Abstract 237: Thrombectomy is the Leading Treatment Modality for Symptomatic Sub‐Occlusive Lesions: a Nationwide StrokeNet Survey

Introduction Approximately 3% of all acute ischemic stroke are caused by sub‐occlusive thrombi in the proximal intracranial vasculature. There is a paucity of evidence regarding optimal treatment of this stroke etiology, with most evidence derived from retrospective case series preceding the advent...

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Main Authors: Pablo Harker, Felipe Ayala, Laura Ades, Pooja Khatri, Yazmin Aziz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-11-01
Series:Stroke: Vascular and Interventional Neurology
Online Access:https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/SVIN.03.suppl_2.237
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Summary:Introduction Approximately 3% of all acute ischemic stroke are caused by sub‐occlusive thrombi in the proximal intracranial vasculature. There is a paucity of evidence regarding optimal treatment of this stroke etiology, with most evidence derived from retrospective case series preceding the advent of mechanical thrombectomy. We sought to survey the National Institute of Health StrokeNet to determine real‐world treatment patterns in experienced stroke centers. We hypothesized that most providers would choose mechanical thrombectomy (MT) over medical management (MM). Methods We conducted an email survey of all StrokeNet regional coordinating centers (RCCs). Each RCC principal investigator (PI) was asked to provide a name of a local stroke endovascular specialist most aligned with their region’s typical practice pattern. A subsequent survey was sent to each if the StrokeNet RCC PIs and their nominated interventionalists. Questions were based on a clinical vignette accompanied by CT angiogram displaying a sub‐occlusive lesion in the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) (Figure 1a). Subsequent questions kept the same basic vignette, changing only one historical, clinical, or radiographic variable at a time. Participants were asked to describe initial management for each scenario. If more than one initial treatment was selected, or if no treatment option was selected, applicants were asked to please explain. Results were gathered from each participant using Google Forms. Results Among 27 StrokeNet RCCs, 25 (93%) provided at least one response; responses were received from 43 of 54 (80%) physicians surveyed, including 26 stroke interventionalists. A total of 4 sites selected an alternate responder of the appropriate specialty if their PI or chosen representative was unable to respond. The majority (71.4%) of respondents treated patients with acute sub‐occlusive thrombus with MT (Figure 1b). MT alone, or MT with additional MM, comprised the majority of responses to clinical vignette variation questions[Moderate core (ASPECTS 6): 71.4% MT, 76.2% MT with MM; Last Known Normal 12‐hours prior with Favorable Advanced Imaging: 73.8% MT, 83% MT with MM; Last Known Normal 12‐hours prior without Advanced Imaging: 54.8% MT, 64.3% MT with MM; Severe hypertension (210/110mmHg): 50% MT, 69% MT with MM; Poor Collaterals: 71.4% MT, 78.6% MT with MM]. Only two scenarios, low baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS) and history of ipsilateral stenosis, led respondents to favor non‐thrombectomy approaches (Low NIHSS (3): 9.5% MT; History of Ipsilateral Stenosis: 30.9% MT, 47.6 MT with MM) (Figure1c‐d). Conclusion Despite limited evidence to support MT versus other treatment strategies, the majority of StrokeNet Regional Coordinating Center sites would use MT to treat acute strokes due to intracranial sub‐occlusive thrombi.
ISSN:2694-5746