A NEWLY published systematic review and meta-analysis underscores the enduring benefits of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion. This groundbreaking study offers fresh insights into the long-term clinical outcomes of EVT, a treatment that combines advanced surgical intervention with medical management (MM).
The research analyzed data from nine randomized controlled trials encompassing 3,358 patients, comparing the outcomes of those treated with EVT plus MM to those receiving MM alone. The findings showed that at 12 months or beyond, patients in the EVT group demonstrated significantly higher rates of functional independence (32.9%) compared to the MM group (18.2%). Functional independence was measured using the modified Rankin scale (mRS), where scores of 0 to 2 indicate minimal or no disability.
Additionally, EVT showed a notable impact on survival. Mortality rates were lower among EVT-treated patients (34.1%) compared to those receiving only MM (39.7%). These results were quantified using risk ratios (RR), with the EVT group exhibiting a 2.07 times greater likelihood of achieving functional independence (95% CI, 1.50–2.87; P < 0.001) and a 14% reduction in mortality risk (RR 0.86; 95% CI, 0.78–0.94; P = 0.001). This study is a builds on the growing body of evidence supporting EVT as a transformative approach in stroke management. It highlights the immediate benefits and the sustained impact on quality of life and survival, offering hope for patients and guiding clinical decision-making. Reference: Wu Y et al. Long-term outcome of endovascular thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neurol. 2025;272(101). Anaya Malik | AMJ
