Efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischaemic stroke secondary to infective endocarditis

Abstract

Objectives

Acute ischaemic strokes (stroke) are frequent and severe extracardiac complications in infective endocarditis (IE). Because intravenous thrombolysis (i.v.-thrombolysis) is contraindicated, mechanical thrombectomy (thrombectomy) offers potential benefits. We aimed to compare thrombectomy efficacy and safety between IE-related and general stroke cases.

Methods

Multicentre study of consecutive IE cases treated with thrombectomy at nine stroke centres in Spain from 2011 to 2022. Using propensity score matching, 50 IE cases were 1:4 matched with patients without IE stroke (n = 200). Efficacy was defined by successful recanalization rates (modified treatment in cerebral ischaemia scale ≥2 b), neurological improvement at 24 hours (decrease of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale compared with baseline), and good neurological outcome rates at 3 months (modified Rankin scale ≤2). Safety was assessed by intracranial haemorrhage (IC-haemorrhage), symptomatic IC-haemorrhage, crude mortality, and stroke-related mortality.

Results

Among 54 IE cases, 50 were matched with 200 controls. Successful recanalization was similarly achieved in both groups (76% vs. 83%). Median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at 24 hours was comparable, with analogous rates of neurological improvement (78% vs. 78%), and early dramatic response (48% vs. 46.5%). No differences were seen regarding IC-haemorrhage rates, except for when prior i.v.-thrombolysis was given. Although crude mortality was higher in the IE cohort, no differences were seen in stroke-related mortality (12% vs. 15%). At 3 months, modified Rankin scale scores of the two groups were superimposable.

Discussion

Thrombectomy in IE is as effective and safe as in patients without IE, and prior i.v.-thrombolysis could decrease the procedural safety. Clinical practice guidelines may consider including the recommendation to perform thrombectomy alone in IE-related stroke.