Extended Window for Stroke Thrombectomy

• Main Authors: Brian Snelling, David J. Mccarthy, Stephanie Chen, Samir Sur, Omar Elwardany, Dallas L. Sheinberg, Dileep R. Yavagal, Eric C. Peterson, Robert M. Starke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd. 2019-04-01
• Series: Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice
• Subjects: dawn; defuse; ischemic stroke; perfusion; thrombectomy
• Online Access: http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.4103/jnrp.jnrp_365_18
• ISSN: 0976-3147; 0976-3155

Objective: Mechanical thrombectomy is the standard treatment for large vessel occlusion (LVO) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) up to 6 h after onset. Recent trials have demonstrated a benefit for wake-up strokes and patients beyond 6 h. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted for multicenter randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investigating endovascular stroke treatment using perfusion imaging to identify patients that may benefit from mechanical thrombectomy for AIS beyond 6 h of onset. Random effects meta-analysis was used to analyze the following outcomes: 90-day functional independence rates with modified Rankin Scale (mRS ≤2), 90-day mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) rates. Further stratification was carried out by age and presentation. Results: Two multicenter RCT’s were included as follows: DAWN and DEFUSE-3. Pooled 90-day functional independence rates favored endovascular management (odds ratio [OR] 5.01; P < 0.00001). Subgroup analysis demonstrated continued 90-day functional independence benefit for endovascular management regardless of age (≥80 years, OR 5.65, P = 0.01; ≤80 years, OR 4.92, P < 0.00001). When stratified for the manner of stroke discovery, 90-day functional independence rates favored endovascular management for wake-up strokes (OR 8.74, P < 0.00001) and known-time onset strokes (OR 5.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.04–12.65, P = 0.0005), although no benefit was observed for unwitnessed strokes (OR 1.64, 95% CI 0.17–16.04, P = 0.67). No difference observed in 90-day mortality rates (OR 0.71; P = 0.14) or in SICH rates (OR 1.67; P = 0.29). Conclusions: This meta-analysis reinforces that endovascular management is superior to standard medical management alone for the treatment of AIS due to LVO beyond 6 h of onset in patients with perfusion-imaging selection.