Abstract
BACKGROUND: The feasibility and clinical outcome predictors of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for strokes caused by distal arterial occlusion (DAO) remain the subject of debate. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of patients with consecutive acute ischemic stroke treated using MT. Clinical and procedural-associated factors were studied to compare the efficacy, safety, and short-term and long-term outcomes of MT between the proximal arterial occlusion (PAO) and DAO groups. The predictors of a good functional outcome in the DAO group were also identified. RESULTS: A total of 116 patients were included in this study, of whom 23 (19.8%) underwent MT for DAO. A higher complete recanalization rate was independently associated with PAO in adjusted models [adjusted odds ratio, 0.596; 95% CI, 0.377-0.941]. The measures of safety and clinical outcome showed no significant differences between the DAO and PAO groups. The National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score on admission, hybrid technique use, and complete recanalization rate emerged as independent predictors of a good functional outcome in the DAO group. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy, safety, and short-term and long-term outcomes of DAO thrombectomy were similar to those of PAO thrombectomy. The good functional outcome predictors of MT in DAO included NIHSS on admission, hybrid technique use, and complete recanalization. Overall, the findings lead us to propose that MT may be considered a feasible option for treating DAO after a careful risk-benefit analysis.