Background and Purpose-Acute rates of recanalization after intravenous (IV) recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in proximal vessel occlusion have been estimated sparingly, typically using transcranial Doppler (TCD). We aimed to study acute recanalization rates of IV rt-PA in CT angiogram-proven proximal (internal carotid artery [ICA], M1 middle cerebral artery [MCA], M2-MCA, and basilar artery) occlusions and their effects on outcome. Materials and Methods-The CT angiogram database of the Calgary stroke program was reviewed for the period 2002 to 2009. All patients with proximal vessel occlusions receiving IV rt-PA who were assessed for recanalization by TCD or angiogram (for acute endovascular treatment) were included for analysis. Rates of acute recanalization as observed on TCD/first run of angiogram and postendovascular therapy recanalization rates were noted. Modified Rankin Scale score Յ2 at 3 months was used as a good outcome. Results-Among 1341 patients in the CT angiogram database, 388 patients with proximal occlusion were identified. Of these, 216 patients had received IV rt-PA; 127 patients underwent further imaging to assess recanalization. Among the patients undergoing TCD (nϭ46) and cerebral angiogram (nϭ103), only 27 (21.25%) patients had acute recanalization. By occlusion subtype, the rates of recanalization were: distal ICA (with or without ICA neck occlusion or stenotic disease) 1 of 24 (4.4%); M1-MCA (with or without ICA neck occlusion or stenotic disease) 21 of 65 (32.3%); M2-MCA 4 of 13 (30.8%); and basilar artery 1 of 25 (4%). Onset to rt-PA time was comparable in patients with and without recanalization. Recanalization (PϽ0.0001; risk ratio, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-4.6) was the strongest predictor of outcome (adjusted for age and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score). Key Words: intracranial occlusion Ⅲ ischemic stroke Ⅲ recanalization Ⅲ thrombolysis I ntravenous (IV) recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) treatment for acute ischemic stroke 1,2 works by achieving recanalization of intracranial occlusion resulting in restoration of flow and prevention of infarct expansion. 3 Data on recanalization after IV thrombolysis are limited to small angiographic and transcranial Doppler (TCD) monitoring studies. 4 None of the major IV thrombolysis trials has assessed the baseline occlusion status or recanalization rates after treatment. In an era when there is increasing use of endovascular therapies for recanalization, in the absence of robust evidence from randomized controlled trials, there is a desperate need for clear data on the rates of recanalization with IV rt-PA. 5 The present study reports the rates of acute recanalization of proximal intracranial vessel occlusions identified by baseline CT angiography (CTA) among acute ischemic stroke patients treated with IV rt-PA. Conclusions- Patients and MethodsWe identified patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke secondary to major vessel occlusion from the CT Angiography database of the Calgary St...

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Background Among asymptomatic patients with severe carotid artery stenosis but no recent stroke or transient cerebral ischaemia, either carotid artery stenting (CAS) or carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can restore patency and reduce long-term stroke risks. However, from recent national registry data, each option causes about 1% procedural risk of disabling stroke or death. Comparison of their long-term protective effects requires large-scale randomised evidence.Methods ACST-2 is an international multicentre randomised trial of CAS versus CEA among asymptomatic patients with severe stenosis thought to require intervention, interpreted with all other relevant trials. Patients were eligible if they had severe unilateral or bilateral carotid artery stenosis and both doctor and patient agreed that a carotid procedure should be undertaken, but they were substantially uncertain which one to choose. Patients were randomly allocated to CAS or CEA and followed up at 1 month and then annually, for a mean 5 years. Procedural events were those within 30 days of the intervention. Intention-to-treat analyses are provided. Analyses including procedural hazards use tabular methods. Analyses and meta-analyses of non-procedural strokes use Kaplan-Meier and log-rank methods. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN21144362.

Background and Purpose-Randomized trials have demonstrated reduced morbidity and mortality with stroke unit care; however, the effect on length of stay, and hence the economic benefit, is less well-defined. In 2001, a multidisciplinary stroke unit was opened at our institution. We observed whether a stroke unit reduces length of stay and in-hospital case fatality when compared to admission to a general neurology/medical ward. Methods-A retrospective study of 2 cohorts in the Foothills Medical Center in Calgary was conducted using administrative databases. We compared a cohort of stroke patients managed on general neurology/medical wards before 2001, with a similar cohort of stroke patients managed on a stroke unit after 2003. The length of stay was dichotomized after being centered to 7 days and the Charlson Index was dichotomized for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare the length of stay and case fatality in 2 cohorts, adjusted for age, gender, and patient comorbid conditions defined by the Charlson Index. Results-Average length of stay for patients on a stroke unit (nϭ2461) was 15 days vs 19 days for patients managed on general neurology/medical wards (nϭ1567). The proportion of patients with length of stay Ͼ7 days on general neurology/medical wards was 53.8% vs 44.4% on the stroke unit (difference 9.4%; PϽ0.0001). The adjusted odds of a length of stay Ͼ7 days was reduced by 30% (PϽ0.0001) on a stroke unit compared to general neurology/medical wards. Overall in-hospital case fatality was reduced by 4.5% with stroke unit care. Conclusions-We observed a reduced length of stay and reduced in-hospital case-fatality in a stroke unit compared to general neurology/medical wards. (Stroke. 2009;40:18-23.)

Background and Purpose-Alberta Stroke Programme Early CT Score (ASPECTS) is widely used for assessment of early ischemic changes in acute stroke. We hypothesized that CT angiography source image (CTA-SI) ASPECTS correlates better with baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, final ASPECTS and neurological outcomes when compared with noncontrast CT ASPECTS. Methods-We studied patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke and identified proximal arterial occlusions (internal carotid artery, middle cerebral artery M1, and proximal middle cerebral artery M2) from the Calgary CT Angiography database. CT scans were independently read by 3 observers for baseline noncontrast CT ASPECTS, CT angiography source image ASPECTS, and follow-up ASPECTS. Details of demographics and risk factors were noted. A modified Rankin Scale score Յ2 at 3 months was considered a favorable outcome.