Outcomes of Endovascular Therapy in Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion With Severe Symptoms

Endovascular therapy (EVT) has been reported to be safe and effective in improving clinical outcomes among patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (ABAO). The benefits associated with EVT remain uncertain for patients with ABAO with severe symptoms (ie, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score ≥ 21).

To assess the outcomes associated with EVT and identify factors associated with outcomes among patients with ABAO and severe symptoms.

This prospective, nationwide cohort study was conducted using data from January 2014 to May 2019 in China from the Endovascular Treatment for Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion Study Registry (BASILAR). Included patients had ABAO and underwent EVT or standard medical treatment (SMT) alone in routine clinical practice. Patients were dichotomized into severe symptoms (ie, NIHSS score ≥ 21) and minor to moderate symptoms (NIHSS score < 21) groups. Patients were followed up for 90 days. Data were analyzed from December 2020 through June 2021.

EVT with SMT vs SMT alone.

The primary outcome was improvement in modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days, defined as a decrease by 1 grade in mRS score. Secondary outcomes included favorable functional outcome (ie, mRS score, 0-3) and mortality.

Among 542 patients with ABAO and severe symptoms (median [IQR] age, 65 [57-74] years; 147 [27.1%] women), 431 patients (79.5%) received EVT and 111 patients (20.5%) received SMT. Compared with SMT, EVT was associated with increased odds of improved mRS score (adjusted common odds ratio [OR], 3.44 [95% CI, 2.05-5.78]; P < .001), with increased odds of a favorable functional outcome (ie, mRS score, 0-3; adjusted OR, 4.52 [95% CI, 1.64-12.43]; P = .004) and decreased odds of mortality (adjusted OR, 0.27 [95% CI, 0.15-0.50]; P < .001). Among patients receiving EVT, baseline NIHSS score was associated with decreased odds of a favorable functional outcome (adjusted OR per 1-point increase in score, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.85-0.95]; P < .001) and increased odds of mortality (adjusted OR per 1-point increase in score, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.07-1.19]; P < .001), while posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early Computed Tomography Score (pc-ASPECTS) was associated with increased odds of a favorable functional outcome (adjusted OR per 1-point increase in score, 1.71 [95% CI, 1.41-2.07]; P < .001) and decreased odds of mortality (adjusted OR per 1-point increase in score, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.64-0.85]; P < .001). Different occlusion sites, compared with distal basilar artery, were associated with decreased odds of favorable functional outcome (eg, middle basilar artery: adjusted OR vs distal basilar artery, 0.36 [95% CI, 0.17-0.80]; P = .01).

This study found that EVT was associated with increased odds of functional favorable outcomes among patients with ABAO and severe symptoms. Baseline NIHSS score, pc-ASPECTS, and occlusion site were independent factors associated with clinical outcomes.