Predictors of unfavorable outcomes despite substantial reperfusion: Insights from Analysis of Revascularization in Ischemic Stroke With EmboTrap II Study.

Background: A considerable proportion of stroke patients have unfavorable outcomes despite substantial reperfusion during mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion. This study aimed to determine predictors of unfavorable outcomes despite substantial reperfusion (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score of ≥2b).
Methods: We conducted a post hoc analysis of Analysis of Revascularization in Ischemic Stroke With EmboTrap, a prospective, multicenter study on the efficacy of the EmboTrap revascularization device. We included patients with anterior large vessel occlusion, substantial reperfusion within three passes, and 3-month follow-up. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine independent predictors of dependency or death (modified Rankin Score 3-6) at 90 days.
Results: Of the 176 patients included in the study, 124 (70.45%) achieved modified Rankin Score of 0-2 at 90 days and 52 (29.6%) had modified Rankin Score of 3-6. On univariate analysis, patient age and initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score were significantly higher in the modified Rankin Score of 3-6 groups (71.4 ± 11.3 years vs. 66.0 ± 13.1 years, 0.01; 18.9 ± 4.13 vs. 14.6 ± 4.36, p  < 0.01, respectively). Mean number of passes and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were also higher in patients with modified Rankin Score of 3-6 (2.46 ± 1.42 vs. 1.65 ± 0.9, p < 0.01; 13.5% vs. 2.4%, p  = 0.008). On multivariate analysis, initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and mean number of passes and were independent predictors of modified Rankin Score of 3-6 at 90 days.
Conclusion: More severe initial neurologic deficit and higher number of passes in patients with substantial reperfusion were independent predictors of dependency or death. These findings highlight a reduction in the number of passes required to achieve reperfusion as a therapeutic target to improve the outcome after thrombectomy.