Outcomes in acute carotid-related stroke eligible for mechanical reperfusion: SAFEGUARD-STROKE Registry

Lukasz Tekieli (Lead / Corresponding author), Karolina Dzierwa, Iris Q. Grunwald, Adam Mazurek, Malgorzata Urbanczyk-Zawadzk, Lukasz Wiewiorka, R. Pawel Banys, Wladyslaw Dabrowski, Anna Podlasek, Ewa Weglarz, Justyna Stefa Niak, Rafal T. Nizankowski, Piotr Musialek

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Carotid-related strokes (CRS) are largely unresponsive to intravenous thrombolysis and are often large and disabling. Little is known about contemporary CRS referral pathways and proportion of eligible patients who receive emergency mechanical reperfusion (EMR). 

METHODS: Referral pathways, serial imaging, treatment data, and neurologic outcomes were evaluated in consecutive CRS patients presenting over 18 months in catchment area of a major carotid disease referral center with proximal-protected CAS expertise, on-site neurology, and stroke thrombectomy capability (Acute Stroke of CArotid Artery Bifurcation Origin Treated With Use oF the MicronEt-covered CGUARD Stent - SAFEGUARD-STROKE Registry; companion to SAFEGUARD-STROKE Study NCT05195658). 

RESULTS: Of 101 EMR-eligible patients (31% i.v.-thrombolyzed, 39.5% women, age 39-89 years, 94.1% ASPECTS 9-10, 90.1% pre-stroke mRS 0-1), 57 (56.4%) were EMR-referred. Referrals were either endovascular (Comprehensive Stroke Centre, CSC, 21.0%; Stroke Thrombectomy-Capable CAS Centre, STCC, 70.2%) or to vascular surgery (VS, 1.8%), with >1 referral attempt in 7.0% patients (CSC/VS or VS/CSC or CSC/VS/STCC). Baseline clinical and imaging characteristics were not different between EMR-treated and EMR-untreated patients. EMR was delivered to 42.6% eligible patients (emergency carotid surgery 0%; STCC rejections 0%). On multivariable analysis, non-tandem CRS was a predictor of not getting referred for EMR (OR 0.36; 95%CI 0.14-0.93, P=0.03). Ninety-day neurologic status was profoundly better in EMRtreated patients; mRS 0-2 (83.7% vs. 34.5%); mRS 3-5 (11.6% vs. 53.4%), mRS 6 (4.6% vs. 12.1%); P<0.001 for all. 

CONCLUSIONS: EMR-treatment substantially improves CRS neurologic outcomes but only a minority of EMR-eligible patients receive EMR. To increase the likelihood of brain-saving treatment, EMR-eligible stroke referral and management pathways, including those for CSC/VSrejected patients, should involve stroke thrombectomy-capable centres with endovascular carotid treatment expertise.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)231-248
Number of pages18
JournalJournal of Cardiovascular Surgery
Volume65
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Jul 2024

Keywords

  • Carotid stenosis
  • Ischemic stroke
  • Thrombectomy
  • Treatment outcome

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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