Objective Thrombolysis as a treatment for acute limb ischemia (ALI) has become a first-line therapy based on studies published over 2 decades ago. The purpose of this study was to assess outcomes of ...patients treated for ALI using contemporary thrombolytic agents and endovascular techniques. Methods Consecutive patients with ALI of the lower extremities treated between 2005 and 2011 were identified, and their records were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were treated with tissue plasminogen activator delivered via catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) and/or pharmacomechanical thrombolysis (PMT), with other adjunctive endovascular or surgical interventions. Procedural success, thrombolysis duration, and 30-day and long-term outcomes were obtained for the whole series and were also compared between the CDT and PMT groups. Limb salvage and survival were assessed using time-to-event methods, including Kaplan-Meier estimation and Cox proportional hazards models. Results A total of 154 limbs were treated in 147 patients presenting with ALI (Rutherford class I, 9.7%; class IIa, 70.1%; class IIb, 20.1%). The mean follow-up was 15.20 months (range, 0.56-56.84 months). Indications for intervention included embolization (14.3%), thrombosed bypass (36.4%), thrombosed stent (26.6%), native artery thrombosis (24.0%), and thrombosed popliteal aneurysm (3.2%). Technical success was achieved in 83.8% of cases, with a 30-day mortality rate of 5.2%. Procedural complications included systemic bleeding (5.2%), access site hematoma (4.5%), acute renal failure (1.9%), and distal embolization (9.7%). The mean runoff score decreased from 13.42 preintervention to 7.43 postintervention. Adjuvant revascularization procedures were required in 89.0% of patients and were endovascular (68.8%), hybrid (9.1%), or open (11.0%). Only 3.2% of patients required a fasciotomy. The overall rate of major amputation was 15.0% (18.1% for CDT only, 11.3% for PMT; P = NS). Predictors of limb loss by Cox proportional hazards models included end-stage renal disease (hazard ratio HR, 8.563; P < .001) and poor pedal outflow, with an incremental protective effect for improved pedal outflow (HR, 0.205; P < .001 for one pedal outflow vessel; HR, 0.074; P < .001 for ≥ two pedal outflow vessels). Gender, smoking, diabetes, Rutherford score, runoff score, thrombosed popliteal aneurysm, and PMT were not significant predictors of limb loss. The use of PMT was a significant predictor of technical success (odds ratio, 2.67; P = .046). Conclusions Endovascular therapy with thrombolysis using tissue plasminogen activator remains an effective treatment option for patients presenting with mild or moderate lower extremity ALI, with equal benefit derived with CDT or PMT. Patients with end-stage renal disease or poor pedal outflow have an increased risk of limb loss and may benefit from alternative revascularization strategies.
Introduction
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has changed routine clinical practice worldwide with major impacts on the provision of care and treatment for stroke patients.
Methods
This ...retrospective observational study included all patients admitted to the Royal Stoke University Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent, UK, with a stroke or transient ischaemic attack between March 15th and April 14th, 2020 (COVID). Patient demographics, characteristics of the stroke, treatment details and logistics were compared with patients admitted in the corresponding weeks in the year before (2019).
Results
There was a 39.5% (
n
= 101 vs
n
= 167) reduction in admissions in the COVID cohort compared with 2019 with more severe strokes (median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) 7 vs 4,
p
= 0.02), and fewer strokes with no visible acute pathology (21.8 vs 37.1%,
p
= 0.01) on computed tomography. There was no statistically significant difference in the rates of thrombolysis (10.9 vs 13.2%,
p
= 0.72) and/or thrombectomy (5.9 vs 4.8%,
p
= 0.90) and no statistically significant difference in time from stroke onset to arrival at hospital (734 vs 576 min,
p
= 0.34), door-to-needle time for thrombolysis (54 vs 64 min,
p
= 0.43) and door-to-thrombectomy time (181 vs 445 min, p = 0.72). Thirty-day mortality was not significantly higher in the COVID year (10.9 vs 8.9%,
p
= 0.77). None of the 7 stroke patients infected with COVID-19 died.
Conclusions
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of stroke admissions fell, and stroke severity increased. There was no statistically significant change in the delivery of thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy and no increase in mortality.
The use of mechanical thrombectomy for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke has significantly advanced over the last 5 years. Few data are available comparing the cost and clinical and angiographic ...outcomes associated with available techniques. The aim of this study is to compare the cost and efficacy of current endovascular stroke therapies.
A single-center retrospective review was performed of the medical record and hospital financial database of all ischemic stroke cases admitted from 2009 to 2013. Three discrete treatment methodologies used during this time were compared: traditional Penumbra System (PS), stent retriever with local aspiration (SRLA) and A Direct Aspiration first Pass Technique (ADAPT). Statistical analyses of clinical and angiographic outcomes and costs for each group were performed.
222 patients (45% men) underwent mechanical thrombectomy. Successful revascularization was defined as Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (TICI) 2b/3 flow, which was achieved in 79% of cases with PS, 83% of cases with SRLA, and 95% of cases with ADAPT. The average total cost of hospitalization for patients was $51,599 with PS, $54,700 with SRLA, and $33 ,11 with ADAPT (p<0.0001). Average times to recanalization were 88 min with PS, 47 min with SRLA, and 37 min with ADAPT (p<0.0001). Similar rates of good functional outcomes were seen in the three groups (PS 36% vs SRLA 43% vs ADAPT 47%; p=0.4).
The ADAPT technique represents the most technically successful yet cost-effective approach to revascularization of large vessel intracranial occlusions.
There are limited data evaluating the effect of post mechanical thrombectomy (MT) blood pressure (BP) levels on early outcomes of patients with large vessel occlusions (LVO). We sought to investigate ...the association of BP course following MT with early outcomes in LVO.
Consecutive patients with LVO treated with MT during a 3-year period were evaluated. Hourly systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) values were recorded for 24 hours following MT and maximum SBP and DBP levels were identified. LVO patients with complete reperfusion following MT were stratified in 3 groups based on post-MT achieved BP goals: <140/90 mm Hg (intensive), <160/90 mm Hg (moderate), and <220/110 mm Hg or <180/105 mm Hg when pretreated with IV thrombolysis (permissive hypertension). Three-month functional independence was defined as modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2.
A total of 217 acute ischemic stroke patients with LVO were prospectively evaluated. A 10 mm Hg increment in maximum SBP documented during the first 24 hours post MT was independently (
= 0.001) associated with a lower likelihood of 3-month functional independence (odds ratio OR 0.70; 95% confidence interval CI 0.56-0.87) and a higher odds of 3-month mortality (OR 1.49; 95% CI 1.18-1.88) after adjusting for potential confounders. In addition, achieving a BP goal of <160/90 mm Hg during the first 24 hours following MT was independently associated with a lower likelihood of 3-month mortality (OR 0.08; 95% CI 0.01-0.54;
= 0.010) in comparison to permissive hypertension.
High maximum SBP levels following MT are independently associated with increased likelihood of 3-month mortality and functional dependence in LVO patients. Moderate BP control is also related to lower odds of 3-month mortality in comparison to permissive hypertension.
Over the last years, the endovascular approach to the management of the acute and chronic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has gained more and more attention from the scientific community. DVT is the third ...most common cardiovascular disease after coronary heart disease and stroke, with classic treatment based on anticoagulation. Recent evidences have highlighted the risk of postthrombotic syndrome as high as 30%–50% in proximal ilio‐femoral lesions, with irreversible clinical symptoms and impact on the quality of life of the population. Since 2000s, the new concept of thrombus removal in the acute phase has been supported by the introduction of different techniques based on the endovascular ablation of the clot by in‐situ fibrinolysis and, more recently, fragmentation and aspiration. In the chronic phase, recanalization of the thrombosed segment is recommended by stent placement to remove the obstruction and eventually reduce the congestion. Immediate technical success of these procedures is widely satisfying, whereas the long‐term clinical benefits are still debated. This paper presents an overview of the modern management of the DVT by endovascular approach with regard to the clinical contexts, interventional strategies and clinical outcomes. Endovascular specialist needs to be aware of this incoming challenge, as local expertise is demanded for the modern management of these patients in multidisciplinary theaters.
Following mechanical recanalization of an acute intracranial vessel occlusion, hyperattenuated lesions are frequently found on postinterventional cranial CT. They represent either blood or-more ...frequently-enhancement of contrast agent. Here, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of these hyperattenuated intracerebral lesions.
One hundred one consecutive patients with acute stroke in the anterior circulation who underwent mechanical recanalization were included. Risk factors for hyperattenuated intracerebral lesions were assessed, and lesion volume was compared with the volume of final infarction. Clinical outcome and relative risk of secondary hemorrhage were determined in patients with and without any hyperattenuated lesions and compared.
The frequency of hyperattenuated lesions was 84.2%. Risk factors for hyperattenuated lesions were female sex, higher NIHSS score on admission, and higher amount of contrast agent applied. On follow-up, 3 patients showed no infarction; 53 patients, an ischemic infarction; and 45 patients, a hemorrhagic infarction. In all except 1 case, final volume of infarction (median = 92.4 mL) exceeded the volume of hyperattenuated intracerebral lesions (median = 5.6 mL). Patients with hyperattenuated lesions were at a 4 times higher relative risk for hemorrhagic transformation but had no significantly worse clinical outcome.
Our data show that the extent of postinterventional hyperattenuated intracerebral lesions underestimates the volume of final infarction. Although hyperattenuated lesions indicate a higher risk of secondary hemorrhagic transformation, their presence seems not to be of any prognostic value regarding clinical outcome.
Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) has been used as the first therapeutic option for acute limb ischemia (ALI) due to its less invasive nature; however, recent systematic review showed higher ...incidence of major complications related to lytic infusion, including hemorrhagic stroke. In this setting, aspiration thrombectomy with Indigo has the greatest advantage of not increasing systemic risk of bleeding. The Indigo™ system from Penumbra® (Alameda, CA, USA) promotes active thrombectomy using a vacuum pump that generates substantial suction, enabling aspiration of clots of varying sizes and lengths. The device has three components: aspiration catheter, separator and pump. There are 2 aspiration catheter sizes: CAT 3 and CAT 5. The separators are intended to mobilize the clot and clean the catheter lumen, and therefore restoring flow for continuous aspiration. The pump is small-sized equipment capable of applying near pure vacuum aspiration pressure of -29 mmHg. Aspiration thrombectomy with Indigo has two key advantages: it does not require the use of lytics, and it provides immediate flow reestablishment. Its use when thrombolysis is contraindicated or has failed is already well established and, in the future, it may likely become the first line endovascular option in patients with acute limb ischemia.
Background and purpose
The susceptibility vessel sign (SVS) on T2*‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging has been reported in several studies as a negative predictor of early recanalization after ...intravenous thrombolysis. The meaning of SVS regarding the results of mechanical thrombectomy with stent retrievers was investigated.
Methods
Susceptibility vessel sign presence and length were studied in 153 acute ischaemic stroke patients (82 men; mean ± SD age 59 ± 17 years, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 17.2 ± 6.5) from three stroke centres, treated with either mechanical thrombectomy alone (n = 84) or bridging therapy (n = 69). Variables were compared between recanalizers, defined as thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) scores ≥2b, and non‐recanalizers (TICI<2b).
Results
The SVS was present in 113 (73.8%) patients. There was no association between the presence of SVS and recanalization, obtained in 86 (56.2%) patients, in the whole population odds ratio (OR) 1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53–2.92, P = 0.84) and in treatment subgroups (bridging: OR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.29–2.87, P = 1.0; thrombectomy alone: OR = 1.85, 95% CI 0.48–7.16, P = 0.54). However, in SVS+ patients, recanalization decreased with SVS length (OR 0.94 for each additional mm, 95% CI 0.89–0.99; P = 0.02).
Conclusions
The success of recanalization in acute stroke patients treated with stent retrievers was related to thrombus length but not to the presence of SVS.
Background & Aims Guidelines for the management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) from the American College of Chest Physicians do not address patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a group ...with a high risk of both VTE and gastrointestinal bleeding. We present recommendations for the prevention and treatment of VTE in patients with IBD. Methods A systematic literature search was performed to identify studies on VTE in IBD. The quality of evidence and strength of recommendations were rated according to the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Statements were developed through an iterative online platform, then finalized and voted on by a working group of adult and pediatric gastroenterologists and thrombosis specialists. Results IBD patients have an approximately 3-fold higher risk of VTE compared with individuals without IBD, and disease flares further increase this risk. Anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis is recommended for IBD patients who are hospitalized with IBD flares without active bleeding and is suggested when bleeding is nonsevere. Anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis is suggested during moderate−severe IBD flares in outpatients with a history of VTE provoked by an IBD flare or an unprovoked VTE, but not otherwise. The recommended duration of anticoagulation after a first VTE is based on the presence of provoking factors. Specific suggestions are made for the prevention and treatment of VTE in pediatric and pregnant IBD patients. Conclusions Using the American College of Chest Physicians’ guidelines as a foundation, we have integrated evidence from IBD studies to develop specific recommendations for the management of VTE in this high-risk population.
PDF
