Objective
Mortality of 40% to 86% and good outcomes in only 13% to 21% of patients beg for treatment
options for basilar occlusion. This study determined outcomes of patients with vertebrobasilar
occlusion treated with mechanical embolus removal in cerebral ischemia (MERCI) retriever
mechanical thrombectomy.
Methods
Patients with vertebrobasilar occlusion in the MERCI and Multi-MERCI trials received
treatment up to 8 hours after symptom onset. Recanalization was determined after retriever
use and adjunctive therapy. Mortality and good outcomes, modified Rankin scale score
0-3, were determined at 90 days in patients who were recanalized and not recanalized.
Results
Recanalization occurred in 21 of 27 (78%) patients. Mortality was 44% and good outcomes
were seen in 41%. Patients with recanalization tended to have better outcomes than
those without.
Conclusions
Outcomes in patients with vertebrobasilar occlusions treated with the MERCI retriever
compared favorably with natural history reports and tended to be better in those patients
with recanalization.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
November 9,
2007
Received:
October 11,
2007
Footnotes
Concentric Medical funded the trials from which these data were derived.
Disclosures: Dr Rymer is on the speakers bureau of Concentric Medical. Dr Nesbit has stock ownership in Concentric Medical. Dr Lutsep has no conflicts of interest to declare.
Identification
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2007.11.003
Copyright
© 2008 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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