Alejandro M. Spiotta

Brain tissue oxygen–directed management and outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury

OBJECT The object of this study was to determine whether brain tissue oxygen (PbtO(2))-based therapy or intracranial pressure (ICP)/cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP)-based therapy is associated with improved patient outcome after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS Seventy patients with severe TBI (postresuscitation GCS score < or = 8), admitted to a neurosurgical intensive care unit at a university-based Level I trauma center and tertiary care hospital and managed with an ICP and PbtO(2) monitor (mean age 40 +/- 19 years [SD]) were compared with 53 historical controls who received only an ICP monitor (mean age 43 +/- 18 years). Therapy for both patient groups was aimed to maintain ICP < 20 mm Hg and CPP > 60 mm Hg. Patients with PbtO(2) monitors also had therapy to maintain PbtO(2) > 20 mm Hg. RESULTS Data were obtained from 12,148 hours of continuous ICP monitoring and 6,816 hours of continuous PbtO(2) monitoring. The mean daily ICP and CPP and the frequency of elevated ICP (> 20 mm Hg) or suboptimal CPP (< 60 mm Hg) episodes were similar in each group. The mortality rate was significantly lower in patients who received PbtO(2)-directed care (25.7%) than in those who received conventional ICP and CPP-based therapy (45.3%, p < 0.05). Overall, 40% of patients receiving ICP/CPP-guided management and 64.3% of those receiving PbtO(2)-guided management had a favorable short-term outcome (p = 0.01). Among patients who received PbtO(2)-directed therapy, mortality was associated with lower mean daily PbtO(2) (p < 0.05), longer durations of compromised brain oxygen (PbtO(2) < 20 mm Hg, p = 0.013) and brain hypoxia (PbtO(2) < 15 mm Hg, p = 0.001), more episodes and a longer cumulative duration of compromised PbtO(2) (p < 0.001), and less successful treatment of compromised PbtO(2) (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that PbtO(2)-based therapy, particularly when compromised PbtO(2) can be corrected, may be associated with reduced patient mortality and improved patient outcome after severe TBI.

Mid-term results of endovascular coiling of wide-necked aneurysms using double stents in a Y configuration

BACKGROUND:Double stenting in a Y configuration may be used to treat a subset of wide-necked aneurysms not amenable to reconstruction with a single stent. OBJECTIVE:We studied the feasibility, safety, and mid-term angiographic outcome of patients treated using this technique. METHODS:A retrospective review was undertaken of all coil embolizations of wide-necked aneurysms using double stents in a Y configuration. RESULTS:Nineteen patients were identified from 2002 to 2010 (14 women, 5 men) with a mean age of 57.4 years. Stents were deployed in a Y configuration achieving complete occlusion (5/19), residual neck (5/19), and residual aneurysm filling (9/19). Angiographic follow-up was available for a mean of 16 months, and clinical follow up was available for a mean of 21.4 months. The incidence of complications at the initial treatment was 6 of 19 (31.6%), and delayed thromboembolic complications occurred in 2 of 19 (10.5%). An angiographic neck recurrence requiring retreatment developed in only 1 of the patients in whom complete occlusion was obtained with the initial treatment. Spontaneous thrombosis and complete occlusion on follow-up imaging were found in 6 patients in whom initial neck or aneurysm filling was observed. Ultimately, 12 of the aneurysms (63.2%) were completely occluded on follow-up angiography. CONCLUSION:Y-stent reconstruction enables the endovascular management of otherwise complex, wide-necked cerebral aneurysms and can be performed safely in experienced hands with satisfactory mid-term results, even in cases requiring retreatment.

Comparison of endovascular treatment approaches for acute ischemic stroke: cost effectiveness, technical success, and clinical outcomes

Introduction The use of mechanical thrombectomy for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke has significantly advanced over the last 5 years. Few data are available comparing the cost and clinical and angiographic outcomes associated with available techniques. The aim of this study is to compare the cost and efficacy of current endovascular stroke therapies. Methods A single-center retrospective review was performed of the medical record and hospital financial database of all ischemic stroke cases admitted from 2009 to 2013. Three discrete treatment methodologies used during this time were compared: traditional Penumbra System (PS), stent retriever with local aspiration (SRLA) and A Direct Aspiration first Pass Technique (ADAPT). Statistical analyses of clinical and angiographic outcomes and costs for each group were performed. Results 222 patients (45% men) underwent mechanical thrombectomy. Successful revascularization was defined as Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (TICI) 2b/3 flow, which was achieved in 79% of cases with PS, 83% of cases with SRLA, and 95% of cases with ADAPT. The average total cost of hospitalization for patients was

Brain oxygen tension and outcome in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

51 599 with PS,

Evolution of thrombectomy approaches and devices for acute stroke: a technical review

54 700 with SRLA, and

The versatile distal access catheter: The Cleveland clinic experience

33 611 with ADAPT (p<0.0001). Average times to recanalization were 88 min with PS, 47 min with SRLA, and 37 min with ADAPT (p<0.0001). Similar rates of good functional outcomes were seen in the three groups (PS 36% vs SRLA 43% vs ADAPT 47%; p=0.4). Conclusions The ADAPT technique represents the most technically successful yet cost-effective approach to revascularization of large vessel intracranial occlusions.

An Analysis of Inflation Times During Balloon-Assisted Aneurysm Coil Embolization and Ischemic Complications

OBJECT Poor outcome is common after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Clinical studies suggest that cerebral hypoxia after traumatic brain injury is associated with poor outcome. In this study we examined the relationship between brain oxygen tension (PbtO(2)) and death after aneurysmal SAH. METHODS Forty-six patients, including 34 women and 12 men (Glasgow Coma Scale Score < or = 8 and median age 58.5 years) who underwent PbtO(2) monitoring were studied prospectively during a 2-year period in a neurosurgical intensive care unit at a University Level I Trauma Center. Brain oxygen tension, intracranial pressure (ICP), mean arterial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and brain temperature were continuously monitored, and treatment was directed toward ICP, CPP, and PbtO(2) targets. The relationship between PbtO(2) and 1-month survival was examined. RESULTS Data were available from 5424 hours of PbtO(2) monitoring. For the entire cohort the mean ICP, CPP, and PbtO(2) were 13.85 +/- 2.40, 84.05 +/- 3.41, and 30.79 +/- 1.91 mm Hg, respectively. Twenty-five patients died (54%). The mean daily PbtO(2) was higher in survivors than nonsurvivors (33.94 +/- 2.74 vs 28.14 +/- 2.59 mm Hg; p = 0.05). In addition, survivors had significantly shorter episodes of compromised PbtO(2) (defined as 15-25 mm Hg) than nonsurvivors (125.85 +/- 15.44 vs 271.14 +/- 55.23 minutes; p < 0.01). Intracranial pressure was similar in survivors and nonsurvivors. In contrast, the average CPP was significantly lower in nonsurvivors than survivors (76.96 +/- 5.50 vs 92.49 +/- 2.75 mm Hg; p = 0.01). When PbtO(2) was stratified according to CPP level, survivors had higher PbtO(2) levels. Following logistic regression, the number of episodes of compromised PbtO(2) (odds ratio 1.1, 95% confidence interval 1.003-1.2) and number of episodes of cerebral hypoxia (< 15 mm Hg; odds ratio 1.3, 95% confidence interval 1.0-1.7) were more frequent in those who died. CONCLUSIONS Patient deaths after SAH may be associated with a lower mean PbtO(2) and longer periods of compromised cerebral oxygenation than in survivors. This knowledge may be used to help direct therapy.

Endovascular therapy of very small aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery: five-fold increased incidence of rupture.

While intravenous administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) remains the only FDA-approved treatment modality for acute ischemic stroke, many patients do not meet the criteria for intravenous tPA and are offered intra-arterial therapy. Rapid advances in devices and approaches have marked the evolution of thrombectomy over the past decade from rudimentary mechanical disruption, followed by intra-arterial thrombolytic infusions to increasingly effective thrombectomy devices. We review the critical advancements in thrombectomy technique that have evolved and the key anatomic and technical challenges they address, from first-generation Merci retrieval systems to second-generation Penumbra aspiration systems and third-generation stent retrievers, as well as nuances of their uses to maximize their effectiveness. We also highlight more recent advances that offer patients hope for more expedient vessel recanalization.

Long term experience using the ADAPT technique for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND:Vascular access is fundamental to any endovascular intervention. Concentric Medical has developed the Outreach Distal Access Catheter (DAC), which affords stable access at the target vessel modulating the forces at play within the thrombectomy device complex. The DAC is a device with novel access characteristics useful in a host of other types of clinical scenarios. OBJECTIVE:To review our experience with the DAC family of devices, the theory, and method of use. METHODS:A retrospective review of all cases in which the DAC was used during the period 2008 to 2010 was conducted and the cases classified by indication. Catheter-related complications were recorded. The use of the DAC in a variety of settings including intracranial stenting, aneurysm coil embolization, and arteriovenous malformation embolization is described. RESULTS:The DAC was used in 103 procedures performed in 93 patients between August 2008 and February 2010. Indications included acute stroke, treatment of intracranial atherosclerosis, vasospasm therapy, arteriovenous malformation embolization, and aneurysm embolization. In those procedures, 113 catheters were used. No complications directly attributable to DAC use were identified. CONCLUSION:The DAC is useful for gaining access to the cerebral vasculature, especially in patients with significant tortuosity or when re-access of distal vasculature is required multiple times.

Heading in soccer: dangerous play?

Background and Purpose— The introduction of balloon remodeling has revolutionized the approach to coiling of wide-neck aneurysms. We studied the effects of balloon inflation during coil embolization on ischemic complications. Methods— A retrospective review was undertaken of the most recent 147 patients undergoing balloon remodeling for unruptured intracranial aneurysm coil embolization at a single institution (81 balloon, 66 unassisted). All underwent postprocedural MRI. Results— Among patients in the “balloon” group, the mean total inflation time was 18 minutes (range, 1–43), a mean number of inflations of 4 (range, 1–9), a mean maximum single inflation time of 7 minutes (range, 1–19), a mean reperfusion time of 2.2 minutes between inflations, and an average procedure time of 2 hours and 10 minutes. Asymptomatic diffusion-weighted imaging abnormalities were detected on postprocedural MRI in 21.5% of patients and symptomatic lesions were identified in 3.8%. Both silent and symptomatic ischemic rates were similar in the internal control group. Patients with ischemic findings were older and more likely have diabetes; no differences were found with respect to total balloon inflation time, number of inflations, maximum inflation time, or reperfusion times. Conclusions— We found no significant relationship between balloon inflation practices and ischemic events. Older and diabetic patients were more likely to have ischemic events develop.