Search Results (82)

Objective: This study aimed to characterise thrombophilic variants in young patients (≤50 years) undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischaemic stroke and to determine their clinical relevance. In addition, outcomes in young patients were compared with those in older patients to provide clinical context for age-related differences in presentation and recovery. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients with large-vessel occlusion stroke who achieved successful recanalisation (TICI ≥ 2b) after MT at a comprehensive stroke centre. Patients were stratified into young (≤50 years) and non-young (>50 years) groups. Clinical variables, thrombophilia markers, and functional outcomes were analysed. Results: Among 679 included patients, 76 (11.2%) were classified as young (mean age 39.2 ± 7.4 vs. 72.0 ± 11.4 years in older patients). Young patients had lower baseline NIHSS scores (14.6 ± 7.9 vs. 17.7 ± 4.7; mean difference −3.1 points) and markedly lower 1-month NIHSS scores (2.4 ± 2.3 vs. 9.5 ± 5.6; mean difference −7.1 points; both p < 0.001). Three-month mortality was 11.8% in young patients and 17.6% in older patients; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.2565). The MTHFR C677T variant was associated with lower post-procedural NIHSS scores (p = 0.021), while the distribution of hereditary thrombophilia markers did not differ significantly across vascular territories. Elevated homocysteine levels were associated with poorer 3-month outcomes (p = 0.0156). Conclusions: Young stroke patients undergoing MT demonstrated markedly better neurological and functional outcomes than older patients; however, three-month mortality did not differ significantly between the groups. Although several inherited thrombophilic variants were identified in the young cohort, most showed no consistent association with clinical outcomes. Full article

Background and Objective: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between the Bovine Aortic Arch–Dolichoarteriopathy (B.A.D.) score and the procedural characteristics of mechanical thrombectomy, recanalization success, and 90-day functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke with proximal M1 occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Materials and Method: A total of 220 adult patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy for proximal MCA M1 occlusion were included in this retrospective, single-center cohort study. The patients were divided into good B.A.D. (<2; n = 143) and poor B.A.D. (≥2; n = 77) groups. Admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) scores, collateral status, thrombectomy time intervals, number of passes, first-pass effect (FPE), and Modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) recanalization grades were evaluated. The primary outcome was functional independence at day 90 (mRS 0–2). Associations with procedural and clinical outcomes were evaluated using multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses. Results: The puncture-to-recanalization time was significantly longer in the poor B.A.D. group [67 (50.5–88.0) min vs. 43 (32.0–65.0) min, p < 0.001], and the FPE rate was lower (37.7% vs. 51.7%, p = 0.046). After adjustment for thrombectomy technique and clinical covariates, poor B.A.D. remained independently associated with lower odds of FPE success (aOR = 0.439, 95% CI: 0.229–0.839; p = 0.013). In the procedurally adjusted linear regression model, poor B.A.D. also remained independently associated with longer puncture-to-recanalization time after additional adjustment for the number of thrombectomy passes and thrombectomy technique (B = 0.294, 95% CI: 0.188–0.400; p < 0.001). Final mTICI ≥2b, ≥2c, and 3 recanalization rates did not differ between the groups. Although 90-day functional independence was lower in the poor B.A.D. group, the difference was not significant (51.9% vs. 63.6%, p = 0.092), and no statistically significant independent association between B.A.D. status and 90-day functional independence was observed in the multivariable analysis. Conclusions: Poor B.A.D. anatomy was associated with greater procedural complexity during mechanical thrombectomy for proximal MCA M1 occlusion, including longer puncture-to-recanalization time and lower odds of FPE success, even after adjustment for available procedural and clinical factors. However, no statistically significant independent association was demonstrated between B.A.D. status and 90-day functional independence, and final recanalization rates did not differ significantly between the groups. These findings suggest that the B.A.D. score may have potential value as a preprocedural marker of vascular access complexity; however, prospective external validation is required before its use for procedural planning can be recommended. Full article

Terahertz observations are sensitive to ice-cloud scattering but require thermodynamic context and balanced spectral sampling. This study evaluates a candidate six-band Terahertz Ice Cloud Imager (TICI) configuration for next-generation Fengyun polar-orbiting meteorological satellites. Atmospheric absorption, ice-cloud scattering, and polarization sensitivity below 1 THz are simulated with the Atmospheric Radiative Transfer Simulator. Information content is assessed using 12 Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF)-derived representative composites and 200 individual midlatitude-ocean profiles. The configuration combines water-vapor observations near 183 and 380 GHz, temperature-sensitive observations near the 424 GHz oxygen band, and window observations near 243, 664, and 874 GHz. Compared with the 11-observation Ice Cloud Imager (ICI) reference, the 21-scalar-observation TICI vector provides more temperature and water-vapor degrees of freedom for signal (DFS) under both channel-specific and uniform 1 K noise. Under uniform 1 K noise, the twelve-scene mean frozen-hydrometeor DFS is 4.117 for TICI and 4.034 for ICI; the small increase is concentrated mainly in mean-particle-mass states. Band-removal and equal-dimensional tests show complementary roles for 380, 424, and 874 GHz and indicate that the thermodynamic gain is not solely due to observation count. The conceptual antenna architecture achieves simulated main-beam efficiencies above 95%, while forward-model error, receiver implementation, and footprint co-registration remain to be assessed. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a common complication after mechanical thrombectomy. This study aimed to determine the incidence of and factors associated with HT, evaluate factors associated with sICH, and assess prognostic factors associated with 90-day functional outcome after anterior-circulation thrombectomy. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 244 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent anterior circulation thrombectomy between June 2022 and May 2023. Clinical, laboratory, imaging, and treatment variables were compared according to HT, sICH, and 90-day functional outcome. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: HT and sICH occurred in 38.5% and 10.0% of patients, respectively. Cardioembolic etiology was independently associated with HT (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.31–4.36) and sICH (aOR 2.79, 95% CI 1.12–6.93). Successful reperfusion (TICI 2b–3) was independently associated with HT (aOR 2.51, 95% CI 1.09–5.77). Among patients with HT, younger age (aOR 0.86, 95% CI 0.78–0.95) and a lower 24-h National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (aOR 0.62, 95% CI 0.43–0.88) were independently associated with good functional outcome at 90 days. Conclusions: Cardioembolic etiology and successful recanalization were independently associated with HT, whereas cardioembolic etiology was independently associated with sICH. Among patients with HT, younger age and a lower 24-h neurological deficit were prognostic markers of better functional outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Electrolyte disturbances are common in patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) and may influence clinical outcomes. However, the prognostic significance of peri-procedural electrolyte changes in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy remains insufficiently investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of pre- and post-procedural serum electrolyte levels and peri-procedural electrolyte changes with 90-day mortality in patients with AIS treated with mechanical thrombectomy. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 274 adult patients with anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion who underwent mechanical thrombectomy between February 2017 and February 2026. Serum sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), and calcium (Ca) levels were recorded before thrombectomy and within the first hour after the procedure. Peri-procedural electrolyte changes (Δ) were calculated as post-procedural minus pre-procedural values. Clinical, imaging, laboratory, and procedural variables associated with 90-day mortality were evaluated using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results: Of the 274 patients, 67 (24.5%) died within 90 days. Post-procedural serum Na levels were significantly lower in the mortality group than in the survival group (p = 0.030). No significant associations were observed between 90-day mortality and pre-procedural electrolyte levels or peri-procedural electrolyte changes. In the multivariable analysis, higher admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores (p = 0.001), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (p < 0.001), higher admission glucose levels (p = 0.003), and higher triglyceride levels (p = 0.046) were independently associated with increased 90-day mortality, whereas successful reperfusion (TICI 2b–3) (p = 0.011) and higher post-procedural serum Na levels (OR = 0.851, 95% CI: 0.749–0.968; p = 0.014) were independently associated with reduced odds of 90-day mortality. The addition of post-procedural serum Na to the base model resulted in a modest increase in discrimination (AUC 0.800 to 0.812; ΔAUC = 0.012), which was not statistically significant (DeLong p = 0.454). Conclusions: Among the peri-procedural electrolyte parameters evaluated, only post-procedural serum Na was independently associated with 90-day mortality after mechanical thrombectomy. However, adding post-procedural serum Na to established clinical, procedural, and metabolic predictors did not significantly improve model discrimination. These findings suggest that post-procedural serum Na may represent an associated prognostic marker, while its incremental predictive utility beyond established predictors remains unproven. Full article

Background: Arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) is not common in pediatric patients; however, it causes significant morbidity and mortality. Reperfusion therapies, including intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (EVT) are established standards of care in selected adults with acute ischemic stroke; however, their safety and functional outcomes in the pediatric population remain poorly defined. Objective: To assess the safety and functional outcomes of reperfusion therapies in children with AIS. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across major databases including PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Studies reporting on pediatric patients aged 18 years or less treated with IVT, EVT, or both for acute AIS were included. The primary safety outcome was the risk of developing symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH). Primary functional outcomes were 90-day functional independence, measured via the Pediatric Modified Rankin Scale (Ped-mRS ≤ 2) or Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure (PSOM ≤ 1). Secondary outcomes measured included successful recanalization (Modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia [mTICI] grade 2b/3), and death due to any cause at 90 days. Results: Successful angiographic recanalization evaluated across thrombectomy and bridging arm cohorts revealed high success rate with the pooled proportion of 87.4% (95% CI: 79.1–93.9%). Reperfusion therapies are associated with significant early neurological recovery and favorable 90-day functional outcomes (Ped-mRS 0–2 achieved in a substantial majority of treated cohorts), when compared to the best medical treatment (BMT) controls. The overall rate of sICH remains low (<2%), demonstrating a much better safety profile comparable to adult benchmarks. Conclusions: Acute reperfusion therapies in pediatric AIS are associated with high rates of recanalization and favorable functional outcomes and had low observed rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in selected pediatric observational cohorts. However, given the absence of randomized controlled trials, these findings reflect observational associations and must be interpreted with appropriate clinical caution. Therefore, there is need for further prospective international studies capable of generating higher-quality evidence to guide future pediatric stroke management. Full article

Background: This study aimed to evaluate associations between baseline clinical status, radiological findings, prior medical history, procedural characteristics, and recanalization success with neurological outcome at discharge (NIHSS) and functional status at 90 days (mRS). Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 100 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with MT within 24 h of symptom onset. Clinical data, CT perfusion parameters, comorbidities, prior therapies, and detailed procedural characteristics (including anesthesia type, recanalization grade, blood pressure variability, hemorrhagic transformation, and procedure duration) were analyzed. Nonparametric tests (Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis) and Spearman’s rank correlation were applied. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Early ischemic signs on baseline imaging were associated with higher NIHSS scores at discharge and worse 90-day mRS (p < 0.05). Patients undergoing CT perfusion imaging had higher discharge NIHSS. Admission NIHSS showed a moderate positive correlation with discharge NIHSS (rho = 0.367, p = 0.003). Strong correlations were observed between NIHSS at 24 h and discharge NIHSS (rho = 0.802, p < 0.001), as well as between 24 h NIHSS and 90-day mRS (rho = 0.842, p < 0.001). Successful recanalization was significantly associated with long-term outcomes, with mTICI 3 associated with the lowest 90-day mRS scores (p = 0.003). Intraprocedural blood pressure variability, hemorrhagic transformation, infections, and in-hospital complications were all linked to higher 90-day mRS values. Prolonged procedure duration showed a weak but significant correlation with worse 90-day outcome (rho = 0.232, p = 0.020). In contrast, prior comorbidities and pre-stroke therapy were not significantly associated with outcomes. A multivariable binary logistic regression analysis identified only the NIHSS score at 24 h remained as an independent predictor of favorable functional outcome at 90 days. Conclusions: Baseline stroke severity, early neurological evolution, successful reperfusion, procedural hemodynamic stability, and prevention of in-hospital complications are strongly associated with both early neurological recovery and long-term functional outcome after mechanical thrombectomy. Full article

Background/Objectives: The type of anesthesia in patients with acute stroke is still controversial. This study aimed to investigate the effect of anesthesia management on clinical outcomes in patients with anterior circulation stroke undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. Methods: In this observational, retrospective study, patients with acute anterior circulation stroke who underwent mechanical thrombectomy between January 2021 and March 2025 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into groups according to the type of anesthesia administered. Functional independence was assessed at 90 days using the modified Rankin Scale. A TICI of 2b or higher was defined as successful reperfusion. In the conscious sedation (CS) and general anesthesia (GA) groups, patients were analyzed based on baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes using Propensity Score Matching. Results: In the propensity score-matched cohort, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of good functional outcome (mRS ≤ 2) (p = 0.82). When compared by successful reperfusion rate (TICI 2b or higher), it was significantly higher in the GA group (p = 0.01). Conclusions: In this study, the use of GA resulted in higher recanalization rates in patients with anterior circulation stroke undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. However, no differences were observed between the GA and CS groups in terms of functional outcomes, mortality, or peri-procedural/post-procedural complications. Full article

Purpose: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is the most prevalent stroke subtype. Given the brain–heart interaction, this study investigated the association between cardiac parameters on admission routine preoperative chest CT and recanalization following thrombectomy in AIS patients. Method: We retrospectively analyzed 215 AIS patients (August 2018–June 2022) who underwent admission of none contrast chest computed tomography (NCCT) and thrombectomy within 24 h. Successful recanalization was defined as modified Treatment in Cerebral Ischemia (mTICI) score 2b-3. Multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors. A nomogram was developed and validated using ROC, calibration, and decision curve analyses. Result: The cohort had a median age of 72 years; 63.7% were male. Hypertension (65.1%), atrial fibrillation (25.1%), and pleural effusion (56.3%) were prevalent. Successful recanalization occurred in 172 patients (80%). Independent predictors included mean arterial pressure (OR: 1.022, CI: 1.003–1.041, p = 0.025), left pulmonary artery diameter (OR: 0.838, CI: 0.733–0.958, p = 0.010), RV/A ratio (standardized) (OR:1.908, CI: 1.293–2.817, p = 0.001), septal angle (OR: 1.055, CI: 1.018–1.094, p = 0.004), and intraventricular septal angle (OR: 0.973, CI: 0.952–0.995, p = 0.015). The model achieved an AUC of 0.774 (p < 0.001) with strong calibration and net benefit. Conclusions: Cardiac parameters on routine preoperative chest CT correlate with recanalization following thrombectomy in AIS patients. The developed nomogram offers a reliable tool for clinical risk stratification. Full article

Background/Objectives: Carotid perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) density on computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a noninvasive surrogate marker of local vascular inflammation, but its relevance to stroke etiology in a homogeneous cohort of patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT) remains unclear. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 146 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with MT for acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion between May 2018 and August 2024. Baseline CTA was used to quantify carotid PVAT density with two 2–3 mm² circular regions of interest per internal carotid artery (ICA), placed ≥1 mm from the vessel wall. Measurements were performed bilaterally, and the ICA ipsilateral to the occluded MCA was defined as the stroke-side ICA. Etiology was classified according to the Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) system and grouped as large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA), cardioembolism (CE), and other/undetermined (OD/UD). Interobserver agreement was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Results: The mean age was 72.21 ± 12.39 years; 83.6% of patients achieved successful recanalization (mTICI ≥ 2b), and 47.9% had a favorable 90-day outcome (mRS ≤ 2). In the LAA subgroup (n = 38), ipsilateral PVAT density was significantly higher (less negative) than contralateral PVAT density (−64.24 ± 11.74 vs. −78.22 ± 9.13 HU; p < 0.001). Ipsilateral PVAT density differed significantly across TOAST groups (ANOVA p = 0.004), being higher in LAA than in CE (Δ = 11.19 HU; p = 0.003) and OD/UD (Δ = 9.54 HU; p = 0.004). ROC analysis showed modest discrimination for LAA versus non-LAA stroke (AUC 0.67, 95% CI 0.58–0.75), with an optimal cutoff of −79 HU (sensitivity 92.1%, specificity 40.7%). In multivariable logistic regression, higher ipsilateral PVAT density was independently associated with LAA etiology (per 1-HU increase: OR 1.048, 95% CI 1.018–1.079; p = 0.0016). PVAT density was not associated with recanalization success or 90-day functional outcome. Conclusions: In patients with acute MCA occlusion undergoing MT, higher carotid PVAT density on the stroke side was independently associated with LAA stroke etiology but had limited value for predicting MT success or short-term clinical outcome. Full article

Background: Deep medullary vein (DMV) drainage has been suggested as a new biomarker for predicting clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We evaluated this hypothesis in patients who received endovascular treatment (EVT) within 24 h of symptom onset. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of consecutive AIS patients at a single institution treated with EVT achieving successful recanalization (final mTICI score ≥2b). DMV drainage was graded on a three-point scale (0-1-2) during the second peak venous phase of mCTA by assessing contrast filling, with grade 2 indicating a favorable DMV profile. Our primary outcomes were functional independence, defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0–2 at 90 days, and ordinal mRS shift at 90 days. Secondary outcomes were excellent clinical status (mRS 0–1 at 90 days), hemorrhagic transformation, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. We investigated independent associations using multivariable logistic and ordinal regression analyses as appropriate, adjusting for age, sex, baseline mRS, NIHSS at onset, occlusion site, intravenous thrombolysis, onset-to-CT time, and ASPECTS. Results: We included 506 patients; the mean age was 76 years. A favorable DMV profile was present in 394 (78%) patients. We found that DMV doubled the odds of achieving functional independence (OR = 2.22; 95% CI = 1.28–3.85) and was associated with a shift towards better functional outcomes in ordinal regression analysis (cOR = 1.93; 95% CI = 1.24–3.02), whereas we did not find any association between a favorable DMV profile and secondary outcomes. Conclusions: In AIS patients successfully recanalized with EVT, a favorable DMV profile was associated with better functional outcomes. Further investigations may clarify the clinical use and predictive ability of this novel radiological marker. Full article

Background and Aims: Patients with malignancy are frequently excluded from randomized thrombectomy trials, and evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in this population remains incompletely defined. We aimed to compare procedural success, functional outcomes, and mortality between acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with and without malignancy undergoing MT. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 110 patients treated with MT. Patients were stratified into two groups: those with malignancy (n = 48) and those without malignancy (n = 62). Baseline demographics, vascular risk factors, procedural metrics, angiographic outcomes, and clinical outcomes including functional independence (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0–2), 90-day mortality and intracranial hemorrhage were compared. Results: Baseline demographics and admission stroke severity were similar between groups. Smoking was significantly more frequent in the malignancy group (25% vs. 11.3%, p < 0.001). Successful reperfusion (TICI 2b-3) was achieved in 95.8% of malignancy patients and 98.4% of controls (p = 0.51). Functional independence at 90 days was lower in the malignancy group (42.6% vs. 61.3%, p = 0.04), whereas 90-day mortality was significantly higher (44.7% vs. 19.4%, p = 0.004); this increase in mortality remained significant after multivariate analysis. There were no significant differences in rates of intracranial hemorrhage between groups (p = 0.53). Conclusions: Mechanical thrombectomy is technically effective and safe in patients with malignancy; however, long-term functional recovery and survival are significantly worse, likely reflecting the effect of cancer itself rather than procedural factors. Careful patient selection and multidisciplinary decision-making are essential in this population. Full article

Background and Purpose: Complete angiographic reperfusion (TICI 3) is considered the optimal procedural endpoint of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke. However, new diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) lesions are frequently observed despite apparent angiographic success. We aimed to investigate the incidence, morphological patterns, and clinical relevance of these lesions in a strictly defined TICI 3 cohort. Methods: In this retrospective single-center study, 89 patients with anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion (LVO) who achieved true TICI 3 were analyzed. Baseline and follow-up Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) within 48 h were systematically compared using paired diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps to identify new lesions. Lesions were classified according to morphology and distribution. Stroke etiology was assessed using TOAST criteria. Functional outcomes were evaluated using the 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) with the Rankin Focused Assessment. Results: New DWI lesions were detected in 28 of 89 patients (31.5%). The predominant pattern was millimetric cortical foci (85.7%), most frequently ipsilateral to the recanalized vessel (78.6%), with fewer contralateral (14.3%) and bilateral (7.1%) lesions. Territorial infarcts and isolated basal ganglia infarcts were each identified in 14.3% of patients, with some overlap between categories. No significant differences were observed between patients with and without new lesions regarding baseline characteristics or procedural metrics (all p > 0.05). Importantly, the presence of new DWI lesions was not associated with 90-day functional outcome (p = 0.930) or survival (p = 0.613). Conclusions: New DWI lesions are common even after complete angiographic reperfusion, highlighting a persistent dissociation between macrovascular success and tissue-level integrity. Although predominantly small and clinically silent in the short term, these findings underscore the limitations of angiographic endpoints alone and support the need for strategies targeting microvascular protection and prevention of distal embolization. Full article

Background/Objectives: There is no consensus on standardized treatment algorithms for patients with acute ischemic stroke due to anterior circulation tandem occlusions. This study evaluated the outcomes of mechanical thrombectomy and carotid artery stenting in such patients, with a particular focus on a standardized, adaptive, and escalating antithrombotic strategy. Methods: This single-center retrospective study included patients with atherosclerotic tandem occlusion treated between January 2019 and July 2023 at our comprehensive stroke center. All patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy and carotid artery stenting and received a standardized antithrombotic regimen, including the administration of the GPIIb/IIIa antagonist eptifibatide as rescue therapy. Results: Sixty-seven patients were included in the analysis. Thirty-five patients (52.2%) received eptifibatide due to acute stent thrombosis. Subtotal to total revascularization (mTICI 2b-3) was achieved in 98.5% of patients. The carotid artery reocclusion rate was 3.4% at discharge. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred more frequently in patients treated with eptifibatide (9.0% vs. 0%, p = 0.021) but was not associated with mortality or favorable outcome (mRS 0–2) at 90 days. In univariable regression analysis, eptifibatide administration was not significantly associated with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR 1.9, 95% CI 0.3–11.4; p = 0.465). Older age was associated with mortality. Conclusions: Our adaptive antithrombotic protocol demonstrated high revascularization and low carotid reocclusion rates. Rescue use of eptifibatide was not significantly associated with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage; however, a clinically relevant risk cannot be excluded. These findings highlight the importance of tailored antithrombotic strategies in acute ischemic stroke to maintain stent patency while minimizing hemorrhagic complications. Full article

Objective: The number of operators performing mechanical thrombectomy (MT) may influence procedural outcomes; however, evidence remains limited and conflicting. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the impact of single versus dual operators on procedure time, radiation dose, and angiographic success in patients undergoing MT for acute ischemic stroke. Methods: In this single-center, retrospective cohort study, 285 consecutive patients who underwent MT for large-vessel occlusion between January 2020 and December 2024 were included. Patients were grouped according to institutional workflow: single-operator procedures (n = 157) and dual-operator procedures (n = 128). The primary endpoints were procedure time and radiation dose parameters, including total Kerma-Area Product (PKA). Secondary endpoints included successful reperfusion (TICI ≥ 2b), complete reperfusion (TICI 3), and first-pass success (FPS, defined as TICI 2c/3 with a single pass). Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. The dual-operator group had significantly shorter median procedure times (52.5 vs. 85.0 min, p < 0.001) and lower total PKA (p < 0.001). Reperfusion rates were significantly higher in the dual-operator group, both for successful reperfusion (TICI ≥ 2b: 80.5% vs. 64.3%, p = 0.004) and complete reperfusion (TICI 3: 76.6% vs. 58.5%, p = 0.002). First-pass success was also more frequent (60.0% vs. 44.5%, p = 0.0146), and the mean number of passes was lower (1.66 vs. 2.00, p = 0.0057). Conclusions: Mechanical thrombectomy performed with two experienced operators was associated with greater procedural efficiency, reduced patient radiation exposure, and higher angiographic success compared with single-operator procedures. These findings support considering the dual-operator model as an approach that may inform workforce planning and workflow decisions in stroke centers. Full article