Citations

Purpose: Cervical artery dissection (CAD) represents a unique clinical entity with a high risk of ischemic stroke. Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) showed good efficacy in CAD management but are cumbersome to use with potentially higher bleeding rates. Novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC) are easier to use and may have similar effects but lower hemorrhagic risk. In this systematic review, we compare the efficacy of NOAC to VKA as a potential alternative treatment. Methods: The literature was searched on Pubmed, PMC, and Embase via API through the Nested Knowledge AutoLit software in February 2022 for studies evaluating both NOAC and VKA. Baseline characteristics, clinical and radiographic outcomes, and hemorrhagic and ischemic complications were collected for single and double-arm studies and analyzed using random-effect subgroup meta-analysis. Findings: Overall, 11 studies were included with 699 patients treated with VKA and 53 treated with NOAC (from three studies; two were head-to-head comparative studies). There was no statistical difference in the baseline characteristics of VKA and NOAC patients. The rates of TIA/stroke in VKA and NOAC groups were 12.3% (95% CI; 0%, 28.6%) and 5.7% (95% CI; 0%, 12.2%), respectively. Major bleeding or intracranial bleeding were comparable between groups. Lesions treated with VKA showed angiographic recanalization with a rate of 51.4% (95% CI; 35.6%, 67.1%) and for those treated with NOAC was 58.4% (95% CI; 23.9%, 93.9%). The rates of good clinical outcomes were 79.9% (95% CI; 67.6%, 92.2%) in the VKA group and 91.4% (95% CI; 78.1%, 100%) in NOAC. No statistical difference was noted among any of the outcomes between the two treatment groups. Discussion and conclusion: We highlighted comparable efficacy and safety of NOAC to VKA for stroke prevention in CAD. Further head-to-head studies are warranted to validate these results.

Introduction SOFIA catheter is a relatively new and recently FDA-approved aspiration catheter. This systematic review aims to investigate the safety and efficacy of SOFIA catheter for treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) via ADAPT and Solumbra techniques. Methods Search of all studies evaluating the SOFIA catheter for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for treatment of AIS via ADAPT and Solumbra techniques from inception through 2020 on Pubmed, PMC, and Embase was performed. We analyzed the angiographic and clinical outcomes of both techniques with SOFIA catheter using the random-effects model. Results From 18 studies, 1836 patients were included with 1365 receiving MT using ADAPT and 471 with solumbra technique. The mean age was 69.8 years and 51.1% of the patients were women. The rate of rescue therapy was 30%. The outcomes rates of ADAPT group were as follows; mFPE (59.3%), FPE (34.4%) final TICI 2b/3 (89.3%), procedural complications (8%), embolization to new territory (ENT) (2.3%), symptomatic ICH (5.4%), mean NIHSS (8.97), 90-day-mRS 0–2 (48.8%), and mortality (15.3%). The outcomes rates of Solumbra group were as follows; mFPE (60.5%), FPE (46.7%), final TICI 2b/3 (93%), procedural complications (6.4%), ENT (2%), symptomatic ICH (6%), mean NIHSS (7.59), mRS 0–2 (53.8%), and mortality (10.8%). ICA and posterior circulation strokes, and tandem lesions had worse outcomes (P < .005). MCA strokes were associated with better outcomes (P = .005). ASPECT scores’ association with the clinical outcomes was found statistically significant. Conclusion SOFIA catheter is effective and safe to treat acute ischemic stroke regardless of applied MT technique.

Introduction Management of intracranial artery dissection (IAD) remains elusive in medical practice. Intracranially, vertebral artery dissection (VAD) is more commonly encountered than internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD). Deconstructive (EVT-d) and reconstructive (EVT-r) endovascular techniques have been utilized to treat VAD and ICAD. This meta-analysis investigates the safety and efficacy of EVT-r and EVT-d in the management of VAD and ICAD. Methods The literature was searched for all studies with consecutive patient series evaluating EVT-d or EVT-r for VAD or ICAD management. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared between EVT-r and EVT-d groups using the random-effect model and meta-regression approaches. Results Overall, 1095 cases pooled from 56 studies were included. There was no statistically significant difference in baseline characteristics between VAD and ICAD. EVT-r was applied in 647 cases (59.1%) and EVT-d in the rest There was no statistical difference in the rate of procedural complications between EVT-r and EVT-d. Although EVT-d was significantly associated with higher rates of complete aneurysm occlusion (86.4%), lower rates of good clinical outcomes (72.1%) and higher mortality (15.1%) were achieved compared to EVT-r (70.2%, 83.3%, and 9.5%; respectively). The mortality rate was higher, and good clinical outcomes were less common in ruptured aneurysms. Ischemic presentation was statistically associated with poor outcomes (mRS 3-5) but low mortality. ICAD often tended to grow following treatment and resulted in poor neurological outcomes. Conclusions IAD has favorable outcomes when treated appropriately. Novel reconstructive endovascular techniques are promising and should be integrated well in endovascular practice. Further studies are warranted.

Abstract Tinnitus is an abnormal perception of a sound without external stimulation. Venous pulsatile tinnitus (VPT) is a specific form of tinnitus characterized by an objective and often subjective bruit that occurs as a result of localized venous abnormalities. Clinical evaluation relies on sound quality, duration, and precipitating factors. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and transverse sinus stenosis (TSS) are among the most common causes of VPT. Other causes include sigmoid sinus wall abnormalities (SSWAs), jugular vein anomalies (JVAs), and emissary veins anomalies. These anomalies can be detected on magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography/magnetic resonance venography, and high-resolution temporal bone computed tomography. The pathogenesis behind the VPT includes turbulent blood flow as a result of luminal stenosis or abnormal dilation, amplification of internal sound due to temporal bone defects, and abnormal position of the venous sinus system structures adjacent to the bony structures of the auditive apparatus. Based on these theories, different interventional treatment modalities can be applied to treat the underlying causes. Endovascular treatments have shown high efficacy and safety among those treatments which include stenting of the lateral sinus stenosis in IIH and TSS, coiling of the SSWA and JVA, and embolization of emissary veins anomalies. Further studies are needed to understand the natural history of these anomalies and the efficacy of treatments of VPT, which—unlike other types of tinnitus—can be cured with proper treatment.

Carotid web is thought to be a focal intimal variant of fibromuscular dysplasia, which comprises a high risk of stroke because of blood stasis and subsequent coagulative reactions that occur distal to the web. These lesions generally involve the posterolateral wall of the carotid and their developmental pathogenesis is controversial. This case report describes a 51-year-old woman who presented to the hospital with sudden onset aphasia, right hemi-sensory loss, and right visual field cut. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain demonstrated a left middle cerebral artery (MCA) distribution embolic ischemic infarct with shelf-like linear filling defects in the carotid bulb bilaterally on a computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the head and neck consistent with bilateral carotid webs that were confirmed by catheter angiography. The carotid webs were projecting on the left posteriorly and on the right anteriorly into the inferior aspects of the bilateral proximal internal carotid arteries. The patient was started on clopidogrel and a high-intensity statin and remained on Plavix monotherapy for a 10-month follow up without a recurrent ischemic event.

Introduction Angio-Seal is a commonly used device for femoral hemostasis in neuroendovascular procedures. This meta-analysis investigates of the safety and efficacy of Angio-Seal in patients undergoing endovascular neurointerventional procedures. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis on all studies evaluating the Angio-Seal device in neurointerventional procedures from inception through 2020 were performed. We studied rates of groin hematoma, retroperitoneal hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, ipsilateral DVT, and ischemic complications. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model. Results 13 studies were included in our analysis. 2250 patients with 104 complications were found {4.5% (95% CI, 2.7%–6.3%)}. Of these complications, groin hematoma was the most common with a rate of 2.4% (95% CI, 1.1%–3.6%). Retroperitoneal hematoma {0.3% (95% CI, 0%–0.5%)}, pseudo-aneurysm {0.5% (95% CI, 0.2%–0.8%), and ipsilateral DVT {0.3% (95% CI, 0.1%–0.7%) were also not in negligible rate. The rate of other complications were as follows: vessel occlusion/stenosis; 0.2% (95% CI, 0%–0.4%), vascular surgery; 0.2% (95% CI, 0%–0.5%), and infection; 0.2% (95% CI, 0%–0.5%). One patient died as result of hemorrhagic complications {0.1% (95% CI, 0%–0.3%)}. Use of anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy was found to be positively correlated with high risk of any groin complication and groin hematoma (p ≤ .05). Female gender was associated with high risk of ipsilateral DVT (p ≤ .05). Interestingly, large sheath size was associated with low risk of groin hematoma (p ≤ .05). Conclusion The safety and efficacy rate of Angio-Seal was approximately 95%. The most common complication was groin hematoma. Serious complications including retroperitoneal hematoma and femoral artery occlusion were rare.