RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Stent Retriever Thrombectomy in Patients Who Are Ineligible for Intravenous Thrombolysis: A Multicenter Retrospective Observational Study JF American Journal of Neuroradiology JO Am. J. Neuroradiol. FD American Society of Neuroradiology DO 10.3174/ajnr.A4520 A1 F. Dorn A1 S. Prothmann A1 M. Patzig A1 H. Lockau A1 C. Kabbasch A1 O. Nikoubashman A1 T. Liebig A1 C. Zimmer A1 H. Brückmann A1 M. Wiesmann A1 H. Stetefeld A1 H. Poppert A1 A. Reich A1 L. Kellert A1 G. Fesl YR 2015 UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/early/2015/09/03/ajnr.A4520.abstract AB BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intravenous thrombolysis with rtPA is the standard of care for patients with acute ischemic stroke within 4.5 hours after symptom onset. However, a considerable number of patients are ineligible for IV thrombolysis due to various contraindications. Recent studies have proved the superiority of mechanical thrombectomy for patients with large-vessel occlusions in combination with IV rtPA compared with IV rtPA alone. We aimed to demonstrate the efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy for patients who are ineligible for IV rtPA.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients from the stroke registries of 4 dedicated centers who were treated with mechanical thrombectomy from January 2010 to October 2014 were retrospectively evaluated. Inclusion criteria were the following: acute stroke due to proved large-artery occlusion, ineligibility for IV thrombolysis, and a timeframe of ≤4.5 hours between stroke and the start of mechanical thrombectomy. Recanalization success, periprocedural complications, clinical outcome, and hemorrhages were evaluated.RESULTS: One hundred thirty endovascular recanalization procedures were identified. The locations were the following: proximal ICA in 17 (13.1%), terminus ICA in 25 (19.2%), M1 segment in 77 (59.2%), and M2 segment in 11 (8.5%). TICI 2b/3 results were achieved in 101 (77.7%), and an mRS score of 0–2 in 47 patients (37.9%). There was a significant correlation between TICI 2b/3 results and good clinical outcomes (87.2% versus 6.8%; P = .048). A good clinical result was most frequent when recanalization was achieved within 4.5 hours (37/74 = 50% versus 10/50 = 20.0%; P = .001). Symptomatic hemorrhage occurred in 13.1% of patients; mortality was 24.2%. Periprocedural complications were recorded in 10 patients (7.7%).CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical thrombectomy can achieve good clinical outcomes in patients with acute large-artery occlusion ineligible for IV thrombolysis, in particular when recanalization is reached early.AbbreviationsESCAPEEndovascular Treatment for Small Core and Anterior Circulation Proximal Occlusion With Emphasis on Minimizing CT to Recanalization TimesEXTEND IAExtending the Time for Thrombolysis in Emergency Neurologic Deficits–IntraArterialMR CLEANMulticenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the NetherlandsSWIFT PRIMESolitaire With the Intention for Thrombectomy as Primary Endovascular Treatment TrialREVASCATRandomized Trial of Revascularization with the Solitaire FR Device Versus Best Medical Therapy in the Treatment of Acute Stroke Due to Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Presenting within Eight Hours of Symptom Onset