Recanalization of the Chronically Occluded Internal Carotid Artery: Review of the Literature.

Introduction: We reviewed the literature on interventions for patients with medically refractory chronically occluded internal carotid artery (COICA) to assess the risks and/or benefits after recanalization via an endovascular technique (ET) or hybrid surgery (HS, i.e., ET plus carotid endarterectomy). Methods: A systematic search of the electronic databases was performed. Patients with COICA were classified into 4 different categories according to Hasan et al classification. Results: Eighteen studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Only 6 studies involved an HS procedure. We identified 389 patients with COICA who underwent ET or HS; 91% were males. The overall perioperative complication rate was 10.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.4%-13.1%). For types A and B, the successful recanalization rate was 95.4% (95% CI: 86.5%-100%), with a 13.7% (95% CI: 2.3%-27.4%) complication rate. For type C, the success rate for ET was 45.7% (95% CI: 17.8%-70.7%), with a complication rate of 46.0% (95% CI: 20.0%-71.4%) for ET and for the HS technique 87.6% (95% CI: 80.9%-94.4%), with a complication rate of 14.0% (95% CI: 7.0%-21.8%). For type D, the success rate of recanalization was 29.8% (95% CI: 7.8%-52.8%), with a 29.8% (95% CI: 6.1%-56.3%) complication rate. Successful recanalization resulted in a symmetrical perfusion between both cerebral hemispheres, resolution of penumbra, normalization of the mean transit time, and improvement in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score (ΔMoCA = 9.80 points; P = 0.004). Conclusions: Type A and B occlusions benefit from ET, especially in the presence of a large penumbra. Type C occlusions can benefit from HS. Unfortunately, we did not identify an intervention to help patients with type D occlusions. A phase 2b randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm these findings

Sex Differential in 15-Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenase Levels in the Lumen of Human Intracranial Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Aspirin is a promising medical therapy for the prevention of intracranial aneurysm (IA) rupture. Recently, we found that men have a better response to aspirin than women. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a sex differential exists in the level of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) in the lumen of human IAs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients undergoing coiling or stent-assisted coiling for a saccular IA at our institution were enrolled. Two samples (A and B) were collected from IA lumens, and the plasma level of 15-PGDH was measured using an ELISA-based method. The study included 38 patients, with 20 women and 18 men. Women and men were comparable on baseline characteristics. The mean plasma concentration of 15-PGDH did not differ statistically between sample A (62.8±16.2 ng/mL) and sample B (61.8±17.9 ng/mL; 95% confidence interval -6.6 to 9.4). The mean plasma concentration of 15-PGDH in IA lumens of samples A and B was significantly higher in men (73.8±13.5 ng/mL) than women (49.6±7.8 ng/mL; P\u3c0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher enzyme levels of 15-PGDH exist in the lumen of IAs of men compared with women. This observation could explain why aspirin confers better protection against IA rupture in men than in women. The susceptibility of an individual to aspirin may differ according to the level of 15-PGDH

Ventral Intramedullary Cervical Spinal Cord AVM

Background Cerebral artery vasospasm accounts for the majority of delayed neurological deficits in ruptured aneurysm patients. We report two cases and review the literature of patients who developed symptomatic vasospasm after treatment for unruptured cerebral artery aneurysms with clip ligation. Pre- and post-operative imaging and studies revealed absence of subarachnoid or focal hemorrhage. Case Description In a series of 104 consecutive cerebral artery aneurysm patients that underwent uncomplicated ligation without intra-operative rupture, two patients developed delayed neurologic deficits due to severe cerebral vasospasm. Both patients had no stigmata of rupture and were treated electively. Post-operative transcranial dopplers and angiography facilitated the early recognition of vasospasm. Permanent neurologic injury was prevented with the use of hypertensive, hemodilution and hyperdynamic (HHH) therapy along with endovascular treatment, intra-arterial papaverine and angioplasty. Conclusion After uncomplicated treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms, the cerebral vasculature may proceed to severe vasospasm by an unrecognized mechanism. This can be reversed with institution of HHH and endovascular therapy

Behind the Technology: CT Perfusion in the Setting of Acute Stroke Management

Computed Tomography Perfusion (CTP) is an imaging modality that generates parametric maps of cerebral hemodynamics which are useful in the assessment of suspected acute ischemic stoke. However, the technology underlying CTP is complex and serious controversy surrounds the safety of CTP tests and the reproducibility and validity of CTP results. This report briefly outlines the history of CTP, its current clinical applications for stroke management, the main controversies surrounding CTP, and future directions for this technology

Plasma Soluble Human Elastin Fragments as an Intra-Aneurysmal Localized Biomarker for Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysm

Background—Fragmentation of the tunica media is a hallmark of intracranial aneurysm formation, often leading to aneurysmal progression and subsequent rupture. The objective of this study is to determine the plasma level of elastin fragments in the lumen of ruptured versus unruptured human intracranial aneurysms. Methods and Results—One hundred consecutive patients with/without ruptured saccular intracranial aneurysms undergoing endovascular coiling or stent-assisted coiling were recruited. Blood samples were collected from the lumen of intracranial aneurysm using a microcatheter. The tip of the microcatheter was placed inside the aneurysm’s sac in close proximity to the inner wall of the dome. Plasma levels of elastin fragments were measured using an ELISA-based method. Mean plasma level of soluble human elastin fragments was significantly greater in ruptured aneurysms when compared with nonruptured aneurysms (102.0±15.5 versus 39.3±9.6 ng/mL; P\u3c0.001). Mean plasma level of soluble human elastin fragments did not have significant correlation with age, sex, size, or aneurysm location. Conclusions—The present study revealed that a significantly higher concentration of soluble human elastin fragments in the lumen of ruptured intracranial aneurysms when compared with nonruptured ones. © 2018 The Authors

Rescue stenting for failed mechanical thrombectomy procedures

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has dramatically changed the natural history of acute ischemic stroke. The disease that was associated with high morbidity, mortality, and significant cost on the health care system became a treatable disease. One of the most important variables to improve outcomes is time to revascularize the ischemic tissue. Rescue stenting (RS) is an option for patients who fail MT. Methods: A retrospective chart review for patients who underwent a MT procedure and either failed (defined as TICI 0-2a) or required a RS from 2015 – 2019 composed the study population. IRB approval was obtained and the consent was waived due to the study design. Medical charts and imaging were reviewed for baseline characteristics, stroke characteristics, complications, and functional outcome. Comparison was performed between the rescue group and the failed group to analyze outcomes. Results: From 2015-2019, 96 patients failed a MT procedure, and 26 patients required an intracranial stent. Initial NIHSS scores were comparable between the groups, (16.1 ± 7.2 vs. 15.2 ± 8.0, p = 0.552). Patients received comparable pre-procedure care as indicated by similar rate of tPA administration (38.5% vs. 34.6%, p = 0.804) and symptom onset to procedure time (1043.5 ± 3556 vs. 1505.3 ± 5183, p = 0.652). While receiving an intracranial stent led to a longer procedure time (66.1 ± 43.4 vs. 86.6 ± 36.2, p = 0.040), patients receiving a stent had a reduced mortality (32 (36.0%) vs. 3 (12.0%), p = 0.027) and NIHSS at discharge (23.0 ± 14.7 vs. 14.5 ± 13.6, p = 0.034). In the RS group, 4 patients had symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage as opposed to 2 in the non-RS group (3.6% vs 15.4%, p = 0.08). Conclusion: Rescue stenting was associated with good outcomes as indicated by decreased mortality and NIHSS at discharge