Abstract TMP7: Endovascular Stroke Therapy Abrogates Sex-Related Differences in Recanalization in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

Background: Ischemic stroke affects women differently than men. Prior studies evaluating recanalization treatment with IV tpA showed that while women are more likely to achieve recanalization, there are strong sex disparities with respect to clinical outcome. We evaluated the effect of endovascular stroke therapy (ET) on recanalization and outcomes in women versus men. Methods: In the combined databases of the SWIFT, STAR, and SWIFT-PRIME trials, we identified patients treated with the Solitaire stent retriever to determine the effects of sex on recanalization and clinical outcome. Results: Among 389 patients treated with ET, mean age was 67±13, 55% were female, and median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 17 [8-28]. There were no differences between females vs. males in presentation NIHSS (17 vs. 17, p=0.21), occlusion location (69% vs. 64% M1, p=0.62), or ASPECTS score (9 vs. 8, p=0.24). Rates of successful TICI 2b/3 recanalization were nearly identical (87% vs. 83%, p=0.374). There were no differences in onset to recanalization time (OTR) (277 vs. 306, p=0.46), procedural time (44 vs. 48 minutes, p=0.23), number of stent-retriever passes (1.7 vs. 1.8, p=0.17), rate of PH2 hemorrhage (1.9% vs. 1.1%, p=0.70), or functional independence at 90 days (53% vs. 56%, p=0.54). In ordinal multivariate analysis, collateral grade (OR 1.4, p=0.007) but not sex, age, or history of atrial fibrillation predicted improved TICI recanalization. In logistic (Figure) and ordinal regression analysis, the impact of delayed OTR was no different between men and women (1% versus 1.2% likelihood of worsened mRS outcome per 5 minute delay, p=0.27). Conclusions: In our prospective multicenter randomized cohort of nearly 400 patients undergoing ET, presentation and treatment characteristics of women were similar to men. Women were equally likely to achieve successful recanalization and good clinical outcomes.