Sex differences in outcomes of endovascular therapy for acute vertebrobasilar occlusion: data from ANGEL-ACT Registry

Background Understanding sex disparities in stroke can identify gaps in clinical care. The objective of this study was to investigate whether sex differences could influence clinical outcomes of patients with acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion (VBAO) who underwent endovascular therapy (EVT). Methods Patients were selected from the ANGEL-ACT Registry. The primary outcome was favorable functional outcome (90-day modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0–3). Secondary outcomes included 90-day mRS distribution, excellent outcome (mRS 0–1), functional independence (mRS 0–2), early neurological improvement, recanalization, intracranial hemorrhage, and mortality within 90 days. The above outcomes were compared by two adjustment models, including (1) multivariable logistics analysis adjusting for all baseline and procedural variables with a P < 0.05; (2) adjusting for the propensity score. Results There were 347 acute VBAO patients treated with EVT included, of whom 72 (20.7%) were women and 275 (79.3%) were men. Women were older (72[63–76] vs. 62[53–69], P < 0.001) and had a higher rate of atrial fibrillation (31.9% vs. 8.7%, P < 0.001), lower rates of underlying intracranial atherosclerotic disease (30.6% vs. 51.3%, P = 0.007), and tandem occlusion (8.3% vs. 21.8%, P = 0.009) than men. The rate of favorable outcome (mRS 0–3) was similar between women and men (41.7% vs. 51.3%, adjusted odds ratio 1.56, 95%CI: 0.83–2.95, P = 0.171). There were no sex differences in other clinical outcomes (all P > 0.05). Conclusions In the ANGEL-ACT registry, the percentage of men with acute VBAO undergoing EVT was approximately fourfold higher than that of women with acute VBAO undergoing EVT. Sex differences did not modify the outcomes of acute VBAO after EVT.