title: Vertebrobasilar revascularization rates and outcomes in the MERCI and multi-MERCI trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mortality of 40% to 86% and good outcomes in only 13% to 21% of patients beg for treatment options for basilar occlusion. This study determined outcomes of patients with vertebrobasilar occlusion treated with mechanical embolus removal in cerebral ischemia (MERCI) retriever mechanical thrombectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with vertebrobasilar occlusion in the MERCI and Multi-MERCI trials received treatment up to 8 hours after symptom onset. Recanalization was determined after retriever use and adjunctive therapy. Mortality and good outcomes, modified Rankin scale score 0-3, were determined at 90 days in patients who were recanalized and not recanalized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recanalization occurred in 21 of 27 (78%) patients. Mortality was 44% and good outcomes were seen in 41%. Patients with recanalization tended to have better outcomes than those without.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Outcomes in patients with vertebrobasilar occlusions treated with the MERCI retriever compared favorably with natural history reports and tended to be better in those patients with recanalization.
authors.affiliation: Oregon Stroke Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA. lutseph@ohsu.edu
authors.forename: Helmi L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Lutsep
authors.forename: Marilyn M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Rymer
authors.forename: Gary M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Nesbit
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017131:Thrombectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency; D014715:Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator