Objective: To investigate the predictors of death after endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (EMT) in patients with acute vertebrobasilar occlusive stroke (VBOS). Methods: Patients with acute VBOS treated with EMT in Wuhan No. 1 Hospital were enrolled retrospectively. The demographic and clinical data were collected. According to whether the patients died at 90 d after procedure, they were divided into survival group and death group. The demographic and clinical data were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for death at 90 d after EMT. Results: A total of 47 patients were enrolled. The median age was 62 years, 34 were males (72.3%), the median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 16, 42 patients (89.4%) had recanalization (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction[mTICI] 2b/3 grade), and 12 (25.5%) died within 90 d after procedure. Univariate analysis showed that the baseline NIHSS score (26 [21-28]vs. 12 [5-23]; Z=-3.165, P=0.002), percentage of neutrophil (81.61% ±11.82% vs. 72.20% ±12.09%; t=-2.137, P=0.033), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (10.54±7.17 vs. 4.98±3.57; t=-2.393, P=0.017), and incidence of sICH (25.0% vs. 2.9%; χ²=5.627, P=0.018) in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group, while the percentage of lymphocyte (12.00%±9.04% vs. 20.67%±10.39%; t=-2.429, P=0.015) was significantly lower than that of the survival group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high baseline NIHSS score (odds ratio [OR] 1.243, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.046-1.318; P=0.038), high neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (OR 1.278, 95% CI 1.002-1.630; P=0.049) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR 5.088, 95% CI 1.065-38.718; P=0.046) were the independent predictors for death. Conclusion High baseline NIHSS score, high neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage are the independent predictors for death within 90 d after EMT in patients with acute VBOS.

Objective To explore the safety and efficacy of Solitaire AB double stents in acute occlusions in bifurcation of cerebral artery (including the ends of internal carotid artery and middle cerebral artery M1 segment).Methods The clinical and imaging data of six cases treated with the double stent retriever technique using the Solitaire AB system in Wuhan No.1 Hospital from January to November 2017 were retrospectively analyzed.And the therapeutic effect and postoperative complications of them were analyzed.Results One patient took the double stents directly,whereas five patients were treated with double stent-retriever thrombectomy after the failure of single stent thrombectomy.All of the six patients achieved recanalization successfully (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) 3 in five patients,mTICI 2b in one).All patients had no intracranial hemorrhage immediately after thrombectomy.In the 24 hours,7 days and 2 weeks,the median NIHSS score was 10 (3-17),3 (1-15) and 1 (0-15),respectively.During perioperative period,one patient had asymptomatic cerebral hemorrhage,one died of symptomatic cerebral hemorrhage within 48 hours,and one was complicated with pulmonary infection.Five patients were followed up by outpatient visit,and four patients showed good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≤2).Conclusion In the emergency revascularization of acute cerebral artery occlusion at arterial bifurcation,double stent-retriever is better at increasing the efficacy of thrombectomy and is safe compared with single stent mechanical thrombectomy.

Objective:To compare the reliability and validity of the Standard Swallowing Function Assessment Scale (SSA) with those of the GUSS Swallowing Function Assessment Screen (GUSS) in screening for and evaluating dysphagia among stroke survivors.Methods:Forty-seven stroke survivors had their swallowing function evaluated using the GUSS scale and the SSA scale. The results were compared with those of endoscopic swallowing function examinations.Results:Both scales delivered good reliability and validity. The SSA scale′s test-retest reliability had an ICC value=0.828 and an inter-evaluator reliability with an ICC value=0.909. Those were better than the GUSS scale′s values, but the latter had better intrinsic reliability (Cronbach′s α=0.939). Both scales showed good structural and calibration validity, with the sensitivity of the GUSS scale (72.73%) superior to that of the SSA scale, but the GUSS scales′ specificity, Jordan index and area under the operating characteristics curve were inferior to the SSA scale′s values. Combining the two scales in dysphagia screening could produce an area under the curve of 0.77.Conclusion:Both the SSA and GUSS scales have good reliability and validity in screening for swallowing disorders after a stroke. In clinical practice, the SSA alone or the two in series can improve diagnoses so as to prevent aspiration after a stroke.

Objective:To compare the clinical outcomes of endovascular therapy in acute stroke patients with anterior circulation tandem occlusions caused by atherosclerosis or dissection.Methods:A retrospective cohort study. A total of 98 patients with anterior circulation tandem lesions undergoing endovascular therapy in the Wuhan NO.1 Hospital (March 2016 to March 2022) were analyzed. Median age was 64(55,71) years old, and 82.7% (81/98 cases) were males. According to the lesion etiology, the patients were divided into atherosclerosis and dissection groups. The differences in clinical outcomes between the two groups were investigated, including favorable 90-day functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2), successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebrovascular Infarction score of 2b-3), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, stroke-associated pneumonia, 90-day all-cause mortality, and average hospitalization days. Logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for potential confounders affecting functional outcomes in both groups, and to determine odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.Results:Seventy-one patients were grouped into the atherosclerotic cause and 27 into the dissection cause cohorts. The rate of favorable 90-day functional outcome was 43.7% (31/71 cases) in the atherosclerosis group versus 55.6% (15/27 cases) in the dissection group (adjusted odds ratio=1.339; 95% confidence interval, 0.374-4.798; P=0.654). No significant differences were found in other clinical outcomes between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The clinical prognosis of patients with tandem lesions caused by atherosclerotic stenosis or artery dissection was similar after endovascular therapy. Future studies are still needed to verify our results.