Neurology
-
This review provides a summary of the currently available data pertaining to the interventional management of acute ischemic stroke in children. The literature is scarce and is lacking much-needed prospective trials. ⋯ The current review is limited to case series of interventional acute ischemic stroke therapy in children and the potential future of endovascular ischemic stroke therapy in this patient population. Recommendations in this review represent the opinion of the authors, based on review of the limited literature covering endovascular acute ischemic stroke therapy in children.
-
In patients undergoing endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke, antithrombotic therapies are utilized to prevent distal embolization, arterial reocclusion, or catheter-related embolism. However, this must be weighed against the risk of hemorrhagic complications secondary to existing and ongoing ischemia or silent vessel perforation. In this article, we present an overview of the available literature evaluating antithrombotic therapy in patients undergoing endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke and discuss the emerging role of these agents.
-
Review Case Reports
The Penumbra system for mechanical thrombectomy in endovascular acute ischemic stroke therapy.
Efficacy of IV systemic thrombolysis is limited in patients with severe acute ischemic stroke and large-vessel occlusion. Mechanical thrombectomy has been the mainstay therapy in large-vessel occlusion. This review focuses on the Penumbra aspiration device. ⋯ The Penumbra aspiration system is an effective tool to safely revascularize large-vessel occlusions in patients within 8 hours of onset of acute ischemic stroke who are either refractory to or excluded from IV thrombolytic therapy. Further prospective, randomized controlled trials will be needed to address whether this ability translates into neurologic improvement and better functional outcomes for our patients.
-
Periprocedural medical management is an important aspect in optimizing the outcome of patients who undergo endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke. Blood pressure, fluid hydration, and antithrombotics are some of the elements that need to be tailored carefully to the patient according to the patency of his or her cerebral vasculature, the extent of his or her infarct, and the potential for hemorrhagic transformation. This article reviews the medical care of acute stroke patients before and after endovascular therapy.
-
Though rarely considered in the clinical decision algorithm, issues of cost-effectiveness assume critical importance for the sustainability of a widely used therapy that entails considerable cost and has unproven benefit. Although current data are limited, we review the studies that have demonstrated via modeling that endovascular stroke treatment may generate significant future economic benefits, even if these treatments have a high price and result in relatively small initial reductions in disability. We highlight important considerations that, on the basis of the logistics and protocols of current neuroendovascular practices, should be included in future cost-effectiveness analyses of endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke.