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Nukovic JJ, Opancina V, Ciceri E, Muto M, Zdravkovic N, Altin A, Altaysoy P, Kastelic R, Velazquez Mendivil DM, Nukovic JA, Markovic NV, Opancina M, Prodanovic T, Nukovic M, Kostic J, Prodanovic N. Neuroimaging Modalities Used for Ischemic Stroke Diagnosis and Monitoring. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1908. [PMID: 38003957 PMCID: PMC10673396 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59111908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Strokes are one of the global leading causes of physical or mental impairment and fatality, classified into hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes. Ischemic strokes happen when a thrombus blocks or plugs an artery and interrupts or reduces blood supply to the brain tissue. Deciding on the imaging modality which will be used for stroke detection depends on the expertise and availability of staff and the infrastructure of hospitals. Magnetic resonance imaging provides valuable information, and its sensitivity for smaller infarcts is greater, while computed tomography is more extensively used, since it can promptly exclude acute cerebral hemorrhages and is more favorable speed-wise. The aim of this article was to give information about the neuroimaging modalities used for the diagnosis and monitoring of ischemic strokes. We reviewed the available literature and presented the use of computed tomography, CT angiography, CT perfusion, magnetic resonance imaging, MR angiography and MR perfusion for the detection of ischemic strokes and their monitoring in different phases of stroke development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin J. Nukovic
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Travnik, University of Travnik, 72270 Travnik, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Department of Radiology, General Hospital Novi Pazar, 36300 Novi Pazar, Serbia
| | - Valentina Opancina
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology Unit, A.O.R.N. Cardarelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Elisa Ciceri
- Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Muto
- Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology Unit, A.O.R.N. Cardarelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Nebojsa Zdravkovic
- Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Ahmet Altin
- Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir 35340, Turkey
| | - Pelin Altaysoy
- Faculty of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul 34349, Turkey
| | - Rebeka Kastelic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Jusuf A. Nukovic
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Travnik, University of Travnik, 72270 Travnik, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Department of Radiology, General Hospital Novi Pazar, 36300 Novi Pazar, Serbia
| | - Nenad V. Markovic
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Miljan Opancina
- Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Military Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Defense, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tijana Prodanovic
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Merisa Nukovic
- Department of Radiology, General Hospital Novi Pazar, 36300 Novi Pazar, Serbia
| | - Jelena Kostic
- Department of Radiology, Medical Faculty, University of Belgrade, 11120 Beograd, Serbia
| | - Nikola Prodanovic
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
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Haggenmüller B, Kreiser K, Sollmann N, Huber M, Vogele D, Schmidt SA, Beer M, Schmitz B, Ozpeynirci Y, Rosskopf J, Kloth C. Pictorial Review on Imaging Findings in Cerebral CTP in Patients with Acute Stroke and Its Mimics: A Primer for General Radiologists. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13030447. [PMID: 36766552 PMCID: PMC9914845 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13030447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The imaging evaluation of computed tomography (CT), CT angiography (CTA), and CT perfusion (CTP) is of crucial importance in the setting of each emergency department for suspected cerebrovascular impairment. A fast and clear assignment of characteristic imaging findings of acute stroke and its differential diagnoses is essential for every radiologist. Different entities can mimic clinical signs of an acute stroke, thus the knowledge and fast identification of stroke mimics is important. A fast and clear assignment is necessary for a correct diagnosis and a rapid initiation of appropriate therapy. This pictorial review describes the most common imaging findings in CTP with clinical signs for acute stroke or other acute neurological disorders. The knowledge of these pictograms is therefore essential and should also be addressed in training and further education of radiologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Haggenmüller
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Ulm University Medical Center, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Kornelia Kreiser
- Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, RKU—Universitäts- und Rehabilitationskliniken Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 45, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Nico Sollmann
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Ulm University Medical Center, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Magdalena Huber
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Ulm University Medical Center, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Daniel Vogele
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Ulm University Medical Center, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Stefan A. Schmidt
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Ulm University Medical Center, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Meinrad Beer
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Ulm University Medical Center, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Bernd Schmitz
- Department of Neuroradiology, Bezirkskrankenhaus Günzburg, Lindenallee 2, 89312 Günzburg, Germany
| | - Yigit Ozpeynirci
- Institute of Neuroradiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Johannes Rosskopf
- Department of Neuroradiology, Bezirkskrankenhaus Günzburg, Lindenallee 2, 89312 Günzburg, Germany
| | - Christopher Kloth
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Ulm University Medical Center, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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Khalili N, Wang R, Garg T, Ahmed A, Hoseinyazdi M, Sair HI, Luna LP, Intrapiromkul J, Deng F, Yedavalli V. Clinical application of brain perfusion imaging in detecting stroke mimics: A review. J Neuroimaging 2023; 33:44-57. [PMID: 36207276 DOI: 10.1111/jon.13061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Stroke mimics constitute a significant proportion of patients with suspected acute ischemic stroke. These conditions may resemble acute ischemic stroke and demonstrate abnormalities on perfusion imaging sequences. The most common stroke mimics include seizure/epilepsy, migraine with aura, brain tumors, functional disorders, infectious encephalopathies, Wernicke's encephalopathy, and metabolic abnormalities. Brain perfusion imaging techniques, particularly computed tomography perfusion and magnetic resonance perfusion, are being widely used in routine clinical practice for treatment selection in patients presenting with large vessel occlusion. At the same time, the utilization of these imaging modalities enables the opportunity to better diagnose patients with stroke mimics in a time-sensitive setting, leading to appropriate management, decision-making, and resource allocation. In this review, we describe patterns of perfusion abnormalities that could discriminate patients with stroke mimics from those with acute ischemic stroke and provide specific case examples to illustrate these perfusion abnormalities. In addition, we discuss the challenges associated with interpretation of perfusion images in stroke-related pathologies. In general, perfusion imaging can provide additional information in some cases-when used in combination with conventional magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography-and might help in detecting stroke mimics among patients who present with acute onset focal neurological symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Khalili
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Richard Wang
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Tushar Garg
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Amara Ahmed
- Department of Radiology, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Meisam Hoseinyazdi
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Haris I Sair
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Licia P Luna
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jarunee Intrapiromkul
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Francis Deng
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Vivek Yedavalli
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Junejo HUR, Yusuf S, Zeb R, Zeb U, Zeb AA, Ali A. Predictive Value of CT Brain Perfusion Studies in Acute Ischemic Infarct Taking MRI Stroke Protocol As Gold Standard. Cureus 2021; 13:e16501. [PMID: 34430116 PMCID: PMC8375019 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.16501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acute ischemic stroke is the leading cause of serious chronic disability worldwide. Imaging plays a key role in early diagnosis and intervention, thus reducing mortality and morbidity related to ischemic stroke. Computed tomography (CT) perfusion study is a valuable imaging tool for the assessment of acute infarction. The objective of this study was to determine the predictive value of CT perfusion in diagnosing acute ischemic infarction taking Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) stroke protocol (including Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI)) as a gold standard. Methods The cross-sectional validation study was conducted at a teaching hospital in Islamabad from June 2019 to December 2019. The study comprised a total of 125 patients of either gender with suspected acute ischemic stroke. The patients were scanned for CT perfusion and MRI stroke protocol on the same day. Scans were reported separately for the detection of acute ischemic infarction by the same consultant radiologist. The predictive value of CT perfusion was calculated accordingly. Results Of the 125 patients, 58% were male and 42% were female. The age of selected patients ranged between 38 to 70 years with a mean age of 56.12 ± 9.69 years. Acute ischemic infarction was detected in 86 (69%) patients by CT perfusion study and in 120 (96%) patients by MRI stroke protocol. The positive predicted value of CT perfusion for the detection of acute infarction was calculated as 98.83 and the negative predicted value was 10.25. Conclusion CT perfusion study provides adequate sensitivity and specificity with good predictive value in the detection of acute ischemic infarct in stroke patients. This widely available and time-effective modality aids in the triage of patients for immediate endovascular intervention leading to maximal neurological benefit and improving outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shazia Yusuf
- Diagnostic Radiology, Capital Hospital, Islamabad, PAK
| | - Romasa Zeb
- House Officer Medicine, Capital Hospital, Islamabad, PAK
| | - Uswa Zeb
- Medicine, Capital Hospital, Islamabad, PAK
| | - Ahmed A Zeb
- Medicine, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, PAK
| | - Aamena Ali
- Diagnostic Radiology, Capital Hospital, Islamabad, PAK
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A novel computed tomography perfusion-based quantitative tool for evaluation of perfusional abnormalities in migrainous aura stroke mimic. Neurol Sci 2020; 41:3321-3328. [PMID: 32458253 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-020-04476-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Migrainous aura (MA) represents the third most common stroke mimic (SM). Advanced neuroimaging is pivotal in the assessment of patients with focal neurological acute symptoms. We investigated brain perfusion alterations in MA-SM patients using a novel CT perfusion (CTP)-based quantitative approach in order to improve differential diagnosis between MA and acute stroke. METHODS We processed and analysed the clinical and neuroimaging CTP data, acquired within 4.5 h from symptom onset, of patients with acute focal neurological symptoms receiving a final diagnosis of MA. The differences between ROI, compatible with MA symptoms, and contralateral side were automatically estimated in terms of asymmetry index (AI%) by the newly developed tool for mean transit time (MTT), CBF, and cerebral blood volume (CBV) CTP parameters. The AI% ≥ 10% was considered significant. RESULTS Out of 923 admitted patients, 14 patients with MA were included. In 13 out of 14 cases, a significant pattern of hypoperfusion was observed by quantitative analysis in at least one of the CTP maps. In 7 patients, all three CTP maps were significantly altered. In particular, MTT-AI% increased in 11 (79%) cases, while CBF-AI% and CBV-AI% decreased in 12 (86%) and in 9 (64%) patients, respectively. All CBV values were above ischemic stroke core threshold and all MTT-AI were below ischemic penumbra threshold. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that a novel CTP-quantitative approach may detect during MA a moderate hypoperfusion pattern in the cerebral regions compatible with aura symptoms. The use of this novel tool could support differential diagnosis between MA and acute stroke.
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Kotb HG, Ibrahim AH, Mohamed EF, Ali OM, Hassanein N, Badawy D, Abdelatty Aly E. The expression of microRNA 146a in patients with ischemic stroke: an observational study. Int J Gen Med 2019; 12:273-278. [PMID: 31496785 PMCID: PMC6691961 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s213535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim We conducted the present prospective study to assess the level of microRNA (miRNA) 146a in patients with ischemic stroke and its correlation with patients' characteristics. Methods We conducted an observational study that included adult patients (≥18 years old) who presented within 24 hrs after the onset of the symptoms of acute ischemic stroke. In addition, age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were included as control group. The primary outcome in the present study was the difference in miRNA 146a expression between patients with ischemic stroke and control group participants. The expression of miRNA 146a was measured using quantitative real-time PCR. Quantitative real-time PCR amplification and analysis were performed using Rotor-Gene Q thermal cycler. Results The present study included 44 patients with ischemic stroke and 22 matched controls. Regarding the primary outcome of the present study, the median expression of miRNA 146a in patients with ischemic stroke was -1.98 fold (IQR -27.1-3.9) compared to 1.75 fold (IQR -2.25-5.27) in control group (P<0.001). However, the subgroup analysis showed that the expression of miRNA 146a was significantly downregulated in comatosed patients only (P<0.001). The expression of miRNA 146a correlated negatively with Glasgow Coma Scale score in comatose patients (r=-0.352, P=0.022). Conclusion In conclusion, the expression of miRNA 146a is significantly downregulated in ischemic stroke patients. Further studies are needed to assess its diagnostic utility and therapeutic potentials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hend G Kotb
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amal H Ibrahim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eman F Mohamed
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Omaima M Ali
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt
| | - Nagwa Hassanein
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Dina Badawy
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ehab Abdelatty Aly
- Health Radiation Research Department, National Center of Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt
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Kim SJ, Kim DW, Kim HY, Roh HG, Park JJ. Seizure in code stroke: Stroke mimic and initial manifestation of stroke. Am J Emerg Med 2018; 37:1871-1875. [PMID: 30598373 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2018.12.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 12/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although seizure is one of the common causes of stroke mimics and can be an initial manifestation of acute stroke, accurate diagnosis of seizure during acute stroke management is frequently difficult. The objective of this study was to analyze the frequency, characteristics and results of neuroimaging including CT perfusion in patients with seizures manifesting initially as stroke-like symptoms. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who were treated with code stroke alarming system. We studied the frequency and characteristics of patients who were finally diagnosed with seizures and further correlated their clinical features with the results of neuroimaging including CT perfusion. RESULTS Among the 4673 patients who were treated with code stroke alarming system, seizure was the third most frequent diagnosis (188 patients, 4.0%) among the causes of stroke mimics including 27 patients who manifested seizure as an initial manifestation of acute stroke. CT perfusion showed perfusion changes in more than 25% of them (49 of 188 patients, 26.1%). Thrombolysis was not performed in six patients who presented with seizure as an initial presentation of stroke for delayed diagnosis while one patient underwent thrombolysis for misdiagnosis of seizure. CONCLUSIONS Seizure is a frequent final diagnosis in acute stroke management. However, careful interpretation of clinical features and results of perfusion imaging is necessary to avoid unnecessary thrombolysis in patients with seizure as a stroke mimic and thrombolysis failure due to delayed diagnosis of seizure as an initial manifestation of stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Jeong Kim
- Department of Neurology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Wook Kim
- Department of Neurology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hahn Young Kim
- Department of Neurology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Gee Roh
- Department of Radiology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Jin Park
- Department of Neurology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Abstract
There are about 25.7 million stroke survivors worldwide. Ischaemic stroke remains the most common type of stroke. Numerous modifiable risk factors have been identified, including behaviors such as cigarette smoking and sedentary lifestyle and treatable medical comorbidities such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia and atrial fibrillation. Once considered irreversible, acute ischaemic stroke is now amenable to acute medical and endovascular therapies to reduce infarct volume. Many advances are expected in the years to come, particularly in the areas of prevention and recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- J F Meschia
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - T Brott
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
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Wee CK, McAuliffe W, Phatouros CC, Phillips TJ, Blacker D, Singh TP, Baker E, Hankey GJ. Outcomes of Endovascular Thrombectomy with and without Thrombolysis for Acute Large Artery Ischaemic Stroke at a Tertiary Stroke Centre. Cerebrovasc Dis Extra 2017; 7:95-102. [PMID: 28463832 PMCID: PMC6685497 DOI: 10.1159/000470855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) improves the functional outcome when added to best medical therapy, including alteplase, in patients with acute ischaemic stroke secondary to large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the anterior circulation. However, the evidence for EVT in alteplase-ineligible patients is less compelling. It is also uncertain whether alteplase is necessary in patients with successful recanalization by EVT, as the treatment effect of EVT may be so powerful that bridging alteplase may not add to efficacy and may compromise safety by increasing bleeding risks. We aimed to survey the proportion of patients suitable for EVT who are alteplase-ineligible and to compare the safety and effectiveness of standard care of acute large artery ischaemic stroke by EVT plus thrombolysis with that of EVT alone in a tertiary hospital clinical stroke service. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of acute ischaemic stroke patients treated with EVT at our centre between October 2013 and April 2016, based on a registry with prospective and consecutive patient collection. Individual patient records were retrieved for review. Significant early neurological improvement was defined as a NIHSS score of 0-1, or a decrease from baseline of ≤8, at 24 h after stroke onset. RESULTS Fifty patients with acute ischaemic stroke secondary to LVO in the anterior circulation received EVT in this period, of whom 21 (42%) received concurrent alteplase and 29 (58%) EVT alone. The 2 groups had similar baseline characteristics and similar outcomes. Significant neurological improvement at 24 h occurred in 47.6% of the patients with EVT and bridging alteplase and in 51.7% of the patients with EVT alone (p = 0.774). Mortality during acute hospitalization was 20% for the bridging alteplase group versus 7.1% for EVT alone (p = 0.184). Intracranial haemorrhage rates were 14.3% for bridging alteplase versus 20.7% for EVT alone (p = 0.716). Local complications, groin haematoma (23.8 vs. 10.3%) and groin pseudoaneurysms (4.8 vs. 0%) (p = 0.170), were not significantly different. CONCLUSION Our study highlights the relatively large proportion of patients suitable for EVT who have a contraindication to alteplase and raises the hypothesis that adding alteplase to successful EVT may not be necessary to optimize functional outcome. The results are consistent with observational data from other endovascular centres and support a randomised controlled trial of EVT versus EVT with bridging alteplase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chee-Keong Wee
- Department of Neurology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Washington, Australia
| | - William McAuliffe
- Neurological Intervention and Imaging Service of Western Australia (NIISWA), Perth, Washington, Australia
| | - Constantine C Phatouros
- Neurological Intervention and Imaging Service of Western Australia (NIISWA), Perth, Washington, Australia
| | - Timothy J Phillips
- Neurological Intervention and Imaging Service of Western Australia (NIISWA), Perth, Washington, Australia
| | - David Blacker
- Department of Neurology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Washington, Australia
| | - Tejinder P Singh
- Neurological Intervention and Imaging Service of Western Australia (NIISWA), Perth, Washington, Australia
| | - Ellen Baker
- Department of Neurology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Washington, Australia
| | - Graeme J Hankey
- Department of Neurology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Washington, Australia.,School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Washington, Australia
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