Perioperative Determinants of Functional Outcome and Mortality After Mechanical Thrombectomy Under General Anesthesia

Background/Objectives: Despite high recanalization rates associated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT), disability and death remain possible for many patients. Baseline stroke severity and reperfusion status predict outcomes; however, the influence of modifiable perioperative factors during general anesthesia (GA) remains unclear. We investigated actionable perioperative determinants of functional outcomes and 90-day mortality following MT under GA. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 166 patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent emergency MT with GA over 10 years (2014-2024). Poor functional outcomes were defined as a 90-day modified Rankin Scale score of 3-6, with all-cause 90-day mortality as the secondary endpoint. Independent predictors were identified using multivariable logistic regression, and discrimination was assessed using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results: At 90 days, 56.6% of patients had poor functional outcomes, and mortality was 24.1%. Independent predictors of poor outcomes included preoperative hyperglycemia ≥ 140 mg/dL, vasopressor requirement, incomplete reperfusion, prolonged ventilator duration, and severe post-procedural neurological deficit. Optimal anesthetic induction dosing was strongly protective. Shorter groin puncture-to-recanalization time predicted better functional recovery. Mortality was associated with hyperglycemia, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale ≥ 16, poor reperfusion, and prolonged ventilation. The models demonstrated excellent discrimination (area under the curve, 0.879 for poor outcomes; 0.923 for mortality). Perioperative physiological factors remained associated with outcomes independent of procedural success. Conclusions: Beyond technical success, perioperative physiological stability strongly influenced outcomes following MT under GA. Optimization of metabolic control, hemodynamic stability, procedural efficiency, and early ventilator liberation represents a clinically actionable strategy for improving neurological recovery and survival.