Objective:To investigate the pathogenesis, selection of endovascular treatment (EVT) strategies, and efficacies of acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion (AVBAO) of different lesion sites.Methods:One hundred and five patients with AVBAO, admitted to and accepted EVT in our hospital from February 2017 to September 2019, were chosen in our study. The data of disease onset, imaging findings, EVT status, perioperative complications, and prognoses of these patients were collected. According to DSA results, the involved lesions were divided into 4 sites: the upper segment of basilar artery (BA), the middle segment of BA, the lower segment of BA, and the intracranial segment of vertebral artery (V4 segment), and patients with tandem lesions would be recorded as distal lesions. The risk factors, EVT strategies, and prognoses 90 d after follow-up (modified Rankin scale [mRS] scores≤3: good prognosis) were compared in patients with 4 different lesion sites.Results:There were significant differences in etiological classifications and percentage of patients combined with atrial fibrillation among patients with 4 different lesion sites ( P<0.05). There was significant difference in proportion of patients accepted emergency stent implantation among patients with 4 different lesion sites ( P<0.05): those with lesions at the V4 segment had the highest proportion of patients accepted emergency stent implantation (79.55%), followed by those with lesions at the lower segment of BA (50.00%). There was significant difference in EVT time (the time from arterial puncture to successful recanalization of occluded vessels) among patients with 4 different lesion sites ( P<0.05): the EVT time in patients with lesions at the middle segment of BA was the shortest (87.5 [58.5, 130.8] min), and the EVT time in patients with lesions at the lower segment of BA was the longest (115.0 [81.0, 163.0] min). There was no statistical difference among patients with different lesion sites in good prognosis rate 90 d after follow-up ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The pathogenesis of patients with different AVBAO lesion sites is different, so different EVT strategies should be adopted.

Objective:To assess the role of arterial spin labeling (ASL) in detecting the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability of cerebral infarction lesions in patients with anterior circulation subacute ischemic stroke (SIS), and to evaluate the value of ASL in predicting hemorrhagic transformation (HT) of SIS patients after endovascular recanalization.Methods:A prospective analysis was performed. Patients with anterior circulation SIS who received endovascular treatment (EVT) in our hospital from January 2021 to September 2021 were enrolled. At 24 h before EVT and immediately after EVT, MRI scans of ASL sequences and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (DCE) sequence were completed, and Xper CT was performed; accordingly, imaging typing was performed. Head CT scan was performed 24-48 h after EVT to observe HT; according to the presence or absence of HT, these patients were divided into HT group and non-HT group; the relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) values of ASL sequence parameters, volume transfer constant (K trans) of DCE sequence parameters and the differences of ASL, DCE and Xper CT imaging types between the two groups were compared. The weighted Kappa coefficient was used to test the consistency among ASL, DCE and Xper CT imaging types. Results:Among 22 eligible patients, 5 patients occurred HT (5/22, 22.72%). As compared with those in the non-HT group (1.14±0.04; 0.032[0.024, 0.039]/min), patients in the HT group had significantly higher rCBF value (1.57±0.18) and K trans (0.072[0.0455, 0.117]/min, P<0.05). There were significant differences in the distribution of ASL, DCE and Xper CT imaging types between the two groups ( P<0.05); among them, 4 out of 6 patients with ASL imaging type III, 4 out of 6 patients with DCE imaging type III, and 4 out of 5 patients with Xper CT imaging type III had HT. ASL sequence and DCE sequence had a high consistency in the imaging types (Kappa coefficient=0.941, 95%CI: 0.862-1.020, P<0.001). Conclusion:ASL can effectively evaluate the BBB permeability of cerebral infarction lesions in patients with anterior circulation SIS; patients with ASL imaging type III have a relatively high risk of HT.

Objective:To assess the role of arterial spin labeling (ASL) in detecting the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability of cerebral infarction lesions in patients with anterior circulation subacute ischemic stroke (SIS), and to evaluate the value of ASL in predicting hemorrhagic transformation (HT) of SIS patients after endovascular recanalization.Methods:A prospective analysis was performed. Patients with anterior circulation SIS who received endovascular treatment (EVT) in our hospital from January 2021 to September 2021 were enrolled. At 24 h before EVT and immediately after EVT, MRI scans of ASL sequences and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (DCE) sequence were completed, and Xper CT was performed; accordingly, imaging typing was performed. Head CT scan was performed 24-48 h after EVT to observe HT; according to the presence or absence of HT, these patients were divided into HT group and non-HT group; the relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) values of ASL sequence parameters, volume transfer constant (K trans) of DCE sequence parameters and the differences of ASL, DCE and Xper CT imaging types between the two groups were compared. The weighted Kappa coefficient was used to test the consistency among ASL, DCE and Xper CT imaging types. Results:Among 22 eligible patients, 5 patients occurred HT (5/22, 22.72%). As compared with those in the non-HT group (1.14±0.04; 0.032[0.024, 0.039]/min), patients in the HT group had significantly higher rCBF value (1.57±0.18) and K trans (0.072[0.0455, 0.117]/min, P<0.05). There were significant differences in the distribution of ASL, DCE and Xper CT imaging types between the two groups ( P<0.05); among them, 4 out of 6 patients with ASL imaging type III, 4 out of 6 patients with DCE imaging type III, and 4 out of 5 patients with Xper CT imaging type III had HT. ASL sequence and DCE sequence had a high consistency in the imaging types (Kappa coefficient=0.941, 95%CI: 0.862-1.020, P<0.001). Conclusion:ASL can effectively evaluate the BBB permeability of cerebral infarction lesions in patients with anterior circulation SIS; patients with ASL imaging type III have a relatively high risk of HT.

Objective:To investigate the effect of thrombus burden on the clinical outcome of endovascular recanalization in large vessel occlusive stroke.Methods:Patients with acute anterior circulation occlusion who underwent endovascular treatment within 24 hours after onset in Zhengzhou University People′s Hospital from January 2018 to December 2019 were retrospectively collected. According to the clot burden score (CBS) of DSA, total objectives were divided into CBS≥6 group (24 cases) and CBS<6 group (38 cases). Clinical data of the two groups were collected and the modified Rankin scale (mRS) was used to evaluate the clinical outcome at 90 days after surgery. Independent sample t-test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and χ 2 test were used to compare the clinical data between the two groups. Independent risk factors affecting the clinical outcome were analyzed by binary logistic regression. Results:There were no statistically significant differences in basic demographic data, stroke risk factors and other factors between the CBS≥6 group and CBS<6 group ( P>0.05).The proportion of using tirofiban after surgery in the CBS≥6 group (63.2%, 24/38) was lower than that in the CBS<6 group (87.5%, 21/24) (χ2=4.380, P=0.044). The discharge NIHSS score of the CBS≥6 group was [5.0 (3.3, 7.8) points] lower than CBS<6 group [8.5 (1.8, 14.5) points] ( Z=5.221, P=0.022). The proportion of postoperative mRS 0-2 was (91.7%, 22/24) in the CBS≥6 group higher than CBS<6 group(39.5%, 15/38) (χ2=20.486, P=0.001), there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups ( P<0.05). The results of binary logistics regression analysis showed the CBS groups (OR=0.042, 95%CI 0.007-0.244 , P=0.001) was an independent risk factor affecting good outcome. Subgroup analysis of whether tirofiban was used or not showed there was no statistically significant difference in clinical prognosis between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The clinical outcome of CBS≥6 group is significantly better than that of CBS<6 group, and patients with small thrombus burden are more likely to get a good clinical outcome of 90 days.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of endovascular recanalization treatment for acute vertebral basilar artery occlusion (AVBAO) underlying intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) using a balloon-mounted stent.Methods:A total of 16 cases of consecutive AVBAO patients who underwent endovascular treatment with the balloon-mounted stent within 24 h after onset were retrospectively enrolled in Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from February 2017 to August 2019. And the recanalization rate, operation-related complications, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, the improvement of 1 week National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and 3 months modified Rankin Scale (mRS) after treatment were recorded.Results:In all of the 16 patients, 4 patients underwent direct stenting angioplasty, 12 patients received salvage stenting. Stent placement was successful in all 16 patients. Balloon-mounted stent were implanted in basilar artery of 4 cases, in intracranial segment of vertebral artery of 8 cases, and in origination segment of vertebral artery of 4 cases. Recanalization was successful (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction grade 2b and 3) in 15 patients. The time between arterial puncture and recanalization was 79.0 (72.3, 109.3) min. One patient experienced distal thrombosis during surgery. Two patients suffered symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage within 48 h after surgery. The scores of the NIHSS were improved more than 4 points at 1 week after operation in 8 patients. At 3 months follow-up, 9 patients had a good outcome (mRS 0-3 points) and 4 patients died.Conclusion:Selective stenting angioplasty treatment with a balloon-mounted stent seems to be feasible and safe for AVBAO patients underlying ICAD.

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment in acute anterior circulation massive cerebral infarction and its prognostic factors.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data of 34 patients with acute anterior circulatory massive cerebral infarction who received intravascular treatment in our hospital from February 2018 to December 2019. The perioperative hemorrhage rate and mortality rate were analyzed in these patients. Modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores were taken as the evaluation standard in the prognoses of these patients during the 90 d of follow up, and the influencing factors affecting the prognoses of patients with massive cerebral infarction were analyzed.Results:The operation was successful in 30 patients (88.2%); the operation time was (97.41±54.58) min, and the number of thrombolysis was (1.91±0.75) times. Distal embolization occurred in 4 patients (11.8%); there were 3 patients with non-symptomatic hemorrhage (8.8%) and 3 patients with symptomatic hemorrhage (8.8%). Cerebral hernia occurred in 7 patients (20.6%); there were 5 deaths (14.4%). During the 90 d of follow up, 13 patients (38.2%) had good prognosis, and 21 (61.8%) had poor prognosis; there were statistically significant differences in NIHSS scores at admission, infarction locations in diffusion weighted imaging, vascular occlusion locations in DSA, pecentages of patients accepted preoperative intravenous thrombolysis and patients with cerebral hernia between the two groups ( P<0.05). NIHSS scores at admission ( OR=0.817, 95% CI: 0.682-0.980, P=0.029), thrombus load scale scores ( OR=5.981, 95%CI: 1.827-19.575, P=0.003), vascular occlusion locations in DSA ( OR=0.031, 95% CI: 0.003-0.311, P=0.003) and pecentage of patients accepted preoperative intravenous thrombolysis ( OR=0.092, 95% CI: 0.010-0.838, P=0.034) were independent factors influencing the prognoses of emergency intravascular treatment. Conclusions:Endovascular recanalization can achieve a relatively good prognosis in patients with massive cerebral infarction. Patients with low NIHSS scores, high thrombotic load scale scores, and middle cerebral artery occlusion, and patients accepted direct intravascular treatment have relatively good prognosis.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of high-density sign of flat-panel CT (FDCT) after endovascular treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the anterior circulation of large vessels and their relation with hemorrhagic transformation.Methods:Seventy-eight patients with AIS in the anterior circulation of large vessels accepted endovascular treatment in our hospital from March 2018 to June 2019 were chosen in our study. All patients underwent FDCT, and they were grouped according to the presence of local high-density sign and occurrence of hemorrhagic transformation. The baseline and clinical data of patients from high-density sign group and non-high-density sign group, and from hemorrhagic transformation group and non-hemorrhagic transformation group were compared and analyzed. The correlation between high-density sign and hemorrhagic transformation was analyzed. The morphological characteristics and distribution of FDCT high-density sign in patients from high-density sign group were analyzed, and univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to screen the influencing factors for post-operative hemorrhagic transformation in patients from the high-density sign group.Results:(1) The incidence of high-density sign in these patients after endovascular treatment was 41.0% (32/78); as compared with patients in the non-high-density sign group, patients in the high-density sign group had significantly higher rate of hemorrhagic transformation (6.5% vs. 53.1%, P<0.05) and significantly higher 3-month modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores (2.0 [1.0, 3.0] vs. 3.9 [3.0, 5.3], P<0.05). (2) The incidence of hemorrhagic transformation after endovascular treatment was 25.6% (20/78); as compared with those in the non-hemorrhagic transformation group, patients in the hemorrhage transformation group had statistically higher incidence of high-density sign in FDCT (31% vs. 70%, P<0.05); multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that FDCT high density sign was an independent risk factor for hemorrhage transformation after endovascular treatment ( OR=1.823, 95%CI: 1.125-2.358, P=0.000). (3) In the 32 patients with FDCT high-density sign, 4 (12.5%), 13 (40.6%) and 7 (21.9%) had high-density sign in the cortex and subcortex, basal ganglia, and subarachnoid space, whose hemorrhagic transformation incidences were 75% (3/4), 53.8% (7/13), and 57.1% (4/7), respectively, and mean 3-month mRS scores were 4.5, 3.0 and 4.0, respectively; another 8 patients (25%) had endovascular FDCT high-density sign, whose hemorrhagic transformation incidence was 87.5% (7/8), and 3-month mRS scores were ≥4. (4) Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the vascular opening time ≤6 h was a protective factor for hemorrhage transformation in patients with FDCT high-density sign ( OR=0.687, 95%CI: 0.193-0.936, P=0.044). Conclusions:In patients with AIS in the anterior circulation of large vessels accepted endovascular treatment, FDCT high-density sign indicates high risk of hemorrhage transformation and poor prognosis, especially in patients having high-density sign in the cerebral cortex, subcortical area and intravascular area. Minimizing the vascular opening time may reduce the risk of hemorrhagic transformation in patients with FDCT high-density sign.

Objective To investigate the safety of endovascular thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke patients with pre-existing intracranial aneurysms. Methods Seven patients with acute ischemic stroke combined with intracranial aneurysms, admitted to and received endovascular treatment in our hospital from January 2014 to December 2016, were chosen. The clinical data and safety were analyzed retrospectively. Results All patients with pre-existing intracranial aneurysms suffered acute large artery occlusion achieved successful endovascular re-canalization, and one patient suffered subarachnoid hemorrhage due to the rupture of aneurysm during the procedure. Three patients had grading 2b of Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI), and 4 had grading 3 of TICI. Four patients had 0-2 scores of modified Rankin Scale (mRS), one had 3 scores, and two died. Conclusion Endovascular thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke patients with pre-existing intracranial aneurysms is safe.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of Ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (USPIO-MRA) combined with interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10 detection for detecting atherosclerotic plaques in rabbits.

METHODSTwenty-four normal male rabbits were randomly assigned (n=8) into group A with atherosclerosis induced by damaging the aortic tunica intima with Foley's tube in combination with a high fat diet, group B with a high fat diet, and group C without any intervention. At week 12, plain and USPIO-MRA was performed in all the 24 rabbits and the results were compared with pathological examinations; blood samples were collected from the ear vein to examine blood lipids and levels of IL-6 and IL-10.

RESULTSThe rabbits in groups A and B showed significantly different IL-6 levels (167 ± 21.3 vs 116 ± 14.3 pg/ml, P<0.05) but comparable blood lipids and IL-10 levels (P>0.05). The levels of IL-6, IL-10, TC, TG, and LDL, but not HDL, differed significantly between groups A and C and between groups B and C (P<0.01). Continuous MRA scan showed significantly different signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) between the 3 groups.

CONCLUSIONUSPIO-MRA combined with IL-6 and IL-10 detection is feasible in detecting atherosclerotic plaques in rabbits.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; Contrast Media ; Dextrans ; Interleukin-10 ; analysis ; Interleukin-6 ; analysis ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Magnetite Nanoparticles ; Male ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; diagnosis ; Rabbits

Objective To investigate the imaging characteristics of USPIO-enhanced and Gd-enhanced MRI in atherosclerosis and to compare the detection rate of atherosclerotic plaque between them. Methods Thirty-five healthy male rabbits were assigned to experimental group (n=30) to establish a model of atherosclerosis by damaging aortic tunica intima with Foley′s tube in combination with a high fat diet and 5 to control group without any intervention. At week 12, USPIO-enhanced and Gd-enhanced MRI scanning were conducted to compare the signal changes of atherosclerotic plaque before and after enhancement with the 2 contrast media. Ninety seven pictures were randomly selected respectively from the pictures enhanced by the 2 contrast media to compare the detection rate plaque between them. Pthology examination was used for detection standard. For the control group , pictures were randomly selected. Results In the experimental group, 7 rabbits died of Foley′s tube damaging, 2 died of raising and 1 died of anesthesia. All 5 rabbits in control group survived. A total of 172 pathological sections were made with 134 plaques and 72 vulnerable plaques pathologically confirmed. In pictures enhanced by USPIO , 84 plaques were confirmed by HE staining with a detection rate of 86.6%. In pictures enhanced by Gd, 72 plaques were confirmed by HE staining with a detection rate of 74.2%. Detection rate of USPIO-enhanced MRI in atherosclerosis plaque was significantly higher than that of Gd-enhanced MRI (X2=3.96, P=0.046). Conclusion USPIO shows its superiority as a new contrast medium in detection of atherosclerosis plaque.