Benefit of mechanical thrombectomy as an additional option of earlyreperfusion therapy in patients with acute stroke: one-year experience in a regional stroke center

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Mechanical thrombectomy using Merci Retrieval System has been available in Japan since autumn 2010. We have been able to manage patients with acute ischemic stroke by either of IV-rt-PA or endovascular mechanical thrombectomy, or a combination of both. We evaluated the patients' outcomes of acute stroke after undergoing IV rt-PA therapy and/or mechanical thrombectomy in our hospital.Methods: We reviewed the patients with acute ischemic stroke aged under 85 admitted to our hospital between November 2010 and October 2011.Results: There were 122 patients with acute stroke. 39 patients (32.0%) received reperfusion therapy. Intravenous rt-PA was performed in 21 (17.2%), rt-PA+Merci in 7 (5.7%), and only Merci in 11 patients (9.0%). In the 39 patients that received reperfusion therapy, 14 had a good outcome of mRS 0-2 at day 30 or discharge. The complication rate of the Merci Retriever was not higher than the IV rt-PA therapy.Conclusions: Mechanical thrombectomy using the Merci Retrieval System is an effective reperfusion therapy complementing the IV rt-PA therapy. It increased the opportunity of receiving reperfusion therapy and the possibility of having a good outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke.