Al‐Mufti, Fawaz

Introduction Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is known to be associated with high rates of mortality and lifelong disability. In the past few years, two clinical trials (the BEST and the BASICS trials) investigated the benefits and safety of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for BAO and did not provide evidence to support the efficacy of MT in BAO patients. Given the recent positive results from the ATTENTION and the BAOCHE clinical trials, we conducted this meta‐analysis to provide updated collective evidence regarding the benefits of MT in patients with BAO. Methods We searched for eligible papers till June 1st, 2021, in five databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases using keywords and/or medical subject (MeSH) terms. We included all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with no restrictions on publication date, data, or language of the included studies to avoid missing any relevant papers. All data were analyzed using R software. We computed the pooled risk ratios (RRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), using a random‐effect model or fixed‐effect model depending on heterogeneity among the included studies. Heterogeneity was assessed with Q statistics and the I2 test considering it significant with I2 value > 50% or P‐value < 0.05. Results Four trials were included in this meta‐analysis, namely the BEST, the BASICS, the BAOCHE, and the ATTENTION trials. The four trials recruited a total of 988 patients. The MT group achieved a significantly higher rate of modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of 0–3 was as compared to the best medical treatment (BMT) one (RR = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.16‐2.04; P‐value = 0.002). Similarly, the mRS 0–2 rate was significantly higher in the MT group as compared to the BMT group (RR = 1.79; 95% CI = 1.09‐2.95; P‐value = 0.022). Nevertheless, heterogeneity was noticed amongst the included studies. Moreover, there was a significant reduction in the 90‐day mortality in the MT group as compared to the BMT group (RR = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.65‐0.89; P‐value = 0.002). On the other hand, there was a significantly higher rate of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) in the MT group compared to the BMT group (RR = 7.48; 95% CI = 2.27‐24.61; P‐value< 0.001). There with no heterogeneity observed in both outcomes of mortality and sICH. Noted that there were no significant differences in overall parenchymal hemorrhage (PH) and type I PH rates, yet type II PH was more prevalent in the MT group compared to the BMT one (RR = 5.53; 95% CI = 1.47‐20.84; P‐value = 0.011). Conclusions The current evidence favors MT for basilar artery occlusions over the conservative approach in terms of achieving higher rates of good functional outcomes and decreasing mortality rates. Further large‐scale trials of different populations are needed to corroborate these results and also to ensure generalizability.

Introduction Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is the gold standard for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). Although >70% of patients in the randomized clinical trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of MT for AIS‐LVO had successful recanalization, only up to 27% were free of disability according to the 90‐day modified Rankin scale (mRS) score. It is suggested that microcirculation disruption distal to the LVO might contribute to futile recanalization. Hence, combining intra‐arterial (IA) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) with MT was investigated in a few studies in an attempt to reduce the burden of distal microthrombi and microcirculation disruption. We conducted this meta‐analysis to provide collective evidence in this regard. Methods We performed this meta‐analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analyses statement recommendations. We aimed to include all original studies investigating the benefits of IA tPA in AIS patients undergoing MT.All screening and extraction stages were conducted by two authors, with a third author resolving any conflicts. Using R software, we calculated pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). A fixed‐effect model was adopted to pool all data due to the absence of significant heterogeneity among the included studies. Heterogeneity was assessed using Q statistics and the I2test, where I2> 50% or P‐value < 0.05 were considered significant. Results Following the database search, a manual search of references, and different screening phases, we included 5 studies (2,686 patients) satisfying the predefined inclusion criteria. Successful recanalization rates were comparable between both groups. The 90‐day functional independence was reported in 4 studies (2,474 patients), with comparable rates between both groups (OR = 1.25; 95%CI = 0.92‐1.70; P‐value = 0.154). Mortality was reported in 3 studies (368 patients), with comparable rates between both groups (OR = 0.73; 95%CI = 0.44‐1.23; P‐value = 0.240). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) was reported in 5 studies (2,678 patients) with no significant difference between the two groups (OR = 0.66; 95%CI = 0.34‐1.26; P‐value = 0.304). Conclusions The current evidence does not show any significant differences between MT alone versus MT plus IA tPA in terms of 90‐day functional independence, mortality, and sICH. With the limited number of studies and included patients, more studies are needed to investigate the benefits and safety of the combined MT and IA tPA.

Background Funding may impact the quality and findings of systematic reviews (SRs). We aimed to compare the methodological quality of funded and non-funded SRs that investigated the outcomes in ischemic stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. Methods We conducted a comprehensive search strategy in different databases, including Ovid Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid Embase, Ovid Medline (including epub ahead of print, in-process & other non-indexed citations), PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection to retrieve all relevant SRs. Random sequence generation matched each funded SR with a non-funded one. A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR)-2 tool was used to assess the bias and quality of the included SRs. We also used uni- and multivariate analysis to perform our analysis, and results were expressed in odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results We retrieved 150 articles, which were randomized and matched into 100 SRs, including 50 funded and 50 non-funded studies. By multivariate analysis, we found that including randomized clinical trials (RCTs) (OR: 5.7; 95% CI: 1.8–17.8; p = 0.003) and reporting conflict of interests (OR: 5.2; 95 CI: 1.1–24; p = 0.036) were the only significant differences between funded and non-funded SRs. No significant differences were found regarding the overall confidence for low-quality (OR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.09–3.2; p = 0.49) and moderate/high-quality SRs (OR: 0.17; 95% CI: 0.02–1.87; p = 0.14). Conclusion Funded studies tend to include RCTs more often and report conflict of interests with no significant impact on overall confidence.

ObjectiveTo evaluate clinical outcomes of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) using population‐level data from the United States.MethodsWeighted discharge data from the National Inpatient Sample were queried to identify adult patients with acute BAO during the period of 2015 to 2019 treated with EVT or medical management only. Complex samples statistical methods and propensity‐score adjustment using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were performed to assess clinical endpoints.ResultsAmong 3,950 BAO patients identified, 1,425 (36.1%) were treated with EVT [mean age 66.7 years, median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score 22]. On unadjusted analysis, 155 (10.9%) EVT patients achieved favorable functional outcomes (discharge disposition to home without services), while 515 (36.1%) experienced in‐hospital mortality, and 20 (1.4%) developed symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Following propensity‐score adjustment by IPTW accounting for age, stroke severity, and comorbidity burden, EVT was independently associated with favorable functional outcome [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07, 1.46; p = 0.004], but not with in‐hospital mortality or sICH. In an IPTW‐adjusted sub‐group analysis of patients with NIHSS scores >20, EVT was associated with both favorable functional outcome (discharge disposition to home or to acute rehabilitation) (aOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.24, 1.94; p < 0.001) and decreased mortality (aOR 0.78, 95% CI 0.69, 0.89; p < 0.001), but not with sICH.InterpretationThis retrospective population‐based analysis using a large national registry provides real‐world evidence of a potential benefit of EVT in acute BAO patients. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:55–60

Background: Despite the well-established potent benefit of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke, access to MT has not been studied globally. We conducted a worldwide survey of countries on 6 continents to define MT access (MTA), the disparities in MTA, and its determinants on a global scale. Methods: Our survey was conducted in 75 countries through the Mission Thrombectomy 2020+ global network between November 22, 2020, and February 28, 2021. The primary end points were the current annual MTA, MT operator availability, and MT center availability. MTA was defined as the estimated proportion of patients with LVO receiving MT in a given region annually. The availability metrics were defined as ([current MT operators×50/current annual number of estimated thrombectomy-eligible LVOs]×100 = MT operator availability) and ([current MT centers×150/current annual number of estimated thrombectomy-eligible LVOs]×100= MT center availability). The metrics used optimal MT volume per operator as 50 and an optimal MT volume per center as 150. Multivariable-adjusted generalized linear models were used to evaluate factors associated with MTA. Results: We received 887 responses from 67 countries. The median global MTA was 2.79% (interquartile range, 0.70–11.74). MTA was <1.0% for 18 (27%) countries and 0 for 7 (10%) countries. There was a 460-fold disparity between the highest and lowest nonzero MTA regions and low-income countries had 88% lower MTA compared with high-income countries. The global MT operator availability was 16.5% of optimal and the MT center availability was 20.8% of optimal. On multivariable regression, country income level (low or lower–middle versus high: odds ratio, 0.08 [95% CI, 0.04–0.12]), MT operator availability (odds ratio, 3.35 [95% CI, 2.07–5.42]), MT center availability (odds ratio, 2.86 [95% CI, 1.84–4.48]), and presence of prehospital acute stroke bypass protocol (odds ratio, 4.00 [95% CI, 1.70–9.42]) were significantly associated with increased odds of MTA. Conclusions: Access to MT on a global level is extremely low, with enormous disparities between countries by income level. The significant determinants of MT access are the country’s per capita gross national income, prehospital LVO triage policy, and MT operator and center availability.

Introduction : Fetal posterior cerebral artery (FPCA) occlusion is a rare but potentially disabling cause of stroke. While endovascular treatment is established for acute large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke, FPCA occlusions were excluded from acute ischemic stroke trials. We aim to report the feasibility, safety and outcome of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute FPCA occlusions. Methods : We performed a multi‐center retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent MT of acute FPCA occlusion. Primary FPCA occlusion was defined as an occlusion that was identified on the pre‐procedure CT angiogram or baseline angiogram whereas a secondary FPCA occlusion was defined as an occlusion that occurred secondary to embolization to a new territory after recanalization of a different LVO. Demographics, clinical presentation, imaging findings, endovascular treatment and outcome were reviewed. Results : There were twenty‐five patients with acute FPCA occlusion who underwent MT, distributed across 14 centers. Median NIHSS on presentation was 16. There were 76% (19/25) of patients who presented with primary FPCA occlusion and 24% (6/25) of patients who had a secondary FPCA occlusion. The configuration of the FPCA was full in 64% patients and partial or “fetal‐type” in 36% of patients. FPCA occlusion was missed on initial CTA in 21% of patients with primary FPCA occlusion (4/19). The site of occlusion was posterior communicating artery in 52%, P2 segment in 40% and P3 in 8% of patients. TICI 2b/3 reperfusion was achieved in 96% of FPCA patients. There were no intra‐procedural complications. At 90 days, 48% (12/25) were functionally independent as defined by mRS≤2. Conclusions : Endovascular treatment of acute FPCA occlusion is safe and technically feasible. A high index of suspicion is important to detect occlusion of the fetal posterior cerebral artery in patients presenting with anterior circulation stroke syndrome and patent anterior circulation.

Background Fetal posterior cerebral artery (FPCA) occlusion is a rare but potentially disabling cause of stroke. While endovascular treatment is established for acute large vessel occlusion stroke, FPCA occlusions were excluded from acute ischemic stroke trials. We aim to report the feasibility, safety, and outcome of mechanical thrombectomy in acute FPCA occlusions. Methods We performed a multicenter retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy of acute FPCA occlusion. Primary FPCA occlusion was defined as an occlusion that was identified on the pre‐procedure computed tomography angiography or baseline angiogram whereas a secondary FPCA occlusion was defined as an occlusion that occurred secondary to embolization to a new territory after recanalization of a different large vessel occlusion. Demographics, clinical presentation, imaging findings, endovascular treatment, and outcome were reviewed. Results There were 25 patients with acute FPCA occlusion who underwent mechanical thrombectomy, distributed across 14 centers. Median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale on presentation was 16. There were 76% (19/25) of patients who presented with primary FPCA occlusion and 24% (6/25) of patients who had a secondary FPCA occlusion. The configuration of the FPCA was full in 64% patients and partial or “fetal‐type” in 36% of patients. FPCA occlusion was missed on initial computed tomography angiography in 21% of patients with primary FPCA occlusion (4/19). The site of occlusion was posterior communicating artery in 52%, P2 segment in 40% and P3 in 8% of patients. Thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2b/3 reperfusion was achieved in 96% of FPCA patients. There were no intraprocedural complications. At 90 days, 48% (12/25) were functionally independent as defined by modified Rankin scale≤2. Conclusions Endovascular treatment of acute FPCA occlusion is safe and technically feasible. A high index of suspicion is important to detect occlusion of the FPCA in patients presenting with anterior circulation stroke syndrome and patent anterior circulation. Novelty and significance This is the first multicenter study showing that thrombectomy of FPCA occlusion is feasible and safe.