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Background: Underlying intracranial stenosis is the most common cause of failed mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion. Adjunct emergent stenting is sometimes performed to improve or maintain reperfusion, despite limited data regarding its safety or efficacy., Methods: We conducted a prospective multicenter observational international cohort study. Patients were enrolled between January 2022 and December 2023 at 25 thrombectomy-capable centers in North America, Europe, and Asia. Consecutive patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy were included if they were identified as having underlying intracranial stenosis, defined as 50% to 99% residual stenosis of the target vessel or intraprocedural reocclusion. The primary outcome was functional independence, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2 at 90 days. After applying inverse probability of treatment weighting based on propensity scores, we compared outcomes among patients who underwent adjunct emergent intracranial stenting (stenting) versus those who received mechanical thrombectomy alone., Results: A total of 417 patients were included: 218 patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy alone (168 anterior circulation) and 199 with mechanical thrombectomy plus stenting (144 anterior circulation). Patients in the stenting group were less likely to be non-Hispanic White (51.8% versus 62.4%, P =0.03) and less likely to have diabetes (33.2% versus 43.1%, P =0.037) or hyperlipidemia (43.2% versus 56%, P =0.009). In addition, there was a lower rate of IV thrombolysis use in the stenting group (18.6% versus 27.5%, P =0.03). There was a higher rate of successful reperfusion (modified Treatment in Cerebral Infarction score ≥2B) in the stenting versus mechanical thrombectomy-alone group (90.9% versus 77.9%, P <0.001) and a higher rate of a 24-hour infarct volume of <30 mL (n=260, 67.9% versus 50.3%, P =0.005). The overall complication rate was higher in the stenting group (12.6% versus 5%, P =0.006), but there was not a significant difference in the rate of symptomatic hemorrhage (9% versus 5.5%, P =0.162). Functional independence at 90 days was significantly higher in the stenting group (42.2% versus 28.4%, adjusted odds ratio, 2.67 [95% CI, 1.66-4.32])., Conclusions: In patients with underlying stenosis who achieved reperfusion with mechanical thrombectomy, adjunct emergent stenting was associated with better functional outcome without a significantly increased risk of symptomatic hemorrhage., Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT05403593., Competing Interests: Dr Al Kasab has received grant funding from Stryker Neurovascular. Dr Inoa reports compensation from MicroVention, Inc for consultant services; employment by Semmes Murphey Clinic; compensation from Cerenovus for consultant services; compensation from Imperative Care, Inc for consultant services; compensation from Medtronic for consultant services; grants from Medtronic; compensation from Siemens for consultant services; compensation from viz.ai for consultant services; compensation from Penumbra, Inc for consultant services; and compensation from Stryker for consultant services. Dr Starke reports grants from Medtronic USA, Inc; compensation from Penumbra, Inc for consultant services; grants from National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center; and compensation from Arthur L. and Elaine V. Johnson Foundation for consultant services. Dr Bender reports compensation from Stryker Corporation for consultant services. Dr Maier reports compensation from Bristol Myers Squibb Company for other services and compensation from PFIZER PHARMA GMBH for other services. Dr Grossberg reports grants from Emory Neurosurgery Catalyst; grants from Georgia Research Alliance; compensation from Imperative Care, Inc for consultant services; grants from Uniformed Services University-Surgical Critical Care Initiative; grants from National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; compensation from Cognition for consultant services; grants from Emory Medical Care Foundation; and compensation from NTI for consultant services. Dr Jabbour reports compensation from Medtronic USA, Inc for consultant services. Dr Psychogios reports travel support from Medtronic; travel support from Siemens Healthineers AG; grants from Phenox, Inc; grants from Rapid Medical Ltd; grants from Penumbra, Inc; grants from Siemens Healthineers AG; travel support from Stryker Neurovascular, Inc; grants from Stryker Neurovascular, Inc; compensation from Siemens Healthineers AG for consultant services; grants from Medtronic; grants from Bangerter-Rhyner Stiftung; grants from Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF); travel support from Penumbra, Inc; and travel support from Phenox, Inc. Dr Samaniego reports compensation from MicroVention, Inc for consultant services; compensation from Johnson and Johnson for consultant services; compensation from Medtronic for consultant services; compensation from Rapid Medical for consultant services; and employment by University of Iowa. Dr Burkhardt reports compensation from MicroVention, Inc for consultant services; compensation from Longeviti Neuro Solutions LLC for consultant services; compensation from Q`Apel Medical for consultant services; compensation from Stryker for consultant services; and compensation from Cerenovous for consultant services. A.E. Hassan reports compensation from MicroVention, Inc for consultant services; compensation from Stryker Corporation for consultant services; compensation from GE Healthcare for consultant services; compensation from Penumbra, Inc for consultant services; compensation from Medtronic for consultant services; employment by Valley Baptist Medical Center; compensation from viz.ai for consultant services; and compensation from Cerenovus for consultant services. Dr Altschul reports compensation from Stryker Corporation for consultant services; compensation from Medtronic USA, Inc for consultant services; securities holdings in Von Vascular, Inc; stock options in Glia Medical; compensation from MicroVention, Inc for consultant services; compensation from Synchron for consultant services; compensation from Q’apel for consultant services; and compensation from Johnson and Johnson International for consultant services. Dr Mascitelli reports compensation from Imperative Care, Inc for consultant services and compensation from Stryker for consultant services. Dr Regenhardt reports compensation from Genomadix for consultant services; compensation from S2N Health for consultant services; compensation from Rapid Medical Ltd for data and safety monitoring services; and compensation from Penumbra, Inc for other services. Dr Wolfe reports employment by Wake Forest Baptist Health School of Medicine. Dr Ezzeldin reports compensation from viz.ai for consultant services; compensation from Imperative Care, Inc for consultant services; and an ownership stake in Galaxy Therapeutics. Dr Limaye reports compensation from Medtronic USA, Inc for consultant services and grants from Scientia Vascular. Dr Grandhi reports compensation from Cerenovus for consultant services; grants from Scientia Neurovascular; compensation from Stryker for consultant services; compensation from Integra LifeSciences Corporation for consultant services; compensation from Medtronic for consultant services; compensation from Balt USA, LLC for consultant services; and compensation from Rapid Medical Ltd for consultant services. Dr Tjoumakaris reports compensation from Medtronic for consultant services; compensation from MicroVention, Inc for consultant services; compensation from MicroVention, Inc for consultant services; and employment by Thomas Jefferson University. Dr Raz reports compensation from Q Apel for consultant services; compensation from MicroVention, Inc for consultant services; compensation from Johnson and Johnson International for consultant services; compensation from imperative care for consultant services; stock holdings in Siemens; compensation from Medtronic for consultant services; compensation from Phenox for consultant services; compensation from Scientia for consultant services; compensation from Balt USA, LLC for consultant services; and employment by NYU Langone Medical Center. Syed F Zaidi: Dr Zaidi reports grants from Genentech USA, Inc. Dr Spiotta reports compensation from RapidAI for consultant services; compensation from Penumbra, Inc for consultant services; and compensation from Terumo for consultant services. Dr Kicielinski reports employment by Elsevier and compensation from Penumbra, Inc for other services. Dr Zaidat reports a patent issued for Ischemic stroke device. Dr Derdeyn reports compensation from NoNO for data and safety monitoring services; stock options in Euphrates Vascular; compensation from Silk Road Medical, Inc for data and safety monitoring services; and compensation from Penumbra, Inc for data and safety monitoring services. Dr Derdeyn reports data safety monitoring boards (Penumbra–MIND [A Prospective, Multicenter Study of Artemis a Minimally Invasive Neuro Evacuation Device, in the Removal of Intracerebral Hemorrhage], THUNDER [Acute Ischemic Stroke Study With the Penumbra System Including Thunderbolt Aspiration Tubing]; Silk Road–NITE [Neuroprotection in Transcarotid Embolectomy]; NoNO–ESCAPE NEXT [Efficacy and Safety of Nerinetide in Participants With Acute Ischemic Stroke Undergoing Endovascular Thrombectomy Excluding Thrombolysis], FRONTIER); stock options–Euphrates Vascular. Dr Nguyen reports compensation from Aruna for consultant services; compensation from American Stroke Association for other services; compensation from Kaneka for other services; compensation from Genentech for other services; and compensation from Brainomix for consultant services. Dr de Havenon reports NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke funding (K23NS105924, UG3NS130228, R01NS130189) and has received consultant fees from Integra and Novo Nordisk, royalty fees from UpToDate, and has equity in TitinKM and Certus. The other authors report no conflicts.

Background: Stroke remains a major health concern globally, with oral anticoagulants widely prescribed for stroke prevention. The efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in anticoagulated patients with distal medium vessel occlusions (DMVO) are not well understood., Methods: This retrospective analysis involved 1282 acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients who underwent MT in 37 centers across North America, Asia, and Europe from September 2017 to July 2023. Data on demographics, clinical presentation, treatment specifics, and outcomes were collected. The primary outcomes were functional outcomes at 90 days post-MT, measured by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores. Secondary outcomes included reperfusion rates, mortality, and hemorrhagic complications., Results: Of the patients, 223 (34%) were on anticoagulation therapy. Anticoagulated patients were older (median age 78 vs 74 years; p  < 0.001) and had a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (77% vs 26%; p  < 0.001). Their baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores were also higher (median 12 vs 9; p  = 0.002). Before propensity score matching (PSM), anticoagulated patients had similar rates of favorable 90-day outcomes (mRS 0-1: 30% vs 37%, p  = 0.1; mRS 0-2: 47% vs 50%, p  = 0.41) but higher mortality (26% vs 17%, p  = 0.008). After PSM, there were no significant differences in outcomes between the two groups., Conclusion: Anticoagulated patients undergoing MT for AIS due to DMVO did not show significant differences in 90-day mRS outcomes, reperfusion, or hemorrhage compared to non-anticoagulated patients after adjustment for covariates., 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.Dr. 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 W81XWH-19-PRARP-RPA form the CDMRP/DoD, NS131756 and U24NS113844 from the NINDS, and NR020231 from the NINR and received compensation from Myrobalan, Inc. and General Dynamics during the conduct of this study unrelated to this work.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. Puri is a consultant for Medtronic Neurovascular, Stryker NeurovascularBalt, Q’Apel Medical, Cerenovus, Microvention, Imperative Care, Agile, Merit, CereVasc and Arsenal Medical, he received research grants from NIH, Microvention, Cerenovus, Medtronic Neurovascular and Stryker Neurovascular, and holds stocks in InNeuroCo, Agile, Perfuze, Galaxy and NTI.Dr. Tjoumakaris is a consultant for Medtronic and Microvention (funds paid to institution, not personally).Dr. Jabbour is a consultant for Medtronic, Microvention and Cerus.

Background: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) from primary medium vessel occlusions (MeVO) is a prevalent condition associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Despite the common use of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in AIS, predictors of poor outcomes in MeVO remain poorly characterized., Methods: In this prospectively collected, retrospectively reviewed, multicenter, multinational study, data from the MAD-MT (Multicenter Analysis of primary Distal medium vessel occlusions: effect of Mechanical Thrombectomy) registry were analyzed. The study included 1568 patients from 37 academic centers across North America, Asia, and Europe, treated with MT, with or without intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IVtPA), between September 2017 and July 2021., Results: Among the 1568 patients, 347 (22.2%) experienced very poor outcomes (modified Rankin score (mRS), 5-6). Key predictors of poor outcomes were advanced age (odds ratio (OR): 1.03; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02 to 1.04; p < 0.001), higher baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores (OR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.10; p < 0.001), pre-operative glucose levels (OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.02; p < 0.001), and a baseline mRS of 4 (OR: 2.69; 95% CI: 1.25 to 5.82; p = 0.011). The multivariable model demonstrated good predictive accuracy with an area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.76., Conclusions: This study demonstrates that advanced age, higher NIHSS scores, elevated pre-stroke mRS, and pre-operative glucose levels significantly predict very poor outcomes in AIS-MeVO patients who received MT. These findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive risk assessment in primary MeVO patients for personalized treatment strategies. However, they also suggest a need for cautious patient selection for endovascular thrombectomy. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore targeted therapeutic interventions., 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. Dr 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 CDMRP/DoD W81XWH-19-PRARP-RPA and NINDS NS131756, during the conduct of the study. Dr Liebeskind is consultant as Imaging Core Lab to Cerenovus, Genentech, Medtronic, Stryker, and 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 Puri is a consultant for Medtronic Neurovascular, Stryker NeurovascularBalt, Q’Apel Medical, Cerenovus, Microvention, Imperative Care, Agile, Merit, CereVasc, and Arsenal Medical; he received research grants from NIH, Microvention, Cerenovus, Medtronic Neurovascular, and Stryker Neurovascular; and he holds stocks in InNeuroCo, Agile, Perfuze, Galaxy, and NTI. Dr Tjoumakaris is a consultant for Medtronic and Microvention (funds paid to institution, not personally). Dr Jabbour is a consultant for Medtronic, Microvention, and Cerus.

Background The combination of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) may have clinical benefits for patients with medium vessel occlusion. Purpose To examine whether MT combined with IVT is associated with different outcomes than MT alone in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and medium vessel occlusion. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included consecutive adult patients with AIS and medium vessel occlusion treated with MT or MT with IVT at 37 academic centers in North America, Asia, and Europe. Data were collected from September 2017 to July 2021. Propensity score matching was performed to reduce confounding. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to test the association between the addition of IVT treatment and different functional and safety outcomes. Results After propensity score matching, 670 patients (median age, 75 years [IQR, 64-82 years]; 356 female) were included in the analysis; 335 underwent MT alone and 335 underwent MT with IVT. Median onset to puncture (350 vs 210 minutes, P < .001) and onset to recanalization (397 vs 273 minutes, P < .001) times were higher in the MT group than the MT with IVT group, respectively. In the univariable regression analysis, the addition of IVT was associated with higher odds of a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0-2 (odds ratio [OR], 1.44; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.96; P = .019); however, this association was not observed in the multivariable analysis (OR, 1.37; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.89; P = .054). In the multivariable analysis, the addition of IVT also showed no evidence of an association with the odds of first-pass effect (OR, 1.27; 95% CI: 0.9, 1.79; P = .17), Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction grades 2b-3 (OR, 1.64; 95% CI: 0.99, 2.73; P = .055), mRS scores 0-1 (OR, 1.27; 95% CI: 0.91, 1.76; P = .16), mortality (OR, 0.78; 95% CI: 0.49, 1.24; P = .29), or intracranial hemorrhage (OR, 1.25; 95% CI: 0.88, 1.76; P = .21). Conclusion Adjunctive IVT may not provide benefit to MT in patients with AIS caused by distal and medium vessel occlusion. © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Wojak in this issue.

Mechanical thrombectomy is established as standard of care in the management of acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion and evidence-based guidelines for mechanical thrombectomy have been defined. As research continues to further expand the eligibility criteria for thrombectomy and the number of thrombectomy procedures increase worldwide, there is also growing focus on innovation of thrombectomy devices, procedural techniques, and related outcomes. Thrombectomy primarily involves use of stent retrievers and distal aspiration techniques, but variations and different combinations of techniques have been reported. As this is a rapidly evolving area in stroke management, there is debate as to which, if any, of these techniques leads to improved clinical outcomes over another and there is a lack of data comparing them. In this review, currently published and distinct techniques of mechanical thrombectomy are described methodically along with illustrations to aid in understanding the subtle differences between the techniques. The perceived benefits of each variation are discussed.

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is performed in patients who are already on anticoagulation (AC)/antiplatelet therapy (AP). However, data are insufficient regarding MT's safety and efficacy profiles in these patients., Objective: Investigate the outcome of stroke patients already on anticoagulation/antiplatelet receiving MT., Methods: We included consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients treated with MT for 10 years (2012-2022) in a comprehensive stroke center. Baseline variables, efficacy (recanalization [Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infraction] ≥ 2b), good functional outcome (modified Ranking Scale ≤ 2 at 3 months), and safety (symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage [sICH], mortality rates) were evaluated. Additionally, we conducted a subgroup analysis of patients with prior single-AP versus DAPT., Results: Six hundred forty-six patients were included (54.5% women, median age 71 years), 84 (13%) were on AC, 196 (30.3%) on AP, and 366 (56.7%) in the control group. The AC and AP groups were older and had more comorbidities. sICH occurred in 7.3% of cases. There was no significant difference in sICH incidence across the groups. The AC group had a lower rate of intravenous thrombolysis (15.9%; P < 0.001), a higher rate of sICH (11.9% vs. AP 7.7% and control 6%; P = 0.172), and higher mortality at discharge (17.9% vs. AP 8.7% and control 10.4%; P = 0.07). However, the groups had similar functional outcomes and mortality rates at 3 months. Successful recanalization was achieved in 92.7% and was similar across groups. Multivariable logistic regression and the subgroup analysis (single-AP vs. dual AP) did not reveal statistically significant associations., Conclusions: MT in patients with prior anticoagulation and AP presenting with acute ischemic strokeis feasible, effective, and safe., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Efficient transfer to mechanical thrombectomy (MT)-capable centers is essential for patients with stroke. Weather may influence stroke risk, transportation, and outcomes., Objective: To investigate how weather affects stroke patient transfer and outcomes after MT., Methods: We retrospectively collected data for patients with stroke transferred from spoke to our hub hospital to undergo MT between 2017 and 2021. We examined associations between weather, transportation, and patient outcomes., Results: We included 543 patients with a mean age of 71.7 years. The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Score increased from 14 to 15 after transportation. The median modified Rankin Scale was 4 at discharge and 90 days, and 3 at the final follow-up (mean 91.7 days). Higher daily temperatures were associated with good outcome, whereas daily drizzle was associated with poor outcome. More patients were transferred by air when visibility was better, and by ground during heavier precipitation, higher humidity, rain, mist, and daily drizzle, fog, and thunder . Patient outcomes were not associated with transportation mode. Among the independent predictors of good outcome, none was a weather variable. Lower hourly relative humidity ( P = .003) and longer road distance ( P < .001) were independent predictors of using air transportation, among others., Conclusion: During transportation, higher temperature was associated with good outcome, whereas daily drizzle was associated with poor outcome after MT. Although weather was associated with transportation mode, no differences in outcomes were found between transportation modes. Further studies are needed to modify transfer protocols, especially during cold and rainy days, and potentially improve outcomes., (Copyright © Congress of Neurological Surgeons 2023. All rights reserved.)

Background and Purpose: Rescue stenting is used as a bailout technique during mechanical thrombectomy for stroke. We performed a retrospective study analyzing outcomes of patients that received a stent as a bailout measure and compared results to a control group., Methods: We identified all patients who underwent a mechanical thrombectomy for a large vessel occlusion between January 2010 and October 2019. Subjects with mTICI 0-2 A after at least three passes were defined as failed MT and constituted the control group (NSG-controls). Patients that received a rescue stent (RSG) formed the study group., Results: Comparative analysis of patient demographics between NSG-controls and SRG was performed. Baseline characteristics and comorbidities were not significantly different between both groups. NIHSS at admission and IV t-PA were not significantly different among both groups (16.5 vs. 14.2, p = 0.19) and (39.4% vs. 29.4%, p = 0.30), respectively. There was no significant difference in procedural and post-procedural complications between both the groups. In the RSG, 24 patients (82.4%) achieved favorable revascularization outcomes. NIHSS at discharge (p = 0.01) was higher in the NSG-controls, while favorable functional outcome at three months (12% vs. 39.2%, p = 0.01) was observed at a higher proportion in the RSG. There was also a significant mortality difference, with 15.2% mortality in the RSG compared to 35.1% mortality in the NSG-controls (p = 0.03). In multivariate analysis, stenting was an independent predictor of favorable outcome (OR: 10.0, p = 0.009)., Conclusion: Herein, we demonstrated that rescue stenting is a feasible, safe, and effective procedure to improve stroke outcomes and should be seriously considered if the primary mechanical thrombectomy is not successful., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)