Impact of procedural time on clinical and angiographic outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving endovascular treatment

BackgroundProcedural time in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) undergoing mechanical thrombectomy may affect clinical outcomes. We performed a pooled analysis of the effect of procedural time on clinical outcomes using data from three prospective endovascular treatment trials.ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between endovascular procedural time and clinical outcomes of patients with AIS following endovascular treatment.MethodsWe analyzed data from SWIFT, STAR, and SWIFT PRIME studies, including baseline characteristics: National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission, intracranial hemorrhage rates, and modified Rankin Scale score at 3 months. The Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) scale was used to grade postprocedure recanalization. We recorded two procedural time intervals: (1) symptom onset to groin puncture and (2) groin puncture to angiographic recanalization. A multivariate analysis was performed using a logistic regression model to analyze predictors of unfavorable outcome.ResultsWe analyzed 301 patients who had undergone endovascular treatment and had near-complete or complete recanalization (TICI 2b or 3). At 3 months, 122 patients (40.5%) had unfavorable outcomes. The rate of favorable outcomes was significantly higher when the procedural time was <60 min compared with ≥60 min (62% vs 45%, p=0.020). Predictors of unfavorable outcome at 3 months were age (unit 10 years, OR=0.62, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.82, p<0.001), onset to groin puncture time (unit hour, OR=0.61, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.77, p<0.001), groin puncture to recanalization (unit 10 min, OR=0.89, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.99, p=0.032), baseline NIHSS score (20–28 vs 8–10, OR=0.17, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.62, p=0.018), and collaterals (OR=1.48, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.10, p=0.029).ConclusionProcedural time in patients with stroke undergoing mechanical thrombectomy may be an important determinant of favorable outcomes in those with recanalization.

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Abstract TP13: Procedural Time (Groin Puncture to Recanalization) Significantly Predicts Outcomes in Endovascular Treatment: A Pooled Analysis of SWIFT, STAR and SWIFT PRIME Trials

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.48.suppl_1.tp13 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Ameer E Hassan ◽

Jeffrey L Saver ◽

Mayank Goyal ◽

David S Liebeskind ◽

Reza Jahan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Pooled Analysis ◽

Favorable Outcome ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Nihss Score ◽

Post Procedure ◽

Procedural Time

Background: Recent single center studies have suggested that “procedural time” independent of “time to procedure” can affect outcomes of acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing endovascular treatment (ET). We performed a pooled analysis from three ET trials to determine the effect of procedural time on angiographic and clinical outcomes. Objective: To determine the relationship between procedural time and clinical outcomes among acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing successful recanalization with ET. Methods: We analyzed data from SWIFT, STAR and SWIFT PRIME trials. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics, NIHSS score on admission, intracranial hemorrhage rates and mRS at 3 months post procedure were analyzed. TICI scale was used to grade post procedure angiographic recanalization. Procedural time was defined by the time interval between groin puncture and recanalization. We estimated the procedural time after which favorable clinical outcome was unlikely even after recanalization (futile) after age and NIHSS score adjustment. Results: We analyzed 301 patients who underwent ET and had near complete or complete recanalization (TICI 2b or 3). The procedural time (±SD) was significantly shorter in patients who achieved a favorable outcome (mRS 0-2) compared with those who did not achieve favorable outcome (44±25 vs 51±33 minutes, p=0.04). Table 1. In the multivariate analysis (including all baseline characteristics with a p value <0.05 as independent variables), shorter procedural time was a significant predictor of lower odds of unfavorable outcome (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.28, 0.85, p=0.012). The rates of favorable outcomes were significantly higher when the procedural time was <60 minutes compared with ≥60 minutes (62% vs 45%, p=0.020). Conclusion: Procedural time in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke is an important determinant of favorable outcomes in those with near complete or complete recanalization.

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Effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy in cancer-related stroke and associated factors with unfavorable outcome

BMC Neurology ◽

10.1186/s12883-021-02086-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Eung-Joon Lee ◽

Jeonghoon Bae ◽

Hae-Bong Jeong ◽

Eun Ji Lee ◽

Han-Yeong Jeong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Elevated Serum ◽

Unfavorable Outcome ◽

Control Group ◽

Nihss Score ◽

And Control ◽

D Dimer

Abstract Background The effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in cancer-related stroke (CRS) is largely unknown. This study aims to investigate the clinical and radiological outcomes of MT in CRS patients. We also explored the factors that independently affect functional outcomes of patients with CRS after MT. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 341 patients who underwent MT after acute ischemic stroke onset between May 2014 and May 2020. We classified the patients into CRS (n = 34) and control (n = 307) groups and compared their clinical details. Among CRS patients, we analyzed the groups with and without good outcomes (3-months modified Rankin scale [mRS] score 0, 1, 2). Multivariate analysis was performed to investigate the independent predictors of unfavorable outcomes in patients with CRS after MT. Results A total of 341 acute ischemic stroke patients received MT, of whom 34 (9.9%) had CRS. Although the baseline National institute of health stroke scale (NIHSS) score and the rate of successful recanalization was not significantly different between CRS patients and control group, CRS patients showed more any cerebral hemorrhage after MT (41.2% vs. controls 23.8%, p = 0.037) and unfavorable functional outcome at 3 months (CRS patients median 3-month mRS score 4, interquartile range [IQR] 2 to 5.25 vs. controls median 3-month mRS score 3, IQR 1 to 4, [p = 0.026]). In the patients with CRS, elevated serum D-dimer level and higher baseline NIHSS score were independently associated with unfavorable functional outcome at 3 months (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.524, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.043–2.226; aOR: 1.264, 95% CI: 1.010–1.582, respectively). Conclusions MT is an appropriate therapeutic treatment for revascularization in CRS patients. However, elevated serum D-dimer levels and higher baseline NIHSS scores were independent predictors of unfavorable outcome. Further research is warranted to evaluate the significance of these predictors.

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The golden 35 min of stroke intervention with ADAPT: effect of thrombectomy procedural time in acute ischemic stroke on outcome

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2017-013040 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 213-220 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Ali Alawieh ◽

Alyssa K Pierce ◽

Jan Vargas ◽

Aquilla S Turk ◽

Raymond D Turner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Nihss Score ◽

Good Outcome ◽

First Pass ◽

Procedural Time

IntroductionIn acute ischemic stroke (AIS), extending mechanical thrombectomy procedural times beyond 60 min has previously been associated with an increased complication rate and poorer outcomes.ObjectiveAfter improvements in thrombectomy methods, to reassess whether this relationship holds true with a more contemporary thrombectomy approach: a direct aspiration first pass technique (ADAPT).MethodsWe retrospectively studied a database of patients with AIS who underwent ADAPT thrombectomy for large vessel occlusions. Patients were dichotomized into two groups: ‘early recan’, in which recanalization (recan) was achieved in ≤35 min, and ‘late recan’, in which procedures extended beyond 35 min.Results197 patients (47.7% women, mean age 66.3 years) were identified. We determined that after 35 min, a poor outcome was more likely than a good (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0–2) outcome. The baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was similar between ‘early recan’ (n=122) (14.7±6.9) and ‘late recan’ patients (n=75) (15.9±7.2). Among ‘early recan’ patients, recanalization was achieved in 17.8±8.8 min compared with 70±39.8 min in ‘late recan’ patients. The likelihood of achieving a good outcome was higher in the ‘early recan’ group (65.2%) than in the ‘late recan’ group (38.2%; p<0.001). Patients in the ‘late recan’ group had a higher likelihood of postprocedural hemorrhage, specifically parenchymal hematoma type 2, than those in the ‘early recan’ group. Logistic regression analysis showed that baseline NIHSS, recanalization time, and atrial fibrillation had a significant impact on 90-day outcomes.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that extending ADAPT thrombectomy procedure times beyond 35 min increases the likelihood of complications such as intracerebral hemorrhage while reducing the likelihood of a good outcome.

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Endovascular Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke in Patients Younger than 18 Years

Journal of Clinical Interventional Radiology ISVIR ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1740568 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sibasankar Dalai ◽

Uday Limaye ◽

Satyarao Kolli ◽

Mohan V. Sumedha Maturu ◽

Randhi Venkata Narayana ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Young Patients ◽

Major Complication ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Nihss Score ◽

Arterial Recanalization ◽

The Mean

AbstractRapid and effective revascularization is very important in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Endovascular treatment is a promising modality in the management of AIS in young patients. We evaluated the clinical and imaging records in 14 patients younger than 18 years presenting within 6 hours of AIS. They received endovascular therapy (ET) either by mechanical thrombectomy, thromboaspiration, or both (Solumbra) between July 2017 and June 2021 in our institute. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was calculated on admission and before the discharge of all patients. The 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score on disability-free outcome was also evaluated. The mean preprocedure NIHSS score was 10.78 ± 2.11 that improved to 4.5 ± 1.88 after the procedure. Thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) grade 2b and 3 blood flow could be established in 12 (85.72%) patients. One patient had TICI 2a flow and one patient had recurrent occlusion despite repeated recanalization (TICI grade 0). The disability-free outcome, mRS score at 90 days was 0 to 1 in 12 (85.72%) patients, mRS score 2 in one (7.14%) patient, and mRS score 3 in one patient (7.14%). We did not have any major complication related to the procedure. ET provides high rates of arterial recanalization and favorable disability-free outcomes in young patients with AIS.

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Mechanical thrombectomy using a Solitaire stent retriever in the treatment of pediatric acute ischemic stroke

Journal of Neurosurgery Pediatrics ◽

10.3171/2018.9.peds18242 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 363-368 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bing Zhou ◽

Xiao-Chuan Wang ◽

Jun-Yi Xiang ◽

Ming-Zhao Zhang ◽

Bo Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Balloon Dilation ◽

Stent Retriever ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Clinical Prognosis ◽

Nihss Score ◽

Grade 3

OBJECTIVEMechanical thrombectomy using a Solitaire stent retriever has been widely applied as a safe and effective method in adult acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, due to the lack of data, the safety and effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy using a Solitaire stent in pediatric AIS has not yet been verified. The purpose of this study was to explore the safety and effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy using a Solitaire stent retriever for pediatric AIS.METHODSBetween January 2012 and December 2017, 7 cases of pediatric AIS were treated via mechanical thrombectomy using a Solitaire stent retriever. The clinical practice, imaging, and follow-up results were reviewed, and the data were summarized and analyzed.RESULTSThe ages of the 7 patients ranged from 7 to 14 years with an average age of 11.1 years. The preoperative National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores ranged from 9 to 22 with an average of 15.4 points. A Solitaire stent retriever was used in all patients, averaging 1.7 applications of thrombectomy and combined balloon dilation in 2 cases. Grade 3 on the modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction scale of recanalization was achieved in 5 cases and grade 2b in 2 cases. Six patients improved and 1 patient died after thrombectomy. The average NIHSS score of the 6 cases was 3.67 at discharge. The average modified Rankin Scale score was 1 at the 3-month follow-up. Subarachnoid hemorrhage after thrombectomy occurred in 1 case and that patient died 3 days postoperatively.CONCLUSIONSThis study shows that mechanical thrombectomy using a Solitaire stent retriever has a high recanalization rate and excellent clinical prognosis in pediatric AIS. The safety of mechanical thrombectomy in pediatric AIS requires more clinical trials for confirmation.

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Outcome of endovascular treatment within and beyond 6 h without perfusion software

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-84857-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Zhen Jing ◽

Hao Li ◽

Shengming Huang ◽

Min Guan ◽

Yongxin Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

General Anesthesia ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Symptom Onset ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Group A ◽

Group B

AbstractEndovascular treatment (EVT) has been accepted as the standard of care for patients with acute ischemic stroke. The aim of the present study was to compare clinical outcomes of patients who received EVT within and beyond 6 h from symptom onset to groin puncture without perfusion software in Guangdong district, China. Between March 2017 and May 2018, acute ischemic stroke patients who received EVT from 6 comprehensive stroke centers, were enrolled into the registry study. In this subgroup study, we included all patients who had acute proximal large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation. The demographic, clinical and neuroimaging data were collected from each center. A total of 192 patients were included in this subgroup study. They were divided into two groups: group A (n = 125), within 6 h; group B (n = 67), 6–24 h from symptom onset to groin puncture. There were no substantial differences between these two groups in terms of 90 days favorable outcome (modified Rankin scale [mRS] ≤ 2, P = 0.051) and mortality (P = 0.083), and the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage at 24 h (P = 0.425). The NIHSS (median 16, IQR12-20, group A; median 12, IQR8-18, group B; P = 0.009) and ASPECTS (median 10, IQR8-10, group A; median 9, IQR8-10, group B; P = 0.034) at baseline were higher in group A. The anesthesia method (general anesthesia, 21.3%, group A vs. 1.5% group B, P = 0.001) were also statistically different between the two groups. The NIHSS and ASPECTS were higher, and general anesthesia was also more widely used in group A. Clinical outcomes were not significantly different within 6 h versus 6–24 h from symptom onset to groin puncture in this real world study.

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Efficacy and Safety of Timely Urgent Superficial Temporal Artery-to-Middle Cerebral Artery Bypass Surgery in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Single-Institutional Prospective Study and a Pooled Analysis

Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽

10.1159/000512106 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Jang Hun Kim ◽

Wonki Yoon ◽

Chi Kyung Kim ◽

Haewon Roh ◽

Hee Jin Bae ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Middle Cerebral Artery ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Cerebral Artery ◽

Bypass Surgery ◽

Superficial Temporal Artery ◽

Pooled Analysis ◽

Published Data ◽

Efficacy And Safety ◽

Nihss Score

Background: Clinical outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large vessel occlusion (LVO) is not satisfactory if reperfusion treatment fails or is not tried. Aims: We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of urgent superficial temporal-to-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass surgery in selected patients. Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with LVO-induced AIS in the anterior circulation but had a failed intra-arterial thrombectomy (IAT) or were not tried due to IAT contraindications were prospectively enrolled. Timely urgent STA-MCA bypass surgery was performed if they showed perfusion-diffusion mismatch or symptom-diffusion mismatch in the acute phase of disease. Clinical and radiological data of these patients were assessed to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of urgent bypass procedures. A pooled analysis of published data on urgent bypass surgery in acute stroke patients was conducted and analyzed. Results: In 18 patients who underwent timely bypass, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score improved from 12.11 ± 4.84 to 9.89 ± 6.52, 1 week after surgery. Three-month and long-term (9.72 ± 5.00 months) favorable outcomes (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] scores 0–2) were achieved in 50 and 75% of the patients, respectively. The pooled analysis (117 patients from 10 articles, including ours) identified favorable mRS scores in 71.79% patients at 3 months. A significant NIHSS score improvement from 11.51 ± 4.89 to 7.59 ± 5.50 was observed after surgery with significance. Major complications occurred in 3 patients (2.6%, 3/117) without mortality. Conclusions: Urgent STA-MCA bypass surgery can be regarded as a safe optional treatment to prevent cerebral infarct expansion and to improve clinical and radiological outcomes in highly selected patients.

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Efficacy of Mechanical Thrombectomy using Penumbra ACETM Aspiration Catheter Compared to Stent Retriever SolitaireTM FR in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11040504 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 504

Author(s):

Dalibor Sila ◽

Markus Lenski ◽

Maria Vojtková ◽

Mustafa Elgharbawy ◽

František Charvát ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Clinical Outcome ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Stent Retriever ◽

Good Clinical Outcome ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Aspiration Technique

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy is the standard therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The primary aim of our study was to compare the procedural efficacy of the direct aspiration technique, using Penumbra ACETM aspiration catheter, and the stent retriever technique, with a SolitaireTM FR stent. Secondarily, we investigated treatment-dependent and treatment-independent factors that predict a good clinical outcome. Methods: We analyzed our series of mechanical thrombectomies using a SolitaireTM FR stent and a Penumbra ACETM catheter. The clinical and radiographic data of 76 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Using binary logistic regression, we looked for the predictors of a good clinical outcome. Results: In the Penumbra ACETM group we achieved significantly higher rates of complete vessel recanalization with lower device passage counts, shorter recanalization times, shorter procedure times and shorter fluoroscopy times (p < 0.001) compared to the SolitaireTM FR group. We observed no significant difference in good clinical outcomes (52.4% vs. 56.4%, p = 0.756). Predictors of a good clinical outcome were lower initial NIHSS scores, pial arterial collateralization on admission head CT angiography scan, shorter recanalization times and device passage counts. Conclusions: The aspiration technique using Penumbra ACETM catheter is comparable to the stent retriever technique with SolitaireTM FR regarding clinical outcomes.

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Abstract TP19: Clinical Outcomes In Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke Due To Large Vessel Occlusion In The Modern Era: 2010-2011 Experience With 423 Patients.

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.44.suppl_1.atp19 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Maxim Mokin ◽

Tareq Kass-Hout ◽

Omar Kass-Hout ◽

Erol Veznedaroglu ◽

Fadi Nahab ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Medical Management ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion

Background and Purpose: Acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion is associated with a poor prognosis. With no consensus about the best treatment option, various treatment modalities including conservative management, intravenous tissue plasminogen activator, and endovascular approach are currently being used. Methods: Retrospective data including demographic information, baseline NIHSS score, site of occlusion (based on CTA, MRA or angiogram), type of treatment and clinical outcomes were collected from 4 centers in the United States during the period of 2010-2011. Results: A total of 423 were included in final analysis: 175 patients received conservative medical management, 54 patients received intravenous (IV) thrombolysis alone, and 194 patients had endovascular treatment (with or without prior IV tPA). Younger patients were more likely to receive endovascular treatment (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference among the sex and co-morbid conditions among the three groups. Proximal middle cerebral artery was the most commonly involved vessel. Strokes due to basilar artery occlusion or internal carotid artery occlusion were associated with worst outcomes in all three groups. Conservative medical management had the lowest rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage but also the highest mortality rates at 3 months. Patients who received endovascular treatment within the first 3 hrs had better outcome and lower mortality rates as compared to patients with intervention during 3-8 hours or beyond 8 hrs. Conclusions: Our study represents real world experience on the management and outcomes of acute ischemic strokes due to large vessel occlusion. Our results help understand natural history of strokes with large vessel occlusion, as well as modern trends in managing these patients with intravenous and intraarterial treatment approaches.

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Abstract 3314: The Role of Bridging with Intravenous Thrombolysis in Endovascular Therapy of Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.43.suppl_1.a3314 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Omar Kass-Hout ◽

Tareq Kass-Hout ◽

Maxim Mokin ◽

David Orion ◽

Shadi Jahshan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Endovascular Therapy ◽

Combined Therapy ◽

Large Vessel ◽

P Value ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Nihss Score

Background: Large vessel occlusions with a high clot burden are less likely to improve with the FDA-approved IV strategy. Endovascular therapy within the first 3 h of stroke symptom onset provides an effective alternative treatment in patients with large vessel occlusion. It is not clear if combination of IV thrombolysis and endovascular approach is superior to endovascular treatment alone. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all cases of acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion treated within the first 3 h stroke onset during the 2005-2010 period. First group received endovascular therapy within the first 3 h of stroke onset. Second group consisted of patients who received IV thrombolysis within the first 3 h followed by endovascular therapy. We compared the following outcomes: revascularization rates, NIHSS score at discharge, mRS at discharge and 3months, symptomatic hemorrhage rates and mortality. Results: Among 104 patients identified, 42 received combined therapy, and 62 received endovascular therapy only. The two groups had similar demographic (age and sex distribution) and vascular risk factors distribution, as well as NIHSS score on admission (14.8±4.7 and 16.0±5.3; p=0.23). We found no difference in TIMI recanalization rates (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction scale score of 2 or 3) following combined or endovascular therapy alone (83.3% and 79.0%; p=0.59). A preferred outcome, defined as a mRS of 2 or less at 90 days also did not differ between the combined therapy group and the endovascular only group (37.5% and 34.5%; p=0.76). There was no difference in mortality rate (22.5% and 31.0%; p=0.36) and the rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (9.5% and 8.1%; p=0.73). There was a significant difference in mean time from symptom onset to endovascular treatment between the combined group (227±88 min) and endovascular only group (125±40 min; p<0.0001).Patients with good TIMI recanalization rate of 2 or 3 showed a trend of having a better mRS at 90 days in both bridging (16.67% vs. 41.18%, p-value: 0.3813) and endovascular groups (25% vs. 34.78%, p-value: 0.7326).When analyzing the correlation of mRS at 90 days with the site of occlusion, patients in the bridging group showed a trend of a better outcome when the site of occlusion was ICA (33.3% vs 30%) and MCA (66.67% vs. 27.59%) and worse outcome when the site of occlusion was in the posterior circulation (26.32% vs. 50%), however, these results were not statistically significant (p-values: 0.1735& 0.5366). Conclusion: Combining IV thrombolysis and endovascular therapy achieves similar rates of clinical outcomes, revascularization rates, complications and mortality rates, when compared with endovascular treatment alone. The combined therapy, however, significantly delays initiation of endovascular treatment. A randomized prospective trial comparing both treatment strategies in acute ischemic stroke is warranted

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