Background: Endovascular recanalization (ER) has demonstrated efficacy as a treatment modality for patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large-vessel occlusion (LVO) within a 24-hour timeframe. Nevertheless, the safety and effectiveness of ER in patients with a time of onset exceeding 24 h remain uncertain.
Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ER treatment for mild ischemic stroke beyond 24-h from symptom onset.
Methods: A retrospectively maintained database of mild AIS due to LVO from March2018 to September 2022 at a comprehensive stroke center was screened.Patients received ER or standard medical therapies (SMT) for anterior circulation AIS due to LVO > 24-h were selected.
Results: We included 47 LVO patients with mild AIS beyond 24-h who suffered neurological deterioration (ND). 34 of these patients underwent ER, the other 13 received SMT. The technical success rate of recanalization was 82.4% (28/34). Patients received ER had significantly lower NIHSS score at discharge and 90-day mRS score (p = 0.028, p = 0.037, respectively) compared to SMT. In addition, they had significantly lower 90-day recurrence of ischemic stroke and lower incidence of moderate-severe stroke (with a NIHSS score at least 5) (p = 0.037, p = 0.033). There were 4 patients (11.7%) had perioperative complications, and no symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred.
Conclusion: ER treatment for mild AIS due to LVO encountered ND was generally safe and effective, even beyond 24-h, and resulted in a good prognosis and lower 90-day recurrence compared to SMT.
Keywords: Endovascular recanalization; balloon dilatation; large-vessel occlusion; mild ischemic stroke; neurological deterioration.
ER for mild anterior stroke might be safe and feasible, even exceeding 24-h;The proposed protocol could be used for individualized treatment decision making;Modelling for heterogeneity of treatment effect.