Neurosurgical evacuation of intracranial hemorrhage after thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction: experience from the GUSTO-I trial. Global Utilization of Streptokinase and tissue-plasminogen activator (tPA) for Occluded Coronary Arteries

Emergency Free-Hand Bedside Catheter Evacuation of Large Intracerebral Hematomas Following Thrombolysis for Ischemic Stroke: A Case Series

INTRODUCTION

Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) following systemic thrombolysis for ischemic stroke is often devastating, and open surgical evacuation is considered dangerous due to the increased risk of perioperative bleeding, and stereotactic placement of a catheter is too time-consuming. We therefore evaluated the feasibility of a free-hand bedside catheter technique for emergency hematoma evacuation.

METHODS

Patients who had a supratentorial sICH after thrombolysis, a hematoma volume > 30 ml, and an ensuing reduction in vigilance were consecutively treated with acute minimally invasive catheter hematoma evacuation. Catheter insertion and trajectory were planned via 3D-reconstructed computed tomography (CT) scan, and free-hand insertion of an external ventricular catheter into the core of the hematoma was performed bedside, followed by careful blood aspiration. Cranial CT was used to verify catheter position and residual hematoma volume. In cases, where the residual volume exceeded 15 ml, urokinase (5000 IE) was administered into the clot every 6 h until the volume decreased to < 15 ml.

RESULTS

In all six patients, catheter aspiration immediately reduced hematoma volume by 77%, from 73 ± 20 ml to 17 ± 16 ml (p = 0.028). In four patients, the hematoma was almost completely removed (< 10 ml) by singular aspiration. In the remaining two patients with a residual hematoma size > 15 ml, consecutive urokinase application resulted in a further reduction to 1 ml and 15 ml, respectively, after 30 h. The median National Institues of Health Stroke Scale/Score after sICH was 19.5 points, rapidly decreasing to 11 after catheter aspiration (p = 0.027), and further improving to 4 at discharge. No procedure-related complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Emergency free-hand bedside catheter aspiration is a reasonable option for hematoma evacuation in large thrombolysis-associated sICH when performed by experienced neurosurgeons. Larger studies would help in determining the generalizability of our findings to other centers and assessing their impact on functional outcome.

Guidelines for the Early Management of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: 2019 Update to the 2018 Guidelines for the Early Management of Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Guideline for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

Background and Purpose- The purpose of these guidelines is to provide an up-to-date comprehensive set of recommendations in a single document for clinicians caring for adult patients with acute arterial ischemic stroke. The intended audiences are prehospital care providers, physicians, allied health professionals, and hospital administrators. These guidelines supersede the 2013 Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) Guidelines and are an update of the 2018 AIS Guidelines. Methods- Members of the writing group were appointed by the American Heart Association (AHA) Stroke Council's Scientific Statements Oversight Committee, representing various areas of medical expertise. Members were not allowed to participate in discussions or to vote on topics relevant to their relations with industry. An update of the 2013 AIS Guidelines was originally published in January 2018. This guideline was approved by the AHA Science Advisory and Coordinating Committee and the AHA Executive Committee. In April 2018, a revision to these guidelines, deleting some recommendations, was published online by the AHA. The writing group was asked review the original document and revise if appropriate. In June 2018, the writing group submitted a document with minor changes and with inclusion of important newly published randomized controlled trials with >100 participants and clinical outcomes at least 90 days after AIS. The document was sent to 14 peer reviewers. The writing group evaluated the peer reviewers' comments and revised when appropriate. The current final document was approved by all members of the writing group except when relationships with industry precluded members from voting and by the governing bodies of the AHA. These guidelines use the American College of Cardiology/AHA 2015 Class of Recommendations and Level of Evidence and the new AHA guidelines format. Results- These guidelines detail prehospital care, urgent and emergency evaluation and treatment with intravenous and intra-arterial therapies, and in-hospital management, including secondary prevention measures that are appropriately instituted within the first 2 weeks. The guidelines support the overarching concept of stroke systems of care in both the prehospital and hospital settings. Conclusions- These guidelines provide general recommendations based on the currently available evidence to guide clinicians caring for adult patients with acute arterial ischemic stroke. In many instances, however, only limited data exist demonstrating the urgent need for continued research on treatment of acute ischemic stroke.

2018 Guidelines for the Early Management of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Guideline for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The purpose of these guidelines is to provide an up-to-date comprehensive set of recommendations for clinicians caring for adult patients with acute arterial ischemic stroke in a single document. The intended audiences are prehospital care providers, physicians, allied health professionals, and hospital administrators. These guidelines supersede the 2013 guidelines and subsequent updates.

METHODS

Members of the writing group were appointed by the American Heart Association Stroke Council's Scientific Statements Oversight Committee, representing various areas of medical expertise. Strict adherence to the American Heart Association conflict of interest policy was maintained. Members were not allowed to participate in discussions or to vote on topics relevant to their relations with industry. The members of the writing group unanimously approved all recommendations except when relations with industry precluded members voting. Prerelease review of the draft guideline was performed by 4 expert peer reviewers and by the members of the Stroke Council's Scientific Statements Oversight Committee and Stroke Council Leadership Committee. These guidelines use the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association 2015 Class of Recommendations and Levels of Evidence and the new American Heart Association guidelines format.

RESULTS

These guidelines detail prehospital care, urgent and emergency evaluation and treatment with intravenous and intra-arterial therapies, and in-hospital management, including secondary prevention measures that are appropriately instituted within the first 2 weeks. The guidelines support the overarching concept of stroke systems of care in both the prehospital and hospital settings.

CONCLUSIONS

These guidelines are based on the best evidence currently available. In many instances, however, only limited data exist demonstrating the urgent need for continued research on treatment of acute ischemic stroke.

Treatment and Outcome of Hemorrhagic Transformation After Intravenous Alteplase in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Scientific Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

Purpose—

Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) is the most feared complication of intravenous thrombolytic therapy in acute ischemic stroke. Treatment of sICH is based on expert opinion and small case series, with the efficacy of such treatments not well established. This document aims to provide an overview of sICH with a focus on pathophysiology and treatment.

Methods—

A literature review was performed for randomized trials, prospective and retrospective studies, opinion papers, case series, and case reports on the definitions, epidemiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, treatment, and outcome of sICH. The document sections were divided among writing group members who performed the literature review, summarized the literature, and provided suggestions on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with sICH caused by systemic thrombolysis with alteplase. Several drafts were circulated among writing group members until a consensus was achieved.

Results—

sICH is an uncommon but severe complication of systemic thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke. Prompt diagnosis and early correction of the coagulopathy after alteplase have remained the mainstay of treatment. Further research is required to establish treatments aimed at maintaining integrity of the blood-brain barrier in acute ischemic stroke based on inhibition of the underlying biochemical processes.

Treatment and Outcome of Thrombolysis-Related Hemorrhage: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

IMPORTANCE

Treatments for symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) are based on expert opinion, with limited data available on efficacy.

OBJECTIVE

To better understand the natural history of thrombolysis-related sICH, with a focus on the efficacy of various treatments used.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Multicenter retrospective study between January 1, 2009, and April 30, 2014, at 10 primary and comprehensive stroke centers across the United States. Participants were all patients with sICH, using the definition by the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-Monitoring Study (SITS-MOST), which included a parenchymal hematoma type 2 and at least a 4-point increase in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and the secondary outcome was hematoma expansion, defined as a 33% increase in the hematoma volume on follow-up imaging.

RESULTS

Of 3894 patients treated with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) within 4½ hours after symptom onset of ischemic stroke, 128 (3.3%) had sICH. The median time from initiation of rtPA therapy to sICH diagnosis was 470 minutes (range, 30-2572 minutes), and the median time from diagnosis to treatment of sICH was 112 minutes (range, 12-628 minutes). The in-hospital mortality rate was 52.3% (67 of 128), and 26.8% (22 of 82) had hematoma expansion. In the multivariable models, code status change to comfort measures after sICH diagnosis was the sole factor associated with increased in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.2-10.6). Severe hypofibrinogenemia (fibrinogen level, <150 mg/dL) was associated with hematoma expansion, occurring in 36.3% (8 of 22) of patients without hematoma expansion vs in 25.0% (15 of 60) of patients with hematoma expansion (P = .01), highlighting a role for cryoprecipitate in reversing rtPA coagulopathy.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this study, treatment of postthrombolysis sICH did not significantly reduce the likelihood of in-hospital mortality or hematoma expansion. Shortening the time to diagnosis and treatment may be a key variable in improving outcomes of patients with sICH.

Management of Postthrombolysis Hemorrhagic and Orolingual Angioedema Complications

Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator was first approved for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke in the United States in 1996. Thrombolytic therapy has been proven to be effective in acute ischemic stroke treatment and shown to improve long-term functional outcomes. Its use is associated with an increased risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage as well as orolingual angioedema. Our goal is to outline the management strategies for these postthrombolysis complications.

Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage in acute ischemic stroke after thrombolysis with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator: a review of natural history and treatment

IMPORTANCE

Intravenous thrombolysis remains the mainstay treatment for acute ischemic stroke. One of the most feared complications of the treatment is thrombolysis-related symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), which occurs in nearly 6% of patients and carries close to 50% mortality. The treatment options for sICH are based on small case series and expert opinion, and the efficacy of recommended treatments is not well known.

OBJECTIVE

To provide an overview on the rationale and mechanism of action of potential treatments for sICH that may reverse the coagulopathy before hematoma expansion occurs.

EVIDENCE REVIEW

Evidence-based peer-reviewed articles, including randomized trials, case series and reports, and retrospective reviews, were identified in a PubMed search on the mechanism of action of intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and the rationale of various potential treatments using the coagulation cascade as a model. The search encompassed articles published from January 1, 1990, through February 28, 2014.

FINDINGS

The current treatments may not be sufficient to reverse coagulopathy early enough to prevent hematoma expansion and improve the outcome of thrombolysis-related hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Given the mechanism of action of intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, clinical studies could include agents with a fast onset of action, such as prothrombin complex concentrate, recombinant factor VIIa, and ε-aminocaproic acid, as potential therapeutic options.

Neurointerventional Therapies for Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation: Illustrated Cases

Approximately 800,000 strokes occur in the United States every year, resulting in 200,000 deaths. Strokes may be ischemic (80%) or hemorrhagic (20%). Strokes caused by atrial fibrillation (AF) are thromboembolic, and AF is the leading cause of ischemic stroke. Rapid distinction between these forms of strokes is critical because approaches to treatment are different. The goal for acute ischemic stroke is reperfusion of ischemic brain tissue, whereas the treatment of hemorrhagic stroke is supportive therapy and correction of the underlying conditions. The treatment of acute ischemic strokes is similar to treatment of acute myocardial infarction, which requires timely reperfusion for optimal results.

Neurologic complications of myocardial infarction

Cardiac disease, in particular coronary artery disease, is the leading cause of mortality in developed nations. Strokes can complicate cardiac disease - either as result of left ventricular dysfunction and associated thrombus formation or of therapy for the cardiac disease. Antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulants routinely used to treat cardiac disease increase the risk for hemorrhagic stroke.

Rates and outcomes of neurosurgical treatment for postthrombolytic intracerebral hemorrhage in patients with acute ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVE

Postthrombolytic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is an infrequent occurrence in patients with acute ischemic stroke. There is controversy surrounding the value of neurosurgical treatment of symptomatic hematomas in these patients and whether availability of neurosurgical treatment is a necessary prerequisite for administration of thrombolytic agents. We report the frequency and outcomes of patients who undergo craniotomy for postthrombolytic ICH.

METHODS

Patients with acute ischemic stroke who experienced postthrombolytic ICH were identified using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2002-2010 and International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Patients were divided into patients who received craniotomy and patients who received medical management alone. Discharge destination and mortality were primary endpoints.

RESULTS

An estimated 7607 patients experienced postthrombolytic ICH; 125 (1.6%) patients underwent craniotomy, and 7482 patients (98.4%) received medical treatment alone. Patients in the craniotomy group were younger (53.7 years old ± 36 vs. 72.4 years old ± 29, P = 0.09) and were frequently in the extreme severity All Patient Refined Diagnosis Related Group category compared with patients in the medical management group (92.2% vs. 55.5%, P = 0.001). The mean length of stay was also longer in the craniotomy group (21.5 days vs. 10 days, P < 0.0001). In-hospital mortality was greater in the medical management group (30.5% vs. 24.2%, P = 0.5). After adjusting for age, gender, and All Patient Refined Diagnosis Related Group severity index, the odds ratios of in-hospital mortality, discharge to extended care facility, and discharge to home or self-care were 0.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.3-2.0, P = 0.5), 5.4 (95% CI 0.6-52.0, P = 0.1), and 0.2 (95% CI 0.02-1.8, P = 0.1) for the craniotomy group compared with the medical management group.

CONCLUSIONS

Emergent craniotomy for postthrombolytic ICH in patients with acute stroke is a salvage treatment offered to a small proportion of patients. Although biases introduced by patient selection cannot be excluded in our analysis, the excessively high rates of death or disability associated with surgical evacuation limit the value of such a procedure in current practice.

Hospital-based management of acute ischemic stroke following intravenous thrombolysis

Timely administration of proven therapies remains the primary goal in acute stroke care. Following reperfusion therapy with intravenous thrombolysis, medical and neurological complications may develop in the hospitalized patient with acute ischemic stroke. Medical complications may include deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, aspiration, systemic infections and neuropsychiatric disturbances. Neurologic complications may include symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral edema with elevated intracranial pressure, and post-stroke seizures. Early initiation of preventative strategies and proper management of common complications may improve both short-term and long-term outcomes. Here we review evidence-based management strategies for hospitalized acute ischemic stroke patients following intravenous thrombolysis.

Treatment of acute intracerebral hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a neurologic emergency associated with regular, early, ongoing hemorrhage, progressive clinical deterioration, severe deficits, and high mortality. Hence, it requires prompt recognition, diagnosis, and management. Initial monitoring and management of patients with ICH should occur in an intensive care unit. The overall approach to treatment mandates using therapies to stop or slow the initial bleeding acutely, removing blood from the parenchyma or ventricles (in eligible patients) to prevent secondary brain injury, addressing raised intracranial pressure, and providing good, comprehensive supportive care, including management of airways, oxygenation, blood pressure, circulation, glucose level, fever, and nutrition, as well as deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis.

Post-infarct ventricular septal defect following thrombolytic intracranial bleed

Mechanical complications after myocardial infarction are uncommon with advances in medical reperfusion strategies. However, such strategies are associated with bleeding complications which typically contraindicate surgical management. We describe a patient with a post-infarction ventricular septal defect and an intraventricular hemorrhage following thrombolytic therapy for an acute myocardial infarction.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy and thrombolysis-related intracerebral haemorrhage

Intracerebral haemorrhage is a complication of thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, and ischaemic stroke. There is increasing evidence that cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), which itself can cause haemorrhage (CAAH), may be a risk factor for thrombolysis-related intracerebral haemorrhage. CAAH and thrombolysis-related intracerebral haemorrhage share some clinical features, such as predisposition to lobar or superficial regions of the brain, multiple haemorrhages, increasing frequency with age, and an association with dementia. In vitro work showed that accumulation of amyloid-beta peptide causes degeneration of cells in the walls of blood vessels, affects vasoactivity, and improves proteolytic mechanisms, such as fibrinolysis, anticoagulation, and degradation of the extracellular matrix. In a mouse model of CAA there is a low haemorrhagic threshold after thrombolytic therapy compared with that in wild-type mice. To date only a small number of anecdotal clinicopathological relations have been reported; neuroimaging advances and further study of the frequency and role of CAA in patients with thrombolysis-related intracerebral haemorrhage are required.