De novo headache in ischemic stroke patients treated with thrombectomy: a prospective study

Abstract

Background and aimHeadache attributed to intracranial endovascular procedures is described in the ICHD-3. Our aim was to study the frequency and characteristics of headache specifically related to thrombectomy in patients with ischemic stroke.MethodsProspective evaluation of clinical features of headache after thrombectomy using an ad hoc questionnaire.ResultsOne hundred seventeen patients were included (52.1% females). Most had an anterior circulation artery occlusion (91.5%). 93 (79.5%) received general anaesthesia. 111 (94.9%) required stent retriever, 21 (24.4%) angioplasty and 19 (16.2%) aspiration thrombectomy. 31 (26.5%; 95% CI 18.8–35.5%) had headache related to thrombectomy, and it was associated with a history of primary headache (p = 0.004). No differences about sex, initial NIHSS score, or the type or complexity of the procedure were observed. Headache was usually moderate and oppressive, ipsilateral to the artery occlusion and usually lasted less than 48 hours.ConclusionsAlmost one-third of patients with ischemic stroke who undergo endovascular thrombectomy experience headache in the first 24 hours, occurring more frequently in patients who had a previous history of headaches regardless of the procedure complexity.