and safety outcomes of LVO patients eligible for MT managed through our regional telestroke system., Method: We performed a retrospective analysis of our observational prospective clinical registry in all consecutive subjects with LVO within six hours of onset who were admitted to the SC, PSC, or CSC in the east of France between October 2017 and November 2022. The primary endpoint was the functional independence defined as modified Rankin scale (mRS) score 0 to 2 at 90 days. Secondary endpoints were functional outcome, early neurological improvement, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and 90-day mortality., Results: Among the 794 included patients with LVO who underwent MT, 122 (15.4%) were managed by a SC, 403 (50.8%) were first admitted to a PSC, and 269 (33.9%) were first admitted to the CSC. The overall median NIHSS and ASPECTS score were 16 and 8, respectively. Multivariate analysis did not find any significant difference for the primary endpoint between patients managed by PSC versus CSC (OR 1.06 [95% CI 0.64;1.76], P=0.82) and between patient managed by SC versus CSC (OR 0.69 [0.34;1.40], P=0.30). No difference between the three groups was found except for the parenchymal hematoma rate between PSC and CSC (15.7 versus 7.4%, OR 2.25 [1.07;4.74], P=0.032)., Conclusions: Compared with a first admission to a CSC, the clinical outcomes of stroke patients with LVO eligible for MT first admitted to a SC or a PSC are similar., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background and Purpose: We aimed to evaluate among trained interventional neuroradiologist, whether increasing individual experience was associated with an improvement in mechanical thrombectomy (MT) procedural performance metrics., Methods: Individual MT procedural data from 5 centers of the Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke registry and 2 additional high-volume stroke centers were pooled. Operator experience was defined for each operator as a continuous variable, cumulating the number of MT procedures performed since January 2015, as MT became standard of care or, if later than this date, since the operator started performing mechanical thrombectomies in autonomy. We tested the associations between operator's experience and procedural metrics., Results: A total of 4516 procedures were included, performed by 36 operators at 7 distinct centers, with a median of 97.5 endovascular treatment procedures per operator (interquartile range, 57-170.2) over the study period. Higher operator's experience, analyzed as a continuous variable, was associated with a significantly shorter procedural duration (β estimate, -3.98 [95% CI, -5.1 to -2.8]; P <0.001), along with local anesthesia and M1 occlusion location in multivariable models. Increasing experience was associated with better Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction scores (estimate, 1.02 [1-1.04]; P =0.013)., Conclusions: In trained interventional neuroradiologists, increasing experience in MT is associated with significantly shorter procedural duration and better reperfusion rates, with a theoretical ceiling effect observed after around 100 procedures. These results may inform future training and practice guidelines to set minimal experience standards before autonomization, and to set-up operators' recertification processes tailored to individual case volume and prior experience.

Objective: Whether the time from intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) to endovascular treatment (EVT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke has an effect on the functional outcome is unknown., Methods: The Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke (ETIS) registry is an ongoing, prospective, multicenter, observational study that perform EVT in France. Data were analyzed from patients treated by IVT and EVT between October 2013 and December 2018 in 6 comprehensive stroke centers. In the primary analysis, we assessed the association of time from IVT administration to start of EVT with functional outcome (measured with the modified Rankin Scale [mRS]), by means of ordinal logistic regression. Secondary end points included angiographic and safety outcomes., Results: We analyzed 1,986 patients with acute ischemic stroke due to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who underwent IVT and EVT. An increased IVT to start of EVT time was associated with a worse functional outcome at 90 days (mRS = 0-2, adjusted odds ratio [OR] per 30 minutes increase in time = 0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.86-0.96; mRS = 0-1, adjusted OR per 30 minutes increase in time = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.84-0.94), a lower chance of modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) grade 2b to 3 reperfusion (adjusted OR per 30 minutes increase in time = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.87-0.98), and an increased probability of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (adjusted OR per 30 minutes increase in time = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.99-1.18)., Interpretation: These findings provide a basis for further studies to determine if the functional outcome of patients with stroke can be greatly improved by optimizing IVT to EVT times. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:511-519., (© 2020 American Neurological Association.)

Background: Increasing patient age has been identified in clinical trials as a poor prognostic factor for functional independence after endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke. These findings may not be fully generalizable to clinical practice due to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria in these trials. We aim to assess and quantify the association of patient age, especially in patients >80 and >90 years old, with functional outcome after EVT in current, everyday clinical practice., Methods: The ETIS (Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke) Registry is an ongoing, prospective, observational study of 6 comprehensive stroke centers in France. We analyzed 1,708 patients treated between January 2017 and December 2018 and assessed the association of patient age with functional outcome adjusting for demographic and procedural predictors of functional outcome., Results: The positive effect of mechanical thrombectomy diminished significantly with increasing age: compared to the 18-80 years age group, the odds for achieving a good functional outcome at 90 days after the procedure decreased in the 80-90 and >90 years groups (multilevel OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.28-0.51 and OR: 0.2, 95% CI: 0.09-0.45, respectively, p < 0.001). Increasing age was associated with increased mortality (multilevel OR: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.72-3.54 for the 80-90 years group and multilevel OR: 5.49, 95% CI: 2.97-10.16 for the >90 years group)., Conclusion: Patient age is strongly associated with functional outcome after EVT for acute ischemic stroke. The positive effect of thrombectomy persists in older age groups, even after adjustment for prognostic factors related to poor functional outcome. Stroke physicians should provide EVT irrespective of the patient's age., (© 2020 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Elevated blood pressure (BP) is common among patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusions. The literature is inconsistent regarding the association between admission BP and outcome of mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Moreover, it is unclear whether the first line thrombectomy strategy (stent retriever [SR] versus contact aspiration [CA]) modifies the relationship between BP and outcome., Methods: This is a post hoc analysis of the ASTER (Contact Aspiration Versus Stent Retriever for Successful Revascularization) randomized trial. BP was measured prior to randomization in all included patients. Co-primary outcomes included 90-day functional independence (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0-2) and successful revascularization (modified Treatment in Cerebral Ischemia [mTICI] 2b-3). Secondary outcomes included symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) and parenchymal hemorrhage (PH) within 24 hours., Results: A total of 381 patients were included in the present study. Mean (SD) systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were 148 (26) mm Hg and 81 (16) mm Hg, respectively. There was no association between SBP or DBP and successful revascularization or 90-day functional independence. Similarly, there was no association between admission SBP or DBP with sICH or PH. Subgroup analysis based on the first-line thrombectomy strategy revealed similar results with no heterogeneity across groups., Conclusion: Admission BP was not associated with functional, angiographic or safety outcomes. Results were similar in both CA and CA groups., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background and Purpose: The best anesthetic management for mechanical thrombectomy of large vessel occlusion strokes is still uncertain and could impact the quality of reperfusion and clinical outcome. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety outcomes between local anesthesia (LA) and conscious sedation in a large cohort of acute ischemic stroke patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion strokes treated with mechanical thrombectomy in current, everyday clinical practice., Methods: Patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy for anterior large vessel occlusion strokes at 4 comprehensive stroke centers in France between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2018, were pooled from the ongoing prospective multicenter observational Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke Registry in France. Intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses were used., Results: Among the included 1034 patients, 762 were included in the conscious sedation group and 272 were included in the LA group. In the propensity score matched cohort, the rate of favorable outcome (90-day modified Rankin Scale score 0-2) was significantly lower in the LA group than in the conscious sedation group (40.0% versus 52.0%, matched relative risk=0.76 [95% CI, 0.60-0.97]), as well as the rate of successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction grade 2b-3; 76.6% versus 87.1%; matched relative risk=0.88 [95% CI, 0.79-0.98]). There was no difference in procedure time between the 2 groups. In the inverse probability of treatment weighting-propensity score-adjusted cohort, similar significant differences were found for favorable outcomes and successful reperfusion. In inverse probability of treatment weighting-propensity score-adjusted cohort, a higher rate of 90-day mortality and a lower parenchymal hematoma were observed after LA. The sensitivity analysis restricted to our per-protocol sample provided similar results in the matched- and inverse probability of treatment weighting-propensity cohorts., Conclusions: In the Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke registry mainly included patients in early time window (<6 hours), LA was associated with lower odds of favorable outcome, successful reperfusion, and higher odds of mortality compared with conscious sedation for mechanical thrombectomy of large vessel occlusion.

Background and Purpose- Antiplatelet agents could be used in the setting of endovascular therapy for tandem occlusions to reduce the risk of de novo intracranial embolic migration, reocclusion of the extracranial internal carotid artery lesion, or in-stent thrombosis in case of carotid stent placement but have to be balanced with the intracerebral hemorrhagic transformation risk. In this study, we aim to investigate the impact of acute antiplatelet therapy administration on outcomes during endovascular therapy for anterior circulation tandem occlusions. Methods- This is a retrospective analysis of a collaborative pooled analysis of 11 prospective databases from the multicenter observational TITAN registry (Thrombectomy in Tandem Lesions). Patients were divided into groups based on the number of antiplatelet administered during endovascular therapy. The primary outcome was favorable outcome, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2 at 90 days. Results- This study included a total of 369 patients; 145 (39.3%) did not receive any antiplatelet agent and 224 (60.7%) received at least 1 antiplatelet agent during the procedure. Rate of favorable outcome was nonsignificantly higher in patients treated with antiplatelet therapy (58.3%) compared with those treated without antiplatelet (46.0%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.38 [95% CI, 0.78-2.43]; P =0.26). Rate of 90-day mortality was significantly lower in patients treated with antiplatelet therapy (11.2% versus 18.7%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.22-0.98]; P =0.042), without increasing the risk of any intracerebral hemorrhage. Successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia score 2b-3) rate was significantly better in the antiplatelet therapy group (83.9% versus 71.0%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.89 [95% CI, 1.01-3.64]; P =0.045). Conclusions- Administration of antiplatelet therapy during endovascular therapy for anterior circulation tandem occlusions was safe and was associated with a lower 90-day mortality. Optimal antiplatelet therapy remains to be assessed, especially when emergent carotid artery stenting is performed. Further randomized controlled trials are needed.

Introduction: Endovascular treatment (EVT) for tandem occlusion (TO) of the anterior circulation is complex but effective. The effect of extracranial internal carotid artery (EICA) lesion severity on the outcomes of EVT is unknown. In this study we investigated the effect of EICA lesion severity on the outcomes of tandem occlusion EVT., Methods: A multicenter retrospective TITAN (Thrombectomy In TANdem lesions) study that included 18 international endovascular capable centers was performed. Patients who received EVT for atherosclerotic TO with or without EICA lesion intervention were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on the EICA lesion severity (high-grade stenosis (≥90% North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial) vs complete occlusion). Outcome measures included the 90-day clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale score (mRS)), angiographic reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Ischemia (mTICI) at the end of the procedure), procedural complications, and intracranial hemorrhage at 24 hours follow-up., Results: A total of 305 patients were included in the study, of whom 135 had complete EICA occlusion and 170 had severe EICA stenosis. The EICA occlusion group had shorter mean onset-to-groin time (259±120 min vs 305±202 min; p=0.037), more patients with diabetes, and fewer with hyperlipidemia. With respect to the outcome, mTICI 2b-3 reperfusion was lower in the EICA occlusion group (70% vs 81%; p=0.03). The favorable outcome (90-day mRS 0-2), intracerebral hemorrhage and procedural complications were similar in both groups., Conclusion: Atherosclerotic occlusion of the EICA in acute tandem strokes was associated with a lower rate of mTICI 2b-3 reperfusion but similar functional and safety outcomes when compared with high-grade EICA stenosis., Competing Interests: Competing interests: MH has received honoria for consultancy and proctoring for Medtronic, Stryker, and Microvention. RN has received honoria from Stryker Neurovascular for TREVO 2 trial (Thrombectomy Revascularisation of Large Vessel Occlusions in Acute Ischemic Stroke) and DAWN Trial (Trevo and Medical Management Versus Medical Management Alone in Wake Up and Late Presenting Strokes), from Medtronic for SWIFT (Solitaire FR With the Intention for Thrombectomy) and SWIFT PRIME Trials (Solitaire FR With the Intention for Thrombectomy as Primary Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke) Steering Committee, and STAR Trial core laboratory (significant), from Penumbra for 3D Separator Trial Executive Committee, and from Neuravi for ARISE-2 (Analysis of Revascularization in Ischemic Stroke With EmboTrap) Steering Committee; AHS reports grants from National Institutes of Health/NINDS/NIBIB, University at Buffalo, personal fees from Hotspur, Intratech Medical, StimSox, Valor Medical, Blockade Medical, and Lazarus Effect, non-financial support from Codman & Shurtleff, Concentric Medical, ev3/Covidien Vascular Therapies, GuidePoint Global Consulting, Penumbra, Stryker, Pulsar Vascular, MicroVention, Lazarus Effect, Blockade Medical, other from null, outside the submitted work. AS has stock from Penumbra and received honoria for consultancy and proctoring for Penumbra, and Stryker. FT has received honoria for consultancy and proctoring for Medtronic, Stryker Codman, and Balt., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background and Purpose: Emergent carotid artery stenting plus mechanical thrombectomy is an effective treatment for acute ischemic stroke patients with tandem occlusion of the anterior circulation. However, there is limited data supporting the safety of this approach in patients treated with prior intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). We aimed to investigate the safety of emergent carotid artery stenting-mechanical thrombectomy approach in stroke patient population treated with prior IVT, Methods: —We assessed patients with acute ischemic stroke because of atherosclerotic tandem occlusion that were treated with emergent carotid artery stenting-mechanical thrombectomy approach from the multicenter observational Thrombectomy in Tandem Lesions registry. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on pretreatment IVT (IVT versus no-IVT). Intracerebral hemorrhages were classified according to the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study II criteria., Results: Among 205 patients included in the present study, 125 (60%) received prior IVT. Time from symptoms onsetto-groin puncture was shorter (234±100 versus 256±234 minutes; P=0.002), and heparin use was less in the IVT group (14% versus 35%; P<0.001); otherwise, there was no difference in the baseline characteristics. There was no significant difference between the IVT and no-IVT groups in the rate of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (5% versus 8%; P=0.544), parenchymal hematoma type 1 to 2 (15% versus 18%; P=0.647), successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia 2b–3), or 90-day favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2 at 90 days). The 90-day all-cause mortality rate was significantly lower in the IVT group (8% versus 20%; P=0.017). After adjusting for covariates, IVT was not associated with symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage or 90-day mortality, Conclusions: Emergent carotid artery stenting-mechanical thrombectomy approach was not associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic complications in tandem occlusion patients who received IVT before the intervention.

Background: In acute ischemic stroke patients with large-artery occlusion, uncertainties remain about whether clinically important outcomes are comparable between first-line contact aspiration and stent-retriever thrombectomy, although two trials have investigated whether one strategy should be preferred over another., Purpose: The purpose of this article is to compare the efficacy and safety of first-line contact aspiration and stent-retriever thrombectomy in stroke patients with anterior circulation large-artery occlusion., Methods: We undertook a systematic review of studies of patients treated for large-artery occlusion, with the latest devices of either strategy, within six hours of stroke onset. We determined rates of final complete reperfusion (defined as modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction score = 3), periprocedural complications and 90-day functional independence (defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0-2), and excellent outcome (defined as mRS score 0-1) after contact aspiration and after stent-retriever thrombectomy using random-effects meta-analyses. Any differential effects in rates between the two strategies were assessed using random-effects meta-regressions., Results: Fifteen studies (1817 patients) were included. There was no difference in rates of final complete reperfusion at the end of all endovascular procedures between contact aspiration and stent retrievers (51.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 39.3-62.9; vs 38.3%, 95% CI 28.6-48.0; p int  = 0.14), 90-day functional independence (45.0%, 40.7-49.2; vs 52.4%, 47.7-57.1; p int  = 0.45) and excellent outcome (32.1%, 25.7-38.5; vs 34.1%, 21.2-46.9; p int  = 0.94). Rates of periprocedural complications did not differ between the two strategies., Conclusions: Current data suggest no difference in efficacy and safety between first-line contact aspiration and stent-retriever thrombectomy in stroke patients with large-artery occlusion.

Background and Purpose- Acute stroke patients with a large ischemic core may still benefit from mechanical thrombectomy (MT), but the predictors of clinical outcome are not well known after MT. We investigated the clinical and imaging factors associated with good outcome and mortality at 90 days in acute stroke patients with a large baseline ischemic core treated with MT. Methods- Data from the multicentric prospective ETIS (Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke) registry of consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients treated with MT from January 1, 2012, to August 31, 2016, were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline large ischemic core was defined as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)-Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score of ≤5. The degree of disability was assessed by the modified Rankin Scale at 90 days. Outcomes included good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of ≤2), and mortality (modified Rankin Scale score of 6). Results- Among 216 patients with DWI-Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score of ≤5 (median DWI volume 77 mL, interquartile range 52-120 mL) treated with MT, good outcome was achieved in 55 (25.4%) patients and 75 (34.7%) died at 90 days. Hemorrhagic transformation was detected in 40 (18.5%) patients within 24 hours post-MT. Older age (adjusted odds ratio [OR] for every 10 years, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.48-0.80; P<0.001) and increased DWI lesional volume (adjusted OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97-0.99; P<0.001) were associated with a lower chance of achieving a good outcome, while successful recanalization (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction [mTICI] grades of ≤2b) predicted good outcome (adjusted OR, 4.56; 95% CI, 1.79-11.62; P=0.001). Successful recanalization (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.22-0.97; P=0.042), increased DWI lesional volume (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03; P<0.001), age (OR for every 10 years, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.31-2.26; P<0.001), and diabetes mellitus (OR, 3.23; 95% CI, 1.34-7.8; P=0.009) were independent predictors of 90-day mortality. Conclusions- Successful recanalization and baseline DWI lesional volume are the strongest predictors of outcome in stroke patients with a large ischemic core.

Background and Purpose: A direct aspiration first pass technique involves first-line aspiration to remove the thrombus through a large-bore aspiration catheter in large vessel strokes. The aim of this study was to assess safety and clinical outcomes with a direct aspiration first pass technique using the new ARC catheter., Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from three university hospitals was performed between June 2016 and May 2018. The following parameters of all acute ischemic stroke interventions using the ARC catheter were analyzed: use of intravenous thrombolysis, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores at presentation and discharge, successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b-3), procedure duration, procedure-related complications and 90-day clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale score)., Results: In total, 41 patients were included in the study and anterior circulation occlusion was noted in 35 (85%). The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at admission was 18 and prior intravenous thrombolysis was administered in 35 patients (85%). Only six (15%) patients required the use of a rescue stent retriever. Successful reperfusion was achieved in 40 patients (98%) with a median procedure time of 32 minutes. No catheter-related complications were observed. Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in one patient (2%). Median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at discharge was 3; 49% were independent and 10% died at 90 days., Conclusions: In the present study, the ARC catheter allowed a 98% successful reperfusion rate. The complication rate was in line with those of previous a direct aspiration first pass technique publications.

Background: The effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion is time-dependent. While only stroke centers with endovascular capabilities perform MT, many patients who had a stroke initially present to the closest primary stroke centers capable of administering earlier intravenous thrombolysis, and then require to be transferred to a comprehensive stroke center for MT., Purpose: To compare the outcomes of this care pathway (drip and ship (DS)) with that whereby patients are directly transferred to a comprehensive stroke center (mothership (MS))., Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies using several electronic databases to determine whether successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction ≥2b), functional independence at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale score ≤2), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and 90-day mortality differed between those who underwent MT with the DS or the MS treatment pathway. Outcomes were meta-analyzed and the results expressed as adjusted relative risk (aRR) for the primary analysis and unadjusted relative risk (uRR) for secondary analysis., Results: Eight studies including 2068 patients were selected, including one study reporting results fully adjusted for baseline characteristics. Patients undergoing MS had better functional independence than those undergoing DS (uRR=0.87, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.93; aRR=0.87, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.98). No difference was found between the treatment pathways in successful reperfusion (uRR=1.05, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.15; aRR=1.00, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.10), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (uRR=1.37, 95% CI 0.91 to 2.06; aRR, 1.53, 95% CI 0.79 to 2.98), and 90-day mortality (uRR=1.00, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.19; aRR=1.21, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.64)., Conclusions: Patients who had an acute ischemic stroke admitted directly to a comprehensive stroke center (MS patients) with endovascular capacities may have better 90-day outcomes than those receiving DS treatment. However, major limitations of current evidence (ie, retrospective studies and selection bias) suggest a need for adequately powered studies. Multicenter randomized controlled trials are expected to answer this question., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Evidence regarding whether imaging can be used effectively to select patients for endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is scarce. We aimed to investigate the association between baseline imaging features and safety and efficacy of EVT in acute ischaemic stroke caused by anterior large-vessel occlusion., Methods: In this meta-analysis of individual patient-level data, the HERMES collaboration identified in PubMed seven randomised trials in endovascular stroke that compared EVT with standard medical therapy, published between Jan 1, 2010, and Oct 31, 2017. Only trials that required vessel imaging to identify patients with proximal anterior circulation ischaemic stroke and that used predominantly stent retrievers or second-generation neurothrombectomy devices in the EVT group were included. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane handbook methodology. Central investigators, masked to clinical information other than stroke side, categorised baseline imaging features of ischaemic change with the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) or according to involvement of more than 33% of middle cerebral artery territory, and by thrombus volume, hyperdensity, and collateral status. The primary endpoint was neurological functional disability scored on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days after randomisation. Safety outcomes included symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage, parenchymal haematoma type 2 within 5 days of randomisation, and mortality within 90 days. For the primary analysis, we used mixed-methods ordinal logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission, intravenous alteplase, and time from onset to randomisation, and we used interaction terms to test whether imaging categorisation at baseline modifies the association between treatment and outcome. This meta-analysis was prospectively designed by the HERMES executive committee but has not been registered., Findings: Among 1764 pooled patients, 871 were allocated to the EVT group and 893 to the control group. Risk of bias was low except in the THRACE study, which used unblinded assessment of outcomes 90 days after randomisation and MRI predominantly as the primary baseline imaging tool. The overall treatment effect favoured EVT (adjusted common odds ratio [cOR] for a shift towards better outcome on the mRS 2·00, 95% CI 1·69-2·38; p<0·0001). EVT achieved better outcomes at 90 days than standard medical therapy alone across a broad range of baseline imaging categories. Mortality at 90 days (14·7% vs 17·3%, p=0·15), symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (3·8% vs 3·5%, p=0·90), and parenchymal haematoma type 2 (5·6% vs 4·8%, p=0·52) did not differ between the EVT and control groups. No treatment effect modification by baseline imaging features was noted for mortality at 90 days and parenchymal haematoma type 2. Among patients with ASPECTS 0-4, symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage was seen in ten (19%) of 52 patients in the EVT group versus three (5%) of 66 patients in the control group (adjusted cOR 3·94, 95% CI 0·94-16·49; p interaction =0·025), and among patients with more than 33% involvement of middle cerebral artery territory, symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage was observed in 15 (14%) of 108 patients in the EVT group versus four (4%) of 113 patients in the control group (4·17, 1·30-13·44, p interaction =0·012)., Interpretation: EVT achieves better outcomes at 90 days than standard medical therapy across a broad range of baseline imaging categories, including infarcts affecting more than 33% of middle cerebral artery territory or ASPECTS less than 6, although in these patients the risk of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage was higher in the EVT group than the control group. This analysis provides preliminary evidence for potential use of EVT in patients with large infarcts at baseline., Funding: Medtronic., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the optimal endovascular approach in patients with acute stroke with tandem lesions., Background: At present, there is no consensus about the ideal technical strategy for the endovascular treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke with tandem lesions of the extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) and intracranial cerebral arteries., Methods: This was an international, multicenter registry with a total of 482 patients with acute ischemic stroke and tandem lesions. Patients were treated by intracranial thrombectomy as well as 1 of the following 4 strategies: 1) acute carotid artery stenting of the extracranial ICA with antithrombotic agents; 2) acute carotid artery stenting of the extracranial ICA without antithrombotic agents; 3) balloon angioplasty of the extracranial ICA; and 4) intracranial thrombectomy alone. The main outcome endpoints of the study were the degree of recanalization and the 90-day clinical outcome. The safety endpoints were symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and all causes of mortality at 90 days., Results: Using univariate analysis, the rates of successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction grades 2B and 3) and favorable clinical outcome after 90 days were significantly higher after acute carotid stenting with antithrombotic therapy and thrombectomy compared with the group with thrombectomy alone. After adjusting for confounding variables, acute stenting with antithrombotic therapy was independently associated with successful recanalization (odds ratio: 2.4; 95% confidence interval: 1.25 to 4.59; p = 0.008). The rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and 90-day mortality were comparable among all 4 treatment groups., Conclusions: Acute stenting of the extracranial ICA with antithrombotic therapy in combination with intracranial thrombectomy is associated with higher recanalization rates in treatment of patients with acute stroke with tandem lesions., (Copyright © 2018 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background and Purpose: Although mechanical thrombectomy (MT) appears to be superior in stroke patients with extracranial carotid disease (ECD) compared to thrombolysis alone, the impact of emergent carotid stenting during MT remains unclear. The MT outcomes were assessed in anterior stroke patients with ECD, especially when combined with carotid stenting., Methods: A retrospective analysis of our registry was performed and an update of a systematic review and meta-analysis of MT studies with or without stenting for anterior circulation stroke with ECD published between November 2010 and April 2017 was conducted., Results: In our registry, 46 patients with ECD underwent MT. In the meta-analysis including 13 primary studies plus our prospective registry data (590 patients in total), the successful reperfusion rate (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score ≥2b) reached 75% [95% confidence interval (CI) 69%-81%]. The rate of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH) was 8% (95% CI 6%-11%), 90-day favourable outcome was achieved in 50% (95% CI 42%-59%) and mortality rate was 16% (95% CI 11%-22%). When using carotid stenting, rates of successful reperfusion, sICH, 90-day favourable outcome and mortality were 80% (95% CI 73%-87%), 7% (95% CI 4%-12%), 53% (95% CI 43%-62%) and 14% (95% CI 9%-19%), respectively., Conclusions: Our data report an association between acute stenting and successful reperfusion rates in stroke patients with tandem lesion treated with MT. Further studies are warranted to determine the intracranial bleeding risk after MT and stenting according to the antiplatelet therapy., (© 2018 EAN.)

Background and Purpose: After 6 positive randomized trials, mechanical thrombectomy with stent-retriever is now recommended as a first-line treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The ERIC device is a device with several interlinked cage-like spheres fixed on a pusher wire. Neurothrombectomy France (NTF) is a registry conducted in France to analyze the results of mechanical thrombectomy. In order to analyze its performances, the subgroup of patients treated with the ERIC device was analyzed., Materials and Methods: NTF is a prospective, multicenter registry dedicated to the evaluation of endovascular treatment for AIS. Primary endpoint was modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3months. Secondary endpoints were revascularization at the end of the procedure evaluated with the Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (TICI) scale and rate of procedural complications. Patients treated with the ERIC device were extracted from the NTF registry and analyzed., Results: From April 2013 to May 2014, 230 patients were included in the NTF registry. Thirty-one patients (13.5%) were treated with ERIC (male: 64.5%; median age: 61years). Median baseline NIHSS was 16. Median ASPECTS was 6. Occlusion location was internal carotid artery (51.6%), middle cerebral artery-M1 (45.2%), and basilar artery (3.2%). Cervical occlusion was associated in 16.1%. Revascularization (TICI 2b-3) was obtained in 87.1%. Good clinical outcome (mRS 0-2) at 3months was obtained in 55.2%. Death rate was 6.9% related to the stroke., Conclusion: This prospective, multicenter series shows good performances of the ERIC device in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke with revascularization in 87.1% and favorable clinical outcome in 55.2%., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background and purpose: Intravenous thrombolysis plus mechanical thrombectomy (IVT + MT) is the best current management of acute stroke due to large‐vessel occlusion and results in optimal reperfusion for most patients. Nevertheless, some of these patients do not subsequently achieve functional independence. The aim was to identify baseline factors associated with 3‐month independence after optimal reperfusion and to validate a prediction model. Methods: All consecutive patients with intracranial anterior large‐vessel occlusion, with indication for IVT + MT and achieving optimal reperfusion (defined as modified Treatment in Cerebral Ischaemia score 2b–3), from the THRACE trial and the ETIS registry, were included in order to identify a prediction model. The primary outcome was 3‐month independence [modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤ 2]. Multivariate inferences invoked forward logistic regression, multiple imputation and bootstrap resampling. Predictive performance was assessed by c‐statistic. Model validation was conducted on patients from the ASTER trial. Results: Amongst 139 patients (mean age 65.5 years; 54.3% female), predictors of 3‐month mRS ≤ 2 (n = 82) were younger age [odds ratio 0.62 per 10‐year increase; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53–0.72] and higher Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) (odds ratio 1.65 per 1‐point increase; 95% CI 1.47–1.86) with c‐statistic 0.77. Model validation (n = 104/181 patients with 3‐month mRS ≤ 2) demonstrated a moderate discrimination (c‐statistic 0.74; 95% CI 0.66–0.81) combining age and ASPECTS. The validation model was improved by the adjunction of three candidate variables that were found to be predictors. Addition of baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, history of vascular risk factor and onset‐to‐reperfusion time significantly improved discrimination (c‐statistic 0.85; 95% CI 0.83–0.87). Conclusions: After optimal reperfusion, younger age, higher ASPECTS, lower NIHSS score, shorter onset‐to‐reperfusion time and absence of vascular risk factor were predictive of independence and could help to guide patient management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]