Refractory Stroke Thrombectomy: Prevalence, Etiology, and Adjunctive Treatment in a North American Cohort

Abstract

Refractory stroke thrombectomy is encountered in <10% of cases, independently associated with diabetes, and related to underlying vessel wall pathology (intracranial atherosclerotic disease and/or intracranial arterial dissection) or, less commonly, recalcitrant emboli. Emergent salvage interventions with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors or intracranial angioplasty and/or stenting are safe and effective adjunctive treatments.