The Effectiveness of Additional Treatment Modalities after the Failure of Recanalization by Thrombectomy Alone in Acute Vertebrobasilar Arterial Occlusion

Objective

Acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion (AVBAO) is a devastating disease with a high mortality rate. One of the most important factors affecting favorable clinical outcome is early recanalization. Mechanical thrombectomy is an emerging treatment strategy for achieving a high recanalization rates. However, thrombectomy alone can be insufficient to complete recanalization, especially for acute stroke involving large artery atheromatous disease. The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy in AVBAO.

Methods

Fourteen consecutive patients with AVBAO were treated with mechanical thrombectomy. Additional multimodal treatments were intra-arterial (IA) thrombolysis, balloon angioplasty, or permanent stent placement. Recanalization by thrombectomy alone and multimodal treatments were assessed by the Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) score. Clinical outcome was determined using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at 7 days and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3 months.

Results

Thrombectomy alone and multimodal treatments were performed in 10 patients (71.4%) and 4 patients (28.6%), respectively. Successful recanalization (TICI 2b-3) was achieved in 11 (78.6%). Among these 11 patients, 3 (27.3%) underwent multimodal treatment due to underlying atherosclerotic stenosis. Ten (71.4%) of the 14 showed NIHSS score improvement of >10. Overall mortality was 3 (21.4%) of 14.

Conclusion

We suggest that mechanical thrombectomy is safe and effective for improving recanalization rates in AVBAO, with low complication rates. Also, in carefully selected patients after the failure of recanalization by thrombectomy alone, additional multimodal treatment such as IA thrombolysis, balloons, or stents can be needed to achieve successful recanalization.     

Emergent revascularization of acute tandem vertebrobasilar occlusions: Endovascular approaches and technical considerations—Confirming the role of vertebral artery ostium stenosis as a cause of vertebrobasilar stroke

Patients suffering from acute atherothrombotic occlusion of the proximal vertebral artery (VA) and concomitant basilar artery (BA) occlusion present a grim prognosis. We describe our experience in the endovascular recanalization of tandem vertebrobasilar occlusions using endovascular techniques. The BA was accessed through the normal VA (clean-road) or the occluded, thrombotic VA (dirty-road), and stentriever-based thrombectomy was performed using antegrade or reverse revascularization variants. Seven patients underwent successful stentriever-assisted mechanical thrombectomy of the BA and five sustained concomitant VA revascularization. Stroke onset to endovascular intervention initiation (time-to-treatment) ranged from 4.5–13 hours (mean 8.6). In two of seven patients, the BA occlusion was approached with a ‘clean-road’ approach via the contralateral VA; in five of seven patients, a ‘dirty-road’ approach via the occluded VA was used. Mean time-to-recanalization was 66 minutes (range 55–82). There were no perforations, iatrogenic vessel dissections, or other technical complications. Four patients presented mild-to-moderate disability (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0–3) at 3 months, one remained with moderate-to-severe disability (mRS 4), and two patients died on days 9 and 23 after their strokes. Follow-up ranged from 6–45 months (mean 24 months). In selected patients with acute VA-BA occlusion, stentriever-based thrombectomy performed through either the patent or the occluded VA, may be feasible, effective, and safe. Clinical outcomes in these patients seem to equipoise the neurological outcome of patients with successful revascularization for isolated BA occlusion. This unique pair of occlusions confirms the role of VA ostium stenosis as a cause of vertebrobasilar stroke.     

不同类型基底动脉闭塞机械取栓的疗效观察

目的评价机械取栓治疗不同类型基底动脉(BA)闭塞的疗效。方法回顾性分析2013年9月至2019年9月海军军医大学附属长海医院脑血管病中心连续收治的95例行机械取栓治疗的BA闭塞患者的临床资料。根据BA闭塞是否为串联病变,分为非串联病变组(67例)和串联病变组(28例)。比较两组血管成功再通(改良脑梗死溶栓分级2b~3级)的比例、90 d预后良好(改良Rankin量表评分为0~3分)的比例、术中挽救措施及不良事件发生率等的差异。结果与非串联病变组相比,串联病变组的年龄偏低(P=0.002),而男性(P=0.009)、有吸烟史(P=0.014)、缺血性卒中TOAST分型为大动脉粥样硬化型(P=0.001)以及存在一侧椎动脉发育不良(P=0.036)的比例更高。两组患者在术前及术后24 h的美国国立卫生院卒中量表评分、股动脉穿刺至BA再灌注时间、血管成功再通比例及90 d预后良好比例方面的差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。串联病变组的发病至就诊时间(P=0.049)、发病至BA再灌注时间(P=0.046)均较非串联病变组延长,且术中挽救措施(包括单纯球囊扩张、急诊支架置入、静脉应用替罗非班)的使用比例均更高(均P<0.05)。两组在手术相关的不良事件及病死率方面的差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。结论对于不同类型的BA闭塞患者,应用机械取栓治疗的临床结局及不良事件的发生率无明显差异,但该结论仍需进一步扩大样本量或进行随机对照试验加以证实。     

Safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy with the Solitaire device in large artery occlusion

Background and Purpose: Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) has limited efficacy in proximal large vessel occlusions. This study was to assess the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy with a retrievable Solitaire stent in acute large artery occlusions . Materials and Methods: This is a single center study enrolling patients treated with Solitaire-assisted thrombectomy between November 2010 and March 2011. Inclusion criteria were severe stroke of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≥10, treatment initiation within 6 hours from onset, and an angiographically verified occlusion of proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA) or internal carotid artery (ICA). The primary outcome was recanalization defined as Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarct (TICI) reperfusion grade 2b/3. Secondary outcomes were good functional outcome at 3 months (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] ≤2), early substantial neurological improvement (NIHSS score improvement ≥8 at 24 hours), and symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation (SHT). Results: Ten patients were consecutively enrolled: Age: 72.4 ? 5.7 years; female: 70%; baseline median NIHSS score: 19.5; and ICA occlusion in 50% and M1 portion of MCA occlusion in 50%. Six patients received intravenous TPA before intra-arterial treatment, and five patients were treated with adjuvant intra-arterial urokinase. Successful recanalization was achieved in 7 (70%) patients. Four (40%) patients had a good functional outcome at 3 months, and three (30%) patients had an early substantial neurological improvement. SHT occurred in two patients (20%), and 3-month mortality rate was 30%. There was no procedure-related complication. Conclusions: Mechanical thrombectomy with the Solitaire device can effectively recanalize proximal large vessel occlusions, and potentially improves clinical outcome.     

4～6h时间窗内急性脑梗死患者行机械开通的疗效分析

目的评价发病4~6h机械开通治疗急性脑梗死的疗效及安全性。方法对2015-06—2016-12在我科住院的发病4~6h时间窗内的187例急性脑梗死患者进行回顾性分析,患者全部行脑血管造影检查明确病因,对大血管闭塞患者行单纯支架取栓治疗,统计血管再通情况及分析临床疗效。结果介入治疗术后M2段闭塞共17例(12例再通),M1段闭塞共58例(52例再通),颈内动脉末端闭塞(T型)共9例(4例再通),床突段闭塞共7例(1例再通),颈内动脉大负荷量血栓共15例(10例再通),椎基底动脉闭塞共28例(24例再通)。M2段闭塞患者治疗1周以后病情较术前明显好转(P0.05),M1段闭塞的患者在术后1d就出现明显好转(P0.01),椎基底动脉闭塞的患者术后第1天就出现明显好转(P0.05)。1个月后mRS 1~3分的患者中M2段闭塞占88%,M1段闭塞占60%,颈内动脉末端闭塞(T型)占11%,床突段闭塞占14%,颈内动脉大负荷量血栓占7%,椎基底动脉闭塞占39%。结论发病4~6h时间窗内行机械取栓血管再通治疗安全有效,大部分患者的闭塞动脉能及时再通,临床疗效显著。     

颅内中等血管急性闭塞的血管内治疗分析

目的 探讨血管内介入治疗颅内中等血管急性闭塞的安全性及有效性。方法 回顾性分析2017年1月至2021年9月采用血管内介入治疗的16例颅内中等血管急性闭塞的临床资料。颅内中等血管包括大脑中动脉M2/3段、大脑前动脉A2/3段和大脑后动脉P2/3段。结果 16例中,大脑中动脉M2段闭塞9例、M3段闭塞2例,大脑前动脉A2段闭塞2例,大脑后动脉P2段闭塞3例;8例符合静脉溶栓标准,行静脉溶栓后桥接血管内治疗。13例使用Solitaire AB支架取栓,2例动脉溶栓,1例直接球囊扩张成形。术后即刻TICI分级3级13例,2b级2例,血管再通率为93.7%（15/16）;另1例出现无症状性出血转化。术后90 d随访,预后良好率（mRS评分0~2分）为87.5%（14/16）。结论 对于颅内中等管径动脉急性闭塞,严格把握手术指征,采用可回收支架进行机械取栓治疗,血管开通率高,疗效好且安全。     

Local intra-arterial fibrinolysis in acute hemispheric stroke: effect of occlusion type and fibrinolytic agent on recanalization success and neurological outcome

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effect of occlusion type and fibrinolytic agent on recanalization success and clinical outcome in patients undergoing local intra-arterial fibrinolysis (LIF) in acute hemispheric stroke. METHODS: LIF was performed in 137 patients with angiographically established occlusion in the carotid circulation within 6 h of stroke onset. Retrospective analysis included recanalization success, recanalization time, type of occlusion and fibrinolytic treatment mode. Five types of occlusion were categorized: intracranial bifurcation (carotid 'T') of the internal carotid artery (ICA; n = 35); proximal segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA; n = 66); distal segment of the MCA (n = 20); extracranial ICA with MCA embolism (n = 8); multiple peripheral branches of the anterior cerebral artery and the MCA (n = 8). Neurologic outcome was evaluated after 3 months by Barthel Index (BI) as good (BI >90), moderate (BI 50-90), poor (BI <50) or death. RESULTS: Recanalization was achieved in 74 patients (54%). Mean recanalization time in recanalized patients was 91 min. Neurologic outcome was good in 48 patients (35%), moderate in 34 (25%), poor in 30 (22%) and 25 died (18%). Outcome was significantly better in recanalized than in nonrecanalized patients (p < 0.001). Treatment results were significantly better in proximal and distal MCA occlusion than in carotid 'T' occlusions (p < 0.001). Recanalization success hardly differed between urokinase and rt-PA. Combined treatment with rt-PA and lys-plasminogen tended toward a faster recanalization. Parenchymal hemorrhage occurred in 13 patients (9%). CONCLUSION: The type of occlusion is of high prognostic value for successful fibrinolysis in the anterior circulation. However, recanalization is a time-consuming process even with an intra-arterial approach. Recanalization did not differ between type or dosage of plasminogen activators. Further innovative attempts are warranted towards hastening recanalization time in endovascular acute stroke treatment.     

Stent-based mechanical thrombectomy in acute basilar artery occlusion

Stent-based mechanical thrombectomy was recently proposed as an effective alternative to other mechanical techniques to achieve recanalization of large-vessel embolic occlusions in the anterior circulation. To our knowledge, there are no reports of the use of this technique in acute basilar artery occlusion (ABAO). We present a patient with complete endovascular recanalization of ABAO using a stent-based thrombectomy technique. Advantages and limitations of this technique in the management of ABAO are discussed. The stent-thrombectomy technique is promising, and will need further evaluation in posterior circulation stroke.     

Stent for temporary endovascular bypass and thrombectomy in major ischemic stroke

Endovascular techniques for acute stroke have evolved from a pharmacological to a mechanical approach. We report illustrative cases of successful anterior circulation recanalization in patients with large arterial occlusions, using a stent-based technique to perform arterial recanalization and thrombectomy, without permanent stent implantation. Four patients (mean age 59 years), presented with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores of 18 to 24, from 2 hours to 6 hours after stroke onset, with middle cerebral artery (MCA), MCA branch, internal carotid artery (ICA) terminus, or tandem ICA-MCA occlusions. A closed-cell stent was temporarily inserted to achieve temporary endovascular bypass, and then used as a thrombectomy device during withdrawal. Rapid and complete recanalization with successful thrombectomy was achieved in all patients within 28 minutes to 52 minutes. One week after treatment patients achieved NIHSS scores of 2 to 5, with no hemorrhagic complications. This approach allowed rapid endovascular revascularization and thrombectomy, without permanent stent implant. Stent-based thrombectomy devices may become a valuable tool in the management of acute ischemic stroke.     

Transcranial Optical Monitoring of Cerebral Hemodynamics in Acute Stroke Patients during Mechanical Thrombectomy

Introduction: Mechanical thrombectomy is revolutionizing treatment of acute stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). Unfortunately, use of the modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score (mTICI) to characterize recanalization of the cerebral vasculature does not address microvascular perfusion of the distal parenchyma, nor provide more than a vascular “snapshot.” Thus, little is known about tissue-level hemodynamic consequences of LVO recanalization. Diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) and diffuse optical spectroscopy (DOS) are promising methods for continuous, noninvasive, contrast-free transcranial monitoring of cerebral microvasculature. Methods: Here, we use a combined DCS/DOS system to monitor frontal lobe hemodynamic changes during endovascular treatment of 2 patients with ischemic stroke due to internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusions. Results and Discussion: The monitoring instrument identified a recanalization-induced increase in ipsilateral cerebral blood flow (CBF) with little or no concurrent change in contralateral CBF and extracerebral blood flow. The results suggest that diffuse optical monitoring is sensitive to intracerebral hemodynamics in patients with ICA occlusion and can measure microvascular responses to mechanical thrombectomy.     

Impaired Cerebrovascular Autoregulation in Large Vessel Occlusive Stroke after Successful Mechanical Thrombectomy: A Prospective Cohort Study

Introduction: Successful thrombectomy improves morbidity and mortality after stroke. The present prospective, observational cohort study investigated a potential correlation between the successful restoration of tissue perfusion by mechanical thrombectomy and intact cerebrovascular autoregulation (CA). Objective: Status of CA in patients with large vessel occlusive stroke after thrombectomy. Methods: After thrombectomy CA was measured using transcranial Doppler ultrasound. For this purpose a moving correlation index (Mxa) based on spontaneous arterial blood pressure fluctuations and corresponding cerebral blood flow velocity changes was calculated. CA impairment was defined by Mxa values more than .3. Results: Twenty patients with an acute occlusion of the middle cerebral artery or distal internal carotid artery were included. A successful recanalization of the occluded vessel via interventional thrombectomy was achieved in 10 of these patients (successful recanalization group), while in 10 patients mechanical recanalization failed or could not be applied (no recanalization group). Mean Mxa at stroke side was .58 ± .21 Table 2a in patients with successful intervention. At the unaffected hemisphere Mxa was .50 ± .20 Table 2a in successful recanalization group and .45 ± .24 Table 2b in no recanalization group without statistically significant differences. Based on the previously defined Mxa cut off more than .3, CA impairment was observable in all successful recanalized patients and in 8 of 10 patients with unsuccessful interventional treatment. Conclusions: These results suggest that brain perfusion may be affected due to impaired CA even after successful mechanical thrombectomy. Therefore, a tight blood pressure management is of great importance in post-thrombectomy stroke treatment to avoid cerebral hypo- and hyperperfusion.     

Multicenter initial experience with the EmboTrap device in acute anterior ischemic stroke

Background and purpose

Mechanical thrombectomy predominantly using stent retrievers effectively restores cerebral blood flow and improves functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke. We sought to determine the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy using the EmboTrap device.

Solitaire AB可回收支架在急性缺血性卒中血管内治疗中的应用

目的探讨Solitaire AB可回收支架治疗颅内前循环大动脉闭塞致急性缺血性卒中的有效性和安全性。方法回顾分析31例采用Solitaire AB支架机械取栓治疗颅内前循环大动脉闭塞致急性缺血性卒中患者的临床资料,采用脑梗死溶栓血流分级(TICI)评价血管再通、美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评价神经功能、改良Rankin量表(mRS)评价预后,记录围手术期栓塞事件以及术后3个月内颅内出血或死亡。结果 31例患者共使用33枚Solitaire AB支架,其中19例首次机械取栓即实现血管再通;11例进一步行支架植入术,9例实现血管再通,最终总体血管再通率为90.32%(28/31)。术后1周NIHSS评分(8.81±3.40)分,低于术前的(16.06±4.82)分(t=-7.104,P=0.000)。术后3个月预后良好(mRS评分≤2分)16例(51.61%)。围手术期发生栓塞事件3例,随访期间发生颅内出血4例,共死亡6例。结论 Solitaire AB支架用于急性缺血性卒中的机械取栓安全、有效,首次机械取栓血管再通失败可以联合支架植入术作为补充治疗。     

Critical Use of Balloon Angioplasty after Recanalization Failure with Retrievable Stent in Acute Cerebral Artery Occlusion

Objective

Sudden major cerebral artery occlusion often resists recanalization with currently available techniques or can results in massive symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) after thrombolytic therapy. The purpose of this study was to examine mechanical recanalization with a retrievable self-expanding stent and balloon in acute intracranial artery occlusions.

Methods

Twenty-eight consecutive patients with acute intracranial artery occlusions were treated with a Solitaire retrievable stent. Balloon angioplasty was added if successful recanalization was not achieved after stent retrieval. The angiographic outcome was assessed by Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) and the clinical outcomes were assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).

Results

At baseline, mean age was 69.4 years and mean initial NIHSS score was 12.5. A recanalization to TICI 2 or 3 was achieved in 24 patients (85%) after stent retrieval. Successful recanalization was achieved after additional balloon angioplasty in 4 patients. At 90-day follow-up, 24 patients (85%) had a NIHSS improvement of ≥4 and 17 patients (60%) had a good outcome (mRS ≤2). Although there was sICH, there was one death associated with the procedure.

Conclusion

Mechanical thromboembolectomy with a retrievable stent followed by additional balloon angioplasty is a safe and effective first-line therapy for acute intracranial artery occlusions especially in case of unsuccessful recanalization after stent thrombectomy.     

大脑中动脉M2段急性闭塞机械取栓临床疗效评估

目的 评估机械取栓应用于大脑中动脉（middle middle cerebral artery,MCA）M2段急性闭塞的有效 性和安全性。 方法 回顾性收集MCA M2段急性闭塞并实施机械取栓患者的临床资料,以90 d mRS评分分为良好 结局（mRS评分0～2分）与不良结局（mRS评分＞2分）组,比较两组基线临床资料、入院NIHSS评分、是 否合并静脉溶栓、闭塞部位、颅内出血（symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage,SICH）、再通时间等资料 的差异。 结果 共入组行机械取栓术的MCA M2段急性闭塞患者12例（男女各6例）。平均年龄（71.4±8.1)岁, 入院NIHSS评分中位数为18分,术后即刻血管再通[改良的脑梗死溶栓（modified thrombolysis in cerebral i nfarcti on,mTI CI ）2b～3级]11例（91.6%）,出血3例（25.0%）,其中SI CH 1例（8.3%）,24 h时血管再通11 例（91.6%）。90 d良好结局组4例,不良结局组8例。良好结局组入院NIHSS评分低于不良结局组（中位 数14分 vs 22分,P =0.038）,两组间其余因素差异无统计学意义。 结论 MCA M2段急性闭塞机械取栓的有效性及安全性有待观察,患者入院时NIHSS评分较低与 90 d预后良好有关。     

Accuracy and Criteria for Localizing Arterial Occlusion With Transcranial Doppler

The authors determined transcranial Doppler (TCD) accuracy for the proximal internal carotid artery (ICA), distal ICA, proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA), distal MCA, anterior cerebral artery (ACA), posterior cerebral artery (PCA), terminal vertebral artery (tVA), and basilar artery (BA) occlusion in cerebral ischemia patients. Detailed diagnostic criteria were prospectively applied for TCD interpretation independent of angiographic findings. Of 320 consecutive patients referred to the neurosonology service with symptoms of cerebral ischemia, 190 (59%) patients also underwent angiography (MRA or DSA). 48 of those 190 patients had angiographic occlusion and 12 of those 48 patients had involvement of multiple vessels. Median time from TCD until angiography was performed was 1 hour (41 patients had angiography before TCD). TCD showed 40 true positive, 8 false negative, 8 false positive, and 134 true negative studies with sensitivity 83.0%, specificity 94.4%, positive predictive value 83.0%, negative predictive value 94.4%, and accuracy 91.6% to determine all sites of occlusion. Sensitivity for each individual occlusion site was: proximal ICA 94%, distaiiCA 81%, MCA 93%, tVA 56%, BA 60%. Specificity ranged from 96% to 98%. TCD is sensitive and specific in determining the site of the arterial occlusion using detailed diagnostic criteria, including proximal ICA and distal MCA lesions. TCD has the highest accuracy for ICA and MCA occlusions. If the results of TCD are normal, there is at least a 94% chance that angiographic studies will be negative. Key words: ultrasound, transcranial Doppler sonography, stroke, occlusion, angiography.     

The Eligible study: ultrasound assessment in acute ischemic stroke within 3 hours

BACKGROUND: Aims of the study: to identify with echo color Doppler ultrasound of the supra-aortic vessels and transcranial color-coded duplex sonography (TCCD) various patterns of vessel occlusion within 3 h from stroke onset, to compare each group defined at the admission with clinical findings and outcome, and to study the recanalization process, independent of therapy. METHODS: We enrolled 89 consecutive patients (mean age 68.9 years). Ultrasound evaluation was done within 3 h from stroke onset, and was repeated at 3-6 and 24-36 h, at day 5, and at 3 months. At admission, patients were divided into the following groups: internal carotid artery occlusions and stenoses (<50%, 50-69%, > or =70%, near occlusion), middle cerebral artery stenoses and occlusions, tandem occlusions and T occlusions. Vascular recanalization in each group was evaluated. Subgroups were compared for NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the outcome measures mortality, Barthel index (BI) and modified Rankin scale (mRS). Favorable outcome was defined as mRS < or =2 and BI > or =90. RESULTS: Each subgroup differed significantly for baseline NIHSS (p < 0.0001), 3-month mortality (p = 0.0235), BI at day 5 (p = 0.0458) and mRS at 3 months (p = 0.0028), even after adjustment for treatment. T and tandem occlusions were the subgroups with the highest NIHSS scores and the poorest outcomes, and the same subgroups had the worst recanalization rates. CONCLUSIONS: TCCD in the acute setting of stroke patients allows identification of the presence and site of clots, prediction of outcome and study of the dynamic process of vessel recanalization, in both the acute phase and follow-up.     

Intra-arterial thrombus visualized on T2* gradient echo imaging in acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND: MR signal loss related to arterial thrombosis leading to vascular susceptibility artifacts (VSA) has recently been reported on gradient echo images. The time course and sensitivity of VSA in acute stroke patients has been scarcely investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and course of VSA in acute stroke patients, to compare its sensitivity to distinct features of arterial occlusion as detected on FLAIR images or on CT scan. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients were scanned from 45 min to 6 h after stroke onset using identical MR parameters. All had an acute ischemic lesion identified on diffusion-weighted images, 25 had an occlusion of MCA or PCA confirmed by magnetic resonance angiography. RESULTS: VSA was detected in 22/25 patients having an occluded artery at the time of MRI examination. Flair disclosed a hyperintense vessel in all of these 25 cases, but CT scan revealed a hyperdense artery in only 15 cases. Follow-up studies showed that VSA can vanish or disappear after partial recanalization. When the artery remains occluded, VSA can decrease, disappear or increase in the next hours, possibly related to structural modifications of the thrombus with time. Most occlusions were due to cardiac and arterial emboli or to intracranial extension of carotid occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: VSA are frequent in the first hours of MCA or PCA occlusion in acute stroke patients. The sensitivity of VSA appears lower than the arterial hyperintensity on FLAIR images but higher than the hyperdense artery sign on CT scan. The extent and intensity of VSA can change with recanalization or structural modifications of the thrombus.     

Large vessel occlusions requiring repeated mechanical thrombectomy caused by silent myocardial infarction in a young adult

ObjectivesSilent myocardial ischemia, defined as objective evidence of myocardial ischemia without symptoms, is associated with ischemic stroke. Nevertheless, silent myocardial infarction is a rare cause of ischemic stroke, especially in young adults with no medical history.Materials and methodsHerein, we report a young adult patient with acute ischemic stroke treated with repeated mechanical thrombectomy for recurrent large vessel occlusions caused by left ventricular thrombus following a silent myocardial infarction.ResultsA 40-year-old man was transferred by ambulance to our hospital because of a generalized seizure. He was diagnosed with cerebral infarction and left middle cerebral artery occlusion. We performed intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy. Recanalization was achieved and his symptoms gradually improved. However, the day after treatment he developed bilateral cerebellar infarction and basilar artery occlusion. We performed a second mechanical thrombectomy and recanalization was achieved. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a mobile left ventricular thrombus. Although he had no previous chest symptomatic episodes, cardiac examination confirmed myocardial infarction of unknown onset. He was diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusions caused by left ventricular thrombus following a silent myocardial infarction. Anticoagulation therapy reduced the amount of thrombus. At 1-year follow-up, he had not experienced any recurrences or symptoms.ConclusionsSilent myocardial infarction should be considered a cause of ischemic stroke in young adults, even without any vascular risk factors. Recurrent large vessel occlusion may occur in patients with left ventricular thrombus, and repeated mechanical thrombectomy should be considered for treatment.     

Mechanical thrombectomy of M2 occlusions with distal access catheters using ADAPT

Background and purposeThe direct aspiration first pass technique (ADAPT) using distal access catheters (DAC) has proven to be an effective and safe endovascular treatment strategy of acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusions (LVO). However, data about direct aspiration using DAC in M2 segment occlusions is limited.We assess the safety and efficacy of DACs in acute M2 occlusions using ADAPT with large bore (5 French /6 French) aspiration catheters as the primary method for endovascular recanalization.Materials and methodsFrom January 2017 to July 2018, 52 patients with an acute ischemic stroke due to M2 occlusions underwent mechanical thrombectomy using ADAPT with DACs (SOFIA 5 French/Catalyst 6) as frontline therapy. Patient demographics, technical parameters and outcome data were recorded.ResultsMedian National Institutes of Health Strokes Scale (NIHSS) Score was 12 at admission. Successful revascularization to mTICI 2b-3 with ADAPT alone was achieved in 45 of 52 patients (86.5%) with mTICI 3 achieved in 32 patients (61.5%). Additional stent retrievers were used in 6 patients and led to an overall successful revascularisation of 92.3% (48/52). Median NIHSS at discharge was 4. 29 of 52 (55.8%) patients had a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) Score 0–2 at three months. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage did not occur.ConclusionDACs can safely be used for mechanical thrombectomy of acute M2 occlusions by the ADAPT approach. Their use alone can be a high efficacious treatment of distal intracranial thromboembolic occlusions.