Abstract
ABSTRACT
Objective:
Mechanical thrombectomy is the standard treatment for large vessel occlusion (LVO) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) up to 6 h after onset. Recent trials have demonstrated a benefit for wake-up strokes and patients beyond 6 h.
Methods:
A systematic literature review was conducted for multicenter randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investigating endovascular stroke treatment using perfusion imaging to identify patients that may benefit from mechanical thrombectomy for AIS beyond 6 h of onset. Random effects meta-analysis was used to analyze the following outcomes: 90-day functional independence rates with modified Rankin Scale (mRS ≤2), 90-day mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) rates. Further stratification was carried out by age and presentation.
Results:
Two multicenter RCT’s were included as follows: DAWN and DEFUSE-3. Pooled 90-day functional independence rates favored endovascular management (odds ratio [OR] 5.01;
P
< 0.00001). Subgroup analysis demonstrated continued 90-day functional independence benefit for endovascular management regardless of age (≥80 years, OR 5.65,
P
= 0.01; ≤80 years, OR 4.92,
P
< 0.00001). When stratified for the manner of stroke discovery, 90-day functional independence rates favored endovascular management for wake-up strokes (OR 8.74,
P
< 0.00001) and known-time onset strokes (OR 5.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.04–12.65,
P
= 0.0005), although no benefit was observed for unwitnessed strokes (OR 1.64, 95% CI 0.17–16.04,
P
= 0.67). No difference observed in 90-day mortality rates (OR 0.71;
P
= 0.14) or in SICH rates (OR 1.67;
P
= 0.29).
Conclusions:
This meta-analysis reinforces that endovascular management is superior to standard medical management alone for the treatment of AIS due to LVO beyond 6 h of onset in patients with perfusion-imaging selection.
