Christian Paul Stracke

BACKGROUND: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for distal and medium vessel occlusion stroke remains uncertain. We aimed to develop a medium and distal mechanical thrombectomy score integrating clinical need and procedural risk to guide patient selection. METHODS: This retrospective cohort analysis used an international distal and medium vessel occlusion stroke registry spanning the study period of 2017 to 2023. Patients with acute distal and medium vessel occlusion stroke who received medical management (MM) or EVT across 37 stroke centers were included, and those with baseline modified Rankin Scale score of ≥3 or those with missing covariable data were excluded. Multivariable logistic regression identified predictors of poor functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score >2 at 90 days) in the MM cohort and predictors of EVT failure/complications in the EVT cohort. Predictors of poor outcome on MM were assigned positive weights (clinical need); predictors of EVT failure/harm were assigned negative weights (procedural risk). The medium and distal mechanical thrombectomy score summed these weighted points. Interaction analysis assessed the heterogeneity of EVT effect by score. RESULTS: A total of 1217 patients were identified, and 1007 were included (EVT: 822, MM: 185; median age 73 years; 41% female). Higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (+1 per point) and lack of intravenous thrombolysis (+7) predicted poor MM outcomes. In the EVT cohort, older age (−1 per 15 years above 25), absence of hypertension (−2), and absence of atrial fibrillation (−2) predicted failure/complications. The medium and distal mechanical thrombectomy score (range −8 to 49) significantly modified EVT effect versus MM ( P _interaction =0.048). In high-score patients (≥15; n=293), EVT yielded a better 90-day modified Rankin Scale score than MM (median, 3 versus 4; P =0.009). Conversely, in low-score patients (P =0.014). CONCLUSIONS: The medium and distal mechanical thrombectomy score is a pragmatic tool that identifies patients with distal and medium vessel occlusion most likely to benefit from EVT while minimizing risk, supporting patient-centered decisions and future trial design.

Background Sex-related differences in outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for distal medium vessel occlusion (DMVO) stroke remain uncertain. While unadjusted differences have been reported in stroke populations, it is unclear whether biological sex independently influences outcomes after accounting for major prognostic factors. Methods We performed a retrospective, multicenter analysis of the MAD-MT registry. Patients with acute DMVO who underwent MT were included. Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed. The primary outcome was functional independence (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score 0–2) at 90 days. Secondary outcomes included excellent outcome (mRS 0–1), day 1 NIHSS shift, and reperfusion success. Safety outcomes included mortality and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. Results Before matching, 1147 females and 1062 males were included. After 1:1 PSM (748 patients in each group), the groups were balanced in baseline characteristics. The median age was 75 years in both groups. At 90 days, 51% of females and 54% of males achieved mRS 0–2 (P = 0.38). NIHSS shift from baseline to day 1 was similar (median −2 in both groups), and successful reperfusion (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b–3) was achieved in 86% of females and 89% of males (P = 0.18). Mortality was 18.4% in females and 15.5% in males (P = 0.11). Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in 8.3% of females and 7.7% of males (P = 0.67). Conclusions After adjustment for age, baseline disability, and vascular risk factors, biological sex was not independently associated with functional or safety outcomes following mechanical thrombectomy for DMVO stroke.

Objective: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is well-established for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) from large vessel occlusion (LVO), with growing data supporting the expansion to distal and medium vessel occlusions (DMVO). Despite successful recanalization in DMVO, certain patients still experience poor long-term clinical outcomes, prompting our study to comprehensively explore pre-MT factors influencing outcome despite excellent recanalization (final modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction [mTICI] score ≥2c). Methods: We retrospectively examined data from patients who consecutively underwent MT for a primary middle cerebral artery (MCA) DMVO across 37 centers in North America, Asia, and Europe. We identified baseline clinical and imaging factors associated with poor clinical outcome (defined as a modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score of 3–6) at 3 months, despite excellent recanalization using a multivariable model. Results: Between September 2017 and July 2021, 623 patients achieved mTICI > 2b and they were included in our study. Among them, 198 (32%) experienced a poor clinical outcome (mRS 3–6). Predictors of poor clinical outcome included higher age (OR 1.05 [1.03–1.07], p < 0.001), higher NIHSS at admission (OR 1.12 [1.08–1.15], p < 0.001), higher baseline mRS (OR 1.77 [0.96–3.26], p = 0.067), and diabetes (OR 1.59 [1.01–2.48], p = 0.044). Higher ASPECTS was associated with a decreased risk of poor clinical outcome (OR 0.82 [0.71–0.94], p = 0.006). Conclusion: Older age, diabetes, higher baseline mRS, and NIHSS were associated with poor clinical outcome in MCA DMVO despite excellent recanalization. Conversely, a higher ASPECTS decreased the probability of such an outcome.

For patients with symptomatic acute occlusions of the internal carotid artery below the circle of Willis, endovascular and best medical treatment were both effective and safe therapeutic options.

This international multicenter study found that adjunctive intravenous thrombolysis may not provide benefit to mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by distal and medium vessel occlusion.

In patients with acute ischemic stroke, overestimation of the ischemic core occurred more often in those with ischemic core volumes greater than 50 mL at CT perfusion, regardless of the time from symptom onset to imaging.

Background: Data on impact of COVID‐19 vaccination and outcomes of patients with COVID‐19 and acute ischemic stroke undergoing mechanical thrombectomy are scarce. Addressing this subject, we report our multicenter experience. Methods and Results: This was a retrospective analysis of patients with COVID‐19 and known vaccination status treated with mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke at 20 tertiary care centers between January 2020 and January 2023. Baseline demographics, angiographic outcome, and clinical outcome evaluated by the modified Rankin Scale score at discharge were noted. A multivariate analysis was conducted to test whether these variables were associated with an unfavorable outcome, defined as modified Rankin Scale score >3. A total of 137 patients with acute ischemic stroke (48 vaccinated and 89 unvaccinated) with acute or subsided COVID‐19 infection who underwent mechanical thrombectomy attributable to vessel occlusion were included in the study. Angiographic outcomes between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients were similar (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction ≥2b: 85.4% in vaccinated patients versus 86.5% in unvaccinated patients; P =0.859). The rate of functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score, ≤2) was 23.3% in the vaccinated group and 20.9% in the unvaccinated group ( P =0.763). The mortality rate was 30% in both groups. In the multivariable analysis, vaccination status was not a significant predictor for an unfavorable outcome ( P =0.957). However, acute COVID‐19 infection remained significant (odds ratio, 1.197 [95% CI, 1.007–1.417]; P =0.041). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated no impact of COVID‐19 vaccination on angiographic or clinical outcome of COVID‐19–positive patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing mechanical thrombectomy, whereas worsening attributable to COVID‐19 was confirmed.

Introduction: First pass effect (FPE), achievement of complete recanalization (mTICI 2c/3) with a single pass, is a significant predictor of favorable outcomes for endovascular treatment (EVT) in large vessel occlusion stroke (LVO). However, data concerning the impact on functional outcomes and predictors of FPE in medium vessel occlusions (MeVO) are scarce. Patients and Methods: We conducted an international retrospective study on MeVO cases. Multivariable logistic modeling was used to establish independent predictors of FPE. Clinical and safety outcomes were compared between the two study groups (FPE vs non-FPE) using logistic regression models. Good outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale 0–2 at 3 months. Results: Eight hundred thirty-six patients with a final mTICI ⩾ 2b were included in this analysis. FPE was observed in 302 patients (36.1%). In multivariable analysis, hypertension (aOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.10–2.20) and lower baseline NIHSS score (aOR 0.95, 95% CI 0.93–0.97) were independently associated with an FPE. Good outcomes were more common in the FPE versus non-FPE group (72.8% vs 52.8%), and FPE was independently associated with favorable outcome (aOR 2.20, 95% CI 1.59–3.05). 90-day mortality and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) were significantly lower in the FPE group, 0.43 (95% CI, 0.25–0.72) and 0.55 (95% CI, 0.39–0.77), respectively. Conclusion: Over 2/3 of patients with MeVOs and FPE in our cohort had a favorable outcome at 90 days. FPE is independently associated with favorable outcomes, it may reduce the risk of any intracranial hemorrhage, and 3-month mortality.

Objective: Until now, giant intracranial aneurysms (GIAs) have in many cases been a vascular disease that was difficult or impossible to treat, not least due to the lack of availability of a large-format stent. In this multicentre study, we report on the first five clinical applications of the Accero^®-Rex-Stents (Acandis, Pforzheim, Germany) in the successful treatment of fusiform cerebral giant aneurysms. Material and Methods: The Accero^®-Rex-Stents are self-expanding, braided, fully radiopaque Nitinol stents designed for aneurysm treatment. The stent is available in three different sizes (diameter 7–10 mm, length 30–60 mm) and intended for endovascular implantation in vessels with diameters of 5.5–10 mm. Results: Five patients (all male, age 54.4 ± 8.1 years) with large fusiform aneurysms of the posterior circulation were treated endovascularly using the Accero^®-Rex-Stents. There were no technical complications. One major ischemic complication occurred. A significant remodeling and reduction in the size of the stent-covered aneurysms was already seen in the short-term post-interventional course. Conclusions: The Accero^®-Rex-Stents were successfully and safely implanted in all five patients with fusiform giant aneurysms, showing technical feasibility with promising initial results and significant aneurysm size reduction in already available follow-up imaging. Key point: With the Accero-Rex-Stents, a new device is available that offers another treatment option for rare cerebral fusiform giant aneurysms with very large parent vessels.

Background We determined whether a comprehensive assessment of cerebral collateral blood flow is associated with ischemic lesion edema growth in patients successfully treated by thrombectomy. Methods This was a multicenter retrospective study of ischemic stroke patients who underwent thrombectomy treatment of large vessel occlusions. Collateral status was determined using the cerebral collateral cascade (CCC) model, which comprises three components: arterial collaterals (Tan Scale) and venous outflow profiles (Cortical Vein Opacification Score) on CT angiography, and tissue-level collaterals (hypoperfusion intensity ratio) on CT perfusion. Quantitative ischemic lesion net water uptake (NWU) was used to determine edema growth between admission and follow-up non-contrast head CT (ΔNWU). Three groups were defined: CCC+ (good pial collaterals, tissue-level collaterals, and venous outflow), CCC− (poor pial collaterals, tissue-level collaterals, and venous outflow), and CCCmixed (remainder of patients). Primary outcome was ischemic lesion edema growth (ΔNWU). Multivariable regression models were used to assess the primary and secondary outcomes. Results 538 patients were included. 157 patients had CCC+, 274 patients CCCmixed, and 107 patients CCC− profiles. Multivariable regression analysis showed that compared with patients with CCC+ profiles, CCC− (β 1.99, 95% CI 0.68 to 3.30, P=0.003) and CCC mixed (β 1.65, 95% CI 0.75 to 2.56, PConclusion A comprehensive assessment of cerebral collaterals using the CCC model is strongly associated with edema growth and functional independence in acute stroke patients successfully treated by endovascular thrombectomy.