Mortality reduction after thrombectomy for acute intracranial large vessel occlusion: meta-analysis of randomized trials

Background Thrombectomy for patients with emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) is currently recognized as the standard of care for appropriately selected patients. As proven in several randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses, treatment with thrombectomy lowers rates of poor functional outcomes after ELVO, compared with standard medical management. However, combined mortality rates of the most recent, high-quality clinical trials have not been collectively assessed. Objective The goal of this study was to assess the combined mortality rates of patients with ELVO following thrombectomy using data from the most recent, high-quality clinical trials. Methods Meta-analysis was performed in clinical trials comparing thrombectomy and medical management for patients with anterior circulation ELVO. Cumulative rates of mortality (mRS 6) as well as mortality or severe disability (mRS 5-6) were calculated. Results Ten clinical trials fit the inclusion criteria, including PISTE, REVASCAT, DAWN, THRACE, SWIFT PRIME, ESCAPE, DEFUSE 3, THERAPY, EXTEND-IA, and MR CLEAN, with 2233 patients assessed for mortality alone and 2229 for mortality or severe disability. There was a significantly reduced risk of death with thrombectomy compared with standard medical care (14.9% vs 18.3%, P=0.03; RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.98), as well as a reduced risk of mortality or severe disability (mRS 5-6) in ELVO patients treated with thrombectomy (21.1% vs 30.5%, P<0.0001; RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.80). Conclusions Overall, these results suggest a lower risk of death, as well as death or severe disability, in patients with ELVO treated with thrombectomy compared with medical management alone.