Cranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: Can Noninvasive Imaging Predict Angiographic Findings?

Objective: To access the practical of non-invasive diagnostic tools including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determining the characteristics and aggressiveness of a cranial dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF). Methods: Retrospective review of patients with cranial DAVFs who had registered at the Interventional Neuroradiology Center, Siriraj Hospital between January 2007 and December 2016 was performed. The pre-treatment imaging findings were recorded for presence of diagnostic criteria of DAVF, number and location of shunts, and aggressiveness of the disease. Cerebral angiography was used as standard reference in each patient. Results: There were 86 patients with 119 DAVFs, of which 70.6% were aggressive type. By non-invasive imaging criteria, the shunt detection rate was 95.3%. Inaccuracy of localization and aggressiveness pattern of the disease occurred in 10.4% and 5.9% of the cases respectively. Dural sinus thrombosis was shown in 38%. MRI was superior to CT in accuracy of multiplicity (76.7% VS 55.3%) and identification of aggressiveness (90.2% VS 80%). Conclusion: Both CT scan and conventional MRI have capability in detection of DAVFs and identification of the disease aggressiveness. Diagnostic limitation and mistaken aggressiveness can occur in patients who have DAVFs with dural sinus drainage only. CT or MRI should be used in practice as the initial work up, with clinical correlation, to identify patients with DAVFs who require endovascular treatment at the appropriate time

Identification of imaging selection patterns in acute ischemic stroke patients and the influence on treatment and clinical trial enrolment decision making

For the STroke Imaging Research (STIR) and VISTA-Imaging Investigators The purpose of this study was to collect precise information on the typical imaging decisions given specific clinical acute stroke scenarios. Stroke centers worldwide were surveyed regarding typical imaging used to work up representative acute stroke patients, make treatment decisions, and willingness to enroll in clinical trials. STroke Imaging Research and Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive-Imaging circulated an online survey of clinical case vignettes through its website, the websites of national professional societies from multiple countries as well as through email distribution lists from STroke Imaging Research and participating societies. Survey responders were asked to select the typical imaging work-up for each clinical vignette presented. Actual images were not presented to the survey responders. Instead, the survey then displayed several types of imaging findings offered by the imaging strategy, and the responders selected the appropriate therapy and whether to enroll into a clinical trial considering time from onset, clinical presentation, and imaging findings. A follow-up survey focusing on 6 h from onset was conducted after the release of the positive endovascular trials. We received 548 responses from 35 countries including 282 individual centers; 78% of the centers originating from Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, and United States. The specific onset windows presented influenced the type of imaging work-up selected more than the clinical scenario. Magnetic Resonance Imaging usage (27-28%) was substantial, in particular for wake-up stroke. Following the release of the positive trials, selection of perfusion imaging significantly increased for imaging strategy. Usage of vascular or perfusion imaging by Computed Tomography or Magnetic Resonance Imaging beyond just parenchymal imaging was the primary work-up (62-87%) across all clinical vignettes and time windows. Perfusion imaging with Computed Tomography or Magnetic Resonance Imaging was associated with increased probability of enrollment into clinical trials for 0-3 h. Following the release of the positive endovascular trials, selection of endovascular only treatment for 6 h increased across all clinical vignettes

Clinical Results of the Advanced Neurovascular Access Catheter System Combined With a Stent Retriever in Acute Ischemic Stroke (SOLONDA)

Background: The Advanced Neurovascular Access (ANA) thrombectomy system is a novel stroke thrombectomy device comprising a self-expanding funnel designed to reduce clot fragmentation by locally restricting flow while becoming as wide as the lodging artery. Once deployed, the ANA device allows distal aspiration combined with a stent retriever to mobilize the clot into the funnel where it remains copped during extraction. We investigated the safety and efficacy of ANA catheter system. Methods: SOLONDA (Solitaire in Combination With the ANA Catheter System as Manufactured by Anaconda) was a prospective, open, single-arm, multicenter trial with blinded assessment of the primary outcome by an independent core lab. Patients with anterior circulation vessel occlusion admitted within 8 hours from symptom onset were eligible. The primary end point was successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score 2b-3) with 3 passes (P=0.02). First-pass successful recanalization rate was 55.6% (95% CI, 44.1%-67.0%), with a first-pass complete recanalization rate of 38.9% (95% CI, 27.6%-50.1%). Rescue therapy to obtain a modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score 2b-3 was needed in 12/72 (17%) patients. At 90 days, the rate of favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2) was 57.5% (95% CI, 46.2%-68.9%), and the rate of excellent functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0-1) was 45.2% (95% CI, 33.8%-56.6%). The rate of severe adverse device related was 1.4%. Conclusions: In this clinical experience, the ANA device achieved a high rate of complete recanalization with a preliminary good safety profile and favorable 90 days clinical outcomes

A Comparison of Mechanical Thrombectomy for Large Vessel Occlusion in Acute Ischemic Stroke between Patients with and without Atrial Fibrillation

Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the major risk for large vessel acute ischemic stroke. Mechanical thrombectomy is a promising therapeutic adjunct for large vessel occlusion and also the option for patients who missed the golden time window or who have contraindications for intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether AF is a prognostic predictor for the patients with ischemic stroke undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. Methods: Medical records of all patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large vessel occlusion (LVO) who received mechanical thrombectomy at Siriraj Hospital between November 2009 and November 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical parameters between the two groups were retrieved and compared. Results: One hundred and thirty -eight acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients were treated by endovascular mechanical thrombectomy at Siriraj Hospital between November 2009 and November 2016. Five patients lost from the follow-up process. Totally, 134 patients were included to this study. Fifty patients (37.3%) were in the AF group, 10 patients (7.5%) had a newly diagnosed AF. The AF patients were younger (p=0.002) and had less intracranial atherosclerosis (p=0.015) than non-AF patients. Nevertheless, gender, mean NIHSS, the mean time form puncture to recanalization, mean onset to recanalization, number of the passing of the stent, TICI, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, good clinical outcome at 90 days, and mortality rate were not different between two groups. Conclusion: There is no significant difference of good outcome and complications between AF and non-AF patients with AIS from LVO who underwent mechanical thrombectomy

Remote Training of Neurointerventions by Audiovisual Streaming : Experiences from the European ESMINT-EYMINT E-Fellowship Program.

BACKGROUND Remote access of trainees to training centers via video streaming (tele-observership, e‑fellowship) emerges as an alternative to acquire knowledge in endovascular interventions. Situational awareness is a summary term that is also used in surgical procedures for perceiving and understanding the situation and projecting what will happen next. A high situational awareness would serve as prerequisite for meaningful learning success during tele-observerships. We hypothesized that live perception of the angiographical procedures using streaming technology is feasible and sufficient to gain useful situational awareness of the procedure. METHODS During a European tele-observership organized by the European Society of Minimally Invasive Neurological Therapy (ESMINT) and its trainee association (EYMINT), a total of six neurointerventional fellows in five countries observed live cases performed by experienced neurointerventionalists (mentors) in six different high-volume neurovascular centers across Europe equipped with live-streaming technology (Tegus Medical, Hamburg, Germany). Cases were prospectively evaluated during a 12-month period, followed by a final questionnaire after completion of the course. RESULTS A total of 102/161 (63%) cases with a 1:1 allocation of fellow and mentor were evaluated during a 12-month period. Most frequent conditions were ischemic stroke (27.5%), followed by embolization of unruptured aneurysms (25.5%) and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) (15.7%). A high level of situational awareness was reported by fellows in 75.5% of all cases. After finishing the program, the general improvement of neurointerventional knowledge was evaluated to be extensive (1/6 fellows), substantial (3/6), and moderate (2/6). The specific fields of improvement were procedural knowledge (6/6 fellows), technical knowledge (3/6) and complication management (2/6). CONCLUSION Online streaming technology facilitates location-independent training of complex neurointerventional procedures through high levels of situational awareness and can therefore supplement live hands-on-training. In addition, it leads to a training effect for fellows with a perceived improvement of their neurointerventional knowledge

Mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke : Consensus statement by ESO-Karolinska Stroke Update 2014/2015, supported by ESO, ESMINT, ESNR and EAN

The original version of this consensus statement on mechanical thrombectomy was approved at the European Stroke Organisation (ESO)-Karolinska Stroke Update conference in Stockholm, 16-18 November 2014. The statement has later, during 2015, been updated with new clinical trials data in accordance with a decision made at the conference. Revisions have been made at a face-to-face meeting during the ESO Winter School in Berne in February, through email exchanges and the final version has then been approved by each society. The recommendations are identical to the original version with evidence level upgraded by 20 February 2015 and confirmed by 15 May 2015. The purpose of the ESO-Karolinska Stroke Update meetings is to provide updates on recent stroke therapy research and to discuss how the results may be implemented into clinical routine. Selected topics are discussed at consensus sessions, for which a consensus statement is prepared and discussed by the participants at the meeting. The statements are advisory to the ESO guidelines committee. This consensus statement includes recommendations on mechanical thrombectomy after acute stroke. The statement is supported by ESO, European Society of Minimally Invasive Neurological Therapy (ESMINT), European Society of Neuroradiology (ESNR), and European Academy of Neurology (EAN).Peer reviewe

Rebleeding After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Two Centers Using Different Blood Pressure Management Strategies

Background: High systolic blood pressure (SBP) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) has been associated with an increased risk of rebleeding. It remains unclear if an SBP lowering strategy before aneurysm treatment decreases this risk without increasing the risk of a delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). Therefore, we compared the rates of in-hospital rebleeding and DCI among patients with aSAH admitted in two tertiary care centers with different SBP management strategies. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Consecutive patients from Utrecht and Toulouse admitted within 24 h after the aSAH onset were enrolled. In Toulouse, the target SBP before aneurysm treatment was ≤140 mm Hg, while, in Utrecht, an increased SBP was only treated in extreme situations. We compared SBP levels, the incidence of rebleeding within 24 h after admission, and DCI during hospitalization. Results: We enrolled 373 patients in Utrecht and 149 in Toulouse. The mean SBP on admission was similar but lower in Toulouse 4 h after admission (127.3 ± 17.4 vs. 138. ± 25.7 mmHg; p < 0.0001). After a median delay of 3.7 h (IQR, 2.3-7.4) from admission, 4 patients (3%) in Toulouse vs. 29 (8%) in Utrecht experienced a rebleeding. After adjustment for Prognosis on Admission of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (PAASH) score, aneurysm size, age, and delay from ictus to admission, the HR was 0.66 (95% CI: 0.23-1.92). Incidence of DCI was 18% in Toulouse and 25% in Utrecht (adjusted OR, 0.68; 95% CI: 0.41-1.11). Conclusion: Our results suggest that an intensive SBP lowering strategy between admission and aneurysm treatment does not decrease the risk of rebleeding and does not increase the risk of DCI compared to a more conservative strategy

Effect of extracranial lesion severity on outcome of endovascular thrombectomy in patients with anterior circulation tandem occlusion: analysis of the TITAN registry

Introduction Endovascular treatment (EVT) for tandem occlusion (TO) of the anterior circulation is complex but effective. The effect of extracranial internal carotid artery (EICA) lesion severity on the outcomes of EVT is unknown. In this study we investigated the effect of EICA lesion severity on the outcomes of tandem occlusion EVT. Methods A multicenter retrospective TITAN (Thrombectomy In TANdem lesions) study that included 18 international endovascular capable centers was performed. Patients who received EVT for atherosclerotic TO with or without EICA lesion intervention were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on the EICA lesion severity (high-grade stenosis (>= 90% North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial) vs complete occlusion). Outcome measures included the 90-day clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale score (mRS)), angiographic reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Ischemia (mTICI) at the end of the procedure), procedural complications, and intracranial hemorrhage at 24 hours follow-up. Results A total of 305 patients were included in the study, of whom 135 had complete EICA occlusion and 170 had severe EICA stenosis. The EICA occlusion group had shorter mean onset-to-groin time (259 +/- 120 min vs 305 +/- 202 min;p=0.037), more patients with diabetes, and fewer with hyperlipidemia. With respect to the outcome, mTICI 2b-3 reperfusion was lower in the EICA occlusion group (70% vs 81%;p=0.03). The favorable outcome (90-day mRS 0-2), intracerebral hemorrhage and procedural complications were similar in both groups. Conclusion Atherosclerotic occlusion of the EICA in acute tandem strokes was associated with a lower rate of mTICI 2b-3 reperfusion but similar functional and safety outcomes when compared with high-grade EICA stenosis