Large-Vessel Occlusion Is Associated with Poor Outcome in Stroke Patients Aged 80 Years or Older Who Underwent Intravenous Thrombolysis

Abstract

Objective We aimed to investigate the association between large-vessel occlusion (LVO) and functional outcome in elderly stroke patients treated with intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Methods This was a retrospective study of acute ischemic stroke patients who received IV tPA within 4.5 hours after stroke onset between 2007 and 2013. Patients were categorized into 2 groups based on age (≥80 or < 80 years). LVO was evaluated by computed tomography angiography (CTA) before thrombolysis. Favorable outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 2 or lower at 3 months, or equal to the prestroke mRS score. Results Of 359 thrombolysis patients, 175 patients with CT..