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Updated: May 5, 2026

Optimized Management of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Published on: January 18, 2018
Baseline clinical and neuroradiological predictors of outcome in patients with large ischemic core undergoing
Andrea M Alexandre1, Mauro Monforte2, Valerio Brunetti2
1Interventional Neuroradiology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Insights
Younger age and lower NIHSS scores predict better outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy for large ischemic cores. Early ischemic changes in cortical areas, however, are associated with unfavorable results in stroke patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Interventional Neuroradiology
- Stroke Medicine
Background:
- Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is increasingly used for large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke.
- Recent trials demonstrate MT benefits even with established large ischemic cores.
- Predicting outcomes in this specific patient group remains crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify baseline predictors of clinical outcomes in patients with anterior circulation LVO and a large ischemic core (Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score [ASPECTS] ≤ 5) undergoing MT.
- To analyze the impact of specific ASPECTS regions on functional recovery.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 408 patients from 16 stroke centers undergoing MT for LVO with ASPECTS ≤ 5.
- Collection of baseline clinical and neuroradiological data, including ASPECTS region involvement.
- Logistic regression and random forest analysis to determine predictors of 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0-2.
Main Results:
- Lower age and lower National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores were associated with favorable 90-day mRS scores (0-2).
- Involvement of M2 or M4 ASPECTS regions independently predicted unfavorable outcomes.
- Random forest analysis confirmed age and NIHSS as key predictors, with cortical region involvement (M1, M2, M4, M5) negatively impacting outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Age and baseline NIHSS score are significant predictors of functional outcome after MT in patients with large ischemic cores.
- Early ischemic changes in cortical areas (M1, M2, M4, M5) negatively influence outcomes.
- These findings aid in patient selection and outcome prognostication for MT in selected stroke patients.
Background:
Recent randomized trials have shown the benefit of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) also in patients with an established large ischemic core.
Aims:
The purpose of this study was to define baseline predictors of clinical outcome in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the anterior circulation and an Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (ASPECTS) ⩽ 5, undergoing MT.
Material And Methods:
The databases of 16 comprehensive stroke centers were retrospectively screened for patients with LVO and ASPECTS ⩽5 that received MT. Baseline clinical and neuroradiological features, including the differential contribution of all ASPECTS regions to the composite score, were collected. Primary clinical outcome measure was a 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-2. Statistical analysis used a logistic regression model and random forest algorithm.
Results:
A total of 408 patients were available for analysis. In multivariate model, among baseline features, lower age (odd ratio (OR) = 0.962, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.943-0.982) and lower National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (OR = 0.911, 95% CI = 0.862-0.963) were associated with the mRS score 0-2. Involvement of the M2 (OR = 0.398, 95% CI = 0.206-0.770) or M4 (OR = 0.496, 95% CI = 0.260-0.945) ASPECTS regions was associated with an unfavorable outcome. Random forest analysis confirmed that age and baseline NIHSS score are the most important variables influencing clinical outcome, whereas involvement of cortical regions M5, M4, M2, and M1 can have a negative impact.
Conclusion:
Our retrospective analysis shows that, along with age and baseline clinical impairment, presence of early ischemic changes involving cortical areas has a role in clinical outcome in patients with large ischemic core undergoing MT.
Data Access Statement:
The data that support the findings of this study are available upon reasonable request.
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