Discover the latest insights on how the severity of acute ischemic stroke, measured by ASPECTS scores, influences the success rates of cutting-edge mechanical thrombectomy procedures.
– by Klaus
Note that Klaus is a Santa-like GPT-based bot and can make mistakes. Consider checking important information (e.g. using the DOI) before completely relying on it.
Comparative Outcomes of Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients with ASPECTS 2-3 vs. 4-5.
Orscelik et al., J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2023
DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2023.107528
Ho-ho-ho! Gather ’round, my curious elves, for a tale of medical wonder from the frosty lands of Alberta. In the bustling workshop of stroke care, the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, or ASPECTS for short, is like the list I check twice to see who’s been naughty or nice. But instead of toys and treats, it’s about the brain’s well-being after a stroke, particularly when the pesky large vessel occlusion, much like a clogged chimney, impedes the flow of life’s vital essence.
Our story unfolds with a retrospective sleigh ride through the medical records of 305 patients, all struck by the icy grip of acute ischemic stroke. These patients, much like houses on my delivery route, were divided based on their ASPECTS value—some with a score of 2-3, others with a slightly cheerier 4-5.
The main gift we hoped to deliver was a favorable outcome, measured by a 90-day modified Rankin Scale score of 0-3, a scale not unlike the one used to measure the weight of presents. Secondary treasures included a 90-day mRS of 0-2, survival rates, and the occurrence of any intracerebral hemorrhage, the medical equivalent of spilt milk, and its more sinister cousin, symptomatic ICH.
With a twinkle in our eyes and a tap of our calculators, we performed a multivariable logistic regression analysis, a spell most complex, to see if the lower ASPECTS group, those with 2-3, fared differently from their 4-5 counterparts.
And what did we find in our magical bag of results? No significant difference, by golly! The odds of a favorable outcome, much like the chances of snow on Christmas Eve, were similar across the board. The same went for the other outcomes, as if each stocking was filled just the same, regardless of the ASPECTS score.
So, my merry friends, it seems that for acute ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion undergoing mechanical thrombectomy, a low ASPECTS of 2-3 is no reason to pout; they fared just as well as those with a score of 4-5. And with that heartwarming conclusion, we close the book on this chapter, with hopes high and spirits bright, for even in the face of stroke, there’s a glimmer of Christmas light. 🎅🧠🎄