A considerable number of people harbor intracranial aneurysms (IA), which is a focal or segmental disease of the arterial wall. The pathophysiologic mechanisms of IAs formation, growth, and rupture ...are complex. The mechanism also differs with respect to the type of aneurysm. In broad aspects, aneurysms may be considered a disease of the vessel wall. In addition to the classic risk factors and the genetic/environmental conditions, altered structural and pathologic events along with the interaction of the surrounding environment and luminal flow dynamics contribute to the aneurysm’s development and growth. In this review, we have tried to simplify the complex interaction of a multitude of events in relation to vessel wall in the formation and growth of IAs.
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 and Purpose Despite the widespread adoption of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for the treatment of large vessel occlusion stroke (LVOS) in the anterior circulation, the optimal strategy for ...the treatment tandem occlusion related to cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection is still debated. This individual patient pooled analysis investigated the safety and efficacy of prior intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in anterior circulation tandem occlusion related to cervical ICA dissection treated with MT.Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of two merged prospective multicenter international real-world observational registries: Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke (ETIS) and Thrombectomy In TANdem occlusions (TITAN) registries. Data from MT performed in the treatment of tandem LVOS related to cervical ICA dissection between January 2012 and December 2019 at 24 comprehensive stroke centers were analyzed. The primary endpoint was a favorable outcome defined as 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0–2.Results The study included 144 patients with tandem occlusion LVOS due to cervical ICA dissection, of whom 94 (65.3%) received IVT before MT. Prior IVT was significantly associated with a better clinical outcome considering the mRS shift analysis (common odds ratio, 2.59; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.35 to 4.93; P=0.004 for a 1-point improvement) and excellent outcome (90-day mRS 0–1) (adjusted odds ratio aOR, 4.23; 95% CI, 1.60 to 11.18). IVT was also associated with a higher rate of intracranial successful reperfusion (83.0% vs. 64.0%; aOR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.21 to 6.03) and a lower rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (4.3% vs. 14.8%; aOR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.80).Conclusions Prior IVT before MT for the treatment of tandem occlusion related to cervical ICA dissection was safe and associated with an improved 90-day functional outcome.
Although several authors have studied the association between patent foramen ovale (PFO) and ischaemic stroke, the matter is still controversial; few have suggested an association between ...cryptogenetic stroke and PFO, while others have denied this association. The aim of this study was to evaluate PFO prevalence in the whole ischaemic stroke population, independently from age and stroke subtypes and to identify the characteristics associated with the presence of PFO.
SISIFO study was a multicenter, prospective, single-wave, cross-sectional survey conducted on consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to selected clinical centres. Data regarding vascular risk factors were registered for each patient; all patients underwent computed tomography scan and/or magnetic resonance imaging of the brain; an electrocardiogram and standard laboratory blood tests were performed. A Doppler ultrasound study of extra-cranial arteries was performed too. The cases were classified according to TOAST and OCSP criteria. Each patient underwent transcranial Doppler or transcranial color-coded duplex sonography with bubble test as diagnostic tool for right-to-left-shunt. Where right-to-left shunt was detected, PFO presence was confirmed by echocardiography.
1,130 consecutive patients were included. We found a PFO in 247 (21.9%; 95% CI, 19.5-24.3%) patients; PFO was present in 23.5% of patients with cryptogenic stroke and in 21.3% of patients with stroke of known causes; this difference was not statistically significant. At the univariate analysis, decreasing age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and atrial fibrillation, and stroke characteristics such as NIHSS, OCSP and TOAST were predictors of PFO presence. At the multivariate analysis, we found a significant interaction between age and OCSP syndrome. Being LACI the reference category, the prevalence of PFO in PACI and POCI decreased significantly along with age, whereas there was no change in TACI.
If any relationship exists between stroke and PFO, this is more likely in PACI and POCI at a younger age. Our results are consistent with recent findings that underline PFO alone must not be considered a significant independent predictor for stroke; so the presence of PFO alone doesn't permit rushed causal correlations or 'therapeutic aggressiveness'.
The benefits of endovascular revascularization using the contact aspiration technique vs the stent retriever technique in patients with acute ischemic stroke remain uncertain because of lack of ...evidence from randomized trials.
To compare efficacy and adverse events using the contact aspiration technique vs the standard stent retriever technique as a first-line endovascular treatment for successful revascularization among patients with acute ischemic stroke and large vessel occlusion.
The Contact Aspiration vs Stent Retriever for Successful Revascularization (ASTER) study was a randomized, open-label, blinded end-point clinical trial conducted in 8 comprehensive stroke centers in France (October 2015-October 2016). Patients who presented with acute ischemic stroke and a large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation within 6 hours of symptom onset were included.
Patients were randomly assigned to first-line contact aspiration (n = 192) or first-line stent retriever (n = 189) immediately prior to mechanical thrombectomy.
The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with successful revascularization defined as a modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score of 2b or 3 at the end of all endovascular procedures. Secondary outcomes included degree of disability assessed by overall distribution of the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days, change in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at 24 hours, all-cause mortality at 90 days, and procedure-related serious adverse events.
Among 381 patients randomized (mean age, 69.9 years; 174 women 45.7%), 363 (95.3%) completed the trial. Median time from symptom onset to arterial puncture was 227 minutes (interquartile range, 180-280 minutes). For the primary outcome, the proportion of patients with successful revascularization was 85.4% (n = 164) in the contact aspiration group vs 83.1% (n = 157) in the stent retriever group (odds ratio, 1.20 95% CI, 0.68-2.10; P = .53; difference, 2.4% 95% CI, -5.4% to 9.7%). For the clinical efficacy outcomes (change in NIHSS score at 24 hours, mRS score at 90 days) and adverse events, there were no significant differences between groups.
Among patients with ischemic stroke in the anterior circulation undergoing thrombectomy, first-line thrombectomy with contact aspiration compared with stent retriever did not result in an increased successful revascularization rate at the end of the procedure.
clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02523261.
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