Ghozy, Sherief

OBJECTIVE Treatment of intracranial aneurysms by flow diversion is safe and effective and is increasingly popular. However, the correct treatment paradigm for aneurysms incompletely treated by initial placement of a flow diverter has not been established, nor have the subsequent natural history and occlusion rates of such aneurysms. The authors sought to outline the natural history of such aneurysms, which to date have been considered partially treated. METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed consecutive cases from 6 high-volume neurointerventional services, including all cases in which the first follow-up imaging after placement of a flow diverter showed incomplete occlusion of the aneurysm, and for which subsequent clinical and/or radiological follow-up was available. All included patients were treated with the Pipeline Flex embolization device or the Pipeline Flex embolization device with Shield Technology. Subsequent radiographic and clinical outcome data were collected and analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier survival function. RESULTS A total of 263 patients with persistently patent aneurysms on first follow-up imaging after flow diversion were identified. Of these, 204 had clinical follow-up and 152 had additional imaging follow-up. Of this final cohort, 148 aneurysms were unruptured, and 4 were ruptured. The average aneurysm size by maximum dimension was 10.8 mm. The average recorded follow-up was 27.8 months in the cohort, with some patients followed for as long as 9 years from treatment. Over the course of 403 person-years of follow-up, no delayed aneurysm ruptures were recorded. Both with and without retreatment, aneurysms showed a trend toward progressive occlusion over time. Complications related to device placement were low. CONCLUSIONS Aneurysms that have been incompletely treated by flow diversion have a benign natural history with progression toward occlusion over time, with or without retreatment.

Introduction Neurointervention has become one of the most competitive specialties in the United States due to the limited number of training spots, and a larger pool of applicants from different backgrounds: neurosurgery, neurology, and radiology. The training standards are continuously updated to ensure solid learning experiences, which ultimately factors in better outcomes and fewer complications. There is a move towards a structured competency assessment of training requirements via collaboration among several professional societies. However, the substantial drivers of candidate selection by program directors (PDs) have not been fully established yet. The goal of our study is to investigate the factors influencing the selection of fellowship candidates. Methods We distributed a 52‐question electronic survey via REDCap to 93 PDs. The questionnaire was divided into 5 categories: program characteristics; candidate demographics; educational credentials; personal traits; and research and extracurricular activities. The PDs were then asked to rank 5 pre‐selected factors from across all 5 categories. Each category included a subset of multiple‐choice questions to be graded as indicated for each category. Characteristics for these categories were scored from a range of 1 through 10 and means with standard deviations (SD) were calculated for each characteristic. Results Of the 93 PDs surveyed, 55 PDs filled the survey with a response rate of 59.1%. As per the programs’ characteristics, Neurosurgery was the most involved specialty in running the training programs (69.1%), followed by neurology (38.2%), and radiology (30.9%). Most programs were based in academic hospitals (87.3%, n=48/55). The most important criterion for candidate’s demographic characteristics was the need for visa sponsorship, followed by career gap and number of years from graduation from residency program, as summarized in Figure 1A. The most important criteria for educational credentials were being a graduate from a neurosurgical residency program (5.4 ± 2.9), and the institution where the candidate’s residency training is/was based (5.4 ± 2.5). Regarding the candidate’s personal traits, assessment by faculty members at the interview had the highest score (8.9 ± 1). In terms of research and extracurricular activities, fluency in English had the highest score (7.2 ± 1.9), followed by the number of peer‐reviewed/PubMed‐indexed publications (6.4 ± 2.2). Ranking of a final set of 5 characteristics from across all categories is summarized in Figure 1B, with knowledge of the candidate being the single most important contributing factor. Conclusion Neurointerventional training is open to candidates in neurosurgery, neurology, and radiology. To our knowledge, our survey is the first to investigate the factors that might be implicated in the final decision made by PDs when choosing the future neurointerventional trainee, including demographic, educational, research and extracurricular activities.

Introduction Efficacy and safety of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is still debatable. However, IVT's efficacy on stent retriever (SR) and aspiration thrombectomy (ASP) outcomes specifically remain unclear. In our meta‐analysis, we aimed to explore the effects of IVT on SR and ASP thrombectomy outcomes. Methods A systematic literature review was steered using Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Center of Clinical Trials databases, according to PRISMA guidelines. Outcomes of interest included successful recanalization (modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) ≥2b), functional independence (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤2), modified first pass efficacy (mFPE), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and embolization to new territories (ENT). Results We included four randomized controlled trials with 1176 patients. SR and ASP had similar mTICI ≥2b, mFPE, and mRS 0‐2 rates whether they received IVT or not. SR without IVT was associated with a lower rate of mFPE compared with the SR+IVT (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.97). Additionally, ASP without IVT resulted in a lower rate of mRS 0‐2 than the ASP+IVT (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.01). Finally, bridging therapy did not increase sICH and ENT rates after ASP or SR thrombectomy. Conclusion Our analysis suggests that SR and ASP thrombectomy have equivalent efficacy and safety outcomes regardless of prior IVT administration. Moreover, our results indicate that administration of IVT before MT may improve certain outcomes based on the used first‐line MT technique.

Introduction Background: The Woven Endo‐Bridge (WEB) device is an intrasaccular device being used to secure intracranial aneurysms through the endovascular approach. The WEB is commonly used for wide‐neck aneurysms. There are no comprehensive studies to assess the low‐profile device WEB 17 so far. Although, some single studies have reported their early experience using the device. We plan to provide a comprehensive assessment of the early center experience using the WEB 17 device to secure intracranial aneurysms. Objective: To provide an overview of the early‐center experience of the 0.017‐inch endovascular Woven EndoBridge device (WEB‐17) device. Methods A systematic review and meta‐analysis were conducted following the PRISMA recommendations. On April 15, 2023, we searched for eligible papers in Pubmed, Web of Science (ISI), Scopus, and Embase databases. The meta‐analysis was done using R software version 4.3.0. and the "meta" package. Pooled prevalence (%) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), random‐effects model based and the generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) method. On the presence of multiple follow‐up points, we included the last available in the analysis. Complete occlusion was defined as Raymond–Roy occlusion classification (RROC) class I, and adequate occlusion was defined as RROC class I or II. Results Seven studies were finally included following the double‐reviewer screening of the retrieved literature. The patients' mean age ranged from 52.5±13.8 to 62.0±9.5 years, and 71.0% were females. The mean follow‐up duration ranged from 6±2.25 months to 11.6±4. Technical success was achieved in 98.34% (95% CI= 96.72‐99.17) of the cases, while adjunctive devices were used in 4.97% (95% CI= 1.60‐14.39) of them (Figure 1). The complete occlusion rate was 72.54% (95% CI= 63.44‐80.08) (Figure 2), while the adequate occlusion rate was 94.41 (95% CI= 88.17‐97.46) (Figure 3). There was no significant heterogeneity in all pooled outcomes. Conclusion The early experience of the device shows an efficacy profile comparable with the currently available devices in treating intracranial aneurysms.

Introduction Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) has traditionally been treated medically with systemic anticoagulation. Recent advances in endovascular therapy (EVT) may represent an alternative treatment to medical therapy for CSVT. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the use of EVT for CSVT. Methods We conducted a systematic literature review using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. We included studies that reported outcomes following EVT for CSVT. The primary outcome of interest was rate of modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0‐2. Secondary outcomes of interest were rates of complete, partial, and failed recanalization, mortality, and new or expansion of hematoma. We calculated pooled rates (%) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Thirty‐eight studies with 682 patients were included. Rate of mRS 0‐2 was 82.6% (95% CI, 75.3%‐88.0%). Rate of complete recanalization was 60.9% (95% CI, 49.1%‐71.5%), rate of partial recanalization was 34.2% (95% CI, 24.1%‐45.9%), and rate of failed recanalization was 5.4% (95% CI, 3.1%‐9.2%). Rate of mortality was 6.7% (95% CI, 4.1%‐10.8%) and rate of new or expansion of hematoma was 5.1% (2.9%‐8.8%). Conclusion In this systematic review and meta‐analysis, EVT for CSVT was associated with favorable rates of mRS 0‐2 and recanalization. Furthermore, EVT was associated with a promising safety profile. Future prospective, comparative studies are warranted to assess EVT for CSVT.

ImportanceStroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the US. Accurate and updated measures of stroke burden are needed to guide public health policies.ObjectiveTo present burden estimates of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in the US in 2019 and describe trends from 1990 to 2019 by age, sex, and geographic location.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsAn in-depth cross-sectional analysis of the 2019 Global Burden of Disease study was conducted. The setting included the time period of 1990 to 2019 in the US. The study encompassed estimates for various types of strokes, including all strokes, ischemic strokes, intracerebral hemorrhages (ICHs), and subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAHs). The 2019 Global Burden of Disease results were released on October 20, 2020.ExposuresIn this study, no particular exposure was specifically targeted.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary focus of this analysis centered on both overall and age-standardized estimates, stroke incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALYs per 100 000 individuals.ResultsIn 2019, the US recorded 7.09 million prevalent strokes (4.07 million women [57.4%]; 3.02 million men [42.6%]), with 5.87 million being ischemic strokes (82.7%). Prevalence also included 0.66 million ICHs and 0.85 million SAHs. Although the absolute numbers of stroke cases, mortality, and DALYs surged from 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized rates either declined or remained steady. Notably, hemorrhagic strokes manifested a substantial increase, especially in mortality, compared with ischemic strokes (incidence of ischemic stroke increased by 13% [95% uncertainty interval (UI), 14.2%-11.9%]; incidence of ICH increased by 39.8% [95% UI, 38.9%-39.7%]; incidence of SAH increased by 50.9% [95% UI, 49.2%-52.6%]). The downturn in stroke mortality plateaued in the recent decade. There was a discernible heterogeneity in stroke burden trends, with older adults (50-74 years) experiencing a decrease in incidence in coastal areas (decreases up to 3.9% in Vermont), in contrast to an uptick observed in younger demographics (15-49 years) in the South and Midwest US (with increases up to 8.4% in Minnesota).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this cross-sectional study, the declining age-standardized stroke rates over the past 3 decades suggest progress in managing stroke-related outcomes. However, the increasing absolute burden of stroke, coupled with a notable rise in hemorrhagic stroke, suggests an evolving and substantial public health challenge in the US. Moreover, the significant disparities in stroke burden trends across different age groups and geographic locations underscore the necessity for region- and demography-specific interventions and policies to effectively mitigate the multifaceted and escalating burden of stroke in the country.

Background Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is a safe and effective treatment option for acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion. To investigate differences in outcomes between patients receiving left-sided and right-sided MT, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods A systematic literature review was performed using Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Additional literature was searched for manually. Studies reporting safety and efficacy metrics for MT were included. Data regarding the modified Rankin scale (mRS), thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and 90-day mortality were included. A random-effects model was used to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs), mean differences (MDs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results The literature search yielded 13 reports consisting of 19 studies ranging from 98 to 5590 patients. Patients presenting with left-sided stroke had a National Institutes of health stroke scale score 2.89 greater than patients presenting with right-sided stroke (MD = 2.89; 95% CI = 2.09–3.68; P -value < 0.001). There were no differences between left-sided and right-sided MT patients for mRS 0–2 (OR = 0.94; 95% CI = 0.85–1.04; P -value = 0.224), TICI 2b–3 (OR = 1.05; 95% CI = 0.88–1.25; P -value = 0.598), sICH (OR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.61–1.14; P -value = 0.255), or 90-day mortality (OR = 1.06; 95% CI = 0.84–1.33; P -value = 0.610). Conclusions There does not appear to be a difference in outcomes for patients undergoing left-sided or right-sided thrombectomy.

Abstract Background: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has revolutionized the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion (LVO), but its efficacy and safety in medium vessel occlusion (MeVO) remain less explored. This multicenter, retrospective study aims to investigate the incidence and clinical outcomes of vessel perforations (confirmed by extravasation during an angiographic series) during MT for AIS caused by MeVO. Methods: Data were collected from 37 academic centers across North America, Asia, and Europe between September 2017 and July 2021. A total of 1373 AIS patients with MeVO underwent MT. Baseline characteristics, procedural details, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results: The incidence of vessel perforation was 4.8% (66/1373). Notably, our analysis indicates variations in perforation rates across different arterial segments: 8.9% in M3 segments, 4.3% in M2 segments, and 8.3% in A2 segments (p = 0.612). Patients with perforation had significantly worse outcomes, with lower rates of favorable angiographic outcomes (TICI 2c-3: 23% vs 58.9%, p &lt; 0.001; TICI 2b-3: 56.5% vs 88.3%, p &lt; 0.001). Functional outcomes were also worse in the perforation group (mRS 0–1 at 3 months: 22.7% vs 36.6%, p = 0.031; mRS 0–2 at 3 months: 28.8% vs 53.9%, p &lt; 0.001). Mortality was higher in the perforation group (30.3% vs 16.8%, p = 0.008). Conclusion: This study reveals that while the occurrence of vessel perforation in MT for AIS due to MeVO is relatively rare, it is associated with poor functional outcomes and higher mortality. The findings highlight the need for increased caution and specialized training in performing MT for MeVO. Further prospective research is required for risk mitigation strategies.

Background and importance Neurointervention is a very competitive specialty in the United States due to the limited number of training spots and the larger pool of applicants. The training standards are continuously updated to ensure solid training experiences. Factors affecting candidate(s) selection have not been fully established yet. Our study aims to investigate the factors influencing the selection process. Methods A 52-question survey was distributed to 93 program directors (PDs). The survey consisted of six categories: (a) Program characteristics, (b) Candidate demographics, (c) Educational credentials, (d) Personal traits, (e) Research and extracurricular activities, and (f) Overall final set of characteristics. The response rate was 59.1%. As per the programs’ characteristics, neurosurgery was the most involved specialty in running the training programs (69%). Regarding demographics, the need for visa sponsorship held the greatest prominence with a mean score of 5.9 [standard deviation (SD) 2.9]. For the educational credentials, being a graduate from a neurosurgical residency and the institution where the candidate's residency training is/was scored the highest [5.4 (SD = 2.9), 5.4 (SD = 2.5), respectively]. Regarding the personal traits, assessment by faculty members achieved the highest score [8.9 (SD = 1)]. In terms of research/extracurricular activities, fluency in English had the highest score [7.2 (SD = 1.9)] followed by peer-reviewed/PubMed-indexed publications [6.4 (SD = 2.2)]. Conclusion Our survey investigated the factors influencing the final decision when choosing the future neurointerventional trainee, including demographic, educational, research, and extracurricular activities, which might serve as valuable guidance for both applicants and programs to refine the selection process.

ImportanceEndovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large-vessel occlusion (LVO), but optimal post-EVT blood pressure (BP) control remains debated.ObjectiveTo assess the association of different systolic BP targets following EVT with functional outcomes, mortality, and complications in patients with AIS due to LVO.Data SourcesSystematic review and meta-analysis of databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) to September 8, 2023.Study SelectionInclusion criteria consisted of randomized clinical trials examining post-EVT management of systolic BP in patients with AIS and LVO comparing intensive vs conventional targets. Nonrandomized studies, observational studies, noninterventional trials, meeting abstracts, duplicate studies, studies with overlapping data, and non–English language studies were excluded. Two authors independently applied these criteria through a blinded review, with discrepancies resolved through consensus. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the revised tool for assessing risk of bias in randomized trials.Data Extraction and SynthesisThis study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline. Three authors extracted data regarding study characteristics, baseline patient data, and outcomes of interest. The pooled data were analyzed using a random-effects meta-analysis.Main Outcomes and MeasuresRates of functional independence, 90-day mortality, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and hypotensive events.ResultsA total of 4 randomized clinical trials with 1571 initially enrolled patients were included in the analysis. Lower functional independence rates were observed in the intensive control group (relative risk [RR], 0.81 [95% CI, 0.67-0.98]). No significant differences were found in 90-day mortality (RR, 1.18 [95% CI, 0.92-1.52]), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (RR, 1.12 [95% CI, 0.75-1.67]), or hypotensive events (RR, 1.80 [95% CI, 0.37-8.76]). There was minimal heterogeneity among the studies included in the functional independence outcome (I2 = 13% and τ2 = 0.003), which was absent among other outcomes (I2 = 0 and τ2 = 0).Conclusions and RelevanceThese findings suggest that intensive post-EVT BP reduction does not yield benefits and may carry risks. While awaiting the results of additional ongoing trials, a conservative BP management strategy after endovascular recanalization is favored in daily practice.