Non-contrast head CT alone for thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke: analysis of the ANGEL-ACT registry

Abstract

BackgroudThe goal of this study was to determine if the choice of imaging paradigm performed in the emergency department influences the procedural or clinical outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy (MT).MethodsThis is a retrospective comparative outcome study which was conducted from the ANGEL-ACT registry. Comparisons were made between baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing MT with non-contrast head computed tomography (NCHCT) alone versus patients undergoing NCHCT plus non-invasive vessel imaging (NVI) (including CT angiography (with or without CT perfusion) and magnetic resonance angiography). The primary outcome was the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days. Secondary outcomes included change in mRS score from baseline to 90 days, the proportions of mRS 0–1, 0–2, and 0–3, and dramatic clinical improvement at 24 hours. The safety outcomes were any intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), symptomatic ICH, and mortality within 90 days.ResultsA total of 894 patients met the inclusion criteria; 476 (53%) underwent NCHCT alone and 418 (47%) underwent NCHCT + NVI. In the NCHCT alone group, the door-to-reperfusion time was shorter by 47 min compared with the NCHCT + NVI group (219 vs 266 min, P<0.001). Patients in the NCHCT alone group showed a smaller increase in baseline mRS score at 90 days (median 3 vs 2 points; P=0.004) after adjustment. There were no significant differences between groups in the remaining clinical outcomes.ConclusionsIn patients selected for MT using NCHCT alone versus NCHCT + NVI, there were improved procedural outcomes and smaller increases in baseline mRS scores at 90 days.

Longitudinal Change of Serum Inter-<i>α</i>-Trypsin Inhibitor Heavy Chain H4 and its Relation with Inflammation, Disease Recurrence, and Mortality in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients

“…So far, even though AIS diagnosis (such as magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography) has made great progress, the exploration of potential biomarkers to reflect the disease risk of AIS is still imperative (Ren et al 2022;Yang et al 2022). Previous studies have reported that ITIH4 is dysregulated in cerebral-cardiovascular diseases.…”