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Background: Patients with stroke secondary to isolated anterior cerebral artery (ACA) occlusions have poor outcomes. Whether tandemocclusions (TO) of the extracranial internal carotid (ICA) and the ACA carry even worse outcomes that remain unknown. Methods: Patients with TO involving ICA and ACA occlusions were identified from 14 participating centers from the EndoVascular treatment And ThRombolysis in Ischemic Stroke Patients (EVATRISP) project which is a multicenter, observational, cohort study with prospective accrual of data followed by retrospective data analysis. Patients with isolated ACA stroke served as controls. Results: Included were 92 patients with isolated ACA and 16 patients with ICA-ACA TO stroke. On univariate analyses, patients with TO had more severe strokes on admission [median NIHSS (IQR) 13.5 (9-21) vs. 8 (5-12), p = 0.003] and were more often treated with thrombectomy (81 vs. 40%, p = 0.002). Mortality rates were higher among TO patients (31 vs. 11%, p = 0.03). Rates of favorable functional outcomes were numerically lower among TO patients (38 vs. 60%) but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.09). On multivariate analyses, the presence of TO did not modify the chances for favorable outcomes. Conclusion: TO stroke with ICA and isolated ACA involvement is rare and results in more severe initial neurological deficits and higher mortality compared to those seen in patients with isolated ACA stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Video consultations between hospital-based neurologists and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) have potential to increase precision of decisions regarding stroke patient assessment, management and transport. In this study we explored the use of real-time video streaming for neurologist–EMS consultation from the ambulance, using highly realistic full-scale prehospital simulations including role-play between on-scene EMS teams, simulated patients (actors), and neurologists specialized in stroke and reperfusion located at the remote regional stroke center. Methods: Video streams from three angles were used for collaborative assessment of stroke using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) to assess symptoms affecting patient's legs, arms, language, and facial expressions. The aim of the assessment was to determine appropriate management and transport destination based on the combination of geographical location and severity of stroke symptoms. Two realistic patient scenarios were created, with severe and moderate stroke symptoms, respectively. Each scenario was simulated using a neurologist acting as stroke patient and an ambulance team performing patient assessment. Four ambulance teams with two nurses each all performed both scenarios, for a total of eight cases. All scenarios were video recorded using handheld and fixed cameras. The audio from the video consultations was transcribed. Each team participated in a semi-structured interview, and neurologists and actors were also interviewed. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Results: Analysis of video-recordings and post-interviews (n = 7) show a more thorough prehospital patient assessment, but longer total on-scene time, compared to a baseline scenario not using video consultation. Both ambulance nurses and neurologists deem that video consultation has potential to provide improved precision of assessment of stroke patients. Interviews verify the system design effectiveness and suggest minor modifications. Conclusions: The results indicate potential patient benefit based on a more effective assessment of the patient's condition, which could lead to increased precision in decisions and more patients receiving optimal care. The findings outline requirements for pilot implementation and future clinical tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with stroke secondary to isolated anterior cerebral artery (ACA) occlusions have poor outcomes.Whether tandemocclusions (TO) of the extracranial internal carotid (ICA) and the ACA carry even worse outcomes that remain unknown. Methods: Patients with TO involving ICA and ACA occlusions were identified from 14 participating centers from the EndoVascular treatment And ThRombolysis in Ischemic Stroke Patients (EVATRISP) project which is a multicenter, observational, cohort study with prospective accrual of data followed by retrospective data analysis. Patients with isolated ACA stroke served as controls. Results: Included were 92 patients with isolated ACA and 16 patients with ICA-ACA TO stroke. On univariate analyses, patients with TO had more severe strokes on admission [median NIHSS (IQR) 13.5 (9--21) vs. 8 (5--12), p = 0.003] and were more often treated with thrombectomy (81 vs. 40%, p = 0.002). Mortality rates were higher among TO patients (31 vs. 11%, p = 0.03). Rates of favorable functional outcomes were numerically lower among TO patients (38 vs. 60%) but the di [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Initial studies investigating correlations between stroke etiology and clot composition are conflicting and do not account for clot size as determined by area. Radiological studies have shown that cardioembolic strokes are associated with shorter clot lengths and lower clot burden than non- cardioembolic clots. Objective To report the relationship between stroke etiology, extracted clot area, and histological composition at each procedural pass. Methods As part of the multi- institutional RESTORE Registry, the Martius Scarlett Blue stained histological composition and extracted clot area of 612 per- pass clots retrieved from 441 patients during mechanical thrombectomy procedures were quantified. Correlations with clinical and procedural details were investigated. Results Clot composition varied significantly with procedural passes; clots retrieved in earlier passes had higher red blood cell content (H4=11.644, p=0.020) and larger extracted clot area (H4=10.730, p=0.030). Later passes were associated with significantly higher fibrin (H4=12.935, p=0.012) and platelets/other (H4=15.977, p=0.003) content and smaller extracted clot area. Large artery atherosclerotic (LAA) clots were significantly larger in the extracted clot area and more red blood cell- rich than other etiologies in passes 1--3. Cardioembolic and cryptogenic clots had similar histological composition and extracted clot area across all procedural passes. Conclusion LAA clots are larger and associated with a large red blood cell- rich extracted clot area, suggesting soft thrombus material. Cardioembolic clots are smaller in the extracted clot area, consistent in composition and area across passes, and have higher fibrin and platelets/ other content than LAA clots, making them stiffer clots. The per- pass histological composition and extracted clot area of cryptogenic clots are similar to those of cardioembolic clots, suggesting similar formation mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Evidence of endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute large vessel occlusion (LVO) ischemic stroke in patients harboring substantial prestroke disability is lacking due to their exclusion from randomized trials. Here, we used routine care observational data to compare outcomes in patients with and without prestroke disability receiving EVT for LVO ischemic stroke. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing EVT for acute LVO ischemic stroke at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital from January 1st, 2015 to March 31st, 2018 were registered in the Sahlgrenska Stroke Recanalization Registry. Pre- and poststroke functional levels were assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Outcomes were recanalization rate (mTICI = 2b/3), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage [sICH], complications during hospital stay, and return to prestroke functional level and mortality at 3 months. Results: Among 591 patients, 90 had prestroke disability (mRS ≥ 3). The latter group were older, more often female, had more comorbidities and higher NIHSS scores before intervention compared to patients without prestroke disability. Recanalization rates (80.0% vs 85.0%, p = 0.211), sICH (2.2% vs 6.3% p = 0.086) and the proportion of patients returning to prestroke functional level (22.7% vs 14.8% p = 0.062) did not significantly differ between those with and without prestroke disability. Patients with prestroke disability had higher complication rates during hospital stay (55.2% vs 40.1% p < 0.01) and mortality at 3 months (48.9% vs 24.3% p < 0.001). Conclusion: One of five with prestroke disability treated with thrombectomy for a LVO ischemic stroke returned to their prestroke functional level. However, compared to patients without prestroke disability, mortality at 3 months was higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]