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Background: A larger thrombus in patients with acute ischemic stroke might result in more complex endovascular treatment procedures, resulting in poorer patient outcomes. Current evidence on thrombus volume and length related to procedural and functional outcomes remains contradicting. This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of thrombus volume and thrombus length and whether this relationship differs between first-line stent retrievers and aspiration devices for endovascular treatment. Methods: In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, 670 of 3279 patients from the MR CLEAN Registry (Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands) for endovascularly treated large vessel occlusions were included. Thrombus volume (0.1 mL) and length (0.1 mm) based on manual segmentations and measurements were related to reperfusion grade (expanded Treatment in Cerebral Infarction score) after endovascular treatment, the number of retrieval attempts, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and a shift for functional outcome at 90 days measured with the reverted ordinal modified Rankin Scale (odds ratio >1 implies a favorable outcome). Univariable and multivariable linear and logistic regression were used to report common odds ratios (cORs)/adjusted cOR and regression coefficients (B/aB) with 95% CIs. Furthermore, a multiplicative interaction term was used to analyze the relationship between first-line device choice, stent retrievers versus aspiration device, thrombus volume, and outcomes. Results: Thrombus volume was associated with functional outcome (adjusted cOR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.71–0.97]) and number of retrieval attempts (aB, 0.16 [95% CI, 0.16–0.28]) but not with the other outcome measures. Thrombus length was only associated with functional independence (adjusted cOR, 0.45 [95% CI, 0.24–0.85]). Patients with more voluminous thrombi had worse functional outcomes if endovascular treatment was based on first-line stent retrievers (interaction cOR, 0.67 [95% CI, 0.50–0.89]; P =0.005; adjusted cOR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.55–1.0]; P =0.04). Conclusions: In this study, patients with a more voluminous thrombus required more endovascular thrombus retrieval attempts and had a worse functional outcome. Patients with a lengthier thrombus were less likely to achieve functional independence at 90 days. For more voluminous thrombi, first-line stent retrieval compared with first-line aspiration might be associated with worse functional outcome.

Objectives To compare single parameter thresholding with multivariable probabilistic classification of ischemic stroke regions in the analysis of computed tomography perfusion (CTP) parameter maps. Methods Patients were included from two multicenter trials and were divided into two groups based on their modified arterial occlusive lesion grade. CTP parameter maps were generated with three methods—a commercial method (ISP), block-circulant singular value decomposition (bSVD), and non-linear regression (NLR). Follow-up non-contrast CT defined the follow-up infarct region. Conventional thresholds for individual parameter maps were established with a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Probabilistic classification was carried out with a logistic regression model combining the available CTP parameters into a single probability. Results A total of 225 CTP data sets were included, divided into a group of 166 patients with successful recanalization and 59 with persistent occlusion. The precision and recall of the CTP parameters were lower individually than when combined into a probability. The median difference [interquartile range] in mL between the estimated and follow-up infarct volume was 29/23/23 [52/50/52] (ISP/bSVD/NLR) for conventional thresholding and was 4/6/11 [31/25/30] (ISP/bSVD/NLR) for the probabilistic classification. Conclusions Multivariable probability maps outperform thresholded CTP parameter maps in estimating the infarct lesion as observed on follow-up non-contrast CT. A multivariable probabilistic approach may harmonize the classification of ischemic stroke regions. Key Points • Combining CTP parameters with a logistic regression model increases the precision and recall in estimating ischemic stroke regions. • Volumes following from a probabilistic analysis predict follow-up infarct volumes better than volumes following from a threshold-based analysis. • A multivariable probabilistic approach may harmonize the classification of ischemic stroke regions.

Purpose Acute stroke patients presenting with a distal internal carotid artery occlusion and patent carotid terminus, allowing for collateral flow via the circle of Willis, may have a more favorable natural history. Therefore, benefit of endovascular treatment (EVT) is less evident. We performed an exploratory analysis of EVT results compared to conservative treatment in patients with ‘carotid-I’ occlusions. Methods We report on EVT-treated and non-EVT-treated patients with carotid-I occlusions from the MR CLEAN Registry, MR CLEAN trial, and our comprehensive stroke center. CT-angiography was reviewed on primary collateral patency and choroid plexus enhancement. Perfusion deficits were assessed on CT-perfusion (CTP). Clot migration was assessed by comparing clot location on baseline CTA to its location on periprocedural digital subtraction angiography. Outcomes included 90-day functional independence (mRS 0–2), successful reperfusion and mortality. Results We included 51 patients. Forty-one patients received EVT, ten patients did not. Intravenous thrombolysis was administered in 32 (78%) EVT-treated patients and 6 (60%) non-EVT-treated patients. CTP, available for 17 patients, showed hypoperfusion on cerebral blood flow maps in 13 (76%) patients. Successful reperfusion after EVT occurred in 23 (56%), and clot migration in 8 patients (20%). Functional independence was achieved in 54% (21/39) of EVT-treated and in 10% (1/10) of non-EVT-treated patients. Mortality was 26% (10/39) and 30% (3/10), respectively. Anterior choroidal artery patency and choroid plexus enhancement were positively associated with functional independence. Conclusion In our population, data suggest improved outcomes after EVT in carotid-I occlusion patients and provide no arguments to withhold EVT in these patients.

Background and objective Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) is widely used in the evaluation of acute ischemic stroke patients for endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). The stability of CTP core estimation is suboptimal and varies between software packages. We aimed to quantify the volumetric and spatial agreement between the CTP ischemic core and follow-up infarct for four ischemic core estimation approaches using syngo.via. Methods We included successfully reperfused, EVT-treated patients with baseline CTP and 24h follow-up diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) (November 2017–September 2020). Data were processed with syngo.via VB40 using four core estimation approaches based on: cerebral blood volume (CBV) Results In 59 patients, median estimated CTP core volumes for four core estimation approaches ranged from 12–39 mL. Median 24h follow-up DWI infarct volume was 11 mL. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) showed moderate–good volumetric agreement for all approaches (range 0.61–0.76). Median Dice was low for all approaches (range 0.16–0.21). CTP core overestimation >10mL occurred least frequent (14/59 [24%] patients) using the CBV-based core estimation approach with smoothing filter. Conclusions In successfully reperfused patients who underwent EVT, syngo.via CTP ischemic core estimation showed moderate volumetric and spatial agreement with the follow-up infarct on DWI. In patients with complete reperfusion after EVT, the volumetric agreement was excellent. A CTP core estimation approach based on CBV

Purpose We aimed to study the association of non-contrast CT (NCCT) thrombus density with procedural and clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent endovascular treatment (EVT). Since thrombus density is associated with thrombus location, we focused on M1 occlusions only. Methods Patients with available thin-slice (β coefficients (aβ) were reported for 24-h NIHSS and procedure duration in minutes. Outcome differences between first-line treatment devices (stent retriever versus aspiration) were assessed with interaction terms. Results In 566 patients with M1 occlusions, thrombus density was not associated with reperfusion (acOR 1.01, 95% CI 0.99–1.02), FPR (aOR 1.01, 95% CI 0.99–1.03), mortality (aOR 0.98, 95% CI 0.95–1.00), 24-h NIHSS (aβ − 0.7%, 95% CI − 1.4–0.2), or procedure duration (aβ 0.27, 95% CI − 0.05–0.58). In multivariable analysis, thrombus density was associated with functional independence (aOR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.05). No interaction was found between thrombus density and first-line treatment device for any outcome. Conclusion In patients with M1 occlusions, thrombus density was not clearly associated with procedural and clinical outcomes after EVT.

BackgroundThrombus radiomics (TR) describe complex shape and textural thrombus imaging features. We aimed to study the relationship of TR extracted from non-contrast CT with procedural and functional outcome in endovascular-treated patients with acute ischemic stroke.MethodsThrombi were segmented on thin-slice non-contrast CT (≤1 mm) from 699 patients included in the MR CLEAN Registry. In a pilot study, we selected 51 TR with consistent values across two raters’ segmentations (ICC >0.75). Random forest models using TR in addition or as a substitute to baseline clinical variables (CV) and manual thrombus measurements (MTM) were trained with 499 patients and evaluated on 200 patients for predicting successful reperfusion (extended Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia (eTICI) ≥2B), first attempt reperfusion, reperfusion within three attempts, and functional independence (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤2). Three texture and shape features were selected based on feature importance and related to eTICI ≥2B, number of attempts to eTICI ≥2B, and 90-day mRS with ordinal logistic regression.ResultsRandom forest models using TR, CV or MTM had comparable predictive performance. Thrombus texture (inverse difference moment normalized) was independently associated with reperfusion (adjusted common OR (acOR) 0.85, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.99). Thrombus volume and texture were also independently associated with the number of attempts to successful reperfusion (acOR 1.36, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.88 and acOR 1.24, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.49).ConclusionsTR describing thrombus volume and texture were associated with more attempts to successful reperfusion. Compared with models using CV and MTM, TR had no added value for predicting procedural and functional outcome.

Purpose Recently, multiple randomised controlled trials showed efficacy of endovascular treatment over traditional care in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to an intracranial anterior circulation occlusion. Internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection with a concomitant intracranial occlusion is a rare but important cause of severe acute ischemic stroke. Although this subtype of acute ischemic stroke is mostly treated with endovascular treatment, treatment outcomes are still sparsely studied. This study assesses the clinical outcome and reperfusion rates by means of a systematic review. Methods Electronic databases of PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched up to October 1, 2016 for articles describing endovascular treatment in patients with intracranial artery occlusion and ICA dissection. Results Sixteen studies were included in the analysis. Most studies showed favourable outcome and successful reperfusion. However, most included studies had a high risk of bias. Conclusion In the reviewed studies, endovascular treatment in patients with ICA dissection and concomitant proximal intracranial occlusion was associated with favourable outcome. This could point in the direction of endovascular treatment being a beneficial treatment method for these patients. However, this review has only taken data of a limited group of patients into account. A pooled analysis of patients from recently published endovascular treatment trials and running registries is therefore recommended. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00234-017-1850-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background and Purpose— The volume of estimated ischemic core using computed tomography perfusion (CTP) imaging can identify ischemic stroke patients who are likely to benefit from reperfusion, particularly beyond standard time windows. We assessed the accuracy of pretreatment CTP estimated ischemic core in patients with successful endovascular reperfusion. Methods— Patients from the HERMES (Highly Effective Reperfusion Evaluated in Multiple Endovascular Stroke Trials) and EXTEND-IA TNK (Tenecteplase Versus Alteplase Before Endovascular Therapy for Ischemic Stroke) databases who had pretreatment CTP, >50% angiographic reperfusion, and follow-up magnetic resonance imaging at 24 hours were included. Ischemic core volume on baseline CTP data was estimated using relative cerebral blood flow Results— In 120 patients, median CTP estimated ischemic core volume was 7.8 mL (IQR, 1.8–19.9 mL), and median diffusion lesion volume at 24 hours was 30.8 mL (IQR, 14.9–67.6 mL). Median volumetric difference was 4.4 mL (IQR, 1.2–12.0 mL). Dice similarity coefficient was low (median, 0.24; IQR, 0.15–0.37). The median precision (positive predictive value) of 0.68 (IQR, 0.40–0.88) and average Hausdorff distance (median, 3.1; IQR, 1.8–5.7 mm) indicated reasonable spatial agreement for regions estimated as ischemic core at baseline. Overestimation of total ischemic core volume by CTP was uncommon. Expert visual review revealed overestimation predominantly in white matter regions. Conclusions— CTP estimated ischemic core volumes were substantially smaller than follow-up diffusion-weighted imaging lesions at 24 hours despite endovascular reperfusion within 2 hours of imaging. This may be partly because of infarct growth. Volumetric CTP core overestimation was uncommon and not related to imaging-to-reperfusion time. Core overestimation in white matter should be a focus of future efforts to improve CTP accuracy.