Benjamin Gory

Effect of Endovascular Contact Aspiration vs Stent Retriever on Revascularization in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke and Large Vessel Occlusion: The ASTER Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance The benefits of endovascular revascularization using the contact aspiration technique vs the stent retriever technique in patients with acute ischemic stroke remain uncertain because of lack of evidence from randomized trials. Objective To compare efficacy and adverse events using the contact aspiration technique vs the standard stent retriever technique as a first-line endovascular treatment for successful revascularization among patients with acute ischemic stroke and large vessel occlusion. Design, Setting, and Participants The Contact Aspiration vs Stent Retriever for Successful Revascularization (ASTER) study was a randomized, open-label, blinded end-point clinical trial conducted in 8 comprehensive stroke centers in France (October 2015-October 2016). Patients who presented with acute ischemic stroke and a large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation within 6 hours of symptom onset were included. Interventions Patients were randomly assigned to first-line contact aspiration (n = 192) or first-line stent retriever (n = 189) immediately prior to mechanical thrombectomy. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with successful revascularization defined as a modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score of 2b or 3 at the end of all endovascular procedures. Secondary outcomes included degree of disability assessed by overall distribution of the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days, change in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at 24 hours, all-cause mortality at 90 days, and procedure-related serious adverse events. Results Among 381 patients randomized (mean age, 69.9 years; 174 women [45.7%]), 363 (95.3%) completed the trial. Median time from symptom onset to arterial puncture was 227 minutes (interquartile range, 180-280 minutes). For the primary outcome, the proportion of patients with successful revascularization was 85.4% (n = 164) in the contact aspiration group vs 83.1% (n = 157) in the stent retriever group (odds ratio, 1.20 [95% CI, 0.68-2.10]; P = .53; difference, 2.4% [95% CI, −5.4% to 9.7%]). For the clinical efficacy outcomes (change in NIHSS score at 24 hours, mRS score at 90 days) and adverse events, there were no significant differences between groups. Conclusions and Relevance Among patients with ischemic stroke in the anterior circulation undergoing thrombectomy, first-line thrombectomy with contact aspiration compared with stent retriever did not result in an increased successful revascularization rate at the end of the procedure. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02523261

Outcomes of stent retriever thrombectomy in basilar artery occlusion: an observational study and systematic review

Background Basilar artery occlusion (BAO) remains one of the most devastating subtypes of stroke with high mortality and poor outcome. Early recanalisation is the most powerful predictor of favourable outcome in patients with stroke, and may be improved with mechanical thrombectomy using stent retriever devices. However, the benefit in functional outcome and safety of stent retrievers are not yet well known. The aim of this study was to assess efficacy and safety profiles of stent retriever thrombectomy in BAO patients with stroke. Methods We analysed data retrospectively from our consecutive clinical series and conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of all previous studies of stent retriever thrombectomy in BAO patients with stroke between November 2010 and April 2014. Results From March 2010 to March 2013, 22 patients with acute BAO were treated with a Solitaire stent retriever in our series. Favourable outcome was significantly associated with younger age and distal BAO. The literature search identified 15 previous studies involving a total of 312 subjects. In the meta-analysis, including our series data, the recanalisation rate (Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (TICI) score ≥2b) reached 81% (95% CI 73% to 87%). The rate of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage was 4% (95% CI 2% to 8%), favourable outcome (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤2 at 3 months) was found in 42% (95% CI 36% to 48%) and mortality rate was 30% (95% CI 25% to 36%). Conclusions Stent retriever thrombectomy is a safe treatment modality for patients with stroke presenting with BAO. Although the stent retrievers showed a good recanalisation rate, there are currently no randomised clinical trials to assess its clinical efficacy in comparison with the reference treatment.

Endovascular Treatment of Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysms for 120 Nonselected Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Multiple technologies have developed the endovascular approach to MCA aneurysms. We assess the safety and the efficacy of a systematic endovascular approach in nonselected patients with MCA aneurysms and determine predictors of treatment outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed data collected between January 2007 and January 2012 in a prospective clinical registry. All patients with MCA aneurysms treated by means of the endovascular approach were included. A multivariate analysis was conducted to identify predictors of complications, recanalization, and outcome. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients with 131 MCA aneurysms were included. Seventy-nine patients (65.8%) were treated electively and 41 (34.2%) in the setting of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Thirty-three of 131 aneurysms (25.2%) were treated with simple coiling, 79 aneurysms (60.3%) with balloon-assisted coiling, and 19 aneurysms (14.5%) with stent-assisted coiling. Complications occurred in 13.7% of patients. Stent-assisted coiling was significantly associated with more complications (P = .002; OR: 4.86; 95% CI, 1.60–14.72). At 1 month after treatment, both the permanent morbidity (mRS ≤2) and mortality rates were 3.3%, without any significant difference according to the endovascular techniques. Mean angiographic follow-up was 16.3 months. The rate of recanalization was 15.6% without a statistical difference, according to the technique. Larger aneurysms were a predictor of recanalization (P = .016; OR: 1.183; 95% CI, 1.02–1.36). Retreatment was performed in 10 of 131 aneurysms (7.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Even though stent-assisted coiling significantly increases the risk of procedural complications, endovascular treatment of MCA aneurysms is safe, effective, and provides durable aneurysm closure in nonselected patients.

Solitaire AB stent-assisted coiling of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms: mid-term results from the SOLARE Study.

BACKGROUND Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms can be technically difficult when the neck is wide. The Solitaire AB stent (Covidien, Irvine, California), the only fully retrieved stent, assists in the coiling of wide-neck intracranial aneurysms. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the mid-term angiographic follow-up of wide-necked aneurysms treated with the Solitaire AB stent. METHODS SOLARE (SOLitaire Aneurysm Remodeling) is a consecutive, prospective study conducted in 7 European centers. A core laboratory evaluated the postoperative and mid-term (6 month ± 15 days) angiographic results by using the Raymond classification Scale. Recanalization was defined as worsening, and progressive thrombosis was defined as improvement in the Raymond scale score. RESULTS The mean width of the aneurysm sac was 7.5 mm, and the mean diameter of the aneurysm neck was 4.7 mm. Angiographic mid-term follow-up was obtained in 55 of 65 aneurysms (85.9%). Complete occlusion was achieved in 33 aneurysms (60%); a neck remnant was seen in 16 aneurysms (29.1%) and an aneurysm remnant in 6 aneurysms (10.9%). Of 55 aneurysms, recanalization was observed in 8 aneurysms (14.5%), and progressive thrombosis was observed in 17 aneurysms (30.9%). No bleeding or rebleeding was observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION Stent-assisted coiling of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms was found to be safe and effective with the Solitaire AB stent at 6-month follow-up. Angiographic results improve with time due to progressive thrombosis of the aneurysm.

PulseRider Stent-Assisted Coiling of Wide-Neck Bifurcation Aneurysms: Periprocedural Results in an International Series.

SUMMARY: The PulseRider is a novel endovascular device specifically designed to treat bifurcation intracranial aneurysms with wide necks. In an international series, we report the results of PulseRider stent-assisted coiling of 15 patients (9 women and 6 men; mean age, 62.6 years) with 15 unruptured wide-neck (median dome size, 8 mm; median neck size, 5 mm) bifurcation aneurysms. Failure of PulseRider treatment occurred in 1 case, and 1 intraprocedural thromboembolic complication was observed. There was no mortality or neurologic permanent morbidity at discharge and at 1 month. Immediate angiographic outcome showed 12 complete occlusions and 2 neck remnants. Follow-up at 6 months was available for 3 aneurysms and demonstrated 2 complete aneurysm occlusions and 1 growing neck remnant. In this small series of selected patients, PulseRider stent-assisted coiling of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms was feasible with low procedural complication rates. Angiographic follow-up will be required to evaluate the efficacy of the PulseRider device.

One-Year Angiographic Follow-Up after WEB-SL Endovascular Treatment of Wide-Neck Bifurcation Intracranial Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endovascular coiling of wide-neck intracranial aneurysms is associated with low rates of initial angiographic occlusion and high rates of recurrence. The WEB intrasaccular device has been developed specifically for this indication. To date, there has been no report of the long-term follow-up of a series of patients with aneurysms treated with this type of device, to our knowledge. Our aim was to evaluate a 1-year follow-up of angiographic results in a prospective single-center series of patients treated with the WEB-Single-Layer (SL) device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients treated with the WEB-SL device in our center between August 2013 and May 2014 were prospectively included. One-year angiographic outcomes were assessed. Results at follow-up were graded as complete occlusion, neck remnant, or residual aneurysm. RESULTS: Eight patients with 8 unruptured wide-neck aneurysms were enrolled in this study. Average dome width was 7.5 mm (range, 5.4–10.7 mm), and average neck size was 4.9 mm (range, 2.6–6.5 mm). One-year angiographic follow-up obtained in all aneurysms included 1 complete aneurysm occlusion (12.5%), 6 neck remnants (75%), and 1 aneurysm remnant (12.5%). Of 8 aneurysms, worsening of aneurysm occlusion was observed in 2 (25%) by compression of the WEB device. There was no angiographic recurrence of initially totally occluded aneurysms. No bleeding was observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular therapy of intracranial aneurysms with the WEB-SL device allows treatment of wide-neck aneurysms with a high rate of neck remnant at 1 year, at least partially explained by WEB compression. Initial size selection and technologic improvements could be an option for optimization of aneurysm occlusion in WEB-SL treatment.

Initial Experience of Intracranial Aneurysm Embolization Using the Balloon Remodeling Technique with Scepter C, a New Double-Lumen Balloon

The balloon remodeling technique (BRT) was designed for endovascular treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms. To date, the balloon catheters available have had a single lumen and suitable guidewires ranging from 0.010 to 0.012 inches. We describe the first case of aneurysm embolization using the BRT with the new double-lumen balloon catheter, Scepter C®, navigable on a 0.014-inch wire, and discuss the benefit of such a device.

Implantation of Two Flow Diverter Devices in a Child With a Giant, Fusiform Vertebral Artery Aneurysm: Case Report

BACKGROUND Intracranial aneurysms in children and adolescents are uncommon; they account for 0.5% to 4.6% of the total intracranial aneurysms cases. METHODS A 15-year-old boy presented with a 6-month history of occipital headache that worsened over time. A magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed a giant, fusiform aneurysm of the V4 segment of the right vertebral artery with mass effect but no signs of hemorrhage. This lesion was confirmed by the catheter digital subtraction angiography. The posterior inferior cerebellar artery arose from the distal part of the aneurysm. Two flow-diverter devices were implanted in the V4 segment of the right vertebral artery. Follow-up angiograms performed 1 and 2 years after the procedure revealed a total aneurysm occlusion. CONCLUSION Flow-diverter device implantation may be a viable alternative to parent artery occlusion in a symptomatic, giant, fusiform vertebral artery aneurysm in a child.

Safety and efficacy of flow-diverter stents in endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysm: interest of the prospective DIVERSION observational study.

Journal of Neuroradiology - In Press.Proof corrected by the author Available online since mardi 1 avril 2014

Is Reperfusion Useful in Ischaemic Stroke Patients Presenting with a Low National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and a Proximal Large Vessel Occlusion of the Anterior Circulation

Background: In population-based studies, patients presenting with minor or mild stroke symptoms represent about two-thirds of stroke patients, and almost one-third of these patients are unable to ambulate independently at the time of discharge. Although mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has become the standard of care for acute ischaemic stroke with proximal large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the anterior circulation, the management of patients harbouring proximal occlusion and minor-to-mild stroke symptoms has not yet been determined by recent trials. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of reperfusion on clinical outcome in low National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) patients treated with MT. Methods: We analysed 138 consecutive patients with acute LVO of the anterior circulation (middle cerebral artery M1 or M2 segment, internal carotid artery or tandem occlusion) with NIHSS <8, having undergone MT in 3 different centres. Reperfusion was graded using the modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) score and 3 grades were defined, ranging from failed or poor reperfusion (TICI 0, 1, 2A) to complete reperfusion (TICI 3). The primary clinical endpoint was an excellent outcome defined as a modified Rankin score (mRs) 0-1 at 3-months. The impact of reperfusion grade was assessed in univariate and multivariate analyses. The secondary endpoints included favourable functional outcome (90-day mRS 0-2), death and safety concerns. Results: Successful reperfusion was achieved in 81.2% of patients (TICI 2B, n = 47; TICI 3, n = 65). Excellent outcome (mRs 0-1) was achieved in 69 patients (65.0%) and favourable outcome (mRs ≤2) in 108 (78.3%). Death occurred in 7 (5.1%). Excellent outcome increased with reperfusion grades, with a rate of 34.6% in patients with failed/poor reperfusion, 61.7% in patients with TICI 2B reperfusion, and 78.5% in patients with TICI 3 reperfusion (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis adjusted for patient characteristics associated with excellent outcome, the reperfusion grade remained significantly associated with an increase in excellent outcome; the OR (95% CI) was 3.09 (1.06-9.03) for TICI 2B and 6.66 (2.27-19.48) for TICI 3, using the failed/poor reperfusion grade as reference. Similar results were found regarding favourable outcome (90-day mRs 0-2) or overall mRS distribution (shift analysis). Conclusion: Successful reperfusion is strongly associated with better functional outcome among patients with proximal LVO in the anterior circulation and minor-to-mild stroke symptoms. Randomized controlled studies are mandatory to assess the benefit of MT compared with optimal medical management in this subset of patients.