Current Opinions on Optimal Management of Basilar Artery Occlusion: After the BEST of BASICS Survey

Background The best management of basilar artery occlusion (BAO) remains uncertain. The BASICS (Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study) and the BEST (Basilar Artery Occlusion Endovascular Intervention Versus Standard Medical Treatment) trials reported neutral results. We sought to understand physicians’ approaches to BAOs and whether further BAO randomized controlled trials were warranted. Methods We conducted an online international survey from January to March 2022 to stroke neurologists and neurointerventionalists. Survey questions were designed to examine clinical and imaging parameters under which clinicians would offer (or rescind) a patient with BAO to endovascular therapy (EVT) or best medical management versus enrollment into a randomized clinical trial. Results Of >3002 invited participants, 1245 responded (41.4% response rate) from 73 countries, including 54.7% stroke neurologists and 43.6% neurointerventionalists. More than 95% of respondents would offer EVT to patients with BAO, albeit in various clinical circumstances. There were 70.0% of respondents who indicated that the BASICS and BEST trials did not change their practice. Only 22.1% of respondents would perform EVT according to anterior circulation occlusion criteria. The selection of patients for BAO EVT by clinical severity, timing, and imaging modality differed according to geography, specialty, and country income level. Over 80% of respondents agreed that further randomized clinical trials for BAO were warranted. Moreover, 45.6% of respondents indicated they would find it acceptable to enroll all trial‐eligible patients into the medical arm of a BAO trial, whereas 26.3% would not enroll. Conclusion Most stroke physicians continue to believe in the efficacy of EVT in selected patients with BAO in spite of BEST and BASICS. There is no consensus on which selection criteria to use, and few clinicians would use anterior circulation occlusion criteria for BAOs. Further randomized clinical trials for BAO are warranted

Racial Disparity in Mechanical Thrombectomy Utilization: Multicenter Registry Results From 2016 to 2020

Background Previous studies on racial disparity in mechanical thrombectomy (MT) treatment of acute large vessel occlusion stroke lack individual patient data that influence treatment decision‐making. We assessed patient‐level data in a large US health care system from 2016 to 2020 for racial disparities in MT utilization and eligibility. Methods and Results A retrospective study was performed of 34 596 patients admitted to 43 hospitals from January 2016 to September 2020. Data included patient age, sex, race, residential zip code median income and population density, presenting hospital stroke certification, baseline ambulation, and National Institutes of Health stroke scale. The cohort included 26 640 White, non‐Hispanic (77.0%), and 7956 African American/Black (23.0%) patients. In multivariable logistic regression, Black patients were less likely to undergo MT (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.65; 95% CI, 0.54–0.76), arrive within 5 hours of “last known well” (adjusted OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.69–0.78), and have documented anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (adjusted OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.64–0.96). Race was not associated with MT rate among patients arriving within 5 hours of last known well with documented acute large vessel occlusion. Conclusions Black patients with stroke underwent MT less frequently than White patients, likely in part because of longer times from last known well to hospital arrival and a lower rate of documented acute large vessel occlusion. Further studies are needed to assess whether extending the MT time window and more aggressive large vessel occlusion screening protocols mitigate this disparity

Smartphone imaging repository: a novel method for creating a CT image bank

Abstract Background Imaging repositories are commonly attached to ongoing clinical trials, but capturing, transmitting, and storing images can be complicated and labor-intensive. Typical methods include outdated technologies such as compact discs. Electronic file transfer is becoming more common, but even this requires hours of staff time on dedicated computers in the radiology department. Methods We describe and test an image capture method using smartphone camera video-derived images of brain computed tomography (CT) scans of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage. The deidentified videos are emailed or uploaded from the emergency department for central adjudication. We selected eight scans, mild moderate, and severe subdural and multicompartmental hematomas and mild and moderate intraparenchymal hematomas. Ten users acquired data using seven different smartphones. We measured the time in seconds it took to capture and send the files. The primary outcomes were hematoma volume measured by ABC/2, Marshall scale, midline shift measurement, image quality by a contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and time to capture. A radiologist and an imaging scientist applied the ABC/2 method and calculated the Marshall scale and midline shift on the data acquired on different smartphones and the PACS in a randomized order. We calculate the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). We measured image quality by calculating the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). We report summary statistics on time to capture in the smartphone group without a comparator. Results ICC for lesion volume, midline shift, and Marshall score were 0.973 (95% CI 0.931, 0.994), 0.998 (95% CI: 0.996, 0.999), and 0.973 (0.931, 0.994), respectively. Lesion conspicuity was not different among the image types via assessment of CNR using the Friedman test, $${\lambda }^{2}$$ λ 2 of 24.8, P =  < .001, with a small Kendall’s W effect size (0.591). Mean (standard deviation) time to capture and email the video was 60.1 (24.3) s. Conclusions Typical smartphones may produce video image quality high enough for use in a clinical trial imaging repository. Video capture and transfer takes only seconds, and hematoma volumes, Marshall scales, and image quality measured on the videos did not differ significantly from those calculated on the PACS

Mechanical Thrombectomy Global Access For Stroke (MT-GLASS): A Mission Thrombectomy (MT-2020 Plus) Study

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 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

Mechanical Thrombectomy Access for All? Challenges in Increasing Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the United States

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is the most effective treatment for selected patients with an acute ischemic stroke due to emergent large vessel occlusions (LVOs). There is an urgent need to identify and address challenges in access to MT to maximize the numbers of patients who can benefit from this treatment. Barriers in access to MT include delays in evaluation and accurate diagnosis of LVO leading to inappropriate triage, logistical delays related to availability of facilities and trained interventionalists, and financial hurdles that affect treatment reimbursement. Collection of regional data related to these barriers is critical to better understand current access gaps and a measurable access score to thrombectomy could be useful to plan local public health intervention

Effect of Intra-Arterial Thrombolysis Following Successful Endovascular Thrombectomy on Functional Outcomes in Patients With Large Vessel Occlusion Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Post-CHOICE Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is the standard treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). Although \u3e 70% of patients in the trials assessing EVT for AIS-LVO had successful recanalization, only a third ultimately achieved favorable outcomes. A no-reflow phenomenon due to distal microcirculation disruption might contribute to such suboptimal outcomes. Combining intra-arterial (IA) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and EVT to reduce the distal microthrombi burden was investigated in a few studies. We present a pooled-data meta-analysis of the existing evidence of this combinatorial treatment. METHODS: We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. We aimed to include all original studies investigating EVT plus IA tPA in AIS-LVO patients. Using R software, we calculated pooled odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). A fixed-effects model was adopted to evaluate pooled data. RESULTS: Five studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Successful recanalization was comparable between the IA tPA and control groups at 82.9% and 82.32% respectively. The 90-day functional independence was similar between both groups (OR= 1.25; 95% CI= 0.92-1.70; P= 0.154). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) was also comparable between both groups (OR= 0.66; 95% CI= 0.34-1.26; P= 0.304). CONCLUSION: Our current meta-analysis does not show significant differences between EVT alone and EVT plus IA tPA in terms of functional independence or sICH. However, with the limited number of studies and included patients, more randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to further investigate the benefits and safety of combined EVT and IA tPA

Endovascular Treatment in Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion Stroke: A Brief Practice Update From the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology

Background The Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology Guidelines and Practice Standards committee established the “Brief Practice Update” format to provide up‐to‐date recommendations on focused relevant clinical questions. In this Brief Practice Update, we review current evidence and provide recommendations for endovascular treatment (EVT) in patients with acute large‐vessel occlusion of the basilar artery. Methods The Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology Guidelines and Practice Standards committee conducted a systematic review, including the recent randomized clinical trials of EVT for acute ischemic stroke attributable to basilar artery occlusion, and summarized relevant data to provide recommendations for clinical practice. The Guidelines and Practice Standards quality committee reviewed the findings to ensure adherence to the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology internal evidence evaluation guidelines before review by the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology board members for societal endorsement. Results Evidence favors EVT for basilar artery occlusion in comparison to medical management alone in patients with moderate to severe stroke. We formulated the level of evidence and the class of recommendation in the context of 5 clinical questions. Conclusions In this brief practice statement, we share general recommendations on EVT for acute ischemic stroke attributable to large‐vessel occlusion of the basilar artery. Recent randomized controlled trials, Basilar Artery Occlusion Chinese Endovascular (BAOCHE) trial and Endovascular Treatment for Acute Basilar‐Artery Occlusion (ATTENTION), and a meta‐analysis of all randomized controlled trials support EVT in patients with moderate to severe basilar artery occlusion stroke symptoms

Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology Standards and Parameters for Guideline Development and Publication

Background As much of the scope of neurointerventional practice falls outside data covered by existing randomized clinical trials, and, as a result, may have failed to enter into existing guidelines, an evidence‐based framework for guideline and standards development is needed. We establish an evidence‐based framework to guide all subsequent guidelines and brief practice updates produced by the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN). Methods The SVIN formed the Guidelines and Practice Parameters committee to develop the structure and procedures for guidelines and brief practice updates. Results In this article, the Guidelines and Practice Parameters committee has outlined the process by which the guidelines will be created and approved by the SVIN. Additionally, the Guidelines and Practice Parameters committee has adopted the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association framework of Class of Recommendation and Level of Evidence. A unique, additional separation of the Expert Opinion endorsement category has been developed when high‐quality evidence does not exist at the time of the publication. Conclusions The SVIN has developed an evidence‐based framework for all guideline statements and brief practice updates. The SVIN guidelines and brief practice updates will guide clinicians in the field of interventional neurology to improve and standardize patient care

Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology Standards and Parameters for Guideline Development and Publication

Background As much of the scope of neurointerventional practice falls outside data covered by existing randomized clinical trials, and, as a result, may have failed to enter into existing guidelines, an evidence‐based framework for guideline and standards development is needed. We establish an evidence‐based framework to guide all subsequent guidelines and brief practice updates produced by the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN). Methods The SVIN formed the Guidelines and Practice Parameters committee to develop the structure and procedures for guidelines and brief practice updates. Results In this article, the Guidelines and Practice Parameters committee has outlined the process by which the guidelines will be created and approved by the SVIN. Additionally, the Guidelines and Practice Parameters committee has adopted the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association framework of Class of Recommendation and Level of Evidence. A unique, additional separation of the Expert Opinion endorsement category has been developed when high‐quality evidence does not exist at the time of the publication. Conclusions The SVIN has developed an evidence‐based framework for all guideline statements and brief practice updates. The SVIN guidelines and brief practice updates will guide clinicians in the field of interventional neurology to improve and standardize patient care

2022 Brief Practice Update on Intravenous Thrombolysis Before Thrombectomy in Patients With Large Vessel Occlusion Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Statement from Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology Guidelines and Practice Standards (GAPS) Committee

Background The Society of Vascular & Interventional Neurology Guidelines and Practice Standards committee established the “Brief Practice Update” format to provide up‐to‐date recommendations on focused clinical topics with emerging clinical trial results. For our inaugural Brief Practice Update, we review current evidence and provide recommendations for administering intravenous thrombolysis before mechanical thrombectomy; combination therapy (mechanical thrombectomy plus intravenous thrombolysis) versus stand‐alone mechanical thrombectomy approach in acute ischemic stroke secondary to emergent large vessel occlusion. Methods The Society of Vascular & Interventional Neurology Guidelines and Practice Standards committee members formed a writing group to review results of the most recent clinical trials of pre‐mechanical thrombectomy intravenous thrombolysis. The group summarized recent clinical data to provide recommendations for clinical practice. Brief Practice Update recommendations were vetted by the Guidelines and Practice Standards quality committee to ensure adherence to Society of Vascular & Interventional Neurology standard evaluation of evidence and endorsement was obtained following formal review by the Board of Directors. Results We present a focused review of recently published clinical trials and a meta‐analysis of combination intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy versus a stand‐alone direct‐to‐mechanical thrombectomy treatment approach in ischemic stroke patients with emergent large vessel occlusion. Level of evidence and class of recommendation were vetted by the Guidelines and Practice Standards committee. Conclusions We share general recommendations on pre‐mechanical thrombectomy thrombolysis, using analysis of available evidence from recent randomized clinical trial data. Recommendations provided by the Society of Vascular & Interventional Neurology Brief Practice Update are not intended to replace an individualized approach to clinical decision making and patient care