American Heart Association

clinical

Benefit of Mechanical Thrombectomy in M2 Occlusions: A STRATIS Registry Subgroup Analysis of M2 Versus M1 Occlusions

Karissa C Arthur, MD
@KCArthurMD

Jumaa MA, Castonguay AC, Salahuddin H, Jadhav AP, Limaye K, Farooqui M, Zaidi SF, Mueller-Kronast N, Liebeskind DS, Zaidat OO, Ortega-Gutierrez S. Middle Cerebral Artery M2 Thrombectomy in the STRATIS Registry. Stroke. 2021.

Middle cerebral artery M2 segment occlusions represent about one-sixth of large vessel occlusions in the United States, though were underrepresented in early time window mechanical thrombectomy (MT) trials. However, data from several of these trials suggest that MT for M2 occlusions is safe with low risk of intracerebral hemorrhage and has similar clinical outcomes and mortality to M1 occlusions. Given the paucity of data on the safety and feasibility of MT for M2 occlusions, Jumaa et al. sought to evaluate the STRATIS registry to compare MT safety, rate of good clinical outcomes, and time dependence of MT benefit between M2 and M1 occlusions.

The STATIS registry is a prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized, observational study that evaluated the use of the Solitaire stent retriever in large vessel occlusions. It consists of 1,000 patients aged 18 or older with confirmed anterior circulation large vessel occlusions at 55 centers between August 2014 and June 2016. This subgroup analysis compared patients with M1 occlusions to those with M2 occlusions in terms of baseline characteristics, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS), IV recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) use, and workflow and procedural characteristics. Outcomes included good functional outcome (mRS of 0 to 2 at 90 days), successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction [mTICI] ≥ 2b), as well as safety outcomes such as symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, worsening of NIHSS ≥4 within 24 hours, or vessel perforation during MT. The authors also dichotomized the M2 group into 90-day mRS score of 0-2 versus 0-1 to identify factors that influenced clinical outcome.

By |September 13th, 2021|clinical|0 Comments
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Article Commentary: “Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery May Serve As a Tissue Clock in Patients Treated With Endovascular Thrombectomy”

Parth Upadhyaya, DO

Aoki J, Sakamoto Y, Suzuki K, Nishi Y, Kutsuna A, Takei Y, et al. Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery May Serve As a Tissue Clock in Patients Treated With Endovascular Thrombectomy. Stroke. 2021;52:2232–2240.

Based on WAKE-UP (2018), THAWS (2020), and smaller single-center trails, the concept of FLAIR signal change as a surrogate timekeeper in hyperacute stroke has shown both safety and efficacy for intravenous thrombolysis. Now, in the age of extended window endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), predictors of good clinical outcome beyond time, age and medical risk factors become prudent for patient selection. In this study, Aoki et al. hypothesize if FLAIR signal change can predict clinical outcome after EVT.

From a prospective registry of 324 consecutive EVT patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke, 227 were retrospectively enrolled from September 2014 to December 2018. Those with premorbid mRS score 0 to 1 with available FLAIR imaging were included; patients with contraindications to MRI were excluded. FLAIR positivity was defined by new hyper-intense signal at DWI-positive lesion site; subtle changes were measured using contralateral signal intensity ratio of 1.2. The median age of patients was 74, NIHSS 15, and symptoms onset to imaging 155 minutes. Ischemic core volume and NIHSS were not significantly different in timing to FLAIR imaging from less than 2 hours to greater than 12 hours. 

By |September 10th, 2021|clinical, treatment|0 Comments
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Pooled Risk-Benefit Analysis of Long-Term Antiplatelet Therapies for Non-Cardioembolic Transient Ischemic Attack or Stroke

Dixon Yang, MD

Hilkens NA, Algra A, Diener HC, Bath PM, Csiba L, Hacke W, Kappelle LJ, Koudstaal PJ, Leys D, Mas J-L, et al. Balancing Benefits and Risks of Long-Term Antiplatelet Therapy in Noncardioembolic Transient Ischemic Attack or Stroke. Stroke. 2021.

Aspirin monotherapy, aspirin with dipyridamole, and clopidogrel alone are the first-line antithrombotic therapies for long-term secondary prevention of non-cardioembolic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA). In clinical practice, we often consider an individual patient’s bleeding risks against potential benefits of reduced ischemic events from these single antiplatelet agents. Assessing risk-benefit by stratification of bleeding risk may help guide clinical decision-making. Therefore, Hilkens et al. sought to investigate the net benefit of antiplatelet treatment according to an individual’s bleeding risk through pooled analysis of six randomized control trials.

The authors pooled individual patient data from CAPRIE, ESPS-2, MATCH, CHARISMA, ESPRIT, and PRoFESS, which investigated antiplatelet therapy in the subacute or chronic phase after non-cardioembolic stroke or TIA. The authors stratified patients into quintiles by their individually calculated S2TOP-BLEED score, derived from sex, smoking, modified Rankin Scale, prior stroke, hypertension, body mass index, age, and diabetes. For each quintile, the authors determined the annual rate of major bleeding and recurrent ischemic events of: 1) aspirin monotherapy; 2) aspirin-clopidogrel versus monotherapy; 3) aspirin-dipyridamole versus clopidogrel; and 4) aspirin versus clopidogrel. In the second, third, and fourth comparisons, the authors calculated net benefit.

By |September 9th, 2021|clinical, outcomes, prognosis|0 Comments
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Anti-Hypertensive Drugs for Secondary Prevention of Stroke: Is It Time to Move On?

Wern Yew Ding, MBChB

Boncoraglio GB, Del Giovane C, Tramacere I. Antihypertensive Drugs for Secondary Prevention After Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Stroke. 2021;52:1974–1982.

Hypertension is well-recognized as a major risk factor for primary and recurrent strokes. Previous studies have shown that the use of blood pressure (BP)-lowering drugs among patients who have suffered an initial stroke is beneficial at reducing the risk of recurrent stroke, regardless of whether or not these patients had a documented history of hypertension. However, there is limited evidence focusing on patients with ischemic stroke (instead of all stroke types).

By |September 8th, 2021|clinical, prevention|0 Comments
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ESOC 2021 Session: “Non-Reperfusion Therapies for Acute Ischemic Stroke Treatment: Something New in the Pipeline?”

Karissa Arthur, MD

European Stroke Organisation Conference
September 1–3, 2021

Dual Antiplatelet Therapy for Minor Acute Ischemic Stroke: Clopidogrel vs Ticagrelor: Pierre Amarenco, Paris University

In this session, Dr. Amarenco compared clopidogrel versus ticagrelor for minor acute ischemic stroke. He first summarized data for aspirin monotherapy showing that it reduces the risk of ischemic stroke by 60%, and the 6-week risk of disabling stroke by 70%. He then called to attention the CHANCE and POINT trials, as well as a pooled analysis of both, showing that dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin plus clopidogrel after a minor stroke or TIA is 34% superior to aspirin alone in preventing stroke in the first 21 days. Dr. Amarenco went on to discuss the shortcomings of clopidogrel, with specific regard to CYP2C19 loss of function carriers in which there is less efficacy for stroke prevention. In contrast to clopidogrel, ticagrelor is a direct acting drug which does not require biotransformation, binds reversibly to platelets, has faster onset, higher platelet inhibition, and faster offset and therefore has a more attractive profile than clopidogrel. 

By |September 7th, 2021|clinical, Conference, treatment|0 Comments
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ESOC 2021 Session: “Targeting Cardiac Disease in Stroke Prevention: Joint Session With the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)”

Thomas Meinel, MD
@TotoMynell

European Stroke Organisation Conference
September 1–3, 2021

Stroke prevention — especially in patients with atrial fibrillation — is a team effort of cardiologists and vascular neurologists. Vice-versa, work-up of cardiac disease and cardioaortic sources of embolism is a joint effort of stroke physicians and cardiologists. Several novel diagnostic options, medical therapies and devices are available in the cardiovascular field. Hence, this joint session of the ESO and ESC was a logical consequence of intensified collaboration of these two big societies.

The first speaker was Marta Rubiera from Spain, who elaborated on the diagnostic options to identify structural cardioaortic sources of embolism in stroke patients. Presenting the expected diagnostic findings and weighing nicely the pros and cons of each modality, she guided the audience to choose the correct test according to the patient and the stroke characteristics. Cardiac MRI and cardiac CT represent novel diagnostic options in selected patients, but echocardiography remains the working horse of stroke work-up. However, the lack of randomized diagnostic studies with clinical outcomes and the uncertainty of what to do with minor sources of embolism remain a major drawback of this daily task during stroke unit rounds. Joint efforts of cardiology and neurology are necessary to overcome this evidence gap.

By |September 7th, 2021|clinical, Conference, prevention|0 Comments
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ESOC 2021 Session: “Large Artery Stroke: Carotid Disease, Plaque and Beyond”

Karissa Arthur, MD

European Stroke Organisation Conference
September 1–3, 2021

Cervical Artery Dissection: Christopher Traenka, University Hospital Basel

Dr. Traenka discussed carotid artery dissection (CeAD) in this talk. He first discussed CeAD and sports. Patients with CeAD obtained during stroke should refrain from any sports activities for at least one month, and this period may need to be prolonged considering the patient’s clinical course. When resuming activities, patients should start at low intensity and gradually increase activity. Most patients will go back to full activity in 6-12 months.

By |September 7th, 2021|clinical, Conference|0 Comments
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ESOC 2021 Session: “Closing Ceremony and Large Clinical Trials 2”

Vignan Yogendrakumar, MD, MSc
@VYogendrakumar

European Stroke Organisation Conference
September 1–3, 2021

Wrapping up our coverage of this year’s ESOC, the second round of results from major clinical trials!

APACHE-AF: Apixaban after Anticoagulation-Associated Intracerebral Hemorrhage In Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Randomized, Open-Label, Phase 2 Trial

APACHE-AF was a prospective, randomized, open-label clinical trial, recruiting adults with a history of atrial fibrillation and anticoagulation associated ICH. Following their ICH event (days 7-90 days post ICH event), participants were randomized to apixaban 5mg twice daily or to avoiding anticoagulation. Primary outcome was vascular death or non-fatal stroke and was evaluated using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. Between January 16, 2015 and July 6, 2020, 101 participants (46% female, median age 77 years) were recruited at a median of 46 (IQR 21-74) days after ICH in an intention to treat analysis. Participants were followed for a median of 1.9 (IQR 1.0-3.1) years. There were 10 patients who crossed over. For the primary outcome, comparing Apixaban to Avoiding Anticoagulation: Adjusted HR: 1.05 (0.48-2.31), indicating no major difference between the two groups. There were no major differences in subsequent ICH between the two groups.

By |September 7th, 2021|clinical, Conference|0 Comments
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ESOC 2021 Session: “Presidential Symposium Awards and Large Clinical Studies”

Thomas Meinel, MD
@TotoMynell

European Stroke Organisation Conference
September 1–3, 2021

The first part of the symposium was the awards ceremony for the presidential awards for 2021 and 2020 for exceptional late-stage researchers. The awardees were Professor Michael Brainin, past ESO and WSO president and founder of the ESO European Stroke Master programme, followed by Professor Bo Norrving, editor-in-chief of the European Stroke Journal, ESO founding member, past WSO president, and past ESO vice-president. Both were honored for their outstanding contributions to both stroke research and development of the ESO.

Next up were the awardees of the Scientific Excellence Award of 2021 and 2020. The first awardee was Professor Georgios Tsivgoulis, the vice-president of ESO. He not only contributed significantly to the recent guidelines on intravenous thrombolysis and blood pressure management, but he also has an impressive scientific track record with a special focus on evidence synthesis. The second awardee was Professor Urs Fischer, the former ESO secretary general. He is the principal investigator of several multicenter international trials answering burning questions of present stroke care with important results presented at this conference. Both awardees pointed out that clinical research is a team effort and dedicated their award to the study teams, collaborators, and PhD students.

By |September 7th, 2021|clinical, Conference|0 Comments
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ESOC 2021 Session: “Scientific Communication 06 – Acute Treatment and Thrombolysis”

Vignan Yogendrakumar, MD, MSc
@VYogendrakumar

European Stroke Organisation Conference
September 1–3, 2021

This session opened with a presentation by Dr. Mikhail Kalinin and the CEREHETIS Investigators on the potential neuroprotective effect of Cerebrolysin as an add-on therapy during acute reperfusion. In a pilot RCT designed to assess safety, patients were randomized to cerebrolysin + IV tPA versus IV tPA alone. The primary outcome of the study was post-treatment symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation. 117 patients were randomized to the intervention arm, while 201 were randomized to the control arm.  Symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation occurred at lower rates in those who received cerebrolysin + thrombolysis, compared to thrombolysis alone. However, functional outcomes (mRS ≤ 2) did not differ between the two groups.

This was followed by a presentation by Dr. Wayneho Kan and the American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines-Stroke group. Using the registry of 160,000+ patients, Dr. Kan presented on the outcomes of tPA use in patients who were on a NOAC versus those not on anticoagulation using propensity score overlap weighting and regression modelling. Adjusting for baseline clinical factors, the risks of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage did not differ between the two groups (sICH: aOR, 0.88 [95%CI, 0.70-1.10]; in-hospital mortality: aOR, 0.84 [95%CI, 0.69-1.01]). Of note, the exact time of last NOAC dose was not measured in this registry, and levels of factor Xa were also not available. Based on an analysis of a smaller registry used within this study which reported time of NOAC dose, a large majority of NOAC patients treated with lysis had taken their last dose more than 24 hours prior to the stroke event.

By |September 2nd, 2021|clinical, Conference, treatment|0 Comments
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