Acute Ischemic Stroke Therapy in Infective Endocarditis: Case Series and Systematic Review.

To evaluate the safety of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) therapy in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) or endovascular therapy (EVT) such as mechanical thrombectomy. We conducted a retrospective study of patients who underwent AIS therapy with IVT or EVT at a tertiary referral center from 2013 to 2017, that were later diagnosed with acute IE as the causative mechanism. We then performed a systematic review of reports of acute ischemic reperfusion therapy in IE since 1995 for their success rates in terms of neurological outcome, and mortality, and their risk of hemorrhagic complication. In the retrospective portion, 8 participants met criteria, of whom 4 received IVT and 4 received EVT. Through systematic review, 24 publications of 32 participants met criteria. Combined, a total of 40 participants were analyzed: 18 received IVT alone, 1 received combined IVT plus EVT, and 21 received EVT alone. IVT compared to EVT were similar in rates of good neurologic outcomes (58% versus 76%, P= .22) and mortality (21% versus 19%, P= .87), but had higher post-therapy intracranial hemorrhage (63% versus 18% [P= .006]). IV thrombolysis has a higher rate of post-therapy intracranial hemorrhage compared to EVT. EVT should be considered as first-line AIS therapy for patients with known, or suspected, IE who present with a large vessel occlusion.

Marquardt RJ ，Cho SM ，Thatikunta P ，Deshpande A ，Wisco D ，Uchino K ... -  《-》

Bridging versus Direct Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Subgroup Pooled Meta-Analysis for Time of Intervention, Eligibility, and Study Design.

The risk/benefit profile of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) prior to endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in acute ischemic stroke is still unclear. We provide a systematic review and meta-analysis including studies comparing direct EVT (dEVT) vs. bridging treatment (IVT + EVT), defining the impact of treatment timing and eligibility to IVT on functional status and mortality. Protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019135915) and followed PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), retrospective, and prospective studies comparing IVT + EVT vs. dEVT in adults (≥18) with acute ischemic stroke. Primary endpoint was functional independence at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale <3); secondary endpoints were (i) good recanalization (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction >2a), (ii) mortality, and (iii) symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Subgroup analysis was performed according to study type, eligibility to IVT, and onset-to-groin timing (OGT), stratifying studies for similar OGT. ORs for endpoints were pooled with meta-analysis and compared between reperfusion strategies. Overall, 35 studies were included (n = 9,117). No significant differences emerged comparing patients undergoing dEVT and bridging treatment for gender, hypertension, diabetes, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score at admission. Regarding primary endpoint, IVT + EVT was superior to dEVT (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.22-1.69, p < 0.001, pheterogeneity<0.001), with number needed to treat being 18 in favor of IVT + EVT. Results were confirmed in studies with similar OGT (OR 1.66; 95% CI 1.21-2.28), shorter OGT for IVT + EVT (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.27-1.85), and independently from IVT eligibility (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.29-1.82). Mortality at 90 days was higher in dEVT (OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.09-1.75), but no significant difference was noted for sICH. However, considering data from RCT only, reperfusion strategies had similar primary (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.6-1.39) and secondary endpoints. Differences in age and clinical severity across groups were unrelated to the primary endpoint. Compared to dEVT, IVT + EVT associates with better functional outcome and lower mortality. Post hoc data from RCTs point to substantial equivalence of reperfusion strategies. Therefore, an adequately powered RCTs comparing dEVT versus IVT + EVT are warranted.

Vidale S ，Romoli M ，Consoli D ，Agostoni EC ... -  《-》

Preceding Intravenous Thrombolysis in Patients Receiving Endovascular Therapy.

The beneficial effects of endovascular therapy (EVT) in acute ischemic stroke have been demonstrated in recent clinical trials using new-generation thrombectomy devices. However, the comparative effectiveness and safety of preceding intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in this population has rarely been evaluated. From a prospective multicenter stroke registry database in Korea, we identified patients with acute ischemic stroke who were treated with EVT within 8 h of onset and admitted to 14 participating centers during 2008-2013. The primary outcome was a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months. Major secondary outcomes were successful recanalization defined as a modified Treatment in Cerebral Ischemia score of 2b-3, functional independence (mRS score 0-2), mortality at 3 months, and symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation (SHT) during hospitalization. Multivariable logistic regression analyses using generalized linear mixed models were performed to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of preceding IVT. Of the 639 patients (male, 61%; age 69 ± 12; National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 15 [11-19]) who met the eligibility criteria, 458 received preceding IVT. These patients showed lower mRS scores (adjusted common OR, 1.38 [95% CI 0.98-1.96]). Preceding IVT was associated with successful recanalization (1.96 [1.23-3.11]) and reduced 3-month mortality (0.58 [0.35-0.97]) but not with SHT (0.96 [0.48-1.93]). In patients treated with EVT within 8 of acute ischemic stroke onset, preceding IVT may enhance survival and successful recanalization without additional risk of SHT, and mitigate disability at 3 months.

Park HK ，Chung JW ，Hong JH ，Jang MU ，Noh HD ，Park JM ，Kang K ，Lee SJ ，Ko Y ，Kim JG ，Cha JK ，Kim DH ，Nah HW ，Han MK ，Kim BJ ，Park TH ，Park SS ，Lee KB ，Lee J ，Hong KS ，Cho YJ ，Lee BC ，Yu KH ，Oh MS ，Cho KH ，Kim JT ，Kim DE ，Ryu WS ，Choi JC ，Kim WJ ，Shin DI ，Yeo MJ ，Sohn SI ，Lee JS ，Lee J ，Yoon BW ，Bae HJ ... -  《-》

Endovascular Treatment With or Without Prior Intravenous Alteplase for Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Chalos V ，LeCouffe NE ，Uyttenboogaart M ，Lingsma HF ，Mulder MJHL ，Venema E ，Treurniet KM ，Eshghi O ，van der Worp HB ，van der Lugt A ，Roos YBWEM ，Majoie CBLM ，Dippel DWJ ，Roozenbeek B ，Coutinho JM ，MR CLEAN Registry Investigators ... -  《Journal of the American Heart Association》

Catastrophic Multiple Microbleeds Caused by Infective Endocarditis Following Intravenous Thrombolysis and Endovascular Thrombectomy.

Ischemic stroke is one of the most common complications of infective endocarditis (IE). IE must be considered as one of the causes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO), but early diagnosis of IE is difficult. AIS with ELVO must be treated using endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), with or without intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). IVT for AIS due to IE is not well established and remains controversial because of the risk of intracranial hemorrhage. A 42-year-old man suffered from right hemiparesis and disorientation, and AIS with ELVO was diagnosed. EVT with IVT was successfully performed and recanalization was achieved, but catastrophic multiple cerebral microbleeds appeared after treatment. EVT without IVT could be chosen for AIS caused by IE to avoid hemorrhagic complications. Hypointense signal spots on T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and susceptibility-weighted MRI could facilitate early diagnosis of IE.

Maeoka R ，Nakagawa I ，Ohnishi H ，Takahashi K ，Nakase H ，Ohnishi H ... -  《-》