The impact of arterial collateralization on outcome after intra-arterial therapy for acute ischemic stroke

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although intra-arterial therapy for acute ischemic stroke is associated with superior recanalization rates, improved clinical outcomes are inconsistently observed following successful recanalization. There is emerging concern that unfavorable arterial collateralization, though unproven, predetermines poor outcome. We hypothesized that poor leptomeningeal collateralization, assessed by preprocedural CTA, is associated with poor outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing intra-arterial therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients with acute ischemic stroke with intracranial ICA and/or MCA occlusions who received intra-arterial ther..