Competitive blood flow from the contralateral vertebral artery signifies a favorable outcome after successful recanalization for acute posterior circulation ischemic stroke
摘要
Early prognosis prediction is challenging after endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute posterior circulation ischemic stroke (PCIS). We evaluated the frequency and prognostic impact of competitive blood flow from the contralateral vertebral artery (CBF-cVA), observed post-recanalization.
Materials and methodsWe retrospectively screened patients with acute PCIS who underwent EVT with successful recanalization. CBF-cVA was defined as the rapid clearing of the basilar artery and posterior cerebral arteries previously opacified by antegrade reperfusion. The good functional outcomes are defined as a score of 0–3 on the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 90 days. Logistic regression was used to investigate the association of CBF-cVA and good functional outcomes at 90 days.
ResultsA total of 259 patients (median age, 64 years, 74.9% male) were included. CBF-cVA was observable in 44.0% of patients and more frequently in patients with good status of the non-operated vertebral artery which was categorized as good or bad based on the presence of hypoplasia, occlusion, slow flow, or lack of opacification (14.9% vs. 62.1%; p < 0.001) and better collateral score (median 6 vs. 4; p < 0.001). CBF-cVA was associated with good functional outcomes (adjusted OR [95% CI], 3.410 [1.636, 7.105]; p = 0.001), but not with 90-day mortality and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (both p > 0.05).
ConclusionCBF-cVA was associated with better functional outcomes in patients with PCIS who underwent EVT with successful recanalization. The presence of CBF-cVA was related to the status of the non-operated vertebral artery and better collateral flow.
Key Points