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Introduction: Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI) plays a crucial role in acute ischemic stroke (AIS), as it is used to evaluate the ischemic lesions that are irreversibly damaged. The reversibility of DWI ischemic lesions has been noted in patients with AIS who undergo revascularization therapy. In addition, the occurrence of this phenomenon in large ischemic regions remains rare, particularly the near-complete reversal of large DWI lesion cases. Case Presentation: A 58-year-old male presented with a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Emergent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an extremely large infarction lesion in the right hemisphere with an Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomographic Score (ASPECTS) value of 2 and occlusion of the terminal right internal carotid artery. The patient was immediately transferred to the Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) Unit for endovascular treatment with a stent retriever. After a rapid successful reperfusion with expanded treatment in cerebral infarction (eTICI) score of 3, the patient promptly recovered 24 hours after the procedure. A brain MRI was repeated after 8 days of admission, and interestingly, the DWI lesion showed significant reversal. The modified Rankin scale (mRS) at discharge was 2 and 1 at 90-day follow-up, respectively. Conclusions: Our case shows that the reversibility of DWI ischemic lesions can occur during the acute stroke phase, even in patients with extremely large regions, if rapid and successful reperfusion is achieved. The clinical implications of this phenomenon indicate that using DWI to evaluate the infarct core should be interpreted with caution.

In Asia, especially Vietnam, AF is a common arrhythmia and is linked to a higher risk of stroke and systemic embolism. Anticoagulation therapy for stroke prevention in AF patients can result in bleeding complications. To effectively manage AF, adopting appropriate anticoagulation and addressing modifiable risk factors are crucial. Vietnamese clinicians are particularly interested in non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs), a recent development in AF treatment. However, the lack of head-to-head trials comparing NOACs makes selecting a specific NOAC challenging. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the available clinical evidence on NOACs for stroke prevention in AF to assist clinicians in making informed decisions and improving treatment outcomes in patients with AF. The first part of this review will present the current landscape of AF in Vietnam, focusing on AF prevalence and highlighting gaps in clinical practice. Furthermore, this part extensively discusses the anticoagulation strategy for both primary and secondary stroke prevention in AF.

Part 1 of this review provided an overview of AF in Vietnam, with a particular focus on primary and secondary stroke prevention. Part 2 explores the management of AF in special, high-risk and clinically common patient populations including those with renal impairment, diabetes, the elderly, and those with coronary artery disease. Furthermore, Part 2 addresses the challenges posed by patients with AF who have a bioprosthetic valve, a group situated in a grey area of consideration. Managing AF in these patient groups presents unique clinical challenges that require careful consideration. Physicians are tasked with addressing specific clinical questions to identify the optimal anticoagulation strategy for each individual. To inform these decisions, subgroup analyses from pivotal studies are presented alongside real-world data derived from clinical practice. By synthesising available information and considering the nuanced clinical context, the aim is to provide informed perspectives that align with current medical knowledge and contribute to the enhancement of patient care in these challenging scenarios.

Background Two recent trials demonstrated a benefit for endovascular therapy (EVT) in the treatment of basilar artery occlusion (BAO). In light of the expected increase in the use of EVT for BAO, we sought to understand the technique preferences of neurointerventionalists performing EVT for BAO. Methods We conducted an international online survey of physician opinions on the use of EVT in BAO between January and March 2022. The survey was distributed through stroke and neurointerventional organizations. Survey questions examined selection of patients for the procedure and the techniques currently used for EVT in BAO. Responses from neurointerventionalists were analyzed. Results More than 3000 participants were invited yielding 1245 respondents, of whom 543 were classified as neurointerventionalists across 52 countries and included in this analysis. Most neurointerventionalists would proceed to EVT for occlusions of the V4 segment, the basilar artery, or the posterior cerebral artery, without regard for prior intravenous thrombolysis. For BAO of embolic etiology, aspiration only thrombectomy was the preferred method of 50.3% of neurointerventionalists. For BAO of intracranial atherosclerotic disease etiology, combined stent retriever and aspiration thrombectomy was the preferred method of 40.5% of neurointerventionalists. The majority of neurointerventionalists (88.0%) would proceed to stenting after 3 or fewer failed passes for patients with BAO of intracranial atherosclerotic disease etiology. In patients undergoing stenting, aspirin and clopidogrel was the most common antiplatelet regime (52.4%). Conclusions Among the surveyed neurointerventionalists, the most common techniques for EVT of patients with BAO were contact aspiration or combined stent retriever with aspiration thrombectomy. For patients with BAO due to intracranial atherosclerotic disease, the majority of neurointerventionalists were willing to stent and do so most often after 3 or fewer failed passes and with the use of dual antiplatelet medications. Further study is needed to determine the optimal technique for EVT of BAO with or without intracranial atherosclerotic disease. Key Words

Background Current stroke guidelines recommend advanced imaging (computed tomography [CT] perfusion or magnetic resonance imaging) prior to endovascular therapy (EVT) in patients with late presentation of large vessel occlusion. Adherence to guidelines may be constrained by resources or timely access to imaging. We sought to understand the factors which influence late window imaging selection for EVT candidates with large vessel occlusion. Methods We conducted an international survey from January to May 2022. The questions aimed to identify advanced imaging and treatment decisions based on access to imaging, time delays, and simulated patient scenarios. Results There were 3000 invited participants and 1506 respondents, the majority (89.6%) from comprehensive stroke centers in high‐income countries. Neurointerventionalists comprised 31.8% and noninterventionalists 68.2% of respondents. Overall, 70.7% reported routine use of advanced imaging for late EVT selection, and 63.6% reported its usage in every case. There was greater availability of advanced imaging in comprehensive stroke centers versus primary stroke centers (67.0% versus 33.7%; P

Background The best management of basilar artery occlusion (BAO) remains uncertain. The BASICS (Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study) and the BEST (Basilar Artery Occlusion Endovascular Intervention Versus Standard Medical Treatment) trials reported neutral results. We sought to understand physicians’ approaches to BAOs and whether further BAO randomized controlled trials were warranted. Methods We conducted an online international survey from January to March 2022 to stroke neurologists and neurointerventionalists. Survey questions were designed to examine clinical and imaging parameters under which clinicians would offer (or rescind) a patient with BAO to endovascular therapy (EVT) or best medical management versus enrollment into a randomized clinical trial. Results Of >3002 invited participants, 1245 responded (41.4% response rate) from 73 countries, including 54.7% stroke neurologists and 43.6% neurointerventionalists. More than 95% of respondents would offer EVT to patients with BAO, albeit in various clinical circumstances. There were 70.0% of respondents who indicated that the BASICS and BEST trials did not change their practice. Only 22.1% of respondents would perform EVT according to anterior circulation occlusion criteria. The selection of patients for BAO EVT by clinical severity, timing, and imaging modality differed according to geography, specialty, and country income level. Over 80% of respondents agreed that further randomized clinical trials for BAO were warranted. Moreover, 45.6% of respondents indicated they would find it acceptable to enroll all trial‐eligible patients into the medical arm of a BAO trial, whereas 26.3% would not enroll. Conclusion Most stroke physicians continue to believe in the efficacy of EVT in selected patients with BAO in spite of BEST and BASICS. There is no consensus on which selection criteria to use, and few clinicians would use anterior circulation occlusion criteria for BAOs. Further randomized clinical trials for BAO are warranted.

Background Function after acute stroke using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) is usually assessed at a point in time. The analytical implications of serial mRS measurements to evaluate functional recovery over time is not completely understood. We compare repeated‐measures and single‐measure analyses of the mRS from a randomized clinical trial. Methods and Results Serial mRS data from AFFINITY (Assessment of Fluoxetine in Stroke Recovery), a double‐blind placebo randomized clinical trial of fluoxetine following stroke (n=1280) were analyzed to identify demographic and clinical associations with functional recovery (reduction in mRS) over 12 months. Associations were identified using single‐measure (day 365) and repeated‐measures (days 28, 90, 180, and 365) partial proportional odds logistic regression. Ninety‐five percent of participants experienced a reduction in mRS after 12 months. Functional recovery was associated with age at stroke

Reperfusion therapy is the most effective treatment for acute ischemic stroke. At present, many clinical studies have shown that mechanical thrombectomy is efficient and safe for acute ischemic stroke of large artery occlusion disease in the time window of 24 h. However, there is limited information on the safety and effectiveness of this technique in cases of recurrent ischemic stroke. We report a case of early recurrent stroke of the anterior circulation after a week of the first stroke. Imaging examinations showed that there existed occlusion of corresponding vessels and obvious ischemic penumbra. Symptoms of the patient were progressive worsening and medical treatment failed; therefore, the corresponding vessel was opened. The low perfusion status in brain tissue and clinical defect symptoms of the patients have improved a lot. In conclusion, thrombectomy for early recurrent ischemic stroke may be effective. Moreover, there may be a wider reperfusion time window for ischemic stroke patients.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to a solitary spinal aneurysm is extremely rare. Early diagnosis of spinal SAH is challenging, particularly when the spinal cord has not been compressed. We report a case of a 45-year-old male who presented with sudden onset of abdominal pain, followed by severe headache, vomiting, and generalized seizure. Three days after admission to the hospital, he developed progressive paraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed spinal SAH with hematoma resulting in cord compression at the level of T9. Diagnostic spinal angiography identified a ruptured aneurysm of a radiculomedullary artery. In conclusion, rupture of a spinal aneurysm should be considered a possible cause of SAH in appropriate clinical settings, and clinicians must be aware of the possibility of cord compression.

The efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular therapy and their favorable treatment outcomes have been established in clinical trials irrespective of age. Current guidelines do not recommend an age limit in selecting eligible patients for reperfusion treatment as long as other criteria are satisfied. A 103-year-old woman was admitted at our hospital within 1 h of stroke onset secondary to a left internal carotid artery terminus occlusion. On admission, her National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 30, with a small left thalamic diffusion restriction lesion on MRI. Her medical history included paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, prior myocardial infarction, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus. Her pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale score was 0, and she was fully independent before stroke. Once intravenous thrombolysis was started, the patient successfully underwent mechanical thrombectomy, and thrombolysis in cerebral infarction-3 recanalization was achieved 225 min after symptom onset. She showed dramatic recovery (NIHSS score of 5 after 48 h) and was discharged on day 7 with a modified Rankin Score of 1. To our knowledge, our patient is the second oldest documented patient who successfully underwent bridging therapy for stroke.

Uncertainty exists over the efficacy and safety of endovascular treatment in patients with large ischemic cores in anterior circulation. Several trials have shown some potential benefits in selected patients despite their late presentation. In particular, perfusion imaging modalities equipped with automatic software has been proven useful in identifying patients with large ischemic cores that are at risk of infarct core expansion, meaning that this specific patient group could still benefit from reperfusion treatment. We reported a case of late-presenting and progressing acute ischemic stroke who was selected by perfusion imaging with RAPID software and successfully underwent endovascular thrombectomy. On admission, her National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 7. Computed tomography angiography showed complete occlusion of the proximal right middle cerebral artery. Subsequent advanced perfusion imaging with automatic software showed that the ischemic core was 88 mL, Tmax >6 s volume was 131 mL, and mismatch volume was 43 mL. She was rapidly transferred to the Cath lab for thrombectomy with a stent retriever. Her NIHSS score was 15 before the endovascular procedure. She had a dramatic recovery with an NIHSS score of 4 at 24-h after the procedure. She was discharged on day 9 with a modified Rankin Score of 1. Our findings suggest that endovascular treatment can be beneficial to the patients, particularly younger ones, with large ischemic cores with the aid of perfusion imaging.

A significant proportion of patients with large-vessel occlusion (LVO) initially present to the hospital with transient ischemic attack (TIA) and mild clinical manifestations such as low National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores (≤5). However, due to the natural course of the disease, the individuals may subsequently develop worsening symptoms. To date, there is lack of evidence-based guidelines on mechanical thrombectomy (MT) among those patients. Therefore, the predicting factors associated with better or worse outcomes for acute stroke patients receiving MT compared to those not receiving the treatment are unknown. We describe a TIA case with LVO who was treated with MT; we used perfusion imaging as a decision aid. A 55-year-old male patient with a past medical history of TIA, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of transient mild right hemiparesis and dysarthria lasting for 5 min 3 h before admission. He reported that he had experienced the same condition 1 day before. On admission, neurological examination showed normal function with an NIHSS score of 0. Computed tomography angiography revealed left proximal M1 occlusion. In addition, perfusion magnetic resonance imaging maps calculated by the RAPID software showed acute small lesions on the left hemisphere with core volume (0 mL) and a large ischemic penumbra (70 mL). Immediate endovascular thrombectomy was performed 5 h following symptom onset with complete recanalization and clinical recovery. The case suggests that MT in LVO patients with low NIHSS scores, even a score of 0, on presentation is potentially a safe and effective treatment. The use of perfusion imaging in the acute phase of stroke should be encouraged for the decision-making process.

Acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is a neurological emergency that has a high rate of mortality and poor functional outcome. Endovascular therapy (ET) is the gold standard therapy for large vessel occlusion stroke of the anterior circulation. Whether ET can also be effectively and safely performed in early recurrent large vessel occlusion, especially in BAO, is unclear. We describe a case of successful recanalization and independent functional outcome of a BAO patient treated with intravenous thrombolysis combined with repeated ET. The patients was a 32-year-old man with a history of heavy smoking and drinking who presented to the Emergency Department with dizziness and hypertension, and progressed over the next 13 h to left hemiparesis and mild dysarthria with an NIHSS score of 7. CT angiography demonstrated occlusion of the proximal basilar artery (BA). Intravenous alteplase was given followed by ET. The first intervention failed and over the next 8 h, the patient’s NIHSS score increased to 12. A second attempt with balloon angioplasty managed to reconstitute arterial blood flow with a severe residual stenosis of the proximal BA. Subsequently, the patient progressed into deep coma with reocclusion of the BA demonstrated on transcranial Doppler. A third intervention with emergent stenting resulted in complete recanalization of the BA and excellent neurological recovery. This patient received three endovascular treatments within 24 h due to reocclusion of the BA and achieved good outcomes. In conclusion, repeated ET for early recurrent BAO is feasible in carefully selected patients.

Abstract Background ROCKET AF and its East Asian subanalysis demonstrated that rivaroxaban was non‐inferior to warfarin for stroke/systemic embolism (SE) prevention in patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), with a favorable benefit–risk profile. XANAP investigated the safety and effectiveness of rivaroxaban in routine care in Asia‐Pacific. Methods XANAP was a prospective, real‐world, observational study in patients with NVAF newly starting rivaroxaban. Patients were followed at ~3‐month intervals for 1 year, or for ≥30 days after permanent discontinuation. Primary outcomes were major bleeding events, adverse events (AEs), serious AEs and all‐cause mortality; secondary outcomes included stroke/SE. Major outcomes were adjudicated centrally. Results XANAP enrolled 2273 patients from 10 countries: mean age was 70.5 years and 58.1% were male. 49.8% of patients received rivaroxaban 20 mg once daily (od), 43.8% 15 mg od and 5.9% 10 mg od. Mean treatment duration was 296 days, and 72.8% of patients had received prior anticoagulation therapy. Co‐morbidities included heart failure (20.1%), hypertension (73.6%), diabetes mellitus (26.6%), prior stroke/non‐central nervous system SE/transient ischemic attack (32.8%) and myocardial infarction (3.8%). Mean CHADS2, CHA2DS2‐VASc and HAS‐BLED scores were 2.3, 3.7 and 2.1, respectively. The rates (events/100 patient‐years [95% confidence interval]) of treatment‐emergent major bleeding, stroke and all‐cause mortality were 1.5 (1.0‐2.1), 1.7 (1.2‐2.5) and 2.0 (1.4‐2.7), respectively. Persistence was 66.2% at the study end. Conclusions The real‐world XANAP study demonstrated low rates of stroke and bleeding in rivaroxaban‐treated patients with NVAF from Asia‐Pacific. The results were consistent with the real‐world XANTUS study and ROCKET AF.