Effects of hypertension in patients receiving mechanical thrombectomy: A meta-analysis

Extended Length of Stay After Mechanical Thrombectomy for Stroke: A Single-Center Analysis of 703 Patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is crucial for improving functional outcomes for acute ischemic stroke. Length of stay (LOS) is a reimbursement metric implemented to incentivize value-based care. Our study aims to identify predictors of LOS in patients undergoing MT at a high-volume center in the United States.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of patients who underwent MT at a single institution from 2017 to 2023. Patients who experienced mortality during their course of hospital stay were excluded from this study. Extended LOS (eLOS) was defined as the upper quartile (≥75th) of the median duration of hospital stay. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed, with P values < .05 denoting statistical significance.

RESULTS

Seven hundred three patients met criteria for inclusion. The median age of the cohort was 72 years (IQR: 61-82), and 57.2% was female. The median LOS was 6, IQR: 4-10. A total of 28.9% of the cohort (n = 203) patients experienced eLOS. The multivariate regression model identified age (odds ratio [OR]: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97-0.99), diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.15-2.44), and hemorrhagic transformation of stroke (OR: 2.89, 95% CI: 0.39-0.90) as predictors of eLOS, whereas antiplatelet use before admission (OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.34-0.89) and higher baseline modified Rankin Scale before stroke were associated with lower odds (OR: 0.59 [0.39-0.90]; P < .05) of eLOS.

CONCLUSION

By identifying predictors of eLOS, we provide a foundation for targeted interventions aimed at optimizing post-thrombectomy care pathways and improving patient outcomes. The implications of our study extend beyond clinical practice, offering insights into healthcare resource utilization, reimbursement strategies, and value-based care initiatives.

First pass effect as an independent predictor of functional outcomes in medium vessel occlusions: An analysis of an international multicenter study

INTRODUCTION

First pass effect (FPE), achievement of complete recanalization (mTICI 2c/3) with a single pass, is a significant predictor of favorable outcomes for endovascular treatment (EVT) in large vessel occlusion stroke (LVO). However, data concerning the impact on functional outcomes and predictors of FPE in medium vessel occlusions (MeVO) are scarce.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted an international retrospective study on MeVO cases. Multivariable logistic modeling was used to establish independent predictors of FPE. Clinical and safety outcomes were compared between the two study groups (FPE vs non-FPE) using logistic regression models. Good outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale 0-2 at 3 months.

RESULTS

Eight hundred thirty-six patients with a final mTICI ⩾ 2b were included in this analysis. FPE was observed in 302 patients (36.1%). In multivariable analysis, hypertension (aOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.10-2.20) and lower baseline NIHSS score (aOR 0.95, 95% CI 0.93-0.97) were independently associated with an FPE. Good outcomes were more common in the FPE versus non-FPE group (72.8% vs 52.8%), and FPE was independently associated with favorable outcome (aOR 2.20, 95% CI 1.59-3.05). 90-day mortality and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) were significantly lower in the FPE group, 0.43 (95% CI, 0.25-0.72) and 0.55 (95% CI, 0.39-0.77), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Over 2/3 of patients with MeVOs and FPE in our cohort had a favorable outcome at 90 days. FPE is independently associated with favorable outcomes, it may reduce the risk of any intracranial hemorrhage, and 3-month mortality.

Intensive vs Conventional Blood Pressure Control After Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Importance

Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large-vessel occlusion (LVO), but optimal post-EVT blood pressure (BP) control remains debated.

Objective

To assess the association of different systolic BP targets following EVT with functional outcomes, mortality, and complications in patients with AIS due to LVO.

Data Sources

Systematic review and meta-analysis of databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) to September 8, 2023.

Study Selection

Inclusion criteria consisted of randomized clinical trials examining post-EVT management of systolic BP in patients with AIS and LVO comparing intensive vs conventional targets. Nonrandomized studies, observational studies, noninterventional trials, meeting abstracts, duplicate studies, studies with overlapping data, and non-English language studies were excluded. Two authors independently applied these criteria through a blinded review, with discrepancies resolved through consensus. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the revised tool for assessing risk of bias in randomized trials.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

This study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline. Three authors extracted data regarding study characteristics, baseline patient data, and outcomes of interest. The pooled data were analyzed using a random-effects meta-analysis.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Rates of functional independence, 90-day mortality, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and hypotensive events.

Results

A total of 4 randomized clinical trials with 1571 initially enrolled patients were included in the analysis. Lower functional independence rates were observed in the intensive control group (relative risk [RR], 0.81 [95% CI, 0.67-0.98]). No significant differences were found in 90-day mortality (RR, 1.18 [95% CI, 0.92-1.52]), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (RR, 1.12 [95% CI, 0.75-1.67]), or hypotensive events (RR, 1.80 [95% CI, 0.37-8.76]). There was minimal heterogeneity among the studies included in the functional independence outcome (I2 = 13% and τ2 = 0.003), which was absent among other outcomes (I2 = 0 and τ2 = 0).

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest that intensive post-EVT BP reduction does not yield benefits and may carry risks. While awaiting the results of additional ongoing trials, a conservative BP management strategy after endovascular recanalization is favored in daily practice.

Efficacy of endovascular therapy for stroke in developing country: A single-centre retrospective observational study in Indonesia from 2017 to 2021

Background

Indonesia as a developing nation faces a plethora of challenges in applying endovascular therapy (EVT), mostly due to the lack of physicians specialized in neuro-intervention, high operational cost, and time limitation. The efficacy of EVT in improving functional outcomes of stroke in developing countries has not been previously studied.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (Jakarta, Indonesia) from January 2017 to December 2021. Large vessel occlusion (LVO) diagnosis was established based on a combination of clinical and imaging characteristics. We assessed patients' functional independence on day-90 based on modified Rankin Scale (mRS) between the endovascular treatment group and the conservative group (those receiving intravascular thrombolysis or medical treatment only). Functional independence was defined as mRS ≤2.

Results

Among 111 stroke patients with LVO, we included 32 patients in the EVT group and 50 patients in the conservative group for this study. Patients with younger age (p = 0.004), lower hypertension rate (p < 0.001), higher intubation rate (p = 0.014), and earlier onset of stroke were observed in the EVT group. The proportion of mRS ≤2 at day-90 in the EVT group was higher than the conservative group (28.1 % vs. 18.0 %; p = 0.280). Patients within mRS ≤2 group had earlier onset-to-puncture time (p = 0.198), onset-to-recanalization time (p = 0.341), lower NIHSS (p = 0.026) and higher ASPECTS (p = 0.001) on admission. In multivariate analysis, ASPECTS (aOR 2.43; 95%CI 1.26-4.70; p = 0.008) defined functional independence in the EVT group.

Conclusion

The endovascular therapy group had a higher proportion of mRS ≤2 at day-90 than the conservative group despite its statistical insignificance.

Blood Pressure Management in Acute Ischemic Stroke

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Abrupt blood pressure (BP) rise is the most common clinical symptom of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, BP alterations during AIS reflect many diverse mechanisms, both stroke-related and nonspecific epiphenomena, which change over time and across patients. While extremes of BP as well as high BP variability have been related with worse outcomes in observational studies, optimal BP management after AIS remains challenging.

RECENT FINDINGS

This review discusses the complexity of the factors linking BP changes to the clinical outcomes of patients with AIS, depending on the treatment strategy and local vessel status and, in particular, the degree of reperfusion achieved. The evidence for possible additional clinical markers, including the presence of arterial hypertension, and comorbid organ dysfunction in individuals with AIS, as informative and helpful factors in therapeutic decision-making concerning BP will be reviewed, as well as recent data on neurovascular monitoring targeting person-specific local cerebral perfusion and metabolic demand, instead of the global traditional parameters (BP among others) alone. The individualization of BP management protocols based on a complex evaluation of the homeostatic response to focal cerebral ischemia, including but not limited to BP changes, may be a valuable novel goal proposed in AIS, but further trials are warranted.