Endovascular versus Non-Interventional Therapy for Cervicocranial Artery Dissection in East Asian and Non-East Asian Patients: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Endovascular methods have been increasingly applied in treating cervicocranial artery dissection (CCAD). Anti-thrombotic therapy, which is used in non-interventional care of CCAD patients, has differential effects in East Asian patients. Therefore, we aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of endovascular versus non-interventional therapy for CCAD in East Asians and non-East Asians. A search was performed for studies comparing endovascular and non-interventional approaches to CCAD patients. Rates of recovery, disability, and mortality were used to assess these approaches in East Asian and non-East Asian patients. Subgroup analyses were conducted for CCAD patients with ruptured dissections. Eleven East Asian studies and five non-East Asian studies were included. The subgroup analyses for CCAD patients with ruptured dissections on mortality (East Asian odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval [CI]]: 0.24 [0.08-0.71], P = 0.01; I2 = 34%) and good recovery (East Asian OR [95% CI]: 3.79 [1.14-12.60], P = 0.03; I2 = 54%) revealed that endovascular therapy is significantly superior to non-interventional therapy for East Asians. No differences in treatment effect upon mortality, disability, or good recovery outcomes were found for the CCAD populations-at-large nor for non-East Asian CCAD patients with ruptured dissections. Endovascular therapy appears to be superior to non-interventional therapy for East Asian CCAD patients with ruptured dissections.

Spontaneous carotid dissection

“…Lower levels of evidence report that endovascular treatments, such as angioplasty with stenting or thrombolysis, may be superior to conservative treatment in selected populations. [13][14][15][16] The case presented is in line with the best scientific evidence available at the time. The patient underwent conservative treatment with antiplatelet agents and did not present recurrence of stroke or death within one year of follow-up.…”