A new international study published in The New England of Medicine has analyzed the efficiency of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for patients with ischemic stroke caused by medium -sized blood vessels.
The new study clarifies what treatment is most suitable in stroke Photo: Shutterstock
According to Medicalxpress, researchers at Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary and Calgary Stroke at Foothills Medical Center, revolutionized the treatment for stroke with the help of Escape, demonstrating that an endovascular thrombectomy (EVT ) can dramatically improve the patient’s results after a ischemic stroke caused by blockages in large blood vessels.
Based on this knowledge, the team launched the Escape-Mevo Clinical Study to evaluate whether patients with ischemic stroke with blockages in smaller and medium vessels could also benefit from EVT. The new research, however, shows that this procedure does not bring the same benefits for medium and small blood vessels.
“For blockages in average vessels, ordinary treatment remains the best option”
The research included 530 patients from five countries, treated in 58 medical centers. They were divided into two groups: one received standard treatment, and the other has benefited from both standard and EVT treatment. 90 days after the stroke, it was found that EVT has not made significant improvements.
“When someone undergoes a stroke, it is essential for doctors to know what is the best approach to each case. The brain cells die quickly when the blood flow is interrupted. Our results show that patients with blockages in the average vessels that were treated with EVT have not had better results than those who received the standard treatment ”,
explained Dr. Mayank Goyal, interventional neuroradiologist, clinical teacher at Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) and co-investigator of the study.
“We know now that for blockages in medium vessels, ordinary drug treatment, including thrombolytic drugsremains the best option ”, added Dr. Michael Hill, a neurologist, professor at CSM and co-investigator of the study.
The results are particularly important for smaller hospitals and units in rural areas, where EVT is not available. Researchers will continue to monitor patients for one year to observe any long -term benefits.
“Finally, we do this research to improve treatments and reduce mortality and disabilities caused by stroke ”, said Dr. Goyal.
The results of the study were presented at the International Stroke Conference in Los Angeles, on February 5, 2024.
