Remote ischemic conditioning for acute stroke patients treated with thrombectomy.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Interventional Radiology

Background:

• Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) is a safe and feasible intervention for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis.
• The safety and feasibility of RIC in AIS patients undergoing endovascular treatment (ET) require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the safety and feasibility of performing RIC in patients with AIS undergoing ET.
• To evaluate RIC-related adverse events and its impact on clinical management.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 20 AIS patients with large-vessel occlusion scheduled for ET within 6 hours of ictus.
• RIC was administered in four cycles: before recanalization, immediately after, and daily for 7 days post-treatment.
• Primary outcome was serious RIC-related adverse events; secondary outcomes included physiological parameters and treatment completion rates.

Main Results:

• No serious RIC-related adverse events occurred. Physiological parameters remained stable throughout the procedure.
• RIC completion rates were high: 89% before recanalization, 100% immediately after, and 78% during the 7-day follow-up.
• Six patients (30%) experienced intracerebral hemorrhage, with one symptomatic case. At 3 months, 55% achieved functional independence, and 10% died.

Conclusions:

• RIC is a safe and feasible adjunctive therapy for AIS patients undergoing ET.
• Further research is warranted to establish the efficacy of RIC in improving outcomes for AIS patients undergoing ET.