Acute Mechanical Thrombectomy : Current Evidence and Treatment Indications

Abstract

  This study aimed to clarify the current evidential status pertaining to acute endovascular thrombectomy and its treatment indications and limitations. Mechanical thrombectomy is being widely performed due to the results presented by five large-scale randomized trials. Recently, both Japanese and international guidelines for mechanical thrombectomy have been updated to extend its indications in unresolved fields. Obvious effectiveness was observed in patients treated within 6-16 hours of onset, as well as in patients with occlusion of the distal middle cerebral artery. However, the indications for patients with occlusion of the posterior circulation and extensive areas of infarction remain controversial. The indications for mechanical thrombectomy are expected to become more widespread, depending on the results of the ongoing clinical trials.