Effects of intravenous thrombolysis on stent retriever and aspiration thrombectomy outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the randomized controlled trials

Abstract

BackgroundRisks and benefits of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT) have been a topic of interest. However, IVT’s specific effects on stent retriever (SR) and aspiration thrombectomy (ASP) outcomes remain largely unexplored. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to investigate the effects of IVT on SR and ASP thrombectomy outcomes.MethodsIn accordance with PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature review was conducted using Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Center of Clinical Trials databases. Outcomes of interest included successful recanalization (modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) ≥2b), modified first pass efficacy (mFPE), functional independence (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤2), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and embolization to new territories (ENT).ResultsFour randomized controlled trials with 1176 patients were included. SR and ASP resulted in similar mTICI ≥2b, mFPE, and mRS 0–2 rates in patients with and without IVT administration. SR without IVT was associated with a significantly lower rate of mFPE compared with the SR+IVT (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.97). Furthermore, ASP without IVT resulted in a lower rate of mRS 0–2 than the ASP+IVT with a strong trend towards significance (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.01). Finally, bridging therapy did not increase sICH and ENT rates after ASP or SR thrombectomy.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that SR and ASP thrombectomy have comparable safety and efficacy profiles, regardless of prior IVT administration. Additionally, our results indicate that the addition of IVT may improve certain efficacy outcomes based on the employed first-line MT technique.

Aspiration thrombectomy versus stent retriever thrombectomy as a first-line approach for cardiogenic cerebral embolism and cryptogenic stroke in large vessels of the anterior circulation

“…A recent study found that intravenous thrombolysis could influence certain efficacy outcomes of stent retrievers or aspiration thrombectomy ( 29 ). However, due to a limited number of cases, we could not conduct a dedicated study to eliminate this potential confounding factor, although there may not be a significant difference in intravenous thrombolysis between the two groups in baseline data.…”