Efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischaemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion of the internal carotid artery: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials and primary studies

Background

Occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is among the most severe phenotypes of large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke, yet ICA-specific evidence on mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is dispersed across trial subgroups, registries and case series. We aimed to quantify the efficacy and safety of MT in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) due to ICA occlusion and to explore effect modification by occlusion pattern, tandem-lesion management and bridging intravenous thrombolysis (IVT).