A Meta-Analysis of Prognostic Factors in Patients with Posterior Circulation Stroke after Mechanical Thrombectomy

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Posterior circulation stroke is characterized by poor prognosis because its optimal thrombolysis “time window” is always missed. After mechanical thrombectomy (MT), the recanalization rate of posterior circulation obstruction is significantly increased, but prognosis remains poor. To best manage patients, prognostic factors are needed to inform MT triaging after posterior circulation stroke. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A systematic literature search was done for the period through April 2020. Studies included those with posterior circulation stroke cases that underwent MT. The primary outcome measure in this study was the modified Rankin Scale on day 90. <b><i>Results:</i></b> No outcome differences were found in gender, atrial fibrillation, smoking, and coronary artery disease (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.90–1.28; OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.82–1.26; OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 0.94–1.68; and OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.58–1.22, respectively). Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and previous stroke correlated with poorer prognosis (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.48–0.77; OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.50–0.73; and OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.55–0.99, respectively). However, hyperlipidemia correlated with better prognosis (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.04–1.58). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our analysis indicates that hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or previous stroke correlate with poorer outcomes. Intriguingly, hyperlipidemia correlates with better prognosis. These factors may help inform triage decisions when considering MT for posterior circulation stroke patients. However, large, multicenter, randomized controlled trials are needed to validate these observations.