BACKGROUND

Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is the gold standard of care for large vessel occlusion strokes, but is underutilized in developing countries.

This single-center retrospective study included patients who underwent EVT during the period of September 2018 to April 2023. Data collected were demographics, underlying co-morbidities, use of anti-thrombotics/coagulants, CT or MR ASPECTS, thrombolysis prior to EVT, technique, timing, TICI score, occlusion site, discharge and 90-day MRS.

Of the 1,595 stroke patients, 57 (3%) cases underwent EVT. The mean age was 65 with a male to female ratio of 6:5. Hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and diabetes were the common comorbidities. Majority of patients (90%, n=54) presented with moderate to severe disability (MRS 3-5). Majority were in the anterior circulation (89%, n=51). Stentriever technique was mostly used (59% n=34) with a 77% (n=44) recanalization rate. Early neurologic improvement (ENI) was seen in 7% (n=4), 2 of which translated to a favorable outcome after 90-days. Mortality occurred in 24% (n=14) of cases, mostly from neurological complications. 24% (n=14) had favorable outcome of MRS 0-2 after 90 days. Among those grouped in the unfavorable outcome, 53% (n=23) were MRS 3, still showing marked improvement of quality of life.

EVT outcomes in this study is aligned with the landmark trials which exhibited a number needed to treat of 2.8-7.4. This local data highlights that EVT is a possible and effective treatment for large vessel strokes despite wide gap in accessibility and use in the country.