Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with basilar artery occlusion (BAO) present a devastating, life-threatening prognosis.
Urgent recanalization with endovascular mechanical thrombectomy is routinely performed in patients with BAO although the level of evidence is lower than that in anterior circulation occlusions (randomization in this population versus medical treatment alone having been impossible in recent studies). Recently, a large retrospective study supports the interest of thrombectomy in this population .
Speed and grade of the recanalisation have a major impact on clinical outcome. Favorable outcome at 90 days is strongly associated with the successful recanalization status at the end of the endovascular procedure (OR=4.57, 95%CI=1.24-16.87, P=0.023).
First pass effect has been shown to be a strong marker of efficacy of endovascular procedure with significant correlation with clinical outcome.
Thrombectomy with Stent retrievers dramatically changed the prognosis of anterior circulation large vessel occlusion strokes and currently used in BAO patients (posterior circulation). Contact aspiration (CA) is currently used in anterior large vessel occlusions (COMPASS trial, Lancet 2019), with similar rates of recanalization and favorable outcomes (Boulanger M, 2019), as well as in BAO patients .
However, the benefit of CA compared to SR for the treatment of BAO remains under debate with the superiority of first line CA compared to SR or no difference. Available data are based on retrospective studies with no data from RCT.
In this context, a randomized controlled trial is needed to assess the benefit of CA versus SR.
AIS with BAO on non-invasive imaging (CT or MRI)
Eligible for thrombectomy : groin puncture undergone within 24 hours of first symptoms or of last time the patient was seen normal
Being covered by a national health insurance
Informed consent obtained from the patients/his proxy or following an emergency procedure
Known or suspected pre-existing (chronic) large vessel stenosis / occlusion in the symptomatic territory (basilar artery)
Severe contrast medium allergy or absolute contraindication to use of iodinated products
Clinical history, past imaging or clinical judgment suggesting intracranial stenosis of the basilar artery
Pregnancy (urine or serum beta HCG test for women of child-bearing potential)