Campbell, B. C.V. et al. (2019) Penumbral imaging and functional outcome in patients with anterior circulation ischaemic stroke treated with endovascular thrombectomy versus medical therapy: a meta-analysis of individual patient-level data.ABSTRACT Background: CT-perfusion (CTP) and MRI may assist patient selection for endovascular thrombectomy. We aimed to establish whether imaging assessments of ischaemic core and penumbra volumes were associated with functional outcomes and treatment effect.

Campbell, B. C. V. et al. (2018) Effect of general anaesthesia on functional outcome in patients with anterior circulation ischaemic stroke having endovascular thrombectomy versus standard care: a meta-analysis of individual patient data. Lancet Neurology, 17(1), pp. 47-53. (doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(17)30407-6) This is the author's final accepted version.There may be differences between this version and the published version. You are advised to consult the publisher's version if you wish to cite from it.http://eprints.gla.ac.uk/149670/ variables. An alternative approach using propensity-score stratification was also used. To account for between-trial variance we used mixed-effects modeling with a random effect for trial incorporated in all models. Bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool.Findings: Of 1764 patients in 7 trials, 871 were allocated to endovascular thrombectomy. After exclusion of 74 patients (72 who did not undergo the procedure and 2 with missing data on anaesthetic strategy), 236/797 (30%) of endovascular patients were treated under GA. At baseline, GA patients were younger and had shorter time to randomisation but similar pre-treatment clinical severity compared to non-GA. Endovascular thrombectomy improved functional outcome at 3 months versus standard care in both GA (adjusted common odds ratio (cOR) 1·52, 95%CI 1·09-2·11, p=0·014) and non-GA (adjusted cOR 2·33, 95%CI 1·75-3·10, p<0·001) patients. However, outcomes were significantly better for those treated under non-GA versus GA (covariate-adjusted cOR 1·53, 95%CI 1·14-2·04, p=0·004; propensitystratified cOR 1·44 95%CI 1·08-1·92, p=0·012). The risk of bias and variability among studies was assessed to be low.Interpretation: Worse outcomes after endovascular thrombectomy were associated with GA, after adjustment for baseline prognostic variables. These data support avoidance of GA whenever possible. The procedure did, however, remain effective versus standard care in patients treated under GA, indicating that treatment should not be withheld in those who require anaesthesia for medical reasons. Funding:The HERMES collaboration was funded by an unrestricted grant from Medtronic to the University of Calgary. Research in contextEvidence before this study between abolition of the thrombectomy treatment effect in MR CLEAN and no effect in THRACE. Three single-centre randomised trials of general anaesthesia versus conscious sedation found either no difference in functional outcome between groups or a slight benefit of general anaesthesia. Added value of this studyThese data from contemporary, high quality randomised trials form the largest study to date of the association between general anesthesia and the benefit of endovascular thrombectomy versus standard care. We used two different approaches to adjust for baseline imbalances (multivariable logistic regression and propensity-score stratification). We found that GA for endovascular thrombectomy, as practiced in contemporary clinical care across a wide range of expert centres during the rand...

Background The new generation of flow diverters includes a surface modification with a synthetic biocompatible polymer, which makes the device more biocompatible and less thrombogenic. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can be used to visualize perforators, stent wall apposition, and intra-stent thrombus. Unfortunately real world application of this technology has been limited because of the limited navigability of these devices in the intracranial vessels. In this report, we share our experience of using 3D-printed neurovascular anatomy models to simulate and test the navigability of a commercially available OCT system and to show the application of this device in a patient treated with the new generation of surface modified flow diverters. Material and methods Navigability of OCT catheters was tested in vitro using four different 3D-printed silicone replicas of the intracranial anterior circulation, after the implantation of surface modified devices. Intermediate catheters were used in different tortuous anatomies and positions. After this assessment, we describe the OCT image analysis of a Pipeline Shield for treating an unruptured posterior communicating artery (PCOM) aneurysm. Results Use of intermediate catheters in the 3D-printed replicas was associated with better navigation of the OCT catheters in favorable anatomies but did not help as much in unfavorable anatomies. OCT image analysis of a PCOM aneurysm treated with Pipeline Embolization Device Shield demonstrated areas of unsatisfactory apposition with no thrombus formation. Conclusions OCT improves the understanding of the flow diversion technology. The development of less thrombogenic devices, like the Pipeline Flex with Shield Technology, reinforces the need for intraluminal imaging for neurovascular application.

Enterocutaneous fistula is a challenging entity and a gold-standard treatment is not settled so far. Here, we describe the successful closure of a duodenocutaneous fistula with the use of the Biodesign enterocutaneous fistula plug (Cook Medical), which is derived from a biological plug that has been used in recent years in order to close anorectal fistula tracts. E nterocutaneous fistula is defined as an abnormal communication between the small or large bowel and the skin. It is a well-known surgical complication associated with long hospital stay and high morbidity and mortality. Mortality rate varies between 5% and 20%, and it is frequently associated with sepsis and nutritional abnormalities. Spontaneous closure rate varies among studies, ranging from 7% to 70% (1). Patients unresponsive to conservative therapy require surgical repair, therefore, a treatment that could shorten fistula closure time avoiding a second operation would be highly beneficial.Recently, multiple attempts have been made to treat these patients using nonsurgical methods. Image-guided percutaneous drainage is one of the most used interventional radiological procedures, widely proven as a feasible, safe, and effective treatment of intra-abdominal abscess and fluid collections. However, the presence of a concomitant intestinal fistula remains a significant challenge and drainage has proven to be associated with a low success rate.Here, we present a case in which a biological plug was inserted percutaneously to close a duodenocutaneous fistula. This device is well known for its application in anorectal fistulas (2). TechniqueInstitutional review board approval and patient consent were obtained for the reporting of the following case.A 66-year-old man underwent emergent surgery due to second duodenal portion perforation secondary to endoscopic cauterization of a diverticulum angiodysplasia. During the follow-up, a big abscess was drained and a high-flow enterocutaneous fistula (500 mL/24 hours) was confirmed (Fig. 1). Parenteral nutrition was the initial intentional curative treatment, but after two months of nonresponse vascular and interventional radiology unit was consulted.Investigation of the fistula was done by fistulogram through the multipurpose 8 F drainage catheter (Cook Medical). A wide fistula with a long tract was identified, running between the abdominal wall and the duodenum. Surgeons preferred to avoid a second high-risk surgery and interventional radiology was consulted. A multidisciplinary committee considered the insertion of the new Biodesign plug (Fig. 2) to be a good treatment option due to the features of the fistula, including straight path, single orifice, large diameter (3 mm) and length (6 cm) and its high output (500 mL/24 hours). Our decision was based on several factors; namely, high success rates of the plug reported for other pathologies, its biological nature, and known failures with other agents like glue on similar cases.

ImportanceOutcome prediction after endovascular treatment (EVT) for ischemic stroke is important to patients, family members, and physicians.ObjectiveTo develop and validate a model based on preprocedural and postprocedural characteristics to predict functional outcome for individual patients after EVT.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsA prediction model was developed using individual patient data from 7 randomized clinical trials, performed between December 2010 and December 2014. The model was developed within the Highly Effective Reperfusion Evaluated in Multiple Endovascular Stroke Trials (HERMES) collaboration and external validation in data from the Dutch Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands (MR CLEAN) Registry of patients treated in clinical practice between March 2014 and November 2017. Participants included patients from multiple centers throughout different countries in Europe, North America, East Asia, and Oceania (derivation cohort), and multiple centers in the Netherlands (validation cohort). Included were adult patients with a history of ischemic stroke from an intracranial large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation who underwent EVT within 12 hours of symptom onset or last seen well. Data were last analyzed in July 2022.Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s)A total of 19 variables were assessed by multivariable ordinal regression to predict functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score) 90 days after EVT. Variables were routinely available 1 day after EVT. Akaike information criterion (AIC) was used to optimize model fit vs model complexity. Probabilities for functional independence (mRS 0-2) and survival (mRS 0-5) were derived from the ordinal model. Model performance was expressed with discrimination (C statistic) and calibration.ResultsA total of 781 patients (median [IQR] age, 67 [57-76] years; 414 men [53%]) constituted the derivation cohort, and 3260 patients (median [IQR] age, 72 [61-80] years; 1684 men [52%]) composed the validation cohort. Nine variables were included in the model: age, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, prestroke mRS score, history of diabetes, occlusion location, collateral score, reperfusion grade, NIHSS score at 24 hours, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage 24 hours after EVT. External validation in the MR CLEAN Registry showed excellent discriminative ability for functional independence (C statistic, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.90-0.92) and survival (0.89; 95% CI, 0.88-0.90). The proportion of functional independence in the MR CLEAN Registry was systematically higher than predicted by the model (41% vs 34%), whereas observed and predicted survival were similar (72% vs 75%). The model was updated and implemented for clinical use.Conclusion and relevanceThe prognostic tool MR PREDICTS@24H can be applied 1 day after EVT to accurately predict functional outcome for individual patients at 90 days and to provide reliable outcome expectations and personalize follow-up and rehabilitation plans. It will need further validation and updating for contemporary patients.