Kobeissi, Hassan

Purpose Aneurysmal rupture and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) have an exceptionally high mortality and morbidity burden. The aim of this study was to develop interpretable machine learning models for predicting short-term poor outcomes defined by the National Inpatient Sample Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Outcome Measure (NIS-SOM). Methods The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was queried from 2008 to 2018 to identify patients diagnosed with SAH who had undergone endovascular coiling or clipping for intracranial aneurysm. Demographic, comorbidity, risk factor, and hospital characteristic variables were recorded. Variables were preprocessed, and the feature space was reduced to include the most important features. To predict poor outcomes, machine learning models were trained and cross-validated before being evaluated on a separate testing set. Shapley Additive exPlanations of the best performing model was used for general and local model interpretation. Results Among 18,149 admissions (mean age 55 ± 14 years, 68.8% women), 52.9% had a poor outcome. Test-set AUCs ranged 0.74–0.80; a multilayer perceptron performed best (AUC 0.80, precision 0.74, recall 0.82). SHAP ranked the ten most influential variables: age, neurological comorbidity, paralysis, Medicare insurance, smoking status, Elixhauser burden, fluid-electrolyte disorders, weight loss, arrhythmia, and heart failure. Conclusions The modeling predicted nationwide aSAH prognosis with decent accuracy and highlighted clinical, socioeconomic, and system-level drivers of determinants of poor short-term outcome. These results support the potential of explainable ML tools as complementary tools for early risk stratification, guiding resource allocation, and informing prospective multi-center validation and implementation studies.

Background Carotid artery tortuosity (CAT) may complicate mechanical thrombectomy (MT), potentially causing delays or preventing recanalization. However, the relationship between CAT and MT outcomes remains largely unexplored. This systematic review aims to evaluate the existing evidence regarding the impact of CAT on MT outcomes. Methods Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus databases. Studies providing data for MT outcomes based on CAT status were included. Outcomes of interest included successful recanalization, first-pass efficacy (FPE), procedure time, functional independence, and procedure-related complications. Results Our search identified nine studies with 2737 patients. Three studies employed DSA to assess tortuosity, whereas the remaining six studies preferred CTA. In seven studies, CAT was associated with prolonged procedure times. In five studies, successful recanalization rates were significantly lower in CAT patients as compared to patients with non-tortuous arteries. Two studies showed that CAT could alter FPE or successful recanalization rates of first-line MT techniques. No study found statistically significant relationships between CAT and functional independence. Three studies examined the association between CAT and safety outcomes, and only one study found increased intracranial hemorrhage rates in patients with CAT. All nine studies employed different CAT criteria. Conclusions Despite the vast MT literature, the number of studies reporting CAT status remains low. CAT may affect procedure time and technical outcomes of MT. Therefore, employing a uniform CAT definition and reporting CAT more frequently can provide insights into management of patients with acute large vessel occlusions.

Background The impact of certain comorbidities on mechanical thrombectomy (MT) outcomes remains largely unexplored. Diabetes mellitus (DM) and admission hyperglycemia have been associated with poor clinical outcomes for patients treated with MT. In this study, we sought to investigate the effects of DM and admission hyperglycemia on MT outcomes. Methods Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature search was conducted in Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Data regarding successful recanalization (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction [mTICI] ≥2b), functional independence (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0–2), excellent outcomes (mRS 0–1), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and mortality were extracted from the included studies. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random effects model. Results Twenty-one studies comprising 9708 patients were included. A total of 2311 patients (24%) had a history of DM, and 2026 patients (21%) had admission hyperglycemia. Admission hyperglycemia was associated with significantly lower odds of mTICI ≥2b (OR = 0.7, 95% CI = 0.55–0.89), mRS 0–2 (OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.41–0.53), and mRS 0–1 (OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.34–0.55) as compared to normoglycemic state. Patients with hyperglycemia had significantly higher rates of sICH (OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.66–2.54) and mortality (OR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.58–2.52) than normoglycemic patients. Diabetes mellitus was associated with significantly high rates of mortality (OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.31–2.3) and lower rates of mRS 0–2 (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.48–0.76) in sensitivity analyses. Conclusion Our results indicate that admission blood glucose levels and DM can negatively affect MT outcomes. Further research should focus on optimizing MT outcomes for these patients.

Background 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 (CIs). 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 hematoma or expansion of hematoma was 5.1% (2.9%–8.8%). Conclusions 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.

Background Many devices are used to perform mechanical thrombectomy in the setting of large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke. We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pRESET stent-retriever systems. Methods We conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Relevant studies up to March 2024 were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases. Results A total of 8 papers met the inclusion/exclusion criteria comprising a total of 1140 participants (average age 72.4 ± 11.9, female percentage (50%). Preintervention intravenous thrombolysis was utilized in 46.5% (range 32.9–65.4) of patients, with a median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale at presentation of 15 (range 0–38). The middle cerebral artery was the most commonly affected artery, with a prevalence of 76.4% (range 62.8–100). The pRESET stent-retriever systems demonstrated a first-passing effect rate of 53.4% [95% confidence interval [CI] 44.8; 61.7] and a final thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2b-3 grade rate of 90.41% [95% CI 82.13; 95.08]. Ninety-day modified Rankin Scale (0–2) rate was 42.2% [95% CI 27.6; 58.4], and 90-day mortality rate was 15.1% [95% CI 9.8; 22.6]. Postintervention hemorrhage occurred at a rate of 28.6% [CI 17.2; 43.6]. Conclusion Our systematic review and meta-analysis describes the efficacy of the pRESET stent retriever system in managing acute ischemic stroke patients. The pRESET device was found to have a similar safety and efficacy profile to other mechanical thrombectomy devices currently in use.

Background: Stroke guideline statements are important references for clinicians due to the rapidly evolving nature of treatments. Guideline statements should be informed by up-to-date systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) because they provide the highest level of evidence. To investigate the utilization of SRs/MAs in stroke management guidelines, we conducted a literature review of guidelines and extracted relevant information regarding SRs/MAs. Methods: A literature review was conducted in PubMed with supplementation using the Trip medical database with the term “stroke” as the target population, followed by using the filter “guidelines”. We extracted the number of included SRs/MAs, the years of publication, the country of origin, and other characteristics of interest. Descriptive statistics were generated using the R software version 4.2.1. Results: We included 27 guideline statements. The median number of overall SRs or MAs within the guidelines was 4.0 (interquartile range [IQR] = 2–9). For MAs only, the median number included in the guidelines was 3.0 (IQR = 2.0–5.5). Canadian guidelines had the oldest citations, with a median gap of 12.0 (IQR = 5.2–18.0) years for the oldest citation, followed by European (median = 12; IQR = 9.5–13.5) and US (median = 10.0; IQR = 5.2–16) guidelines. Conclusions: Stroke guideline writing groups and issuing bodies should devote greater effort to the inclusion of up-to-date SRs/MAs in their guideline statements so that clinicians can reference recent data with the highest level of evidence.

Background The flow diversion treatment of aneurysms located distal to the Circle of Willis has recently increased in frequency. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the clinical and radiological outcomes of flow diverter (FD) embolization in treating M1 aneurysms. Methods PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, and Scopus were searched up to May 2024 using the Nested Knowledge platform. We included studies assessing the long-term clinical and radiological outcomes for M1 aneurysms. Results of FDs classified as Pipeline Embolization Devices (PED) versus other types of FDs. Angiographic occlusion rates, ischemic and hemorrhagic complications, and favorable clinic outcomes were included. All data were analyzed using R software version 4.2.2. Results Thirteen studies with 112 total patients (58 patients for PED and 54 patients for other FD devices) were included in our meta-analysis. The overall adequate (complete + near-complete) occlusion rates were 85.1%. The complete occlusion rate was higher with PED than with other FD devices (72.9% PED and 41.6% for non-PED FDs, respectively, p -value <.01). The ischemic complications were 9.9% and 9.0% for the PED and non-PED groups, respectively ( p -value = .89). The overall modified Rankin Scale 0–2 was 100% for the non-PED and 97.1% for the PED group ( p -value = .51). In-stent stenosis rate was 7.5% for PED devices compared to 2.6% in the non-PED group ( p -value = .35). Conclusions This relatively small meta-analysis showed high rates of adequate and complete occlusion in FD treatment of M1 segment aneurysms, with favorable safety profiles. PEDs were associated with higher rates of complete aneurysm occlusion compared to other types of FDs.

Background Wide neck bifurcation aneurysms (WNBAs) are a subtype of aneurysms that are especially complex to treat. We aim to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize the available literature on the safety and efficacy of employing endovascular clip system (eCLIPs) in the treatment of WNBAs. Methods We report this study in accordance to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus were queried for this review. Screening and extraction were performed by at least two authors to ensure accuracy and completeness, and a senior author arbitrated any discrepancies. All data were analyzed using R software version 4.3.0. and random-effects model. Results Four studies were finally included, of which three were prospective and one was retrospective. Successful adjunctive coiling occurred in 91.38% (95% CI = 70.71–97.9) of cases and overall technical success was achieved in 88.61% (95 CI = 75.54–95.15) of cases. The pooled complete occlusion (Raymond-Roy Class I) was 50.65% (95% CI = 39.63–61.60) and adequate occlusion (Raymond-Roy Class I/II) was 84.42% (95% CI = 74.53–90.93). Thrombo-embolic complication had a pooled rate of 1.22% (95% CI = 0.17–8.15), retreatment rate was 6.10% (95% CI = 2.56–13.83), and mortality reported in 3.66% (95% CI = 1.18–10.74) of patients. Conclusion The use of eCLIPs may be a safe and efficacious treatment for WNBAs. Future randomized controlled trials are needed for further validation of the findings.

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.