Outcome of Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion in Patients with Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease

Introduction Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) has been identified as a major cause of acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO).This study compared the characteristics and treatment outcomes in acute BAO patients with and without ICAD. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted at 115 People’s Hospital, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam from August 2021 to June 2023. Patients with acute BAO who underwent endovascular treatment within 24 hours from symptom onset were included (thrombectomy alone or bridging with intravenous alteplase). The baseline characteristics and outcomes were analyzed and compared between patients with and without ICAD. Good functional outcome was defined as mRS ≤ 3 at 90 days. Results Among the 208 patients enrolled, 112 (53.8%) patients were categorized in the ICAD group, and 96 (46.2%) in the non-ICAD group. Occlusion in the proximal segment of the basilar artery was more common in patients with ICAD (55.4% vs 21.9%, p < 0.001), whereas the distal segment was the most common location in the non-ICAD group (58.3% vs 10.7%, p < 0.001). Patients in the ICAD group were more likely to undergo treatment in the late window, with a higher mean onset-to-treatment time compared to the non-ICAD group (11.6 vs. 9.5 hours, p=0.01). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, distal segment basilar artery occlusion was negatively associated with ICAD (aOR 0.13, 95% CI 0.05 – 0.32, p < 0.001), while dyslipidemia showed a positive association (aOR 2.44, 95% CI 1.15 – 5.17, p = 0.02).There was a higher rate for rescue stenting in the ICAD compared to non-ICAD group (15.2% vs. 0%, p<0.001). However, no significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of good outcome (45.5% vs. 44.8%, p = 0.91), symptomatic hemorrhage rates (4.5% vs. 8.3%, p = 0.25), and mortality (42% vs. 50%, p = 0.25). Conclusion ICAD was a common etiology in patients with BAO. The location segment of basilar artery occlusion and dyslipidemia were associated with ICAD in patients with BAO. There was no difference in 90-day outcomes between BAO patients with and without ICAD undergoing endovascular therapy.