Considerations in Meta-Analyses to Understand the Value of Intravenous Thrombolysis in Current, Guideline-Based, Endovascular Practice of Stroke Treatment

We read the meta-analysis by Phan et  al,1 “Endovascular thrombectomy alone versus combined with intravenous thrombolysis,” with enthusiasm. In their study, the authors address one of the central uncertainties relevant to the current practice of stroke treatment: What is the added value of pretreatment with intravenous thrombolysi s to eligible patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy? While recognizing the study limitations, the authors present the following main results: 1) A strong trend towards favorable functional outcomes 2) without a change in mortality or 3) in the proportion of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrha ge was noted in patients who received intravenous thrombolysis compared to those who did not before mechanical thrombectomy.
Source: World Neurosurgery - Category: Neurosurgery Authors: Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research