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Purpose: Our purpose was to assess the efficacy and safety of the pRESET LITE stent retriever (Phenox, Bochum, Germany), designed for medium vessel occlusion (MeVO) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with a primary MeVO., Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the MAD MT Consortium, an integration of prospectively maintained databases at 37 academic institutions in Europe, North America, and Asia, of AIS patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy with the pRESET LITE stent retriever for a primary MeVO. We subcategorized occlusions into proximal MeVOs (segments A1, M2, and P1) vs. distal MeVOs/DMVO (segments A2, M3-M4, and P2). We reviewed patient and procedural characteristics, as well as angiographic and clinical outcomes., Results: Between September 2016 and December 2021, 227 patients were included (50% female, median age 78 [65-84] years), of whom 161 (71%) suffered proximal MeVO and 66 (29%) distal MeVO. Using a combined approach in 96% of cases, successful reperfusion of the target vessel (mTICI 2b/2c/3) was attained in 85% of proximal MeVO and 97% of DMVO, with a median of 2 passes (IQR: 1-3) overall. Periprocedural complications rate was 7%. Control CT at day 1 post-MT revealed a hemorrhagic transformation in 63 (39%) patients with proximal MeVO and 24 (36%) patients with DMVO, with ECASS-PH type hemorrhagic transformations occurring in 3 (1%) patients. After 3 months, 58% of all MeVO and 63% of DMVO patients demonstrated a favorable outcome (mRS 0-2)., Conclusion: Mechanical thrombectomy using the pRESET LITE in a combined approach with an aspiration catheter appears effective for primary medium vessel occlusions across several centers and physicians., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

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., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Dr. Regenhardt serves on a DSMB for a trial sponsored by Rapid Medical, serves as site PI for studies sponsored by Penumbra and Microvention, and receives stroke research grant funding from the National Institutes of Health, Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology, and Heitman Stroke Foundation. Dr. Guenego reports consultancy for Rapid Medical and Phenox, not directly related to the present work. Prof. Clarençon reports conflicts of interest with Medtronic, Balt Extrusion (consultant), ClinSearch (core lab), Penumbra, Stryker (payment for reading) and Artedrone (Board); all not directly related to the present work. Dr. Henninger received support from NINDS NS131756, during the conduct of the study. Dr. Liebeskind is consultant as Imaging Core Lab to Cerenovus, Genentech, Medtronic, Stryker, Rapid Medical. Dr. Yeo reports Advisory work for AstraZeneca, Substantial support from NMRC Singapore and is a medical advisor for See-mode, Cortiro and Sunbird Bio, with equity in Ceroflo. All unrelated to the present work. Dr. Griessenauer reports a proctoring agreement with Medtronic and research funding by Penumbra. Dr. Marnat reports conflicts of interest with Microvention Europe, Stryker Neurovascular, Balt (consulting), Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson and Phenox (paid lectures), all not directly related to the present work. Dr. Nguyen reports advisory board with Idorsia and Brainomix. All other others do not report any conflict of interests related to this work.

Background: Numerous questions regarding procedural details of distal stroke thrombectomy remain unanswered. This study assesses the effect of anesthetic strategies on procedural, clinical and safety outcomes following thrombectomy for distal medium vessel occlusions (DMVOs)., Methods: Patients with isolated DMVO stroke from the TOPMOST registry were analyzed with regard to anesthetic strategies (ie, conscious sedation (CS), local (LA) or general anesthesia (GA)). Occlusions were in the P2/P3 or A2-A4 segments of the posterior and anterior cerebral arteries (PCA and ACA), respectively. The primary endpoint was the rate of complete reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score 3) and the secondary endpoint was the rate of modified Rankin Scale score 0-1. Safety endpoints were the occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality., Results: Overall, 233 patients were included. The median age was 75 years (range 64-82), 50.6% (n=118) were female, and the baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 8 (IQR 4-12). DMVOs were in the PCA in 59.7% (n=139) and in the ACA in 40.3% (n=94). Thrombectomy was performed under LA±CS (51.1%, n=119) and GA (48.9%, n=114). Complete reperfusion was reached in 73.9% (n=88) and 71.9% (n=82) in the LA±CS and GA groups, respectively (P=0.729). In subgroup analysis, thrombectomy for ACA DMVO favored GA over LA±CS (aOR 3.07, 95% CI 1.24 to 7.57, P=0.015). Rates of secondary and safety outcomes were similar in the LA±CS and GA groups., Conclusion: LA±CS compared with GA resulted in similar reperfusion rates after thrombectomy for DMVO stroke of the ACA and PCA. GA may facilitate achieving complete reperfusion in DMVO stroke of the ACA. Safety and functional long-term outcomes were comparable in both groups., Competing Interests: Competing interests: JF: Consulting fees from Cerenovus, Medtronic, Phenox, Penumbra, Roche, Tonbridge; participation on a Data Safety Monitoring Board of Stryker and Phenox; stock holdings for Tegus and Vastrax, Associate Editor for JNIS. RC: Consultant and/or proctor for BALT, Stryker, Microvention, Rapid Medical, Siemens Medical Systems. MM: Institutional grants: Balt, Medtronic, MicroVention, Stryker. AG: Proctor/consultant/speaker for Medtronic, Stryker and Penumbra. MM-G: Consultant for Medtronic, Stryker and Balt, Associate Editor for JNIS. FD: Grant from Cerenovus/ Johnson&Johnson, consulting fees from Cerus Endovascular, Balt, Cerenovus/Johnson&Johnson, honoraria for lectures Asahi, Cerenovus/Johnson&Johnson, Acandis, Stryker, Advisory Board Cerenovus Johnson&Johsno, Associate Editor for JNIS. JK: Grants from SAMW/Bangerter, grants from Swiss Stroke Society, and grants from Clinical Trial Unit Bern outside the submitted work. LLLY: Consultant for Stryker, SeeMode, and See-mode, Cerenovus honoraria, Jakarta Neuroupdate honorarium, Research Support from National Medical research Council (NMRC) Singapore and Ministry of Health (MOH). Stock holdings for Cereflo, SNVIS vice president. BT: Grants from ExxonMobil-NUS Research Fellowship for Clinicians. PN: Consultant/Proctor for Balt, Cerenovus, Medtronic, Penumbra, Stryker. AG: Honoraria for lectures from Stryker Neurovascular, Medtronic, Penumbra. BG: grants from the French Ministry of Health and is the primary investigator of the TITAN, DIRECT ANGIO, and IA-RESCUE trial; consulting fees from Air Liquide, MIVI, Medtronic, Microvention, and Penumbra. LM: Compensation as a speaker for Balt Prime. GB: Compensation as a speaker for Balt Prime., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Aims: Endovascular therapy (EVT) for distal medium vessel occlusions (DMVOs) is a potential frontier of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treatment, but its efficacy against best medical therapy (BMT) remains unknown. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the efficacy and safety of EVT versus BMT in primary DMVO., Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase, from inception to August 14, 2022, for studies comparing EVT with BMT in DMVO-AIS. We adopted the Distal Thrombectomy Summit Group's definition of DMVO. Efficacy outcomes were functional independence (90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2) and excellent functional outcomes (90-day mRS 0-1). Safety outcomes were symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and 90-day mortality., Results: Fourteen observational and two randomized-controlled studies were included, with 1202 patients receiving EVT and 1267 receiving BMT. After trim-and-fill correction, EVT achieved significantly better odds of functional independence than BMT (adjusted OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.43). There were no significant differences in overall excellent functional outcomes (OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.71), sICH (OR 1.44, 95% CI 0.78 to 2.66), and mortality (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.45). Stratified by EVT method, mechanical thrombectomy±intra-arterial thrombolysis achieved more excellent functional outcomes than BMT (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.23). In mild strokes (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score <6), EVT caused significantly more sICH (OR 6.30, 95% CI 1.55 to 25.64)., Conclusions: EVT shows promising efficacy benefit over BMT for primary DMVO-AIS. Further randomized controlled trials are necessary to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EVT in DMVO-AIS., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: The role of bridging intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) before endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) remains debatable. Atrial fibrillation (AF) associated strokes may be associated with reduced treatment effect from IVT. This study compares the effect of bridging IVT in AF and non-AF patients., Methods: This retrospective cohort study comprised anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) AIS patients receiving EVT alone or bridging IVT plus EVT within 6 hours of symptom onset. Primary outcome was good functional outcome defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2 at 90 days. Secondary outcomes were successful reperfusion defined as expanded Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (eTICI) grading ≥2b flow, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), and in-hospital mortality., Results: We included 705 patients (314 AF and 391 non-AF patients). The mean age was 68.6 years and 53.9% were male. The odds of good functional outcomes with bridging IVT was higher in the non-AF (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.28, 95% CI 1.06 to 4.91, P=0.035) compared with the AF subgroups (aOR 1.89, 95% CI 0.89 to 4.01, P=0.097). However, this did not constitute a significant effect modification by the presence of AF on bridging IVT (interaction aOR 0.12, 95% CI -1.94 to 2.18, P=0.455). The rate of successful reperfusion, sICH, and mortality were similar between bridging IVT and EVT for both AF and non-AF patients., Conclusion: The presence of AF did not modify the treatment effect of bridging IVT. Further individual patient data meta-analysis of randomized trials may shed light on the comparative efficacy of bridging IVT in AF versus non-AF LVO strokes., Competing Interests: Competing interests: RCS: honoraria from Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Schwabe. LM: compensation as a speaker for Balt Prime. JF: editorial board of Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery, ESMINT president; consulting agreements with Cerenovus, Medtronic, Phenox, Penumbra, Roche, Tonbridge; advisory boards of Stryker, Phenox. GC: honoraria and personal payment from Penumbra. PB: consulting agreements with Perflow Medical, Brainomix, Balt, Stryker, Phenox, Neurovasc; honoraria from Perflow Medical, Brainomix, Stryker, Cerenovus. LLY: vice president of Singapore Neurointerventional Society., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is an effective treatment for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) from basilar artery occlusion (BAO)., Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of MT, with and without bridging intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), in acute BAO through a systematic review and meta-analysis of the current literature., Methods: Systematic searches of Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central were undertaken on August 1, 2022. Good functional outcome defined as 90-day modified Rankin Scale score 0-2 was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures were 90-day mortality, successful post-thrombectomy recanalization (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score ≥2b), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)., Results: Three studies reporting 1096 patients with BAO AIS were included in the meta-analysis. No significant differences in good functional outcome were detected between the two groups (RR=1.28 (95% CI 0.86 to 1.92); p=0.117). However, specifically patients with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) benefited from bridging IVT (OR=2.52 (95% CI 1.51 to 4.22); p<0.001) with better functional outcomes. There was a significantly lower 90-day mortality rate for patients who underwent bridging IVT compared with MT alone (RR=0.70 (95% CI 0.62 to 0.80); p=0.008). No significant differences were detected in rates of post-treatment recanalization (RR=1.01 (95% CI 0.35 to 2.91); p=0.954), sICH (RR=0.96 (95% CI 0.66 to 1.42); p=0.724), and SAH (RR=0.93 (95% CI 0.31 to 2.83); p=0.563)., Conclusions: In patients with AIS due to BAO, bridging IVT was associated with lower mortality rates at 90 days, compared with direct MT. There were no improved functional outcomes or increased sICH or SAH between both arms, However, patients with LAA benefited from bridging IVT, with better functional outcomes., Competing Interests: Competing interests: GA: Stryker Neurovascular, Penumbra Inc, Medtronic: payments were received by the employer for consulting and proctoring assignments., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: The use of a combination of balloon guide catheter (BGC), aspiration catheter, and stent retriever in acute ischemic stroke thrombectomy has not been shown to be better than a stent retriever and BGC alone, but this may be due to a lack of power in these studies. We therefore performed a meta-analysis on this subject., Methods: A systematic literature search was performed on PubMed, Scopus, Embase/Ovid, and the Cochrane Library from inception to October 20, 2021. Our primary outcomes were the rate of successful final reperfusion (Treatment in Cerebral Ischemia (TICI) 2c-3) and first pass effect (FPE, defined as TICI 2c-3 in a single pass). Secondary outcomes were 3 month functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2), mortality, procedural complications, embolic complications, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH). A meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5,4, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2 test., Results: Of 1629 studies identified, five articles with 2091 patients were included. For the primary outcomes, FPE (44.9% vs 45.4%, OR 1.04 (95% CI 0.90 to 1.22), I 2 =57%) or final successful reperfusion (64.5% vs 68.6%, OR 0.98 (95% CI 0.81% to 1.20%), I 2 =85%) was similar between the combination technique and stent retriever only groups. However, the combination technique had significantly less rescue treatment (18.8% vs 26.9%; OR 0.70 (95% CI 0.54 to 0.91), I 2 =0%). This did not translate into significant differences in secondary outcomes in functional outcomes, mortality, emboli, complications, or SICH., Conclusion: There was no significant difference in successful reperfusion and FPE between the combined techniques and the stent retriever and BGC alone groups. Neither was there any difference in functional outcomes, complications, or mortality., Competing Interests: Competing interests: LM received compensation as a speaker for Balt., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: The benefit of best medical treatment including intravenous alteplase (IVT) before mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke and extensive early ischemic changes on baseline CT remains uncertain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the benefit of IVT for patients with low ASPECTS (Alberta Stroke Programme Early CT Score) compared with patients with or without MT., Methods: This multicenter study pooled consecutive patients with anterior circulation acute stroke and ASPECTS≤5 to analyze the impact of IVT on functional outcome, and to compare bridging IVT with direct MT. Functional endpoints were the rates of good (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤2) and very poor (mRS ≥5) outcome at day 90. Safety endpoint was the occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH)., Results: 429 patients were included. 290 (68%) received IVT and 168 (39%) underwent MT. The rate of good functional outcome was 14.4% (95% CI 7.1% to 21.8%) for patients who received bridging IVT and 24.4% (95% CI 16.5% to 32.2%) for those who underwent direct MT. The rate of sICH was significantly higher in patients with bridging IVT compared with direct MT (17.8% vs 6.4%, p=0.004). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, IVT was significantly associated with very poor outcome (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.05 to 4.73, p=0.04) and sICH (OR 3.44, 95% CI 1.18 to 10.07, p=0.02). Successful recanalization, age, and ASPECTS were associated with good functional outcome., Conclusions: Bridging IVT in patients with low ASPECTS was associated with very poor functional outcome and an increased risk of sICH. The benefit of this treatment should therefore be carefully weighed in such scenarios. Further randomized controlled trials are required to validate our findings., Competing Interests: Competing interests: JF: research support from the German Ministry of Science and Education (BMBF), German Ministry of Economy and Innovation (BMWi), German Research Foundation (DFG), European Union (EU), Hamburgische Investitions-/Förderbank (IFB), Medtronic, Microvention, Philips, Stryker; consultancy appointments; Acandis, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cerenovus, Covidien, Evasc Neurovascular, MD Clinicals, Medtronic, Medina, Microvention, Penumbra, Route92, Stryker, Transverse Medical; stock holdings for Tegus. Editorial Board member at JNIS. GT reports receiving consulting fees from Acandis, grant support and lecture fees from Bayer, lecture fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, BristolMyersSquibb/Pfizer, and Daiichi Sankyo, and consulting fees and lecture fees from Portola and Stryker. LLLY has received research support from National Medical Research Council (NMRC), Singapore and research support from Ministry of Health (MOH), Singapore. Consultancy from Stryker, J&J, See-mode. Stock holdings for Cereoflo. PP is consultant for Penumbra and Ab Medica., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in large vessel occlusion (LVO) in anterior circulation acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) results in good functional outcomes in only approximately 60% of the patients. Internal cerebral veins (ICVs) are easily visible, with a consistent midline location, and are linked to stroke outcomes. We hypothesize that ICV asymmetry on multiphasic CT angiogram (mCTA) can be an adjunctive predictor for poor functional outcomes., Methods: We studied consecutive AIS patients from 2017 to 2019 with anterior circulation LVO treated with EVT regardless of intravenous thrombolysis. Asymmetrical ICV was defined as the presence of hypodensity (less opacification) on the ipsilateral occlusion side as compared with the contralateral side. The primary outcome was modified Rankin Score (mRS) score at 3 months. Secondary outcomes were good recanalization (modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) 2b-3), symptomatic hemorrhage, and mortality., Results: A total of 185 patients were included with a median age of 70 years (IQR 59-77); 87 patients (47%) were female. 82 patients (44.3%) achieved good functional outcomes (mRS 0-2) at 3 months. On multivariate analysis, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) (OR 1.076, 95% CI 1.015 to 1.140; p<0.013), poor collateral score (OR 0.285, 95% CI 0.162 to 0.501; p<0.001), asymmetrical ICV on the peak venous phase (OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.115 to 5.471; p<0.026), and late venous phase of the mCTA (OR 2.642, 95% CI 1.161 to 6.016; p<0.021) were independent risks factors of poor outcomes., Conclusion: ICV asymmetry is a novel radiological sign which is independently associated with poor functional outcomes in EVT, even after correction for collateral circulation. Further studies are needed to validate this finding., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Whether to approach distal occlusions endovascularly or not in medium-sized vessels secondary to proximal large vessel occlusion stroke remains unanswered., Objective: To investigates the technical feasibility and safety of thrombectomy for secondary posterior circulation distal, medium vessel occlusions (DMVO)., Methods: TOPMOST (Treatment fOr Primary Medium vessel Occlusion STroke) is an international, retrospective, multicenter, observational registry of patients treated for distal cerebral artery occlusions. This study subanalysis endovascularly treated occlusions of the posterior cerebral artery in the P2 and P3 segment secondary preprocedural or periprocedural thrombus migration between January 2014 and June 2020. Technical feasibility was evaluated with the modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) scale. Procedural safety was assessed by the occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and intervention-related serious adverse events., Results: Among 71 patients with secondary posterior circulation DMVO who met the inclusion criteria, occlusions were present in 80.3% (57/71) located in the P2 segment and in 19.7% (14/71) in the P3 segment. Periprocedural migration occurred in 54.9% (39/71) and preprocedural migration in 45.1% (32/71) of cases. The first reperfusion attempt led in 38% (27/71) of all cases to mTICI 3. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, increased numbers of reperfusion attempts (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=0.39, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.88, p=0.009) and preprocedural migration (aOR=4.70, 95% CI,1.35 to 16.35, p=0.015) were significantly associated with mTICI 3. sICH occurred in 2.8% (2/71)., Conclusion: Thrombectomy for secondary posterior circulation DMVO seems to be safe and technically feasible. Even though thrombi that have migrated preprocedurally may be easier to retract, successful reperfusion can be achieved in the majority of patients with secondary DMVO of the P2 and P3 segment., Competing Interests: Competing interests: JF: research support from the German Ministry of Science and Education (BMBF), German Ministry of Economy and Innovation (BMWi), German Research Foundation (DFG), European Union (EU), Hamburgische Investitions-/Förderbank (IFB), Medtronic, Microvention, Philips, Stryker; consultancy appointments; Acandis, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cerenovus, Covidien, Evasc Neurovascular, MD Clinicals, Medtronic, Medina, Microvention, Penumbra, Route92, Stryker, Transverse Medical; stock holdings for Tegus. PP: consultant for Penumbra and Ab Medica. AG: has served as proctor/consultant/speaker for Medtronic, Stryker, and Penumbra M. MM-G: consultant of Medtronic, Stryker, and Balt. FD: research support from Cerenovus; consultant for Cerus Endovascular, AB Medica, and Phenox; speaker honorary from Acandis, Cerenovus. JK reports grants from SAMW/Bangerter, grants from Swiss Stroke Society, and grants from Clinical Trial Unit Bern outside the submitted work. LLLY: consultant for Stryker and SeeMode; research support from National Medical Research Council (NMRC) Singapore and Ministry of Health (MOH); stock holdings for Cereflo. PBS: consultant/proctor for Balt, Acandis, Microvention. RC: consultant and/or proctor for BALT, Stryker, Microvention, Rapid Medical, Siemens Medical Systems. PN: consultant/proctor for Balt, Stryker, and Penumbra. KZ: support under the Operational Programme Integrated Infrastructure for the project: TENSION – complementary project, IMTS: 313011W875, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Cilostazol, an antiplatelet and phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitor, has not been clearly established for ischaemic stroke use. We aim to determine the efficacy and safety of cilostazol for secondary stroke prevention., Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception to 25 September 2020, for randomised trials comparing the efficacy and safety of cilostazol monotherapy or dual therapy with another antiplatelet regimen or placebo, in patients with ischaemic stroke. Version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials (RoB 2) was used to assess study quality. This meta-analysis was reported in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement., Results: Eighteen randomised trials comprising 11 429 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Most trials possessed low risk of bias and were of low heterogeneity. Cilostazol significantly reduced the rate of ischaemic stroke recurrence (risk ratio, RR=0.69, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.81), any stroke recurrence (RR=0.64, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.74) and major adverse cardiovascular events (RR=0.67, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.81). Cilostazol did not significantly decrease mortality (RR=0.90, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.25) or increase the rate of good functional outcome (Modified Rankin Scale score of 0-1; RR=1.07, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.19). Cilostazol demonstrated favourable safety profile, significantly reducing the risk of intracranial haemorrhage (RR=0.46, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.68) and major haemorrhagic events (RR=0.49, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.70)., Conclusions: Cilostazol demonstrated superior efficacy and safety profiles compared with traditional antiplatelet regimens such as aspirin and clopidogrel for secondary stroke prevention but does not appear to affect functional outcomes. Future randomised trials can be conducted outside East Asia, or compare cilostazol with a wider range of antiplatelet agents., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Purpose: Little is known about catheter-based endovascular treatment of vertebrobasilar artery branch occlusion (VEBABO) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Nonetheless, the experience of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in distal small sized arteries of the anterior circulation seems promising in AIS. In this multicenter study, we report the feasibility, efficacy and safety of MT in VEBABO., Methods: Retrospective analysis of consecutive AIS patients treated with MT due to VEBABO including posterior and anterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA, AICA) and superior cerebellar artery (SCA) occlusions at seven tertiary care centers between January 2013 and May 2020. Baseline demographics and angiographic outcomes including recanalization success of the affected cerebellar arteries and procedural complications were recorded. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at discharge and 90 days., Results: Out of 668 endovascularly treated posterior circulation strokes we identified 16 (0.02%) cases with MT for VEBABO. Most frequently, MT of the SCA was done (13/16, 81%). Most VEBABOs occurred after MT of initial basilar/posterior cerebral artery occlusion (9/16, 56%). In 10/16 (63%) procedures, the affected VEBABO was successfully recanalized. Out of four patients three (75%) with isolated VEBABO had benefited from endovascular therapy. Subarachnoid hemorrhage was observed in 3/16 (19%) procedures. The rate of favorable outcome (mRS ≤2) was 40% at discharge and 47% at 90-day follow-up. Mortality was 13% (2/15)., Conclusion: The use of MT for VEBABO is rare but appears to be feasible and effective; however, the comparatively high rate of procedure-related hemorrhage highlights that the indications for MT in these occlusion sites should be carefully weighed up., (© 2020. Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Endovascular thrombectomy (ET) has transformed acute ischemic stroke (AIS) therapy in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO). Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) decreases global cerebral blood flow and predisposes to hypoperfusion. We evaluated the relationship between LVSD, as measured by LV ejection fraction (LVEF), and clinical outcomes in patients with anterior cerebral circulation LVO who underwent ET., Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort study examined anterior circulation LVO AIS patients from six international stroke centers. LVSD was measured by assessment of the echocardiographic LVEF using Simpson's biplane method of discs according to international guidelines. LVSD was defined as LVEF <50%. The primary outcome was defined as a good functional outcome using a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of 0-2 at 3 months., Results: We included 440 AIS patients with LVO who underwent ET. On multivariate analyses, pre-existing diabetes mellitus (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.24 to 3.39;p=0.005), unsuccessful reperfusion (Treatment in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) grade 0-2a) status (OR 4.21, 95% CI 2.04 to 8.66; p<0.001) and LVSD (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.18 to 3.68; p=0.011) were independent predictors of poor functional outcomes at 3 months. On ordinal (shift) analyses, LVSD was associated with an unfavorable shift in the mRS outcomes (OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.52 to 3.53; p<0.001) after adjusting for age and ischemic heart disease., Conclusion: Anterior circulation LVO AIS patients with LVSD have poorer outcomes after ET, suggesting the need to consider cardiac factors for ET, the degree of monitoring and prognostication post-procedure., Competing Interests: Competing interests: AM: Consultancy for Stryker, Phenox and Perflow. TA: Consultancy for Ablynx, Amnis Therapeutics, Anaconda, Cerenovus, Medtronic, Rapid Medical., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background and Aim: Bi-directional feedback mechanisms exist between the heart and brain, which have been implicated in heart failure. We postulate that aortic stenosis may alter cerebral haemodynamics and influence functional outcomes after endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischaemic stroke. We compared clinical characteristics, echocardiographic profile and outcomes in patients with or without aortic stenosis that underwent endovascular thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion acute ischaemic stroke., Methods: Consecutive acute ischaemic stroke patients with anterior and posterior circulation large vessel occlusion (internal carotid artery, middle cerebral artery and basilar artery) who underwent endovascular thrombectomy were studied. Patients were divided into those with significant aortic stenosis (aortic valve area <1.5 cm 2 ) and without. Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to compare and determine predictors of functional outcomes measured by modified Rankin scale at three months., Results: We identified 26 (8.5%) patients with significant aortic stenosis. These patients were older (median age 76 (interquartile range 68-84) vs. 67 (interquartile range 56-75) years, p  = 0.001), but similar in terms of medical comorbidities and echocardiographic profile. Rates of successful recanalisation (73.1% vs. 78.0%), symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (7.7% and 7.9%) and mortality (11.5% vs. 12.6%) were similar. Significant aortic stenosis was independently associated with poorer functional outcome (modified Rankin scale >2) at three months (adjusted odds ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval 1.1-7.5, p  = 0.048), after adjusting for age, door-to-puncture times, stroke severity and rates of successful recanalisation., Conclusion: In acute ischaemic stroke patients managed with endovascular thrombectomy, significant aortic stenosis is associated with poor functional outcome despite comparable recanalisation rates. Larger cohort studies are needed to explore this relationship further.