How Do Patient Outcomes in Mechanical Thrombectomy for Large-Core Stroke Vary Based on Neuroimaging Modalities Used for Patient Selection? A Multicenter Multinational Study.

The role of different imaging modalities-non-contrast CT (NCCT), CT perfusion (CTP), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)-in selecting patients with large-core stroke for endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a subject of ongoing debate. This study aims to determine whether patients with large-core acute ischemic stroke (AIS) undergoing EVT triaged with CTP or DWI in addition to NCCT had different clinical outcomes compared to those only triaged with NCCT. We queried the Stroke Thrombectomy and Aneurysm Registry (STAR) for patients enrolled between 2014 and 2023 who presented with anterior-circulation AIS and large ischemic core (ASPECTS < 6) who underwent EVT in 41 stroke centers in the USA, Europe, Asia, and South America.

Conventional versus advanced imaging selection for endovascular treatment of basilar artery occlusion strokes.

Introduction: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is an effective treatment for basilar artery occlusion (BAO) stroke in select patients. While there is a growing body of literature suggesting that advanced imaging modalities such as computed tomography perfusion (CTP) and magnetic resonance (MR) may not be necessary for selecting anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke patients for EVT, whether advanced imaging may be superior to conventional imaging (non-contrast CT and CT angiography) in identifying good treatment candidates among BAO patients is less clear.

Patients And Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study of BAO EVT patients treated from 2013 to 2022 in the Stroke Thrombectomy and Aneurysm Registry.

Predictors of Futile Recanalization After Endovascular Therapy for Acute Large Vessel Occlusive Intracranial Atherosclerosis: A Secondary Analysis of RESCUE-ICAS.

Background And Objectives: Futile recanalization in endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) occurs when recanalization is achieved but patients nevertheless experience a poor functional outcome. Variables associated with futile recanalization after endovascular therapy in intracranial atherosclerosis-related large vessel occlusion have not been previously described.

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of Registry of Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion due to Intracranial Stenosis (RESCUE-ICAS), a multicenter prospective observational cohort study conducted at 25 EVT-capable centers in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Concurrent Anterior Cerebral Artery and Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusions Predict Poor Neurological Outcome Despite Successful Thrombectomy in Anterior Circulation Stroke.

Background And Objectives: Despite successful endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke, a significant proportion of patients demonstrate fast and early progression of infarct core and fail to achieve functional independence at 90 days. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of thrombus location and the potential impact of collaterals on concurrent middle cerebral artery (MCA) and anterior cerebral artery (ACA) occlusion.

Methods: Data were included from a multicenter registry for patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy for anterior circulation stroke from 32 international centers between 2015 and 2021.

Treatment outcomes of successful M1 versus M2 thrombectomy for low-ASPECTS stroke patients.

BackgroundThe effectiveness of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for low Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (ASPECTS) stroke patients with occlusion of the second segment of the middle cerebral artery (M2) is unclear.MethodsThis was a multicenter retrospective study. Patients with M1 or M2 occlusions and low ASPECTS (<6) who underwent successful EVT (modified treatment in cerebral ischemia score of 2b or higher) were included.

Hurting More Than Helping? Decompressive Craniectomy in Patients With Symptomatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage After Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Insights From Stroke Thrombectomy and Aneurysm Registry.

Background And Objectives: It remains unclear whether decompressive craniectomy (DC) is beneficial in patients who suffer symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) after acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We sought to study the effect of DC on functional outcomes in patients with sICH after AIS who underwent mechanical thrombectomy (MT).

Methods: Patients with AIS from anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who underwent MT and subsequently developed sICH were identified from the Stroke Thrombectomy and Aneurysm Registry database.

Outcomes of medical and surgical management in infectious intracranial aneurysms: a multicenter cohort analysis.

Introduction: Infectious intracranial aneurysms (IIAs) are rare but serious complications of systemic infections, particularly infective endocarditis. These aneurysms are prone to rupture, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Management strategies lack consensus due to the rarity of the condition and reliance on small case series.

Earlier onset of cerebral vasospasm in ruptured infectious intracranial aneurysms.

Introduction: Infectious intracranial aneurysms(IIAs) are a rare complication of systemic and intracranial infections. IIAs are often diagnosed upon rupture, often leading to subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) similar to non-infectious aneurysms(non-IIAs). Although vasospasm is a common complication of both SAH and meningitis, the incidence, timing, and management of vasospasm in IIA patients are yet to be studied.

Patient-Derived Meningioma Organoids: A Reliable Model for Studying Human Tumor Pathophysiology.

Meningiomas are the most common primary central nervous system tumors, constituting 39.7% of intracranial tumors. Although generally benign, some exhibit aggressive behavior and risk of recurrence, necessitating adjuvant therapy and repeat surgical interventions.

The influence of prestroke disability on outcome in patients with a low Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score who underwent endovascular thrombectomy.

Objective: The definitive influence of prestroke disability on outcomes in patients with a low Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) treated with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large-vessel occlusion (LVO) remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the impact of prestroke disability on outcomes in this specific population.

Methods: Data from 32 international centers for AIS-LVO patients with a low ASPECTS who underwent EVT between January 2013 and December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively.

Comparative efficacy and safety of stent retrievers as a bailout strategy following failed contact aspiration technique in acute stroke thrombectomy.

Background: The contact aspiration (CA) technique is often used to perform endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS); however, rescue strategies are necessary if CA fails to achieve recanalization. This study investigates the outcomes of incorporating stent retriever (SR) thrombectomy in the rescue strategy following failed CA.

Methods: EVT patients with failed CA attempts were identified from a large multicenter registry and stratified by rescue technique: CA alone or incorporating SR in the rescue strategy.

Mechanical thrombectomy in elderly stroke patients with low ASPECTS: insights from STAR.

Background: The elderly population (≥80 years) were underrepresented in recent trials of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke (LVO-AIS) with low Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) (≤5).

Methods: This study analyzed data from a prospectively maintained database of 37 thrombectomy centers. The primary cohort of the study comprised patients with LVO-AIS aged ≥80 who underwent EVT with ASPECTS≤5 from 2013 to 2023.

Predictive Modeling of Nonfunctioning Giant Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumor Resection: A Multi-Planar Perspective.

Background: Giant pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (GPitNETs) are challenging tumors with low rates of gross total resection (GTR) and high morbidity. Previously reported machine learning (ML) models for prediction of pituitary neuroendocrine tumor extent of resection (EOR) using preoperative imaging included a heterogenous dataset of functional and nonfunctional pituitary neuroendocrine tumors of various sizes leading to variability in results.

Methods: A retrospective study of 100 large nonfunctioning GPitNETs (≥3 cm diameter, >10 cm³ volume) was conducted to develop predictive models for GTR or EOR based on 5 variables: tumor diameter, shape, revised Knosp grade, and modified Hardy classifications for sellar and extrasellar invasion.

Complement inhibition targets a rich-club within the neuroinflammatory network after stroke to improve radiographic and functional outcomes.

Following recent advances in post-thrombectomy stroke care, the role of neuroinflammation and neuroprotective strategies in mitigating secondary injury has gained prominence. Yet, while neuroprotection and anti-inflammatory agents have re-emerged in clinical trials, their success has been limited. The neuroinflammatory response in cerebral ischemia is robust and multifactorial, complicating therapeutic approaches targeting single pathways.

Incidence, presentation, and outcomes of intracranial hemorrhage in left ventricular assist device patients.

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the etiology, natural history, and impact of surgical intervention on outcomes of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients presenting with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH).

Methods: The authors completed a retrospective review of LVAD patients who presented with ICH at 2 centers between 2013 and 2022. Patients were reviewed for demographic, clinical, and radiographic variables.

Outcomes of Adjunct Emergent Stenting Versus Mechanical Thrombectomy Alone: The RESCUE-ICAS Registry.

Background: Underlying intracranial stenosis is the most common cause of failed mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion. Adjunct emergent stenting is sometimes performed to improve or maintain reperfusion, despite limited data regarding its safety or efficacy.

Methods: We conducted a prospective multicenter observational international cohort study.

Prolonged intracranial catheter dwell time exacerbates penumbral stress and worsens stroke thrombectomy outcomes.

Background: The duration of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is a negative predictor of outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS), yet the precise mechanisms are unclear. We investigated whether the placement of large-bore catheters intracranially reduces blood flow to the ischemic penumbra and diminishes the efficacy of MT.

Methods: We investigated the impact of different catheter sizes on flow through the intracranial circulation using an in vitro model.

Incidence, Management, and Outcomes of Pediatric Infectious Aneurysms.

Background And Objectives: Infectious intracranial aneurysms (IIAs) are rare cerebrovascular complications of infective endocarditis (IE) accounting approximatively for 0.5% to 6.5% of all aneurysms.

Endovascular thrombectomy for childhood stroke (Save ChildS Pro): an international, multicentre, prospective registry study.

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that endovascular thrombectomy is beneficial for treatment of childhood stroke, but the safety and effectiveness of endovascular thrombectomy has not been compared with best medical treatment. We aimed to prospectively analyse functional outcomes of endovascular thrombectomy versus best medical treatment in children with intracranial arterial occlusion stroke.

Methods: In this prospective registry study, 45 centres in 12 countries across Asia and Australia, Europe, North America, and South America reported functional outcomes for children aged between 28 days and 18 years presenting with arterial ischaemic stroke caused by a large-vessel or medium-vessel occlusion who received either endovascular thrombectomy plus best medical practice or best medical treatment alone.

Improved technical outcomes with converting thrombectomy techniques after failed first pass recanalization.

Background: A higher number of recanalization attempts reduces the efficacy of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke secondary to large vessel occlusion (LVO). We assessed the impact of switching EVT techniques after a failed first pass on procedural and clinical outcomes.

Methods: This multicenter international study, conducted between January 2013 and December 2022, included patients undergoing EVT for anterior circulation LVO (internal carotid artery or M1 segments) with failed first pass recanalization.

Outcomes of Mechanical Thrombectomy for Patients With Stroke Presenting With Low Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score in Early and Late Time Windows.

Background And Objectives: This study aimed to compare outcomes of low Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) patients with stroke who underwent mechanical thrombectomy (MT) within 6 hours or 6 to 24 hours after stroke onset.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from a large multicenter international registry from 2013 to 2023. Patients with low ASPECTS (2-5) who underwent MT for anterior circulation intracranial large vessel occlusion were included.

The effect of intravenous thrombolysis in stroke patients with unsuccessful thrombectomy.

Background: The benefit of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is well established. We aim to study the benefits of IVT in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) who underwent unsuccessful mechanical thrombectomy (MT).

Methods: We included AIS patients who underwent MT for anterior circulation LVO with failed recanalization (modified treatment in cerebral ischemia [mTICI] score ≤ 2A).

Higher proceduralist stroke thrombectomy volume is associated with reduced inpatient mortality.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) proceduralist volume on in-hospital mortality in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using the 2020 Florida State Inpatient Database, including adult patients who had a diagnosis of AIS and underwent EVT during the same admission. The primary study outcome was in-hospital death.