Publication details

Endovascular revascularization of vertebrobasilar tandem occlusions in comparison to isolated basilar artery occlusions: A multi-center experience

Authors	KLAIL Tomáš PIECHOWIAK Eike I KRUG Nadja MAEGERLEIN Christian MAUS Volker FISCHER Sebastian LOBSIEN Donald PIELENZ Daniel STYCZEN Hanna DEUSCHL Cornelius THORMANN Maximilian DIAMANDIS Elie HELDNER Mirjam R KAESMACHER Johannes MORDASINI Pasquale
Year of publication	2024
Type	Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source	INTERVENTIONAL NEURORADIOLOGY
MU Faculty or unit	Faculty of Medicine
Citation
Web	https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15910199241240045
Doi	http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/15910199241240045
Keywords	Tandem occlusions; stroke; vertebrobasilar; mechanical thrombectomy
Description	Background Acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is a severe disease that is associated with an 85% mortality rate if untreated. Several studies have analyzed the use of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in the different scenarios of BAO. However, the results remain conflicting and the role of MT as standard of care for vertebrobasilar tandem occlusions (VBTO) has not been confirmed. Our goal was to assess technical feasibility, safety, and functional outcome of endovascular treatment of VBTO in comparison to isolated BAO (IBAO).Methods We retrospectively reviewed all prospectively collected patients with acute BAO from six tertiary centers between September 2016 and November 2021. Patients were subsequently divided into two groups: VBTO and IBAO. Baseline data, procedural details, and outcomes were compared between groups.Results A total of 190 patients were included, 55 presenting with a VBTO and 135 with IBAO. Successful recanalization was equally common in both groups (89.1% and 86.0%). Rates of favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale: 0-2) were higher in patients with VBTO compared to IBAO (36.4% vs. 25.2%, p = 0.048) and mortality was lower (29.1% vs. 33.3%). However, these associations faded after adjustment for confounders (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.86, 95% CI 0.35-2.05; aOR 0.93, 95% CI 0.35-2.45). Rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage did not differ between the groups (VBTO: 7.3% vs. IBAO: 4.2%; p = 0.496).Conclusion Endovascular treatment of VBTO is technically feasible and safe with similar rates of successful recanalization, favorable functional outcome, and mortality to those in patients with IBAO.