Extracranial-Intracranial Bypass and Risk of Stroke and Death in Patients With Symptomatic Artery Occlusion
Authors: Ma Yan , Wang Tao , Wang Haibo , Amin-Hanjani Sepideh , Tong Xiaoguang , Wang Jiyue , Tong Zhiyong , Kuai Dong , Cai Yiling , Ren Jun , Wang Donghai , Duan Lian , Maimaitili Aisha , Hang Chunhua , Yu Jiasheng , Bai Xuesong , Powers William J. , Derdeyn Colin P. , Wu Yangfeng , Ling Feng , Gu Yuxiang , Jiao Liqun ,   CMOSS Investigators, Jiao Liqun , Gu Yuxiang , Tong Xiaoguang , Wang Jiyue , Tong Zhiyong , Kuai Dong , Cai Yiling , Ren Jun , Wang Donghai , Duan Lian , Maimaitili Aisha , Hang Chunhua , Yu Jiasheng , Ling Feng , Lu Jie , Sun Qinjian , Zhang Hongqi , Yang Kun , Song Haiqing , Chen Wenhuo , Chen Fajun , Xu Baofeng , Li Shenmao , Zheng Bingjie , Yu Jia , Hu Weiwu , Luo Jichang , Feng Yao , Ma Yan , Wang Tao , Wang Haibo , Wu Yangfeng , Wu Xiangchen , Ni Wei , Gao Chao , Su Jiabin , Hao Jiheng , Sun Liyong , Wang Gang , Bao Lizhi , Xuan Xuan , Zhang Zhaolong , Tang Bo , Zhao Peng , Han Cong , Fu Heguan , Guo Zhen , Wang Yi , Chen Rudong , Zhu Miaomiao , Zhang Bairu , Wu Tianchen , Wu Yang , Fan Meng 
Published: August 2023

Importance

Prior trials of extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery showed no benefit for stroke prevention in patients with atherosclerotic occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) or middle cerebral artery (MCA), but there have been subsequent improvements in surgical techniques and patient selection.

Objective

To evaluate EC-IC bypass surgery in symptomatic patients with atherosclerotic occlusion of the ICA or MCA, using refined patient and operator selection.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a randomized, open-label, outcome assessor–blinded trial conducted at 13 centers in China. A total of 324 patients with ICA or MCA occlusion with transient ischemic attack or nondisabling ischemic stroke attributed to hemodynamic insufficiency based on computed tomography perfusion imaging were recruited between June 2013 and March 2018 (final follow-up: March 18, 2020).

Interventions

EC-IC bypass surgery plus medical therapy (surgical group; n = 161) or medical therapy alone (medical group; n = 163). Medical therapy included antiplatelet therapy and stroke risk factor control.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was a composite of stroke or death within 30 days or ipsilateral ischemic stroke beyond 30 days through 2 years after randomization. There were 9 secondary outcomes, including any stroke or death within 2 years and fatal stroke within 2 years.

Results

Among 330 patients who were enrolled, 324 patients were confirmed eligible (median age, 52.7 years; 257 men [79.3%]) and 309 (95.4%) completed the trial. For the surgical group vs medical group, no significant difference was found for the composite primary outcome (8.6% [13/151] vs 12.3% [19/155]; incidence difference, −3.6% [95% CI, −10.1% to 2.9%]; hazard ratio [HR], 0.71 [95% CI, 0.33-1.54]; P = .39). The 30-day risk of stroke or death was 6.2% (10/161) in the surgical group and 1.8% (3/163) in the medical group, and the risk of ipsilateral ischemic stroke beyond 30 days through 2 years was 2.0% (3/151) and 10.3% (16/155), respectively. Of the 9 prespecified secondary end points, none showed a significant difference including any stroke or death within 2 years (9.9% [15/152] vs 15.3% [24/157]; incidence difference, −5.4% [95% CI, −12.5% to 1.7%]; HR, 0.69 [95% CI, 0.34-1.39]; P = .30) and fatal stroke within 2 years (2.0% [3/150] vs 0% [0/153]; incidence difference, 1.9% [95% CI, −0.2% to 4.0%]; P = .08).

Conclusions and Relevance

Among patients with symptomatic ICA or MCA occlusion and hemodynamic insufficiency, the addition of bypass surgery to medical therapy did not significantly change the risk of the composite outcome of stroke or death within 30 days or ipsilateral ischemic stroke beyond 30 days through 2 years.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01758614