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Background and Purpose— Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) after acute ischemic stroke may cause severe neurological deterioration and affects functional outcome. Identifying patients most likely to suffer from this complication could potentially be used for future treatment selection. Reperfusion after endovascular therapy could be associated with different risk factors for HT than intravenous thrombolytics as these treatments largely differ. In this study, we aimed to identify clinical and imaging markers that are associated with HT subtypes in the MR CLEAN (Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands) population. Methods— In this post hoc analysis, all patients with follow-up imaging were included. HT was classified according to ECASS II (European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study). Variables with an association of P Results— Of the 478 out of 500 included patients in this subanalysis, 46% had HT (n=222). Of these, 66% had hemorrhagic infarction (n=147) and 34% PH (n=75). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was observed in 7.3% (n=35) of all patients. Baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (odds ratio [OR], 1.05,95% CI, 1.01–1.09 per point) and absent/poor collaterals (OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.05–3.42) were significantly associated with hemorrhagic infarction. Increased systolic blood pressure (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.05–1.31 per 10 mm Hg) and atrial fibrillation (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.08–3.48) were associated with PH. Increased systolic blood pressure (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.12–1.48) and antiplatelet use (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.08–6.3) were associated with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Conclusions— Clinical and imaging stroke severity parameters were associated with HT, both in hemorrhagic infarction and PH, whereas baseline patients characteristics like systolic blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, and antiplatelet use were only associated with PH or symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.controlled-trials.com . Unique identifier: ISRCTN10888758.

Background and Purpose— Previous studies suggest that intracranial carotid artery calcification (ICAC) volume might influence the clinical outcome of patients after endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke. Importantly, ICAC can be subtyped into a medial or intimal pattern that may differentially influence the effect of EVT in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods— All 500 patients included in the MR CLEAN (Multicenter Randomized Clinical trial of Endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke in the Netherlands) were evaluated. Volume (mm 3 ) and location pattern (tunica intima or tunica media) of ICAC could be determined on baseline noncontrast computed tomography in 344 patients. Functional outcome at 90 days was assessed with the modified Rankin Scale. Next, we investigated the association of ICAC volume and pattern with functional outcome using adjusted ordinal logistic regression models. Effect modification by EVT was assessed with an interaction term between treatment allocation and ICAC aspect. Results— We found evidence for treatment effect modification by ICAC pattern ( P interaction=0.04). Patients with predominantly medial calcification had better functional outcome with EVT than without this treatment (adjusted common odds ratio, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.23–4.39), but we observed no effect of EVT in patients with predominantly intimal calcifications (adjusted common odds ratio, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.40–1.68). We did not find an association of ICAC volume with functional outcome (adjusted common odds ratio per unit increase ICAC volume 1.01 (95% CI, 0.89–1.13). Moreover, we found no evidence for effect modification by ICAC volume ( P interaction=0.61). Conclusions— The benefit of EVT in acute ischemic stroke patients with a medial calcification pattern is larger than the benefit in patients with an intimal calcification pattern. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.trialregister.nl . Unique identifier: NTR1804. URL: http://www.isrctn.com . Unique identifier: ISRCTN10888758.

Contains fulltext : 153000.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) BACKGROUND: In patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by a proximal intracranial arterial occlusion, intraarterial treatment is highly effective for emergency revascularization. However, proof of a beneficial effect on functional outcome is lacking. METHODS: We randomly assigned eligible patients to either intraarterial treatment plus usual care or usual care alone. Eligible patients had a proximal arterial occlusion in the anterior cerebral circulation that was confirmed on vessel imaging and that could be treated intraarterially within 6 hours after symptom onset. The primary outcome was the modified Rankin scale score at 90 days; this categorical scale measures functional outcome, with scores ranging from 0 (no symptoms) to 6 (death). The treatment effect was estimated with ordinal logistic regression as a common odds ratio, adjusted for prespecified prognostic factors. The adjusted common odds ratio measured the likelihood that intraarterial treatment would lead to lower modified Rankin scores, as compared with usual care alone (shift analysis). RESULTS: We enrolled 500 patients at 16 medical centers in The Netherlands (233 assigned to intraarterial treatment and 267 to usual care alone). The mean age was 65 years (range, 23 to 96), and 445 patients (89.0%) were treated with intravenous alteplase before randomization. Retrievable stents were used in 190 of the 233 patients (81.5%) assigned to intraarterial treatment. The adjusted common odds ratio was 1.67 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 to 2.30). There was an absolute difference of 13.5 percentage points (95% CI, 5.9 to 21.2) in the rate of functional independence (modified Rankin score, 0 to 2) in favor of the intervention (32.6% vs. 19.1%). There were no significant differences in mortality or the occurrence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by a proximal intracranial occlusion of the anterior circulation, intraarterial treatment administered within 6 hours after stroke onset was effective and safe. (Funded by the Dutch Heart Foundation and others; MR CLEAN Netherlands Trial Registry number, NTR1804, and Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN10888758.).

Contains fulltext : 26026___.PDF (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)

In Chapter 1, an outline of the thesis is given. In Chapter 2 we concluded that most conservatively treated patients with VCFs had sufficient pain relief during the first 3 months. After one year a substantial proportion of patients still had disabling pain despite higher class pain medication used. There were no predictors for the development of chronic pain. In Chapter 3 we concluded that pulmonary PMMA embolism during PV is an infrequent complication without clinical sequelae. After one year, no pulmonary reaction is seen on CT. No definite relationship of PMMA emboli with injected cement volume could be established. In Chapter 4 we concluded that small and clinically silent PCE occurred in a quarter of patients treated with PV. Cement leakage into the azygos vein was the only risk factor.Over time, these small cement emboli remained inert without inflammatory pulmonary response. In Chapter 5 we concluded that perivertebral cement leaks during PV for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures occurred frequently. Cement leakage occurred more frequently with higher injected volumes. All patients remained asymptomatic and late cement migration during follow-up did not occur. Standard post-procedural CT of the treated vertebral body in PV is not necessary. In Chapter 6 we concluded that for a substantial proportion of patients local anesthesia was not sufficient for pain reduction during PV. The severity of pain experienced by the patient is mostly not valued correctly by the operator. In Chapter 7 we concluded that clinical response of percutaneous vertebroplasty is not affected by differences in injected cement volume. There is no correlation between injected cement volume and fracture location, fracture severity and type of treated vertebra. In Chapter 8 we concluded that the incidence of new vertebral compression fractures was not different after PV compared with conservative therapy after 1 year follow-up. Only risk factor for new vertebral compression fractures was the number of vertebral compression fractures at baseline. PV contributed to preservation of stature by decreasing both incidence and severity of further height loss in treated vertebra.In Chapter 9 the results of the different aspects of percutaneous vertebroplasty are interpreted and discussed.