Hyperdense Artery Sign and Clinical Outcomes After Endovascular Treatment in Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion

This study aimed to investigate the association between the hyperdense basilar artery sign (HBAS) on non-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and clinical outcomes in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) who underwent endovascular treatment (EVT).

Eligible patients who underwent EVT due to acute BAO between January 2014 and May 2019 were divided into two groups based on HBAS. HBAS was assessed by two neuroradiologists using five grades on nonenhanced CT. The primary outcome was a favorable functional outcome (defined as a modified Rankin Scale [mRS] of 0-3) at 90 days. Secondary outcomes included successful recanalization and mortality within 90 days.

Among 829 patients with BAO as assessed with CT angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, or digital subtraction angiography, 643 patients were treated with EVT. Of these, 51.32% (330/643) had HBAS. Patients with HBAS were older and had more severe neurological deficits and a higher frequency of atrial fibrillation than those without HBAS. There was no significant difference in favorable outcome (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.354, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.906-2.024; p = 0.14), successful recanalization (aOR: 0.926, 95% CI: 0.616--1.393; p = 0.71), and mortality (aOR: 1.193, 95% CI: 0.839-1.695; p = 0.33) between patients with or without HBAS. Subgroup analysis showed that the HBAS predicted a favorable outcome in patients aged <60 years (aOR: 2.574, 95% CI: 1.234-5.368; p = 0.01) and patients with vertebral artery-V4 segment occlusion (aOR: 3.738, 95% CI: 1.212-11.530; p = 0.02). In patients with HBAS, the baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, posterior circulation-Acute Stroke Prognosis Early Computed Tomography Score (pc-ASPECTS), and stent retriever were associated with successful recanalization.

Our study did not find a significant association between HBAS and favorable outcomes and successful recanalization in patients with BAO who underwent EVT. Moreover, large prospective studies are warranted to further investigate this relationship.