Complete Recanalization May Exert the Most Important Effect on Outcomes of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Ischemic Stroke with Small Infarct Core Beyond 6 Hours.

To explore the differences among grades of recanalization on outcomes of endovascular treatment for acute anterior large vessel occlusion with small infarct core beyond the 6-hour time window. Patients beyond the 6-hour time window with Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score >7 were retrospectively enrolled from the endovascular treatment for acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke (ACTUAL) registry. They were divided into 3 groups according to the degree of recanalization: modified treatment in cerebral infarction (mTICI) 0–2a, 2b, and 3. We compared the differences of outcomes among groups on modified Rankin Scale score at 90 days, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage within 72 hours, and mortality. A total of 101 patients were enrolled. Median time from onset to groin puncture was 415 minutes (interquartile range: 387–497 minutes). Favorable functional outcomes were significantly better in patients with successful recanalization than in patients with failed recanalization (mTICI 0–2a, 22.7% [5/22]; mTICI 2b, 48.0% [12/25]; and mTICI 3, 61.1% [33/54]; trend P = 0.01). Complete recanalization (mTICI 3) (odds ratio, 5.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.71–16.66; P = 0.004) was associated with good functional outcome. Mortality was different among groups at 90 days (mTICI 0–2a, 36.4% [8/22]; mTICI 2b, 0, [0/25]; P = 0.001; mTICI 0–2a, 36.4% [8/22]; mTICI 3, 9.3% [5/54]; P = 0.008; and mTICI 2b, 0, [0/25]; mTICI 3, 9.3% [5/54]; P = 0.173). There were no significant differences of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage among groups (mTICI 0–2a, 22.7% [5/22]; mTICI 2b, 12.0% [3/25]; and mTICI 3, 9.3% [5/54]; P = 0.28). For acute anterior circulation stroke patients, who were beyond the 6-hour time window, yet with small ischemic core, complete recanalization following endovascular treatment may play the most important role on clinical outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]