Single Centre Experience on Decision Making for Mechanical Thrombectomy Based on Single-Phase CT Angiography by Including NCCT and Maximum Intensity Projection Images - A Comparison with Magnetic Resonance Imaging after Non-Contrast CT

Impact of stroke imaging selection modality on endovascular thrombectomy outcomes in the early and extended time windows: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The effect of imaging selection modality on endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO) remains unclear. This study aims to compare post-EVT outcomes in patients with AIS-LVO who underwent basic imaging (computed tomography with or without computed tomography angiography) and advanced imaging (computed tomography perfusion or magnetic resonance imaging) in early and late time windows.

METHOD

A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases from inception until June 10, 2023. Studies investigating the relationship between the imaging selection modality and post-EVT outcomes in patients with AIS-LVO were retrieved. A random-effects model was used to pool the effect estimates of successful reperfusion, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), functional independence, and mortality. The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager software v.4.3, and the outcomes were assessed using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULT

A total of 13 non-randomized observational studies, comprising 19,694 patients, were included in this meta-analysis. In the early time windows, AIS-LVO patients receiving advanced imaging demonstrated a higher likelihood of functional independence (OR, 1.25, 95% CI, 1.08-1.46) and a lower risk of mortality (OR,.73 95% CI,.61-.86) compared to those receiving basic imaging. In the extended time windows, AIS-LVO patients undergoing advanced imaging had a lower mortality rate (OR,.79, 95% CI,.68-.92). Regardless of the time of onset, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of sICH or successful reperfusion.

CONCLUSION

Advanced imaging combined with EVT may achieve better clinical outcomes in patients with AIS-LVO. Further high-quality studies are needed to validate these findings.

Enhancing the clinical value of single-phase computed tomography angiography in the assessment of collateral circulation in acute ischemic stroke: A narrative review

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) condition assessment and clinical prognosis are significantly influenced by the compensatory state of cerebral collateral circulation. A standard clinical test known as single-phase computed tomography angiography (sCTA) is useful for quickly and accurately assessing the creation or opening of cerebral collateral circulation, which is crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of AIS. To improve the clinical application of sCTA in the clinical assessment of collateral circulation, we examine the present use of sCTA in AIS in this work.

Understanding Delays in MRI-based Selection of Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke Patients for Endovascular Thrombectomy

PURPOSE

Given the efficacy of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), optimizing systems of delivery is crucial. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for evaluating tissue viability but may require more time to obtain and interpret. We sought to identify determinants of arrival-to-puncture time for patients who underwent MRI-based EVT selection in a real-world setting.

METHODS

Patients were identified from a prospectively maintained database from 2011-2019 that included demographics, presentations, treatments, and outcomes. Process times were obtained from the medical charts. MRI times were obtained from time stamps on the first sequence. Linear and logistic regressions were used to infer explanatory variables of arrival-to-puncture times and effects of arrival-to-puncture time on functional outcomes.

RESULTS

In this study 192 patients (median age 70 years, 57% women, 12% non-white) underwent MRI-based EVT selection. 66% also underwent computed tomography (CT) at the hub before EVT. General anesthesia was used for 33%. Among the entire cohort, the median arrival-to-puncture was 102 min; however, among those without CT it was 77 min. Longer arrival-to-puncture times independently reduced the odds of 90-day good outcome (∆mRS ≤ 2 from pre-stroke, aOR = 0.990, 95%CI = 0.981-0.999, p = 0.040) when controlling for age, NIHSS, and good reperfusion (TICI 2b-3). Independent determinants of longer arrival-to-puncture were CT plus MRI (β = 0.205, p = 0.003), non-white race/ethnicity (β = 0.162, p = 0.012), coronary disease (β = 0.205, p = 0.001), and general anesthesia (β = 0.364, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Minimizing arrival-to-puncture time is important for outcomes. Real-world challenges exist in an MRI-based EVT selection protocol; avoiding double imaging is key to saving time. Racial/ethnic disparities require further study. Understanding variables associated with delay will inform protocol changes.

Improving Door-To-Puncture Time in Mechanical Thrombectomy with Direct Care from a Neurointerventionalist in the Emergency Department

OBJECTIVE

A shorter door-to-puncture time is an independent predictor of good clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) who undergo mechanical thrombectomy (MT). We recently initiated a protocol for direct care from neurointerventionalists (NIs) in the emergency department (ED) rather than from non-NI neurologists for patients with AIS. Our aim was to investigate whether NIs, as the first point-of-care physicians for stroke in the ED, could shorten door-to-puncture time compared to non-NI neurologists.

METHODS

From January 2020 to December 2020, 50 patients with AIS underwent MT at our hospital. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the type of physician who provided initial care for stroke in the ED: (a) NI group (n = 20) and (b) non-NI group (n = 30). The door-to-puncture time was retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

The NI group had a significantly shorter door-to-puncture time than the non-NI group (135.2 ± 50.0 minutes vs. 167.2 ± 54.3 minutes, P = 0.040). A door-to-puncture time of ≤120 minutes was more frequently achieved in the NI group than in the non-NI group (55.0% vs. 23.3%, P = 0.022). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that a door-to-puncture time of ≤120 minutes was independently associated with the NI group (adjusted odds ratio 4.098, 95% confidence interval 1.085-15.479, P = 0.037).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that NIs, as the first point-of-care stroke physicians in the ED, were associated with shorter door-to-puncture times. We suggest that NIs should be at the forefront of care for patients with AIS in the acute setting by performing triage and deciding on and performing MT.