Minor stroke, major stakes: impact of procedure duration on thrombectomy outcomes in minor stroke.
J NeurosurgJul 17, 2026 (epub)
Rahim Abo Kasem, Bachar El Baba, Tianwen Ma et al.
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In 30 seconds
This meta-analysis evaluated the impact of procedure duration on outcomes of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in 398 patients with minor stroke (NIHSS < 6) from the STAR registry. It found that a procedure time (PT) of ≤ 35 minutes was associated with 82.6% achieving functional independence at 90 days, compared to 59.0% for PT > 35 minutes (p < 0.001).
Key findings
- PT ≤ 35 minutes led to 82.6% achieving functional independence at 90 days compared to 59.0% for PT > 35 minutes (p < 0.001).
- EVT within 35 minutes had superior outcomes compared to best medical management (85.1% vs 75.2%, p = 0.047).
- PT > 35 minutes resulted in worse outcomes than best medical management (mRS scores 0-2: 59.8%, p = 0.008).
- The number needed to treat for PT ≤ 35 minutes was 10, while PT > 35 minutes had a number needed to harm of 6.
Why it matters
Understanding the relationship between procedure duration and outcomes in minor stroke patients is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies. This study highlights the importance of timely intervention to improve functional independence and avoid potential harm.