Abstract Number: LBA13 Relationship Between Vertebral Artery Dominance And Incidence Of Embolic Basilar Artery Occlusion

Abstract

Introduction Vertebral artery asymmetry due to hypoplasia or early termination is common in the general population with 50% left dominance, 25% right dominance, and 25% codominance. Our aim was to identify if an association exists between vertebral artery dominance and incidence of embolic basilar artery occlusion. Methods Retrospective chart review of patients presenting to our comprehensive stroke center with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) secondary to embolic basilar artery occlusion were reviewed. Artery‐to‐artery occlusions related to athersclerotic steno‐occlusive disease or proximal dissection with distal thromboembolism were excluded. Successful recanalization was identified as a modified treatment in cerebral infarction (mTICI) score of 2b and 3. Fisher exact test statistic was used to assess for significant differences in recanalization. Social science statistics software was used for data analysis. Results From May 2017 to November 2019, 29 patients with acute basilar occlusions undergoing thrombectomy were identified. Acute basilar artery occlusion patients had a dominant right vertebral artery (31%, n = 9), codominant vertebral arteries (31%, n = 9) and dominant left vertebral artery (38%, n = 11). Successful recanalization of TICI 2b or higher was achieved in 89.6% (n = 26). Difference between successful recanalization and right or left vertebral artery dominance was not statistically significant (Fisher exact test statistic value 0.48). Conclusions Our study suggests a higher proportion of our patients presenting with basilar artery occlusion had right vertebral artery dominance or codominant pattern. Larger, studies are needed to validate our results.