WCN 2021 | Bridging IVT confers functional benefit in BAO stroke with large artery atherosclerosis

Benjamin Tan, MD, National University Health System, Singapore, shares the findings of a multicenter retrospective cohort study investigating the use of bridging intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) prior to mechanical thrombectomy (MT), compared to MT alone in patients with ischemic stroke due to basilar artery occlusion (BAO). A total of 322 patients were assessed, with 127 receiving bridging IVT and 195 undergoing direct MT. The rate of favorable functional outcomes, defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-3 at 90 days, was comparable between the two groups. In subgroup analyses, it was demonstrated that patients with BAO with underlying large artery atherosclerosis showed significantly better outcomes when treated with bridging IVT compared to MT alone. Dr Tan concludes that bridging IVT may be valuable in patients with underlying large artery atherosclerosis and further study in a randomized controlled setting is warranted. This interview took place during the XXV World Congress of Neurology.