Correlation of Thrombectomy Maneuver Count with Recanalization Success and Clinical Outcome in Patients with Ischemic Stroke

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2017 Jul;38(7):1368-1371. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A5212. Epub 2017 May 4.

Abstract

Background and purpose: In the treatment of acute thromboembolic stroke, the effectiveness and success of thrombus removal when using stent retrievers is variable. In this study, we analyzed the correlation of thrombectomy maneuver count with a good clinical outcome and recanalization success.

Materials and methods: One hundred and four patients with acute occlusion of the middle cerebral artery or the terminal internal carotid artery who were treated with thrombectomy were included in this retrospective study. A good clinical outcome was defined as a 90-day mRS of ≤2, and successful recanalization was defined as TICI 2b-3.

Results: The maneuver count ranged between 1-10, with a median of 2. Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified an increasing number of thrombectomy maneuvers as an independent predictor of poor outcome (adjusted OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.38-0.87; P = .011) and unsuccessful recanalization (adjusted OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.32-0.66; P < .001). A good outcome was significantly more likely if finished within 2 maneuvers compared with 3 or 4 maneuvers, or even more than 4 maneuvers (P < .001).

Conclusions: An increasing maneuver count correlates strongly with a decreasing probability of both good outcome and recanalization. The probability of successful recanalization decreases below 50% if not achieved within 5 thrombectomy maneuvers. Patients who are recanalized within 2 maneuvers have the best chance of achieving a good clinical outcome.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Arterial Occlusive Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Arterial Occlusive Diseases / surgery
  • Brain Ischemia / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Ischemia / surgery*
  • Carotid Artery, Internal / surgery
  • Carotid Stenosis / surgery
  • Device Removal
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stents
  • Stroke / diagnostic imaging
  • Stroke / surgery*
  • Thrombectomy / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome