Effect of INR on Outcomes of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Vertebrobasilar Artery Occlusion

Endovascular treatment (EVT) has been proven to be the standard treatment for acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion (VBAO). This study aimed to analyze the effects of international normalized ratio (INR) indicators on outcomes in patients with acute VBAO treated with EVT. Dynamic data on INR in patients with VBAO who received endovascular treatment (EVT) at 65 stroke centers in China were retrospectively enrolled. Outcome measures included the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days and 1 year and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). The associations between elevated INR (INR > 1.1), INR variability (time-weighted variance of INR changes), and various clinical outcomes were analyzed in all patients and subgroups stratified by oral anticoagulation (OAC) by mixed logistic regression analysis. A total of 1825 patients met the study criteria, of which 1384 had normal INR and 441 had elevated INR. Multivariate analysis showed that elevated INR was significantly associated with poor functional outcomes (mRS 4–6) at 90 days (odds ratio [OR] 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08–1.72) and 1 year (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.05–1.66), but was not associated with an increased risk of sICH (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.83–1.20). Similar associations exist between INR variability and poor functional outcomes at 90 days (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.09–4.30), 1 year (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.16–4.46), and sICH (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.93–1.33). Subgroup analyses further revealed that elevated INR and INR variability remained associated with poor functional outcomes in patients not receiving oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy, while no significant associations were observed in OAC-treated patients, regardless of whether they were on warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants. Elevated INR and INR variability in VBAO patients treated with EVT were associated with poor functional outcomes. The mechanism underlying the association between elevated INR and poor functional outcomes might be attributed to the fact that elevated INR indirectly reflects the burden of comorbidities, which could independently worsen outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of a comprehensive and dynamic evaluation of INR levels in the management of VBAO patients receiving EVT, providing valuable insights for optimizing patient outcomes.