IntroductionVery small unruptured intracranial aneurysms (VSUIAs) measuring ≤ 3 mm represent a unique clinical challenge, balancing the low but non-negligible lifetime risk of rupture against the procedural risks of endovascular intervention. This study reports the safety, efficacy, and angiographic outcomes of endovascular coiling for VSUIAs from the ECOSA (Endovascular Coiling of Small Aneurysms) multicenter registry.MethodsWe performed a subgroup analysis of the ECOSA multicenter registry of patients with VSUIAs (maximum diameter ≤ 3 mm) who underwent endovascular coiling. Patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, procedural details, periprocedural complications, clinical outcomes (modified Rankin Scale; mRS), and angiographic follow-up data were analyzed.ResultsA total of 116 patients with 116 VSUIAs underwent endovascular coiling. The mean age was 52.3 years (SD 12.1), and the majority were female (75.0%). The mean aneurysm diameter was 2.66 mm (SD 0.44) and mean neck diameter was 2.1 mm (SD 0.87). Most aneurysms were discovered incidentally (78.4%). Balloon-assisted coiling was used in 14.7% and stent-assisted coiling in 23.3% of cases. The thromboembolic event (TEE) rate was 1.7%, with no symptomatic events. Intraprocedural rupture occurred in 0.9% of cases with no intraprocedural mortality. Among 98 patients with clinical follow-up (median 7.75 months), 93.9% of patients achieved good functional outcomes (mRS 0–2), and all-cause mortality rate was 1.0%. Among 80 patients with angiographic follow-up (median 6 months), adequate occlusion (RROC I–II) was achieved in 86.3%.DiscussionEndovascular coiling of VSUIAs ≤ 3 mm is feasible and associated with a low complication rate, high rates of good functional outcomes, and durable angiographic occlusion. These findings support the safety of elective intervention in carefully selected patients with high-risk morphological or clinical features. Larger prospective studies are needed to define optimal patient selection criteria for VSUIAs.

BACKGROUND:To analyse the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) and identify factors predicting functional outcome. METHODS:Multicentre retrospective cohort study of COVID-19 patients with AIS who presented to 30 stroke centres in the USA and Canada between 14 March and 30 August 2020. The primary endpoint was poor functional outcome, defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of 5 or 6 at discharge. Secondary endpoints include favourable outcome (mRS ≤2) and mortality at discharge, ordinal mRS (shift analysis), symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH) and occurrence of in-hospital complications. RESULTS:A total of 216 COVID-19 patients with AIS were included. 68.1% (147/216) were older than 60 years, while 31.9% (69/216) were younger. Median [IQR] National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at presentation was 12.5 (15.8), and 44.2% (87/197) presented with large vessel occlusion (LVO). Approximately 51.3% (98/191) of the patients had poor outcomes with an observed mortality rate of 39.1% (81/207). Age >60 years (aOR: 5.11, 95% CI 2.08 to 12.56, p<0.001), diabetes mellitus (aOR: 2.66, 95% CI 1.16 to 6.09, p=0.021), higher NIHSS at admission (aOR: 1.08, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.14, p=0.006), LVO (aOR: 2.45, 95% CI 1.04 to 5.78, p=0.042), and higher NLR level (aOR: 1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.11, p=0.028) were significantly associated with poor functional outcome. CONCLUSION:There is relationship between COVID-19-associated AIS and severe disability or death. We identified several factors which predict worse outcomes, and these outcomes were more frequent compared to global averages. We found that elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, rather than D-Dimer, predicted both morbidity and mortality.

Previous studies suggest that mechanisms and outcomes in patients with COVID‐19‐associated stroke differ from those in patients with non‐COVID‐19‐associated strokes, but there is limited comparative evidence focusing on these populations. The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine if a significant association exists between COVID‐19 status with revascularization and functional outcomes following thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion (LVO), after adjustment for potential confounding factors.

A retrospective study from the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, China demonstrated an incidence of acute ischaemic stroke of approximately 5% in hospitalised patients with severe disease.1 However, there has been limited evidence on the influence of racial background in stroke outcomes in this pandemic. We report 69 cases of acute stroke in patients positive for SARS-CoV-2, including 27 of African–American background and 42 of other racial backgrounds, including Caucasian, Hispanic and Asian. All patients presented to 14 major hospitals in the USA and Canada, from 14 March 2020 to 14 April 2020. The study was maintained under IRB #s20-00765. All patients had nasopharyngeal swab samples that were positive for SARS-CoV-2 on qualitative reverse-transcriptase-PCR assays. In the following, we present a dichotomised analysis of ischaemic stroke outcomes between patients of African–American background as reported on hospital intake questionnaire versus patients of all other backgrounds. All variables stratified to race (African–American vs others). For continuous variables, when the data are normal, t-test was used and data were presented in the form of mean (SD). If they were not normally distributed, the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used and the …

Background Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the context of COVID‐19 has received considerable attention for its propensity to affect patients of all ages. We aimed to evaluate the effect of age on functional outcome and mortality following an acute ischemic event. Methods and Results A prospectively maintained database from comprehensive stroke centers in Canada and the United States was analyzed for patients with AIS from March 14 to September 30, 2020 who tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2. The primary outcome was Modified Rankin Scale score at discharge, and the secondary outcome was mortality. Baseline characteristics, laboratory values, imaging, and thrombectomy workflow process times were assessed. Among all 126 patients with COVID‐19 who were diagnosed with AIS, the median age was 63 years (range, 27–94). There were 35 (27.8%) patients with AIS in the aged ≤55 years group, 47 (37.3%) in the aged 56 to 70 group, and 44 (34.9%) in the aged >70 group. Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator and thrombectomy rates were comparable across these groups, ( P =0.331 and 0.212, respectively). There was a significantly lower rate of mortality between each group favoring younger age (21.9% versus 45.0% versus 48.8%, P =0.047). After multivariable adjustment for possible confounders, a 1‐year increase in age was significantly associated with fewer instances of a favorable outcome of Modified Rankin Scale 0 to 2 (odds ratio [OR], 0.95; 95 CI%, 0.90–0.99; P =0.048) and higher mortality (OR, 1.06; 95 CI%, 1.02–1.10; P =0.007). Conclusions AIS in the context of COVID‐19 affects young patients at much greater rates than pre‐pandemic controls. Nevertheless, instances of poor functional outcome and mortality are closely tied to increasing age.

Introduction: Underlying biological, genetic, or epigenetic characteristics may predispose to health differences and outcomes with COVID-19 associated stroke. Social determinants of health, access and geographical differences pertaining both to population density and other location-based factors may also be important. Methods: We report 69 cases of acute stroke in patients positive for SARS-CoV-2, in a dichotomized analysis of ischemic stroke outcomes between patients of African American background versus all other backgrounds. All patients presented to 14 major hospitals in the United States and Canada, from March 14-April 14, 2020. All patients had nasopharyngeal swab samples that were positive for SARS-CoV-2 on qualitative RT-PCR assays. Results: We found no significant difference in age (64.4 versus 62.9 years) or the proportion of females (51.9% versus 38.1%) (table 1). Diabetes mellitus was present significantly less in African American cases versus others (37% vs. 66.7%). The African American cohort had a similar mean NIHSS score of 16.3 compared with 14.9 in other races (p=0.63). The door-to-CT time was also similar (23 versus 19 minutes). The proportion of patients presenting with a large vessel occlusion was not significantly different (40.7% versus 47%). We noted 14.8% of African American cases received intravenous tPA compared to 31% in other races but was not significantly different. The proportion of thrombectomy cases mirrored this (14.8% versus 31%). Regarding stroke functional outcomes, there was no difference between African Americans and other races with respect to discharge mRS or proportion of favorable outcome (mRS 0-2). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) was significantly higher for African Americans (11.1% versus 3%, p<0.001). Mortality was significantly higher in African Americans compared to other races (51.9% vs. 28.6%, p=0.03). Discussion: The reasons for increased mortality in African Americans with COVID-19-associated stroke are unknown. The finding in this study that mortality rate of COVID-19 positive stroke patients is greater than that previously reported in either COVID-19 respiratory infection alone or acute ischemic stroke alone, suggests an interaction that also warrants further study.

Background and Purpose- Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) devices have led to improved reperfusion and clinical outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients with emergent large vessel occlusions; however, less than one-third of patients achieve complete reperfusion. Use of intraarterial thrombolysis in the context of MT may provide an opportunity to enhance these results. Here, we evaluate the use of intraarterial rtPA (recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator) as rescue therapy (RT) after failed MT in the North American Solitaire Stent-Retriever Acute Stroke registry. Methods- The North American Solitaire Stent-Retriever Acute Stroke registry recruited sites within North America to submit data on acute ischemic stroke patients treated with the Solitaire device. After restricting the population of 354 patients to use of RT and anterior emergent large vessel occlusions, we compared patients who were treated with and without intraarterial rtPA after failed MT. Results- A total of 37 and 44 patients was in the intraarterial rtPA RT and the no intraarterial rtPA RT groups, respectively. Revascularization success (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction ≥2b) was achieved in more intraarterial rtPA RT patients (61.2% versus 46.6%; P=0.13) with faster times to recanalization (100±85 versus 164±235 minutes; P=0.36) but was not statistically significant. The rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (13.9% versus 6.8%; P=0.29) and mortality (42.9% versus 44.7%; P=0.87) were similar between the groups. Good functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of ≤2) was numerically higher in intraarterial rtPA patients (22.9% versus 18.4%; P=0.64). Further restriction of the RT population to M1 occlusions only and time of onset to groin puncture ≤8 hours, resulted in significantly higher successful revascularization rates in the intraarterial rtPA RT cohort (77.8% versus 38.9%; P=0.02). Conclusions- Intraarterial rtPA as RT demonstrated a similar safety and clinical outcome profile, with higher reperfusion rates achieved in patients with M1 occlusions. Prospective studies are needed to delineate the role of intraarterial thrombolysis in MT.

BackgroundThe DEFUSE 3 and DAWN trials have shown the benefit of thrombectomy beyond 6 hours of stroke symptom onset in carefully selected patients.ObjectiveTo evaluate the real-world outcomes of stent retriever thrombectomy beyond 6 hours of stroke onset using combined individual patient data from the North American Solitaire Stent Retriever Acute Stroke (NASA) and Trevo Stent-Retriever Acute Stroke (TRACK) registries.MethodsPooled analysis of individual patient data of all cases of anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke (AIS) from NASA and TRACK was performed to compare outcomes of patients presenting within the first hours 6 or beyond 6 hours of stroke symptom onset.ResultsOf 830 patients with anterior circulation AIS from the NASA and TRACK registries, 32.7% (271 patients) underwent thrombectomy beyond the first 6 hours of symptom onset. The rates of good clinical outcome (modified Rankin scale score of 0–2 at 90 days), mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were similar: 48.1%, 20.6%, and 8.0% within 0–6 hours, 46.2%, 21.6%, and 10.9% within 6–16 hours, and 38.9%, 33.3%, and 5% within 16–24 hours (p=0.8, 0.6, and 0.5, respectively). The rates of successful recanalization (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b/3) were 79.4% in patients with stroke within 0–6 hours, 72.6% within 6–16 hours, and 85.0% within 16–24 hours (p=0.04).ConclusionsReal-world experience with patients with anterior circulation AIS treated with the Solitaire and Trevo thrombectomy devices beyond the first 6 hours of symptom onset proved to be equally safe and effective as for patients with symptom onset within the first 6 hours.

Background and Purpose— In acute ischemic stroke, fast and complete recanalization of the occluded vessel is associated with improved outcomes. We describe a novel measure for newer generation devices: the first pass effect (FPE). FPE is defined as achieving a complete recanalization with a single thrombectomy device pass. Methods— The North American Solitaire Acute Stroke Registry database was used to identify a FPE subgroup. Their baseline features and clinical outcomes were compared with non-FPE patients. Clinical outcome measures included 90-days modified Rankin Scale score, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine whether FPE independently resulted in improved outcomes and to identify predictors of FPE. Results— A total of 354 acute ischemic stroke patients underwent thrombectomy in the North American Solitaire Acute Stroke registry. FPE was achieved in 89 out of 354 (25.1%). More middle cerebral artery occlusions (64% versus 52.5%) and fewer internal carotid artery occlusions (10.1% versus 27.7%) were present in the FPE group. Balloon guide catheters were used more frequently with FPE (64.0% versus 34.7%). Median time to revascularization was significantly faster in the FPE group (median 34 versus 60 minutes; P =0.0003). FPE was an independent predictor of good clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≤2 was seen in 61.3% in FPE versus 35.3% in non-FPE cohort; P =0.013; odds ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–2.7). The independent predictors of achieving FPE were use of balloon guide catheters and non-internal carotid artery terminus occlusion. Conclusions— The achievement of complete revascularization from a single Solitaire thrombectomy device pass (FPE) is associated with significantly higher rates of good clinical outcome. The FPE is more frequently associated with the use of balloon guide catheters and less likely to be achieved with internal carotid artery terminus occlusion.

Background and Purpose— In acute ischemic stroke, fast and complete recanalization of the occluded vessel is associated with improved outcomes. We describe a novel measure for newer generation devices: the first pass effect (FPE). FPE is defined as achieving a complete recanalization with a single thrombectomy device pass. Methods— The North American Solitaire Acute Stroke Registry database was used to identify a FPE subgroup. Their baseline features and clinical outcomes were compared with non-FPE patients. Clinical outcome measures included 90-days modified Rankin Scale score, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine whether FPE independently resulted in improved outcomes and to identify predictors of FPE. Results— A total of 354 acute ischemic stroke patients underwent thrombectomy in the North American Solitaire Acute Stroke registry. FPE was achieved in 89 out of 354 (25.1%). More middle cerebral artery occlusions (64% versus 52.5%) and fewer internal carotid artery occlusions (10.1% versus 27.7%) were present in the FPE group. Balloon guide catheters were used more frequently with FPE (64.0% versus 34.7%). Median time to revascularization was significantly faster in the FPE group (median 34 versus 60 minutes; P=0.0003). FPE was an independent predictor of good clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ⩽2 was seen in 61.3% in FPE versus 35.3% in non-FPE cohort; P=0.013; odds ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–2.7). The independent predictors of achieving FPE were use of balloon guide catheters and non-internal carotid artery terminus occlusion. Conclusions— The achievement of complete revascularization from a single Solitaire thrombectomy device pass (FPE) is associated with significantly higher rates of good clinical outcome. The FPE is more frequently associated with the use of balloon guide catheters and less likely to be achieved with internal carotid artery terminus occlusion.

Background Limited post-marketing data exist on the use of the Solitaire FR device in clinical practice. The North American Solitaire Stent Retriever Acute Stroke (NASA) registry aimed to assess the real world performance of the Solitaire FR device in contrast with the results from the SWIFT (Solitaire with the Intention for Thrombectomy) and TREVO 2 (Trevo versus Merci retrievers for thrombectomy revascularization of large vessel occlusions in acute ischemic stroke) trials. Methods The investigator initiated NASA registry recruited North American sites to submit retrospective angiographic and clinical outcome data on consecutive acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients treated with the Solitaire FR between March 2012 and February 2013. The primary outcome was a Thrombolysis in Myocardial Ischemia (TIMI) score of ≥2 or a Treatment in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) score of ≥2a. Secondary outcomes were 90 day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Results 354 patients underwent treatment for AIS using the Solitaire FR device in 24 centers. Mean time from onset to groin puncture was 363.4±239 min, mean fluoroscopy time was 32.9±25.7 min, and mean procedure time was 100.9±57.8 min. Recanalization outcome: TIMI ≥2 rate of 83.3% (315/354) and TICI ≥2a rate of 87.5% (310/354) compared with the operator reported TIMI ≥2 rate of 83% in SWIFT and TICI ≥2a rate of 85% in TREVO 2. Clinical outcome: 42% (132/315) of NASA patients demonstrated a 90 day mRS ≤2 compared with 37% (SWIFT) and 40% (TREVO 2). 90 day mortality was 30.2% (95/315) versus 17.2% (SWIFT) and 29% (TREVO 2). Conclusions The NASA registry demonstrated that the Solitaire FR device performance in clinical practice is comparable with the SWIFT and TREVO 2 trial results.

BackgroundTime to reperfusion following endovascular treatment (ET) predicts outcomes after acute ischemic stroke (AIS).ObjectiveTo assess the time–outcome relationship within reperfusion grades in the North American Solitaire Acute Stroke registry.MethodsWe identified patients given ET for anterior circulation ischemic stroke within 8 h from onset and in whom reperfusion was achieved. Together with clinical and outcome data, site-adjudicated modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia (TICI) was recorded. We assessed the impact of time to reperfusion (onset to procedure completion time) on good outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0–2 at 3 months) in patients who achieved TICI 2 or higher reperfusion in multivariable models. We further assessed this relationship within strata of reperfusion grades. A p<0.05 was considered significant.ResultsIndependent predictors of good outcome at 3 months among those achieving TICI ≥2a reperfusion (n=188) were initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (adjusted OR=0.90, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.95), symptomatic hemorrhage (adj. OR=0.16, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.60), TICI grade (TICI 3: adj. OR=11.52, 95% CI 3.34 to 39.77; TICI 2b: adj. OR=5.14, 95% CI 1.61 to 16.39), and time to reperfusion per 30 min interval (adj. OR=0.91, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.99). There was an interaction between final TICI grade and 30 min time to reperfusion intervals (p=0.001) such that the effect of time was strongest in TICI 2a patients.ConclusionsTime to reperfusion was a strong predictor of outcome following ET for AIS. However, the effect varied by TICI grade such that its greatest effect was in those achieving TICI 2a reperfusion.

Background Simultaneous vasospasm and endovascular aneurysm treatment (SVAT) has been shown to be effective with good clinical outcomes in small series, but these studies have not examined predictive factors for clinical outcome after treatment. Objective To identify the safety and efficacy of SVAT in a large multicenter patient cohort and evaluate prognostic markers of clinical outcome following SVAT. Methods This study retrospectively enrolled 50 consecutive patients undergoing SVAT at 11 different centers. We analyzed Hunt and Hess and Fisher grades, aneurysm location, angiographic vasospasm grade, Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at discharge, and 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores. Results A total of 50 patients undergoing SVAT between the years 2003 and 2009 were identified. Patients presented, on average, 6.48±4.45 days after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Hunt and Hess and Fisher grades were 1 (n=7), 2 (n=12), 3 (n=14), 4 (n=15), 5 (n=2), and 3 and 4 (n=33), respectively. Aneurysm location was distributed as follows: anterior (n=32), posterior (n=16), anterior and posterior (n=2). Patients with good clinical condition (Hunt and Hess score 1–3) had significantly higher odds of surviving (OR=17.5, 95% CI 1.9 to 161.5), favorable GOS (OR=4.2, 95% CI 1.2 to 14.8), and favorable 90-day mRS (OR=4.2, 95% CI 1.2 to 14.8). Conclusions SVAT is safe, with the majority of patients achieving good clinical outcome. Patients with lower Hunt and Hess grades have higher odds of surviving and favorable clinical prognosis.

Background: Various techniques are used to enhance the results of mechanical thrombectomy with stent-retrievers, including proximal arrest with balloon guide catheter (BGC), conventional large bore proximal catheter (CGC), or in combination with local aspiration through a large-bore catheter positioned at the clot interface (Aspiration-Retriever Technique for Stroke [ARTS]). We evaluated the impact of ARTS in the North American Solitaire Acute Stroke (NASA) registry. Summary: Data on the use of the aspiration technique were available for 285 anterior circulation patients, of which 29 underwent ARTS technique, 131 CGC, and 125 BGC. Baseline demographics were comparable, except that ARTS patients are less likely to have hypertension or atrial fibrillation. The ARTS group had more ICA occlusions (41.4 vs. 22% in the BGC, p = 0.04 and 26% in CGC, p = 0.1) and less MCA/M1 occlusions (44.8 vs. 68% in BGC and 62% in CGC). Time from arterial puncture to reperfusion or end of procedure with ARTS was shorter than with CGC (54 vs. 91 min, p = 0.001) and was comparable to the BGC time (54 vs. 67, p = 0.11). Final degree of reperfusion was comparable among the groups (TICI [modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction] score 2b or higher was 72 vs. 70% for CGC vs. 78% for BGC). Procedural complications, mortality, and good clinical outcome at 90 days were similar between the groups. Key Messages: The ARTS mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke patients appears to yield better results as compared to the use of CGCs with no significant difference when compared to BGC. This early ARTS technique NASA registry data are limited by the earlier generation distal large bore catheters and small sample size. Future studies should focus on the comparison of ARTS and BGC techniques.

Introduction: Carotid occlusions are responsible for 10-25% of large vessel acute ischemic strokes (AIS). While endovascular therapy (ET) is now standard of care for large vessel AIS, tandem lesions remain a therapeutic challenge. Outcomes of patients with tandem lesions undergoing ET with carotid revascularization remain unknown. We aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors and outcomes of acute carotid stent closure (ACSC) in AIS patients with tandem lesions undergoing ET. Methods: Retrospective review of endovascular database of AIS patients treated in a single tertiary care center from 2010-2016. Patients with tandem lesions identified. Baseline demographics, home medications, IV tPA use, procedural characteristics and outcomes collected. Patients grouped according to carotid stent patency. Data analyzed using SPSS. Factors with p < 0.20 included in multivariate model. Results: Out of 280 AIS patients undergoing ET, a total of 32 patients with tandem lesions identified. ACSC seen in 25% of patients. Baseline demographics similar in two groups. IV tPA use associated with 3 times greater risk of ACSC (12.5% vs 37.5%; p = 0.10). Number of stents (No ACSC 1.13 ± 0.33 vs ACSC 1.75 ± 1.04; p = 0.013) significant in univariate analysis. Baseline mRS, IV tPA use, Number of Stents, Post Stent Angioplasty, Residual ICA stenosis and Poor TICI recanalization grade included in the multivariate model. Number of stents (p = 0.028) and Poor TICI recanalization grade (p = 0.031) reached significance on multivariate linear regression analysis. Patients with ACSC had significantly greater hospitalization days (7.08 ± 3.73 vs 13.5 ± 6.86; p = 0.002), worse discharge mRS (2.17 ± 2.09 vs 4.5 ± 0.75; p = 0.005), worse discharge NIHSS (4.33 ± 4.53 vs 14.71 ± 4.85; p = 0.001), unfavorable disposition (16.67% vs 62.5%; p = 0.023) and worse 90 days mRS (2.0 ± 2.25 vs 4.67 ± 0.82; p = 0.01). Conclusions: ACSC seen in 25% of AIS with tandem lesions treated with ET. IV tPA use associated with 3 times greater risk of ACSC (37.5% vs 12.5%) presumably due to an inability for antiplatelet loading. Number of stents and poor TICI recanalization grade reached significance on multivariate analysis. ACSC associated with significantly worse outcomes. Larger studies are required to confirm these findings

Five landmark multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded end point clinical trials have recently demonstrated significant clinical benefit of endovascular therapy with mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients presenting with proximal intracranial large vessel occlusions. The Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN) appointed an expert writing committee to summarize this new evidence and make recommendations on how these data should guide emergency endovascular therapy for AIS patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a relatively safe imaging modality used to visualize intracardiac thrombus.SUMMARY OF CASE:We report on a unique, fatal complication during TEE of embolization of a pre-existing "smoking" left atrial thrombus causing acute bilateral internal carotid occlusion, confirmed on angiogram.CONCLUSIONS:Patients with history of lung pathology, such as COPD, who experience retching and cough during transesophageal echocardiography may be more susceptible to embolization of pre-existing thrombi. A need exists to risk stratify such patients.

Brain attack care is rapidly evolving with cutting-edge stroke interventions similar to the growth of heart attack care with cardiac interventions in the last two decades. As the field of stroke intervention is growing exponentially globally, there is clearly an unmet need to standardize stroke interventional laboratories for safe, effective, and timely stroke care. Towards this goal, the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN) Writing Committee has developed the Stroke Interventional Laboratory Consensus (SILC) criteria using a 7M management approach for the development and standardization of each stroke interventional laboratory within stroke centers. The SILC criteria include: (1) manpower: personnel including roles of medical and administrative directors, attending physicians, fellows, physician extenders, and all the key stakeholders in the stroke chain of survival; (2) machines: resources needed in terms of physical facilities, and angiography equipment; (3) materials: medical device inventory, medications, and angiography supplies; (4) methods: standardized protocols for stroke workflow optimization; (5) metrics (volume): existing credentialing criteria for facilities and stroke interventionalists; (6) metrics (quality): benchmarks for quality assurance; (7) metrics (safety): radiation and procedural safety practices.

Background: The Interventional Management of Stroke III (IMS-III) trial demonstrated no benefit for intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV rt-PA) followed by endovascular therapy versus IV rt-PA alone. However, IMS-III mostly included earlier generation devices. The recent thrombectomy trials have incorporated the stent-retriever technology, but their generalizability remains unknown. Methods: The North American Solitaire Acute Stroke (NASA) registry recruited patients treated with the Solitaire FR™ device between March 2012 and February 2013. The NASA-IMS-III-Like Group (NILG baseline NIHSS score ≥10 who received IV rt-PA) was compared to the IV rt-PA and IV + intra-arterial (IA)-IMS-III groups and the MR CLEAN, ESCAPE, SWIFT Prime, and REVASCAT trial controls to assess the stent-retriever treatment in the ‘real-world' setting. The NILG was also compared to non-IV rt-PA NASA patients to evaluate the impact of IV rt-PA on thrombectomy. Results: A total of 136 of the 354 NASA patients fulfilled criteria for the NILG. Baseline characteristics were well balanced across groups. Time from onset to puncture was higher in NILG than IV+IA-IMS-III patients (274 ± 112 vs. 208 ± 47 min, p < 0.0001). Occlusions involving the intracranial ICA, MCA-M1, or basilar arteries were more common in NILG than IV+IA-IMS-III patients (91.2 vs. 47.2%, p < 0.00001). Modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction ≥2b reperfusion was higher in NILG than IV+IA-IMS-III patients (74.3 vs. 39.6%, p < 0.00001). A 90-day modified Rankin Scale score ≤2 was more frequent in the NILG than IV+IA-IMS-III patients (51.9 vs. 40.8%, p = 0.03) and MR CLEAN (51.9 vs. 19.1%, p < 0.00001), ESCAPE (51.9 vs. 29.3%, p = 0.0002), SWIFT Prime (51.9 vs. 35.5%, p = 0.02), and REVASCAT (51.9 vs. 28.2%, p = 0.0003) controls. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage definitions varied across the different studies with rates ranging from 2.7% (ESCAPE) to 11.9% (NILG). The NILG 90-day mortality (24.4%) was higher than in SWIFT Prime but comparable to all other groups. IV rt-PA was an independent predictor of good outcome in NASA (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.2-4.7). Conclusion: Our results support the ‘real-world' applicability of the recent thrombectomy trials.