Predictors of first-pass reperfusion for mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke

Rapid reperfusion of ischemic penumbra in patients with acute stroke is critical to neurological recovery. Achieving reperfusion after first-pass mechanical thrombectomy has been associated with improved patient outcomes. However, the predictors for obtaining first-pass reperfusion are not well known.

A single-institution retrospective study of all patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy at a tertiary care center from January 2010 until March 2019 was conducted to assess for predictors of first-pass reperfusion.

A total of 257 patients were reviewed. Successful reperfusion was obtained in 63.4% of patients, and in 38% of patients on the first pass. On multivariate analysis, increasing door-to-puncture time was a negative predictor of FPR (OR 0.989, 95% CI = 0.980-0.997) and use of combined thrombectomy technique with stent-retriever and aspiration was a positive predictor of FPR compared to aspiration or stent-retriever alone (OR 4.441, 95% CI = 1.001-19.699).

Combination therapy using stent-retriever and aspiration may increase the chance of obtaining FPR, whereas delays in starting the procedure after patient arrival may decrease the odds of FPR. Rapid thrombectomy initiation and procedural technique may play in optimizing rates of FPR and ultimately patient outcomes, however, randomized controlled trials assessing these variables are necessary to determine optimal treatment strategies.