Abstract P263: Do Different Sites of Vessel Occlusion Dictate the Need for Intubation Prior to Endovascular Treatment and Have an Effect on Outcome?

Abstract

Introduction: Endovascular treatment (EVT) is a widely proven method to treat patients diagnosed with intracranial large vessel occlusion. In order to ensure patients safety prior to and during EVT, preprocedural intubation has been adopted in many centers as a means for airway protection and immobilization. However, the correlation between site of vessel occlusion, need for intubation, and outcomes, has not yet been established. Methods: Through the utilization of a prospectively collected database at a comprehensive stroke center between 2012-2020, demographics, co-morbid conditions, intracerebral hemorrhage, mortality rate, and functional independence outcomes were examined. The outcomes and sites of occlusion between patients receiving mechanical thrombectomy (MT) treated while intubated versus those treated under conscious sedation (CS) were compared. Results: Out of 625 patients treated with MT, a total of 218 (34.9%) were treated while intubated (average age 70.3 ± 13.7, 37.2% women), and 407 (65.1%) were treated while under CS (average age 70.3 ± 13.7, 47.7% women); see Table 1 for baseline characteristics and outcomes. A higher number of patients requiring intubation had an occlusion in the basilar versus those only requiring CS. No differences were noted in regard to the proportion of patients receiving intubation or CS when treated for RMCA, LMCA, or internal carotid artery occlusions. Conclusion: Intubation + MT was associated with significantly worsened outcomes in regard to recanalization rates, functional outcome, and mortality. In anterior circulation strokes, intubation in RMCA patients were found to have poorer clinical outcome. Higher rates of intubation were also found to be needed in patients with basilar occlusions. Further research is required to determine whether site of occlusion dictates the need for intubation, and whether intubation allows for favorable outcome between R and LMCA occlusions.