Predictors of Early Neurological Deterioration in Stroke Due to Vertebrobasilar Occlusion

Background and Aims: This study explores the predictors of early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with vertebrobasilar occlusion (VBO) in both primary endovascular therapy (EVT) and medical management (MM) groups.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with VBO from 2010 to 2018 were included. Comparative and multivariate analyses were used to identify predictors of all-cause END in the EVT group, and END due to ischemia progression (END-IP) in the MM group.

Results: In 174 patients with VBO, 43 had END. In the primary EVT group (N = 66), 17 all-cause END occurred. Distal basilar occlusion (odds ratio (OR), 14.5 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.4-154.4]) and reperfusion failure (eTICI < 2b67 (OR, 5.0 [95% CI, 1.3-19.9]) were predictive of END in multivariable analysis. In the MM group (N=108), 17 END-IP occurred. Higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) at presentation (per 10 mmHg increase, OR, 1.5 [95% CI, 1.1-2.0]), stroke onset-to-door time <24 h (OR, 5.3 [95% CI, 1.1-2.0]), near-total occlusions (OR, 4.9 [95% CI, 1.2-19.6]), lower posterior circulation-Alberta Stroke Program Early CT scores (OR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.0-2.5]), and lower BATMAN collateral scores (OR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.1-2.2]) were predictive of END-IP.

Conclusions: In patients with stroke due to VBO, potential predictors of END can be identified. In the primary EVT group, failure to achieve reperfusion and distal basilar occlusion were associated with all-cause END. In the MM group, higher SBP at presentation, onset-to-door time less than 24 h, incomplete occlusions, larger infarct cores, and poorer collaterals were associated with END-IP.

Automated summary

This study explores potential predictors of early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with vertebrobasilar occlusion (VBO). The failure to achieve reperfusion and distal basilar occlusion were associated with all-cause END in the primary EVT group, while higher SBP at presentation, onset-to-door time less than 24 h, incomplete occlusions, larger infarct cores, and poorer collaterals were associated with END-IP in the MM group.