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BACKGROUND: The superiority of balloon angioplasty plus aggressive medical management (AMM) to AMM alone for symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis (sICAS) on efficacy and safety profiles still lacks evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs). AIM: To demonstrate the design of an RCT on balloon angioplasty plus AMM for sICAS. DESIGN: Balloon Angioplasty for Symptomatic Intracranial Artery Stenosis (BASIS) trial is a multicentre, prospective, randomised, open-label, blinded end-point trial to investigate whether balloon angioplasty plus AMM could improve clinical outcome compared with AMM alone in patients with sICAS. Patients eligible in BASIS were 35-80 years old, with a recent transient ischaemic attack within the past 90 days or ischaemic stroke between 14 days and 90 days prior to enrolment due to severe atherosclerotic stenosis (70%-99%) of a major intracranial artery. The eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive balloon angioplasty plus AMM or AMM alone at a 1:1 ratio. Both groups will receive identical AMM, including standard dual antiplatelet therapy for 90 days followed by long-term single antiplatelet therapy, intensive risk factor management and life-style modification. All participants will be followed up for 3 years. STUDY OUTCOMES: Stroke or death in the next 30 days after enrolment or after balloon angioplasty procedure of the qualifying lesion during follow-up, or any ischaemic stroke or revascularisation from the qualifying artery after 30 days but before 12 months of enrolment, is the primary outcome. DISCUSSION: BASIS trail is the first RCT to compare the efficacy and safety of balloon angioplasty plus AMM to AMM alone in sICAS patients, which may provide an alternative perspective for treating sICAS. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03703635; https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov.

BACKGROUND: The benefit of stroke thrombectomy for large infarct core still lacks robust randomised controlled studies. AIM: To demonstrate the design of a clinical trial on endovascular therapy for acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) patients with large infarct core volume. DESIGN: ANGEL-ASPECT is a multicentre, prospective, randomised, open-label, blinded End-point trial to evaluate whether best medical management (BMM) combined with endovascular therapy improves neurological functional outcomes as compared with BMM alone in acute LVO patients with Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) of 3-5 on non-contrast CT or infarct core volume range of 70-100 mL (defined as rCBF

BackgroundMost trials comparing endovascular treatment (EVT) alone versus intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase (IVT) + EVT in directly admitted patients with a stroke are non-inferiority trials. However, the margin based on the level of uncertainty regarding non-inferiority of the experimental treatment that clinicians are willing to accept to incorporate EVT alone into clinical practice remains unknown.ObjectiveTo characterize what experienced stroke clinicians would consider an acceptable level of uncertainty for hypothetical decisions on whether to administer IVT or not before EVT in patients admitted directly to EVT-capable centers.MethodsA web-based, structured survey was distributed to a cross-section of 600 academic neurologists/neurointerventionalists. For this purpose, a response framework for a hypothetical trial comparing IVT+EVT (standard of care) with EVT alone (experimental arm) was designed. In this trial, a similar proportion of patients in each arm achieved functional independence at 90 days. Invited physicians were asked at what level of certainty they would feel comfortable skipping IVT in clinical practice, considering these hypothetical trial results.ResultsThere were 180 respondents (response rate: 30%) and 165 with complete answers. The median chosen acceptable uncertainty suggesting reasonable comparability between both treatments was an absolute difference in the rate of day 90 functional independence of 3% (mode 5%, IQR 1-5%), with higher chosen margins observed in interventionalists (aOR 2.20, 95% CI 1.06 to 4.67).ConclusionPhysicians would generally feel comfortable skipping IVT before EVT at different certainty thresholds. Most physicians would treat with EVT alone if randomized trial data suggested that the number of patients achieving functional independence at 90 days was similar between the two groups, and one could be sufficiently sure that no more than 3 out of 100 patients would not achieve functional independence at 90 days due to skipping IVT.

In acute ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion, the characteristics of the occluding thrombus on neuroimaging may be associated with recanalization after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT); however, the relationship between magnetic susceptibility of thrombus and clinical outcome remains unclear. We utilized quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) MRI to assess the magnetic susceptibility of thrombus in acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing EVT, and to evaluate its relationship with recanalization and functional outcomes. Patients with documented intracranial artery occlusion were consecutively recruited from one research center of the RESCUE-RE study (a registration study for Critical Care of Acute Ischemic Stroke After Recanalization). All the recruited patients underwent a 3D multi-echo MRI scan on a 3.0 T scanner for both susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) and QSM quantification of the thrombus. Among 61 patients included in the analyses, 51 (75.0 %) patients achieved thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) 2b/3 and 22 (36.1 %) patients had favorable functional outcomes. Successful recanalization was significantly associated with a higher thrombus magnetic susceptibility mean value (0.27 ± 0.09 vs 0.20 ± 0.09 ppm, p = 0.020) and lower coefficient of variation (0.42 ± 0.12 vs 0.52 ± 0.19, p = 0.024). ROC curve analysis showed the optimal cutoff value for thrombus susceptibility for predicting good clinical outcomes was 0.25 ppm (sensitivity 86.4 %, specificity 69.2 %). In multivariable logistic regression analyses, increased thrombus magnetic susceptibility was independently and significantly associated with good functional outcomes (adjusted odds ratio 15.11 [95 % confidence interval 2.64-86.46], p = 0.002). This study demonstrated that the increased thrombus magnetic susceptibility is associated with successful recanalization and favorable functional outcomes for intracranial artery occluded stroke patients.

BackgroundThe effect of choice of anesthesia on clinical outcome for endovascular treatment (EVT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) remains unclear.MethodsWe conducted a pilot trial of 43 patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke having EVT. Patients were randomly allocated to receive general anesthesia or conscious sedation. We documented the rate of recruitment and rate of conversion from conscious sedation to general anesthesia. In addition, we recorded the change in National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) on day 7, the rate of successful reperfusion and measured neurological function by certified researchers using modified Rankin Score (mRS 0 to 2) at 90 days.ResultsThe recruitment rate was 31.4% and majority of patients were excluded because of delay in hospital presentation and posterior circulation stroke. The rate of conversion from conscious sedation to general anesthesia was 18.2%. This was primarily related to excessive sedation and uncontrolled movement. Change in NIHSS score, rate of successful reperfusion and functional recovery were similar between groups.ConclusionsIt was feasible to randomize AIS patients receiving either general anesthesia or conscious sedation for EVT.

Background: The benefits of heparization during mechanical thrombectomy (MT) with newer generation thrombectomy devices, and if it is counterbalanced by the increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) remain unknown. Methods: We included eligible patients who underwent MT from the ANGEL registry study (2015-2017) in China. Subjects in the current analysis were dichotomized into two groups according to whether adequate heparinization during MT was performed. In the heparinization group, unfractionated heparin was infused at 50-100 IU/Kg at first and additional 1,000 IU at intervals of an hour during the operation. Safety outcomes (symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage [sICH], ICH and distal embolization) and efficacy outcomes (artery recanalization and functional outcomes at 3-month follow-up) were compared between groups. Results: We included 619 patients from the entire cohort of 917 patients. The average age of them was 63.9 ± 13.7 years, 269 (43.5%) were treated with heparinization during MT. Heparinization during MT didnt significantly influence recanalization rates, total ICH and long-term mortality (adjusted p > 0.05 for all). But sICH and distal embolization occurred more frequently (9.3 vs. 5.1%, adjusted p = 0.02; 7.1 vs. 3.1%, adjusted p = 0.04, respectively), while functional independence appeared less likely (39.8 vs. 47.4%, adjusted p = 0.01) in heparinization group than that in non-heparinization group. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that heparinization during MT was an independent predictor for sICH (Odds ratio 2.36 [1.19-4.67], p = 0.01) in addition to cardio-embolism stroke and posterior circulation stroke (PCS), and an independent predictor for poor outcome (Odds ratio 1.79 [1.23-2.59], p < 0.01) besides age, bridging intravenous thrombolysis, admission NIHSS, drinking and PCS. Conclusion: Heparinization during MT may be associated with increased risk of safety outcomes over sICH and distal embolization, as well as efficacy outcomes over long-term poor outcome. Further randomized controlled trials are needed.

In 2015, several clinical trials demonstrated the efficacy of endovascular reperfusion therapies (EVT) in stroke patients with large vessel occlusion, which had changed stroke treatment guidelines and clinical practice all over the world. However, despite substantial recanalization, about half of the patients obtain a poor functional outcome at 3 months after endovascular treatment. The difference between the high recanalization rate of cerebral vessels and the low recovery rate of good clinical function has become a pain for neurointerventionalists! Alberta stroke program early CT score (ASPECTS), direct arrival, previous thrombolysis, time from onset to recanalization < 6 h, and recanalization status, etc. are certainly the reasons for this outcome. But we may have overlooked an important issue, that recanalization of blood vessels does not mean reperfusion of tissues. The phenomenon of poor tissue perfusion after recanalization is called no-reflow phenomenon (NRP). Coronary NRP has become an important predictor of clinical prognosis for acute coronary occlusion after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In the past nearly half century, interventional cardiologists have done a lot of researches on the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of NRP, which effectively improve the clinical efficacy of coronary PCI. When neurointerventionalists are actively carrying out endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke, should they actively pay more attention to NRP?

PURPOSE: Current studies on endovascular intervention for intracranial atherosclerosis select patients based on luminal stenosis. Coronary studies demonstrated that fractional flow measurements assess ischemia better than anatomical stenosis and can guide patient selection for intervention. We similarly postulated that fractional flow can be used to assess ischemic stroke risk. METHODS: This was a feasibility study to assess the technical use and safety of applying a pressure guidewire to measure fractional flow across intracranial stenoses. Twenty patients with severe intracranial stenosis were recruited. The percentage of luminal stenosis, distal to proximal pressure ratios (fractional flow) and the fractional flow gradients across the stenosis were measured. Procedural success rate and safety outcomes were documented. RESULTS: All 20 patients had successful crossing of stenosis by the pressure guidewire. Ten patients underwent angioplasty, and 5 had stenting performed. There was one perforator stroke, but not related to the use of the pressure wire. For the 13 patients with complete pre- and postintervention data, the mean preintervention stenosis, fractional flow and translesional pressure gradient were 76.2%, 0.66 and 29.9 mm Hg, whilst the corresponding postintervention measurements were 24.7%, 0.88 and 10.9 mm Hg, respectively. Fractional flow (r = -0.530, p = 0.001) and the translesional pressure gradient (r = 0.501, p = 0.002) only had a modest correlation with the luminal stenosis. CONCLUSION: Fractional flow measurement by floating a pressure guidewire across the intracranial stenosis was technically feasible and safe in this study. Further studies are needed to validate its use for ischemic stroke risk assessment.

Background and purposeThree-dimensional pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling with multiple postlabeling delays has been used to assess cerebral blood flow (CBF). We used this modality to estimate antegrade and collateral flow in patients with unilateral middle cerebral artery stenosis.MethodsConsecutive patients with unilateral middle cerebral artery 50% to 99% stenosis at 2 centers underwent pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling with a postlabeling delays of 1.5 and 2.5 s. Mean CBF of bilateral middle cerebral artery territory at the postlabeling delays 1.5 and 2.5 s was measured. Early-arriving flow proportion was defined as (CBF 1.5 s at lesion side/CBF 2.5 s at normal side)×100%. Late-arriving retrograde flow proportion was defined as ([CBF 2.5 s-CBF 1.5 s] at lesion side-[CBF 2.5 s-CBF 1.5 s] at normal side)/CBF 2.5 s at normal side×100%. Antegrade and collateral scales were evaluated in patients with conventional angiography. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated between early-arriving flow and late-arriving retrograde flow proportions on arterial spin labeling and antegrade and collateral scales on conventional angiography, respectively.ResultsForty-one patients (46.0±12.0 years) were enrolled. The mean early-arriving flow proportion was 78.3±14.9%. The mean late-arriving retrograde flow proportion was 16.1±10.2%. In 21 patients with conventional angiography, Spearman correlation coefficient was 0.53 (95% confidence interval, 0.11-0.79) between antegrade grade and early-arriving flow proportion (P=0.01) and 0.81 (95% confidence interval, 0.56-0.92) between collateral grade and late-arriving retrograde flow proportion (P

Background and purposeHigh periprocedural complication rate is a key limitation of endovascular treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD), despite potential risk reduction of recurrent stroke. Taking lessons from the Stenting and Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Arterial Stenosis (SAMMPRIS) trial, targeting a selected patient population, we prospectively evaluated the feasibility and safety of tailored angioplasty and/or stenting for patients with ICAD.MethodsFrom November 2011 to October 2012, 158 patients with symptomatic ICAD caused by hypoperfusion combined with poor collateral flow were consecutively recruited into a prospective single center study. Patients were divided into three groups based on arterial access and lesion morphology: balloon mounted stent group (group BS) for smooth access and Mori A lesion, angioplasty plus self-expanding stent group (group AS) for tortuous access and Mori B or C lesion, and angioplasty group (group AG) for tortuous access and Mori A lesion. The primary endpoints were successful procedure rate and any vascular event within 30 days.ResultsOverall technical success rate was 96.3% (154/158). There were significant differences in the technical success rate: 89.7% (35/39) in group AG compared with 97.5% (79/81) in group BS and 100% (38/38) in group AS (p=0.042). The 30 day composite stroke, myocardial infarction, or death rate was 4.4% (7/158). Stroke within 30 days occurred in four patients in group BS and in three patients in group AS.ConclusionsIndividualized treatment of ICAD using tailored devices according to arterial access and lesion morphology was feasible and safe in symptomatic patients caused by hypoperfusion with poor collateral flow.

BackgroundPatients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) of ≥ 70% luminal stenosis are at high risk of stroke recurrence. We aimed to evaluate the relationships between hemodynamics of ICAS revealed by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models and risk of stroke recurrence in this patient subset.MethodsPatients with a symptomatic ICAS lesion of 70-99% luminal stenosis were screened and enrolled in this study. CFD models were reconstructed based on baseline computed tomographic angiography (CTA) source images, to reveal hemodynamics of the qualifying symptomatic ICAS lesions. Change of pressures across a lesion was represented by the ratio of post- and pre-stenotic pressures. Change of shear strain rates (SSR) across a lesion was represented by the ratio of SSRs at the stenotic throat and proximal normal vessel segment, similar for the change of flow velocities. Patients were followed up for 1 year.ResultsOverall, 32 patients (median age 65; 59.4% males) were recruited. The median pressure, SSR and velocity ratios for the ICAS lesions were 0.40 (-2.46-0.79), 4.5 (2.2-20.6), and 7.4 (5.2-12.5), respectively. SSR ratio (hazard ratio [HR] 1.027; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.004-1.051; P = 0.023) and velocity ratio (HR 1.029; 95% CI, 1.002-1.056; P = 0.035) were significantly related to recurrent territorial ischemic stroke within 1 year by univariate Cox regression, respectively with the c-statistics of 0.776 (95% CI, 0.594-0.903; P = 0.014) and 0.776 (95% CI, 0.594-0.903; P = 0.002) in receiver operating characteristic analysis.ConclusionsHemodynamics of ICAS on CFD models reconstructed from routinely obtained CTA images may predict subsequent stroke recurrence in patients with a symptomatic ICAS lesion of 70-99% luminal stenosis.