Mechanical thrombectomy and intracranial stenting for acute ischemic stroke in the posterior circulation: assessment of efficacy and outcome

Introduction: Acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion in the posterior circulation is a critical emergency with a high mortality and disability rate. Endovascular thrombectomy has been shown to improve prognosis compared to standard medical treatment. However, in many cases where thrombectomy alone does not achieve recanalization, acute intracranial stenting is performed. The prognosis and outcomes in such cases remain unclear, prompting us to conduct this study.Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study with longitudinal follow-up and no control group, conducted on patients with ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion in the posterior circulation who underwent recanalization through thrombectomy and intracranial stenting.Results: In the 14 cases studied, the average age was 66 years, with 64% being male. The door-to-groin puncture time was 68 minutes, with an average puncture-to-stenting time of 60 minutes. The rate of good reperfusion (mTICI 2b or higher) was 100%. The rate of stent occlusion during the intervention, with a 15-minute waiting time after stent deployment, was 0%. The rate of good functional recovery after 3 months, with a mRS score of 0-2, was 43%, while the rate of favorable outcome (mRS 0-3) was 64%.Conclusion: Treatment of ischemic stroke in the posterior circulation with thrombectomy and intracranial stenting increases the good recanalization rate, does not increase peri-procedural severe complications, and improves 3-month functional outcomes.