The effect of occlusion location and technique in mechanical thrombectomy for minor stroke

Abstract

Introduction Endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is an established treatment for large vessel occlusion strokes with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 6 or higher. Data pertaining to minor strokes, medium, or distal vessel occlusions, and most effective MT technique is limited and controversial. Methods A multicenter retrospective study of all patients treated with MT presenting with NIHSS score of 5 or less at 29 comprehensive stroke centers. The cohort was dichotomized based on location of occlusion (proximal vs. distal) and divided based on MT technique (direct aspiration first-pass technique [ADAPT], stent retriever [SR], and primary combined [PC]). Outcomes at discharge and 90 days were compared between proximal and distal occlusion groups, and across MT techniques. Results The cohort included 759 patients, 34% presented with distal occlusion. Distal occlusions were more likely to present with atrial fibrillation (p = 0.008) and receive IV tPA (p = 0.001). Clinical outcomes at discharge and 90 days were comparable between proximal and distal groups. Compared to SR, patients managed with ADAPT were more likely to have a modified Rankin Scale of 0–2 at discharge and at 90 days (p = 0.024 and p = 0.013). Primary combined compared to ADAPT, prior stroke, multiple passes, older age, and longer procedure time were independently associated with worse clinical outcome, while successful recanalization was positively associated with good clinical outcomes. Conclusions Proximal and distal occlusions with low NIHSS have comparable outcomes and safety profiles. While all MT techniques have a similar safety profile, ADAPT was associated with better clinical outcomes at discharge and 90 days.

Efficacy and safety of combined stent retriever and contact aspiration vs. stent retriever alone on revascularization in patients with acute ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…A total of 7,320 patients from 16 (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27) studies (1 randomised controlled trial and 15 observational studies) were enrolled in this study, including 3,406 with combined stent retriever and contact aspiration and 3,914 with stenting alone. The characteristics of the demographics regarding the type of literature included in the study are shown in Table 1.…”

“…In terms of 90-day good functional prognosis, a total of 10 papers were included (12,13,15,17,(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)25) with high heterogeneity (I 2 = 69%, p = 0.0007). Use of random effects models.…”

“…Regarding mortality within 90 days, a total of 10 articles were included (12,13,15,(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25) with low heterogeneity (I 2 = 28%, p = 0.18). The mortality rate within 90 days was 20.8% (472/2,271) in group S + A 17.6% (462/2,620) in group S. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant [OR = 1.11, 95% CI (0.94, 1.31), p = 0.22], as shown in Figure 9.…”