Clinical Outcomes of Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Transfer Cases

OBJECTIVE: There are regional disparities in endovascular thrombectomy, and problems with emergency transport systems and hospital collaboration when transferring need to be addressed. In this study, the clinical outcomes of endovascular thrombectomy for transferred patients were analyzed. METHODS: Acute ischemic stroke patients who underwent endovascular thrombectomy between January 2016 and March 2019 were enrolled. They were retrospectively reviewed and divided into the direct group and transfer group, and we compared treatment results and clinical outcomes between them. RESULTS: In all, 122 patients met the inclusion criteria, comprising 93 patients in the direct group and 29 patients in the transfer group. The time from onset to door of our hospital was longer in the transfer group than in the direct group (73 minutes vs. 158 minutes, P = 0.80), but the time from arrival to reperfusion was significantly shorter in the transfer group (139 minutes vs. 106 minutes, P = 0.001). As the time from onset to reperfusion did not differ significantly between the two groups (220 minutes vs. 256 minutes, P = 0.60), there was no significant difference in good outcome at discharge (38.7 vs. 41.3%, P = 0.79). CONCLUSION: Clinical outcomes of transferred patients for endovascular thrombectomy may be equivalent to those of directly transported patients. Promoting close hospital cooperation may improve clinical outcomes and resolve regional disparities.