Risk profile of decompressive hemicraniectomy for malignant stroke after revascularization treatment

• Published in: Journal of the neurological sciences Vol. 420; p. 117275
• Main Authors: Alzayiani, Mohamed, Schmidt, Tobias, Veldeman, Michael, Riabikin, Alexander, Brockmann, Marc A., Schiefer, Johannes, Clusmann, Hans, Schubert, Gerrit A., Albanna, Walid
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.01.2021
• Subjects: Brain Ischemia; Decompressive Craniectomy - adverse effects; Decompressive hemicraniectomy; Humans; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery - surgery; Malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (MMI); Retrospective Studies; Risk profile; Stroke; Stroke - surgery; Thrombectomy; Thrombolysis; Treatment Outcome; Risk profile; Decompressive hemicraniectomy; Stroke; Thrombectomy; Thrombolysis; Malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (MMI)
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2020.117275
• ISSN: 0022-510X

Revascularization by pharmacological and/or endovascular treatment is an effective therapy for acute ischemic stroke caused by artery occlusion. In the context of malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (MMI), decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) can be life-saving. However, its effectiveness and safety after revascularization have not been thoroughly assessed. This retrospective study aimed to determine the risk profile of pre-surgical revascularization treatment (RT) for subsequent DHC. A total of 152 consecutive patients treated by DHC after MMI were identified between 2012 and 2015. After elimination of cases with previous stroke and cases pre-treated with antiplatelets or anticoagulants (increased postoperative bleeding), twenty-four out of fifty patients (n = 24/50, 48%) received pre-surgical revascularization treatment by intravenous thrombolysis (TL), mechanical thrombectomy (MT) or a combination of both. Demographic data was compared alongside perioperative, postoperative complications (intra−/extracerebral hemorrhage, revision surgery due to hemorrhage or infection, and overall mortality) and economic parameters. Comparing patients with and without prior RT, there was no statistically significant difference in duration of surgery (RT: 83 [57–116] min vs. no-RT: 96 [69–119] min, p = 0.308), intraoperative blood loss (RT: 300 [225–375] ml vs. no-RT: 300 [250–400] ml, p = 0.763), intraoperative transfusion requirement (RT: 12.5% vs. no-RT: 26.9%, p = 0.294), or need for volume substitution (RT: 1300 [1200–1400] ml vs. no-RT: 1200 [1100–1400] ml, p = 0.359). The rate of postoperative complications was also comparable in both groups, including intra−/extracerebral hemorrhage, revision due to hemorrhage or infections, and mortality (p = 0.814, p = 0.520, p = 0.697, and p = 0.769). Health economic parameters were not affected (ventilation time: RT: 309 [12–527] hrs. vs. no-RT: 444 [171–605] hrs., p = 0.120, length of stay: RT: 23 [13−32] days vs. no-RT: 28 [19–41], p = 0.156, and stay costs: RT: 27768 [13044–60,248] € vs. no-RT: 35422 [21225–49,585] €, p = 0.312). DHC for patients with MMI who previously received revascularization therapy appears to be safe and not associated with a higher complication rate or increased health economic burden. •Revascularization treatment (RT) is an effective therapy for acute ischemic stroke.•For malignant middle cerebral artery infarction, decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) can be life-saving.•We determined the risk profile of pre-surgical revascularization treatment for subsequent DHC.•DHC after RT appears to be safe and is not associated with a higher complication rate.