BACKGROUND: A third of endovascularly treated patients with stroke experience incomplete reperfusion (expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction [eTICI] <3), and the natural evolution of this incomplete reperfusion remains unknown. We systematically reviewed the literature and performed a meta-analysis on the natural evolution of incomplete reperfusion after endovascular therapy. METHODS: A systematic review of MEDLINE, Embase, and PubMed up until March 1, 2024, using a predefined strategy. Only full-text English-written articles reporting rates of either favorable (ie, delayed reperfusion (DR) or no new infarct) or unfavorable progression (ie, persistent perfusion deficit or new infarct) of incompletely reperfused tissue were included. The primary outcome was the rate of DR and its association with functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score, 0-2) at 90 days postintervention. Pooled odds ratios with 95% CIs were calculated using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Six studies involving 950 patients (50.7% female; median age, 71 years; interquartile range, 60-79) were included. Four studies assessed the evolution of incomplete reperfusion on magnetic resonance imaging perfusion imaging, while 2 studies used diffusion-weighted imaging and noncontrast computed tomography imaging, where new infarct was used to denote unfavorable progression. Five studies defined incomplete reperfusion as eTICI 2b50 or 2c. DR occurred in 41% (interquartile range, 33%-51%) of cases 24 hours postintervention. Achieving DR was associated with a higher likelihood of functional independence at 90 days (odds ratio, 2.5 [95% CI, 1.9-3.4]). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half of eTICI <3 patients achieve DR, leading to favorable clinical outcomes. This subgroup may derive limited or potentially harmful effects from pursuing additional reperfusion strategies (eg, intra-arterial lytics or secondary thrombectomy). Accurately predicting the evolution of incomplete reperfusion could optimize patient selection for adjunctive reperfusion strategies at the end of an intervention. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifiers: NCT05499832.
- MeSH
- Endovascular Procedures * methods MeSH
- Ischemic Stroke * surgery diagnostic imaging therapy MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Reperfusion methods MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Thrombolytic Therapy methods MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Meta-Analysis MeSH
- Systematic Review MeSH
Ischemic stroke is a common and serious condition. Timely restoration of cerebral perfusion is crucial for improving patient outcomes and reducing economic impacts. For three decades, alteplase has been the only established pharmacological treatment, often combined with endovascular therapy. Tenecteplase, a newer generation of fibrinolytic therapy, is recommended by the ESO 2023 guidelines as a suitable alternative to alteplase, particularly if treatment is initiated within 4.5 hours of symptom onset. Tenecteplase offers higher fibrin specificity, lower binding to PAI-1, and a longer plasma half-life compared to alteplase, allowing for single bolus administration. Clinical studies have shown that tenecteplase 0.25 mg/kg achieves better recanalization and clinical improvement without increased risk of bleeding. It is equally effective and safe as alteplase, with meta-analyses indicating improved recanalization and clinical outcomes at a lower risk of bleeding. Tenecteplase is a suitable alternative for treating iNCMP, especially within 4.5 hours of symptom onset. Its single bolus administration simplifies hospital management and improves the logistics of transporting patients to specialized centers.
- MeSH
- Fibrinolysis drug effects MeSH
- Ischemic Stroke * diagnosis drug therapy MeSH
- Clinical Studies as Topic MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Reperfusion classification methods MeSH
- Tenecteplase * administration & dosage pharmacology therapeutic use MeSH
- Tissue Plasminogen Activator pharmacology therapeutic use MeSH
- Thrombolytic Therapy classification methods MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Review MeSH
BACKGROUND: We evaluated the association of reperfusion quality and different patterns of achieved reperfusion with clinical and radiological outcomes in the ESCAPE NA1 trial. METHODS: Data are from the ESCAPE-NA1 trial. Good clinical outcome [90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2], excellent outcome (90-day mRS0-1), isolated subarachnoid hemorrhage, symptomatic hemorrhage (sICH) on follow-up imaging, and death were compared across different levels of reperfusion defined by expanded Treatment in Cerebral Infarction (eTICI) Scale. Comparisons were also made between patients with (a) first-pass eTICI 2c3 reperfusion vs multiple-pass eTICI 2c3; (b) final eTICI 2b reperfusion vs eTICI 2b converted-to-eTICI 2c3; (c) sudden reperfusion vs gradual reperfusion if >1 pass was required. Multivariable logistic regression was used to test associations of reperfusion grade and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Of 1037 included patients, final eTICI 0-1 was achieved in 46 (4.4%), eTICI 2a in 76 (7.3%), eTICI 2b in 424 (40.9%), eTICI 2c in 284 (27.4%), and eTICI 3 in 207 (20%) patients. The odds for good and excellent clinical outcome gradually increased with improved reperfusion grades (adjOR ranging from 5.7-29.3 and 4.3-17.6) and decreased for sICH and death. No differences in outcomes between first-pass versus multiple-pass eTICI 2c3, eTICI 2b converted-to-eTICI 2c3 versus unchanged eTICI 2b and between sudden versus gradual eTICI 2c3 reperfusion were observed. CONCLUSION: Better reperfusion degrees significantly improved clinical outcomes and reduced mortality, independent of the number of passes and whether eTICI 2c3 was achieved suddenly or gradually.
- MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Reperfusion * methods MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage therapy diagnostic imaging mortality MeSH
- Treatment Outcome MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Multicenter Study MeSH
- Randomized Controlled Trial MeSH
BACKGROUND: Incomplete reperfusion (IR) after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) can be a consequence of residual occlusion, no-reflow phenomenon, or collateral counterpressure. Data on the impact of these phenomena on clinical outcome are limited. METHODS: Patients from the ESCAPE-NA1 trial with IR (expanded Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (eTICI) 2b) were compared with those with complete or near-complete reperfusion (eTICI 2c-3) on the final angiography run. Final runs were assessed for (a) an MT-accessible occlusion, or (b) a non-MT-accessible occlusion pattern. The primary clinical outcome was modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2 at 90 days. Our imaging outcome was infarction in IR territory on follow-up imaging. Unadjusted and adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were obtained. RESULTS: Of 1105 patients, 443 (40.1%) with IR and 506 (46.1%) with complete or near-complete reperfusion were included. An MT-accessible occlusion was identified in 147/443 patients (33.2%) and a non-MT-accessible occlusion in 296/443 (66.8%). As compared with patients with near-complete/complete reperfusion, patients with IR had significantly lower chances of achieving mRS 0-2 at 90 days (aIRR 0.82, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.91). Rates of mRS 0-2 were lower in the MT-accessible occlusion group as compared with the non-MT-accessible occlusion pattern group (aIRR 0.71, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.83, and aIRR 0.89, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.98, respectively). More patients with MT-accessible occlusion patterns developed infarcts in the non-reperfused territory as compared with patients with non-MT occlusion patterns (68.7% vs 46.3%). CONCLUSION: IR was associated with worse clinical outcomes than near-complete/complete reperfusion. Two-thirds of our patients with IR had non-MT-accessible occlusion patterns which were associated with better clinical and imaging outcomes compared with those with MT-accessible occlusion patterns.
- MeSH
- Cerebral Infarction diagnostic imaging therapy MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Prospective Studies MeSH
- Reperfusion * methods MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Thrombectomy methods MeSH
- Treatment Outcome MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Multicenter Study MeSH
- Randomized Controlled Trial MeSH
BACKGROUND: Surgical factors and direct cytotoxicity of bile salts on cholangiocytes may play a role in the development of ischemic cholangiopathy (IC) after liver transplantation (LTx). There is no validated consensus on how to protect the bile ducts during procurement, static preservation, and LTx. Meanwhile, IC remains the most troublesome complication after LTx. AIM: To characterize bile duct management techniques during the LTx process among European transplant centers in cases of donation after brain death (DBD) and circulatory death (DCD). METHOD: An European Liver and Intestine Transplant Association-European Liver Transplant Registry web survey designed to conceal respondents' personal information was sent to surgeons procuring and/or transplanting livers in Europe. RESULTS: Sixty-five percent of responses came from large transplant centers (>50 procurements/y). In 8% of DBDs and 14% of DCDs the bile duct is not rinsed. In 46% of DBDs and 52% of DCDs surgeons prefer to remove the gallbladder after graft reperfusion. Protocols concerning preservation solutions (nature, pressure, volume) are extremely heterogeneous. In 54% of DBDs and 61% of DCDs an arterial back table pressure perfusion is performed. Steroids (20%-10%), heparin (72%-60%), prostacyclin (3%-7%), and fibrinolytics (4%-11%) are used as donor-protective interventions in DBD and DCD cases, respectively. In 2% of DBD and 6% of DCD cases a hepatic artery reperfusion is performed first. In 4% of DBD and 6% of DCD cases, fibrinolytics are administered through the hepatic artery during the bench and/or implantation. CONCLUSION: This European web survey shows for the first time the heterogeneity in the management of bile ducts during procurement, preservation, and transplantation in Europe. In the context of sharing more marginal liver grafts, an expert meeting must be organized to formulate guidelines to be applied to protect liver grafts against IC.
- MeSH
- Cholangitis etiology MeSH
- Ischemia etiology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Tissue and Organ Harvesting adverse effects methods MeSH
- Perfusion adverse effects methods MeSH
- Postoperative Complications etiology MeSH
- Graft Survival MeSH
- Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
- Reperfusion adverse effects methods MeSH
- Liver Transplantation adverse effects MeSH
- Organ Preservation adverse effects methods MeSH
- Bile Ducts blood supply transplantation MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Europe MeSH
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Thromboembolic disease is the third most common cardiovascular disorder and deep vein thrombosis carries the risk of pulmonary embolism (PE). Questions related to reperfusion after PE remain, especially risk factors. Incomplete reperfusion after PE is closely related to the development of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine the relation between reperfusion after PE in the long term over a period of 24 months, laboratory results and clinical risk factors found during the initial PE event. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 85 consecutive patients with a first episode of acute PE, diagnosed at 4 cardiology clinics, were followed up using clinical evaluation, scintigraphy and echocardiography (6, 12 and 24 months after the PE. 35 patients were in the low risk category (41%), 42 (49%) in the intermediate risk group and 8 (9%) in the high risk category. RESULTS: Perfusion defects persisted in 20 patients (26%) after 6 months, in 19 patients (25%) after 12 months and in 14 patients (19%) after 24 months. The incidence was more frequent in older patients, with more serious (higher risk) PE, increased right ventricular internal diameter during the initial episode, and more significant tricuspid insufficiency in the initial echocardiography. Notably, higher hemoglobin levels were also shown as a significant risk factor. The presence of perfusion defects after 24 months correlated with a concurrent higher pulmonary pressure but not with either patient function or adverse events (recurrence of PE, re-hospitalization or bleeding). In 3 cases (4% of patients), long-term echocardiographic evidence of pulmonary hypertension was detected. CONCLUSION: Even after 24 months from acute PE with adequate anticoagulation treatment, incomplete reperfusion was found in 19% of patients with a corresponding risk of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease and hypertension.
- MeSH
- Anticoagulants therapeutic use MeSH
- Computed Tomography Angiography MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Echocardiography MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Multimodal Imaging MeSH
- Follow-Up Studies MeSH
- Perfusion Imaging MeSH
- Pulmonary Embolism diagnostic imaging drug therapy MeSH
- Prospective Studies MeSH
- Reperfusion methods MeSH
- Risk Factors MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Thrombolytic Therapy methods MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Multicenter Study MeSH
UNLABELLED: Backround. Intermittent claudication is a classic symptom of peripheral arterial disease. It is mainly treated conservatively but if this fails, a form of revascularization is indicated. The revascularization in chronic occlusion of femoropopliteal region is currently performed by two basic methods: the standard method of surgical bypass and the newer miniinvasive alternative represented by the endovascular method. The treatment of patients with solely claudication and long occlusion of femoropopliteal region remains controversial. The aim of this minireview was to determine whether surgical bypass is still the best method of choice in a time of endovascular techniques. METHODS: A MEDLINE search for original and review articles using key terms, intermittent claudication and long femoropopliteal oclusion. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: No ideal treatment for long occlusions of the femoropopliteal segment has been established to date. It is clear that the role of endovascular techniques in the treatment of SFA occlusions is increasing. It remains that, lower risk patients with claudication should be examined to assess the quality of veins suitable for revascularization and bypass should be selected as the first method of choice.
- MeSH
- Femoral Artery surgery MeSH
- Popliteal Artery surgery MeSH
- Blood Vessel Prosthesis MeSH
- Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation methods MeSH
- Endovascular Procedures methods MeSH
- Intermittent Claudication surgery MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Reperfusion methods MeSH
- Vascular Surgical Procedures methods MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Review MeSH
The evolution of reperfusion therapy in acute myocardial infarction and acute ischaemic stroke has many similarities: thrombolysis is superior to placebo, intra-arterial thrombolysis is not superior to intravenous (i.v.), facilitated intervention is of questionable value, and direct mechanical recanalization without thrombolysis is proven (myocardial infarction) or promising (stroke) to be superior to thrombolysis-but only when started with no or minimal delay. However, there are also substantial differences. Direct catheter-based thrombectomy in acute ischaemic stroke is more difficult than primary angioplasty (in ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI]) in many ways: complex pre-intervention diagnostic workup, shorter time window for clinically effective reperfusion, need for an emergent multidisciplinary approach from the first medical contact, vessel tortuosity, vessel fragility, no evidence available about dosage and combination of peri-procedural antithrombotic drugs, risk of intracranial bleeding, unclear respective roles of thrombolysis and mechanical intervention, lower number of suitable patients, and thus longer learning curves of the staff. Thus, starting acute stroke interventional programme requires a lot of learning, discipline, and humility. Randomized trials comparing different reperfusion strategies provided similar results in acute ischaemic stroke as in STEMI. Thus, it might be expected that also a future randomized trial comparing direct (primary) catheter-based thrombectomy vs. i.v. thrombolysis could show superiority of the mechanical intervention if it would be initiated without delay. Such randomized trial is needed to define the role of mechanical intervention alone in acute stroke treatment.
- MeSH
- Acute Disease MeSH
- Stroke therapy MeSH
- Fibrinolytic Agents therapeutic use MeSH
- Myocardial Infarction therapy MeSH
- Infusions, Intravenous MeSH
- Clinical Trials as Topic MeSH
- Combined Modality Therapy MeSH
- Percutaneous Coronary Intervention methods MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Reperfusion methods MeSH
- Thrombectomy methods MeSH
- Thrombolytic Therapy methods MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Review MeSH
BACKGROUND: Numerous acute reperfusion therapies (RPT) are currently investigated as potential new therapeutic targets in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We conducted a comprehensive benefit-risk analysis of available clinical studies assessing different acute RPT, and investigated the utility of each intervention in comparison to standard intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and in relation to the onset-to-treatment time (OTT). METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify all available published, peer-reviewed clinical studies that evaluated the efficacy of different RPT in AIS. Benefit-to-risk ratio (BRR), adjusted for baseline stroke severity, was estimated as the percentage of patients achieving favorable functional outcome (BRR1, mRS score: 0-1) or functional independence (BRR2, mRS score: 0-2) at 3 months divided by the percentage of patients who died during the same period. RESULTS: A total of 18 randomized (n = 13) and nonrandomized (n = 5) clinical studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria. IV therapy with tenecteplase (TNK) was found to have the highest BRRs (BRR1 = 5.76 and BRR2 = 6.82 for low-dose TNK; BRR1 = 5.80 and BRR2 = 6.87 for high-dose TNK), followed by sonothrombolysis (BRR1 = 2.75 and BRR2 = 3.38), while endovascular thrombectomy with MERCI retriever was found to have the lowest BRRs (BRR1 range, 0.31-0.65; BRR2 range, 0.52-1.18). A second degree negative polynomial correlation was detected between favorable functional outcome and OTT (R (2) value: 0.6419; P < 0.00001) indicating the time dependency of clinical efficacy of all reperfusion therapies. CONCLUSION: Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with TNK and sonothrombolysis have the higher BRR among investigational reperfusion therapies. The combination of sonothrombolysis with IV administration of TNK appears a potentially promising therapeutic option deserving further investigation.
- MeSH
- Stroke therapy MeSH
- Fibrinolytic Agents therapeutic use MeSH
- Risk Assessment MeSH
- Brain Ischemia therapy MeSH
- Clinical Trials as Topic MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Reperfusion methods MeSH
- Tissue Plasminogen Activator therapeutic use MeSH
- Ultrasonic Therapy methods MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Review MeSH
- Keywords
- sulodexid (Vessel Due F),
- MeSH
- Anticoagulants therapeutic use MeSH
- Lower Extremity blood supply pathology MeSH
- Glycosaminoglycans administration & dosage therapeutic use MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Postthrombotic Syndrome * drug therapy prevention & control MeSH
- Reperfusion methods MeSH
- Warfarin therapeutic use MeSH
- Venous Thrombosis diagnosis etiology drug therapy therapy MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Case Reports MeSH