Introduction:
Emboli in new territory (ENT) are known potential complication of endovascular thrombectomy. We explored their incidence and predictors in ESCAPE-NA-1 trial.
Methods:
We included patients from the ESCAPE-NA1: a multicenter, international randomized study that assessed the efficacy of intravenous nerinetide in patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent EVT within 12 hours from onset. All the imaging was reassessed, and ENT was defined as angiographic evidence of emboli in vascular territories other than the MCA, which was not present in the initial CT angiogram. We collected details of management and its influence on outcomes.
Results:
We analyzed 1095 patients from the ESCAPE NA1. ENT occurred in 40 patients (3.6%, mean age 69.5 years, 50% females). There were no significant differences at baseline in groups with and without ENT. Most common ENT site was ACA (38,95%). Thrombolysis, use of balloon guide catheter, nerinetide treatment, and initial occlusion site did not predict ENT. Seven ENTs (17.5%) were pursued with endovascular therapy: retrievable stents in 6 patients and intra-arterial thrombolysis in 1 patient. Patients with ENT had longer total arterial puncture to first reperfusion times (65 vs 40.5 minutes, P<0.001), and a higher final median infarct volume compared to those without ENT (77.9 vs 24.2, P<0.001). On multivariable analysis, presence of ENT was a negative predictor of clinical outcome (mRS 0-2) after adjustment for age, sex, NIHSS, ASPECTS and successful reperfusion (OR 0.26, 95%CI 0.13-0.55).
Conclusion:
The incidence of ENT was low in ESCAPE NA1 trial but associated with poorer clinical outcomes.
Endovascular options in the treatment of delayed ischemic neurological deficits due to cerebral vasospasm
