Endovascular Therapy for Acute Stroke: New Evidence and Indications

Deep Learning-Assisted Diagnosis of Malignant Cerebral Edema Following Endovascular Thrombectomy

BACKGROUND

Malignant cerebral edema (MCE) is a significant complication following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. This study aimed to develop and validate a deep learning-assisted diagnosis model based on the hyperattenuated imaging marker (HIM), characterized by hyperattenuation on head non-contrast computed tomography immediately after thrombectomy, to facilitate radiologists in predicting MCE in patients receiving EVT.

METHODS

This study included 271 patients, with 168 in the training cohort, 43 in the validation cohort, and 60 in the prospective internal test cohort. Deep learning models including ResNet 50, ResNet 101, ResNeXt50_32×4d, ResNeXt101_32×8d, and DenseNet 121 were constructed. The performance of senior and junior radiologists with and without optimal model assistance was compared.

RESULTS

ResNeXt101_32×8d had the best predictive performance, the analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curve indicated an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.897 for the prediction of MCE in the validation group and an AUC of 0.889 in the test group. Moreover, with the assistance of the model, radiologists exhibited a significant improvement in diagnostic performance, the AUC increased by 0.137 for the junior radiologist and 0.096 for the junior radiologist respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our study utilized the ResNeXt-101 neural network, combined with HIM, to validate a deep learning model for predicting MCE post-EVT. The developed deep learning model demonstrated high discriminative ability, and can serve as a valuable adjunct to radiologists in clinical practice.

Impact of hospital readmission site on outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy: a nationwide analysis

BACKGROUND

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) significantly improves outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion. There is limited understanding of how the site of hospital readmission after MT influences patient outcomes. Addressing this gap may be important for optimizing post-MT care and improving long-term outcomes for stroke patients.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis using data from the Nationwide Readmissions Database, focusing on acute ischemic stroke patients who underwent MT between 2016 and 2019. Multivariable Cox regression and Fine and Gray competing risks models were used to assess the impact of readmission site on patient outcomes, including mortality and the likelihood of discharge to home.

RESULTS

The analysis included 18 330 patients readmitted within 90 days post-MT, with 63.7% readmitted to index hospitals and 36.3% to non-index hospitals. Readmission to the index hospital was not significantly associated with mortality but was linked to a higher likelihood of discharge to home (subdistributed HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.32, P<0.001), a lower likelihood of longer hospital stay (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.90, P<0.001), and lower hospital cost (β = -3345.25, 95% CI -5786.46 to -904.04, P=0.007).

CONCLUSION

This nationwide analysis suggests that for acute ischemic stroke patients treated with MT, readmission to index hospitals within 90 days is associated with a higher likelihood of home discharge, shorter length of stay, and lower hospital cost. Further research is warranted to better understand the underlying causes of these disparities and to enhance continuity of care for this vulnerable patient population.

Long-term outcome of endovascular thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in patients with acute large vessel occlusion stroke. However, its long-term benefits remain uncertain. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the long-term clinical outcomes of EVT.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases to identify relevant literature pertaining to patients with acute ischemic stroke who were treated with EVT plus medical management (MM) compared with MM alone, until August, 31, 2024. The primary outcome was functional independence (defined as a score of 0 to 2 on the modified Rankin scale [mRS]) at 12 months or beyond, while the safety outcome was mortality at 12 months or longer. Effect sizes were computed as risk ratio (RR) with random-effect or fixed-effect models. This study was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews on June 15, 2024 (PROSPERO, CRD42024554043).

RESULTS

A total of 4546 articles were obtained through the search. After excluding those that did not meet the inclusion criteria, 9 randomized controlled trials with 3358 patients (1821 and 1537 assigned to EVT + MM and MM alone group, respectively) were included in this analysis. The EVT + MM group had a higher proportion of functional independence (32.9% vs 18.2%, risk ratio 2.07, 95% confidence interval 1.50-2.87, P < 0.001) and lower mortality (34.1% vs 39.7%, risk ratio 0.86, 95% confidence interval 0.78-0.94, P = 0.001) compared to the MM group.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular thrombectomy was associated with improved functional outcomes and reduced mortality in acute large vessel occlusion stroke patients and presented a long-term favorable effect.

CLEAR Thrombectomy Score: An Index to Estimate the Probability of Good Functional Outcome With or Without Endovascular Treatment in the Late Window for Anterior Circulation Occlusion

BACKGROUND

With the expanding eligibility for endovascular therapy (EVT) of patients presenting in the late window (6-24 hours after last known well), we aimed to derive a score to predict favorable outcomes associated with EVT versus best medical management.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A multinational observational cohort of patients from the CLEAR (Computed Tomography for Late Endovascular Reperfusion) study with proximal intracranial occlusion (2014-2022) was queried (n=58 sites). Logistic regression analyses were used to derive a 9-point score for predicting good functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2 or return to premorbid modified Rankin Scale score) at 90 days, with sensitivity analyses for prespecified subgroups conducted using bootstrapped random forest regressions. Secondary outcomes included 90-day functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2), poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 5-6), and 90-day survival. The score was externally validated with a single-center cohort (2014-2023). Of the 3231 included patients (n=2499 EVT), a 9-point score included age, early computed tomography ischemic changes, and stroke severity, with higher points indicating a higher probability of a good functional outcome. The areas under the curve for the primary outcome among EVT and best medical management subgroups were 0.72 (95% CI, 0.70-0.74) and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.84-0.90), respectively, with similar performance in the external validation cohort (area under the curve, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.66-0.76]). There was a significant interaction between the score and EVT for good functional outcome, functional independence, and poor outcome (all Pinteraction<0.001), with greater benefit favoring patients with lower and midrange scores.

CONCLUSIONS

This score is a pragmatic tool that can estimate the probability of a good outcome with EVT in the late window.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.Clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04096248.

Reducing the global burden of cerebral venous thrombosis: An international research agenda

BACKGROUND

Due to the rarity of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), performing high-quality scientific research in this field is challenging. Providing answers to unresolved research questions will improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and ultimately translate to a better outcome of patients with CVT. We present an international research agenda, in which the most important research questions in the field of CVT are prioritized.

AIMS

This research agenda has three distinct goals: (1) to provide inspiration and focus to research on CVT for the coming years, (2) to reinforce international collaboration, and (3) to facilitate the acquisition of research funding.

SUMMARY OF REVIEW

This international research agenda is the result of a research summit organized by the International Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Consortium in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in June 2023. The summit brought together 45 participants from 15 countries including clinical researchers from various disciplines, patients who previously suffered from CVT, and delegates from industry and non-profit funding organizations. The research agenda is categorized into six pre-specified themes: (1) epidemiology and clinical features, (2) life after CVT, (3) neuroimaging and diagnosis, (4) pathophysiology, (5) medical treatment, and (6) endovascular treatment. For each theme, we present two to four research questions, followed by a brief substantiation per question. The research questions were prioritized by the participants of the summit through consensus discussion.

CONCLUSIONS

This international research agenda provides an overview of the most burning research questions on CVT. Answering these questions will advance our understanding and management of CVT, which will ultimately lead to improved outcomes for CVT patients worldwide.

Unsuccessful Recanalization versus Medical Management of Patients with Large Ischemic Core : Analysis of the ANGEL-ASPECT Randomized Trial

PURPOSE

The outcomes of patients with large ischemic core who fail to recanalize with endovascular therapy (EVT) compared to medical management (MM) are uncertain. The objective was to evaluate the clinical and safety outcomes of patients who underwent EVT in patients with large ischemic core and unsuccessful recanalization.

METHODS

This was a post hoc analysis of the ANGEL-ASPECT randomized trial. Unsuccessful recanalization was defined as patients who underwent EVT with eTICI 0-2a. The primary endpoint was 90-day very poor outcome (mRS 5-6). Multivariable logistic regression was conducted controlling for ASPECTS, occlusion location, intravenous thrombolysis, and time to treatment.

RESULTS

Of 455 patients 225 were treated with MM. Of 230 treated with EVT, 43 (19%) patients had unsuccessful recanalization. There was no difference in 90-day very poor outcomes (39.5% vs. 40%, aOR 0.93, 95% confidence interval, CI 0.47-1.85, p = 0.95), sICH (7.0% vs. 2.7%, aOR 2.81, 95% CI 0.6-13.29, p = 0.19), or mortality (30% vs. 20%, aOR 1.65, 95% CI 0.89-3.06, p = 0.11) between the unsuccessful EVT and MM groups, respectively. There were higher rates of ICH (55.8% vs. 17.3%, p < 0.001), infarct core volume growth (142.7 ml vs. 90.5 ml, β = 47.77, 95% CI 20.97-74.57 ml, p < 0.001), and decompressive craniectomy (18.6% vs. 3.6%, p < 0.001) in the unsuccessful EVT versus MM groups.

CONCLUSION

In a randomized trial of patients with large ischemic core undergoing EVT with unsuccessful recanalization, there was no difference in very poor outcomes, sICH or death versus medically managed patients. In the unsuccessful EVT group, there were higher rates of any ICH, volume of infarct core growth, and decompressive craniectomy.