The incidence of medium vessel occlusions: a population-based study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Epidemiology
• Vascular Medicine

Background:

• Medium vessel occlusions (MeVOs) are a significant cause of ischemic stroke.
• The precise incidence of MeVOs in the general population remains poorly understood.
• Accurate incidence data is vital for understanding stroke burden and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the population-based incidence of medium vessel occlusions (MeVOs).
• To provide a quantitative measure of MeVO frequency for epidemiological research.
• To inform future studies on MeVOs' impact on stroke morbidity and mortality.

Main Methods:

• A population-based study was conducted in Olmsted County, Minnesota.
• Consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke and confirmed MeVO between 2018-2020 were identified.
• MeVO definition included occlusions at or beyond the M2, A2, P1 segments, or cerebellar arteries.

Main Results:

• The study identified 77 patients with MeVOs from 1,718 screened.
• The estimated incidence of MeVOs was 16 cases per 100,000 people per year.
• An estimated 52,236 new MeVO cases occur annually in the US population.

Conclusions:

• This study provides the first population-based incidence estimate for MeVOs.
• While less common than large or small vessel occlusions, MeVOs represent a substantial stroke subtype.
• Further research into acute intervention and prevention strategies for MeVOs is warranted.