Risk factors of malignant brain edema after successful recanalization of acute large vascular occlusion stroke

Abstract

Objective To observe the incidence, risk factors of malignant brain edema (MBE) and the influence of MBE on outcomes after early successful recanalization of acute large vascular occlusion stroke (ALVOS). Methods A total of 149 patients (age (68±11) years, male 85 (57.0%)) with ALVOS who underwent early endovascular treatment and achieved successful recanalization at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College from July 2014 to February 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline data, perioperative data, and 90-day prognostic information were collected from patients enrolled in the study. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to explore the relationship between MBE and outcomes, and the risk factors of MBE. Results Among the 149 patients, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 16 (13, 20), baseline Alberta Stroke Project early CT score was 9 (8, 10), the time of onset-to-puncture was (248.3±61.3) minutes, and the onset-to-recanalization time was (312.4±69.7) minutes. MBE occurred in 23 patients (15.4%, 23/149). The 90-day favorable outcome (90-day modified Rankin Scale score≤ 2) in patients with MBE was significantly lower than those without MBE (17.4% (4/23) vs 61.1% (77/126), χ2=14.985, P<0.001), and the 90-day mortality in patients with MBE was significantly higher than those without MBE (43.5% (10/23) vs14.3% (18/126), χ2=10.861, P=0.003). MBE was shown to be an independent predictor of 90-day poor outcome (adjusted OR=12.078, 95%CI 1.934-75.443, P=0.008) and death (adjusted OR=4.146, 95%CI 1.060-16.216, P=0.041). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the collateral circulation status was related to the incidence of MBE in patients with ALVOS after successful recanalization (level 2 vs level 0, adjusted OR=0.109, 95%CI 0.021-0.563, P=0.008). Conclusions MBE is an independent risk factor of ALVOS patients with poor outcome or death in 90 days. For patients with ALVOS, even if the occlusive vessels have been successfully recanalized after early endovascular treatment, MBE is still not uncommon. The collateral circulation state is an independent predictive factor of the development of MBE after recanalization by early endovascular treatment in patients with ALVOS. Key words: Stroke; Brain edema; Endovascular treatment; Recanalization