Clinical Results of Mechanical Thrombectomy in Nonagenarians with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Multiple randomized trials have demonstrated the efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy (MT), but very elderly patients aged ≥90 years were excluded. It remains uncertain whether endovascular therapy is effective for nonagenarians. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of MT in nonagenarians.

Between January 2016 and March 2019, acute ischemic stroke patients aged ≥80 years who underwent MT at our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with a baseline pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≥3 were excluded from the analysis. They were divided into octogenarians (80-89 years old) and nonagenarians (90-99 years old).

Forty-five patients met the inclusion criteria, including 34 octogenarians and 11 nonagenarians. Nonagenarians were more likely to be female (47.0% vs 90.9%; p <0.05). There was a significantly lower rate of a pre-stroke mRS score of 0-1 among the nonagenarians (91.1% vs 63.6%; p <0.05). Revascularization was successful in 71.0% and 81.8% (p = 0.46) of octogenarians and nonagenarians, respectively. Functional independence (mRS ≤2) at discharge was observed in 26.4% vs 27.2% (p = 0.95) of octogenarians and nonagenarians, respectively.

MT in nonagenarians can be considered safe without increasing hemorrhagic complications in comparison with that in octogenarians. One in four patients may have a good outcome and obtain effects equivalent to those in octogenarians if they have a good pre-stroke functional status.