Efficacy of Endovascular Thrombectomy in the Oldest Old (Stroke 90+ Study): A Community Center Experience

BackgroundWhile endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is considered as the most effective treatment for a select group of patients with acute ischemic stroke and large vessel occlusion, its safety and efficacy in older patients are still debated especially in "read-world" settings. This study reports outcomes of EVT in acute ischemic stroke patients aged 90 and older in our community hospital setting. MethodsData between January 2018 and December 2022 were aggregated for all acute ischemic stroke patients with aged 90 and older at the time of EVT. Thirty-one patients met the criteria and were included in this report. The data valuables included, but are not limited to, demographics, stroke risk factors, thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS). ResultsAll 31 patients had improvement in TICI scale. One had symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after EVT not related to the procedure, but likely on the basis of reperfusion breakthrough. Three patients expired prior to their discharge from non-stroke related causes. Of remaining 28, four expired, six went into hospice care, and four lost to follow-up by 30-days post DC. Of six hospice cases, one expired by 90-day post DC, and additional three were lost to follow-up. Given this data, 20/27 (74%) survived to 30 days and 16/24 (67%) to 90 days. For their NIHSS symptomatic categories, 15/28 (54%) patients improved, 10/28 (36%) remained the same, and 3/28 (11%) declined. For mRS, at 30-days post DC, 7/24 (30%) patients showed improvement, 7/24 (30%) remained the same, and 10/24 (40%) declined. At 90-days post DC, 7/21 (33%) showed improvement from DC, 4/21 (19%) remained the same, and 10/21 (48%) declined. ConclusionsWhile a larger cohort study is necessary, our report supports the safety and efficacy of EVT in this patient aged 90 and older in a real-world setting.