Mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute basilar occlusion using stent retrievers

Background: Early arterial recanalisation with stent retrievers (SR) has been recently demonstrated to improve clinical outcome of patients with large-vessel occlusion of the anterior circulation. However, the benefit of SR thrombectomy in the setting of acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) has not been proven yet. This study evaluated a series of consecutive patients with BAO treated with SR, focusing on the efficacy, safety and clinical results. Methods: We analysed 24 consecutive patients with acute BAO who were treated with SR mechanical thrombectomy. Good clinical outcome at three months was defined as mRS <= 2. Data from patients with good outcome were compared to that from patients with poor outcome. Results: Sufficient recanalisation (TICI 2 b or 3) was achieved in 63% (15/24) of patients. At three months, 33% (8/24) of patients had died; good clinical outcome was obtained in 21% (5/24). Age (46 vs. 60 years old, p = 0.05) and time from symptoms onset to recanalisation (370 vs. 521 minutes, p = 0.048) was significantly lower in patients with good outcome as compared to patients with poor outcome. There were three cases (12.5%) of periprocedural complications, all of them related to arterial wall dissection/perforation. Conclusions: SR thrombectomy might be an efficient and safe treatment for patients with acute BAO occlusion and might help improve outcome.