Intra-arterial treatment of ischemic stroke--still no evidence but reason for further study
Dippel, D.W.J.; Boiten, J.; Vos, J.A.; Majoie, C.B.M.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 157(38): A6409
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 1876-8784 PMID: 24330796 Document Number: 669411
In 3 recent randomized controlled trials of intra-arterial treatment of acute ischemic stroke - IMS-III, SYNTHESIS and MR RESCUE - intra-arterial treatment increased the proportion of patients with recanalization and the treatment appeared safe. However, the trials did not show an effect on functional recovery, although a substantial effect could not be excluded. The delay between onset of symptoms and treatment was long, and stent retrievers were used in only a few patients. In our view, a rational and ethical approach would now be to treat quickly with IV rtPA and when possible, refer and include in new randomized clinical trials that compare intra-arterial treatment with standard care, such as MR CLEAN or BASICS in the Netherlands.