Effects of different degrees of reperfusion after endovascular therapy on prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Objective To compare the effects of modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score (mTICI) 2b and mTICI 3 reperfusion on lesions′ changes and prognosis in patients who underwent endovascular therapy within six hours after onset. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 94 patients with acute large intracranial artery occlusion of the anterior circulation who achieved reperfusion sucesssfully by endovascular therapy within 6 hours after onset in the Department of Neurology, Nanjing First Hospital from October 2016 to March 2019. The effects of mTICI 2b and mTICI 3 reperfusion on lesions′ changes and prognosis of patients were compared. The primary endpoint was the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days; the secondary endpoints were the early neurological deficit score, the mortality at 90 days, the volume of infarction at 24 hours, the changes in infarct volume for 24 hours and the rate of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) , reocclusion and hemorrhagic transformation. Results In all patients, 35 cases received mTICI 2b reperfusion and 59 cases received mTICI 3 reperfusion. Compared with mTICI 2b group (10.00 (3.00, 16.00)), the early neurological deficit score at seven days of mTICI 3 group (6.00 (1.00,11.50)) was lower (Z=-2.004, P=0.045) . However, there were no statistically significant differences in mRS score at 90 days, early neurological deficit score at 24 hours and 3 days, mortality at 90 days, volume of infarction at 24 hours, the changes in infarct volume for 24 hours, and the rate of sICH, reocclusion, and hemorrhagic transformation between the two groups. Conclusion For patients with large intracranial artery occlusion of the anterior circulation within six hours after onset, achieving mTICI 3 reperfusion after endovascular therapy can improve the early neurological function more effectively, but the effects on 90-day functional outcome are similar to that of mTICI 2b reperfusion. Key words: Stroke; Brain ischemia; Reperfusion; Prognosis; Endovascular therapy