Background and Purpose Patients with acute ischemic stroke, proximal vessel occlusion and a large ischemic core at presentation are commonly not considered for mechanical thrombectomy (MT). We tested the hypothesis that in patients with baseline large infarct cores, identification of remaining penumbral tissue using perfusion imaging would translate to better outcomes after MT.<br/>Methods This was a multicenter, retrospective, core lab adjudicated, cohort study of adult patients with proximal vessel occlusion, a large ischemic core volume (diffusion weighted imaging volume ≥70 mL), with pre-treatment magnetic resonance imaging perfusion, treated with MT (2015 to 2018) or medical care alone (controls; before 2015). Primary outcome measure was 3-month favorable outcome (defined as a modified Rankin Scale of 0–3). Core perfusion mismatch ratio (CPMR) was defined as the volume of critically hypo-perfused tissue (Tmax >6 seconds) divided by the core volume. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine factors that were independently associated with clinical outcomes. Outputs are displayed as adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).<br/>Results A total of 172 patients were included (MT n=130; Control n=42; mean age 69.0±15.4 years; 36% females). Mean core-volume and CPMR were 102.3±36.7 and 1.8±0.7 mL, respectively. As hypothesized, receiving MT was associated with increased probability of favorable outcome and functional independence, as CPMR increased, a difference becoming statistically significant above a mismatch-ratio of 1.72. Similarly, receiving MT was also associated with favorable outcome in the subgroup of 74 patients with CPMR >1.7 (aOR, 8.12; 95% CI, 1.24 to 53.11; P=0.028). Overall (prior to stratification by CPMR) 73 (42.4%) patients had a favorable outcome at 3 months, with no difference amongst groups.<br/>Conclusions In patients currently deemed ineligible for MT due to large infarct ischemic cores at baseline, CPMR identifies a subgroup strongly benefiting from MT. Prospective studies are warranted.

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, a novel coronavirus, also called severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged in Wuhan, China, and caused a pandemic disease (COVID-19). Respiratory impairment is the most common symptom in patients with confirmed COVID-19; however, neurologic symptoms were documented in approximately 36%, including headache, disturbed consciousness, and paresthesia. 1 The virus can take different pathways to involve the CNS: in one way through hematogenous or lymphatic route and in another way via the cribriform plate close to the olfactory bulb. Very few studies have shown CNS abnormalities related to COVID-19 on MRI. Herein, we report a case of SARS-CoV-2 brain lesions suggesting an acute demyelination.

BackgroundNeurointerventionists lack guidelines for the use of antithrombotic therapies in their clinical practice; consequently, there is likely to be significant heterogeneity in antithrombotic use between centers. Through a nationwide survey, we aimed to obtain an exhaustive cross-sectional overview of antithrombotic use in neurointerventional procedures in France.MethodsIn April 2021, French neurointerventional surgery centers were invited to participate in a nationwide 51-question survey disseminated through an active trainee-led research collaborative network (the JENI-RC).ResultsAll 40 centers answered the survey. Fifty-one percent of centers reported using ticagrelor and 43% used clopidogrel as premedication before intracranial stenting. For flow diversion treatment, dual antiplatelet therapy was maintained for 3 or 6 months in 39% and 53% of centers, respectively, and aspirin was prescribed for 12 months or more than 12 months in 63% and 26% of centers, respectively. For unruptured aneurysms, the most common heparin bolus dose was 50 IU/kg (59%), and only 35% of centers monitored heparin activity for dose adjustment. Tirofiban was used in 64% of centers to treat thromboembolic complications. Fifteen percent of these comprehensive stroke centers reported using tenecteplase to treat acute ischemic strokes. Cangrelor appeared as an emergent drug in specific indications.ConclusionThis nationwide survey highlights the important heterogeneity in clinical practices across centers. There is a pressing need for trials and guidelines to further evaluate and harmonize antithrombotic regimens in the neurointerventional field.

BACKGROUND: Treatment management and outcomes of unruptured nonsaccular aneurysms are different compared with their saccular counterparts. PURPOSE: Our aim was to analyze the outcomes after flow diversion among nonsaccular unruptured lesions. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search of 3 data bases (2005-2019) was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. STUDY SELECTION:We included studies reporting flow diversion for nonsaccular unruptured aneurysms of the posterior and distal anterior circulations. Anterior circulation lesions were included if located distal to the petrocavernous and supraclinoid ICA (MCA, A1, anterior communicating artery, A2). Giant dolichoectatic holobasilar lesions were excluded because of their poor treatment outcomes.DATA ANALYSIS: Aneurysm occlusion and complication rates were calculated (random effects meta-analysis).DATA SYNTHESIS: We included 15 studies (213 aneurysms). The long-term adequate occlusion rate was 85.3% (137/168; 95% CI, 78.2%-92.4%; I 2 4 42.3%). Treatment-related complications were 17.4% (41/213; 95% CI, 12.45%-22.4%; I 2 4 0%). Overall, 15% (37/213; 95% CI, 10%-20%; I 2 4 0%) were ischemic events. Procedure-related morbidity was 8% (20/213; 95% CI, 5%-12%; I 2 4 0%). Fusiform or dissecting types had comparable adequate occlusion (116/146 4 83%; 95% CI, 74%-92%; I 2 4 48% versus 33/36 4 89%; 95% CI, 80%-98%; I 2 4 0%; P 4 .31) and complication rates (35/162 4 17%; 95% CI, 10%-25%; I 2 4 24% versus 11/51 4 19%; 95% CI, 10%-31%; I 2 4 0%; P 4 .72). Aneurysm size (.10 versus #10 mm) was independently associated with a higher rate of complications (OR 4 6.6; 95% CI, 1.3-15; P 4 .02). The rate of ischemic events after discontinuation of the antiplatelet therapy was 5% (5/93; 95% CI, 2%-9%; I 2 4 0%).LIMITATIONS: Small and retrospective studies were available for this meta-analysis.CONCLUSIONS: Unruptured nonsaccular aneurysms located in the posterior and distal anterior circulations can be effectively treated with flow diversion. Nevertheless, treatment-related complications are not negligible, with about 15% ischemic events and 8% morbidity. Larger size (.10 mm) significantly increases the risk of procedure-related adverse events. ABBREVIATIONS: AC 4 anterior circulation; FD 4 flow diversion; IQR 4 interquartile range; PC 4 posterior circulation

ObjectiveIndividualized patient selection for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and large ischemic core (LIC) at baseline is an unmet need.We tested the hypothesis, that assessing the functional relevance of both the infarcted and hypo-perfused brain tissue, would improve the selection framework of patients with LIC for MT.MethodsMulticenter, retrospective, study of adult with LIC (ischemic core volume > 70ml on MR-DWI), with MRI perfusion, treated with MT or best medical management (BMM).Primary outcome was 3-month modified-Rankin-Scale (mRS), favourable if 0-3. Global and regional-eloquence-based core-perfusion mismatch ratios were derived. The predictive accuracy for clinical outcome of eloquent regions involvement was compared in multivariable and bootstrap-random-forest models.ResultsA total of 138 patients with baseline LIC were included (MT n=96 or BMM n=42; mean age±SD, 72.4±14.4years; 34.1% females; mRS=0-3: 45.1%). Mean core and critically-hypo-perfused volume were 100.4ml±36.3ml and 157.6±56.2ml respectively and did not differ between groups. Models considering the functional relevance of the infarct location showed a better accuracy for the prediction of mRS=0-3 with a c-Statistic of 0.76 and 0.83 for logistic regression model and bootstrap-random-forest testing sets respectively. In these models, the interaction between treatment effect of MT and the mismatch was significant (p=0.04). In comparison in the logistic regression model disregarding functional eloquence the c-Statistic was 0.67 and the interaction between MT and the mismatch was insignificant.ConclusionConsidering functional eloquence of hypo-perfused tissue in patients with a large infarct core at baseline allows for a more precise estimation of treatment expected benefit.

The benefits of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and a large ischemic core (LIC) at presentation are uncertain. We aimed to obtain up-to-date aggregate estimates of the outcomes following MT in patients with volumetrically assessed LIC. We conducted a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-conformed, PROSPERO-registered, systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that included patients with AIS and a baseline LIC treated with MT, reported ischemic core volume quantitatively, and included patients with a LIC defined as a core volume ≥50 mL. The search was restricted to studies published between January 2015 and June 2020. Random-effects-meta-analysis was used to assess the effect of MT on 90-day unfavorable outcome (i.e., modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 3–6), mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) occurrence. Sensitivity analyses were performed for imaging-modality (computed tomography-perfusion or magnetic resonance-diffusion weighted imaging) and LIC-definition (≥50 or ≥70 mL). We analyzed 10 studies (954 patients), including six (682 patients) with a control group, allowing to compare 332 patients with MT to 350 who received best-medical-management alone. Overall, after MT the rate of patients with mRS 3–6 at 90 days was 74% (99% confidence interval [CI], 67 to 84; Z-value=7.04; I2=92.3%) and the rate of 90-day mortality was 36% (99% CI, 33 to 40; Z-value=–7.07; I2=74.5). Receiving MT was associated with a significant decrease in mRS 3–6 odds ratio (OR) 0.19 (99% CI, 0.11 to 0.33; P<0.01; Z-value=–5.92; I2=62.56) and in mortality OR 0.60 (99% CI, 0.34 to 1.06; P=0.02; Z-value=–2.30; I2=58.72). Treatment group did not influence the proportion of patients experiencing sICH, OR 0.96 (99% CI, 0.2 to 1.49; P=0.54; Z-value=–0.63; I2=64.74). Neither imaging modality for core assessment, nor LIC definition influenced the aggregated outcomes. Using aggregate estimates, MT appeared to decrease the risk of unfavorable functional outcome in patients with a LIC assessed volumetrically at baseline.

BackgroundRecurrence following obliteration of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is common in children surgically treated, but recurrences following endovascular (EVT) and radiosurgical approaches are scantily reported.ObjectiveTo analyze the rates and risk factors for AVM recurrence after obliteration in a single-center cohort of children with ruptured AVMs treated with multimodal approaches, and to carry out a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of current data.MethodsChildren with ruptured AVMs between 2000 and 2019 enrolled in a prospective registry were retrospectively screened and included after angiographically determined obliteration to differentiate children with/without recurrence. A complementary systematic review and meta-analysis of studies investigating AVM recurrence in children between 2000 and 2020 was aggregated to explore the overall recurrence rates across treatment modalities by analyzing surgery versus other treatments.ResultsSeventy children with obliterated AVMs were included. AVM recurrences (n=10) were more commonly treated with EVT as final treatment (60% in the recurrence vs 13.3% in the no-recurrence group, p=0.018). Infratentorial locations were associated with earlier and more frequent recurrences (adjusted relative risk=4.62, 95% CI 1.08 to 19.04; p=0.04).In the aggregate analysis, the pooled rate of AVM recurrence was 10.9% (95% CI 8.7% to 13.5%). Younger age at presentation was associated with more frequent recurrences (RR per year increase, 0.97, 95% CI 0.93 to 0.99; p=0.046).ConclusionLocation of infratentorial AVMs and younger age at presentation may be associated with earlier and more frequent recurrences. The higher rates of recurrence in patients with AVMs obliterated with EVT questions its role in an intent-to-cure approach and reinforces its position as an adjunct to surgery and/or radiosurgery.