Citations

OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to investigate the impact of antiplatelet administration in the periprocedural period on the occurrence of thromboembolic complications (TECs) in patients undergoing treatment using the Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device for intracranial wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms. The primary objective was to assess whether the use of antiplatelets in the pre- and postprocedural phases reduces the likelihood of developing TECs, considering various covariates. METHODS A retrospective multicenter observational study was conducted within the WorldWideWEB Consortium and comprised 38 academic centers with endovascular treatment capabilities. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between antiplatelet use and TECs, adjusting for covariates. Missing predictor data were addressed using multiple imputation. RESULTS The study comprised two cohorts: one addressing general thromboembolic events and consisting of 1412 patients, among whom 103 experienced TECs, and another focusing on symptomatic thromboembolic events and comprising 1395 patients, of whom 50 experienced symptomatic TECs. Preprocedural antiplatelet use was associated with a reduced likelihood of overall TECs (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.19–0.53, p < 0.001) and symptomatic TECs (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.25–0.95, p = 0.036), whereas postprocedural antiplatelet use showed no significant association with TECs. The study also revealed additional predictors of TECs, including stent use (overall: OR 4.96, 95% CI 2.38–10.3, p < 0.001; symptomatic: OR 3.24, 95% CI 1.26–8.36, p = 0.015), WEB single-layer sphere (SLS) type (overall: OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.04–0.74, p = 0.017), and posterior circulation aneurysm location (symptomatic: OR 18.43, 95% CI 1.48–230, p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study suggest that the preprocedural administration of antiplatelets is associated with a reduced likelihood of TECs in patients undergoing treatment with the WEB device for wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms. However, postprocedural antiplatelet use did not show a significant impact on TEC occurrence.

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 Percutaneous cement discoplasty (PCD) is a minimally invasive procedure. We aim to explore the efficacy and indication(s) of PCD in patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD). Methods The search was conducted across Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, and PubMed. Data on study design, patient demographics, pre- and post-procedure Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, and complications were extracted. Inclusion criteria focused on adult patients with degenerative spinal diseases treated with cement discoplasty. The overall effect size was evaluated using a forest plot, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2 statistic and chi-squared test. Results The search strategy yielded six studies, which included 336 patients (73.8% female, 26.2% male) with a mean average age of 74.6 years. VAS scores were reported in all studies, showing a significant difference between pre- and post-PCD pain scores (Weighted Mean Difference [WMD]: -3.45; 95% CI: -3.83, -3.08; I 2 = 15%; P < .001). ODI scores were reported in 83% of studies, with a significant difference between pre- and post-PCD scores (WMD: -22.22; 95% CI: -25.54, -18.89; I 2 = 61%; p < .001). Complications reported included infections, thrombophlebitis, vertebral fractures, disc extrusion, and the need for further operations. Conclusions The analysis showed clinically significant improvements in pain and functional disability based on VAS and ODI scores. However, due to methodological limitations and a high risk of bias, the validity and generalizability of the findings are uncertain. Despite these issues, the results provide preliminary insights into PCD's potential efficacy and can guide future research to address current limitations.

Abstract Introduction: First pass effect (FPE), achievement of complete recanalization (mTICI 2c/3) with a single pass, is a significant predictor of favorable outcomes for endovascular treatment (EVT) in large vessel occlusion stroke (LVO). However, data concerning the impact on functional outcomes and predictors of FPE in medium vessel occlusions (MeVO) are scarce. Patients and Methods: We conducted an international retrospective study on MeVO cases. Multivariable logistic modeling was used to establish independent predictors of FPE. Clinical and safety outcomes were compared between the two study groups (FPE vs non-FPE) using logistic regression models. Good outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale 0–2 at 3 months. Results: Eight hundred thirty-six patients with a final mTICI ⩾ 2b were included in this analysis. FPE was observed in 302 patients (36.1%). In multivariable analysis, hypertension (aOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.10–2.20) and lower baseline NIHSS score (aOR 0.95, 95% CI 0.93–0.97) were independently associated with an FPE. Good outcomes were more common in the FPE versus non-FPE group (72.8% vs 52.8%), and FPE was independently associated with favorable outcome (aOR 2.20, 95% CI 1.59–3.05). 90-day mortality and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) were significantly lower in the FPE group, 0.43 (95% CI, 0.25–0.72) and 0.55 (95% CI, 0.39–0.77), respectively. Conclusion: Over 2/3 of patients with MeVOs and FPE in our cohort had a favorable outcome at 90 days. FPE is independently associated with favorable outcomes, it may reduce the risk of any intracranial hemorrhage, and 3-month mortality.

Background For acute proximal intracranial artery occlusions, contact aspiration may be more effective than stent‐retriever for first‐line reperfusion therapy. Due to the lack of data regarding medium vessel occlusion thrombectomy, we evaluated outcomes according to first‐line technique in a large, multicenter registry. Methods Imaging, procedural, and clinical outcomes of patients with acute proximal medium vessel occlusions (M2, A1, or P1) or distal medium vessel occlusions (M3, A2, P2, or further) treated at 37 sites in 10 countries were analyzed according to first‐line endovascular technique (stent‐retriever versus aspiration). Multivariable logistic regression and propensity‐score matching were used to estimate the odds of the primary outcome, expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score of 2b–3 (“successful recanalization”), as well as secondary outcomes (first‐pass effect, expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2c‐3, intracerebral hemorrhage, and 90‐day modified Rankin scale, 90‐day mortality) between treatment groups. Results Of the 440 included patients (44.5% stent‐retriever versus 55.5% aspiration), those treated with stent‐retriever had lower baseline Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Scale scores (median 8 versus 9; P <0.01), higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores (median 13 versus 11; P =0.02), and nonsignificantly fewer medium‐distal occlusions (M3, A2, P2, or other: 17.4% versus 23.8%; P =0.10). Use of a stent‐retriever was associated with 15% lower odds of successful recanalization (odds ratio [OR], 0.85; [95% CI 0.74–0.98]; P =0.02), but this was not significant after multivariable adjustment in the total cohort (adjusted OR, 0.88; [95% CI 0.72–1.09]; P =0.24), or in the propensity‐score matched cohort (n=105 in each group) (adjusted OR, 0.94; [95% CI 0.75–1.18]; P =0.60). There was no significant association between technique and secondary outcomes in the propensity‐score matched adjusted models. Conclusion In this large, diverse, multinational medium vessel occlusion cohort, we found no significant difference in imaging or clinical outcomes with aspiration versus stent‐retriever thrombectomy.

Background Intra-procedural characterization of stroke thromboemboli might guide mechanical thrombectomy (MT) device choice to improve recanalization rates. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been used to characterize various biological tissues in real time but has not been used in thrombus. Objective To perform a feasibility study of EIS analysis of thrombi retrieved by MT to evaluate: (1) the ability of EIS and machine learning to predict red blood cell (RBC) percentage content of thrombi and (2) to classify the thrombi as “RBC-rich” or “RBC-poor” based on a range of cutoff values of RBC. Methods ClotbasePilot was a multicentric, international, prospective feasibility study. Retrieved thrombi underwent histological analysis to identify proportions of RBC and other components. EIS results were analyzed with machine learning. Linear regression was used to evaluate the correlation between the histology and EIS. Sensitivity and specificity of the model to classify the thrombus as RBC-rich or RBC-poor were also evaluated. Results Among 514 MT,179 thrombi were included for EIS and histological analysis. The mean composition in RBC of the thrombi was 36% ± 24. Good correlation between the impedance-based prediction and histology was achieved (slope of 0.9, R 2 = 0.53, Pearson coefficient = 0.72). Depending on the chosen cutoff, ranging from 20 to 60% of RBC, the calculated sensitivity for classification of thrombi ranged from 77 to 85% and the specificity from 72 to 88%. Conclusion Combination of EIS and machine learning can reliably predict the RBC composition of retrieved ex vivo AIS thrombi and then classify them into groups according to their RBC composition with good sensitivity and specificity.