Search

Background Studies on the role of blood pressure ( BP ) variability specifically during mechanical thrombectomy ( MT ) are sparse and limited. Moreover, pulse pressure ( PP ) has not been considered as a potent hemodynamic parameter to describe BP variability during MT . We assessed the impact of PP variability on functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion during MT . Methods and Results Acute ischemic stroke patients presenting with large vessel occlusion from January 2012 to June 2016 were included. BP data during MT were prospectively collected in the ETIS (Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke) registry. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between PP coefficients of variation and functional outcome at 3 months (modified Rankin Scale). Among the 343 included patients, PP variability was significantly associated with worse 3-month modified Rankin Scale in univariable (odds ratio [OR] =1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24-1.96 per 1-unit increase, P=0.0002) and multivariable ordinal logistic regression (adjusted OR =1.40, 95% CI : 1.09-1.79, P=0.008). PP variability was also associated with unfavorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale 3-6) in univariable ( OR =1.53, 95% CI : 1.17-2.01, P=0.002) and multivariable analysis (adjusted OR =1.42, 95% CI : 1.02-1.98, P=0.04). There was an association between PP variability and 3-month all-cause mortality in univariable analysis ( OR = 1.37, 95% CI : 1.01-1.85 per 1-unit increase of the coefficient of variation of the PP , P=0.04), which did not remain significant after adjustment for potential confounders. Conclusions PP variability during MT is an independent predictor of worse clinical outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients. These findings support the need for a close monitoring of BP variability during MT . Whether pharmacological interventions aiming at reducing BP variability during MT could impact functional outcome needs to be determined.

Background and Purpose: The clot burden score (CBS) at admission reliably evaluates the thrombus burden in acute ischemic stroke patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion. Mechanical thrombectomy has been diversified, especially with contact aspiration technique, and its efficiency with respect to the thrombus burden is not known. We compared reperfusion, adverse events, neurological recovery, and 90-day functional outcome of stent retriever use versus contact aspiration according to the admission CBS., Methods: This is a post hoc analysis of the ASTER (Contact Aspiration Versus Stent Retriever for Successful Revascularization) randomized trial. The primary outcome was successful reperfusion after all procedures, defined as modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction scores 2b/3. Secondary outcomes were 90-day functional outcome, assessed with the modified Rankin Scale. Safety outcomes included 90-day mortality and any intracerebral hemorrhage., Results: A total of 231 randomized patients were included in this study: 114 patients had a CBS of 0 to 6 and 117 a CBS ≥7 at admission. Successful reperfusion at procedure end was achieved more frequently in patients with CBS ≥7 (88.9%) than patients with a CBS 0 to 6 (81.6%; fully adjusted risk ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.28). Favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score, 0-2) at 90 days was achieved in significantly more patients with CBS ≥7 (61.9%) than in patients with CBS 0 to 6 (41.8%; fully adjusted risk ratio, 1.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.40). No outcome differences of first-line mechanical thrombectomy strategy (aspiration versus stent) on any angiographic or clinical outcomes were observed between the 2 groups. We also found no evidence of interaction between first-line mechanical thrombectomy strategy and CBS groups regarding safety., Conclusions: First-line mechanical thrombectomy with contact aspiration compared with stent retriever did not result in an increased successful reperfusion rate in acute ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion of the anterior circulation according to the admission CBS. The latter, however, seems to be a reliable prognostic indicator of angiographic and clinical outcome., (© 2018 American Heart Association, Inc.)

Background and Purpose: Middle cerebral artery M2-segment occlusions represent an important subgroup of patients with acute stroke with large-vessel occlusion. The safety of mechanical thrombectomy, especially contact aspiration (CA), in such distal intracranial occlusions is still under debate. We compared reperfusion, adverse events, neurological recovery, and functional outcome of patients with isolated M2 occlusions according to the first-line strategy mechanical thrombectomy devices (CA versus stent retriever [SR])., Methods: This is a post hoc analysis of the ASTER trial (Contact Aspiration Versus Stent Retriever for Successful Revascularization). The primary outcome was successful reperfusion at the end of all endovascular procedures, defined as modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) scores 2b/3. Secondary outcomes were mTICI 2c/3 and mTICI 3, 90-day functional outcome, assessed with the modified Rankin Scale score. Safety outcomes included 90-day mortality and any symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage., Results: Seventy-nine patients were included: 48 were allocated to the CA group and 31 to the SR group. There were no significant differences between CA and SR groups in reperfusion after all endovascular procedures regarding mTICI 2b/3 (89.6% versus 83.9%; P =0.36), mTICI 2c/3 (54.2% versus 54.8%; P =0.90), and mTICI 3 (35.4% versus 41.9%; P =0.36) rates. There were no significant differences between CA and SR groups in 90-day modified Rankin Scale ≤2 rate (54.4% versus 50.0%; P =0.84), 24-hour change in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (mean difference, -3.9; 95% confidence interval, -7.9 to 0.01), and Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography score (mean difference, 0.9; 95% confidence interval, -0.1 to 2.0) scores. Safety parameters were well balanced between the 2 groups except for a higher 90-day mortality rate in the CA group (19.6% versus 3.3%; P =0.078)., Conclusions: First-line mechanical thrombectomy with CA compared with SR did not result in an increased successful revascularization rate in patients with acute stroke with isolated M2 occlusion., (© 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.)