Albaramony, N.

Abstract Objective Shunt-dependent hydrocephalus is a common and costly complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), affecting up to 28% of survivors. Existing prediction tools, including the Chronic Hydrocephalus Ensuing from SAH Score (CHESS), have limited discriminative accuracy. We developed the CHECKMATE score, a clinically practical tool to improve prediction of ventriculoperitoneal shunt dependency after aSAH. Methods In this multicenter retrospective cohort of 486 patients with aSAH from Mayo Clinic (January 1, 2006-December 31, 2021), we used multivariable logistic regression and machine learning to identify independent predictors of ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. The CHECKMATE score was derived from 5 weighted variables: symptomatic hydrocephalus (10 points), intraventricular hemorrhage (5 points), SAH volume greater than 10 mL (3 points), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio greater than 12 (2 points), and 10-year incremental age thresholds starting at older than 60 years (1 point each). Results Of 486 patients (mean age, 56.3 years; 64.6% female), 137 (28.2%) required ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. The CHECKMATE score achieved an area under the curve of 0.808 (compared to 0.737 for CHESS), with a sensitivity of 0.85, specificity of 0.67, and negative predictive value of 0.92 at the optimal cutoff of 14 points. Conclusions The CHECKMATE score outperforms CHESS for predicting ventriculoperitoneal shunt dependency after aSAH and is easily used at the bedside. Its high negative predictive value helps identify low-risk patients who may benefit from earlier external ventricular drain weaning and shorter hospital stays.

Introduction Intravenous thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and endovascular therapy (ET) represent the cornerstone of modern stroke management. Despite advancements in these therapies, a subset of patients fails to achieve optimal recanalization (TICI 2b‐3), which is associated with poor functional outcomes and higher mortality rates. As a result, there has been growing interest in adjunctive pharmacologic interventions that could enhance the efficacy of ET. The efficacy and safety of tirofiban as an adjunct to ET have not been conclusively established, with existing studies yielding inconsistent results. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of tirofiban in patients undergoing thrombectomy. A comprehensive search was carried out across PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for studies published through August 2024. For each outcome, odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, and heterogeneity was evaluated using the I² statistic. Statistical analyses were performed using R. Results The meta‐analysis included 21 studies evaluating the effect of tirofiban plus ET on successful recanalization (TICI 2b‐3), showing a significant benefit with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.41 (95% CI 1.21‐1.65, p < 0.01), with low heterogeneity (I² = 25%). For excellent functional recovery (mRS 0‐1), 14 studies were analyzed, demonstrating a significant improvement with an OR of 1.17 (95% CI 1.03‐1.34, p = 0.02), and moderate heterogeneity (I² = 37%). In assessing good functional recovery (mRS 0‐2), 25 studies were pooled, and showed a significant effect of tirofiban plus ET with an OR of 1.30 (95% CI 1.19‐1.44, p < 0.01), with low heterogeneity (I² = 24%). Mortality outcomes across multiple studies revealed a significant reduction in mortality (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.59‐0.84, p < 0.01), with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 44%). Lastly, for symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), no significant difference was observed (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.75‐1.04, p = 0.14), and heterogeneity was low (I² = 12%). Conclusion In conclusion, the meta‐analysis demonstrates that the addition of tirofiban to Endovascular Therapy (ET) significantly improves successful recanalization and functional recovery (mRS 0‐1 and mRS 0‐2) while reducing mortality, with low to moderate heterogeneity across the included studies. However, no significant difference in the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) was observed. These findings suggest that Tirofiban plus ET may enhance clinical outcomes in patients undergoing treatment for acute ischemic stroke.