RS was independently associated with good outcomes without increasing symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage or mortality. RS seemed considered in MT-failed internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery M1 occlusion.

Angiographic occlusion type is an independent predictor of stentriever refractoriness and of the underlying stroke mechanism.

Background and Purpose— Endovascular treatment for acute intracranial atherosclerosis–related large vessel occlusion (ICAS [+]-LVO) is one of the challenging issues in modern mechanical thrombectomy era. We evaluated procedural and clinical outcomes of endovascular treatment for the ICAS (+)-LVO. We also compared their outcomes with those of large vessel occlusion not associated with intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS [−]-LVO). Methods— We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with acute stroke who underwent endovascular treatment for LVO. Patients were assigned to the ICAS (+)-LVO group or the ICAS (−)-LVO group primarily based on catheter angiogram. Procedural and clinical outcomes were compared between the ICAS (+)-LVO and ICAS (−)-LVO groups. Results— The present study included 318 patients. Fifty-six patients (17.6%) had an ICAS (+)-LVO. Recanalization was achieved in 45 patients in the ICAS (+)-LVO group (80.4%), which was comparable with the ICAS (−)-LVO group (88.5%; P =0.097). However, recanalization using a stent retriever was less successful in the ICAS (+)-LVO (28.9%) than the ICAS (−)-LVO group (93.5%). Of the remaining patients in the ICAS (+)-LVO group, 84.3% of patients required specific rescue treatments appropriate for ICAS, including balloon angioplasty, stenting, and intra-arterial glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor infusion. The rates of favorable outcomes (46.4% versus 46.9%), death, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor use was not significantly associated with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Conclusions— ICAS (+)-LVO was often refractory to mechanical thrombectomy. With specific rescue treatments appropriate for ICAS, patients in the ICAS (+)-LVO group had a recanalization rate comparable with patients in the ICAS (−)-LVO. With comparable recanalization rate, the clinical outcomes did not differ between patients with ICAS (+)-LVO and ICAS (−)-LVO.

Objective:The objectives of this study were to measure the global impact of the pandemic on the volumes for intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), IVT transfers, and stroke hospitalizations over 4 months at the height of the pandemic (March 1 to June 30, 2020) compared with two control 4-month periods.Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional, observational, retrospective study across 6 continents, 70 countries, and 457 stroke centers. Diagnoses were identified by their ICD-10 codes and/or classifications in stroke databases.Results:There were 91,373 stroke admissions in the 4 months immediately before compared to 80,894 admissions during the pandemic months, representing an 11.5% (95%CI, -11.7 to - 11.3, p<0.0001) decline. There were 13,334 IVT therapies in the 4 months preceding compared to 11,570 procedures during the pandemic, representing a 13.2% (95%CI, -13.8 to -12.7, p<0.0001) drop. Interfacility IVT transfers decreased from 1,337 to 1,178, or an 11.9% decrease (95%CI, -13.7 to -10.3, p=0.001). Recovery of stroke hospitalization volume (9.5%, 95%CI 9.2-9.8, p<0.0001) was noted over the two later (May, June) versus the two earlier (March, April) pandemic months. There was a 1.48% stroke rate across 119,967 COVID-19 hospitalizations. SARS-CoV-2 infection was noted in 3.3% (1,722/52,026) of all stroke admissions.Conclusions:The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a global decline in the volume of stroke hospitalizations, IVT, and interfacility IVT transfers. Primary stroke centers and centers with higher COVID19 inpatient volumes experienced steeper declines. Recovery of stroke hospitalization was noted in the later pandemic months.

Background and Purpose-We hypothesized that permanent stenting may be a rescue treatment for stentriever-failed anterior circulation large artery occlusion. We compared the outcomes among patients with permanent stenting and those without stenting after stentriever failure. Methods-We retrospectively evaluated 208 patients who underwent stentriever thrombectomy for anterior circulation large artery occlusion between September 2010 and September 2015. Modified thrombolysis in cerebral ischemia 2b-3 recanalization was achieved with stentriever alone or in combination with Penumbra device in 155 patients (74.5%). An additional 8 patients (3.8%) obtained modified thrombolysis in cerebral ischemia 2b-3 with urokinase or glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor infusion. Of the remaining 45 patients (21.6%), 17 underwent stenting (stenting group; mean age, 68 years), whereas 28 did not undergo stenting (nonstenting group; mean age, 72 years). The rate of modified thrombolysis in cerebral ischemia 2b-3 in stenting group was assessed, and clinical outcomes were compared between groups. Results-There were no differences in clinical and laboratory findings, initial National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score, location of anterior circulation large artery occlusion, and onset-to-puncture time between groups. Modified thrombolysis in cerebral ischemia 2b-3 was achieved in 14 members (83.3%) of the stenting group. Stenting group had more favorable outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2, 35.3%) and less cerebral herniation (11.8%) than nonstenting group (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2, 7.1%; cerebral herniation, 42.9%; P<0.05 for both). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality rates did not differ between stenting group (symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, 11.8%; mortality, 23.5%) and nonstenting group (symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, 14.3%; mortality, 39.3%). Conclusions-Permanent stenting may be a rescue modality for stentriever-failed anterior circulation large artery occlusion. A large prospective study is necessary for confirmation because of the small sample size of this study.

Background and Purpose— Stent retriever (SR) thrombectomy has become the mainstay of treatment of acute intracranial large artery occlusion. However, it is still not much known about the optimal limit of SR attempts for favorable outcome. We evaluated whether a specific number of SR passes for futile recanalization can be determined. Methods— Patients who were treated with a SR as the first endovascular modality for their intracranial large artery occlusion in anterior circulation were retrospectively reviewed. The recanalization rate for each SR pass was calculated. The association between the number of SR passes and a patient’s functional outcome was analyzed. Results— A total of 467 patients were included. Successful recanalization by SR alone was achieved in 82.2% of patients. Recanalization rates got sequentially lower as the number of passes increased, and the recanalization rate achievable by ≥5 passes of the SR was 5.5%. In a multivariable analysis, functional outcomes were more favorable in patients with 1 to 4 passes of the SR than in patients without recanalization (odds ratio [OR] was 8.06 for 1 pass; OR 7.78 for 2 passes; OR 6.10 for 3 passes; OR 6.57 for 4 passes; all P <0.001). However, the functional outcomes of patients with ≥5 passes were not significantly more favorable than found among patients without recanalization (OR 1.70 with 95% CI, 0.42–6.90 for 5 passes, P =0.455; OR 0.33 with 0.02–5.70, P =0.445 for ≥6 passes). Conclusions— The likelihood of successful recanalization got sequentially lower as the number of SR passes increased. Five or more passes of the SR became futile in terms of the recanalization rate and functional outcomes.

Background and Purpose— Based on its mechanism, the use of balloon guide catheters (BGCs) may be beneficial during endovascular treatment, regardless of the type of mechanical recanalization modality used—stent retriever thrombectomy or thrombaspiration. We evaluated whether the use of BGCs can be beneficial regardless of the first-line mechanical endovascular modality used. Methods— We retrospectively reviewed consecutive acute stroke patients who underwent stent retriever thrombectomy or thrombaspiration from the prospectively maintained registries of 17 stroke centers nationwide. Patients were assigned to the BGC or non-BGC group based on the use of BGCs during procedures. Endovascular and clinical outcomes were compared between the BGC and non-BGC groups. To adjust the influence of the type of first-line endovascular modality on successful recanalization and favorable outcome, multivariable analyses were also performed. Results— This study included a total of 955 patients. Stent retriever thrombectomy was used as the first-line modality in 526 patients (55.1%) and thrombaspiration in 429 (44.9%). BGC was used in 516 patients (54.0%; 61.2% of stent retriever thrombectomy patients; 45.2% of thrombaspiration patients). The successful recanalization rate was significantly higher in the BGC group compared with the non-BGC group (86.8% versus 74.7%, respectively; P <0.001). Furthermore, the first-pass recanalization rate was more frequent (37.0% versus 14.1%; P <0.001), and the number of device passes was fewer in the BGC group (2.5±1.9 versus 3.3±2.1; P <0.001). The procedural time was also shorter in the BGC group (54.3±27.4 versus 67.6±38.2; P <0.001). The use of BGC was an independent factor for successful recanalization (odds ratio, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.54–3.10; P <0.001) irrespective of the type of first-line endovascular modality used. The use of BGC was also an independent factor for a favorable outcome (odds ratio, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.02–1.92; P =0.038) irrespective of the type of first-line endovascular modality used. Conclusions— Regardless of the first-line mechanical endovascular modality used, the use of BGC in endovascular treatment was beneficial in terms of both recanalization success and functional outcome.

Background and Purpose: Patients with acute stroke are often accompanied by comorbidities, such as active cancer. However, adequate treatment guidelines are not available for these patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between cancer and the outcomes of reperfusion therapy in patients with stroke. Methods: We compared treatment outcomes in patients who underwent reperfusion therapy, using a nationwide reperfusion therapy registry. We divided the patients into 3 groups according to cancer activity: active cancer, nonactive cancer, and without a history of cancer. We investigated reperfusion processes, 24-hour neurological improvement, adverse events, 3-month functional outcome, and 6-month survival and related factors after reperfusion therapy. Results: Among 1338 patients who underwent reperfusion therapy, 62 patients (4.6%) had active cancer, 78 patients (5.8%) had nonactive cancer, and 1198 patients (89.5%) had no history of cancer. Of the enrolled patients, 969 patients received intravenous thrombolysis and 685 patients underwent endovascular treatment (316 patients received combined therapy). Patients with active cancer had more comorbidities and experienced more severe strokes; however, they showed similar 24-hour neurological improvement and adverse events, including cerebral hemorrhage, compared with the other groups. Although the functional outcome at 3 months was poorer than the other groups, 36.4% of patients with active cancer showed functional independence. Additionally, 52.9% of the patients with determined stroke etiology showed functional independence despite active cancer. During the 6-month follow-up, 46.6% of patients with active cancer died, and active cancer was independently associated with poor survival (hazard ratio, 3.973 [95% CI, 2.528–6.245]). Conclusions: In patients with active cancer, reperfusion therapy showed similar adverse events and short-term outcomes to that of other groups. While long-term prognosis was worse in the active cancer group than the nonactive cancer groups, not negligible number of patients had good functional outcomes, especially those with determined stroke mechanisms.