Acute Ischemic Stroke Treatment Using Mechanical Thrombectomy: A Study of 137 Patients

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is the most effective treatment in large vessel occlusion (LVO). We have analyzed our initial experience of MT of 137 patients in anterior circulation (AC) and posterior circulation (PC) LVO using Solitaire stent retriever device.

Retrospective cohort analysis of 112 AC and 25 PC acute ischemic strokes was done considering various baseline characteristics, risk factors, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) change, revascularization rate, complications, and functional outcome at 3 months using modified Rankin score.

Out of 137 patients, occlusion was found in M1 segment (44.5%), carotid T occlusion (37.2%), and basilar artery (18.2%). Atrial fibrillation was important risk factor for Carotid T occlusion. 50.4% patients received intravenous thrombolysis. Baseline mean NIHSS in AC was 15.5 (±4.32), and PC was 19 (±5.5). Tandem lesions were noted in 14.6%. There was significant difference in mean door-to-needle time for AC and PC (220 ± 80.6 and 326 ± 191.8 min, respectively). Mean time to revascularization for AC (39.5 ± 14.1) and PC (42.2 ± 19.4) was similar. Procedural success (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction ≥2b) observed in AC and PC was 92.9% and 84%, respectively (P = 0.154). NIHSS at admission between 5 and 15 and immediate postprocedure NIHSS improvement >4 was associated with significant better clinical outcome at 3 months. Overall complication rate was about 15.3% including symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in 8.1% and 6.6% deaths.

MT is safe treatment and equally effective for both AC and PC LVO. With careful patient selection, clinical outcome in PC was comparable to AC despite delayed presentation and higher baseline NIHSS.