Endovascular Treatment for Posterior Circulation Stroke in Routine Clinical Practice: Results of the Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands Registry
Authors: Pirson F. Anne V. , Boodt Nikki , Brouwer Josje , Bruggeman Agnetha A.E. , den Hartog Sanne J. , Goldhoorn Robert-Jan B. , Langezaal Lucianne C.M. , Staals Julie , van Zwam Wim H. , van der Leij Christiaan , Brans Rutger J.B. , Majoie Charles B.L.M. , Coutinho Jonathan M. , Emmer Bart J. , Dippel Diederik W.J. , van der Lugt Aad , Vos Jan-Albert , van Oostenbrugge Robert J. , Schonewille Wouter J. , Roos Yvo B.W.E.M. , Boiten Jelis , Vos Jan Albert , Jansen Ivo G.H. , Mulder Maxim J.H.L. , Compagne Kars C.J. , Kappelhof Manon , Hinsenveld Wouter H. , Roozenbeek Bob , van der Lugt Aad , Roos Yvo B.W.E.M. , Vos Jan Albert , Wermer Marieke J.H. , van Walderveen Marianne A.A. , van Es Adriaan C.G.M. , Hofmeijer Jeannette , Martens Jasper M. , Lycklama à Nijeholt Geert J. , Boiten Jelis , de Bruijn Sebastiaan F. , van Dijk Lukas C. , van der Worp H. Bart , Lo Rob H. , van Dijk Ewoud J. , Boogaarts Hieronymus D. , de Vries J. , de Kort Paul L.M. , van Tuijl Julia , Peluso Jo P. , Fransen Puck , van den Berg Jan S.P. , van Hasselt Boudewijn A.A.M. , Aerden Leo A.M. , Dallinga René J. , Uyttenboogaart Maarten , Eschgi Omid , Bokkers Reinoud P.H. , Schreuder Tobien H.C.M.L. , Heijboer Roel J.J. , Keizer Koos , Yo Lonneke S.F. , den Hertog Heleen M. , Sturm Emiel J.C. , Brouwers Paul J.A.M. , Lycklama à Nijeholt Geert J. , van Walderveen Marianne A.A. , Sprengers Marieke E.S. , Jenniskens Sjoerd F.M. , van den Berg René , Yoo Albert J. , Beenen Ludo F.M. , Postma Alida A. , Roosendaal Stefan D. , van der Kallen Bas F.W. , van den Wijngaard Ido R. , van Es Adriaan C.G.M. , Martens Jasper M. , Yo Lonneke S.F. , Vos Jan Albert , Bot Joost , van Doormaal Pieter-Jan , Meijer Anton , Ghariq Elyas , Bokkers Reinoud P.H. , van Proosdij Marc P. , Menno Krietemeijer G. , Peluso Jo P. , Boogaarts Hieronymus D. , Lo Rob , Gerrits Dick , Dinkelaar Wouter , Appelman Auke P.A. , Hammer Bas , Pegge Sjoert , van der Hoorn Anouk , Vinke Saman , Cornelissen Sandra , Roos Yvo B.W.E.M. , à Nijeholt Geert J. Lycklama , Boiten Jelis , Vos Jan Albert , Hofmeijer Jeannette , Martens Jasper M. , van der Worp H. Bart , Lo Rob H. , Hofmeijer Jeannette , Flach H. Zwenneke , Lingsma Hester F. , Ghannouti Naziha el , Sterrenberg Martin , Pellikaan Wilma , Sprengers Rita , Elfrink Marjan , Simons Michelle , Vossers Marjolein , de Meris Joke , Vermeulen Tamara , Geerlings Annet , van Vemde Gina , Simons Tiny , Messchendorp Gert , Nicolaij Nynke , Bongenaar Hester , Bodde Karin , Kleijn Sandra , Lodico Jasmijn , Droste Hanneke , Wollaert Maureen , Verheesen Sabrina , Jeurrissen D. , Bos Erna , Drabbe Yvonne , Sandiman Michelle , Aaldering Nicoline , Zweedijk Berber , Vervoort Jocova , Ponjee Eva , Romviel Sharon , Kanselaar Karin , Barning Denn , Venema Esmee , Chalos Vicky , Geuskens Ralph R. , van Straaten Tim , Ergezen Saliha , Harmsma Roger R.M. , Muijres Daan , de Jong Anouk , Berkhemer Olvert A. , Boers Anna M.M. , Huguet J. , Groot P.F.C. , Mens Marieke A. , van Kranendonk Katinka R. , Treurniet Kilian M. , Tolhuisen Manon L. , Alves Heitor , Weterings Annick J. , Kirkels Eleonora L.F. , Voogd Eva J.H.F. , Schupp Lieve M. , Collette Sabine L. , Groot Adrien E.D. , LeCouffe Natalie E. , Konduri Praneeta R. , Prasetya Haryadi , Arrarte-Terreros Nerea , Ramos Lucas A. 
Published: November 2021

Background and Purpose:
The benefit of endovascular treatment (EVT) for posterior circulation stroke (PCS) remains uncertain, and little is known on treatment outcomes in clinical practice. This study evaluates outcomes of a large PCS cohort treated with EVT in clinical practice. Simultaneous to this observational study, several intervention centers participated in the BASICS trial (Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study), which tested the efficacy of EVT for basilar artery occlusion in a randomized setting. We additionally compared characteristics and outcomes of patients treated outside BASICS in trial centers to those from nontrial centers.

Methods:
We included patients with PCS from the Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands Registry: a prospective, multicenter, observational study of patients who underwent EVT in the Netherlands between 2014 and 2018. Primary outcome was a score of 0 to 3 on the modified Rankin Scale at 90 days. Secondary outcomes included reperfusion status and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. For outcome comparison between patients treated in trial versus nontrial centers, we used ordinal logistic regression analysis.

Results:
We included 264 patients of whom 135 (51%) had received intravenous thrombolysis. The basilar artery was most often involved (77%). Favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–3) was observed in 115/252 (46%) patients, and 109/252 (43%) patients died. Successful reperfusion was achieved in 178/238 (75%), and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 9/264 (3%). The 154 nontrial patients receiving EVT in BASICS trial centers had similar characteristics and outcomes as the 110 patients treated in nontrial centers (modified Rankin Scale adjusted cOR: 0.77 [95% CI, 0.5–1.2]).

Conclusions:
Our study shows that high rates of favorable clinical outcome and successful reperfusion can be achieved with EVT for PCS, despite high mortality. Characteristics and outcomes of patients treated in trial versus nontrial centers were similar indicating that our cohort is representative of clinical practice in the Netherlands. Randomized studies using modern treatment approaches are needed for further insight in the benefit of EVT for PCS.