Background Guidelines recommend the use of perfusion computed tomography (CT) to identify emergent large vessel ischemic stroke (ELVIS) patients who are likely to benefit from endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) if they present within 6-24 hour (late window) of stroke onset. We aim to determine if the interrater and intrarater reliability among physicians when recommending EVT is significantly different when perfusion CT or non-perfusion CT is reviewed. Methods A total of 30 non-consecutive patients were selected from our institutional database comprising 3144 cranial CT scans (January 2018-August 2022) performed for acute stroke symptoms. The clinical and radiologic data of the 30 patients were presented in random order to a group of 29 physicians in two separate sessions at least three weeks apart. In each session, the physicians evaluated each patient once with automated perfusion images and once without. We used non-overlapping 95% confidence intervals and difference in agreement classification as criteria to suggest a difference between the Gwet AC1 statistics (κG). Results Twenty-nine raters successfully completed the first round of surveys, with all but one of them also completing the second. The interrater (κG) agreement amonth 29 raters is similar with non-perfusion CT neuroimaging compared to perfusion CT neuroimaging (κG = 0.487; 95% CI 0.327,0.647 and κG =0.552; 95% CI 0.430,0.675). The 95% confidence intervals overlapped and both κG signify moderate agreement. The intrarater agreement κG had overlapping 95% confidence intervals for all 28 raters. κG was either substantial or excellent (0.81-1) for 71.4% (20/28) of patients in both groups. Conclusions Our findings suggest that automated perfusion images and quantitative values that are present in the perfusion CT neuroimaging but not in non-perfusion CT neuroimaging do not significantly affect the reliability of the decisions made by physicians on EVT for late window ELVIS patients. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Background and Methods Strokes that are associated with a blood clot in the brain may be treated by endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), a procedure that involves pulling the occlusion out. In this study we wanted to know whether a particular type of way to image the brain, perfusion computed tomography (CT) compared to plain CT makes a difference in how doctors decide on whether to treat these patients or not. Perfusion imaging comes at a cost and may not be available in all centers. Both imaging techniques are used to determine which patients would benefit from EVT (Endovascular Treatment). The goal of imaging is to confirm a stroke and assess whether a significant portion of the brain is still salvageable, as performing the procedure may not be beneficial otherwise. Results and Conclusions Our study suggests that the decisions made by physicians when reviewing patients with either imaging are comparable.

Yes / To describe the use, effectiveness, and safety outcomes of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in Latin American countries. Studies reporting MT outcomes for AIS in Latin America were identified in CINAHL, MEDLINE, Web of Science, SciELO, EMBASE, and LILACS databases. Synthesis was conducted according to effectiveness (recanalization rates) and safety measures (mortality and functional independence at 90 days). Seventeen studies were included, mainly from public and university hospitals. MT utilization varied from 2.6% to 50.1%, while successful recanalization ranged from 63% to 95%. Functional independence 90 days after stroke (a modified Rankin scale score of 0 to 2) was achieved in less than 40% across most studies. Mortality rates were below 30%; studies with posterior circulation strokes reported higher mortality rates. The randomized trial reported better health outcomes for functional independence among patients in the MT group (OR 2.28; 95% CI, 1.41 - 3.69), favoring MT over standard care. The included studies had great methodological heterogeneity due to differences in study design, the MT time window, and stroke location. The only randomized trial showed improved functional independence and lower mortality rates with MT than with standard care. The rest of the studies reported similar findings to available literature. Efforts to improve stroke care are reflected in improved patient outcomes in the region. Future studies should consider standard time window criteria and reduce the risk of bias by including representative samples and comparison groups.

Un certain nombre d'essais cliniques contrôlés, randomisés et publiés récemment en littérature a démontré que la thrombectomie mécanique, offerte aux patients présentant un AVC ischémique aigu, est liée à une meilleure évolution clinique en comparaison au traitement standard de fibrinolyse intraveineuse. Les stents retriever ont été reconnus dans ces essais comme les dispositifs les plus efficaces pour la thrombectomie intracrânienne. Actuellement, toutes les industries produisant des dispositifs neuro-interventionnels lancent sur le marché un nombre croissant de stents retriever. Chaque nouveau dispositif proposé est censé avoir une particularité permettant de meilleures performances par rapport aux dispositifs déjà disponibles sur le marché. Néanmoins, aucune étude clinique n’a démontré, jusqu'à présent, la supériorité en termes de résultats anatomiques et cliniques d'un stent retriever donné. En outre, le mécanisme d'interaction entre les stents retriever et le thrombus n'a pas été évalué jusqu'ici de façon exhaustive. Dans la présente étude, nous avons analysé expérimentalement les performances de tous les stents retriever disponibles sur le marché français jusqu'à juin 2015. Le but de cette étude était d'identifier toutes les caractéristiques des dispositifs fonctionnels à la capture du thrombus. Chaque dispositif a été évalué par des tests mécaniques et fonctionnels : les tests mécaniques ont été effectués afin d'étudier la force radiale des dispositifs. L'objectif était d'évaluer la force radiale exercée par le stent dans deux conditions spécifiques : lors du déploiement et pendant le retrait.Les tests fonctionnels ont visé à évaluer visuellement la capacité du stent à rester en apposition sur la paroi des vaisseaux et à maintenir le thrombus à l'intérieur de ses mailles au cours du retrait. Nous avons évalué l'interaction des dispositifs avec thrombus de taille et de caractéristiques différentes que nous avons générées en utilisant du sang humain afin d'obtenir deux types de caillot : un souple « de type rouge » composé par tous les éléments du sang et un dur « de type blanc» qui a été principalement composé de plasma riche en plaquettes. Ces essais ont été effectués en utilisant un modèle vasculaire rigide reproduisant la circulation cérébrale antérieure. Deux neuro-interventionnels ayant une expérience dans les procédures de thrombectomie ont effectué les tests fonctionnels. Chaque expérience a été filmée et deux auteurs par la suite ont effectué une analyse visuelle des résultats.Les essais mécaniques ont montré un comportement différent en termes de variation de pression radiale au cours du retrait pour chaque stent. Une pression radiale constante pendant le retrait est liée à une cohésion constante sur la paroi artérielle pendant le retrait, avec un taux plus important de retrait du caillot. Tous les stents retriever glissent sur le caillot blanc de grande taille (diamètre>6 mm) ayant un très bas taux d’efficacité en termes de retrait. / A number of randomized controlled trials recently appeared in literature demonstrated that early mechanical thrombectomy offered to patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke is related to improved functional outcome in comparison to standard care intravenous fibrinolysis. Stent retrievers have been recognized in these trials as the most effective devices for intracranial thrombectomy. Currently, all industries producing neuro-interventional devices are launching into the market an increasing number of stent-based retriever tools. Each new device proposed for clinical use is supposed to have peculiar features allowing better performances in comparison to devices already available for clinical practice. Nevertheless, none clinical study has demonstrated so far the superiority, in terms of anatomical and clinical results, of a given stent retriever device. Furthermore, the mechanism of interaction between stent retrievers and thrombi has not exhaustively evaluated so far. In the present study we experimentally analyzed performances of all stent retrievers available into the French market up to Juin 2015. The aim of this study was to identify any device feature that was functional to the thrombus removal.Stent retrievers were evaluated by mechanical and functional test: mechanical tests were performed in order to investigate devices radial force, the aim was to evaluate the radial force exerted by the stent in two specific conditions: upon deployment and during the retrieval.Functional tests were aimed to visually evaluate the stent retriever’s ability in remaining in close apposition to the vessels wall and to maintain the thrombus engaged within its struts during the retrieval. We evaluated the interaction of the devices with thrombi of different features and sizes that we generated using human blood in order to obtain two types of clot: one softer “red type” that was composed by all elements of the whole blood and one stiffer “white type” that was mainly composed by platelet-rich plasma. Such tests were conducted using a rigid 3D printed vascular model reproducing the brain anterior circulation. Two neuro-interventionalists with experience in thrombectomy procedures performed functional tests, each experiment was filmed and two authors thereafter conducted visual analysis of the results.Mechanical tests showed different behavior in terms of radial pressure variation during retrieval for each stent. Constant radial pressure during retrieval was related to constant cohesion over the vessel wall during retrieval and higher rate of clot removal efficacy. All stent retrievers slide over the clot failing in clot removal when interact with white large thrombi (diameter>6 mm).

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy is the gold standard for treating patients with certain acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). However, even with major advancements and increasing procedural volumes, acute endovascular therapy remains a high-risk procedure with a considerable 90-day mortality rate, affected by a variety of factors. Purpose: To investigate various clinical and procedural factors associated with 90-day mortality in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy for emergent treatment of AIS and determine which of these factors made unique contributions to post-thrombectomy prognosis. Methods: We examined a prospective registry of 323 patients treated with endovascular thrombectomy for AIS between 2016 and 2019 at a high-volume comprehensive stroke center in central Massachusetts. We developed two multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for the contributions of baseline characteristics and recanalization parameters, to identify potential predictors of mortality at 90 days. Results: Among 323 AIS patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy, the overall rate of successful recanalization was 86% and the overall post-procedure mortality rate was 29% by 90 days. After univariate analysis, a baseline multivariable model comprised of: history of stroke (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.09 – 0.68), pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (mRS 2: OR 3.75, 95% CI), severe admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS 21–42: OR 12.36, 95% CI 1.48 – 103.27), internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.18 – 6.55), and posterior circulation occlusion (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.06 – 6.83) was prognostic of 90-day mortality. A second multivariable model also found the procedural factors of: clot obtained after each pass (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.24 – 1.00), successful recanalization (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.06 – 0.8) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH; OR 17.89, 95% CI 5.22 – 61.29) to be identifiable predictors of post-thrombectomy mortality. Conclusion: Death within 90 days after thrombectomy was increased among patients with higher pre-stroke disability, higher stroke severity on admission, ICA or posterior occlusion, and those with sICH complication. A history of stroke, clot extraction after each device pass, and successful recanalization are associated with decreased 90-day mortality. These identifiable contributors may inform patient selection, prognosis evolution, and shared decision-making regarding emergent thrombectomy for treatment of AIS.

No description available.

A 53 year-old male presented with a one-day history of a swollen arm and dull, aching pain in the right upper extremity. The patient reported commencing exercising daily over the prior week with a modified, oscillating dumbbell; commonly referred to as a Shake Weight. Imaging revealed an occlusive thrombus in the right axillary, proximal brachial and basilic veins. The patient was treated with a 24-hour tPA infusion followed by mechanical thrombectomy, balloon angioplasty, and stent placement for a residual thrombus and stenosis. The patient was discharged the following day on warfarin and aspirin. This is the first report of effort-induced thrombosis of the upper extremity following the use of a modified, oscillating dumbbell. Due to the growing popularity of modified dumbbells and the possible risk for axillary vein thrombosis, consideration should be made to caution consumers of this potential complication.

No description available.

Background: The clinical benefit from endovascular therapy (EVT) for patients with acute ischemic stroke is time-dependent. We tested the hypothesis that team prenotification results in faster procedure times prior to initiation of EVT. Methods: We analyzed data from our prospective database (01/2016–02/2018) including all patients with acute ischemic stroke who were evaluated for EVT at our comprehensive stroke center. We established a standardized algorithm (EVT-Call) in 06/2017 to prenotify team members (interventional neuroradiologist, neurologist, anesthesiologist, CT and angiography technicians) about patient transfer from remote hospitals for evaluation of EVT, and team members were present in the emergency department at the expected patient arrival time. We calculated door-to-image, image-to-groin and door-to-groin times for patients who were transferred to our center for evaluation of EVT, and analyzed changes before (–EVT-Call) and after (+EVT-Call) implementation of the EVT-Call. Results: Among 494 patients in our database, 328 patients were transferred from remote hospitals for evaluation of EVT (208 -EVT-Call and 120 +EVT-Call, median [IQR] age 75 years [65–81], NIHSS score 17 [12–22], 49.1% female). Of these, 177 patients (54%) underwent EVT after repeated imaging at our center (111/208 [53%) -EVT-Call, 66/120 [55%] +EVT-Call). Median (IQR) door-to-image time (18 min [14–22] vs. 10 min [7–13]; p < 0.001), image-to-groin time (54 min [43.5–69.25] vs. 47 min [38.3–58.75]; p = 0.042) and door-to-groin time (74 min [58–86.5] vs. 60 min [49.3–71]; p < 0.001) were reduced after implementation of the EVT-Call. Conclusions: Team prenotification results in faster patient assessment and initiation of EVT in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Its impact on functional outcome needs to be determined.

Introdução. A dupla antiagregação plaquetária traz benefícios no tratamento do infarto agudo do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (IAMSST). Há variabilidade intra e interindividual no uso do clopidogrel e isso influencia no benefício do seu uso nesse grupo de pacientes. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar os efeitos de novo antiagregantes plaquetários (prasugrel e ticagrelor) administrados na sala de emergência (\"upstream\") sobre o resultado angiográfico da angioplastia primária, levando em conta o fluxo coronariano TIMI, o blush miocárdico e a carga de trombo. Métodos. Foi realizado um ensaio clínico, randomizado, cego, com 131 pacientes admitidos com IAMSST. Todos os pacientes receberam ácido acetilsalicílico (AAS). Os pacientes foram randomizados para receber clopidogrel (n=44), prasugrel (n=41) ou ticagrelor (n=46) como dose de ataque ainda na emergência. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a aspiração manual de trombos. Ao término do procedimento, o resultado angiográfico foi avaliado quanto ao fluxo TIMI, o blush miocárdico e a carga de trombo. Resultados. O fluxo coronariano TIMI >= 1 antes do procedimento foi observado mais frequentemente com o uso de ticagrelor (n = 10, 21,7%) do que com o clopidogrel (n = 1, 2,3%) e prasugrel (n = 5, 12,2%; p = 0,019). O fluxo TIMI coronária no fim do procedimento não diferiu significativamente entre os grupos (p = 0,101). Melhor resultado no que diz respeito ao blush miocárdico foi observada com prasugrel, que produziu um grau de blush III em 85,4% (n = 35) dos pacientes, em comparação com o clopidogrel (54,5%; n = 24) e ticagrelor (67,4%; n = 31; p = 0,025). A carga de trombo pré-procedimento foi maior no grupo de clopidogrel, em que 97,7% (n = 43) dos casos denotaram carga de trombo grau 4/5, enquanto 87,8% (n = 36) do grupo prasugrel tiveram respostas semelhantes, e 80,4% (n = 37) foram observadas no grupo ticagrelor (p = 0,03). Conclusão. Os novos antiagregantes plaquetários ticagrelor e prasugrel parecem exercer efeito sobre o resultado angiográfico dos pacientes submetidos a angioplastia primária. O uso do ticagrelor propiciou menor carga de trombo e um fluxo TIMI melhor no pré-procedimento e o uso do prasugrel ensejou melhor perfusão miocárdica analisada pelo blush miocárdico. Não houve diferença no fluxo angiográfico TIMI pós procedimento / Introduction. Dual antiplatelet therapy has benefits in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation (STEMI). There is variability intra and inter individual in the use of clopidogrel and this influences the benefit of its use in this group of patients. The objective of this research was to evaluate the angiographic results of Upstream Clopidogrel, Prasugrel, or Ticagrelor For Patients Treated With Primary Angioplasty. Methods. A clinical trial was conducted, randomized, double blind, with 131 patients admitted with STEMI. All patients received acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Patients were randomized to receive clopidogrel (n = 44), prasugrel (n = 41) or ticagrelor (n = 46) as loading dose even in emergency. All patients were submitted to manual thrombus aspiration. At the end of the procedure, the angiographic result was evaluated for TIMI flow, myocardial blush and thrombus burden. Results. A coronary TIMI flow >= 1 before the percutaneous procedure was observed more frequently with the use of ticagrelor (n=10, 21.7%) than with clopidogrel (n=1, 2.3%) and prasugrel (n=5, 12.2%; p=0.019). The coronary TIMI flow at the end of the procedure did not significantly differ between the groups (p=0.101). A better result with respect to myocardial blush was observed with prasugrel, which yielded a blush grade of III in 85.4% (n=35) of patients, compared with clopidogrel (54.5%; n=24) and ticagrelor (67.4%; n=31; p=0.025). The pre-procedural thrombus burden was found to be of a higher grade in the clopidogrel group, in which 97.7% (n=43) of the cases exhibited thrombus burdens grade 4/5, whereas 87.8% (n=36) of the prasugrel group had similar responses, and 80.4% (n=37) were observed in the ticagrelor group (p=0.03). Conclusions. The novel antiplatelet agents represented by ticagrelor and prasugrel appear to have effect on the angiographic outcome of patients undergoing primary angioplasty. The use of ticagrelor led to a smaller thrombus burden and better TIMI flow at the beginning of the procedure and the use of prasugrel produced a better myocardial perfusion analyzed by myocardial blush. There was no difference in post angioplasty TIMI flow

O Brasil é um país em desenvolvimento que luta para reduzir sua desigualdade social extrema. Isso se reflete na falta de infraestrutura de cuidados de saúde, principalmente para a classe de baixa renda, que depende exclusivamente do sistema de saúde pública. No Brasil, menos de 1% dos pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) têm acesso a trombólise intravenosa em uma unidade especializada de AVC e as limitações para a implementação da trombectomia mecânica nos hospitais públicos aumentam a carga social do AVC. Objetivo: Avaliar a viabilidade da trombectomia mecânica como parte do tratamento de rotina em um hospital universitário público brasileiro. Pacientes e Métodos: Foram coletados dados prospectivos de todos os pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico (AVCI) agudo tratados por trombectomia mecânica de junho de 2011 a março de 2016. A trombectomia combinada foi realizada em pacientes elegíveis para trombólise intravenosa e com presença de oclusão de grandes artérias. Para os pacientes não elegíveis para trombólise intravenosa, foi realizada a trombectomia mecânica desde que não existisse evidência de isquemia significativa de circulação anterior (escala de pontuação Alberta Stroke Program Early CT > 6), dentro de uma janela de tempo de 6 horas; e também para pacientes com AVCI ao desperdar ou de circulação posterior, independente do tempo de início dos sintomas. Resultados: Um total de 161 pacientes foram avaliados, resultando em uma taxa de recanalização global bem sucedida de 76% e taxa de hemorragia intracraniana sintomática de 6,8%. Após 3 meses, 36% dos pacientes apresentaram um índice da Escala de Rankin modificada inferior ou igual a 2. A taxa de mortalidade geral foi de 23%. Conclusão: Nosso estudo foi a primeira série grande de trombectomia mecânica no Brasil e demonstrou resultados aceitáveis de eficácia e segurança, mesmo em condições restritas, fora do cenário ideal dos estudos clínicos randomizados. / Brazil is a developing country struggling to reduce its extreme social inequality, which is reflected on shortage of health-care infrastructure, mainly to the low-income class, which depends exclusively on the public health system. In Brazil, less than 1% of stroke patients have access to intravenous thrombolysis in a stroke unit, and constraints to the development of mechanical thrombectomy in the public health system increase the social burden of stroke. Objective: Report the feasibility of mechanical thrombectomy as part of routine stroke care in a Brazilian public university hospital. Patients and methods: Prospective data were collected from all patients treated for acute ischemic stroke with mechanical thrombectomy from June 2011 to March 2016. Combined thrombectomy was performed in eligible patients for intravenous thrombolysis if they presented occlusion of large artery. For those patients ineligible for intravenous thrombolysis, primary thrombectomy was performed as long as there was no evidence of significant ischemia for anterior circulation stroke (Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score >6) within a 6-hour time window, and also for those patients with wake-up stroke or posterior circulation stroke, regardless of the time of symptoms onset. Results: A total of 161 patients were evaluated, resulting in an overall successful recanalization rate of 76% and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rate of 6.8%. At 3 months, 36% of the patients had modified Rankin Scale score less than or equal to 2. The overall mortality rate was 23%. Conclusion: Our study, the first ever large series of mechanical thrombectomy in Brazil, demonstrates acceptable efficacy and safety results, even under restricted conditions outside the ideal scenario of trial studies.