Browsing by Author "Kupčs, Kārlis"

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    Acute Ischemic Stroke Endovascular Treatment of Patients with Large Vessel Occlusions
    (2015-01-01) Balodis, Arturs; Radzina, Maija; Miglāne, Evija; Valante, Ramona; Millers, Andrejs; Kupčs, Kārlis; Rīga Stradiņš University; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery
    Mechanical thrombectomy as an active treatment method has recently been chosen for patients with large artery occlusions and thrombolysis beyond a time window. The aim of our study was to evaluate the results of endovascular treatment in patients with proximal vessel occlusion, compare this group with the intravenous thrombolysis group, and to identify possible criteria of active treatment. The prospective study included 81 patients hospitalised in the Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital due to acute ischemic stroke; 48 of them received mechanical thrombectomy and 33-intravenous thrombolysis. Thrombectomy (TE) was performed using Solitaire FR stent retrievers. The NIHSS score was used for evaluation of early therapy results and mRS (modified Rankin Scale) was used for late therapy results. ASPECTS was used to define the lesion size using imaging on admission and after treatment. Median NIHSS on admission was higher in the TE group-16 (range 12 to 19) than in the TL group-12 (range 8 to 15) (p < 0.05). Ninety days after treatment, mRS (0-2) was seen in 67% of patients in the TE group (n = 29), and 34% of patients in the TL group (n = 9) patients (p < 0.05). Median ASPECTS was lower in TE group-5, in comparison to the TL group-7 (p < 0.01) Mortality frequency was higher in the TL group (p > 0.05). Frequency of symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhages was similar in the groups. Mechanical thrombectomy can achieve better late functional outcome than thrombolysis in a selected patients group.
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    Cerebrāla infarkta agrīnas attēldiagnostikas un reperfūzijas taktikas saistība ar radioloģisko un klīnisko iznākumu. Promocijas darba kopsavilkums
    (Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte, 2020) Balodis, Arturs; Kupčs, Kārlis; Miglāne, Evija
    Promocijas darbā ”Cerebrāla infarkta agrīnas attēldiagnostikas un reperfūzijas taktikas saistība ar radioloģisko un klīnisko iznākumu” ir aplūkota viena no aktuālākajām mūsdienu problēmām – cerebrāla infarkta diagnostika un aktīva ārstēšana. Cerebrāls infarkts ir viens no galvenajiem mirstības un ilgstošas invaliditātes cēloņiem pasaulē ar lielu sociālu ietekmi. Darba mērķis bija izvērtēt akūta išēmiska insulta multimodālas datortomogrāfijas (CT) diagnostikas un aktīvas ārstēšanas taktikas saistību ar radioloģisko un klīnisko iznākumu. Pētījumā tika iekļauti 288 pacienti ar akūtu išēmisku insultu pacientiem ar lielo cerebrālo asinsvadu oklūziju. Promocijas darbā analizētas līdz šim nepietiekami izpētītas problēmas akūta cerebrāla infarkta aktīvā ārstēšanā pacientiem ar lielo cerebrālo artēriju slēgumu: izolētas endovaskulāras trombektomijas pielietojums, salīdzinot ar kombinētu terapiju (intravenoza trombolīze ar sekojošu endovaskulāru trombektomiju) un trombolīzi vienu pašu, kā arī analizēta rekanalizācijas efektivitāte mugurējā cirkulācijas teritorijā. Darbā novērtētas ārstēšanas komplikācijas, kā arī trombektomijas procedūras parametri, piemēram, mēģinājumu skaits līdz rekanalizācijai un procedūras ilgums. Endovaskulāras ārstēšanas rezultātā var sasniegt augstu rekanalizācijas pakāpi, kas ne vienmēr korelē ar labu klīnisko iznākumu, tāpēc vitāli svarīga ir pacientu atlase, ko iespējams uzlabot, izmantojot mūsdienīgu radioloģisku izmeklēšanu, radioloģisko attēlu izvērtēšanu un pēcapstrādi. Darbā veikts tādu radioloģisku kritēriju novērtējums ārstēšanas taktikas izvēlē un potenciālā iznākuma prognozēšanā kā kolaterāles, insulta apjoms pēc ASPECTS skalas, oklūzijas vieta u. c. Pētījumā tika konstatēti statistiski nozīmīgi labāki rezultāti pacientiem, kuriem veikta endovaskulāra ārstēšana, salīdzinot ar pacientiem, kuriem pielietoja izolētu intravenozu trombolīzi pie lielo cerebrālo artēriju oklūzijas. Rezultāti parādīja, ka kombinētās terapijas (intravenoza trombolīze ar sekojošu endovaskulāru trombektomiju) klīniskais iznākums ir līdzīgs kā izolētas endovaskulāras trombektomijas gadījumā, turklāt bez nozīmīga komplikāciju skaita pieauguma. Endovaskulāras trombektomijas rezultātā pacientiem ar lielo cerebrālo artēriju oklūziju vairumā gadījumu tika sasniegta augsta rekanalizācijas pakāpe, turklāt komplikāciju risks izrādījās zems. Agrīna multimodāla CT izmeklēšana ir vitāli svarīga pacientu atlasē aktīvai ārstēšanai, lai sasniegtu labu vēlīno klīnisko iznākumu. Radioloģiskie parametri – labas kolaterāles un sākotnēji definētā infarkta apjoma lielums CT perfūzijā ASPECTS skalā ≥ 6 statistiski nozīmīgi korelēja ar labāku klīnisko un funkcionālo iznākumu, kas atkarīgs no daudziem faktoriem, jo īpaši no veiksmīgas rekanalizācijas un reperfūziju. Pētījuma ietvaros izstrādātas rekomendācijas un rīcības algoritms akūta cerebrāla infarkta aktīvai terapijai un pacientu atlasei ar pierādītu lielo cerebrālo artēriju oklūziju.
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    Cerebrāla infarkta agrīnas attēldiagnostikas un reperfūzijas taktikas saistība ar radioloģisko un klīnisko iznākumu. Promocijas darbs
    (Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte, 2020) Balodis, Arturs; Kupčs, Kārlis; Miglāne, Evija
    Promocijas darbā ”Cerebrāla infarkta agrīnas attēldiagnostikas un reperfūzijas taktikas saistība ar radioloģisko un klīnisko iznākumu” ir aplūkota viena no aktuālākajām mūsdienu problēmām – cerebrāla infarkta diagnostika un aktīva ārstēšana. Cerebrāls infarkts ir viens no galvenajiem mirstības un ilgstošas invaliditātes cēloņiem pasaulē ar lielu sociālu ietekmi. Darba mērķis bija izvērtēt akūta išēmiska insulta multimodālas datortomogrāfijas (CT) diagnostikas un aktīvas ārstēšanas taktikas saistību ar radioloģisko un klīnisko iznākumu. Pētījumā tika iekļauti 288 pacienti ar akūtu išēmisku insultu pacientiem ar lielo cerebrālo asinsvadu oklūziju. Promocijas darbā analizētas līdz šim nepietiekami izpētītas problēmas akūta cerebrāla infarkta aktīvā ārstēšanā pacientiem ar lielo cerebrālo artēriju slēgumu: izolētas endovaskulāras trombektomijas pielietojums, salīdzinot ar kombinētu terapiju (intravenoza trombolīze ar sekojošu endovaskulāru trombektomiju) un trombolīzi vienu pašu, kā arī analizēta rekanalizācijas efektivitāte mugurējā cirkulācijas teritorijā. Darbā novērtētas ārstēšanas komplikācijas, kā arī trombektomijas procedūras parametri, piemēram, mēģinājumu skaits līdz rekanalizācijai un procedūras ilgums. Endovaskulāras ārstēšanas rezultātā var sasniegt augstu rekanalizācijas pakāpi, kas ne vienmēr korelē ar labu klīnisko iznākumu, tāpēc vitāli svarīga ir pacientu atlase, ko iespējams uzlabot, izmantojot mūsdienīgu radioloģisku izmeklēšanu, radioloģisko attēlu izvērtēšanu un pēcapstrādi. Darbā veikts tādu radioloģisku kritēriju novērtējums ārstēšanas taktikas izvēlē un potenciālā iznākuma prognozēšanā kā kolaterāles, insulta apjoms pēc ASPECTS skalas, oklūzijas vieta u. c. Pētījumā tika konstatēti statistiski nozīmīgi labāki rezultāti pacientiem, kuriem veikta endovaskulāra ārstēšana, salīdzinot ar pacientiem, kuriem pielietoja izolētu intravenozu trombolīzi pie lielo cerebrālo artēriju oklūzijas. Rezultāti parādīja, ka kombinētās terapijas (intravenoza trombolīze ar sekojošu endovaskulāru trombektomiju) klīniskais iznākums ir līdzīgs kā izolētas endovaskulāras trombektomijas gadījumā, turklāt bez nozīmīga komplikāciju skaita pieauguma. Endovaskulāras trombektomijas rezultātā pacientiem ar lielo cerebrālo artēriju oklūziju vairumā gadījumu tika sasniegta augsta rekanalizācijas pakāpe, turklāt komplikāciju risks izrādījās zems. Agrīna multimodāla CT izmeklēšana ir vitāli svarīga pacientu atlasē aktīvai ārstēšanai, lai sasniegtu labu vēlīno klīnisko iznākumu. Radioloģiskie parametri – labas kolaterāles un sākotnēji definētā infarkta apjoma lielums CT perfūzijā ASPECTS skalā ≥ 6 statistiski nozīmīgi korelēja ar labāku klīnisko un funkcionālo iznākumu, kas atkarīgs no daudziem faktoriem, jo īpaši no veiksmīgas rekanalizācijas un reperfūziju. Pētījuma ietvaros izstrādātas rekomendācijas un rīcības algoritms akūta cerebrāla infarkta aktīvai terapijai un pacientu atlasei ar pierādītu lielo cerebrālo artēriju oklūziju.
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    Endovascular thrombectomy in anterior circulation stroke and clinical value of bridging with intravenous thrombolysis
    (2019) Balodis, Arturs; Radziņa, Maija; Miglāne, Evija; Rudd, Anthony; Millers, Andrejs; Savlovskis, Janis; Kupčs, Kārlis; Department of Radiology
    Background Bridging treatment with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) before endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in acute ischemic stroke is applied under the assumption of benefits for patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO). However, the benefit of this additional step has not yet been proven. Purpose To compare procedural parameters (procedural time, number of attempts), complications, and clinical outcome in patients receiving EVT vs. patients with bridging treatment. Material and Methods In this prospective study all patients had acute anterior cerebral circulation occlusion and were treated with EVT. All patients were selected for treatment based on clinical criteria, multimodal computed tomography (CT) imaging. Eighty-four patients were treated with bridging IVT followed by EVT; 62 patients were treated with EVT only. Results Bridging therapy did not influence endovascular procedure time (P = 0.71) or number of attempts needed (P = 0.63). Bleeding from any site was more common in the bridging group (27, 32%) vs. the EVT group (12, 19%) (P = 0.09). Functional independence modified Rankin Scale after 90 days was slightly higher in the bridging group (44%) vs. the EVT group (42%) (P = 0.14). Mortality did not differ significantly at 90 days: 17% in the bridging group vs. 21% in EVT alone (P = 0.57). Both treatment methods showed high recanalization rates: 94% in the bridging group and 89% for EVT alone. Conclusion Bridging treatment in LVO did not show benefits or elevated risks of complications in comparison to EVT only. The bridging group did not show significantly better neurological outcome or significant impact on procedural parameters vs. EVT alone
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    A Forgotten Rare Cause of Unilateral Basal Ganglia Calcinosis Due to Venous Angioma and Complicating Acute Stroke Management : A Case Report
    (2025-02) Balodis, Arturs; Strautmane, Sintija; Zariņš, Oskars; Vērzemnieks, Kalvis; Vētra, Jānis; Pavlovičs, Sergejs; Naudiņš, Edgars; Kupčs, Kārlis; Department of Radiology; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery
    Background: Unilateral basal ganglia calcinosis (BGC) is a rare radiological finding that can be diagnosed on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) but often presents challenges for clinicians and radiologists in determining its underlying cause. So far, only a few potential causes that could explain unilateral BGC have been described in the literature. Case Report: A 54-year-old Caucasian male was admitted to a tertiary university hospital due to the sudden onset of speech impairment and right-sided weakness. The patient had no significant medical history prior to this event. Non-enhanced computed tomography (NECT) of the brain revealed no evidence of acute ischemia; CT angiography (CTA) showed acute left middle cerebral artery (MCA) M2 segment occlusion. CT perfusion (CTP) maps revealed an extensive penumbra-like lesion, which is potentially reversible upon achieving successful recanalization. However, a primary neoplastic tumor with calcifications in the basal ganglia was initially interpreted as the potential cause; therefore, acute stroke treatment with intravenous thrombolysis was contraindicated. A follow-up CT examination at 24 h revealed an ischemic lesion localized to the left insula, predominantly involving the left parietal lobe and the superior gyrus of the left temporal lobe. Subsequent gadolinium-enhanced brain MRI revealed small blood vessels draining into the subependymal periventricular veins on the left basal ganglia. Digital subtraction angiography was conducted, confirming the diagnosis of venous angioma. Conclusions: Unilateral BGC caused by venous angioma is a rare entity with unclear pathophysiological mechanisms and heterogeneous clinical presentation. It may mimic conditions such as intracerebral hemorrhage or hemorrhagic brain tumors, complicating acute stroke management, as demonstrated in this case. Surrounding tissue calcification may provide a valuable radiological clue in diagnosing venous angiomas DVAs and vascular malformations.
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    Long-term treatment with the oncolytic ECHO-7 virus Rigvir of a melanoma stage IV M1c patient, a small cell lung cancer stage IIIA patient, and a histiocytic sarcoma stage IV patient-three case reports
    (2016-10-01) Alberts, Pēteris; Olmane, Evija; Brokāne, Linda; Krastiņa, Zanda; Romanovska, Māra; Kupčs, Kārlis; Isajevs, Sergejs; Proboka, Guna; Erdmanis, Romualds; Nazarovs, Jurijs; Venskus, Dite; Department of Radiology
    Oncolytic virotherapy is a recent addition to cancer treatment. Here, we describe positive treatment outcomes in three patients using Rigvir virotherapy. One of the patients is diagnosed with melanoma stage IV M1c, one with small cell lung cancer stage IIIA, and one with histiocytic sarcoma stage IV. The diagnoses of all patients are verified by histology or cytology. All patients started Rigvir treatment within a few months after being diagnosed and are currently continuing Rigvir treatment. The degree of regression of the disease has been determined by computed tomography. Safety assessment of adverse events graded according to NCI CTCAE did not show any value above grade 1 during Rigvir® treatment. Using current standard treatments, the survival of patients with the present diagnoses is low. In contrast, the patients described here were diagnosed 3.5, 7.0, and 6.6 years ago, and their condition has improved and been stabile for over 1.5, 6.5, and 4 years, respectively. These observations suggest that virotherapy using Rigvir can successfully be used in long-term treatment of patients with melanoma stage IV M1c, small cell lung cancer stage IIIA, and histiocytic sarcoma stage IV and therefore could be included in prospective clinical studies.
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    Planning of stroke care and urgent prehospital care across Europe : Results of the ESO/ESMINT/EAN/SAFE Survey
    (2019-12-01) on Behalf of The ESO/ESMINT/EAN/SAFE Survey on Stroke Care Collaborators†; Miglāne, Evija; Kupčs, Kārlis; Ķikule, Ilga
    Introduction: Adequate planning and implementation of stroke systems of care is key to guarantee a rapid healthcare response and delivery of specific reperfusion therapies among candidates. We assessed the availability of stroke care plans in Europe, and evaluated their impact on rates of reperfusion therapies for stroke. Patients: Based on the European Stroke Organisation (ESO), the European Society of Minimally Invasive Neurological Therapy (ESMINT), the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), and the Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE) survey, we analysed specific prespecified items in the questionnaire regarding availability and adequacy of stroke care plans, organised prehospital care and their potential impact on rates of delivery of reperfusion therapies for stroke at the country level. Results: Of 44 participating European countries, 37 have stroke care plans that operate at national and/or regional levels. Most stroke care plans take responsibility for the organisation/implementation of stroke systems of care (86%), quality of care assessment (77%), and act as a liaison between emergency medical systems and stroke physicians (79%). As for stroke systems of care, the focus is mainly on prehospital and in-hospital acute stroke care (Code Stroke systems available in 37/44 countries). Preferred urgent transport is via non-medicalised ambulances (70%). Presence of stroke care plans, stroke registry data, transport of urgent stroke patients via non-medicalised ambulances, and drip-and-ship routing of acute patients showed higher reperfusion treatment rates. Discussion: Availability of stroke care plans, still absent in some European countries, as well as some features of the stroke systems of care are associated with higher reperfusion treatment rates. Conclusion: Stroke is not yet a priority everywhere in Europe, which is a barrier to the spread of reperfusion therapies for stroke.
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    A Rare Case of Cervical Spinal Arteriovenous Malformation : A Case Report
    (2024-06) Ošiņa, Jolanta; Jurjāns, Kristaps; Kupčs, Kārlis; Rzajeva, Tatjana; Miglāne, Evija; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery
    Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an abnormal connection of vasculature resulting in capillary bed bypassing and leading to neurological deterioration and high risk of bleeding. Intramedullary AVMs in the cervical spinal cord are rare and require precise diagnostics and treatment. We present a clinical case of recurrent AVMs in a 28-year-old Caucasian female with sudden and severe neck pain and variable neurological symptoms along with current diagnostic and treatment modalities. Conservative treatment was partially effective. MRI and DSA confirmed AVMs at C4 level with subsequent several endovascular treatment sessions at the age of 15 and 24 with mild neurological improvement. Afterwards the patient underwent rehabilitation with minor neurological improvement. This case highlights the clinical progression and treatment of AVMs along with showcasing current pathophysiology, classification, and imaging.
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    The Stream Device-A Retrospective Review of 51 Cases
    (2023-10-06) Kupčs, Kārlis; Sproģe, Patrīcija; Kupca, Katrina; Pervinder, Bhogal; Department of Radiology
    Mechanical thrombectomy is the gold-standard treatment for patients that have suffered large-vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke. Various different stent-retrievers, aspiration catheters, and techniques have been developed to perform this procedure. We present our initial results regarding the Stream device. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database at our high-volume centre to identify all patients treated with the Stream device between February 2021 and January 2023. We recorded baseline demographics, NIHSS, ASPECT scores, eTICI scores, complications, and 90-day mRS. Results: We identified 51 patients, 49.0% of whom were male (n = 25), with a median age of 73 (range: 51–89) and a median NIHSS score of 17 (range 4–22), and 68.6% received IV tPA. The median ASPECT score was 10 (range 6–10). Hyperdense clots were seen in 34 cases (66.7%), with a mean clot length of 12 ± 6.2 mm (range 2–26 mm). Clots were located in the anterior circulation in 49 patients. The standard Stream device was used in 78.4% of cases, with Stream 17 being used in 19.6% of cases. The FPE was observed in 25.5% of cases (n = 13), with the mFPE being seen in 31.4% of cases (n = 16). A final eTICI score of ≥2b was achieved in 90.2% of cases (n = 46), and eTICI 2c/3 was seen in 84.3% of cases (n = 43). Furthermore, 24 h CT scans showed that the median ASPECT score was 8 (range 0–10). Good functional outcomes at 90 days (mRS ≤ 2) were achieved in 21.6% of cases (n = 11). Conclusions: The Stream device shows acceptable rates of FPE and mFPE compared to existing devices. Further larger studies are required alongside an understanding of the optimal technique for this device’s use.
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    The Impact of Early Imaging and Reperfusion Therapy Tactics on Radiological and Clinical Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke. Summary of the Doctoral Thesis
    (Rīga Stradiņš University, 2020) Balodis, Arturs; Kupčs, Kārlis; Miglāne, Evija
    The Thesis “The impact of early imaging and reperfusion therapy tactics on radiological and clinical outcome in acute ischemic stroke” addresses one of the most topical current problems – diagnostics and active treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Acute ischemic stroke is one of the major causes of mortality and long-term disability in the world, having a significant social impact. The aim of the Thesis was to evaluate the relationship between multimodal computed tomography (CT) diagnostic and active treatment tactics for acute ischemic stroke with radiological and clinical outcome. The study included 288 patients with acute ischemic stroke with major cerebral vascular occlusion. The Thesis deals with less researched problems to date of active treatment of acute ischemic stroke in patients with large cerebral artery occlusion: use of isolated endovascular thrombectomy compared to the bridging therapy (intravenous thrombolysis with subsequent endovascular thrombectomy) and thrombolysis alone, also recanalization efficiency in the posterior circulation area. The Thesis provides evaluation of treatment complications and thrombectomy procedure parameters, for instance, number of attempts before recanalization and the duration of the procedure. As a result of endovascular treatment, it is possible to reach a high degree of recanalization, which may not correlate with satisfactory clinical outcome; therefore, patient selection is vitally important, which can be improved using modern radiological examination, radiological evaluation. The Thesis evaluates such radiological criteria upon the choice of the treatment tactics and prognostication of the outcome as collaterals, stroke volume on ASPECTS scale, occlusion site, etc. The study revealed statistically significantly better results in patients with endovascular treatment compared to patients undergoing isolated intravenous thrombolysis with occlusion of the large cerebral arteries. The results indicated that the clinical outcome of the bridging therapy (intravenous thrombolysis with subsequent endovascular thrombectomy) is similar to that of isolated endovascular thrombectomy, moreover without a significant increase in the number of complications. As a result of endovascular thrombectomy, patients with large cerebral artery occlusion in most cases reached a higher recanalization rate; furthermore, the risk of complications turned out to be low. Early multimodal CT diagnostics is vitally important is patient selection for active treatment to obtain good late clinical outcome. Radiological parameters such as good collaterals and pre-defined infarct volume in CT perfusion on the ASPECTS scale ≥ 6 statistically significantly correlated with a better clinical and functional outcome, which has been affected by various factors, especially with successful recanalization and reperfusion. The study includes recommendations in active treatment of acute ischemic stroke and screening of patients with known large cerebral artery occlusion and definition of the action algorithm.