Magnetic resonance imaging vs computed tomography for baseline imaging evaluation in acute basilar artery occlusion

The optimal imaging modality, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT), for identifying good treatment candidates among patients with acute basilar-artery occlusion (BAO) remains unclear.

This was a post hoc analysis of the ATTENTION trial. Patients were categorized into MRI or CT groups according to the baseline imaging modality. The primary outcome was mRS 0-3 at 90 days. The secondary outcomes included mRS score shift on an ordinal scale, early neurological deterioration, time from stroke onset to arterial puncture, and time from onset to randomization. The safety outcome was mortality within 90 days. Clinical outcomes and workflow times were compared between the two groups.