Endovascular therapy for mild-to-moderate stroke due to basilar artery occlusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
J Neurol SciSep 1, 2026 (epub)
Marco Andrighetti, Antonio Ciacciarelli, Pierludovico Moro et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of endovascular therapy (EVT) for patients with mild-to-moderate stroke due to basilar artery occlusion (BAO) and NIHSS <10. Among 3981 patients, EVT significantly increased the odds of achieving excellent functional status (mRS 0-1) compared to best medical treatment (BMT) with an odds ratio of 2.01 (p < 0.001), while safety outcomes were comparable.
Key findings
- EVT increased the odds of excellent functional status (mRS 0-1) with an OR of 2.01 (p < 0.001).
- No significant difference in good functional status (mRS 0-2) was found (OR = 1.51; p = 0.12).
- Mortality rates were comparable between EVT and BMT (OR = 0.94; p = 0.55).
- Any intracerebral hemorrhage rates were similar (OR = 1.23; p = 0.69).
Why it matters
Understanding the effectiveness of EVT in patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies in stroke care. This study suggests that EVT may enhance recovery without increasing safety risks.