The safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy for anterior circulation small vessel occlusion / 中华神经科杂志

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy with stent-retriver for anterior circulation small vessel occlusion in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).Methods:From a prospectively collected thrombectomy database of consecutive patients with AIS between January 2017 and November 2018, 311 angiographic images were analyzed to assess small vessel occlusions (A 2 and M 2 segments). Patients were categorized into alteplase with thrombectomy group and thrombectomy alone group. The primary outcome was a favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale scores 0-2) at 90 days. Secondary outcomes were successful recanalization (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2b or 3), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and 90-day mortality. Results:Small vessel occlusions were identified in 19 patients, including 14 M 2occlusions, two A 2occlusions, and three M 2+A 2 occlusions. Six patients were in the alteplase with thrombectomy group and 13 patients in the thrombectomy alone group. Favorable outcome was achieved in eight of 19 patients at 90 days. Successful recanalization was achieved in 18 patients (18/19), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was observed in one patient (1/19), and death was recorded in five patients (5/19). No statistically significant difference was detected between the two groups with regard to successful recanalization (6/6 in the alteplase with thrombectomy group vs 12/13 in the thrombectomy alone group), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (0/6 vs 1/13), favorable outcome (2/6 vs 6/13) and death (1/6 vs 4/13; all P>0.05). Conclusion:As to anterior circulation small vessel occlusions, the combination-therapy within 4.5 hours or mechanical thrombectomy alone in extended time window with perfusion evaluation may be both safe and effective.