title: Clinical Outcome of Mechanical Thrombectomy for Stroke in the Elderly.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endovascular revascularization with mechanical devices has proven an effective treatment for proximal occlusions of the major intracranial arteries in stroke patients, but there is only limited information as to whether there should be an age limit for its use. We aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of endovascular revascularization in stroke patients aged 80 years and older, and compare the results with younger patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively collected 81 consecutive patients subjected to mechanical thrombectomy for proximal occlusion of the anterior circulation during a period of 27 months. According to age, patients were divided into those aged less than 80 years (younger group) and those aged 80 years and older (elderly group). We analyzed favorable outcome, successful and futile recanalization, neurological improvement, in-hospital complications, and mortality in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≤2 at 3 months) was reached by 51.6% in the elderly group and 64% of younger patients, and neurological improvement (improvement of ≥4 points on National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) was present in 77.4% of the elderly group. Overall, successful recanalization rates were 95.1% and futile recanalization reached 39% without statistically significant differences between both groups. Elderly patients presented more in-hospital complications (61.3% versus 38%) and higher mortality rates (16.1% versus 8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical independence was reached in over half of elderly stroke patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy, supporting the use of this treatment without age restriction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital de Galdakao-Usansolo,Vizcaya, Spain.
authors.forename: Itxaso
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Azkune Calle
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital de Galdakao-Usansolo,Vizcaya, Spain.
authors.forename: Jone
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bocos Portillo
authors.affiliation: REDISSEC, Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network Research Unit, Hospital de Galdakao-Usansolo, Vizcaya, Spain.
authors.forename: Ane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anton-Ladislao
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Cruces University Hospital, Vizcaya, Spain.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gil Garcia
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Cruces University Hospital, Vizcaya, Spain.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gonzalez Diaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital de Galdakao-Usansolo,Vizcaya, Spain.
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gomez-Beldarrain
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Cruces University Hospital, Vizcaya, Spain.
authors.forename: Covadonga
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fernandez Maiztegi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital de Galdakao-Usansolo,Vizcaya, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pinedo Brochado
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital de Galdakao-Usansolo,Vizcaya, Spain. Electronic address: hospit05@sarenet.es.
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Garcia-Monco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D017131:Thrombectomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Stroke; endovascular revascularization; mechanical thrombectomy; thrombectomy