Outcomes of endovascular treatment of basilar XXXX in the stent retriever era: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

@entity432 @entity1 @entity64 @entity548
BACKGROUND: Stent retriever thrombectomy has recently been found to be effective for anterior circulation @entity64 , but its efficacy for basilar @entity432 (BAO) is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyze the available evidence for the use of stent retrievers for BAO. METHODS: Two independent reviewers searched six databases for studies reporting outcomes following endovascular treatment for BAO. RESULTS: A total of 17 articles (6 prospective and 11 retrospective) were included. The weighted mean age of @entity1 was 67   years (range 59-82) and 59% were male. Thrombolytic drugs were administered intravenously and intra-arterially in 46% (range 0-88%) and 38% (range 0-90%) of @entity1 , respectively. Weighted pooled estimates of successful recanalization (TICI 2b-3) and good outcome (modified Rankin Scale  <=2) were 80.0% (95% CI 70.7% to 88.0%; I(2)=80.28%; p<0.001) and 42.8% (95% CI 34.0% to 51.8%; I(2)=61.83%; p=0.002), respectively. Pooled mortality was 29.4% (95% CI 23.9% to 35.3%; I(2)=37.01%; p=0.087). Incidence of procedure-related complications and symptomatic @entity548 was 10.0% (95% CI 3.7% to 18.3%; I(2)=61.05%; p=0.017) and 6.8% (95% CI 3.5% to 10.8%; I(2)=37.99%; p=0.08), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Stent retriever thrombectomy achieves a high rate of recanalization and functional independence while being relatively safe for @entity1 with BAO. Future prospective studies with long-term follow-up are warranted.
